Identifying Gifted And Talented Children Education Essay

The term gifted and talented is surrounded with a great trade of contention, and is presently under reappraisal by the Coalition Government. A huge sum of research has been undertaken over the last 10 old ages, into the long-run, emotional effects of labelling a kid, and the practician ‘s function in placing a kid and distinguishing the course of study. Directgov ( 2010 ) , presently defines ‘gifted ‘ as one who excels in academic topics such as maths and English, and ‘talented ‘ as those who possess accomplishments in practical countries such as athletics and music. Pound ( 2008 ) , discusses how Gardner ‘s theory revolves about eight intelligences. Gardner believes that each person possesses his or her ain alone combination of intelligences, which he calls ‘multiple intelligences ‘ , which can be enhanced and enriched in an environment which provides stimulating and ambitious activities. Teaching, through Gardner ‘s theory enables the practician to convey out a talented and talented kid ‘s advanced natural endowments, in a ambitious manner. ( Conklin 2007 ) Gardner ‘s ‘multiple intelligence ‘ theory and the Early Years Foundation Stage ( EYFS ) , are reciprocally supportive. Both emphasise individualism and singularity. The DCSF ( 2008 ) , asserts that every country of development is every bit of import, and that no kid should confront favoritism. The DCSF ( 2008 ) besides explains that the early acquisition ends give practicians scope to place and be after for all kids across the developmental continuum. It follows that practicians must place kids ‘s demands and construct on their strengths. Freeman ( 1991 ) advocates that the kid who is every bit ‘bright as a button ‘ , and maintains their enthusiasm for acquisition is more likely to do a positive part to society. The EYFS has been condemned by the Open Eye Campaign ( 2007 ) who claim that it is ‘overly normative and potentially harmful to development, ‘ and that many of its ends are ‘developmentally inappropriate ‘ . In comparing to the EYFS the Key Stage One is more academically biased. The Office for Standards in Education ( Ofsted ) ( 2007 ) , reported that two tierces of Year One instructors did non utilize the information gained from the EYFS to inform pattern and planning. Consequently, many ‘talented ‘ kids may be over looked. Palaiologou ( 2010 ) , discusses Gardner ‘s position that instruction should be less academically driven and his ‘five heads ‘ theory. This focuses on an person ‘s ability to screen utile and relevant information in any given state of affairs, how to believe ‘outside of the box ‘ , and to understand diverseness, citizenship and community relationships in both the immediate and broad environment. He referred to these as ‘modern ‘ twenty-four hours endowments. It is the function of the practician to place and distinguish the course of study to develop talented and gifted persons. Failing to make this could hold a negative impact on the kid. A kid may easy lose involvement and misconduct when presented with unchallenging undertakings. Freeman ( 2009 ) , inquiries how a response category instructor headers with a kid who is working at a higher degree than their equals. She writes that kids should non be left to wait while others ‘catch up ‘ , and believes that this is where ennui begins, this can ensue in a kid withdrawing from larning. Quart ( 2006 ) agrees with this fact and believes that there should be more support available to develop practicians in the appraisal of and learning techniques for gifted and talented students. Freeman ( 2010a ) states that successful and happy kids need consistent. Freeman ‘s research revealed that discovered that kids who were identified as talented and talented in one school would in fac t be below norm in another. Often practitioners erroneously identified a kid as talented and talented. She subsequently states that through analysis of collected information she discovered that labelling kids as gifted and talented makes a negative ‘difference ‘ to their sense of ego, ensuing in low self-pride. Childs who were labelled by parents suffered more emotional jobs than their every bit gifted but unlabeled equals. James ( 2007 ) , draws our attending to the fact that many parents may be commanding and demanding, claiming that the kid becomes fixated with carry throughing parental ends in an effort to understate struggle. He explains that high accomplishment is frequently a effect of over parental pressurisation in childhood that frequently leads to self-criticism and depression in ulterior old ages. Quart ( 2006 ) , supports this position and concludes that parents and pedagogues should forbear from forcing kids to win. She issues a prophylactic warning that the force per unit area placed on the gifted and talented can take to emotional declinations of being deprived of a childhood. For some who were placed on, a ‘pedestal ‘ signifier an early age range maturity and realize they are no longer rather so particular. Freeman ( 2010b ) , leads us to believe that the media is merely interested when things go incorrect, and in fact many gifted and gifted kids go on to take happy ordinary lives. She states that parents should back up and steer kids without forcing them to win and love should be unconditioned and non reliant on accomplishment. To reason, Gardner ‘s theories offer practitioners a theoretical account for supplying a rich and ambitious environment for all kids, including those who are gifted and talented. Practitioners need comprehensive preparation to guarantee that be aftering for larning provides challenges to vouch kids are challenged and stretched, non, bored and pushed. It besides Emotional troubles are more likely to happen when a kid is labelled talented and talented. Therefore, parents and educational practicians should take to guarantee that an identified gifted and talented kid grows into a happy, all-around grownup. More coaction is needed between Foundation and Key Stage One. In fact, it would be good to kids if the EYFS were continued in Year One. Through this research, a greater penetration into the term gifted and talented has been obtained. It offered differing positions on the topic, and the decision reached was that there is really a topographic point in society for the talented and t alented, nevertheless, designation and instruction should be undertaken with attention and sensitiveness. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, Hide non your endowments. They for usage were made. What ‘s a sundial in the shadiness? Franklin ( 1706 – 1790 )

Racism in Football Essay

Throughout the 231 years football has been in existence, we are at the most critical era of football. In the last 10 years , the sport which had been invented to unite people of different colours , countries and religions .Has become a word which excruciates my heart . Racist. Racism was first encountered by the world in 1891 in a pub, full of intoxicated minds , the same act was discovered on a pitch full of sober men who get more than a soldier for being on the pitch. Racism itself means prejudice or discrimination directed against someone of a different race .Is It that footballer have developed this malicious habit of saying derogatory terms – then obviously not remembering it in a court room . There however has been more then a dozen cases reported of the years ( from maradona to suarez ) . Yet 77% of these cases have not been taken action on but the 33% which have been recognised only 11% have been taken to the high court and found justice . this does leave a controversi al question in our mind is it the F.A ( Football Association ) behind this ? A more recent case on racism and football is the Blackburn skipper Jason Robert’s decision to boycott wearing the ‘kick racism out of football’ t-shirt, for Saturdays pre-match warm up against Swansea . This is because the Reading striker believes there is a lack of commitment from the F.A and football in progressing and until he is satisfied more has been done to address racism in football he will not wear the t-shirt again . Also as A number of black players – Rio fernidad and brother Anton fernidad , Ashley Cole , Raheem sterling have all joined Roberts with the decision of boycotting the t-shirt because they also believe there is insufficient progress . Conversely there are some footballers that do follow the F.A code of conduct , and also do that little bit of an extra aid , such as craig bellamy who has opened his own academy in Zambia . However there is always that small minority in every population , that weigh the majority of people down . Also most racist incidents occur between player of rival teams – but this is no excuse for racism . As a result of this barbaric culture of using racist terminology , the sport has began to suffer verbally from various organisations .The sport which was made to unite people of different colours , countries and religions is becoming segregated . I know your thinking â€Å" I cant make a difference â€Å" . But I can , you can and we can .

Globalization and Cultural Homogenization Essay

The rapid development of economic globalization and cultural globalization enhances cultural transaction between different countries. Even though in this process culture between different countries still has its own characteristic on the whole, the cultural homogenization has been presented in social life, especially in the media industry. This essay will discuss the definition of globalization and cultural homogenization, and the popularity of Hollywood movies in China, the phenomenon of convergence of TV programmers between different countries and Japanese anime elements in video games around the world will be given as examples to demonstrate the homogenization of media culture. Culture includes many aspects in people’s daily life such as the economic, politics, media. According to Appadurai (1990), â€Å"The key problem in the global interactions today is the tension between cultural homogenization and cultural heterogenization†. The cultural homogenization is the process that local cultures are changed or assimilated by the dominant outside culture (O’Connor, 2006). Globalization has its natural barriers like the differences in languages, geographical factors, religious and ethnics. These differences between countries could undermine the cultural homogenization. Take the political system as an example. Today there are different political system in different countries like the socialism in China and the capitalism in western counties like America and Australia. However the influence of globalization for the media cultural homogenization has been widely presented in people’s daily life. Under the background of globalization, the media culture makes the meaning of the globalization equal to the cultural homogenization. In the process of economic globalization, neoliberal ideology had spread. Neoliberalism advocates that business dominate the social affairs to make the national and international policies have a new order and the market can solve social problems by itself (McChesney, 2001). As a consequence, the power of political constraint on economic activities and global trade barrier has strongly weakened. It is good for the world famous media firms to expand their markets in different countries to extract profit. For instance, Hollywood occupied most of the world’s media market. It becomes a main medium by which people in different countries to understand American fashions, customs, scenery and the way of life (Hoynes & Croteau & Milan, 2011). According to Su (2010), between 1994-2007, China began to import 10 to 20 foreign films every year. Most of them were Hollywood movies. These Hollywood blockbusters caused unprecedented repercussion among the Chinese audience because these blockbusters could fit their aesthetic and entertaining need. At the end of 20th century, Hollywood films had occupied 70% of Chinese film market, but the nearly 100 films made in domestic just share 30% of the film market (Rosen 2002). With the rapid development of scientific technology, IMAX and 3D technology has been used in the film industry. The technologies further promote the Americanization in the world film field. The movies like Avatar and Titanic are examples of this. Hollywood movies created visual miracle and achieve large box-office profits one after another in China, even around the world. In order to have more market share, Chinese film producer also focus on importing American advanced film technology or the cooperating with the American film making companies. Recently year, China also has its own outstanding films like Tangshan Earthquake, but some Chinese audience felt it likes a Hollywood blockbuster because of American visual effect technology in the film. In the process of economical and cultural globalization, neoliberalism has been widely spread. The Hollywood has seized this opportunity and occupied large scale of world film market. So Americanization is a reflection of media cultural homogenization in the process of globalization. However, the media cultural homogenization not only in the Americanization of the film industry, but also appear in some TV programs. According to McChesney (2001), The rapid development of information technology further accelerates the process of globalization. It is easier for people to get media sources from different countries online for entertainment. From the page design to the organization of the content and the various functions of scheduling, the designing of many website have a high degree of consistency. People prefer to watch high clicking rate programs in Internet. National TV station also promotes to make the popular TV shows in order to improve the audience rating. In the process of TV program making, cultural and art workers’ copy or clone becomes a safe and efficient way in media. As a consequence, globalization makes media cultural homogenization a general form in media programs. For instance, the most influential media cultural phenomenon in 2012 is â€Å"The Voice†- a singing competition show began in the Netherlands to choose good singers from the public. Audiences were attracted by its novel and exciting competition mode. It had high click rating in the YouTube and achieved a great success in the world wide media industry. TV stations in different countries like Chine, Australia, and U.  S. also hold the same singing competition. â€Å"The Voice† has already become a media brand. Although the influence of this program in different countries are not the same, but the forms them themselves have strong homogeneous performance, the entire process of the programs from the beginning of the match to the final results are the same form which are borrowed from the western countries. The globalization also promotes the specific media firms became concentrated. In order to reduce risk and improve the profit-making chance, the convergence and consolidation became more frequently (March & Olsen, 1989). In this process, seven media corporations dominated the world media market those are Disney, AOL-Times Warner, Sony, Viacom, Vivendi, and Bertelsmann (McChesney,2001). Some media corporations put the popular cultural elements in their own production and released in the world media market. This can also lead to the media cultural homogenization. Take Japanese anime as an example. Because of its exciting story and exquisite character, it has large amounts of fans around the world. Sony is one of the seven major firms in the world media market. It is famous for its video games. According to Sinclair (2006), the releasing of the third generation of PlayStation brought Sony to the first place in video game industry. One of the unique features in its video products was the combination of anime features with their own video game product. Anime fans around the world also fund of the animation processing games. That directly leads to the animate of games from different video game corporations such as the Xbox in Software, the Wii and NDS in Nintendo. In order to satisfy the visual need for the Chinese game player,some Chinese on-line game producers also put anime elements in their games. Globalization leads to the media market dominated by particular corporations. Because of their media products have the same contents, the world media culture also presents the trend of homogenization. In all, cultural diversity still exist between different cultures, the concept of globalization could not be totally equal to the cultural homogenization and cultural diversity still exist between different cultures. However in the media industry, globalization can be seen as the equal form as cultural homogenization. By giving clear definitions of the two parts, and use the popularity of Hollywood in China, popular TV programs and Japanese anime elements in video games as examples to show that globalization is equal to media cultural homogenization. The trend of cultural homogenization is unavoidable especially in the media industry in the process of globalization. In the future, the world trade market is in a condition of full of challenge but also chance. All countries should mobilize various resources to develop public cultural, at the same time, people should follow the step of the times closely and understand and learn other countries’ cultural essences in a rational and correct way.

Data Analysis on Questionnaires (edit) Research Paper

Data Analysis on Questionnaires (edit) - Research Paper Example The first question in this survey simply asked patients to list the age at which they were diagnosed with diabetes. The participants in this group were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at ages ranging from 31 to 50, the youngest being a woman who initially developed Gestational diabetes during a pregnancy. Eighty-four percent of the participants were diagnosed when they were in the range of 40 to 49-years-old, supporting the evidence showing that this type of diabetes is most commonly found in adults. Answers referring to the diagnosis of the participants show a trend that most people are unaware that they even suffer from the disease until they are diagnosed by a medical professional. Participants were asked how they were diagnosed with diabetes with the second question of the survey. Almost half of the surveyed group – forty-eight percent – went to their general practitioner based on symptoms that the patients recognized as possibly being linked to diabetes because of family members with the disease or for symptoms ranging from wounds that would not heal to dizziness to rapid weight loss or gain. Glucose tests were then performed to diagnose the disease. Conversely, the other fifty-two percent of the participants were surprised by a diagnosis of diabetes. Three women developed Gestational diabetes during or after pregnancies when no history of the disease was present. The other ten participants were all incidentally diagnosed because of other health problems. Half were being hospitalized for other illnesses and blood tests showed abnormal glucose levels. The other half was having routine blood tests, pre-surgery blood tests, and even an insurance s creening when their diabetes was diagnosed. Thus, while almost half of the group was aware of present symptoms of the disease, over half had no idea they had any blood glucose abnormalities until the lab test results were stumbled

An Individual decision making process analysis project Essay

An Individual decision making process analysis project - Essay Example This business project involves the provision of catering service to people who intend to hold parties at their houses. This might involve anybody from young children, teenagers and adults. Also all sorts of catering services required will be made available via the workforce available from the company. The reason why the ‘time to party’ project looks viable is that many people like to have parties in the present time. However, most of these people do not have the time and manpower to organize and execute such a celebration. However, they might have the cash to pay for the service and that is where this project fits in. however, there is one unique feature about this business that separates if form the others. Time to party will prepare the ordered food away from the party venue and transport it there. This will help to avoid privacy invasion and will reduce the amount of activities in the venue. This will also help utilize other resources that are not in the venue but are available in the company. This is therefore an investment with a bright future. Business objectives There are two main objectives that the ‘time to party’ project aims to achieve. I. Make good profits from the catering services provided. II. Become the biggest home catering services in Sheffield The enlisted objectives provide just but the big picture. All will agree that much profits means expansion of the business. When the business expands and the name is well established, there will be much room for development in this project. In addition, becoming the biggest catering company will allow room for capacity to hold many events at once without breaking a sweat thus better profitability. Competitors In the world of business, there will always be other businesses to battle with for the market share and reputation. This greatly affects not only the profitability of the project, but the ability to run efficiently and stay in the same market segment. There are seven cater ing service providing companies in Sheffield I. Organic fusion II. The tiffin company III. Carols catering service limited IV. The milestone on the move V. Hazels catering limited VI. Coco catering limited VII. Deli venture catering limited The largest competitor for the ‘time to party’ project is the coco catering limited. This is a well-organized and well-funded business institution. They have a high profile physical and online presence and consumer preference. This is due to their flexibility and the high quality services they provide. They also have a well-developed website that gives all their information and allow for special bookings. However, they do not offer an online payment and ordering system for home deliveries on a daily basis and this is one of the loopholes that ‘time to party’ will exploit. In addition, time to party will offer a new service that is not on their service list. With these two major issues, ‘time to part’ has the power to stand against coco catering. Target audience This project mostly targets people who have the desire to celebrate many events, have the money to do it but lack the time, resources and man power to ensure a successful execution of an event. This will include adults that work and university students that hold celebrations such as birthday or any other. This is the majority group that falls among the top desired clients. However, the company will

TBH Confectionery Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

TBH Confectionery - Assignment Example It is happens with those companies which are small sized and are faced with more effects of globalization, increased overseas competition, globalized supply chain management, expanding to other markets and focusing more on establishing e-business (Winch and Bianchi, 2006). In THB, the company has failed to managed the information effectively to control and manage its business process. The company is using out-dated technology and is not aware on how to manage and control information streaming. According to Rockart (1979), information management plays a significant role in business or business area; if it would result in satisfaction; it would enhance greater competition in the performance within the organization. Tim holds limited information on what actually a customer wants? To remain in the business and to expand its business overseas, Tim needs to realize the importance of having information related to customer behavior, competition, cultures, societies, and habits of the customer. In other words, it can be said that THB confectionery had limited knowledge about the people worldwide. Also, with the entrance of new market competitor, it was becoming harder for THB to maintain its business operations running smooth due to lack of information and how to maintain an efficient data system. THB realized that the communities are growing over the period of time on the internet and as a result, it would get hard for the THB confectionery to maintain its market position without effectively managing the data. At this point, it became imperative for THB confectionery to expand its operations, make its internet presence more attractive, build its strong customer-base and focus more on the management of information such as what key strategies are being adopted by the competitors, what customers want, how to establish stronger internet presence and to maintain effective data management system with the help of Tims IT

Corporate social responsibility Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Corporate social responsibility - Dissertation Example The internal and external forces that are contributory for quality management for the company to be able to enforce corporate social responsibility (Industryplayer.com, 2013). †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 Figure 2. Building a model for ethical corporate social responsibility (publicrelationssolutions.com, 2013). †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..17 Figure 3. Kim, 2006 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.30 Figure 4. Spatial options for companies on what to choose as environment for its CSR implementation (Panasonic.com.au, 2013) †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..31 Chapter 1 Introduction Corporate social responsibility has been seriously considered significant part of business leadership and in meeting the stakeholder’s expectations specially the conscientious consumers or investors who wanted to maintain a Socially Responsible Investment (SRI). Thus, corporate social responsibility entails more qualified employees and sustaining corporate political interests to meet accountability and responsibility. Purpose of the study This paper will provide a meta-analysis of the theory of corporate social responsibility and its application in business management and in envisioning a community where people are enjoying too of the corporate vision for an improved economic well-being of the community. Significance of the Study This study is imperative to contribute scholarly studies on corporate social responsibility and how the companies’ empirical experiences sup port their endeavours to gain corporate credibility and integrity. It will also facilitate in the...1-3). Transparency require that the company must publicized their annual reports to detail their achievements, their credibility and best practices, including those matters where they need improvement and where they could potentially leverage in the next period of business operations (Burja & Mihalache, 2010, pp. 1-3).The inability of the company to perform the desired targets will create internal and ex...

Critical and evaluative intellectual biography of Jean-Noel Kapferer 3 Essay - 1

Critical and evaluative intellectual biography of Jean-Noel Kapferer 3 articles - Essay Example Although many managers feel that investment in luxury business is one of best ways to remain profitable, they fail to understand the nature of the products and the best way to approach the market to optimize organization profits. Through a series of research based articles, Kapferer eliminates the vagueness that hinders understanding of luxury brands and provides an approach to invest in luxury business by analysing the client behaviour and their purchasing patterns. Through creation of brand awareness, Kapferer has managed to influence the contemporary business strategies. A close analysis of Kapferer’s contribution the design of the luxury brands will show his great influence in the business market. The main area of focus of Kapferer has been in modern business, especially in the branding of luxury brands. He has dedicated a number of his works to the luxury market that for long has become vague, putting the managers at the risk of failure in this market. His strong background in business is linked to his great experience and knowledge in the field of business. Kapferer is MBA holder from HEC Paris and PhD in North-western University in USA. Currently, he serves as a professor as HEC Business school, one of the schools that have won the first position among Europe business school. Overtime, Kapferer has developed the skill of indepth and critical analysis of brands with the aim of providing product design strategies that can be applied in the practical business environment. He has produced a number of books in different languages that have become brand icons in the business environment. His experience as a business consultant in the international business environment has contri buted to his influence in the business environment (Kapferer, 1996). Having identified the vagueness that exists in the understanding of luxury products, Kapferer seeks to provide disambiguation through an in-depth analysis of the factors

International corporate reporting issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International corporate reporting issues - Essay Example Literally, the differences in the financial reporting system in varying countries have acted as an obstacle in the integration of national economy with global economy (Verschoor, 2011; Alexander, Britton & Jorissen, 2007). Thus, in order to deal with these challenges, IASB and FASB together have been duly engaged in promoting harmonization of financial reporting systems (Whittington, 2008; Mogul, 2003). Emphasising on these aspects of the international accounting standards, this paper intends to identify and explain the six major qualitative characteristics of accounting information. Furthermore, this paper aims to evaluate the application of these qualitative characteristics by Diageo plc focusing on three particular areas. ... The institutions in the accounting standards namely International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) and Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) have been involved in developing conceptual framework for enhancing the financial reporting system. The primary objective of this conceptual framework has been related with identifying the major purpose of financial reporting in business in accordance with the prevailing economic circumstances (Obaidat, 2007). In other words, the conceptual framework developed in accumulation of the principles specified by IASB and FASB deals with establishing objectives and guidelines which are expected to serve as the basis for the preparation of financial accounting and reporting standards. It is worth mentioning that conceptual framework mainly consists of four major items which includes: Objectives related with financial reporting Elements concerning with financial statements Recognition and measurement concepts Qualitative characteristics of accountin g information Additionally qualitative characteristics are considered to be one of the vital components of the conceptual framework that supports decision-usefulness and stewardship. Moreover, there are six primary qualitative characteristics that are considered to be vital for economic as well as business decision making according to the specified guidelines in the international standard (Obaidat, 2007). These six elements of qualitative characteristics have been further explained below in relation to their usefulness in terms of decision making and stewardship. Relevance In order to ensure the obtained accounting information to be relevant to creditors, investors and other interested parties, it has been argued that such accounting information

Disaster Response & Recovery Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Disaster Response & Recovery - Case Study Example In addition, a center for intelligence, training design, preparedness, technological enhancements, and strategizing should be created. It should perform researches, strategize, plan, and organize leadership training programs and seminars. The regular intelligence gathering and planning allow the current procedures to cater to the possible threats that may materialize in the future (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). Next, general guidelines on tactical directions should be created by the EMA. There should be a particular response for HazMat, chemical attacks in subways, as well as biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. Rescue measures during collapse, explosions and under-river tunnel operations (if applicable) should also be designed (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). Subgroups of individuals with the appropriate skills and knowledge for these objectives can be tapped to focus on these tasks. Safety of the respondents should also be considered. Adequate equipment, ef ficient communication, and safe procedures all contribute to the safety during disaster situations. ... It should be able to simulate a terrorist attack. It aims to widen the analytical, leadership and decision-making skills, especially in a stress-packed environment (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). This is where research efforts come in. Knowing what the terrorists are capable of doing can aid significantly the preparation of the city. Information infrastructure becomes much more vital since self-organizing groups are more common in the cities. In addition, this can be used to tap the citizenry that can provide financial support and blood reservoir after catastrophes. It was found that ample social support improves emergency response significantly (Kapucu, 2012). It should also be included in the long-term plan of the EMA to supplement the knowledge and experience in terrorism studies and leadership of the respondents. The U. S. Military Academy, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center, and Center of Homeland Defense offer c ourses regarding terrorist response. In return, the EMA and its participating agencies can hold seminars to the public, especially to individuals of a related profession, in an effort to make them more aware and prepared. They can also apply their learning to the overall preparation for terrorist attacks (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). Security improvement in vulnerable sites Individualized security systems should be implemented for subway stations, airports and other facilities where large people gather, as well as industrial enterprises, such as food, computer, electricity generating stations, oil refineries, and nuclear fuel storage facilities (Kumarl, 2012). In particular, disaster situations in HazMat facilities should be responded by personnel especially trained for it.

Brain Aneurysms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Brain Aneurysms - Essay Example Without proper treatment, patients with ruptured aneurysms have limited functional survival. It has been estimated that only 18 percent are functional survivors at 10 years and 8 percent are disabled, the rest die (Vinas and Wilner, 2008). Thus, it can be said that aneurysms of brain have potential to cause death, debility and deformity. The risk factors can be inherited or acquired (Vega et al, 2002). The disease can occur as familial clustering with no other hereditary disease in the family. The cause for this is not yet known. Research has shown that the incidence of brain aneurysms is about 8-9 percent in those with more than one relative suffering from either an aneurysm or subarachnoid hemorrhage (Vega et al, 2002). Also, there are reports that siblings of affected individuals have higher chances of developing subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysms. Thus it can be said that aneurysm has generic and hereditary links. It has been proposed that certain hereditary connective tissue disorders are associated with the development of aneurysms because of weakening of the vascular walls (Vinas and Wilner, 2008). Some research has shown that 10- 15 percent of patients with autosomal dominant condition polycystic kidney disease develop intracranial aneurysms (Vega et al, 2002). However another connective tissue disorde r Marfans syndrome which was incriminated in the development of brain aneurysms is no longer found to be associated with aneurysms (Vega et al, 2002). Other conditions which have been reported to be associated with brain aneurysms are fibromuscular dysplasia, coarctation of aorta and pheochromocytoma. It has been thought that the elevated blood pressure in these conditions is the cause for the development of aneurysms. Other inherited risk factors which have been incriminated in the development of aneurysms include alpha-glucosidase deficiency, Noonans syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Klineflters syndrome, alpha-1

Conflict between Science and Religion Essay Example for Free

Conflict between Science and Religion Essay There have been numerous dissensions between science and religion. The central belief that the earth was the center of the universe prior to the presentation of the Copernican system was held in the primacy of man in the scheme of things, as designed by the will of God. The presentation that the earth was not the center of the universe was met with criticisms. The objections were not helped when it was found that our solar system is not even at the center of the universe but rather located in a spiral arm of the Milky Way Galaxy—one in a cluster of some two dozen galaxies, an infinitesimal part of a universe composed of millions of galaxies. One can only imagine how the religious sector reacted on the principle that our own Milky Way Galaxy is not even close to the center of the vast space of the universe. Conflict between science and religion climaxed when in 1859, Charles Darwin advanced his theory of evolution from natural selection in his work â€Å"On the Origin of Species† which was met with criticisms. The idea that God has not created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden was seen as an insult to Biblical teachings. Even today, evolution is a subject vigorously debated by those who support the theory and antievolutionists, especially those who call themselves creationists. Evidences show, however, that evolution indeed exists and continue to exist. The long evolutionary journey of species has even left its imprints upon the embryo of the individual organism. Despite conflicts between science and religion and an apparent steady movement away from religion, Arnold Toynbee held that man will turn from materialism to technology back to religion and spiritual values. For some time each religion will maintain its identity and minister to its own adherents, but as they are faced with a â€Å"shrinking† world, a positive tolerance will replace their traditional fanaticism.

Social Media Marketing Plan | Example

Social Media Marketing Plan | Example Margarita Parker Social Media Plan 1. Determine which 2 social media you will explore. Then research each one in depth beyond the KED textbook. The social media platforms I chose for my professional development are LinkedIn and Google +. There are more than 350 million LinkedIn users in the world; 107 million of them are in the USA (Smith.) â€Å"According to a 2013 survey, close to 100% of job seekers and recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary job search tool† (Gopalakrishnan.) That’s good news. If I create an outstanding LinkedIn profile, it can significantly contribute to my career development. I already have a LinkedIn account. However, it needs to be improved in order to help me in my career. LinkedIn offers two types of accounts – free and paid. The main features of a free account are: â€Å"creating a professional and detailed LinkedIn profile; building a network of connections with no limits on size or numbers; giving and receiving an unlimited number of recommendations; joining or creating up to 50 different LinkedIn Groups† (Elad.) Paid accounts have some additional features: â€Å"sending a message to anyone in the LinkedIn community — regardless of whether she is in your extended network; seeing more LinkedIn network profile information when you conduct advanced searches; seeing exactly who has viewed your profile and how they arrived at your profile; performing a reference check on someone† (Elad.) While a paid account has some very useful features, I will use my free account for now and then upgrade it if needed. I have a Google + account as well, but it needs to be improved to fit my career goals. There are 2.2 billion Google + accounts in the world but only â€Å"about 9% have any publicly posted content† (Barrie.) Google + is not as popular as LinkedIn. Nevertheless, I see a lot of potential in using Google+ for professional development because a strategically optimized Google+ account can help to: become highly visible online – Google is the world’s biggest search engine; link a YouTube channel, a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and a personal or professional website to a Google+ page; network through Circles, Communities, Photo Sharing, Hangouts, and mobile apps; â€Å"provide further social proof legitimizing the career claims you’ve made about yourself verbally and in your career documents, beyond whatever else exists online about you† (Guiseppi.) According to Guiseppi, â€Å"candidates with the stronger online footprint are more appealing to hiring decision makers.† Thus, I need to work on my own online footprint by creating strong, appealing and professional LinkedIn and Google+ accounts. 2. Decide what you want to convey via these social media as part of your professional brand. My goal is to establish myself as an experienced Internet Assessor, connect to professionals who work in the IT field to share ideas and expertise, and possibly find new career opportunities in the future. 3. List steps you would need to do to fully participate with these two selected social media. As LinkedIn and Google+ have different features, some steps would vary for both networks. As I already have accounts on LinkedIn and Google+, I can skip this step. 4. Set up a timeline with dates to go with your steps. According to Yeats, it may take about a year to develop a professional brand (62) so I am planning to spend 9-12 months working on my career profile. LinkedIn Google+ Steps Time Steps Time 1 Start working on my profile – the more complete it is, the better my visibility in the LinkedIn search results will be. Work on headline, summary and experience parts of my profile. August 1, 2015 1 Start working on my profile – the more complete it is, the better my visibility in Google Search engine will be. Work on headline, summary and experience parts of my profile. August 1, 2015 2 Compete the rest of my profile. Upload high-quality cover photo. September 1, 2015 2 Complete the rest of my profile. Upload high-quality cover photo. September 1, 2015 3 Re-order sections on my page so the most important of them will appear first (education and experience) and the less important would appear last (publications and interests.) October 1, 2015 3 â€Å"Craft an eye-catching mini-bio for my hovercard† (King.) October 1, 2015 4 Create a public profile URL and use it â€Å"as a branding tool in my email signature and business card† (Yu.) November 1, 2015 4 Import my contacts to Google+ from Microsoft Outlook and LinkedIn. November 1, 2015 5 Start following companies I am interested in. December 1, 2015 5 Organize my contacts in Circles (a business circle, a family circle, a friends circle, etc.) December 1, 2015 6 Join 50 LinkedIn groups – it will boost my ranking (Yu.) January 1, 2015 6 Get a custom URL for my Google+ profile and add it on my email signature and business card. January 1, 2015 7 Have at least 50 connections. February 1, 2015 7 Find and join niche specific communities. February 1, 2015 8 Get endorsements and recommendations from colleagues and LinkedIn contacts. March 1, 2015 8 Link Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages to my Google+ account. March 1, 2015 9 Start networking regularly: â€Å"join conversations, engage with others’ content, and share my own content and ideas† (Yu.) April 1, 2015 9 Create Google+ buttons for my Facebook and YouTube pages. April 1, 2015 10 Ask a professional to review my profile and comment on it so I can make some improvements. After all of the above is complete, I will: May 1, 2015 10 Learn how to use Hangouts. May 1, 2015 11 Update my status regularly. At least once a week 11 Ask a professional to review my profile and comment on it so I can make some improvements. After all of the above is complete, I will: June 1, 2015 12 Update my page regularly post links to interesting articles, thoughts on what’s happening in my industry, etc. At least once a week 12 Share interesting content with the people in my Circles regularly. At least once a week 13 Update my profile on a regular basis to keep it current. As needed 13 Update my profile on a regular basis to keep it current. As needed While the approximate time for each step is one month, it will be adjusted as some steps can be completed faster, and the others will take more time than expected. By following the steps listed above, I will strengthen my online presence, build a strong network of professional contacts, and strategically position myself for future opportunities. Works Cited: Barrie, Joshua. Nobody Is Using Google+. Business Insiders. Business Insider, 20 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 June 2015. Elad, Joel. LinkedIn Costs and Benefits. For Dummies. John Wiley Sons, n.d. Web. 14 June 2015. Gopalakrishnan, Aravind. How to Leverage LinkedIn’s Job Seeker Account. School of Information Studies. Syracuse University, 27 Mar. 2014. Web. 14 June 2015. Guiseppi, Meg. Personal Branding Using Google Plus Profiles. Job-Hunt. NETability, n.d. Web. 14 June 2015. King, Cindy. 12 Google+ Marketing Tips from the Pros. Social Media Examiner. Social Media Examiner, 26 Dec. 2011. Web. 17 June 2015. Smith, Craig. By the Numbers: 125+ Amazing LinkedIn Statistics. DMR. DMR, 6 June 2015. Web. 14 June 2015. Yeats, Martin. Knock Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide 2015. Avon, MS: Adams Media, 2014. E-Book. Yu, Jim. Optimize LinkedIn Like A Pro To Boost Your Personal Brand. Marketing Land. Third Door Media, 3 June 2014. Web. 16 June 2015.

Evolution Of Substance Abuse In Mauritius Criminology Essay

Evolution Of Substance Abuse In Mauritius Criminology Essay Substance abuse is a multi-facetted problem that plagues a whole society, irrespective of different age categories and social classes. The consequences and the amount of harm caused to the individual, the family and society are diverse. Mauritius, while being a small island of approximately 1.2 million  [1]  inhabitants only, far away from the leading powers of the global economy, and niched at the heart of the Indian Ocean has not been spared from this issue. According to the National Drug Control Masterplan 2004-2009  [2]  , the age of initiation to substance abuse in Mauritius starts from as early as 11 years because of peer or media influence. The rationale of substance abuse is however not this simple. Sometimes, some people give in to the instinctive human behaviour which is trying to find the easiest escape from harsh realities and nuisances of daily life, and resort to substance abuse. Evolution of substance abuse in Mauritius Substance abuse may have become an alarming phenomenon of late, but drugs have been present in Mauritius for a far longer time. The use of drugs has been recorded to have started with as early as during the French colonisation  [3]  with illicit rum production by slaves. With the arrival of indentured labourers, Indians brought along with their culture and traditions, cannabis, while Chinese immigrants brought opium  [4]  . These drugs were mostly utilised in a socio-cultural circumstance, by adults without being a cause for serious concern. Mid-sixties brought with it the Hippie Culture  [5]  to Mauritian shores as well as new forms of drugs such as LSD  [6]  , Mandrax  [7]  and other hallucinogens which became synonymous to new highs to youngsters. The seventies caused an altogether different trend of substance abuse, as the situation changed drastically from its socio-cultural to a more significantly worrying use. A rudimentary form of heroin  [8]  known as Brown Sugar was introduced in Mauritius. Brown Sugar was smuggled through the airport, harbour and through postal packets. The Amsterdam Affair  [9]  that broke out in 1985 was the quintessence of the scope of the drugs problem in Mauritius. As an attempt to display its willingness to leave no stone unturned in the combat against drug trafficking, legislation was amended  [10]  and death penalty was introduced for proved traffickers. No drug trafficker have however been executed because of the thorny legal issues surrounding capital punishment. A sudden downward trend was observed in 1987 and continued until 1990 after which indicators revealed a slight increase in illicit trafficking and consumption  [11]  . In 2003, the White Lady  [12]   was a psychotropic drug opted by most drug users. Post 2005, Subutex  [13]  , which is normally used as treatment on those dependent on narcotic pain killers, and opiates, soon became the most sought-after drug in Mauritius.    Substance Abuse and Repercussions Social Consequences Significant social consequences include the disintegration of the family unit, with the emotional and psychological well-being of family members being upset. Substance abuse and delinquency go hand in hand; as sometimes dependency and withdrawal syndromes overcome reason and push addicts towards theft, violence and similar such acts to procure the financial means to obtain their required dosage. The 2009 World Drug Report  [14]  shows that number of drug-related crimes has increased by 18% from 2006 to 2007. Health Consequences Substance abuse affects the personal health of drugs addicts themselves. Withdrawal and apathy are a few of the psychological dysfunctions they might face. The impact of addiction can be far reaching. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and lung disease can all be caused by drug abuse  [15]  . Because of needle sharing behaviour  [16]  , a well-established norm among IDUs as has been shown by the IDUs Respondent Driven Sampling  [17]  , which is explained by the increased costs and low financial means of IDUs as well as Police Services continuous stalking of IDUs in possession of drug paraphernalia, blood borne diseases such as AIDS or Hepatitis  [18]  are easily transmitted, repercussions of which is catastrophic both for the IDU and society at large. IDUs who get affected by such blood borne diseases will often through a domino effect, affect their sexual partners, while pregnant women who are IDUs run the risk of contaminating their unborn children with such. Injecting drug use is the cause for an increasing proportion of HIV infections in many parts of the world, Mauritius included. It is estimated that between 11 and 21 million people worldwide inject drugs, and of those, between 0.8 and 6.6 million are infected with HIV  [19]  . Financial Impacts Health services that have to be provided to drug addicts include treatment of diseases which may develop in drug addicts as a consequence of substance abuse, as well as costs of rehabilitation services, which is often overlooked by most persons. The cost of non-generic antiretroviral treatment per person per annum may amount up to $ 1500  [20]  , averaging to about Rs 50, 000 based on current exchange rates. Financial consequences on the economy are grave, with the parallel running of a black economy with profits obtained from the illicit traffic, as well as with the effects of drugs abuse of members of the workforce which reduces productivity. Conventional Approaches to Substance abuse Mauritius has ratified the United Nations Drug Control Conventions  [21]  . It has also ratified the 2000 Convention on Trans-National Organized Crime  [22]  and is also signatory of both the African Union  [23]  and the SADC Drug Control Protocol. Existing legal frameworks that were used, and still are used to control drugs supply and demand reduction are: The Dangerous Drug Act 2000  [24]   The Pharmacy Act 1983  [25]   The Financial Intelligence and Anti Money Laundering Act 2002  [26]   Drugs Demand Reduction Drugs demand reduction is one of the approach used to combat the substance abuse crisis at its core. Drug demand reduction refers to policies and programmes directed towards reducing the consumer demand for narcotic drug and psychotropic substances as covered by the three main International Drug Control Conventions, as mentioned above. The National Agency for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers (NATReSA) is a parastatal body under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions which was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1996  [27]  and it is responsible for all demand reduction activities in the country. By conducting a number of prevention activities in the community, schools and the workplace, NATReSA uses education as its main vehicular weapon to try to diminish the demand for drugs. It provides funding to a number of NGOs engaged in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation work. The National Prevention Unit set up by th e NATReSa in 2002 has set up a Demand Reduction Integrated Program, from which more than 25 regions have already benefitted till date. Supply Side Reduction As to supply side reduction, the law enforcement side is actively involved and a number of institutions operating under the aegis of different ministries are responsible for drug control activities. The Anti Drug Smuggling Unit (ADSU)  [28]  , the National Coast Guard and the Special Mobile Force are special units of the Mauritius Police Force, working under the command of the Commissioner of Police involved in drug control. The Passport and Immigration Office also operates under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police and has a role in the screening of passengers at the seaport and airport while Custom Investigation and Intelligence Unit plays a noteworthy role in the checking of containers and other luggage entering the country. The Pharmacy Section of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is responsible for the issuing of licenses for the import of licit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Finally, Mauritius Post Services work in close cooperation with the above units to exercise close control to guarantee that drugs do not enter the country through letters and postal packages and the Forest Department aids through its field work in forests, mountains and state lands, and is instrumental in detecting cannabis cultivation. According to the 2010 World Drug Report  [29]  , Mauritius is the country with the highest opiates consumption prevalence in the African continent with an estimate of 1.9 %. This demonstrates clearly that conventional approaches to the Mauritian drug problem have not met expectations in terms of efficiency in tackling it. Instead, new factors borne due to a rapidly changing society contributed to the rendering them inefficient opening up of airspaces which while increasing benefits from the tourism and travel industry has also increased the risks of drugs being brought into the country by foreigners, expansion of the offshore sector through which large sums of money transits through Mauritius, sources of which remain confidential to the offshore companies and the open secret being that sometimes, part of these monies go into the black economy, financing drug transactions and poverty and prostitution which are key contributory factors as well to the expansion of the Mauritian dru g market among others. The escalation of drug use became a cause for worry as the main vehicle for substance abuse being through injection, this implied a heightened risk of transmission of blood borne diseases  [30]  among the IDU population and hence a greater number of HIV positive and hepatitis cases amongst others. An altogether new approach was hence adopted to counter this eventuality, known as the harm reduction approach. The harm reduction which consists of needle exchange programs as well as methadone substitution therapy implied a completely different perspective, the core principle being admitting the existence of a substance abuse issue in a community, which often is stubbornly resisted by authorities, hence displaying the huge difficulty in the implementation of this method. Over the years, numerous observations have been made by journalists and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) representatives on the structural changes of the drug situation in Mauritius, the worrying dimensions of the issue of substance abuse and its relations with transmission of blood borne diseases. Harm reduction however, being a relatively new concept in Mauritius dating only back to 2006, remains a rather unexplored path. Hence, the purpose of this dissertation would be to bring focus on Needle Exchange Programs (NEPs) as they are carried out in the Mauritian context. While running through a general overview of the harm reduction approach, the rationale behind it will be examined along with implementation timeline of NEP in Mauritius. Policy aspects will be reviewed and an analysis of the legal backdrop of NEPs in Mauritius will be presented, which will consist of a study salient features of the existing laws and NEPs and eventually the NEP specific framework which is the HIV/AIDS Act 06. NEP in prisons, being a delicate and debatable issue, will be considered and the prospect of such in Mauritian prisons discussed. The dissertation will be concluded by evaluating the Mauritian NEP, and proposing recommendations of possible ways to gear more towards efficiency and best practice with regards to Mauritian laws and needle exchange. Preliminary Chapter: Understanding Harm Reduction The Basic Concept Harm reduction refers to policies, programmes and practices utilised and applied with the objective of diminishing risks associated with the use of drugs by substance abusers  [31]  . Subdivided into needle exchange programs and methadone substitution therapies, harm reduction is viewed as a far-reaching innovative approach to the problem of substance abuse and its related risks. The salient feature of this novel method is the radical shift in focus to the prevention of harm caused by substance abuse, rather than on the prevention of drug use itself. This entails recognising the existence of a substance abuse problem in society which in turn indicates the inability or sometimes even failure of concerned authorities in tackling the drug problem. This approach was often discussed in Mauritius after recognition of the threat of HIV as well as other blood borne diseases which were spreading through injecting drug use. (RSA())  [32]  . Stakeholders including the National AIDS Secretariat  [33]  agreed that harm reduction does not undermine but instead complements approaches seeking to prevent or decrease drug consumption. It is based on the recognition that many people throughout the world continue to use drugs despite the best of efforts to prevent drug use. Rationale Behind Harm Reduction Harm Reduction and Human Rights The harm reduction approach to drugs is based on a strong pledge to public health and human rights. Harm reduction interventions have found support among numerous United Nations (UN)  [34]  human rights mechanisms, specifically in context of HIV prevention and the right to attain the highest achievable standard of health International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights  [35]  Ã‚  (ICESCR) And Harm Reduction. The Committee on the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights  [36]  (CESCR) has recommended  [37]  many times that States Parties scale up their harm reduction programmes in order to meet their obligations under Article 12  [38]  of the ICESCR. In its Concluding Observations on Ukraine (2007), the Committee stated that it was gravely concerned atà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the limited access by drug users to substitution therapy, and recommended that the state party make drug substitution therapy and other HIV prevention services more accessible for drug users  [39]  . In 2009, the UN Human Rights Council  [40]  adopted a resolution on human rights and HIV/AIDS that unequivocally provided support to harm reduction programs, including needle exchange. The resolution reflected past Commitments  [41]  made at the General Assembly  [42]  in 2001 and again in 2006. In 2010, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs  [43]  adopted a resolution more than ever, backing the far-reaching package of interventions for HIV prevention treatment and among injecting drug users. Both ECOSOC and the UNAIDS Programme Co-ordinating Board(will be explained in footnote) have also endorsed these interventions. Article 15.1.b ((will be laid out in footnote) guarantees the right of everyone to benefit from scientific progress and its applications. In the context of injecting driven HIV, this implies a right to benefit from evidence based programs that can prevent, treat and control HIV/AIDS and other drug related potential diseases. Harm reduction methods have been backed by extensive scientific evidence base indicative of their effectiveness at reducing injecting-related risks. Research Based Rationale Supply reduction has been used in Mauritius now, since many years and although being an expensive method to combat substance abuse, drug trafficking crimes and substance abuse is still well present in the Mauritian society. 2002, 2003 to 2004 mode of transmission of HIV and blood borne infections steadily shifted from heterosexual activities to injecting drug use.(annexed charts) The 2009 Injecting Drug User HIV surveillance survey was implemented by the AIDS Unit of the Mauritius Ministry of Health and Quality of Life (MOHQL). HIV prevalence is 47.4%. Hepatitis C prevalence is 97.3%. (Results of the survey will be annexed as table) Currently, injecting drug use comprises the bulk of HIV infections in Mauritius. Whereas in 2002 injecting drug use accounted for 14% of all new HIV infections in Mauritius, this percentage increased dramatically to 92% in 2005.  [44]  Although HIV prevalence among Injecting Drug Users appears to have decreased gradually to 73% in 2008, this percentage is still cause for worry. The use of non-sterile needles and syringes and other injecting drug equipment is an extremely efficient mode of HIV transmission and remains a key factor aggravating the HIV epidemic among drug users worldwide. Estimation of population size of IDUs in 2009 has been rounded off at 10000. High-risk injection drug use practices 61.2% of Injecting Drug Users reported injecting two to three times a day and 29.3% reported injecting with a previously used needle in the past month The Implementation of Harm Reduction In Mauritius Harm reduction implemented in Mauritius under two programs: Methadone Substitution Therapy and The Needle Exchange Program Methadone Substitution Therapy (MST) Methadone hydrochloride is an opioid (will be explained in footnote). Methadone is now primarily used today for the treatment of narcotic addiction. Methadones effects can last up to 24 hours, thereby given only once a day in heroin detoxification and maintenance programs for the treatment of people dependent on heroin and other opioids. (sources will be provided in footnote) Methadone is usually available as a liquid and drunk with fruit juice. MST works by reducing cravings and blocking highs from heroin. It does not provide the euphoric rush. The drug user under MST will no longer experience extreme highs and lows that results from the level of heroin in the blood. (source will provided in footnote). Ultimately, the patient remains physically dependent on the opioid, but is freed from the uncontrolled, compulsive, and disruptive behavior seen in heroin addicts. National Detoxification Centre For MST found at Cità © Barkly. Program may be residential (15 days) or day-care. Drug users are induced on methadone under medical supervision and doses consequently adjusted. 16 methadone dispensing points from which drug users, after having gone through initial induction receive their daily doses of methadone. Needle Exchange Program Forms part of harm reduction strategy and is funded by the Government through the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life and partially by international organisations such as the Global Fund. NGOs and Government through Ministry Of Health and Quality of life both carry out NEPs. The program offers a comprehensive package of services which include exchange of used needles, HIV counselling and testing, provision of condoms and alcohol swabs and referrals for rehabilitation services (where requested) as well as other HIV-related services. The Mauritian Needle Exchange Program Implementation of Needle Exchange Program In Mauritius Having recognised injecting drug use as the main vehicle of blood borne transmission, the aim behind carrying out needle exchange programs is to transmission  of HIV  and other  viral  infections  (Hepatitis  B  Ã‚  C)  which travels through contaminated syringes and equipments. NEP protects the IDU, by ensuring provision of safe, clean and sterile injecting equipment, eliminating risk of transmission of HIV and blood borne infections through sharing. NEP protects not only the IDU but also IDUs sexual partner. Needle exchange started in 2006 by two NGOs- Ki Nu à ©tà © and Prevention Information et Lutte contre le Sida (PILS) on two sites Batterie Cassà © and Baie Du Tombeau (source will be cited in footnote) Adoption of HIV/AIDS Act in 2006 which provided legal framework for NEP following which November 2007 saw government through the Ministry of Health And Quality of Life endorse NEP in Mauritius through the official launching of the NEP in Mauritius. A third NGO started NEP on a new site at Tranquebar in November 2007 In 2008, MOHQL called for tenders for new NGOS willing to participate in NEP, with only one response and in February 2008 Idriss Goomany Centre (IGC) started Needle Exchange on a new site in Plaine Verte March 2008 saw some of the non-governmental organisations undertaking needle exchange till date regroup themselves under the aegis of one central organisation Collectif Urgence Toxida (CUT). CUT consists of Ki Nu Età ©, PILS and Rapid IGC joined CUT for a limited time period only. In April 2008 two new sites for needle exchange were put into operation by CUT. May 2008 : official kick off of government run NEP It is worth noting that Mauritius has pioneered government run needle exchange in Sub-Saharan Africa As of date- 35 sites officially operating for Government run NEP and 17 sites for NGOs run NEP Operation of the Mauritian Needle Exchange Program Two principal methods of operation, NGO run NEP and Government Run NEP NGOs: street based needle exchange. Usually, two members of the NGO visit a fixed spot in the locality the site, a certain number times per week (depending on the NGO in question) and have a number of syringes with them and an empty gallon. IDUs come to see them , bringing with them the used syringes which are disposed in the gallon and are given new sterile syringes by the members. IDUs are assigned a code when they visit the sites. It should be noted that this is not for identification purposes of the IDUs but rather for monitoring and reporting purposes (Number of syringes per IDUs, number of IDUs visiting each sitesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). Disposal of the needles is made after closure of sites for the day, by dropping them off at regional hospitals, where they are burnt in the incinerators. MOHQL: Mobile NEP through two operational caravans. Two authorised health care assistants and one qualified nurse per caravan (identified by Ministry issed identification cards). Each caravan visit three sites daily, spending an average of one hour and a half to two hours on each site. Work in collaboration with peer leaders amongst IDUs who help facilitate smooth interacting between IDU crowds and the government staff. The Needle Exchange Program in Mauritius and Other Policy Measures Needle Exchange And Demand Reduction: Demand reduction, focuses on detoxification and management of withdrawal syndromes with the aim of long term abstinence. However, the results yielded are not the expected ones as detoxification succeeds in removing people from the drug scene in the short term but the relapse rates usually approach 100 per cent (Fact Sheet Supply Demand And Harm Reduction, Burnet Institute Centre For Harm Reduction). Needle Exchange And Methadone Substitution Therapy Contrasting costs of providing needle and costs of providing methadone Return rate of syringes; and treatment follow-up statistics and relapse rates for MST Efficiency of both harm reducting programs in the sense that they would still cost less even than provision of antiretroviral treatment to an HIV positive person (provision of non-generic anti-retroviral may approximate $15000) The Needle Exchange Program and Its Framework In Mauritius Adoption of the HIV/AIDS Act 2006 Needle exchange was carried out by NGOs even before the HIV/AIDS Act came into effect. As such, they faced a legal impediment in the sense that the practice of needle exchange was inconsistent with the provisions of existing laws which is the Dangerous Drugs Act at its section 34(c) which made possession of injecting equipment and drug paraphernalia a criminal offence. Following several committees of various stakeholders including the MOHQL itself, police officers, specially members of the ADSU and NGOs , it was agreed that there was a need for a framework to regulate the situation of NEPs. HIV/AIDS Act 2006 was then adopted in 2006 with general consensus by members of parliaments (comments of few members from Hansard will be included here and lengthier works will be attached) and came into effect in August 2007. Aims of HIV/AIDS Act 06 according to the act itself is to provide for measures for the prevention and containment of HIV and AIDS Analysis of this aim was a framework really required to provide for prevention measures which are done principally through education, information and sensitization, and containment which is already handled through supply-side reduction. This tends to lead to the conclusion that the true motive behind the HIV/AIDS Act was to provide a legal framework for the NEP Possession of Syringes and Needles and the HIV/AIDS Act 06 Article 2 of the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also requires legislative reform in order to create a legal and policy environment conducive to the scale up of these services and the removal of barriers to access and coverage to improve accessibility. Hence in line with this, Section 16 of the HIV/AIDS Act deals with the Possession of syringes and needles in the context of NEP. It in fact through very explicit terms decriminalizes its possession in the circumstance of the NEP. This was crucial because : possession of a used needle and syringe may be used as circumstantial evidence to lay other drug-related charges. For this reason some clients may be reluctant to return used equipment to NEP site. fear of being arrested while in possession of drugs and/or injection equipment can lead IDUs to rush injections, skip safer injection techniques (e.g., hand and skin cleaning) and to feel so anxious that they cannot inject with accuracy. All of these consequences can increase the risk of injection-related problems such as infections and skin and soft-tissue damage However Section 34 (c) has still not yet been repealed. Questionned by NGOs as to whether this is a best practice. Needle Exchange: Health and Safety Under the HIV/AIDS Act 06 Handling of used syringes by personnel involved under the NEP compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Act Applicable only for Govt. Run NEPs Section 10 Risk Assessment By Employment (Will be showed in footnote) Is this carried out? Section 35 Cleanliness (Will be showed in footnote) Analysis of whether the caravans meet up with these requirements Section 37 Ventilation and Temperature (Will be showed in footnote) Analysis of whether the caravans meet up with these requirements Section 39 Sanitary Conveniences (Will be showed in footnote) Analysis of whether the caravans meet up with these requirements Section 40 Supply of drinking water (Will be showed in footnote) Analysis of whether the caravans meet up with these requirements Section 41 Washing Facilities (Will be showed in footnote)

Morality Essays -- essays research papers

Plato Republic   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Socrates engages in conversations with people claiming to be experts, usual in ethical matters. By asking simple questions, Socrates gradually reveals that these people were in fact very confused and did not actually know anything about the matters about which they claimed to be an expert. Morality is the ethical matter that is brought up in Plato’s Republic. Socrates argues the response of Cephalus, Polemarchus and Thrasymachus on what morality is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The question of morality came up when Socrates and Cephalus, who is a rich old man, were having a conversation about money. Socrates asks Cephalus if being rich makes it easier to enjoy old age. At first, Cephalus says no, but he soon admits that there are advantages to being rich. Cephalus says being true and giving things back is what morality is. Socrates gives an example where you can do something good by not giving back. His example was if you borrow a weapon from a friend, and he is sane at the time and at the time you should give it back your friend is insane then you shouldn’t give it back so you can protect him from doing harm, which is also good. Cephalus agreed that Socrates was correct that this was doing something good so Socrates said if that is the case than the definition of morality isn’t to tell the truth and give something back whatever one has borrowed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Polemarchus is the son of Cephalus, and he â€Å"inherits...

The Ethics for Internal Auditors in Communicating Inappropriate Financi

Ethical dilemmas occur every day in the accounting industry. We have witnessed scandals such as Adelphia, Enron, and WorldCom. They demonstrate the extent of unethical practices. The introduction of Sarbanes Oxley Act and stricter accounting standards have definitely helped mitigate unethical acts. Unfortunately, the incorporation of these systems is not sufficient to accomplish ethical business practices. Businesses use internal auditors to help protect their financial reputation. An internal auditor’s role is to assure the organization’s operations are conducted systematically, properly controlled, and with discipline (The Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation 3). The Internal Auditor position was created, as a result of a rapidly growing American economy, in the mid twenty century. The developing American economy, also known as the golden years, included inappropriate business practice. These practices included, but not limited to, stock manipulations and false business statements. Maintaining an ethical position will avoid the breakdown of organizational progress and the opportunity to correct inappropriate accounting procedures. As the need for proper accounting increased, the demand for internal auditors took place. An internal auditor will review and assure the quality of cash disbursements, cash receipts, corporate governance, ethics, financial reporting controls, fixed assets, project management, sales, and stock controls within an organization (J.L. Vergaert). It is important for the auditors to abide by and ensure the company follows the accounting policies and standards via proper communication and suggestion for correction of any in adequate process found while performing their functions. In addition t... ...hip Styles and the Moral Choice of Internal auditors. Volume 15, No 1, 2010 Jean-Louis Vergaert, Sarbanes-Oxley and Internal Audit. 2002 Jubb, P. B. International Journal of Auditing. â€Å"Auditors as Whistleblowers† Volume 4: 153-167| DOI: 10.1111/1099-1123.00310. Date: 2000. Print "Reporting and Relationships Case Study: Internal A". Anti Essays. 30 May. 2012 Rittenberg, Larry; Wayne Moore,; Mark Covaleski. "The Outsourcing Phenomenon." Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc. High Beam, 1999. Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS 112) The Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation. â€Å"Internal Audit Reporting Relationships: Serving Two Masters†. ISBN: 978-0-89413-669-6 Publisher: The IIA Research Foundation. Publish Date: 2003. Print

The making of a football star

Famous people often feel lonely but what makes them who they are. Rahul, a lonely sixteen year old famous professional football player has maybe too many responsibilities and expectations. Residing in Mumbai, Rahul comes from a middle class family, where his parents work very hard to give him a good education so he will have a better tomorrow and lead a better life. Rahul, however faced learning difficulties and his parents, not realizing his sporting talents, put pressure on him to perform well academically It was when he was 12 years old that the physical education coach of that school saw him playing football with friends and realized that this boy had latent talent which would probably take him to higher levels. Not losing any time the coach put him in the school football team which plays various inter-school tournaments each year. Being in the team made Rahul very happy and he felt completely charged up as he began to love the game and now aspired to become a professional football player and play for a well known football club in the future. His parents began to support him, but yet were not very content as they wanted him to become an all-rounder. Rahul tried hard but was never successful in becoming good at academics. Being twelve he thought he had it all a game he loved playing and was good at, friends in school and the respect of his teammates. At thirteen he was made captain of the football team of his school and led the team to the finals of the biggest inter-school tournaments of Mumbai and scored four goals for his team comprehensively, winning the trophy for his team. For him this was one of the best moments in his life and after the game he was surrounded by the press. The next day his name and picture came in all city newspapers and he was also featured live on many different news channels. This gave him a lot of confidence and he began to think that these were stepping stones to his future. After a year he had become very famous as his school had won the championship for the second successive year under his captaincy. All his friends as a result began to feel very jealous of him and started to ignore him and kept on mocking him when he did not play well or tried talking to them. Rahul felt very lonely and went through a emotionally hard time. This made him angry and resentful and he started loosing his passion towards the game. However, the coach motivated him to play as he could see the future in this boy. This was way too much pressure for a fifteen year old boy and he was having a tough time already in the start of a dream career. He wanted to give up football because of all the sacrifices he had to make just to be successful and famous in one sport. Any fifteen year old boy would not want to lose all his friends to become famous and successful in a sport and this is why Rahul wanted his friends back and thus wiling to sacrifice the game he loved. But, the coach, the parents and the principal of the school did not let this happen as they felt he was too talented to give up the game and they did not know about the problems he faced as he never told them. His coach to encourage him made him the captain of the under 16 team. In the first tournament itself as captain Rahul won the championship for his side even though the rest of the team was not co-operative because they were so jealous of him and did not even pass the ball to him. The performance of Rahul without the help of his team mates caught the eyes of many selectors and immediately he got an offer from the Mahindra United youth team. This was extremely prestigious as Mahindra United is one of India's best clubs. They offered him a contract of 3 years at Rs.50000 per year. He was in a dilemma as he loved the game so much but he wanted to enjoy his childhood as well. Accepting this offer meant that he would face many difficulties and could not attend school regularly and miss a lot of work and without many friends it would be very difficult for him. Any sixteen year old boy would not like to miss his school life for all this achievements and destroy their childhood but Rahul was forced to. However, Rahul made many new friends in his club Mahindra United and they constantly supported him. Later in that year he had taken time off to study for his tenth standard board exams and did well. After he returned on the football field he was back to his best, now feeling less pressure and playing for the love of the game and a year later he was chosen into the U-19 football team to play internationally for India which he thinks has been his best achievement so far. However, the childhood of his which was destroyed can never be got back with any achievement or the gain of wealth. The period of loneliness can never be forgotten by him and he questions his decisions. Children are forced to make hard decisions at a very young age without any maturity. Hence, sometimes they loose the chance to have a normal care free childhood like you and me.

Function of Storytelling Essay

The novel Atonement by Ian MCewan and the short story â€Å"The Things They Carried† by Tom O’Brien both employ storytelling as a form of redemption. This is achieved in each text through the narrator’s freedom to manipulate the content and truth of the narrative in order to amend past wrongs and to imagine a more comforting, alternate reality. In Atonement, the narrator , Briony uses her literal imagination to alter the story of her life in hope to seek redemption for past actions with great consequence, while the narrator in Tim O’Brien’s â€Å"The Things They Carried† tells and retells his version of the memory to help it become real. Both narratives show storytelling to be a possible healing process. P1-First step to redemption is to admit the reason for your deception. A novels allows narrator to confess the motive behind his/her sin. Briony initial stage towards redemption is by confessing the dangers of interpretation. quote- To herâ€Å"reading a sentence and understanding it were the same thing; as with the crooking of a finger, nothing between them. There was no gap during which symbols were unravelled†(37) -quote shows Briony’s belief in the ease of interpretation which leads her to jump to conclusions she can never change. The blame for the tragedy is not only due to Briony’s misinterpretation of events , but the misguided nature of interperation provided by books. â€Å"The Things They Carried† -The narrator describes the difficult conditions of war by describing the emotional and physical baggage they carry. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried the love letters from Martha. These horrible conditions forced Lieutenant cross to day dream about Martha which lead to Ted Lavender’s death. -quote:told they carry â€Å"pocket knives, heat tabs, wristwatches†¦and two or three canteens of water† which weigh â€Å" between 15 and 20 pounds†(241). -quote allows the reader to feel the overwhelming weight of being a soldier, which words can’t simply explain. The narrator demonstrates the reasoning for Lieutenant cross’s daydreaming as a way to escape from chaos of Vietnam war. P2-Using storytelling another step towards redemption is taken by character’s revealing repentance by punishing themselves for their wrong doing (reveal repentance/remorse) -briony becomes a nurse and turns away Cambridge. She writes about the hard work she does as a nurse. quote: â€Å"Whatever skivvying or humble nursing she did and however well or hard she did it, whatever illumination in tutorial she had relinquished ,or lifetime moment on a college lawn, she would never undo the damage. She was unforgivable† -Lieutenant Jimmy burns Martha’s letter and pictures, thus destroying his distracting fantasy in order to become a true soldier -quote: â€Å"Lavender was dead. You couldn’t burn the blame† -Something is missing in explanation. How can I tie in that acts of remorse both did not make amends. P3-Novel is attempt by narrators to erase the wrong he/she did. The outcome of redemption differs for each narrator. -Briony alters the ending of the ending of the story in hope to seek redemption but does not achieve it because quote: â€Å"The problem of these fifty-nine years has been this:how can a novelist achieve atonement when, with her absolute power of deciding outcomes, she is also God? There is no one , no entity of higher form that she can appeal to, or be reconciled with, or that can forgive her† -No matter how many times she rewrites the story she will never receive Robbie and Cecile’s forgiveness. She can†t achieve self forgiveness because no alternate ending that she imagines will replace the true ending. -The only way Briony will end her guilt is when her memory fails and she dies. (disease) -Narrator for â€Å"The Things They Carried† achieves redemption for Ted Lavender’s death because storytelling allows the memories of Ted Lavender to stay alive. -Storytelling enables the narrator’s memories to be shaped and rearranged in order to make sense of past events and make them real -The narrator achieves redemption for Ted Lavender’s death by storytelling because each time the story is told or retold the soldier’s in the Alpha Company are being given a new life each time by the reader. -quote:At first, we learn â€Å"he was shot and killed outside Than Khe† (O’Brien 241) and gradually learn â€Å"Ted Lavender was shot in the head on his way back from peeing† (O’Brien 246).

The World in a Train

One Sunday I entrained for Baliwag, a town in Bulacan which can well afford to hold two fiestas a year without a qualm.I took the train partly because I am prejudiced in favor of the government-owned railroad, partly because I am allowed comparative comfort in a coach, and finally because trains sometimes leave and arrive according to schedule.In the coach I found a little world, a section of the abstraction called humanity whom we are supposed to love and live for. I had previously arranged to divide the idle hour or so between cultivating my neglected Christianity and smoothing out the rough edges of my nature with the aid of grateful sights without – the rolling wheels, the flying huts and trees and light-green palay seedlings and carabaos along the way.Inertia, I suppose, and the sort of reality we moderns know make falling in love with my immediate neighbors often a matter of severe strain and effort to me.Let me give a sketchy picture of the little world whose company Ma ng Kiko shared in moments which soon passed away affecting most of us.First, there came to my notice three husky individuals who dusted their seats furiously with their handkerchiefs without regard to hygiene or the brotherhood of men. It gave me no little annoyance that on such a quiet morning the unpleasant aspects in other people's ways should claim my attention.Then there was a harmless-looking middle-aged man in green camisa de chino with rolled sleeves who must have entered asleep. When I noticed him he was already snugly entrenched in a corner seat, with his slippered feet comfortably planted on the opposite seat, all the while his head danced and  dangled with the motion of the train. I could not, for the love of me, imagine how he would look if he were awake.A child of six in the next seat must have shared with me in speculating about the dreams of this sleeping man in green. Was he dreaming of the Second World War or the price of eggs? Had he any worries about the perman ent dominion status or the final outcome of the struggles of the masses, or was it merely the arrangement of the scales on a fighting roaster's legs that brought that frown on his face?But the party that most engaged my attention was a family of eight composed of a short but efficient father, four very young children, mother, grandmother, and another woman who must have been the efficient father's sister. They distributed themselves on four benches – you know the kind of seats facing each other so that half the passengers travel backward. The more I looked at the short but young and efficient father the shorter his parts looked to me. His movements were fast and short, too. He removed his coat, folded it carefully and slung it on the back of his seat. Then he pulled out his wallet from the hip pocket and counted his money while his wife and the rest of his group watched the ritual without a word.Then the short, young, and efficient father stood up and pulled out two banana le af bundles from a bamboo basket and spread out both bundles on one bench and log luncheon was ready at ten o'clock. With the efficient father leading the charge, the children (except the baby in his grandmother's arms) began to dig away with little encouragement and aid from the elders. In a short while the skirmish was over, the enemy – shrimps, omelet, rice and tomato sauce – were routed out, save for a few shrimps and some rice left for the grandmother to handle in her own style later.Then came the water-fetching ritual. The father, with a glass in hand, led the march to the train faucet, followed by three children whose faces still showed the marks of a hard-fought-battle. In passing between me and a person, then engaged in a casual conversation with me, the short but efficient father made a courteous gesture which is still good to see in  these democratic days; he bent from the hips and, dropping both hands, made an opening in the air between my collocutor and m e – a gesture which in unspoiled places means â€Å"Excuse Me.†In one of the stations where the train stopped, a bent old woman in black boarded the train. As it moved away, the old woman went about the coach, begging holding every prospective Samaritan by the arm, and stretching forth her gnarled hand in the familiar fashion so distasteful to me at that time. There is something in begging which destroys some fiber in most men. â€Å"Every time you drop a penny into a beggar's palm you help degrade a man and make it more difficult for him to rise with dignity. . .†There was something in his beggar's eye which seemed to demand. â€Å"Now do your duty.† And I did. Willy-nilly I dropped a coin and thereby filled my life with repulsion. Is this Christianity? â€Å"Blessed are the poor.† But with what speed did that bent old woman cross the platform into the next coach!While thus engaged in unwholesome thought, I felt myself jerked as the train made a c urve to the right. The toddler of the family of eight lost his balance and caught the short but efficient father off-guard. In an instant all his efficiency was employed in collecting the shrieking toddler from under his seat. The child had, in no time, developed two elongated bumps on the head, upon which was applied a moist piece of cloth. There were no reproaches, no words spoken. The discipline in the family was remarkable, or was it because they considered the head as a minor anatomical appendage and was therefore nor worth the fuss?Occasionally, when the child's crying rose above the din of the locomotive and the clinkety-clank of the wheels on the rails, the father would jog about a bit without blushing, look at the bumps on his child's head, shake his own, and move his lips saying, â€Å"Tsk, Tsk.† And nothing more.Fairly tired of assuming the minor responsibilities of my neighbors in this little world in motion, I looked into the distant horizon where the blue Cordil leras merged into the blue of the sky. There I rested my thoughts  upon the billowing silver and grey of the clouds, lightly remarking upon their being a trial to us, although they may not know it. We each would mind our own business and suffer in silence for the littlest mistakes of others; laughing at their ways if we happened to be in a position to suspend our emotion and view the whole scene as a god would; or, we could weep for other men if we are the mood to shed copious tears over the whole tragic aspect of a world thrown out of joint.It is strange how human sympathy operates. We assume an attitude of complete indifference to utter strangers whom we have seen but not met. We claim that they are the hardest to fall in love with in the normal exercise of Christian charity. Then a little child falls from a seat, or a beggar stretches forth a gnarled hand, or three husky men dust their seats; and we are, despite our pretensions, affected. Why not? If even a sleeping man who doe s nothing touches our life!

Pride and Prejudice Essay

Consider the final resolution of the novel. Is the ending a fairy tale one (recall that fairy tales end with â€Å"and they lived happily ever after†)? How does the novel expand upon and complicate this ending? Does the ending play up the romance, or the social satire? What is the final message, which the novel leaves us with? Many fairy tales and love stories end with a marriage and a happy ending. In many ways, Pride and Prejudice did have a fairy tale ending. Seeing Elizabeth and Jane each getting married to the men they love at the conclusion of the novel, implies a fairy tale ending. On the other hand, neither Charlotte nor Lydia experience happy marriages. Although the novel displays romantic characteristics, I perceived Darcy’s actions in using his social status and fortune to help Lizy’s family, to make the novel seem somewhat of a satire. I would have to say that the final message of the novel is that the greatest happiness you can find in life is love. The story starts off showing that being loved back by the one you love is an impossible situation to achieve in real life. Even though Darcy, because he is handsome and rich, is rejected by Lizzie she later discovers that she did not realize she truly did love him. In the end, two of the main characters end up getting married and living happily ever after. In addition, two not so important characters end up with an unhappy marriage. This novel shows that in life there might not always be a happy ending but is not a catch-22!

Mao Zedong`s Dictatorship

By all standards, Mao Zedong belongs in the company of the few great political men of our century. Born and raised in the obscurity and restrictions of nineteenth-century rural China, he rose to assume the leadership of the Chinese Revolution, rule the largest population in the world with the most pervasive and intense government known in history, and finally has clung to life long enough to become the last of the political heroes of the great generation of World War II. His life spans the emergence of modern China and his character has shaped the manner and style of the Chinese Revolution.His name has become the label for revolutionary extremists throughout the world, â€Å"the Maoists,† yet it is Mao Zedong with whom leaders throughout the world seek audiences. The Pope in one day admits to his presence more people than Mao Zedong grants audiences in a year. When Mao last appeared publicly, more than a million people expressed tumultuous joy, and since then the occasions for allowing a select few into his presence have been newsworthy throughout the world.The announcement that the American Secretary of State has had a couple of hours of discussion with the Chairman is a signal to all that the Secretary has been favored, indeed, honored; and, of course, when a trip to China does not include a visit with the Chairman, the universal interpretation is that favor is being withheld.The extraordinary appeal of Mao Zedong is hard to identify. Some may suggest that it lies less in the man and more in the nature of Chinese society, for the Chinese do seem compelled to make all of their leaders into imperial figures. Yet, the fact remains that many non-Chinese, who have no affinity for his rural origins but represent a host of varied social and personal backgrounds, seem to find inspiration for their political lives in his words and his example. Restless youth scattered throughout the world who have more formal education than he had feel that in his revolutionary ardor and purity he speaks for them.What is the character of the man that lies behind all this greatness? Merely to raise the question is an act of sacrilege for many. For the Chinese and other worshippers of Mao and his thoughts, it is enough to dwell on his public virtues, read only hagiographies, and reject all else as being in bad taste. For his detractors, the whole spectacle is revolting, and Mao the man must be the devil behind the Chinese version of socialist totalitarianism. Yet between these extremes there are those who are honestly curious.The public record reveals a man at home in rural China, a man of the peasantry, who knows the myths and folklore of traditional China. Yet, although he received a Confucian education, Mao was also part of the first full generation of Chinese to explore Western knowledge. From his rural isolation, he moved effectively into the chaotic, competitive world of Chinese student politics and revolutionary scheming. As soldier, ideologist, and planner, he became the symbolic leader of the Chinese Communist guerrilla struggle. As victorious ruler he was a visionary who looked beyond immediate problems of administration to the goals of a new society and to the molding of a new form of man.The paradox of Mao Zedong is that while his claim to greatness is unassailable, in every specific sphere whether as philosopher, strategist, economic planner, ideologue or even world statesman, his qualities are not the match of his right to greatness. Since Mao's greatness lies so clearly in the realm of emotions, the problem of Mao Zedong is a problem in political psychology. To treat Mao merely as an intellectual or as a calculating strategist is to miss the essential dimensions of his historic role. Furthermore, if we are to understand how Mao came to be so successful in mobilizing the feelings of the Chinese, and of others, we must explore his own emotional world and discover the dynamics of his psychic relations with others.As an ind ividual, Mao is intrinsically fascinating. His acts and his words are startling and unexpected. In his conversations he will bring up the most unlikely subjects: Why are some Africans more dark-skinned than others? Have not all the advances in medical science only increased the number of diseases? The Chinese people have always known Marxism because they have always appreciated contradictions.A dedicated materialist, Mao can suddenly speak as a conventional believer in the hereafter: â€Å"I shall soon be seeing God† (Cheek 124). â€Å"When we see God, or rather Karl Marx, we will have to explain much† (Cheek 115).   At times he has depicted himself as an outstanding hero of Chinese history: â€Å"Yes, we are greater than Ch'in Shih Huang-ti† (Cheek 79). â€Å"We must look to the present to find our heroes† (Cheek 80).Intrinsic fascination aside, Mao's character demands serious analysis because there is much in the history of modern China that cannot be explained except in terms of Mao Zedong's personality. In the fluid circumstances of the Chinese Revolution, time and again events and processes took on decisive form in direct response to the personality of Mao Zedong. In stable societies with solid institutions the scope for the influence of personality considerations is constrained to the narrow limits of how different individuals may perform established roles. In the case of Mao Zedong there was no defined role for him to fill; rather his own personality created his own roles and thereby shaped Chinese history.When the story of modern China is systematically related to the activities of Mao, a key element of Mao's genius is immediately highlighted: his remarkable capacity to perform different, and even quite contradictory, roles at different times. As Mao took on the roles of peasant organizer, military commander, ideological spokesman, political strategist, and ruling statesman, he also vacillated between such contradictory pu blic persona as fiery revolutionary and wise philosopher; dynamic activist and isolated recluse; preacher of the sovereign powers of the human will and patient planner who knows that history cannot be rushed.In a very strange manner Mao Zedong has been able to communicate a sense of the integrity of the human spirit precisely because he has defied logic and spoken for exactly opposite points of view. He has praised books (indeed sanctified the presumed magic of his own â€Å"Little Red Book†) and he has denounced bookish knowledge–â€Å"Reading books only makes myopic children† (Cheek 117). He has equally extolled and denounced violence. He has championed reason and also scorned the paralyzing impulses of reasonableness. His intellectual integrity is as unassailable as folk wisdom, with its appropriate sayings for every option.Mao's revolutionary ideas, like those of his intellectual compatriots elsewhere, drew inspiration from both experience (observing and doi ng) and intellectual exercise. They were a response to the genuine plight of large numbers of poor, illiterate, and exploited people, although they were also the result of profound romanticization and sometimes willful ignorance of who and what the people really were.They reflected a strong inclination to distrust complex patterns of administration and governance — in a word, bureaucracy-because these only served the interests of ruling elites; and they relied upon popular enthusiasm and passion as substitutes for technical expertise and intellectual sophistication, and too frequently as a means for mobilizing (and manipulating) the masses. Moreover, they displayed an inconsistency born of a human inability to divorce oneself completely from one's cultural environment, with its heavy baggage of traditions, habits, and customs. Thus, rebellion against the decrepit and defeatist past of China was accompanied by appeals — sometimes disguised, sometimes not — to the social virtues, modes of discourse, and general spirit of that same past.If from a classical Marxist standpoint Lenin was wrong to represent Russia as an appropriate site for a Marxist revolution, Mao erred in proclaiming the same for China despite his disingenuous contention in 1942 that â€Å"Marxism-Leninism has no beauty, no mystical value; it is simply very useful† (Cheek 127). Much evidence existed, of course, to sustain an argument that China needed fundamental changes in its economic, social, and political order.Chinese had been debating this for many decades. It was also clear that foreign powers had an enormous impact on China's development, fostering it in some ways, but distorting and exploiting it in others. Mao's writings reveal that he understood quite well that his country's vulnerability to external aggression resulted largely from internal weaknesses, and that this relationship lay at the heart of his analysis and his demand for revolution.The doctrine of t he mass line did not develop in isolation but reflected what was arguably the most fundamental of Mao's attitudes: voluntarism. Like Lenin, whose successes must have been instrumental in showing Mao the value of seizing the moment, Mao was a committed voluntarist — a believer in the ability of human will to overcome virtually any obstacle, despite the essential irrelevancy of human motivation to Marx's revolutionary theory.By seeking to foster revolution in places unsuitable theoretically for such a process, both Lenin and Mao had to relinquish Marxist principle and emphatic determinism (the revolution will follow under the right, organically evolved, socioeconomic conditions) in favor of willful action (the revolution will occur under whatever conditions we can take advantage of). For the sake of possibly seeing the revolution transpire in their own lifetimes, they had to impose their own wills on circumstances and equate volition with accomplishment. Marxism's attraction wa s, thus, also its weakness.The theory was supposed to ensure that revolution would occur, but it never promised that it would occur to suit the timetables of revolutionaries. For tremendously egotistical men like Lenin and Mao, Marxist determinism had to be balanced by a voluntarist spirit, men and women had to help make the revolution by whatever means they could be sold on, and time had to be made an ally and not an enemy.The succession to Mao Zedong will in time   worked out, and China has new leaders. Regardless of whatever private feelings they may have about Mao, they acknowledged his greatness in the making of modern China. As all great men in history he will be honored, especially by those who will seek the magic of his greatness to insure the legitimacy of their authority.Thus it is likely that as time goes by the public Mao became increasingly shrouded in myth, and it   became even more difficult to penetrate to the domain of the private man where must lie the secrets of his greatness. Just possibly, however, history may take a slightly different turn, and, as unlikely as it may seem now, there may be revelations of more facts about the life of Mao Zedong making it possible to evaluate better our interpretation of his greatness.Mao Zedong's place in Chinese history is, however, secure, and his successors, whoever they may be, will be of quite different character. Mao's belonged to the era of China's response to the modern world: He wanted China to change, to become strong and powerful in the eyes of all the world; yet he also wanted China to be true to itself. He was a leader out of rural China, educated in a provincial setting, and unacquainted with any foreign language. His distrust of cities refiected in part that be was not at home with the more cosmopolitan generation of Chinese who went further in exploring foreign ways than he was ever ready to do.Works CitedCheek, Timothy. Mao Zedong and China’s Revolutions: A Brief History with Do cuments. Boston: Bedfort, 2002.