http://corinne1.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/558813 I've never liked taking resolutions. I know that after a week or two, they fall apart. If I feel there's something I really need to change, I don't wait for the new year, I just change it right away.

However, when I look back at the past year, I can't help but tell myself that I really hope 2009 wont be as 2008. I hope that, one year from now, I will be able to look at how the world evolved in 2009 and be proud. Good luck!

In the mean time, Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad.

If the new year does not bring peace to the world,m ay it at least bring it to your heart and family.

Love

Corinne]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:08:00 EST http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/558813 45.5 -73.583333345.5-73.5833333 http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/500487
I was just appointed as the Cabinet Youth Minster of Foreign Affairs and International Relations. This is par of the Youth Government of Canada.

Youth Government is a pretty new organization. And so, I will be initiating all the projects related to Foreign Affairs and International Relations. I'm interested in knowing what are your dreams. Wether you are Canadian or not, which initiatives would you like us to have and what do you think should be our goals. I have ideas of mine, but I said, I'm interested in knowing what other people think!

Thank you!]]> Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:24:00 EDT http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/500487 45.5 -73.583333345.5-73.5833333 http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/499083
When you look at the media, all the publicity is about criticizing the other party and depicting its leader as some sort of villain whose policies will completely destroy Canada as we know it. Personally I am tired of this. Instead of having meaningful discussions and debates, which would lead to a greater understanding of politics and perhaps even less cynicism towards the actual political system, we candidates insulting each other. Really, I feel like I'm back in kindergarten.

If criticizing and insulting the other is all what our political leaders know how to do, then we are in serious trouble. I fear that this will keep us from getting new and original ideas and solutions to problems. I fear that people will stop voting because Canadian politics will have lost all credibility. Instead of always looking at what the other party did wrong, tell us what you will do right!]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:53:00 EDT http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/499083 45.5 -73.583333345.5-73.5833333 http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/487677 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:28:00 EDT http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/487677 45.5 -73.583333345.5-73.5833333 http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/470881
As I talked with people from other countries, I started getting a better understanding of how other people perceived me, as a Canadian. However, I was not prepared to here my friend`s surprise when she learned that there was poverty in Canada. That`s when I truly realized how some people saw Canada as some sort of paradise.

Of course I was surprised. I am used to being very critical of the social system as well at the national and international politics of Canada. I know our health care and our education systems are often more affordable and allow better services to the "whole" population than in most countries. However, there are still so many lacks in the system and so many inequalities and injustices still remaining.

I have lived in Montreal all my life. Although I was lucky enough to live in a wealthier part of the island, all of my visits downtown had confronted me to the reality of poverty. Homeless people, sitting on the sidewalks, asking for money. This is even more heart breaking when winter comes, for our winters can be long and cold, sometimes reaching temperatures as low as -30 degrees C. Many of these people don't have the proper clothing to stay warm during those cold periods and struggle to find somewhere decent to sleep.

Of course we have some NGOs who's mission is to provide help to the homeless. And they do a good job, for the means that they have. As for our provincial government, its social system has many lacks. We do have a social insurance which provides unemployed people with a job. However, the whole system has many lacks. For example, in order to be provided with any help, one needs to have a place of residence. For many homeless, this is a difficult task, for which many don't know how to go about. Also, the financial aid provided is very low, and often barely covers more than the basic costs of rent. This situation becomes even worst in the case of families. There are many schools where teachers see the children coming in without having eaten breakfest and without a real lunch in their bag.

On a report writting by a Montreal counsil, it is affirmed that one third of Montreal's population lives in poverty (do not confuse with extreme poverty). The most at risk groups are single-mothers, immigrants and, in other regions of the country, natives. Some progrest has been made in getting some people out of poverty, however, like in many other regions accross the planet, the difference between rich and poor become increasingly big.

Yes, Canada is in many aspects more advanced than many countries in terms of living conditions, but Canada is not a complete paradise. A lot of workk still needs to be done in order to make our society better. Many challenges await governments, NGOs and the whole population. Canada is priviledge, but it is not perfect. Governments still haven't started doing their best.]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:00:00 EDT http://corinne1.tigblog.org/post/470881 45.5 -73.583333345.5-73.5833333