Today we got into different groups and we shared our experiences with being active in our communities. It's interesting how everyone seems to have confronted the same or similar problems or obstacles at some point of their lives so in fact it was a very good exercise because others could actually give you advice (and vice versa) towards being an activist.We then had media training - where we were taught how to talk to the media, how to be careful because the media can become a poison - you have to USE it and be careful not to be used. The media is highly exploitive but as long as you know how to play the game (e.g. requesting to check their article before publishing, being careful at what you tell them and being very well prepared etc. etc.) , it is a very good way of sending your message across to the public.
At night, we had a mini-cultural evening where people put their visual materials on the the sides of the room and we would walk around and look at what others have been doing. My area of the board was filled with photos of the school, the city, a SCMP article and a copy of the Island School Code. (see <--)It's very exciting to see that people have been doing so much things in their communities but it's sad how they are always limited or dragged back by material problems such as lack of resources or funding. I am now thinking of a way to tackle this problem, and I will probably (hopefully!) have transformed it from a creative concept to a concrete plan by tomorrow night!
By the way, its excellent how people are commenting because it shows that I'm not talking to myself! Please, even if you don't have much creativity, drop a simple comment or just to say hi!
Edit (Tom:) No - we don't have debates etc. but on Thursday we will be doing some sorts of presentations for everyone else - we haven't been told the details yet though. We are going to London today.
8 comments:
ISLAND SCHOOL CODE how cultural! hahahaha! but nah sounds cool! what the hell is your plan going to be! let me know as it will be intersting to see if it works!
ps when do u start actually doing talks and stuff? or do u not do that?
MICHAAAAAAAEL. sounds really awesome adn that you are in your element :) just keep up the good work. just spoke to you on msn, go to bed.
ok bye
You are not talking to yourself. It's cold in Hong Kong at the moment and at least you've got heating.
good to see our lord and saviour mr. broon has his eyebrows fully greased for motivational kind face speech. it's a shame nobody can understand what he says, but at least it gives you something to look at.
neways, good luck michael, it looks like you've been effectively tackling world issues with your toilet roll towers ;)
but srsly, super stuff, can't wait to see what the fat cats have to say
You weren't joking about the code... (I hope the other guys appreciated it more than your previous audience at sophie's! haha) On a more serious note, what Ariel said - you are so in your element it's ridiculous! Have you been told anything else about the talks? Looking forward to the next blog :)
Many thanks for doing this blog Michael. The quotation about the media is terrific speaking as some one who has worked on either side of the media fence. The media rarely sits on the fence, they are always looking for an angle. I always say that the more you know about something the more you realise how little the media know. However, one hopes that the media keep people more honest than they would otherwise be, especially if they have editorial freedom.
Chris Durbin
Hey Michael! Really sounds like you're having a great time! I think the media training is a really good idea, cos you have to make sure it doesnt turn against you. Anyways i cant wait to hear your plan!
haha mlok,
sound like your having fun
take care man
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