When the picture flashed across television screens, there were gasps around the world.

The little body of a three-year-old boy, a victim of the horrific refugee crisis in Europe, lay crumpled on a beach after drowning along with his brother and mother in a failed attempt to seek a better life away from Syria, where so many have perished in savage warfare.

Although thousands of men, women and children have lost their lives in military crossfire, along with many dying in overcrowded boats that were swallowed up by ocean waves as they tried to flee the killing fields of Syria, it was the lifeless body of that infant, still wearing his shoes and clothing on a quiet beach, that sent a statement to the world as to why such a scene was possible in 2015.

The father of that child was the only survivor and, in his deep grief, declared he wants nothing else from this world but to stay by the gravesite of his sons until he dies. Large numbers of people dying daily, trying to escape unrelenting bloodshed in Syria and other war-ravaged areas, is often the terrible price of military conflicts.

The picture of that little boy, who should have been dreaming about a bright future in a world of love and peace, had such great impact globally that it seems more than appropriate to question the conscience of the world in allowing people to suffer to an extent where the urge to escape overrides concerns for safety.

It was that photo that brought home the message of tragic loss, and how families are ripped apart by dictatorial regimes that have a single objective: stay in power at any price.

Of course, there are countless other stories yet to be told about human suffering still going on at this very moment. The plight of refugees trapped in parts of Hungary has produced images reminiscent of scenes from the Second World War, when Nazi Germany cordoned off areas to restrict Jews from travel, causing great suffering and loss of innocent lives.

Another unpleasant aspect to this terrible human tragedy was watching desperate people cramming trains with the hope of reaching the German border, where they felt things would get better. The train pulled out, bursting at the seams with passengers, who thought the worse was over. Imagine their shock when the train stopped after about 25 minutes, and they were ordered to disembark where camps had been set up to have them processed.

In a world of cameras and news reporters, the struggle between police and people was captured for the world to see. When a mother falls to the ground still clutching her baby as she struggles with police, no words are needed in wondering whether we are really civilised or not. It brings to mind how people boarded trains during the Nazi regime, thinking they would be taken to another camp when in fact the real objective left a scar on mankind that is yet to completely heal.

What is even more interesting is that Germany, which has become a respected power since the war, has openly stated they are willing to house as many refugees from Syria as possible and also condemned the stance that Hungary had taken in keeping refugees from moving on to improve their lives.

Hungary countered that allegation by insisting that even refugees should not be allowed to move about Europe freely, without proper processing. Meanwhile, thousands are stranded as the struggle continues to seek a solution to a crisis that shows no sign of abating.

Here in Bermuda, as our children go back to school in an atmosphere where there are no bombs falling and no one is being pushed from their homes through violent military confrontations, we should all be more than grateful for this beautiful island in the Atlantic we call home.

When considering the challenges facing others not so fortunate, thousands of miles away, it should be a motivation to everyone who truly loves Bermuda to work closer together no matter our differences in order to keep Bermuda moving in the right direction. Failing to do this is not a winning strategy.

Let’s keep respect, truth, honesty and commitment for a better Bermuda as our highest principles. Major world powers must do more to keep those values alive if there is to be any hope for people in deeply troubled regions who simply want something better. Otherwise, the conscience of the world may also have fallen victim to never-ending, deadly conflict.