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"The Columbus Council on World Affairs provides opportunities for dialogue on world issues, and Honda of America, Manufacturing is proud to be a part of such an outstanding organization."

– Koki Hirashima,
President and CEO – Honda of America Manufacturing
Past Youth & Educator Programs

Youth Leaders Walk the Walk at the June “Hop ”
Generating awareness about human trafficking at Gallery Hop
June 2010

Human Trafficking 2010 Youth Campaign
December 2009 – June 2010

Council Fellows are a select group of teenagers from Columbus schools, who meet weekly with a CCWA staff advisor to develop their leadership skills around one thematic global issue. These topics have international AND local implications. This year, members are working to end human trafficking, applying their efforts in a three-part approach: 1. Influence current legislation, 2. Provide direct aid to local victims, and 3. Inform the larger community about the prevalence and devastation of human slavery in Columbus, the US, and the world.

At the outset of their campaign, our student leaders met with representatives of Polaris Project following a CCWA symposium. They've since made connections with several local stakeholders to ensure that they are directing their efforts towards actual community needs.

Global Issues Retreat 2010 a Favorite Among Teens
April 2010
Clearing brush from an Amish farm and learning anthropological frameworks for identifying cultural differences is not how most high school students spend a weekend. But that is what was in store for the special few who participated in CCWA's annual Global Issues Retreat. The Council added a second session this year, attracting a total of 36 student representing 14 countries.

Participants kept busy with a variety of fun globally-oriented learning activities. During a talent component, students showed off their dance and rap skills. Ciera Young (a Columbus Alternative High School student) demonstrated the art form of slam poetry. Her piece expressed frustration at Pat Robertson's religious commentary on Haiti (her mother's ancestral homeland) in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.  

"It was very nice ambiance there with a mix of having fun and doing serious and important stuff!" said one attendee in an anonymous survey following the program.

Special thanks are in order for several people who helped make the weekends a success, including:

  • Local Rotary, FLEX, and PAX program coordinators for presenting the opportunity to their exchange students;
  • Jesse Geiger and Luke Barbara for co-facilitating and chaperoning the Retreats;
  • Cherylyn Rushton and Treye Plants of Invention Convention; and
     
  • Patricia Felinger, CCWA's 2010 International Educator of the Year for her session on "Communicating Tolerance.

Sustainability Through Ethical and Cultural Lens
 Students Ponder Panda Predicament
November 2009

Two recent youth forums and a classroom outreach endeavor introduced local students to the basics of ethics as a discipline and its relevance to their understanding of current issues in environmental sustainability.

The first forum complemented a lecture by symposium speaker Andy Savitz on the topic of corporate responsibility vis a vis environmental priorities. The instruction and activities provided prior to and following the hour lecture allowed students to learn background on ethical models and apply them to scenarios from the news. 

Later, students representing every Delaware county high school participated in a simulation activity. They were assigned roles of various stakeholders in China grappling with the dueling interests of health, economic development, and environmental protection.  

Our youth programs staff also co-facilitated an online video conversation between students in China and students at Village Academy. The two groups discussed the fate of the panda in the context of an ethical framework. It was also an opportunity for the Chinese students to practice their English skills. 

Special thanks to Jenny Spolnik for her collaboration.

Acculturation Through Journalism
Summer program helps kids succeed
July - August 2009

Acculuturation Through Journalism

For five weeks in July and August 2009, 25 youth (ages 14 to 18) were immersed in an exploration of the career of journalism. The Columbus Council on World Affairs provided daily instruction in the fundamentals of news reporting, plus some theoretical discussion of the role of a free press in a democracy. The program included field trips and guest speakers to keep things interesting for the young interns. Hearing the experiences and insights of many different professionals -- from what motivates them to what they like the least and most about their jobs -- broadened the students' understanding of work life in the US.


Additionally, the format was a timely and relevant way to expose them to global content regarding environmental sustainability, workplace diversity, and much more. Through their work as journalism interns, the students had to interact with many different interviewees -- sharpening their communication skills, English enunciation, and building their confidence. They were also expected to perform daily tasks that resemble what they will be asked to do in an American workplace.


Two student graduates from this program went on to cover CCWA's recent Head of State visit, featuring the President of Somalia (one is shown in the photo below, asking a question at the press conference). Thanks to a partnership with the Columbus Dispatch, their learning was extended to hundreds of kid readers who visited the NOW for kids website! You may email Stephanie Calondis Geiger to request a PDF of the student newspaper Aayo Ifis. Special thanks to our partner, Helping Africans in New Directions, and to Kiwanis of Columbus for its sponsorship of a mini-grant to be applied to this program.


Acculturation Through Journalism
 

Sustainability Project and Green Games
May 29, 2009

Green Games

Columbus Council on World Affairs youth ed staff facilitated a multi-school, multi-discipline educational project around the topic of environmental sustainability. This was accomplished by bringing together students from area schools and other local stakeholders for their mutual benefit. It involved the use of math, science, social studies, and art. It connected students labeled as having"special educational needs" and those enrolled in advance AP coursework. The project had positive outcomes for young leaders, their future employers, local non-profit organizations, and the planet! A reflective journal is in progress and you can learn more details about the whys and hows of the project.

Council Fellows role

We began the project by advising our after-school group of high school leaders (we call them Council Fellows) that they would be the core leaders working to address a global issue of their choosing. They were told they would reach out to community partners and peers at area schools to assist them. Our youth programs staff helped Council Fellows members to brainstorm concepts, conduct research, decide on specific goals they would like to the project to achieve, imagine the steps and resources needed, become acquainted with new tools for accomplishing tasks, refine and adapt to circumstances and obstacles...and generally pointed them in the right direction so that they could eventually taste the fruits of their labor!

So, what was it exactly that they were trying to do? The mission of Council Fellows is to "solve global actions through local actions." In the past group's mission? Solve global issues through local actions. The issue? Global climate change is partly the result of wasteful, expensive, and thoughtless daily practices of Ohio citizens and consumers. The local solution? 1. Select a specific neighborhood in our Columbus community (in this case, the organziations comprosing the block known as "Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts" or JCLA), 2. find out the current attitudes, habits, and concerns of people working in that neighborhood, 3. use their responses to calculate the impacts to the planet, and 4. suggest changes that these individuals, and the organizations they work for, can make to lessen that impact.

Council Fellows members worked diligently on the project for several months and also organized the culminating event of this project, The Green Games. Their main job was to gather information that their peer partners at area schools could use to complete their portions of the project, and to put all of the information they gathered into perspective.

Classroom outreach

Individual classroom teachers at these schools -- Linden-McKinley and Mifflin high schools, and Duxberry Elementary -- welcomed CCWA into their classrooms to co-facilitate math, science, art, and social studies components that would make the project a reality.

 
Community partners

To get all of this done, we recruited help from individuals and organization representatives of all ilks! For example, COTA helped with the Mifflin portion, providing local public transportation data for use by the students for the project's math component. MORPC demonstrated energy inefficiencies as a Green Games exhibition. 		Green Games
Chef's at Nationwide arena collected and helped load leftover produce into our cars, in order to allow LMHS students to experiement with compost, and local businesses donated prizes to incentivize "good behavior" among employees at the orgs on JCLA's campus. Honda of America, Mfg. provides financial support of our youth programs, without which hundreds of staff hours, field trip expenses, and supplies needed to making this project work would not have been available. We thank them and our general membership for their sponsorship of these education endeavors!

Global Issues Retreat
April 24-26, 2009

Global Issues Retreat 2009

Twenty-three students met at the CCWA office and loaded a bus for Hocking Hills, where our annual Global Issues Retreat takes place. Exchange students from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan mingled with US residents with roots in Somalia and Ghana, and with local teenagers who've never set foot outside US borders.

The goal of the weekend is to provide a nurturing environment where these young people can learn about the world's people, cultures, and issues (some common, some unique).


Ultimately, the larger goal is simply for participants to make friends with "others," and then carry the positive memory of that experience with them into adulthood as they begin careers and start families.

We imagine this makes the world a little better place. But it is not possible to know if any of the messages and positive feelings live beyond the Retreat; the impact of it is not easily tracked beyond that one weekend, let alone relayed to CCWA supporters and members in a quantifiable way.

Enter Facebook.

It was through this online social network that our staff observed the participants' personal reflections on the program's impact -- those that happened organically with no prompting from survey questions! We learned that they had organized a small reunion before the exchange students departed from their home countries. The young man who hosted this party served a cake with the inscription "Friends Without Borders."

 Global Issues Retreat 2009

Council Fellows organize "Green Games"
Feburary - May 2009

Green Games
 Members of our youth group Council Fellows current project addresses global warming and promotes environmental sustainability at the local level.  After conducting audits of the current energy use, purchasing and consumption habits at local non-profit organizations (those on the campus of The Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts), these high school students will consult with staffers to help them set achievable goals and change policies that lead to an overall improvement.  
Students will track progress at these organizations, work on complementary activities with peers at area schools, and plan a fun field day type event that lets everyone in on the fun of going green!  These "Green Games" will include challenges, relay races, exhibitions and more. Jefferson Center also plans to break ground on a community garden on the same day.  

Youth learn partnership is key to effecting real change
Council Fellows thank Governor Strickland and peers at Statehouse
November 26, 2008

Governor Strickland signed an executive order that sets into motion a new procurement policy for Ohio. What does that mean? Ohio tax dollars will no longer be used to support sweatshops and unfair working conditions in the apparel industry. Council Fellows' work over the last two plus years helped influence this important success! On November 26, three of our Council Fellows representatives attended a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse.

Munira Mire, Zam Zam Mire, and Dana Vanderkolk all played an important role. Much of the attention at this event was focused on a Hilliard girls field hockey team which opted to purchase Fair Trade tee shirts as "spirit wear." CCWA applauds their decision. With the groundwork laid by Council Fellows, Global Gallery, The Ohio Conference on Fair Trade, SweatFree Communities, and others, this coalition of reformers can enjoy a well-deserved success!  News of the event was featured on the radio(WCBE), tv (NBC4), and in Gongwer news service. To date, Council Fellows efforts on this issue have been extensive.

arrow Teachers, please use the free newly-developed Fair Trade Curriculum compiled by Global Exchange! 

Local "pumpkins" enjoy a Fair Trade Halloween
October 28, 2008

Five-year-olds scanned the horizon for red cocoa pods, "climbed" trees to get to the fruit, wiggled their fingers to imitate the sun's rays drying beans. Cassie Jones, a student at Columbus Alternative High School, implored them to shovel the imaginary fragrant berries into bags to be loaded onto trucks. It was quite a workout, led by our youth group Council Fellows. These student leaders were doing educational outreach in October at two area recreation centers in celebration of Fair Trade month and Halloween. halloween

Their activities, adapted from a Chocolate Explorers unit authored by TransFair, were designed to introduce many concepts to young children. They included: where chocolate comes from, how it gets from Africa and Latin America to their trick or treat bags, the effort involved in being a farmer, inequities in pay for many farmers in the developing world, the difference between "wants and needs," and the realization that not everyone gets their basic needs met despite their own hard work.

The unit ended with a positive message that there are solutions to this unfair reality with the help of community leaders of all ages everywhere in the world. One funny highlight of the day was when Council Fellows challenged the kids to reach into our box of Halloween attire to create their version of a farmer costume! While this didn't go exactly as planned (think feathers, beads, and fringe all over!) it was a funny way to end the visit. Council Fellows left the kids with images of farmers worldwide, which contrasted with their association of a Midwest US-style grower in overalls, John Deere hats, and Carhartt vests.


Putting a face to the Iraq war
October 23, 2008

iraq Salam Talib, an Iraqi national currently studying at the University of California Berkely, came to Columbus to talk about the impact of war on human beings. He is a representative of the organization Wheels of Justice, which lists "adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" as item #1 of their platform. Salam has seen friends killed in war. He has witnessed the disintegration of a country devastated by U.S. military engagement and the resulting insurgency.

Yet as a true pacifist, Salam explained that he advocates for peace on behalf of all people, and not just as a representative of Iraq. Working as a translator for the military, he recalls the effects of violence on U.S. soldiers, many of whom suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, strained relationships, debilitating injuries and more.

During a visit to Central Crossing High School, Salam shared this knowledge with students. His personal accounts were intended to add layers of understanding to what war means, getting beyond politics. Considered alongside other sources -- news accounts, classroom instruction, military recruitment campaigns, and parental opinion -- students were able to take in Salam's views as part of a full spectrum of information from which they can formulate a better understanding of complex global issues.

At this event, students asked MANY questions. Some had an antagonistic tone, others were born from pure curiosity. Of the information that Salam shared, the item that garnered the most audible response was "How much does gasoline cost in Iraq?" Salam explained that even though Iraq is rich with oil, citizens pay a far higher price than Americans and that gasoline is rationed. People are assigned days when they are permitted to pump the fuel and usually they stand in line for hours or days to get their share.

Several individual students approached the speaker after the assembly to connect with him on a more personal level. One young man exchanged chit chat in Arabic, another red haired boy gave a hearty handshake and said " I really respect what you are doing." Two girls of Somali heritage asked him how he is being received in the United States. They explained that because they are Muslim and have "foreign" names, they sometimes experience hostility. They said it gave them hope to see Salam being welcomed to a school to share his experiences.

We thank Central Ohioans for Peace and Salam Talib for their contributions to student learning!


S'more Council Fellows needed to take local action on global issues!
October 17, 2008

fall Local high school students gathered at the home of our youth programs director for a fall meeting and party. They are shown here planning October activities for outreach with young children, and enjoying s'mores made with Fair Trade Certified chocolate. They also viewed a film about economic hardship in the coffee-growing regions of the world and went on a neighborhood scavenger hunt to locate retail items that are considered "socially responsible."
Council Fellows membership is limited to those who are able to commit to one meeting per week and willing to do the hard work that leads to a long-term reward. "The group is all about leadership development," says youth programs director Stephanie Calondis Geiger. "One challenge I face as the adviser is getting students to realize that sometimes community organizing is only fun toward the end when your hard work leads to the achievement of a goal. It takes patience and commitment. If students show up expecting me to entertain them, they will be disappointed! I am here to guide them along, demonstrate strategies, give them an organizing framework, and connect them with resources." If you are up for the challenge, and are a Central Ohio high school student during the 2008-2009 school year, please email our youth chair, Radhika Tampi (a student at Pickerington North high school) to get involved.

Online Discussion of Georgia/Russia Conflict
September 2008

Council Fellows Interview Linda Gradstein
September 18, 2008

gradstein

“Is it hard as a woman to be a journalist in the Middle East?” asked Munira Mire of Linda Gradstein. 

Munira is a high school student, a member of our youth group Council Fellows.  Most people upon meeting her are able to assess that she is Muslim (because of her attire).  And, logic leads them to the understanding that she is likely Somali, and probably a refugee. These are fundamental (if not comprehensive) parts of her identity that she embraces. 

So, it is telling that the first question she asked during her interview with Gradstein (a broadcast journalist of NPR fame), had nothing to do with faith relations or regional stability.  It had to do with how she, as a female, makes her way in the world. 

“As a reporter, it is an advantage to be a woman,” said Gradstein, even on the border of Israel and Palestine where Gradstein lives and works.  She explained that she officially has access to men’s society because of her press credentials, but she may also sit and relate with the women, a privilege not extended to men Islamic culture. “Women all over the world can have this instant connection that doesn’t always happen with men.”    

This meeting between members of Council Fellows and Ms. Gradstein helped the students cement some concepts they were introduced to this summer in the Aayo Ifis summer journalism institute.  It also rallied them around their collective goal of empowering women through “local actions to address global issues,” the group’s motto. She made them feel at ease, explaining that she is a mom of kids their age and that she could relate to their nervousness as cub reporters interviewing a public figure.

Gradstein was in Columbus to address the Columbus Jewish Federation (one of our partner organizations) and to mingle with CCWA’s young professionals network during an evening event at BoMA.   It was very generous of her to allocate a portion of her time to meet with our students. 

Visit to Main Street Free Press Museum
September 4, 2008

Just as immigrants add flavor to the great "salad bowl" of US society, so too do other micro cultures. Five female graduates of CCWA's summer journalism program for mostly Somali high school students got a taste of small town life recently when they visited Fredericktown Ohio's Main Street Free Press Museum. Their evening started with a presentation by Marjorie McMahon, a reporter for the Knox County Citizen newspaper in the 1930s. The students were excited to meet a female role model in journalism. Ms. McMahon's recollections prompted our aspiring reporters to think about the question "what is news?" in the context of a small town (answer: a lot of personals and announcements!) and in an earlier era. free press

Traditional Somali culture encourages reverence for elders. From the girls' interaction with the speaker, it is clear that value has been transferred to the next generation, even as the diaspora struggles to balance old and new expectations in their adopted homes in Central Ohio.

The presentation coincided with Fredericktown's annual Tomato Show AND with Ramadan. That made the food stand fare seem even TASTIER when it came time for the girls to break their fasts (Muslim people refrain from eating or drinking during the day throughout the Holy Month). They sampled french fries, chicken sandwiches, and homemade desserts being sold as a fundraiser for different town congregations.

"One thing that stands out about this trip is how charmed the girls were with life in rural Ohio," says Stephanie Calondis Geiger, our youth programs director. "All of the sights and smells of the festival, the warmth of the church members who welcomed them to the meeting hall and to the museum, the extra effort that people made to clarify points and take advantage of so-called teachable moments, even the feeling of safety they felt being out at night in a small town... these are the things they are still talking about a couple of weeks later."

The Free Press Museum was founded to "foster freedom of the press under the First Amendment at the grass-roots level, celebrate the role of the small-town newspaper, demonstrate the craft of letterpress printing, and restore and preserve the museum's historic building and antique equipment" For our students, it was an excellentbridge between the summer journalism curriculum and their continued involvement with CCWA.
Participants in this excursion included: Munira Mire, Zam Zam Mire, Muslimo Mohammed, Habiba Amin, Fartun Amin, and Mike Lorz.

Special thanks to John Long of the Wall Street Journal (whose father founded the museum) and the congrgation at the First Baptist Church for welcoming our group.

The summer journalism program referenced was a partnership with HAND and Lorz Communications.


Culture Camp modules deliver summer fun
Summer 2008

In partnership with the Thurber House, Short Stop Center, the Blue Green Alliance, and Columbus Parks and Recreation, CCWA youth programs staff infused existing summer camps/youth trainings with intercultural elements. This included simulations, writing exercises, a Silk Road music workshop, and a giant kickball game which brought together Somali teens with other local youth. This summer was the pilot year of this type of partnership opportunity and we plan to offer it again next year!

Literature Group Discusses "Infidel" by Aayan Hirsi Ali
August 29, 2008

Aayo Ifis means a BRIGHT FUTURE for Somali youth
July 2008

aayo After 5 weeks of intense instruction in the fundamentals of journalism, this year's edition of Aayo Ifis -- translated as "bright future" in Somali -- rolled off the presses to the great pride (and relief) of the students and staff who worked to make it possible.  

Journalism is the perfect outlet for facilitating intercultural interaction, says Stephanie Calondis Geiger, which is why CCWA was willing to allocate so much of her time (as our Director of Youth Programs) toward making this program partnership a success.

"Reporting gives students a reason to talk with people they never would have approached before because they have to interview them for a story assignment," she says.  "In this particular case, it also gave non-Somali people an excuse to talk to kids in their community they may have wanted to connect with before but they perhaps felt intimidated or worried about making cultural mistakes and so they decided to essentially opt out of dialogue."

Calondis Geiger added that the program had many other positive implications for the young people who participated, beyond cultural exposure. To read her reflections on the program, including the goals and activities, please see her summer journal. This program impacted 60 Central Ohio students.  Special thanks to the many volunteers who shared their expertise with students as guest speakers and guest instructors.

This program was delivered in partnership with Lorz Communications and Helping Africans in New Directions (HAND). 


Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break (World Fair Trade Day)
May 10, 2008

coffee

 

To help break the Guinness record for largest Fair Trade Coffee Break -- previously set at 5,000 people -- groups across the U.S. organized individual, simultaneous efforts in their communities. Council Fellows members arranged two fun gatherings in Central Ohio: one at The Andersons in Pickerington (employer of Council Fellows co-chair Dana Vanderkolk) and another at the home of Jessica Conroy (a member of the group who lives in Reynoldsburg). The students invited their friends, family, and coworkers to come learn about Fair Trade and enjoy a cup of delicious coffee in honor of the people who grow our food and make our products. Sixty five individuals participated in the break thanks to the students' hard work! Council Fellows wishes to thank Peace Coffee, Kroger in Reynoldsburg (where Jessica is employed) and The Andersons for their donations.

arrow Read the article in The Reynoldsburg News, featuring Council Fellows member Jessica Conroy!

arrow Talk about it on our blog

Council Fellows student leaders reach out to Ohio Senate minority
April 29, 2008

senate In coalition with the organization SweatFree communities, CCWA's youth chair -- Dana Vanderkolk of Council Fellows -- helped to brief Senators and aides about the need to end government support of sweatshops. After connecting with Vicki Kaplan, regional organizer for SF Communities, Council Fellows was invited to provide representation at the briefing. This action was an important first step toward ending the use of taxpayer dollars for the purchase of apparel that does not meet U.S. standards for safe working conditions, fair wages in a local context, and environmental stewardship.
This meeting was in the immediate wake of a success in Vermont, where the Governor signed into law legislation that ensured that sourcing of state apparel (such as police and fire uniforms and prisoner attire) is done with American values about human rights and labor laws in mind. The effort in Vermont was led by high school students. Two of Ohio's neighboring states -- Pennsylvania and Illinois -- have passed similar legislation. The briefing was a great learning opportunity for Dana to get insight into the political process. Council Fellows work to date has largely centered on consumer education. However, recent opportunities and partnerships have prompted discussion about the possibility of extending their work into the legislative sphere. Dana plans to consult with her peers and decide if they would like to pursue this route.

25th Annual Global Issues Retreat
April 25-27, 2008

Seventeen students representing seven countries and nine schools throughout Central Ohio met for a weekend of personal growth and discussion about Global Issues. Several "firsts" marked the experience: one student had never been away from home overnight, several had never hiked or had S'mores (ours were made with Fair Trade chocolate!), many had not previously interacted with peers of ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds different than their own. The agenda included a three hour outdoor initiatives course in the woods. This activity facilitated fast friendships, transforming strangers into team members with a common goal. After this and an intercultural simulation activity, the teens were primed for casual dialogue and a packed schedule of structured sessions led by volunteers and professionals. Topics this year included: Global Health and Malaria, Stereotypes in the Media, American Folk Songwriting, and Intro to Japanese Language and Culture.

gir08

Central Ohio youth leaders reach out to the City of Columbus to begin dialogue about becoming a Fair Trade City
April 24, 2008

As a step toward their goal of putting the city of Columbus on the record as a "Fair Trade City," Council Fellows members reached out to Director of Communications John Ivanic. The purpose of the meeting was two-fold: 1. brief him about the group's activities and goals, and 2. use his insights and knowledge of City Council to gauge the receptiveness of members of Council to this type of youth-led proposal. As a result of the meeting, Mr. Ivanic agreed to speak to two key city reps who he thought would be open to further engagement. He also invited Bailey Cleary-Foeller, one of the group's leaders, to appear on a public interest radio show that he hosts on 91.5 FM.

CCWA youth group ventures to Seattle for Green Festival
April 11 - April 14, 2008

green      council

arrow  Watch the video!

Group leaders traveled to Seattle, Washington to network with professionals in the areas of Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and activism. Council Fellows members wrote and submitted the grant proposal and engaged in other fundraising efforts to enable their participation. The festival highlighted best practices in community organizing. Featured speakers and sessions included:

  • John Perkins, "The Secret History of the American Empire: What Next? How to Change It"
  • Sharif Abdullah, "Creating a World That Works for All"
  • Amory Lovins, "Profitable Solutions to Oil Dependence, Climate Change, and Proliferation"
  • Mark Anielski, "The Economics of Happiness"
  • Karen Deal and Dr. Leon K. Rowland, "Labor & Justice in the Green Marketplace"

    On landing at the airport, the students' journey began with a ride in a hybrid taxi (driven by a Somali man excited to talk about sustainability and fair trade) and the festival's themes were further exemplified the rest of the weekend. The experience spawned many ideas, new partnerships, and applied learning.

Council Fellows thanks Kiwanis of Columbus for their financial support.
Council Fellows youth group partners with Short North Business Association for April Gallery Hop
Brings Fair Trade discussion into "Green" concept
April 5, 2008
short The shop windows were decorated with a "green theme," shop owners displayed their wares made from environmentally sustainable materials, and spring shoppers were anxious to shed wooly winter sweaters for new fashion finds. But one group of local teenagers, CCWA's Council Fellows wanted to be sure that Gallery Hoppers also kept their eyes (and wallets) open to products that take into account human rights.

"We appreciate those businesses that go the extra mile to do the right thing. We want to support their effort to do what is fair and just", says Dana Vanderkolk, a Council Fellows student leader.

She notes several examples: Jeni's Ice Cream has created flavors that use fair trade certified ingredients, Substance carries product lines that are said to be sourced exclusively from "sweatshop free" manufacturers and even sews original pieces in their shop, Dr. MoJo carries denim labels bearing "Made in the USA" tags (which Vanderkolk notes can be a shortcut to ensuring that fair labor standards are met), and Global Gallery sells ONLY fair trade certified products from around the globe.

The students recently proposed the partnership with the Short North Business Association during a meeting with SNBA Executive Director, John Angelo at which they made their case to be added to the mix of voices.

"The Short North provides a dynamic forum for community engagement," comments Angelo. "Visitors from across the city and throughout the region attend the monthly Gallery Hops. CCWA's program creates a tremendous opportunity for the next generation to tap that audience, interact with them, and impart their perspectives."
"Consumer Conversations" prepares youth advocates for outreach efforts on Fair Trade
April 5, 2008
Peer partners of CCWA's youth group Council Fellows gathered to revisit the nuts and bolts of economics, brainstorm arguments in support of "Fair Trade," and learn skills for advocating their chosen cause to the greater public. The teens also participated in a scavenger hunt through the Short North, looking for examples of retail products and practices that support a fairer and more sustainable economy. Among the items they were challenged to collect: a cup from an establishment serving Fair Trade certified coffee, a photo of someone wearing a clothing item "Made in the USA," a menu from a restaurant serving dishes made from local produce, the business card from the manager of a store selling items that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. consumers
Special thanks to Dr. Steven Miller, Karen Hansen, and Tara Brown for their contributions to student learning!

Global School Bus Volunteer Training
April 1, 2008 & February 6, 2008

gsb gsb

The Global School Bus training was for community members with strong ties to other countries (those born outside the U.S., second-generation immigrants who identify strongly with another culture, etc.) who were interested in making cultural presentations at area schools. Participants heard from current educators, found out how U.S. schools are organized and funded, and learned about ideas for creating interactive presentations! Presented in partnership with the Office of International Affairs at OSU.

Intergenerational Great Decisions Discussion
March 27, 2008

The Great Decisions Discussion was for High School Students and Senior Residents at First Community Village in Upper Arlington.

Global Health Live Chat
March 10, 2008

CCWA youth programs staff and web content intern Jeff Tinley facilitated a live online chat between local high school students, college undergrads, a medical student at OSU, and three guest commentators. Participants included Whitney Welshimer of the International Women's Health Coalition, Cate Oswald of Partners in Health, and Sherri Williams, a reporter at the Columbus Dispatch who spent three weeks in December in South Africa on a National Association of Black Journalists fellowship reporting on the country's AIDS crisis. As Chapter President of the Columbus Association of Black Journalists, Ms. Williams was instrumental in organizing a recent town hall meeting (in partnership with the Columbus AIDS Task Force) that allowed participants to discuss the impact that epidemic is having on the black community. The online discussion began with the question: Why invest in global health? Why not concentrate on poverty? There was agreement (among those who commented) that health was a precursor to any economic growth and that if people are not healthy, they cannot work and if they cannot work there will be no end to poverty. They also agreed that we should treat health as a human right.

Among the many strands that emerged after the first question was a discussion over the current exchange of doctors for oil between Cuba and Venezuela. In another strand, students inquired about the practical steps to combating the global health crisis. Dialogue ended with students "picking the brains" of guest commentators about possible career paths in the field of Global Health, and ideas for advocating for health solutions.

Black Gold Film Screening and Discussion
January 10, 2008

blackgold

Continuing their efforts to spread the word about fair trade, Council Fellows (CCWA's youth group) gathered at Global Gallery Coffee Shop to host a viewing of Black Gold, a documentary about the $80 billion coffee industry and the fair trade coffee movement.  Scenes of Ethiopian farmers struggling to meet their most basic needs on a wage of less than $.50 a day played against Americans and Europeans drinking $3.00 cappuccinos and placed the two worlds in sharp contrast.  After the film, participants were treated (courtesy of Global Gallery) to samples of the same Fair Trade Certified coffee grown by the Ethiopian cooperative featured in the film. The Council Fellows were delighted by the turnout of fourteen community members (expanding the total audience to 19)! 

Turkish Dinner and Cultural Showcase
December 19, 2007

Participants sampled the culinary and artistic traditions of Turkey at Cafe Shish Kebab. The evening included fun interactive activities and entertainment, delicious food and casual conversation. Representatives of the local Turkish community, as well as teachers from our summer study tour were in attendance. portrait

boo
Campaign for a Fair Trade Halloween
October 31, 2007

pirate

An initiative by Council Fellows (CCWA's youth group) which provided community members the opportunity to distribute Fair Trade Certified chocolate coins and colorful pirate-themed activity cards for trick-or-treat night! Figuring that families would be giving out candy no matter what, our students wanted to add this fun and educational element to the night. They created an ad for their school PA system and set up a table to sell packets the week prior to Halloween. They also spread the word via online social networking and collected orders through email. For $5, customers got a bag of milk chocolate Fair Trade certified coins (there were 16-18 perbag, depending on the size of the coins) plus 17 double-sided, full-color fun activity cards for kids, designed by the student chair of Council Fellows (a student at Pickerington North High School).

With only this guidance -- "make it interactive, like the back of a kids' cereal box!" -- Dana was able to design a great card which included a maze, a word scramble, and info on where chocolate comes from. There were even tips for parents on incorporating Fair Trade Certified items into everyday shopping. On beggar's night, families were instructed to deposit one coin and one activity card in each kid's bag. Over 1400 children learned about Fair Trade thanks to this program, which sparked curiosity and conversation in participating neighborhoods!

Turkey Study Tour
July 25 – August 10, 2007

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for three select educators from Central Ohio and bordering regions.  This opportunity was made possible thanks to a collaboration between the Columbus Council on World Affairs and the Turkish Cultural Foundation. 

arrow Read and respond to blog entries from our Director of Youth Programs

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Intergenerational Great Decisions discussion: War Crimes
July 19, 2007

Residents of First Community Village (a retirement community) and Council Fellows (high school students in CCWA's youth group) met to discuss the topic of War Crimes. The concept of prosecution of War Crimes via the UN-created International Criminal Court (of which the US is not a party) was a talking point, but the forum also accomodated the sharing of personal opinions about the old addage "all's fair in love and war."   One attendee was a German expatriot who served in the military under Hitler.  His recollections of that time were especially
illuminating for our youth.

arrow Test your knowledge about the topic of War Crimes: take the FPA
quiz! 

arrow Read one student's reflection from that day

 

Mobile Youth Forum on Climate Change: Energy Policy and Innovations
May 25, 2007

Youth Forum for high school students and teachers.

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Global Issues Retreat
April 27-29, 2007

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Spontaneous discussion about a proposed “universal language” is just one illustration of the success of the Columbus Council on World Affairs flagship Global Issues Retreat program. Twenty students from throughout Ohio and the world came together in April as strangers and left as friends. They felt safe enough over the 3 day experience to share their views on economics, hegemony, and culture. They also enjoyed down-time together just “hanging out” in a supportive environment.  While the event has occurred annually since the 1980s, in 2007 youth programs staff added a second session to the yearly roster based on past input from students and teachers. This second session attracted high school students from Ukraine, Switzerland, Czech Republic, China, Brazil and the United States. Participants came from public, private, and community schools and lived in rural, urban, and suburban locales.  The agenda included the following activities:

  • Heelotia cultural simulation;
  • Outdoor teambuilding initiatives;
  • A storytelling session, including pre-writing meditation in the form of Tai Chi;
  •  “Groups pushed to the fringe,”  a session which featured deaf culture as a case study, prompting discussion about other groups worldwide considered to be minority cultures;
  • An “Introduction to Somali Language” mini-lesson led by OSU teaching staff;
  • and much more!
If you know a high school student who would benefit from participation in future events, please visit the Global Issues Retreat web page for details or sign up for our monthly enewsletter to keep updated on other exciting programs by sending a message info@columbusworldaffairs.org.

The Turkic World
April 28, 2007

Teachers learned the latest scholarship on the Turkic world, which can be applied in their classrooms. Turkic languages, the Silk Road, Turkic history and culture occupied an important part in the economy of the workshop.

Samples of books and other resources for adults and children were be available, and continental breakfast and a lunch featuring Turkish cuisine were provided. This event is co-sponsored and organized by The Ohio State University Middle East Studies Center and Office of International Affairs.  A more extensive Portrait of Turkey series will occur in the fall.


Global Issues Retreat
March 23-25, 2007

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A weekend retreat in Ohio’s Hocking Hills presented a chance for international exchange students and local youth to discover each others’ values and beliefs in a peaceful atmosphere. For more details, visit the Global Issues Retreat page of our site. 

This session included an African Drumming workshop, an Introduction to Swahili lesson, a session about the fascinating country of Turkey, among other interactive activities.  Students in attendance hailed from Brazil, Japan, Venezuela, the Republic of Georgia, and the U.S.   Some comments from student participants at the 23rd Annual Global Issues Retreat March session (excerpted from anonymous survey):

On getting acquainted with peers from other schools: “It’s great to meet cool new people from your city because even if you never do anything with them again, you'll have a special bond with someone else from your city that no one else will understand.”

Global School Bus Training
January 10, 2007

The Global School Bus program sends presenters to classrooms to teach kids about different countries and countries through hands-on activities, photograph slideshows, artifact show and tell, and much more! CCWA partners with the Office of International Affairs at OSU to offer training sessions to new volunteers. gsb

Jubilee USA Network Tour
Charity Musamba & Romulo Torres
October 30-31, 2006

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As part of their Jubilee USA network tour, these passionate speakers connected with the Columbus Council on World Affairs to visit students at both Columbus Africentric High School and Columbus Alternative High School. The tour focused on debt cancellation, one year after the historic G8 agreement, with a specific focus on the UN Millennium Development Goals. Ms. Musamba and Mr. Torres highlighted the connection between debt, economic justice and women's issues. The opportunity was well-received by the 45 participating youth and their teachers, who had never examined debt in this way. It was also an opportunity for Spanish students to hear a native speaker.

As part of their Columbus tour stop, the Jubilee delegation also mingled with CCWA Young Professionals at The Burgundy Room in Columbus’ historic Short North Arts district.

Ukrainian Delegation
October 26, 2006

A delegation of Ukrainian law professionals, including justices and attorneys, met with students at Upper Arlington High School to discuss everything from case law to pop culture. This meeting was part of a program administered by the Open World Program in collaboration with the Supreme Court of Ohio. CCWA was pleased to facilitate this dialogue through its ongoing partnerships with area schools.

arrow Read the student newspaper article referencing the meeting

Read more about the delegates stay in Columbus and the Open World Program:

arrow Ukrainian delegation to study judicial system during week-long visit to Ohio (Daily Reporter, 10-24-06)
arrow Supreme Court Press Release

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World Beat Journalism Conference
September 15, 2006

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This event was designed for high school students interested in journalism and/or those seeking to be better consumers of news. What’s that got to do with the price of rice in China?  Everything! The aim of this conference was to introduce students to the concept of “glocal” journalism.  As defined by the event keynote, Doug McGill, this means:

1. Journalism that illuminates the invisible strands of mutual influence connecting every town and city to the rest of the world. Glocal journalism exposes the local effects of global causes, the local reactions to global actions, the local opportunities of global trends, the local threats of global dangers, and the love of local and global neighbors.

2. Journalism that uses freedom of the press in the U.S. to help people elsewhere in the world who don't have it. Journalists in the U.S. can often write better stories about the politics and society of foreign countries, simply because they don't fear a knock on the door at night. At the same time, thanks to the Internet, these stories can be extremely useful in those countries because they will be read and exchanged and widely distributed.

3. Journalism that defines the largest relevant and useful context for every local story. In a globalized world that context is usually global whether the story is the weather, a flu outbreak, fishing in the Mississippi, or the insanely low price of sneakers at Wal-Mart.

Project Somali Voter

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Columbus Dispatch Content Analysis Project

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Global Scholar Leadership Development for Council Fellows Co-Chairs
July 2 - July 15, 2006

The Council, with assistance from the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, funded two scholarships for an intensive Global Scholar two-week summer enrichment program that offers rising juniors and seniors in high school the chance to immerse themselves in college-level coursework on international relations. The seminar took place at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Students Jordan Whisler and Malavika Tampi learned valuable leadership skills during their two weeks, which they utilized in their role as co-chairs of the youth group Council Fellows. 

Great Decisions Teacher Institute 2006
June 2006

The Great Decisions Teacher's Institute brings together high school educators from around the country to gain a greater perspective on international affairs and to help them acquire tools for teaching about the world. Participants in the Teacher's Institute receive background briefings from influential policymakers and experts on U.S. foreign policy in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. They also become familiar with materials that will help their students better understand the world, including the Great Decisions briefing book, Teacher's Guide and other Great Decisions resources.

 Read about Teacher David Fawcett's experience

Reads and Deeds - Pilot at Worthington Middle School
May & June 2006

Students had book club-style discussions throughout the months of May and June 2006.  These discussions, facilitated by CCWA staff, occurred during the last period of the school day (a study hall-type period) and after school.  During meetings, members of the group noted the many social issues illustrated in the well-known book The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.  After doing further research into these issues, they designed and executed educational outreach to other community members.  They achieved a good level of understanding about such topics as immigration, consumer and worker rights, predatory lending, and human trafficking.  This resulted in the production of a Citizens Guide, which students distributed and discussed with peers, parents, and neighbors during one of the weekly farmer’s market events in Worthington.  Students also called their government representatives and distributed bookmarks to students on the last day of school.  These bookmarks listed the names and numbers of their U.S. Congressional representatives so as to encourage action on issues which they may learn about while reading.  A similar outreach model can be replicated at various schools in Central Ohio on request.  reads

Global Issues Retreat 2006
April 7-9, 2006

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At this annual Retreat in scenic Hocking Hills, youth explored the following topics: 

  • Agriculture, food systems and the environment in a globalized reality
  • Comparison of homosexuality across cultures
  • Islam 101 (a dialogue with peers who practice Islam, in partnership with the Council for American Islamic Relations)
  • Introduction to Zen Meditation
  • One China
  • The use of cultural stereotypes in comedy.
Student in attendance hailed from Italy, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the U.S. For more details, visit the Global Issues Retreat page of our site. 

Global Columbus Student Art Exhibit  
March 4, 2006

This exhibition, presented with support from Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., debuted at the March 4, 2006 Gallery Hop.  Student artists were challenged to consider the many links between Central Ohio and the rest of the world and to create a piece highlighting one such connection.  The resulting show contained paintings, a sculpture, and photography.

 Global Health Summit 
Steve Wagner & Melinda Diaz, Ohio Department of Health; Matt Clary, OSU and Ride for World Health
March 3, 2006

Steve Wagner (Ohio Department of Health) is responsible for developing and guiding the strategy for Public Health and Health Care Preparedness. He is the Principal Investigator on the CDC cooperative agreement for Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response and the HRSA Hospital Bioterrorism Preparedness Program.

Melinda Diaz (Ohio Department of Health) is a registered nurse working as an Infections Disease Control Consultant in the Bureau of Infectious Diseases. She holds a masters degree in education.

Matt Clary (OSU and Ride for World Health): Having transitioned from the business world to medical school, he has found an outlet to apply his business skills, perseverance, and interests in cycling to make a difference in the state of global health: he co-founded Ride for World Health.

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WMD: 60 Years After Hiroshima
Diana Roose, Oberlin College
February 3, 2006 

wmd For the past 25 years, she has interviewed and worked with survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.

Immigration and Achieving Social Change
Dolores Huerta, The Dolores Huerta Foundation
December 8, 2005

A legendary civil rights leader, whose contemporaries include Cesar Chavez and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She now spends her time educating young people about community organizing and activism, as well as immigration issues. immigration

China in the World Economy
Lisa Han, Schottenstein, Zox and Dunn
October 12, 2005

china Lisa Han is a Partner in the Health Law and International Practice Areas. She has spoken about business and China at many community events.

Global Issues Retreat 2005
April 8-10, 2005

A weekend retreat in Ohio’s Hocking Hills presented a chance for international exchange students and local youth to discover each others’ values and beliefs in a peaceful atmosphere. Camp Oty’ Okwa, South Bloomington, OH. For more details, visit the Global Issues Retreat page of our site.  gir05

Academic World Quest

Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is a flagship program of the world affairs council system.  It is a team game testing competitors knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, & culture. The Columbus team in 2005 consisted of three high school students from Gahanna-Lincoln High School and one from Mount Vernon High School: Jazaray Bryant, Andrew Conte, Margaret McBride, and Danielle Ross.  They prepared by reading the New York Times and dividing up specific subjects according to their interests, so as to have an “expert” in every area. 

Comments from our Student Participants

 

 

How Academic World Quest Works

The Save Awards


© 2010 Columbus Council on World Affairs Last modified: May 25 2010