WorldSkills 2011 - Have you heard of it?

Before starting my internship at CC Skills and INSSO, I had never heard of WorldSkills - an international skills competition with young people from across the globe competing to be the best of the best in their chosen skill. 


It's truly impressive: 150,000 expected visitors will see 1,000 Competitors from more than 50 countries/regions competing in 46 skill areas over four exciting days of Competition.


I went along on Friday and it is absolutely mind-blowing. The huge Excel center has been taken over by young people demonstrating their skills in stonemasonry, hair-dressing, cooking, confectionery, landscape gardening, graphic design, information technology and many many more!!! You can walk around and literally stare while these young kids compete with each other to win top the gold medal.




A few observations: 


*huge gender divide - many more men than women competing, even in stereotypically women roles - hairdressing, jewellery design, cooking etc. It seems that young men are more encouraged to participate in this competition than women or maybe the girls haven't even heard about it ... this must change and it would be wonderful to see more girls at the competition in 2013.


*not many african or central/south american countries represented. There were a lot from Asia and the Middle East but not many from Central Africa or America Latina - let's get the word out there and get them involved!

I really recommend keeping your eye out for WorldSkills competition, especially if you work in education or with young people as it's a great event to be involved with..


The grand FINALE...... http://www.worldskills.org/index.php?option=com_wstv&catid=1&Itemid=708&pg=0&vid=875



S

Una casita para los gays ancianos

In Madrid they are building the first gay-friendly retirement home. It will be open to everyone but especially to homosexuals.


On the one hand it's great that older gays will be able to retire in a home where they feel comfortable and accepted because, from what I've read, a lot have a hard time when reaching retirement age. The old preconceptions of homosexuals being ill, mentally instable and dirty are still very much pervasive in the minds of the older generations.


On the other hand, it is sad that a retirement home specifically for gays needs to be built as they are in fact normal human beings who just happen to like the other sex, therefore they should get the same treatment as everybody else and be able to feel welcomed in any retirement home they choose to go to. 


Spain was one of the first countries to legalise same sex marriage and is known to be an extremely open society concerning gay rights. But it seems that even if the laws have changed, the hearts and minds of many haven't, hence the need for this retirement home.




I truly hope that by the time I reach retirement age, we will all, gays and straights alike, be able to sit together in our armchairs moaning about our misspent youth.




S

1, 2, 3.... VISA

At my cousin's wedding we played a great game - musical chairs with a 'twist' - you have to go and find an item and get back to your chair before the others.

This game will be played differently depending on what country you live in, being in Switzerland some of the items included:

*Visa card

*200 CFH note

*latest samsung

along with:

*toilet paper

*a black bra

*and.... a car jack!

We don't even think twice about having a visa card ready available or a wad of notes for this kind of game whereas in less developed countries one wouldn't dream of having those items on a list (that is if they even play this swiss musical chairs!). 

We are reminded, through playing this game, how fortunate we are and how rich we live. 

S