Newsletter of September 12, 2004

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High School U.N. Country Draft this Saturday

Model U.N. Country Draft and Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 18th
Crossroads School (directions below)
9 am- 11 am
snacks provided (obviously)

How the Country Draft works: Countries are chosen by schools in random order. At least one person (student or Faculty Advisor) from each school should be present.

How many students per country: One or two students per country (most students like to represent a country by themselves).

What to bring: List of country preferences (2-3 ideas). The preferences of students from your school who cannot attend, but want to participate. List of how many students plan to participate from your school.

How to prep your students: If you are a first-time participant, you may want to print out a list of U.N. Member Nations (link below). Students will receive resolution-writing materials at the Workshop.

Map & Directions to Crossroads School
United Nations List of General Assembly Countries

Students are Engaged, Diverse, and Respectful

In perhaps the most polarized Discussion Group ever, High School students went back and forth on terrorism, presidential leadership, and the perception of the U.S. abroad. Amazingly, and in true Civitas style, the far-left and far-right comments were delivered with poise and respect by the 27 students who attended last week's discussion. The students hail from 19 schools (see list below) and represent a variety of St. Louis neighborhoods, school backgrounds, and opinions.

The process of sharing controversial thoughts is not new to Civitas High School students. Yet last week's discussion was particularly impressive because of the wide differences of opinion. Some students feared that Bush's aggressive military tactics would drive away allies and exacerbate problems with terrorist groups, others saw Bush's leadership as the best way to maintain a respected role in the world. The discussion did not aim to lure students from one view to another, but rather to be a forum for thoughtful comments. At a time when political dialogue is spouted in 10-second spurts, a 2-hour discussion shows just how creative and insightful these students truly are!

Thanks to Kathy Guerra, Tom Wilson, Harry Prah, Herman Harris, Sean Cavanagh, and Judy Kimner for representing the Faculty Advisors group.

List of Participating High Schools 2004-2005

Middle School Workshop Changed to Tuesday Nov. 9th

After some scheduling conflicts, the Middle School Workshop will land a day before previously scheduled. The new Workshop date is Tuesday, November 9th at the Chase Park Plaza. Like last year the Workshop will be held from 9:00am-11:30am and will include the following:

1. An overview of the United Nations.
2. A description of Civitas model U.N.
3. An introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
4. Cultural entertainment from Africa Voice drummers.

New Middle School Teachers begin Program

The eighth grade Model UN is already off and running this year. A workshop for new teachers was held at the World Trade Center in Clayton on September 13th, with new teachers from Parkway South Middle, St. Gabriel's, and Mary Queen of Peace attending. Veteran teachers Rick McClouglin and Mary Eckert were also there to offer some valuable guidance. We're looking forward to our first full teacher's meeting and country draft on Monday, October 11th!

This Week's Survey

With the current bombardment of information concerning each candidate's military records, many people feel like the domestic issues are being neglected. Which domestic issue are you most concerned about?

1. Abortion

2. Education

3. Employment/ Outsourcing

4. Healthcare

5. Human Righths

6. Taxes and Federal Debt

7. War in Iraq

8. Other

What really matters in this country?

Previous Survey Results

Last week's question was:

Labor Day is traditionally considered the beginning of a presidential campaign. We all know that in today's world, the election cycle actually begins on Labor Day -- of the year before the election!

If the election were held today, for whom would you vote?

1. George W. Bush 11% (1)

2. John Kerry 67% (6)

3. A different candidate 11% (1)

4. No one 0% (0)

5. Not sure 11% (1)

Total votes: 9

Text Answers

Taylor Joerger
While I do not believe that Kerry would make the greatest president of our time, I know that Bush is NOT who I want in office. Despite my politically and socially conservative background, I disagree with many of Bush's actions especially concerning his foreign policy. To quote my friend's father: "Bush is dangerous to this country." I believe that this statement is true. Irrevocable damage has been done, and it's been because of Bush's blatant disregard for the sovereignty of other countries, the UN, and free trade agreements. I don't think that Bush is an evil person; I DO think that he has not been a good leader of this country.

Raquel Rodriguez
Seeing as I'm pretty indecisive, I'm glad I'm not old enough to vote.

Elizabeth Kiderlen
I am currently living and teaching in a university near Beijing, China. The Busch foreign policies and the war in Iraq have no support here. The students here see President Busch as a murdering oil baron. It has been an eye opening experience for me to see our country and it's government from an altogether different perspective. Peace, Elizabeth Kiderlen

Gretl Buechler
I have kind of lost touch with the elections. With so much going on at once right now its hard for me to keep up. But everytime i do begin to listen again, all I hear about is backstabbing. It seems as though Kerry can't make up his mind... but Bush is just so irritating. All they do is bicker and change sides. It has gotten so confusing that have now given up listening to any of it at all. This race blows!

Crystal Williams
My only comment related to the 2004 Presidential election would be what I saw on a bumper sticker: "Get that Son of a Bush out"

Stephanie Minor
I personally don't care for either candidate, but if I had to vote I would pick Kerry over Bush. I think Mr. Bush is not a very good president in that he does nothing he says he will do in his speeches, for the most part, and seems to only have gone into Iraq because he was upset his daddy didn't get to finish what he wanted over there. He had more facts about the situation then he led on-even Clinton knew what was going on and he still had time to mess around with a lady on the side! So, although I think Kerry looks like Elvis, I'd choose him!

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Maps & Directions
Resolutions (High School U.N.) for 2003-2004
Checklist for Writing a Model U.N. Resolution