Did you go to APEC night? I think that Cynthia introduced it on her blog. The event featured free food, information about the APEC member economies, and the announcement of the winners of the APEC video contest. I of course went there and enjoyed various traditional free food, however, I felt someting unusual : there were several people who raised a board which questioned APEC. Plus I wondered why they couldserve much gorgeous food for free and what merit they could get to do that. And an article from KALEO caught my eyes.
The article mainly stated the movement of questioning university promotion of APEC. It said : A group of about 15 people protesting university support for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation marched from McCarthy Mall to Bachman Lawn last Wednesday morning. The group protestants delivered a petition to UH, demanding that " Welcome APEC" sign be taken down. On Novenver 3th, a protest by them took place and involved a march from McCarthy Mall to Campus Center, where the APEC Night took place.
" For the university to put up something that is polotically motivated is unfair, " said one of the protesters according to the article. My opinion is almost same as her. I think that education should be independent from any dormant thoughts. But the food in the APEC Night was really awesome!!!!
APEC claims that it aims to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. I wonder which country's growth and prosperity it supports and doubt whether APEC conference is on the right track. I mean it needs to return its focus to regional trade liberalization.
ReplyDeleteNaoko, good reflection! Like the Hawaiian professor said at the event, we should start a conversation between two sides and try to understand both sides. It is necessary to have voices, but it does not mean that conflicts is inevitable. People sometimes do irrational things and that creates more problems and misunderstandings. I was standing by the guy who was holding the sign with the demand of canceling APEC, I was hesitant to talk to him because he seemed mad. I actually wanted to talk to him and understand more about their position, but I did not because he behaved aggressively.
ReplyDeleteIf you want people to listen to you, I guess you should listen to others first.
Just a thought!
I wanted to go to APEC night.Recanly,we have traffic because of APEC.But I don't know detail,I should study about APEC.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to go to APEC night,but I didn't go.Recently,we have traffic because of APEC.Actually,I don't know about that,so I should study.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to go to APEC night,but I didn't go.Recently,we have traffic because of APEC.Actually,I don't know about that,so I should study.
ReplyDelete