October 8, 2019
If the World Were 100 People
Submitted by Jennifer R Wilson
There’s no doubt that the world is a smaller place than it was when our forefathers founded the Extension system in 1914. The advent of telephones, television, air travel, the Internet and video conferencing have all played a role in opening boundaries and shrinking the cultural divide. As these things have occurred, the need to be a global citizen has increased. Staff at the 100 People Foundation have categorized the needs of people around the world and identified issues such as water, health, food, and education. These sound very familiar to the needs of Kansans as identified by KSRE and our stakeholders.
While Extension agents’ work typically focuses on issues closer to home, having a global perspective and being culturally aware and sensitive is important. It can put local issues in context and make us more aware of the differences that occur in our own communities. Since 1990, the 100 People Foundation has been studying the world population to provide a snapshot of what the world would look like if it were only 100 people in hopes of putting a face to the numbers and make complex global issues more relatable. The current data is on their website, but I encourage you to view this data in video format. I hope this inspires you to look at the people you share a neighborhood, community, town, county or country with and develop a better understanding of their needs and wants. As we understand the socio-economic demographics of Kansas communities, we position ourselves to better serve these populations with Extension programs that meet true community needs. In the coming weeks, Tuesday Letter articles will address civil rights compliance for KSRE.
I encourage you to be aware of the difference that exists in your local communities and continue to consider how we can further inclusion, diversity and equity in Kansas Extension programs.