Rhode Island Capitol Forum

Class Statements 2010

School: Cranston High School East

Teacher: Scott Maynard

Class: Contemporary Issues

Class Statement: There are three interrelated problems affecting the global community and especially the United States. These three problems are: a failing global economy, worsening climate change, and tensions and war in the Middle East. These problems stem from widespread economic recession and a continuing Western reliance on foreign oil. In order to alleviate these concerns, we must turn our attention and resources to the advancement and integration of renewable energy into our global system. Renewable energy would create jobs in research, development, manufacturing, installation, and repair. It would create jobs from custodians up to engineers and managers. It is important to note, however, the benefits of renewable energy will not immediately decrease the consumption of foreign oil; rather, the advances we make today will benefit future generations. With a decreased need for foreign oil, we can limit American involvement in the Middle East and help thaw the hostility within the region. Finally, switching from coal and oil to cleaner energy sources will decrease CO2 emissions, hopefully slowing the effects of climate change. Our current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable, and the United States must lead the way in adopting renewable energy sources.

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School: Middlebridge School

Teacher: Colin Brady

Class: Perspectives

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our class discussed many issues that face the World today. We discussed the financial impacts of Terrorism and how Al Qaeda is connected in so many more ways then just violence to our world. We talked at length about Immigration Reform and its trends today. We talked about Global Warming, how the debate is weakening our response to the reality of Climate change. We listed the Pros and Cons of Nuclear Proliferation and how Nuclear Proliferation can benefit the economies and environment of up and coming nations. But also discussed the serious ramifications nuclear weapons can have on the world.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Our class agreed that the most important issue facing our world today is the Environment and Nuclear Proliferation.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We agreed that all Global Themes are very important.

4) Class Statement Our World is becoming ever more complex with issues including, Immigration, Nuclear Proliferation, Terrorism, and the Environment. Our biggest concern is our treatment of our planet and our overall neglect for the well being of the Environment. We believe that the United States should lead the world in collaboration to create a healthy, sustainable planet.

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School: Narragansett High School

Class: United States History

Teacher: Mr. Cannon

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our class discussed terrorism, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and current threats to our national security with organizations like Al-Qaeda. We discussed the economies of develop and developing nations, globalization, and the dangers of countries having nuclear capabilities. We also looked at environmental effects and the dangers of using nuclear weapons. We discussed how natural disasters and other environmental issues are important in today’s world, and immigration and current trends in immigration reform.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Our class agreed that the most significant issues today include terrorism and the threat of nuclear weapons.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We believed that trade was not as threatening as other issues when pertaining to immediate threats and our national security in the short term.

4) Class Statement In this ever changing world, our team believes that all of these issues are important; but some of them such as terrorism and nuclear proliferation present more of a direct threat to the functioning of our nation. We believe that in order to solve these problems we need the help of other nations to combat these international threats.

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School: Narragansett High School

Class: United States History

Teacher: Mr. Joubert

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? As a class, we discussed current events related to the global issues of immigration, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, the environment, and international trade.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Issues that we agreed are important include terrorism and nuclear weapons because they threaten national security and lead to violence.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Issues that we agreed are less important are trade and immigration because generally they are not life threatening and can be resolved more peacefully.

4) Class Statement Our world is plagued by complex issues involving immigration, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, the environment, and the instability of the world economy. Our biggest concerns include the potential for future terrorist attacks and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. As a nation, we should pull together in collaboration with the international community to secure freedom.

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School: Providence Academy of International Studies

Teacher: Marty Sprague

Class: How the World Works

Class Statement The United States is the most powerful nation in the world. With this fact in mind, the PAIS How the World Works classes are in agreement that…

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School: South Kingstown High School

Teacher: Jeff Taber

Class: Period B

Class Statement: Currently the U.S. government is attempting to solve problems in American policies regarding terrorism, immigration, environment, nuclear proliferation and foreign trade. After re-examining our country’s policies regarding these topics, our class has come to several conclusions. When considering the topic of terrorism, we feel the problem lies with our lack of cooperation with other countries. If we could find common ground with foreign powers, perhaps the tension between our country and other countries would ease and terrorist attempts/threats would stop. In addition, the country’s homeland security should be improved. For example those who work in places such as airports should be put through more in-depth training. As for the subject of trade, it has come to our attention that the U.S. has become too reliant on importing products from foreign countries, China in particular. We feel that we should reference back to the way things were in the past and produce our own products. Immigration is rapidly turning into a serious issue as well. More and more people are entering our country illegally, and at the same time foreigners who are truly in need of our assistance are being denied our temporary help. The American policy that monitors who is allowed in and out of our country should be re-evaluated to allow those who really need out help to receive it temporarily. Despite some people believing that global warming is just a myth, our class has realized that man’s impact on the environment has increased over centuries. Therefore it should be in the government’s best interest to encourage people to reduce their “carbon footprint” as well as attempt to reduce the amount of natural resources used on a daily basis. Although the use of nuclear weapons has been debatable since their invention, our government should attempt to cooperate with other countries and try to not only enforce the current treaty but to try and reduce the amount of nuclear weapons in the world. In closing, our class has simply examined the current American policies regarding terrorism, immigration, the environment, trade and nuclear proliferation. We feel that it is in our government’s best interest to do the same and make several changes to these policies.

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School: South Kingstown High School

Teacher: Jeff Taber

Class: Period C

Class Statement: The issue of immigration causes concerns within our class that there will be a loss of jobs within the USA, which will hurt the economy and government. We believe that there should be stricter border policies to keep illegal immigrants out. The class is also concerned about the issue of international trade. We believe that the USA's economy is suffering because of imported goods, so we decided that the USA should put restrictions on free trade to protect the USA's economy. The most globally well-known issue is that of nuclear proliferation. With more nations having nuclear technology, the less safe we are in the world. The USA should work with other nations of the world to reduce the amount of nuclear weapons. Many people in the world are afraid of global terrorist groups attacking and killing civilians. One way this could be prevented is if nations worldwide cooperate to prevent terrorist organizations from returning by neutralizing their roots. Lastly, the issue of the environment in unison with global warming caused great concern. The policy that was decided was that the USA should focus on cleaner technology and that laws should be paced to stop deforestation.

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School: Toll Gate High School (Warwick)

Teacher: Mr. Webber

Class: Global Studies Honors

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? In preparation for the Capital Forum, our class discussed the crucial topics of terrorism, nuclear proliferation, immigration, international trade, and the environment.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? While all the issues we discussed are critical in deciding the world’s future, we felt that a few topics should take precedence over the others. The issues of terrorism and nuclear proliferation are immediate threats to both the United States and the world and should therefore be given priority in the global community.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Every issue has a worldwide effect. However, some have immediate consequences while others have long-term effects. Therefore, the issues of immigration, international trade, and the environment are less pressing but still important.

4) Class Statement In this age of increasing globalization, the world is completely interdependent. The conflict between self-interest and state sovereignty can be linked to all the major issues plaguing the world. In order to resolve these issues, cooperation should be stressed over confrontation. Consequently, the issues of terrorism, nuclear proliferation, immigration, international trade, and the environment should be addressed in a global forum.

Terrorism has a detrimental effect on international security. By working together to fully understand terrorist’s motives behind their actions, the world may be able to hinder future acts of terror. Nuclear proliferation should be addressed through treaties designed for global disarmament. Arms control agreements and economic sanctions could prevent mutually assured destruction. As a leader of the global community, the United States should gradually decrease their supply of nuclear warheads. Another threat to international security is immigration, which should be closely monitored to inhibit future terrorist attacks. In addition, illegal immigration hurts the global economy. In order to preserve the international economy, free trade should be promoted while still upholding protectionist policies. The global environment is quickly deteriorating. Therefore, the United States must join with other nations to achieve a globally-sustainable balance of development and environmental preservation. In conclusion, it is quite evident that the global community is interdependent and must cooperate.

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