Think Big, Dream Big -World Bank CM Inspires Young Liberian Graduates

Successful revolutions, inventions and discoveries which make modernity evolve to its present state did not unfold on silver platter. In fact, they won’t be possible—the human race would by now still be living as did Stone Age people—if some human beings or groups of human beings did not unbox themselves from the ordinary sphere of life, if they had not thought big, dreamed big and pursued the big dream to finality. World Bank Country Director brought out this message sufficiently clearly yesterday, October 2, when he spoke to a group of Liberian secondary graduates whom he excited with a short, compelling statement. THE ANALYST reports.

The famous Lott Carey Baptist Mission School Wednesday, October 2, 2024 held its 99th Commencement Convocation and the young graduates as well as hundreds of attendees were opportune to imbibe one of the most instructive graduation orations of the academic year.

World Bank Country Manager Georgia Wallen’s message was hardly three pages in length, but as most members of the audience told The Analyst, it was rich in wisdom and motivation.

Ms. Wallen reasoned that the graduates, like their school, are on the cusp of a new beginning that was made possible by years of diligence, hard work, and commitment, “an important threshold – full of promise and possibility.”

And she said it was time for them to “look back on years of growth and learning, and to look to future with boldness, hope, and determination.”

The way to do so, the World Bank Country Manager told the young people, is think big, dream big, and write the dream,” the theme of his convocation statement.

First, think big

Madam Georgia Wallen opined that one of the greatest capacities human beings have is the ability to think.

“More than almost anything, our thoughts shape and define the course of our lives,” she said. “We’re living in an age of ‘information overload’ — our minds are bombarded with images, opinions, influencers and much more.”

What you think about matters, she said. “You can think small – always focusing on limitations, constraints, problems, what you don’t have, what’s wrong with the world… Or you can resolve inside yourself to recognize the challenges.”

She called on the youth to focus on overcoming, beating the odds, finding opportunities, and seizing possibilities.

“Regardless of the circumstances and obstacles you may face,” the WB Country Director said, “you have the power to decide how you think about the world and about yourself. My encouragement to you is to think big.

“I firmly believe that this is your heritage as Liberians – Africa’s first Republic, the first in the Continent to have a female president, home to Nobel Laureates and world-class sportsmanship. You are a talented young generation bursting with potential in a country blessed with abundant endowments. Think Big!”

Second, dream big

Wallen, grad of Columbia University and Harvard Kennedy School told her audience that there is a difference between thinking and dreaming, adding, “Thinking is a bit analytical – it’s about assessing, weighing, analyzing, contemplating,” while dreaming is different.

“A dream is a ‘cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal,’” she continued. “Dreams reflect the desires of your hearts. While our thoughts shape our future, our dreams are the fuel that energizes and drives our future.”

According to her “our dreams are important, not only for us, but because when you pursue and achieve our dreams, you will impact those around you.”

She referenced the founder of the school, Reverend Lott Carey, who according to her purchased his freedom in 1813, eventually coming to Liberia and ultimately inspiring the founding of this great institution.

“He surely had a dream, and generations of educators have invested in that dream. You are the fruit of those dreams,” she reflected.

“Graduates, I encourage you to dream – and to dream big! Your dreams are important. They will fuel your future – and when you pursue them, they can change Liberia and touch the world.”

Last, write it down

Ms. Wallen called on the graduates to honor their thoughts and dreams by writing them down.

Dreams are valuable, she noted, “because you are valuable, and you are unique” and no one thinks exactly the way another does.

She emphasized further: “No one sees the world through your own eyes and through your perceptions. It’s important to honor your thoughts and your dreams by writing them down. In years to come, they will help to reveal how you are changing and growing as well as areas where you may be going off track and need to change course.”

“Just when you thought you were done with homework, I’d like to give you one last assignment!” he challenged the 99th Lott Carey Baptist School graduates. “Today, each of you will get a journal. I want to ask you to find a quiet place and write down your boldest, most ambitious, biggest dreams for your life. Take the limits off. Write them down & write today’s date.

“Over the next few years, once a year on October 2nd, I want to ask you to pull out the journal and look at what you wrote. And keep writing! Remind yourself of your dreams and pursue them. The sky is the limit.”

She recounted her own experience when she said: “Years ago, it was my fond dream to work for the World Bank. I started as a Project Assistant with a three-month contract. Many years later, I have the joy of being with you today, serving in Liberia. At the World Bank, our dream is a world free from poverty on a livable planet! It’s a dream that continues to inspire me. When I look at you graduates today, I can see dreams in the making – dreams of international lawyers; educators; innovators; creatives; engineers; doctor, and world changers.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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