Maryland Capitol Forum

Class Statements 2008

 

School: Broadneck High School

Teachers: Mrs. Christine Houstian, Mrs. Tammy Dronberger

What specific international issues did your class discuss?

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We believe that ethnic cleansing continues to be one of the most important issues in modern times. Darfur is a prime example of man’s inhumanity to man. We believe the United Nations should do more to insure the safety of the world’s people.

We also believe that with the US economy in a downward spiral, the global economy is of utmost importance. Our success nationally is directly correlated with our success internationally.

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Although genetically modified food is a concern, we do not believe it to be of utmost importance considering the more pressing matters we face today.

Class statement: As a class of social studies students, it has become apparent that the old adage “those who do not learn from history will repeat it,” rings true in today’s modern world. As a global community we continue to suffer famine, ethnic cleansing, the fear of nuclear holocaust and the constant threat of terrorism at home and abroad. Although technology has improved standards of living across the globe, other advances such as biological weaponry and nuclear advances have created a world where people live in fear. U.S. dependence on foreign oil continues to inhibit our ability to become more self-reliant. Americans use most of the world’s resources and control much of the global economy. Therefore we can and often do have the greatest impact on the world community—both positive and negative. As the next generation, we will hold the key to affecting positive changes in the world. We seek to look at all of the facts,listen to all the sides, debate constructively, and settle decisively on the best solution for America and the world. While we realize that it is important, and indeed crucial, to consider the wants of every group and individual, we also realize that it is impossible to "please everyone." We know that we must make the best decision for America asa whole.

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Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City (Congressional District Three)

Teacher: Josh Headley

Class Statement: (none submitted)

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Largo High School , Prince George’s County (Congressional District Four)

Teachers: Scotch M. Ndlovu/Bobbie Shockley

Class Statement: Our class objective is to understand the importance of Environment, International Trade, Terrorism, Proliferation, and Immigration and their relation to a healthy global community. Although all 5 global issues are significant, our class has come to a consensus that environment stood out as weighing more heavily on our well being. The environment serves as the basis of all life on earth, and thusly is held most paramount. Accordingly, financing, developing and utilizing green technology in an attempt to preserve our environment should be implemented; so that our environment can continue to serve as the basis for all living organisms.

Taking in consideration the United States’ current economic standing, our class has concluded that international trade rose as a more pressing issue secondly, after the environment. Thirdly, we acknowledge the continuous threat of terrorism and its incessant reality in our global community. Another threat to global and national security is the menace of nuclear proliferation. Stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, fissile material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information is vital to securing the U.S. and all countries well-being. Last but not least, we’ve concluded that the remaining global issue, Immigration, is the least important. Immigration is an international problem; however we feel the before-mentioned global issues are directly related to the preservation of the US and world’s security, economy, and existence, and accordingly immigration is ranked last among these issues. In précis, we feel that truly focusing on these issues and addressing them as a global community will prove beneficial, not only to the United States, but the world.

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Patterson High School, Baltimore City (Congressional District Three)

Teacher: Trisha Van Wagner/Eric Green/Christy Crothers

Class Statement – Team One: There are many problems in the world today. Some are more urgent than others, some are harder to solve than others. With time, we can get through each one. Some of the issues that our class discussed include pollution, violence, AIDS, terrorism, drugs, disease, nuclear weapons and war. These problems are hard to resolve, but the USA has enough power to play an important role in addressing many of the world’s problems by being patient and trying to find the best solutions. Regarding immigration, many people face discrimination when they come to this country because people relate terrorism to immigration. Most of the people that come into the USA are trying to work hard and pay their taxes. The government should help people from other countries, but also help other countries by stopping the violence and wars and working towards peace. Protecting our homeland from the threat of terrorism is also important, but we shouldn’t attack other countries unless it is necessary. Another problem in the world is pollution. The USA has a responsibility to set an example and cut back on pollution and encourage other countries to do the same. We should care for, respect and nurture the environment. We should also try to find a cure for AIDS and promote condom use around the world. Our country should step up to the plate and attack the world’s problems with headstrong agility. If we put our minds to it and start taking actions against violence, pollution, AIDS and discrimination, the world will be a better place.

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Patterson High School, Baltimore City (Congressional District Three)

Teacher: Trisha Van Wagner/Eric Green/Christy Crothers

Class Statement – Team Two: As a class, we believe that global terrorism, the environment and immigration are vital concerns for the United States and the rest of the world. Global terrorism shakes the foundations of liberty and participatory democracy. Terrorism must be dealt with and contained to ensure tranquility and popular sovereignty. Fighting terrorism in a world that is polluted is a major issue that must be addressed. Greenhouse gas emissions from developing countries as well as the United States must be reduced in order for future civilizations to inherit a clean environment. Immigration is the backbone that transformed the United States into a global power. Immigration offers diversity, alternative perspectives and the chance to experience other cultures that were not available in the past. Future immigration policy cannot discriminate on any level and promote equal protection under the law.

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Severna Park High School, Anne Arundel County (Congress District Three)

Teacher: Barbara Segnatelli

Class Statement: The depletion of natural resources worldwide calls for exploration of alternatives sources of energy. Such alternative sources are inherent components of energy independent policies, and the United States should be at the forefront of research into new energy alternatives. Free and international trade has led to trade deficits in many countries, and United States trade policy needs to be at the forefront of remedying this imbalance for developed and developing countries. The proliferation of nuclear weapons poses a danger to all of humanity, and it is the responsibility of the United States to lead the global community addressing this threat. State sponsored and rampant state-less terrorism has created growing chaos on the world stage. The United States should be a model for other nations as the international community works together to combat this threat. Cross border migrations has affected the culture of nation-states, and the United States, along with other nations must come to the realization that immigration is a byproduct of a globalized world and is leading to increased interdependence and global assimilation.

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South Hagerstown High School, Washington County (Congressional District Six)

Teacher: Dani Biancolli

Class Statement: A wide range of international issues are of particular concern to the United States. Wars, famine, genocide and global warming are threats to the quality of life on a global scale. The threat of global warming is outstanding; the aftermath of climate change will be immeasurable. Not only is human carelessness is destroying our only home, but our unwillingness to help our fellow man is contrary to every value for which we supposedly stand. Wars, famine, and genocide are real problems. Wars affect various international areas where there is instability, corruption, and terrorism. The escalation of these wars will perpetuate cultural conflicts and make surrounding areas more volatile. Famine causes the loss of thousands of lives every year due to starvation where technology could improve conditions. With assistance, thousands can be taught to grow environmentally appropriate crops to fight hunger. Genocide still exists on a large-scale in certain areas of the world. Genocide is a crime under international law, yet we refuse to look outside our comfortable existence to acknowledge the severity of the crisis. It is completely hypocritical to triumph freedom and equality for our own citizens while choosing a path of inaction for the suffering in the world. If we come together and recognize the importance of these issues, we can save our planet and create a world where every human being can have the basic human rights each of us inherently deserves.

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Urbana High School, Frederick County (Congressional District Six)

Teachers: Colleen Bernard/Trish Smallwood

Class statement: Throughout the course of human history societies have evolved from isolated, independent, self-reliant settlements to complex international networks, interdependent on one another for survival. As societies have evolved the problems that each encountered also evolves, no longer are societies concerned only with internal problems, but more so today external concerns. As we become more interdependent on one another a plethora of new issues arise, which no single nation can solve without the assistance and insights of other peoples. Of most pressing concern are America’s reliance on oil, the development inequities and environmental repercussions of globalization, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. America’s dependence on oil has had the most profound effect on our recent foreign policy decisions. Our role in the Middle East including the Arab/Israeli Conflict, Iraq War, terrorism, global warming and the international economy are all linked to our overuse of nonrenewable natural resources. With the tremendous economic, military and political power of the United States, we have the ability to positively or negatively alter the future. In doing so it is imperative that America not act unilaterally, but instead to use diplomacy and work through international organizations to effect positive change in these areas of concern.