Sense of Responsibility [Archives:2000/14/Focus]

Mohammed Hatem Al-Qadhi,
Managing Editor

I believe everybody agrees with me that people’s being aware of sense of responsibility is one of the most important ingredients of any success and prosperity any society has made. In fact, sense of responsibility is a set of ethical norms and principles a person should have and be aware of. It is a kind of self-observation of one’s sense of purpose in life and willingness to contribute in the success of the institution he is working for and the prosperity of his people at large. To make it clear, by sense of responsibility I do not mean one’s being responsible to his work only but also his nation’s welfare. For me responsible people are those driving with a sense of purpose in life.
They believe that they have a goal to achieve and a role in the overall drive of the world welfare. They think whatever good work they do will chip in the prosperity and peace of the world. They also recognize their mistakes and hence, try to correct them because they know that it is a shame to confess the mistakes. Rather, it is a shame to know your mistakes and neglect them. People with this sense are always worried and feel conscious of the surrounding happenings. In fact, they are aware of the business they are running and in charge of. This is actually the true sense of responsibility since the more one becomes worried, the more he/she feels this sense of responsibility.
Unfortunately, in Yemen not many have this sense and are aware of its vitality. It is this sense that is needed in everybody from the high ranking officials at the top to the gatekeeper. I don’t like the way people accept the present situation. In other words, some people “argue” why should we be honest, hardworking and responsible while the rest are going the other way. If you ask one, for example, why he has thrown the rubbish to the street instead of the rubbish box, he will simply give the same answer. But this is wrong and shows total indifference and irresponsibility. If everybody felt it was his duty to make his city clean, the present situation of our cities would change. If the policemen and soldiers at the borders of Yemen were conscious of their noble duties towards their nation and its economy, the number of smugglers would minimize to a considerable degree. If doctors did really honor their profession and worked according to its code of ethics, health conditions would improve. The list can go on.
Therefore, I conclude that our plight is that of a moral corruption, particularly in this situation where the enactment of law is more or less non-existent which has helped escalate the current situation. Therefore, voices for changing this situation have to be very loud, voices calling for the respect of law and holding corrupt officials accountable should be maximized. This, as a matter of fact, needs brave people who never feel afraid; people with a sense of responsibility and a sense of purpose in life, doesn’t it?
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