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Friedrichsgymnasium Kassel, Germany -
BERMUN 2000
As we wanted to find out practically how the UN
works, we decided to take part in the Berlin Model United Nations Conference in
November 2000 at the J. F. Kennedy School in Zehlendorf (http://www.jfks.de/bermun/index.html
), which dealed with the question "Ecology and Economy - A Partnership for
the future?" To become delegates of Argentina and Venezuela, we wrote
resolutions on the tasks of our different commitees and exchanged jeans and
T-shirts for suits.
Already on the train to Berlin we met other
delegates from Frankfurt and later even students from Russia and the USA. After
the opening ceremony in "the Rote Rathaus" on the first day
(Wednesday), we started work in the councils and conferences such as ECOSOC,
the Special Conference or Security Council and tried to convince other
delegates of the ideas expressed in our resolutions. The next day we continued
this activity, which is called lobbying. On the third day, the different
resolutions that had been agreed upon were discussed in the conferences, until one resolution from each committee or
council so that could pass to the General Assembly. In the GA there was another
opportunity to make amendments, and finally on the fourth day the GA had to
vote on each resolution.
The last event of BERMUN was the dance on
Saturday night in the "Bärensaal" where we were no delegates any
longer but normal pupils.
Participating in BERMUN, we found out how
difficult it can be to make compromises on very different points of view, e.g.
concerning the problem of the Middle East.
Democracy is something which sometimes needs
patience.
I think that our political understanding has
changed. And now we know: If wrong political decisions are made, you can be
sure that the problems/the issues were discussed a very short time before
lunch...
Ariane Schwarz
Teacher: Frau Sander
wh/26. 3. 01
GRAFFITI ART
People have always drawn and painted on walls. Prehistoric
man painted on the walls of caves, for example, and those paintings are now
considered valuable works of art. If people draw on walls these days, though it
isn’t considered art. It is called “GRAFFITI” and cleaned up as soon as possible.
GRAFFITI art
takes a number of forms. It can be an individual mark, often just the initials
of the artist, or something much larger, like a mural. Each artist has his or
her own “tag”, or signature, and each piece of graffiti art is “tagged”.
For some artists GRAFFITI is
a reaction to the circumstances of their lives, while for others it is more a
thought-out artistic expression. Either way, graffiti is very personal to the
young person that produces it and it is an expression of his or her feelings. The
motivation behind a piece of graffiti can be happiness or sadness, frustration
or relief.
GRAFFITI as
a youth culture began in America but has become popular in many other
countries. Its influences come from pop culture especially music and cartoons. Some
of it is so creative that art galleries have begun to buy it and the artists
have become famous.
Georgia Matiou
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d e p r e s s i o n |
A difficult time
Being a teenager has always been difficult. Emotions
and moods change rapidly. Many teenagers feel confused and afraid when the
safety of childhood is left behind. These days, experts say that things are
even harder.
No one is happy all the time
Everyone feels unhappy, lonely or misunderstood
from time to time. But a small number of teenagers become depressed for weeks
or months without change, and they begin to find that they can’t continue with
their normal lives. Many teenagers don’t want to ask, or don’t know how to ask
for help. Perhaps they don’t even realise they are depressed.
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Causes of
teenage depression 1.
Worrying about: how you look, exams, the future. 2. Feeling
like no one understands you, having difficult relationships with family, and
feeling isolated. 3. Being
bullied at school or elsewhere. 4.
Boyfriend and girlfriend trouble. Symptoms of
teenage depression 1. Eating
too much, or not eating enough. 2. Being
very irritable. 3. Having
no confidence. 4. Lack of
concentration, feeling lazy. 5. Feeling
bored and lonely, losing touch with friends. 6.
Stealing things or getting into troubles. 7. Not
doing well at school or work. 8. In
extreme cases teenagers may take drugs or drink, or try to harm themselves. 9. Not
wanting to go out. |
How to help yourself or someone else
If you are worried about a friend, listen to
their problems and try to be sympathetic, and patient. If you are
feeling blue, you need to try and understand your emotions. Try to talk to
someone you like and feel comfortable with. But most importantly of all, do
something you enjoy.
Athena Kanari
The
Beginning Of The Petroleum Industry
As John Wesley Owen wrote in 1975 in his
massive volume "Trek of the Oil Finders"...."the inception of
the modern petroleum industry can be fairly said to have occurred at Oil Creek,
near Titusville, Crawford County,
Pennsylvania..." Owen also states that "some 5000 years of experience
and tradition elsewhere had anticipated the event." Oil seeps were used in
ancient times and production of oil took place in a number of countries long
before Drake. Several oil wells were brought in at about the time of Drake's
well in the United States, such as in Canada and Europe. Some of them became
oil centers in their own right. However, the boom and industrial advance that
began near Titusville on August 27, 1859, (Drake Day) gathered momentum so
quickly and enlarged so greatly that a veritable industrial explosion took
place. As Owen put it, "the oilmen were here. They were in oil country,
and the time had come." Parke Dickey in his 1959 great paper "The
First Oil Well" doesn't dispute other claims to be the first well (that
isn't the point). He felt that "no one is likely to question the fact that
it was the Drake Well at Titusville which started the industry on its
spectacular career." The other centers boomed as well.
Like the 1849 gold rush which saw multitudes of would-be miners arrive in the
frontier regions of California, a similar phenomenon took place a decade later
in 1859 in America's eastern wilderness, but that time the beacon was crude oil
and the place was Oil Creek at Titusville in Northwest Pennsylvania. The allure
of the fledgling oil industry, like that of gold, tapped one of mankind's
greatest emotions, the thrill of discovery. For some, the quest for oil led to
great riches. There were sudden jobs, excitement, new towns, new places,
incredible inventions and ponderous machinery. At Oil Creek, the multitude of
new oilmen had a whole valley to fill. Soon they spilled out of those rich
confines and began to test the geography of the continental and global
dispersion of oil. There were many successes along the way as well as dry holes
and tragedies. All are components of a giant industry which continues unabated
today. The same thrill is there and new territory and deeper pools await the
drill.
James Fung
The natural environment is effected by the
construction of motorways
The materialization of foundation works effects
the natural and long cultured environment, especially of a short-extended
country with high density of biotopes. For this reason, in the phase of
planning, the competent have to make a very accurate estimation of the affect
that the works will cause. Scientific research showed that the results of the
opening of transportation works are mostly destructive for the natural
environment.
The Trans Canada Highway, one of the most
important motorways of the country, passes through the National Park of Banff
in Alberta which is a haven for threatened mammals and birds. The percentage of
the death-rate of these animals, due to the accidents caused by cars,
approaches the disappearance limit of the population. It was estimated by the
explorers that in one year this percentage will be about 25%. The death-rate of
the jackals reached 35% of the population and the death-rate of the deer was
increased 100% when the width of the motorway was doubled. Also the population
of the brown bear presents high levels of death-rate.
The animals are killed when they try to pass
through the 4 lane motorway. As the systematic scientific observation showed,
the animals finally don’t prefer the peripheral paths that have been made for
their safety.
In Greece, we already have similar events with
bears that are killed in accidents on the roads.
Irene Michaelidou - Eleni Erkekoglou - Aristea
Alexiou
Visit to Coactive
Schools Project (Greece section) by Lloyd Forster
14-18April
2000
Coactive Schools is a collection of schools in
different parts of the world that share good practice and school information
via the internet. The project was started by Chrissa Papageorgiou who acts as
the cordinator. The main link between the schools is via the Coactive Schools
website.
I accepted an invitation to visit the project
and so on the 14th of April I flew from Heathrow airport to
Thessaloniki airport via Athens.
Friday 14th
My trip coincided with the end of a very busy
and stressful term and so it was a relief to board the aircraft for sunny
Greece. The flight itself was uneventful but very restful as the flight crew of
the Olympic Airways took very good care of us. The flight was day time and so
it was both beautiful and a bit scary looking down at the snow capped mountains
passing slowly by. After a two and a half hours of flying we landed at Athens
airport where I had to catch a connecting light for the final leg to
Thessaloniki.
I was able to disembark very quickly as I had
no luggage other than the large hand luggage all I managed to take into the
cabin with me.I was met by two teachers,which was good as it was getting dark. Through
many hours of internet conversation I felt very comfortable at once and after a
short drive we arrived at the Capsis Hotel an impressive 4star establishment. The
hotel and its staff were very welcoming and soon after arriving and checking in
my hold all was taken from me by a uniformed porter who showed to my room which
had all amenities.
I later joined my hosts in the foyer where we
spent a further hour in conversation about all sorts of things- the way old
friends do. With all the excitement I found it hard to go to sleep but several
hours later I did.
Saturday15th
The day started of quite sunny and warm for the
time of year in Greece. I spent part of the morning walking along the main high
street in search of the internet café we saw the previous night but it was too
far off and so I went back to the hotel to await my host who were due to
collect me for a bit of sight seeing. Our first stop was at the white Tower; a
main landmark in Thessaloniki and which according to history was once covered
in leaves to camouflage it from invaders from the sea.We went up and looked at
surrounding city. We saw many Byzantine churches. Thessaloniki has two
Universities (Aristotle University and University of Macedonia). We spent some
time at a roadside café near the ancient wall and drank coffee and talked about
the similarities and differences between our educational systems.
I was returned to my hotel where I spent more
time relaxing, reading in preparation for the evening when I was going to meet
pupils from the 4th Junior High school of Stavropouli.
We met some of the pupils at a prearranged area
.We took a walk along the harbour while we waited for the other pupils to join
us. I particular like harbours and so it was an added bonus to.
We were joined by the rest of the pupils who
were very pleased to see me having heard all about me from their teacher. My
knowledge of Greek is nil but some of the pupils speak English. In fact many
parents ensure their children get ahead by getting private tuition in English
so they can get a certificate. This certificate is now compulsory for some
civil service jobs.
When we finally close a restaurant it was for
fabul; ous "meze" – a large collection of dishes. I also tasted some
of the wine and spirits.The pupils and teachers were very generous to me. I
returned to my hotel at midnight. It had been a very good day.
Sunday 16th
I had all day to myself which again was good as
it gave me much time to continue my mental relaxation. I was able to finish
reading the books I had taken along. In the evening, I met some pupils and
teachers.
Monday 17th
The 4th Junior High school of
Stavroupoli. Operates on alternating early or late start shift system. As a
result I visited the school during the late shift which started at 2.00. When I
met the head teacher, I greeted him in Greek- my host and I prepared the text
the previous day. Many of the pupils were very fascinated by my presence and
wanted to speak to me and so I read my greeting again to them. They were quite
impressed and cheered loudly.It was nice to see the pupils we had met the
previous night. I was taken by the headteacher and my host Ms Papageorgiou on
tour of the high points of Thessaloniki. When we returned to the school I sat
in on a computing lesson delivered by my host.I was able to learn about
Microsoft Access.
When school finished the headteacher and some
of the teachers took me out for a drink and nibbles at local restaurant. As we
sat on the outside I reflected on the trip and how much I had learnt and how
good it would be to establish stronger links with the school. When I returned
to my hotel in the evening it was quite late and my thoughts were turning to my
return home.
Tuesday 18th
The last day of a trip for me is usually
signalled when I have to check out of the hotel room. It had been a short but
very pleasant time and so I wanted to return as soon as possible.I was able to
catch an ealier flight to Gatwick instead of Heathrow.The flight to London was
quite turbulent.I like landing at Gatwick because the descent is quite straight
forward from the English Channel.
Reflection
Travelling to Continental Europe is always for
me a thought provoking time……
When I reached home I thought of all the kind
people who had done much to make me feel welcome.
Lloyd Forster
Visit
to Thessaloniki by Xavier Juan (June 2000)
A DAY IN
THESSALONIKI
When, in the spring of 2000 I had the
confirmation that I had been admitted for a Commenius course, Action 3.1 that
had to take place in the Island of Naxos I had the idea to go to Thessaloniki
to meet our co-ordinator Chrissa. It was a quite crazy idea as I could only
stay for just 24 hours in Thessaloniki, but now that I’m back home again, I
know for sure that it was a very good idea.
I arrived in Thessaloniki at 10 PM of Friday
9th June and left the city at 9 PM of Saturday 10th. I spent only 24 hours in
this city but I fell immediately in love with it and I’m still impressed by the
kindness of its people. I felt really like being at home with the company of
Chrissa and another colleague that made me see the most important monuments and
views of the city.
As it was Saturday I couldn’t meet
the Greek students as Lloyd from UK did last April. For a better description of
the city and the Greek school and students I recommend you to read the
excellent article above by Lloyd.
Chrissa suggested me to do an article about
this visit, but I’d like to focus on one of the many aspects we talked about
during my visit: as some of you know (Egbert and Lajos) I’m very involved in
the Science across the World project. This is a project about science
and (most of it) about communication among pupils, teachers and schools from
all over the world. For me it was a great pleasure to meet Chrissa in
Thessaloniki, as it had been previously to meet Lajos (from Hungary) and Egbert
(from Germany) in Barcelona for a Commenius course.
Well, the dream that we had was that it would
be great to have the opportunity to meet the most of us (I’m talking about
teachers, by now) somewhere in the world and discuss our projects face to face
(internet is a very good tool, but not warm enough for our coactive project). Although
I’m a normal teacher I promise to try to find out how could this dream become
reality. If any of you has an idea (specially about funding!), please let me
know and also tell it to Chrissa.
Well, I’m finishing this article and I’m afraid
that you don’t know more about Thessaloniki then before, but if you can read
between the lines, you will understand that I enjoyed very much the city and
the people and that I recommend you to visit it. Of course, as I live close to
a very tourist destination (Barcelona, Spain), I’d like to invite you to visit
my home and my school; so, whenever you come to Barcelona, give a call or send
me an email and I’ll be very honoured to guest you.
Sorry for my poor English.
Xavier Juan (xjuan@wanadoo.es)
IES Sant Quirze, Spain
Chinua Achebe was born in 1930 in the village
of Ogidi in Eastern Nigeria . After studying medicine and literature at the
University of Ibadan, he went to work for the Nigerian Broadcasting company in
Lagos.
Things Fall Apart, his first novel was published in 1958.
It has sold over two million copies, and has
been translated into thirty languages. It was followed by
No Longer At Ease, then, Arrow Of God.
Achebe has been at the Universities of Nigeria,
Massachusetts and Connecticut, and among the many honours he has received are
the award of a Fellowship of the Modern Languages Association of America, and
doctorates from the University of Stirling, Southampton and Kent.
He has followed Heinrich Boll, the Nobel
prize-winner, as the second recipient of the Scottish Art’s Council Neil Gunn
Fellowship.
Lloyd Forster
