#8: AIC Reflection

In the AIC Simulation I played the part of Amr Moussa, and represented Egypt. 
The Comments my NSA made about my progress in the AIC Simulation included as follows:

Amr Moussa,  It seems like you have gotten very involved and started to really enjoy working with the simulation. Your communication with all of the different teams played a powerful role in how your team was able to leverage its position. Thank you for all of your hard work and I wish you the best as you continue with your next steps.

I found our NSA  helpful in our simulation, however halfway through the simulation he fell ill. Unfortunately he forgot to let us know so we had no idea why he wasn't submitting or even commenting on our action forum's, weekly reports, or press releases. When he finally replied to our inquiring emails the simulation was nearly over. However I did enjoy participating in the simulation. I especially enjoyed interacting with players from the other team, and commenting on the different issues which presented themselves throughout the  simulation.
In the AIC Simulation, Egypt quickly made strides to achieve our Goals, the greatest of which was to achieve Palestinian Statehood. However as the simulation went on Israel and the US made it clear that they did not agree with our goal. Although we were strongly supported by Russia, Iran, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, all of whom were our closest allies.  

The one complaint I have regarding the AIC was the emailing system, as I had some difficulties with sending messages, as it kept sending blank messages, which I found very frustrating. However apart from this, I found the entire simulation very interesting and hope to one day take part in another simulation.    

#7: Sir Edmund Burke Quote

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

If our world was split into 'good and evil', I fear that the evil would almost definitively outweigh the good. I feel the reason for this is because people are always so concerned with rooting out the evil that 'good' no longer plays an important role in their line of thinking.
There is never one clear-cut solution to any problem which is why many people simply choose the easiest route. This quote highlights one of the ideals that our society lives by, "that it is easier to do nothing than something, even if that something could potentially lead to a positive future".
The most obvious example for this is global warming. People are happy to continue their lives with the knowledge that they will never have to live to deal with the consequences of Global Warming - so why bother making a change? It is much easier to simply ignore the news, and the campaigns raising awareness for global warming and simply continue to drive to work in their SUV's, and rely on future generations to deal with the problem.
This quote outlines the reality that doing nothing about a pressing issue will only worsen the outcome. For all it takes for evil to truly 'take root' is for good, responsible people to do nothing. 

#6: To Act or not to Act

I believe that there are opportunities that present themselves to us every day, whether we choose to act on these opportunities defines who we are as human beings.

Whether its standing up in front of your school to do a presentation on poverty in Africa, or saying hi to the new kid on his first day. Actions speak louder than words and its our actions which truly show the world who we strive to be.

However taking action is not always the easiest thing to do, especially when it seems like everyone else is content with either ignoring or being unaware of the problem at hand. Just because its a popular decision, doesn't mean its the right decision. 

An example I would like to use for this is  the London riots, last summer in the UK. These riots were headed by a group of anarchists who used the accidental shooting of a petty criminal by police as an excuse to riot against authority, particularly local businesses and the police. As it was the summer holidays, school children participated, as well as the unemployed and some professional workers workers who joined for the 'fun' of it. None of these people had taken the time to consider the consequences of their action, for example Chelsea Ives. Chelsea Ives was a promising athlete and singer, and was chosen to promote the London 2012 Olympic Games. However on August 7th she was caught by a CCTV Camera trashing a police car and looting a cellphone shop with fellow teenagers. If Chelsea had thought before she acted, or even taken into consideration the consequences of her actions she would still be competing in the Olympic games, instead she is facing possible jail time. Chelsea chose to follow what her friends were doing, she chose to follow the crowd, because it was the easier thing to do. 

Although this example is not a positive one it really highlights the importance of "thinking before you act". There are so many ways to make a positive difference in this world, the only hard part is knowing when to act.  

#5: Historical Quote

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.
-Michael Althsuler

This quote is signficant to me because it highlights the importance of making good use of the time given to you. Not everyone is given the chance to pursue their ambitions or to fulfill their dreams.

Lately we have been talking alot about social rights activists, and their struggles to make their voices heard. An example that really struck out to me was Wangari Maathai. Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan woman who decided to make a difference, even though she was threatened, beaten and abandoned by her husband becasue of her beliefs, she continued to fight for what she believed in. Which is why in 2005 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts towards woman's rights in Kenya.

It is people like Wangari Maathai, who make every moment count. They take control of their future, and work to make their opinion count, it does not matter how insignificant you may think you are, because if you believe enough in a cause and work hard enough to make a difference, you will be noticed and your opinion will be listened to.

#4: Human Rights, Nelson Mandela

During the Summer I visited South Africa, whilst I was in South Africa I was able to visit Robben Island, the Prison Island where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years, because he fought for a cause he believed in, and rebelled against the oppressive Apartheid Government.
Nelson Mandela was a lawyer, a politician, and a public figure who defied being discriminated against during the South African Apartheid (1948-1994). He was an individual who refused to believe that there was no hope for a  equality between blacks and whites in South Africa, and so he made it his mission to end the Apartheid.

At first Mandela went about campaigning, through the African National Congress Party (ANC), for equality through peaceful demonstrations, demanding the white government listen to his plight. However they simply ignored and dismissed his arguments, attempting to suppress his cause. Which is why in 1962 he organized several sabotage missions against both Military and Government targets. Unfortunately this was exactly what the Government had been hoping for, and so they arrested him, as well as several of his supporting ANC members. Nelson Mandela was charged with treason, and was sentenced life imprisonment. He  then went on to spend 27 years of his life in prison, until 1990 when the Apartheid Government was overthrown and he was released.

Mandela then carried on as the leader of the ANC, eventually becoming the first black President of South Africa, he spent time in office from 1994 until 1998. Mandela proved to be an inspiring leader, not only because of his exceptional leadership skills, but because he didn't seek revenge against the Whites for what they had done to him. He decided to move on, ultimately giving a South Africa a much more peaceful future than it could have had.

Nelson Mandela is an inspirational figure who I see as one of the most influencing Human Rights Activists in history. He fought for a cause he believed in, defied an oppressive government, and ultimately showed the world the power of a dedicated individual.

Nelson Mandela has inspired me to "Take More Action" by showing how far an individual can go to achieve a goal, regardless of the possible consequences. He has inspired me to always persevere, and to stick up for something I believe in. An example of this would be in Grade 10, when I started Swimming competitively - training a minimum of 7 times a week with my Swim Club. At first I found it difficult to balance my swim schedule with my school work, and I felt that I would have to drop swimming, however I worked harder and I found that if I always worked productively in class and kept organized I could manage.
I am now swimming 8 times a week with the same club and I am very glad that I decided to persevere, because I am really enjoying swimming, even if it can be stressful at times.           

#3: Interdependence

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

This quote highlights the importance of supporting a Global Community, united by a common goal to move forward as one. "We have learned to be citizens of the world"  this part of the quote really stood out to me as the main point. For I believe that to be a citizen of the world means that you participate in activities around your community to raise awareness about global issues - such as raising awareness about the environment or a natural disaster that has struck  a foreign country - such as the earthquake in Turkey.

#2: Arab Israeli Conflict and European Crisis

AIC Reflection:
The country I am representing in the AIC is Egypt. Egypt is recovering from its rise up against Mubarak, and is currently in a state of financial reform. As a representative of Egypt, my main goals are to aid Palestine in attaining Statehood, whilst at the same time maintaining good relations with Israel, and the USA - who Egypt is depending on for Financial support. In order to accomplish these goals we need establish a solid role as a mediator, supporting both the Palestinians and the Israeli's.  

Europe Crisis:
The European debt crisis is a serious issue effecting countries across the globe. The countries which are suffering the most include Greece,Italy, Ireland and Portugal. However the countries centered in the spotlight are Greece, and now Italy. Recently some of Greece's problems were solved, when their Prime Minister, Papandreou resigned -after he 'contemplated' accepting a financial package from the EU, now that he has resigned Greece is led by a coelition. However Italy was also under the threat of defaulting, their $2.2 Trillion debt making them the most in-debt country in Europe, and the third most in-debt country in the world. The Prime Minister of Italy has also recently resigned, after being pressured due to his poor leadership during this crisis.

#1: My Summer 2011

This Summer I visited South Africa and Namibia, both are developing countries located in the Southern region of Africa.

While I was in South Africa I believe that my family and I as tourists made an impact to the local economy by eating out at local restaurants (mainly seafood restaurants) - where all of the fish/crab/calamari etc is caught locally. We also made an impact by shopping for locally made merchandise and always tipping the car park attendants who watched your car for you.

We also went to Namibia, I think that we made a difference to the Namibian community aswell because while we were staying there we stayed at a number of safari camps and we also donated lots of clothes amd shoes that we had brought from Canada to the local people who desperately needed them.

I really enjoyed my trip to Africa this summer and believe that I made a positive impact upon many of the local people who we met, and the towns that we visited.