Fun and Education in NYC

Thanks to the Ford Motor Company, our program had a nice fieldtrip to New York City last Monday. We were fortunate enough to tour the United Nations and see the world’s political stage.

Hoping to visit the city for a few days, a few interns and I left for NYC on Saturday before Monday’s event. That being said, “Megabus” might be the best thing that has happened to quick-fix vacations. I only paid $15 for the entire five-hour trip.

Megabus

From the window

Elif snoring

I stayed with one of my “besties,” at the Julliard School apartments at Lincoln Center.

Meet Vicky—my inspiration, my friend

Vicky and I danced for the same ballet company for many years, and it was so wonderful to see my old friend’s smile! Luckily for me, Victoria and her fellow dancers had a dress rehearsal that Sunday. I was invited to observe the performance. We spent Saturday and Sunday night “touristing,” as Vicky calls it, around New York. We walked around Times Square and road the subway down to Southern Manhattan.

Dancing by the Seaport

Chasing the pigeons … I have this odd infatuation with chasing birds and watching them fly away.

We also ate cupcakes at the famous Magnolia Bakery and bargained with merchants in Chinatown.

Cupcakes at Magnolias

Monday morning I awoke excited for what I presumed would be the best programming of the semester. I was right—the UN tour was absolutely amazing.

Here are some highlights:

This picture truly haunted me… look at the fear in that poor seal’s eyes.

This was a peacekeeper memorial for volunteers who died in the cause of duty—God bless their souls.

Articles in the UN Charter

This triangle represents the world’s financial spending: Note, the small pieces represent money given to anti-poverty projects, HIV/AIDS prevention, environmental sustainability, trade agreements or development assistance … the large read portion at the top? Military spending. How sad.

Bred from childhood

The flame of Peace

Disarmament

...And THIS is where is all goes down!!! The United Nations General Assembly. So cool.

Needless to say, I slept most of the way home from NYC exhaustion.

Fresh Air

This week brought me a breath of fresh air—Grandma and Papa came from Michigan to visit me! The Friday through Monday span was great, and I showed my grandparents favorite spots in D.C.

Some highlights?

Ruth Chris Steak House—Oh, my goodness! I'd never had a steak so tender I could cut it with a spoon. The meal was amazing; but if you go, prepare to throw-down a wad of money for food expenditure!

We visited National Geographic and admired the photos from all around the world. We did the traditional night walk on the mall, respectfully praying in silence at the Vietnam, Korean and World War II memorials. I took grandma to the National Portrait Gallery while Papa spent a few hours in the International Spy Museum.

World War II Memorial

College students playing kickball on the Mall

After Grandma and Papa left, my roommate Annie, Juli and I returned to the Mall to sit at our “spot.” Good ol’ Abe and I are pretty good friends these days! I enjoy sitting between the second and third column to the right side of his “house.” Most tourists sit on the steps overlooking the Washington Monument and the Capitol building, but I’ve found a quite, vacant spot on the outskirt of the Abe’s memorial.

Hey, Abe! … Who is this dude beside me?

The spot. Chilin'

The weekend was great to take my mid off work and school demands. In fact, I dare say things are starting to wind down. (Knock on wood!!!) I have one more Arabic class and about three more scholarship applications due, but for the most part, I’ve entered into a breathing time! So, if I could live through the past five weeks, I can take on the next four in wrapping things up here in D.C.

"Thanks, Mr. Chair"

Last weekend I attended the Model United Nations-D.C. conference, representing the Philippines in the U.N. General Assembly Plenary. Located at the School for Advanced International Studies at John Hopkins University, I spent about 25 hours of the weekend in a small room crammed with over 60 people representing states around the globe.

States

“Thank you, Mr. Chair, and welcome fellow delegates. The Philippine delegation moves for a 35 minute caucus to enable working papers clear progress before closing the Speakers’ List. Thank you.”

I couldn’t believe students actually used the formal and flowery language of the U.N. At first if was hard not to laugh; but after a few hours “the fluff” became second nature.

Terrorism, Africa’s development and migration were the topics of debate—though the GA Plenary focused mostly on terrorism. Siding with the island nations and the South America block, my allies drafted a working paper proposing a stronger hand on Norco-terrorism. Relying on the sale of illegal drugs such as poppies or cocaine, a great number of terrorist groups stay afloat solely because of drug trafficking funds. Our anti-Norco-terrorism bill called for an internal organization for stopping and enforcing stronger regulation on narcotic trafficking.

Aleksey and Annie

But our paper had a second point that would drastically effect our first proposition: Recognizing the main reason why poor farmers resort to growing illegal drugs — the great influx of money to feed their malnourished families — we called the new organization, along with participating states, to help fund farmers with subsidies. Subsidies for the poor encourage the growth of legal crops by allowing poor farmers to actually make a living. Resultantly, the farmers would need not resort to growing and selling illegal, harmful narcotics to make a decent living. Therefore, the production of narcotics used for funding terrorism would drop, hindering terrorist networks.
Lastly, our working paper called for that which any powerful state demands—totally respect of state sovereignty. To keep nations happy, we stressed that the newly proposed organization would be voluntary.

Our working paper passed the GA by a 2/3 vote!

After partaking in the mock-UN conference for a mere three days, I can easily see why people get frustrated in large international inter-governmental organizations: lack of cooperation among self-interested states, limited time and no political will for compromise. It’s discouraging when nothing gets done! Yet the UN truly is one of a kind. It feeds millions of the 930 million people currently living in poverty. Its agencies house refugees in times of struggle and serve as a peacemaker for vying nations. When and where else would people of such separate agendas and interests come together for the common good of mankind?

Speaking of the U.N., my program will be traveling to New York City in two weeks to visit and tour the actual United Nations in southern Manhattan. Needless to say, I’m siked!!! Stay tuned for that entry in two weeks!