 |
|
Programs
Strategic Partner: 
Partners:
|
CURRENTS '09 Country Profiles
The CURRENTS '09 itinerary** is as follows:
SPAINOver the past ten years, Spain has welcomed immigrants through an Open Border Policy. Since then, the numbers of immigrants has increased by 10%. In this two-part session, students will take a closer look at Spain‘s rising immigration population and examine why Spain might be a popular destination for migrants. In addition, students will have the opportunity to speak with peers from Seville, Spain - a city that closely borders Morocco, where Spain‘s majority of recent immigrants migrate from. This program is ideal for Spanish classes - as the program will be conducted in both Spanish and English. 
MOROCCOMorocco has been long viewed as an emigrant country - where the native population migrates out to various countries, such as Spain, Netherlands, the US, etc. Lately, its role seems to be evolving as globalization continues to play a role in human migration. With Moroccans being the most dispersed non-Western group in Western Europe, we will examine the strengths and challenges of the roles migration has played in this multicultural community. With its proximity to Western Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa as its backyard neighbors, how does Morocco‘s geographical location affect migration patterns across the world? Furthermore, GNG will be bringing a global perspective to commemorate 9/11 as their Moroccan peers half way across the world have also recently experienced similar geopolitical conflicts. Students will share their experiences and a vision of the future. Back to Top
GHANAGhana was the first country on the African continent to gain independence from colonialism. The Republic of Ghana was born in 1957, taking ownership of its new identity from its former given name, The Gold Coast. Ghana has had its own set of challenges like any emerging nation would, but has taken steps to prove itself as a model of socioeconomic growth and stability for its surrounding neighbors. Students will explore Ghana‘s role in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade - the gravest form of human migration, existing forms of modern slavery, and the challenges the modern industrialized world has placed on this developing country. Students will speak with their Ghanaian peers in this cross cultural dialogue as they share common ancestry. Back to Top
SOUTH AFRICAThis lesson will give students insight into South Africa, both under apartheid and in post-apartheid years. Students will examine the historical context of this legal discrimination system – whose deleterious effects are still being felt today - and draw comparisons to other systems of legal racism with which they are familiar. In addition, students will study the wave of xenophobic violence that spread across the country in 2008 - specifically surrounding Johannesburg. As South Africa opened its borders to its troubled neighbors to the North, it began to receive an influx of immigrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, etc. With stagnant economic opportunities and a sharp rise in unemployment, many South Africans began to believe their impoverished migrant neighbors were taking jobs away from them. Back to Top
INDIAOver the last 20 years, India is emerging as a strong global player - making the headlines from its tech boom industry to its Bollywood culture. Most recently, a cross-cultural breakthrough was made through the Academy Award winning film, Slumdog Millionaire - highlighting the plight of children living in the slums of Inida. With over 1.1 million inhabitants, making it the 2nd largest populated country in the world, India can certainly take pride in its richness of diversity and cultures. Its borders encompass over 3.2 million square km housing 28 states and 7 unions with 14 languages serving as official languages of the country. In this session, students will study the diversity in this vast country, known as the Sub-Continent, as well as how our modern landscape has supported India‘s success. Moreover, we will take a look at some of the challenges that still lie ahead through examining human trafficking in India. Back to Top
VIETNAMVietnam infamously sits in American history books as a result of the Vietnam War. Students will explore the road to reconciliation as they examine how the US‘ relationship with Vietnam has changed since the 1970s. Students will learn how the war effected a new population of emigrants - and will study the Vietnamese Diaspora. Students will also explore some of the lasting effects of the Vietnam War - as Agent Orange has continued to leave its permanent mark on a generation. In addition, students will also explore the dark side of globalization through learning of the hidden trade of human trafficking in Vietnam. Back to Top
HONG KONG/CHINAChina is undoubtedly becoming a leading global player. In this session, we will learn about two very diverse facets of this country‘s economic and political power. Students will first study the unique role democracy plays in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China that gained independence from the U.K. in 1997. We will then hop over to Mainland China and learn how China‘s economic policy reforms of 1979 have truly shaped Shanghai into a modern city. Students will have the opportunity to speak with students from both Hong Kong and China, and draw their own conclusions. Back to Top
JAPANKnown as the —Land of the Rising Sun,? the island nation of Japan has led the world economically for generations, second only to the U.S.‘ (Gross Domestic Product) GDP. In addition, Japan is the world‘s fourth largest exporter (namely vehicles) and sixth largest importer (primarily mineral fuels). Moreover, Japan has the world‘s highest life expectancy rate (85 for women; 78 for men). However, the ever-growing population of this —granny state? has put a major strain on Japan‘s social service sector with a record number of retirees mixed with a decreased, productive workforce as the global economic crisis hit last year. Ironically, Japan is one of the only countries that is actively exploring how to encourage immigration of younger people to its shores and birth incentives to young adults to contribute to the sagging future of its productive human capital. It is significant to note that Japan‘s export-led economy bore the major brunt of the global economic meltdown last year, and is slowly recovering. What is in store for Japan‘s future in an increasingly globalized world, since it has been so closely tied to the U.S. GDP? Students will discuss and deliberate how globalization has impacted Japan and its changing demographics, in relation to the U.S. and other countries. Back to Top |
