Today was the first day of our World Forum Sessions. It is an incredible thrill to walk into the meeting hall and see the array of people who represent about 75 nations. Everyone is happy to be here and eager to talk, today alone I spoke with participants from Canada, Malawi, Rhode Island, New Zealand, Singapore, Nigeria, South Africa, and Poland. Many are doing work with vulnerable communities under stressful conditions.
There is an incredible sense of energetic, shared commitment to the issues facing children throughout the world.
Last night during the welcome ceremonies there was an interesting sequence in which the presenter, who was reporting on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child-now 20 years old—first noted that the US is the ONLY country that has not ratified the Convention. This was shortly followed by remarks—met by unanimous applause—about the potential for President Obama to change both the perception of and actions by the US. All those in attendance are concerned with issues of peace and social justice—and his election is a profound symbol of what is possible in the world.
(However, I have to also note that the at times mixed perception of the US might be due to the TV programming we export. On simultaneously this morning were: Judge Judy, a movie about a Texas prison, CSI, and The Simpsons. Enough said.)
We were busy the whole day today: first the opening plenary, then 3 workshops on multiculturalism, men in ECE, and international social justice projects. There’s barely time to process the information before heading to the next event, though they have been gracious enough to provide chocolate fountains and fresh coffee during the breaks.
Tonight we attended the international dance with participants dressed in their traditional finery jumping and gyrating to an eclectic collection of international pop music. The seats that lined the perimeter seemed ready for chaperones who had neglected to come to the party, but once we got over the feeling that we were suspended in some universe of forgotten proms, we had a great time!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday/City Tour
Tuesday
It’s only been 24 hours, but it feels like a week with all we have done. This morning we took a “Black Taxi” tour through the city with a sprightly driver, Paddy. Paddy made it clear from the beginning that he wasn’t going to tell us whether he was a Catholic or Protestant, but present “both sides of the story.”
The sides have been in conflict for hundreds of years. After partition in 1912, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were created. The conflict stems in part from the desire of Northern Ireland (protestant majority) to continue to be part of the UK. The Catholics in Northern Ireland and the Free Republic seek a unified Ireland independent of British Rule. The Ulster Defense Association (UDA) and, until 2007, its military wing, the Ulster Freedom Fighters work on behalf of the Loyalists, and Sinn Fein and the IRA are known for their tactics against Britain interests.
The Troubles were a period of 30-35 years of escalating, violent conflict, brought to a halt (sort of) by the Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998.
I apologize to historians for this reductionist version of a complex and charged situation, but the background helps to frame the lives and experiences of the people in the county.
There are walls and fences. Screened-in porches are reinforced cages. Community gates close each night to protect residents against acts of violence. There are moving memorials for the dead and militant murals for the living.
Paddy said that many tourists ask why people choose to stay and live in these conditions and under such constraints. He worked hard to help us understand, saying that “this is our home, our land…we can’t leave…”
But I was struck and humbled by the notion that these people live willing to die.
More soon…
It’s only been 24 hours, but it feels like a week with all we have done. This morning we took a “Black Taxi” tour through the city with a sprightly driver, Paddy. Paddy made it clear from the beginning that he wasn’t going to tell us whether he was a Catholic or Protestant, but present “both sides of the story.”
The sides have been in conflict for hundreds of years. After partition in 1912, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were created. The conflict stems in part from the desire of Northern Ireland (protestant majority) to continue to be part of the UK. The Catholics in Northern Ireland and the Free Republic seek a unified Ireland independent of British Rule. The Ulster Defense Association (UDA) and, until 2007, its military wing, the Ulster Freedom Fighters work on behalf of the Loyalists, and Sinn Fein and the IRA are known for their tactics against Britain interests.
The Troubles were a period of 30-35 years of escalating, violent conflict, brought to a halt (sort of) by the Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998.
I apologize to historians for this reductionist version of a complex and charged situation, but the background helps to frame the lives and experiences of the people in the county.
There are walls and fences. Screened-in porches are reinforced cages. Community gates close each night to protect residents against acts of violence. There are moving memorials for the dead and militant murals for the living.
Paddy said that many tourists ask why people choose to stay and live in these conditions and under such constraints. He worked hard to help us understand, saying that “this is our home, our land…we can’t leave…”
But I was struck and humbled by the notion that these people live willing to die.
More soon…
Monday, June 15, 2009
We're Here!
We’re Here!
The first glimpse of Belfast from the plane was inviting: glistening gray clouds slid sideways to reveal a lush green checkerboard landscape, individual acreage personally and idiosyncratically carved, undulating polygons defined by borders of stalwart pines. The sun beckoned us in, offering a teasing promise of warmth.
Although we were fatigued from flying, the excitement of our arrival carried us through a long wait in the arrival screening and a 30 minute cab ride over smooth new highways. The skyline of Belfast never really emerged from the horizon and we were surprised to suddenly find of ourselves on the outside of a roundabout in the midst of a buildings and traffic.
I write this at 5 pm Belfast time. We’ve all been on the go since early Sunday morning and none of us has yet slept. We hit the ground running through the raindrops, first to the Europa Hotel where the conference is being held, then to the landmark Crown Pub for our first toast to travel. We have seen, I think, all there is to see of Irish food: Steak and Guinness Pie and Fish and Chips.
We wandered the city for the rest of the day, where the weathered Victorian-era buildings are oddly juxtaposed with contemporary, functional structures. It’s disconcerting at first, for the city lacks harmony that one sees elsewhere when the blend of old and new adds interest and dimension. Up and down streets and alleys, in the rain under tourist-bright umbrellas, we looked for the history that we expected to be evident at every turn.
We did find a few landmarks: St. Anne’s Cathedral, a small war museum, and several malls. America’s advertising arm has reached its fingers here: the Westfield mall boasted a Gap, Ben and Jerry’s, and Yankee Candle, among other familiar stores. Subway advertised cheese toast next to a store selling traditional Irish items. This homogenization of the cultures is disappointing—all roads should not lead to Starbucks.
But on a lighter note….Ty was briefly mistaken for a local when someone asked him for directions, and Jamie was kissed in the street by an old man singing “The most beautiful girl in the world.” The locals lilting brogue requires our attention, and everyone has been friendly and helpful despite our confusion at their colloquialisms.
Tomorrow the forum begins with a welcome for the 70+ nations in attendance. I hope for a good night’s sleep and sunshine in the morning.
The first glimpse of Belfast from the plane was inviting: glistening gray clouds slid sideways to reveal a lush green checkerboard landscape, individual acreage personally and idiosyncratically carved, undulating polygons defined by borders of stalwart pines. The sun beckoned us in, offering a teasing promise of warmth.
Although we were fatigued from flying, the excitement of our arrival carried us through a long wait in the arrival screening and a 30 minute cab ride over smooth new highways. The skyline of Belfast never really emerged from the horizon and we were surprised to suddenly find of ourselves on the outside of a roundabout in the midst of a buildings and traffic.
I write this at 5 pm Belfast time. We’ve all been on the go since early Sunday morning and none of us has yet slept. We hit the ground running through the raindrops, first to the Europa Hotel where the conference is being held, then to the landmark Crown Pub for our first toast to travel. We have seen, I think, all there is to see of Irish food: Steak and Guinness Pie and Fish and Chips.
We wandered the city for the rest of the day, where the weathered Victorian-era buildings are oddly juxtaposed with contemporary, functional structures. It’s disconcerting at first, for the city lacks harmony that one sees elsewhere when the blend of old and new adds interest and dimension. Up and down streets and alleys, in the rain under tourist-bright umbrellas, we looked for the history that we expected to be evident at every turn.
We did find a few landmarks: St. Anne’s Cathedral, a small war museum, and several malls. America’s advertising arm has reached its fingers here: the Westfield mall boasted a Gap, Ben and Jerry’s, and Yankee Candle, among other familiar stores. Subway advertised cheese toast next to a store selling traditional Irish items. This homogenization of the cultures is disappointing—all roads should not lead to Starbucks.
But on a lighter note….Ty was briefly mistaken for a local when someone asked him for directions, and Jamie was kissed in the street by an old man singing “The most beautiful girl in the world.” The locals lilting brogue requires our attention, and everyone has been friendly and helpful despite our confusion at their colloquialisms.
Tomorrow the forum begins with a welcome for the 70+ nations in attendance. I hope for a good night’s sleep and sunshine in the morning.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
My ambassador application to CCLC
Francesca Gallozzi
Center for Children and Families/CSUSM
World Forum Foundation Application – February 2009
Why do you want to represent CCLC at the World Forum?
I work for CCLC because I care deeply about what we do on behalf of children and I am proud of our connection to the university and to the other employers we serve. CCLC represents one model of quality early education programs in America, with sites that utilize best practices as we know them. The World Forum is a rare opportunity for us to share American practices with the international community while learning how other countries and cultures provide such programs for their children.
I would bring to the forum what I have brought to CCLC: a strong academic background and expertise in early education; broad experience in the American educational system (private, public, and for-profit schools and programs in five states); a reflective nature; and an ability to communicate openly and respectfully with people from all cultures. It is refreshing just to think about the conversations that might happen in these workshops. I am excited at the prospect of identifying the universal values that unite us across the globe in our work with children.Several of the topics up for discussion at the 2009 forum are directly related to my current and former experiences in teacher education, early education leadership, and curriculum models. Also, I am currently working with a CSUSM professor on a research project about Social Justice and Equity, which is related to the topic of peace education. In addition, I am curious about whether CCLC is considering expanding to the world market, since workplace development is also a topic for discussion at the forum.
How would you share your experience?
It would be fun to share the experience through a blog or online journal with colleagues, my own staff, and even our center’s families. Those who know me know I love to write, and that a journal would be an appealing and effective medium for communication. I could create a video and facilitate a discussion of the trip for CCLC’s Staff Development Day; what an opportunity for us all to enrich and extend our thinking about the children we care for!
I am also intrigued by the possibility of joining (or perhaps creating) an online forum which would connect early childhood professionals around the world. Such a forum would establish cross-cultural connections and relationships—a global network-- that would endure beyond the duration of the conference.
What does being an “Ambassador” mean to you?
An appealing ambassador is poised, articulate, and represents her country well. An ambassador is also respectful of and interested in the diverse cultures with which she comes into contact. The ambassador can effectively articulate her country’s position while gleaning new understanding and appreciation for others’ perspectives.I am fortunate to have spent summers traveling internationally as a child and college student, which makes me a seasoned and confident traveler not easily flustered by the inevitable complications of an overseas adventure! In preparation, I would be inspired to work on my unused (and admittedly limited) Italian and French—enough at least to meet and greet in both languages. While Ireland will be a new place for me to visit, what intrigues me most about this trip is the prospect of meeting and working with the diverse participants, and returning to our country and company with inspired ideas, new resources, and valuable relationships.
And, finally, I must admit that I would also look forward to sharing a pint of Guinness and some soda bread with Ty and Fran while singing “Danny Boy” in a tumbledown pub in Belfast. It would be a privilege!
Thanks for your consideration,
Francesca
February 18, 2009
Center for Children and Families/CSUSM
World Forum Foundation Application – February 2009
Why do you want to represent CCLC at the World Forum?
I work for CCLC because I care deeply about what we do on behalf of children and I am proud of our connection to the university and to the other employers we serve. CCLC represents one model of quality early education programs in America, with sites that utilize best practices as we know them. The World Forum is a rare opportunity for us to share American practices with the international community while learning how other countries and cultures provide such programs for their children.
I would bring to the forum what I have brought to CCLC: a strong academic background and expertise in early education; broad experience in the American educational system (private, public, and for-profit schools and programs in five states); a reflective nature; and an ability to communicate openly and respectfully with people from all cultures. It is refreshing just to think about the conversations that might happen in these workshops. I am excited at the prospect of identifying the universal values that unite us across the globe in our work with children.Several of the topics up for discussion at the 2009 forum are directly related to my current and former experiences in teacher education, early education leadership, and curriculum models. Also, I am currently working with a CSUSM professor on a research project about Social Justice and Equity, which is related to the topic of peace education. In addition, I am curious about whether CCLC is considering expanding to the world market, since workplace development is also a topic for discussion at the forum.
How would you share your experience?
It would be fun to share the experience through a blog or online journal with colleagues, my own staff, and even our center’s families. Those who know me know I love to write, and that a journal would be an appealing and effective medium for communication. I could create a video and facilitate a discussion of the trip for CCLC’s Staff Development Day; what an opportunity for us all to enrich and extend our thinking about the children we care for!
I am also intrigued by the possibility of joining (or perhaps creating) an online forum which would connect early childhood professionals around the world. Such a forum would establish cross-cultural connections and relationships—a global network-- that would endure beyond the duration of the conference.
What does being an “Ambassador” mean to you?
An appealing ambassador is poised, articulate, and represents her country well. An ambassador is also respectful of and interested in the diverse cultures with which she comes into contact. The ambassador can effectively articulate her country’s position while gleaning new understanding and appreciation for others’ perspectives.I am fortunate to have spent summers traveling internationally as a child and college student, which makes me a seasoned and confident traveler not easily flustered by the inevitable complications of an overseas adventure! In preparation, I would be inspired to work on my unused (and admittedly limited) Italian and French—enough at least to meet and greet in both languages. While Ireland will be a new place for me to visit, what intrigues me most about this trip is the prospect of meeting and working with the diverse participants, and returning to our country and company with inspired ideas, new resources, and valuable relationships.
And, finally, I must admit that I would also look forward to sharing a pint of Guinness and some soda bread with Ty and Fran while singing “Danny Boy” in a tumbledown pub in Belfast. It would be a privilege!
Thanks for your consideration,
Francesca
February 18, 2009
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