Cooperation: the spirit of

contemporary society
Today, many people think competition is the key to success. They pursue their own
personal goals with no regard for the people around them. I believe such thinking is
out of date. I believe contemporary society, including society as a whole as well as
individuals, demands that we cooperate with others. Real success will come when
we grow together, rather than hold each other down.

The world economy is expected to remain prosperous, at least into the near future.
However, the adverse effects of high oil prices, vicious competition for strategic
resources and global pollution are on the rise. To overcome these problems,
countries must be mindful of all their relationships and act with integrity at all
times. The fight against problems such as AIDS, poverty and terrorism requires
cooperation. Our own personal success is no different. In order to succeed, we must
cooperate to solve problems.

Today, information and knowledge are growing to the extent that no individual can
master everything. Cooperation allows us to learn from others. When we combine
the knowledge of many, companies can innovate, human beings can be sent into
space and diseases can be conquered. We need each other to fill in the gaps in our
knowledge and understanding.

By being flexible, supportive and willing to compromise, we will have more success
in our lives and careers. We can still retain our own independence, our unique
natures, our core competencies, but through cooperation, we will expand our
identities and develop stronger relationships. These are, after all, the source of selfesteem and satisfaction in life.