UNESCO Day 2 Part 2
I left off at the end of the official UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education +10. The official program ended around 6pm. I then went to have dinner with Charité, my colleague. We had a very nice dinner and then joined the other students for the meeting to plan our strategy for the final day of WCHE. The night before I had been up until 3 am working with the students and finishing some of my own work, so I was hoping for an earlier night. However, that was not to be.
The night started innocently enough with a discussion of how we had done that day. The agenda was only supposed to go until 11 pm. Not bad. 11 pm. Then we started talking. I shared my stories of not being able to talk in the session. I shared the success of the question I asked being included in responses to the panels. I listened as other students shared their successes and failures of the day. It was already 10 pm.
All that time the drafting committee was drafting in the room next door to us. We knew that while we were plotting they were doing the work that would determine the outcome of this whole conference. We started talking about how we wanted to influence the document. We had won some of the battles from the previous day, we had lost others. The sentence on General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS) had been lost. The US won that battle. The sentence on raking of universities was taken out. We had won that battle. Education was no longer described as a “public good” but was now a “public service.” We were rearing up for another battle. We also needed to know how to make sure that UNESCO continued the work with students. We needed a sentence to include that would make UNESCO responsible to students without making them responsible for students. We finally agreed on a sentence. We sent it via Skype to our student representative. The next day it was in the document. Education also went back to being a “public good” the next day. (We won that battle too!) It was now close to midnight.
The final topic discussed was the student plenary the following day. There was some confusion over how exactly UNESCO had decided who would speak on behalf of students. Although we were happy that students were included in the closing plenary, we were very upset that they were not students sent with a mandate to represent student bodies. These students were either interns with UNESCO or we were not sure what. Therefore they could not be held responsible to anyone except UNESCO. What kind of freedom would they have to say what those sitting in that audience needed to hear from students? The decision was made that we needed to get a student of ours on this panel. After an elongated discussion we agreed that there would be a working group that would spend the later hours of the evening deciding three things. First, what is our method of getting a student on the panel; second, who will that student be; third, what will that student say. I ended up in this working group. It was an accident, but I am glad that I stayed because it gave me a greater insight into the politics of the student group of which I was quickly becoming a key part. It was now 1:30 am. Break – find some food and then off to discuss how we would save the world.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
UNESCO Day 2
UNESCO Day 2:
Day one felt like a game. Day too is feeling different. This conference is different everyday. Day one was only plenary sessions. We did not have the chance to really interact with each other in the sessions, and they were talking at us. I, personally, found them rather boring. However, I am not an education expert. Some were interesting, though. Day two is a chance to have “parallel” sessions. There are three themes and then two or three discussions under each theme. For a conference of over 1,200 people you need a lot of options if you want to have a real discussion. Charite and I chose our meetings so that we would not overlap and would represent WSCF at the meeting we thought were the most important. My first meeting was a plenary session on Higher Education and Social Values. Because of timing and location, I missed my second session. However, in the afternoon I went to a meeting on Higher Education and Community Research. My University, Occidental College, is very liberal and ahead of the curve in many respects. We had an office on campus called “Community Based Learning.” This office would help students, both logistically and financially, to get credit for the learning they were doing in the community. I had not realized how unique this idea is. Up that point, that was my favorite session. My next session was a presentation by the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI). This was the only meeting that my boss had said we HAD to go to. So, of course I went. The topic was Higher Education at a Time of Transformation – Moving towards a New Social Leadership” This session turned out to be the best, in my opinion. The presentations were well done and created food for thought. One of the speakers repeatedly said that we do not need more education in our time, what we need is a different kind of education. I cannot agree more. Just simply allowing everyone to have access to higher education, as it is defined and commodified now, would not be beneficial to society. If instead, we can rethink and reinvent the education process so that it truly teaches people to think critically and to have values than higher education can continue the prominent role it has had as building leaders, societies and cultures.
As good as these meetings were there was something lacking in most of the panelists and in the people that posed questions: students. One of the panels during the parallel sessions had a student on it. One student on one panel out of the twenty four panels. One student. Higher Education’s most important stakeholder is students. Yet students were underrepresented. In my last panel I wanted to ask a question about. I was sitting in the back. I raised my hand. I kept it up. The moderator never called on me. I raised it again. She did not call on me. I raised it again. I held it in the air for a few minutes. I stood up. She still did not call on me. Finally she closed the speaker’s list without ever calling on me. Luckily, one of the speakers she had chosen was an ally with the students. We quickly went to her and explained the question and she allows us to be “part two” of her question. This was the only way that I could get my question into the panel. After this it was the closing remarks. Many of the respondents noted my question and the emphasis on students was put into the notes. That was the end of my afternoon sessions.
Day two ended up being a very long day. I’ll write more about it tomorrow.
Day one felt like a game. Day too is feeling different. This conference is different everyday. Day one was only plenary sessions. We did not have the chance to really interact with each other in the sessions, and they were talking at us. I, personally, found them rather boring. However, I am not an education expert. Some were interesting, though. Day two is a chance to have “parallel” sessions. There are three themes and then two or three discussions under each theme. For a conference of over 1,200 people you need a lot of options if you want to have a real discussion. Charite and I chose our meetings so that we would not overlap and would represent WSCF at the meeting we thought were the most important. My first meeting was a plenary session on Higher Education and Social Values. Because of timing and location, I missed my second session. However, in the afternoon I went to a meeting on Higher Education and Community Research. My University, Occidental College, is very liberal and ahead of the curve in many respects. We had an office on campus called “Community Based Learning.” This office would help students, both logistically and financially, to get credit for the learning they were doing in the community. I had not realized how unique this idea is. Up that point, that was my favorite session. My next session was a presentation by the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI). This was the only meeting that my boss had said we HAD to go to. So, of course I went. The topic was Higher Education at a Time of Transformation – Moving towards a New Social Leadership” This session turned out to be the best, in my opinion. The presentations were well done and created food for thought. One of the speakers repeatedly said that we do not need more education in our time, what we need is a different kind of education. I cannot agree more. Just simply allowing everyone to have access to higher education, as it is defined and commodified now, would not be beneficial to society. If instead, we can rethink and reinvent the education process so that it truly teaches people to think critically and to have values than higher education can continue the prominent role it has had as building leaders, societies and cultures.
As good as these meetings were there was something lacking in most of the panelists and in the people that posed questions: students. One of the panels during the parallel sessions had a student on it. One student on one panel out of the twenty four panels. One student. Higher Education’s most important stakeholder is students. Yet students were underrepresented. In my last panel I wanted to ask a question about. I was sitting in the back. I raised my hand. I kept it up. The moderator never called on me. I raised it again. She did not call on me. I raised it again. I held it in the air for a few minutes. I stood up. She still did not call on me. Finally she closed the speaker’s list without ever calling on me. Luckily, one of the speakers she had chosen was an ally with the students. We quickly went to her and explained the question and she allows us to be “part two” of her question. This was the only way that I could get my question into the panel. After this it was the closing remarks. Many of the respondents noted my question and the emphasis on students was put into the notes. That was the end of my afternoon sessions.
Day two ended up being a very long day. I’ll write more about it tomorrow.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
UNESCO and Model UN
Here is the first of four blogs I have about UNESCO.
In High School I participated in Model United Nations. This was a chance for students to pretend like we were the United Nations. We researched our countries, or in my case the International Court of Justice. We learned their opinions; we learned what the people there would have wanted. We learned the process of how the United Nations works. I really enjoyed this in high school. (I think this may have related to the fact that it was always a weekend away from home in a hotel).
Yet, somehow I feel like this meeting, even though it is the real United Nations arm UNESCO, is like a model, like a game. I remember when the American representatives in high school, a group of “popular girls” walked into the hall to the song “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz, which was very popular at the time. They caused a scandal; they made everyone talk about them. Now I am here, at a “real” UNESCO meeting. The Americans are still being scandalous, although not as openly. I am still referring to the delegation from Greece with only their country name. “What does Greece think?” “What does Tunisia say?” The game that I played in high school was closer to reality that I realized.
We are all trying to make sure that our viewpoints are represented. Although I am not working with the country delegations. I am working with a group of student organization representatives. We come from almost every continent. Many of us speak English, many of us speak Spanish, many of us speak French. We all have different interests. We all have hidden agendas. We all can talk for hours. We are still staying up till 3 am.
It feels unreal that the suggestions we are making are “real.” In high school we would make suggestions to the “document.” We would say, let’s say America should get rid of all their nuclear weapons and ban the song American Woman forever. Now, we are just as serious. We should include a reference to non-formal education. How will we do this? Let’s talk about the issues. Let’s talk. Let’s talk. Let’s talk. People are talking without saying much.
In High School I participated in Model United Nations. This was a chance for students to pretend like we were the United Nations. We researched our countries, or in my case the International Court of Justice. We learned their opinions; we learned what the people there would have wanted. We learned the process of how the United Nations works. I really enjoyed this in high school. (I think this may have related to the fact that it was always a weekend away from home in a hotel).
Yet, somehow I feel like this meeting, even though it is the real United Nations arm UNESCO, is like a model, like a game. I remember when the American representatives in high school, a group of “popular girls” walked into the hall to the song “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz, which was very popular at the time. They caused a scandal; they made everyone talk about them. Now I am here, at a “real” UNESCO meeting. The Americans are still being scandalous, although not as openly. I am still referring to the delegation from Greece with only their country name. “What does Greece think?” “What does Tunisia say?” The game that I played in high school was closer to reality that I realized.
We are all trying to make sure that our viewpoints are represented. Although I am not working with the country delegations. I am working with a group of student organization representatives. We come from almost every continent. Many of us speak English, many of us speak Spanish, many of us speak French. We all have different interests. We all have hidden agendas. We all can talk for hours. We are still staying up till 3 am.
It feels unreal that the suggestions we are making are “real.” In high school we would make suggestions to the “document.” We would say, let’s say America should get rid of all their nuclear weapons and ban the song American Woman forever. Now, we are just as serious. We should include a reference to non-formal education. How will we do this? Let’s talk about the issues. Let’s talk. Let’s talk. Let’s talk. People are talking without saying much.
Friday, July 10, 2009
I know I promised more posting but...
I said on Tuesday that things were crazy and that was because I had gone to bed at 3 am and woken up at 7 am. That night I went to bed at 4:30 am and got up at 8 am. The next night was 1 am and then last night was probably around 3 am. This is strange for me because I am usually in bed by 11 pm. I don't stay up late, unless I am out with friends.
I am heading off to Cannes this weekend, and I will not bring my computer! So, please do not expect any posts until at least Monday... but then expect a lot and long ones. I have actually already started writing one.
The conference was good overall and I am excited for a revival of a global student's movement. Students can be so powerful, if we just get our act together!
I am heading off to Cannes this weekend, and I will not bring my computer! So, please do not expect any posts until at least Monday... but then expect a lot and long ones. I have actually already started writing one.
The conference was good overall and I am excited for a revival of a global student's movement. Students can be so powerful, if we just get our act together!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
UNESCO update
I am the UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education +10. (the +10 is because there was one in 1998, and so we are 10 years later.. I guess they never got the math part of their education).
I have a lot to say, but I don't have time to write it. I will write some tomorrow, hopefully, and then put it up. If not I will work on it after the conference is over. I am working with other student delegations. I will write more later.
I have a lot to say, but I don't have time to write it. I will write some tomorrow, hopefully, and then put it up. If not I will work on it after the conference is over. I am working with other student delegations. I will write more later.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Geneva Today, Paris Tomorrow
I am leaving for Paris tomorrow. I will be going to the UNESCO Higher Education Conference. It should be a good experience for me. I have never been to a big UN event like this. My colleague and I are going together. We are going to spend 6 day there. I really like Paris, so I am quite excited about being there, although I am afraid that work will be very tiring. We will be working every day, all day and then I am sure that we will also be working in the evenings to prepare for the next day. I am bringing my computer with me, so hopefully, I will be able to post some updates from UNESCO.
My bosses are both back today, which means that our office is much more lively. Today was my direct supervisor's birthday. We had cake and "children's champagne". It was wonderful.
I also met with a member of Zimbabwe's civil society today. He is here for the CONGO Civil Society Development Forum going on right now. The Zimbabwe Advocacy Office is hosting him. Very interesting to hear him talk about the situation in Zimbabwe and how he is working on HIV/AIDS issues there. I feel very privileged to be a part of that conversation.
My bosses are both back today, which means that our office is much more lively. Today was my direct supervisor's birthday. We had cake and "children's champagne". It was wonderful.
I also met with a member of Zimbabwe's civil society today. He is here for the CONGO Civil Society Development Forum going on right now. The Zimbabwe Advocacy Office is hosting him. Very interesting to hear him talk about the situation in Zimbabwe and how he is working on HIV/AIDS issues there. I feel very privileged to be a part of that conversation.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
My crazy mattress story..
So, last week and into this week I have had a saga with a mattress. Here goes:
Three weeks ago I had a friend visiting for the weekend. I borrowed a mattress from a friend of mine so that she could stay in my room more comfortably and avoid the 20chf (that means swiss franc) a night fee. Instead you pay only 5 chf/night. My residence has very strange rules like this.
The Thursday before she arrived I went down to tell them that she was coming and ask if I could get an extra key for her. During our conversation I mentioned that I had an extra mattress. The man I was speaking with became angry and told me that mattresses were not allowed and that he had confiscated mattresses. I got rather offended especially because he said he didn't have a key that I could use. The next day when she arrived I decided not to tell them and not to pay the 5 chf. I didn't think it was necessary especially since I was not getting anything out of it.
All fine and good. The next week I woke up on Friday morning and realized that my mattress was gone. It just wasn't there. I had no idea what had happened. I thought at first that I had been robbed, but my computer and my cash were still in my room. Nothing else was missing - just the mattress. Strange. I went down to talk to the reception in the residence. See if they knew anything about it - or at least to report it as missing. I walked in and the woman at the desk was on the phone talking about mattresses. Hmmm... I asked her about my mattress and she verified that they had in fact taken it from my room. No warning. No letter saying "We have changed the rules and you are no longer allowed to have mattresses." No notice. Nothing. Just stealing my mattress. (On a side note - I do have a kettle in my room that I use regularly, even though that is forbidden in the rules. They did not confiscate that).
I was upset. She explained to me that having a mattress meant that I was having guests over all the time and not telling them. First, this is not a logical assumption. There could be any myriad of reasons that I have an extra mattress. Secondly, that does not give them the right to take my property out of my room. I did not know exactly what to do. She said I could come back on Monday and talk to the "responsable".
I started telling everyone about this incident. I found out, rather quickly, that I was not the only person whose mattress had been stolen. There were, apparently, 7 mattresses confiscated. I have only verified two others. I am assuming that this man decided to go on a mattress raid. I was rather lucky my mattress was foam and therefore rather difficult to hide or put away. So they could just come in and take it. Others had put their mattresses behind their clothing. In order to take them the thieves had to rifle through their clothing and belongings to find them. Searching rooms is not legal. If I had been present, perhaps. If they had gotten a warrant, perhaps. Just because someone deems that an object is dangerous to the running of the residence does not give that person, or any person, the right do take that object.
Over the weekend I got increasingly angry. Saturday I went down to talk to them, but of course they were not there during the one hour they are supposed to be open on Saturdays. Monday evening I went back. They said I could get the mattress Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning I went back. They said the "responsable" was still not there; she was sick. I would have to send an email to her and then they would put my mattress back in my room. I sent an email to them explaining this situation. I got no response. When I went and talked with them Tuesday evening they said they got it and that I could come back later to talk about it. Strange.
On Tuesday, My mattress was returned to my room.
Three weeks ago I had a friend visiting for the weekend. I borrowed a mattress from a friend of mine so that she could stay in my room more comfortably and avoid the 20chf (that means swiss franc) a night fee. Instead you pay only 5 chf/night. My residence has very strange rules like this.
The Thursday before she arrived I went down to tell them that she was coming and ask if I could get an extra key for her. During our conversation I mentioned that I had an extra mattress. The man I was speaking with became angry and told me that mattresses were not allowed and that he had confiscated mattresses. I got rather offended especially because he said he didn't have a key that I could use. The next day when she arrived I decided not to tell them and not to pay the 5 chf. I didn't think it was necessary especially since I was not getting anything out of it.
All fine and good. The next week I woke up on Friday morning and realized that my mattress was gone. It just wasn't there. I had no idea what had happened. I thought at first that I had been robbed, but my computer and my cash were still in my room. Nothing else was missing - just the mattress. Strange. I went down to talk to the reception in the residence. See if they knew anything about it - or at least to report it as missing. I walked in and the woman at the desk was on the phone talking about mattresses. Hmmm... I asked her about my mattress and she verified that they had in fact taken it from my room. No warning. No letter saying "We have changed the rules and you are no longer allowed to have mattresses." No notice. Nothing. Just stealing my mattress. (On a side note - I do have a kettle in my room that I use regularly, even though that is forbidden in the rules. They did not confiscate that).
I was upset. She explained to me that having a mattress meant that I was having guests over all the time and not telling them. First, this is not a logical assumption. There could be any myriad of reasons that I have an extra mattress. Secondly, that does not give them the right to take my property out of my room. I did not know exactly what to do. She said I could come back on Monday and talk to the "responsable".
I started telling everyone about this incident. I found out, rather quickly, that I was not the only person whose mattress had been stolen. There were, apparently, 7 mattresses confiscated. I have only verified two others. I am assuming that this man decided to go on a mattress raid. I was rather lucky my mattress was foam and therefore rather difficult to hide or put away. So they could just come in and take it. Others had put their mattresses behind their clothing. In order to take them the thieves had to rifle through their clothing and belongings to find them. Searching rooms is not legal. If I had been present, perhaps. If they had gotten a warrant, perhaps. Just because someone deems that an object is dangerous to the running of the residence does not give that person, or any person, the right do take that object.
Over the weekend I got increasingly angry. Saturday I went down to talk to them, but of course they were not there during the one hour they are supposed to be open on Saturdays. Monday evening I went back. They said I could get the mattress Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning I went back. They said the "responsable" was still not there; she was sick. I would have to send an email to her and then they would put my mattress back in my room. I sent an email to them explaining this situation. I got no response. When I went and talked with them Tuesday evening they said they got it and that I could come back later to talk about it. Strange.
On Tuesday, My mattress was returned to my room.
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