Highland School Students Learn From Stimson Center Experts As Part Of 'International Week'

Feb. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Warrenton, Va. – Lectures on China and its influence on the global economy and environment from Stimson Center Southeast Asia policy experts Timothy Hamlin and Richard Cronin highlighted Highland School’s recently held International Week.

This year’s International Week program took place January 23-27 and focused on China. Hamlin and Cronin addressed the Upper School, drawing on both research insight and first-hand experiences with the country. Each speaker led a presentation -- Hamlin on Tuesday, January 24th and Cronin on Thursday, January 26th – and answered student questions.

Hamlin, Stimson’s Research Analyst for the Southeast Asia program, offered his insights on Rule of Law, China’s political realities, development tradeoffs, global impact of China, issues of social justice and Asia’s water towers. Hamlin said his goal was to stimulate students “to think a little broader about these 21st-century issues.”

Cronin, director of Stimson’s Southeast Asia program, sought “to try to help students understand China’s role in Asia, and understand the good things happening and the tensions and potential conflicts.” He shared his expertise with discussions covering issues between China and its neighbors as well as the U.S.-China relationship.

Students asked dozens of questions concerning the future of China and its relationship with the U.S. Both Hamlin and Cronin said they have confidence in China’s intentions and expect the U.S.-China relationship to keep evolving. While expressing mostly optimism, both acknowledged that that some questions were not yet answerable because they’re the same ones Stimson researchers and other experts work on every day.

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Founded in 1928, Highland School now serves 480 students from PK to 12th grade. The mission of Highland School is to provide a demanding academic and co-curricular program that develops the skills and character essential for students to meet the challenges of college and leadership in the twenty-first century. Highland provides an environment that fosters both academic and personal growth. Students at all grade levels are offered a rigorous and varied academic program, exposure to the fine and performing arts, and the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of athletic endeavors. Highland's curriculum includes English, mathematics, all of the social sciences, all of the physical sciences, romance and classical languages, and computer science. A diverse range of electives is available in the Middle and Upper Schools including music, studio art, drama, journalism, and photography. Team and individual sports are viewed as integral to each student's development.