School: Raffles Institution
    Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

4 students, ages 16 worked together to complete this Doors to Diplomacy project on March 22, 2010. They have participated in Doors to Diplomacy in the following year(s): 2007, 2008

Classes and Teachers: Mr. Eric Koh, Gil Seob, Yi Jiang, Xi Rui, Zhang Ming

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.ri.edu.sg/

1. Description of Our Team

Our team consists of Gil Seob (leader), Yi Jiang, Zhang Ming and Xi Rui. Our team consists of 15 to 16 year olds. We mainly joined together as a team as we believed that we believed that our topic is something which is truly relevant to our lives and should be further researched. Our project, Green Economy, was something which we truly believed in and we wanted to make a difference in the environment and the economy sectors. This project involved many different jobs. To start off, we had the job of making the actual website. For us, we had an IT specialist, Yi Jiang, who was very familiar with the use of technology, especially in terms of website development. He was also crucial in doing other jobs such as the video editing. Another job was certainly the gathering of the data. This was done by everyone in the group and for this, we decided to take specific sections for ourselves. There was the translating job. This could be efficiently done due to the different backgrounds each of us had. Gil Seob was the one doing the Korean translation due to his South Korean nationality and Xi Rui, together with Zhang Ming did the Chinese translations as they were very fluent with it. Furthermore, we also had our adult coach, Mr Eric Koh. He has greatly contributed in many ways. He firstly provided with some equipments such as the video camera which we did not have. Furthermore, he has given us advice on how to go deeper in terms of content and how to make the website more appealing such as the usage of the videos and translations.

2. Summary of Our Project

Our project has the theme of “Green Economy”. This idea refers to balancing the ideas of Economy and the Environment sectors. This can be achieved through various ways such as cutting down on some things or choosing a “Greener” alternative. The purpose of our Doors to Diplomacy project is mainly to show what the situation truly behind the common facts is and show what can be done. We wish to reveal to the world what are the untold factors and what they can do about the environment instead of just talking about it and knowing about it. Through our project, we hope to inspire others to take action. Furthermore, we also want to stress the importance of doing this diplomatically. In the past, nations were on their own as they approached these projects. However, we truly hope to show that achieving a “Green Economy” is something which cannot be done by just one country and that it should not be done by just one nation. There is the need for a global action in which every nation must do its share of work before the environment changes in any way. By having such diplomacy, we believe that Green Economy can be achieved and may even replace the current systems that are not “Green” enough.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

http://www.ri.sch.edu.sg/d2d/green/discussion/conclusion/

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Green Economy- just the idea that the current financially-stricken and environmentally-troubled world needs

6. How did your activities and research for this Doors to Diplomacy Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

Our project was on the topic of Green Economy. This rising issue deals with the scientific and geographical problem- the environment and global warming. This also deals with the idea of economics. These can certainly teach a great deal to the students who may be unsure as to how to connect these two very different ideas together. We also tried to better understand diplomacy and international issues. During the course of the project, we realized that diplomacy is very important in making Green Economy a success. The environment will not change greatly due to a small country doing its share of work in terms of reducing its carbon emissions. This is something which must be done throughout the world to have enough effect. As for the teaching and learning method, we truly believe that it may be more effective. In cases such as the Green Economy, by using the new methods, through a website, one can relate to many people globally at one time and reach out to many different types of people. Furthermore, it gives us the option to use technology such as videos. Through the usage of videos, one can certainly learn in a different way and one may be able to grasp the difficult concepts much more easily.

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your Doors to Diplomacy project?

http://www.ri.sch.edu.sg/d2d/green/research/methodology/

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your Doors to Diplomacy project both on-line and in person.

So far, we contacted several people to help us out in our project. These people involved those from the government bodies such as the MEWR as well as the shop owners of electric bicycles. Using the information given by them, we have further developed our project and as a result, we have managed to complete our project successfully. This information was things that could not be found elsewhere and were truly important. Thus, we hope to relay the information given to us to the rest of the world who will be looking at our website. We would act as the middle-men using the information and spreading it to the mass group of people. Furthermore, we may want to do more in the future. We may want to try to focus on spreading the idea through people. We would want to try to tell as many people as possible and we may want to try to give out handouts which will lead to our website. This is truly important as we will be able to lead more people to our website.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

Our project is one that can affect a great number of people and possibly lead to great macro changes through micro movements. Firstly, there is the macro idea. This would involve the theory part relating to the economy as well as the environment. Our project, Green Economy, would mean that the environment is balanced out with the economic benefits with neither losing out. The environment would undergo its share of changes as it is conserved due to the ideas and practices and the economy will benefit at the same time using them. This can be caused by the micro changes in society. Among the various ideas relating to Green Economy, one was highly plausible. This was the electric bicycle. As shown in our project, the electric bicycle can certainly have impact in terms of environment. Thus, should it be used by many, it will be able to achieve a considerable impact in terms of the environment. It would also lead to better situations in economy as the benefits gained from the purchase of these electric bicycles and from the usage can be great. Lastly, this can help the society as well. The society would have the micro changes in which they make use of this new transport. The society would certainly benefit due to the convenience it brings about in terms of transport. Once this system is established among the society, the government would also be encouraged to make their move in terms of changing the infrastructure. Thus, the community can also benefit because of following our project.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

Our team had a great deal of help from other members of the community. We have managed to get 2 direct interviews with electric bicycle shop owners in Singapore. They told us a great deal about the situation in Singapore and the usage in Singapore. We also want to thank other interviewees such as the journalists and other bicycle shop owners who have helped us get crucial information about Green Economy. Furthermore, we wish to thank all the governmental organizations who have helped us in understanding the official view.