Closeness of self and others in the 21st century

Upload: 30 December 2018, Last Update: 25 September 2019

Some people say that at present, the distance of self and others are becoming closer. This is a positive outcome of modernisation and can be seen in the following two situations.

First, when it comes to the relationship between company and society, the value of company for society is changing in a good sense. Especially top companies puts more efforts in contribution to society.

The Japanese clothing company, Uniqlo, is promoting the employment of refugees. For those who coming from outside Japan, it’s difficult to get employed. This is no exception for refugees, even more difficult. They are trying to embrace them in a society. They are not just donating money, taking actions. And also there are other companies woking for pro-bono projects which uses their practical skills for others without being paid.

In the 21st century, many companies taking approaches for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They are not just getting profits as a company, but they are also giving contributions on their own way. This does improve the social value of company in society. In this situation, more younger generations will get jobs at companies working for society makes distance of contribution for others closer. It seems that getting a job at private companies are working for themselves, but now it also means working for community.

Second, after the emergence of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), increasing number of students are joining internships at NGOs. Those experience makes them think about the existence of others. From younger ages, students are hoping to work for and help others, in the meantime, they are actually having those opportunities.

Those two situations in business and student-life, a lot of people are working for society. This current social structure works better for solving the social problems and the distance of self and others are becoming closer.