What we can achieve together

In a remote section of northern Thailand, emergency special teams from around the world have assembled en masse to rescue 12 boys and their football coach who have been trapped for two weeks there. We all hope that the complex mission goes according to plan. As it is, one brave Thai rescue diver lost his life after running out of oxygen while trying to deploy a chain of oxygen tanks for the team of specialist divers and the boys on their perilous journey.

We must offer words of acknowledgement to the Thai officials for their determination in taking every possible measure to ensure that this drama will conclude in the saving of lives. Brave are the special teams who enter the dangerous environment, working in difficult, dark, cramped conditions where their own lives are at risk. In normal times, cave diving is an adventure activity that brings death with regularity as there is little room for anything to go wrong. These teams are now working with the added pressure of knowing that young lives are at stake, and that there is a limited window for success.

What is clear from this unfolding drama is that, when we are pushed to work together in a common challenge, we find the means and methods to save lives and reach new levels of heroism. Sadly, those best human traits are so often lost, when it comes to overcoming political challenges that lead to the loss of many lives in so many places.