Editor's note: The following essay is the winning entry in a contest sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast, Sechelt and Gibsons. Students at Chatelech and Elphinstone Secondary schools (Pender Harbour Rotary has its own program for students in their area) were asked to write a 300-word essay on ethics in school and/or business based on the Rotary Four-Way Test of truth, fairness, good will and friendship building and benefits to all concerned.
Jennifer Mauel, the winning writer, is a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Elphinstone. She hopes to attend either McGill or Queen's University in the fall and study international development.
She covers these points in a way that will inspire you and make you think how lucky we are to have our future in the hands of such a thoughtful young person. Jennifer was awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to the Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) camp in North Vancouver April 23 to 26 as well as a Notebook computer. The runners-up, Maya Schutz and Willow Koski-Kendel, both from Chatelech, also received an all-expenses-paid trip to RYLA as well as a digital camera each.
Jennifer's essay follows:
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - M.K. Ghandi
The Rotary Foundation's Four-Way Test reflects values that lead to change for the better in communities across Canada and indeed around the world. The guiding principles of honesty, justice and kindness have the power to inspire and influence others. These values are the foundation of trusting relationships between individuals, at a community, national and international level.
I feel that the Four-Way Test also reflects the beliefs of Mohandas Ghandi.
Ghandi believed in the importance of living conscientiously and the power of individual choices and actions to influence others and create change on a greater level.
"What is true of the individual will be tomorrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope."
I find that interacting with honesty fosters mutual respect and a more open environment that is conducive to progress. This is applicable and more crucial at higher levels of leadership.
Honest leaders have the power to build wide-reaching spheres of trust: groups of people ready to work together.
A decision cannot be truthful, "beneficial to all concerned" or "build goodwill and better friendships" if it is not a fair one. Living ethically on an individual level is important because it can lead to widespread progress; we can "be the change [we] wish to see in the world."
On a global scale, tensions in desperate regions would far more likely dissipate if people were treated fairly: "Peace will not come out of a clash of arms, but out of justice lived" (Ghandi).
In order for lasting progress to occur, be it on an individual or global level, decisions must be humane and fair to all.
