By: Erik Squire

Thanks to a notification from the CESIL Report, I was able to attend a fantastic event for free (Reg. $75). It was the Maine Summit on Citizen Diplomacy event held at USM. The 8hr event focused on positive global citizenry through education. It was a mind expanding and eye opening experience, with great speakers (and FREE food!).

The first segment of the event talked about two superbly operated Maine based Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Africa Schoolhouse and Safe Passage. One of the great things about these organizations is that they offer a ‘hand up’ and not a ‘hand out’, as well as including the natives of the country in the development process.

Africa Schoolhouse, created by Dr. Aimee Bessire, is a non-profit organization that builds schools and health clinics in Tanzania and then supplies teachers for the pupils. Her organization hires local contractors and includes the community and local government in the entire process. She also talked about how only 1% of Tanzanian girls are able get an education, then went on to state her intentions for solving that problem.

Safe passage, founded by a Mainer, is as it describes itself: A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working in Guatemala City to bring hope, education, and opportunity to the children and families living in extreme poverty around the City’s garbage dump. Our program serves over 550 children, ranging in age from 2 to 21 years, coming from nearly 300 families in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Over the lunch segment of the event, Dr. Edwin Gragert, executive director of Global Campaign for Education-US, gave a fascinating presentation. First he talked about the importance of international collaboration. He gave an example by showing 12 pictures of different faces, and asked the audience to name them without anyone’s help; 9 was the most any one person could identify. After, he said the audience could collaborate with each other to figure out who was who. Then when he asked again to identify the people in the images, in general, everyone did better. The point he was making really sank in, that sharing ideas and knowledge on a global scale is of the utmost value to any society.

He later went on to demonstrate how high schools across the U.S. are making a difference globally just by using technology. Students are utilizing Skype for learning and sharing information, as well as the internet for raising awareness about other countries’ need for education. Case in point: a young group created a video about girls in some countries who can’t access education and are forced into marriage at a terribly young age.

Something worth noting about his presentation was that you don’t necessarily need money to make a difference in the world; you just have to take action and be creative.

One of the final presentations was from Thornton Academy in Saco. Social Studies teacher, Devin Beliveau, along with two of his students, talked about their world culture class. Beliveau implemented an outstanding idea of having his students Skype with other students from different schools around the world.  The two schools would share videos with each other about their country and culture, and then the students would each be assigned a pen pal. It looked to be a great success! The students (whether or not they realize it) have taken important lessons from this enriching experience and have a better understanding of the world they share.

The entire summit was educational, motivational, inspirational (all the “tional” words in the dictionary), and innovation filled. Because it was such a great event, I will work on getting some of the presentations to be given here at SMCC, so look out for them! Till then, stay amazing fellow students.