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 21st 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.
I really wish I could have heard your students speak about the Hijab! It really seems like a fascinating topic! I too was fortunate enough to have students who were really well prepared to speak to and inform their peers on their subject (the Syrian Civil War) and I really was proud of the discussion that they were able to spark!
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting! It sounds like you had a great and well-informing day with your middle school students. I had positive things to say about the World Issues Conference as well as I thought it was very inspiring and interesting to take the stand of facilitator rather than student for a day! My students were teaching us about the crisis in Somalia, and presented their findings to the greatest degree of effectiveness.
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