Mission 5

Am I globalized?  Belonging to the generation that was born in the early 90s, I can certainly say that I am much more globalized as compared to the generations of the earlier decades.  Although we see changes in technology yearly, the current era has experienced a boom in technology.  After all, the past years have been all about the fast paced changes in the innovation of technology.  Who can ever miss out mentioning Apple products?  With this, it can be concluded that I do spend time in the internet maximizing the use of the World Wide Web.  

It is true that the things people use may determine how globalized they are.  I think that it is safe to say that everyone owns something that is made from other parts of the world.  Also, Filipinos specifically, listen to American or any English songs so everyone has that globalized self in them. 

How globalized am I?  I can say that I am more globalized than a number of people but I am sure that there are much more people more globalized than I am.  For instance, I have a Twitter account which I use mainly to follow famous people but I do not bother to tweet much about the things I do.  I have a Facebook account which I do not regularly update even though I use it everyday.  On a daily basis, my family has someone deliver newspaper to our house and I do find time to read it.  This is far from many others who CANNOT live without updating their Twitter accounts and others who DO NOT bother checking the newspaper anymore because Yahoo can provide them with the most current news anyway.

Globalization as seen in my daily life...

Branded clothes are very much sought after by the young.  In the Philippines, it is evident that the brands of clothes the young prefer are those that are known within their age groups like  Mango, Zara, etc.  In particular, I would like to discuss about Mango as it is what I am more familiar with through my visits to its outlets and my personal observation.  I have noticed that the jeans I had bought recently was made in Morocco.  My mom's was made in Pakistan.  Honestly speaking, this came as a surprise to me since I expected that they were made in China.  However through deeper understanding, Mango probably wants to lessen its expenses so it decides to have its products made in other countries.  Mango is a Spanish clothing brand.  We all know that European companies have to pay high wages to their employees.  Clearly, it would be cheaper to have its products made in developing countries like Mango is doing.

Just some thoughts...

As a business entity, Mango would decide to minimize its expenses.  Many jobs are created in other countries where labor is cheap but what does this do the workers in Spain who need jobs?  I know this is an issue that many developing countries face now.


Facebook?

As mentioned in our previous class discussion, globalization does not only bring positive effects to a state but it may also bring negative effects.  Faced with the question of whether it would be better to go way back into time wherein the internet did not exist and Facebook nor any social networks for that matter had not yet been created or to keep the current Facebook trend, I would say I am caught in between.  This is a difficult question to answer.  I believe that many people have abused their usage of social networking sites.  The internet is very influential in a person's life these days.



On the other hand, the dark era of no Facebook would provide us with a much simpler life with longer attention spans.  The absence of the internet may be beneficial in the sense that we do not rely much on online websites for our daily lives.  Information on our lives will not be posted all over the internet and we may have more privacy.

Considering these two scenarios, I would say that I want the world to be a little bit of both.  I think that we should have the internet but I think there should be limits to its use.  With this, I mean that we should have other things to do aside from sitting all day looking at our laptops and waiting to see the latest updates on the daily lives of our friends.  It would be nice to go back to the simpler days, but we have to face the fact that the technology of today is necessary. 

Mission 4

Objective 1: Learn

States are indeed obligated to protect their citizens.  However, the sad fact is that many states fail to do so  and this triggers a revolution against the state.  Filipinos must be very familiar with this because of the famous 1986 EDSA revolution that was successful in toppling a dictator.  He was eventually forced out of the country.  As a result, we live in a democracy.  Despite many complaints of the way the Philippines has turned out to be and the evident flaws in the current system of governance, the ultimate goal of Filipinos was granted.  When citizens of a country see a need for change, many resort to revolutions, whether through violence or through peaceful means.  Seemingly, this has become a trend all over the world.

Objective 3: Imagine

Now that Mubarak has resigned, what is next for Egypt?  Hmmmm...  During the time of the crisis and uprising in Egypt, I have heard comparisons from all over the news that associate Mubarak with the Philippines' Marcos.  If Egypt is lucky, maybe it could improve greatly on its problems during the Mubarak era.  The Philippines has certainly moved on and enormous changes have been made, but have the changes lived up to what the people have hoped for?  Some may say yes, some may say no but certainly, changes have been made.  No longer are we under a dictator.  With Egypt no longer under a dictator as well, changes will be made and time will tell how much good the changes have brought.  However, I believe that with a responsible leader who shows that he or she truly cares for the country, everything should turn out well for Egypt.

Mission 3: Imagine

NGOs have grown in number in the last couple of decades.  They have been quite influential and their growing number may mean that they may even become more influential in the future.

In a world where international relations have been controlled by states, what would happen once NGOs become equally, if not more, influential in the future?  I think that states would become even more reliant on other states if this happens.  In my opinion, NGOs reduce the borders between states and they are able to influence how things work in the global arena.  Political leaders will be very much challenged to keep their power in the control of international relations.

Objective 2: Act

During my first year, I had to take CITIGOV together with my blockmates.  At the end of the term, we were asked to group ourselves and advocate for something we believe in.  My groupmates and I decided that it would be good to collect plastic bottles and donate them to 'Boys' town', which may use it to create many useful materials for the benefit of the community.  Although we had troubles in actually getting it done, we eventually got our collected plastic bottles to them.  As tiring as it was, in the end everything we went through was worth it.  I would say that it was more than just a project for all of us. 

As cliche as it may sound, it is important to do even the smallest things to be able to help.  Just think how much change one person can bring to another person's life through small and simple actions.  I donated plastic bottles that can possibly help create new wheelchairs and the like for those who need them.  Small actions may create great changes.

MISSION 3

Objective 1:  Learn

Ever since I was kid, I have always been concerned with the welfare of the elderly.  My family can attest to this.  I have always been close to my grandparents and I try to give them the care they deserve.  I believe that they deserve care and respect and it is the duty of each and every one of us to give that to them.  It really saddens me to see elderly people being neglected  Although I am not very familiar with NGOs that specifically help out the elderly, I would like to help out such an NGO.  

With my Lola :)

 As I grew up, I also became concerned with the welfare of animals, especially dogs.  When I was around 7 years old, my tita finally gave me a dog.  It was then that my love for dogs grew.  I believe that each dog deserves a home and stray dogs must also be cared for.  This is why I would one day, like to visit PAWS, which I am sure everyone is familiar with.  I believe that every dog deserves a family :)  This is its website:  http://paws.org.ph/site/1/default.aspx  

 

 

My two dogs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Objective 3: Imagine

War has often been used to resolve conflicts between states.  Although it is seen by most, if not all, states to be used as a last resort to solve disputes, the number of wars that states engage in is still high. 

I believe that the best way to maintain the balance of power in the international system is through the conclusion of treaties.  Although the process takes long for treaties to be concluded, those that are binding must be able to maintain the balance of power.  Agreements on the elimination of the use of nuclear arms may be able to prevent war from happening.

It is also important to communicate with other states.  Rather than attacking another state immediately through the media or other means that may gain immediate attention and may become the source of ire for the other state, it would be much better to simply fix the situation through bilateral talks between leaders and cooperation.

Objective 2: Act

I remember reading the book 'Night' by Elie Wiesel for DEUSTAT class under Ms. Gorospe and I found it very inspiring.  To read about the suffering that he, together with his father and other Jewish men, had to go through is heartbreaking.

Ellie Wiesel Foundation twitter account: http://twitter.com/eliewieselfdn

As stated in his foundation's twitter account, 'EWF seeks to combat indifference, intolerance & injustice through int'l dialogue & youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding & equality'.  It is good to see that he fights for what he believes in.  The scars that the holocaust ordeal brought him would be felt for life but he manages to be vocal on issues that must be fixed in society.  

P.S.  I encourage everyone to read 'Night' :)

Objective 1:Learn

Even in ancient history, war had been common between groups of people.  Today, war is still very much present.  The occurrence of conflict appears to be natural and this gives the sad idea that war can happen at anytime and anywhere.  It is important to note that the wars of the past are different from the wars of today. 

Although wars of today are much deadlier and more destructive, I think we have to actually think if the consequences of war are actually worth going through in order to attain a goal.  Despite the difference between the wars of the past and the wars of the present, one thing is certain, war kills and is a cause of destruction. 

Objective 3: Imagine

INTERESTING.

The world in 2021.  With the way the world is constantly improving its technology, 2021 would definitely have a very futuristic look to it.

CARS.   Can we finally expect those so-called flying cars?  Maybe most cars would finally run on water? Hmmm...

TECHNOLOGY.  Today, ipads are on the rise.  Laptops still maintain their convenience.  With the fast-paced changes, how would these things evolve through time?

SKYSCRAPERS.  Have you noticed how many buildings have been popping out recently?  Well, I believe in 2021, tall skyscrapers would dominate major cities all over the world.

Objective 2: Act

2 SIMPLE WAYS THAT MAY BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE GLOBAL NORTH AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Do charitable work!  Although I have never experienced actually building houses for Gawad Kalinga, I have always wanted to do so.  I have missed a number of opportunities but I will definitely join in the near future.  To know that I am actually able to do something to give people a place to live in would be very fulfilling. 

Support our own!  Specifically for Filipinos, it is important to support something that is our own.  This may help in the development of the industries in the country.  Supporting products made in the Philippines or anything Filipino should be good.  :)  

Objective 1:Learn

The map shows a noticeable distinction that the number Global North countries are far less than the number of Global South countries.  The Global North consists mostly of northern states of the American and Asian continents and all European states.  I agree that it is quite common that many use national incomes as basis of determining whether a country is considered poor or rich.  This could be accurate but I believe there are much more factors that sets poor and rich countries apart.  With this, I would like to focus on four areas that distinguishes the Global South from the Global North countries. 

First, as discussed in class, many Global North countries are former colonizers with many of its colonies belonging to the Global South.  Global South countries were exploited for the benefit of their colonizers and their people were subject to follow their ‘masters’ as they were considered to be of lower status than their ‘white’ conquerors.  Today, many of these former colonies remain dependent on their former colonizers.  As in the case of the Philippines, it is still greatly reliant on the US in many areas.  I can go into more comparisons between the two countries and there is a big disparity in the performance of both countries.  

Second, from past discussions, Global North countries are able to produce manufactured goods while Global South countries are producers primarily of agricultural products.  Trade benefits a country since it can earn from what it exports.  If such products are exported, it would mean that Global North countries are much more likely to gain profit from what they produce than the Global South will receive for their agricultural products.  Agricultural products have less value in the international trading scene than manufactured products, which the industrialized countries produce.  

Third, I believe that Global South countries invest less on education than Global North countries do.  Education is very important in a person’s success in the world.  The lack of education in a country means that it would hard to be able to move forward. People need proper education to push themselves out of poverty.  This is something I firmly believe in because it is evident in society that those who have a good educational background are able to get better jobs.  

Fourth, I believe that corruption is a big factor in hindering the development of Global South countries and there is comparatively less corruption in the Global North countries.  Without a fair and just government, a country cannot move forward.  If only governments would put the money in the right place, circumstances would be different for developing nations.  It is also important that priorities are set straight.  In the Global North, it seems that many have distinct priorities.  In the Global South, it seems that the system is overwhelmed and the money allocated is not sufficient for the more essential areas that may help bring countries out of poverty.  

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how to overcome the division between the Global South and the Global North countries.  However, I think that if the Global South countries try to see what hinders them from developing, then I believe that they can rise up and possibly even challenge the more industrialized north.  What I have listed above are merely my opinions of what I think they can do to develop.  However, each country is unique and has different problems from another.  If countries like Singapore and South Korea were able to rise from being 'less developed countries', then I believe that every other country in the world may be able to do so as well.  :)