2006_01_Session_A_sample speeches

1. Will the 21^st century be the Asian Century?

The answer to this question is a resounding “Yes.” There are many factors that combine to make it almost inevitable that the 21^st century will be the Asian century, and there are some startling statistics. For example, Asia contains almost two thirds of the world’s population! And it is Asian countries that are experiencing the most sustained and strongest economic growth in the world these days. China is probably the best-known example and almost every economist these days agrees that in about 20 years China will be the biggest economy in the world. But let’s not forget that at this very moment the world’s second largest economy is also an Asian country. Yes, that’s right? It is Japan! But it’s not just about the number of people, it’s also about culture, and Asian culture is really becoming a major part of globalization. In today’s global village, more and more people are eating sushi, watching Chinese films, and practicing Indian yoga. Others are eating Thai curry and drinking Chinese tea, while playing Japanese video games. So I think it is obvious that this century belongs to Asia.

For example, Asia contains almost two thirds of the world’s population! And it is Asian countries that are experiencing the most sustained and strongest economic growth in the world these days. China is probably the best-known example and almost every economist these days agrees that in about 20 years China will be the biggest economy in the world. But let’s not forget that at this very moment the world’s second largest economy is also an Asian country. Yes, that’s right? It is Japan! But it’s not just about the number of people, it’s also about culture, and Asian culture is really becoming a major part of globalization.

In today’s global village, more and more people are eating sushi, watching Chinese films, and practicing Indian yoga. Others are eating Thai curry and drinking Chinese tea, while playing Japanese video games. So I think it is obvious that this century belongs to Asia.

2. Should there be more emphasis on the science in education today?

The most important aim of education has to be to produce a well-rounded individual who is able to function in the modern world, and the world today is shaped by science and technology as never before. However, while there is no doubt that science and technology as never before. However, while there is no doubt that science permeates our lives, there are some people who argue that it is not actually necessary for the average person to understand science. As long as they know how to use technology, then that is sufficient. Who needs to know how the Internet actually works if they can use it to do their shopping and chat to their friends for free? Others argue that to remain ignorant of science is to miss out not only on a good chance to further career possibilities but also to miss out on the beauty and wonder of science. Science provides us with insights into the workings of nature and can solve problems in a way that no other field of inquiry can. However, I think the challenge for our generation is to teach science to our children in a creative and attractive way, so that they can appreciate and enjoy it.

However, while there is no doubt that science permeates our lives, there are some people who argue that it is not actually necessary for the average person to understand science. As long as they know how to use technology, then that is sufficient. Who needs to know how the Internet actually works if they can use it to do their shopping and chat to their friends for free? Others argue that to remain ignorant of science is to miss out not only on a good chance to further career possibilities but also to miss out on the beauty and wonder of science.

Science provides us with insights into the workings of nature and can solve problems in a way that no other field of inquiry can. However, I think the challenge for our generation is to teach science to our children in a creative and attractive way, so that they can appreciate and enjoy it.

3. Is the family today as important as it was in the past?

There is little doubt that the structure of the typical family has changed significantly in most developed countries. The so-called “extended family” with many generations living under the same roof has given way to the “nuclear family” which consists of only the parents and a couple of children, and the children usually move out when they finish school. Whether this change has been favorable for the society is a difficult question. One of the consequences of this change has been that families spend less time together, and this could be reason why some people wonder if families are still important. Indeed, with the divorce rates rising and the number of single-parent families increasing, it is easy to come to the conclusion that the traditional family unit is coming to an end. But this does not mean that family is any less important. The family is still the essential building block of society. Families are where we learn essential building block of society. Families are still as important as they ever were. The only thing that has changed is the structure, not the essence.

There is little doubt that the structure of the typical family has changed significantly in most developed countries.

The so-called “extended family” with many generations living under the same roof has given way to the “nuclear family” which consists of only the parents and a couple of children, and the children usually move out when they finish school. Whether this change has been favorable for the society is a difficult question. One of the consequences of this change has been that families spend less time together, and this could be reason why some people wonder if families are still important. Indeed, with the divorce rates rising and the number of single-parent families increasing, it is easy to come to the conclusion that the traditional family unit is coming to an end. But this does not mean that family is any less important.

The family is still the essential building block of society. Families are where we learn essential building block of society. Families are still as important as they ever were. The only thing that has changed is the structure, not the essence.

4. Will the trend toward part-time employment negatively affect Japanese society?

These days we are often told that it is good to be “flexible” in the workplace. Modern economies need to be able to adapt to changes in the market or else lose out to the competition. One of the implications of these changes is that many of the available jobs these days are part-time and sometimes insecure. In Japan, though, there used to be a widespread belief that only really worth having was a safe, full-time job for life. Clearly there is a conflict here between the traditional pattern of employment in Japan and the demands of the modern global workplace. So it is easy to see why many Japanese are worried that Japan will be adversely affected by the new employment trends. They fear that the younger generation will lose their work ethic and their loyalty to companies. But on the other hand, it is also true that nowadays people have more freedom to change their jobs or even learn new skills for a new career path. Japan proved time and again in the 20^th century that is capable of reinventing itself and emerging as a strong and confident country. I am sure that it will do the same in the 21^st century.

These days we are often told that it is good to be “flexible” in the workplace. Modern economies need to be able to adapt to changes in the market or else lose out to the competition.

One of the implications of these changes is that many of the available jobs these days are part-time and sometimes insecure. In Japan, though, there used to be a widespread belief that only really worth having was a safe, full-time job for life. Clearly there is a conflict here between the traditional pattern of employment in Japan and the demands of the modern global workplace. So it is easy to see why many Japanese are worried that Japan will be adversely affected by the new employment trends. They fear that the younger generation will lose their work ethic and their loyalty to companies. But on the other hand, it is also true that nowadays people have more freedom to change their jobs or even learn new skills for a new career path.

Japan proved time and again in the 20^th century that is capable of reinventing itself and emerging as a strong and confident country. I am sure that it will do the same in the 21^st century.

5. Why do you think some people in power abuse their position?

An English historian, Lord Action, once said that “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This famous quotation points towards the troubling fact that some of the people who should be responsible for improving society, and who have the power to do so, are actually the ones who are only really looking after themselves and maybe their families. I do not think that there has ever been a society with no corruption. The inescapable conclusion is that human nature is fundamentally flawed and that there will always be people who get there because they are ambitious and greedy. All to often, those who have the hunger for power are the ones who are least suited to wield it for the good of society. Also, the very fact that they have power brings the temptation to abuse their position and sometimes even a well intentioned and previously highly moral person can be corrupted by temptation. A truly great leader is someone who is not only able to get power and hold on to it, but someone who can resist the temptation to feather their own nest when they are in power.

An English historian, Lord Action, once said that “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

This famous quotation points towards the troubling fact that some of the people who should be responsible for improving society, and who have the power to do so, are actually the ones who are only really looking after themselves and maybe their families. I do not think that there has ever been a society with no corruption. The inescapable conclusion is that human nature is fundamentally flawed and that there will always be people who get there because they are ambitious and greedy. All to often, those who have the hunger for power are the ones who are least suited to wield it for the good of society. Also, the very fact that they have power brings the temptation to abuse their position and sometimes even a well intentioned and previously highly moral person can be corrupted by temptation.

A truly great leader is someone who is not only able to get power and hold on to it, but someone who can resist the temptation to feather their own nest when they are in power.