The Global Issues Club
Story appeared in the 2013 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY LEANNE SCHULTZ, OPERATIONS & HR MANAGER
Developing the Desire and Passion to Affect the Future
Supported and mentored by the faculty of the Humanities Department, the Global Issues Club serves as a vehicle for student engagement beyond the walls of the classroom.
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Whereas Science and Technology explore the how and what, the Humanities give us ways to confront the intangible, to contemplate the why, and understand and appreciate the diversity of cultures around the world.
Fernanda Ramirez, senior QMS delegate at VMUN, represents Liechtenstein
Through the Humanities, students develop the skills necessary to navigate the increasingly multifaceted 21st century. They are given the opportunity to examine complex issues and became compassionate, active, empowered, and globally aware citizens. The Humanities explore what it means to be human. The QMS Global Issues Club gives many students learning opportunities outside the classroom that help them comprehend the world around them.
During the past school year, Queen Margaret’s committed to becoming a Free the Children “We School of Action.” In support of this initiative, the Global Issues Club, in collaboration with The Green Team, organized the “We are Love” Valentine’s Day campaign, raising funds for Free the Children and the future QMS green-house. As a committed “We School of Action,” planning is now underway for student participation in the “We Day” Global conference in October of 2013.
Patricia Masur tries out the Speaker’s throne in the House of Commons.
In the Global Issues Club, students explore and contemplate issues of global significance through participation in student conferences. Conferences attended include Vancouver Model United Nations, Vancouver Is-land Student Commonwealth Conference, and the Global Responsibility Young Leaders Conference. These conferences brought together the next generation of international leaders while advancing under-standing of United Nations and con-temporary issues.
Through involvement in the Vancouver Model UN, participants developed an appreciation for differing view-points, the frustration of negotiation and the rewards of cooperation, gaining skills in research, debate, com-promise and conflict resolution. In all cases, conference participants gained a deeper understanding of the root causes and broader social issues that contribute to the complexity of global issues while gaining real life experience of the human side of international relations and diplomacy. Max Quakenbush, a member of the boys 7/8 class, describes his VMUN experience as positive noting, “The highlights of my trip were keynote guest speaker Romeo Dallaire and the fun I had in my committee room. I would highly recommend Model UN to anyone who enjoys debating, or staying up late to discuss issues of the world.”
Karlie Castle outlines her Social Studies 9 lesson in chalk.
In addition to looking at global is-sues, students were also encouraged to enhance their comprehension of parliamentary and governmental students. Saki Asao, a Grade 12 inter-national student from Japan, spent her Winter Break working collaboratively with peers from around the province. Through the British Columbia Youth Parliament program hosted in Victoria, Saki gained an in-depth and experiential understanding of the provincial legislative process and electoral systems.
As the British Columbia Youth Parliament is run by youth and serves youth, it meshes well with Saki’s motivation and interest in politics. Saki believes, “Our generation must take responsibility for and play a role in solving the many issues in our society. Incoming Head Girl Patricia Masur was recognized for her outstanding participation in Humanities Studies by being selected to attend the Forum for Young Canadians, held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa during Spring Break and the National Student Commonwealth Conference in Ottawa in May. According to Patricia, the Forum for Young Canadians taught her one of the most important lessons learned to date: “How to discuss rather than debate, to share what I know rather than show off what I know. I have learned to understand what confuses me and to look at hot topic issues from both sides rather than instantly jumping to conclusions that I have no facts to back up”. Patricia described the highlight of her experiences as “meeting people of different cultural backgrounds and being given the chance to talk to them and ask questions. I love to connect with new people and this year has been filled with opportunities to do just that.”
It is evident that the opportunities available through the Global Issues Club were embraced by students. Ms. Ali O’Marra Armstrong, Humanities Department Head, describes her QMS students as amazing and com-mends their willingness to participate in learning endeavors that extended beyond the walls of the classroom. Ms. O’Marra Armstrong notes, “It is through engagement that students develop an appreciation for the past, an understanding of the infrastructure that governs their present, and a passion to affect the future.”