Illinois Capitol Forum

Class Statements 2008

 

Illinois Capital Forum Class Statement Form

School: Alden-Hebron High School

Class: American Government & Honors United States History

Teacher: Matt Mayer

Class Statement: The issues pertaining to our generation should not be overlooked. These issues will shape the policies for America’s future. The issues at hand are distribution and accessibility to nuclear weapons, the threat of terrorism, the environment, trade, and immigration. While we are interested in these issues, gaining the correct information on these topics is difficult. For example, everyone has heard about the weapons of mass destruction supposedly in Iraq, but we have not tried to acquire any other information on the topic. We entered Iraq with the idea that there were weapons of mass destruction, however after investigations turned up nothing, it made the American public begin to question the current administration. While, September 11th stays vivid in our minds, we still lack the understanding as to what sparked the attacks. While it is important to preserve and protect the environment for future generations, America has more pertinent issues at hand. With more and more jobs going to immigrants and countries over seas, American companies will need to find a more efficient way of keeping jobs in America via free trade. With the issues at hand, our generation will have to make a stand to preserve America’s dominance with respect to global issues and affairs. It is time the American people make the American government work for the American people.

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School: Astoria High School

Class: World Geography

Teacher: Doug Banwart

What Specific International Issues did your class discuss? Our class discussed the continuing conflict in Kashmir, of which Pakistan, India, and China all own a portion. We have examined the ongoing crises that continue to plague the world, and have analyzed the deep historic roots that help explain current issues today.

Are there issues that you agree are important? If so, what are they? We believe that careful and cautious foreign policy is the correct procedure in dealing with today's state of affairs. We have taken time to analyze our growing dependency on many nations, including our heavy trade with China, call center workers in India, garment workers in Bangladesh, reliance on Pakistan as a catalyst for eliminating terrorists, to name a few. We understand that specific actions cause reactions and we believe that the United States must take extreme caution in dealing in foreign affairs.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Although we strongly believe that increased awareness of environmental policy is of utmost importance to the United States, we felt this was the least important out of all the issues. This was a tough decision, because we understand the importance of protecting our resources for future generations. However, given the drastic immediate consequences of nuclear proliferation, the huge economic impact that trade problems would cause in the US, and our dependency on illegal immigration, we made a very difficult decision in placing the environment at the bottom of the list.

Class Statement: Astoria High School believes that increased tolerance, education, and enlightenment are necessary for helping bring the world to the next level. We look at ethnic violence, stereotypes of minority groups, and racism as serious roadblocks in the path to more world stability. We realize that we live in an inter-connected and interdependent world, and we must develop an increased awareness and tolerance of other cultures. Doing so will enable the people of the United States to pursue an activist stance in many world affairs, such as the genocide in Darfur, bettering work conditions in sweatshops, and being willing to be a true " team world player" instead of a "team US player."

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School: Bureau Valley High School

Class: Government

Teacher: Mr. Michael Goessman

What specific international issues did your class discuss? Environment, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, international trade, and immigration.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We feel each issue carries no more weight than any other issue, because they are so interconnected. The U.S. global interests at home as well as abroad stem from each issue.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? No, again each issue carries a tremendous amount of weight that our generation will be burdened with for the rest of our lives.

Class Statement: In order to ensure freedom and safety of America, it is the responsibility of the youth to inspire change in today’s world. We must com together as America’s youth to deliberate and make decisions, influencing the rest of our generation’s lives. By doing so, we will build a more cooperative world and advance other nations around the world, thereby ensuring our own prosperity.

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School: Carl Schurz High School

Class: American Government

Teacher: Megan McCarthy

Class Statement: Our class focused on the issues that have caused the international image of our country to change during the Bush administration. The actions and decisions of the United States have damaged our reputation and weakened our status throughout the world. We need to improve our own reputation and rebuild the trust of the world in us. Currently, our focus on Iraq has blinded us from our own problems at home such as our sagging economy, shaky health care system and vulnerability to a terrorist attack. By improving our own country and relations with other countries, we would illustrate to others that we will work cooperatively to achieve common goals.

Having our soldiers actively deployed throughout the world has left us less able to protect ourselves. We need to be more prepared for an emergency whether it is a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina or an attack on our homeland. Our nuclear facilities need to be better protected, as do our borders. Our government and country need to be solid before reaching out to other countries.

We may not be able to isolate ourselves completely, but our first priority should be our own safety and stability. We need to work with other countries to fight terrorism. The United States cannot take our eyes off Al Qaeda and we need the involvement of other countries in order to succeed in our goal of preventing terrorism. Our ability to work with other countries addressing terrorism will help to build relationships that can develop to tackle other world problems such as the changing environment and the globalization of trade.

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School: Carmel Catholic High School

Class: American Government Honors

Teacher: Mrs. Smogor

What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our class discussed national security, the global and national economy, immigration, terrorism, trade, the environment, nuclear proliferation, the spread of democracy, the war in Iraq, and social justice.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Despite the multitude of diverse issues that our class discussed, we agreed that the following issues were imperative: the economy, immigration, and the conflicts occurring in the Middle East (i.e. Iraq). All of these issues encompass the security of not only the United States, but the security and common good of the world community as well.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We acknowledge the significance of environmental issues and nuclear proliferation; however, we feel that these issues are not imminent. We feel that these crises, though serious, cannot be dealt with until other core issues are resolved.

Class Statement: The United States, as a significant force in the global community, needs to establish a balance between extreme and reserved actions. We cannot ignore domestic issues, nor can we turn to a policy of isolationism. Most of all, we feel that an ideal state of being hinges on cooperation and stability throughout the human family. All of the issues facing the world have positive and negative consequences; however, we must always strive for balance and cooperation among nations. It is difficult to come to a consensus on strategies because each student in our class has different values and ideas. If deliberation among a class of seventeen teenagers is difficult, imagine how difficult it is to come to a worldwide agreement. We realize that some of our goals for the future are unrealistic but we feel that we should come as close to perfection as possible.

In the words of former President Ronald Reagan, “The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on in the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas—a trail of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.”

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School: East Peoria Community High School

Class: Government

Teacher: Jennifer Bollinger, Marty Green

What specific international issues did your class discuss? Iraq, Climate change, global economy, American foreign policy, genocide Aids hungry poverty in Africa.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Climate change, foreign policy, global economy.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Yes, students did not feel that they had a great impact on their “Here and Now.” They are very frustrated by the war and its slow progress. They also feel helpless in aiding Africa in their problems

Class Statement: With every passing day, the world changes just a little more. As the leading power in this great world, it is our job to usher in this new age with peace and prosperity. To do this, we need to actively deal with the worldwide fear of terrorism. Our unstable economy must be stabilized, and the constant threat of nuclear warfare must be disarmed. We need to find a way to deal with the issues with our environment, and in doing so other countries will follow suit. Promoting sustainable development would be our best bet. The United States is looked up to by developing countries. Therefore, fossil fuels have been used in excess. Our biggest challenge is to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels while not stifling economic growth. We must lead by example, and to do that, our example must be one that others want to follow.

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School: Eureka High School

Class: American Cultural Studies

Teachers: Debroah Bertschi, Debra Blunier, Adam Zehr

Class Statement: Recession is our overall focus, since an economic recession in the United States will quickly spread to global economic problems. In addition, since the U.S. is seen as a world superpower and example, if the U.S. can not find solutions for its societal difficulties through environmental, economic, and educational reforms, we can not expect to be a positive influence on a global scale for struggling nations who have fewer resources and less freedom.

We are concerned that the United States has such a huge impact on the global environment in addition to the global economy. We use far more than our share of the world’s resources and produce too big a part of the world’s pollution problems. Our negligence has been a bad example to other countries that follow our lead in irresponsible consumerism. Instead, we should use our technology to lead in responsible use of the environment.

A basic strength of the U.S. society has been feeling safe while also feeling free. Today, we struggle with the balance between these two values. This leads to strong restrictions like the Patriot Act, to a fear of immigrants, and to insecurity about nuclear proliferation among rogue states. A related issue that calls for a balance of security and freedom is the fear of violence on college campuses and in schools.

We feel that school violence has roots in intolerance and lack of caring earlier in educational settings. If we spread the ideas of tolerance and acceptance, with more comprehensive counseling available, we may be able to counter the growing threats on campus.

Education can also be a solution to the other problems we have identified above. If we can become a leader in spreading stronger educational opportunities throughout the world, this could be beneficial worldwide. This could counteract terrorism and be a less forceful way of spreading democracy. More educated countries could better help themselves to improve, and feel ownership of their own future. The saying is often quoted, but we truly believe in it: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

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School: Geneva Community High School

Class: 1st Period Contemporary Issues

Teacher: Ms. Doutsos

What specific international issues did you class discuss? We discussed Global Environment, International Trade, Immigration Nuclear Weapons, and Terrorism.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Yes, we determined Nuclear Weapons, Global Environment and Terrorism are the most important.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Yes, we agreed that International Trade and Immigration are not as pressing as the above issues.

Class Statement: As a class we discussed five very relevant issues that our world is currently facing; Global Environment, International Trade, Immigration Nuclear Weapons, and Terrorism. After gaining extensive background knowledge and class deliberation, we came to realize that our concerns revolve around what poses the most immediate threat to humankind and what can cause the most widespread destruction. With that in mind, we decided upon Nuclear Weapons, Global Environment, and Terrorism to be the greatest problems our generation must consider. Although the other issues are of immense importance, we feel that our top three require purposeful responses so that we may better guarantee the continuation of human life. The possible horrific consequences from nuclear war, irreversible environmental destruction and escalating terrorism effect society on both the macro and micro level. The large scope of these issues also requires a worldwide effort, as no one nation can create and implement a solution without the cooperation of other nations. Because of the overwhelming nature of these issues, people are often left feeling hopeless about any real solutions coming about. As Capitol Forum participants, we feel that we have an opportunity to exhibit how even a small group of concerned citizens can have a positive effect on world issues.

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School: Homewood-Flossmoor High School

Class: International Relations

Teacher: Scott Aronson

What Specific International Issues did your class discuss? Our class specifically discussed immigration, trade, environment, the role of the United Nations, terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

Are there issues that you agree are important? If so, what are they? Our class agreed that terrorism is probably the biggest concern among us but we had difficulties agreeing on the importance of other issues. Some of us believed that trade was equally important while others think that immigration and environment should be US foreign policy priorities.

Class Statement: Of the six issues listed we are torn over which issues are less important. Some of us believe nuclear proliferation, trade and the UN are the least important while others believe that environment is the least important issue.

Some of us agree that trade, terrorism and immigration are the issues that we should focus on controlling. Security, stability, freedom and human rights should guide our policies regarding these issues. Free trade must be addressed and tightening borders should be a priority. We believe that addressing the underlying causes of terrorism is the way to decrease the threat that terrorism poses.

Other members of the class discussed the importance of cooperation and security. The issues that are most important are security, justice and democracy. We would like to see these values addressed through strong UN leadership. Our leadership in the UN is vital to spreading American and global values such as these to other countries around the world.

Still others in the class feel that the most important values in US foreign policy are human rights. The most important issues are immigration, the environment and terrorism. In regards to human rights, we need to fight the roots of terrorism. In addition to security, human rights are also affected by the amount of people that immigrate to our country. Finally, we have an obligation to the world to maintain it the best we can and our human rights would be greatly compromised if we lived in a toxic world.

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School: Homewood-Flossmoor High School

Class: International Relations

Teacher: Emmanuel Allie

Class Statement: We have discussed in depth, various pressing international issues such as the environment, immigration, terrorism and nuclear weapons and trade. While we considered each of these to be of vital importance in world affairs, we believe some of the discuss may very well command more urgency than others. The United States current war in Iraq and its standoff with North Korea and their possible global implications inform the urgency that both nuclear proliferation and terrorism poses. Over the years, the United States procrastinated as the aggressive human ambitions took its toll on the environment. While even scientist debated the science and consequences, the earth continued to degrade in ways that may not be reversed. Arctic ice melted and raised sea levels around the world, thereby posing a threat of drowning out series of islands in a not so distant future. More arable lands continue to disintegrate into deserts, while weather pardons are altered in ways mankind could only be amused at. There has been, to date more than sufficient evidence that the world needs to act before it is to late. Last on our list is the issue of Immigration. In spite of the order in which we placed this issues, there is no question that it is of the a significant importance to us. Wars around the world continue to displace thousands, who are persecuted for ethnic, social and political reasons. The problem of economic survival further drives people to move from their places of scarcity to areas of plenty. Yet the world has witnessed countless persecutions and insensitivities to the plight of both the political and economic refugees and immigrants. It is our belief that the developed western powers must recognize the issue of immigration and apply just and humane policies that would offer the affected parties hope of refuge and economic possibility in this of our global world. Through just and fair trade practices, we believe all nations could benefit and offer hope and a dignified existence to their citizens, like most people in the western world enjoy. It is our hope that a just and manageable resolution may be arrived at through international collaboration and corporation in the resolution in these all too important matters.

School: Lockport Township High School

Class: Issues Today

Teacher: Mr. Jason Ozbolt

What Specific International Issues did your class discuss? To begin with, our class discussed issues such as the environment, immigration, health care, the election, the poor national economy, the war in Iraq and the Middle East, international trade, and the political and societal turmoil in Pakistan.

Are there issues that you agree are important? If so, what are they? Issues that are found to be more important than others are: The environment- it affects the world we live in, the world we grow up in, and the world our children will live in. Terrorism- it has been happening for a long time and affects families as well as drains billions of dollars from other areas where we could use the money to benefit our nation. Fear continuously comes from this issue and is tied to other issues such as immigration and our expanding economy which is headed toward a recession. Health care and Social Security- these social welfare programs need to be fixed to ensure that it is around for us when we need it.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Issues that are found to be less important than others are: Reliance on international trade- we do not need to be too concerned with trade with other nations of the world and rely more on ourselves. North Korea- the leadership of North Korea has continuously shown that they will not listen and cooperate with the United States. It is time for other nations to deal with this problem and the United States should stop playing the world policeman.

Class Statement: Lockport Township High School believes that we should protect ourselves and make ourselves better as a nation. We should focus on our nation’s issues and concerns and stop intervention into issues that do not affect us as a nation. Too many times have we seen the United States take the lead on an issue and it fuels more resistance and resentment to our nation. We need to be more selective where we put our resources and not just waste them on issues that do not concern us.

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School: Maine East High School

Classes: U.S. Government, Periods 3, 5, 6 & 8

Teacher: Jennifer Conlon

What specific international issues did your class discuss? We discussed U.S. diplomatic history, the cold war, the 1990’s -- Somalia, Yugoslavia, and the First Gulf War, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, terrorism, immigration, nuclear weapons, trade, health, and the environment.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? In discussing the four futures, the conversation in one class focused on the need for global discussion and education on universal issues like health, but also the need to avoid intervention and to focus resources on domestic issues. The nettlesome issue was terrorism, specifically how to limit terrorism without intervening abroad. That led to a discussion of immigration. So, for that class, the focus was on terrorism and immigration.

In a second class, the focus was domestic – trade, health care, and jobs. More resources should be devoted to fighting poverty and providing food.

A third class was concerned about Iraq, Iran, and the prospect of more regional wars and terrorism. Their concerns were not limited to the Middle East, but were focused on South America as well. Some felt trade was key to solving the problem; others felt trade was one of the least important issues.

The fourth class felt that the U.S. needed to focus more on domestic issues, to straighten up our house before intervening elsewhere in the world.

In our classes, isolationism meant much more than refraining from military intervention; it also involved imports and immigration.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? One group felt that the environment was beginning to be addressed and thus could become less of a priority at this point. In one class, there was a split between trade being a key way to fight terrorism and war, on one hand, and being a lesser issue on the other. There was no consensus on least important issues. All were considered either to be important or to be integrated with another issue.

Class statement: The U.S. currently lacks an efficient foreign policy, because it does not advance U.S. interests and it costs the U.S. in the longer term. Our policy angers other nations and in the long run, the U.S. stands to lose more than it gains. The U.S. needs to look inward first to correct its own problems and conserve its own resources. The world will continue regardless of the U.S. position and it is possible that something may necessitate U.S. action. However, the goal should be to develop a less extreme and more elastic foreign policy.

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School: Maine South High School

Class: International Relations
Teacher: Kevin Hansen

What specific international issues did your class discuss?

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they?

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones?

Class Statement: Maine South high school believes that if we want to resolve these issues we need to cooperate with the world. America needs to enlarge its role in the world through cooperation with international organizations, such as the United Nations, in order to create a more peaceful and harmonious society. This includes entering into international agreements like the Kyoto treaty, negotiating non-proliferation agreements with North Korea and Iran, and working towards free trade with our trading partners. The best way to deal with all of the problems we face is to cooperate with other countries to address these common issues.

However, there are times when we cannot rely on other countries to accomplish our goals. There are times when our interests will outweigh the desire to cooperate. It is appropriate for the United States to act alone when the security of our citizens is jeopardized. Terrorism and nuclear weapons are a threat of everyday life. Tolerance, or ignorance, of these issues in unacceptable. We live in the real world and we must be realistic. Our own interests must come before cooperation and the ideal of democracy.

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School: Newark High School

Class: US History – 2B

Teacher: Michael Hall II

What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our 2nd hour class discussed several important issues that we believe need attention right away. These include the following: Environment, Economy, Diseases, Immigration, Genocide, and National Security.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Environment, economy, and Immigration seem to be the most important issues. Gas prices, college tuition, rising food prices all have a great impact on the daily lives of our students and their families. Pollution and global warming are major concerns that effect not only our local area (pollution) but the entire world as well. Newark has 3 possible landfills being developed around the community so pollution, etc. is on the forefront of peoples’ minds.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Strengthening the UN is important to the students of the class but they have a pessimistic view on the matter. The UN will not change drastically in the near future and will not be able to stop genocide or help fight deadly diseases by giving money and supplies to the nations that need them the most.

Class Statement: The U.S. needs to be a world leader. We have the resources, technology, and ability to do great things in the world. All we need now is the will power and political gall to see it through. By our leadership, the world can be a better place to live and a place where tomorrow’s generations can live in a peaceful, more prosperous, and equal world.

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School: Newark High School

Class: US History 5B

Teacher: Michael Hall II

What specific international issues did your class discuss? We had a lively discussion about many issues. Some of the major ones were immigration, economy, alternative fuel sources, environment, college tuition, and the war in Iraq. Other issues discussed were declining educational standards, gun rights, the “media spin”, and local issues including the various landfills and interstate highway going up through our community.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? The most important issues ranked by this class were immigration, economy, alternative fuel sources, environment, college tuition, and the war in Iraq. There was a concern about anti-Americanism around the world and what we can do about it. If we are to be a world leader in many of these issues, we need to have most of the world on our side and be able to convince other countries that what we are trying to do is right.

Class Statement: We have lots of issues that we see as having an impact on our lives. While we understand that focusing on a few of them might be better and could accomplish more, we don’t like the idea of putting the others on the back burner and ignoring them. The US needs to step up its efforts in leading the world to solve these global issues and at the same time do what must be done to improve life here at home as well. Our economy needs to improve if we are going to be able to afford the costs of improving what ails us. The US needs to balance our global and domestic strategies of improving the world.

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School: Normal Community West High School

Class: International Relations (11th and 12th Grade)

Teacher: Mr. Jason Klokkenga

What specific international issues did your class discuss? We discussed trade, environment, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and immigration.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Our class saw terrorism and nuclear proliferation as pretty much the same issue. Both deal with conflict and hot spots around the world. We see these two issues at the forefront of US foreign policy. Domestically, our class was concerned with immigration and what our policy should be to deal with the approximately 11-13 million illegal immigrants. Regarding trade, our current economic downturn has created some tension in the US. As the dollar continues to fall and our relationships with others around the world continually sway from positive to negative, our class is very concerned with our trade relationships abroad.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Although global warming is a serious issue our world has to deal with, our class didn’t see this issue as fundamentally important given the current situation our country is in. The effects of not solving such short term problems as nuclear proliferation, trade, terrorism, and immigration are not allowing us to realistically deal with long term issues such as global warming, carbon emissions, and other environmentally taxing issues.

Class Statement: When looking at the modern world it is important to recognize multiple issues and problems that every region faces. At the same time, one should also attempt to formulate solutions that effectively address these global dilemmas. At the forefront of these dilemmas, terrorism and the impact it has on every continent is aggravating and instigating global instability. If the world can unite and find a diplomatic solution to the policies of global terror and tyrannical regimes, it will lessen the risk of nuclear proliferation. This in turn will allow the US, along with other nations, to focus on more domestic issues such as immigration and the economy leading to a domino effect of stability.

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School: Pontiac Township High School

Class: Economics

Teacher: Mr. Treadway

What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our class discussed important ideas regarding trade policies, globalization, the war in Iraq, economic philosophies, the environment, and terrorism.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Many important issues exist such as trade and environment. Trade is one of the most important issues. In a world with increasing globalization, international trade is becoming immensely critical. Another of the crucial issues is the environment. The physical world around us directly impacts us and everything we do.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? One of the less important issues is immigration. The U.S. can affectively control immigration policies, and immigration does not have as much of an impact as other issues.

Class Statement: At Pontiac Township High School, we believe that in order to succeed as a nation, we must protect our homeland. We believe that by being the most powerful nation in the world, the U.S. must protect its own economy and interests first. By doing this, the remaining economies will become stimulated, thus promoting a better world overall.

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School: Pontiac Township High School

Class: International Relations

Teacher: Eric Bohm

What specific international issues did your class discuss? We discussed the importance of trade, the need to protect the environment, global terrorism, issues associated with immigration, our dependency on oil, and nuclear proliferation.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We believe all of the above issues are important and that improvements need to be made in all of them in order for the world to be a better place to live.

Class Statement Environment: To be successful in the 21st century, we need to research and develop alternative sources of energy. More specifically, we need to progress our solar, hydro-electric, biodiesel, and hybrid technologies. To preserve our natural resources, we need to dispose of wastes properly and recycle or reuse any wastes that we can. We cam protect our ozone layer by eliminating aerosol cans and protect our water supplies through education and government programs. America should not compromise harming the environment for industrialization.

Immigration: We need to take our foreign aid package, and decide how we can better distribute it. We should promote human rights in the underdeveloped countries to encourage their governments to help their people. The United States needs to be the front runner in a campaign for a G-13 instead of a G-8. With a G-13 a world standard on human rights could be set.

Terrorism: We feel that the United States should form alliances with all the governments affected by terrorist regimes and focus on the regions where terrorism is most prominent.

Nuclear Proliferation: The United States can no longer be allowed to tell other countries not to build nuclear weapons when they are developing them. All nations should be able to produce nuclear weapons. All weapons need to be made public and monitored by a group such as the United Nations.

Trade: The United States should take the lead in improving the rights of workers in other countries, as well as our own. The current system of free trade leaves workers without fair pay, or any benefits. Fair trade will ensure fair treatment of all workers. Every country that the U.S interacts with should benefit from this system because their economy will start to grow with the better treatment of their workers. With this new system of fair trade, workers are entitled to a better life.

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School: Quincy Junior High School

Class: Freshmen

Teacher: Mrs. Lisa Goughnour

What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our class discussed the environment, immigration, nuclear weapons, terrorism, and trade and the larger problems (including but not limited to the lack of international trust, xenophobia, and unwillingness to take responsibility) that these ideas encompassed. We also discussed specific countries and people involved.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? The most urgent issues, those that are imperative to tackle immediately, are trade, terrorism, and the environment. Trade forms the capacity to have values; consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Countries that are struggling for survival can’t hope to handle human rights, terrorism, environment, or other issues; essentially, economic freedom allows for political freedom. Partially by communicating, we can create regional trading blocs, refine the U.S. economy, and interact positively with other countries to create stability, equality, and freedom.

Terrorism destabilizes all of our values. It undermines freedom by using force instead of the mind, equality by disrespecting citizens, cooperation by sowing distrust, and stability by literally bombing institution of our values. By being more neutral and establishing a peacekeeping force and therefore promote our values.

The ideal policy for environmental protection revolves around stability, freedom, equality, and cooperation. When in the course of debating an environmental issue, each delegate must express the needs and desires of his or her native country. Respect is crucial. All countries need to be able to meet the criteria of the new treaty. Environmental health will establish freedom by keeping us alive, equality by forcing every country, including ourselves, to take responsibility for their consumption, stability by maintaining our ability to trade, and cooperation because it’s the only way to manage this.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Our class believes that all worldwide problems should receive care and attention, just, perhaps, at different times and rates. None of these issues will go away, and all of them will affect the United States in a way that could be disastrous.

Class Statement: Our class believes that freedom, equality, stability, and cooperation will be the integral values of the future. Freedom is a state that is self-evident, for better or for worse; to quote Rousseau, "Man is condemned to be free." If we do not accept, appreciate, and allow for natural human freedom, any artificial system imposed will fall apart. Freedom is essential to stability, which is the condition in which fear does not determine actions, but where intelligent self-interest may freely prevail. Stability also allows nations to brace themselves for the impact of their problems. World stability implies cooperation-- groups of people have conflicting interests; this will resonate into their respective governments. We must communicate and collaborate to further interests in which we all have stake and resolve discord without the waste and cruelty of war. To do this, our partners and we must be equal. If we are not equal, we are not free, for another country may determine our fate. Equilibrium-- stability-- between nations will be established, whether by our means or those of war. If we are not equal, we cannot cooperate, for no judgment will carry weight. Equality is not sameness, but recognizing the fact that we are all individual members of the human race and citizens of the world. These values are not the only ones, but they determine the underlying, intertwined foundation on which all others are built.

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School: SIUE East Saint Louis Charter School

Class: American History

Teacher: Carolyn Breihan

What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our class discussed international concerns such as the immigration, and terrorism. We also discussed human rights issues such as genocide and disease. We discussed that the United States also needs to be concerned with domestic issues such as our reliance on fossil fuels and our economy.

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Our class agreed that genocide is an important issue because it is a major human rights violation today. We agreed that the environment is an important issue because without the health of the environment we will have no place to live. We agreed that education is important because education and knowledge can cure most of the worldâs problems.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Our class felt that all of the issues we discussed were important and it is very difficult to argue that one is more important than the other because all of the issues are so interconnected.

Class Statement: Our class at SIUE East St. Louis Charter School feels that the United States should take care of homeland security as well as foreign relations. By executing these tasks the United States will become a stronger nation and become a stronger ally. Domestic issues are of importance because with a stable foundation we would become a better leader in the world. Foreign relations are important because international assistance can help the growth and stability of the United States. In conclusion, we feel that the United States needs to deal with foreign relations while maintaining a stabilized home front.

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School: Streamwood High School

Class: Honors US Civics

Teacher: Nick Vassolo

What specific international issues have you discussed in class? Genocide-What is the rest of the world doing to help prevent this and aid those that have been affected? How is the US helping lead this movement? What organizations have been established to help?

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We view all of the issues mentioned above as being important because they all interconnect with each other. If possible solutions are not found and at least initiated, a domino effect could occur, causing them to rapidly increase in magnitude. Some other pressing issues that need to be addressed but are of national concern rather than international are gay marriage, Constitutional interpretations, and social hierarchy.

Did you agree that some issues are les important? If so, which ones? We believe all the issues listed are of equal concern and have an impact on other problems. We find it to be impossible to list any as being less important since they all need to be addressed. Moreover, even trivial issues can escalate to wars or genocide depending on how they influence the general population.

Class Statement: Generations should learn to pick up after the messes they create rather than leaving them for their children to fix. Our current generation is responsible for leading towards a prosperous future rather than leaving a bleak mark on this world. Peace must replace violence, perception must replace ignorance, and unity must replace division. We can begin this through genocide prevention. Watching the murder of thousands of innocent people is a crime that can no longer be suppressed or ignored. Only when we can fully understand the world’s problems and suffering without bias, can we react in an appropriate and efficient manner.