|
This Saturday: Nicole Rainey from ACLU-MO to talk about Civil Liberties with Special Focus on Student Rights
This Saturday, February 27, Nicole Rainey of the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri will ZOOM with Civitas students to talk about Civil Liberties Issues. The federal government's view of inalienable rights has changed considerably as we have moved from the Trump Administration to the era of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The ACLU was established in the 19-teens to protect liberties that were threatened by the government overstepping its reach. Many of the causes that it supports are not popular (e.g. advocating for Nazi protestors to have the right to march through a Jewish neighborhood), but they consistently work to protect individual liberties. This is true regarding student rights in school. Nicole will be joined by at least one other attorney from the ACLU-MO.
You can register for the event by clicking here.
|
|
A great Model United Nations session this past Saturday!
Students (and a few teachers) from over 15 area schools participated in an outstanding Model United Nations session this past Saturday. Engaging, and very respectful, conversation kept the Zoom event dynamic for three productive hours. Topics of the morning included incorporating the Non-Self-Governing Territory of Western Sarah into the government of Morocco, COVID-19 relief and vaccine distribution, establishing citizen assemblies around the world, relocating Fiji villages threatened by rising sea levels, improving literacy in South Sudan, and more. Several great resolutions were submitted that we did not have time to discuss. Despite critical questions and numerous amendment suggestions presented during Speaker List time, all resolutions considered were passed in an impressive show of support and diplomacy! For several seniors, this was their last Model UN event with Civitas, but hopefully some of you will seek out MUN opportunities in college. Thanks to all for such a fun morning!
|
|
This Saturday, February 27; 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Nicole Rainey of American Civil Liberties Union
Click here to register
Friday, March 5; 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Friday evening Session for Greater St. Louis Model UN
Saturday, March 6; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday All-Day Session for Greater St. Louis Model UN
|
|
|
|
Calling for Conversation and Connection
Are you a middle or high school student who enjoys Model United Nations? Or maybe you are especially interested in St. Louis issues? You might also be looking for something fun (and free!) and safe to do on a Friday night and Saturday during a pandemic. We imagine many of our readers will be very interested in a special Greater St. Louis Model UN (GSLMUN) Virtual Conference on Friday evening, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 sponsored by the John Burroughs School Model UN team. Maxine Clark, founder of Build-a-Bear, will be the Keynote Speaker, followed by a “fireside chat” opportunity for student delegates to ask her questions. The conference will include engaging dialogue about the Delmar Divide and Airport Privatization in a simulation that will be a“reimagined version of local government.” Workshops on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will also be part of the weekend experience.
Click here to learn more and register for this FREE, exciting, and unique opportunity!
Civitas will give Game Changer points to any student who attends. You can email us at info@civitas-stl.com with any further questions.
Here is more information from organizer Nathaniel Doty:
|
|
|
|
Nathanial talking about the GSLMUN
|
|
|
|
LOOKING AHEAD TO SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES?
After nearly two weeks of temperatures below freezing and a city blanketed in snow, you might be longing for warm, summer days ahead. Predictions of vaccine progress make the summer of 2021 look less restrictive than last summer, meaning more summer options for students looking for challenges and a change in scenery. Below are some programs we feel might interest Civitas students. If one catches your attention, feel free to email us at info@civitas-stl.com and we can nominate or recommend you.
A Model United Nations Camp at Chaminade College Preparatory School--This camp will explore the United Nations, a body founded after the Second World War to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” Using a variety of active learning techniques, students will learn about some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Each student will represent a state in the United Nations General Assembly, conduct research from that state’s perspective on a specific issue, and draft a General Assembly resolution. On the last day of the camp, students will debate and vote on the draft resolutions in a simulation. Sign-ups will be on the Chaminade website soon.
Who? Any students entering grades 7-12
When? June 7-June 10, daily from 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Where? Chaminade College Prep in St. Louis, MO
Questions? Contact Dr. Robert Barnidge at rbarnidge@chaminade-stl.org
Sustainable Development Goals Changemakers Youth Action Program--The purpose of this program is to unite youth together from the St. Louis region to address challenges within the lens of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and equip young people with the tools, resources and relationships to take sustainable action.
Who? Students entering grades 10-12.
When? July 12-16 & July 19-23, 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Where? Innovation Hall @ Cortex Innovation Community & additional field trips to areas in St. Louis
Questions? Click here to visit their website.
Leadership Initiatives Summer Internships--Leadership Initiatives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has partnered with outstanding high school students to provide them with hands-on experience that builds their ability to collaborate, communicate, and confidently pursue their futures. Unlike other education programs where simulations are the key component, students intern with real law firms, business development organizations, security agencies, and hospitals to build their resume and their knowledge. This year, they are offering both in-person programs at Georgetown University and virtual internships to ensure all participants can develop their career goals and professional skills in a safe and accessible environment. Programs include Law & Trial, International Leadership & Business, Medical & Public Health, Medical Neuroscience, and National Security & Intelligence.
Who? Students entering grades 9-12
When? Various weeks in July, 2021, depending on program
Where? Georgetown University in Washington D.C. (and remote opportunities)
Questions? Visit their website: https://lichangesummer.org/
|
|
This past week at the United Nations
|
|
|
|
|
This satellite image, taken in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Tuesday, February 16, shows a "we want democracy" slogan written on a main thoroughfare, near what appears to be the Ministry of Information.
