On Friday, March 17 some sixty students descended upon EF Tours building in Cambridge to demonstrate their understanding of a global issue and their capability to utilize economic reasoning to mitigate the negative impacts of that issue at the 9th Annual Global Economic Symposium.
Middle school and high school teams from five locations: Brockton, Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, and the District of Columbia competed in two categories: Team Oral Presentations and Team Poster Sessions.
Team Oral Presentation provides the students with eight minutes to explain why this is a global issue, discussing nations that have some success addressing the issue and nations that have not, and to provide recommendations using economic reasoning to mitigate the negative impact of this global problem. They must then defend their recommendations before a panel of judges from academia, banking, and other industries in a five-minute Question & Answer Session.
The Poster Session provides the students with a more informal atmosphere for the student teams to explain their topic to a separate set of judges where there is more of a give and take based upon the judges’ questions.
The topics ranged from Inflation to Global Water Crisis to Universal Basic Income to Economics of Education to Gender Income Inequality and more.
Courtney Cole from CBS News served as the moderator which added a new level of professionalism and flair to the proceedings and for some reason seemed to have a special bit of love for the Chicago team.
Chanda Smart, CEO of Onyx Development, was the keynote speaking who provided an inspirational speech during lunch about her personal challenges and rise within her profession. She also spoke about The Roxbury P3 collaboration.
International Poster Session Winning Teams
1st – Economics of Education – Brockton High School Brockton, MA
2nd – Impact of Gender Inequality – McDonough 35 High School New Orleans, LA
3rd – Gun Control – Archbishop Carroll High School District of Columbia
Global Poster Sessions
1st – Water Crisis – BASE Program Chicago, Ill
2nd – Inflation – Ashfield Middle School Brockton, MA
3rd – Student Loan Debt – Ashfield Middle School Brockton, MA
International Division Oral Presentation
1st – Universal Basic Income – Brockton High School Brockton, MA
2nd – World Water – BASE Program Chicago, IL
3rd – Gun Control – Archbishop Carroll High School District of Columbia
Global Division Oral Presentation
1st – Income Inequality – North Middle School Brockton, MA
2nd – Gun Violence – Ashfield Middle School Brockton, MA
3rd – Student Loan Debt – Ashfield Middle School Brockton, MA
First, second, and third place teams in both categories and in both divisions were awarded trophies, but it was apparent by all attending that we will all be better off as a result of this program that nurtures the next generation of global leaders!