Education Programs
TURKISH STUDY TOUR
Local Teachers Selected for Turkey Study Tour
Rose Brown, Senior English Teacher at Aurora High School in Portage County; David Bruening, AP European History Teacher at Avon High School; and Kathryn Stone, World History/Arts Foundation Teacher at Jackson High School recently returned from a once in a lifetime cultural tour of Turkey. The three educators participated in a 14 day tour from June 24 to July 8 that was sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America, The Turkish Cultural Foundation and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.They were selected after attending a one day professional development session titled “Exploring Turkey and Its Diversity” on April 23rd. Topics and presenters for the session included Historical Overview: Ancient to Modern by Prof. John Grabowski, Case Western Reserve University; Cultural Perspectives: Turkish Daily Life by Suat Aricanli, Board President, Turkish American Society of Northeastern Ohio; Islam in Turkey: A Legacy of Tolerance—Prof. Zeki Saritoprak, John Carroll University; and Contemporary Turkey and the Region—Challenges and Opportunities: US, EU, by Prof. Pete Moore, Case Western Reserve University. The day concluded with presentation by Cynthia Richards, Cathy Jeremiah, and Kerry Parker—TCF educator study tour alumni. Teachers who attended and who applied for the study tour were required to submit an application outlining their qualifications for the tour and explaining how they would incorporate the experience into their class curriculum.
The tour began with five days in Istanbul, then continued throughout Western Turkey taking the group of 26 teachers from across the United States to amazing locations.
Bridges to the World
Bridges to the World is a program that provides opportunities for students to interact with speakers and emerging leaders from around the globe in collaboration with CCWA’s Speaker Programs and our International Visitor Programs, sponsored by U.S. Department of State. Students prepare for interaction with these experts by reviewing background material provided by the Council followed by panel discussions, lectures or other formats with international guests through distance learning sessions in collaboration with WVIZ ideastream and through school visits and. Almost 1,200 students participated in ten programs during the 2010-2011 school year. As of February, 2012, close to 800 students and adults have participated in the ten programs presented. The participants have included CMSD high schools students as well as students from throughout Ohio, Tennessee, Maine, and New Jersey. In addition, for each distance learning session, residents of at least two Northeast Ohio Senior Centers have participated.
CCWA’s speakers and guests from the international visitor’s program share their expertise on international topics and discuss their personal stories of professional success and their international career paths. The program is recorded and available for viewing through the websites of the Council and WVIZ.
Bridges to the World Project Significance
• Students who participate in the Council’s Bridges to the World program are provided with the
opportunity to interact with visitors from other countries and experts in topics that are
relevant and timely for understanding the global and international issues pertinent to today’s
global connections. This experience provides them with the opportunity to prepare for future
roles as citizens and workers in an increasingly global society by:
- enhancing their grasp of the political and cultural interests of peoples from diverse nations
throughout the world;
- strengthening their understanding of international careers and the preparation required to
succeed including formal class work, internships, and community service;
- increasing their awareness of global issues, such as the recent financial crisis, that
transcend national boundaries;
- developing a respect for the rule of law, civil discussion, peaceful exchange of ideas, and
consensus building.
The benefits to students who participate in these programs include are aligned with three goals of the Ohio Department of Education’s Strategic Plan for International Education in Ohio:
• Global Context: Students see and experience relationships among themselves, their
communities and the world. Issues are not seen as existing in a vacuum, but within a
complex, dynamic web.
• Global Content: Students learn about the geography, history, economics and culture of other
world regions... Standards are internationally benchmarked, and assessments are aligned.
• Global Thinkers: Students think critically and creatively across disciplines, manage
complexity, embrace technology and value diversity. They can work effectively in cross-
cultural environments, using information from sources around the world.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
The Cleveland Council on World Affairs welcomes you to attend our 68th Model United Nations Conference for high school students from across Northeast Ohio. Since the first CCWA Model UN conference in 1945, MUN has sought to provide an in-depth and enlightening experience about world affairs and current events. Each year, we select a theme for our conference that reflects the state of world affairs. Past themes have included Achieving the Millennium Challenge Goals and Multilateral Action: Preserving the Balance. The theme for this year’s conferences is The Four Freedoms. This theme explores issues that focus on the Freedom of Speech, of Worship, from Want, and from Fear. From developing countries to industrialized nations, every facet of society is in a perpetual state of flux creating new challenges, tensions, and potential conflicts. Leaders around the world are faced with making decisions about problems within their nations and regions of the world that affect us all as global citizens. Delegates to the MUN will investigate, discuss, and debate some of the issues at stake in today’s changing world. In this simulation as well as in reality, the United Nations serves as a vehicle to encourage broad debate and problem-solving methods on a multilateral basis, allowing blocs of nations and regions to work in cooperation and with a truly global perspective in mind.
Currently the Council sponsors four conferences per year, which together involve nearly 1,000 students from over 30 Ohio high schools and middle schools. Model United Nations conferences are simulations of the work and activities of the actual United Nations and involve students in committee deliberations on a variety of topics similar to those currently under consideration by the UN. Thus these two day conferences involve students in research, writing, discussion, and negotiation as students represent the views and interests of the countries and their citizens throughout the world.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND ALL OR PART OF ANY OF THE CONFERENCES FOR 2012-2013. PLEASE REGISTER BY SENDING AN E-MAIL to Madeline Rife
mrife@ccwa.org
To view the agenda for or next conference, please click the bold dates of the conference.
The conferences for 2012-2013 include
November 14-15, 2012 Northern Ohio High Schools
November 28-29, 2012 Lorain County & Northern Ohio Schools
January 9-10, 2013 Northern Ohio Middle Schools
TBA Northern Ohio High Schools
To learn more about Model United Nations,
CLICK HERE .
CCWA Education Programs
“Now more than ever, our youth need exposure to international concepts and global issues to be prepared to compete in the global marketplace and make thoughtful decisions as informed citizens in an increasingly interdependent world”
Over its long history, the Council has built and maintained a portfolio of world-related programs for students and educators that excite them, enhance their global knowledge, and provide multiple perspectives on globalization and social responsibility.
Through programs and offerings, CCWA strives to:
Increase awareness of multicultural history, the contributions of ethnic groups to American society, and the value of cultural differences. Increase understanding and acceptance of interpersonal differences
Encourage linkages between the educational community, business community and general public by providing multicultural resources
Cooperative Agreement
Photographs and video are taken during programs and events for promotional, marketing, and historical purposes. Participants and attendees agree to release rights to photos taken at the Council's educational programs.