Almaguin Highlands Secondary School students volunteer to participate in a mock G8 Summit. From left to right Kaylee Brooks, Brianna Phinney, Kelsey Coughlin, Steven Hepburn, Sabrina Drooff, and Annalyse Johnston.
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School students volunteer to participate in a mock G8 Summit. From left to right Kaylee Brooks, Brianna Phinney, Kelsey Coughlin, Steven Hepburn, Sabrina Drooff, and Annalyse Johnston. Missing are Randi Cope, Paige Jones, Gordie Maek, Billie Marlow, Hunter Marshall and Stephen Short.Recently 12 students from Almaguin Highlands Secondary School volunteered to participate in a Mock G8 Summit in Gravenhurst to learn and discover what will take place when world leaders meet in the Muskoka area this June.
With the assistance of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs (Summits Management Office), the students gathered for the one day event to take on the roles of a world leader, foreign minister or Sherpa to tackle the issues that face the world and propose solutions.
Almaguin student Steven Hepburn representing Germany said although he had time to study the four main topics on the agenda poverty, climate change, the world economy, and terrorism from that country's perspective he still had a great deal to learn.
“We were separated into different groups talking about different topics and from there we were able to hear the different perspectives of many other countries and what they felt about the different topics and issues.”
Hepburn, who has always had an interest in politics, adds that the mock G8 Summit has just enhanced his interest in world issues and the political scene all the more. As for opportunities for area students to participate in future events like the one held in Gravenhurst, the only advice Hepburn offered was they need to do their homework.
A student from each school that attended the mock summit was given the opportunity to nominate someone or put their own name forth for the MY SUMMIT 2010 taking place in Huntsville at the end of June. Hepburn will be the AHSS representative.
“I was nominated by my fellow peers and teachers and I will now be going to the G8 in Huntsville to greet the world delegates.”
At this point the only information Hepburn has is that he will be meeting with the world leaders and the youth who are coming from around the world.
“Oh I am so excited I really enjoy politics and I really enjoy meeting new people, so meeting the worlds most powerful people will just be another notch on the totem pole.”
