Want World Peace? Harness an Untapped Resource: Kids
March 4, 2011
One need only turn on the evening news to get a firsthand look at the
power of young people today. Across the globe, they are taking matters
into their own hands and attempting to import equity and democracy into
their homelands.
As a global advocate for children, I am awed by their bravery, but as an
American mom, I am left wondering about what skills I need to insure
that my own children have the opportunity to assume the reigns of
leadership here in the United States. What can I do to help them become
knowledgeable about people who look, live and believe differently than
they do? Will my kids possess the ability to reach out across these
differences and find ways to work together? And, am I even correct in
believing that these are critical components of a complete education?
Today, that question was answered. I had the privilege to attend a joint
conference between the United Nations and the students of the
United Nations International School (UNIS).
This two-day event, held in the actual UN General Assembly Room,
reinforced my decision to make sure that my children acquire what I
lovingly call "global skills."
Read more at Parent Dish.com
________________________________________________________________________
2011 UNIS-UN Conference - “The Web: Wiring Our World”
January 2011
The 35th annual UNIS-UN Conference, a unique collaboration between the United Nations International School(UNIS) and the United Nations, will be held on March 3 - 4, 2011, in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations.The theme of this year’s conference is “The Web: Wiring our World.”
In the last decade or so, the Internet has undertaken a key role in every aspect of human life. People in all cornersof the world rely on the Internet for information, entertainment, communication, business, social interaction, and virtually all other facets of human life. The benefits of the development of internet technology are many, but accompanying thesebenefits are numerous concerns. Regardless of whether it is viewed in a positive or negative light, the advent of the Internet has effectively revolutionized the lives of people in developed and developing countries alike.
This year’s UNIS-UN conference will concentrate on the evolving role of the Internet, and its far-reaching implications in different areas of society. The goal of the conference is to provide insight into a phenomenon that society has universally embraced without fully understanding its transformational powers. The conference will examine suchissues as the role of the internet in political movements; the moral and ethical questions concerning the privacy ofinformation; the potential use of the Internet during conflicts such as cyber warfare; and on a more theoretical note, how the Internet has affected our thought process and our worldview.
UNIS-UN will feature distinguished speakers with expertise in different areas of the internet who can contributeto the student’s understanding of this global phenomenon. Students will have the opportunity to partake in a debate and panel discussion. Participants in the student panel will explore the impact the advent of the internet has had on theirrespective societies and cultures. In the debate, students will address the following statement: “The providers of wired and wireless Internet should grant access to all websites and all information transmitted over the Internet on an equal basis.”Finally, there will be a presentation of student-produced films addressing this year’s topic.
The UNIS-UN Conference is planned and organized by UNIS students of the Upper School (Tutorial House).The Student Organizing Committee begins preparations for the conference nearly a year in advance, identifying andinvestigating a contemporary issue of global relevance as the topic, selecting speakers, inviting several hundred students from schools all over the world and organizing UNIS families to host them. The Committee also manages the welcoming “Day for Cultural Exchange” at UNIS and the entire two days of sessions at the UN, and compiles the “Working Paper” publication, a conference summary consisting of articles written and edited by its members.
The structure of the UNIS-UN Conference is designed to provide students with expert knowledge as seen through the experience of provocative guest speakers. The conference also endeavors to give students a platform to develop and express their own views in arguably the most internationally significant chamber on earth. Nearly six hundred students hailing from six continents will attend and the conference will be webcast online on both days. Visiting students will also interact with their UNIS host family. By outlining issues pertaining to the internet, the UNIS-UN Committee hopes that this year’s conference will foster discussion amongst today’s youth regarding the web that is the Internet.