OBJECTIVE 1: Revisit the lessons of wars you’ve learned in school. Describe the similarities and/or differences between the wars of the past and the wars that are being waged today. Document your insight with an original blog post, photo, or video, and upload this in YOUR BLOG to get credits.
Last Tuesday's discussion, I learned about the differences of the wars waged before and the present wars today. The idea honestly did not occur to me (or it might have not just sunk it my mind) that wars before and today have BIG differences. What I've learned in the class discussion is that the wars were different because of their objectives. The past wars mostly happened because they were fighting for territory or natural resources. Today's wars mostly happen because of terrorism and aggression. I don't know but the way I see it, the wars before had really serious objective why they are fighting. I'm not saying that today's wars are not that serious. I know an innocent person dies while I'm typing this. I know it's that serious but really, when you think about it, a big chunk of the reason why war is happening falls under the reason of security, which I'm not really sure if it's valid or not. Yes, states do have the right to protect its own territory and interest but for me, it's overdoing it. This opinion is really personal and I might hurt other readers who feels strongly otherwise but this is what I think of the wars today. The US just want to take revenge on the 9/11 attack that's why they are sending troops to Iraq and mostly end up killing/hurting civilians. Yes, they have the right to protect their state but I really think they are overdoing it. They just want to show to the other states that they are the strongest even if that means killing and negatively affecting other people. If I remember well, the past wars were fought mainly because of territorial conflict or colonialism. I try to think about it and the reasons for waging war is totally different. The past wars were mostly fought out of nationalism and today's war is fought because of different kinds of intrastate conflict that could actually be done in a more peaceful and diplomatic way. I could say that the wars today have petty reasons than the wars before. I remember my grandfather, who almost got signed up for the war, telling me that the government before needed men to fight for the country and get the government back. I imagine now, someone in another state saying that they need to leave their families and loved ones behind because the President feels strongly about eliminating terrorists and other rebellions. The reason of waging war today is just so shallow than the reasons of the past wars.
OBJECTIVE 2: Make contact (online or otherwise) with your hero. In order to get credits, tell us through an original blog post, photo/s, or video in YOUR BLOG who you picked, how you made contact, and why you chose him/her.
My hero is not a typical hero. He doesn't carry weapons though he carry something that could kill a person emotionally. I have a friend, who knows him. I personally don't know him and I honestly don't know his name. As much as I wanted to contact him, my friend doesn't even know his name. So, it is possible that I am (or my friend is) making this all up because I don't have any evidences that I actually know this person. I'm sorry if I would sound not credible but due to time constraints and lack of resources, I'd risk telling this heartwarming story. I also trust my friend so much that I think that his story is true. My friend studied in De La Salle Collge of Saint Benilde. He met my hero during their Communication Skills 2 class. My hero is half Filipino, half American. He served in the US Army not as a soldier as anyone would expect but a messenger. He is a military messenger. I know you will now imagine a scene from a war movie or from Katy Perry's "Thinking Of You" music video. He is the one who makes the family and the loved ones cry. It is really sad but I admire his courage to knock on the doors of the family of the soldiers and tell them that their loved one just died for the country. My friend told me that my hero even describe to him the sad scene whenever he delivers the message. Even if my hero's vehicle is just approaching, he would see the family already weeping because they know what's going to happen next. I only imagine the heavy feeling every time he does his job. It's something to admire. He is not involved in the front line but it seems like its the same thing. My friend also told me that my hero experienced an open fire situation. He almost got hit but luckily, he didn't. He came back to the Philippines because his mission was done and he served his country well. Even if he's only a messenger, he is still respected. My friend told me one instance, their class required them to wear costumes. My hero wore his military uniform to school and (as told by my friend) he was saluted by the Discipline Officers and security guards. I really look up to him because he is respected this much. He wouldn't want to hurt the families of the soldiers at war but my hero took the courage up and did his job.
Your objective: Explore alternative ways to manage international relations. Tell your story in an original blog post, photo, or video and upload this in YOUR BLOG to get credits.
For me, I go by the idea that war should be the last option. I think there are a lot of options out there and I'll just enumerate what I think is the best and I think it's diplomacy. A good diplomacy would really help prevent war especially if the involved parties only has good past relationship. A few agreements here and there wouldn't hurt but there's no assurance since states would pursue for their own interests and if the desired agreement does not coincide with their interests, it would make the situation harder. Nonetheless, I think the first step should be really good diplomacy. A peaceful talk could save a lot of innocent people.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
MISSION ONE: The Global South
OBJECTIVE 1: Describe the division of the world into the Global North and the Global South, and some possible ways to overcome this. Document your insight with an original blog post, photo, or video, and upload this in YOUR BLOG to get credits.
The gap between the Global North and the Global South is increasing every second because of various factors that affect this. The Global North is hardly experiencing any problem with the "poor sector" of their society because their government is giving them their needs and the problem of the lack of basic necessities are properly addressed and handled. On the contrary, the Global South is exactly the opposite of Global North with their inadequate government subsidies. Factors like poor governance, mismanagement of natural resources and bad capitalism contributes to this phenomenon. Along with it, a lot of social problems arise more dramatically in the Global South. Even in our own country, especially in the rural areas, the distinction between the two poles are easily distinguished. Countries in the Global North like Canada and the US enjoy luxuries even those people living in the rural areas. For example, in the Philippines, our cities are said to be developed with infrastructures and facilities that make it look developed but in reality, when we take the very first step outside our schools or offices, we see the effects of the disparity between the Global North and the Global South. One of it is poverty. Now, I may sound like I'm preaching or something but I think that poverty should be on the top of the list of the problems of the Philippines and that we should do something about this in our own simple ways. I strongly believe that our government should trace the roots of poverty and do its job in alleviating it. One main thing that differentiates the Global North and the Global South is the way how they support and provide their citizens. In simpler terms, the Global North is rich and the Global South is poor.
OBJECTIVE 2: Take action to narrow the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Document your effort with an original blog post, photo, or video, and upload this in YOUR BLOG to get credits.
I have been involved in various efforts in lightening the social problems of the country. I have gone to tree-planting events, fun runs with different causes, feeding programs.. name it. I think I have said yes to most of the "humanitarian" opportunities that come my way. Although personally, I think what makes an effort a real one is when you yourself initiates it. I'd honestly be involved with my own efforts rather than free-riding with some organization with some activity. I think our own efforts is the genuine way. There have been instances in my life where I am faced with the choice of helping a neighbor or not. I think everybody have experienced this. You are in a comfy chair, inside an extravagant restaurant when in a moment, a beggar knocks on you window and solicits food. Now, you feel guilty. When you make an effort to help this beggar, that is compassion.
Few years ago, when I was still living in Iloilo, my good friend invited me to come with him in the downtown part of the city and give food to the beggars and the homeless. At first I was hesitant and I asked my friend what was he thinking. I mean I find his idea of buying food in a restaurant and giving it to complete strangers weird and wrong thinking that we don't even earn and have jobs yet. We were able to document it and I would like to share this picture that really shows that even in our own ubran (and developed) cities, the problem of poverty still exists.
AND just yesterday, my organization had its 2nd General Assembly and there were a lot of left-overs from our snack. I gathered all the sandwiches and juice in a plastic bag and brought it with me. I'm not sure, but maybe after years of learning how to share and helping other people, this natural instinct of giving came to me. Living in Taft, I am exposed to a lot of street kids everyday bumping you and asking (or rather demanding) for money. I knew where these kids hang out and beg. Something came up to me and I remember these kids when I packed these left overs and I thought of just giving it to them. I came up to where they were "stationed" and I gave one kid a sandwich. Then, the next thing I knew, just like bees, the other kids swarmed me with my bag full of peanut butter sandwich. After just few seconds, it was gone from my hands. I gave it to them and told them to promise that they all would share it. Just when I was turning around to walk away, this one kid said, "Thank you, Ate!" Then I immediately felt a warm smile in my face.
That is not the only time I shared my food to street kids and beggars in Taft. I don't really feel the need to enumerate all of them but one thing remains for sure. Simple yet genuine efforts like this really makes a difference. I'm not saying that I'm a role model or something but I think if all of us makes their own simple yet genuine efforts like what I did, I think the world would be a better and equal place whether you're in the Global North or the Global South.
OBJECTIVE 3: Create a story about the world. Tell your story in an original blog post, photo, or video and upload this in YOUR BLOG to get credits.
Year 2021. No underwater cities. No flying cars. No everything that we expected.
I woke up to my alarm clock. And no, it's not a hologram clock with a glass ball forecasting the weather today. It's just a classic clock. With two hands ticking every second. I saw a little light peeking its way through my window shades. I stayed still for about two minutes and I thought about the things I'll be doing today. I slowly got up and approached my window. I opened up the shades and I grasped a beautiful sight of the city with the 9am sun hitting my face. The city. The city that have once been so... what's the term... oh, i got it.. poor. It's so beautiful now. I saw a lot skyscrapers, there's still greens in the midst of it, busy people walking 12 floors below me, a clear view of the unpolluted blue sky. I didn't expect the Philippines to be this clean. THIS clean. I have been doing the routine for the past five months and I still can't believe the sight. I prepared myself a cup of coffee after fixing my bed. I turned on the television and I soaked the morning news show. Unlike in the year 2011, there were no crime-related news, it was just all updates about this new international organization and its efforts in reaching out to the other "third-world" countries that haven't finished their 2020 development goals. Luckily for the Philippines, their goals were finished by November 2020. It was evident (I mentally referred to the sight I saw in my window earlier). There were about 10 "third-world" countries left that were finishing their goals and this new international organization helps them through funding and proper facilitation. A lot of the officials of the new international organization came from different parts of the world. They thought about this idea in the year 2012 after realizing that it wasn't the end of the world after all. Silly, right? But who could have thought that the world leaders would be moved after that fake December 21, 2012 prediction. After that day, world leaders and heads of states reached out to one another hoping for a new beginning (even if the world didn't even end). They created this international organization, more powerful than the United Nations. Everybody thought that it was impossible but I think some events can really make a difference. Collaboratively, they proposed projects to help one another. Their baby? The 2020 development goals. The project's aim was to help poor countries in developing and by the next quarter, they are hoping for the fulfillment of this project. It sounded surreal but after looking at my window again, I was assured it was real. It's year 2021.
The gap between the Global North and the Global South is increasing every second because of various factors that affect this. The Global North is hardly experiencing any problem with the "poor sector" of their society because their government is giving them their needs and the problem of the lack of basic necessities are properly addressed and handled. On the contrary, the Global South is exactly the opposite of Global North with their inadequate government subsidies. Factors like poor governance, mismanagement of natural resources and bad capitalism contributes to this phenomenon. Along with it, a lot of social problems arise more dramatically in the Global South. Even in our own country, especially in the rural areas, the distinction between the two poles are easily distinguished. Countries in the Global North like Canada and the US enjoy luxuries even those people living in the rural areas. For example, in the Philippines, our cities are said to be developed with infrastructures and facilities that make it look developed but in reality, when we take the very first step outside our schools or offices, we see the effects of the disparity between the Global North and the Global South. One of it is poverty. Now, I may sound like I'm preaching or something but I think that poverty should be on the top of the list of the problems of the Philippines and that we should do something about this in our own simple ways. I strongly believe that our government should trace the roots of poverty and do its job in alleviating it. One main thing that differentiates the Global North and the Global South is the way how they support and provide their citizens. In simpler terms, the Global North is rich and the Global South is poor.
OBJECTIVE 2: Take action to narrow the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Document your effort with an original blog post, photo, or video, and upload this in YOUR BLOG to get credits.
I have been involved in various efforts in lightening the social problems of the country. I have gone to tree-planting events, fun runs with different causes, feeding programs.. name it. I think I have said yes to most of the "humanitarian" opportunities that come my way. Although personally, I think what makes an effort a real one is when you yourself initiates it. I'd honestly be involved with my own efforts rather than free-riding with some organization with some activity. I think our own efforts is the genuine way. There have been instances in my life where I am faced with the choice of helping a neighbor or not. I think everybody have experienced this. You are in a comfy chair, inside an extravagant restaurant when in a moment, a beggar knocks on you window and solicits food. Now, you feel guilty. When you make an effort to help this beggar, that is compassion.
Few years ago, when I was still living in Iloilo, my good friend invited me to come with him in the downtown part of the city and give food to the beggars and the homeless. At first I was hesitant and I asked my friend what was he thinking. I mean I find his idea of buying food in a restaurant and giving it to complete strangers weird and wrong thinking that we don't even earn and have jobs yet. We were able to document it and I would like to share this picture that really shows that even in our own ubran (and developed) cities, the problem of poverty still exists.
More pictures here.
AND just yesterday, my organization had its 2nd General Assembly and there were a lot of left-overs from our snack. I gathered all the sandwiches and juice in a plastic bag and brought it with me. I'm not sure, but maybe after years of learning how to share and helping other people, this natural instinct of giving came to me. Living in Taft, I am exposed to a lot of street kids everyday bumping you and asking (or rather demanding) for money. I knew where these kids hang out and beg. Something came up to me and I remember these kids when I packed these left overs and I thought of just giving it to them. I came up to where they were "stationed" and I gave one kid a sandwich. Then, the next thing I knew, just like bees, the other kids swarmed me with my bag full of peanut butter sandwich. After just few seconds, it was gone from my hands. I gave it to them and told them to promise that they all would share it. Just when I was turning around to walk away, this one kid said, "Thank you, Ate!" Then I immediately felt a warm smile in my face.
That is not the only time I shared my food to street kids and beggars in Taft. I don't really feel the need to enumerate all of them but one thing remains for sure. Simple yet genuine efforts like this really makes a difference. I'm not saying that I'm a role model or something but I think if all of us makes their own simple yet genuine efforts like what I did, I think the world would be a better and equal place whether you're in the Global North or the Global South.
OBJECTIVE 3: Create a story about the world. Tell your story in an original blog post, photo, or video and upload this in YOUR BLOG to get credits.
Year 2021. No underwater cities. No flying cars. No everything that we expected.
I woke up to my alarm clock. And no, it's not a hologram clock with a glass ball forecasting the weather today. It's just a classic clock. With two hands ticking every second. I saw a little light peeking its way through my window shades. I stayed still for about two minutes and I thought about the things I'll be doing today. I slowly got up and approached my window. I opened up the shades and I grasped a beautiful sight of the city with the 9am sun hitting my face. The city. The city that have once been so... what's the term... oh, i got it.. poor. It's so beautiful now. I saw a lot skyscrapers, there's still greens in the midst of it, busy people walking 12 floors below me, a clear view of the unpolluted blue sky. I didn't expect the Philippines to be this clean. THIS clean. I have been doing the routine for the past five months and I still can't believe the sight. I prepared myself a cup of coffee after fixing my bed. I turned on the television and I soaked the morning news show. Unlike in the year 2011, there were no crime-related news, it was just all updates about this new international organization and its efforts in reaching out to the other "third-world" countries that haven't finished their 2020 development goals. Luckily for the Philippines, their goals were finished by November 2020. It was evident (I mentally referred to the sight I saw in my window earlier). There were about 10 "third-world" countries left that were finishing their goals and this new international organization helps them through funding and proper facilitation. A lot of the officials of the new international organization came from different parts of the world. They thought about this idea in the year 2012 after realizing that it wasn't the end of the world after all. Silly, right? But who could have thought that the world leaders would be moved after that fake December 21, 2012 prediction. After that day, world leaders and heads of states reached out to one another hoping for a new beginning (even if the world didn't even end). They created this international organization, more powerful than the United Nations. Everybody thought that it was impossible but I think some events can really make a difference. Collaboratively, they proposed projects to help one another. Their baby? The 2020 development goals. The project's aim was to help poor countries in developing and by the next quarter, they are hoping for the fulfillment of this project. It sounded surreal but after looking at my window again, I was assured it was real. It's year 2021.
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