Child Voices: Birke Baehr Speaking About What is Wrong with the Food System

Children will lead the World. They are inheriting great changes and it is time for them to have a say in the World they are being handed. There are enlightened children in the World today who will astound their parents with their clarity, wisdom and intelligence. When adults listen more and allow other voices at the table, not as a kindness but to truly listen and learn, they will find the children have much to teach them. Thus when children are heard more and seen more, I think we will learn why it is important to reassess the World we have all co-created and look at re-creating a better future for the adults of the future.

A democracy is not just a good idea it is an imperative in respect of all people (not the selected few) having a say. For those from different system of government, I am not speaking of Western governments as democratic, I am speaking of the real democracy that allows all people the right and access to freedom of speech. Not as token question and answer sessions on television but inclusive all encompassing forums to enable all voices to be heard. This includes children, grandparents, disabled and the poor. All have insightful, valuable ideas and perspectives which will help us to see the reality of what we have created and will contribute to better ways of living and being. They have great experiences that will inform us all. We can create a better World most definitely when we step out of rigid belief structures, when we question our negativity, when we are open to diversity, where peace no longer is a buzz word masking agendas but a commitment to evolve peace across our planet, part of this process is allowing all voices to be heard. It is to look squarely at life and make decisions. We can’t do that when only select voices are chosen and broadcast as if this is the only perspective, this is not democracy, it is manipulation and vested interests. Mostly importantly it is not love. I always will bring love into my blog as it is the word least used, yet it is who we are, it gives the reason for living and gives people the courage to stand up and speak gently one’s own truth.

This blog entry is about the voices of children. I have REAL HOPE for the future. I believe children will show us the way as they tend to be less cluttered in their thinking, they say things as they see them and they feel compassion for others. Children are in challenging times as they witness their families break up, the World at war, drug issues, violence on television and a great deal of fear permeating their World. Moreover, they receive mixed messages, they are bought technology to keep them busy or activities to keep them occupied, they are eating unhealthy processed food, living in different houses, many not knowing their relatives and confusion in what values they are to take into life. At school they are taught to conform, education is standardised and they can become lost in league tables and academic achievement. Moreover, they are still taught that the goal of life is to get a good education and a good job. Yet around them the World is changing on a monumental scale. They are not being taught how to deal with great change, how to access wisdom, how what they think creates the World they live in and that they are valuable and dearly loved. Whilst there are attempts throughout society to turn this ship around, there has to be a paradigm shift for children to create something new.

The truth is in the current time, that the parents do not have the answers as we are modelling powerlessnes by continuing to empower a system by not speaking up for children, by complying, by believing we have no power, by modelling behaviours that are inconsistent, by not providing healthy boundaries etc. It is not that parents have failed, it is more that they have believed that they have no choice, that was the real failure which was never true. It takes courage to step out of security, to speak the truth, to act in integrity, to speak peacefully rather than critically, to heal the past, to become involved in your society, to ask and model a better way and to care about others as yourself. Parents in truth have enormous power but they are reciting the platitudes from the past that no longer work. Apathy and business as usual is the majority creed. It is time for fresh eyes to give voice to what adults are afraid to confront. The children will lead the World to a brighter renewable future.

Children are speaking up. I recall the little girl in Pakistan, Malala Yousufzai who was shot in the head by the Taliban a few weeks ago because she sought education, she is one example. There was another girl Malalai Joya who spoke out against the warlords in Afghanistan and other power interests. She was considered the bravest woman in Afghanistan. I have heard speeches by young people and been astounded by the wisdom, never had I heard it from adults. I have heard a lot of speeches. So for me I have great trust and belief in young people to go to the heart of issues for the sake of truth.

Here is a TED speech by a little boy Birke Baehr speaking about food.