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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

www.friedrichsgymnasium.de

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

T e e n a g e

 

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.

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

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