?Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!? (Dr. Margaret MEAD, anthropologist)

Learning about power. One of the most difficult subjects for a student to grasp is the nature and operation of power in society. It is not (probably cannot) be taught and learnt directly as a class subject. So, generally, young people learn about power through example, i.e. how power has been and is being exerted around them by teachers, heads of schools, parents and family, peer and peer-leaders, as well as in a wider circle by politicians, employers, through simple daily life interactions with people like the bus-conductor, the postal clerk, the vendor in a shop, the police officer, the coast-guard, the priest.

Thus the young person starts himself or herself to exert power in the milieu, first through games, on siblings, peers and soon if well groomed by exerting his/her rights as a customer/citizen is daily interactions(for example by forcefully but calmly demanding a ticket/receipt for a payment made in the face of a reluctance to give this!). Or exerting his/her right to be heard at home, to have an essay submitted as an assignment properly corrected and assessed.

Eventually or quite quickly, the individual student learns about the increased strength of collective action, the root of so-called student-power (By the way, student power, a specific variant of people power is not, in my view, half as developed in this country as it could be, both at college and university levels). Even at home when several siblings get together, they can influence family decisions in favour of what they perceive as needed or necessary: this can be done amicably, in a good family spirit, but can also degenerate into inter-generational conflicts.

Types of power - This is of course a partial classification. You may perceive power differently, depending on your experience of life: journalists who have worked for several editors, politicians who have served under several party leaders, cadres who with today?s mobility have teamed with a variety of colleagues and bosses may see this classification differently. So much the better for the debate!

Reward power: based on the perception that the holder can provide rewards (justified or unjustified) such as promotions, transfers, new assignments, increases in salary and other conditions of service, information and a host of other desirable resources. Such power may be based on legally binding rules and regulations; the action of trade-unions is often to ensure that there is no abuse of such power and that the (utopian) level playing field is available to all!

Coercive power - based on the perception that the holder is able to punish, inflict pain, reprimand, demote, take away privileges, sack(leve pake). Such power may have a legal basis, but when exerted freely is akin to dictatorship. The ?power? of money or weapons is exerted through coercion.

Personal power - Comes from the charismatic and personal traits of a person whose often informal ?prises de position? are the subject of respect, sympathy and even obedience. This is often the position of people previously in authority, or whose ?power? is purely symbolic, such as Mandela, Tutu, Lee Kwan Yu, Kalam, Uteem but maybe not Chirac.

Specialist power - Is simply based on the person?s recognised possession of some special knowledge, skills and expertise or who has access to specialised information. The UN often employs such people to be sent on mission to help tackle a local/national problem or advance a particular project.

Connection power- Based on the perception that a given person can serve as intermediary because he/she holds personal connections with influential or powerful people. Such ?connection? is rife in this country and indeed, in my experience in most other countries, gravitating around the seat of power. It is not restricted to Governments: big corporations, even the Vatican is said to be prone to it. It thrives because the person on top feels he/she cannot be everywhere and is immensely tickled by the ?court? around his person. Exaggerated, connection power can falsify completely the operation of democracy and especially of meritocracy in a country.

Connection power is also known (around gullible heads of Government) to be exerted negatively. For example to obtain the removal of a person perceived as unwilling to enter into underhand/corrupt practices. Many a good cadre has been sacked on such a basis, totally contrary to the ideals of natural justice.

The power of love - Selfless service to others does not seek to dominate or control-on the contrary love is said to liberate both those that give and those that receive. The Buddha, Christ, Prophet Mohamed have in chronological order influenced the lives of billions. So have exemplary life-styles, such as those of Teresa or the Brahma Kumaki sisters, which I readily accept have influenced mine. I can personally witness Mother Teresa telling 5,000 sisters never to turn their heads away from someone suffering who comes across their path; 100% of the sisters said yes to this ?command? and, more importantly, put it into practice.

Today we will simply dwell on the power of words to change the world for the better!