When we visited the Galapagos, we studied Darwin’s theories on how animals came to be. In simple terms Darwin concluded that animals have adapted to their environment so they didn’t die or become extinct. From what we know today, this could be an old example of learned behavior. In Australia, experience has taught The Kuku-Yalanji People how to survive in their land. They have learned which foods are safe to eat and which ones are poisonous. In the past this knowledge made the difference between members of the tribe going hungry and having something to eat. In Northern Thailand the Lahu People, an indigenous hill tribe, do not have a written language and the children are not required to go to school. Does everyone have to go to school to learn? So we ask ourselves what is learning and why do we need to learn. Is learning just for school?
Our takeaway is this. Learning is a process of discovery. It begins way before we can talk and it ends before we die or perhaps never ends at all. It can be passed on to future generations. Learning is not an option. It is our greatest opportunity.
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