Ex-student awarded Goldman Sachs Global Leadership Award

Atlantic College sends its congratulations to former student Amina Adewusi (AC 06) who has been awarded the title of Goldman Sachs Global Leader by the Institute of International Education and The Goldman Sachs Foundation. Each year 150 students are selected from close to 100 top universities and colleges in 19 countries. Amina is one of eight students who have been selected from London School of Economics, Imperial and Oxbridge to represent the United Kingdom. Each student is awarded US$3,000 and the chance to receive an all-expense-paid trip to represent the group at the Global Leadership Institute in New York in July 2008.

Bloggers in Parliament? Only in Malaysia!

Elaine Leong (Malaysia, AC07-09)

March 8 marked a dramatic turn in Malaysia’s political history when the Opposition (the People’s Alliance) denied the National Front (Barisan Nasional) a two-thirds majority in the 2008 General Election. Some even went so far as to call it the “Malaysian Revolution”; indeed, it was a result that not only dealt a massive blow to the National Front which has been in power since Malaysia’s independence 50 years ago but also sent shockwaves throughout the country: for the first time in history, not one, but five prominent Malaysian bloggers were voted into the Parliament.

A lot has been said about the Internet’s role in American politics over the last six months, but the Malaysian general election has probably seen the most dramatic effect the Internet has had on politics so far. Although mainstream media in Malaysia is privately owned, their licenses are held by those closely connected to the constituent parties of the National Front. Over time, this has given the mainstream media a bad reputation as mouthpieces of the National Front. Public dissatisfaction with what they see as censored and controlled news, coupled with the rise of blogs and Youtube, were used effectively by the Opposition to campaign against the National Front.

Nosotras también tenemos ideales, sueños y metas por cumplir

Por Gabriela Juncosa (Ecuador, AC 2007-2009)

 

 

Hace un par de años estaba yo de visita en un hospital de una comunidad indígena en mi país, Ecuador. Ese día cargué en mis brazos a un bebé que había nacido hace pocas horas. Cuando pregunté por la madre del niño la cara de la hermana religiosa, que fue mi guía aquel día, se transformó dramáticamente. Ese niño había sido el resultado del dieciochoavo embarazo de una mujer de la comunidad, el cuerpo de su madre no resistió tanto trabajo y lamentablemente falleció durante el parto. Además, ni el padre ni la familia de la madre quería hacerse cargo del recién nacido, tenían ya demasiados infantes a su cargo, no tenían ni las ganas, ni la energía y peor aun el dinero para cuidar uno más. 

 

LAC-EU gives chance for inter-continental co-operation

Ruth Tiffany Acevedo Cruses (Peru, AC 07-09)

The President of Peru, Dr. Alan García Pérez, today officially launched the V Summit of Heads of States and Governments of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union (LAC-EU). The summit will take place on May 16 in Peru and will for the first time bring together 60 heads of states and governments to address topics of interest for Peru and the other regions.

The LAC-EU Summit will take place from May 13 to May 17 at the National Museum where a modern Convention Center will be set up to host the Heads of States who will examine specific initiatives on two major themes: “Poverty, inequality and inclusion” and “Sustainable Development: the environment, climate change and energy.”

Arts Council ‘has lost the argument’

THE shock decision by the Arts Council of Wales to continue with its plan to axe vital funding to St Donats Arts Centre, despite a successful appeal to an independent panel, has been criticised.

The centre faces losing its £45,379 Arts Council of Wales grant, which could spell the end of many of its shows and activities.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/2008/05/10/arts-council-has-lost-the-argument-91466-20888659/

- United World College Student Magazine -

 

Boris Johnson: At least he isn’t Ken Livingstone

Honor Mishcon (England, AC 07-09)

 

There are two problems with Boris Johnson as the mayor of London: one, he’s a complete buffoon, (and that is terming it politely) two, he’s a Tory, a conservative. I will deal with the former first.

 

As a Liberal, the concept of my beloved London being in the hands of my rival party, pretty much spells out disaster. However, I am also one of the Londoners that have an eternal distaste for Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London. Of course, as a politician he was always going to lie to us, nevertheless I could never envisage the scale at which he would ‘go back on his word’. Most (clever) politicians create a momentous masquerade to cover their disregard for the peoples’ wishes. But ‘Kenny’ doesn’t even try to use a ‘band-aid to cover the bullet hole’. When bringing in the London Congestion Charge he promised three things: He stated that the congestion zone would never be expanded, that the cost would never go over the rate of inflation and that all the money from this ‘wondrous’ scheme would be utilised to improve public transport. Well, guess what; he put the price from £5 to £8 to enter the zone, within a couple of years, expanded the area into a place that wasn’t even that congested to begin with and the only thing I have noticed in terms of improvement is that my closest bus line is now double-decker. There are still stupendous delays, constant closures and the underground smelling like a tramp on a really bad day, accompanied with rush hour leaving you feeling distinctly like a sardine in a tin can.

Bush gets ‘visit’ pilot from St. Donat’s

The wife of a St. Donat’s pilot held after landing his plane near US President George Bush’s ranch says her husband is sure he did not go into restricted airspace.

Kirstie Kirk, of St Donats, Vale of Glamorgan, said she hoped US officials realised her “eccentric” husband wanted to leave a thank you note at the ranch.

Maurice Kirk was held in a psychiatric unit after sheriffs detained him minutes after he landed in a field.

The 62-year-old is expected to be questioned by US special services.

Read More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7373766.stm

 

- United World College Student Magazine-

 

Tough Times for the EU

Daniel Prinz (Hungary, AC 07-09), Andrea Mihic (Switzerland, AC 07-09)

The European Union (EU), political, economic and recently somewhat military alliance of 27 European countries, is facing a couple of crucial changes. The organization, originally founded by six states (Belgium, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, France, Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany) intending to strengthen their positions in a US/USSR-dominated world economy, now has member states across the continent. Besides their unity in common values, they are certainly culturally diverse and therefore to some extent divided. Needless to say, Germany, with its 82 million citizens and its political controversies over immigration and social tensions due to high unemployment has different problems from welfare state Sweden with high tax rates and life quality. Luxemburg, a tiny country of bankers, being amongst the richest countries in the world (highest GDP per capita), is different from Hungary, a state of post-socialist transitional economy, coping with unsustainable welfare services, ineffective education system and macroeconomic disequilibrium.

Students raise money and hope for Marie Curie

Between 2007 – 2008, Atlantic College students have raised over £2055 for the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth; an impressive total as all fundraising activity was organised by the students in between their studying and service activity.

Severity of Holocaust to overwrite human right to live?

Daniel Prinz (Hungary, AC 2007-2009)

2nd of April marks the anniversary of the beginning of the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem; 11th of May is the anniversary of his capture in Buenos Aires.

SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Adolf Eichmann (1906-1962) was one of the most well-known Nazi leaders. Joining the Nazi Party in Austria in 1932, he made his way up to the leadership of the department dedicated to Jewish affairs in the Gestapo. He was one of the main propagators of the Endlösung, which was supposed to be the final solution for the “Jewish problem”. The initial plan was to get the European Jewish population out of the continent by organized emmigration. Eichmann himself was sent to Palestine before the war to negotiate with Arab leaders. Later on, the actual Endlösung of the Wannsee Conference put forward the system of deatch camps to exterminate Jews (and other groups which were regarded as subordinate by the Nazis, for example gypsies).

First ever Conference between American and Iraqi Youth

Michael Schoenleber (Li Po Chun College, AC 06-08)

 

An international team of students from Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong and Princeton University have come together with the help of UWC-USA to plan the first ever conference between American and Iraqi youth.  The conference will take place this summer at King’s Academy boarding school just outside of Amman, Jordan.  Sixteen American and sixteen Iraqi 16-19 year olds from diverse backgrounds within each nation will participate in the conference from July 14 to 25.  The conference is designed to incorporate three phases: learning about one another’s cultures, histories, and identities; identifying problems in Iraq and drafting a statement of intent to be distributed for international consideration; and developing and implementing educational and recreational youth-run and youth-oriented development projects within Iraq.

La Cultura del Individualismo: el mal de la politica mexicana

Patricio Provencio (Mexico, AC 2007-2009)

México siempre se ha caracterizado por ser un país con poco trabajo en equipo. La cultura del individualismo ha reinado en una patria donde todos siempre quieren jalar para su lado sin importarles que pasa con el de a lado. A la hora buena, siempre surgen las quejas y las culpas mutuas del porque no se puede hacer una buena labor colectiva, y eso ha mermado la capacidad de salir adelante en conjunto. Esa es la realidad actual, y no podemos más que aceptarla. Con los recientes eventos en la Cámara de Diputados y en el Senado, donde un grupo de legisladores han interrumpido la labor para la cual el pueblo mexicano los eligió, es más que claro que hoy hay un grupo nacional que esta dificultando un trabajo primordial para el desarrollo del país, y este grupo es ni mas ni menos que la izquierda mexicana.

Shalom…?

Amit Meyer (Israel,AC 07-09)

.

Back at home, obviously, everyone was Israeli. Everyone grew up with the same Israeli values, and learnt the same things. Everyone was part of the Israeli society.

It was only after coming to AC that I actually had to face my Israeli-ness. Being here made me realize so much about Israel, from a completely different perspective than what I was used to. I finally had a chance to take a step back and look at Israel from the outside, from an objective point of view. But nothing could have prepared me to everything that comes with being an Israeli in a place like this.

I was asked quite a few times to write something about Israel, the situation there, a particular event that had happened, my point of view, etc. I must admit, I had never thought that telling about my home country, translating my thoughts into words and sentences would be that difficult. After several attempts that left me with either EE-long articles still trying to get to their point, or pages and pages of scribbles and parts of ideas that were almost impossible to put together, I’ve realized that there is still one thing that I felt more strongly than anything else. That is the frustration I felt about the whole situation, and that wouldn’t let me go.

home

Tariq Omarshah (Zimbabwe, AC 06-08)

 

 

                            home 

  

‘It’s dark outside’ she whispers, scared.

 

I smile to try and comfort her.

 

‘What if they come back?’ she continues.

 

 For this I have no gesture, no words.

 

We sit in our living-room, alone.

 

It’s dark.

 

The candle flickers.

 

‘They hurt her,’ the child says, slowly.

 

I look away.

 

I can’t look into those innocent pools.

 

They’re too familiar.

 

A Journey to the Heart of the Jungle

Harlem Siu Marino Saavedra (Peru, AC 2006-2008) and Alan Utria (Zimbabwe, AC 2006-2008)

 

13 students, 10 nationalities, 2 countries, 1 adventure: 5 weeks of volunteer work.

 

This summer 2008, 13 Atlantic College students will be participating in the Peru-Brazil project. It will start on the 6^th of June when all students will be arriving at Lima airport, in the Peruvian capital.

We will then make our way to Tarapoto, a city within the Peruvian jungle. There we’ll spend two weeks working in an orphanage and later with an NGO trying to preserve the Amazon.

 

Another win for Mayumi Raheem at swimming

Mayumi Raheem the aqua queen of Sri Lanka swimming has achieved another first in her life. She was awarded the Colours with Distinction for swimming, the best swimmer of the year 2007/’08 and the Sports Girl of the year 2007/’08 by her school, United World College (UWC) of Singapore. These awards were given to Mayumi at the 16th Annual Sports Colours Awards Ceremony held at the Main Auditorium on April 25 at the school.Mayumi has won Colours with Distinction for swimming since she she joined UWC in 2001 and the swimmer of the Year award for three continuous years.

 

Continue Reading…

 

- United World College Student Magazine-

Danish UWC graduate nominated to receive the Mahabba Awards 2008

Anders Bøtter (Denmark, MUWCI 98-00)

 

Anders Bøtter (Mahindra UWC of India 1998 - 2000) has been nominated
at the Mahabba Awards 2008. The nomination is granted in recognition
of his work to promote intercultural understanding through the project
“Undskyld Muhammed” (”Sorry Muhammed”), which has sparked a more
plural debate about the Muhammed drawings in Denmark.

“Undskyld Muhammed” is a Facebook group created to promote debate,
which is not filtered by mass media or popular opinion. “Undskyld
Muhammed” has approximately 8500 members and contains intense debates
about freedom of speech, Islam and other religious views, human rights
and international politics. “Undskyld Muhammed” has been nominated in
the category “Event of the year”.

Anders Bøtter will be attending the Mahabba Awards 2008 in Abu Dhabi
from 24th - 26th April.

-United World College Student Magazine-

London Mayoral Elections:Best choice “None of the above”?

 Jessamyn McArdle, British/Canadian (AC, 07-09)

 

The 2008 London Mayoral elections are soon upon us, galloping, ever faster towards the forefront of our minds, whipping up a storm of political debate and foolhardy promises. On May 1^st Londoners have the choice of, in the right corner, Boris Johnson, better known for his television chat-show appearances and scandalous affairs than his hard hitting policies on knife and gun crime in the capital. And in the left corner, Ken Livingstone, current mayor of London, whose complacency has been jolted by Boris’s surprising surge in the polls and whose Congestion Charging has divided the city. And in the middle, (apparently), neither left, nor right, ‘just English’ is Matt O’Conner, whose picture in the campaign booklet wouldn’t look out of place in a John Frieda advert, and who bases his campaign on removing money from Scotland and placing it in circulation in London.

Popolo della Libertà

José Ignacio Luís Miguel (Spain, AC 07-09) interviewing Leonardo Goi (Italy, AC 07-09)                         

On   April the 13^th and 14^th, new elections were held in Italy. The victory of the former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, with a big majority, over Walter Veltroni (former mayor of Rome) brought a lot of controversy and discussion.

Instead of writing a normal article about the subject, making use of the opportunities provided by studying in the United World College of the Atlantic seemed a more interesting option. That is why I decided to interview one of the Italian students in our College. His name is Leonardo Goi and he is from Venice. We have to thank him for giving us a very good insight on the elections which took place in their country.

LPC Protests about “injustice and bad governance”

A current student at Li Po Chun UWC commenting on the recent events:

The recent protests about the expulsions at LPCUWC, contrary to what our principal seems to think, are not merely protests about the expulsions themselves, but were an accumulation of injustices and bad governance over the past year.

Throughout the year, we as a student body, have been trying to change or amend some of the current rules at LPCUWC through dialogue and the SCC (Student Consultative Committee) without much, if any success or cooperation from the receivers of our suggestions. The student body is highly concerned about the ambiguity with which the rules are presented. We have repeatedly been ignored or even scolded on our questioning of the vagueness of the rules.