Think outside the box

SEETA PERSAD

Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona, last week told graduates of her alma mater Iere High, to become repositories of innovation and invention in order help find solutions to national, regional and even international issues.

“You must always engage in a type of ‘out of the box’ thinking that can inspire real and genuine transformation,” she advised. Referring to the recent flooding, Carmona told the graduates one cannot be certain of weather conditions and how to act in a time of major disaster.

Using Trini-born Kalain Hosein, who is studying in Texas and runs the TT Weather Centre website, as an example of innovation, Carmona said Hosein provides the nation with vital and accurate information on current and developing weather patterns. Carmona said Hosein has demonstrated the power of youth, innovation and invention all in the face of a lack of institutional guidance.

“With many environmental disasters happening in our region and beyond, we all must accept that our unkindness and recklessness to mother Earth, have resulted in extreme weather patterns.”

Carmona called on parents, teachers and students to do their part in combating climate change.

“If we change our own lifestyles, stop littering, go ‘green’ and protect our biodiversity, this will go a long way,” she said. Hosein, Carmona added, is an inspiring example of how social media can be practical, effective and empowering.

There is a dark side, she cautioned, to social media as this can be the platform for social misconduct, misbehaviour and even bullying and disrespect.

“Disagreement is part of life. It is what provokes thought and incites critical thinking and action,” Carmona said.

Noting it is possible and acceptable to have opposing views in a world full of varying opinions, she called on the graduates to always be respectful of opposing views understanding that there is strength in diversity.