Farewell

During the past couple of months I knew my time posting on this blog was limited. On May 13, 2007 I officially graduated from Loras College with my degree in politics. It was a great occasion while at the same disappointing. I am most disappointed that it took 4 and ½ years to finally understand the importance of helping people out. I had a good friend in Jeff who took this small liberal arts college and changed it forever. He allowed me to write this blog completely free. What happened this semester at Loras will never be forgotten and every person on that campus owes it a former hockey player who took a chance to help the world. As I stated earlier, Jeff allowed me freedom in my postings which made the blog more true and more reliable. Now this is my last post, and continuing with this tradition of free blogging are Grant Smith and Nate Matelich. Thank you to all who read this blog, please continue to read what Nate and Grant have to say. Remember this is OUR blog and the more we all interact with the blog, the more enjoyable place this becomes.

Thank You,
George

A New Prospective

So often we walk around talking on our cell phones, iPod blasting in our ears, nose barried in some worthless gossip magazine, only paying attention to all the things in our comsumeristic that really don't matter. Check out these youtube videos to get a new prospective on life ourside of your comfort bubble. I hope these videos make you uncomfortabe. I know they made me...

Children of North Korea Scramble for Scraps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVA4kgVGmX0

Putting Children First: Nepal's National Vitamin A Campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIjnx-ULYg

For all of UNICEF youtube videos check out
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=unicef

Let me know what you think...

Nathan Matelich
UNICEF at Loras President

Charity Ball/Update

So much has happened since my last post one month ago that i do not know where to start.

First place i should start is on the amazing showing and effort for the charity ball on April 21. The night was filled with amazing food, great music, but most importantly (at least in my mind) was the money raised. The group raised over $1,000 thanks to great people who care to make a difference both on this campus and across the world. Thank you to everyone who made it the night it was but most importantly everyone needs to thank the people who put it together, Jeff Lfotsgaarden and Nathan Matelich. Without their leadership that night would not have been possible. It takes a daring person to use their valuable time to setup an event of this magnitude.

Thank you also to Meredith Spohn and Lucas Slater for stepping up and taking major leadership roles both in the group in general and on the charity ball committee. In an event focused on raising money, the people who handle the financial issues have to be on a higher level of trust than most. These two individu als are extremely trustworthy, hardworking, and efficient. Thank you two so very much for all of your work!

The next round of thanks goes to Katie Kraft, Katie O'Connor, and Katie Morrissey . The Katie's were so amazing in helping set up the evening including arranging all thee donated items into fantastic silent auction and raffle prizes. The ladies also were instrumental in the organization by raising generous amounts of money. Thank you ladies so much everything you touched turn to gold.

To be Cont...

VT Post

This blog author would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Virgina Tech incident which happened yesterday. Unfortunately incidents like this happen and it breaks everyone out of their bubble. If we do not learn anything from this except one thing, i hope that one thing is that we need to look out for each other all the time. Just because somebody looks like they are in a good mood does not always mean they are in a good mood. It only takes a couple of minutes to see how someone is doing and reassure them that they have someone to talk to. It happens too many times in this world that people are put off to the shelf because they are different. We are all different, no two people are alike. If someone acts a little strange that does not mean they are bad people.

News From UNICEF Campus Initiative

If you have already signed up as volunteer for the Campus Initiative on the UNICEF home page you should have received a special email from Rachael Swanson talking about the Idea List Conference in Chicago.

(From an Email) Campus leaders, Jeff Loftsgaarden and George Petruck from Loras College in Dubuque Iowa, and Bethany Carriger from Southern Illinois University met with UNICEF staff at the Idealist.org Campus Conference, March 23-25th in Chicago, IL.

The conference was packed with relevant and inspiring content for student leaders. Highlights included hearing from Ami Dar, Founder of Idealist.org, participating in groups with students from all over the country to discuss social change, workshops, performance art, and closing thoughts from student activists.

(From Left to Right: Lofty, Myself, Bethany, Rachael)

That was such a fun weekend, I cannot wait till this weekend's Charity Ball....

Clay Akin's Drive

Currently Clay Akin (of American Idol Fame) is appealing for your help in raising money for the children of Afghanistan. Clay is attempting to raise $100,000 in 10 days and is almost at his goal. Please take the time to help Clay reach his goal, donate anything you can.

State Department Deally

So our little State Department has a list of every country in the world and their records on Human Rights over the course of the year. There are way too many countries to reach and read right now, but thats where you come in, what is your favorite country in the world (besides the one you live in) and what does the State Department say about them?

Rumors about..

Dear Faithful readers (/reader),

There are rumors floating around that there might be another blog author coming on board in the next couple of days. This is exciting news because she (according to jeff) is really smart. I personally am looking forward to having another writer on board but I ask one thing from everyone, please comment on the blog. Make this blog your blog.

Thanks,
GWP

Question of the Day

Off Topic Post:

How many games will the Chicago Cubs win this year?

S. 594

In honor of Mine Awareness Day 2007 (it was yesterday, sorry everyone):
From the Senate Database:

A BILL

To limit the use, sale, and transfer of cluster munitions.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON THE USE, SALE, OR TRANSFER OF CLUSTER MUNITIONS.

No funds appropriated or otherwise available to any Federal department or agency may be obligated or expended to use, sell, or transfer any cluster munitions unless--

(1) the submunitions of the cluster munitions have a 99 percent or higher functioning rate;

(2) the policy applicable to the use, or the agreement applicable to the sale or transfer, of such cluster munitions specifies that the cluster munitions will only be used against clearly defined military targets and will not be used where civilians are known to be present or in areas normally inhabited by civilians; and

(3) not later than 30 days after such cluster munitions are used, the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a plan, including estimated costs, for cleaning up any such cluster munitions and submunitions which fail to explode and continue to pose a hazard to civilians that is prepared, as applicable--

(A) by the head of such Federal department or agency in the event such cluster munitions are to be used by the United States Government; or

(B) by the government of the country to which the United States Government sold or transferred such cluster munitions.

SEC. 3. PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER.

The President may waive the requirement under section 2(1) if, prior to the use, sale, or transfer of cluster munitions, the President--

(1) certifies that it is vital to protect the security of the United States; and

(2) not later than 30 days after making such certification, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report, in classified form if necessary, describing in detail--

(A) the steps that will be taken to protect civilians; and

(B) the failure rate of the cluster munitions that will be used, sold, or transferred and whether such munitions are fitted with self-destruct or self-neutralization devices.

SEC. 4. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.

In this Act, the term `appropriate congressional committees' means the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

(Otherwise known as the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007)
Please take the time to write a letter to your senator in support of this legislation.

Question of the Day

How would you inform the world about the current situation facing children in the world?

Question of the Day

What do you think about the American Governments lack of response to Land Mine legislation?

Charity Ball

On April 21, 2007 The Loras College UNICEF Campus Initiative will host its first annual charity ball from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the Loras College Alumni Campus Center Ball Room.

Stay Tuned for more Information!

Press Release

UNICEF AT LORAS COLLEGE!

UNICEF is a global fund that operates in over 157 countries and territories working for the survival, protection, and development of children. While the world’s children have benefited from UNICEF’s efforts, the work is far from over. With more than 10 million children dying before their fifth birthday each year from preventable causes, the children of the world need the help of concerned college students more than ever!

We at Loras College have the unique opportunity to utilize our small campus and connect a broad range of people by using our vast resources to increase public awareness about global issues. The existence of student organizations, professors and international programs provide a forum for campus-wide education, advocacy and fundraising. The Loras College UNICEF Campus Initiative will substantiate the power of our student body, faculty and staff to make a measurable difference in the world by raising funds to support the work of UNICEF! We have the opportunity as students to educate our peers on a broad range of global issues through the UNICEF initiative. The Loras College UNICEF Campus Initiative will endorse an annual Charity Ball, fundraise, host a variety of different speakers and write campus editorials on the work of UNICEF.

Most importantly, this group was created to have FUN while engaging in a beneficial cause!

Question of the Day

What have you done recently to get involved in your community?

Mine Awareness

International Mine Awareness Day is coming up on April 4th. Land mines are effecting children all across the world. Land mines are not used much during warfare these days. Most countries have signed some sort of treaty prohibiting the use and production of land mines. The problem that the world is facing currently is those land mines which were used during wars that did not go off, are still active and in the streets where children are playing. Children are paying the price by activating these objects either on accident (not knowing they are there) or activating the mine out of curiosity.

Landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to kill or injure as many as 15,000 people a year. The overwhelming majority are civilians who trigger these devices years or even decades after a conflict ends. In some countries, such as Afghanistan, the majority of victims are under the age of 18.

So ladies and Gents, mark your calender for April 4th.

(The official definition of a child, according the United Nations and UNICEF is any person under the age of 18.)

Opening Day Blog Post

I understand that this blog is dedicated to UNICEF and Loras College's Campus initiative but I am going to take a different path for this post and talk about Opening Day 2007.

Here are my predictions for MLB Division Champions and Wild Cards:

AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: LA Angles of Anaheim
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
AL Champ: NY Yankees

NL East: New York Mets
NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Philadelphia Philies
NL Champ: LA Dodgers

What are your thoughts??

Open Thread

Make this blog yours! Everyday there will be a question posted and the authors ask that you the readers comment and make your voice heard.

So for today, March 29, 2007

What do you feel passionate about?

Idea List.Org Round 2 (GWP Perspective)

The rest of this weekend's conference included informational workshops, amazing speakers, and goodbyes. Everyone at the conference was invited to attend one workshop on Saturday and one on Sunday. The workshop that I attend on Saturday was ran by Campus Progress and discussed how to make media work for social justice movements:

Campus Progress, part of the Center for American Progress, works to help young people -- advocates, activists, journalists, artists, and others -- to make their voices heard on issues that matter. Through an on-line magazine and student publications, public events, and grassroots issue campaigns, Campus Progress acts to empower new progressive leaders nationwide as they develop fresh ideas and perspectives and seek to communicate in new ways.

The workshop discussed methods that journalists should use to make their movement gain some head ways in their community. The group consisted of active journalists and intellectual students. There was a student from UC-Berkley who was attempting to receive her JD and Ph.D. just to name drop the type of people in attendance.
All in all, i learned a lot about how to shape messages appropriately for the media and how to maximize the effectiveness of the message. I want to thank the leaders of Campus Progress for their insight and help, it was an amazing workshop and most definitely made an impact in Dubuque, IA.

Idea List Confrerence Post 1

Hi everybody,

Greeting from The DePaul University Loop Campus in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Jeff and I are currently attending the Idealist Conference. So Far, this has been a very interesting and informative conference. Instead of going to large group workshops, everyone is broken down to small discussion groups. My group is pretty interesting; there are two people from Fargo North Dakota, one person from Portland, Or, and the rest are from all over the country. We discussed today how to connect many groups from ones community into one strong group. There is so much more to do and there will definitely be a re cap post later on today so stay tuned...

Coping with Water Scarcity

The United Nations dubbed March 22nd of every year World Water Day!! I think its safe to say that everyone who can should donate at least $1 dollar:

Face it: Clean tap water is something you take for granted. The thing is, other people, lots of them actually, aren’t so lucky. As a matter of fact, the lack of clean drinking water is one of the most urgent health crises facing the planet today. The Tap Project lets you do something about that. But don’t worry, it’s easy—all you have to do is have a glass of water. On March 22, 2007, the United Nations' World Water Day, hundreds of restaurants in New York City, home to some of the best tap water on the planet, will invite their customers to pay $1 for something they normally get for free. The funds collected will help UNICEF save lives by providing safe drinking water to children around the world.

This is an amazing idea. I'm not usually one for getting water at restaurants (usually go for a diet coke) because I always liked the way that soda pop (soda or pop) but sometimes I just have to get a water. Most of the time its simply because I do not have the money for a pop I will grab a water. I mean, heaven help we get charged for a naturally occurring substance.

Ottowa

No, no, not Ottawa !

More than three-quarters of the world's nations have ratified the Mine Ban Treaty since it came into force in 1999, outlawing the production, stockpiling and use of victim-activated antipersonnel landmines. While the United States has yet to sign the Mine Ban Treaty, it has not used victim-activated antipersonnel landmines since the first Gulf War in 1991. The U.S. has neither exported landmines since 1992, nor produced landmines since 1997.

But, for the first time in nine years, the U.S. Government is currently considering production of a victim-activated antipersonnel mine system.

At least 20% of the people effected yearly are children in countries not where wars are taking place; instead the children are getting hurt because countries have failed to pick up there trash. Land mines are being activated by children who like how colorful and shiny they look. Ottowa is treaty which bans the production and distribution of land mines.
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RATIFIED THIS TREATY. With the current rate at which arms are sold for and the need for the United States to pay back some loans there are no guarantees or protections against unleashing these dangerous weapons. Urge your government both your local government and federal government.

Take Action

Originally, I told all of you that the blog authors were working on some type of database where everyone could email their reps and demand action. Well, UNICEF USA already has something of that fashion on there web site.

Here is the Link! I encourage everyone to visit the site and get active.

HIV/AIDS Stats

From UNICEF:

Deaths due to AIDS

Every minute of every day, a child under the age of 15 dies of AIDS-related illness.

AIDS claimed three million lives in 2004. One of every six of them was a child under the age of 15.

In 2004, 510,000 children under 15 years old died because of AIDS.

In the words of some random blog author who has yet to post, "Take a hint." I would advise checking out the link and reading everything on that page. More needs to be done about this situation. The key to winning this battle is information. We have the responsibility to inform as many people about this crisis as possible. Here are some more stats just to leave you with:

Prevention:

The vast majority of young people do not have access to the information, skills and services that are essential for HIV/AIDS prevention.

Sad.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

These Senators Make-up the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

Chairman: Joseph R. Biden (Delaware) (302)573-6345
Minority Spokesperson: Richard G. Lugar (Indiana) (202)224-4814
Christopher Dodd (202)224-1083
John Kerry (202)224-2742
Russell Fiengold (202)224-5323
Barbara Boxer (202)224-3553
Bill Nelson (202)224-5274
Barack Obama (202) 224-2854
Robert Menendez (202)224-4744
Benjamin Cardin (202)224-4524
Robert Casey (202) 224-6324
Jim Webb (202) 224-4024
Chuck Hagel (202) 224-4224
Norm Coleman (202)224-5641
Bob Corker (202)224-3344
John Sununu (202) 224-2841
George Voinovich (202) 224-3353
Lisa Murkowski (202)224-6665
Jim DeMint (202)224-6121
Johnny Isakson (202) 224-3643
David Vitter (202) 224-4623

The Phone numbers listed are their Washington DC numbers and the names are linked to their contact by email form. We should not "hassle" them, but we need to start placing some level of pressure on them.

102 Ideas

The first step toward informing our governments about this situation that I am aware of currently is from the Illinois House Republican Organization and their 102 ideas. They have a blog and are asking simply for input on how to make the Illinois state government better.

Tell them that you want think. If you are in favor of Universal Health Care for Illinois Residents, drop them a line. The Web Address is:

http://102illinoisideas.com/



(Disclaimer: I have interned for the HRO for the past 4 years)

Coming Soon...

Dear faithful reader(s), today marks a new day for this blog. The authors are currently working on a database so that you can email your elected representative(s) and start informing them about the situation facing children around the world.

Women in Developing World

(From a Press Release)

Tomorrow, March 8, 2007 is International Women's Day. In preparation for this event Ann Veneman addressed the 51st session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women:

“Despite progress, we continue to live in a world where millions of girls remain out of school, engaged in exploitative labor, are trafficked, are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and are targets of sexual violence,” Veneman said in advance of International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Doesn't this sound like something out of nineteenth century? For the developing world it is still the nineteenth century. These young women are being denied the education needed to protect themselves against life threating situations. More education is needed for everyone in the world about situations like these. Its too bad America is busy spending money on bigger bombs and having too much fun going into debt to worry about this.

“It is long past time that countries, cultures and communities everywhere accept that it is in their own best interests to treat girls and women as equals,” Veneman said. “Common sense and economics alike tell us that a society cannot possibly marginalize half its population and expect positive outcomes.”

UEFA News (Related to UNICEF)

Last years UEFA Champions League won yesterday in Liverpool but lost the round on goal aggregate. Now you are asking yourself why is the author bringing this up. Simple, check out these uniforms worn by Barcelona.

Its a shame the lucky uniforms couldn't have helped out. I know that a certain other author that will be sorely disappointed with this outcome even though this is the first time s/he will have heard about it.
But any who, I think its safe to say that this is going to be a good year for English football. Chelsea also won their round against Porto, The Gunners and Man U play their rounds today.

Hague Kinda Day

The New York Times recently published an article about Fatou Bensouda. Ms. Bensouda is responsible for prosecuting war criminals, those whose crimes are against humanity and matters of genocide. The article discusses some upcoming issues surrounding pending trials in the Hague. I highly recommend reading the article.

Genoide Ruling From the Hague

Big News coming from the Hague:

Serbia had failed to prevent the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica during the Bosnian war... [The] genocide did take place at Srebrenica, and gave a long list of atrocities throughout Bosnia which it said were carried out by Bosnian Serb fighters. But the court said it could not prove strict intent by the Serbian state, and therefore decided Serbia was not guilty of genocide...The practical effect of the ruling is to spare Serbia from being forced to pay heavy financial reparations that Bosnia was seeking over the massacre.

Read the article. Serbia is currently attempting to join the European Union. If the court found Serbia guilty, they most likely would not be able to meet the requirements to join. WHO CARES?? Whatever happened to rights of the Bosnian people who lost their lives unfairly?

Darfur Update

Keep the pressure on and maybe somebody will blink...

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - One of Darfur's main rebel factions complained on Wednesday it had not been invited to talks in Libya between Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Darfur rebels who have rejected a shaky peace deal.

The peace talks, expected to start on Wednesday, are aimed at trying to entice a rebel coalition, the National Redemption Front, to join a 2006 peace deal between Khartoum and one faction of the former rebel Sudan Liberation Movement.

Gaddafi is expected to try to persuade the NRF to join the peace deal for Darfur, where an estimated 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million driven from homes since 2003.

Maybe Ike was right. Remember history class in high school about communism? The American reason for involvement was what the state department called the Domino Effect. If one country fell, the others would surely follow. History shows us that did not ever happen but maybe it was the right idea for the wrong situation.

The conflict in Darfur has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The bloodshed has spilled over to Chad and Central African Republic.

Hunger Strikes

As we get done celebrating Fat Tuesday people in Burundi are literally fighting for their food.

NEW YORK, USA, 14 February 2007 – Hunger and flooding in Burundi have killed some children, have made more homeless and are keeping others out of school. Reports from a recent tour around six provinces show a mounting death toll from the crisis.

People are dying from a variety of causes, which range from being beaten for stealing crops to food poisoning from eating unfamiliar roots and leaves – or they are simply starving to death. Others have drowned in the flooding.

First read the entire article, secondly think about what it means to you. Think about the cafe, and all those Ramon noodles sitting next to your desk. Kids should not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. It is the responsibility of us as citizens of this planet to look after each other any way possible.

What is UNICEF?

(Taken from the UNICEF Web Page)

Founded in 1947, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports the work of the United Nations Children's Fund by raising funds for its programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world's children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, we are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children's lives.

How do I volunteer?

If you do not have the time to volunteer, there are still other ways to get involved. Donate some money. Even the smallest donations make a difference.

Education in the War World

I think it is safe to say that every body deserves a right to education. Currently in Iraq there are some problems:

NEW YORK, USA, 15 February 2007 – Schools are becoming critical hubs of stability within Iraq, thanks to a UNICEF-supported restoration programme designed to stem school closures and growing drop-out rates.

The initiative is critical because insecurity is destroying Iraqi children’s right to an education and forcing parents in some areas to choose between their children’s schooling and their safety. And even for those children who do make it to school, often there are not enough qualified teachers or adequate facilities.

“Our parents drop us off at school and pick us up,” says Hanan, 11, who attends a school in Baghdad and hopes one day to be a pharmacist. “They are afraid for our safety because of what is happening in the streets – the explosions.”

There is some hope.

The continuation of schooling is a primary UNICEF concern in all emergency situations. During armed conflict and in the aftermath, education can offer structure and stability for children and adolescents. And in Iraq, as in every country, a quality education for all children is the best guarantee of a better future.

First Post Fun!

There is more going on in the world than just what is happening in Iraq. Unfortunately while searching both the Times and Post web pages I could not find anything else. There are some hidden gems sitting around like this one:

SYDNEY, Australia, Feb. 18 — The Australian foreign minister said Sunday that his government had reached a deal to allow David Hicks, who has been held at the American military base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, for more than five years without trial, to return to Australia by the end of the year.

American military prosecutors have accused Mr. Hicks, 31, an Australian citizen, of attempted murder in violation of the laws of war and providing material support for terrorism. Mr. Hicks, who was captured in Afghanistan in late 2001, is expected to be formally charged soon.