Country Name: Denmark
Consolidation: 18th century
Population: 5,511,451 (108th)
Density: 127.9/km2
Primary Language: Danish
Ethnic Make-up: 91.1% Danish, 8.9% (Germans, Greeks, Bosnian, Russian, Turks, Arabs)
Political System: Parliamentary Democracy and Constitucional Monarchy
Year Entered the European Union: 1 January 1973 (7th)
Representative of the European Union (include party)
Type of Economy: Free market capitalist
Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 5.4480 KRONE = 1dll
GDP: Total: $312.046 billion (27th) per capita: $67,386 (IMF) (6th)
Percentage of Trade within the European Union
Unemployment Rate: 2.00%
Chief Exports: The chief exports of Denmark in order of quantities are butter, pork, eggs, beef, horses, hides, and skins.
Key Imports: telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus, meat and meat preparations, dairy products and birds eggs, medicinal and pharmaceutical products.
Major Religions: Lutheran state church, the Danish Natonal Church which is established by the constitution.
Surrounding Countries: bordered to the south by Germany, is south wet of Sweden and south of Norway and borders both the Baltic and the North Sex.
Literacy Rate: 99.0
One Interesting Fact: International studies show that Denmark is the happiest country in the world. The 2008 Global Peace Index survey ranks Denmark as the second most peaceful country in the world, after Iceland. Denmark was also ranked as the least corrupt country in the world in the 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index. Copenhagen, was ranked the most livable city in the world by Monocle magazine
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Denmark - Daniel Escobar
MALTA : LUPITA MONGE
Country Name: Republic of Malta
Year Founded: Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814.
Population: 405,165 (July 2009 est.)
Primary Language: Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)
Ethnic Make-up: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Political System: Republic
Year Entered the European Union: Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began to use the euro as currency in 2008.
Rep
resentative of the European Union (include party): Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Dr. Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]
Type of Economy: Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position beween the EU and Africa makes it a recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by global economic downturn.
Currency: Euro (€)
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3653 U.S. dollars
GDP:
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$9.801 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.584 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$24,200 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18% services: 80.6% (2007 est.)
Percentage of Trade within the European Union:
Unemployment Rate: 6.4% (2007)
Chief Exports: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Key Imports: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco
Major Religions : Roman Catholic 98%
Surrounding Countries: islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Literacy Rate: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8%
male: 92% ; female: 93.6% (2003 est.)
One Interesting Fact: Mnarja, or l-Imnarja (pronounced lim-nar-ya) is one of the most important dates on the Maltese cultural calendar. Officially, it is a national festival dedicated to the feast of Saints Peter and St. Paul. In fact its roots can be traced back to the pagan Roman feast of Luminaria (literally, "the illumination"), when the early summer night of June 29 was illuminated by torches and bonfires. A national feast since the rule of the Knights, Mnarja is a traditional Maltese festival of food, religion and music. The festivities still commence today with the reading of the "bandu", an official governmental announcement, which has been read on this day in Malta since the 16th century.
Year Founded: Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814.
Population: 405,165 (July 2009 est.)
Primary Language: Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)
Ethnic Make-up: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Political System: Republic
Year Entered the European Union: Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began to use the euro as currency in 2008.
Rep
resentative of the European Union (include party): Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Dr. Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]Type of Economy: Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position beween the EU and Africa makes it a recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by global economic downturn.
Currency: Euro (€)
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3653 U.S. dollars
GDP:
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$9.801 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.584 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$24,200 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18% services: 80.6% (2007 est.)
Percentage of Trade within the European Union:
Unemployment Rate: 6.4% (2007)
Chief Exports: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Key Imports: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco
Major Religions : Roman Catholic 98%
Surrounding Countries: islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Literacy Rate: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8%
male: 92% ; female: 93.6% (2003 est.)
One Interesting Fact: Mnarja, or l-Imnarja (pronounced lim-nar-ya) is one of the most important dates on the Maltese cultural calendar. Officially, it is a national festival dedicated to the feast of Saints Peter and St. Paul. In fact its roots can be traced back to the pagan Roman feast of Luminaria (literally, "the illumination"), when the early summer night of June 29 was illuminated by torches and bonfires. A national feast since the rule of the Knights, Mnarja is a traditional Maltese festival of food, religion and music. The festivities still commence today with the reading of the "bandu", an official governmental announcement, which has been read on this day in Malta since the 16th century.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Belgium By: CynthiaBuelna =)
Country Name: The Kingdom of Belgium
Year Founded: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830
Population: 10,414,336 (July 2009 est.)
Primary Language: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Ethnic Make-up: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Political System: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Year Entered the European Union: After World War II, Belgium joined NATO as a founder member, and formed the Benelux group of nations with the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Belgium became one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, latter is now the European Union, for which Belgium hosts major administrations and institutions.
Representative of the European Union (include party): Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Geert LAMBERT]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties
Type of Economy: modern, private-enterprise economy
Currency: From 1832 until 2002, Belgium's currency was the Belgian franc. Belgium switched to the euro in 2002, with the first sets of euro coins being minted in 1999.
Currency Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3653 U.S. dollars
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$398.7 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$495.4 billion (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.3% (2008)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,300 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1% industry: 24.2% services: 74.9% (2008 est.)
· Percentage of Trade: three-quarters of its trade is with the EU countries.
· Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (2008)
· Chief Exports: Its main exports are automobiles, food products, iron and steel, finished diamonds, textiles, plastics, petroleum products, and nonferrous metals.
· Key Imports: Belgium's main imports are food products, machinery, rough diamonds, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, clothing and accessories, and textiles.
· Major Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
· Surrounding Countries: Belgium shares borders with France (620 km), Germany (167 km), Luxembourg (148 km) and the Netherlands (450 km).
· Literacy rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2009 est.)
Year Founded: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830
Population: 10,414,336 (July 2009 est.)
Primary Language: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Ethnic Make-up: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Political System: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Year Entered the European Union: After World War II, Belgium joined NATO as a founder member, and formed the Benelux group of nations with the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Belgium became one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, latter is now the European Union, for which Belgium hosts major administrations and institutions.
Representative of the European Union (include party): Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Geert LAMBERT]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties
Type of Economy: modern, private-enterprise economy
Currency: From 1832 until 2002, Belgium's currency was the Belgian franc. Belgium switched to the euro in 2002, with the first sets of euro coins being minted in 1999.
Currency Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3653 U.S. dollars
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$398.7 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$495.4 billion (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.3% (2008)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$38,300 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1% industry: 24.2% services: 74.9% (2008 est.)
· Percentage of Trade: three-quarters of its trade is with the EU countries.
· Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (2008)
· Chief Exports: Its main exports are automobiles, food products, iron and steel, finished diamonds, textiles, plastics, petroleum products, and nonferrous metals.
· Key Imports: Belgium's main imports are food products, machinery, rough diamonds, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, clothing and accessories, and textiles.
· Major Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
· Surrounding Countries: Belgium shares borders with France (620 km), Germany (167 km), Luxembourg (148 km) and the Netherlands (450 km).
· Literacy rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2009 est.)
Romania by miroslavaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :)
Country Name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania
Year Founded: 1859
Population: 22,215,421 (July 2009 est.)
Primary Language: Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
Ethnic Make-up: 89.5% Romanians, 6.6% Hungarians, 2.5% Roma, 1.4% other minority groups
Political System: republic
Year Entered the European Union:
Representative of the European Union (include party) :
Type of Economy: : rich agricultural lands; diverse energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas, hydro, and nuclear); a substantial industrial base encompassing almost the full range of manufacturing activities; an educated work force; and opportunities for expanded development in tourism on the Black Sea and in the Carpathian mountains.
Currency: 1 Romanian lei = 0.316977 U.S. dollars
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: lei (RON) per US dollar - 2.5 (2008 est.), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004)
GDP:
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$278.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$213.9 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,500 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.1% industry: 36% services: 55.9% (2008 est.)
Percentage of Trade within the European Union:
Unemployment Rate: 3.6% (2008 est.)
Chief Exports:Textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals, fuels.
Key Imports:
Major Religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Surrounding Countries:It shares a border with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to the northeast, and Bulgaria to the south.
Literacy Rate: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.4% female: 96.3% (2002 census)
One Interesting Fact:Since the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the Romanian educational system has been in a continuous process of reform that has been both praised and criticized.According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the educational system is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research. Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislation. Kindergarten is optional for children between 3 and 6 years old. Schooling starts at age 7 (sometimes 6), and is compulsory until the 10th grade (which usually corresponds to the age of 17 or 16). Primary and secondary education are divided into 12 or 13 grades. Higher education is aligned with the European higher education area.
Year Founded: 1859
Population: 22,215,421 (July 2009 est.)
Primary Language: Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
Ethnic Make-up: 89.5% Romanians, 6.6% Hungarians, 2.5% Roma, 1.4% other minority groups
Political System: republic
Year Entered the European Union:
Representative of the European Union (include party) :
Type of Economy: : rich agricultural lands; diverse energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas, hydro, and nuclear); a substantial industrial base encompassing almost the full range of manufacturing activities; an educated work force; and opportunities for expanded development in tourism on the Black Sea and in the Carpathian mountains.
Currency: 1 Romanian lei = 0.316977 U.S. dollars
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: lei (RON) per US dollar - 2.5 (2008 est.), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004)
GDP:
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$278.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$213.9 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,500 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.1% industry: 36% services: 55.9% (2008 est.)
Percentage of Trade within the European Union:
Unemployment Rate: 3.6% (2008 est.)
Chief Exports:Textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals, fuels.
Key Imports:
Major Religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Surrounding Countries:It shares a border with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to the northeast, and Bulgaria to the south.
Literacy Rate: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.4% female: 96.3% (2002 census)
One Interesting Fact:Since the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the Romanian educational system has been in a continuous process of reform that has been both praised and criticized.According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the educational system is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research. Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislation. Kindergarten is optional for children between 3 and 6 years old. Schooling starts at age 7 (sometimes 6), and is compulsory until the 10th grade (which usually corresponds to the age of 17 or 16). Primary and secondary education are divided into 12 or 13 grades. Higher education is aligned with the European higher education area.
Ireland by Ana Leyva
· Country Name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire
· Year Founded : between 600-150 B.C
· Population: 4,203,200 (July 2009 est.)
· Primary Language: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
· Ethnic Make-up: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)
· Political System: republic, parliamentary democracy
· Year Entered the European Union: 1973
· Representative of the European Union (include party):
· Type of Economy: small, modern, trade-dependent economy
· Currency: Euro
· Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3653 U.S. dollars
· GDP:
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$198.5 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$285 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$47,800 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.)
· Percentage of Trade within the European Union:
· Unemployment Rate: 6.2% (2008 est.)
· Chief Exports: machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products
· Key Imports: data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
· Major Religions Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)
· Surrounding Countries:United Kingdom
· Literacy Rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
· One Interesting Fact: Ireland is a home to many places of interest regarding past history and cultures. One such example is King John's Castle on King's Island in Limerick. It is next to the River Shannon. The castle are the remains of a Viking settlement and were discovered with the some other construction was going on. The walls, fortifications and towers of the Castle are a visitor's attraction. The castle has also borne the brunt of the Siege of Limerick, the first of the five sieges of the city during the seventeenth century. For the patrons of arts, the Tory Island beckons the most in Ireland. This is an island some twelve kilometers away from the County Donegal. It is approximately one kilometer wide and five kilometers long. The island is a home to a small community of artists and has its own art gallery. Famous artists like Derek Hill and Patsy Dan have been associated with this Island.
· Year Founded : between 600-150 B.C
· Population: 4,203,200 (July 2009 est.)
· Primary Language: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
· Ethnic Make-up: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)
· Political System: republic, parliamentary democracy
· Year Entered the European Union: 1973
· Representative of the European Union (include party):
· Type of Economy: small, modern, trade-dependent economy
· Currency: Euro
· Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3653 U.S. dollars
· GDP:
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$198.5 billion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$285 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$47,800 (2008 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.)
· Percentage of Trade within the European Union:
· Unemployment Rate: 6.2% (2008 est.)
· Chief Exports: machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products
· Key Imports: data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
· Major Religions Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)
· Surrounding Countries:United Kingdom
· Literacy Rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
· One Interesting Fact: Ireland is a home to many places of interest regarding past history and cultures. One such example is King John's Castle on King's Island in Limerick. It is next to the River Shannon. The castle are the remains of a Viking settlement and were discovered with the some other construction was going on. The walls, fortifications and towers of the Castle are a visitor's attraction. The castle has also borne the brunt of the Siege of Limerick, the first of the five sieges of the city during the seventeenth century. For the patrons of arts, the Tory Island beckons the most in Ireland. This is an island some twelve kilometers away from the County Donegal. It is approximately one kilometer wide and five kilometers long. The island is a home to a small community of artists and has its own art gallery. Famous artists like Derek Hill and Patsy Dan have been associated with this Island.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Defying Genocide
After you watch the video, answer the following questions:
What did Damas Gisimba, Carl Wilkens, and Simon Weil Lipman value, and what risks did they take by holding onto their values?
What values did the children of the orphanage demonstrate?
As events unfolded, what were Damas Gisimba's concerns?
What does it mean - as both Simone Weil Lipman and Damas Gisimba state - to "see the other as yourself?"
Think back to the incidents that took place during the Rwandan genocide:
What role did the international community play during the genocide?
Does the international community have the responsibility of assisting countries threatened by genocide?
How can students get involved and make their voices heard against genocide? (For suggestions, visit www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/students/)
Think about challenges you face in your everday life:
Have you ever witnessed an incident by which a bystander took the responsibility of offering assistance to someone in need of help? What happened?
When someone needs help, do bystanders have the responsibility to offer assistance? What do bystanders risk when they intervene and when they do not get involved?
At the end of the film, Damas Gisimba stated that hatred must be "banished" to make the world a peaceful place. Reflect on that and answer the following:
What is "hatred?" When is it dangerous?
What are examples of different forms of hatred in the global community?
Can hatred be banished?
What would it take to banish hatred?
Whose responsibility is it to work to end hatred or to respond when hatred provokes violence?
What did Damas Gisimba, Carl Wilkens, and Simon Weil Lipman value, and what risks did they take by holding onto their values?
What values did the children of the orphanage demonstrate?
As events unfolded, what were Damas Gisimba's concerns?
What does it mean - as both Simone Weil Lipman and Damas Gisimba state - to "see the other as yourself?"
Think back to the incidents that took place during the Rwandan genocide:
What role did the international community play during the genocide?
Does the international community have the responsibility of assisting countries threatened by genocide?
How can students get involved and make their voices heard against genocide? (For suggestions, visit www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/students/)
Think about challenges you face in your everday life:
Have you ever witnessed an incident by which a bystander took the responsibility of offering assistance to someone in need of help? What happened?
When someone needs help, do bystanders have the responsibility to offer assistance? What do bystanders risk when they intervene and when they do not get involved?
At the end of the film, Damas Gisimba stated that hatred must be "banished" to make the world a peaceful place. Reflect on that and answer the following:
What is "hatred?" When is it dangerous?
What are examples of different forms of hatred in the global community?
Can hatred be banished?
What would it take to banish hatred?
Whose responsibility is it to work to end hatred or to respond when hatred provokes violence?
Monday, March 9, 2009
By Ana Leyva :)
• In one exchange of dialogue in the film during the interrogation of Jamal, the police inspectors discuss the impossibility of what Jamal knows.
Police Inspector: Doctors... Lawyers... never get past 60 thousand rupees. He's on 6 million. [pause]
Police Inspector: What can our slumdog possibly know?
Jamal Malik: [quietly] The answers.
Discuss the irony in the film that Jamal “knows too much” and is suspected of cheating. Discuss the irony that in the end, his poverty may make him rich. What point is the film making? What is real wealth?
I think that all was because they were so jealous about Jamal. They thought that this could not be possible because he was poor and he could not have the knowledge enough to answer all this questions. We all have the knowledge it does not matter our status, it depends on how we gain this knowledge and how can it preserves in our heart and memory. In the case of Jamal he almost knew all the answers just because of his personal experiences. It seemed that the questions were all based on his own life and he gained the education on the streets and from all what he have passed through, good and bad. This was more valuable and led him win through all his hard life he was been. The real wealth is our life and the experiences we each have day through day, these is our real wealth and what makes us rich and special.
• The game show format brings into to focus the culture of meaningless competition. What does the spectacle of the game say about what people value today? What values does the media promote? Are they humanizing values?
By Ana Leyva :)
Greed, corruption and the misuse of power are highlighted in the film through a variety of characters. How are those who have money and power glamorized in this film? What happens to the victims?
The ones that have money and power are characterized because they are the bad guys of the movie. They show themselves as arrogant and ambitious. They seem to have no feelings at all because they do such bad and unexplainable things to the poor and other persons. They always feel superior and think that everything belongs to them even people. The victims are used by these persons; they are the ones that do not agree with them so this has consequences. Also if you are on their side you can suffer because they always feel superior and do whatever they want and do not care.
The ones that have money and power are characterized because they are the bad guys of the movie. They show themselves as arrogant and ambitious. They seem to have no feelings at all because they do such bad and unexplainable things to the poor and other persons. They always feel superior and think that everything belongs to them even people. The victims are used by these persons; they are the ones that do not agree with them so this has consequences. Also if you are on their side you can suffer because they always feel superior and do whatever they want and do not care.
Slumdog Millionaire by Daniel Escobar
• Greed, corruption and the misuse of power are highlighted in the film through a variety of characters. How are those who have money and power glamorized in this film? What happens to the victims?
In the movie there are 3 primary persons who have money and power. The first one is the one who takes Jamal and his brother out of the trash, he look kind, he look like a saint because he was helping them, but at the end he turns out to be a bad person. His victims were kids and often they make something to they so that people will give them money (burn their eyes).
The second was Jamal`s brother, when he grow up, he become wealthy and powerful because he work for the mobsters. He look apparently and important person, good cloth, women like him, his victims were the enemies of his boss and his closers friends. He makes suffer his own brother and also Latika. He wasn`t a satisfied men, because even though he had money and power, at the end he suicide.
The third rich and powerful man that I identify was the boss mobster. He had a lot of buildings, a nice house, cars, and men at his disposition, apparently he had it all. He looks important in the movie and everybody respected him. His victims were killed, and he ended up dead killed by his own killer.
• In one pivotal scene, the show’s host tells Jamal his own story about coming from the slums. He then gives Jamal the wrong answer written on the mirror in the rest room. Why did he give Jamal the wrong answer?
What did Jamal do?
I think that he did that, because he wanted to continue being the only one who could make it. He was jealous or something like that, because he didn`t want Jamal to win the game. Jamal chose letter D, instead of the letter B that the show`s host tell him was the correct answer. I think Jamal had so much experience treating with bad persons that he can recognized them very well.
• Describe how loss, chance, luck, suffering, and street smarts are also characters behind the scenes. The film explores gain and loss side by side. Triumphs are tempered with loss. Where do you see this evident?
Well in the whole movie you see jamal`s suffering, he was a child who loss it all, many people would said that he had bad look. He lost his mother, he looses his friend (latika), he looses his brother, and he was alone. I once heard a man that said that all the bad experiences ad bad things that happen in your life, are preparing you for the final battle, of the important fight, and Jamal in this movie had a lot of battle and the final one was the show. All the losses that he had through all his life, and all the bad experiences he had, teach him something, and was that things that he learn through his defeats that give him the victory in the show where he won the money and return with his love one.
In the movie there are 3 primary persons who have money and power. The first one is the one who takes Jamal and his brother out of the trash, he look kind, he look like a saint because he was helping them, but at the end he turns out to be a bad person. His victims were kids and often they make something to they so that people will give them money (burn their eyes).
The second was Jamal`s brother, when he grow up, he become wealthy and powerful because he work for the mobsters. He look apparently and important person, good cloth, women like him, his victims were the enemies of his boss and his closers friends. He makes suffer his own brother and also Latika. He wasn`t a satisfied men, because even though he had money and power, at the end he suicide.
The third rich and powerful man that I identify was the boss mobster. He had a lot of buildings, a nice house, cars, and men at his disposition, apparently he had it all. He looks important in the movie and everybody respected him. His victims were killed, and he ended up dead killed by his own killer.
• In one pivotal scene, the show’s host tells Jamal his own story about coming from the slums. He then gives Jamal the wrong answer written on the mirror in the rest room. Why did he give Jamal the wrong answer?
What did Jamal do?
I think that he did that, because he wanted to continue being the only one who could make it. He was jealous or something like that, because he didn`t want Jamal to win the game. Jamal chose letter D, instead of the letter B that the show`s host tell him was the correct answer. I think Jamal had so much experience treating with bad persons that he can recognized them very well.
• Describe how loss, chance, luck, suffering, and street smarts are also characters behind the scenes. The film explores gain and loss side by side. Triumphs are tempered with loss. Where do you see this evident?
Well in the whole movie you see jamal`s suffering, he was a child who loss it all, many people would said that he had bad look. He lost his mother, he looses his friend (latika), he looses his brother, and he was alone. I once heard a man that said that all the bad experiences ad bad things that happen in your life, are preparing you for the final battle, of the important fight, and Jamal in this movie had a lot of battle and the final one was the show. All the losses that he had through all his life, and all the bad experiences he had, teach him something, and was that things that he learn through his defeats that give him the victory in the show where he won the money and return with his love one.
lupita monge
• Compare and contrast three pivotal choices or decisions made by Jamal and Salim. How do their choices affect their respective paths in life or “destinies”?
*When they just lived their mother died because if they stayed in there maybe they would also be killed.
*When Jamal was expelled from Salim’s room and he decided to leave his brother and his best friend or well the girl he loved.
*All the decisions Jamal made at the game.
I think that all the decisions this two guys make in the film were very interesting by the fact that they were just some kids that can’t really realize what was going by, and well I think that some of their decisions were correct by the fact that they fight for what they really wanted as in the case of Jamal that he ended with Latika and that was what he tried for during all the film.
• Is ethical decision making possible when one must make choices based on survival? Do seemingly “bad” choices make a person bad?
No, of course that I think that making something that for others or also sometimes for ourselves is “bad” but it is something we need to do for our survival isn’t bad by the fact that we are helping ourselves and that is what we really need to think about our moral with the society shouldn’t be something that needs more importance than our life in a moment like that.
• What do you think the film is saying about the globalization of culture through media? We see the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” adapted in the Indian culture. Is this a sign of progress? Why or why not?
What is this film staying about the effect of money on culture?
Well, I think that this film show us that globalization has a great impact in all places even though we don’t see them exactly the way it is but we are having an idea of what the people is facing. And by this film we can have in a certain way an idea of what India is passing by and the way their culture influences.
Well, I think that both we can see a sign of progress because it’s a program in which they prize the people with money and no because even though the guy win the money they didn’t believe it was a clean game by the fact they thought that he couldn’t be able to know all of the answers, that means that they can think in the possibility that he don’t has enough education to be able to know it all by himself.
And this can tell us that they couldn’t give that big amount of money to someone if they don’t were sure about how come he could know all those answers.
*When they just lived their mother died because if they stayed in there maybe they would also be killed.
*When Jamal was expelled from Salim’s room and he decided to leave his brother and his best friend or well the girl he loved.
*All the decisions Jamal made at the game.
I think that all the decisions this two guys make in the film were very interesting by the fact that they were just some kids that can’t really realize what was going by, and well I think that some of their decisions were correct by the fact that they fight for what they really wanted as in the case of Jamal that he ended with Latika and that was what he tried for during all the film.
• Is ethical decision making possible when one must make choices based on survival? Do seemingly “bad” choices make a person bad?
No, of course that I think that making something that for others or also sometimes for ourselves is “bad” but it is something we need to do for our survival isn’t bad by the fact that we are helping ourselves and that is what we really need to think about our moral with the society shouldn’t be something that needs more importance than our life in a moment like that.
• What do you think the film is saying about the globalization of culture through media? We see the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” adapted in the Indian culture. Is this a sign of progress? Why or why not?
What is this film staying about the effect of money on culture?
Well, I think that this film show us that globalization has a great impact in all places even though we don’t see them exactly the way it is but we are having an idea of what the people is facing. And by this film we can have in a certain way an idea of what India is passing by and the way their culture influences.
Well, I think that both we can see a sign of progress because it’s a program in which they prize the people with money and no because even though the guy win the money they didn’t believe it was a clean game by the fact they thought that he couldn’t be able to know all of the answers, that means that they can think in the possibility that he don’t has enough education to be able to know it all by himself.
And this can tell us that they couldn’t give that big amount of money to someone if they don’t were sure about how come he could know all those answers.
Slumdog Millionaire by mirooooooooooooooos :*
• What does the title mean? How does the title and the contrasts within it provide symbolic summary of the film?
The slums means like neighborhoods that are really poor so i guess slum dog means a guy or somebody really poor that comes from that place.The film is about Jamal an eighteen year old orphan that is playing in the show ''Who wants to be a millionaire?'' in India. Jamals answers are based on his own life experience and he migh become a millionaire at the end. This is symbolic because he is just a young man that has been living a rough life suffering and working hard for survival. I think the title is symbolic because non slumdog becomes a millionaire that easy.
• Early in the film we see the young Jamal dive into a latrine pit to steal a glimpse at a visiting movie star. How does his single-mindedness to see this movie star reveal his determination?
This scene where he jumps into a latrino pit and run over the movie star show us how much of a pasionate person Jamal is. He doesnt care if its nasty or smelly, he just jumps and run toward the star and that shows a lot os courage and determination.
What other examples do you see in the film of his determination?
I saw more of his determination when he tries to find Latika, his dream girl, the one he loves with all his heart and lost.
• In the film, the theme of destiny is a central theme. What does it mean that all Jamal desires is just out of his reach?
(The prized autograph, Latika, his brother, the answers, etc.)
I think that anybody can be like Jamal. We dont always have all we want, but for example he tried as much as he could. He took risks and thats what it counts because at the end he won Latika and that was actually what he only wanted.
Slumdog Millionaire
By: CynthiaBuelna de Castellanos =)
•The chaos and the constant noise and motion of Mumbai at the center of the film, (supported by a fabuloussoundtrack) are contrasted with a deeper silent seeking. Describe what each of the main characters is seeking?
Jamal is seeking for happiness next to Latika. He is seeking for a life with Latika, the girl of his life.
Salim, is seeking for money. He thinks that money will give gim all the happiness he is lokking for.
Latika, is seeking for a life with peace, and also is looking for happiness next to Jamal.
• In the final scene, we see Salim and the choice he makes - filling the bathtub with money, etc. Why does he make this choice?
Salim was an ambicious character. He knew what it was going to happen to him, he knew he was going to die, so he wanted to die with what made him happy, money.
• This film weaves together nightmare and impossible dream. What do you take away as the most important message or impression from the film?
What I take as the most important message was that we need to figth for our goals, we need to be perseverance in order to get to what we want. If we don't search for what we have as ideals we will never get to them. Slumdog Millionaire is a clear example that no matter what, we can get to whatever we wish to, it doesn't matter who we are, if we have or no money, if we haver or not education, etc. Jamal is a clear example of a boy who from being no one, he came to be a millionaire, ending up with the woman he wanted to. As always, love wons.
•The chaos and the constant noise and motion of Mumbai at the center of the film, (supported by a fabuloussoundtrack) are contrasted with a deeper silent seeking. Describe what each of the main characters is seeking?
Jamal is seeking for happiness next to Latika. He is seeking for a life with Latika, the girl of his life.
Salim, is seeking for money. He thinks that money will give gim all the happiness he is lokking for.
Latika, is seeking for a life with peace, and also is looking for happiness next to Jamal.
• In the final scene, we see Salim and the choice he makes - filling the bathtub with money, etc. Why does he make this choice?
Salim was an ambicious character. He knew what it was going to happen to him, he knew he was going to die, so he wanted to die with what made him happy, money.
• This film weaves together nightmare and impossible dream. What do you take away as the most important message or impression from the film?
What I take as the most important message was that we need to figth for our goals, we need to be perseverance in order to get to what we want. If we don't search for what we have as ideals we will never get to them. Slumdog Millionaire is a clear example that no matter what, we can get to whatever we wish to, it doesn't matter who we are, if we have or no money, if we haver or not education, etc. Jamal is a clear example of a boy who from being no one, he came to be a millionaire, ending up with the woman he wanted to. As always, love wons.
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