NewsLetterIssue4 April-June10.indd - RIS stories

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HIGH SCHOOL Know • Care • Act Global Issues Network Conference 2010 Hong Kong by Rasika Sethi (Grade 9) ccording to UNICEF, 24,000 Achildren die each day due to poverty. They “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.” 1.6 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live without electricity. Based on enrollment data, about 72 million children of primary school age in the developing world were not in school in 2005; 57 percent of them were girls. And these are regarded as optimistic numbers. Like most students at <strong>RIS</strong>, I am concerned about global issues and want to do something more than just joining campaigns online. But how can High School students effectively take action? This is the brick wall that stands in our way: the long brick wall which we all have the responsibility to deal with. I want to get a hammer and break down several bricks. But how? One answer came in Homeroom one morning. It is the Global Issues Network Conference. GIN is based on the ideas in Jean Francois Rishchard’s book, ‘High Noon’. He identifies 20 urgent global problems and encourages the formation of small groups around the world to help solve them. The theme of this year’s conference was “Know. Care. Act.” In the course of this inspiring conference, we were presented with opportunities to put together what we learned, shared, discussed, and were influenced by to become change makers. We attended interactive core workshops, global village action groups, the video festival, inspiring student and NGO presentations, as well as an NGO fair. There were also influential keynote 24 NEWSLETTER Volume 3, Issue 4
speakers. We learned about a wide range of issues and were involved in discussions with topics from human rights to HIV/AIDS. For example, in the global village group, we had discussions and made a canvas painting about maritime issues and water pollution. Listening to the motivational speeches of the keynote speakers was a big favorite for us all. We heard their passion, and were deeply inspired by their individual drive and awe-struck by their <strong>stories</strong>. Particular favorite speakers included David Begbie, Spencer West, and Efren Peneflorida. David Begbie, of Crossroads International, addressed the issue of poverty with the view that “The web of poverty is equal to the web of opportunity.” Crossroads International is an organization that connects resources to people in need. Inspirational and charismatic, Spencer West spoke about how he lost his legs at the age of five, but never lost hope or courage. He gave us all a thought-provoking message from his speech: the key points were “to be the one to make a change, to celebrate the differences, to be happy every day, and finally, to stand up”. Efren Peneflorida is the founder of the Dynamic Teen Company, and was also named CNN hero of the year. His key message is “One is never too young to give back to society. One is never too poor to help in society. One is never too strong to do things on his own. One is never too ordinary to be a hero.” The NGO fair gave us an opportunity to sign up for organizations and to find out more about them. A wide range of organizations were present, including the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, UNICEF, Child Welfare Scheme, and Traffick Link. Most of the organizations that were in the NGO fair also gave presentations. I had a really hard time picking out which presentation to attend. But in the end, I chose to go to the Traffick Link presentation, which focused on anti-slavery and human trafficking. There are more slaves today than there ever were in history! Women, men, and children, even boys and girls as young as four years old, are sold, bought, and treated as if they are mere objects. This presentation brought tears to my eyes- it was really disturbing and horrific to think that a human could do insanely cruel things to four year olds, just for money. We were then informed about how we could take action, and what the Traffick Link organization are doing. They are currently educating rescued human trafficking victims- it may take five minutes to rescue a victim, but it takes over five years to recover; some don’t ever recover. I feel I am now in the process of breaking down the brick wall. Thanks to the GIN conference I feel better equipped and I have my goals more clearly defined. I aim to conduct a project on human trafficking by educating rescued victims. I am a part of the ‘Not for Sale Campaign (Student Abolitionist Movement)’ online and will be taking action in school to raise awareness about human trafficking. HIGH SCHOOL Beyond the brick wall is where we’ll all find peace and happiness. Imagine if everyone played a role in breaking a portion of the brick wall. Not only will peace and happiness for all be possible, but it can be achieved in a shorter period of time. Efren Peneflorida said that everyone has an element of hero within them, just waiting to be unleashed. Search for it in your heart. Change begins in us and change is what the world needs. “When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion.” - Ethiopian proverb The other students who also attended this year’s conference were Sheena Narula, Preshita Sipani, So Ra Lee, Ploy Busagornruangrat, Panachai (Bank) Assavaniwest, Panpan Punyaneramitdee, and Korn (Pete) Mungsommai. The encouraging teachers who attended were Dr. John Stiles and Ms. Lincy Fung. Without all nine of them, this conference wouldn’t have been possible. It wouldn’t have been as fun and exciting. Thank you. NEWSLETTER Volume 3, Issue 4 25
Page 1 and 2: NEWSLETTER Volume 3, Issue 4 1
Page 3 and 4: Message from Campus Ministry Dear F
Page 5 and 6: WELCOME! New Administration Team at
Page 7 and 8: President of Fr. Ray Foundation, Fr
Page 9 and 10: COMMUNITY People all over the world
Page 11 and 12: CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP
Page 13 and 14: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hipping and Hoppi
Page 15 and 16: MIDDLE SCHOOL Me Everlasting ledge
Page 17 and 18: HIGH SCHOOL SHAKESPEARE SONNET COMP
Page 19 and 20: aht. In exchange for this investmen
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Page 25 and 26: Narula; Thanaphol Singh Ng; Charoen
Page 27 and 28: REDEEMER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL THAIL
Page 29 and 30: SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES SEASAC Fine A
Page 31 and 32: RIS Varsity Tennis Boys 09-10 “We
Page 33 and 34: SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Under 15 Girl
Page 35 and 36: To promote critical thinking we imp
Page 37 and 38: SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Legends of Si
Page 39 and 40: UNCENSORED IB ART EXHIBITION @ CENT
Page 41 and 42: SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES had tears in
Page 43 and 44: SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES to the creati
Page 45 and 46: PARENT AUXILIARY RIS Parent Auxilia
Page 47 and 48: THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS! Reti
Page 49: Congratulations RIS Seniors! Class

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