The Little Mermaid is one of Copenhagen's most popular tourist attractions. I don't know why it is so popular because it's just a 4 foot tall bronze statue at the waters edge. Of all the statues in Copenhagen, why this one? It isn't the tallest or most elaborate, but it seems to draw in crowds by the dozens each day. The statue was built in 1913 and was a gift to the city donated by Carl Jacobsen, brewer and son of Carlsberg brewery founder. The statue was inspired by ballerina Ellen Price who danced the lead role in The Little Mermaid ballet at the Royal Theatre. The Little Mermaid fairytale, written by Hans Christian Andersen, has made this statue the attraction it is today.
It was a warm, sunny day, so of course it was overcrowded and you had to wait in line to get a picture with the statue. Natalie and I weren't leaving without a picture, so we waited our turn and almost battled a group of old men to get our picture first. My 8 year old cousin, Emma, has red hair, and our favorite movie to watch together is The Little Mermaid. Because she has red hair, naturally she would be Ariel and I get to be flounder, her trusted fish friend. Although it wasn't quite as fun as visiting my cousin, it was a nice walk through the park along the docks and I was reminded of Emma.
We had class today in the afternoon rather than the morning in order to have a video presentation from two people in different time zones. On our way to class, Natalie and I stopped to get a salad to go. I got a chicken salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, avocado, and pesto dressing. We weren't the only ones to bring food to class, so the entire room smelled delicious.
The first presenter was Maria Pia Belloni Mignatti, a researcher with an emphasis on Third Country National family reunification and migration policy. Third Country Nationals are individuals who are in transit or who are applying for a visa in a country that is not their country of origin. Maria Pia starts her presentation by challenging the documentation of children and their rights in the developing world, stating that children are often forgotten and "disappear." Migrant or not, children have a right to education, a good education. However, poverty is a pervasive obstacle for children, their families, and the education system. Maria Pia argues that women and children are the most vulnerable victims of gender blind European Union migration laws; therefore, legislation should be changed from a national view to a universal human rights approach. The destruction of the family unit has a negative impact on children's psychological development.
Jerry Aldridge, past president of OMEP-USA, presented on how to make a difference within the refugee population, specifically Syrian refugees and the Za'atari Refugee camp in Jordan. Jerry talks about the four different ways of learning: transmission, transaction, transformation, and transmutation. Transformation is one of the most important ways one can help by learning to make a difference in the world through action. Transmutation is making a different, and as a result, changing on a personal and individual level. Transmutation is what happens to us when we help others. In my work at Women Helping Battered Women and my future careers as a social worker, not only do I help others, but I am also changed when I do. Jerry later talks more extensively about Za'atari and OMEP's initiative to help. Specifically, Jerry is working on an emergency kit for emotional support of young children and their families. Oftentimes, volunteers will enter refugee camps without the necessary tools and skills to best help the people they are working with. This emergency kit will focus on children from birth to age 5, will be translated into the primary language of the refugee camp, and will incorporate culturally relevant and appropriate materials for children and families. There is still a lot of research and work that needs to be done before implementing the emergency kits. At the end of Jerry's presentation, he encouraged us to get involved by examining current programs for emotional support, determining what should be included in the kit, help recognize funding sources, and many other opportunities to help. I was intrigued and inspired by Jerry's presentation. Who knows, I may end up traveling to Za'atari to work with refugee children one day.
Jerry Aldridge, past president of OMEP-USA, presented on how to make a difference within the refugee population, specifically Syrian refugees and the Za'atari Refugee camp in Jordan. Jerry talks about the four different ways of learning: transmission, transaction, transformation, and transmutation. Transformation is one of the most important ways one can help by learning to make a difference in the world through action. Transmutation is making a different, and as a result, changing on a personal and individual level. Transmutation is what happens to us when we help others. In my work at Women Helping Battered Women and my future careers as a social worker, not only do I help others, but I am also changed when I do. Jerry later talks more extensively about Za'atari and OMEP's initiative to help. Specifically, Jerry is working on an emergency kit for emotional support of young children and their families. Oftentimes, volunteers will enter refugee camps without the necessary tools and skills to best help the people they are working with. This emergency kit will focus on children from birth to age 5, will be translated into the primary language of the refugee camp, and will incorporate culturally relevant and appropriate materials for children and families. There is still a lot of research and work that needs to be done before implementing the emergency kits. At the end of Jerry's presentation, he encouraged us to get involved by examining current programs for emotional support, determining what should be included in the kit, help recognize funding sources, and many other opportunities to help. I was intrigued and inspired by Jerry's presentation. Who knows, I may end up traveling to Za'atari to work with refugee children one day.
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