SOSE hosts Ateneo Global Climate Change Week
The School of Science and Engineering (SOSE), in coordination with partner organizations and the Haribon Foundation, held the Ateneo Global Climate Change Week from October 9 to 15. According to SOSE Representative Neicy Pilarca, the objective of the event was to spread awareness on the negative effects of climate change, and in turn, show the necessity of responding to it as a community. A talk on the effects of climate change on biodiversity and human health was held at Escaler Hall, while a discussion on global warming denial and sustainable development took place at the Leong Hall Auditorium. Exhibits depicting the effects of climate change were displayed at the MVP lobby and Kostka Extension. Environmental documentaries like Chasing Coral (2017) and The Age of Consequences (2016) were also shown at Escaler Hall and SEC B, respectively. Tristan R. Chan
Buklod Atenista Midyear Conference highlights human rights and peace
Buklod Atenista (BA), composed of the five Ateneo student governments in the Philippines, held their 34th Midyear Conference from October 27 to 30 at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). Representatives from ADMU, Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan tackled human rights, mental health, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE), and violent extremism. The summit also held a national situationer, which shed light on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, peace process, indigenous peoples’ rights, and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone. The conference then proceeded with a deliberation on different action points and resolutions regarding the BA mission statement, transferring of hosting rites from ADMU to ADDU for the BA National Leaders’ Summit and Midyear Conference, and the BA Code of Internal Procedures, among others. Angelica S. Andaya
Journalists tackle misinformation in ‘Fake News and Fact Checkers’ forum
The Asian Center for Journalism held the “Fake News and Fact Checkers” forum on October 26 at Faura AVR. It tackled the problem of misinformation within journalism and its repercussions for the public. Kim Kierans, a journalist and academic in Canada, and Avigail Olarte, an editor at CNN Philippines, were the speakers. Kierans noted that Canadians do not experience the problem of misinformation in the same way that Americans and Filipinos do because they “have a different nature of politics.” She also addressed how fake news “damages the democratic process” of a country, and reminded journalists to “provide people with information they need to be free and self-governed.” Olarte, on the other hand, talked about her involvement with VERA Files, a website that specializes in fact-checking. She also emphasized the importance of understanding the context, behavior, and motivation of spreading fake news. Thea Unson
North Korean refugees give Ateneans a glimpse of DPRK
Ateneo’s Korean Studies Program and the Political Science Department, in cooperation with Seoul-based NGO Woori Hana, hosted the “Inside North Korea” forum on October 25 at Escaler Hall. Woori Hana Executive Director Sejun Park, and North Korean refugees and academics Hyunju Kim and Jessi Kim graced the event. Park discussed how the nuclear issue has not yet been resolved due to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) rivalry with South Korea, and that the solution is for North Koreans to “change their perceptions of the regime.” Hyunju Kim tackled the issue of human trafficking of North Korean women to China, and how “people aware of basic human rights should become voices for North Korean women victims.” Jessi Kim discussed the need for democratization and a change in consciousness in DPRK. Joie Menchavez
