Coming Home

They say that there’s no place like home, and I would say nothing much comes close. People here, there and everywhere dream of a place, abroad or locally to go to. But for people like me who grew up at the province and are now studying in a different place, we reminisce the times we were with the people who we grew up with. Yes, the place I would like to visit is my hometown of GeneralSantosCity. The place that I will forever cherish in my memories In the days coming before the semestral break, a friend asked me, â€Å"Are you going to go back to Gensan? † and I said â€Å"yeah†. Then she asked me why, at first I didn’t really know what to say. I just had this overwhelming feeling all semester that â€Å"I need to go back†. To go back to the place I spent sixteen years of my life, the place that molded my being, that taught me so much and gave me so much to bring with me here in Cavite. My quick answer of course was â€Å"because it was where I grew up†, at the time I felt it was sufficient but, as I thought about it more, I realized it was a pretty shallow answer. I mean, who doesn’t want to go back home? But then again what is a home? For some it doesn’t even exist, and for some they say it’s just a memory. Some say it is the place where you grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to come back. Still others say it is where we belong, it is not a physical structure but rather for me it is a sense of well being. You just feel right, when you’re there, I don’t know, I don’t have the wisdom to elaborate further, but I’m sure there’s a place where you’ve felt it too. For me, its just different there, I feel so calm, so relaxed, so at ease, so at home, it’s the place I feel I can let my guard down. Well its not that I didn’t have problems while I was in Gensan. Believe me, there were things that I regretted doing there up until now. Ang rami ko ngang kapalpakan noon† as I say in our native language. But after dealing with my new environment here, nostalgia is a welcome visitor. As the lyrics of a song says:†I'm coming home, I'm coming home,Tell the? world I'm coming home, Let the rain wash away, all the pain of yesterda y,I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes,I'm coming home,I'm coming home,Tell the world I'm coming†¦ â€Å". Because you see as time passes by you will come to laugh at the most bitter of memories, even the most hurtful, because I believe there will come a time when all we will have is our dear lives and our failing memories.

A reflective writing of the module within the academic year

Within the academic year 201 2/13, I took on a module named Context of Business. It alms to develop and understand companies' traditional and contemporary management and structural approaches (Chokshl, 2012). Within the academic year we were tested on our understanding of what was taught. This report Is a reflective writing of the year. This will be done by looking critically at the two assignments given to us. First assignment was to give a report of an organisational structure and draw up its chart. The second was to perform a group presentation of two companies of different sizes on various factors.This report will look in to the process, the challenges and outcome of each assignment. Assignment one: Presented at Week 6 The class was given an assignment to conduct a research of the structure of a business of our choice. We were to present our findings by researching the structure ofa business and draw up its organisational chart within six weeks. 2. 1 Outline First of all, I had t o look for a business of my choice. This Involved in looking Into businesses In my local vicinity or further afar. I finally settled on Syngenta, An International agricultural business Into crop productlvlty and protection of environment (Syngenta, 2013).I then had to start researching Into the business to find out what sort of organisational structure it had. For Syngenta it had a matrix style structure, a structure where highly skilled individual form teams for projects (Stanford, 2007). I also had to look into its span of control. Syngenta had a flat structure of operation, a structure where there are few layers of authority and delegation is used to carry out task effectively (The times 100, 2013). From this I was to prepare an organisational chart, a chart which shows the way the chain of command works in an organisation (The times 100, 2013).For this I was to take into onsideration of the matrix style and its flat structure of operation to draw up Its organisational chart. 2. 2 Challenges There were some challenges I faced while conducting this research. One maln challenge was the declslon of which company to choose. There was no restrlctlon on what company one could choose and I had to find one for which I would be able to find all relevant information. Another problem faced was distinguishing between the company's organisational structure and its span of control. had to go back to the lecture notes and other readings to find out their differences.As it was an individual ork I had no second opinion on matters and had to be careful that my decisions made were right. The assignment turned out to be more challenging than what I thought. This was due to the depth of research that was needed to acquire specific relevant information and the ability to back them up with substantial evidence. Over a period of time, looking back I can evaluate my performance as being done In a haste. This Is due to the fact that, not fully understanding the scope of the assignme nt given at the start of the work. This went against my time given hence I had to quickly do the work In order to beat the clock.Fortunately I was able to receive informal feedback from our tutor on our drafts. This helped recognise my mistakes was to give the audience a clear distinction between the organisational structure and the span of control of the company. I was warned on the penalty of improper referencing and plagiarism of content used. From what was given in the feedback for the draft I was able to develop on transferable skills such as proper referencing. In the end I was also able to learn new skills such as time management, the ability to plan and prioritise ones workload (The University of Manchester, 2012). 2. 3Outcome Learning from this assignment, given the opportunity to another work of this type, I will dedicate more time to each aspect of the work. Key lessons that I have identified for this work, is the ability to properly prepare and conduct intensive research . Through practice I will be able to develop these abilities. Looking at the skills learnt, most if not all are invaluable and beneficial transferable skills. These are competencies that could be carried from an activity to another (Graduate prospects ltd, 2013). What might be able to hold me back will be the technicality needed in the referencing.Referencing is the process of acknowledging sources consulted in pieces of work (London metropolitan university, 2013). For this I can refer to the materials available on the university library services. Assignment two: Presented on Week 22 For our second assessment, we were given a group work to conduct. We were to form groups of 4 or 5 members and give a presentation to the class on the topic of comparing two companies of different sizes. We were to compare and contrast their legal and ethical issues. 3. 1 Outline The first thing I had to do was to form a group. We then had to decide on which companies to choose.For the sake of comparing them we decided on companies that are within the same industry. Kelloggs, which manufactures and markets ready-to- eat cereals and convenience foods (Bureau van DiJk, 2013) and Eat ltd, a I-JK fresh food retail company (Bureau van DiJk, 2013). Then from the chosen companies we were to compare them on certain criteria. Them being, their vision, a description of what a business wants to be in future. Their mission statement, a more current description of a company's basic goals, philosophies and purpose (Chokshi, 2012). Also the size of the companies based on our own elements.Factors with affected heir mission statements and their legal and ethical issues. We then had to research on each company for information. After which we organised our data and created a draft. After the draft we designed our presentation for practising as a group. On the day of the presentation we made sure we arrived before time. We tested out our equipment and software on the screen and had a dry run so as to know how the actual event will feel like. We then presented our work when our turn approached and stayed within the time limit and allowed questions to be asked at the end. . 2 Challenges I personally encountered some challenges with this project. It proved quite difficult to form a group. We were not automatically placed into groups and the class was being selective with their choices. I was left with a two classmates without a group and a fourth was added under our tutor recommendation. I also had a challenge in my presentation skills. Presentation according to Oxford Dictionaries (2013) is a speech or talk where ideas or pieces of work are shown and explained to an audience. I when delivering. I moved about too much and spoke too fast.But through practise and the help of the group I was able to develop on my presentation skills. I realised hat I did not only personally face some problems but also the group as a whole faced some difficulties. One of such was our communication ski lls, the ability to clearly and confidently express one view to an audience (University of Kent Careers and Employability Service, no date). As we were mostly new to each other, communication between us proved difficult. Noticing this, I decided we take some time for us to know each other informally such as having chit-chats before meetings.Boocher (1999) suggested that small talk is a simple tool that helps build rapport and trust with co-workers which in turn helps build communication between them. It helped build a bond between us and in effect our communication increased. Other obstacles observed were our manner of conducting our research. Due to each having different courses, our times did not align and we could not meet to discuss the work as a group as frequently as desired. We then went about this using phones and emails and dividing the work and organising our finding when we do meet.We also had the challenge of getting our presentation right. We had to make sure it did not sound robotic and was interactive with the audience without losing the content of the presentation. Looking back and evaluating my performance; I would say we had a good performance. Even though we had many challenges and obstacles it was the fact that we were able to overcome them that determined our performance. We received some informal feedback form our tutor at the end our presentation which was helpful as she said that it was well executed and needed few minor adjustments.Also after the marking we received a formal feedback both as a group and individually. As a group we were told that our time allocation for each aspect was good but areas of more importance needed more time than others. As an individually, I was told my communication with my team and audience was good but I needed to speak more clearly and assertively. 3. 3 Outcome In order for me to improve, the next time I will do some aspects differently, such as having frequent group meetings to prevent work being done i n a hurry.Some key features that I have identified were my leadership skills. This is being able to motivate others and inspire them to take your lead (Graduate prospects ltd, 2013). Though it was a group work, I was able to personally oversee some aspects of the project which helped me develop such abilities. I was also able to develop my communication skills. Even as strangers to one another we were able to communicate efficiently between ourselves by the end of the project. By abiding to the 10 minutes limit we were able to develop our time management skills.In future, if I was to encounter other group works, the prospect of working with strangers might hold me back. In some cases this might be inevitable but it is the ability to adapt to this and establish a relationship that will help in the execution of the work. All in all, being given this assignment has had its difficulties and obstacles to overcome but it has lso developed my skills and taught me new ones. All which are cr itical skills needed in most career paths in this modern day.

Lawford Electric Company Essay

Critical Summary This sale was Lawford’s to lose. Lawford Electric Company’s ongoing, 8-year relationship with Bayfield Milling Company, coupled with the geographic proximity of the two businesses, gave them a competitive advantage upon which they were unable to capitalize. The price tag of the drive system for which Lawford prepared a competitive bid represented more than 17 years of Bayfield’s average annual purchases from Lawford. ¹ Sales engineer Robert Allen’s approach was simplistic and his notes suggest an assumption that the $871,000 sale would be a slam dunk, largely due to the factors mentioned in the opening paragraph. Each of the three sentences which comprise Allen’s strategy reveals a flawed perception of his role. His strategy was centered only on key decision makers and his priorities were 1) emphasizing benefits and 2) â€Å"influencing the final specs† (pg. 3), rather than utilizing an inquisitive, collaborative approach to gain a genuine understanding of customer needs. Allen bombarded his contacts at Bayfield with specs, benefits, and pamphlets and regarded as trivial several potentially significant interactions. He made unfounded assumptions and, as a result of his focus on influencing the process, missed opportunities to explore and adequately address customer concerns. ² In addition, the number and frequency of calls and visits made by Allen to Bayfield seem relatively low considering the size of the contract. Lawford Electric did not win this contract because they lacked sufficient information to provide an ideal solution. Problem Statement Lawford Electric must ensure that its sales force has the training and support necessary to close sales using an approach whereby customer needs are fully explored. Suggested Alternatives Sustain Quandary Adoption of this strategy is to maintain the status quo at Lawford Electric. Elevate, Collaborate, and Evaluate Adoption of this strategy would see Lawford Electric â€Å"sharpen the saw†, i.e. provide training which would elevate the sales skills of its managers and sales force. Management and sales personnel would periodically analyze journal entries and perform collaborative, qualitative assessment of salespersons’ strategies, tactics, and results. Operation ‘86’ Adoption of this strategy would have Lawford Electric relieve Robert Allen and/or Fred Webster of their employment for letting this sale slip through their fingers. Choice Elevate, Collaborate, and Evaluate This is the best option because it is most likely to improve Lawford’s sales process, improve customer relationships, and increase sales. Benefits of this approach include the sharing of knowledge gained from collaborative analysis and the lessening of likelihood that costly missteps will be repeated. Implementation 1. Research and schedule sales training for staff. Estimated Time of Completion (ETC) 2 weeks 2. Schedule monthly meetings with each salesperson to discuss activity, providing for higher frequency of meetings for high-ticket bids or otherwise abnormal situations. ETC 2 days 3. A. Select sample of past cases from sales team. ETC After sales training B. Dissect and analyze 1 sample case ETC 1 week C. Disseminate findings to all employees of Lawford Electric. ETC 3 days D. Repeat with another case Conclusion Lawford Electric’s customer relationships and long-term revenue had likely been suffering as a direct result of the approach used in this case. Going forward, a focus on understanding customer needs will be integral to their success. APPENDIX 1. Bayfield’s â€Å"annual purchases from Lawford occasionally totaled as much as $50,000†. Proposed price of system: $871,000. 871,000/50,000 = 17.42 2. Examples include: 1.13.78 – Allen assumed that Gibson’s â€Å"pretty hard-nosed† comment pertained to cost. It is noted on 11.13.78 that Lorenz, â€Å"it turned out, was a stickler for attention to small details.† 3.14.78 –Upon learning of the Bayfield engineers’ downtime, Allen may have used this as a chance to gain access to them. The original reason given for their unavailability, on 1.13.78, was that they were busy working on problems with the new line. 5.30.78 – â€Å"Good-naturedly† dismissed an issue brought to his attention by the foreman regarding instability of a Lawford regulator. This represents a lost opportunity to create goodwill by discussing and working to address the issue. 7.17.78 – The last two sentences of this entry are potentially dangerous. Here, Allen made . 9.20.78 – He notes that Lorenz â€Å"asked very few additional questions† and â€Å"seemed sold on the Lawford benefits.† A lack of questions often indicates a lack of interest. The lack of questions is especially curious in this case, where the myriad technical details would seem to generate several questions and/or topics of discussion. 11.13.78 – Allen finds out that Lorenz is â€Å"a stickler for attention to small details,† which contradicts his earlier assumption that cost was paramount.

Work at Home and computers Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Work at Home and computers - Research Paper Example As a result of the development of computer and internet technologies, it is possible for an India or Pakistani to work for an American company while staying at his home in India or Pakistan. Work At Home is a new term evolved in the professional world only because of the development of computers and internet technologies. This paper analyses the influence of computers on work at home jobs. The contributions of computers and internet are affecting human life both directly and indirectly. Many people believe that computers provide the answer to the heavy traffic problems on roads. It is a fact that most of the major roads in cities are not wide enough to avoid traffic problems, especially during morning and evening time when most of the professional are either going or leaving their offices. If the working professionals are able to work for their organization while staying at their home, traffic problems and pollution problems can be controlled up to certain extent. Thus work at home jobs can indirectly contribute to the big social problems like heavy traffic and environmental pollution. The concept of works at home has developed or evolved only because of the arrival of computers or internet. Without computers or internet, it is difficult for a professional to work from his home. Work at home jobs provides immense freedom or flexibility to the individuals in their profession. The homely environment will help professionals to work without any threats from the supervisors. While working in an office, a professional should always worry about the supervision of the superiors; however while working at home no such worries will haunt the professional. Many of the current working professionals complain that they are unable to achieve work-life balancing because of the heavy workloads. Work at home jobs can help the professionals to be with the family always and the complaints about the work-life imbalances could be

Application of Criminological Theory Case Study

Application of Criminological Theory - Case Study Example On my part, I would have opted to expel Robert immediately. However, my background in criminology prevents me from doing so. Theories of criminology are like lenses of different shades, sizes, and colors. They allow professionals and practitioners to look at an issue with a wider perspective. This is what I am obliged to do. I will consult the different applicable theories, compare and contrast their approaches, and finally I will state my decision in this hypothetical situation. In many ways, some of these theories contradict each other. Sometimes, they complement each other. Nevertheless, these should be thoroughly studied so that growth in knowledge can be attained. And, it is true: criminology can really be applied to many situations; it is not just a course for would be police officers or Crime Scene Investigation people. Strain is the pressure on disadvantaged minority groups and the lower urban populous to take advantage of any effective available means to income and success that they can find even if these means are illegal (Akers, 2000, in Collins, n.d.). With this theory, perhaps, Robert's disadvantaged origins game him a social stigma. Perhaps, I should look whether this student he beat up had previous mischief done to Robert, Robert just kept quiet, and he retaliated because he does not trust his teachers. But this is insufficient in itself. After all, this is just a hypothesis, and I must verify this later. Classical School of Criminology The classical school simply states that criminal behavior arises from the animal side of us. Humans are rational, but they usually act with their self-interest in mind. Consequently, if people are informed of the consequences of certain actions, they will avoid doing it. Thus, the concept of deterrence arises from the Classical School. Deterrence means a crime can be avoided by making sure that people are aware that punishment for a certain crime is so severe that doing it is not really worth it. (The Classical School, 1998). Perhaps, Robert is not really aware of the consequences of such anti-social behavior. If so, I will consider emphasizing to the students the consequences of such behavior. My would-be initial reaction would not be a far-fetched choice after-all. If this theory were to be followed, the school must punish Robert so severely so that no other student, privileged or not, will ever consider doing such behavior in the future. Also, in such event, I will review whether the disciplinary system is outdated and ineffective. I will form a committee to draft a new set of disciplinary rules, if such conclusions are also reached in an investigation. William Sheldon: Body Shapes Simply put, certain features of the body are determinants of criminal behavior. In particular, criminals usually have big, athletic, or overweight bodies. However, this theory is put in doubt. Some theories say that instead of Sheldon's somatype, it should be body mass index. (Maddan, S., Walker, J., and Miller, J., 2008) But this theory is not applicable since Robert is not really that huge or overweight or athletic. He is just an average guy, if you do not know

E-Recruitment Overview Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

E-Recruitment Overview - Assignment Example It is seen that the Microsoft website is user friendly and has easy navigation. The website portrays the image that the company prefers to work with the jobseekers and only with the capabilities of their employees they have reached this position. Therefore they welcome competent people in their company. Though the Adidas website has a simple front page, yet it is very interactive. For those people who have fast connections, they can see a documentary in which a lady tells about all their expertise, lines of products, and consumer behaviours. For slower connections, there are certain pages that update the applicant about these facilities. Since it does not have an easy navigation, so the site cannot be considered user friendly. It has a moderate impact on the consumers; though people can have maximum knowledge from the website, yet it does not provide enough room to interact with the company. The KPMG website tells more about itself and its working, and hence gives a very rigid impact . It does not facilitate the candidates by showing the latest job openings on the front page and there is no link from where we can provide them with the feedback. This makes the site least friendly from the first page. Rolls Royce’s website has been the site that has given users the maximum chance of knowing the company in a glance. On the front page they have given the product lines, job hunt segregation and place to contact them. They have also used other small tabs through which the applicant can interact with the company. These elements make the navigation on the website much easy. It also shows that the company likes to facilitate the employees as much as possible. How the website/s attempt to set expectations related to... The assignment "E-Recruitment Overview" talks about the usage of the Internet in the placement of personnel and how new technologies change this sector. Due to efficient, fast and cost-effective nature of advertising, e-recruitment has taken an important role. Internationally the recruitment landscape has significantly changed in the recent past. Increasing skill shortages and low levels of unemployment in many domains have increased the competition in hiring the best person. Due to increased competition in the recruitment market, the organizations are tending to spend more efforts, time and resources in increasing the range of online and traditional advertising methods. The basic use of the internet and internet technology is transforming, and to some extent revolutionizing the ways in which human resource departments recruit job candidates. In the recent years, due to the internet, the recruitment process has undergone a dramatic transformation. In the current global economic recession, electronic recruitment helps to change the general perspective of the recruitment by offering highly needed cost-effective means of hiring. For the wide range of organizations throughout the world, e-recruitment has now become a significant part of the recruitment strategy. Not only this, it has progressively become a popular method for the job seekers in searching and applying for the jobs. This tool is more effective for the larger companies as the large firms are more known to the job seekers, thus the number of applicants is higher here.

Counter Terrorism in Comparative Perspective Essay

Counter Terrorism in Comparative Perspective - Essay Example Terrorism has over the years become one of the most pressing and complex issues facing various governments. Despite the attempts made to solve the problem, terrorism still remains a crucial threat to national and global security. The objectives of counterterrorism are to neutralize terrorist cells and operatives and minimize the probability of a terrorist attack. The analysis of the threat of exposure and response to terrorism acts is a collaboration between different institutions of the state such as investigative, prosecutorial, and law enforcement institutions (Setty 2010, p.152). This paper puts UK’s and Spain’s counterterrorism policies into perspective. The comparative analysis spotlights controversial aspects in counterterrorism such as detention devoid of trial, excessive surveillance, and deportation of suspected terrorists. The analysis borrows from intertwining axes of legal norms (emanating from international as well as national perspectives) and the associa ted political tenets. However, the success of counterterrorism efforts is not clear cut as they can thrive in a certain country and fail in another. Amnesty, conciliation, repression, legal reform, and restriction, are some of the counterterrorism strategies that states can adopt. United Kingdom Counterterrorism Strategy The UK has a long and chaotic history of fighting domestic and foreign terrorization such as conflicts between Irish Republican Army (IRA), which had escalated in the 1970’s, but largely resolved in 1998. However, the UK has recently been grappling with home grown Islamist extremists. UK counterterrorism strategy can be traced back to the legislation of the Prevention of Violence Act 1939. The Terrorism Act 2000 substituted the earlier counter terrorism policies with a bold policy (Sidel 2007, p. 170). This policy was followed by the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, which featured after 9/11 attacks. The prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 was drafte d post 7 July 2005 London bombings. The Terrorist Act handed the government enhanced powers for suppressing terrorists and their sympathisers. It also instilled coherence in the country’s anti-terrorist legislation (Orttung & Makarychev 2006, p. 4). Counterterrorism laws in UK elevate the rule of law, as well as the call for preservation of civil rights and liberties for terrorist detainees pursuant to criminal prosecution. The judicial scrutiny encompasses whether reasonable grounds exist to charge the detainee with a terrorist offense. The terrorism Act 2000 initially instituted a seven-day period but subsequent amendment accommodated a maximum of 14-day detention without trial in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Sidel 2007, p. 166). In 2006, the UK government sought to extend the pre-charge detention to 90 days but was scaled down to 28-day limit as established in the Terrorism Act 2006. The UK government has continued to register its preference to extend the pre-charge peri od. Nevertheless, the constitutionality and the efficacy of the extension have come under heavy attack from human rights activists. The pre-charge detention has produced mixed results with lingering questions on efficacy, safeguarding of rights and contribution to national security, observance of rule of law, and institutional legitimacy. Ever since the July 2005 terrorist attacks, the

Why is the Oil Industry and Corruption so closely linked Research Paper

Why is the Oil Industry and Corruption so closely linked - Research Paper Example It has been alleged that these TNC and The MNC are always on the move to increase their market profits and to an exceptional gain competitive advantages, this they achieve by indulgence in unscrupulous activities like money laundering, corruption, bribery and many other malpractices showing little appreciation for social requisites and laws. These corporations have covered their community relations by hiding under the claims of being socially responsible and of the reputable ethical conduct, although the evidence in this paper proves the otherwise. The present decade is however no exception bearing in mind the tendency in the relationship in between these corporations and the civil society actors, the emergence of collaborative relationships, only benefit the business’s image than it does to the community society, it is however, unfortunate that even the media and the already published literature seldom examines greedy practices of corporations despite the fact that, the pract ices impact negatively on the stakeholders. This has resulted into several ethical questions on the real intentions and practices of the leaders in these corporations, the efficacy of their public association’s campaigns and the strategic location of the various civil society actors. This paper answers various arising questions by giving a thorough examination of the activities of an oil corporation, Shell, and looking into its relationship with communities in Niger Delta, Nigeria, it also looks into loop holes existing corporate anti corruption and acts, it goes ahead to show that companies really engaged in corruption and various malicious money laundering claiming that it is part of them being responsible social conduct. Purposely paying a close attention to Shell’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives which were aimed at developing the communities of Niger Delta. The case study is founded on both secondary and primary sources that included field observ ations and interviews with some key executive members of the corporation, local communities, government officials and some senior members of the oil companies in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta area. The paper argues that the corporations have made use of the political elite in the country to expand their global earnings and to gain competitive advantages by unscrupulous means such as bribery and other inducements to attain some government contracts in Niger Delta area, Nigeria. 1. Introduction A sector of business which makes firm claims to business ethics, Transparency, stakeholder’s rights, Employee rights, Corruption and human rights and codes of practice can safely be said to be the oil sector (Lawan 98). Oil Corporations are very dynamic and have leadership roles in coming up with allowable corporate practices and key acceptable codes of conduct in various places of work and involvement with various facets of the community. The involvement of Shell, in the famous Volun tary Principles on Security, United Nations’ Global Compact, and Human Rights, are just some instances. Its contribution towards the development programmers in construction, education, Transport and health, etc, cannot be underestimated. In spite of these contributions and achievements to the society, like many other corporations it has targeted of many negative or anti-corporate campaigns, such as corruption in the past few decades. Most civil society actors, including the anticorruption, anti-capitalists and anti-corporate

Women and the Peace Movement in Britain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Women and the Peace Movement in Britain - Essay Example The essay "Women and the Peace Movement in Britain" analyzes the reasons why women did not make an individual contribution to British peace activist until the late 20th century.Though women have been quite instrumental in bringing the changes that led to movements for peace not just in Britain but across the world in the 20th century. The major reform that the Brits had achieved was the abolition of slavery in all the British colonies in the year 1833. This reform was particularly supported by the Christian women who had resolved to aid the movement by boycotting the usage of sugar which was the main export from the slave countries as they believed in the Christian philosophy of equality to all humans. This movement was the result of a long effort by William Wilberforce and Brougham along with their accomplices and Christian women in Britain and America as well. It is important to note that this movement to enforce the reform to end slavery in the world, particularly the British colo nies, had saved over a half a million African slaves. Another development was in the war front which has been quite active because of some major forces like Britain, Russia, France, Germany and almost all other countries of the world. War was on the verge of becoming the concept for social, political and economic strength for almost all of the countries of the world. Different countries and their respective allies had been taking to war increasingly and aggressively thereby changing the social and political scenarios in the world. and thus impacting the economic scenario the most which is the major factor effecting the people, their thinking and their life standards. By the mid - nineteenth century, political reforms had gained much momentum and some of them saw the light of the day after long periods and these reforms had been instrumental in giving the women some freedom from their earlier days of suppression. But still the conditions and the freedom of women was far from being si gnificant [1]. Not all women had been emancipated and the few who were enjoying freedom from the oppressive laws were miniscule even when the 'Custody of Children' bill had been passed in 1839 with much efforts by a much influential Caroline Norton and the then Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne. This bill gave the rights to custody of the child below seven years and permission to see the older ones' above seven to the mother

Womens Struggle for Equality Essay Example for Free

Womens Struggle for Equality Essay Both Mary Oliver and Lucille Clifton are feminist women who fight for gender equality. By reading their poems the fight for women to be considered equals to men is evident. Both poems â€Å"Singapore† and â€Å"wishes for sons† were written in 1990-1991. During this time period women were fighting for equal rights in the world. They wanted men to see them as their equal rather than lesser. In â€Å"Singapore† Oliver reveals how difficult a woman’s job can be. In â€Å"wishes for sons† Clifton shows her strong desire for men to experience the embarrassments and difficulties that women face every day. In the poem â€Å"Singapore† Oliver writes about a woman who walks into a public restroom and finds a lady knelt over a toilet cleaning it. â€Å"A woman knelt there, washing something in the white bowl† (Oliver, 1990, line 5). The lady is at first disgusted with what she sees, but then as the lady turns to face her she sees the beauty in her. She realizes that even though this lady has a very disgusting job she is still a human and deserves to be happy. Oliver is showing that despite life’s difficulties women can find the strength to be happy and live a great life. She wants the reader to know that women can have the most disgusting jobs and still be beautiful on the inside and outside â€Å"the light that can shine out of a life† (Oliver, 1990, line 35). In the poem â€Å"wishes for sons† Clifton writes about her strong desire for men to experience the difficulties and embarrassments that women face. Clifton expresses her anger about the way women are viewed as the lesser of the two genders. She wants men to experience what women have to face regularly. â€Å"I wish them cramps†¦I wish them a strange town†¦and the last tampon† (Clifton, 1991, lines 1-3). She wants men to experience these difficulties in an embarrassing manner. Clifton is writing about all the physical things that women have to face. She desperately wants men to see how difficult it is to be a woman. While it is impossible for a man to actually have to go through these things Clifton wants them to realize what women face and to treat them as equals. Mary Oliver’s poem â€Å"Singapore† alluded a lot to nature. â€Å"Rivers are pleasant, and of course trees†¦A waterfall, or if that’s not possible, a fountain rising and falling† (Oliver, 1990, line 10). The symbols of nature go hand in hand with women’s nature and beauty. Lucille Clifton’s poem â€Å"wishes for sons† was a more straightforward approach. She wrote about a woman’s menstrual cycle and how unpleasant it is. Both of these poems hit on the theme of gender equality. In both poems the authors write about a woman’s role in a man’s world, the nature of women, gender equality, and the relationships between a man and a woman. Both of these poems reveal the struggle that women faced when trying to win the battle of equality with men. They fought so hard to show men that they were equal. During this time period women had rights but not the same rights as men. Women were expected to stay at home and take care of the house. Since they were the ones cleaning at home the type of jobs they could get involved cleaning. Women were not happy with the way they were treated in this time period. Men were the ones who went out and worked in the business world.. These two poems showed the type of hardships that women face. From the type of jobs women were given to the physical things they had to deal with. All women wanted were to be treated as equals of men.

The Murray Darling Basin: An Analysis

The Murray Darling Basin: An Analysis The Murray-Darling Basin covers 1,061,469 square kilometres or approximately one-seventh (14%) of the total area of Australia. The Three longest rivers in Australia the (Darling River, the Murray river, The Murrumbidgee river) all run through the Murray-Darling Basin. The Murray Darling Basin is home to the most diverse ecosystem in Australia. It has at least 35 endangered species of birds, 16 species of endangered mammals and over 35 different native fish species. Unfortunately 20 species of mammals have already become extinct. It supports hydroelectricity, irrigation, domestic, industrial, recreational and leisure activities. It also produces over 40% of all Australian yield which is used in domestic and overseas markets. The aim of this report is to look at the three main issues regarding the Murray Darling Basin; the water quality, Droughts and Flood in the river and Blue-Green Algae. This report reflects on some of the effects these issues are having on the Murray Darling Basin. The final section of this report will make some recommendations to solve these problem. These issues are effecting the health of the Murray River and are damaging it as we speak. Current precautions and programs have not been able to arrest environmental damage. Blue Green Algae Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria known as Cyanobacteria. Blue-green algae are a natural part of the freshwater environment. In favourable conditions they reproduce at very high rates to form blooms which are explosions in growth that dominate the aquatic environment, forming scums that can be toxic. Blue-Green algae interfere with other uses of the water and can affect human health and have far-reaching consequences for the environment and the economy. Algae need stable water columns, Nutrients and sunlight to bloom. If these factors all combine together and then persist for a few days, blue-green algae cells will accumulate in the surface layer of the water body and if the conditions persist for several days or more, the cells can multiply to dramatic numbers eventually forming a bloom. They need little or no flow, calm weather with little or no wind and hot sunny days; these factors allow the water column to stratify, which is where a layer of warm surface water remains unmixed with the cooler, deeper water. Stratification can also result from differing densities through the water column, where saltier, denser water at the bottom remains unmixed with the fresher surface water above. There are many Dams built along the Murray-Darling Basin which restrict the flow of the river (little or no flow). As we are one of the hottest nations in the world it is natural to have hot weather. European farming have removed 15 billion trees. They: Influence water quality by initiating undesirable tastes and odours Discolouration and unattractive scums. Are toxic with some species producing toxins Can cause liver damage, stomach upsets and disorders of the nervous system in humans. Contact with high centralizations of blue-green growth can result in skin and eye aggravations. Although: Each State has extensive monitoring arrangements to detect and measure algae comprehensive emergency plans for dealing with algal blooms detailed arrangements for alerting the public about health risks Water supply authorities have advanced treatment techniques to remove dissolved toxins. The problem of Algae is still a big threat to the basin and it is increasing. I advise the construction of more sewage treatment plants along the Murray-Darling Basin. Instead of dumping the sewage straight into the Basin it would be wise to treat the water before dumping the water into the Basin or we could re-use the water after it is treated. I will also like to recommend to increase the flow of the river. A big machine similar to a blender be planed inside the basin which would blend the water in the river preventing Algae to bloom. If such technology is not available then maybe the government would consider to fund engineers to come up with a device/machine like described above or even better. Changes in Drought and Flood patterns Drought and flood are a natural phenomenon in the Murray–Darling Basin. Throughout wet years, the streams of the Basin will overflow into floodplains. However during times of drought the rivers become strings of disconnected waterholes along the course of the riverbed. On average, the natural flow into the Basin is around 33,000 GL per year but this varies greatly from year to year. Human uses of water has highly regulated the system with many structures such as dams, locks and weirs resulting in increasing impact on both drought and flood. After almost a decade of drought, a return to wetter conditions throughout the Basin in 2010 led to widespread flooding. This resulted in the inundation of many floodplains and refilling of the Basins water storages. The basins total water storage increased from 32% to 81% during 2010-11. It enabled numerous species to recover from the impacts of a long dry season. Climate change studies predict that the climate of the Murray–Darling Basin is likely to become drier in the future, due to the rising concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Many places along the basin suffer the worst from drought as they are in risk of not obtaining enough drinking water to support its population let alone its farmers. There is a projected impact of a 10% reduction in the average surface water availability across the whole Basin in 2030. Total losses caused by the severe 1982-1983 drought, for example, were estimated by the Australian Government to exceed $3 billion. The long-term health of the whole system is currently in danger. It has also been discovered that 4% of water that Australia gets from rainfall reaches the sea from the basin. Operation of the River Murray system is based primarily upon the control and management of the four main storages: Dartmouth Reservoir Hume Dam Menindee lakes storage scheme Lake Victoria In times of drought water is used from the dam’s storage for all activities. They provide safety to towns and cities from the tolls of flood and it will take a lot of time and money to recover. The government of Australia provides drought packages to support our farmers in major water crisis. Many areas in Australia have water restrictions to help conserve water for future use. Some areas also usewater recycling,desalinationplants and dig bores into the ground to get more water for their residents like that in Western Australia which was the first state to tap the ocean as a source of public drinking water produces 130 million litres of freshwater a day. I would like to recommend large scale constructions of desalination plants along coastal areas, it will help Australia to meet the demands of the increasing population of Australia at present and in the future; and to cope through major droughts. I would also like to recommend construction of dams in Queensland as they receive the most rainfall, but the water is not trapped and is hence wasted. Instead of using the rain water, they take water from the Basin to support their needs. The water can be used for all purposes. I would recommend the construction of more water storage facilities in drier parts of the county like Adelaide. It would also be wise for the government to stop the 4% of water obtained by rain from reaching the sea. Water Quality Salinity means the amount of salt content in soil or water. European farming practices replaced native vegetation with crops and pasture. As a result, the plants designed to deal with salinity issues were removed. This resulted in the increasing of salinity problem. It affects ecosystem health, reduce drinking quality and cause economic loss in agriculture. It affects native vegetation, crops, pasture, wetlands and river systems; it destroys native habitat and decreases biodiversity. With current practices there are no signs that the process of salinisation will slow down or be reversed within the foreseeable future. The quality of the Murray darling basin can also trigger algal growth. Matter disposed in the water carries nutrients which reduce the penetration of light which affects aquatic plants and animals. Lower water temperatures due to the release of water from deeper layers held in dams during summer can damage downstream ecological systems. Higher temperatures resulting from lack of flow from clearing of vegetation may worsen algal blooms. The water has low levels of dissolved oxygen because floodplains are flushed with organic matter which discolour the river water and make it appear blackish. The blackish water can sometimes become very low in dissolved oxygen resulting in the harm of aquatic plants and animals. Although these events can have a positive impact on the environment as they put nutrients back into the system which promotes the growth of many aquatic organisms. Although, there have been actions taken to solve these issues: The setting up of salt interceptions schemes throughout the Basin has helped to alleviate the problem of salinity. Toxins produced by Algae and other harmful particles are filtered and the water is purified before it is supplied to places. Many nutrients are put back into the water to promote the growth of many aquatic organisms. The government of Australia funds many water cleaning programs like: The Australian Government has signed an agreement with the Australian Capital Territory that will see up to $85 million of Australian Government funds available to help clean up Canberra’s lakes and waterways. Have not had a very significant effect on the issues. The government of Australia funds many water cleaning programs like: The Australian Government has signed an agreement with the Australian Capital Territory that will see up to $85 million of Australian Government funds available to help clean up Canberra’s lakes and waterways. I would also recommend the government to encourage farmers to practise water efficient farming and use pants that have roots which go deep into the earth to get their nutrients. The government should plant trees or bushed which remove salt from the water and soil like the salt bush. If current water problems continue Adelaide will run out of healthy drinking water by 2020. The government of Australia should also consider the introduction of strict laws and heavy penalties for dumping waste into the basin. Conclusion The issues of the Murray darling basin are increasing. Ninety percent of Adelaide’s population is dependent on the basin for their drinking water. Most of these issues were not an issue in the early 18-19 century. Everything was natural and all issues had a solution, but increase in human activities have made these issues big. If nothing is done about these issues, Australia will have a very tough time surviving. These issues are increasing even with the current actions being taken, because of the increasing population, activities and demand of Australia. Australia is growing vastly every day; new towns are being constructed, people are migrating, increase in mining and increase in farming. Australia needs water to support all these activities. If current conditions continue Australia will not be able to produce enough food and water to support its population let alone export anything. The agriculture industry consistently accounted for around 20 per cent of manufacturing sale s and service income and in 2009–10($24.3 billion) it provided jobs for 226,750 Australians. The economy of Australia will crash and it will have to import even the basic of foods. The ecosystem will not be able to recover and eventually Australia will run out of water. It has also been predicted that in the future there will be many wars for the sole purpose of obtaining water. Many advices included in this report will help solve other inter related issues, e.g. Construction of de-salination plant will help improve the water quality and to cope through major drought as well as Algae. The Australian government should consider the advices included in this report as they will help improve the health of the basin and ensure that Australia will have enough water in the future to support its increasing population. Bibliography