AIC Simulation Reflection: The Good and The Bad

For the AIC Simulation, I represented Walid Muallem, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Syria.  The simulation was very helpful because it established country's interactions with one another - which country sides with which state, and the relationships between the countries.  In addition, although the simulation was helpful and a great learning tool, it was frustrating at times due to the lack of communication between diplomats.  Due to the lack of communication, I was not able to accomplish and achieve as many goals, however, it taught me how to think and act strategically.  Our NSA for the simulation wrote our team a reflection and it reflected the good and the bad of the simulation.
The Good: Syria's greatest achievement in the AIC Simulation was my press release (Walid Muallem) "Syria Achieves Its Goal."  I called out to the European Union for their lack of communication and gave them the ultimatum of 48 hours to respond.  They did not respond within the 48 hour time frame, therefore, Syria successfully regained control over importing and exporting oil.  Our NSA said "This was a strategic move and I appreciated your thinking here, Mr. Muallem." In addition, our efforts and contributions to achieve our goals were acknowledged by our NSA despite the time frame completion in the simulation.
The Bad:  Syria had a slower start into the simulation than other countries however, by the end of the simulation, we were able to "leave our mark."
Syria was able to accomplish a few of the important goals we set before the simulation began.  And throughout the simulation, we strived to achieve them through actions and communications with other diplomats.  The AIC Conflicts Simulation was a great learning tool and a great experience to take part in!

Out of everything bad, something good comes!

Out of everything bad, something good comes!  This quote speaks directly to a person's character, integrity, and courage. I hold this quote very close to my heart.  I use it to give myself strength and courage to get me through the day.  This quote turns a negative event, experience, or thought to a positive outlook.  Although this quote does not originate from anyone in human history, it originated from someone very dear to my heart, my mom! My mom and I have had a very tough past few years but with each other's strength, courage, faith, and love, and this quote, we have made it through...stronger than what we were before!
Even if something bad happens, something good will come with it.  It may take a while for you to see the good outcome, however, it will come.  Whether the good is a lesson, or a physical object of good, you will benefit from it.  It is a psychological idea and outlook on life, and it is very crucial to have a positive attitude about negative situations.
This quote can help people become more focused and active global citizens by having hope, faith, optimism, and positivity that good events will happen no matter the severity of the bad.  Whether it be a natural disaster such as the Earthquake in Japan, or a War in Afghanistan, Poverty and Drought in Africa, social issues with your friends, or family problems at home, good will come!  Having a positive outlook will improve negative situations and help start the healing and recovery process on whatever someone has been through.
Out of everything bad, something good comes is a life philosophy that is great to live by, and it improves people's outlook on life, and helps people become focused and active global citizens.  It truly reflects a person's character, integrity, and courage!

Will Evil Triumph?

"All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." - Sir Edmund Burke, 1769.

Our world is surrounded and embedded with good and evil.  The good is the happiness, love, laughter, helping others, and celebration in our daily lives.  However, we are surrounded by evil, as well.  The evil is war, disruption, corruption, sadness, death, bullying, and many more. 
Good and evil has been in our world since the beginning of mankind, and it still occurs today in the 21st Century.  Good and evil can be in various forms; it is in our world, our countries, our communities, and even our schools.  Evilness such as war and bullying hurt and destroy people.  If good people do not stand up for those being triumphed by evil, there will be no hope for the good to prevail.  The good must stand up for those who don't have a voice or those in need of help.  However, if the good just turns a blind eye to those in need, evil will take over and triumph our community, our country, our world.
Current day examples of evil triumphing good, and the good trying to overcome the evil are all over our world from Peace Keeping Missions in the Middle East, to raising awareness for bullying in schools and their surrounding communities.  The Peace Keeping Missions in the Middle East are aiding the conflicts within various countries.  With these Peace Keeping Missions, they are attempting to restore and maintain peace in war torn cities and countries.  The good are preventing the evil to take over.
Another example would be raising awareness and taking action against school bullying.  Bullying against gays, the disabled, or vulnerable people have become more prevalent in today's society and we have witnessed several sad, shocking, and disturbing stories about young suicides due to bullying in our school systems.  Awareness has been raised and action is being taken about these issues and we are trying to prevent the evil from triumphing.
This quote from Sir Edmund Burke is a very accurate and applicable to today's society!

To Act or Not to Act

To Act or Not to Act, that is the question! Taking action can deter people from voicing their opinions and standing up for what's right.  Sometimes people just feel that problems will fix themselves if they don't raise their voice.  However, to act is the most beneficial humanitarian act that a person can do to improve the lives of others! I am very passionate about many situations and issues around the world; I enjoy taking action and improving the lives of others around the world.  Although, at times, I feel that I am unable and powerless to make a difference with my actions so the negativity overcomes the joy of taking action.  But through motivation and inspiration, those negative thoughts are turned into positives, and action is taken!

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Atlantic coast of North America, especially New Orleans and Louisiana. I was saddened by the devastation that I saw and I had an idea to help those students of school closures who were in shelters and had no schools to attend or school supplies to use. My idea to help those in need led to a plan for a school supply drive and the creation of “Kids2Kids”. My concern was that there were thousands of displaced students but there was only one of me. Initially, my plan involved just my school. However, I soon realized I needed a larger audience. With the support of my teachers, my Head Master, and my mom I approached the Halton Board of Education, 3 large corporations and a national charity.  It was important for everyone to understand they could each make a difference...including myself!  I was successful in gaining each of their support. I collected school supplies organized by grade, and corporations donated personal hygiene products and non perishable food products. Each student who donated an item also wrote a personal note of encouragement. Teams were organized to pack supply sacs, which contained the school supplies, the food products, and a personal note. A local business aided with the transportation of the sacs and the Salvation Army assisted with the clearance of customs. My initial sadness led to an idea, my idea led to a plan. During the implementation of my plan I encountered numerous road blocks and obstacles and there were many times I felt discouraged and defeated.  For example, when our shipment was halted at the border based on school supplies not covered by NAFTA.  Although I was only 11 years old I was determined that my idea to help could not be ignored or prevented.  I learned that working as a team and not being afraid to ask for assistance were the key elements of success. Each obstacle I encountered resulted in a resolution.  My resolution involved asking for help which led to the success of providing over 2000 students school supplies in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Choosing to act is one of the most rewarding decisions someone can make; it not only improves your confidence which shows that you are capable of taking action, but it improves the lives of others impacted by your actions around the world!