New York, N.Y. A child’s right to education entails the right to learn. Yet, for too many children across the globe, schooling does not lead to learning.
Over 600 million children worldwide are unable to attain minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics, even though two thirds of them are in school. For out-of-school children, foundational skills in literacy and numeracy are further from grasp.
Children are deprived of education for various reasons. Poverty remains one of the most obstinate barriers. Children living through economic fragility, political instability, conflict or natural disaster are more likely to be cut off from schooling – as are those with disabilities, or from ethnic minorities. In some countries, education opportunities for girls remain severely limited.
Even in schools, a lack of trained teachers, inadequate education materials and poor infrastructure make learning difficult for many students. Others come to class too hungry, ill or exhausted from work or household tasks to benefit from their lessons.
Compounding these inequities is a digital divide of growing concern: Most of the world’s school-aged children do not have internet connection in their homes, restricting their opportunities to further their learning and skills development.
Without quality education, children face considerable barriers to employment later in life. They are more likely to suffer adverse health outcomes and less likely to participate in decisions that affect them – threatening their ability to shape a better future for themselves and their societies.
Attacks on schools, students and educators are attacks on children’s right to an education – and on their futures.
A girl stands in her classroom. Credit: UNICEF/UN0311775/Kokic.
New York, N.Y.Attacks on schools, students and educators are attacks on children’s right to an education – and on their futures.
The problem.
Around the world, attacks on children continue unabated, as warring parties flout one of the most basic rules of war: the protection of children. The protracted nature of conflicts today is affecting the futures of entire generations of children.
Without access to education, a generation of children living in conflict will grow up without the skills they need to contribute to their countries and economies, exacerbating the already desperate situation for millions of children and their families.
The solution
A child’s right to education cannot be safeguarded in conflict zones without education itself being protected. Education can be a lifesaver. Out of school, children are easy targets of abuse, exploitation and recruitment by armed forces and groups.
School should provide a safe space where children can be protected from threats and crises. It is also a critical step to breaking the cycle of crisis and reduces the likelihood of future conflicts.
What is the Safe Schools Declaration?
The Safe Schools Declarationwas opened for state endorsement in Oslo, Norway, in May 2015. It is a political commitment to better protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during armed conflict, to support the continuation of education during war, and to put in place concrete measures to deter the military use of schools.
Today, 119 States have endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration. By endorsing the Declaration, States commit to restoring access to safe education and to developing education systems that are conflict-sensitive and promote respect between social or ethnic groups. The Declaration is a framework for collaboration and exchange, and endorsing countries meet on a regular basis to review implementation of the Declaration.
What is UNICEF’s role?
UNICEF works with states who have endorsed the Declaration and other armed groups to protect education from attack. UNICEF is on the frontlines in conflict-affected countries to develop school safety plans, get children back to learning by providing psycho-social support and informal learning opportunities, training teachers, rehabilitating schools, and distributing supplies for teaching and learning.
UNICEF also works with a range of partners to help children learn despite conflict and insecurity. For example, a partnership with governments across West and Central Africa is helping expand an innovative radio education program that provides an alternative learning platform for children and youth affected by crises.
TAGS: Access to education, Armed conflict, Armed forces, Attacks on children, Basic rule of war, Central Africa, Child abuse, Child exploitation, Child recruitment, Children, children affected by crises, Children living in conflict, Children’s rights, Conflict, Conflict zones, Cycle of crisis, Education, Educators, Military use of schools, New York City, Norway, Oslo, Protection of children, radio education program, Right to education, Safe Schools Declaration, Schools, Students, Teachers, UNICEF, Universities, War, West Africa, Youth, Youth affected by crises, Youth rights
New York, N.Y. The past six months of Israel’s military campaign has also brought “relentless death and destruction to Palestinians”, with over 32,000 reported killed, the vast majority women and children. “Lives are shattered. Respect for international law is in tatters,” he said.
The resulting humanitarian disaster is unprecedented, with more than a million “facing catastrophic hunger.” Children are dying due to lack of food and water: “This is incomprehensible and entirely avoidable”, the U.N. chief declared, repeating that nothing can justify such collective punishment.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres briefs the media outside the Security Council on the situation in Gaza. Credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.
Marking six months of war since the “abhorrent” Hamas-led terror attacks of 7 October, 2023, António Guterres told journalists at U.N. Headquarters in New York that nothing could justify the horror unleashed by Palestinian militants that day.
“I once again utterly condemn the use of sexual violence, torture injuring and kidnapping of civilians, the firing of rockets towards civilian targets and the use of human shields”, he said, calling again for the unconditional release of all hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip.
Having met many of the family members of those held captive “I carry their anguish, uncertainty and deep pain with me every day”, added Mr. Guterres.
‘Relentless Death’
But the past six months of Israel’s military campaign has also brought “relentless death and destruction to Palestinians”, with over 32,000 reported killed, the vast majority women and children.
“Lives are shattered. Respect for international law is in tatters”, he said.
The resulting humanitarian disaster is unprecedented, with more than a million “facing catastrophic hunger.”
Children are dying due to lack of food and water: “This is incomprehensible and entirely avoidable”, the UN chief declared, repeating that nothing can justify such collective punishment.
Weaponized AI
Mr. Guterres said he was deeply troubled by reports that the Israeli military has been using AI to help identify targets during its relentless bombing of densely populated areas of Gaza.
“No part of life and death decisions which impact entire families should be delegated to the cold calculation of algorithms,” he said.
AI should only be used as a force for good, not to wage war “on an industrial level, blurring accountability.”
UNRWA staff in Amman, Jordan, attend a ceremony to remember colleagues who have lost their lives in Gaza. Credit: UNRWA/Shafiq Fahed.
Humanitarian Deaths
Branding the war “the deadliest of conflicts”, he highlighted that 196 humanitarians including over 175 U.N. staffers have been killed, the vast majority serving with Palestine relief agency UNRWA.
“An information war has added to the trauma – obscuring facts and shifting blame”, said the U.N. chief, compounded by Israel denying journalists entry into Gaza, consequently allowing disinformation to spread.
Tactics Must Change
And following the appalling killing of the seven staffers with World Central Kitchen, the main problem is not who made the mistakes but “the military strategy and procedures in place that allow for those mistakes to multiply time and time again”, the Secretary-General said.
“Fixing those failures requires independent investigations and meaningful and measurable changes on the ground.”
He said the U.N. had been told by the Israeli Government that it was now planning to allow a “meaningful increase” in the flow of aid to Gaza. The UN chief said he sincerely hoped the increase in aid would materialize quickly.
‘Failure Would be Unforgivable’
“Dramatic humanitarian conditions require a quantum leap in the delivery of life-saving aid – a true paradigm shift.”
He noted last week’s Security Council resolution calling for hostages’ releases, civilian protection and unimpeded aid delivery.
“All those demands must be implemented. Failure would unforgivable,” he said.
Six months on, the world stands on the brink of mass starvation in Gaza, a regional conflagration and a “total loss of faith in global standards and norms.”
The violations committed since 7 October in Israel and Gaza, as well as the destruction and suffering of civilians in the enclave are unprecedented, the U.N. human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday, warning that the risk of further atrocity crimes is high.
OHCHR upheld the need to ensure aid delivery and the protection of humanitarian workers, noting that attacks against them may amount to war crimes.
The Israeli airstrikes that killed the World Central Kitchen personnel underline the horrific conditions under which humanitarians are operating in Gaza, said Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva.
“Israel has also killed law enforcement officials and others involved in securing humanitarian aid delivery, directly contributing to the breakdown of civil order and putting humanitarian workers and those in need of aid in further danger,” he added.
Following the attacks, World Central Kitchen and other NGOs suspended aid delivery and distributions in Gaza, “increasing the already real risk of more deaths from famine and disease at larger scale.”
War Crimes Warning
Mr. Laurence recalled that international law requires all warring parties to respect and protect humanitarian personnel and ensure their safety, security, and freedom of movement.
As the occupying power, Israel has the additional obligation to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the basic needs of Gaza’s population are met. This means the authorities must either ensure that people can access food and medical care or facilitate the work of humanitarians delivering this assistance.
“Attacking people or objects involved in humanitarian assistance may amount to a war crime,” he said.
He pointed out that U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk has repeatedly stated that impunity must end.
New York, N.Y. The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund is set to allocate $3 million on a pilot project that will provide peacebuilding and professional skills to Somali refugees volunteering to return from Kenya to Somalia.
Temporary homes are pouring into the overflow area of the Ifo Extension camp in Dadaab, Kenya. Photo: UN OCHA
Announcing the pilot project on Tuesday, the Fund said it will also help refugees settle down, and begin reintegration process into a community.
UN Peacebuilding notes that the project is unique as it reaches across borders and targets the same population, first in asylum in Dadaab, Kenya, and then upon return to Baidoa, Somalia. It builds on an agreement between the governments of Kenya and Somalia and Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees living in Dadaab.
UNHCR in Kenya, as well as UNHCR, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Somalia will receive the funding. The Peacebuilding Fund is currently also sponsoring other projects in Somalia, aimed at strengthening the national authority in areas liberated from rebel control.
The initiative is designed to promote coexistence and peaceful resolution of conflict in Somalia, in addition to supporting the Government’s priorities for stabilization and peace dividends, including investment in jobs. The Fund also aims to continue launching similar initiatives on return and reintegration of refugees.
New York, N.Y. United Nations officials have expressed their outrage over Friday’s killing by Israeli security forces of a 21-year-old Palestinian volunteer medic who was helping the injured along the Gaza border.
“Healthcare workers must be allowed to perform their duties without fear of death or injury,” said the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator, Jamie McGoldrick.
Attacks on medical teams in Gaza not only risk the life and health of staff and patients, but also undermine the overall capacity of Gaza’s chronically underfunded health system. Photo: @OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territory.
He added that it is difficult to see how the killing “squares with Israel’s obligation as occupying power to ensure the welfare of the population of Gaza” – the Palestinian enclave occupied by Israel.
According to media reports, Razan al-Najjar, a member of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), was hit by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces while trying, with other first responders, to reach those injured during Friday’s demonstrations against Israeli policies in Gaza, dubbed the ‘the Great March of Return’.
Ms. al-Najjar was taken to the European Gaza Hospital after being reportedly shot in the chest, but died shortly afterwards. Three others in her team were also injured.
The protests, still ongoing, were initially organized to take place from 30 March to 15 May to mark “al-Nakba” or “the Catastrophe,” by which Palestinians remember their mass displacement during the 1948-1949 war.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have marched along the border of the Gaza Strip – the Palestinian enclave occupied by Israel.
Fuelled by United States recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the official opening of its embassy there on 14 May, the demonstrations peaked that day and clashes at the border fence resulted in the killing of at least 60 Palestinians by Israel security forces.
The latest incident comes on top of “an already-staggering number of attacks on healthcare personnel” reported since the end of March, said a statement released by UN agencies on Saturday; 245 health workers and 40 ambulance crews have been caught up in the attacks, according to data provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, PMRS and the Union of Health Work Committees.
Attacks on medical teams in Gaza not only risk the life and health of staff and patients, but also undermine the overall capacity of Gaza’s chronically underfunded health system.
“Such attacks on health care must not happen, and we need to enhance our efforts to ensure the protection of our frontline health workers. There are clear obligations to safeguard healthcare under international law and these must be respected,” said Gerald Rockenschaub, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) office in the occupied Palestinian territory, or oPt.
Under international human rights law, lethal force may only be used as a last resort when there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury.
“It is very difficult to see how Razan posed such a threat to heavily-armed, well-protected Israeli forces in defensive positions on the other side of the fence,” James Heenan, Head of Office, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
“Reports indicate that Razan was assisting injured demonstrators and wearing her first responder clothing, clearly distinguishing her as a healthcare worker, even from a distance,” he added.
New York, N.Y. Senior officials from across the United Nations family today condemned the deadly attack in Nice, France, calling for stepped up efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremism.
Members of the Security Council observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the 14 July terrorist attack in Nice, France. UN Photo/Manuel Elias
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement from his spokesperson, expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of “this horrific act,” including to the Government and all the people of France. He underscored the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
“The Secretary-General hopes that all those responsible for this massacre will be rapidly identified and brought to justice,” according to the statement.
This morning, Ambassador Koro Bessho of Japan, as the President of the Security Council for the month of July, read out a statement issued last night in which the Council “condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack” and stressed that terrorism constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
“The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” Mr. Bessho said.
When the Council met later to discuss the situation in Iraq, all members stood to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims.
According to media reports, a truck rammed into pedestrians gathered to celebrate the French holiday in the southern seaside city of Nice on Thursday night, killing more than 80 – including children. Dozens of people have been injured.
The President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, expressed “horror” at the number of people killed and injured.
“This slaughter of innocent civilians is yet another horrific example of the terrorist movement’s total contempt for any kind of humanity,” he said.
Mr. Lykketoft noted that this is one of a number of these mass killings across the world in recent weeks, and it is “a dire call” for even stronger international counterterrorism cooperation.
Appalled by the horrendous carnage, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the murderous assault on ordinary people, using a simple truck as a deadly weapon, is yet another blow aimed at the heart of humanity by extremists, according to his Office (OHCHR).
“There are now so many deadly attacks – in Baghdad, Brussels, Dhaka, Istanbul, Medina, Orlando – to name just a fraction of those that have occurred in recent months, that words of condemnation sound like damp leaves fluttering to the ground after another violent storm,” Mr. Zeid said through his spokesperson in Geneva.
He noted that while the driver’s motives are still to be established, “we are confronted by an ideology that seems to be creating an endless supply of fanatics prepared to kill for the sake of killing.”
The response, Mr. Zeid cautioned, needs to be “carefully calculated and highly sophisticated” so that it is not simply about heightening security but about deflating the ideology itself.
Irina Bokova, who heads the France-based UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), expressed the organization’s “deep sadness and sincere condolences” and stressed the importance of education and social inclusion in fighting terrorism.
“This barbaric attack will never win over our shared resolve to unrelentingly pursue our efforts to prevent violent extremism through education for global citizenship and human rights, respect for cultural diversity and the power of culture as a force for social inclusion,” Ms. Bokova said.
Adding his voice to the chorus of condemnations, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, also called the incident an “outrageous attack” and a “barbaric crime that is unjustifiable by all means.”
Taleb Rifai, the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, said that “in the face of these forces of darkness, we must more than ever remain united to fight this global threat.” He added that Nice will continue to be one of the leading tourism destinations in France and in the world.
In 1939, at the height of the Sino-Japanese War, a 19-year-old Harvard art history student set off for the remote region of Lijiang, China, in search of the mysterious ancient culture of the Naxi (Nah-shee). Launched on his quest after receiving a gift of a 40-foot Naxi funeral scroll depicting a soul’s journey through heaven and hell in a pictographic script, Quentin Roosevelt, grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, traveled for four months before he finally reached the mountainous region on the Tibetan border.
Crown. Northwestern Yunnan Province. 18th-early 20th century. Paint on cardboard. 4.3 x 7.3 in. Private Collection, Spain.
There, with the help of the Reverend James Andrews, a family friend and Pentecostal missionary based in Lijiang, he spent ten days assembling what was to become one of the most complete collections of Naxi art outside of China. This first-ever exhibition of the collection of Naxi art that the young Roosevelt gathered on his journey of discovery is on view at the Rubin Museum of Art. Quentin Roosevelt’s China: Ancestral Realms of the Naxi, which will remain on view through September 19, 2011, unites the Roosevelt collection with that of legendary botanist-explorer Joseph Rock, the first Western explorer to extensively study the complex religious and linguistic traditions of the Naxi, and whose collection has also never been publicly displayed.
Quentin Roosevelt, grandson of Teddy Roosevelt, traveled for four months before he finally reached the mountainous region on the Tibetan border.
Guest curated by Cindy Ho and anthropologist Christine Mathieu, along with the Rubin Museum of Art’s former Chief Curator Martin Brauen, the exhibition includes 147 works showcasing the art central to the Naxi Dongba religion, a highly-structured tradition comprising approximately one thousand ceremonies and sub-ceremonies. Much of the art is adorned with a pictographic script that is unique to the Naxi, and possesses a freshness and spontaneity that suggests a focus on content rather than artistic labor. Among the highlights are: Ceremonial funeral scrolls, which are central to the Dongba religion as they act as bridges for souls to reach the realm of the gods. One such scroll, forty feet long and a foot wide, leads a soul on the arduous journey through the gates of hell on to the realm of the gods in intricately painted scenes of the various realms of existence. Funeral scrolls are unique to the Naxi religion and are found nowhere else in China or Tibet. Ritual cards were used in the many Dongba ceremonies. One set of cards that represents flying creatures was ritually hung above the altar. The ten brightly painted cards that each depict a wild bird, except one which shows a bat, were used in a ceremony called Sizhpiu to request longevity. Ceremonial Manuscripts were written by Dongba priests in a pictographic script and contain the entire religion’s corpus in about one thousand ceremonial books. The pictographs represent words or syllables, and script tended to be altered as priests took on their own styles and created their own schools. The exhibition will include a number of texts, including those used in divination ceremonies, funerals for those who died at a young age, and ceremonies for honoring spirits of the natural world, among others. The dramatic story of Roosevelt’s journey is brought to life in the exhibition’s Explore Area, which features digitized photographic documentation, written correspondence, and actual artifacts from his trip, including Roosevelt’s camera and passport. This section provides a glimpse into Roosevelt’s personal experiences on his journey—what he saw and felt as he encountered the Naxi culture, religion, and art.
Manuscript Page. Northwestern Yunnan Province; date unknown. 3.5 x 11 in. Harvard‐Yenching Library, Harvard University.
Residing in a remote mountainous region between Tibet and the south-western Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan, the Naxi and especially their religious art are still relatively unknown. In fact, the thesis Roosevelt wrote as an undergraduate in 1941 remains the only academic thesis on Naxi art in Western and Chinese scholarship. “In an era before easy air travel and GPS, the young Roosevelt, inspired by the gift of an enigmatic scroll, embarked on an extraordinary journey to a remote region of war-torn China,” said Martin Brauen. “His expedition has brought exceptional artifacts to the United States and the Naxi culture to the attention of a larger public, a great and enduring contribution.”
Ritual Cards. Northwestern Yunnan Province. 18th-early 20th century. Watercolor on hemp paper (?). 8.9 x 6 in. Collection of Dr. John M. Lundquist.
Guest curator Cindy Ho first researched and conceived of an exhibition on Naxi religious art in 1993. Ho gained access to Roosevelt’s personal journals and collections through the generous support of his family, enabling her to track down all of the works he had assembled through his explorations. She traveled to Lijiang four times, retracing his footsteps and visiting villages he and Joseph Rock had written about. In 1997, Ho was joined by ethnohistorian Christine Mathieu, who had just received her PhD on the reconstruction of the social, religious, and political history of the Naxi. Mathieu traveled to Yunnan twice to research the details of the Roosevelt collection in consultation with Naxi priests and scholars. In 2009, sixteen years after Ho first began working on a Naxi exhibition, she and Mathieu were approached by the Rubin Museum of Art’s Chief Curator Martin Brauen about collaborating on a show about the Naxi culture.
Manuscript Cover. Northwestern Yunnan Province. 18th-early 20th century. Ink and paint on paper. 3.6 x 11 in. Private Collection, Spain.
“Roosevelt’s detailed study of the Naxi tradition, illustrated with his own diagrams and photographs, provides an invaluable window into the world of a little-known culture. His undergraduate work exhibits tremendous courage in its original interpretations and analyses,” said Ho. “In many ways, it has been a blessing that the exhibition took so many years to realize. The Rubin Museum is the perfect venue and has allowed us to expand on our original concept of exhibiting Roosevelt’s collection.” The ancestors of the Naxi people, called Mosuo (Mo-so), settled in the Lijiang plain in Yunnan province, China in the tenth or eleventh century. Today, the Naxi are one of fifty-six national groups that form the Chinese nation. The Naxi have fascinated scholars and visitors from around the world with their complex and highly-structured religion, Dongba, and especially for the spontaneous and freeform pictographic script in which the religion is written. Dongba artist-priests were recognized for their artistic ability and the most influential created their own styles and schools, adding to the complexity and mysteries of the tradition. Quentin Roosevelt’s China examines and explores the artistry central to the Dongba religion. “The Rubin’s curatorial and educational programs are focused on journeys of discovery. Discovering new cultures and ideas. Discovering rare and magnificent works of art. And personal discovery for our audiences as they encounter cultures and worlds for the first time,” said Marcos Stafne, Head of Education and Visitor Experience. “The museum strives to create a window into a diverse landscape of artistic expression and to capture the shared human drive to explain the complex world around us.”
Chinese troops fighting along the Salween River front, 1942.
Quentin Roosevelt’s China continues the museum’s tradition of bringing to the fore previously little-known cultures and creating ground-breaking exhibitions. In 2007, the museum presented Bon: The Magic Word, the first major exhibition in the world dedicated to art of the Bon culture and belief system that predates Buddhism in Tibet. In 2009 the museum was home to the first public display of Carl Gustav Jung’s famous Red Book, in conjunction with the first ever facsimile and translation of the original work. The exhibition on the Naxi religion exemplifies the museum’s interest in providing audiences with unprecedented experiences. Cindy Ho reconstructed the Quentin Roosevelt collection and conceived the idea for an exhibition on the Naxi based on the collection in 1993. She identified the Naxi Dongba artifacts collected by Roosevelt, forgotten and dispersed in five different locations. Ho has lectured about the Roosevelt collection at Harvard University and New York’s China Institute. In 1997, she produced Trailing the Written Word: The Art of Writing Among China’s Ethnic Minorities and West of the East – A Journey Through Macau, Asia’s First and Last Colony in 1999, sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts and supported by Fundaçao Oriente. Ho lives in New York City. Christine Mathieu is an ethnohistorian and anthropologist who has studied the histories and cultures of the Naxi and Mosuo people since 1989. She was one of the first anthropologists to work in the field of Naxi studies after the communist revolution of 1949. In 1997 she joined Cindy Ho to work on the Roosevelt exhibition. She has contributed chapters to several anthologies and authored two books on the Naxi and Mosuo, A History and Anthropological Study of the Ancient Kingdoms of the Sino-Tibetan Borderland and the internationally-acclaimed Leaving Mother Lake, with Yang Erche Namu. Mathieu lives in Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Martin Brauen, former Chief Curator at the Rubin Museum of Art, studied Buddhism at Delhi University and anthropology and history of religions at Zurich University. Field studies have taken him to Ladakh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Brauen joined the museum as Chief Curator in 2008 and served until July 1, 2011. He had previously been head of the Department of Tibet, Himalayas and the Far East at the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich. He is the author of numerous English language publications about Tibetan and Himalayan art and culture, including The Dalai Lamas, Dreamworld Tibet, and Deities of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as a number of publications in German. The exhibition Quentin Roosevelt’s China: Ancestral Realms of the Naxi is accompanied by a 200-page color-catalogue edited by Christine Mathieu and Cindy Ho that offers a comprehensive introduction to Naxi art, iconography, and religion and will be the first publication of its kind. The contributions include introductions by Mathieu and Ho; two biographical pieces: the first on Quentin Roosevelt’s journey to China by Chief Curator Martin Brauen, and the second on the life of Joseph Rock by Rock’s late biographer Sylvia Sutton. It also includes essays by scholars of the Naxi nationality on Naxi history, Dongba art, and women in the Dongba religion; a comparative review of Naxi and Mosuo religious traditions; an essay on Dongba language and the pictographic script; a comprehensive review of Dongba religion and its history by Mathieu; and an interview with Yang Fuquan, also a scholar of the Naxi nationality and vice-president of the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences. The Rubin Museum of Art holds one of the world’s most important collections of Himalayan art. Paintings, pictorial textiles, and sculpture are drawn from cultures that touch upon the arc of mountains that extends from Afghanistan in the northwest to Myanmar (Burma) in the southeast and includes Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, and Bhutan.
The larger Himalayan cultural sphere, determined by significant cultural exchange over millennia, includes Iran, India, China, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. The museum explores these rich cultural legacies—largely unfamiliar to Western viewers—from a variety of perspectives, offering multiple entry-points for understanding and enjoying the art of the Himalayas.
See Stories by Jim Luce on: Art | China | New York | Tibet
My partner John Lee and I were there at the Sheraton Hotel when Andy Cuomo was elected last fall. He promised us he would bring gay marriage to the Empire State. I cheered, but did not hold my breath. In less than six months, he kept his promise. I may nowmarry the man I love. As can any resident or non-resident of New York State from anywhere in the world. I am stunned and overwhelmed, Andrew. Thank you.
The Heritage of Pride Committee has run the parade brilliantly for almost 50 years
New York, N.Y. A sea change in New York. Although I have attended the NYC Pride Parade since 1983 – many as a marshal – this one was different. As the lesbian on motorcycles thundered into view down Fifth Avenue I did something I had not done in 28 years. I burst into tears. After 28 years in New York City, I finally have the right to marry the man I love. Thank you, Andrew Cuomo.
History of NYC’s Pride March
The first New York City Pride March, also known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day March, took place on June 28, 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots. The march began at Washington Place in Greenwich Village and moved north up Sixth Avenue, attracting thousands of participants. The march was intended to end in Central Park, but organizers didn’t have a police permit.
Governor Andy Cuomo promised us he would usher in gay marriage. Promise kept. With him was Mayor Mike Bloomberg, NYC’s Chris Quinn, and NYS’s Tom Duane.
New Yorkers United for Marriage – the grand coalition of activist organizations – performed an unexpected miracle in Albany last week with the help of Republicans.
The Stonewall Riots began on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a Greenwich Village bar that was a hub of the city’s underground gay community. Community members fought back against the raids, which sparked the modern LGBTQ rights movement and the organization of the first Pride March.
The Heritage of Pride (HOP) organization has produced and organized the parade and related events since 1984. HOP is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that welcomes participation from all ages, genders, races, religions, and more.
The NYC Pride March takes place on the last Sunday in June each year and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. Over the years, the march has reflected the community’s evolving priorities, highlighting issues such as anti-gay legislation, AIDS support, and marriage equality
Rep. Maloney Supports Gay Rights
Carolyn Maloney, U.S. Representative from New York representing the Upper East Side and our Roosevelt Island, has firmly established herself as a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, showcasing an unwavering commitment to equality and inclusivity throughout her political career.
With a resolute dedication to the cause, Maloney has consistently advocated for LGBTQ+ equality on both local and national fronts. Her unwavering support has been evident through her co-sponsorship of crucial bills aimed at bolstering anti-discrimination protections, advocating for marriage equality, and safeguarding the rights of LGBTQ+ youth. By lending her voice and influence to these initiatives, Maloney has helped pave the way for tangible progress and social change.
Beyond legislative efforts, Maloney has emerged as a vocal advocate and ally for the LGBTQ+ community, using her platform to amplify their voices and champion their rights. Her outspoken stance on various issues pertaining to gay rights has resonated deeply, earning her widespread respect and admiration within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Corporate America was out in full strength – including New York Life, MasterCard, Delta, Wells Fargo – with their impressive stage coach – and a host of others.
One of my favorite groups, – Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps, marched with pride.
Perennial good guy and senior U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer celebrated with us.
One of Maloney’s landmark achievements in advancing LGBTQ+ rights came with the introduction of the first measure in New York to recognize domestic partnerships, inclusive of those formed by same-sex couples. This groundbreaking initiative not only symbolized a significant step forward in the fight for equality but also underscored Maloney’s unwavering dedication to fostering a more inclusive society for all.
In essence, Carolyn Maloney’s steadfast commitment to gay rights epitomizes the essence of principled leadership, as she continues to advocate tirelessly for equality, dignity, and justice for the LGBTQ+ community. Through her actions and advocacy, Maloney has left an indelible mark on the landscape of LGBTQ+ rights, reaffirming her status as a beacon of hope and progress for generations to come.
New York City’s finest—our police force—honored us, as did our fire department.
Every great organization marches down Fifth Avenue to the applause of the crowds.Every great organization marches down Fifth Avenue to the applause of the crowds.I actually knew Emery Hetrick and Damien Martin – what pride we have in our community!I actually knew Emery Hetrick and Damien Martin – what pride we have in our community!New York University buses were used to chauffeur SAGE members – our wise elders.New York University buses were used to chauffeur SAGE members – our wise elders.
As I watched the parade I remembered my impression from my very first parade three decades ago – no city in the world is as diverse as New York, and no community in the world is as accepting as our LGBT community. In this one parade you have the Irish, Puerto Ricans, Israelis, Macy’s balloons, our police drummers – and fire trucks. All of the multi-nation corporations headquartered here that embrace diversity. Our universities, churches and synagogues. Our progressive political leaders from both sides of the aisle. I am so proud to be both gay and a New Yorker.
My own U.S. Congress Member Carolyn Maloney has a superb gay-positive record.
Borough President Scott Stringer was there – Manhattan now gay capital of the world.
My partner John Lee and I were there at the Sheraton Hotel when Andy Cuomo was elected last fall. He promised us he would bring gay marriage to the Empire State. I cheered, but did not hold my breath. In less than six months, he kept his promise. I may now marry the man whom I love. As can any resident or non-resident of New York State from anywhere in the world. I am stunned and overwhelmed, Andrew. Thank you.
Bangladesh, a country rich in history and culture, is forging ahead in the global arena, propelled by its commitment to education. In this essay, we delve into the transformative power of education in Bangladesh, exploring its significance in shaping the nation’s future, fostering economic growth, and promoting social equity.
New York, N.Y. Education stands as the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s development journey, with significant strides made in recent decades. Despite facing numerous challenges, including poverty, limited resources, and natural disasters, Bangladesh has prioritized education as a means of empowerment and progress. The nation’s commitment to education is evident in its policies, investments, and grassroots initiatives aimed at expanding access to learning opportunities for all.
School children in Bangladesh. Photo: Scott Wallace / World Bank.
One of the most compelling aspects of education in Bangladesh is its role in breaking the cycle of poverty.
Education empowers individuals to transcend socioeconomic barriers, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to pursue better livelihoods.
By investing in education, Bangladesh is investing in its people, equipping them with the tools to contribute meaningfully to society and participate in the global economy.
Moreover, education serves as a catalyst for economic growth and innovation. A well-educated workforce fuels productivity, drives technological advancements, and attracts foreign investment.
Bangladesh’s thriving garment industry, for example, has benefited from a skilled labor force educated in vocational training programs. By nurturing a culture of lifelong learning and skill development, Bangladesh is positioning itself as a competitive player in the global marketplace.
Three girls walk home from school. Photo: Scott Wallace / World Bank.
Education also plays a pivotal role in promoting social equity and inclusivity. In a diverse society like Bangladesh, education serves as a bridge between different communities, fostering understanding, tolerance, and respect. By providing quality education to marginalized groups, including girls, minorities, and children from rural areas, Bangladesh is fostering a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
The empowerment of women through education is a particularly powerful driver of progress in Bangladesh. Historically, women in Bangladesh have faced numerous barriers to accessing education, including cultural norms, early marriage, and lack of resources.
However, concerted efforts by the government, NGOs, and grassroots organizations have led to significant improvements in girls’ education rates. Educated women are more likely to participate in the workforce, make informed decisions about their health and well-being, and advocate for gender equality. As a result, investing in girls’ education not only benefits individuals but also strengthens families, communities, and the nation as a whole.
Students get water. Photo: Scott Wallace / World Bank.
Furthermore, education plays a vital role in environmental sustainability and resilience. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, facing threats such as rising sea levels, cyclones, and floods. Education empowers communities to adapt to environmental challenges, implement sustainable practices, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. By integrating environmental education into school curricula and promoting eco-friendly initiatives, Bangladesh is fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and resilience.
School girls returning home from classes in Gazipur. Photo: Scott Wallace/ World Bank.
In addition to its tangible benefits, education also has intrinsic value, enriching individuals’ lives and expanding their horizons. Through education, people gain a deeper understanding of the world, cultivate critical thinking skills, and develop a lifelong passion for learning. Education not only prepares individuals for their careers but also equips them to be informed citizens, active participants in democracy, and agents of positive change.
Despite the progress made, challenges remain in ensuring universal access to quality education in Bangladesh. Issues such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and disparities in educational attainment persist, particularly in rural and remote areas. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and disrupted learning for millions of children across the country. Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment, innovative approaches, and collaborative efforts from government, civil society, and the private sector.
Education is not merely a pathway to success but a fundamental human right and a catalyst for national development. In Bangladesh, education is empowering individuals, driving economic growth, promoting social cohesion, and fostering environmental sustainability. By investing in education, Bangladesh is investing in its future, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow for generations to come. As the nation continues on its journey of progress, education will remain a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient society.
Jim Luce’s extensive coverage of Bangladesh captures a nation at a pivotal crossroads, documenting its journey from the traumatic birth following the 1971 Liberation War to its current struggles with democratic governance and development challenges. Born from the ashes of East Pakistan after a genocidal conflict that claimed countless Bengali lives, Bangladesh emerged as South Asia’s first secular state, though its constitutional identity has evolved over decades—from socialism to Islamic republic and back toward secular principles. Through his reporting, Luce chronicles both the promise and perils of this densely populated nation, from the political upheaval surrounding authoritarian leadership and the recent indictment of ousted Prime Minister Hasina, to the grassroots innovations of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and the persistent public health crises affecting rural communities. His work reveals Bangladesh as a complex tapestry of resilience and struggle, where democratic aspirations clash with authoritarian tendencies, and where educational empowerment and social entrepreneurship offer hope amid ongoing challenges ranging from political instability to environmental and health crises.
Above:Aravella Simotas with Gerry Ferraro and U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
New York, N.Y. Today she was put to rest. Last summer, at 11am on Thursday, August 26, I attended the Long Island City Post Office Dedication Ceremony – for only one reason. The building was being dedicating to one of the singular women leaders of our times, the Hon. Geraldine A. Ferraro. Her presence was electric.
Important women from America’s Democratic establishment were there in droves, including my own U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, as well as U.S. Congresswoman Jane Harman of California; Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly of Connecticut; Terry O’Neill, President of NOW; and Ellie Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation. Democratic stalwart Loula Loi Alafoyiannis and others sat in the packed audience.
Gerry, of course, was best known for being the first woman to run for Vice President on a major party ticket and was honored for her many years of dedicated public service to New York and the nation. The bill, Public Law 111-50, was sponsored by Carolyn Maloney, and signed into law on August 19, 2009 by Barack Obama.
Like many political figures, Gerry was an attorney. She grew up in Queens, never losing her accent, becoming first a teacher and then a lawyer. She joined the Queens County District Attorney’s Office in 1974, where she headed the then-new Special Victims Bureau that dealt with sex crimes, child abuse, and domestic violence. Her experiences there impacted the dedication she showed to the downtrodden throughout her political career.
According to Wikipedia:
She was elected to the House in 1978, where she rose rapidly in the party hierarchy while focusing on legislation to bring equity for women in the areas of wages, pensions, and retirement plans. In 1984, former Vice President and presidential candidate Walter Mondale selected Ferraro to be his running mate in the upcoming election.
In doing so she became the only Italian-American to be a major-party national nominee in addition to being the first woman. The positive polling the Mondale-Ferraro ticket received when she joined faded as questions about her and her husband's finances arose. In the general election, Mondale and Ferraro were defeated in a landslide by incumbent President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush.
In 1992 I explored running in the Republican Primary against Alfonse D’Amato to force him to spend down his campaign chest (story). Our effort eventually rolled over onto an education campaign against him called Dump D’Amato in ’92!Gerry ran in the Democratic primary that year, as she did again in 1998, both times starting as the front-runner for her party’s nomination before losing in the primary election. Bobby Abrams went on in ’92 to represent the party until Italian-American D’Amato beat Bobby down for referring to D’Amato as a fascist.
Gerry’s primary opponents in ’92 included State Attorney General Bobby Abrams, Reverend Al Sharpton, and New York City Comptroller and former CongresswomanLiz Holtzman. Bob was considered the early front-runner. The D’Amato campaign feared facing Gerry the most, as her own Italian ancestry, effective debating and stump speech skills, and her staunch pro-choice views would have eaten into several of D’Amato’s usual bases of support.
Gerry became the front-runner, capitalizing on her star power from ‘84, and using the campaign attacks against her husband John Zaccaro as an explicitly feminist rallying point for women voters. But Liz ran an exceptionally negative ad accusing Ferraro and Zaccaro of taking more than $300,000 in rent in the 1980s from a pornographer with purported ties to the mob.
To paraphrase Wikipedia, the final debates were nasty, and Liz kept attacking Gerry’s integrity and finances. In an unusual election-eve television broadcast, Gerry talked about “the ethnic slur that I am somehow or other connected to organized crime. There’s lots of innuendo but no proof. However, it is made plausible because of the fact that I am an Italian-American. This tactic comes from the poisoned well of fear and stereotype…” Bobby went on to defeat Gerry by less than a percentage point in the primary. Gerry refused to concede she had lost for two weeks, leaving Bobby weakened and vulnerable to D’Amato’s powerful forces.
Geraldine A. Ferraro with Congressmember Carolyn B. Maloney. Photo: Jim Luce.
Wikipedia finishes her biography, stating:
She served as a United States Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1993 until 1996, in the presidential administration of Bill Clinton. She also continued her career as a journalist, author, and businesswoman, and served in the 2008 presidential campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Ferraro died from multiple myeloma, 12 years after being diagnosed.
Born August 26, 1935, Geraldine Anne Ferraro passed on March 26, 2011. Her ascendancy as a woman candidate for the office of the Vice President was the harbinger of Barack Obama’s election to the presidency. With each barrier broken, more and more possibilities occur. Her long-term survival of multiple myeloma Gerry Ferraro was another broken barrier. Gerry was a fearless candidate, a devoted wife, and an exceptional survivor.
The nature of contemporary conflicts has posed new challenges to the concept of the protection of civilians. The LTTE terrorist group, for example, made the Tamil civilian population under its control a part of their military strategy. During almost three decades of combating LTTE terrorism in our country, the Government took utmost care to draw a clear distinction between civilians and terrorists while the terrorists callously used the civilians as a human shield. Their objective was Machiavellian. The coerced presence of thousands of civilians around the retreating terrorists was designed to slow the advance of the Security Forces and as a means of formulating an escape strategy for the leadership. If all else failed, it was a useful foundation to later develop allegations of breaches of global humanitarian standards.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s last report on the subject in November 2010 focused on recurring and emerging concerns regarding the protection of civilians, the proliferation and fragmentation of non-State armed groups, the displacement of populations within and across borders, the predicament of women and children and the continuing impunity in certain situations.
Civilians used as human shields by the LTTE poured into government-controlled areas during the conflict.
By all accounts, the state of civilians in conflict situations in 2011 has not qualitatively improved despite the concerted efforts made by the United Nations and, in particular, the Security Council. Ad-hoc approaches do not appear to achieve the desired results. Slow change underlines that the protection task cannot be addressed solely in theoretical terms, as it requires us to be conscious of a multiplicity of different factors ranging from political realities, socio-economic factors, basic individual rights, proliferation of small arms, and the increasing sophistication of terrorists. The use of modern technology and subtle propaganda tools by terrorist groups and their networks of sympathizers are becoming an increasing challenge in protecting civilians and require the detailed attention of the United Nations.
The Sri Lankan government provided care and medical assistance to the IDPs during the conflict.
Many a time reality is drowned by clever terrorist propaganda. The practical realities based on the experiences of Member States, particularly those which have successfully countered terrorism, must be seriously looked at instead of a theoretical application of one size fits all humanitarian framework. Sri Lanka has seriously taken account of the principles underlined in the Council’s thematic resolutions since 1999. Its commitment is demonstrated by the manner Sri Lanka addressed civilian protection issues during the conflict with the most ruthless terrorist LTTE and in its aftermath. While adopting a zero civilian casualty policy, at cost to itself, despite the use of vast numbers of civilians as a human shield by the terrorists, subsequently, it addressed the question of IDP resettlement with remarkable speed and efficacy. The robust nature of its ongoing post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, and the committed pursuit of accountability and reconciliation processes are noteworthy.
In the post conflict phase, the State, has invested heavily in an ambitious development program in the former conflict affected areas focusing on civilian infrastructure and livelihood development. Billions of dollars have been committed for the purpose. Sri Lanka set up special Women’s Protection Units with female Police officers and Women’s Centers in the former IDP camps and is continuing to provide counseling services in the North and the East. The Government has given special consideration to uplifting the social and economic status of war widows. Already bilateral assistance has been obtained to initiate a self-employment program for war widows in Batticaloa in collaboration with the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) based in India. Children have been a special focus and over 900 schools damaged during the conflict having been restored, largely using state funds. The protection of war affected women and children is a priority for the Government and every effort is being made to ensure that their lives are returned to normalcy as soon as possible. The role of the UNICEF has been vital in this respect.
The nature of contemporary conflicts has posed new challenges to the concept of the protection of civilians. The LTTE terrorist group, for example, made the Tamil civilian population under its control a part of their military strategy. During almost three decades of combating LTTE terrorism in our country, we took utmost care to draw a clear distinction between civilians and terrorists while the terrorists callously used the civilians as a human shield. Their objective was Machiavellian. The coerced presence of thousands of civilians around the retreating terrorists was designed to slow the advance of the Security Forces and as a means of formulating an escape strategy for the leadership. If all else failed, it was a useful foundation to later develop allegations of breaches of global humanitarian standards.
Throughout the final phase of the armed conflict, from 2006 to 2009, Sri Lanka engaged with the United Nations (U.N.) and its agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and representatives of the international community and civil society – both in Sri Lanka and outside. The challenges Sri Lanka faced in protecting its civilians was a challenge to the State itself and its institutions. Yet, the Government remained committed to its zero casualty policy. Our troops underwent training to distinguish between combatants and civilians. Assistance was obtained from the ICRC in the training of troops in human rights law. However, the inevitable casualties of a conflict imposed on the state and ruthlessly affected by the terrorists are now the basis of a massive propaganda campaign.
I specifically wish to address the question of the LLRC which some delegations have referred to. In keeping with the principle that it is first and foremost the responsibility of States themselves to investigate infractions of global humanitarian standards, the Government established a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) to address a range of issues relating to the conflict, reconciliation and confidence building, accountability, etc. The LLRC was given a wide mandate that allows it to recommend measures to ensure reconciliation, restitution for victims and address the root causes to discourage non-repetition of any internal armed conflict. It has conducted an exhaustive inquiry. This independent commission is due to submit its report this month and subsequently, it will be presented to the Parliament.
The LLRC has made interim recommendations, many of which have already been implemented by an inter-ministerial mechanism. Sri Lanka will be submitting itself to the Universal Periodic Review of the HRC in October 2012 and looks forward to this interaction with the HRC. Sri Lanka takes the view that it needs to be given the time and space to deal with these issues. An inevitable consequence of armed conflict is internal displacement. There are over 27 Million IDP’s worldwide according to U.N. reports. The State has the primary responsibility not only to provide for the welfare of its displaced civilians in terms of food, clothing, medical care and shelter, but also to ensure their safety, in keeping with the provisions of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. Recognizing this fundamental issue, Sri Lanka first ensured the provision of basic needs such as housing, water, sanitation and the reestablishment of communities.
The Government then embarked on providing an array of services such as education, vocational training and livelihood support, fisheries and agricultural development, health and other services, proper administration, policing and a host of governmental functions at an unprecedented scale. 95% of the displaced are now successfully returned to their villages with the balance awaiting the demining of their land. It is estimated that the LTTE terrorists laid around 1.5 million landmines. The local economy has shown vast potential for growth with a 22% rise in the GDP of the North last year. As President Rajapaksa said in his address to the General Assembly in September, “I am deeply mindful that the battle for peace is every bit as important and difficult as the struggle against terror. After the eradication of terrorism, my government has turned its undivided attention to building anew, the foundations of a unified and vibrant nation, drawing upon the inherent strengths of our country.”
Reconstruction in the North and the East of Sri Lanka after 27 Years of conflict in Sri Lanka.
My delegation hopes that the Council discussion on the Protection of Civilians will facilitate practical outcomes based on ground realities – realities that differ from situation to situation. It is also hoped that the Council’s efforts will be channeled to assist countries to achieve the noble goals that we all subscribe to. It is for this reason that my delegation has sought to share our experience, and for all of us to invest greater efforts in preventing conflicts and their recurrence and to respond practically and proportionately to situations affecting civilian populations. All photos courtesy of M.O.D. Sri Lanka.
H.E. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona has received many awards over the years, including the 2010 Global Citizenship Award for Leadership in Helping Humanity presented by Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW). Dr. Kohona is the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations. The above article is taken from his address to the U.N. Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, November 9, 2011. See other Diplomatic Viewpoint Articles: Sri Lanka: an MDG Success Story U.N. Ambassador Kohona Returns to Sri Lanka, Notes Parks Popular Again U.N. Ambassador Kohona: Sri Lanka Refugee Situation Improving See Stories by Jim Luce on: Extremism | International Development | Sri Lanka | United Nations The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) is the umbrella organization under which The International University Center Haiti (Uni Haiti) and Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) are organized. If supporting young global leadership is important to you, subscribe to J. Luce Foundation updates here.
I am in Bodh Gaya, in the state of Bihar, India where Siddhartha Gautama obtained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. I am a pilgrim following in The Buddha’s footsteps across eastern India and attending the gigantic Kalachakra here. Bodh Gaya is a sleepy historic enclave of about 50,000 – swelled this week to what some have estimated at over 500,000 for the Dalia Lama’s Kalachakra. One can almost no longer walk through the street due to the throngs. My friends with me have shared their photos with me below.
The Buddha covered in garlands at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.Crowded street scene in Bodh Gaya where Japanese and Indian motorcycles are prevalent. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya where the Bodi Tree grows. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.Fog from the cold, humid winter and smoke form cow dung fires and incense choke the town. Photo by Vanessa Cabezas.Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. Beautiful flowers are as ubiquitous here as beggars. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.Back of cart in Bodh Gaya. Transport includes auto and bicycle rickshaws as well as motorcycles and horse-drawn carriages. Photo by Vanessa Cabezas.Beggar with performing monkeys on a Bodh Gaya street. Photo by Vanessa Cabezas.Goats and cows stroll the streets, although each belongs to a specific family. Photo by Vanessa Cabezas.Cow dung used for cooking fires dries on the walls. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.Girls sharing stories and doing laundry – a universal. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.Warning sign outside building in Bodh Gaya. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.Paul Goldsmith presents Hindu iconary used in public health advertisement. Photo: courtesy Paul Goldsmith.
Pilgrimage to Buddha’s Holy Sites Main Sites: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar Additional Sites: Sravasti, Rajgir, Sankissa, Vaishali, Nalanda, Varanasi Other Sites: Patna, Gaya, Kosambi, Kapilavastu, Devadaha, Kesariya, Pava
On Pilgrimage: Following the Footsteps of Buddha Across N.W. India in 14 Parts
#1 – HuffPo: On Pilgrimage: Following the Footsteps of Buddha Across N.E. India #2 – Daily Kos: Under the Bodhi Tree in Gaya Where the Prince Became The Buddha #3 – HuffPo: Photo Essay of Bodh Gaya, Where Buddha Became Enlightened #4 – Daily Kos: Next Step of Indian Pilgrimage: Mountain Where Buddha Preached #5 – HuffPo: Touching the Untouchable in a Rural Indian Village #6 —Daily Kos: Rediscovering the World’s First Great University in Buddhist India #7 – Daily Kos: Buddhism for Beginners: Insights from a Non-Buddhist #8 – HuffPo: Can I Help Rescue Education and Orphan Care in Bihar, India? #9 —Daily Kos: Buddhism and Social Responsibility #10 – Stewardship Report: Most-Photographed Man in the World Prepares to Retire #11 – HuffPo: Co-Sponsoring a Future Indian Leader #12 – Daily Kos: Varanasi: Holy City of Buddhists – As Well as Hindus, Jainists, Jews #13 – Daily Kos: On the Banks of the Ganges: Continuing the Search for My Soul #14 – HuffPo: My Pilgrimage Complete: Lessons Learned, Life Continues Like a Wheel
The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) is the umbrella organization under which The International University Center Haiti (Uni Haiti) and Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) are organized. If supporting young global leadership is important to you, subscribe to J. Luce Foundation updates here.
Jim Luce writes in the field of philanthropy with a unique, deeply personal perspective shaped by decades of hands-on leadership and giving. As the founder of Orphans International, launched in 1999 with proceeds from his mother’s estate, and the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation, established in 2007 with his father’s legacy, Jim Luce has devoted his life to advancing global humanitarian causes. In 2010, he took the extraordinary step of making a Vow of Poverty, donating his entire savings, assets, and pension to charity. Drawing from his experience running a global NGO that receives philanthropic support and managing a foundation committed to improving humanity, Luce offers insights that bridge the worlds of donor and recipient, blending practical wisdom with a profound commitment to service.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
When the term ‘billionaire’ graces our ears, it’s easy to conjure images of unimaginable opulence—mansions sprawling across acres of land, fleets of luxury cars, and holidays on private islands. Yet, beneath this veil of material wealth lies a more enigmatic layer, particularly concerning the lives of the heirs and heiresses destined to inherit these colossal fortunes. Born into a life of privilege that far exceeds the norm, they inhabit a reality that is almost unfathomable to the average person. But, as we peel back the layers of glitz and glamor, we find that these heirs often harbor secrets, struggles, and life stories that are far from a fairytale narrative.
The Burden of Expectations
While the advantages of being born into a billionaire family are obvious—access to the best education money can buy, extensive travel experiences, and an almost guaranteed position of power in society—the downsides are less visible but no less real. The weight of expectation is monumental.
From a young age, many are meticulously groomed to take over family enterprises that are often multinational conglomerates. They’re exposed to boardroom discussions before most kids learn algebra, and their life paths are usually pre-decided by the generation before them. The emotional and psychological toll of this can be immense. High-profile parents often have unspoken, yet palpable, expectations that their children will not just inherit the family business but also expand it. This pressure to succeed, coupled with the world’s watchful eyes, often leads to various forms of anxiety and mental health issues, carefully hidden behind closed doors.
Hidden Lives: A Double-Edged Sword of Privacy and Isolation
Given their enormous financial worth, billionaire heirs are naturally targets for all kinds of threats, including kidnapping and extortion. This leads to a life that’s very private but also exceedingly isolated. It’s not uncommon for them to live in gated communities, attend private schools with other children of a similar socioeconomic status, and have their social activities carefully curated and supervised. While these measures ensure physical safety, they also result in a form of social isolation that makes it exceedingly difficult for these young people to form genuine, trusting relationships. Constantly shadowed by bodyguards, their interactions with the outside world are carefully monitored, which can lead to a distorted sense of reality and a deep-seated paranoia about people’s motives.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility: Changing the Narrative
On the brighter side, a new wave of billionaire heirs and heiresses is emerging, armed with a heightened sense of social responsibility. Uncontent to simply coast along on family wealth, they’re actively working to reshape the societal impact of their fortunes. These individuals are not just pledging portions of their wealth to charitable foundations, but they are also deeply involved in issues that affect the global community, such as climate change, educational inequality, and systemic poverty.
They’re attending global summits, partnering with NGOs, and creating their own charitable initiatives to address issues they’re passionate about. Whether motivated by genuine altruism or a savvy public relations strategy, this shift towards philanthropy is a promising sign, indicating a more conscientious generation of billionaires to come.
The Complexity of Privilege
Navigating the nuanced realities of extreme wealth, especially as a young heir or heiress, is a monumental task that extends far beyond managing a financial portfolio. The challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just their material lives but also their emotional and psychological well-being. They bear the weight of generational expectations and immense responsibility, live secluded lives devoid of true personal freedom, and yet many are rising to the occasion, striving to convert their inherited wealth into meaningful change. While society often paints them with a broad brush of privilege, taking the time to understand their complexities allows us to see them as more than just their bank accounts. They’re human beings, molded by a set of incredibly unique and challenging circumstances, navigating a world that most of us will never fully understand.
