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WELCOME TO THE
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
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News from around the globe from students and teachers who
participated in the first ever Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives Day
Global Perspectives Day
a Huge Success
CIE’s first Global Perspectives day was a
The first school online was Columba
huge success, with teachers and students
College in Dunedin, New Zealand, on
from 80 schools in more than 30 countries
Tuesday 20 October. The day ended at
taking part. Participants worked together
Churchill College, Col. San Pablo Tepetlapa,
on specially developed online projects
Mexico, at about 11pm GMT.
and enjoyed the experience of interacting
As part of Global Perspectives Day, CIE
with other members of the Cambridge
asked students to send in their articles on
community from around the world.
an issue that is affecting their country
Se e i
ns
ph o t ide f o r s o
os
m
G l o b a u p l o ade d e o f yo u r
l Pe rs
d
pe c t u r i ng
i ve s
Day
and photos of the students and the
Countries represented were:
activities they have worked on at school.
Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Cambodia, Canada, China, Cuba,
We thank all the contributors for their
Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt,France,
stories – from football in Argentina and
India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan,Kenya,
fashion in Gambia; to concerns about global
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway,
warming, descriptions of Diwali and the
Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines,
effect of the H1N1 virus on pilgrims to the
Romania, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland,
Hajj – the first Global Perspectives Day
Thailand, UAE, UK, USA, Vietnam,
eNews gives a flavour of what our students
Zimbabwe.
and young people are thinking about.
Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives is a ground-breaking new course which
is cross-curricular, stretching across traditional subject boundaries. Students
focus on global topics and consider personal, national and global perspectives
of these.To find out more about Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives visit
www.cie.org.uk/igcse
STORIES FROM STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
In a special competition to design
a t-shirt to celebrate Global
Perspectives Day, the winner
was Mohammed I from the Oasis
International School, India.
We will print the winning design
onto t-shirts for Mohammed and
his classmates.
Global Perspectives Day: News from around the globe from students and teachers who participated in the first ever Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives Day
The coloured poison
The Padang
Earthquake
On 30 September 2009, a terrible
earthquake happened in Padang,
Indonesia. The earthquake struck at 17.17
local time, 85km under the sea about
45km north-west of Padang.
This 7.6 Richter scale earthquake brought
a lot of devastation to the city. The death
toll was estimated to extend beyond 1300,
with thousands trapped in buildings and
landslides. Indonesia is situated within
a zone of seismic activity known as
the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, thus there are
frequent earthquakes. Tremors from the
first earthquake could be felt in Padang,
Malaysia and Singapore.
Although Indonesia is located in the
Pacific Ring of Fire, nobody ever gets used
to earthquakes. Consequences are often
devastating.
After the quake, a tsunami watch was
triggered and there were reports of
houses being damaged and fires in
Padang. The quake was along the same
fault line that caused the 2004 Asian
Tsunami that killed more than 230,000
people. Several countries have sent aid to
Padang including Australia, China and the
United States.
Indonesia’s young people have also been
quick to help out. The disaster caused
by the earthquake has touched many
hearts including celebrities. Reponses
to the disaster has been overwhelming
and heartfelt. Teenage star, Manohara
Odelia Pinot was deeply affected by the
earthquake in West Sumatra and has
donated around Rp 100 million ($10,000)
to help the victims. Students from all over
Indonesia are also gathering funds to help
the earthquake victims.
By Anderson L, Adrianus R, Alvina W
and Kartika R, Bina Bangsa School,
Jakarta, Indonesia
Cambridge students present
tothe United Nations Assembly
By Akorshi L, Memorial Omega International School, India
Months of hard work have won our school
recognition at the United Nations.
Our school was one of nine schools
worldwide to be selected to participate
in a video conference. The topic was
‘Global Climate Change and Its Impact
on Human Rights’. The topic was divided
into 6 subgroups and for each subtopic a
plan of action had to be drafted. During
the conference, the plan was discussed
and modified with the other international
schools and was finally presented to the
United Nations General Assembly.
This event changed the way I look at life.
Beforehand, ‘Global Climate Change’
was just a three-word phrase with no
significance in my life. But as I learned
about the huge impact of climate change,
it really made me feel guilty about the
lifestyle I’m living and that the poor in
some parts of the world are suffering
because of me.
All of us are well aware of the contribution
our lifestyle is making towards climate
change. But what matters is what we do
to modify our lifestyle to make a better
earth. Thanks to the UN, I learnt my lesson
and have modified my lifestyle. It’s never
too late to do something, so let’s hope we
wake up to create a better, happier, more
comfortable earth.
More than 30 years ago, the US
government sent two helicopters, which
contained about 80 million litres of Agent
Orange (a kind of plant poison) to the
south of Vietnam. The effects of that
attack continue to this day.
As we all know, the Americans didn’t do
this on purpose. But this was a mistake
carried out by them. They didn’t test
their chemicals properly before using
them. Therefore it caused a lot of pain to
Vietnamese people.
The American government apologised to
the victims in Vietnam and promised to
support those people and help them out
of their sadness. Many other countries
also support the Agent Orange victims.
Why is this considered a serious crime?
Because it not only affected people at the
time, but also affects future generations
in Vietnam. It broke international laws
about the protection of people.
War is the beginning of pain and sadness,
so we should never let it happen on our
planet again! We don’t want history to
repeat itself, do we?
By Quoc Gia Loc, Duy Lam and
Chau Tung, International School,
Ho Chi Minh City, City College
Campus, Vietnam
Social media and the lives PREVENTING
SPREAD OF
of young Indonesians
Internet social networking websites like
Facebook have had a tremendous impact
on Indonesian teenagers. According to
a survey done in our school, almost all
students have a Facebook account.
‘Facebook allows friends from different
countries to update their status and
inform us what they’re up to. It’s almost
like we’re there with them!’ said Jason, a
student from Bina Bangsa School.
Facebook allows students to browse
through pictures posted by their friends,
post comments and play games that
have gained worldwide popularity, like Pet
Society and Texas Hold Em. This addiction
to logging on to Facebook is so prevalent
that many Indonesian teenagers often find
ways and means to log on even if schools
block access to it.
Indonesian teenagers are crazy about
the Blackberry, using it not for work but
mainly to access the internet and log on
to social networking sites. The Blackberry
also offers other functions like MSN Chat
and Myspace, another social networking
site. This just adds to the attraction.
SWINE FLU
By Saindhabi, The Cambridge
School, India
The swine flu pandemic became
This addiction can be so bad that
teenagers from Indonesia have their
Blackberries right next to their pillow
when they go to bed at night.
No doubt, with the advent of technology
comes convenience and accessbility to
information.
a big problem for those going on the
Hajj pilgrimage this year. Pilgrims were
asked to avoid hugging or shaking
hands to prevent the spread of swine flu.
The restrictions were necessary
because physical contact is one
of the ways in which the virus spreads.
However, it also has created a detrimental
effect on teenagers. Being able to fall
asleep only after knowing that your
Blackberry, the Internet and Facebook are
within an arm’s reach can’t possibly be healthy,
can it?
By Steven, Aaron, Denny, Nico
Bina Bangsa School, Jakarta,
Indonesia
The Saudi government made it
compulsory for all pilgrims to have
valid flu vaccination certificates
before leaving their countries and
recommended that children, the
elderly and people with chronic
diseases postponed the Hajj this
year for their own safety.
Global Perspectives Day: News from around the globe from students and teachers who participated in the first ever Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives Day
Girl child - a
burden in India?
By Irene N, DPS International, India
Going Green and
our Economy
Going green not only refers to the climate,
A girl, a lady, a woman, a bride, a mother,
a grandmom – so many roles for a female,
but do we respect them all?
but money as well. Right now many
countries are making an attempt to go
green by taxing pollution. The United
States imposes a “gas-guzzler” tax on
Often a girl is compared to a boy. A boy
will run the family; a girl will go to her
in-laws. A boy will work and earn for the
family; a girl will not. The boy is more
intelligent – only he can be sent to school.
A girl should not be sent to school as she
will not need her studies at her in-laws. A
boy is brave and strong, a girl is weak and
insecure.
cars that do not meet the fuel efficiency
standards; European countries have
taxes on almost anything that has a
proven, specific negative impact on the
environment, and Taiwan is currently in the
process of implementing a greenhouse
gas tax in 2010-11. These taxes are
supposed to limit or deter the amount of
pollution companies or individuals put out,
and make a profit out of the pollution that
But what about Indira Gandhi, P.T. Usha,
Kiran Bedi, Sania Mirza – are these not
women who have been successful in
every field in our country? If these women
can achieve so much, then why not the
other girls?
Let’s all pledge to respect women.
is put out.
Sania Mirza in action
People in the United Kingdom believe that
States believe that a rise in gasoline
the tax has been raised too many times
prices would encourage people to create
in the past few years, and it is revealed
‘cleaner’ energy sources, but only if the
that the government is making more
tax remained high and they could make a
than enough on the tax to pay for the
profit out of it.
pollution caused – between, ‘three and
Fighting trash
in Cambodia
Anyka G, Hope International School,
Cambodia
Littering is very common in Cambodia; trash
is constantly being thrown on the ground out
of cars or houses. This is one big problem.
When the trash is thrown on the ground,
nobody picks it up, this then contaminates
the water and the environment.
I ask all those who are reading this to
help to as much as possible – especially
to those who are currently living in
Cambodia. It can be something very
simple like put trash in a bin, or pick up a
piece of trash. This may seem small, but
it’s a good example for the new generation
to see and follow. Cambodia is an amazing
and beautiful place, let’s all work together
to take care of this magnificent kingdom.
forty times more than the level needed to
There are incentives for people to ‘go
ensure that drivers cover the official and
green’. In Maryland, last year’s solar
academic estimates of the social cost of
electric (and geothermal) grant program
CO2 emissions’. As a result motorists are
provided $2,500 per kilowatt of installed
overpaying by £548 and £743 each year.
capacity, saving about 25 percent of the
With the Landfill tax the government is
costs. People who also bought hybrid cars
making an excess of £620 million per year.
may also earn tax credits of up to $4,000.
In the United States, the gasoline tax
A commonly heard counter-argument is
is one of the major taxes and many are
that the economy does not necessarily
opposed to it. Raising the price would
benefit from ‘going green’ but just allows
make some people cut back on necessary
governments to put more taxes upon
spending such as groceries. In a recent
citizens.
poll in the United States, over half of
low income earners would cut back on
groceries if gasoline jumped a dollar a gallon.
However, many people in the United
By Garrett S, Eau Gallie High
School, USA
Global Perspectives Day: News from around the globe from students and teachers who participated in the first ever Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives Day
Weather’s Got
Attitude
Rishabh R, International Pioneers School, Thailand
As we all know, every country has its own
timings for different seasons. In most
Asian countries, June – September is the
rainy season. But that’s not the case in
Thailand.
The weather here has its own mood.
During the morning it can be very chilly
and foggy but during the afternoon
burning hot. Then in the evening it starts
to rain or drizzle.
So why is Thailand’s weather so moody?
There are two main reasons. First,
Thailand has millions of cars on the
road, meaning a lot of traffic and a lot of
pollution. This pollution causes acid rain
and this type of rain is very dangerous:
it kills and destroys the soil’s nutrients
making it infertile. So the growth of trees
is affected leading to more CO2 gas in the
air, increasing air pollution.
Secondly, More Economically Developed
Countries are having problems with their
own environments and their disastrous
effects are spreading all over the world. When there is too much poisonous gas in
the atmosphere the earth’s temperature
rises – making over 95% of the countries
in the world victims of Global warming.
Out of that 95% of countries, Thailand is
one.
The ONLY way to stop the dreadful
effects of global warming is to start
helping the environment NOW.
Views from students posted online during Global Perspectives Day
One language, one world
English language has come of age...whereby we all
can communicate on a common platform and share
views with the world. This provides the best example of
connecting at the culture-fair level of communication.
Columba College, New Zealand
At Columba College we think it is important to have
many trees at our school because they are good for our
environment and ourselves. We are currently involved
in many environmental programs in and around our
community. The trees in Columba are very appealing
and make our school a nice place to learn and have fun.
Safe and happy
Diwali
By Vaikunt and Lavanya,
Oyster International School and Junior College, India
gifts to each other. The ladies wear gold
jewellery and dress very well – they all
look more gorgeous at the Diwali festival.
In Hinduism, Diwali is popularly known as
‘the festival of light’. The most significant
meaning is ‘the awareness of inner light’.
The five day festival is centered on the
new moon day that ends the month of
Ashwin and begins the month of Kartika
although the main day of celebration
varies regionally. Diwali is celebrated with
fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing sweets,
and worship.
People celebrate Diwali by making the
multi-coloured rangoli design in front of
their house and celebrate ‘dhanteras’ –
the meaning of dhan is wealth. In Diwali
we see many different types of coloured
fireworks and the lighting of lamps or
divays. People prepare delicious sweets,
they have family get-togethers and give
Having a safe Diwali does not mean not
enjoying it. Firecrackers should always be
lit in open spaces and children should only
light firecrackers under the supervision
of their parents. Ecofriendly firecrackers
should be used. While enjoying Diwali
one should not forget about a safe Diwali,
because ultimately a safe Diwali is a
happy Diwali.
Global
Perspectives
Day
Global Perspectives Day News
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
GETS YOU SNAPPING
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Global Perspectives Day: News from around the globe from students and teachers who participated in the first ever Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives Day
New
fashion
in town
By Masabe Jawara, Marina International
School, The Gambia
On November 19, 2008 the former fashion director of
Elle and Marie Claire magazines, Nina Garcia, came to
visit our town and to show us her new fashion. She
was very kind and generous to tell us about her life
and how she became a fashion designer.
She told us that when she was a
little girl she always used to dream
of becoming a fashion designer.
She used to draw and color and
tell her Mum what she would
do if she became a fashion
designer. Her mother always
told her that if you bury your
dreams they will not come true.
One
World,
One
Language
The communication barrier that separates
students be taught the new standard,
disappear hold valuable information that
organisations and institutions all over
which would then put up barriers between
could be lost through the transition to
the world has proven to be a problem in
generations, or would everyone be forced
a global language. Indigenous peoples
industries such as health care, business
to into taking classes to learn the new
of the world have developed extensive
and transportation. Having one global
global language?
knowledge of the ecosystems in which
language could prove to be an efficient
they live. This knowledge of ecology and
solution that would eliminate errors in
natural resource management is not only
translation. It would certainly make
intrinsically valuable, but according to the
travelling and communicating much easier.
United Nations, it also has commercial
However this solution has many flaws and
value. The knowledge that the indigenous
even ethical oppositions.
people hold about medicinal plants could
prove useful to the world in the future in
The first problem with this proposition
curing disease and treating illnesses.
is the question of which language would
be the global language. Certainly every
Views from students posted online during Global Perspectives Day
Another factor to consider is the amount
nation would want their own language
These are only the problems to be faced
of literature that would be lost. Translating
to be the universal one but who would
after having convinced everyone to accept
great pieces of literature is possible but
choose which one? Or would a whole
one universal language. Persuading
so much would be lost in the translation.
new language be created? This idea
people to abandon the language of their
Shakespeare’s flowing verses and his
brings a whole new set of problems to the
ancestors, the language that they have
clever phrases would not hold the same
table. Who would create such a language,
always known, will not be easy if at all
impact in a different language. This goes
possible. Indigenous people are still
for all the great writers in every language.
English
Unity
how would they create it and how would
everyone be converted to this new
fighting for their right to autonomy, self-
Having a universal language would have
I think that English is a universal language
because it is spoken in one of the most powerful
countries so politics has a link to it. I consider
that English is easier to learn ...than Spanish or
French.
Unity is very important to the conformity of
society. Countries which are having internal
conflict including problems in politics are more
likely to be at war for this moment.
language? Taking measures to educate
determination, and cultural identity. If a
few benefits in comparison with the
everyone in a new language could prove
global language were now instituted, it
amount that would be lost.
to be extremely costly. The question
would eliminate their cultural identity to
of how the world would convert to this
a greater extent than ever before. This
new language would also have to be
would apply to every other nation in the
addressed. Would just new and upcoming
world as well. The languages that would
By Jennifer F, Eau Gallie High
School, USA
Global Perspectives Day News
Mosquitoes:
A new threat?
They have to collect rainwater in buckets
and this is where the mosquitoes live and
reproduce. Once dengue starts spreading
it is no longer limited to poor regions,
affecting citizens in big cities as well.
This year our country was affected by
two diseases: swine flu and dengue.
You already know about swine flu as it
is a pandemic disease, but dengue is an
illness that is beginning to spread in South
America (mainly Argentina, Bolivia and
Paraguay).
Dengue is a virus that affects humans
but it is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is a
great concern here in Argentina as it has
already affected more than 20,000 people.
It is believed that the spread of dengue
is caused by poverty, as it started in poor
regions where people do not have
running water.
The government is trying to warn people
and let them know all the measures to
prevent dengue from reaching even more
areas. As summer is approaching, the
situation will get worse if we don’t take
action soon.
We believe that the spreading of this
type of disease is connected to global
warming. Every summer temperatures are
higher, so dengue mosquitoes reproduce
much more easily. This means that if we
do something about global warming it will
not only prevent natural disorders, but
also serious mosquito-borne diseases like
dengue.
By Tati B, Cami B, Juan C, Guido P,
St Catherine’s Moorlands School,
Argentina
For more information about Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives or Global
Perspectives Day, contact Nick Mazur at mazur.n@cie.org.uk
The articles in this e-newsletter were submitted by students during CIE’s Global
Perspective Day. They do not necessarily reflect the views of CIE.
University of Cambridge International Examinations
1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1223 553554 Fax: +44 1223 553558
international@cie.org.uk www.cie.org.uk
© University of Cambridge International Examinations 2010
Maradona
Attacks the Press
By Patricio A, Belgrano Day
School, Argentina
The Argentine coach Diego Armando
Maradona attacked the press,
making some obscene comments
and gestures after qualifying for the
football world cup which will take
place in South Africa next year. The
Argentine Football Federation had to
pay a high sum of money as a fine.
Maradona is the best-known footballer
in our country, Argentina, and in
his position of coach he is not only
representing the football team, but
also representing the whole country.
His words really hurt the Argentine
people.
Maradona was born in a shanty town
called Villa Fioritoâ and his family
was really poor. He didn’t have the
opportunity to study; his only goal
in life was to be a football player in
order to support his family. He needs
someone to be in charge of the press
on his behalf. Maradona is a very
demonstrative person who can’t stop
saying what he thinks. But is this what
is expected from a national idol?
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