Israeli Settlement Building: Do You Agree With Israel’s Decision to Resume Settlement Building in the E1 Zone? Why?

In March 2010, Israel announced the approval for plans to build 1,000 units of housing in the E1 Zone east of Jerusalem (New York Times:  Nov. 30, 2012). This is a sensitive area of territory in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Settlements next to East Jerusalem would bisect the West Bank and would sabotage plans to create an adjacent Palestinian State.

 I oppose Israel’s development in this region because this is an aggressive plan that would make it more difficult to resume peaceful negotiations or achieve a two state solution.

Construction in E1 should be cause for alarm for both Israelis and Palestinians.  A new settlement bloc is not worth jeopardizing any chance of a solution (James Levine - Dep’t of Political Science: University of Toronto). There will be serious consequences – it is time for a new path where peaceful negotiations can help stabilize the region.

Connecticut School Shooting – What Does This Event Teach Us About Violence in Society?

How many tragic deaths have to occur before politicians take action on gun violence in society?  In a recent Globe and Mail article (Jan. 9, 2013) it has been reported that the United States suffers far more violent deaths than any other wealthy nation due its widespread possession of firearms and the practice of storing them at home in a place that is often unlocked.  Americans have a culture that considers arms ownership a basic right  (Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution) and many insist that law- abiding citizens should not be forced to give up guns. Sadly, The National Rifle Associations (NRA) response to the Connecticut tragedy was to place ‘armed guards’ at schools instead of banning any guns. Adam Lanza, who committed the worst school massacre in U.S. history, did so with his mother’s arsenal – guns she introduced to him in order to teach a sense of responsibility and independence.  Being a Canadian I do not understand why these important life lessons cannot be taught another way. 

If the Obama administration does not take action against the ownership of assault weapons they will be sending the wrong message to youth that the ‘right to bear arms’ without restrictions and giving in to the gun lobby is more important than protecting society from these lethal weapons.  Take a minute and imagine how you would feel if you lost a child to the senseless violence in Newtown.  

World Issues Conference – November 16, 2012: Reflection

On November 16, 2012, our school, Hillfield Strathallan College, hosted a World Issues Conference for grade eight students to discuss pressing global issues of the 21^st century.  The main themes were sustainability and "the land." Delegates were from many areas and schools around the Golden Horseshoe and covered topics ranging from the U.S. election, overfishing worldwide, climate change in the Arctic and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Mr. Marc Kielburger, founder of Free The Children and Me to We, also gave a keynote address that was inspirational for many attendees.  

I had the privilege of mediating this mini middle school model UN as a grade 12 facilitator, and along with Gazal Kukreja, participated in two small group discussions around the issue of “The Hijab.” After a few icebreaker activities, two grade eight delegates led discussions about what the Hijab is, what it represents, why women choose or are forced to wear it and how it is misunderstood in Western eyes. This was a wonderful forum for students to practice their public speaking skills, ask questions and to exchange ideas about issues such as prejudice and women’s empowerment.

I hope that this initiative will continue again next year so that younger students can learn the importance of face-to-face dialogue and diplomacy. Our aim was to inspire students to take an interest in world issues so that they will continue to remain involved and engaged in current events during their high school years through extracurricular activities such as Model UN and service. This will give our generation the tools that they will need to effect positive change in the world.  

Gapminder World: Identify an indicator of global concern and discuss why you feel it is globally important?

The health and wealth of nations are important indicators of global concern (eg. for international development - Gapminder 2012).  This map clearly shows that many African countries have the lowest per capita income per person and as a consequence, they also have the lowest life expectancy (mainly due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is prevalent throughout the continent). I have personally witnessed the devastation of this disease while visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe last summer. Sadly, many international aid organizations were attempting to set up orphanages for hundreds of children in these countries who were now without parents or other adult relatives to care for them. 

Higher income usually gives greater access to the goods and services that promote health such as better nutrition, access to safe water, sanitation and good health services. I have read recently, however, that another possibility has emerged. The causal link between income and health may run the other way from health to income (Science 18 Feb 2000).  Healthier populations can work more and attend school longer, thus an increase in education levels results in higher incomes and alleviates poverty.  Health status (measured by life expectancy) can be a significant predictor of economic growth as well. Health improvements can elevate an impoverished disease prone country into one that offers its people a much higher quality of life (eg. East Asia).