#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.