Essay on Natural Capitalism

Essay on Natural Capitalism Essay on Natural Capitalism Section 1 Sustainability is a scientific concept that involves both biology and physics and describes the limits that society has overtime to grow and continue to prosper. Hawken’s believes that the economy in its correct state will eventually deplete all its natural resources becoming non-existent. Capitalism will always be financially profitable and we can’t continue to fool ourselves into thinking we will never run out of resources to make our loves more comfortable and efficient. We can create an economy that can be sustainable forever just by understanding and recognizing our dependence on natural resources. This is the vision of Paul Hawkens; he believes we must find ways to use our natural resources more efficiently while replenishing them at the same time. The author advocates assigning private property rights to national resources. He also believes this will entice owners to care more for the environment in order to see continuous profits. There are four basic principles that are needed in order to achieve this: 1. Radical Source Productivity-You are making more for less, using less or recycled materials which produces less waste. 2. Biomimicry-Designing systems around nature and learning from it. 3. Service and Flow Economy-Deliver a continuous flow of service and value. If customers see a corporation. 4. Invest in Natural Capital-Corporations need to become more aware of the natural resources they use and find efficient ways to use and replenish them. They then become socially responsible. Section 2 Corporations need to understand the environment and ways to transform their production habits in order to become more efficient at using our natural resources. This becomes their fiduciary duty. One road block to sustainability is cost and price. Hawkens advocates for state government only and that the federal government should have more subsidizes to the renewable energy industry. As it stands now subsidizes are provided to the Cuban fuel industry and the author is definitely for the separation of business and state. Government and private industry need to redirect the dollars that are currently designated toward industrial capital and reinvest that money in natural and human capital. He also believes that by assigning private property rights to natural resources is a way to ensure efficient use of those very resources that promotes sustainability. If we believe in our investments we will be more inclined to want to continue to see profits. Maximizing our profits and replenishing our natural resources will become a habit by consistency being positively reinforced. Corporations need to be educated on the efficient use of natural resources. They have the ability to be leaders and need to ensure that all employees are of the same mind set. The media can be used to their advantage and research is showing that customers are more inclined to purchase products from companies that are trying to leave less of a carbon footprint. Actively engaging their communities and educating local people on recycling and renewable energy, which is critical to saving our natural resources. Section 3 In order to preserve our national resources I think it’s important to establish some type of requirement for social responsibility (The key to getting everyone on board is through education). Corporations that are socially responsible will continue

How to Become an Instructional Designer

How to Become an Instructional Designer Instructional design is a relatively new industry, employing people in organizations, schools, and for-profit companies. Read on to find out what instructional design is, what kind of background designers need, and how to get a job designing educational experiences. What Is an Instructional Designer? In a nutshell, instructional designers create educational programs for schools and companies. Many organizations have found that the internet provides a huge opportunity for providing virtual instruction, but that designing effective online educational programs isnt easy. A subject matter expert, like a history teacher, may be excellent at leading a class in-person. But, he may not have the technical know-how or an understanding of how to present information in a way that would make an effective online course. Thats where instructional designers come in. What Does an Instructional Designer Do? Theres a lot of variety in the day-to-day work of an instructional designer. They regularly meet with clients or subject matter experts to determine how to best present information to students. They may also edit content for clarity, write instructions for assignments, and design or create learning interactives. Additionally, they may be involved (or even run) the creative side of the equation, producing videos, making podcasts, and working with photography. Designers can expect to spend their days creating storyboards, reviewing content, and asking a lot of questions. What Education Training Does an Instructional Designer Need? There is no standard requirement for instructional designers, and many companies and schools hire designers with extremely different backgrounds. Generally, organizations are looking for employees with at least a bachelors degree (often a masters degree), strong editing skills, and the ability to work well with people. Project management experience is also highly desirable. In recent years, Instructional Design masters degrees have become increasingly popular as are certificate programs for those that already hold a masters degree in a different subject. Instructional Design Ph.D. programs are also available. However, the general consensus is that a Ph.D. generally makes candidates over-qualified for most instructional design jobs and is more suitable for those that would like to be an administrator or director of an instructional design team. Many employers are more concerned with a candidates technical abilities. A resume that lists competency in programs like Adobe Flash, Captivate, Storyline, Dreamweaver, Camtasia, and similar programs is highly desirable. Designers should also have the ability to put themselves into someone elses shoes. Someone that can suspend their own understanding and imagine encountering information for the first time will often make a good designer. What Kind of Experience Does an Instructional Designer Need? There is no standard experience that employers are looking for. However, they do prefer that designers have worked to create educational programs before. A track record of previous design experience is highly desirable. Many instructional design schools require students to complete capstone projects that will be used instructionally and can also be included on the graduates resume. New designers may seek out interns with colleges or organizations to build their resumes. Where Can Instructional Designers Find Jobs? While there are more instructional design jobs every year, finding them isnt always easy. One of the first places to look is on university job postings. Many schools post opportunities on their own websites and fail to publicize them more openly. HigherEd Jobs has one of the more comprehensive lists of jobs available at universities. Employers tend to post openings on virtual job boards like Monster, Indeed, or Yahoo Careers. Attending instructional design or e-learning conferences is a good place to network and seek out potential job leads. Additionally, many areas have local networks of instructional design professionals that meet regularly and communicate via social networking. Having a friend in the industry is a smart way to get connected.

Applying Systems Theory to an Educational Setting Assignment

Applying Systems Theory to an Educational Setting - Assignment Example My focus of study is the educational system of Carleton University to which I have experienced studying under its Economics program. From her on, I shall use the word 'school' to denote Carleton University for brevity. The school was founded in 1942 and is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is situated on 62 hectares south of the city centre and is bordered by the Rideau River, the historic Rideau Canal and rather pleasant residential neighborhoods. All the information that I will be using is based from my own knowledge of the school with supplemental information from the school's website. Every university should engage in a planning process that sets not only the direction the institution is going to head but also the pacing that it will take. These plans usually require measurable outcomes for the institution to know what they have achieved and how they have fared so far. The administrative and governing body of the school is categorized into five units whose government and administrative functions are clearly defined. These units, although separate from one another, do communicate and work with another to come up with better policies and regulations regarding the school's functions. These five units and their subcomponents are given in the following: Reporting to the President, the Provost and Vic... b. Office of the President The President, also known as the Vice Chancellor, is actually the chief executive of the school. It is thru his initiative that the directions and immediate priorities are determined. c. Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Reporting to the President, the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the chief academic officer of the University, is ultimately responsible for all academic programs and policies. The Provost's portfolio includes all academic units, Graduate Studies, the University Library, enrolment management, student affairs, the Office of the University Registrar, learning technologies and teaching support and faculty recruitment and support. d. Office of the Vice-President (Finance and Administration) The Finance and Administration Division of Carleton University are made up of the Computing and Communication Services, Finance, Human Resources, Institutional Research and Planning, Internal Audit and Advisory Services, Pension Fund Management, Physical Plant, University Safety and University Services departments. Its mission is to provide quality specialized services to the Carleton University community that provides a safe, healthy and productive environment for students, staff and faculty in which to work, study and live. e. Office of the Vice-President (Research and International) This office provides the necessary program for research, scholarship, and creative activity in sciences, business, engineering, arts, and public administration. It is also responsible for handling international affairs such as students from abroad and conferences in other countries. Administrative Services All the non-teaching services such as for business transactions, library,

Health policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 8

Health policy - Essay Example all Americans hold a health insurance, failing which they have to pay a fine, and secondly various measures have been taken to cut down health related costs. These methods include providing health care institutions rewards for cutting down costs while penalizing them for bad care. The results have been phenomenal so far as according to data taken from Jan 2012 to Dec 2013, there has been a significant 8% decline in readmission cases (The Economist). Obamacare is likely to free the health budget that currently makes up a very high percentage of the GDP, thus allowing the American government to spend the money in other feasible projects. I completely agree with the views presented it the article, as well as with the view with which Obamacare was introduced as I believe prior to this bill there was a lot of negligence and over charging done by doctors for their own benefit. However, this bill would put an end to such illegal practices and help save millions of dollars of US tax payers which can be routed to other important projects (The

Effective Teamwork Questionnaire Essay Example for Free

Effective Teamwork Questionnaire Essay Answer each question in 200 to 300 words, using specific information from the text, â€Å"Helping Annie†, â€Å"Team Building†, and â€Å"Building a Team of Talent† videos, and your research and experience. 1. What are the characteristics of effective teams? How will you ensure your collaborative team works effectively? Effective team are important, and their functions crucial to their success. I have found that clear goals, relaxed environment, open communication, and freedom to express ideas and feelings are great ways to ensure success. In the video â€Å"Helping Annie†, the dynamics of the team were lost due to lack of information, who was right and who could be trustworthy. When team members meet, they should feel as though they blend in with the group. They should feel a commitment to the goals and achievements to the group. What I know about groups are, that having valued diversity, defined roles, balanced participation, and cooperative relationships help with moving the group to a positive outcome. As a participative leader, as it is said in our eBook Working In Groups, â€Å"there is a balance of primary roles and when team members know their roles, work to their strengths, and actively manage weaknesses.† (Engleberg, 2013, p. 55). I will commit myself to ensuring I respect commitments, consistent communication to the group, collaborate, and contribute to the group’s goals and ideas with valuable information that helps in the decisions. I will also be aware of the group’s diversity, talents and dynamics. I bring knowledge of how to deal with problems, planning techniques and ways to improve myself within the group. 2. How will you deal with behavior that hurts your team’s objectives? With conflict in a group environment, I would handle it with respect, recognition, focused on accountability and be aware of unfulfilled needs of that particular team member. I would not reward the difficult behavior nor would I encourage the disruptive behavior. I believe that if you ignore it or â€Å"sweep it under the mat† it takes time, energy away from the group, and I  would want the group to resolve it quickly. I would make sure that I/we do not citizen or â€Å"brand† that person as a trouble maker. I would work together with the group and the individual and encourage each other to focus on the group’s interests and not individual’s position. It is also important to look for opportunities that encourage and empower each team member in the group. I would express a sensitive listening ear to uncover the root of the problem. Listing out the objectives to the individual and the group and reminding them why we are here and how to accomplish them Practicing direct communications, body language and clarifying questions helps resolve the situation and gives the group clarity to the behavior. In dealing with behavior that is disruptive to the group can be a challenge in itself, however it can be resolved with patients and a good listener. 3. What are your proactive processes to keep a team member up to date if he or she misses a meeting? What are your backup plans if things are not working on your team? There are several great ways to keep a team member up to date. Develop and cultivate easy ways to stay connected with those that miss. Face-to-Face and computer-mediated communications are great ways to reconnect and share ideas, goals and feelings. Face-to-Face provide excellent results in effectiveness, comprehension, and gives opportunities to be educated on the use of technology. It builds up respect, inclusion and grows your professional relationship with the team member and group. Update through venues such as emails, skyping, this can be challenging to coordinate, this provides another source of information. This can save time, money and bring the meeting/information to others that live far away. When things do not work out as they are supposed to, I chose to take a moment and find out where things went areaway. Encourage others to share and discuss what happened and create new plans, goals that incorporate processes that help us stay on track. Back up plans help in always being prepared for when things don’t just right. When setting up your backup plans, tap into the group and find team members that have knowledge and expertise in planning. As I use this, it will set up the entire team in a supportive and positive atmosphere. 4. How will you use technology to support your team’s efforts? What are some  questions you should ask? Working with technology has made it easier to communicate, track the individuals / groups progress and increasing productivity. With using an assortment of media platforms such as emails, Skype, video conferencing,instant messaging, and facetalk. These software programs can assist in better group communication, making decisions, and discussing issues easily. I will educate, create a â€Å"how to† of resources that will include information on each media platform. I would bring the group together in collaboration to see where they are with technology and create a smaller group to assist in the training. As new technology is made available, have continued training and education of the group as to stay current with technology. As with new technology always assessing the software, cell phones, computers, servers and other products are current. This will produce a group that is collaborating, productive, which will benefit the company and group. Asking questions is a great way to understand and know your group. With technology, it is important to find out what media platforms the group are already using. I would also ask how can we stay on task with these different media platforms and which ones work best for the group. Stay consistent with the goal/ objective and have a group that through technology use, becomes one unit! 5. Is your team more task-focused or relationship-focused? Why? What are the implications to your team? I find that our group is a mixture of both task-focused and relationship-focused. I have seen just in the last class that we all want to succeed and grow from each others experience. With having the mixture of the two, the work is defined, and roles expected. There are structures in place; a plan devised and we are organized to meet our tasks. As the group continues to work together, there is a supportive, motivating, and collaborating group. We are concerned with each person ideas, thoughts and actions. With these two types of people in the group, we can be productive, accomplish a lot and have a good time in doing it. Although with task-focused or relationship-focused, set up activities and follow up and follow through. With tasks, you can do it with encouragement and empower each team member to always do their best. Through the recommendations from our text this week, have an agenda, plan out your tasks, involve each team member, listen, and encourage them. By engaging  your team, you can meet the challenges of business head on and with seasoned team members involved you can pull from their experiences and knowledge. They will become confident, learning new skills and lead successful change. REFERENCES Engleberg, Isa. (2013). WorkinWorking in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies, Sixth Edition, by Isa N. Engleberg and Dianna R. Wynn. Published by Pearson.g in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies, Sixth Edition, by Isa N. Engleberg and Dianna R. Wynn. Published by Pearson. (6th ed.). : Pearson.

Comparing Science and the Judicial System :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Comparing Science and the Judicial System Science and the Judicial System are two concepts that at face value seem to be very distinct and unique in their own nature, but their cores share interesting parallels. They each propose a different way of understanding how we comprehend and organize order and structure within institutions, yet they do so with similar strategies. In this paper I'll address my understanding of both, what characteristics they share and how these similarities prove them to be inextricably connected by what we call life and its connection to the human experience. Although Science is largely composed of observation, experiments and their results, it is often controversial because perspective and experience play a key role in how data is interpreted. And because perspective and experience undoubtedly vary with each person due to various reasons; how is it possible that we can assign concrete truths to such a varied conceptualization? Scientists fuse logic and philosophy. Traditional science often fails to provide theories and explanations for phenomenons that hold truth and validation in both a scientific context and the context of the human mind. I feel that Science often caters to only a "black and white" way of formulating answers; failing to recognize the gray areas. Often times people try to find the most common and accepted ways to support their theories and in doing so they adapt to the standard and more traditional ways of viewing the world. This leaves less room for creativity and exploration of the mind when trying to formulate "truth". "A body of assertions is true if it forms a coherent whole and works both in the external world and in our minds." Roger Newton (1) Much like science, the justice system in this country is very much based on experience. Although the understanding of these laws is largely composed of formal education, logic and reasoning, there is more to law then these solid and concrete aspects. Experience plays a key role because before obtaining any form of judicial authority one must practice and "get a feel" for what the position entails. Through these experiences one acquires a very personal and first hand knowledge and experience that is necessary before venturing out into his or her field. The judicial system poses a similar problem to that of traditional science. I believe the laws in our justice system are far too clear cut.

Political Risk in Malaysia

†¢ The fact that Prime Minister Mahathir has seen fit to take a two month vacation is the strongest evidence in a long time that his position within UMNO remains unchallenged. The political succession issue also seems clearer now that Mahathir has permitted his deputy to assume the title of Acting Prime Minister. Such a privilege was not given to trusted lieutenant Ghafar Baba in 1989, when the prime minister was recovering from a coronary bypass operation. Anwar's performance will be watched closely in the coming weeks. Another test of the extent to which Mahathir is at ease with Anwar will be the degree to which the prime minister gives Anwar free reign to deal with any public controversies which arise while he is on leave. †¢ The by-election victory of the opposition Democratic Action Party in Perak in mid-May surprised many observers. However, it would be an exaggeration to suggest that the result portends a significant shift of ethnic Chinese support away from the government in the nation as a whole. Local issues were paramount in the campaign, and voters knew that they could support the opposition without threatening the National Front's two-thirds majority in parliament. †¢ The differing approaches taken by Malay politicians (who have been calling for a tough stand against Singapore) and the Chinese business community (which has been urging moderation) has not yet led to any appreciable rise in ethnic tension. However, the situation could change quite significantly should Malay leaders suggest that the nation's ethnic Chinese were siding with Singapore. Tension between Singapore and Malaysia has remained remarkably persistent, over the last few weeks, egged on by the semi-official press in both countries. An informal boycott of Malaysia by Singapore travel agencies during the school holiday season has been followed by a variety of tit for tat moves in Malaysia aimed at reducing Malaysian exports through Singapore and cracking down on Singaporean professionals working illeg ally on social visit passes. While politicians on both sides of the causeway have been more careful in their public statements, it is difficult to believe that the critical tenor of the reporting by the mass media of both countries does not have at least the tacit support of the two governments. Even so, things are unlikely to be allowed to get out of hand. †¢ Relations with the US, however, are improving. Once a staunch opponent of an American security presence in Asia, Kuala Lumpur now appears quite willing to cooperate with the US military in the region, with a number of US warships making high-profile calls at Malaysian ports in recent months. The policy shift appears to be related to efforts by Prime Minister Mahathir to woo US companies to invest in his pet project, the Multi-Media Super-Corridor (MSC). By providing facilities to US forces, Kuala Lumpur hopes to send a reassuring signal to the American companies it hopes to attract to the MSC. pic] Near-Term Outlook Steady as she goes Given a choice, Mahathir would probably very much like to concern himself with foreign policy issues in the coming months. However, it is very likely that domestic issues will continue to push their way to the top of the political agenda, forcing the prime minister to intervene belatedly to settle various issues which emerge while he is overseas. To the extent that the prime minister will want to sh ow any serious interest in domestic affairs, his attention will probably be focused on corruption. Mahathir appears to have concluded that graft — and Malaysia's growing reputation for it — is becoming an increasingly serious obstacle to his efforts to win the country the international respect and admiration he believes it deserves as a result of its economic achievements. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's grip on the finance portfolio is under threat, with rumors circulating in Kuala Lumpur that the prime minister is none too pleased with the way he has handled several matters in the last few months. A series of missteps by Anwar has certainly left many in the private sector wondering whether the deputy prime minister is really the most suitable man for the job. There is little doubt that Dr. Mahathir remains in firm control of the country. So much so that uncertainties regarding policy issues only seem to emerge when he is not around. With the UMNO partly polls out of the way and national elections not due for some time, Dr. Mahathir can be expected to spend an increasing amount of his time pursuing his long-held interest in foreign affairs in locations such as Tokyo, Beijing and Seoul while putting domestic matters on hold. This year, Kuala Lumpur plays host to two important ASEAN meetings, and the prime minister will want to make the most of them. The first (in July) is the ASEAN ministerial meeting and its accompanying ASEAN Regional Forum with the grouping's dialogue partners. The second (in December) is the ASEAN informal summit. In the run-up to both, Dr. Mahathir can be expected to make his views known on a variety of internationally controversial issues. Apart from a few more speeches about perceived Western arrogance, the prime minister will be pushing for the acceptance of Myanmar as a full member of ASEAN. There will also be more talk about the formation of a de facto EAEC, with Kuala Lumpur inviting participation from countries such as China, Japan and South Korea. With the prime minister traveling overseas quite a lot, it is possible to argue that the prospect of short-term government policy paralysis this year is greater than is generally realized. On several occasions now, the government has revealed a lack of decisiveness when faced with a controversial issue while the prime minister was out of the country. A case in point is Anwar's foot-dragging early last year over the implementation of the rotation system for the position of Sabah Chief minister. Yet another was the unfavorable High Court decision last June which forced a temporary halt to work on the Bakun Dam in Sarawak. In both cases, flagging political resolve only revived when Mahathir returned to take charge of events. The more recent furor over the uncomplimentary remarks of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew regarding the crime situation in the southern Malaysian state of Johore are yet another example of the same thing. Although the matter appeared to have been resolved before Mahathir left for Tokyo, ministers emerged from a subsequent Cabinet meeting chaired by Anwar to make off-the-record comments to the press to the effect that Malaysia had decided to â€Å"freeze† its relations with Singapore in the wake of remarks by Singaporean leaders that implied that Malaysia had overreacted. The resulting media reports shocked the business community in both countries, since such reports inevitably conjured up visions of the 1965 split and suggested that a wide range of business and political ties would be disrupted. Yet another possible source of uncertainty in the coming months relates to the extent to which corporate rivalries will continue to reflect an ongoing political rift between Dr. Mahathir and Anwar. Reports that Renong has come up with a proposal to build a high-speed train line between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore — an idea which clashes directly with similar plans by DRB-Hicom — certainly suggests that they will. In the popular mind, Renong is associated with UMNO Treasurer Daim Zainuddin (a close Mahathir confidant), while DRB-Hicom is seen as being more closely linked with individuals associated with Anwar. The reality, however, is probably a little more complicated, with the late Tan Sri Yahaya of DRB-Hicom (who died suddenly in early March) arguably at least as close to Mahathir as he was to Anwar. Either way, the two companies have such powerful connections that the battle between them will almost certainly involve political as well as purely economic criteria. Local pundits may not have got it exactly right in the case of Renong and DRB-Hicom, but there is little doubt that policy differences between the prime minister and his deputy do have some impact on the corporate scene. A case in point is the recent refusal of the finance ministry to provide financial guarantees to Ekran, the company responsible for the construction of the massive Bakun Dam. Anwar has never really embraced the project, and it is not hard to conclude from this decision that the finance minister is determined to make things as difficult for Ekran as possible, despite the fact that the Bakun Dam is one of Mahathir's pet projects. Of more relevance to the business community in general, however, is Anwar's performance as minister of finance. With the economy doing well, it may be argued that the fact that he lacks a solid background in economics is of little consequence. All that is really required is an intelligent personality capable of taking advice from experts in both the ministry and the central bank. At this level, Anwar seems to measure up. However, a closer look suggests that he is also capable of making errors of judgment which could create quite serious problems in the future if they are made at a time when the economy is less resilient. Take the problem we mentioned earlier about the Cabinet decision regarding Singapore. Anwar could have ended the confusion over the freezing-of-relations reports as soon as they arose, but he chose not to do so. Instead, he issued a press statement which, while stopping short of announcing a trade and investment boycott, appeared to support widespread rumors that such a decision had actually been taken. In this way it may be argued that he allowed the alarm to spread though the business communities of both countries. As a result, the value of both the ringgit and Singapore dollar dropped overnight. Perhaps Anwar was trying to send a political message to Singapore. If so, it is worth noting that although Mahathir has had some high-profile tiffs with Western nations in the past, even he has never before sent such a blunt message to a neighboring country. Yet another apparent lapse in judgment concerns the way the central bank (technically under the control of Anwar's finance ministry) handled an announcement at the end of March about new guidelines aimed at reducing lending to the property sector. A vaguely worded statement to the effect that the authorities had imposed a new 20% limit on bank loans to the sector sent the stock market reeling, with property and finance stocks in particular taking a beating. The new policy also redefined lending for share purchases in order to curb what monetary authorities said was excessive share speculation. Left to draw their own interpretations, some banks stopped giving out such loans altogether while checking whether they had exceeded the new limits. Anwar did little at first to clarify the situation, merely informing the press that he was satisfied with the CB move. It was not until several days later when the monetary authorities released details of the new guidelines (which contained exemptions that significantly watered down the effect of the new curbs) that the market stabilized. Not surprisingly, the incident has pleased nobody, with a number of economists privately accusing the authorities of backing down on an important measure designed to reduce the exposure of the banks to the property market. For Mahathir, the timing could not have been worse. The prime minister is particularly anxious to ensure that the listing of the Bakun Hydro-electric Corporation in June comes off well. With foreign investors shying away from the project, the company is now relying on the domestic market to absorb a massive M$3 billion in new shares. This will not be easy to do on a falling stockmarket, and Mahathir will now probably want to make sure that he is still in the country in the run-up to the IPO so that he can settle any last minute hitches. Meanwhile, with a Cabinet reshuffle on the cards in the coming months, the Deputy Prime Minister's political opponents can be expected to once again press for Anwar's removal in favor of Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz. Since the beginning of the year, Mahathir has lost two senior figures who played an important role in promoting projects in which he is especially interested. The uncertainties created as a result of the sudden death of businessman Tan Sri Yahaya show the sort of thing that can happen as a result of current Malaysian development strategies which place heavy reliance on individual entrepreneurs to run major companies in strategic industries. Of particular concern now is the fate of Malaysia's national car project which Tan Sri Yahaya headed. The resignation of Selangor Chief Minister Tan Sri Tun Mustapha in mid-April as a result of corruption allegations is another case in point. The loss of Tun Muhamad was not a serious political blow to the prime minister, since the latter was not considered a key Mahathir loyalist. However, it has raised questions about the extent to which his successor will be willing to push the Multimedia Super Corridor project and support the development of Putra Jaya, the new administrative capital. The Sultan of Selangor does not appear to be especially interested in cooperating with Mahathir in selecting a replacement, and has instead made disparaging remarks about transfers of land ownership during Tun Muhamad's tenure. The loss of key individuals in other economic sectors could also upset the apple cart. The huge M$15-billion Bakun Dam project in Sarawak, for example, is very closely associated with Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing. The fact that he suffered a mild stroke last year cannot be regarded as good news for the hundreds of subcontractors — both local and foreign — which are expecting him to push the project through to completion. None of these problems, either by themselves or in combination, are likely to trip up a seasoned politician such as Mahathir, but they are going to be distractions from the foreign policy agenda the prime minister would rather follow. Two other developments are worth monitoring. The first concerns the degree to which the current anti-corruption drive can really be expected to take off, while the second concerns the (not entirely unrelated) political revival of UMNO Youth. The current anti-graft campaign really got going in the run-up to the UMNO party elections late last year when Mahathir ordered a blanket ban on campaigning in order to keep candidates from showering money and favors on delegates. Then, at the convention itself, he launched an emotional attack on graft, saying that it would destroy the party. The result has been that several corruption-tainted candidates competing in the party elections lost heavily. Since then, proposals have been tabled in parliament designed to increase the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), the Selangor Chief Minister has been forced to resign, and no less than eight other senior officials have been placed under investigation. On this issue, Mahathir appears to have Anwar solidly behind him, although the latter has sometimes operated as something of a loose cannon, embarking on investigations that could ultimately implicate staunch Mahathir supporters such Works Minister Samy Vellu, for example. The latter development also points to a serious problem facing a national leadership wishing to pursue the matter further: how to launch a determined attack on graft without undercutting one's own political support. For this reason alone, it is a fairly safe bet that the current campaign will not be a comprehensive one. More likely, a few carefully chosen cases will be vigorously pursued in the hope that this will have a demonstration effect on other greedy individuals. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the newly elected leader of UMNO Youth, has not been wasting much time getting the once-influential organization back into the headlines. Although generally regarded as an Anwar man, Mr. Hamidi has an independent streak which could yet embarrass the deputy prime minister and see the youth organization setting off on a course quite different from that of the national leadership in the coming months. The violent way in which a conference on East Timor was broken up by Malay youths last year certainly put Anwar in the difficult position of having to distance the government from the actions of his political ally. Since then, Mr. Hamidi has taken on far less politically troublesome (for Anwar! ) issues such as the Australian racism debate, Singapore-Malaysia relations and Malay social problems. However, the ability of UMNO Youth to act independently in the future should not be underestimated. It would not be surprising, for example, if the organization turns out to be the prod that keeps the current anti-corruption drive alive much longer than many local politicians would like.

Crisis and Trauma Counseling Essay

Crisis and Trauma Counseling Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Wright who is the author of this book begins by discussing his own individual dilemma where he had to make a decision. Wright narrates a life story which serves as a basis through which the human decision making subject is built. Wright uses this approach to relate to his reader whilst examining trauma counseling and also personal crisis. Wright defined the crisis nature where he depicted that there is no individual who can escape the crisis inevitability. In this regard the author stated that individuals should always be prepared on how to deal with crisis which is a critical issue. In this book focus eventually shifts to describe the biblical ways which can be used in helping individuals to pull through from the traumatic experiences. Through his book, Wright shows a strong understanding of emotions and feelings of the people (Wright, 2011). Abstract   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book depicts the Christian mission in assisting those who are in dire need in a manner that Jesus did. In the book, Wright provides valuable information that would serve as an asset for lay person or Christian counselors. He also discusses about the life of Jesus where he states that Jesus was and even now is a model to be emulated by all the Christian counselors. All the Christian counselors should lead by example and all their efforts should be directed in helping those individuals who are facing crisis and not hurting them. Wright provides some biblical principles including ways of applying scripture during a counseling session and understanding the trauma or crisis process. The biblical perspective of Wright can be of great importance to those individuals who are in helping profession and seek out in doing the work of God. Wright also emphasizes on listening, building rapport, having empathy, trust and giving hope to those experie ncing trauma and crisis. He also provides scriptures together with personal accounts purposed to form basis for inexperienced counselors in the profession in addition to those who want to improve their skills. He also provides a variety of techniques to the readers with an aim of guiding the Christian counselors through their journey in helping victims who are in crisis. The book also providers the readers with improved understanding ways of approaching topics like loss of loved ones or suicide; whether they are children, adolescence or adults (Wright, 2011).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Wright recognizes the fears that ministers while walking into new situations which involves crisis or trauma. He states that learning on ways of handling these situations through practice and education will improve the skills of the minister in assisting the victims. The author also advises readers on using biblical principles to assist the person to develop courage to help him or her to persevere through the hard times. The author in his book a good counselor should have the ability to hold her or his tongue. In this regard Wright shows that a good counselor should practice active listening. In this regard they should listen with their body, eyes and also by affirming understanding as well as empathy. Wright gives a recommendation that counselors should scrutinize themselves prior to advising other individuals on situations. One recommendation of the boob is that ministers should use Jesus like an example to them of how to treat the traum a/ crisis victims. This is because Jesus portrayed his ability to accept those individuals who were hurting. In this regard, Jesus was able to help and love individuals through their grief through this acceptance. The author also advises about the counselors asking the questions from the clients so as to understand more about the situation of the client prior to giving counsel (Wright, 2011). Concrete Responses   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I had a very traumatizing experience when I was only 9 years old. This was when I was kidnapped by unknown criminals as I was coming back home from school. They pretended that they were enquiring something from me and then they got hold me and I was forced to enter into an awaiting car and then sped off at high speed. They were four guys and I was threatened that in case I tried screaming they would shoot me to death and I was very terrified. One of the guys covered my eyes using a piece of cloth and I was taken to an unknown building. I was chained and I was tortured both physically and psychologically. I was beaten using a cane and even shocked with the electric cords where I went through untold suffering. The torturers threatened that they will eventually kill me and I will never see my family and friends again. Those evil torturers also tortured me by pouring boiling water to my legs. Eventually, I was rescued after two weeks of hell a nd I was rushed to a hospital where I was admitted for a month. All this time, many questions kept lingering in my mind regarding to why I had to go through this traumatizing experience at such a tender age. I developed hate and bitterness to every stranger and I had to be taken to counseling sessions to recover from the entire traumatizing event. My family and friends were equally disturbed by that traumatizing experience. I will never forget about that terrible experience in the rest of my life. Reflection   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book has many positives and Wright who is the author is able to provide a valuable guide on how to deal with trauma and crisis. He is able to relate all this biblical principles through his biblical perspective which instills hope to those who are suffering. Through this biblical perspective the Christian counselors are able to understand the whole process of trauma or crisis thus they are able to apply scripture in their counseling sessions. Through the use of biblical principles those people who are undergoing hard times are able to gain courage to persevere. The author advises the counselors on how to become good counselors so as to be able to help individuals to pull through from traumatic events. The author also shows a great understanding of the feelings and emotions of the individuals. He also advised the counselors to emulate Jesus as a perfect example of how to treat the trauma/crisis victims (Wright, 2011).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are also some negatives about the book for instance; the author states that traumatic events were not common in the past as they are in the contemporary society. This is not necessarily so because in the past people did disclose their traumatic experiences that happened to them. Also in the past the media did not publicize violence heavily as it does today since in the past individuals were more private regarding such matters. Another negative thing concerning the book is the way Wright treated the subject concerning confrontation. Before he mentions confrontation Wright focuses more on counseling skills like empathy connecting these skills to the behaviors that Jesus portrayed. Wright went ahead to relate confrontation to showing empathy for a person in assisting them to make improved choices. Nevertheless, the book fails to point out the thought of biblical rebuke and also the ideal situation when this sort of confrontation should be used. This is because when confrontation is employed too early in a case of a relationship it can spoil the rapport of the minister with the client; however the kind of confrontation required is also a crucial subject which is supposed to be discussed. Therefore, the author provided limited information regarding how to confront the clients and also deciding the ideal timing for such confrontation (Wright, 2011). Action   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book will act as an important guide in my life so that I can be able to help those who are going through various traumatic experiences in their lives. Life is full of such events and therefore this will help me in preparing me to deal with such situations and gain courage to persevere such experiences. I will start basing all the experiences that I undergo and those that my friends are undergoing though a biblical perspective. I have learnt to be a good counselor by adopting active listening when helping the victims of trauma/crisis. I have learnt on how to treat the victims facing crisis/trauma through listening to them, building rapport, having empathy, trust and instilling hope to them. I have also learnt how to approach topics like loss of loved ones and suicide among others. I have also decided to take an action and emulate Jesus who was an exemplary figure in assisting people. I will also be referring to the book from time to ti me as a way of polishing my skills as a counselor. I have also learnt how and when to ask questions from the victims needing help so that I can be able to understand their situation so that I can be able to give them valuable counsel (Wright, 2011). References Wright, H. N., & Wright, H. N. (2011). The complete guide to crisis & trauma counseling: what to do and say when it matters most! (Updated & expanded. ed.). Ventura, Calif.: Regal/From Gospel Light. Source document

Free Essays on Metamorphosis Essay

Like many of the classics, The Metamorphosis deals with a few distinct characteristics. Firstly, a classic is original. Secondly, they tend to have plots that throw a character into a dilemma or some situation with which they must cope. These two significant characteristics can be seen in such works as Melville’s Moby Dick, Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and it is these characteristics which entitle a book to be considered a classic. What do these books have to show for their classicism? Not only are they original, but they share common motifs present in past and current societies. With Hester’s story and bastard child, The Scarlet Letter brings us the feeling of alienation. The destruction of the families Montague and Capulet gives us (the readers) a feeling of grief. Finally, Melville’s Moby Dick, demonstrates how someone must adapt to a situation in order to survive it. These are prime examples of realism. Not because they focus on the day to day workings of society, or show us the daily routine of a person, but rather because they show the reader the emotions and feelings that the characters, and in fact, contemporary people have when put into certain situations. For that very reason, Kafka’s Metamorphosis is considered a classic by many. Kafka’s writing shows us the plight of a family through their eyes. We can see the grief in Gregor’s mother. â€Å"He isn’t trying to make fools of us, is he? †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦already in tears, â€Å"maybe he’s seriously ill and here we are torturing him..† Grief-stricken, Gregor’s mother has a tough time adjusting to Gregor’s new found condition. We can see the adaptation of the family Samsa to Gregor’s illness when his parents go back to work and his sister becomes the caretaker of Gregor. Similar to how Ishmael must cope and get along with Queequeg, here we see the family finding jobs, supporting themselves, and adapting to the new s... Free Essays on Metamorphosis Essay Free Essays on Metamorphosis Essay Like many of the classics, The Metamorphosis deals with a few distinct characteristics. Firstly, a classic is original. Secondly, they tend to have plots that throw a character into a dilemma or some situation with which they must cope. These two significant characteristics can be seen in such works as Melville’s Moby Dick, Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and it is these characteristics which entitle a book to be considered a classic. What do these books have to show for their classicism? Not only are they original, but they share common motifs present in past and current societies. With Hester’s story and bastard child, The Scarlet Letter brings us the feeling of alienation. The destruction of the families Montague and Capulet gives us (the readers) a feeling of grief. Finally, Melville’s Moby Dick, demonstrates how someone must adapt to a situation in order to survive it. These are prime examples of realism. Not because they focus on the day to day workings of society, or show us the daily routine of a person, but rather because they show the reader the emotions and feelings that the characters, and in fact, contemporary people have when put into certain situations. For that very reason, Kafka’s Metamorphosis is considered a classic by many. Kafka’s writing shows us the plight of a family through their eyes. We can see the grief in Gregor’s mother. â€Å"He isn’t trying to make fools of us, is he? †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦already in tears, â€Å"maybe he’s seriously ill and here we are torturing him..† Grief-stricken, Gregor’s mother has a tough time adjusting to Gregor’s new found condition. We can see the adaptation of the family Samsa to Gregor’s illness when his parents go back to work and his sister becomes the caretaker of Gregor. Similar to how Ishmael must cope and get along with Queequeg, here we see the family finding jobs, supporting themselves, and adapting to the new s...

Marsupials - Marsupialia - The Animal Encyclopedia

Marsupials - Marsupialia - The Animal Encyclopedia Marsupials (Marsupialia) are a group of mammals that like most other groups of mammals bear live young when the embryos are in an early stage of development. In some species such as the bandicoot, the gestation period is as short as 12 days. The young crawl up the mothers body and into the her marsupium- a pouch located on the mothers abdomen. Once inside the marsupium, the baby attaches to a nipple and nurses on milk until it is large enough to leave the pouch and better fend for itself in the outside world. Larger marsupials tend to give birth to a single offspring at a time, while smaller sized marsupials give birth to larger litters. Marsupials were common in many areas of North America during the Mesozoic and outnumbered placental mammals. Today, the only living marsupial in North America is the opossum. Marsupials first appear in the fossil record from South America during the Late Paleocene. They later appear in the fossil record from Australia during the Oligocene, where they underwent diversification during the Early Miocene. It was during the Pliocene that the first of the larger marsupials appeared. Today, marsupials remain one of the dominant land mammals in South America and Australia. In Australia, a lack of competition has meant that marsupials were able to diversify and specialize. Today there are insectivorous marsupials, carnivorous marsupials, and herbivorous marsupials in Australia. Most South American marsupials are small and arboreal animals. The reproductive tract of female marsupials differs from placental mammals. In female marsupials there are two vaginas and two uteruses whereas placental mammals have a single uterus and vagina. Male marsupials also differ from their placental mammal counterparts. They have forked penis. The brains of marsupial are also unique, it is smaller than that of placental mammals and lacks a corpus callosum, the nerve tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres. Marsupials are quite varied in their appearance. Many species have long back legs and feet and an elongated face. The smallest marsupial is the long-tailed planigale and the largest is the red kangaroo. There are 292 species of marsupials alive today. Classification Marsupials are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy: Animals Chordates Vertebrates Tetrapods Amniotes Mammals Marsupials Marsupials are divided into the following taxonomic groups: American marsupials (Ameridelphia) - There are about 100 species of American marsupials alive today. Members of the group include opossums and shrew opossums. American marsupials are the older of the two lineages of modern marsupials, which means it was members of this group that later migrated to Australia and diversified.Australian marsupials (Australidelphia) - There are about 200 species of Australian marsupials alive today. Members of this group include the Tasmanian devil, numbats, bandicoots, wombats, marsupial moles, pygmy possums, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and many others. Australian marsupials are further divided into five groups.

Emma & Sam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Emma & Sam - Essay Example While making an order, in respect of spousal support, the judge will take into consideration, various factors, such as; first, the duration for which the couple had been married. Emma and Sam had been married for 8 years. Fifth, the obligations and assets of each party. Emma and Sam have three minor children. Two of these are with Sam, and one of them is with Emma. These are their obligations. Their assets, are real estate holdings in California and Nevada; and Emma is the beneficiary of a $10 million dollar trust. Sixth, the history of the manner, in which they had addressed their financial needs, during their marriage. All expenses were borne by Emma, as she was earning a substantial amount. Sam as an unemployed musician had chosen to look after their children (Self - Help Center, 2010). In instances of dissolution of a marriage, the following are taken into consideration by the courts. First, the date of separation, which is determined by the actions of the husband and wife, or their intention (Cutoff Date as the Date of Separation, 2010). In our case, Sam proceeded to their Nevada family vacation house, six weeks ago, and informed Emma that he would initiate divorce proceedings against her. Second, the community property, which in our case would consist of all the assets created from Emma’s earnings, subsequent to their marriage and prior to their separation. While dividing the properties, and confirming the liabilities of the parties, the court shall classify the liabilities as separate or community; and assign them appropriately (Family Code). Sam informed Emma that he had obtained a Nevada residency certificate, and that he intended to file divorce proceedings in Nevada.