Dear Sir/Madam
Education is the key to success as human being in today's world of careers and skills. Schooling is compulsory for children and teenagers in the UK and, probably, Ireland and many other countries. Maths, Science, English and PE are all compulsory learning in the UK. Schools also teach Religious Education, Art, History, Music, Drama, Technology, Orienteering, Cooking and Citizenship. Yet there is one topic that is not currently taught enough in schools; ethics. If more children learned about ethics and world issues, there could be less suffering, injustice and violence in the world, and increased ethical shopping, veganism, social justice, awareness and positive changes.
Human rights issues would include poverty, world hunger, injustice, dictatorships, genocides, infanticides, prejudice, discrimination, wrong jail sentences, police brutality, murder, rape, violence, war, sexual abuse, the death penalty and the fairtrade issue. Obviously, children should not be taught about abhorrent violence, rape and sexual abuse, but teenagers could learn about these in age-appropriate, suitable and psychologically healthy ways. Young children could also learn, in age-appropriate ways, about more age-appropriate topics such as world hunger, poverty, the death penalty, prejudice, discrimination and wrong jail sentences.
Animal rights issues would include factory farming, why people go vegetarian and vegan, what vegetarianism and veganism are, what vegetarians and vegans eat and do and don't eat or do, cruelty to non-factory farmed animals like chickens, cows and pigs, the cruelties behind fur, the issue of habitat destruction, the threats of littering and plastic, poaching and hunting, conservation and endangered species, leather, animal testing and how to shop cruelty-free, how to be nice to bugs, how to care for animals properly, how to deal with and report animal cruelty, how fishing hurts and kills fish and causes problems for wildlife, puppy farming, adopting rescue animals, supporting animal rescues and shelters, the pros and cons of zoos, circuses, aquariums and marine parks like SeaWorld, palm oil, the exotic "pet" trade and why not to have wild animals as companions and just to be nice to animals. Again, it would have to be taught and dealt with age-appropriate and sensitive ways, but it could all still be taught to children and young people.
Environmental issues would include pollution, destruction of rainforests and other habitats, plastics, cutting down trees, recycling, building on wildlife habitat, pesticides and herbicides, conservation of plants and animals, planting wildlife plants and trees, organic shopping, saving water and electricity and using vehicles less (cycling and walking is better for the children, too, as long as their parents/guardians are okay with it and they are old enough and accompanied by a trustworthy, reliable, kind and knowledgeable adult who knows about cycling, walking and how to be safe. This could help curb childhood weight issues, too).
The world needs our help as much as/more than ever before. These issues aren't going to be fixed unless we all act to help. Never believe that a few caring individuals cannot change the world for, indeed, that's all who ever have. Education can change the world and it's up to us to ensure that our children and young people learn about these issues before the world is ruined even more, to help curb and stop animal cruelty, to help other people.
Please make Ethics and World Issues required learning for all students in the UK and Ireland!!!
Thank you 😊.
Best Wishes to all,
Rory.
Have the best day and night ever!
