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Dear Arthur,
In this newsletter, we have information on the Middle School Model U.N. sessions that are currently underway as well as news on high school discussions. Our poll is on the latest rise in gasoline prices.
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Civitas home page
Cooperation at Middle School UN Session Leads to 4 Passed Resolutions
The March 31st Middle School U.N. session pulled together students from Long Middle, St. Mary Madalen, St. Gabriel, and Queen of All Saints. Trinidad and Tobago passed resolution to increase "Clean Water" for countries around the world. A number of African countries sponsored a resolution on "AIDS", that was passed after several amendments. Germany and New Zealand successfully passed a strong resolution on "Child Soldiers." Canada worked with many other countries to improve and pass its resolution on "Terrorism."
This week, Cathedral, Crossroads, Our Lady of Fatima, and St. Francis Cabrini will meet for the April 7th U.N. session. All Middle School U.N. sessions are held from 9:00 AM until 12:00 NOON at the Creve Coeur Government Center (see link to map below).
Resolution Results from March 31, 2004
2004 Middle School UN Resolutions
Map to Creve Coeur Government Center
Successful High School Discussion Last Saturday
The news is full of riveting stories these days and our core groupof high school students touched on virtually everyone of them last Saturday. The testimony of Dr. Condeleeza Rice was the first issue. Discussions moved on to the heightened fighting in Iraq, President Bush's strategy of non-strategy for the future of Iraq, how to bring better leaders to Washington, and much more.
Photos from the session are available by clicking on the second link below.
We have one final discussion group for the year and that will be on Saturday, April 24 at Crossroads from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
Map & Directions to Crossroads School
Photos from Last Saturday's Discussion
What do you think?
Last Thursday, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testified before the 9/11 commission. In your opinion, how was her testimony?
Link to Survey on Condoleezza Rice's Testimony
Link to Poll on Civitas Intranet Site
Previous Survey Results (New)
Last week's question was:
One of the key issues in the current political campaign is about the "outsourcing their jobs." Outsourcing occurs when employers lay off workers in the U.S. and replace them with lower-paid individuals who work overseas.
Many Americans are critical of outsourcing. However, if you were the owner of a factory, would you engage in outsourcing if it would allow you to sell your products for less and also make more of a profit?
Responses:
1. Yes 60% (3)
2. No 20% (1)
3. Not Sure 20% (1)
Total: 5
Additional Comments
Abbey Hatcher; Victim of the Office Monkey
"Outsourcing of Jobs" has become a buzz-phrase for the upcoming presidential election. It is one of the only issues that I completely disagree with many leading Democrats, such as Gephardt and Kerry. I understand why labor unions and pro-labor lobbyists dislike "giving" American jobs to other countries...but I think that for the world as a whole, outsourcing is necessary. The outsourcing of jobs is critical for the world economy because (1) it improves the efficiency of production and (2) it increases the equity of jobs available to the world labor market. (1) When American companies are able to invest in other countries by, let's say, building a new factory, they are able to cut costs for the consumers (making us happy) and create jobs for the factory community (making them happy). (2) If, for example, Indian technicians are more skilled and less expensive at taking customer-service calls, shouldn't they be given the opportunity for the job? If America touts free-markets throughout the world, we need to make the sacrifices that will give benefits of capitalism to other countries as well.
It's time for Democrats and Republicans alike to realize that some policy decisions, such as outsourcing and tariffs, need to be made according to the world situation. As the world economy becomes more open, people will have better access to jobs, goods will become cheaper and more available, and the distribution of wealth will become more equitable. We need to start voting as Global Citizens, not simply local ones.
Additional Links
More information about Civitas
Photo Gallery
Streaming Video [Real Media]
Web Calendar
Civitas Intranets Site
Civitas Home Page
Maps & Directions
Civitas Participant Handbook
Checklist for Writing a Model U.N. Resolution
Sample Resolution
Index to Civitas Conferences
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