University For Life » 2009

How would you define wealth? Is it "money"? Is it "property"? Is it "resources"?

Are you a wealthy person?

Most of my inner city, teenage, business students would not consider themselves to be very wealthy. Yesterday, at a meeting at the House of Lords, someone asked me what concerned my students most about the current economic crisis. I told him that they were most worried about graduating from University and not being able to find a job. Many graduate jobs are currently attracting a competition of 500 per job.

Would this worry you? Does it worry you?
Well, your answer will in some way depend on how you define "wealth".

If your wealth is dependent on having a job there may be cause for concern. If your wealth is dependent on your ability to produce value, to creatively generate ideas, services and products that benefit yourself and others, then there is a lifetime of work ahead of you: work that you may not be able to complete in your own lifetime.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by deep thinkers that have invested their whole lives to work that will have an impact on the emancipation of humanity. Moeen Yaseen, founder of GlobalVision 2000, gathered many of these deep thinkers together at the House of Lords yesterday in an inspirational bid to create a paradigm shift that will transform the way we see our role in this world, at the economic, political and above all humanitarian level

Our role far exceeds the parameters of our jobs. The latter may be at stake but the former may well be our legacy. Our role in this world; our creative use of our thoughts, ideas, time and effort is the legacy that we will leave for future generations.

There is a growing number of people around the world that are clearly conscious of their role and legacy. A group working on ‘the Lifeline’ with film maker Phil Stebbing, will be filming the latest solar generation plants, organic farms, fair trade co- operatives, reforestation projects, marine reserves, eco villages and other such initiatives, They will launch this project on a significant date this year "999" Ninth of September, 2009 ( 9 9 9) For further information visit their Facebook site here: the Lifeline

In a world that is suffering, the Lifeline will be drawing attention to the projects which are restoring balance and therefore creating sustainable wealth. In my opinion it is misguided to measure one’s wealth by the amount of money we have accumulated; the number of properties we have bought; the land which we have claimed to be our own. Wealth is the amount of value we can generate and this does not necessarily require money, possessions or land. A spirit of collaboration with an ability to think beyond the vested interests of our own personal needs and desires can make us profoundly wealthy. At the heart of the word "col labor ation", lies "labor" which means work or "job". Would you be concerned about losing your "job" when you are free to collaborate; when you are free to think; when you are free to be creative? The most successful business people value their freedom over the security of a job. This is what makes them wealthy, not the figures in their bank accounts. How wealthy are you these days?

Jesvir Mahil

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