Aperture issue 2

EDITORIAL&CONTENT PAGE Dear all, The session came to an end. We as a media team, worked on the best of our abilities.

The judges of our products will be the readers of the newspapers and all those who saw the pictures and the videos.

One thing is for sure, we will go back with lots of fond memories and new friends.

John A. Shedd (1928) said : “A ship in harbor is perfectly safe-but that is not what it is build for.”

That is our message for all of you.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with experiences and adventures.

Until the next one Adi Grishaj and Ioana Pop

A spoon full of sugar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 3 Laura Teixeira Different places,different cultures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 4,5 Nuno Oliveira The sound of silence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 6 Mariam Kapanadze Globalisation vs Social exclusion/ Isolation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 7 Francisca Patricio Technological Pardox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 8,9 María Granero & Francisa Patricio The mirror effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 10,11 María Granero Gender Equality-He for She campaign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 12, 13 Ana Cerqueira Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 14,15 Nuno Oliveira & Laura Teixeira

A SPOON FULL OF SUGAR...

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verything we eat goes through a very complex digestion and absorption process and gets into the blood as simple nutrients.The blood then, carries all these nutrients everywhere in the human body.

Every single cell needs these nutrients to provide energy, enzymes and molecules essential to life. So, the old saying “We are what we eat” is actually true to some extent.

The human body is one of the most comtplex miracles the world has ever witnessed. It has the capacity to turn carbon hydrates and proteins that we eat into lipids (fat, literally) and vice-versa. Therefore if we have an excess of nutrients, it will store them as fat tissue or other molecules.

One in each six adult European citizen is obese. Why is this an issue? The excess of fat in the body of an obese person accumulates in the arteries and causes high blood pressure that can lead to heart problems – a condition that kills 1,9 mil-

lion European Union Citizens every year.

Eating a lot of sugar can also cause type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease characterized by the decrease of the cells sensitivity to insulin – a hormone that regulates the mechanisms that allow us to process sugar in the cells. The number of diabetics in the EU is expected to rise 4 million from 2010 to 2025. Cancer, high cholesterol and infertility are other potential diseases that are more probable to strike in an obese person.

Obesity can significantly decrease one’s life expectancy, not to mention life quality. It is of paramour importance that we deal with this problem that relates mostly to social causes. Our society is starting to ignore the family values that used to oblige people to spend time together during a meal, and with work overdriving most citizens’ lives, fast food is becoming the new day to day meal.

by Laura Teixeira

DIFFERENT PLACES DIFFERENT CULTURES

by Nuno Oliveira

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

“Freedom of the Press, if it means anything at all ,means the

freedom to criticize and oppose” George Orwell

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he right to free speech is one of the most precious rights an individual has. Everyone agrees that the freedom of speech should not be violated, especially in this century when the media is developing rapidly and reaching its limits. The Council of Europe was scarcely a year old in when it affirmed the “freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers” as the main element of democracy is the existence of free and fearless press, without restrictions and any censorships In modern times, people are always protesting something willing their voice to be heard but people can as well have desire for limitations on freedom. However, freedom of information is occasionally abused all over the world and a lot of journalists are being disregarding, sometimes one could be fined, imprisoned or even killed for just simply expressing their ideas.

Nowadays press plays the role of mediator: reflects all the ideas and opinions people have keeping them informed of the local and international happenings, bringing to the notice of people the events, policies and activities of the government, similarly updating the Government about people’s problems, difficulties, thus censoring the press means suppressing people’s voice.

Everyday, every minute, the journalists, bloggers, editors, reporters are risking their lives to give us the information, information that can change the way we see the world around us, our place

In 2007 1511 journalists worldwide were physically attacked or threatened 887 arrested 67 kidnapped

by Mariam Kapanadze

GLOBALISATION VS. SOCIAL EXCLUSION/ ISOLATION

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On the other hand, developing nations rely on developed ones because of the lack of conditions and financial resources.

Furthermore, the influence of foreign cultures is evident in the amount of films, songs, sites to which we have access through all means of communication, especially the internet.

In today’s world we could say that we live in a Global Village, as the globe is unified due to capitalism and imperialism: big corporations settle in developing countries looking for cheap labor and less security measures;

The massive spread of technology and information does not get to all points of the planet, creating a cyclic situation in which the healthier get healthier and the poorer get poorer.

According to a 20th century writer called Chiavenato, “Globalisation is part of a process of social exclusion”, if it is true that you never heard so much about communication, technology and interactivity, it is also true that you never heard so much about loneliness and isolation.

At the same time several points of the world connect, people from the same house get further and further apart, changing face to face conversations for text messages.

lobalisation is the economic and social process in which several countries complement each other at a global scale. This process started in the fifteenth century, when the sea, an obstacle that divided the world began to be an element of connection between people due to The Age of Exploration.

This situation can be easily confirmed by simply looking at yourself : where was your jacket made? America? China?

by Francisca Patrício

TECHNOLOGIC As for everything, technology is a two-sided coin. While some believe that it implies a progress that the world must face in order to achieve a developed community, others argue the negative implications of this rapidly growing industry. It is estimated than, on average, more than 1000 technological progresses are being accomplished every minute. From the tiniest mechanical device such as a microchip, to the newest space aircraft, technology is reinventing itself.

It is a fact that science and technology have evolved exponentially. Due to the rapid progress in the technological market, citizens are finding it difficult to keep up with the continuous changes. Nowadays, the purchase of a laptop, could be ctonsidered to be a “desinvestement” seen that, despite acquiring the newest model, it would be soon outdated and replaced by other technological devices. But, isn’t this evolvement prejudicing our society, seen that, if it continues to increase, would it not be barely impossible to understand it?

Big Hero 6, the winner of the Best Animated film, features Baymax — a lovable, soft, inflatable robot that looks like it came from Disney’s fantasy machine more than anything in real life.

The reality, however, is that it was inspired by hardcore robot research in a Pittsburgh lab.

Example of technology advance

In 2011, Carnegie Mellon University scientist Siddharth Sanan, working with Mike Ornstein and Justin B. Moidel, under the guidance of Professor Christopher Atkeson, built a functioning, inflatable robot arm — a breakthrough in what is known as soft robotics.

CAL PARADOX Human beings’ lives are becoming futile and depressing. Our lives are comfortable, we feel safe, guided through the path of life. Robots and other technological devices are being design to our work, machines are slowly replacing the human kind. And when they do all for us… What will there be left for us to do? The earth has twenty-four satellites in space, cars that drive themselves and electronics that communicate with each other. It seems, however, that this evolution is like an analgesic that makes us passive, as if we were swimming in an aquarium, watching, but not acting.

We are working towards creating a world where schools nor class mates exist, seen that relationships are increasingly established through a computer screen and the most beautiful love declaration is written in a e-message. If we do not stop this emotionless technological progress, or at least refocus it in a different way, the world would end up being very different that what we know, cold and distant.

by Francisca Patrício and María Granero

“Imagination game” You are at a charity event, where they are helping children who are dying of starvation in Africa. When they show “Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks to it” images of these young children, extremely anorexic and clearly suffering, a sud- Ernest Holmes (American ‘New Thought’ writer) den warm feeling sparks inside you.

You see, without the imagery, this feeling is not the same. Try thinking about them now, it is highly unlikely that you feel the same amount of sorrow as when your in a charity event. Even though we cannot physically feel the pain, we can perceive it, and without even noticing it, we will be suffering from it as well.

Of course, this mirror miracle is not solely seen in extreme cases such as this. It can also be perceived at a simpler level.

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ver since we came to this world we began to mimic our surroundings. We started imitating people that were close to us, their gestures, their attitude and even their behaviour. Just as mirrors do, we imitated their reflection.

The simple concept of a mirror can be easily adapted to humans. Instead of just seeing our own reflection, we can also see our happiness, our sadness, our deepest fears and our most ambitious dreams. Not only can we do this, but we can also transmit emotions to other people. Thus, thanks to these mirrors we can see our true reflection, we can see ourselves, and without them, we would be unaware of what we are.

It is curious and at the same time interesting to see how, without even noticing it, our body reacts to different situations that come across our way. Even more interesting is to observe how this reaction changes according to the surroundings and the atmosphere.

Prior to coming here, a couple of days ago, we were a group of unknown people, uncertain about the days to come. However, bit by bit, without even noticing, enthusiasm started spreading around, reflecting from one person to another and even the shyest mirror was willing to get involved.

We are mirrors, so use it. Use the power that has been given to you, enlighten other people’s It is possible that you may have never spoken with smile. someone, maybe you do not speak the same language or it maybe that you disagree with them regarding certain controversial topics. However, as soon as you see someone going through a rough period in their life, a warm feeling spreads to your heart and you start caring for this unknown person. Suddenly, you have the urge to help them because you notice their pain.

by María Granero (ES)

GENDER EQUALITY “Today we are launching a campaign called for HeForShe. I am reaching out to you because we need your help. We want to end gender inequality, and to do this, we need everyone involved. This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN. We want to try to mobilize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change. And, we don’t just want to talk about it. We want to try and make sure that it’s tangible.

For the record, feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes.”

Emma Watson UN Women

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he only difference between men and women is their gender. Period. In order to start thinking about gender equality we must change our mentalities So that everyone receives the respect they deserve in the society.

We as human can produce admirable work but we can also make unbearable mistakes. One should keep in mind that we are all the same animal species.

We are different. We can make the most admirable work in the world and we can make the biggest mistakes too. You just have to keep it in your mind: we are all humans. Although there was a big changing progress about the women’s role in society, it is totally insufficient. Women are still discriminated. There are some countries where they do not have an active voice such as Saudi Arabia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and many others. In the most part of these countries human rights are completely frightened, mainly the ones which are related to women.

However, not far away from us, in Europe, men and women are not treated equal. This can be seen in sectors such as wages and work roles.

Nevertheless, this is less significant when compared to the women’s situation in the countries mentioned above.

There, women do not have access to a pencil or a pen. They cannot express themselves because they do not have freedom to do it.

What is more significant is the fact that women do not have access to education.

This can be considered a “social crime.

Furthermore, we have so many other kind of criminality such as: female genital mutilation, women’s traffic, violence, early and forced marriage even death due to unexpected pregnancy.

They do not have access to health care, including family planning, for example; and the last but not least sexual harassment.

We have feministic groups rising up from everywhere. They are giving voice to the silent ones. They are creating a space in society to discuss and to enlighten this important issue.

Effectively, we have a long path ahead us. Women still need to struggle a lot.

They will continue to show what the value, what they are and what they want to build. They have an opinion.

Society needs to realise they do not want to challenge men but to challenge themselves. They are struggling for equality.

by Ana Cerqueira

This article will be composed by some interviews to some of the officials.

We decided to ask them some meaningful and funny stuff about EYP and some other relevant questions about their personal life. Enjoy!

1 – EYP has a lot of funny and odd experiences that make you laugh while you share them with friends. Which was your funniest experience and why?

“My funniest EYP experience was in the last EYP Portugal NSC in Braga. I was Head Organising alongside Henrique Vieira Mendes and we were in an organisers meeting when some delegates started shouting in the corridors in the middle of the night. Everyone got up trying to understand what was happening and I was very sleepy. Henrique ran and while he was running he tripped and elbowed be in the eye. I had to spend the rest of the night with an icepack in my eye so I could look presentable in the next day!”

Rita Ferreira (Vice-President) 2 – An EYP session is filled with amazing moments. Some of them make you cry, some of them make you laugh, but you will always keep them close to your heart. What was your most memorable moment at a session?

Annie MacConnachie (Chairperson)

“My favourite session was my first IS in Riga be cause my committee is really close. The end of the GA would probably be the most memorable moment ever because we were bonding so much and it was very emotional. At that point the organisers told us that we could apply to Barcelona and continue our EYP journey and we were just mesmerised.”

3 – A session is comprised of many roles. Each role has its own characteristic and its own funny perks. What is the funniest thing about your role in this session?

“I think that the funniest part of being the President is that first I will be mistaken for a delegate because I look like I am sixteen! But the funniest thing is probably that delegates might think that I am scary and that I know a lot of things because I am the President and actually I am like... normal!”

Anna Borrell (President)

4 – EYP gives us a whole new perspective of how too look at the world. It is amazing how different people come together and share their thoughts. But what makes you stay? What made you stay involved in EYP after your first session?

“It was definitely my chair. The whole experience was amazing but I believe that the chairs have that personal contact with you and it is amazing how they can influence you and make you a better person. My lovely chair planted the seed of EYP in me and it has not stopped growing ever since.”

Ana Cerquira (Journalist)

5 – EYP is all about imagining. It is all about dreaming. But your dreams can not be only about EYP. What is your biggest dream?

“Although I am on a gap year right now my biggest dream is to make a contribution to science, especially in my area of studies which is physics. It may seem unrealistic but I want to find out what is the purpose of the universe and all its twists and turns. That is truly my dream!”

Ana Andrade (Organiser) 6 – Either inside or outside EYP you have that one individual that you admire the most.

In the theme party you were asked to come dressed as a famous person you look up to.

Who is the person you admire the most and why?

“It is hard to pick one, but if I had to choose I would go with my two brothers because they are true to themselves and they believe in what they do. They don’t quit, they are true fighters and I learn a lot from them every day!”

Miguel Paiva (Head-Organiser)

by Nuno Oliveira and Laura Teixeira

Under the patronage of I.P.D.J. and the Municipality of Guimarães.

With the appreciated support of Hotel S. Mamede, Pousada da Juventude de Guimarães, Escola Secundária Francisco de Holanda e Paço dos Duques de Bragança.