Blog Eleven: Gender Equality

“Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015,” states Goal 3 of the Millennium Development Goals to promote gender equality and specifically empower women worldwide. Currently, living in the year 2012…we could say there is still a long way to go. Being a Canadian we must first focus on the gender equalities we face now here in Canada. Canada is a world leader in the promotion and protection of women’s rights and gender equality. These issues are central to Canada’s foreign and domestic policies. According to these policies, Canada is entrusted through their views on gender equality not only as a human right but also a key element to sustainable development, social justice, peace and security within our communities. This is protected through the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women as well as the Universal declaration of Human Rights. Canada was one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women, which set international standards for eliminating gender discrimination. However, why is it that the gap in income between men and women in Canada is 21 per cent? Personally, I believe it is because of the stereotypes our society as had on women for decades. These stereotypes do not only cause dampers on women physically getting a respected job in society but also cause mental self-esteem issues on women of actually feeling accepted in society. This is not an issue that each gender can figure out by themselves but rather an issue that both genders need to work together to build equal grounds. 

Blog Ten: AIDS and Disease

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A virus called HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, causes it. Since AIDS can be fatal, spreading from person to person, many individuals in society tend to place a barrier on those who carry the virus and the disease. Many social consequences are ignited in correlation to those that are directly related to those who suffer from the illness. These social barriers may include, loss of contacts with friends, family and other relationships, appearance and employment.  For example, society has been confused to treat people with the disease as a ‘bad’ person in society and because of this many individuals with AIDS don’t have the same opportunities as others who don’t suffer the disease.  In order to fix this discrimination there are many different ways we can approach this global issue. One option is to continue research on finding a cure for the disease. This could save millions of lives across the planet. Another solution is continuing to raise awareness about protection, but when advertising about this, commercials and the media should inform that this is a disease that anyone, from all walks of life can get AIDS. We must approach this issue from a sensible standpoint or else we essentially feeding two problems, a growing disease and well as discrimination. 

Blog Nine: C.A.R.E Model

In order for individuals to respect others and they must respect themselves. For this to be successful, one must set goals that are ethical yet realistic to the world we live in today. Many people in the room you may be sitting in, to the world we share have different opinions. To make the best decision those compromises to other, a step-by-step process should be put into place. And what do you know, the 

C.A.R.E model does exactly that!

C:ompassion
-Understanding an individual’s perspective is a very important element on the basis of recognizing their what is right and what is wrong. By respecting other people’s outlooks, we can meet the needs of everyone, whether it is emotional needs or just general concerns, it is important to incorporate every person’s image of the correct decision. 

A:ction
-To take action, an individual must feel as though they are free from any potential peer pressure or difficulties. As a global community, we must provide others with the intentions that it is acceptable to have courage around anyone. If these notions are executed respectfully, it will provide perseverance in reaching goals individuals may have in mind. To ignite these goals, we must be optimistic towards others and allow opportunities to lead you to where your biggest aspirations may lie.

R:esponsibilty
-Trust, loyal, faith and confidence are many of the characteristics that feed responsibility. For one to be responsible we must provide rational suggestions and solutions that cannot only help you but help others.

E:quality
- Although achieving a perfect balance is next to impossible, striving for it in your everyday actions can seek solutions in other needs you or others may have. Showing respect others is one of the many ways to do this. This is because it will provide a ripple effect that others can admire and do as well. Accepting and honoring an individual’s personal and cultural difference is one of the many ways to allowing equality to flourish within our communities. 

Blog Eight: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (NSA)

The good, the bad and then ugly I must say describes the simulation well.

THE GOOD: Our NSA responded with good intentions to our group and how we worked skillfully together. It was through our background information and precedent of our countries decision-making that made us successful in setting up alliances through our private communiqués. Furthermore, our group was able to provide feedback well to our NSA that was beneficial to us because it allowed us to receive feedback from her viewpoint as well. Overall, my group (Victoria and Ramya) received excellent comments back from our NSA. Good job Girls!

THE BAD: Personally, representing Palestine Fatah was although an interesting task; was also challenging at times. Understanding how my country formed decisions but more importantly reacted to other countries decisions was something I had to build my knowledge throughout the simulation. This was probably because they did not have similar opinions as a democratic country such as countries in North America.

THE UGLY: Even though my group was able to accomplish many goals to help solve the problem, it is unfortunate it could not run this smoothly in the real world. This simulation has helped me realized that you have to be very rational and always be thinking of the future in every move you make, big or small.

Blog Seven: Margaret Thatcher

“In politics if you want anything said, ask a man; if you want anything done, ask a woman.” –Margaret Thatcher

The quote is important to me because it shows the confidence women can have, especially in politics. Margaret Thatcher held years of power as Britain’s first woman Prime Minister. She reshaped the social and economic outlook of the country. What I love about this quote is the fact that it is possible for woman to rise to the highest office in politics and more important, to stay there. She accomplished this with a level of assertiveness rarely equaled by her male predecessors. As global citizens this is very crucial to point out because it is highlighting the fact that although countries have to treat each other equally, we need to treat both genders equally as well. Since governments lead countries, it is important to ensure that both genders have the chance to be apart of the government. I believe Margaret Thatcher has created a huge precedence for active female global citizens to feel confident and not be afraid of trying to be a true leader. 

Blog Six: Respond to the Quote

"All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." - Sir Edmund Burke, 1769.

Reading this quote, really made me stop and think about how this is sadly so true, yet realistic in our world today. The first example that came to mind is the tribulations that are occurring at the Douglas Creek Estates (DCE). It is atrocious to see how our government and other Canadian citizens are not doing anything to help what is going on, at these reserves. As Canada being one of the most praised countries for being a peacekeeping nation, yet when it comes to our own problems, we cannot achieve the same peaceful state. This is shown specifically seeing that the Red Cross committees helping out in Haiti traveled to these reserves to help the citizens. This is a shining example of how Canadian citizens-healthy and willing are not helping to contribute to solving this situation. Thus, this corrupt dilemma is escalading.  As living in the 21^st century, I believe this needs to stop. Not only are we more accessible then ever to travel around the globe and help problems around the world but we also have the technology to create solutions to our problems. Although we have done a lot to help our world, we need to continue more of actually ‘walking the walk’ not just ‘talking the talk.’

Blog Five: To Act or Not to Act

Choosing between whether your going to act, I believe is affected not only by your emotions in the moment but also by your morals. An individual’s moral regarding their religion, where they were brought up, their culture, their occupations etc helps to shape how an individual may treat a situation.  Essentially to even act upon a situation, one needs to feel obliged to feel as though it can be accomplished. These factors previously stated contribute to the outcome immensely. For example, an individual of a wealthy background, living in a fully developed country, may or may not decide to help people in a developing country. This could be because the individual feels as though they could not make a difference or because they are in fear of their own life. Although this does have adequate reasoning behind it, in reality this occurs frequently. Nevertheless, there are many scenarios in which an individual can help, but choose not to because of some form of negligence. As a global citizen we need to step back and realize that any global scenario should be helped whether or not your particular country is being affected by it. The question is, how? There are many different ways in which individuals can help to act upon a global situation. I think a very influential choice to take action is making our government aware. This is because on a national scale, the government can educate their people through commercials etc and on an international scale; our government can make awareness at meetings such as the UN.  A personal example I choose to act upon is helping the environment. Little acts such as sorting my garbage to see how much I can compost and recycle to hang-drying my clothes to avoid using the dryer. These little undertakings although make me feel as though I am taking action, if everyone took part in this, it would create a huge, positive impact on our world.