Social Smoking

One potentially important factor is social influence (Van den Putte, Yzer, & Brunsting, 2005), as this has been shown to be a significant predictor of the uptake of smoking (Kobus, 2003; Mayhem, Flay, & Mott, 2000). An important model which explicitly takes into account social influence and the role of the social environment is the theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1991). This theory proposes that people’s intentions to behave in particular ways are informed by three main factors: their personal attitude towards the behaviour; their perceptions of social pressure from significant others to perform the behaviour, or subjective norms; and the amount of control they believe they have over performing the behaviour, or perceived behavioural control. In the smoking domain, TPB variables have been shown to predict both quitting intentions (Abrams & Biener, 1992; Droomers, Schrijvers, & Mackenbach, 2004; Godin, Valois, Lepage, & Desharnais, 1992; Norman, Conner, & Bell, 1999) and actual quitting (Godin et al. , 1992; Norman et al. , 1999), as well as the uptake of smoking among adolescents (Wilkinson & Abraham, 2004). Of primary interest to the present study is the role of subjective norms. Out of the three main TPB variables, norms have generally been shown to have the weakest effect on intentions (Armitage & Conner, 2001; Godin & Kok, 1996). However, it has been argued that this is due to the poor measurement and inconsistent conceptualisation of norms (Armitage & Conner, 2001) or the lack of variation of norms within a culture at any point in time. Research by Wiium, Torsheim, and Wold (2006) demonstrated that different kinds of norms differentially influence intentions and behaviour, and argued that the assessment of different kinds of norms in the TPB model can both extend the concept of ‘norm’ and improve its predictive power. In the present study we distinguish between norms from significant others (i. e. erceptions of what significant others believe about smoking) and societal norms (i. e. perceptions of what society in general believes about smoking). In this respect, we depart from previous smoking research that has treated these kinds of norms as two components of a higher order social norm (e. g. Hammond, Fong, Zanna, Thrasher, & Borland, 2006). We argue that it is important to distinguish between these two sources of normative influence, as individuals’ perceptions of the broader social desirability of smoking may differ from their perceptions of what their significant others believe. This distinction is particularly important when examining cultures that have quite different normative environments regarding smoking. In some countries, such as Australia and the USA, smoking has become a socially undesirable behaviour. This has occurred, at least partially, through decades of communication about the harms of smoking and a range of tobacco control policies, including the reduced capacity of tobacco companies to promote their products, health warnings on cigarette packs, and restrictions on where smoking is permitted. However, the social undesirability of smoking is not a global phenomenon. Some countries, such as Malaysia, have had a comparatively tobacco-friendly environment, with a relative lack of strongly enforced tobacco control policies and a higher prevalence of smoking than in many Western countries, at least among men. Nevertheless, individual Malaysian smokers’ families and close social networks may still disapprove of smoking. Thus, it is of interest to examine the relative influence of these two potentially opposing smoking norms on quitting intentions in different countries.

Belonging: Overseas Chinese and Leah Essay

Belonging is a natural human instinct of how we define ourselves in the world we are living in. Our belonging to or connections with people, places and groups enable us to develop an unique characteristics in our personalities. Our perception of belonging is influenced by the personal, cultural, historical and social context of our surroundings. Identity, community, society’s attitude, relationships and culture are aspects of belonging that contribute to broaden or deepen our sense of Belonging or Not Belonging. The sense of not belonging felt by individual can be evolved to become a sense of belonging by factors of the aspects of belonging through experiencing physical or inner journey and vice versa. Identity is defined as the distinct characteristics of an individual possessed by which a person is recognized or known as. Individual who possesses a strong and unique personal or cultural identity will intensify their sense of belonging or not belonging. In the novel, the China Coin, by Allan Baillie, explores how personal and cultural identity of the protagonist, Leah Waters, could be changed from alienation of not belonging to acceptance of belonging by experiencing physical and inner journeys. In the beginning of the novel, Leah senses alienation and distanced toward China as she identify herself as an Australian instead of a Chinese. The monologue from Leah’s mind, ‘Couldn’t the woman see? She was not Chinese, not even an ABC – Australian born Chinese. Joan was Chinese, but Dad, David Waters, had been English. Didn’t it show? ’ suggested that Leah identify herself that she does not belong as a Chinese. A similar situation is also described in the film Avatar, directed by James Cameron, when the protagonist, Jake Sully, who was a disabled person that chosen for a mining operation in a distanced planet. Jake said, ‘so, here I am†¦ they offer me the gig because I could link with the avatar which is insanely expensive’. This reveal that Jake felt isolated and discriminated in the same sense as Leah towards China. The sense of not belonging will create a barrier that further prevents the willingness to belong in a new area. Leah’s sense of identity however gradually changed from not belonging to belonging, as it is shown in her monologue â€Å"No, you’re not Chinese, but you’re not not Chinese,† this suggested that Leah has recognized her identity as a Chinese and is willing to accept her multicultural identity. Relationship is the critical factor that can escalate the sense of belonging as it allows interaction between people which will increase their communication which in turns increase their understanding and this lead to an increase in the sense of belonging. In â€Å"China Coin†, the half ancient Chinese coin represents a separated relationship to Leah and Joan’s family. Throughout their journey, Leah and Joan expanded their relationship with the Ji family. Leah in particular changed her sense of belonging during her interaction with Swallow. Swallow said, â€Å"it’s all right, now you got a sister,† and Leah relied, â€Å"You? Yeah, thanks kid. † This suggested that relationship grew between Leah and Swallow through their conversation and this strengthen Leah’s sense of belonging. When Leah and Joan left the Good Field village, Leah said, â€Å"Will we ever see them again? † and â€Å"Yes. We’re family,† shows that this is a milestone where Leah as she sense belonging when she relate herself to the Ji family as her own family. Community acceptance and Society’s attitude are important factor which correspond to each other which magnify the sense of belonging. Community acceptance is being welcomed to be part of a family or group and society’s attitudes are the believes sees by individual. Community acceptance towards Leah and Joan is shown when they found the Good Field village. â€Å"Grandfather †¦ wrapped his arms about Joan. ‘Welcome back, Sister. ’† This is a touching scene that demonstrates Chinese community is welcoming towards their relatives which escalate their sense of belonging. A further example of community acceptance is when Joan had an accident and Leah was left alone. Ke, the son of the Zhu family, recognized Leah as a family member from the letter from Joan’s father and offered hospitality. â€Å"Leah should stay in my family’s house. She is my family. † This contributes to increase Leah’s sense of belonging as Ke assisted her when she was helpless because of Joan’s accident. The discriminative society attitudes directed toward Leah and Joan as foreign Chinese, however, restricted their growth of sense of belonging. The biased comment from the women on the train, â€Å"You Oversea Chinese do not know anything, just how to make money and get fat,† signal and deepen the barrier to belong in a new community when discriminative attitudes rumoured. A powerful example of the combination of community acceptance and cultural understanding that highlighted the emotional sense of belonging is that Jake Sully, the protagonist in the film Avatar, chose to belong to the alien natives, the Omaticaya, to against invading human when he himself is a human because he developed his sense of belonging as he learn the culture of the Omaticaya through understanding and challenges and he realize the deceiving tricks exercised by the human. Jake was accepted in the Omaticaya community as he said in his last video log, â€Å"†¦I’m not gonna be coming back†¦I don’t want to be late for my own party. It’s my birthday after all. This is Jake Sully signing off. † The community acceptances and cultural understandings are emphasized when Jake said, â€Å"It’s my birthday after all† with the conjunction monologue stating that, â€Å"the Na’vi say, ‘every person is born twice, the second time is when you earned your place among the people, forever’. † The sense of belonging is highlighted when Jake’s soul at the end was permanently transferred to his avatar via the spiritual ceremony conducted by the Omaticaya. With the use of extreme close up camera shot, it shows Jake belong to the Omaticaya community now as he opening his eye in his avatar body. In conclusion, during our lifetime, our sense of identity, the surrounding community, society’s attitude, the complex interaction of relationship and our culture will alter our sense of belonging or not belonging as we would experience physical or inner journey. It is critical and essential that we understand our sense of belonging or not belonging thoroughly in order to define ourselves in the world we are living in.

Marketing Dicussion

CHAPTER 17 DESIGNING AND MANAGING INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Marketing Discussion. Pick a brand and go to Web site. Locate as many forms of communications as you can find. Conduct an informal communication audit. What do you notice? How consistent are the different communications? Intodruction In 21. Century Technology’s has changed the way we live, the way we catch the information. In nowadays the society has become indifferent and it is hard to draw the attention. That’s way the company’s use the marketing communications to inform, persuade and remind consumers about the product and brand they sell. It’s very important to establish a dialogue and built relationships with consumers. The disciples in marketing communications include: Media advertising, sales promotion, events and experiences, public relations, direct marketing, persuade selling. [pic] Nikita is an Icelandic clothing brand, founded by its head designer Heida Birgisdottir in a tiny street wear store in Reykjavik 10 years ago. Now they have stores world wide. NIKITA marketing communication mix: 1. NIKITA CHIKITA CAMP – you can take a part in the girls snowboarding camp in the snow sport canter in Cardona. . WANNA WIN A TRIP TO ICELAND – you must unload of Picture of yourself wearing NINITA outwear to facebook wall and win a trip to Iceland. 3. NIKITA GIRLS – Good Snowboard riders from different countries: Maude Richon, Christel Thoresen, Anna Hellman, Natasza Zurek are sponsored by NIKITA clothing 4. WWW. NIKITACLOTHING. COM – offer opportunity to buy clothes in ONLINE SHOP. 5. NIKI TA take a part in European Snowboarding Championships and built its brand image thought sponsoring events and riders. 6. Twitter, Facebook, Youtube account. NIKITA has developed effective communications and has identified her target audience- girls who ride with skate and snow. The company have a great customer relation because they know customer habits. NIKITA perfectly know what to say, how to say it and who should say it. The marketing communications which use NIKITA: personal selling, direct marketing, events and experiences. NIKITA gives acceptance to individuality. It's brought personality, freedom, vision, a voice, logic and power. Company is successful and use right marketing communications.

A brief proposal outlining your course research paper Article

A brief proposal outlining your course research paper - Article Example ay Traffic Safety Administration, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, etc., NHSDA and HCA, research writers Ralph Hingson, et al., of the Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Center to Prevent Alcohol Problems Among Young People, Boston, Massachusetts conducted a wide ranging series of research studies on student drinking. Their studies, interalia, shall underpin the culmination of the final research paper for your submission. (Hingson, et al. 2005). (a) Population: During the year 1999, of the 14,138 full-time students selected in unbiased manner in 128 4-year colleges and universities, 6220 (44%) reported at least one heavy drinking episode in the previous year, similar to the 1993 studies. (b) Incidence: About one fourth (23%) frequently drank in this manner (3 or more times in the past 2 weeks), up from 20% in 1993. Similarly, the National Monitoring the Future study reported 40% of 1440 full-time 2- and 4-year college students surveyed in 1999, consumed five or more drinks, on a single occasion, at least once in the previous 2 weeks, a larger percentile than founding peer groups, a greater proportion than found among same-age noncollege peers (35%) and high school seniors (31%). (Hingson, et al. 2005). (c) Significance: It is seen that, taking 1998-2001 years, in the aftermath of the studies, the US Population aged 18-24 increased by 7%, whereas, the death occurring due to accidents, under the influence of alcohol, increased by 11%. Again, US student population in age group 18–24 increased 3%, but the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths among 18–24-year-old students increased 8%. Thus, it is believed that 5% increase in rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths from 14.4 to 15.2 per 100,000 college students [RR = 1.05 (95% CI 0.98, 1.14)] reached but could quite achieved statistical significance. (Hingson, et al). It needs to consider the indirect effects of drinking, like drug consumption,

The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Article

The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility - Article Example In reference to McDonald’s corporate social responsibility, the company is taking action, maintaining openness in communication with its customers and shareholders. For instance, the company has adopted socially responsible programs in order to engage the community its operation and be responsible for its activities. For example, as part of it being socially responsible, McDonalds has formulated a way of engaging communities in operations through community-based projects that benefit the society. More so, the company works with its suppliers to promote socially responsible behaviors or practices in its supply chain as an integral part of the company’s supply chain strategy. McDonald has a strong social responsibility program that aims to incorporate societies in the management and operation of the company. The company has included several things in its social responsible program that aim to make it more socially responsible. For instance, they have implemented service p rogram that aim to develop sustainable agriculture, employment policies and practices, health and nutrition. The company has environmental principles that aim to attain a sustainable society in more than 117 profitable growth restaurants globally. Additionally, in order to ensure that it achieves employee experience and employ a diverse long-term target, it has acknowledged that it has a strong community workforce. The McDonald House program ensures that children in vulnerable communities can receive medication and dental treatment in order to improve their health. The harm that could be embodied in these services is that it may stop funding some programs because some groups especially in Asian countries are opposing it. Charitable work may contribute to the sustainability of society. However, McDonalds provides little basis for balancing long-term objectives against short-term costs they incur (Porter and Kramer 82). Therefore, managers at McDonalds need to approach CSR program str ategically in order to be competitive and remain in the market. 2) Choose any ethical dilemma and using the concepts in Paine’s article â€Å"Ethics: a basic framework†, describe your recommended course of action using the following questions: Is the action consistent with the actor's basic duties? Does it respect the rights and other legitimate claims of the affected parties? Does it reflect best practice? Is it compatible with the actor's own deeply held commitments? Markets are sometimes unethical but market participants usually make ethical decisions about people and practices they meet in the marketplace. A basic moral duty is to act or not act in a certain way. Duties are owed to other parties such as the company, customers, public, and the company. Wal-Mart Company has been faced with an ethical dilemma regarding the decisions of its store manager to embezzle employee’s bonuses. Wal-Mart managers are usually faced with conflict of interest in that they fi nd it difficult to make decisions because they do not know whether their decisions are right or wrong. Self-interest at Wal-Mart made the company lose over $50 million in that the store manager took the company’s money inform of many incentives provided by the company to the workers. These incentives are part of bonuses that the company provides to its store managers. This manager did not respect the dignity of the people that are employed by Wal-Mart.

Cross cultural marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cross cultural marriage - Essay Example Although there could be some challenges associated with having to deal with a different culture, the experience can be very exciting, especially if the couple is compatible. You get to experience several new things, which can be interesting. This essay focuses on the reasons why cross-cultural marriages should be encouraged. Any marriage should be founded on trust, understanding, and mutual respect between the partners. The above can be enhanced in any marriage and they do not depend on cultural background. One’s culture cannot thus affect how well he or she can cope with the other partner. The capability of coping between partners mainly depends on their personalities. Since most marriages occur after a period of courting, the partners are able to learn how to interact and cope with each other irrespective of their differences (Ballard, 2006; Arnold, 2008). Cross-cultural marriages should be encouraged since they help bridge cross-cultural gaps. This is possible since cross-cultural marriages bring families or communities from the two cultures closer. This gives individuals from the two cultures a chance to learn from each other. Additionally, individuals from the two cultures are able to understand each other, which help in enhancing harmony. This is good for multicultural countries such as United States since it helps reduce negative stereotypes. Moreover, people get to understand and appreciate each other irrespective of their cultural differences, which are good and enables creation peace across the globe (Romano, 2008; Sitabud, Chantachon, & Pangsroy, 2011). Marrying a person from a different culture can be an interesting adventure. Bringing up children in an intercultural context will help broaden their minds and views regarding other cultures. Additionally, the experience of learning the other culture, language, eating habits, and other aspects of life is thrilling (Ballard, 2006).

Marketing- Mission statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Marketing- Mission statement - Essay Example er in doing so shall take a real life situation and an internationally known company to analyse how it has used its mission statement in the various marketing management strategies and tactics. A mission statement being the statement that highlights briefly the overall direction that the company wishes to take, stands to be respected and therefore in coming up with it serious consultations should be made as it is to either sell the company’s image or put it at risk forcing the management to change it at some point (Shee & Abratt 1989). The sole aim of having a mission statement is to have the direction that the company is taking clearly set out for both all the stakeholders to know and above all, understand (Leuthesser & Kohli 1997). It has to be brief and to the point giving the intended message using simple but coherent words. It gives the purpose of the company and this is the top line rather than the bottom line. This statement need also to be broad in scope as it stipulates both the short term as well as the long term intent of the company. It should resound to the clients and other people who may be in a position to deal with it and give them the reasons to do so (Knights & Willmott 1992). It is clear that the aim of a business it to make profit as the key purpose but the mission statement is to show how the company in rather general and indirect means aims at going about it. This statement has three distinct parts which are: the business statement, purpose statement and lastly the statement of values held by the company (Leuthesser & Kohli 1997). For the purpose part, the statement shows what the company’s purpose is in explicit terms, the business portion indicates how this purpose will be fulfilled while the value part tells of what values are commonly upheld in the company and their contribution to the business. A mission statement as earlier mentioned need to be carefully developed to reflect the above mentioned areas with clarity. There are

The personality of Adolf Hitler Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The personality of Adolf Hitler - Research Paper Example Adolf Hitler, one of the world’s most talented yet ferocious leaders was born in the town of Braunau-am-Inn in Austria on 20 April 1889. This town is located close to the border between Germany and Austria.Hitler’s father, Alois, used to check the goods crossing the border in the capacity of a customs officer. Ida and Gustav were two children born to Hitler’s mother, Klara and Alois before Hitler, but none of the two had managed to survive the infancy. Hitler was six years of age when he started to go to school. The family spent time in several villages in Linz towards the east of Braunau. Klara and Alois gave birth to Edmund. Edmund was Hitler’s younger brother who did not live after six years of age. Finally, Hitler’s younger sister Paula was born in 1896, who lived even longer than Hitler did. Adolf Hitler was very weak in studies. He had no interest whatsoever in studies and thus, maintained a very poor record in school. His tuition was not comp leted when he left the school to fulfill his desire of becoming an artist. When Hitler turned thirteen, Alois passed away. Klara was left with Hitler and Paula and had to take care of the two children on her own. As a teenager, Hitler neither studied nor worked. Instead, he cultivated interest in the fields of history and politics. Meanwhile, Hitler made an attempt to study in the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and applied for it, but the application went atrophy. In 1908, Klara could not survive cancer and passed away. From the age of nineteen onwards, Hitler and Paula were left all alone. Although Hitler did have uncles and aunts from his mother’s and father’s families, yet they were not keen on supporting the children. Hitler resolved to travel to Vienna in 1909 with a view to earning money. For almost a year or perhaps more, Hitler had no food or shelter. He was homeless and had his meals in the charity soup-kitchens. He never continued a job for long. Instead, he wou ld do occasional menial jobs. He also persuaded people that would show the slightest interest in Hitler’s paintings into buying them. This was how Hitler spent his life from his mother’s death till 1913. The penniless vagabond, Adolf Hitler traveled to the southern part of Germany in 1913 and reached Munich. In 1914, when the World War I commenced, Hitler applied to join in the German Army. He was fortunate enough to be selected for the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment. This was the turning point in the life of Adolf Hitler. He became a soldier from a penniless drifter. Hitler participated in the World War I from the side of Germany and fought very bravely. Owing to the display of immense courage and bravery in the war, Hitler was promoted to Corporal. He was also granted the awards of First Class and the Iron Cross Second Class. Hitler kept wearing the former throughout his life until the day of his death. An attack of British gas had blinded Hitler temporarily and he was hospitalized on the day, on which the armistice was announced in 1918. By the end of 1918, Hitler rejoined his regiment in Munich. In the four months from December 1918 till March of the following year, Hitler served in Traunstein at a camp of prisoner-of-war. After that, he moved back to Munich and saw that the local Communists had initiated a takeover bid. The Communists had snatched the authority before the army could expel them. Hitler was offered an opportunity to join a local army organization that aimed at convincing the returning soldiers to stay away from pacifism or communism. The training Hitler received in it and the duties that followed helped him improve his oratory skills. One of his duties was to spy on some political groups. At one gathering of the German Worker’s Party, Hitler became extremely angry to hear a speech and berated the speaker. Anion Drexler, who was that party’s founder was extremely overwhelmed with the overt expression of c ourage made by Hitler and thus, invited Hitler to

For the film JFK, what is Oliver Stone's agenda Essay

For the film JFK, what is Oliver Stone's agenda - Essay Example Johnson was a member of the ring that planned Kennedy’s assassination (Stone 589). So, the most critical question in this film is the director’s agenda when he was making up this film. This essay examines Stone Oliver’s agenda in the film and whether the film was received, by both the public and the media, as it was intended. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy was a thrilling event that left the American people and the world startled. The world was confused the most when such an injustice in a developed world was tainted by unexplained occurrences when the assassination investigations started. The film captures this in detail by going back to the years when President Kennedy was President and the unfolding of the events that supposedly cost his life. Among the ones captured are the early years of Vietnam War, the invasion of the Bay of Pigs, the missile crisis in Cuba, and the Laotian civil war (Brent 51). It was in November 22, 1963 that President Ke nnedy was brutally killed. It was after this occasion that New Orleans Jim Garrison and team got some hints on the assassination, and they commenced their investigation but the Federal Government publicly rebukes the developments (Salewic 80). The New Orleans attorney is forced to close the case when the alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald is murdered before he could go on trial. This occurrence further startled the world as to the game which Kennedy’s assassins had launched. After this closure, the film captures the reopening of the investigation in 1966 when Garrison related his encounter to Senator Long while he was on a plane trip. The inaccuracies in the Warren commission’s report enabled Garrison to identify some conflicts. In the film, several witnesses are interrogated by Garrison and his staff including other witnesses involved with Oswald. His informal investigations led to another suspect Ferrie, who is put on the spot when a witness testified that he saw Fer rie conspiring with Oswald, Shaw, and some Latin men to murder the President (Gary 1). Another interesting development was placed by Jean Hill who told the investigators that she witnessed the killing, and had heard four to six shots in total coming from the grassy Knoll, but was coerced by the U.S. Secret Service to testify that she had heard three shots from the book depository (Brent 52). This revelation led Garrison team to believe that there were changes made to Hill’s testimony given to Warren commission. Garrison investigators revealed that from their logical analysis of the alleged crime scene, the shots were not made by one person; there were others who were involved in the shootouts and thus, Oswald was not the only assassin. Given that there were two close shots, there was a possibility that two more assassins were involved. Another message that Oliver was sending to the world was that the then senior government personalities and the security ring were involved in the murder. In this case, the film reveals that Garrison discovered electronic surveillance microphones placed in his offices and meets X, a high official in Washington DC who revealed that the government, the CIA, the FBI, the U. S. Secret Service and the then Vice President Lyndon Johnson had a motive to cover up the cause of Kennedy’s death (Gary 1). Mr. X explains that president Kennedy was killed because it was

Financial crisis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial crisis - Research Paper Example The reasons for current financial crisis in America can be attributed to many things like, The Federal Reserve, is making credit cheap, Home buyers, who took advantage of easy credit contributed to bid up the prices of homes excessively. Congress, which continues to support a mortgage tax deduction that gives consumers a tax incentive to buy more expensive houses. Real estate agents, most of whom work for the sellers rather than the buyers and who earned higher commissions from selling more expensive homes etc. Wall Street firms, who paid too little attention to the quality of the risky loans that they bundled into Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), and issued bonds using those securities as collateral. The Bush administration has failed to provide needed government oversight of the increasingly dicey mortgage-backed securities market. (Bianco, 2008) Unlike many other countries like India, the life style of American people is entirely different. They believe in spending rather than saving. They will depend the financial institutions for loans whenever they are in need of bulk amount of money like buying a car or home. The financial institutions were ready to give loans without conducting proper enquiry about the financial capabilities of the loan seeker. Most of the people who took the loans were failed to return it in time because of the recession in their economies and hence the financial crisis started to destroy the financial institutions. â€Å"Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan Chase have weathered the financial crisis in reasonably good shape, while Bear Stearns collapsed and Lehman Brothers has entered bankruptcy, to name but two of the investment banks which had remained independent despite the repeal of Glass-Steagall.† (Miller & Jackson, 2008) On the other hand the Indian people have the ha bit of saving

Shopping as an American Culture Value Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Shopping as an American Culture Value - Essay Example The contention is that though American culture has been manipulated into accepting materialistic 'must have' consumerism as a cultural value, there are those, past and present, who provide a glimmer of hope for a return to the better, more humane values of the American way of life. According to Rao (2004), writing from an Indian viewpoint, the American Dream encapsulated "freedom," and "democracy" in a "land of opportunities." In reviewing the book, 'Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic', he cited figures from De Graff et al (2003): Embedding of this value was reflected in "one poll found that 93% of teenage American girls rate shopping as their favorite activity." (Rao, 2004). He further contended that only about one quarter of mall shoppers are seeking to buy a specific item, the rest use shopping as therapy, for amusement, or just for its own sake. Americans in general would seem to have adopted shopping as a cultural value, a way of life. ... There is little doubt that people are buying, not from necessity, but spending above their means in order to acquire possessions in a search for happiness and to belong to their culture. They must have the newest fashion, the best brand, the biggest house, the fastest car in order to feel valued. Social theory provides some answers as to how this has happened. In order for businesses to make profits, they no longer seek only to produce to meet needs, but make sure that demand levels stay high, and so maintain the growth of a capitalist system. By marketing and motivating people to buy, this is accomplished; a psychological manipulation appears to be in place. "Advertising, marketing and the mass media have become central to the stimulation of demand through the continual invention of new wants. The images and identities they disseminate promise satisfactions earlier generations never dreamed of. They suggest life-styles of endless acquisition and inexhaustible glamour, which can be had at the pleasurable price of merely buying more and more." (Noble, 2000, p. 231) This shows how people can be sucked into the shopping vortex, with little or no regard for its effects on the individual or the world in general. The impact worldwide, where poorer nations make the goods, on low pay (rendering American workers jobless), in sometimes slave-like conditions, to feed the greed of multinationals and consumers, presents an immoral and inhumane side of capitalism. Sanders (2000), in an article on Maytag and the North American Free Trade Agreement, stated: "The simple truth is that American workers cannot, and should not be "competing" against desperate workers in developing countries who are forced to work for pennies an hour." (Why Overcoming

Feminism is for Everybody Essay Example for Free

Feminism is for Everybody Essay Feminism is a social, cultural, moral and political advocacy encompassed on gender issues such as inequality. In this regard there are several writings that concerns the principles of feminism. The contents of literary works about feminism vary, some writers intend to advocate for the very cause of feminism blindingly, some authors, conversely, intend to provide information about feminism in a non-political or non-equalitarian manner. One such notable content can be found in Bell Hooks publication, Feminism is for Everybody. Hooks book gives the reader a whole different perspective on the radical feminist theory. The primary intention of her book is to bring the feminist point-of-view to non-believers, apathetics and unfamiliar. Hooks also counters the popular notion regarding feminism as she feels that these notions should be given proper attention and correction. In this manner, the common misconception on the ideas of feminism will be clear to society. In the book, Feminism is for everybody, the author rejects the usual beliefs connected to feminism and considers such belief as nothing more than a myth. Hooks puts the arguments and advocacies of feminism in a summarized manner in order to provide a simpler context to readers as well as well as a new concept of what feminism should be. Hooks new concept of feminism suggests a fight against stiff sexism in a benevolent society, thereby ultimately advocating for an inclusive movement. In Feminism is for Everybody, Hooks traces the roots of the feminist movement and gives detail on what it has achieved so far. an advocacy minus the associations of anti-sexism (Hooks, 2000). The historical background of feminism is given in order to put emphasis on the misconstrusion that happened along the way and to give way to the new concept of the movement. Hooks raises the question is feminist a philosophical belief or a political cause, given that the author tackles the arguments of the radical feminists. The debate whether feminism is a philosophical belief or a political cause can also be caused by one of the books chapters tackling gender oppression. The basis may be seen on the idea typecasting male as the enemy, the categorization of man as the oppressor and woman is the oppressed is the primary reason behind feminisms second wave, however, Hooks also does not take away the fact that females are also responsible for such opression given that it took time for the supposed oppresed to spearhead for change (Hooks, 2007). Hooks furthers this by giving the past mistakes of feminism and the misleading beliefs that feminists associated themselves with. This is on the account that most feminists focus on the problem and not on the solution. In a personal account, I am taken to a different world as far as feminism is concerned, primarily because Bell Hooks gives a different appraoch in discussing the cause of feminism. It is also notable that the author diminished the complexities of the feminist thought but still detailed enough to get me educated. The book caused me to reconsider my prior beliefs regarding the arguments presented by feminists. The non-traditional manner of Hooks presentation eliminated my angst towards feminists and made me realize that it is time for change, Hooks compelled me to believe that it is time to dispose of the misleading conventional feminist beliefs of the past and focus on the current issues, moreover, Hooks made me believe that feminism is indeed for everybody. References Hooks, B. (2000). Feminism is for Everybody. Cambridge: South End Press.

Polaris Human Trafficking Organisation

Polaris Human Trafficking Organisation Polaris is NGO whose soul motto is to stop human trafficking and slavery. The organization helps those who are victims of human trafficking and provide them legal help. Polaris is also one of the anti-trafficking organization in the united states. Headquarters of Polaris is in Washington, DC; and also operates from Newark, New Jersey. They also control the National Human Trafficking Resource Centre (NHTRC) which is the countries hotline for human trafficking. Polaris also allows it data to be used by other NGOs such as International Justice Mission Truckers against Trafficking. Polaris hase taken few steps and has some initiatives to help the victims of Human Sex trafficking: Global Safety Net Polaris collaborates with border forces of countries to prevent illegal and cross border development in human trafficking Temporary Visas Polaris helps the victims of human trafficking attain temporary visa to help them travel to their home country safely. Hotels Polaris engages in the hotel industry and identifies the human trafficking activities in the hotel industries. According to Polaris hotel are most common venues for sex trafficking. Polaris supports almost all the laws that help get justice to the victims of human trafficking. They have a specific set of priorities regarding their policies: Run away and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act. This act focusses in prevent the crime before if happens. They make sure that the government take all possible step and provide basic necessities to homeless youth Supply Chain Transparency. The Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act of 2015 (H.R. 3226 and S.1968) makes sure that all the business have a transparency in their supply chain and the decisions they make for their labor force in the supply chain. Prioritizing the strategic action plan. Polaris ensure that the victims of human trafficking are given justice on time and also makes sure that all the agencies are working together effectively. Polaris is also partnered with The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) which a US based collaboration of 14 NGOs that fights against human trafficking and sex trafficking and provide justice to the victims. Polaris is a NGO who is focused only in aiding and proving justice to the people who are the victim of Human Trafficking, so they take the help of every last law to provide the justice. There is no law they oppose as there is no law that allows or supports crimes like human trafficking, so theres no such law (according to my research) that Polaris should appose. NGOs such as Polaris who fights human trafficking may impact business a lot, businessmen indulge in human trafficking to lower their employee cost and increase their profits. In some case victims of human trafficking are not paid at all. So NGOs like Polaris would not only stop trafficking but also help the victims to get justice and punish the guilty, which inturn would affect the business scenario. Though, the affect would not be good for the business but it would, definitely be good according the Natural Law (humanity). Human trafficking is a very serious topic in today world as it no long legal but is still practiced in some parts of the country. Polaris along with the federal government make sure that all the aspect of human traffic is covered by creating new law without leaving any loop holes. Polaris in its web site mentioned Polaris works to ensure that the U.S. government prioritizes efforts to eradicate all forms of human trafficking and protect victims of this crime at home and abroad. We build government support for promising practices in our field, including anti-trafficking hotlines, the development of data standards and data-sharing, and protection policies for victims and vulnerable populations. to which Polaris is very much dedicated. To do so Polaris has helped create laws relate o trafficking with are very affective in tacking the issue in the United States. Traffic victims protection reauthorization act 2003, 2005, 2008 2013 is a law to which has Polaris contributed. Another legislative law to which Polaris influenced is the safe harbor law, which provides protection to children who area victim of child labor, human trafficking of children and sex trafficking. Polaris does what it takes to influence the legislative process (the reason it is one of the largest human trafficking NGO in U.S.) and help wipe human trafficking and crimes related to it once and for all. Polaris also mentioned on its website that Our public policy focus drives legal and regulatory changes that enable the United States and international governments to better protect victim populations, reduce worker vulnerability, increase support to survivors and increase human trafficking investigations. According to Polaris; South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and few states in the east U.S. lack few aspect in fighting human trafficking (2013), either due to high activity in trafficking or laws supporting trafficking. Their aim is to help reduce these statistics in the next 3 year. But Polariss aim is to need complete the task in less than 3 years as they believe that the more time it takes the more people suffer and Polaris will continue support the victims whenever they need them. Mind map: Polaris helps human trafficking victims to travel to their country safely buy helping get temporary visas. To do so, Polaris must become an intermediary between the international laws of the other country and the American federal law. Polaris has to follow certain international laws in order to send the victims to their home country. References Polaris. (2016, March 1). Policy priorities. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from Polaris Project, https://polarisproject.org/policy-priorities Polaris. (2016, February 23). Policy legislation. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from https://polarisproject.org/policy-legislation

The Importance Of Promoting Wellbeing In Children Young People Essay

The Importance Of Promoting Wellbeing In Children Young People Essay What occurs to children in the early years has consequences right through the path of their lives. While there are many occasions to interfere and make a difference to the lives of children and young people, this report suggests that intervening in early childhood is the most effective phase to impact on the future development of the child. This statement explores the factors that effect on life-long health, growth and well-being from environmental, and life path perspectives. Early childhood settings plays an important role in promoting health and a feeling of wellbeing for children, their families and ultimately their communities (Hayden Macdonald, 2000). Therefore the goals of health and wellbeing promotion are supported by parents, staff and early childhood professionals who use early childhood services. There are multiple aspects or dimensions to general wellbeing. For the purpose of this report it is convenient to identify and discuss the most important six areas of health mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, environmental and social. These six areas are overlapping and interrelated, but together provide a useful framework for thinking about childrens growth and development as health, well-rounded individuals. 2. Background The early childhood era sets the phase for how well children view themselves, each other, and their world. Young children actively construct meanings about the world and their place in it, offering alternative but equally valid understandings to adults (Millie Watson, 2009). The communication between careers and children work as building blocks for the growth of children as whole (Hayden et al., 2000). In order to share positive experiences of services delivered for the development of six dimensions of health and wellness in respective childcare settings is the intended objective of this report. 2.1 Health: Towards Wellness and the Six Dimensions Prior to the 1800s, health was simply means the antithesis of sickness (Donatelle, 2006). Therefore, when all parts of body were functioning properly called as a good body having health. However focusing on global health issues at an international conference in 1947, the World Health Organization (WHO) took a landmark step and clarified that what health truly meant: Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (Donatelle, 2006). According to Donatelle (2006), Health is complex and involves the interaction of variegated factors, which includes; Physical refers to the capability of human body structure to function properly Social refers to the capability to interact with other individuals Mental refers to the capability to process information and act properly Emotional refers to the capability to cope, adjust, and adapt Spiritual refers to conviction in some force or dynamic other than humans Environmental consist of  · External: refers to ones surroundings (e.g., habitat, occupation)     · Internal: refers to an individuals internal structure (e.g., genetics) Achieving wellness means attaining the optimal level of wellness for a given persons unique set of limitations and strengths (Donatelle, 2006). 2.2 Wellness and Wellbeing: The importance in early childhood One of the greatest indicators of health and wellness in a community is the extent to which it nurtures healthy children, as they will become the healthy adults citizens who make communities vibrant (McMurray, 2007). While we have long recognized that early experiences have an effect on later life, new findings from longitudinal studies and new brain conceivable techniques, are showing that the initial years of life are serious in the purpose of physical, neurological, cognitive, emotional and social growth (Ferber, 1996). In the meantime, studies on social determinants have exposed that enduring health and well-being is predisposed not only by heredity and lifestyle, but also by economic, social and other environmental factors (McMurray, 2007). These findings recommend that accountability for health extends beyond health check professionals: doctors and nurses. Those who are concerned with promoting healthy environments may be uniformly significant in guiding health outcomes. Early childhood professionals are comprehensible contributors in this ground. 3. Six Dimensions of Wellness The six dimensions of wellness interact continuously, influencing and being influenced by one another. For example, spiritual wellness is associated with social skills, which can help build interpersonal relationships, which are in turn linked to physical wellness and longer life expectancy. The self-esteem that comes with emotional wellness is associated with increased physical activity and healthy eating habits, which support physical wellness. 3.1 Physical wellness Physical wellness is basically the overall well being of a persons physical state. This dimension includes characteristics such as size and shape, sensory acuity and responsiveness, susceptibility to disease and disorders, body functioning, physical fitness, and recuperative abilities (Donatelle, 2006). For good health, children need physical activity. Being active promotes healthy frame, strength and joints, builds patience and muscle force, makes it easier to uphold a healthy load, increases power, and even fosters self-respect. Children of all ages need and want places to play. To support the variety of their physical activities, they need many types of entertaining facilities, both public and private, near their homes and schools (Sallis Glanz, 2006). Children may spend more time being immobile indoors, where they remain inactive. These inactive behaviours such as television viewing and videos are dangerous factors for obesity in youth and reducing such behaviours is another strategy for preventing weight gain in children. Similarly using less fruits and vegetables and greater dependence on convenience foods and fast foods contribute to the epidemic of childhood obesity (Sallis et al., 2006). 3.1.1 Experience of our childcare Centre The standard length of reside in a childrens home is making an impact on individual students, so we recognize it as a challenge. We created modified tactics to give confidence to children (and staff) to eat at smallest amount five servings of fruit and vegetables each day and to connect in one hour of physical activity which consist of play and fun, five days a week. The center also provides hands-on training for forefront staff that helped those serves as role models for healthy performance. The center produced partnerships with other group of people organizations to offer nutrition-related services. 3.2 Emotional Wellness Emotional wellness is an active condition that fluctuates with corporeal, academic, spiritual, interpersonal and social, and environmental wellness (Donatelle, 2006). Sound health results from the contentment of basic needs the need for kindness and love; safety and clarity; social acknowledgment; to feel capable; physical needs and for meaning in life. It includes happiness and happiness, efficient social functioning and the dispositions of hopefulness, openness, curiosity and flexibility (Hood, 2009). The infants achieve their satisfaction of basic needs by: attaching themselves to individual and groups of people who can help them survive and to find out how things around them work; to explore their soundings, so they can eventually learn to keep themselves safe and meet their own needs. And since these two behaviours are so fundamental, not achieving success with them causes distress (emotional dysregulation), which, if sustained, affects mental health (Hood, 2009). 3.2.1 Experience of our childcare center: considerations of Emotional Wellness Promotion, Prevention, and Intervention Staff at our center provides opportunity for involvement and plans with careful notice that successfully maintains emotional wellness. Promotion We provide emotionally supportive environment by holding and singing to infants and play with toddlers, and pay attention to and monitor preschoolers vigilantly. We display problem solving skills by using role play indicating words and verbal communication with toddlers, and assist possible group discussions that direct problem solving skills with preschoolers. Prevention Prevent a lack of communication with families We do proper planning for sharing strategies and information with families to better understand childrens likeness and dislikesness attitudes. Avoid escalated situations We do appropriate planning to make sure that all actors of working group have ordinary visions for anticipation, intrusion and endorsement to provide a complete support scheme. Intervention Awareness of interventions services We keep alert ourselves from the need of intervention services such as mental health and child wellbeing agencies, early intervention programs, and medical intervention services for high threat situations. Construct successful collaborations We provide documented information to the intervention service program to provide a complete picture of the childs needs in order that they correspond efficiently with one another and employ follow up strategies. 3.3 Intellectual Wellness The uniqueness of intellectual health include the ability to think clearly, reason impartially, examine seriously, and use intelligence effectively to meet life challenges. Academic health means learning from successes and mistakes and making sound, responsible decisions that take into deliberation all aspects of a situation (Donatelle, 2006). Children have a talent for being inquisitive about everything around them. So the caregivers should try to regain this inquisitiveness about the world and will be astonished at how much children will learn. 3.3.1 Experience of our childcare center Our centers services in this dimension of wellness are not exhaustive; however we try to improve childrens intellectual wellness. To make an action plan to improve children intellectual wellness, we discover issues related to problem solving, originality, individuality, and learning. We try to figure out to children to read for fun! By choosing books for fun (like filling colours in figures), so they not only gain knowledge of about an exacting topic or concentration, but also learn about how others express themselves. 3.4 Spiritual Wellness According to Bone (2008) Spirituality is a term with many definitions and means different things to different people and often confused with religion but my definition of spirituality is a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..means of connecting people to all things, to nature and the universe. Spirituality adds to my appreciation of the wonder and mystery in everyday life. It alerts me to the possibility for love, happiness, goodness, peace and compassion in the world. Spiritual wellness refers to integrating our beliefs and values with our actions (Donatelle, 2006). A sense of purpose, direction, and awareness form spirituality. 3.4.1 Experience of our childcare center To develop spirituality in children we teach them through fun play and demonstrations and mutual dealings in the setting; To forgive, we replace condemnation or judgmentalism. To love, we replace hatred. To share or to be generous we replace selfishness. To be compassionate, we replace intolerance. To speak kind words we replace contentiousness and meanness. 3.5 Social wellness and wellbeing Social health is a part of psychosocial health which includes our interactions with others and our ability to adopt to range of social situations (Donatelle, 2006). Social wellness is a significant part in every persons life, above all because it helps him be familiar with his normal interdependence with others, despite of the relationship. Donatelle (2006) maintains that people who are more connected to others manage stress more effectively and are much more resilient when they are bombard by life crisis. The shortage of social wellness frequently leads to disruptive behavior and causes incapability to regulate in social environment. The teachers openness to children, parents, and the cultures represented in their classroom influences their overall effectiveness in teaching and their ability to foster childrens social development particularly. When teachers use these strategies, they are more effective in promoting childrens social competence and maintaining a positive learning environment. Therefore, the content of teacher-child interaction should be predominantly related to activities, learning, investigations, and plans (Katz McClellan, 1997). 3.5.1 Experience of our childcare center To develop social wellness, behaviours, and attitudes of children we take the following important steps: Reach out: Offering friendship environment to children as a first step to social wellness- where children of different cultural and social setups interact with each other for knowing and understanding of their mutual needs and develop mutual cooperative attitudes. Promote chosen relationships: Promoting the relationship built between various children and to stay in healthy relationships. These relationships involve children who care about one another and their wellbeing. Since there is trust and compassion, one feels secure and contented, two vital elements for social wellness. Communicate effectively: Effective communication is a first step of initiation of relationship a vital component of social wellness; therefore, we remain in constant interaction with children through play and fun to develop their skills for effective communications. 3.6 Environmental wellness Environmental Wellness means having an understanding of the exterior environment and the role persons play in preserving and improving environmental circumstances. (Donatelle, 2006). An understanding of these connections can be fostered during the early childhood years through play, productive work and daily routines. (Young Elliot, 2003). Opportunities to directly explore the world with all senses are paramount to a childs understanding of their connections to the environment. The role of the adult is crucial in interpreting these connections, both verbally and physically, and in exploring the values that underpin sustainable lifestyles (Young Elliot, 2003). 3.6.1 Experience of our childcare center Our focus on this dimension of wellness and well being is not much thorough; nevertheless we try to give messages to children through play and fun activities relating to: Dont leave water running Demonstrate children about scarcity of water resources and better use of water in daily life. Use of recycled paper bags when shopping To realize children to use paper bags and avoid use of plastic bags due to different biodegradable features of both. Use waste material for play experiences whenever possible such as cloth for sewing, and polishing etc. Care for plants by watering as needed. 4. Conclusion Children change and develop in response to these different health dimensions, so the developmental process plays an important role in shaping and determining their future health and wellbeing. It can be concluded that intervening early in the life course has the greatest prospective to stop or considerably improve some of the health and wellbeing troubles seen in adult life. The most direct way of improving outcomes in childhood and thus influencing the life course is to ensure that all caretaking environments in the early years are consistently nourishing, stimulating, and organize the health and developmental requirements of young children. Therefore when young children spend time outside the home, the caretaking environment needs to be the best we can make it. 5. Recommendations Following the conclusion it is recommended that childcare needs to be conceptualised as an opportunity for learning and socialisation rather than child minding. Actions and policies need to focus on creating a quality early learning environment; this means having staff with appropriate qualifications and training, and child/staff ratios that are appropriate to the developmental needs of the child. Universal and primary care services across the health proportions and education sectors need to be better coordinated with one another, in order to direct various environmental risk factors and respond to the complex needs of children and their families. These services need to be more adaptable, so that they can react to the emerging needs and problems of childrens health and wellness.

Moll Flanders :: Moll Flanders Essays

George Eliot wrote, "It is never too late to be who you might have been." As I read those words, I was hard pressed to find another who fit them as well as Moll Flanders. Despite circumstance and luck and odds set against her at every turn, this woman refused to bow to the conventional wisdom that normally rules the downtrodden and the dispossessed. And it is in that tenacity of spirit I find Eliot's words ringing true. Moll Flanders born into a world of pad-locked doors and dark menacing corners was destined for greatness simply because she lived it. The story begins as a tale told to an orphan recovered and claimed by Hibble, a man of mystery, dark and wise. The orphan, Flora, has been retrieved by Hibble and is on a journey to America to meet a fate she does not understand. Along the way, Hibble has been instructed to read to her the diary of her mother, Moll Flanders. It is an introduction to a woman who’s soul does not come across well on the written page, but Hibble struggles along, trying to entice the young girl with the memory of an extraordinary friend and confidante. Threats and lectures begin a journey that soon intrigues the young woman on its own merit. Her mother, it would seem, was more than she ever dreamed. And it is in those pages that we find a hero of our own. Moll Flanders, born to a convicted thief, was orphaned the day she was born as the state carried out the sentence of death put upon her mother. Moll landed at the foot of the Church, learning how to read, to pray and to fend off hypocrisy and the groping hand of the priest in the bargain. Leaving the Church in an unorthodox manner, Moll bounced from home to home, finding herself too much for some and too little to ward off others. Along the way, she learned to laugh and to limp because of the kindness and cruelty that abound in our worlds. It was in the kindness that Moll found herself bound in love to an unlikely artist and it was in that union Flora was conceived.

The Impact of Stereotypes on Teens at Point Loma High School Essay

The Impact of Stereotypes on Teens at PLHS 1.)Stereotypes and racism have always been an issue in this and many other societies.Teenagers are commonly the most impacted by stereotypes, not unlike most teens at Point Loma High School. To further analyze this, my class read â€Å"How a Self-Fulfilling Stereotype Can Drag Down Performance† by Shankar Vedantam, a science correspondent for NPR. In his informative article, Vedantam discusses how research proves that self-fulfilling stereotypes can drag down many individuals’ performance. He supports his claim by presenting statistics such as â€Å"When black people and white people answered 10 vocabulary questions posed by a white interviewer, blacks on average answered 5.49 questions correctly and whites answered 6.33 correctly†, and talking about how black students tend to score better on tests that are administered by other blacks, and finally explaining how all students’ performance increases when they are not reminded of their race/gender before beginning a test. Vedantam’s purpose is to inform the audience about the negatives of reminding students of their race before a test in an effort to prevent poor performance and boost test scores. Upon reading this, my class has decided to carry out a research project about the stereotypes at our school, and how they affect a variety of students. 2.) We began our study by interviewing a classmate, then interviewing another PLHS student for homework and recording our data. We then proceeded to fill out a Google form, which aided us in planting the anonymous data in a data table and combining it. Following that, we sorted and graphed the data by gender and ethnicity to see how different groups responded to each inquiry. Upon doing th... ...In my opinion, it’s as simple as attempting to avoid judging another individual at first glance or categorizing them into a certain stereotype or group. Removing the part of the test where the students have to bubble in their race would also serve as a beneficial gesture. I am certain that this society has done almost everything that is reasonable to prevent the growing stereotypes and racism, and the rest depends on the individuals. If one person stopped judging others based on stereotypes, then others would gradually begin to do so as well. It doesn’t sound like much, but overall, this can truly make a difference. Also, I believe that we should accept the fact that there is no such thing as immaculate perception, and work on improving ourselves, our perception of this world and how we view and analyze other human beings. Works Cited Shanka vedentam, Jerry Kong

A Skit on Dr Apj Abdul Kalam

Grade 6 Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: IWhen a child enters school at his/her first level, he/she is not _____________ to __________ his/her mother’s hand. He/she is in a ____________ state of mind. He/she exhibits emotions of ___________ and ____________. The teacher welcomes the child _______________. This first step of the child is a great change in his life. When he/she enters the class, he/she has been compared to a ___________ and the class has been compared to a ___________ (pupa).It is here that the child, with the help and teachings of his teacher, gains ___________ over time and they are now compared to young ___________ who are ready to step into the _____________. IIChoose the correct answer 1What happens every year? Athe children leave the teacher to move on to the next class. Bthe teacher tells the children to go away. Cthe children are not happy with the teacher. Dthe children are sad to leave their mothers at home. 2 The teacher is amazed to see suc h a miracle. By the word miracle she means Ahow the children have grownBchildren leaving her and going away. Chow children grow into confident young children ready to move on to the next class. Dwonders what she has done to the children 3 By the term rustling of their wings she means Ashe can hear the rustling of the butterfly’s wings. Bthe butterflies make too much noise as they fly. Cthe flying of the birds. Dthe voices of children and their movement as they move out. 4 The teacher feels proud and is in a mood of celebration because Ashe is happy that these naughty children are leaving her. Bshe is eagerly waiting for the new batch of children.Cshe is happy that the children have successfully moved on with life. Dshe loves to celebrate. ALLITERATION:It means repetition of the same initial sound in words that appear in close proximity. Some examples: 1Betty bought some butter2Luke Luck likes lakes. But the butter was bitterLuke’s duck likes lakes. So she bought some b etter butterLuke Luck licks lakes. To make the bitter butter better Luck’s duck licks lakes. Duck takes licks in lakes Luke Luck likes. Luke Luck takes licks in lakes duck likes. 3 Mo mi mo me send me a toe, Me me mo mi get me a mole, Mo mi mo me send me a toe,Fe me mo mi get me a mole, Mister kister feet so sweet, Mister kister where will I eat? IIIWrite a paragraph on ‘Experiences of my first year in school’. Ask your mother/father/other family members the following questions to write about your first year in school: 1What was your reaction on your first day to school? Where you scared/happy/reluctant to go? 2Did you want to go to school the next day? 3How many days did it take for you to settle down in class? 4How would you speak of your teacher when you returned home? 5What did your teacher tell your parents about you? What were the areas you needed to work more at? 7What type of a bonding did you share with your teacher? 8What were your feelings when you lef t your teacher after the academic session? 9How long did you take to adjust in the new class? 10For how long did you stay in touch with your first teacher? 11Do you still remember the teacher? METAPHOR: Stating one entity is another for the purpose of comparing them in quality. For e. g. in the poem a child’s first year at school is compared to metamorphosis, the life cycle of a butterfly. Young children have been referred to as caterpillars.Read the statements that contain metaphors. Then tick the option with the correct answers: 1Ramesh was a wall; he saved every goal against his team. This metaphor compares Ramesh to a wall because ________ Ahe was very strong Bhe was very tall Che kept returning the balls Dhis body was made of cells 2We were not left with much food because Manohar had eaten most of it. He is such a hog. Manohar has been compared to a hog because he _____ Alooked like a hog Bate like a hog Csmelled like a hog Dwas as smart as a hog 3The old man had no chan ce to run. The speeding car, a bolt of lightning, hit him hard.The car has been compared to a bolt of lightning because it was _______- Avery fast Bvery bright Cnot fond of fleas Dvery old 4He refused to listen to anybody. He is such a mule. The metaphor compares him to a mule because he was _________ Aalways eating oats Bable to do hard work Craised on a farm Dvery stubborn 5she could leave her little son with anyone and he didn’t trouble them. He is such an angel. The child has been compared to an angel because _____ Ahe is cute Blooks like an angel Che does not trouble anybody at all Dthe mother calls him an angel He has so much energy in him that he can work non-stop for hours. He is really a horse. He has been compared to a horse because ______ Ahe resembles a horse Bhe has the energy and stamina of a horse Che is as big as a horse Dhe loves horses Quiz of Prefixes 1What does the word unhurt mean? Ahurt badly Bhurt Cnot hurt 2If you take away the prefix im from impolite, then the root word is polite. AtrueBfalse 3if you add the prefix un to the word wrap, what is the correct spelling of the new word? AunrapB unnwrap C unwrapD unwrapp 4What do you do if you re-read a book?Aread it again B read it for the first time C don’t read it 5if you take the prefix il away from the word illegal, what is the right word? Allegal B legal Clegall 6If you add the prefix im to the word mature, what is the correct spelling of the new word? Aimature Bimmature C neither of these 7Is the word illogical spelt correctly? Ayes B no 8The prefix re used in the words reopen and reapply means: Anot B again C wrong 9If you misjudge someone, you: Adon’t judge them B judge them wrongly C judge them again 10To not approve of something means that you:Aunapprove B disapprove C disapprove Given below is a list of some statements. How often do the following prove to be true to you? Mark the statements as a) always b) usually c) sometimes d) never †¢I feel very comfo rtable sharing my secrets with my father/mother. †¢My mother is not very educated. I am embarrassed to introduce her to my friends. †¢Given a choice, I’d love to spend time with my parents. †¢I consult my parents whenever I am in a fix. †¢I could give up my favourite activity to take care of my parents. †¢I can discuss my personal problems with my father. I don’t feel embarrassed to express my feeling for my parents. †¢I hate my parents when they do not allow me to have my way. †¢I feel that my parents love my sister/brother more than me. †¢I’d rather celebrate my birthday with my parents than with my friends. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: Enid Blyton was born in London in 1897, the eldest of three children. She began her career as a teacher, but soon turned to journalism, and often wrote about education. She then began to write children’s books. Her first book was a collection of poems for children.In the late 1930s, just before the Second World War, she started publishing Noddy stories for very small children and adventure stories such as The Famous Five and The Secret Seven for older children. Not long after this she began writing her school series, like Malory Towers and The Naughtiest Girl. Enid Blyton’s stories carry a clear message of right and wrong. Generations of children have enjoyed and continue to enjoy her work. She wrote over 600 books during her career of forty years. She died in 1968 at the age of seventy-one. 1Enid Blyton is best known for being a a)teacherb) writerc) journalist Her first book was a collection of a)Noddy storiesb) adventure storiesc) poems 3)Name four series of books written by Enid Blyton. 4)What is the message in Enid Blyton’s books? 5)When was Enid Blyton born and when did she die? 6)Frame sentences with these words from the passage: a)careerb) adventurec) message 7)Right and wrong is a common English phrase. Join pai rs of words from this list with and to make four phrases. Blackgoodherebuttereverywherewhitebadredtherebreadjam 8)Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words in brackets: a)This bag is _____________ than the one we saw in the other shop. expensive) b)May and June are the __________ months of the year. (warm) c)My _________________ storybook character is Harry Potter. (favourite) 9)Circle the correct words: a)Rita has (much/many) friends in Dubai. b)Very (few/less) people attended the meeting yesterday. c)I have finished reading (many/most) of the book. d)Salma does not like sweets and _____________ (rarely/usually) eats them. e)My family __________ (often/seldom) visits the cinema as we are all fond of watching films. f)I take my pet dog for a walk ___________ (every/twice) a day.

Accounting Statement of Purpose

Hello! I am going to apply to Msc Accounting and Finance Management programme. I would be grateful if you could give me feedback. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I studied a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. During the undergraduate degree I took a variety of subjects in taxes, finance, auditing, economics, accounting and business management. Taking a variety of subjects in university allowed me to see where my interests and strengths lie.The subjects that grabbed my attention during the final year in the university were taxation, business management and finance. It was through doing these subjects that I discovered I would like to pursue my career in either of these fields. As part of my desire to have a broad knowledge in business management, I wrote the final-year dissertation focused on this field. Which was titled â€Å"How far proper management lead your business to success†. In July 2007, I was hired by one of the big four accountancy firms, where I develop an employment as tax consultant.Through this job, I have understood the important role played by the accountancy in business. Definitely book-keeping, preparing financial statements, establishing and maintaining accurate financial records provide a general overview of how business is doing. In my experience I have realized that accountants specialized in taxation besides technical-legal knowledge, they must have wide knowledge of accounting and its procedures as well as theory to properly evaluate financial information.With this knowledge the consultants must be able to ensure if records are accurate according with government regulations, identify companies' opportunities and provide advice on improving efficiency. The reasons mentioned above besides my long-term goal to pursue a career as a controller encourage me to seek for a professional accounting and finance management program, which allow me to obtain the abilit y to effectively analyze accounting records, interpret financial statements as well as acquired a wide overview regarding management functions within an organization.Selecting a graduate school is not an easy task; there are certain aspects to look at while considering a school. After comparing some accounting and finance programs provide by Dublin universities. I found the MSC at Griffith College like the one that meet my academic and professional goals. Other reasons to choose this colleges are: its prestige, it is recognized as one of the top private universities in Dublin, program' structure which fully meets my academic and professional objectives, the subjects that caught my attention are: international financial management.I am certain that the MSC in accounting and finance management provided by Griffith College will provide a lot of advantages besides helping me to achieve my academic and professional objectives, such as: improve foreign language skills, opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds, exposure to new learning environments, cultures, obtain an international perspective and by this way understand other points of view, enhance future job prospects. I am certain that the wide knowledge that the Msc in accounting and finance management provides, will give me with the necessary tools to succeed in my career.

Kompyuter Adiksyon

E. Competition In the Tagaytay City we have several competitors in the terms of Shawarma product and there are also a lot of food charts that place in the different area of Tagaytay City because it is the tourist spot in the Philippines. The main targets of this food chart are the lower middle to upper middle class and some are tourist international and local. Our indirect competitors are Mr. Mappy pizza, Potato Chips, Siomai, Angel’s Burger and etc. Our direct competitors in the area Turks (Olivarez) and Alibaba Shawarma (magallenes branch and robinson tagaytay). Market Shares:Turk’s Shawarma (Olivarez Plaza) is the number one in market shares because of its place and the volume of people go in Olivarez Plaza while Alibaba Shawarma (Robinson Tagaytay Branch) is the number two on the spot because of its place but theres a lot of competitors in the place like restaurant and fast food chains and Alibaba Shawarma (magallenes square Branch) it is the last spots because in t he that place only workers of different establishment are the customer because that place have different restaurant and food chains to choose from like Leslies, Max restaurant, Yellow Cab and many more.Resources: Since, this establishment is food stall type and there is a Franchisee and Franchisor. The resources of the business are comes from the Franchisor all the thing that will be needed in the business comes from franchisor. Product and Market Focus The product is shawarma product it is meat preparation, where  lamb,  chicken,  turkey,  beef,  veal, or mixed meats are placed on a  spit  (commonly a vertical spit in  restaurants), and may be grilled for as long as a day. Shavings are cut off the block of meat for serving, and the remainder of the block of meat is kept heated on the rotating spit.There market focuses to sell the product on their target market they only focus on selling the product they not create new idea about the product. Goals They goal is to se ll a delicious shawarma to their customer and serve the best shawarma on the place. Strategies This food stall only focuses in selling the product to their customer they not focus on how their establishment continues to operate. Their also dependent on their franchisor all planning and strategies comes from their franchisor. Strengths and WeaknessesAll establishments has a nice place but the product they offer is only limited in terms of sizes and different variety of flavor. Key Barriers to Entry There no vacant place to rent There are so many stalls in the place There are no yet crews for the business There is no yet a stall for the business Our product is unique from the other shawarma product because our product is a kind of street food that is of the same concept as Shawarma which is thinly sliced meat mixed with chopped vegetables and is rolled into a large piece of steamed bread. The difference from our product and the traditional shawarma is that we modified the fillings.We will not fill the bread with the usual meat and vegetables. Instead, we will add new flavors to the traditional shawarma. Examples are Spaghetti, Pizza and California maki flavored shawarma. We will address our product as shawarma because the idea of filipino consumers of shawarma is filled flatbread which is applied in our new product. This new product will be named â€Å"Shawarmalaya†. Shawarmalaya came from the words â€Å"Shawarma† and â€Å"Malaya. Shawarma because the concept of this food is derived from the traditional shawarma and Malaya because customers can freely choose from the new flavors of shawarma.The idea of this product is mostly derived from the traditional shawarma so the preparation of this product will be quite the same. The facilities to be used will also be the same except for the vertical grill used in cooking the traditional shawarma meat. We will also be needing an oven and steamers for the baking and steaming of the bread. Usual kitchen ute nsils will also be used for cooking and preparing the fillings. The processes and technology to be used in the preparation of this product will not be as high-tech as used in making the traditional shawarma.Since we are short on facility and capital, we have decided to use alternatives to make the product. The use of old processes of making food will also mean less cost and expenses which will be good for the group/company. The usual shawarma meat is cooked in a vertical grill, in our case; we will just grill meat in an old fashioned way which will make the meat tastier and cost less. On the other hand, the preparation of the bread will be the same as the traditional shawarma which is baked and steamed then rolled with the fillings.This idea is innovative in a way. We managed to add a twist and modify an already existing product. We didn’t change the form of the product but its approach. We are trying to make a new perception of shawarma on the minds of the consumers. We also want the consumers to enjoy the food they like in a new more flavorful way. Our product is difficult to copy because we have secret ingredient to put up to the product and we have the best suppliers that will supply best ingredients that will be needed.Our competitors will be surprise because we have different approach to our customer because they have the free will to choose what the flavor will be put to their shawarmalaya. Our competitors will be surprise because we have different variety to choose from we have different flavors that is new to the eyes and taste of the consumer. When we launch our product we will do first 100 customers is free to taste our product and first one week of our product is by one take one. In takes a lot of time to copy our product because it is unique and it has different ingredients to find.

Forest Conservation Essay

INTRODUCTION The June 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), underlined the necessity for all countries to develop harmonised approaches in the management, conservation and sustainable development of global forests is essential to meet the socio-economic and environmental needs of the present and future generations. To achieve this goal, the UNCED also realised, among others, the need to sustain the multiple roles and functions of all types of forests, as well as the need to enhance forest conservation, management, and global forest cover as outlined in Programmes A and B of Chapter 11 under Agenda 21, respectively. In addition, the need to ensure the conservation and sustainable utilisation of biological diversity is also emphasised under Chapter 15 of Agenda 21. While all these are now being recognised, the priority is to operationalise and implement the UNCED programmes, bearing in mind that the full implementation of the adopted Statement of Forest Principles and the various forestry programme areas under Agenda 21 is feasible only on the basis of international efforts towards attaining concrete goals. Hence, this paper is intended to provide a basis for discussion on the implementation of specific aspects of these programmes, particularly that on forest conservation, enhancement of forest cover and the roles of forests, as well as to suggest possible areas of collaboration for national and international actions. 2. FOREST CONSERVATION Forests are influenced by climate, landform and soil composition and they exist in a wide variety of forms in the tropical, temperate and boreal zones of the world. Each forest type, evergreen and deciduous, coniferous and broadleaved, wet and dry, as well as closed and open canopy forests, has its own uniqueness and together these forests complement one another and perform the various socio-economic, ecological, environmental, cultural and spiritual functions. Recent surveys on a global basis suggest that there are about 1.4 million documented species, and the general consensus is that this is an underestimate – perhaps 5 – 50 million species exist in the natural ecosystems of forests, savannas, pastures and rangelands, deserts, tundra, lakes and seas. Farmers’ fields and gardens are also importance repositories of biological resources. In this context, it has been acknowledged that forests are rich in biological resources. Though covering only 13.4 per cent of the Earth’s land surface, these forests contain half of all vertebrates, 60 per cent of all known plant species, and possibly 90 per cent of the world’s total species. However, recent studies have shown that temperate and boreal forests with their extremely varied ecosystems, especially those in climatic and geographical areas where old-growth forests still occur, may be even more diverse than tropical forests in terms of variation within some species. Eventhough temperate and boreal forests generally have far fewer tree species than tropical forests, often having a tenth or less in total, certain temperate and boreal forests are now thought to be as diverse, or even more diverse, than their tropical counterparts. For example, old-growth forests in Oregon, U.S.A. are found to have arthropods in leaf litter approaching 250 different species per square meter; with 90 genera being found in the H.J. Andrews Memorial Forest research area alone (Lattin, 1990). It has been suggested that a network of 500 protected and managed areas, with an average size of 200,000 hectares, covering 10 per cent of the remaining old-growth/primary forests be the minimum acceptable target (Anon, 1991 & IUCN/UNEP/WWF, 1991). To enhance this networking and to optimise the global representativeness of these biogeographic areas for the conservation of biological diversity, a list of these areas based on mutually agreed terms by national governments should be formulated. It should also include the identification of these biogeographic areas and the development of joint mechanisms, as well as the quantification of the costs involved and the identification of sources of fund needed to manage and conserve these areas. Joint mechanisms for possible international cooperation to establish transboundary biogeographic areas should also be implemented. However, it has been recognized that totally protected areas can never be sufficiently extensive to provide for the conservation of all ecological processes and for all species. Nonetheless, there is a need to establish a minimum acceptable national target to be designated as forest conservation areas in each country. This effort could be further enhanced by establishing buffer zones of natural forests around the protected area where an inner buffer zone is devoted to basic and applied research, environmental monitoring, traditional land use, recreation and tourism or environmental education and training; and an outer buffer zone where research is applied to meet the needs of the local communities. Such management practices are in consonance with Principle 8(e) of the Forest Principles. Besides the need to set aside conservation areas, it is now being increasingly realised that sustainable production of wood, through environmentally sound selective harvesting practices is one of the most effective ways in ensuring in-situ conservation of the biological diversity of forest ecosystems. Such selectively harvested and managed forests will retain most of the diversity of the old-growth/primary forests both in terms of numbers and population of species. The economic value of the wood and the environmental benefits produced would fully justify investments made in maintaining the forest cover as exemplified in such practices in ensuring its sustainability. The implementation of environmentally sound selective harvesting practices would go a long way in promoting in-situ conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable utilisation of the forest resources. In this regard, the establishment of tree plantations would alleviate the pressure on over-harvesting the natural forests in view of the increasing demand of wood from the forests. The sustainable production of forest goods and services and the conservation of biological diversity in forest ecosystems, as well as the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of the genetic resources would require concrete actions at both the national and international levels. In this context, it is imperative that national policy and strategies, among others, should set target on the optimum forest area for forest conservation and for the sustainable production of goods and services, as well as outline relevant measures to enhance both ex-situ and in-situ forest conservation during forest harvesting. In some cases, long term measures may include the rehabilitation and re-creation of old-growth/primary forests. In this connection, it is imperative that countries having a high proportion of their land areas under forest cover, especially the developing countries, have access to new and additional financial resources and the â€Å"transfer of environmentally sound technologies and corresponding know-how on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms†, as reflected in Principles 10 and 11 respectively, of the Forest Principles; in order to ensure the sustainable management, conservation and development of their forest resources. Moreover, â€Å"trade in forest products should be based on non-discriminatory and multilaterally agreed rules and procedures consistent with international trade law and practices† and â€Å"unilateral measures,incompatible with international obligations or agreements, to restrict and/or ban international trade in timber or other forest products should be removed or avoided† as called for in Principles 13 (a) and 14 respectively, of the Forest Principles should be respected by the international community, in order to attain long-term sustainable forest conservation and management. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST COVER Enhancement of forest cover is to be viewed as a proactive measure taken to arrest and reverse the current trend of forest decline and degradation. In this context, the world’s forests have been under threat and are declining. It is estimated that forests covered four-fifths of the existing area at the beginning of the Eighteenth century. Of this total, approximately half were in tropical regions and half in temperate and boreal regions. However, these forests are declining as a result of deforestation. By the mid-Nineteenth century, it was estimated that global forest cover had decreased to 3,900 million hectares or 30 per cent of the world’s land area. The latest figure by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations as reflected in the Forest Resources Assessment 1990 had estimated that global forest cover as at the end of 1990 had further decreased to 3,188 million hectares or about 24.4 per cent of the world’s land area. Processes of reduction and degradation of forest cover have led to an average annual loss of 0.6 per cent. Although the annual loss of temperate and boreal forests is said to be negligible in recent time, historically, large- scale deforestration had taken place in Europe during the Industrial Revolution to cater for the needs of agricultural expansion, building materials and industrial development (Hinde, 1985). In fact, it is estimated that almost 200 million hectares or more than 50 per cent of the original forest cover had been lost (UN, 1991). On the other hand, deforestation in the developing world is a rather recent phenomenon due to poverty, indebtedness and the increasing need for food, shelter and energy to cater for the growing population. In this regard, the four main causes of deforestation in developing countries are shifting cultivation, conversion to agriculture and pasture, wood removals for fuelwood and inappropriate timber utilisation, and the need for infrastructural development. For example, 39.5 per cent of the 1.54 million hectares of closed forest deforested between 1981 and 1990 in Africa was due to agriculture fallow and shifting cultivation, 35.1 per cent due to conversion to mainly permanent agriculture, and the balance 25.4 per cent due to over-exploitation and over-grazing (FAO, 1993a). However, as a result of improved socio-economic development in Africa, the rate of deforestation due to agriculture fallow and shifting cultivation had in fact decreased by 27.2 per cent when compared to 66.7 per cent which was recorded during the period 1976- 1980 (UN, 1991). Besides the loss of forest cover through deforestation, there has been a general degradation in the quality and health of global forests due to acid rain and other atmospheric pollutants, especially in developed countries, as well as through forest fires, unsustainable use as a result of inappropriate logging and fuelwood exploitation. The depletion of global forests and their degradation are causes for concern as they involve not only the loss of forest areas, but also the ultimate quality of the forests. If this trend is unchecked, the implications on the world would be catastrophic. Not only would the existence of all forest types be threatened, but the capability of these forests to perform their various roles and functions in perpetuity would also be seriously undermined. Hence, the need to address the decline in global forest areas and its degradation through enhancing forest cover is immediate. In this context, is the current global forest cover of 24.4 per cent sufficient? If not, what level of forest cover should we aim for in order to ensure that forest resources and forest lands are sustainably managed to meet the needs of the present and future generations? At the Ministerial Conference on Atmospheric Pollution and Climate Change held in the Netherlands in November, 1989, the Noordwijk Declaration on Climate Change advocated a world net forest growth of 12 million hectares per year by the turn of the century while a global forest cover of 30 per cent by the year 2000 was proposed at the second Ministerial Conference of Developing Countries on Environment and Development held in Malaysia in April, 1992. There is every indication that the existing global forest cover should be enhanced through greening of the world. In this connection, restoration of all deforested lands in the industrialised world to close to the original levels of forest coverage is improbable, but this does not mean significant reforestation and afforestation are impossible. All countries which aim for a sound environmental future should set themselves a target of a minimum level of forest cover to be maintained in perpetuity. Countries having more than 30 per cent of their land areas under forest cover after taking into account their socio-economic development needs, particularly the developing countries, should be given incentives to improve the quality of their forests, as well as assistance given to reduce their dependence on wood especially as fuel. On the other hand, countries having less than 30 per cent of their land areas under forest cover, but have the means must increase and enhance their forest cover through rehabilitation and afforestation, which may include, in some cases, the conversion of heavily subsidised farms back to forests. As for those countries which are rich but are constrained by physical and climatic conditions to grow trees because of their geographic locations, they could play their roles by assisting the poorer countries in increasing and enhancing their forest cover. As the future of forests are not only dependent on their quantity, but their quality as well, it is pertinent that all forests, especially those temperate and boreal forests of the developed countries should be protected against air-borne pollutants, particularly that of acid deposition, which are harmful to the health of the forest ecosystems. Appropriate measures should also be taken to protect forests from fire. 4. ROLES OF FORESTS A well-managed forest is a constantly self-renewing resource and provides a wide range of benefits at local, national and global levels. Some of these benefits depend on the forest being left untouched or subject to minimal interference while others can only be realised by harvesting the forest. Among the most important roles of forests are sustainable production of wood and timber products, provision of food, shelter and energy, mitigation of climate change, conservation of water and soil, as well as for recreation and ecotourism. Forests are also important repositories of biological diversity. In this regard, wood is of major economic importance as in 1990 the world’s production of industrial timber was about 1,600 million cubic metres, of which about 75 per cent came from the developed countries, while international trade in wood and wood products, as well as paper and pulp is estimated to worth US$96,000 million a year, of which about US$12,500 million comes from developing country exports (FAO, 1993b). Besides, currently fuelwood comprises about 85 per cent of the wood consumed in the developing countries and accounts for more than 75 per cent of total energy consumption in the poorest countries and that over 2,000 million people use fuelwood as the primary source of fuel (UN, 1991). In recent years, attention has also been focused on the importance of non-wood forest products which include plants for food and medicinal purposes, fibres, dyes, animal fodder and other necessities. Indonesia, for example, earns an estimated US$120 million a year from rattans, resins, sandalwood, honey, natural silk and pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds (FAO 1990), while the local production of bidi cigarette from the tendu leaf (Diospyros melanoxylon) in India provides part-time employment for up to half a million women (FAO, 1993b). In this connection, it has been estimated that more than 200 million people in the tropics live in the forests (FAO, 1993b) and in some parts of Africa as much as 70 per cent of animal protein comes from forest games such as birds and rodents (FAO, 1990). The economic value of forests in relation to floods and soil conservation is that they may allow for agricultural and even industrial development on floodplains because they contribute to the mitigation of the effects of floods and in minimizing soil erosion especially in mountainous and hilly areas. In fact a well- managed forest would provide a number of goods and services to meet basic human needs as outlined in Annex I. 5. RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Forest Conservation (a) To strengthen efforts in forest conservation and the sustainable management of forest resources, it is imperative to ensure the participation of local community and that all national policy and strategies must indicate the forest area set aside for forest conservation and in the sustainable production of forest goods and services. In this context, developing countries must have access to new and additional financial resources and the transfer of environmentally sound technologies. (b) To further ensure sustainable forest conservation and sustainable forest management, the prices of timber and timber products at the market place must fully reflect both their replacement and environmental costs, and that trade in forest products should be non-discriminatory and any unilateral measures to restrict and/or ban their trade should be removed or avoided. Moreover, expenses needed for sustainable forest management, including reforestation and afforestation must be included into the cost of all kinds of production obtained from the forest resources. (c) A global network of well-managed and adequately funded protected areas be established. In this regard, a list of biogeographic areas that is mutually agreed by national governments should be prepared to ensure global representativeness of forest conservation areas. (d) In order to ensure the sharing on mutually agreed terms of benefits and profits, including biotech- nology products derived from the utilisation of biological diversity, efficient and cost-effective methodologies should be developed to assess the biological resources of forests at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, including the development of techniques to ascribe economic values to these resources. (e) In the light of the agreement at UNCED and in accordance with the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity, existing forest harvesting practices should be critically reviewed to ensure effective in-situconservation of biological diversity during forest utilisation. Countries should also endeavour to identify forest ecosystems or even landscapes that are threatened with irreversible changes, as well as their causes so as to enable prompt actions to be taken to arrest them. 5.2 Enhancement of Forest Cover (a) Maintaining and enhancing forest cover, reforestation or afforestation will incur costs, either from opportunities foregone for alternative uses, or from benefits lost from existing land uses. Policy responses must take this into account. The legitimate rights of countries over their natural resources must be upheld. An equitable framework must be found to provide adequate compensation to those countries who undertake action to sustainably manage their forests in the wider interests of global environmental enhancement. (b) All countries should work towards increasing their level of forest cover to be achieved over a speci- fied time-frame and actions be taken to prepare and implement national forestry action programmes and/or plans for the management, conservation and sustainable development of forests as called for in para 11.12(b) of Chapter 11 under Agenda 21. Countries having less than 30 per cent of their land areas under forest cover, but have the means must undertake concerted efforts to increase their forest cover while rich countries which are constrained by physical and climatic factors to increase their forest cover could assist the poorer nations in increasing and enhancing their forest cover. Countries having more than 30 per cent of their land areas under forest cover after taking into account their socio-economic development needs should be recognised and appropriate incentives should be given to encourage them to improve the quality of their forests. 5.3 Roles of Forests (a) To effectively enhance the roles of forests in meeting basic human needs, it is extremely important that the underlying causes of deforestation such as poverty, population pressures, the need for food, shelter and fuel, as well as indebtedness, particularly in the developing countries, must be critically addressed. A consultative and participatory approach should be adopted involving all stakeholders. (b) For the development of management measures to be effective, full knowledge on the distribution and values of non-wood forest resources should be made available at the level compatible to those currently available for the wood resources. (c) At the landscape level, each territory should set a minimum area of forest land to safeguard the climate-and-water characteristics of the forest and that the integrity of the forest ecosystem is protected. (d) Public awareness of the roles of forests should be strengthened at the level of social and professional groups, as well as at the family level so as to ensure that the important ecological and environmental functions of forests are further enhanced for both the present and future generations. 6. CONCLUSION The above recommendations are some of the possible options that could be considered for the effective implementation of specific UNCED programmes, particularly that on forest conservation, enhancement of forest cover and roles of forsts in meeting basic human needs. Concrete actions both at the national and international levels are imperative for their effective implementation.