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thechasefiles · 5 years ago

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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 7/10/2019

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Monday, October 7th, 2019. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Sun Nation Newspaper (SS).

ALL CLEAR GIVEN FOR SHARON TO REOPEN – Classes for all students at the Sharon Primary School will resume tomorrow. A statement from Deputy Chief Education Officer, Joy Adamson said, the school has been cleaned and remediation work completed. Adams said that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has given the all clear for classes to recommence at the school's compound. The Senior Education Official also gave an update on the The Maria Holder Nursery School. She said the school has been in session for one week and there have been no adverse reports from students or members of staff during the week. Preliminarily air quality tests have been conducted by a private firm at both the Maria Holder Nursery and Sharon Primary schools and no alarming levels of particulate matter were detected. There will be continued monitoring around these two schools by three Ministries, the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Labour.(DN)

SPENCER: TREAT TEACHERS’ UNIONS EQUALLY – THE BARBADOS UNION OF TEACHERS (BUT) is crying foul over what it says is the way teachers’ unions have been treated. Speaking on Voice of Barbados’ Brass Tacks Sunday, president Sean Spencer told the call-in radio programme yesterday that they had been discriminated against for a number of years, and that needed to change. “You have a case where the board at Erdiston Teachers’ Training College has two seats reserved for the principals’ bodies – the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools (BAPPSS) and the Association of Principals of Primary Schools (APPS). “There is no provision for either of the two teachers’ unions. This is 2019 and the college was established in 1948,” Spencer lamented. As another example, he said while BAPPSS got financial backing, they received not one red cent to travel to the Caribbean Association of Principals of Secondary Schools meeting held earlier this year in St Vincent. “All 21 principals would have been sponsored by the Ministry [of Education]. When the BUT travelled to the same St Vincent, there was no such provision for sponsorship.” (DN)

AKHNATEN WANTS TO YAP WITH THE YOUTH – Akhnaten Burrowes has an effervescent personality. He’s also the life of any party. Spend even five minutes with the 22-year-old and it’s bound to rub off. But this was not always who he was. In fact, finding himself has admittedly been his greatest struggle. “From young it was hard. I used to go into parties and worry about what people would say when I do too much. But now I say, ‘You’re doing too little’. I’m very extra in a good way. It was a journey but when I surpassed caring what others thought about me, the rest was history. I’m glad I got past it. “I don’t care what other people think. I don’t believe in posing. I would go to any party and I don’t care who is there; you can guarantee that I would be having a good time,” he said while doing one of his signature poses. He told EASY Magazine during an interview at Sweetfield Manor, Brittons Hill, St Michael, that he prided himself on always having good vibes and being someone who made people feel good about themselves. “I was always outgoing. That’s all I know how to be. Having good energy around you is very important. When life gives you lemons or limes, you make lemonade. So rather than dwelling on the negative too much, I try to dwell a lot on the positive.” He added: “I would realise that I would have random conversations with people and they would really enjoy the conversations and appreciate the advice. It made me feel good to know that I could make someone else feel much better about themselves and make them feel happier. “Sometimes a person feels better when they know someone else is going through the same thing as them, so they’re not alone. A lot of people aren’t authentic and honest to say they do go through problems and have things that make them feel unhappy or uneasy or miserable. When someone else can relate to you and make you feel more comfortable, then this journey is easier. We really do need each other to survive,” he stressed. (DN)

OPTIONS TO JAIL – ANKLE MONITORING and electronic surveillance are being explored by Government as some of the alternatives to simply locking up people at Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds. Speaking at a Barbados Prison Services anniversary church service at Ellerton Wesleyan Holiness Church, St George, yesterday, Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson said something had to be done to help reduce the prison population. “The reality is that we have too high a number of reoffenders . . . . over 60 per cent. About 40 per cent of that is those who commit a crime within six months or so after coming out of prison. “A lot of these are related to drug offences and we are trying to address that at a societal level. There needs to be discussion on alternative sentencing such as ankle monitoring and electronic surveillance,” he told the gathering. Hinkson said the prison, which was built to house 1 250, now had 800 inmates and he was looking to cut down that number, as the alternatives came with a cost. (DN)

ALI WINS GOLD IN WOMEN'S 100M HURDLES – The United States stormed to a gold and silver finish in the Women’s 100 metre hurdles at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Nia Ali produced a personal best time of 12.34 seconds to win the race ahead of fellow American Kendra Harrison, who clocked 12.46 seconds. The favourite Danielle Williams of Jamaica settled for the bronze medal in 12.47 seconds. (DN)

PETROLEUM PRICES DOWN – The retail prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene will decrease, effective midnight Sunday, October 6. Gasoline will be adjusted from $3.81 per litre to $3.65 per litre, which represents a decrease of 16 cents; the price of diesel will drop by 1 cent, from $3.02 per litre to $3.01 per litre, and kerosene will go from $1.35 per litre to $1.31 per litre, a reduction of 4 cents. These price adjustments are in keeping with Government’s policy of allowing retail prices to be reflective of those on the international market. (BGIS)

FOGGING SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 7 TO 11 – The Ministry of Health and Wellness’ fogging programme will continue in five parishes next week. On Monday, October 7, the St Andrew districts to be fogged are Savannah Road, Shorey Village, Worrell’s Road, Belleplaine, Ermy Bourne Highway, Lakes Village, and the environs. St Peter will be treated on Tuesday, October 8, including Speightstown Bypass, Queen Street, Bovell Road, Mango Lane, Chapel Street, Gooding Alley, Major Walk, Sand Street, Church Street and nearby districts, as well as Mile-and-a-Quarter, Olton Road, Ashton Hall, Clarkes Road, Corbins Road with Avenues, Greaves Road, Reservoir Road, Millionaire Road and surrounding areas.On Wednesday, October 9, the St Lucy and St Peter districts of Checker Hall, Checker Hall Development, Rock Hall Road, Fustic Village, Sutherland and the environs, as well as Gills Road, Around the Town, Farm Road, Niles Road, Farm Tenantry Road, Burma Road, Battaleys, and surrounding districts will be treated. Areas to be fogged in St George on Thursday, October 10, are Rowans Park, Rowans Park South, Thorpes Cottage, Walkers Park East, Walkers Close and neighbouring districts. The team will be in St James on Friday, October 11, to fog Cemetery Lane, Mayhoe Avenue, Cordia Avenue, Flamboyant Avenue, Palm Row and the environs, as well as Paynes Bay, Laynes Road, Holders Hill, Chapel Road and surrounding areas.Fogging will take place between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. each day. Householders are reminded to open their doors and windows to allow the fog to enter. (BGIS)

There are 86 days left in the year Shalom! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps #bajannewscaps #newsinanutshell

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suzannemcappsca · 6 years ago

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And a Little Child Shall Lead Them – Peacemakers 2018

Joel Lee

I have in previous entries (July 2012 and July 2013) written about a peer mediation initiative called the Peacemakers Conference. The purpose of the Peacemakers Conference is to teach 13-16 year olds how to resolve conflicts amicably in a workshop cum competition format. This year’s Peacemakers Conference was held from 20 to 22 June 2018.

As in previous years, we asked students from different schools to work together to create a visual metaphor for mediation. This started in 2015 and has become a regular feature in the Peacemakers Conference. Metaphors from previous years be found in the entries for November 2015, August 2016 and July 2017.

This year, the students came up with 8 (plus 1) visual metaphors which I would like to share with readers in this entry. For each of these, an image of the students presenting the metaphor is shared along with a description of the metaphor.

I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Ms. Charmaine Yap, Ms. Samantha Lek, Mr. Sean Lim and the Peacemakers Facilitation team for capturing the the description and images of each of the metaphors that appear below.

MEDIATION METAPHORS

GROUP 1: Mediation is Magic

Mediation is Magic

Mediation is magic, and the Patronus deer that is summoned when Harry Potter casts the Expecto Patronum spell was chosen to represent the idea of magic. The spell is a charm that drives away life-sucking beasts, but is famously difficult to cast. This is like mediation – the difficult nature of practising mediation, mediating conflict, and solving conflicts and problems. When Harry Potter casts this spell, he has to recall a happy memory. However, he had to try this a lot of times, and only succeeded when he tried very hard. Similarly, if mediators do not mediate properly, the mediation will not work well, and might even make the situation worse.

Magic is also universal among everyone. From the old to the young, everyone appreciates magic. This is similar to peacemaking and mediation – everyone there is there to appreciate and understand it.

Mediation is also magical because by merely asking questions, people can be guided together. Just as there are endless types of spells, there are endless types of solutions in mediation. It is up to the mediator to ask parties questions to guide them along.

The Patronus is a beautiful animal. Harry Potter’s Patronus is a stag. Similar to mediation, it is the unpredictable and beautiful result of parties working on a framework to resolve the problem together.

GROUP 2: Mediation is the Lighthouse that guides relationSHIPS

Mediation is a Lighthouse

The lighthouse is a guide in the dark. The lighthouse symbolises the mediator, and the ships symbolise the parties. The lighthouse guides ships to land without piloting them. Similarly, the mediator guides parties to a solution without giving it to them. The darkness of the night sky symbolises how parties are unable to see each other’s perspectives, but the light from the lighthouse helps them to see each other and their common destination.

GROUP 3: Mediation is like a Camera Tripod

Mediation is like a Camera Tripod

The tripod’s three stands represent the mediator and two parties. All three support one another for the foundation of the picture, and have to support one another in order for the camera to work. They also maintain level ground for the camera. If any one of these elements are missing, the picture will not be beautiful.

The camera has to be on a level plane in order to work. This represents the mediator’s neutrality. The camera cannot stand without the mediator or one of the parties missing, and will fall. This shows how crucial each party is to the mediation.

The height of the tripod can be adjusted. This represents the flexibility of altering perspectives throughout the mediation session.

Just like how pictures in the camera can be deleted, conflict can be deleted at mediation. All the pictures taken are stored on the memory card, and are gone from the camera when the memory card is removed. This represents confidentiality at mediation.

Everyone can exercise their autonomy to participate by being in the picture. Similarly, anyone can participate in mediation and benefit from the process.

The camera’s zoom out feature allows the mediator to move away from the narrow tunnel vision and look at the big picture, while the focus feature allows parties to focus on what others are saying and listen attentively to one another.

GROUP 4: Mediation is a Missing Puzzle Piece

Skit: – “I have a puzzle but the two pieces won’t fit.” – “Should I cut it up?” – “But the puzzle won’t look nice?” – “I found another piece.” – “Oh wow it fits perfectly!”

Mediation is a Missing Puzzle Piece

Mediation is like a missing puzzle piece that connects two parties together that are imperfect. Having to cut a puzzle piece in order for them to fit is like parties sacrificing part of their interests in order to come to a compromise. Like a missing puzzle piece, mediation allows parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution that doesn’t require either to give up what is important to them. A beautiful picture is formed by the pieces fitting together, the way a solution is reached when parties and the mediator come together.

GROUP 5: Mediation is a Pair of Swans

Mediation is a Pair of Swans

Mediation is a pair of swans, because swans are gentle and peaceful. When both swans are put together, the shape their necks make is a diamond. Just like how a diamond is hard to obtain, mediation is hard to master. Both also play important roles in society. A diamond can be used as a tool to shape or carve other things, while mediation is a tool we use to sort out problems.

The spectacles on the swans show that viewing things through different lenses can help make things clearer, and help you see things from different perspectives. The bridge in the background is to commemorate the previous year’s winning metaphor.

GROUP 6: Mediation is a Compass

Mediation is a Compass

A maze has multiple entry points, each leading to the centre via a unique route. Similarly, parties enter mediation with a unique perspective. What they see, experience, and the obstacles they face can be very different from one another. When they reach the end point, there is conflict. Parties think they know each other’s stories since they are in the same space. They assume that they had experienced the same thing since they are in the same maze, but what they had gone through may be different. This is a form of tunnel vision – assuming what they experienced is the same. When that is not the case, it leads to conflict.

A compass needs a needle, cardinal directions, and its casing to work. Likewise, mediation cannot proceed if either party or the mediator is absent.

Confidentiality: The fact that the compass is enclosed in an opaque maze represents confidentiality since no one outside the maze can get an idea of what is happening in the maze.

Neutrality: Only when the compass is on a flat surface will it work well. Similarly, neutrality must be maintained by the mediator for the most effective outcome.

Autonomy: Parties choose whether they want to hold the compass or to be guided by it. The compass helps parties see different sides and perspectives to the issues by allowing them to learn about the stories of different parties. This avoids tunnel vision.

This is where mediation comes in. Mediation helps parties see different perspectives to the complicated issue by learning about the other parties’ stories. Because parties have different orientations, turning in the same direction might not necessarily set the other party on the same route. However, a compass will set parties on the same route (by guiding them North, South, East, or West), towards a solution that they can all agree on together.

Mediation is a compass because it can help parties see the complete picture, set common ground, and guide them through conflict.

GROUP 7: Mediation is a Tightrope

Mediation is a Tight Rope

A tightrope is very thin, and you have to be very focused to not lose balance. Maintaining balance is like maintaining neutrality. If you don’t maintain neutrality, you will fall. Similarly, the mediation process will not proceed well if the mediator is not neutral.

Although the tightrope is very thin, it still connects two points together. Similarly, mediation brings two parties (represented by the mountains) together. We (the students) have written everyone’s names on the tightrope in order to convey that everyone has undertaken the challenge of mediating between two parties.

GROUP 8: Mediation is a Needle

Mediation is like a Needle

There are different kinds of needles.

Threading Needle

A threading needle patches up holes in fabric, and binds different pieces of fabric together to make something beautiful. Likewise, the mediator enables parties to reach resolution. Just like how the needle guides the thread, the mediator guides parties. However, the needle can also cause hurt – it can pierce you and cause you to harm yourself. Similarly, mediation can also cause harm if it is used wrongly.

Syringe Needle

Mediation can help people recover from emotional wounds. A syringe draws out blood, like how mediation draws out conflict. A syringe needle must also be precise – specific mediation techniques need to be applied depending on the context.

Acupuncture Needle

Acupuncture needles are pin needles – they need to be inserted precisely and accurately, otherwise the patient will be in a lot of discomfort. Similarly, if the mediator says something that makes parties uncomfortable, then parties will be in a situation of discomfort. However, if the acupuncture is done well, blood will flow well into the areas that are stressed, relieving the patient of pain. This is similar to the relief mediation provides if it is done well.

SPECIAL MENTION: Mediation is a Toilet

Mediation is like a Toilet

The three principles of mediation are: (i) autonomy, (ii) neutrality, and (iii) confidentiality.

– Autonomy: Just like mediation, you can choose when, where, or how you use the toilet. You can use it in the day or night, and decide how long you want to use it for. You can even use what type of toilet you want to use – the squatting type, sitting type, or even a potty. – Neutrality: Long or short, big or small, the toilet will not judge. – Confidentiality: Whatever is made in the toilet, stays in the toilet. After the work is done and you use the flush, all evidence is destroyed.

The cubicle is like a mediation centre. You can go whenever you like, and leave only when you are satisfied.

The 4 stages of the mediation process is similar to going to the toilet.

– Opening: You are apprehensive because you don’t know what you will find in a toilet. But when you are really urgent, you go in anyway. – Information Gathering: This is when you release the poop. Sometimes there is so much that you don’t know where to begin. But once you get comfortable, everything starts pouring out. Some get constipation, while others get diarrhoea. Everyone goes through pain, and it takes time and effort, but things will come through sooner or later. After that, you can step out and take a breath of fresh air. – Problem Solving: The flushing comes after you have been satisfied. It is only when you get everything out, that you are ready to start afresh. – Closing: Now you can step out of the smelly cubicle and start afresh, since you have gotten everything out of the way.

“Pissmakers – Helping you get your shit together”

That brings us to the end of another installment of visual metaphors for mediation! I hope readers found some of these as inspiring as we did!

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