Here’s a pop quiz: Of the following 10 important
international issues, how many can you explain in detail? Be
honest!
The Ukrainian fight for democracy, the British elections, the
Syrian pullout from Lebanon, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the
current European Union news, the Myanmar struggle for democracy,
apartheid and Nelson Mandela, the China-Japan conflict, the North
Korean situation and America’s current shape in the war in
Iraq.
Now try to name nine current international leaders (keep in mind
nine is less than 5 percent of the total number of countries in the
world).
How did you do? If you are familiar with more than half of the
10 issues, and you could name nine leaders, I applaud you. I
conducted a small informal survey asking my classmates the above
questions, and the results are frightening. Here’s how some
of your classmates stacked up.
Although the sample was small (only 31 students), it is a very
telling start. Of the 10 issues, not a single student could explain
more than five. The majority of the students could only explain
three or four issues, and a significant number of students only
knew two or fewer. As for listing world leaders, only two students
could list nine, while the vast majority could only list three or
four leaders, with President Bush being one of them.
Our lack of global consciousness is obvious. We are some of the
smartest students in the world’s leading nation, yet
we’re pathetic when it comes to international issues. I do
not exclude myself from this accusation, as I would have done
poorly on my own survey. But something needs to be done.
I believe a course requirement to teach current global events
would be the motivation we need to arouse our interests and
stimulate awareness. Certainly it can be said that there is a role
for individual responsibility, but I think interest begins with
knowledge. If we are given an adequate foundation, we will find an
interest in the rest of the world.
We lack the stimulation that is needed to keep ourselves
informed of international topics. I believe that all of these
things need to be, and could be, changed by taking a current events
class.
A class could not only teach students about the global issues
that we face today, but could also teach us how to stay informed
long after the class has ended. If we become knowledgeable about
international issues, we will then be able to follow the news and
continue to be conscious about them.
This would of course be new to many students who don’t
understand the myriad international topics being discussed in the
news in the first place and thus completely divert their attention
from it. Interest cannot be spawned without initial knowledge.
Our current level of awareness is inexcusable. Our position in
the world should be reason for us to be the most aware about
international issues. As Americans, we hold the future of the earth
in our hands ““ every act by the U.S. government affects other
cultures, either directly or indirectly.
Some scholars have even joked that the rest of the world should
get a third of a vote in our country because of the huge effect our
politics have on the fate of other countries. We have the privilege
and duty to make well-informed decisions that will ultimately
affect the future of the world.
Universities have a vital role in our future, as they will mold
some of the most influential people in the nation. As the world is
marching toward globalization, with America in the front of the
line, it has become even more imperative to teach global issues to
each and every student.
Americans must understand that nothing is a
“foreign” issue ““ everything affects us. No
longer does it suffice for us to think, “If it doesn’t
affect me, I don’t care.”
UCLA must have higher standards for their students. UCLA alumni
will go on to be leaders in our nation, become some of the most
educated citizens, and will make a strong impact on the future.
After four years of higher education, lacking basic knowledge of
the world is just plain embarrassing.
During my years of vigorous study at this university, I only
wish that I had learned more about today’s global issues. My
freshman year started only weeks after one of the most infamous
days of U.S. (not to mention world) history, Sept. 11, 2001.
If I have learned anything during my college education,
it’s the importance of understanding international issues and
the grave dangers of being unaware. We are young. We are bright. We
are hungry for knowledge. We are the future of this country ““
so give us the foundation we need to break the stereotype of the
ignorant American.
Mori is a fourth-year communication studies
student.