Human Rights: Marc and Craig Keilburger

Marc and Craig Keilburger, co-founders of Me to We and Free the Children are humanitarians, ambassadors, role models, and human rights activists for people around the world.  Marc and Craig have and are making a difference in not only several countries around the world, they are making a difference in someones life!  Free the Children and Me to We are currently involved with the following countries: China, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Haiti.  And within these countries, the following actions are taking place to improve the lives of people: Clean Water, Health Care, Education and Alternative Income.  With the implementation of these programs, human rights for people across the world have been improved!  The basic human rights for people across the world are food, water, and shelter.  This being said, there is a harsh reality of this fact.  Billions of people across the world do not have access to clean water, food, or shelter.  Sadly, some people go one, two, sometimes three days without food...These horrific situations are what motivate human rights activists, like the Keilburger brothers, to make change!
To date, 650 schools have been built in Me to We and Free the Children countries, and that equals to approximately 55,000 children being taught each day, and having the chance to have an education! One million people have been provided with access to clean drinking water, health care, and improve sanitation facilities.  30 thousand women have been equipped to become economically self-sufficient through alternative income projects.
These are just a few examples of the thousands of changes and differences have impacted and helped millions of people across the world, thanks to the actions of the Keilburger brothers, along with Me to We and Free the Children!
Marc and Craig Keilburger have provided me with inspiration to be the change and make a difference in someones life.  In grade 6, Marc Keilburger came to HSC to speak to a group of students about his journey and his story.  Since that day when I was 11, Marc has provided me with the inspiration and motivation to make a difference.  Fighting for what you think and know is right, fighting for what you believe in, and fighting for someones rights is truly important to me and it is way to raise your voice and raise awareness for people in-need across the world!

Globalization and Interdependence

"We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations, far away.... We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community." - Franklin D. Roosevelt, Former US President, 1945.

 

Interdependence and globalization can be defined and explained in many different ways: connected globaly, dependence on eachother, trust and reliability, division of labour, and globalization.  Interdependence can be seen within countries and across our world!

This quote by former US President Roosevelt provides powerful message and a realization on how interdependent our world truly is.  The first part of the quote captures the essence of one nation being dependent on another nation, despite the distance that separates them.  Our well-being in today's world is based on economics, relations with other countries, trade issues, religion, and many more.  The survival of some countries are solely based on their economic status and their trades with other countries, or their inter-relations with each other.  Being dependent on other nations can represent the survival of a country.

The second part of the quote emphasizes the fact that despite individuals living in a big world, we are all apart of a global community...together.  Our survival is dependent on how others act, what we do within our nation and on the international stage, and how we interact with each other.

This quote as a whole reflects and embodies how our world is today because it captures the reality of how reliant we are on each other, no matter what the situation is.

There are 3 main shifts of interdependence: Dominance to Partnership, Fragmentation to Connection, Insecurity to Interdependence.  These 3 shifts are prominent to interdependence and outlines the shift of our world in today's society.  We are truly globalizing our world, and we are interdependent of one another.  The first shift, Dominance to Partnership, focuses on the move from control and competition to working together to achieve a common goal.  The second shift, Fragmentation to Connection, explains the significance of movement from being alone and separate to connecting and coming together as a whole on the world stage.  The third and final movement, Insecurity to Interdependence, emphasizes the importance of changing the uncertainty and the fear of failure to the strength and chance of survival with working together.

Interdependence and globalization can be seen in a family, a community, a nation or the world, and it is significant to advancing our world together!

AIC Reflection and the European Debt Crisis

For the AIC Simulation, I represent Walid Muallem, Foreign Affairs Minister for Syria.  Thus far in the simulation, I have contacted Catherine Ashton from the European Union to begin negotiations regarding Syria's ability to import oil; whether or not we will be given back the right to import oil into our country.  Unfortunately, after a few emails, I have yet to hear back from this European Union representative.
I have also been in touch with a few other country representatives, however, I have not heard back from any of the reps; Ali Akbar Salehi from Iran and Mahmoud Zahhar from Palestinian Hamas.
Syria's goals for this simulation are: To ensure that Palestine is given a seat on the United Nations and to be recognized as an independent state, Regain control over Golan Heights from the Israelis, Regain the ability to import oil into Syria, and Maintain strong relations with Iran.

The European Debt Crisis has rocked and sent the world's economy into turmoil, and our world's economy risks a double dip recession.  Greece has been a hot topic in the news over the past weeks and months regarding their economic crisis; bailouts and risk of default.  Lots of controversy has surrounded Greece's economic crisis and how their leader is handling the issue.  Prime Minister Papandreou has now officially stepped down from office after almost jeopardizing the recent bailout by holding it to a referendum vote.  Thankfully, that did not happen however it left countries and investors non-confident about Greece's future.
The European Debt Crisis has rippled its way to Italy; Italy is the next European nation facing significant economic turmoil.  To date, Italy holds debt of 119% of their own GDP.  Italy must implement strict austerity measures if they hope to a) receive a bailout from the IMF and the European Union, and b) recover and improve their debt.  Today, Italy's Prime Minister Berlusconi has stepped down, and Italy has nominated a new Prime Minister to help solve this financial and economic crisis.  Mario Monti, former European Commissioner, is now the new Prime Minister for Italy.  With Monti's financial and economic background, Italy hopes to improve their economy by implementing strict austerity measures to pull Italy out of this economic turmoil.
Italy will be the next hot topic in the news and must be watched very closely to fully understand this country's economic crisis.