In this issue
What is AI? The importance of student activism School walkout Easy international food recipe Student poetry submission Acknowledgements
Foreword Welcome to the third and final edition of Global Voices created by your 2017/18 Global Student Council. The 2017/18 Global Student Council is coming to a close, and from September 2018 there'll be a brand new group of students representing the Pamoja community. In honour of our internationalism, this final issue is all about what’s happening across the globe today; from inspirational students speaking out on prevalent issues, to groundbreaking technological advancements, we cover it all!
Although this GSC will soon be handing over to a new group of Student Ambassadors, you can still continue to send your content for inclusion in the next issue of Global Voices by emailing gsc@pamojaeducation.com. Until our next newsletter, you can stay in touch by following us:
@pamojagsc
Beyond this, we have also included another student poetry submission, an easy international food recipe, and more! You’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.
Best wishes,
Harneet
What’s been inspiring you recently? Our special feature topic this edition is student activism, so we've looked at the importance of activism, including how to become a student activist yourself. You can delve deeper by reading a piece about Content Editor Lydia's inspiring walkout, which raised awareness of a serious issue and brought the school community together; make sure you check it out!
GSC President
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What is AI?
Well, artificial intelligence is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans. It aims to provide an easy communication between computers and humans through speech recognition, learning, planning and problem solving.
by Manaswi
It is software that gathers and analyses data, which we are already familiar with. Take the Facebook news feed as an example; it adjusts automatically to our interests. The algorithms take a flood of data, filter out what's most likely to interest us and thus place it for us at the top of the page. But that's not the end of it. The next step is nothing less than mimicking the human brain with computers; in other words, machines learn to think and act as humans. All machines network together and produce data that is vast and has to be analysed. It will take immense computer capacity to make that possible, and that kind of capacity has not been available until now. However, as more and more powerful computers are developed, our artificial intelligence is making great strides. Artificial intelligence is also involved in business. Activities, work and patterned actions can potentially be taken over by artificial intelligence. For example, corporate census projects that by 2035, the use of artificial intelligence will help the economy in most elite nations of the world such as US, UK, Sweden, Germany, Japan, etc.
As we all know, there is a lot of hype about artificial intelligence (AI) around the world that claims it is the future of our society. But what is it exactly? A computer can beat the world chess champion and understand voice commands on your smartphone, but real artificial intelligence has yet to arrive. The pace of change is quickening, though. Some people say it will save humanity, even make us immortal. Others say it could destroy us all. But, the truth is, most of us don't really know what AI is or what it can do.
But what will happen to jobs when robots take over as colleagues? In order for us to benefit from artificial intelligence, governments, businesses and societies will have to organize necessary changes together, because experts agree that over the next 20 years, artificial intelligence will fundamentally change our economy and our way of working.
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“...and there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.” - Martin Luther King Jr. At every stage of our lives we need to acknowledge and remember the importance of activism. As students, we are not an exception.
#BeAnActivist
The importance of activism by Radha Student activism is the act of creating the world you wish to live in by standing up for what's right. It is important that as students we make our voices heard. Here is a breakdown of a few ways that you can make a change. Step one: Know exactly what you’re passionate about. Why do you want to change it? What about this topic motivates you to speak up? Step two: Research. Educate yourself about the history of your topic. Has it been going on for a long time? Have there ever been protests or any activism that made a big news storm? Learn about your topic inside and out, know all the points as to why you are against or for it. Do not forget to research the legality of what you are doing. Stay safe.
Step three: Identify your goals. What do you wish to achieve from your activism? What action are you wishing to evoke? Do you want signatures for a petition, to create a march, or a following on social media to spread awareness? Step four: Allies. Find people, hopefully students too, that believe in and are passionate for the same cause or points that you are. Make sure that you have a strong support group. Remember that even if you don’t have many people at the moment, through educating people you can gain more and more. If you think this is something that needs to be known about then stick to it! Step five: Create your solid plan and go! What is your main goal, think back to it - how are you going to achieve this now? With these steps you could change the world. Never doubt that your voice is being heard. YOU matter.
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School walkout for gun control by Lydia Our walkout in a nutshell was about forty minutes long, filled with powerful speeches, performances, and minutes of silence to honour those who had lost their life in any school shooting. This was a powerful statement, as people from all walks of life joined this movement; teachers, athletic students, artistic students, academic students, and anyone else came together by my school’s lake to stand up for what we believe in.
A hot topic across the United States (and the world) right now is the news that students are protesting for school safety and more strict gun laws. This is because over the years, school shootings in America have gone on an upward trend to the point of which in January 2018, there was almost a school shooting every day. What really sparked this movement was a school shooting in Stoneman Douglas High School where seventeen people were killed among with others who were injured.
This was the closest I had ever seen my school be within my twelve years there. Afterwards, we were all given sticky notes to write messages and post them all around the school, so anyone could see what we had to say. This is by far one of the greatest and most inspiring movements I have ever witnessed, and I cannot wait for what else this generation will succeed at changing.
While not going into the specifics of the matter, this sparked an outrage among students and teachers from around the world. The movement became so powerful that schools everywhere began supporting it, along with celebrities and news stations. I even had the privilege to host a walkout at my own school.
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Easy international recipe
Jordanian Oozie
Ingredients: Rice A choice of chicken, lamb, beef, or vegetables like corn, beans and sweet potato Ketchup Almonds
by Bylasan As millions of Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, we thought we would share with you just one of the several easy dishes that are often cooked during this time. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year, is a time in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset as well as practice good deeds such as charity. Iftar, the time in which the fast is broken, hence takes on a special significance in this month and is a communal, celebratory time.
Saffron rice
A dish that is often prepared during Ramadan thanks to its easy preparation and nutritious value is Oozie. Oozie originates from Jordan and is cooked all over the Middle East in variations.
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Peas Carrots Spices cinnamon, turmeric, saffron, and nutmeg Butter Onions
Serves 5 1. Bake 1kg of chicken covered with a mixture of olive oil, ketchup, and turmeric until it is ready in the oven at 180°C. The chicken should be wrapped in aluminium foil for one hour in the oven, then removed the aluminium foil for 30 minutes before it is removed.
2. Make saffron rice using the rice, saffron, and onions. Click here for a guide on how to make saffron rice! 3. The vegetables should be boiled separately. Most Jordanian households tend to include 1 ½ cups of peas and carrots each.
If you choose to use lamb or beef instead, cook 1kg ground lamb and/or beef with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices of your liking. Both the lamb and beef should be cooked for up to an hour in the oven at 180°C. You can also choose to cook all three in the same dish, or use vegetables/vegetarian alternatives!
4. Almonds, which are sprinkled over the final dish, can either be baked or fried with olive oil. 5. Set the saffron rice mixed with vegetables, ground beef, and lamb at the bottom. Then layer it with chicken and almonds and you’re done!
Photos: Travel this Earth
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t n e d Stu sion! is m sub
Anatomy
by Majed Student at Island Academy International School, Antigua and Barbuda Ambiguity flowing through vessels, Seated near essentialsFar from explanation, Close to the abyss of the unknownThreaded through the yarn of minds Normality is supercilious Leeways are obscene, But still the path most taken: The rain dropping rapidly As if it’s being chasedBy the visionary masters Blind to realityOn the scripts that teach, But encage and isolateWhere aristocrats thrive, From disproportionate figuresFeathers dictate the background With texts of unfathomable power Streamed through many nights And many disasters: Leading up to the presentWhere they are shunned And presented with a screenWhich dictates unseen and seen.
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Student artwork
by Sherina
Most international students will understand how difficult it is to answer the question 'Where are you from?'. As a 'third culture kid', I have grown up in a few different countries and each has HARNEET influenced my personality and cultural identity today to varying extents. I find that after a certain period of time living in a country I start to adapt to a new lifestyle and begin to be able to call it home. In actuality, I have no idea where home is. I have not lived in my birthplace for years and have moved many times since. In this artwork I attempt to present my cultural identity as ever changing. A map of Jakarta, my home-city, was used as the overlaying identity but as I spend more time in Sweden, my current home, it becomes increasingly prominent. The brightly coloured map appears to have burst through certain areas of my face, much like Indefinite identity self-portrait, ballpoint pen, 2017 how it has begun to show in my personality. In the portrait I have drawn myself with my glasses removed and placed on my head. This aims to reveal a more naked and honest self. Furthermore I have left the majority of the gridded face, uncut and untampered with because I believe there are still many different cultures I have yet to explore and will probably be influenced by in the future. So to all you global citizens, embrace change and allow it to embrace you.
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Thank you! The Global Student Council members represent various nationalities from all corners of the globe, and live in 10 different countries. We would like to thank you for allowing us to represent you and all Pamoja students worldwide for the 2017/18 academic year.
If you're a current year one student and would like to join the GSC for 2018/19, applications are open at the moment simply email gsc@pamojaeducation.com for details. You never know, you may join us next year! Keep up to date with the GSC by following our Instagram page @pamojagsc, and send us any suggestions and student submissions for our next newsletter via either DM or email.
It is your contribution and commitment to Pamoja courses that drives the student voice and this council. We have enjoyed every second of creating the connection between Pamoja and the individual student.
Thank you again, We have had the opportunity to help Pamoja develop into a more ideal platform for a further breadth of students, and it is this challenge that has allowed for a more intertwined community of international students, which enhances our learning experience.
GSC Student Ambassadors
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GLOBAL STUDENT COUNCIL 2017/18
HARNEET
EMILY
SHERINA
BYLASAN
RADHA
TRAVIS
EVELIEN
LYDIA
JULIA
SHANE
MAIA MAIA
SAHANA SAHANA
KAYMIN KAYMIN
MANASWI MANASWI
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@pamojagsc gsc@pamojaeducation.com