As I close out 2024, a year that has been both exhilarating and transformative, I find myself reflecting on a concept that has surfaced repeatedly in my thoughts and conversations—social debt. For much of my life and career, I have carried this weight with pride, honoring my obligations to family, friends, and my broader community. As I step into 2025, I am making a conscious choice to recalibrate.
There are pieces of art and literature that stay with us, quietly shaping the way we see the world. For me, that piece is “Ithaka” by C.P. Cavafy.
When I first moved to New York City, I quickly became acquainted with the complexities of the American economy, many of which I had only observed from afar. One of the most striking aspects was the tipping culture—a seemingly small but pervasive feature of daily life that speaks volumes about deeper systemic issues.
As I prepare my keynote speech on “Digital Skills” to be delivered at the 7th Youth Connekt Summit in Rwanda, it is near impossible not to reflect on the stark differences between today’s educational tools and the resources I had access to during my undergraduate years in 2012. The world has changed. Should our education (systems) change?