Day 20
Alright, alright, you can all stop yelling at me now, I know what WHO is.
You know, I was never really into UN things. In high school I didn't participate in Model UN and didn't find time to learn about how the nations of the world work together to keep peace. It has never really interested me. Taking this voyage has certainly opened my eyes to the importance of international relations but it is still not something I have a passion for. It's not going to become a goal of mine to become a diplomat. Although living abroad does sound fun.
We spent the day at the WHO office in Brussels. They served us coffee, tea, and chocolates before giving us a presentation about the formation of the UN and the subsequent formation of WHO and what it does.
Their Mission:
- shaping the research agenda and disseminating valuable knowledge.
- Articulating evidence-based policy
- Monitoring health situate and assessing health trends
- Providing technical support, catalyzing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity
- Setting standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation
Their Values:
- Equity
- Excellence
- Respect
- Solidarity
- Integrity
They currently have eight development goals for the world that started in 2006 and with a projected end date of 2015:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/Aids and Malaria
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Global partnership for development
They showed us multiple public websites where you can track the progress of these goals and how each country has grown and improved throughout time. It was all very interesting to see how banding together can make a difference.
After the presentation they fed us lunch – which were some unidentifiable but still edible sandwiches and more tea and chocolates.
Two SAS alumni that now live in Brussels joined us for the whole day and after lunch talked to us about their own experience on SAS and how they ended up in Belgium. Both of them completed their masters at schools in Brussels. Masters degrees abroad are significantly cheaper and just as good as masters degrees in the US. It was really cool to talk to them and get a perspective on moving to a foreign country.
We got a tour of the city afterwards although all we really wanted to do was eat waffles and chocolate and shop for post cards. Especially because most of us are leaving for Paris in the morning and so won't have any more time in Belgium. We ended up being allowed 15 minutes to walk around a main plaza. We had to do Belgium in 15 minutes. I got a waffle covered in strawberries and white chocolate. We then went into a store and bought some post cards and magnets. We then went in to Godiva. But not just any Godiva, the original Godiva Chocolate in Brussels, Belgium. Established in 1926. Yum, yum, yum!
We successfully did Belgium in 15 minutes. At least to the best of our ability. Woo!
We got back to the ship around 6 and I spent the rest of the night cleaning and packing and relaxing. I leave tomorrow for Paris at 8 in the morning. I am so ready.
