Thailand's Hilltribe people

On behalf of the Global Envision staff, we wish to extend our congratulations to the contest winners of the Fall 2006 essay and photo contests. Although we received a wide range of exemplary work from around the world, only one photo and three essays have been chosen. These pieces represent a clear and concise understanding of globalization as well as follow grammatical and stylistic criteria.

Below readers will find the winning photo and descriptive caption contributed by the artist, along with highlights from the top three essay submissions. The first place essay is published on the Global Envision site.

Thank you for all of your hard work and interest in Global Envision's Fall 2006 contest. We hope you will participate in our Winter 2007 photo and essay competitions and look forward to your submissions!






PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

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The Hilltribe people are now almost completely dependent on the tourism industry of Thailand, displaying their traditions in exchange for a small income.

These young girls are of Thailand's Hilltribe people. The traditional clothing being worn is ceremonial, not something usually worn on a daily basis. This image tells the tale of how globalization has turned what was once sacred tradition into a means to a financial end. The Hilltribe people are now almost completely dependent on the tourism industry of Thailand, displaying their traditions in exchange for a small income. The Pepsi bottles and traditional garb display an interesting, and perhaps regretful juxtaposition of old and new, the lines blurring as globalization spreads to the farthest reaches of the world.

• Jessie Burke
• Portland State University
• Portland, Oregon, USA
• Photo Location: Chiang Mai province, Thailand

ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

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First Place

Today when the rest of the world is globalizing, an individual country cannot sit back in isolation.

Essay Excerpt
Both India and China can count on the numerous benefits they have reaped from globalization. Today when the rest of the world is globalizing, an individual country cannot sit back in isolation. It has no choice but to globalize. But then it can well take its cue from India and China and ensure that it proceeds with reforms at its own pace and combines them with its own native model of economic development and also establishes systems of corporate Governance.

Link to the full article on our website at What is Globalization?

• Dr. Shrinivas Thakur
• Mumbai University
• Vadodara Gujarat, India
• Major: Development Economics

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Second Place

An accommodative mind set and a new consciousness beyond limiting beliefs and western influence is emerging in India.

Essay Excerpt
This conflict of notions and lifestyles generate a certain tension in the air. What I hope is that this cloud of tension will dissipate into harmony with both generations learning to live with change and tradition. Although I am unclear as to how long this atmosphere of harmony would take to materialize, I see a slow but steady movement towards it. An accommodative mind set and a new consciousness beyond limiting beliefs and western influence is emerging in India. Globalization brings with it a challenge which can only be met with tolerance and understanding.

• Shyam Nair
• Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
• Bangalore, India
• Major: General Management

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Third Place

I think the term [globalization] would be more productive if used to facilitate a straightforward dialogue concerning the norms under which our world currently operates.

Essay Excerpt
Rather than viewing "globalization" as either the key to leveling the international playing field, or as the accumulation of red tape and ineffective institutions, I think the term would be more productive if used to facilitate a straightforward dialogue concerning the norms under which our world currently operates. It is true that we have built layers of frameworks- legal, political, economic, cultural, and social- that often seem unalterably entrenched. It is my belief, however, that the exchange of ideas, as well as a willingness to consider "starting from scratch" in some arenas, could bring about a global reality that addresses causes from the bottom up, rather than addressing symptoms by a layering of prescriptions.

• Morgan Robinson
• Yale University
• New Haven, Connecticut, USA
• Major: History

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To compete in the Winter Contests see Winter 2006-2007 Essay Contest and Winter 2006-2007 Photo Contest.



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