Should we be optimistic?

I was recently asked by my colleagues to share some thoughts on optimism with the rest of our community. Optimism is one of our community values and plays an important role in our work.

It is this value that tells us that no matter the difficult times we will accomplish our objectives. Since we work everyday to solve complex issues such as climate change, poverty, inequality, etc., we must believe in this value. Otherwise, we might as well stop what we are doing and look for a more lucrative career.

But this is not the case. Optimists believe in success and share a passion for a better world. Where others see darkness, we see opportunity. While others might be concerned about an economic recession we see a renewed focus on human development. While other think money we think happiness. While others prefer continuity we embrace a period of enlightenment.

More importantly, optimists believe that this world is the best possible word. Consider just the following:

According to The Centre for Systemic Peace, today there are less wars between countries than 40 years ago.

Johns Hopkins University estimates that civic society (including volunteer contributions and the non-for-profit sector) accounts 5.0% of global GDP. Compare this to the 5.6% contribution by the financial services sector.

CourhSurfing, a site that allows people to offer strangers accommodation for free has become the most visited hospitality service on the Internet, averaging more than 30 million daily page views in July 2008. According to its creators, 99% of experiences turn out to be positive.

The happiest countries, according to The New Economic Foundation, are developing countries. Further research suggests that happiness can’t be bought.

The proportion of children under age five who are underweight has fallen in the last 10 years all around the world.

Total net enrolment has increased in primary education since 1991 in all regions of the world.

These facts give us hope. Hope in our future and hope in the goodness of human kind. When it comes to choosing between darkness or lighting a candle, which one will you choose?