Due Date: Thursday, January 22 2009.
The Human Rights Issue Trailer Project was intended to motivate you to research a modern or historical international human rights violation while simultaneously learning new creative tools for expressing your ideas. Because this course emphasized government and politics, it is important that your final reflection and presentation illustrate the acquisition of knowledge about your nation of focus and it’s government. For your presentation, each member of your production team must write an individual reflection including responses to ALL of these questions. They may be posted on the blog, but you are responsible for being prepared to answer any of them directly during your presentation on the day of our final. This portion of the project must be completed independently from the rest of your group. It will count as a 100 point exam. Notes for EACH of the questions should be a minimum of 150 words and may not exceed 250 words. (This paragraph is 157 words.)
Final Presentations: C block 1/20, F block 1/23. G block - 1/22
REFLECTION QUESTIONS/ TALKING POINTS (20 points each)
1. Sunmarize the human rights issue selected for your project. Why did your group select this issue/ event? Explain why it is particularly important in the nation(s) your group emphasized in the trailer.
2. Describe the current political system and structure of government in your nation(s) of study. Compare the government of your nation with that of the United States and at least one other nation that we have studied in class this term (India, Great Britain, Ireland, Iran, Nigeria.)
3. What are some major issues in this nation that contribute to the problem profiled in your trailer? Reference cultural, economic, political and geo-political factors in your response.
4. How does the current administration in your nation of study feel about the problem you profiled in the trailer? What are they doing to alleviate, resolve or escalate/ reinforce this problem?
5. What do you think will be the state of affairs regarding this issue five years from now in your nation(s) of study? What would it take to drastically alleviate or eliminate this problem by 2014? Who should be responsible for these improvements? (Consider funding, resources, education, technology and leadership in your response.)
Additional questions for consideration – may be asked of the group during presentation (no points, but will be evaluated during oral presentation on day of screening):
Overall, what did you learn through completing this project? What questions do you still have about the topic and/ or nation that you studied.
Evaluate the finished product. What do you think worked? What could be improved? If given a “do over” what would you change about the project?How does the finished product compare with the vision for the project your group had when planning the story board?
Evaluate your effectiveness in achieving your creative vision.If this film were produced in full, who would be your target audience? What would they learn and/ or be inclined to do as a result of seeing your film?
Discuss the creative elements of your project (visual, text, “found footage”, audio). What were your sources and inspirations for selecting these pieces. How do you think they contributed to the overall effect of the trailer?
If you saw this trailer, would you go see the film? Why or why not.What advice would you give to students who take on this assignment in the future?
7 comments:
Conrad Mallien
Block C
1/16/09
My group did the Irish Civil War. We choose this event since it was an important event in Irish history. Our original idea was to focus on how the war effected the citizens in Ireland. Currently, Ireland is a Republic much like America's. Though, they also have a Prime Minister. The President and PM have almost the same powers as those in India. Only in Ireland, the President is more of a figure, has a seven year term and can be reelected once, and still has some constitutional privliges, while the PM has more power, but is appiontted by the President. The major problem shown in presintations is the difference in views of how Ireland should be. However, none of those in office during this time wanted a civil war.
Justin Lefkowitz
US Government
C Block
Colombia
Reflection Questions/Talking Points
1. Summarize the human rights issue selected for your project. Why did your group select this issue/ event? Explain why it is particularly important in the nation(s) your group emphasized in the trailer.
The human rights issue that my group selected for our project was the constant drug trafficking and the constant human kidnapping done by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or the FARC. My group decided to analyze and focus in on this Colombian Terrorist Organization because I convinced everybody that the FARC would be an easy topic to make a movie trailer on. The FARC stands for Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia. In English, this translates to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The FARC, also known as the People’s Army, is the oldest, largest, most capable, and best-equipped insurgency of Marxist origin in South America. Established in 1964 by the Colombian Communist Party, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was originally created to defend the at the time Communist-controlled rural areas of Colombia. According to the official website for Global Security, the FARC is known for many different terrorist activities including bombings, murder, mortar attacks, kidnapping, extortion, hijacking, as well as guerrilla and conventional military action against Colombian political, military, and economic targets. The FARC seemed like an interesting topic to study and make a movie about.
2. Describe the current political system and structure of government in your nation(s) of study. Compare the government of your nation with that of the United States and at least one other nation that we have studied in class this term (India, Great Britain, Ireland, Iran, Nigeria.)
Colombia’s political system is very much like the political system of the United States. Although Colombia is a republic, it still has three branches of government, including executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive branch dominates the way in which the government is run. The head of the executive branch of Colombia, like the United States, is the President. The President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe Velez, is both the chief of state and the head of government. Uribe is one of the most prominent figures in Colombian politics. The Vice President of Colombia is Francisco Santos. The Colombian citizens vote on who they would like to be the President, once every four years. Like the legislative branches of the United States and Great Britain, the legislative branch of Columbia is also a bicameral system. This means that Congress is split up into two different parts: The House of Representatives and the Senate. In Great Britain, the Parliament is made up of the House of Lord and the House of Commons. When it comes time for the presidential election, an electoral college is created and used, just like it is in the United States of America. The Colombian Senate is made up of 102 seats and the House of Representatives is made up of 166 seats. The Congress in Colombia is used to help pass laws for the Colombian citizens.
3. What are some major issues in this nation that contribute to the problem profiled in your trailer? Reference cultural, economic, political and geo-political factors in your response.
Colombia has been dealing with major issues that don’t just revolve around the FARC, but also around the different Drug Cartels. Since Colombia is located on the border of South America, there are many people who attempt to bring drugs out of the continent and into Panama, the country that borders Colombia in Central America. The drug trafficking business makes a lot of money especially in an area like Colombia. The warm Colombian climate makes the land around the country arable, or perfect for growing drugs. Colombia Cartels and the FARC are very well known for the illicit production of cocaine, opium poppy, and cannabis. The FARC makes tons of their money off of trafficking drugs between the different countries that border Colombia, including, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and Venezuela. Drug trafficking and terrorism are two large categories in Colombia that contribute to the problem that is profiled in our trailer.
4. How does the current administration in your nation of study feel about the problem you profiled in the trailer? What are they doing to alleviate, resolve or escalate/ reinforce this problem?
The Colombian government, along with President Alvaro Uribe Velez, has been taking a strong stance against the terrorist activities of the FARC for quite some time. In 1983, The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia killed the father of the current Colombian President. President Alvaro Uribe Velez definitely holds a grudge against the FARC for committing such a crime. The Colombian government, very much like the United States government and the British government, feels that terrorism is probably the biggest threat to society. The current Colombian President has met with former U.S. President George W. Bush several times to discuss the problems that the FARC bring to the table. Another politician who is attempting to deal with the problems of the FARC is former Colombian Presidential Candidate Ingrid Betancourt. Ms. Betancourt was once kidnapped by the FARC, and luckily, the Colombian government worked out a deal to get her free. Ingrid Betancourt is now on a mission to stop the FARC once and for all. Her goal is to visit the different capitals of South America including Quito, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Brazil, La Paz and Caracas, and talk to the leaders and Presidents of each country about the FARC. Ms. Betancourt’s goal is to spread FARC awareness and relay the idea that the FARC, the region's largest and longest-fighting rebel force, must lay down their arms.
5. What do you think will be the state of affairs regarding this issue five years from now in your nation(s) of study? What would it take to drastically alleviate or eliminate this problem by 2014? Who should be responsible for these improvements? (Consider funding, resources, education, technology and leadership in your response.)
Within five years, the issue of the FARC will most likely be a problem still. I honestly think that the problem will get even worse. I feel that the FARC will more than double in size. Although more people will know about the FARC, I feel nobody will be able to stop them. Hopefully the different governments from around the world will have a large discussion at the United Nations about the terrorist activities of the FARC. Maybe, instead of Al Qaeda or the Taliban, people will also start talking about the FARC. Just because the FARC has not committed any major crimes yet, like a September 11, 2001, this just means that we need to keep an extra eye on them. Within five years, I feel that the FARC will start getting tired of being one of the least talked about terrorist organizations, so much that they will want to do something really bad to bring about FARC awareness. Although politicians like George W. Bush, Alvaro Uribe Velez, Ingrid Betancourt, and Gordon Brown, have been trying to spread FARC awareness, this will not be enough to eliminate the problem. Let’s just hope the FARC is alleviated a bit by 2014.
Loretta Au
January 21, 2009
Block C
1. Summarize the human rights issue selected for your project. Why did your group select this issue/ event? Explain why it is particularly important in the nation(s) your group emphasized in the trailer.
Brazil has a long history of natural disasters, especially floods. Due to heavy rainfall on November 21 in Southern Brazil, mainly landslides, has caused deaths and missing people. Almost 80,000 people have had to leave their homes. Nearly 79.000 are displaced mainly due to mudslides. My group selected Brazil’s recent flood because it was current and awareness was minimal. It seems as though Brazil’s constant reoccurrence of disasters have been ignored. We chose this to spread awareness that problems like Brazil’s flood exist and help is crucially needed. Another reason I chose the natural disaster in Brazil is to steer away from a focus on North Korea. I wanted to learn about another country to broaden my knowledge of different nation’s issues and problems.
2. Describe the current political system and structure of government in your nation(s) of study. Compare the government of your nation with that of the United States and at least one other nation that we have studied in class this term (India, Great Britain, Ireland, Iran, Nigeria.)
Brazil is a federal republic, which is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides separately from the legislature. As president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is also the Chief of State and the Chief of Government. The president is elected by majority voting. The government’s cabinet consists of ministries, secretaries and agencies and offices. The other branches of the government are the judicial and the legislative. In the Judiciary Branch, the State or Federal justice and the Labour or Electoral justice is assigned a file depending on the case, which is further detailed in Brazil’s Federal Constitution. The Legislative Branch has two houses: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The Senate is represents each of the Brazilian States. Each state elects three senators under any circumstances. The Chamber of Deputies represents the people. They are proportional to the population of each state.
3. What are some major issues in this nation that contribute to the problem profiled in your trailer? Reference cultural, economic, political and geo-political factors in your response.
Almost 80,000 people have had to leave their homes. Nearly 79.000 were displaced, 41,000 of them in Itajai, Brazil, where rescue efforts were focused due to waters reaching 9 meters above normal. The mudslides drove many people away from home. The landslides have ruptured a major gas line from Bolivia, cutting off supplies to the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The flood has also caused a “drive to steal.” Police allowed people take food and water from stores because of the ‘drive to steal.’ Instead, police patrolled businesses and homes during the night. The targeted thieves paddled canoes to loot abandoned homes. Many refused to leave their house to prevent looters. "We're all guarding our houses, because there are a lot of robberies," Carvalho said. "They're breaking in and taking whatever they can grab." The floods have also caused poverty, and illness. Drinking water was scarce, especially in disaster zones. There was an outbreak of leptospirosis, a disease spread b exposure of water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. The time between a person's exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days to 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases; after the first phase, with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea, the patient may recover for a time but become ill again. If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure or meningitis.
4. How does the current administration in your nation of study feel about the problem you profiled in the trailer? What are they doing to alleviate, resolve or escalate/ reinforce this problem?
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva flew over some of the flooded areas and proclaimed the disaster one of the worst in the country's history. "I've never seen anything like this," Lula da Silva said. There were six cities in the affected region that remain cut off, causing blocked roads which made it difficult to distribute aid in areas. The flooding is had an economic effect, with bridges, roads, houses and buildings destroyed. Instead, aid was delivered through helicopter. Many of these cities were declared disaster zones. These isolated cities were reunited to civilization as workers cleared mounds of debris that blocked the highways. A state of emergency was declared in Santa Catarina and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered federal help. The government pledged over 1 billion dollars to states affected by the flooding. The government also helped by handing out food in cities where thousands lined up. Local fire stations also been assisted in distributing beans and rice. The government airlifted supplies to the most affected areas of Santa Catarina while trucks went with donated food and clothes. However, some said that the aid took too long. "We need more medicine, food and clothes," Carvalho said. "We're really suffering and there's a lot of people who have nothing." The natural crisis in Brazil is similar to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The water has led many people to be homeless. Like in Brazil, many looting was also witnessed. Some say the government was slow to help in Brazil, as the case in the US. After New Orleans was demolished by the hurricane, it took weeks for the government to bring aid.
5. What do you think will be the state of affairs regarding this issue five years from now in your nation(s) of study? What would it take to drastically alleviate or eliminate this problem by 2014? Who should be responsible for these improvements? (Consider funding, resources, education, technology and leadership in your response.)
Since natural disasters are merely unpredictable, Brazil would have to take safety precautions at all times. The nation can create run offs to allow water to flow elsewhere instead of staying in the cities. Also, since mudslides were a main problem that led many to be injured and homeless, houses should not be built on steep ground. If they are, they should be more sturdy. Even the mud can be created into concrete. Another solution is high elevated houses. High-elevated houses would keep houses in better condition and also people’s belongings would be safe. Although no one is held directly responsible for the disaster, it is the government’s responsibility to repair the country. As a whole, though, the nation would need to contribute a helping hand.
Anthony Fontana
Block C
Final Blog
1. Summarize the human rights issue selected for your project. Why did your group select this issue/ event? Explain why it is particularly important in the nation(s) your group emphasized in the trailer.
The human rights violation that my group chose was the kidnapping and drug trafficking of the FARC, the Revolutionary Forces of Colombia. The Revolutionary Forces of Colombia is one of the most active drug-trading groups. They are trying to over through the current democratic government in place, and replace it with a communist regime. The FARC is a very serious problem in Colombia because they are always kidnapping to get their points across, and usually ends bloody. Also, the funding the FARC gets comes directly from drug trafficking, which is especially bad because it brings in all this bad influence in Colombia. My group chose this topic because Justin and I both wrote strong research papers on Colombia. And also that this issue really affects the United States too because the FARC exports drugs to the United States.
2. Describe the current political system and structure of government in your nation(s) of study. Compare the government of your nation with that of the United States and at least one other nation that we have studied in class this term (India, Great Britain, Ireland, Iran, Nigeria.)
The current government system in Colombia is almost identical to that of the United States’. The United States’ power is spread out evenly throughout all three branches, the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branch. This is called checks and balance. Our government checks itself so that one branch cannot become dominant to the other three. This is where the Colombian government and United States differ. The Colombian government has a dominant branch, and that is the executive branch. In law making the executive branch had the final say over a bill. And more significantly, the president can declare war. The Colombian government is similar to Iranian government because in the Iranian government the executive branch almost holds a majority of the power. However the two governments are different because Colombia is a republic and Iran is a theocratic democracy.
3. What are some major issues in this nation that contribute to the problem profiled in your trailer? Reference cultural, economic, political and geo-political factors in your response.
One major issue that contributes to the actions of Revolutionary Forces of Colombia is President Alvaro Uribe poor ability to mobilize his own military to suppress the FARC. President Uribe constantly looks to the United States and Britain for solutions and military support. The FARC does not fear the government, and the FARC is strong military force. Also Colombia is not the wealthiest nation, and poverty adds to the problem because money is what fuels the military and defense. Another issue that adds to this problem is drug trafficking. If the government could suffocate drug trafficking then they would be easily taken out. However, drug trafficking is so large in the region that it involves a majority of South American nations. The FARC traffics drugs throughout the continent. The Colombian government would need to the co-operation of all the governments on the continent to really get to the source, and at this rate, that seems nearly impossible.
4. How does the current administration in your nation of study feel about the problem you profiled in the trailer? What are they doing to alleviate, resolve or escalate/ reinforce this problem?
The Colombian government is working together with, mainly, the United States and Great Britain to crush the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The Colombian government has tightened the security at airports. They have more thorough searches for drugs. This however is a small step. Colombia is also trying to spread awareness of the FARC and how serious this problem is. I personally believe that the Colombian is not doing all they can to stop the FARC. Even though they do not have the worlds greatest military to deploy at dispense, there is still so much more they can do. For example, they should form some sort of union, like the European Union or NATO, with the nations of South America to fight the FARC. They cannot have one country fueling the drug trade and another fighting because then resources are being wasted and nothing is getting done. Without co-operation nothing could possibly get accomplished.
5. What do you think will be the state of affairs regarding this issue five years from now in your nation(s) of study? What would it take to drastically alleviate or eliminate this problem by 2014? Who should be responsible for these improvements? (Consider funding, resources, education, technology and leadership in your response.)
At this rate, Colombia might be looking at a ten or fifteen year problem. It would take serious military action to put an end to the FARC, co-operation between all the countries in South America. I just do not see the FARC becoming a minute power by 2014. It would take a larger, stronger military action. The consequences for the FARC’s Actions should be immediate and extreme. In order to truly crush the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Colombia must put an end to the drug cartels and trafficking.
1. Basically, the human rights issue my group & I focused on was the floods, and the poor lives the people are forced to live since floods change people's lives in an upsetting way. This relates to the unfortunate people that have been affected by the water contamination as well. My group selected this topic because I (we) believed that it is mostly overlooked. Many people relate unfortunate events to terrorists and such things that can be avoided. However, in this case the terrorist is mother nature, and she cannot be ignored. Current occurrences in Brazil is focused on dreadful downfalls of rain that have been washed away cites. Thus far, the rain and flooding has killed hundreds of people. The rain which has caused mudslides and floods has ravaged towns, leaving tens of thousands homeless. In addition to the terribly remarkable floods, water pollution has contaminated the water, leaving a scarce supply for people to use.
2. Brazil was once a monarchy such as Great Britain, but is now a democracy like the grand United States. Brazilians live under the constitution of 1988. This means Brazil has a President, whom is also the head of government, head of state, and party systems. The president is elected by popular vote, and is able to choose his own cabinet. The federal government holds vast powers, and is made up of three branches similar to the US: executive, judicial, and legislative. Brazil is made up a bicameral legislature (Upper Federal Senate/lower Chamber of Deputies), and has 26 states. Each state has three senators. The president may independently intervene is state affairs. The government of Great Britain is in quite contrast, yet similar. The monarch is headed by the crown, or in the current case Queen Elizabeth. The Parliament is made up of House of Commons and House of Lords, similar to Brazil's legislature. However, the monarch has a prime minister, whom is the head of the government. Also, the Crown is not voted in, but is due to a hereditary line.
3. Due to this fluctuation of rainfall, water contamination has significantly risen. Over 30 million people in Brazil have been affected. With the increase of contamination and the decrease of clean water is an indication of water shortage. In other words, although there is ample water, is undrinkable since it's dirty. Thus, Brazil's water networks are being shut down in various cities. Luisa Riberio of the local environment group has been promoting communication and preparation of the people in the nation's water management. With the water networks being closed means less water for the people. Due to the rainfall and distribution of water, the alteration is less overwhelming. However, the people don't have their OWN access to water. Despite the 1975 Water Source Protection Act that restrict settlements around "watershed areas", people are settling in illegal areas along rivers to have access to water, which is causing deforestation. Due to this, water became more contaminated due to sewage run off. In addition, contaminated is more expensive, given all the chemicals to treat that water. The cost to distribute the water has risen, since more Brazilians have become dependent on it. In addition, looting has become a cause for concern. Since people stealing from various stores was uncontrollable by the police, they're basically letting people steal. This is giving a bad habits, which may hurt the economy in the future.
4. Brazil is getting help from their government. President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva of Brazil prays to God to terminate the rain. He feels the people's pain, and wants to start rebuilding the cities as soon as possible. He plans to allow the government to give access to the people towards their unemployment accounts to reconstruct their lives. Also, he may give farmers loans to aid their farmland. Furthermore, Preseident Luiz announced the aid of $830 million from the government's emergency fund, and $1.5 billion loan money from the Federal bank. President Luiz is taking a careful and wise approach, and wants a study to go under way to figure out what caused that drastic rain.
5. This repercussions of the unfortunate floods are going to echo in many years to come. The nation has yet to get back on its feet. However, the aid the government is giving is sure to build up strength to move forward. Lives will never be the same, and Brazilian dreams will have to be put on hold. Five years is far off, and I have faith that Brazil will be able to bounce back, perhaps more quickly then my own country, given their government is handling the situation remarkably well. I do see the economy going down significantly, but over time that'll change. Inflation consumer goods will most likely occur, but people will pull through. Water floods will never be limited, that is a immovable force. However, water pollution may be eliminated. With that, people need to become more responsible for their plant because it is telling us that it deserve our respect. It's not that hard to give to planet Earth, simply put trash where it belongs can make a vast difference. Also, vaccines and preventions of diseases caused by water contamination can be put into motion due to the technology and knowledge that will hopefully grow in the new years. When asking who will be responsible for these improvements, one force comes to mind: EVERYONE. Every soul on this Earth should pay it back for getting the chance to live on such a beautiful planet, which can be done by little matters such as going green, not littering, be respectful to environments around you. No excuses, save the planet like a champion.
Au Revior Government Blogs!
It's been educational <3
xoxo,
kg
Princess Kimberly Gangemi
Conrad - F: This was supposed to be a 300 word reflection. Please revise for a passing grade on your final.
Justin - E: Thorough and informed. It is evident that you researched and learned a great deal on this topic.
Loretta - E+: Detailed, specific and fact packed post. It is evident that you read up on your topic and considered the complications of solving problems when resources are scarce.
Anthony - G: Thoughtful work, though you fall into sweeping generalizations instead of reflecting specific policies and actions of the Columbian government.
kimmi - G+: While I adore your "save the planet like a champion" idealism, I think you need to look at politics on a policy level. What can specifically be done to prepare for natural disasters and emergency relief in nations like Brazil?
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