In addition to being full-time college students, Harpswell girls fulfill the foundation's independent curriculum. One requirement is writing English summaries of at least two current events each week. I've been feeling pretty news-savvy from checking their work for grammar, reading comprehension, and critical analysis. On the other hand, even in Cambodia, I can't escape my boy Donny J. Trump.
The core of Harpswell's mission manifests in the "Cambodia Daily Discussions," or "CDDs." These student-led presentations provide an in-depth focus on a news story, with an ultimate goal of honing critical thinking skills. Four times a week, groups of two select an article and create a presentation. They include contextual information, an explanation and interpretation of the event, their predicted or ideal outcome, and potential strategies for the future. Presenters end each session with questions designed to promote conversation about power, peace, media bias, corruption, individual world views, and all areas of critical development.
Empowerment through critical thinking skills is the dominating focus of Harpswell's instruction. CDDs are the main tool for teaching critical analysis and research skills, as well as informing students of national and international events. Moreover, they're opportunities to develop self-confidence and practice public speaking in English.
As Leadership Resident, I facilitate two English discussions each week (the other two are in Khmer). The presenters meet with me at least three times to prepare their presentation. After we workshop their understanding of the story, we determine relevant information and how to direct audience attention to the bigger picture.
CDDs are about more than the "what." Harpswell girls must be concerned with the "why."
My main responsibility is to strengthen critical thinking skills. In the ten-ish hours I spend each week to facilitate these presentations, I become an interrogator. I may not be an expert on anti-Kabila protests or human rights violations in Kuwait, but I need to know how to make the girls feel like expert analysts. The Leadership Resident pushes the girls to think like future leaders: how does a particular current event connect to international and historical contexts? How do we measure the impact of dissolving a nation's opposition party? What forces make some legislature insufficient, or what are the advantages and disadvantages of violent protests? How do people combat corruption, how do we protect workers' rights and maintain economic growth, what the heck is wrong in the world and how can we make it right?
CDDs are sites of intense curiosity and passion. Headlines can seem hopeless, but our discussions tend to be idealist. I wish I could convey how much effort these women dedicate to Harpswell's values on top of their independent studies.
On a selfish note, the Leadership Resident role hits all of my *personal brand* buzzwords: writing, English, current events, teaching, and girl power.
Thank you again for reading about the next generation of Cambodian leadership!