Shakespeare’s Sonnet 102

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 102 Poet and screenwriter, Susan Griffin, once said, â€Å"A story is told as much by silence as by speech. † This statement underlines the fact that just because words are not spoken, it does not mean that there is no meaning behind the silence. Someone’s lack of words can have as much, if not even more, power as another’s most persuasive speech. In Sonnet 102, Shakespeare explains why he believes in the power of silence regarding his feelings towards his true love.His allusion to the nightingale correlates perfectly with the paradox of his increasing love for a woman in conveying the sonnet’s overall theme that silence is always preferable to just meaningless words. In the sonnet, Shakespeare uses the allusion of the nightingale to describe his love of a young woman. He states, â€Å"Our love was new†¦/ when I was wont to greet it†¦/ as Philomel in summer’s froth doth sing† (lines 5-7), comparing the sp eaker’s love as his relationship with the woman progresses to that of nightingale’s song.In classical times, the nightingale was widely referred to as Philomel. In Roman and Greek mythology, Philomela was a woman turned into a nightingale by the Gods to save her from the hands of rapist. Because of the violence associated with the myth, the nightingale’s song is often interpreted as a lament, but it is also construed to symbolize beauty and even, such as in the case of this poem, love. In a factual sense, a nightingale is a small bird that frequently sings at night as well as in the day, standing out as one of the only birds that sing after the sun descends.By comparing his love to Philomel after she â€Å"stops her pipe in growth of riper days† (8), he makes his theme of silence clear. Even the most vocal of birds such as the nightingale knows when to stop singing its beautiful song, showing the world how much he truly loves it by offering a moment of pe ace and quiet. This resembles the feelings of the narrator because even though he loves her with all his heart, he does not want to bore her by saying it too often or by making it appear as if his love is not as special as it used to be.In addition, Shakespeare also introduces the poem with the paradox â€Å"My love is strengthened, though more weak in seeming;† (1) that connects his allusion to true love. This paradox starts the poem off by explaining how his love for a woman has actually gotten stronger over time although he may not verbalize it as much as he used to. He attempts to explain that even though he keeps it more to himself now, his love for his woman has only increased as time passed. His love resembles the nightingale’s singing in that it is always going to be there even if it is not heard because he does not want to ruin the beauty of it by saying it too much.The initial burst of first love has surpassed the narrator now, leaving him with a genuine love that does not need a constant reminding with words in order to convey the passion in his heart. Although observing a nightingale singing is rare, its music can always be heard. This parallels the speaker’s love in that his woman does not need to constantly be told how much he loves her, but rather she should know it by his eyes and his actions. His silence emphasizes the idea that words are not always necessary to express one’s feelings, and even in some cases it is better to keep quiet.Shakespeare’s allusion to the nightingale and paradox of his growing love work together to convey the universal idea that sometimes a lack of words can have a greater depiction of a person’s inner feelings than the best articulated vocalizations possible. If a man really loves a woman, she should be able to comprehend the intensity of that love not by the things he says, but by the way he acts and how he looks at her. Perhaps all the noise and speaking in the world then i s actually people’s lack of true love for one another, a love that can only be found in knowing and understanding the Lord Jesus Christ.

Cultural Geography Modeling and Analysis in Helmand Province

HELMAND 1. PROVINCIAL PROFILE Source: UNDSS Provincial Assessment provided by UNAMA I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. Geography Helmand Province is located in the south-west of Afghanistan, bordered by Paktya, Ghor, Daikundy, and Uruzgan in the North-East, Kandahar in the East, Nimroz in the West, and Farah in the North-West. It also has a southern border with Pakistan. The Helmand River is the largest river running through the province, from Baghran district in the north of the province to the fishhook of the Helmand River running west into Nimroz province then into Iran.Except for the mountainous northern reaches of the province which experience heavy snowfalls in winter, Helmand is a desert plateau with rocky outcrops of up to 1,000 metres. The province covers an area of 61,829 km2, representing about 9% of the total Afghan territory. More than a quarter of the province (28. 9%) is mountainous or semi mountainous terrain while above three-fifths of the area (61%) is made up of flat land, as the following table shows: Topography Type by District District Flat Mountainous Semi Mountainous Semi Flat Not ReportedPage 1 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile Total 61. 0% 15. 8% 13. 1% 9. 7% .4% Source: CSO/UNFPA Socio Economic and Demographic Profile The province is divided into 13 districts. The provincial capital is Lashkargah which has a population of about 201,546 inhabitants. B. Demography and Population Helmand has a total population of 1,441,769. There are 189,552 households in the province and each household on average has 9 members. The following table shows the population by district: Population by DistrictDistrict Lashkargah-Helmand Centre Nahr-i-Saraj Nad Ali Nawa-i-Barikzayi Garm Ser Sangin Qala Kajaki Baghran Musa Qala Nawzad Washeer Reg-i-khan Nishin Dishu Total Total Population 201,546 166,827 235,590 89,814 107,153 66,901 119,023 129,947 138,896 108,258 31,476 17,333 29,005 1,441,769 Source: CSO/UNFPA Socio Economic and Demograph ic Profile Around 94% of the population of Helmand lives in rural districts while 6% lives in urban areas. Around 51% of the population is male and 49% is female. The population is largely Pashtun, although there is a significant minority made up of Balochi tribes.Pashtu is spoken by 92% of the population. The second most frequent language is Dari, spoken by the majority of residents in 75 villages representing 4. 4% of the population, followed by Balochi which is the majority language in 28 villages. Helmand province also has a population of Kuchis or nomads whose numbers vary in different seasons. In winter 95,325 individuals, or 4% of the overall Kuchi population, stay in Helmand living in 49 communities. Nearly one in five of these (17%) are short-range partially migratory, and more than three in five (63%) are long-range partially migratory.Overall, for both categories, 20% of the community is settled. In the winter the long-range migratory Kuchi stay mostly in one location and don’t move around during the season. In the summer season, all of the short-range migratory communities that move to Garm Ser, Nishin, and Lashkargah districts belong to the Balochi tribes, while the Pashtun tribes are predominantly long-range migratory and travel mostly to Ghor, Ghazni, and Zabul provinces. Page 2 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile C. Institutional framework In total the government employs 4,363 people in Helmand province.As the table below shows, 66% of these are employees and 34% are contract workers, 94% of government workers are men and 6% are women: Number of Government Employees Male 1,345 Contract workers 2,764 Employees 4,109 Total Workers Source: CSO Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook 2006 Female 118 136 254 Total 1,463 2,900 4,363 In addition, each province has a Provincial Development Committee (PDC) which is responsible for overseeing the progress made on implementation of the Provincial Development Plan, and which wil l lead the provincial development planning process in the future.The PDC involves all government line departments and other key stakeholder groups involved in development activities in the province. It also has a number of working groups devoted to different sectors, each of which should be chaired by the director of the core responsible line department. The structure of the PDC and its associated working groups approved by the Ministry of Economy for use in all provinces is shown in the diagramme below: Provincial Development Committee Structure endorsed by Ministry of Economy Governor/D. Gov PDC Central office Ministry of Economy Secretariat Department of EconomyEconomic Governance & Private Sector Development Economy (DEc) Dep of Finance Chamber of commerce Banks Youth and Culture Donors AISA UN Agencies Private sectors Provincial Council (PC) Social Protection Agriculture & Rural Development Health & Nutrition Education Infrastructure & Natural Resources Governance, Rule of Law & Human Rights Courts Attorney General Department of Justice Women’s Affairs Civil Service Commission Human Rights Commission Audit & Control Office Anti corruption (GIACC) Provincial Council (PC) PRT UN agencies NGOs( N &Int)Security Labour and Social Affairs (DoLSAMD) Women’s Affairs Rural Rehabilitation and Development Refugees and Repatriates Border Affairs Tribal and Kuchi Affairs Red Crescent Provincial Council (PC) UN agencies PRT NGOs (N & Int) Agriculture (DoAIL) Rural Rehabilitation and Development Counter Narcotics Environmental protection Provincial Council (PC) PRT UN agencies NGOs (N &Int) Public Health (DoPH) Urban Development Municipality Red Crescent Water Supply Private sector Environmental protection Provincial Council (PC) UN agencies NGOs (N& Int)Education (DoE) Higher Education Women’s Affairs Labour and Social Affairs, Martyrs and disabled Youth and Culture Border Affairs Tribal and Kuchi Affairs Provincial Council (PC) UN agencies PRT NGO s (N &Int) Public works (DPW) Urban. Development Transport Rural Rehabilitation and Development Municipality Communications Mines& industries Water& Power Agriculture Environmental Protection Provincial Council (PC) Private sector Banks PRT UN agencies NGOs (N &Int) National Security Council National Police.National Army National Security Border Affairs Demining Counter Narcotics Foreign Affairs Provincial Council (PC) UN agencies PRT Source: Ministry of Economy The Provincial Development Committee in Helmand province was formed in late 2005. In April 2007 UNAMA made the following assessment of the PDC in Helmand : UNAMA assessment of Provincial Development Committee in Helmand province Supporting Agencies Functioning Status of PDC meetings PRT and DFID support. UNAMA requested to train PDC members Meetings take place regularly once a monthPage 3 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile Source: UNAMA, April 2007 Helmand also has a number of other bodies which play an active role in development planning at the local level. There are 14 District Development Assemblies active in 14 districts of the province, involving 435 male members and no females. Each DDA has its own District Development Plan. There are also 487 Community Development Councils in the province which are active in development planning at the community and village level.The following table shows the number of CDCs active in each district: CDCs by District District Lashkargah Nahr-i-Saraj Musa Qala Baghran Nawzad Nawa-i-Barikzayi Garm Ser TOTAL Number of CDCs 80 152 32 1 72 38 112 487 Source: MRRD, National Solidarity Programme (NSP) D. Donor Activity In addition to the activities of government agencies, a number of national and international organizations play an active role in promoting development in the province. For example, 8 UN agencies are currently involved in reconstruction and development projects in different parts of the province.These are shown in the following table: UN Operations in Helmand Activities Governance, follow up on DIAG, human rights UNAMA and capacity building in government. WHO Health and vaccination programmes WFP Work for food, school feeding, emergencies UNICEF Education, health, WATSAN UNOPS Infrastructure development UNDP Support to MRRD UNHCR Muhktar IDP Camp UN Habitat City profile Source: UNDSS Provincial Profile provided by UNAMA Agency Location Lashkargah All Districts All Districts All Districts All Districts All Districts Muhktar IDP Camp LashkargahThere are also at least 7 national and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) supporting development projects across a range of sectors in the province, as the following table shows: International and Non-Governmental Organizations in Helmand Organization BRAC USAID/Communics Ibnesina Activities NSP and micro-finance activities Alternative Livelihood Programs Health activities Location Lashkargah Lashkargah Lashkargah Page 4 of 13Provincial Development Pl an, Helmand : Provincial Profile Mercy Corps CADG PEP Emergency Agriculture Agriculture Poppy Eradication Program Health Lashkargah Lashkargah Lashkargah Lashkargah Source: UNDSS Provincial Profile, provided by UNAMA In addition the following Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operates as a facilitating partner (FP) for the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) in different districts in the province, as shown below: NGOs Facilitating NSP by District Facilitating Partner Garmser BRAC Lashkar Gah BRAC Musa Qala BRAC Nahri Sarraj BRAC Naw Zad BRAC Naway i Barakzayi BRAC Reg Source: MRRD,National Solidarity Programme (NSP) District II. CURRENT STATE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROVINCE A. Infrastructure and Natural Resources The provision of basic infrastructure such as water and sanitation, energy, transport and communications is one of the key elements necessary to provide the building blocks for private sector expansion, equitable economic growth, increased employment and accelerated agricu ltural productivity. In Helmand province, on average only 28% of households use safe drinking water.About 94% of households have direct access to their main source of drinking water within their community, and the remainder 6% of households has to travel for up to an hour to access drinking water, as the table below shows: Time required accessing main source of drinking water In Community 94% Source: NRVA 2005 Less than 1 hour 6% 1-3 hours 0% 3-6 hours 0% On average only 5% of households in the province have access to safe toilet facilities.The following table shows the kinds of toilet facilities used by households in the province: Toilet facilities used by households None/ Dearan / Sahrah (area in compound bush but not pit) open field 7% 12% Source: NRVA 2005 Open pit Traditional covered latrine 64% Improved latrine 5% Flush latrine 12% 0% In terms of meeting the basic requirements for energy, on average 21% of households in Helmand province have access to electricity with more tha n two-thirds of these having access to public electricity. Page 5 of 13Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile The transport infrastructure in Helmand is reasonably well developed, with 62% of roads in the province able to take car traffic in all seasons, and 32. 5% able to take car traffic in some seasons. However, in 5% of the province there are no roads at all, as shown in the following table: Road Types District Lashkargah-Helmand Centre Nahr-i- Saraj Nad Ali Nawa-i-Barikzayi Garm Ser Sangin Qala Kajaki Baghran Musa Qala Nawzad Washeer Reg-i-khan Nishin Dishu Total Cars all season 62. % 51. 5% 78. 0% 91. 8% 90. 5% 60. 8% 78. 2% 19. 0% 98. 1% 66. 9% 45. 3% 42. 9% 32. 8% 62. 0% Cars some seasons 37. 3% 36. 9% 21. 3% 7. 5% 8. 8% 37. 3% 12. 4% 68. 6% . 9% 33. 1% 39. 1% 50. 0% 67. 2% 32. 5% No roads . 0% 11. 2% . 0% . 0% . 0% 2. 0% 8. 8% 11. 7% . 0% . 0% 15. 6% 4. 8% . 0% 5. 0% Not Reported . 0% . 5% . 6% . 7% . 7% . 0% . 6% . 7% . 9% . 0% . 0% 2. 4% . 0% . 5% Sourc e: CSO/UNFPA Socio Economic and Demographic Profile (AIRD analysis)The following table indicates road travel times between the provincial capital, Lashkargah, and the major district centres in the province, and other key provincial centres in the region: Road Travel Times Time Approximately 2 hrs–200 Lashkargah Kandahar City km Approximately 45 minutes– Lashkargah Grishk 80 km Approximately 2 hrs–150 Lashkargah Sangin km Approximately 2 hrs–150 Lashkargah Musa Qala km Approximately 2 hrs –150 Lashkargah Garm Ser km Approximately 4 hrs–300 Lashkargah Baghran km Source: UNDSS Provincial Profile, provided by UNAMA From To Road Condition Excellent/good (Route 1-bitumen road) Good (hard-packed gravel) Poor/Good (mix of desert and hard-packed gravel) Poor/Good (mix of desert and hard-packed gravel) Poor/Good (mix of desert and hard-packed gravel) Poor/Good (mix of desert and hard-packed gravel) As far as telecommunications is concerned, both the m ain mobile telephone operators, Roshan and AWCC, are present in the province.The signal of these two mobile operators covers mainly the provincial capital, Lashkargah, and Route 1 from Lashkargah to Khanadahar City. Page 6 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile B. Economic Governance and Private Sector Development Creating the conditions in which a dynamic and competitive private sector can flourish, is key to promoting economic growth, employment creation and poverty reduction. Helmand is mainly an agricultural province. There are two industrial crops grown in the province, Cotton is produced in 57% of villages, mainly in Nad Ali, Nawa-i-Barikzayi, and Garm Ser districts. Tobacco is produced in 24% of villages, mostly in Garm Ser, Kajaki, Baghran, Nad Ali, and Nahr-i-Saraj.To a smaller extent, sesame is produced in 10% of villages, mainly in Kajaki, Garm Ser, and Nad Ali; and sugar extracts in 6% of villages, again in Kajaki and Nad Ali mostly. The majority of commercial activity in Helmand is related to agriculture, animal husbandry, transport companies for import and export as well as the production and trafficking of narcotics. Agriculture is a major source of revenue for 69% of households in Helmand province, including 70% of rural households. Sixty seven percent of rural households own or manage agricultural land or garden plots in the province. However, more than one quarter of households (26%) in rural areas derive income from trade and services. A fifth of households (20%) earn some income through non-farm related labour.Livestock also accounts for income for a quarter of rural households (25%) as the following table shows: Sources of income reported by households Source of Income Agriculture Livestock Opium Trade and Services Manufacture Non-Farm Labor Remittances Other Source: NRVA 2005 Rural (%) 70 25 41 26 0 20 2 1 Urban (%) Total (%) 69 26 41 26 0 20 2 2 In 2005 there were 29 agricultural cooperatives active in Helmand in volving 5,266 members. This was an increase of around 15% in membership over 2003 when the figure was only 4,616 members. In 2005, agricultural cooperatives controlled a total of 20,063 Ha of land and achieved a surplus of produce for sale of 10,000 tons. As a result of this, each member held a share in the capital of the cooperative to the value of 825,900Afs.To all extents and purposes small industry is absent in Helmand and there is only a small production of handicrafts mostly related to jewelry, mainly in Nad Ali, Nawzad, and Garm Ser districts, and rugs in Nad Ali, Baghran, and Nawzad. Honey is also produced in 16 villages of 693, and karakul skin in seven. In 2005 23% of households in Helmand reported taking out loans. Of these loans, a small percentage was used to invest in economic activity such as buying land (1%), agricultural inputs (10%) and business investment (1%). C. Agriculture and Rural Development Enhancing licit agricultural productivity, creating incentives for non-farm investment, developing rural infrastructure, and supporting access to skills development and financial services will allow individuals, households and communities to participate licitly and productively in the economy.As agriculture represents the major source of income for more than two-thirds of the households in the province, rural development will be a key element of progress in Helmand. The most important field crops grown in Helmand province include wheat maize, and melon/water melons. The most common crops grown in garden plots include fruit and nut trees (67%) and grapes (26%). Wheat is also frequently gown in garden plots in the province (4%). Page 7 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile Almost all of the households with access to fertilizer use this on field crops (95%) and to a much lesser degree on garden plots (1%), although 4% of households use fertilizer on both field and garden.The main types of fertilizer used by households in the province are shown in the following table: Main types of fertilizer used by households Human % Animal % % 93 Urea Average Kg per Household 466. 3 Kg % 86 DAP Average Kg per Household 268. 4 Kg 31 46 Source: NRVA 2005 On average 97% of households in the province have access to irrigated land, and 5% of households have access to rain-fed land. Households (%) access to irrigated and rain-fed land Access to irrigated land Access to rain-fed land Source: NRVA 2005 Rural 97 5 Urban Average 97 5 Seventy six percent of rural households and 97% of Kuchi households in the province own livestock or poultry.The most commonly owned livestock are poultry, sheep, cattle and goats as the following table shows: Households (%) owning poultry and livestock Livestock Cattle Oxen Horses Donkey Camel Goats Sheep Poultry Source: NRVA 2005 Kuchi 6 0 0 88 31 97 94 91 Rural 57 6 2 21 0 45 57 71 Urban 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Average 56 6 2 22 1 45 58 71 D. Education Ensuring good quality education and equitable acces s to education and skills are some of the important ways to raise human capital, reduce poverty and facilitate economic growth. The overall literacy rate in Helmand province is 5%, however, while 8% of men are literate, this is true for only 1% of women. In the population aged between 15 and 24 the situation for men is not much better with 9. 1% literacy, whereas for the women there is no improvement 0. 9%).The Kuchi population in the province has particularly low levels of literacy with just 0. % of men and no women able to read and write. On average only 6% of children between 6 and 13 are enrolled in school, however the figure is higher for boys at 11%. Furthermore, amongst the Kuchi population in Helmand, no boys or girls attend school during the summer or winter months. Overall, there are 225 primary and secondary schools in the province catering for 80,121 students. Boys account for almost 94% of students and about 99% of schools are boys’ schools. There are 1,452 teach ers working in schools in the Helmand province, about one of ten of whom are women (12%). Page 8 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile Primary and Secondary EducationStudents boys girls 70,761 4,992 Primary 4,243 125 Secondary 75,004 5,117 Total 225 80,121 Source: CSO Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook 2006 boys 164 58 222 girls 1 2 3 Schools Teachers Male female 1,280 172 1,452 Primary schools exist in only 101 of the total 1,705 villages which are home to 9% of the population. Fourty three percent of students must travel more than 10 kilometres to reach their closest primary school, while 29% must travel up to five kilometres. Secondary schools exist in only 45 villages, which are home to 2. 9% of the population. To reach their closest secondary schools 57% of students have to travel more than 10 kilometres, and more than one in five have to travel at least five kilometres. Access to high schools is even more difficult.They exist in only 17 villages in the province, and almost seven out of ten students must travel more than 10 kilometres to reach their high school, while another 12% must travel at least five kilometres. Helmand province also has a number of higher education facilities, although there is currently no governmental or private university in the province. There is an Agriculture Vocational High School with 2 teachers catering for a total of 146 students, all of whom are men and a Mechanics High School with 8 staff and 117 male students. In 2005, 14 students graduated from the Agriculture School and 8 from the Mechanics School. There is also a teacher training institute which had 134 students in 2005, 75% of whom were men and 25% women.Seventy two new teachers graduated from Helmand Teacher Training Institute in 2005, of which 67% were women and 33% men. E. Health Ensuring the availability of basic health and hospital services, and developing human resources in the health sector is essential to reduce the incidence of disea se, increase life expectancy and enable the whole population to participate in sustainable development. A basic infrastructure of health services exists in Helmand province. In 2005 there were 31 health centers and 2 hospitals with a total of 172 beds. There were also 60 doctors and 120 nurses employed by the Ministry of Health working in the province, which represented a decrease of about 15% in the number doctors and 14% in the number of nurses compared to 2003.The major health facilities in the province are shown in the following table: HEALTH CENTERS District Lashkargah Reg-i-khan Nishin Nahr-i-saraj Sangin Qala Musa Qala Kajaki Nawzad Washeer Garm Ser Nad Ali Nawa-i-Barikzayi Baghran Basic Health Center 3 1 2 2 1 2 3 1 4 2 3 3 Comprehensive Health Center 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 2 Provincial/District Hospital 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Page 9 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile Dishu 0 0 Source: UNDSS Provincial Profile, provided by UNAMA 0 The province al so has 205 pharmacies of which 203 are owned privately and 2 are run by the government. The majority of communities do not have a health worker permanently present in their community.Eighty five percent of men’s shura and 73% of women’s shura reported that there was no community health worker present, and both groups most commonly said that their closest health facility was a Basic Health Center clinic without beds. Out of the total 1,705 villages, only 39 have a health center within their boundaries, and only 64 have a dispensary. Access to health care is very difficult for many people in the province with more than half of the population having to travel over 10 Km to get medical attention – 62. 4% for health centers and 56% for dispensaries. F. Social Protection Building the capacities, opportunities and security of extremely poor and vulnerable Afghans through a process of economic empowerment is essential in order to reduce poverty and increase self-relianc e.The level of economic hardship in Helmand is reasonably high. A quarter of households in the province (25%) report having problems satisfying their food needs at least 3 – 6 times a year, and a further almost third of households (31%) face this problem up to three times a year, as the following table shows: Problems satisfying food need of the household during the last year Never Households 39 (%) Source: NRVA 2005 Rarely (1-3 times) 31 Sometimes (3-6 times) 25 Often (few times a month) 5 Mostly (happens a lot) 1 Nearly half of the population in the province (49%) is estimated to receive less than the minimum daily caloric intake necessary to maintain good health.Almost two thirds of the population (64%) has low dietary diversity and poor or very poor food consumption as shown below: Food consumption classification for all households Households Very poor (%) food consumption 21 Rural 20 Total Source: NRVA 2005 Low dietary diversity Better dietary diversity Poor Slightly bet ter Better food consumption food consumption food consumption 43 35 1 44 34 2 In 2005, 30% of the population of Helmand province received allocations of food aid, which reached a total of 428,608 beneficiaries. In addition, of the 23% of households who reported taking out loans, 58% said that the main use of their largest loan was to buy food. A further 14% used the money to cover expenses for health emergencies.In the same year, nearly a quarter of the households in the province (23%) reported feeling that their economic situation had got worse compared to a year ago, and a third (34%) felt that it had remained the same, as the following table shows: Comparison of overall economic situation compared to one year ago Much worse 7 Households (%) Source: NRVA 2005 Worse 16 Same 34 Slightly better 35 Much better 9 Page 10 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile In 2005 two in five of all households in the province (40%) report having been negatively affected by s ome unexpected event in the last year, which was beyond their control.Households were most vulnerable to shocks related to agriculture, followed by problems related to drinking water, natural disasters and insecurity as the following table shows: Households experiencing shocks in the province (%) Types of shocks Drinking water Agricultural Natural disaster Insecurity Financial Health or epidemics Source: NRVA 2005 Rural 27 86 24 22 3 3 Urban Average 27 83 25 21 3 3 Of those households affected, over a third reported that they had not recovered at all from shocks experienced in the last 12 months (37%), and three in five said they had recovered only partially (61%). G. Governance, Law and Human Rights Establishing and strengthening government institutions at the central and sub-national levels is essential to achieve measurable improvements in the delivery of services and the protection of rights of all Afghans No relevant data analysed at provincial level available from national sou rces has been identified in this area. H. SecurityEnsuring a legitimate monopoly on force and law enforcement that provides a secure environment for the fulfillment of the rights of all Afghans is essential to ensure freedom of movement for people, commodities and ideas, and to promote social and economic development. A recent assessment made by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) reported that the prevailing security situation in Hilmand province remains extremely unstable, and is assessed by some security actors as being the most volatile province in Afghanistan. The prevailing security situation can best be considered by three distinct geographic areas; north, center and south. The north of the province, encompassing the Districts of Nawzad, Musa Qala, Sangin Qala, Baghran, Washeer and Kajaki is by far the most unstable area in the province, and perhaps the most volatile in the country.Throughout 2006 and 2007 insurgents and the International Security Ass istance Force (ISAF) experienced significant, unprecedented clashes, each suffering large numbers of casualties. It is assessed that both ISAF and the Government have no control in these areas. The center consists of the provincial capital, Lashkargah and four other districts. These are also assessed to be extremely volatile, although they are calmer than the northern and southern regions of the province. ISAF and the Government are also assessed to have little control of the area outside of Lashkargah, in particular because of constant attacks against Government targets in these areas.The south of the province encompasses the districts of Garm Ser, Dishu and Reg-i-khan Nishin, and the southern international border with Pakistan. ISAF assesses that the southern ‘frontline’ is an east-west line running parallel to the Hilmand river as it fishhooks to the west in Garm Ser District, South of that line Government and ISAF have effectively no control of the area. At times pa trols will enter the area for specific targeting and counter narcotics operations however there is no enduring presence. Garm Ser District Centre fell into the hands of insurgents on several occasions during 2006; ISAF forces remain in the District Centre and conduct operations through out the district. Page 11 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial ProfileThe UNDSS assessment highlights the following key factors of insecurity in the province: Factors of Insecurity Illegally Armed Groups (IAG) continue to operate in the province in a quasi-legitimate way, due to a lack of Government presence. Many groups are being referred to as â€Å"Reserve Police† or â€Å"Special Police† and are being deployed to the northern districts of Helmand and other problematic areas of the province for military operations. The Disarmament of Illegally Armed Groups (DIAG) programme is not currently operating in the province. The security situation within the province remains volatile with capable insurgent groups active, or at least present, in most districts.Criminality is no more significant in Helmand than in the surrounding southern provinces. Aside from drug-related crime, the Ring Road has been targeted by bandits as well as by insurgents. Property crime is also prevalent. Helmand is the largest opium producing province in Afghanistan.. Eradication efforts to date have not been successful. Although tens of millions of dollars have been spent and Ministry of Interior policemen have been killed carrying out eradication activities, in 2005-2006 the opium crop increased by 162%. Poppy cultivation is concentrated around the Helmand River with the bulk of production taking place in the Sangin Valley and surrounding areas.The quality and potency of the opium from these areas is renowned in the region. Involvement of Government officials in the drug trade is widespread in the province and beyond. Moreover, there are also clear linkages between the narcot ics trade and the insurgency, with the groups cooperating with each other for mutual benefit. The Afghan Eradication Forces (‘AEF’) sponsored by the Ministry of the Interior has been deployed to the province in order to undertake eradication and have met with fierce resistance. Illegally Armed Groups (IAGs) Anti-Government Elements (AGEs) Criminality and Organized Crime Narcotics Source: UNDSS Provincial Profile, provided by UNAMA Profile compiled by NABDP / MRRD Information SourcesAfghanistan Statistical Yearbook 2006, Central Statistics Office Geography: Area Demography and Population: Rural and Urban population Institutional Framework: Total Government employees Economic Governance & Private Sector Development: Agricultural cooperatives, members, land, surplus, capital Education: Primary and secondary schools, students and teachers, Higher education faculties, total students, first year students and graduates, Students in university dormitories, Vocational high schoo ls, staff, students and graduates, Teacher training institutes, students and graduates. Health: Number of Health centers, Hospitals, beds, Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacies.Social Protection: Allocations of food aid, Page 12 of 13 Provincial Development Plan, Helmand : Provincial Profile Socio Economic and Demographic Profiles (per province), 2003, Central Statistics Office/ UNFPA Geography: Topography, No of Districts, Provincial capital – population Demography and Population: Population by district, Number of households, Main Languages Spoken Infrastructure and Natural Resources : Road types (analysis by Afghanistan Institute for Rural Development) Economic Governance & Private Sector Development:– Industrial crops, small industries and handicrafts Education: Distance from educational services Health: Distance from Health ServicesThe National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment 2005, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development and the Central Statistics Office, June 200 7 Demography and Population: Average household size Infrastructure and Natural Resources : Use of safe drinking water, Travel time to drinking water, Access to safe toilet facilities, Toilet types, Household access to electricity, Access to public electricity Economic Governance & Private Sector Development:Source of household revenue, Households taking out loans, loan investment in economic activity Agriculture and Rural Development: Most important field crops and garden crops, Fertilizer use and type, Access to irrigated and rainfed land, Ownership of livestock and poultry Education: Literacy rate overall and for population 15 to 24, school enrolments Health: Availability of community health workers, closest type of health facility Social Protection: Problems satisfying food needs, Population receiving less than minimum recommended daily caloric intake, dietary diversity & food consumption, Comparison of economic situation with 12 months ago, Loan use for food and medical expenses , Vulnerability to shocks, Kinds of shocks , Recovery from shocks National Multi sectoral Assessment on Kuchi, Frauke de Weijer, May 2005 Demography and Population: Kuchi population Winter and Summer Education: Literacy rate for Kuchi, School attendance for Kuchi (summer / winter)UNDSS Provincial Assessments or UNAMA Provincial profiles, Supplied by UNAMA Geography: MAP , Location and description, Demography and Population: Major ethnic groups and tribes, Institutional Framework: Line Department offices, Donor Activity: UN agencies and projects, IO/NGO agencies and projects Infrastructure and Natural Resources : Road Travel times, Mobile Network Coverage Economic Governance & Private Sector Development: General economic profile, Major industries/ commercial activities Health: Health facilities Security: Assessment of the security situation, Factors of insecurity Information supplied by United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) Provincial Development, Provincial Budget ing and Integration of the Provincial Development Plans into the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS). Draft Discussion Paper for the ADF) Institutional Framework : Assessment of functioning of PDC Information supplied by Ministries Institutional Framework: PDC structure (Ministry of Economy), DDAs and CDCs (Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development) Donor Activity: NGO facilitating partners for NSP (Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development)

The Impact of Lobbying on Standard Setting in Accounting Essay - 1

The Impact of Lobbying on Standard Setting in Accounting - Essay Example Since these standards must be complied, under the pain of â€Å"penalties† or consequences, companies or entities subject to it are necessarily interested on how should the guidelines or rules of action be made. Standards just like any other laws could be favorable to one person or group but may be unfavorable to another person or group. Standard setting therefore implies a balancing act in terms of its effect among different interested individuals or groups. 2.1.1 What the institutions are involved in standard setting in accounting? Two institutions must come together to have the accounting standards set or financial reporting standards accomplish the latter’s purpose. These are the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). SEC was established was created first in 1934 by the U.S. Congress while FASB’s creation followed in 1973. While SEC is basically an independent regulatory agency which should afford or allow investors information or facts about their investment before buying and while holding the same (Securities and Exchange Commission, 2011. , FASB is an independent, private and not-for-profit organization and recognized authoritative by the SEC (Financial Accounting Standards Board, n.d.). While the first is a government agency which implements laws enacted by congress and the second a private and non-profit organization, both must be independent.

I'll attach it Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

I'll attach it - Essay Example Saudi Arabia has a GDP growth rate of 5.1 %, compared to the world 8.6 % and 7.4 % in 2011 and 2010 respectively. The total GDP (in US$ billions) of all 22 Arab League members by 2012 was $71,707.3 calculated at the government official exchange rates. The GDP in (US$) Saudi Arabia 727.3, U.A.E 358.9, Egypt 256.7, Iraq 212.5, Algeria 207.8, Qatar 183.4, Kuwait 173.4, Morocco 107.1, Libya 81.92, Oman 76.46, Syria 64.7. Sudan 59.94, Tunisia 45.61, Lebanon 41.35, Yemen 35.64, Jordan 31.21, Bahrain 27.03, Palestine N/A, Mauritania 4.199, Somalia 2.372, Djibouti 1.354, and lastly Comoros 0.600 (Central Intelligence Agency).The GDP dollar estimates that have been presented here have been calculated at government official exchange rates. In 2012 the total GDP for the United States was $16.02 trillion, Japan $5.88 trillion, Germany $3.383 trillion, France $2.579 trillion, and the United Kingdom was $2.443 trillion (CIA). On the other hand, the total GDP of the Arab League members by 2012 was $71,707.3. This is less compared to the individual GDP of the aforementioned countries. This means that these countries have a higher GDP compared to the 22 Arab League nations. This contradicts the misconception that most Arab countries are rich because of the oil proceeds. None of the Arab League country has a GDP higher than France, Germany, USA, Japan, and the UK. Palestine has GDP growth of $10 billion and a GDP per capita of $1924 and $876 for West Bank and Gaza Strip respectively (Abed 59). Between 1967 and 1990, the economy of West Bank and Gaza Strip was characterized by increase in individual income, reduction in the economy’s capacity to absorb its labour force, produce goods, and upgrade technologically.   The total GDP reduced from 34% to 13% between 1968 and 1993 (Aranson, 7-8). Viewed as the driver for any economy seeking to develop and upgrade, the industry

Westcan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Westcan - Research Paper Example This may help manager to identify areas deficiency among them for further training (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2010). Additionally, managers should be asked to give out their opinion concerning the kind of training they would like to have in order to ensure training administered to them is relevant and effective (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2010). Also, it is also very vital to seat down with managers and identify areas of deficiencies among them (Author, 2012). This can help managers to design an effective training package (Bramley & Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, 2003). In above connection, questionnaires should be designed, piloted and administered to managers to gather information on what should be done in order to have effective meetings (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2010).Research indicates that, managers understand the elements of an effective meeting but they don’t practice what they were taught (Author, 2012).Therefore, managers should be encouraged to put the theory they learnt into practice so that they can become effective and efficient (Bramley & Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, 2003). Conclusively, the identified needs for training should be evaluated by determining the extent at which the training needs have been implemented (Bramley & Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, 2003). Bramley, P., & Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. (2003). evaluating training: [from personal insight to organizational performance]. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and

Nanowire Battery Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Nanowire Battery - Research Paper Example The basic electrodes in a lithium ion battery are modified by nanotechnology to improve the performance. This article intends to discuss the objectives of the nanowire battery technology. The basic features and the technology behind these batteries are discussed along with their advantages. Finally, the challenges and applications of Nano wire batteries are presented. Introduction The speed of operation of the present generation computers, other electronic gadgets and even electric cars are increasing at an exponential rate. This presents a demand for equivalent high capacity batteries to power them with high charging and discharging rate. The batteries that power the high speed devices like laptops, mobile phones, video games and even electric cars lack these characteristics due to chemical constraints. The traditional Lithium-ion batteries transfer lithium ions from carbon anode to a metal oxide cathode. As the number of lithium ion held by one carbon ion is only one, the charge de nsity in these batteries is low. On the other hand, the Silicon anode has the capability to hold 4.4 lithium ions in one silicon atom. Scientists at the Stanford university (Chan. C.K. , Zhang. X. F. & Cui Y. , 2008) have explored the use of Silicon and Germanium nanowires for improved battery energy. This article intends to explore the technological insights of this Nano Wire battery technology. Objectives The existing rechargeable batteries are limited in electrical charge density as well as lifetime. The popular Lithium ion batteries used in portable electronic gadgets and cars have lithiated graphite as anode, LiPF6 as the electrolyte and the LiCoO2 as cathode. Their major disadvantages are high production cost and lack of resources like Co for mass production. The new Nano wire battery technology, aims at eliminating the drawbacks in this Lithium ion batteries. The major objectives of this technology are to use cathodes and anodes with materials of higher energy density and to optimize the design of the batteries for higher performance. Features and Advantages The anodes used in nanowire battery were made of Silicon and Germanium nanowires (chan et al. , 2008 ). Since Silicon has low discharge potential and charge capacity of 4200 mAh/g, it is more preferred than Germanium which has a theoretical charge capacity of 1600 mAh/g. The following Figure. 1. shows the nanowires of Silicon grown on the electrodes. Figure. 1. Silicon Nano wires grown on the electrodes. The potential advantages of the Nano Wire design are high surface to volume ratio which enables more electrode contact with the electrolyte, they provide continuous conduction of electrons within the electrode and finally, due to the fibrous design they are good in facile strain relaxation. These anodes of Silicon nanowire have ten times more storage capacity compared to the existing carbon anodes. The most critical parameter for the safe operation of a battery is the Solid – Electrode - Inte rface (SEI). In nanowire batteries, the SEI formation is more when there is Lithium insertion into Silicon layers. The SEI in Silicon nanowire batteries has an inner layer of inorganic lithium compound and an outer layer of organic lithium compound. Also the voltage dependence of the SEI morphology, allows more cycles of charging and discharging. The analysis of the impedance level of these batteries shows that the impedance is due to both the process of diffusion and the

The Value of Pair and Group Work for Second Language Learning Essay

The Value of Pair and Group Work for Second Language Learning - Essay Example But some teachers are not yet ready to change and accept change. Besides, they are unconvinced about the value of using pair and group work in the classroom environment. From another angle of view, the mindset of student community towards pedagogical innovation deeply influences its effectiveness in the classroom environment. This view has been supported in the work of Hinkel (2005, P. 141). The value of pair and group work in the classroom environment is that it helps learners gets enough opportunity to practice the language. For instance, pair and group work help the learners to have enough time for oral practice. Besides, less confident learners get exposure to put newly acquired language skills into practice. Pair and group work in classroom environment leads to less dependence on a teacher, helping and learning enhances language acquisition. Pair and group work change the traditional role of the individual teacher in the classroom environment. Group work is helpful for the learners to share their ideas with their peers. In addition, learning experience in classroom environment under the supervision of teacher enhances the learning process. Dividing the class into different groups consist of gifted, fast learners, average students and below average students is helpful for the student community to develop their language skills. Besides, pair and group work helps the teacher to provide individual attention to each and every student. Grouping the students by considering their ability or language proficiency is not democratic but it leads to the failure of classroom instruction on and tasks formulated by the teacher. This view has been supported in the work of Genesee (1994, p.186). The traditional mode of classroom instruction based on the teacher is not democratic. In this situation, the teacher is lecturing and the students are mere listeners.

Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 14250 words

Dissertation Example However, several barriers hinder the route to successful implementation of cross-border acquisitions. Different authors and scholars have provided many factors hindering cross border acquisitions. In its entirety, cultural factors need the biggest attention because of their influence in changing the fate of the merger or acquisition activity. Cross border M&A are termed as ‘marriage between two culturally separate entities’ and endeavours to manage M&A’s arise more from the tenets of cross-cultural management than any other factor. Cultural knowledge has been found to facilitate organizations to come together for M&A with their partners. This view has been propounded by various theories like Hofstede’s and Trompenaars dimensions, Schwartz Value survey, Kluckhohn and Strodbeck Framework , and many others. Application of cultural factors are involved across various activities and different functions that include expatriate management, leadership, motivation, decision making, managing diversity and developing intercultural communications through managerial competencies. Taking examples of some successful and unsuccessful cross-border mergers and acquisitions and relating these with related theories and models, a study has been conducted to determine how cross-cultural knowledge, awareness and responsiveness helped the successful parties and vice versa. This research has investigated the cultural issues which are often not given utmost importance in regard to cross border M&A. The study has helped to gain an understanding of the significance of determination of cultural factors affecting cross border M&A and the necessity to deal with them before entering into a merger or an acquisition. Also, with perceived and identified gaps, recommendations have been suggested which might improve upon the way cross-border mergers and acquisitions should be implemented and dealt with. The research has been based completely on secondary sources and case studies. Real life M&A have been taken into consideration based on which a detailed analysis has been done thus determining the cultural factors that may affect cross border M&A. Recommendations have been provided for those organizations that tend to ignore the importance of such cultural differences, often leading to failure. Table of Contents Topic Page no. Introduction 7 Research Aims and Objectives 10 -Aim of the research 10 -Objectives of the research 10 Literature Review 11 Limitations of the Study 30 Research Methodology 31 -Research Philosophy 31 -Research technique 32 -Sources of information 32 -Credibility & Verification 33 Findings & Analysis 35 -Study of real life M&A 36 -Key features of success or failure 43 -Comparison of actual scenario with theoretical models 44 -Discussion 49 Conclusion 51 Recommendation 54 References 57 List of Figures Figure Page no. Figure 1. Different types of mergers and acquisitions 15 Figure 2. Consequences of differences in individualist or collectivist scores for work and organizations 18 Figure 3. Consequences of differences in power distance cores for work and organizations 19 Figure 4. Consequences of differences in masculinity or femininity scores for work and organizations 20 Figure 5. Consequences of differences in uncertainty avoidance scores for work and organizations 21 Figure 6. Acculturative model for the implementation of mergers 23 Figure 7. Reasons

Should evolution be taught in the public schools Essay - 1

Should evolution be taught in the public schools - Essay Example While both sides have valid arguments, the argument for teaching evolution in public schools clearly trumps, because parents have a right to ensure that their child gets the best education possible, and a failure to instruct on evolutionary theory in the public schools clearly undermines this basic right. The theory of evolution, which states that species have evolved over time, is a theory which must be taught in public schools. Lerner (2000) states that there are good standards for what school children should know about the theory, depending upon the child’s grade. He states that children from grades kindergarten to third grade should understand that living things reproduce, and that the offspring may not be exactly like their parents. They should also understand that a living things must grow up or change before reproducing. Another fact that they must learn is that the earth is over four billion years old. When children are between the ages of nine and twelve, they should be taught about how evolution results in competition and survival between and within species, and the factors that go into species survival, such as environmental, predatory and temperature factors. They should also learn that species adapt to different environments, and that genetic variation results in mutations that may help species adapt to this environment. Also, the theory of natural selection should be understood. When a child is between middle and high school, they should know about such concepts as genetic drift, sexual selection and the complex interactions of ecosystems (Lerner, 2000). Evolutionary theory should be taught, despite the objections of religious individuals who object to the theory being taught, for a variety of reasons. The first set of these reasons address why the theory should be taught, despite the objections of

Poetic Realism And The Rules Of The Game By Jean Renoir Movie Review

Poetic Realism And The Rules Of The Game By Jean Renoir - Movie Review Example It is widely regarded difficult to maintain and establish strict borders of poetic realism but most surely it gained a lot from the French literature of the 19th century. Most of all it is Balzac and Zola which developed a new vision on the matter of simple human life and its true complexity and tragic yet live nature. The love triangle that is the plot center of â€Å"The Rules of the Game† tells us that great feeling is always doomed due to its complexity and enormously exciting power. The ending of the movie reminds of Deus Ex Machina but really something terrible could be felt during the entire movie and such tremendous stress and complexity between human relationships is a great way of showing how elementary and common life aspects can eventually lead to the tragic end. What starts romantically and joyfully ends with the horrible "accident" that is sure can be considered a Destiny's action. However such destiny or better say pessimistic theorem of French poetic realism is one of the main components of this genre because almost every central hero in the films of this tradition ends dead or broken in somehow another way. But above that â€Å"The Rules of the Game† are different from the other pictures of poetic realism because it shows not lower social classes but high ones though their problems appear to be the same because they are pan-human. The visual aspect of the Rules of the Game, as well as other poetic realism films, has a great part which is obvious because of its movie and not a book.

Earth in Greek mythology Essay Example for Free

Earth in Greek mythology Essay Greek Mythology will always be culturally relevant in our world. There is a great deal of Greek Mythology symbolism of Greek gods in today’s society. Greek Mythology will remain compatible to the ideas of society. â€Å".myths adaptability is limited by the fact that a myth must be culturally relevant† (OSU Greek Mythology) Many aspects of our culture involve and began from Greek myths. The solar system is, for the most part, also named after Greek gods, â€Å"with the exception of Earth, all of the planets in our solar system have names from Greek or Roman mythology† (Starchild NASA 1). There is also much symbolism of Greek gods and mythology in today’s society. Greek mythology is greatly reflected in advertising. Several examples are Nike, the goddess of victory, and the very popular sports company, Nike. Another popular advertisement is for the FTD flower delivery company. Their logo includes Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods with winged feet. Apollo, the god of music, has a famous music hall in New York named after him, the Apollo Theater. There is also a magazine of the arts called Daedalus. Greek mythology is relatable to humans. Many of the heroes in Greek mythology are on a quest for truth. In today’s society, humans are still looking for truthful answers to their many questions. Myths explain things the people are believed to not understand. Creation stories in Greek mythology tell of how everything came to be, in their opinion. Many Creation stories include a Flood story, which leads Christians to have greater faith that it occurred. It is also important to study Greek mythology because it is part if history. There can be a lot learned about the Greek culture. Greek Mythology will always be relevant and relatable to the people in this world.

Impact of Emoticons on Commerce

Impact of Emoticons on Commerce Emoticons the essential tool for emotion in commerce Emojis serve a very particular role in business communication and therefore need to be employed for specific situations where a sense of connection between the communicating parties is required to boost the outcome of an organisation. Emoticons, another word for emojis, are a set of symbols that have begun to replace words in messaging services and are being slowly implemented in written business communication methods. Whilst they were once simply childs play, a newfound purpose has surfaced and their introduction into the commercial world has seen an increase of success, despite their initial unprofessionalism. They can provide the lacking emotional connection in written business communications, which involve that between internal and external parties for purposes such as marketing and leadership, management and knowledge transfer, in electronic forms of verbal messaging. Hence there is definitive time and place for emoticon use in written business communication. Before the surge of social media, businesses looked down upon technological communication, leading the workforce to develop face to face communication techniques. Now, emojis have risen to provide a similar experience for communicators of technology, to that of a face to face conversation. Face to face communication allows for display of immediate behaviour, which describes the communication behaviour that psychologically brings the receiver of the message closer to the one who is sending the message (Kelley and Autman 2014, p. 49). This improves or furthers the connection between the two communicating parties, elevating the level of understanding between them and therefore better the communication of messages. This induces a range of positive effects for specific circumstances. In a marketing setting, the increasing understanding between two parties such as that of a brand and a customer develops trust and credibility. No matter the type of marketing, there is a need for trust and c redibility to be engendered in the customers, by the brand (Lynch and de Chernatony 2004, p. 408). As society moves towards a new era of technological advancement, verbal communication becomes more necessary, as companies are resulting in the ability to expand themselves past any physical restrictions, to increase their customer pools. This has also led to the distancing of communicators because of the gradual loss of immediate behaviours such as observable emotions and gestures, causing communication to appear increasingly vague and easily misunderstood. Hence, it is now absolutely crucial for marketing professionals to search for ways to re-establish the lost emotional connection during verbal communication. The use of emoticons open a new window for marketers to portray their ideas with a slightly more accuracy as to when only verbal communication was used. Emojis have now begun to find their way into the lexicon of the technological society (Walther and DAddario 2001, p. 327). The significance of non-verbal communication is still being studied today, but the pervading idea tha t verbal communication does not build as strong of a relationship or understanding between the two sides of a conversation. Many researchers have come to conclusions that emoticons have been adopted to make up for the absent nonverbal social cues (Skovholt, Gronning and Kankaanranta, 2014). There is an inherent increase in discussion about the relevance of emotion to leadership roles. Walther and DAddario (2001, p. 324) found that Kiesler, Siegel, and McGuire (1984) observed the traditional forms of communication, head nods, smiles, eye contact, distance, tone of voice, and other non-verbal behaviour give speakers and listeners information they can use to regulate, modify, and control exchanges. Managerial roles heavily depend on the ability to communicate with others in their team, and the need for emotional intelligence is extremely significant as without the understanding of non-verbal behaviour can hinder the efficiency of any team and could possibly provoke disagreements or other unnecessary conflict. As most employees primary source of social interaction is with their work group, the communication that takes place must allow them to release emotional expression of feelings and fulfil social needs. Kelley and Autman (2014) found in a research that leaders who used social media and emoticons to communicate with their team members were seen as more immediate or engaged with their members, improving their connections and productivity levels with their team members. Knowledge transfer is described as a combination of the processes of transmission and reception of knowledge as Nylund and Raelin (2015, p. 532) found from Grant (1996). It involves verbal, non-verbal and tonal emotional signals expressed between the individuals who are communicating (Nylund and Raelin 2015, p. 533) and for individuals to be able to receive the full message, all signals must be expressed. Therefore, it is questionable of whether emails and memos are sufficient in passing the exact message between leaders or managers and their team members. Despite the fact that email and memorandum and quick methods of communication, they are not necessarily the most accurate. In fact, all forms of written communication are just as lacking in comparison to face to face communication. Emojis can provide more depth to the message, adding specificity of the subject, tone, mood and many other aspects of speech to the written message. Even though emoticons were not initially designed for businesses use, recent updates to emoji packages on operating systems keyboards have added icons such as clocks, pens and briefcases for corporal use. So perhaps developers of these packages have begun to consider purposes outside casual conversations. Emoticons can also evoke a conversational tone, allowing individuals to speak on a more casual basis. Spinks, Wells and Meche (1999) have explored the professionalism of emails. Some have said that emails were meant for efficient and informal means of communication or for more conversational instances than traditional paper communications (Spinks, Wells and Meche, 1999). This remains a constant debate, even today, in corporate companies, and though most companies remain open to the use of emails, some companies have chosen to limit the use of communication via such means.  ­ There has always been a focus on the need for members of teams to understand each other and can communicate and connect with each other but today, this is not merely a throwaway idea or concept. In a world where businesses are deep in a period of technological evolution, professionals may or have noticed that there has been a loss or decrease in those qualities as a result of implementing computer based and mobile based verbal communication systems to create a more modern environment and work culture. Whilst researchers continue to look into the greater potential and impacts of the newly developed and viral, image-based language within written business communications, businesses are continuing to adapt their face to face communication habits into that of computer mediated communication. Bibliography Kelley, S. and Autman, H. (2014). EFFECTIVE COMPUTER-MEDIATED BUSINESS COMMUNICATION: FOSTERING IMMEDIACY. The Journal of Research in Business Education; Reston, [online] 56(2), pp.48-58. Available at: https://search-proquest-com.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/docview/1764323101?accountid=12763 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2017]. Skovholt, K., Grà ¸nning, A. and Kankaanranta, A. (2014). The Communicative Functions of Emoticons in Workplace E-Mails: :-). Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, [online] 19(4), pp.780-797. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/doi/10.1111/jcc4.12063/full [Accessed 13 Mar. 2017]. Nylund, P. and Raelin, J. (2015). When feelings obscure reason: The impact of leaders explicit and emotional knowledge transfer on shareholder reactions. The Leadership Quarterly, [online] 26(4), pp.532-542. Available at: http://dx.doi.org.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/10.1016/j.leaqua.2015.06.003 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2017]. Lynch, J. and de Chernatony, L. (2004). The power of emotion: Brand communication in business-to-business markets. Journal of Brand Management, [online] 11(5), pp.403-419. Available at: https://search-proquest-com.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/docview/232487806?accountid=12763 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2017]. Walther, J. and DAddario, K. (2001). The Impacts of Emoticons on Message Interpretation in Computer-Mediated Communication. Social Science Computer Review, 19(3), pp.324-347. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2017]. Spinks, N., Wells, B. and Meche, M. (1999). Netiquette: a behavioral guide to electronic business communication. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, [online] 4(3), pp.145-155. Available at: https://search-proquest-com.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/docview/214191666?accountid=12763 [Accessed 17 Mar. 2017].

A Pestel Analysis Of Malaysia Economics Essay

A Pestel Analysis Of Malaysia Economics Essay Introduction During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the countrys history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapores secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism. Economy overview: Malaysia, a middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in Islamic finance, high technology industries, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals. The NAJIB administration also is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and to wean the economy off of its dependence on exports. Nevertheless, exports particularly of electronics remain a significant driver of the economy. As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher world energy prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel, combined with strained government finances, has forced Kuala Lumpur to reduce government subsidies. The government is also trying to lessen its dependence on state oil producer Petronas, which supplies at least 40% of government revenue. The central bank maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves and its well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysias exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Nevertheless, decreasing worldwide demand for consumer goods hurt Malaysias exports and economic growth in 2009, although both showed signs of recovery in 2010. In order to attract increased investment, NAJIB has also sought to revise the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but he has encountered significant opposition, especially from Malay na tionalists. Statistics GDP $381.1 billion (2009 est.)Rank: 30 GDP growth 2.2% (2009 est.) GDP per capita $14,800 (2009 est.) GDP by sector agriculture: 10.1% industry: 42.3% services: 47.6% Inflation (CPI) 0.4% (2009 est.) Population below poverty line 3.5% (2007 est.) Labour force by occupation agriculture: (13%), industry: (36%), services: (51%) Unemployment 5% (2009 est.) Main industries Peninsular Malaysia rubber and palm oil processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber, tourism, petroleum production and refining, logging Economic Policies The Malaysian New Economic Policy was created in 1971 with the aim of bringing Malays a 30% share of the economy of Malaysia and eradicating poverty amongst Malays, primarily through encouraging enterprise ownership by Bumiputeras. After 30 years of the program, the NEP had somewhat met some of its goals. Bumiputera ownership increased to 18.9% in 2004 against 2.4% in 1970 and poverty decreased to 8.3% in 2004 against 64.8% in the 1970s. The NEP is accused of creating an oligarchy, and creating a subsidy mentality. Political parties such as Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Democratic Action Party have proposed a new policy which will be equal for every Malaysian, regardless of race. When the Democratic Action Party was elected in the state of Penang in 2008, it announced that it will do away with the NEP, claiming that it   breeds nepotism, corruption and systemic inefficiency. On April 21, 2009, the prime minister Najib Tun Razak has announced liberalisation of 27 services sub-sector by abolishing the 30% bumiputera requirement. The move is seen as the government efforts to increase investment the service sector of the economy. According to the premier, many more sectors of the economy will be liberalized. On June 30, 2009, the premier announces further liberation moves including the dismantling of the Bumiputera equity quotas and repealing the guidelines of the Foreign Investment Committee, which was responsible to monitor foreign shareholding in Malaysian companies. However, any Malaysian companies that wish to list in Malaysia would still need to offer 50 percent of public shareholding spread to Bumiputera investors. Politics of Malaysia The politics of Malaysia takes place in the framework of a federal constitutional monarchy, in which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is head of state and the Prime Minister of Malaysia is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the federal government and the 13 state governments. Federal legislative power is vested in the federal parliament and the 13 state assemblies. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature, though the executive maintains a certain level of influence in the appointment of judges to the courts. The Constitution of Malaysia is codified and the system of government is based on the Westminster system. Malaysia has a multi-party system since the first direct election of the Federal Legislative Council of Malaya in 1955 on a first-past-the-post basis. The ruling party since then has always been the Alliance Party (Malay: Parti Perikatan) coalition and subsequently from 1973 onwards, its successor the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition. The Barisan Nasional coalition currently consists of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and 11 other political parties. Although Malaysian politics has been relatively stable, critics allege that the government, ruling party, and administrationare intertwined with few countervailing forces. However, since 8 March 2008 General Election, medias coverage on countrys politics has been noticeably increased, making the politics more transparent to the citizens. The current Prime Minister is Dato Seri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. He took office following the retirement of Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (colloquially known as Pak Lah) on April, 2009. The national media are largely controlled by the government and by political parties in the Barisan Nasional/National Front ruling coalition and the opposition has little access to the media. The print media are controlled by the Government through the requirement of obtaining annual publication licences under the Printing and Presses Act. In 2007, a government agency the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission issued a directive to all private television and radio stations to refrain from broadcasting speeches made by opposition leaders. The official state ideology is the Rukunegara, which has been described as encouraging respect for a pluralistic, multireligious and multicultural society. However, political scientists have argued that the slogan of Bangsa, Agama, Negara (race, religion, nation) used by UMNO constitutes an unofficial ideology as well. Both ideologies have generally been used to reinforce a conservative political ideology, one that is Malay-centred Executive power is vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister; the Malaysian constitution stipulates that the prime minister must be a member of the lower house of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of Parliament and is responsible to that body. In recent years the opposition have been campaigning for free and fairer elections within Malaysia. On 10 November 2007, a mass rally, called the 2007 Bersih Rally, took place in the Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur at 3pm to demand for clean and fair elections. The gathering was organised by BERSIH, a coalition comprising political parties and civil society groups(NGOs), and drew supporters from all over the country. Malaysias government has intensified efforts on March 6, 2008 to portray opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim as a political turncoat, days ahead of Malaysian general election, 2008 on March 8, 2008 that will determine whether he poses a legitimate threat to the ruling coalition. Campaigning wrapped up March 7, 2008 for general elections that could see gains for Malaysias opposition amid anger over race and religion among minority Chinese and Indians. Malaysians voted March 8, 2008 in parliamentary elections. Election results showed that the ruling government suffered a setback when it failed to obtain two-thirds majority in parliament, and five out of 12 state legislatures were won by the opposition parties. Reasons for the setback of the ruling party, which has retained power since the nation declared independence in 1957, are the rising inflation, crime and ethnic tensions. Law of Malaysia The law of Malaysia is mainly based on the common law legal system. This was a direct result of the colonisation of Malaya, Sarawak, and North Borneo by Britain from the early 19th century to 1960s. The supreme law of the land-the Constitution of Malaysia-sets out the legal framework and rights of Malaysian citizens. Federal laws enacted by the Parliament of Malaysia applies throughout the country. There are also state laws enacted by the State Legislative Assemblies which applies in the particular state. The constitution of Malaysia also provides for a unique dual justice system-the secular laws (criminal and civil) and sharia laws. Dual justice system The dual system of law is provided in Article 121(1A) of the Constitution of Malaysia. Article 3 also provides that Islamic law is a state law matter with the exception for the Federal Territories of Malaysia.[1] Islamic law refers to the sharia law, and in Malaysia it is known and spelled as syariah. The court is known as the Syariah Court. Looking at the Malaysian legal system as a whole, sharia law plays a relatively small role in defining the laws on the country. It only applies to Muslims. With regards to civil law, the Syariah courts has jurisdiction in personal law matters, for example marriage, inheritance, and apostasy. In some states there are sharia criminal laws, for example there is the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment 1993. Their jurisdiction is however limited to imposing fines for an amount not more than RM 3000, and imprisonment to not more than 6 months.[2] In August 2007, the then Chief Justice of Malaysia proposed to replace the current common law applicat ion in Malaysia with sharia law.[3] As an example of the dual system, sometimes a nightclub is raided, and Muslim patrons drinking alcohol are prosecuted in Shariah courts, while the others are allowed to drink. Also the nightclub operator is not charged with any offense, because he is not legally required to check if customers are Muslim before serving them. Complications Complications have arisen with regard to the dual justice system, for example with regard to freedom of religion. Article 11 of the Constitution provides that Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion. However in the case of Lina Joy-a Malay who converted to Christianity-the Federal Court of Malaysia refused to allow her to change her religion indicated in her identity card (MyKad). The judges held that they had no jurisdiction on the matter-that it was a matter of the Syariah Court, as indicated in Article 121(1A) of the Constitution. Technology in Malaysia Science Policy in Malaysia is regulated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. Other ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health also have science departments. Training in scientific areas was promoted during the 1970s and 1980s. From 1987-1997 research and development used 0.24% of GNP, and in 1998 high-tech exports made up 54% of Malaysias manufactured exports. In 2002 the Malaysian National Space Agency (Angkasa) was formed to deal with all of Malaysias activities in space, and to promote space education and space experiments. It is focused on developing the RazakSAT satellite, which is a remote sensing satellite with CCD cameras. In early 2006, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and three other finalists were selected for the Angkasawan spaceflight programme. This programme came about when Russia agreed to transport one Malaysian to the International Space Station as part of a multi-billion dollar purchase of 18 Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. In an effort to create a self-reliant defensive ability and support national development Malaysia privatized some of its military facilities in the 1970s. This has created a defence industry, which in 1999 was brought under the Malaysia Defence Industry Council. The government continues to try and promote this sector and its competitiveness, actively marketing the defence industry. One way it does this is through the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, one of the largest defence and civil showcases in the Asia Pacific, regularly attended by over 500 companies. The Malaysian Armed Forces relies heavily on local military technology and high-tech weapons systems designed and manufactured by foreign countries. Environment of Malaysia The environment of Malaysia refers to the biotas and geologies that constitute the natural environment of this Southeast Asian nation. Ecologically, Malaysia is a megadiverse nation with a biodiverse range of flora and fauna found in various ecoregions throughout the country. Tropical rainforests encompass from 59% to 70% of Malaysias total land area, of which 11.6% is pristine. Malaysia has the worlds fifth largest mangrove area, which totals over a half a million hectares (over 1.2 million acres). Human intervention poses a significant threat to the natural environment of this country. Agriculture, forestry and urbanisation contribute to the destruction of forests, mangroves and other thriving ecosystems in the country. Ecosystems and landscapes are dramatically altered by human development, including but not limited to the construction of roads and damming of rivers. Geographical phenomena, such as landslides and flooding in the Klang Valley, along with haze, stem from widespread deforestation. Subtle climate change occurs as a direct result of air pollution and the greenhouse effect, which in turn is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. Low-lying areas near the coastline of Sabah and Sarawak are under threat from current sea level rise. The environment is the subject of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment at the federal level. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks is responsible for the preservation of flora and fauna in Malaysia. Several environmental organisations have been established to raise awareness regarding the environmental issues in Malaysia. Environmental issues There are a number of environmental issues faced by Malaysia, such as deforestation and pollution. According to a study by Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies in 2008, about 30% of Malaysian coastline is subject to varying degrees of erosion. According to the United Nations, Malaysias deforestation rate is the highest among tropical nations. The countrys annual deforestation rate increased 86% between 1999-2000 and 2000-2005. Malaysia lost an average of 140,200 hectares of its forests or 0.65% of its total forest area every year since 2000, whereas in the 1990s, the country lost an average of 78,500 hectares or 0.35 percent of its forests annually. Widespread urbanisation, agricultural fires and forest conversion for oil palm plantations and other forms of agriculture are the main causes of Malaysias high deforestation rate. Logging is responsible for forest degradation in the country, and local timber companies have been accused by environmental organisations of failing to practice sustainable forest management. Mining in peninsular Malaysia has left a mark on the environment. Deforestation, pollution of rivers, and siltation have resulted in losses of agriculture, and road projects have opened new areas to colonisation. Air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions is a major issue in the urban areas of Malaysia. Malaysia is ranked 42nd in the world in terms of vehicle ownership per capita, with 273 Malaysians having vehicles out of every 1000. Public transportation has been introduced in the form of bus networks and railway systems as mitigation, but utilisation rates are low. Water pollution occurs due to the discharge of untreated sewage; the west coast of the Peninsular Malaysia is the most heavily populated area. 40% of the rivers in Malaysia are heavily polluted. The country has 580 cubic km of water, of which 76% is used for farming and 13% is used for industrial activity. Cities in Malaysia produce an average of 1.5 million tons of solid waste per year. In 2000, Malaysia was ranked fourth in the world in terms of per capita greenhouse gas emissions after taking into account land use change with 37.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. Periodic fires, which usually coincide with the events of el Nià ±o, burn thousands of hectares of forests across Malaysia, especially in Malaysian Borneo. The haze originating from these fires and the fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia typically have adverse health effects on the populace, besides causing air pollution. In particular, the 1997 Southeast Asian haze, the 2005 Malaysian haze and the 2006 Southeast Asian haze were caused by slash and burn activities in neighbouring Indonesia. Society of Malaysia Malaysia is a multi-cultural society. The main ethnic groups are the native Malays as well as large populations of Chinese, and Indians. When visiting the country it is clear that the ethnicities retain their religions, customs and way of life. The most important festivals of each group are public holidays. Although growing up, children are educated in the same schools and will eventually work in the same offices, few marry outside their own ethnicity. Families tend to socialise within their own ethnic group all part of retaining their individual traditions and lifestyles. Despite the ethnic differences there are commonalities culturally speaking. Social Stratification Classes and Castes- Class position in Malaysia depends on a combination of political connections, specialized skills, ability in English, and family money. The Malaysian elite, trained in overseas universities, is highly cosmopolitan and continues to grow in dominance as Malaysias middle class expands. Even with the substantial stratification of society by ethnicity, similar class experiences in business and lifestyle are bridging old barriers. Symbols of Social Stratification- In Malaysias market economy, consumption provides the primary symbols of stratification. Newly wealthy Malaysians learn how to consume by following the lead of the Malay royalty and the prosperous business families of Chinese descent. A mobile phone, gold jewelry, and fashionable clothing all indicate ones high rank in the Malaysian social order. Given the striking mobility of Malaysian society, ones vehicle marks class position even more than home ownership. Most Malaysians can distinguish the difference between makes of cars, and access to at least a motor scooter is a requirement for participation in contemporary Malaysian social life. Kuala Lumpur has more motor vehicles than people. Skin color, often indicative of less or more time working in the hot tropical sun, further marks class position. Distinct class differences also appear in speech. Knowledge of English is vital to elevated class status, and a persons fluency in that language indexes t heir social background. Social Welfare and Change Programs The Malaysian government has promoted rapid social change to integrate a national society from its ethnic divisions. Its grandest program was originally called the New Economic Policy (NEP), implemented between 1971 and 1990 and continued in modified form as the National Development Policy (NDP). Since poverty eradication was an aim of the NEP a considerable amount of energy has gone to social welfare efforts. The consequences of these programs disseminate across the social landscape: home mortgages feature two rates, a lower one for Malays and a higher one for others; university admissions promote Malay enrolment; mundane government functions such as allocating hawker licenses have an ethnic component. But the government has also tried to ethnically integrate Malaysias wealthy class; therefore many NEP-inspired ethnic preferences have allowed prosperous Malays to accrue even greater wealth. The dream of creating an affluent Malaysia continues in the governments 1991 plan of Vision 2 020, which projects that the country will be fully developed by the year 2020. This new vision places faith in high technology, including the creation of a Multi-Media Super Corridor outside of Kuala Lumpur, as the means for Malaysia to join the ranks of wealthy industrialized countries, and to develop a more unified society. Porters Diamond of Competitiveness Factor conditions: These are the economists traditional factors of production: land, labor, capital, and infrastructure. Demand conditions: The characteristics of the domestic market, including the size, demand, value, and sophistication. Related supporting industries: The presence of suppliers and supporting industries that are equally competitive and of high quality. Firm strategy, structure, and rivalry: The regulatory and other governmental environment in which companies are created, organized, and managed, including the nature of the domestic competition. Stages in Economic Development The relative importance of the four factors depends on the stage of economic development of the industry or country. National economies, like industries, go through stages in their development. The first stage is factor-driven, with the economy based essentially on the traditional factors of production: natural resources, commodities, and availability of cheap power and labor. This was Malaysia of the 1960s and 70s, its primary competitive advantage being its cheap resources (rubber and tin), land and labor, and favorable tax treatment. These advantages were not only limiting but also transient. When commodity prices dropped, Malaysia lost its competitive advantage. When China entered the game with her endless supply of even cheaper labor and land, Malaysia could hardly compete. During this phase, the basic source of competitive advantage is obviously the factor conditions of the diamond. The next stage is investment driven where the competitive advantage is governed by the willingness of firms and nations to invest in modern factories, upgrade the skills of their workers, and adopt efficient technology. Factor conditions are still important, but in addition, the fourth-firms strategy, structure and rivalry-becomes the major determinant. This is where Malaysia is currently. The third stage is innovation driven where all four points of the diamond are in full play. This is where Malaysia aspires to be. With all four points in equal play, the relative role of factor-driven variables like cheap labor and commodities becomes relatively less important.

Isbens A Dolls House Essay -- essays research papers

Nora Helmer as a Doll In Isben's, A Dolls House Nora, the protagonist is treated like a doll - the property of Torvald Helmer. In Act I, there are many clues that hint at the kind of marriage Nora and Torvald have. It seems that Nora is a doll controlled by Torvald. She relies on him for everything, from movements to thoughts, much like a puppet that is dependent on its puppet master for all of its actions. The most obvious example of Torvald's physical control over Nora is his re-teaching her the tarantella. Nora pretends that she needs Torvald to teach her every move in order to relearn the dance. This act shows her submissiveness to Torvald. After he teaches her the dance, he proclaims "When I saw you dance the tarantella, like a huntress, a temptress, my blood grew hot, I could...

The Naming of Domino Park in Miami :: Little Havana Cuban Community

The Naming of Domino Park Domino Park resides in one of the predominantly Cuban districts of the greater Miami area. It is located on the corner of Calle Ocho and fifteenth-avenue in Little Havana. Domino Park is a gathering place for the men and women of Little Havana. They have congregated in the mini-park for years, challenging each other to domino games. Although players sometimes choose to challenge each other to games of chess, the main staple of the park is dominos. The park received its nickname, Domino Park, for that very reason. Before the construction of Domino Park, which occurred in 1976, the men of Little Havana played dominos on the corner of fifteenth-avenue. They would sit directly across from the Tower Theater and played well into the night. Originally, the players used shaky tables and a rigged, lighting system. The city of Miami spent $115,000 to build the park's magnificent architecture. Beth Dunlop, of the Miami Herald, offers the following description of Domino Park in her January 6, 1983, article, "Don't Fence in Domino Park": There are two barrel-tile-roofed pavilions, really just to give shade from the sun and shelter from the rain, and a matching storage shed, which houses the rest rooms as well. And then there's the main event- tables, set, as the pavilions are, at an angle to the street corner. The arrangement of the tables and pavilions is the key to the park's architecture, and it serves two purposes here, both important: Angling them to open out onto the street corner is essentially Cuban, suggestive of Havana, and it is also an effective way to squeeze a lot of domino players into a tiny space. (C2) Dunlop's focus on the nostalgic touches inherent within the architecture of the park is particularly important.

The Boondocks :: essays research papers

Aaron McGruder is an African American cartoonist. At only twenty-six years of age, he is best known as the creator of Boondocks, the popular comic strip that is currently featured in over two hundred and fifty newspapers throughout the United States. Boondocks, which â€Å"stars two amusingly surly African American kids who live with their grandfather in a white middle-class suburb† is known for mocking issues that range from entertainment news (such as Whitney Houston), to political news (like the Bush administration). His most recent subject, however, may prove to be too controversial even for this strip, which is famous for it’s satirical attitude.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Within two weeks of the September 11th attacks, McGruder had addressed the national crisis addressing Americans’ â€Å"blind, unquestioning faith in our almost elected leaders.† This particular plot cost McGruder Boondocks’ place in New York’s Daily News and caused The Dallas Morning News to move the strip to another section of the paper. McGruder, however, remains unaffected. He states that he will continue to address these issues because as he says, â€Å"†¦you can’t remove the impact of this incident from any aspect of life.† Apparently, this includes the funny pages. Aaron McGruder is an African American cartoonist. At only twenty-six years of age, he is best known as the creator of Boondocks, the popular comic strip that is currently featured in over two hundred and fifty newspapers throughout the United States. Boondocks, which â€Å"stars two amusingly surly African American kids who live with their grandfather in a white middle-class suburb† is known for mocking issues that range from entertainment news (such as Whitney Houston), to political news (like the Bush administration). His most recent subject, however, may prove to be too controversial even for this strip, which is famous for it’s satirical attitude.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Within two weeks of the September 11th attacks, McGruder had addressed the national crisis addressing Americans’ â€Å"blind, unquestioning faith in our almost elected leaders.† This particular plot cost McGruder Boondocks’ place in New York’s Daily News and caused The Dallas Morning News to move the strip to another section of the paper. McGruder, however, remains unaffected. He states that he will continue to address these issues because as he says, â€Å"†¦you can’t remove the impact of this incident from any aspect of life.† Apparently, this includes the funny pages. Aaron McGruder is an African American cartoonist. At only twenty-six years of age, he is best known as the creator of Boondocks, the popular comic strip that is currently featured in over two hundred and fifty newspapers throughout the United States.

Leadership Styles Essay

Nursing Armon Copeland Chamberlain College of Nursing 351: Transitions to Professional Nursing Spring Term 2011 Introduction Leadership in the 21st century has been redefined. As leaders we provide the voucher and guidance to begin the journey, while the managers are the ones who drive the team to the destination. Leadership is something you know when you see it, but is very challenging to describe. Leadership development in the nursing profession is important because it directly impacts the care that is delivered to patients. It is critical that the entire senior leadership have the self-same vision or mental image of what the organization intends to aim for as structure, management and organization in terms of changes for a solid foundation. Leadership Leadership is a blend of personal characteristics, abilities, strategies, and circumstances that enable a leader to influence individuals and organizations to accomplish a goal. Although there is no single formula for becoming a successful leader, some common elements include self- confidence, courage, a clear vision of the goal and how to reach it, the ability to clearly communicate the goal as well as strong personal commitment, and the ability to inspire trust and respect among followers. Leadership differs from management in that leadership is a combination of personal qualities and abilities whereas management is a process. Leaders are more likely to be effective when they use the management process to achieve goals. Managers are more effective when their actions demonstrate leadership qualities; thereby earning the respect and trust of those they manage (Hamilton, 1996). Styles of Leadership Transformational and Transactional leadership styles are two very different methods of leadership in the nursing profession. This paper will compare and contrast these two leadership styles and support that transformational leadership style encourages quality care, job fulfillment and improved patient outcomes. The traditional authoritarian style of leadership the top-down directive approach has largely been replaced with a more democratic and/or participative style, which involves such collaborative behaviors as consulting, discussing, cooperating, or negotiating. No one style is effective for all situations, however, so flexibility is important. For example, an authoritarian approach may be the most effective in dealing with acute situations when decisions must be made and implemented quickly. Rapid technological growth, increased diversity in the workforce, and growing complexity within organizations has led to changes in the way effective leadership is defined. Leadership researchers and theorists define good leadership as â€Å"future-oriented rather than present-oriented and as fostering followers’ commitment and ability to contribute creatively to organizations† (Eagly, 2007). Political scientist James McGregor Burns (1978) described this type of leadership as transformational leadership. Transformational leaders establish themselves as role models by gaining followers’ trust and confidence. They establish the organization’s goals, plan how to achieve the goals, and innovate. As Eagly (2007) explains, â€Å"Transformational leaders mentor and empower their subordinates and encourage them to develop their potential and thus to contribute more effectively to their organization. † Researchers also describe a more conservative type of leadership as transactional leadership, in which leaders establish exchange relationships with their frontline employees. After clarifying objectives and subordinates’ responsibilities, transactional leaders reward those who meet objectives and correct them when they fail to meet objectives. The word politics is a loaded term, heavy with images of shady characters in smoke-filled rooms, wheeling, dealing, and often stealing. But politics is really a neutral term. According to Policy and Politics for Nurses, â€Å"Politics means influencing, specifically, influences the allocation of scarce resources. Politics is a process by which one influences the decisions of others and exerts control over situations and events. It is a means to an end† (Mason et al. , 2002). Becoming influential is something that can be learned, and it has as much to do with attitude as with behavior. Both aspects are necessary (Sullivan, 2004). Becoming influential includes such skills as understanding power and how to use it, communicating effectively, understanding the political process, and dealing with difficult people and situations. Conclusion â€Å"Work hard, play by the rules, be nice, be polite, hold yourself accountable and you will get ahead. Our mothers were right, up to a point. Taking that advice, you do get ahead and your hard work is rewarded until you hit the glass ceiling. Or, as one physician called it, the â€Å"gauze ceiling. † Being the best at what you do is not enough to break through the gauze ceiling into positions of leadership. It’s not enough to have clinical skills; you need political skills as well. Leaders make a difference in their world by influencing others to support the leader’s vision or cause. To make a difference, you need political skills. Everything is political in the work environment, professional organization, community, and government. References Hamilton PM. (1996). Realities of Contemporary Nursing, 2nd ed. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley. Eagley AH. (2007). Female leadership advantage and disadvantage: Resolving the contradictions. Psychology of Women Quarterly 31:1–12. Mason DJ, Leavitt JK, Chaffee MW. (2002). Policy and Politics in Nursing and Healthcare, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier. Sullivan EJ. (2004). Becoming Influential: A Guide for Nurses. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.