1997 School Magazine

@iris '19rnmmar ~cbool ~risbane 1997

WHAT PRICE HUMAN RIGHTS? ... THE YEAR 10 UN YOUTH FORUM

they probably know more about (and possibly care more about) these stars from the soapies than their next door neighbours. Brian spoke about how the process of globalisation has changed the whole idea of the community and how interaction within this community has dramatically changed. Today, many people do not have regular contact with their neighbours as they drive in and out of their remote controlled garages . In many ways the media constructed global community has replaced a local sense of community. Brian Hoepper also challenged the misleading and some- times contradictory nature of globalisation as it is presented in advertisements such as those of Nike and Optus Vision. He illustrated the way in which media constructs our reality and how pervasive it is in our lives and throughout the world. BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL TALK Maureen Hayes, Chairperson of the Brisbane City Council Transport Committee and local Cbuncillor for the Grange, spoke to Year Ten and Eleven Geography students about the histo1y and development of transport in Brisbane. The talk was well delivered and well received and formed part of the Settlement unit that both year levels study.

Lobbying, bargaining, back-scratching, speeches, interjec- tions, press releases , loud voices, humour, truths and some half- truths. This was the scene in the Gehrmann Theatre where thirty- two delegates from sixteen countries (including Australia, China, Burma, USA and Rwanda) tackled difficult questions concerning human rights and trade sanctions. At the end of the day, Year Ten students came to realise that in seeking to answer questions, many more emerged. These included a more fundamental question of what human rights are and whose definition of them should prevail. Whilst the individual delegates performed admirably, the entire proceedings would not have been so successful without the able guidance of Year Eleven students, particularly Alexi Drennan, who chaired the entire proceedings . Also adding to the success of the Forum was the invaluable support of the audience who kept delegates supplied with verbal ammunition throughout the activity. Perhaps the most salient point of the day was made by Mrs Hancock when she stated in her introductory message to the girls, "Remember the solutions of many of today's problems lie in your hands - with greater knowledge and understanding about human endeavour you can make more informed deci- sions affecting your life and the well-being and prosperity of the global community." GLOBILISATION "Have Alison and Jake ever been an item?" For those of us who don't tune in - this question refers to two of the central characters in "Melrose Place". The point of the question posed by QUT educator, Brian Hoepper, highlighted to students how

Councillor Maureen Hayes

ARE THE SEXES DIFFERENT? .... THE ECONOMICS SOCIETY SOUGHT TO FIND OUT. A lunch time forum organised by the BGGS Economics Society and the BGS Economics Club was staged in a packed Gehrmann Theatre. The BGGS members of the panel were Barbara McKay, Francesca Gasteen and Katrina Vickery. The President of the Economics Society, Kate Achilles, admirably chaired a lively and good-humoured discussion in which the sexes begged to differ on whether they were so ve1y different and whether feminism had 'gone too far' .

Brian Hoepperjrom QUT speaking on "Globalisation "

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