7 Tensions flagged out in the report:
(Based on what's gathered from Ms Joy de Leo)
1. Tension between Competition and Equity
This is with reference to globalisation. Globalisation leads to competition for survival. This is our basic instinct - be it individual or as a community, or even as a country. While globalisation will lead to progress, sometimes this progress was further pushed because of the 'threat' of being lag behind. Hence, at the individual level, one attempts to outdo another to be in the lead.
As of equity - equity is about leveling up everybody to the common bar (by pumping a varying resources) in to develop individuals. On the other hand, for country (or organisation) to become competitive, it has to have a pool of talents that could place the country (or organisation) in the world map. To do so, that demands resources to be strategically pumped in to identified individuals that show they posseess the relevant potential.
By doing so, we no longer applying equity as that would hold back the capable and talented ones! To strive for progress, we could not afford to wait for the 'whole' to progress homogeneously upwards. The downside to adopt this is, a 'disadvantaged' group would emerged. So, what do we do with these people?
Perhaps, equity to a certain extent. Beyond which, diversity could be a better approach so as tot bring the country (or community) to new heights.
2. Tension between Tradition and Modernity
As we 'progress' forward, modernity is something that we look up to. Modernisation was the word associated with progress. Changes to become better. Modernisation influences the way we think, the way we act on things (in order to 'align' to become relevant, alongside with others). These influences often change our world views/ perspectives because during adjustments, we are likely to change the existing practices, and sometimes to give up some of them, and replace by 'new' ones that's relevant to the present/current or even future world.
As a result, tradition practices, cultural practices and sometimes even beliefs are being contested! They do not quite co-exist with new practices, sometimes, the latter is considered as a leap forward. Hence old practices are considered as hindrances/barriers to need to be gotten rid of.
This is obvious in some of the cultures - for instance, the Chinese used to get together to meet for the reunion dinner the evening before the Lunar New Year. In China, I believe this is still largely practised. However, in Singapore, we tend of toy with ideas of leaving the country during this period to 'hide' from the crowd. So, it has to do with individualism? (which is an influence largely from the west).
3. Tension between Material World and Spiritual World
What do we strive to achieve in this world we live in? In particular, the urban city when "staying ahead and being relevant" are the key to survival. Have we forgotten to seek the inner peace and desire to achieve a more spiritual life, to ask the reasons for our existence, if it's related to the material world that we are immersed in?
On the other hand, it's been the 'material' world that drives the economy - trading - be it big or small scale. Economy thrives because of transactions! People buy things, there's where the demand and supply. Just imagine what the world would be like if there isn't any transaction?
4. Tension between Short Term and Long Term
xx
5. Tension between Unity and Diversity
xx
6. Tension between Local and Global
xx
7. Tension between Universal and Communal
xx
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: http://www.ena.lu/the_delors_report-020102248.html
Download: unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0010/001095/109590eo.pdf
Bibliographic Citation:
Pierre Gerbet. Translated by the CVCE, . (1989, APRIL 12). The delors report. Retrieved from http://www.ena.lu/the_delors_report-020102248.html
In-Text Citation
(Pierre Gerbet. Translated by the CVCE, 1989)
