SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
In this edition of Comm(Unity), we bring you a special message from our Model UN students on how they have stayed engaged in our world during lockdown. We also share an important article written by CTWAC board member Esam Boraey, take a closer look at Brazil’s new Internet legislation and recommend a film on the refugee crisis.
Weekly Episode
A note from our students — Check out these videos of our Model UN students sharing what they’ve been doing in quarantine to stay globally engaged and what they hope to do in the future!
We are so proud of their achievements and goals – keep it up!
Stream Now.
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Check out our website to learn more about our Model United Nations program and how you can support our future global leaders.
Weekly Article Roundup
Follow along with the CTWAC staff on this week’s article roundup (with some special recommendations!):
CTWAC board member Esam Boraey writes about his lifelong fight for democracy in the wake of recently obtaining American citizenship
“I’ve been fighting for freedom for years; now, I do it as an American citizen”
For the first time in decades, soldiers fired shots across the India-China border, but both nations say the other side is to blame
What implications could this escalation in tensions have on the countries?
Americans have overcome a plethora of challenges in years past and now we need to embrace our diversity as a source of solidarity
The U.S. needs better leadership to solve domestic and international issues
Brazil is in the midst of a misinformation crisis, but its new proposed legislation will violate hundreds of millions of citizens’ privacy
Read more about the bill that may lead to greater censorship
Experts remain concerned about al-Qaeda’s franchise reboot despite Mike Pompeo’s portrayal of the group as largely ineffective
The terror group’s legacy continues to inspire the next generation
The Economist poses the question, “who owns what?” in this article covering the lack of enforceable property rights in poor countries
Legal property rights would arguably make the poor richer
Weekly Entertainment
READ
CTWAC speaker (this week!) Laurence Ralph writes about the history of torture in Chicago and its complicated roots in the police force
LISTEN
Kevin Roose provides a miniseries examining how the Internet is changing us and the (sometimes sinister) goals of platforms
STREAM
The documentary Human Flow follows the global refugee crisis, the greatest human displacement since World War II
PLAY
Climb a treehouse to play games and learn about the many wonders of and vast species of creatures in the rainforest
COOK
Before the warm weather leaves us, try out this Persian ice cream made using rose water, saffron, vanilla and pistachios. Traditionally, Bastani is served between thin wafers as well!
Global Good News
Art in lockdown: Making anthotype plant prints
A photographer in England used his limited time outdoors to collect flowers and plants to use for beautiful prints, known as anthotypes. This art form helped maintain his well-being during lockdown (and created some beautiful work!). Check out the results below:
Read More.
Weekly Cartoon
Check in next week for another CTWAC exclusive cartoon:
We hope you enjoy hearing about our Model United Nations students’ passions, goals and how they’ve stayed globally engaged during this time. This year our annual MUN conference will look a bit different, but we are excited to share with you what changes and adjustments we are making to ensure our students have a chance to debate some of the issues our world faces today!
Nicole Struth
Education and Special Projects Director
Image Credits: [1] Anna Brown: Anna Brown; [2] Esam Boraey: Emma Wilson/Courtesy via Hartford Courant; [3] Human Flow: Human Flow; [4] Bastani: Sephardi Kitchen via Food.com; [5] Anthotype: BBC; [6] Cartoon: Caroline Schaefer; [7] Nicole Struth: Caroline Schaefer
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