The Missouri History Museum & Civitas discuss Active Citizenship

On September 25, we will be bringing students and adults together to have small group discussions on a timely topic.  The issue before us will be one that emanated from the Civitas Conference on Active Citizenship last February: should high school seniors and juniors be allowed to vote in school related elections: school board races; tax levies; and school bond issues.  Since last February students have presented the idea to MO Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and MO State Senator Jeff Smith.  They both expressed considerable interest; we are now ready to explore the topic with a broader group of adults and students.

We are planning for half of the discussion facilitators to be adults; half students.  The History Museum and Civitas will begin training student facilitators this summer with the first session on June 13.  Please let us know if you're interested.  More information to follow.  For more information, click here.

10/2009

Water Wars; The new project from Global Gateway

Water Wars: Ethiopia and Kenya: this is the first of three projects next year in the Global Gateway project with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

Pulitzer director Jon Sawyer informs us that five journalists from the Seattle Times have been covering the story; the will bring their remarkable and distressing information to us next October.

The January, 2009 project will focus on challenges facing emerging nations, with special concentration on India.  As sectors in the economy booms many people still remain in poverty.  Ethnic, religious, and cultural conflicts continue and successfully addressing these issue may be key to sustaining a vibrant economy.

Washington University Hosting Model U.N. for High School Students

 
In advance of the Civitas high school model U.N. on November 8, Washington University will be sponsoring an exciting model U.N. for students around the United States (and possibly even Nigeria) from Friday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, October 19, 2008.  We have met with Secretary-General Alexandra Choi, and she and her staff are committed to many of the same principles as Civitas: a model U.N. should stress collaboration over competition and informality is preferable to rigid rules.  The project is designed to be a learning experience in itself. 

All the committees will be small.  In addition to organs of the U.N., the conference will include unique bodies including the U.S. Department of Defense – Joint Chiefs of Staff; delegates for the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962; delegates for the Politburo of the Communist Party of China; and delegates for the Democratic and Republican party conventions in the United States.

It is preferable for schools to bring delegations, but individual students may register on their own.  The fees are very modest and both WUMUNS (Washington University Model United Nations Symposium) and Civitas are committed to providing financial assistance if needed.

Right now you can access additional information at http://sugroups.wustl.edu/~wumun/.  The registration link will be on the web shortly; we will keep you informed of all happenings.  This seems like an especially exciting opportunity for students and teachers alike; we look forward to strong participation from Civitas schools and students.