Expanding the methodology in the lit. review Essay

Expanding the methodology in the lit. review - Essay Example Many children suffered with defective communication because of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this literature review researcher put forward some teaching methods and special strategies that are in favor of the teachers who worked in the field of educating children with special education needs. Qualitative research approaches help the learner to keep reliability and authenticity. As Deborah Padgett rightly comments; â€Å"For all their demands, qualitative methods can provide the most rewarding experience a researcher will have† (Padgett, 1998, p.1). The research makes use of secondary data which include various strategies and approaches on teaching autistic children with the help of diagrams, study reports tables, survey reports, and so on the qualitative approach for the reason for the study as it best ensembles for the aims and objectives of the research. 4.1 Literature Review Beginning session of the research (2, 3, 3.1, and 3.2) includes information on autism and an ov erview about the current education status which practiced in Saudi Arabia. Then it discuss about available interventions and form of inclusive education for children with autism. Dr. Julie A. Buckley made notable researches in the field of autism spectrum disorder and its treatments. According to her autism spectrum disorder is strictly psychological disease and it needs appropriate medical treatments and behaviorally based therapies. In their joint venture entitled; Healing Our Autistic Children: A Medical Plan for Restoring Your Child's Health, Julie A. Buckley and Jenny McCarthy remark; â€Å"As your child progresses through his treatment plan, make sure not to underestimate the skills he may will be acquiring and becoming able to use† (Buckley & McCarthy, 2010, p. 192). The study provides plenty of information about various behaviorally based therapies for autistic children to ensure structured development in learning. Researchers and social activists often identify the p roblem of misunderstanding in diagnosing and healing of children with autism. Social interactive approaches prove its effectiveness in promoting better education for children with special needs. Martyn Long et al have conducted the UK based study entitled The Psychology of Education: The Evidence Base for Teaching and Learning and the study gives variety of teaching methods and strategies for children with autism and other kinds of developmental disorders. The problem of lacking teaching methods and strategies creates obstacles in the way which providing better education facilities both Britain and Saudi Arabia. Studies prove that Britain current education system in Britain keeps better improvements in providing education for children with autism. Owners of the study remarks; â€Å"Another approach to teaching children with autism, particularly those with severe and profound learning difficulties has been through social interactive approaches† (Long, Wood, Littleton, Passenge r and Sheehy, 2010, p.306). Elaine Fletcher-Janzen’s study suggests variety of teaching strategies and techniques for autistic children to achieve knowledge acquisition. The study reveals that the absence of a well planned

What is the Truth Essay Example for Free

What is the Truth Essay When a person goes to court and is asked to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, can we assume that the person giving the statement is telling us facts that are based on a past occurrence or are they actually giving us what they think is the way something happened during that past occurrence? The main problem that we see here is that someones truth is someone elses false. If someone testifies that the sky is blue is it really blue or is blue the only part of the sky that they can see. This is where some problems start to arise. The notion that someones truth is someone elses false can be a little hard to understand at first. The best way that it can be explained is that in some cultures our truth is not going to be the same as theirs. For example John Locke said that whatsoever is, is this would not be the same truth as Socrates idea of a chair (or Platos eidos-the ideal form of the chair). By Lockes statement we have to accept the chair as being there as truth. By Socrates statement we have to accept that the chair really is not there but the Idea of the chair is. Socrates statement leads to many other questions about truth, because many times, Socrates, himself, tended to doubt that he knew anything at all. But, if you follow his idea to the end then you will find nothing but more questions. For example his idea of a chair is a bunch of molecules bound together to form a shape that one can perceive as a chair. You can take this even further by saying that the molecules are formed of atoms that are positive or negatively charged to form an idea of a molecule. We are still trying to determine what the truth of the chair really is. Lockes stand is that we need to accept the form of the chair as it is and not question what the ideal form of the chair is or was or is going to be. This is one of the many problems that can arise out of different times and/or schools of thought. If you take Socrates side on this argument you will probably never find the truth in our court system. However if you take Lockes side of this argument then you still probably will not find the truth either, although it may be more likely. To tell the truth you have to know what the truth is. The definition of truth is Conformity to fact or actuality what this means is that a person who is telling the truth must not elaborate or use any adjectives to describe a situation they must state facts. For example if the question is what color is the sky? Then the reply must be the color of the sky that I could see was blue. This lets the questioner know that although the sky is blue it is many other colors that the eye can not perceive. For any person to know the truth the first thing that they have to admit to is that they really only perceived certain situations that they saw, heard, or seen to be true. Once they do this they can start to understand what the truth actually is. Hence all human truth is limited. Take for instance the movie The Matrix. Is Neo seeing the truth when the machines have him plugged up to a computer program? Or is he seeing the truth when Morpheous unplugs him and shows him the real world? In either case you could say that Neo is seeing the truth because he can taste, see, touch, hear, and feel in both places. As you can see it is going to be rather difficult to tell the truth. A question about how truth is developed also arises in the movie The Matrix. How did Neo even before he was contacted by Trinity sense that something was wrong? Was it because he was born with a second sense or is everyone able to sense this wrong if they just open up their minds. Immanuel Kant said that if a person undermines his foundation on his house and watches it fall he probably knew that it was going to happen anyway. So even though Neo took the pill and found out that his life was not real according to Kant he already knew that. The next part of the Question is to tell the whole truth. Already we have seen how difficult the truth is, but now it seems that this part of the phrase already assumes that you have lied about the first part of the phrase to tell the truth. If you told the truth then you would not have to go back and retell it. An example of not telling the whole truth is if someone gave witness to a murder, and they did not tell the whole scene that they witnessed. If they told a lawyer that they saw a person getting stabbed with a knife forty nine times, and the lawyer did not let them finish their thought or accounts of the murder then they gave false witness to the whole truth. The reason that they would have given false witness is that they did not finish telling the lawyer that after they saw this person stabbed forty nine times that he got up and bowed because it was all part of some street corner magicians act. So how can we tell if the whole truth we here is actually the whole truth and not a lie? The whole truth is almost impossible to achieve. The reason that this is so is because if someone tried to give the whole truth of a situation then they would be there for a very long time trying to give factual evidence of something they saw. On the other hand if the court had time and listened to the Whole truth then many cases would never be overturned in an appeals court. Not only those two, but everything is constantly changing (Heraclites vs. Parmenides, with his notion that things are still and trustworthy). The really interesting part of the statement to give the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth is the last part. If taken in context with the whole phrase you will see that this part assumes that you have lied again, and now someone wants you to give them nothing but the truth. The definition of no thing is Something that has no. independent.. existence. If you take this definition of nothing and add it to the rest of the phrase you get no existence of anything except facts or actualities. So in theory the person asking this statement asks you three times for the same thing just in different ways. All in all there seems to be many intricate problems with the statement To tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth I find it hard to believe that our court system gives the people a fair chance to be heard and represented in a fair and truthful trial. One of the reasons is that we all have prejudices and tend to hear and see only what we want to hear and see.

The power of love, peace, and family bonding are all similar in some :: English Literature

The power of love, peace, and family bonding are all similar in some type of way. Family Bonding The power of love, peace, and family bonding are all similar in some type of way. Sharing the love with someone gives you peace and allows you to bond together. The two poems "Earth and Rain, the Plants and Sun" and "Four poems for a Child Son" both elaborate on the love, peace and family bonding shared in these poems. "Earth and Rain, the Plants and Sun" was a well written poem with many meanings to it. On his way to Colorado, the narorator enlightens the day for not just his family, but also himself. As he grasps such a wonderful image of joy, he lets his son know, that this shall never end. He hears the sound of a meadowlark, rising high above, through the fresh cut smell of alfalfa. Describing the freshness and purity in the air on such a peaceful day. As the hawk sweeps high above, the sound of thunder brings darkness through this day. The sun is gone, but a sunlight beam breaks through a cloud, shining directly on the green plant. The thunder has stirred up a storm, sending rain to fall to the ground, fertilizing the green plants and alfalfa. The plants and alfalfa feed the meadowlark, mice, molls and other rodents. These essence of life provide the food for the hawk which represents the leader of the pack. Today the Katzina come. The dancing prayers. Many times, the katzina. It shall not end, on, it will not end, his love. The dancing prayers from the katzina truly show that there is a great amount of joy on this day. The mother, father and son hold hands as they enjoy every minute together on such a peaceful day filled with joy and excitement, that shall never end. "Four Poems for a Child Son" is divided into four parts. Part one "What's your Indian Name?" tells the significance of the name you are given when born. Together, deserts, sun, gods and songs complete the full meaning of who you are. Your name tells the stories of the past, who the heroes are and contributes to the strength and bravery that you grow to adapt to. Constructing the Indian headdress, painting it with the earth's most natural resources, talking to it and treating it the way you would treat another person. All of these things allow you to get to know it a lot better, and apply it to you own life all together. The headdress represents who you are and what your Indian name is. The power of love, peace, and family bonding are all similar in some :: English Literature The power of love, peace, and family bonding are all similar in some type of way. Family Bonding The power of love, peace, and family bonding are all similar in some type of way. Sharing the love with someone gives you peace and allows you to bond together. The two poems "Earth and Rain, the Plants and Sun" and "Four poems for a Child Son" both elaborate on the love, peace and family bonding shared in these poems. "Earth and Rain, the Plants and Sun" was a well written poem with many meanings to it. On his way to Colorado, the narorator enlightens the day for not just his family, but also himself. As he grasps such a wonderful image of joy, he lets his son know, that this shall never end. He hears the sound of a meadowlark, rising high above, through the fresh cut smell of alfalfa. Describing the freshness and purity in the air on such a peaceful day. As the hawk sweeps high above, the sound of thunder brings darkness through this day. The sun is gone, but a sunlight beam breaks through a cloud, shining directly on the green plant. The thunder has stirred up a storm, sending rain to fall to the ground, fertilizing the green plants and alfalfa. The plants and alfalfa feed the meadowlark, mice, molls and other rodents. These essence of life provide the food for the hawk which represents the leader of the pack. Today the Katzina come. The dancing prayers. Many times, the katzina. It shall not end, on, it will not end, his love. The dancing prayers from the katzina truly show that there is a great amount of joy on this day. The mother, father and son hold hands as they enjoy every minute together on such a peaceful day filled with joy and excitement, that shall never end. "Four Poems for a Child Son" is divided into four parts. Part one "What's your Indian Name?" tells the significance of the name you are given when born. Together, deserts, sun, gods and songs complete the full meaning of who you are. Your name tells the stories of the past, who the heroes are and contributes to the strength and bravery that you grow to adapt to. Constructing the Indian headdress, painting it with the earth's most natural resources, talking to it and treating it the way you would treat another person. All of these things allow you to get to know it a lot better, and apply it to you own life all together. The headdress represents who you are and what your Indian name is.

Why Smoking is Bad for You

Did you know that the primary cause of death around the world is smoking? Are you aware that every cigarette you smoke reduces your expected lifespan by eleven minutes? And that 4. 9 million people world wide dies as a result of smoking? Smoking Is a common and popular occurrence and also responsible for approximately ninety percent of lung cancer deaths. Smoking is a bad habit and is also very hazardous to those who don't smoke. So, before you act heedless, stop and think about what smoking will do to you and the people around you. Smoking cigarettes is a commonly pastime in the United States.At almost ever super market or gas station there are ads encouraging you to buy cigarettes. Which the smoke from the cigarettes contains over seven-thousand chemicals, sixty-nine of them are known to cause cancer which eventually lead to your dead. There are kids getting Influenced by these ads. Smoking Is abhorrent because it's not good for you health, not only good for your health but does as much damage to the ones around you, and It also makes drastic changes In your appearance. One of the many reasons why I think smoking is bad for you is obviously because of al the health problems smoking causes.From smoking just one cigarette can lead you on your way to cancer because of the nicotine it contains. Nicotine does not cause cancer, it is an addictive drug. This can eventually make you go from one innocent smoke to multiple smokes, which then leads you to being an addict and from addict to patient with lung cancer. In other words your death sentence and I know you don't want that for yourself. In a way by smoking you encourage cancer. Because you know what cancer can lead to so Instead of wasting your money on a cancer suck you should donate It to find a DOD cause, for Instance finding a cure to cancer association.You may say â€Å"But smoking helps me when I'm stressed out† or â€Å"Smoking makes you look cool† please no disrespect but please keep your tr ap shut. If you're stressed find something besides smoking, find a hobby, go for a run, and make a plastic of your favorite songs that help you stay calm, or eat if that helps you and for smoking being ‘cool' do you think its cool when there are infants who breathe second hand smoke and causes them have weaker lungs than other babies. Do you think it's fair? Or do you think is so ‘cool' hat there is patients painfully dying in hospitals because they decided to smoke and now are suffering the consequences?If you do please think again its not cool or funny It Isn't safe for yourself or others around you. Now please stop Influencing smoking and realize how smoking Is a major Issue because It affects you and your loved ones. When I think of smoking I think of all the different ways people can make a change in this situation instead of encouraging it. Please think before you decide you need another cigarette to release some stress or because others think your cool Just becaus e you smoke something so harmful.

Dysfunctional Behaviour Essay

A dysfunctional behaviour can be defined as â€Å"an inappropriate action or response, other than an activity of daily living, in a given social milieu that is a problem for the caregiver.† Dysfunctional behaviours commonly accompany cognitive impairment and are a significant source of burden to caregivers. Dysfunctional behaviours may be the first sign of a dementing illness, even before caregivers perceive changes in the patient’s cognitive abilities. Dysfunctional Behaviour has been called many things- abnormal, atypical and currently dysfunctional- which seem to reflect society’s view of the individual. If someone is not able to function as a normal human being, the label ‘dysfunctional’ carries less stigma than the label ‘abnormal’. It states that a person is clearly not functioning correctly and is therefore not leading what would be considered a ‘normal’ life. He or she may lack the full range of emotions or feelings and may participate in only a limited range of behaviours that does not allow for a fully functioning lifestyle. Approaches of Dysfunctional Behaviour * Behavioural The behaviourist perspective is that we are born blank slates and all behaviour is learnt. Therefore any dysfunctional behaviour is learnt, by operant conditioning, classical conditioning, or social learning. This places the responsibility on us to ensure that we do not ‘teach’ dysfunctional behaviours to others. * Biological The biological approach, which is part of biopsychology, would favour the nature side of the nature-nurture debate. Biological explanations of behaviour assert that something in our biology is the fundamental cause of dysfunctional behaviour. There could be genetic cause, or a malformation of brain structures. * Cognitive The third approach to explain dysfunctional behaviour is that of cognitive psychology, which sees our behaviour as being a consequence of some internal processing of information. Much like a computer, we take in information, process it and respond in some way. If however there is a problem with the circuit boards in a computer, the response may not be what we would expect, and this is the same with humans. If something goes wrong with what information we attend to, and how we perceive and store it, then the response may not be what everyone expects and this could lead to a label of dysfunctional behaviour.

A Study About Sociologists Social Policy Essays

A Study About Sociologists Social Policy Essays A Study About Sociologists Social Policy Essay A Study About Sociologists Social Policy Essay When adequate people in a society agree that a status exists that threatens the quality of their lives and their most precious values, and they besides agree that something should be done to rectify it, sociologists say that society has defined that status as a societal job. Sociologists who study societal jobs ask inquiries about the societal instead than the single facets of a job. The primary sociological attacks to the survey of societal jobs are the functionalist, and struggle, positions.Functionalism purposes at the analysis of societal and cultural phenomenon in footings of the maps they perform. From this position, the chief ground for the being of societal jobs is that societies are ever altering ; failure to accommodate successfully to alter leads to societal jobs. In the early 1900s, functionalist theoreticians saw societal jobs like condemnable aberrance, as a signifier of societal pathology.Functionalist analysis was outstanding in the work of Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer, two of the establishing male parents of the subject and was further developed and refined by Emile Durkheim and more late by Parsons. Durkheim is the most of import sociological precursor of modern twenty-four hours functionalism. His description of organic solidarity -a signifier of integrating typical of industrial societies, focussed on the mutuality of functions and deficiency of autonomy that held people together.Harmonizing to the functionalist position, each portion of society is mutualist and contributes to society operation as a whole. If all goes good, the diverse parts of society green goods order, stableness, and productiveness. If all does non travel good, so the different parts of society must so accommodate to re-establish a new order, stableness, and productiveness. For illustration, during a fiscal recession and attendant high rates of unemployment and rising prices, societal plans are trimmed or cut, Schools offer fewer programmes and households tighten their budgets, so a new societal order, stableness, and productiveness occurs.The struggle position, which originated chiefly out of Karl Marx s Hagiographas on category battles, nowadayss society in a different visible radiation from the functionalist position. While this latter position focal points on the positive facets of society that contribute to its stableness, the struggle position focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever-changing nature of society. Conflict theorists challenge the position quo, promote societal alteration ( even when this means societal revolution ) , and believe rich and pow erful people force societal order on the hapless and the weak.Capitalism, the economic system which dominates the universe today, is based on private ownership of the agencies of production ( fabricating industry, the natural stuffs and resources needed for industry and, today, even the seeds necessary for nutrient production ) and development of the labor of the working-class. The working-class, with no land or significant familial wealth, have no agencies of back uping themselves and are forced to sell their labor to last. Capitalists buy this labour power, so acquire their money back and do net incomes by selling necessities and other merchandises to the working-class and other categories in society.Critics of the struggle position point to its overly negative position of society. The theory finally attributes human-centered attempts, selflessness, democracy, civil rights, and other positive facets of society to capitalistic designs meant to command the multitudes, and non to bui lt-in involvements in continuing society and societal order.For coevalss before the constitution of a public assistance province, most hapless people who did non gain a life someway managed to get by. Trusting on neighbors and, if necessary, on private, local charities, they cobbled together the resources to maintain a roof over their caputs and prevent famishment. The term Poverty has many definitions all of which portion similar thoughts, It is frequently defined as a province of want relation to those criterions of populating enjoyed by others within the same society e.g. income or ingestion poorness, Social exclusion, deficiency of basic demands and comparative want.The Functionalist belief on poorness is based on the premiss that poverty serves a positive map for society since functionalism is interested in big scale structural accounts of societal life. Therefore, poorness is regarded on a macro degree on the footing of the benefits it provides for societyas a whole, instead t han for the persons who are in poorness. The most influential author on this position is Herbert J. Gans ( 1971 ) [ 1 ] who suggests that poorness benefits the rich and powerful, who have a vested involvement in keeping poorness. [ 2 ]Harmonizing to Gans, poorness ensures there is ever person in society who needs to execute physically unsafe, impermanent, undignified and underpaid work for low rewards, which is finally better than destitution. Furthermore, without the really low paid in society, many industries would be unable to work as they rely upon low paid workers to guarantee their net income and endurance. The being of poorness provides reassurance and support for the remainder of society and serves as a yardstick against which society can mensurate itself. [ 3 ]In Britain, Peter Townsend played a prima function between 1950, and 1970s in doing the public aware of the go oning being of poorness. Harmonizing to Townsend persons, households and groups can be said to be in poorn ess when they lack the resources to obtain the types of diet, take part in the activities and have basic living conditions and installations which are customary, or at least widely encouraged or approved, in the societies to which they belong. Their resources are so earnestly below those commanded by the mean single or household that they are, in consequence, excluded from ordinary life forms, imposts and activities. In Poverty in the United Kingdom [ 4 ] Townsend claims that the being of category division is the major factor doing poorness ; but he besides acknowledges that poorness is related to life styles.From a struggle position, poorness is imposed, reflecting unequal power among societal groups, and it will go on to be imposed until those harmed by it pull off to coerce a alteration. Conflicttheory argues that the accounts offered by functionalism theory is portion of what sustains poorness, as they conceal its true beginnings and promote the hapless to accept societal agreem ents instead than form to battle them. Marxism attributes poorness to the being of category divisions in society. Poverty helps to keep the domination of the middle class.In the nineteenth century the standard account of poorness came from Malthus s Essay on Population ( 1798 ) [ 5 ] . Malthus believed that population grows faster than production. Increasing poorness is hence inevitable ; any addition in the criterion of life of the poorest categories merely leads to increased birth rate or lower decease rate, and population once more presses on nutrient supply. Marx held the Malthusian theory in great disdain. Under capitalist economy, production grows really quickly because of continual invention and the surplus population a pool of unemployed, populating in destitution is non the consequence of natural population addition, but of the supplanting of workers by labour-saving machinery. The excess population could wholly be put to work if the length of the on the job twenty-four hours were reduced. But employers do nt desire this, for assorted grounds.Marxists believe that the capitalist society is structured by the economic system, and this construction needs to be wholly transformed to be able to eliminate poorness. This would include a radical overthrow of capitalist economy because finally the state of affairs will come on to a little minority of the middle class ( governing category ) and a pool of inexpensive labor. Marxists explained this by proposing that establishments in the superstructure, such as the media, exploit the labor, maintaining them hapless. A failing to the Marxists point of position is that it fails to explicate why some groups are more prone to poorness than others, e.g. adult females and the handicapped. Harmonizing to Marxists, the public assistance system is an instrument of the province, which helps to keep gross inequalities of wealth that see some people populating in destitution with small possibility of of all time truly ge t awaying from it.Absolute poorness, besides known as subsistence poorness, is the thought that it is possible to make an absolute minimal criterion of life required for physical wellness, this is frequently called the poorness line. This construct is used in Drewnowski and Scott s level of life index [ 6 ] where nutrition is defined in footings of Calories and protein, shelter in footings of quality of home and grades of overcrowding, and wellness in footings of infant mortality and the quality of available medical installations. Some sociologists attempt to include steps of instruction, security, leisure and diversion as basic cultural demands to be added to the impression of subsistence.The construct of comparative poorness has chiefly replaced that of absolute poorness in sociological research. Relative poorness is measured in footings of opinions by members of a peculiar society of what is considered a sensible and acceptable criterion of life. This definition of poorness sugge sts that the hapless in any given society are in portion defined by their antonym, the rich. A societyhas a typical set of cultural norms and values any definition of poorness must include the picks and outlooks that persons have in their society. Any poverty line must be drawn comparative to given societies and farther to the societal divisions they are in.The extended sociological literature on poorness convergences with that on race, ethnicity, subcultures, the lower class and stratification. The survey of poorness is cardinal to any scrutinies of societal inequality, including an analysis of who is hapless and the grounds for their poorness. Although the hapless have frequently been blamed for their poorness, which is seen as the effect of some signifier of personal insufficiency such as fecklessness or idling, most surveies explain the being of poorness in footings of the societal and economic constructions of industrialized societies poorness surveies have been criticised for non recognizing that poorness may ensue if the income of a adult male.Research workers have linked poorness to several cardinal issues of kid public assistance. Children from households in poorness experience more emotional and behavior jobs than kids from center and upper category households. [ 7 ] Although all kids go to school, the background of some puts them behind their equals academically from the start. Destitute pupils are far more likely to come in school as linguistically disadvantaged because they have non had experiences that promote literacy and reading preparedness.More than one billion people in the universe live on less than one dollar a twenty-four hours. In entire, 2.7 billion battle to last on less than two dollars per twenty-four hours. Poverty in the underdeveloped universe, nevertheless, goes far beyond income poorness. It means holding to walk more than one stat mi everyday merely to roll up H2O and firewood ; it means enduring diseases that were eradicated f rom rich states decennaries ago. Every twelvemonth eleven million kids die ( most under the age of five ) with more than six million from wholly preventable causes like malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia. Around the universe, a sum of 114 million kids do non acquire even a basic instruction and 584 million adult females are illiterate [ 8 ] .Social protection systems in Europe are among the most-highly-developed in the universe but still, 16 % of Europe s population amounting to 79 million people live below the poorness line ( set at 60 % of their state s average income ) with one European in 10 life in a family where cipher works. Children, are more open to poverty with 19 % amounting to 19 million kids populating under the menace of poorness. For this ground the European Union has proclaimed 2010 as the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion with four chief aims and peculiarly: [ 9 ] The cardinal right of individuals sing poorness and societal exclusion to populate in self-respect and to take an active portion in society ; Foster committedness by all public and private histrions to battle poorness and societal exclusion ; Encourage coherence ; Promote committedness and practical action of the EU and its Member States to battle poorness and societal exclusion, and affect all degrees of authorization in the chase of that purpose. Malta does non populate in a vacuity and new signifiers of poorness have been brought about by societal advancement as a consequence of new life styles. A big figure of households are populating through hard times, with kids being the inexperienced person victims of their parents and defenders, the governments or the community at big. Problems created by chancing, vigorish, intoxicant, drug maltreatment and mental wellness. The study by the National Family Commission has comparative poorness exits non merely financially but besides in instances of stigmatised unwellness, domestic force and instances where a hubby chooses non to work so that he can default on paying care. [ 10 ]More and more international attempts have been organized in recent decennaries to turn to the jobs of the poorest among us. However, while the universe has surely seen an overall betterment in rates of poorness and poverty-related issues, success has been uneven and hampered by serious reverses. One lay waste t oing disease, such as AIDS, can kill the economic system of a low-income state and one violent struggle can oppress any human development progresss that might hold been achieved.Can we imagine a society without absolute poorness and comparative poorness? In a society without absolute poorness everyone that could work would be employed, there would be small offense, merely a great topographic point to populate. In a society without comparative poorness people would all have the same wealth there would be no competition to be better so anyone else. This type of society is merely possible in the imaginativeness. Poverty survives because it is utile to our society. Society s dirty work could still be carried out without poorness by paying the dirty workers nice rewards. If the hapless were more flush they would do less willing clients for upper-class philanthropic gift. Poverty will merely be eliminated when the hapless can obtain adequate power to do a alteration in today s society.Ros ette Spiteri CachiaDiploma in Public Administration[ 1 ] hypertext transfer protocol: //www.sociology.org.uk/as4p3.pdf[ 2 ] Gans argues that Poverty survives in portion because it is utile to a figure of groups in society [ 3 ] Gans offers a functional analysis to explicate the continued being of poorness Phenomena like poorness can be eliminated merely when they become dysfunctional for the flush or powerful, or when the powerless can obtain adequate power to alter society [ 4 ] hypertext transfer protocol: //www2.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy/introduction/needf.htm[ 5 ] Thomas R. Malthus, First Essay on Population ( London: Macmillan,1926 )[ 6 ] hypertext transfer protocol: //www.blacksacademy.net/content/3261.html[ 7 ] Brooks-Gunn, J. , A ; Duncan, G. J. ( 1997 ) . The effects of poorness on kids. Future of Children, 7 ( 2 ) , 55-71.[ 8 ] World Bank, World Development Indicators Database 4 ( rpm, Sept. 10, 2008 ) , hypertext transfer protocol: //sitcresources, worldbank, org/DATASTATIS TICS/Rcsources/GDP, pdf[ 9 ] hypertext transfer protocol: //www.2010againstpoverty.eu/ ? langid=en[ 10 ] hypertext transfer protocol: //www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090709/local/no-absolute-poverty-in-malta

Wars in the Former Yugoslavia

Wars in the Former Yugoslavia In the early 1990s, the Balkan country of Yugoslavia fell apart in a series of wars which saw ethnic cleansing and genocide return to Europe. The driving force was not age-old ethnic tensions (as the Serb side liked to proclaim), but distinctly modern nationalism, fanned by the media and driven by politicians. As Yugoslavia collapsed, majority ethnicities pushed for independence. These nationalist governments ignored their minorities or actively persecuted them, forcing them out of jobs. As propaganda made these minorities paranoid, they  armed themselves and smaller actions degenerated into a bloody set of wars. While the situation was rarely as clear as Serb versus Croat versus Muslim, many small civil wars erupted over decades of rivalry and those key patterns existed. Context: Yugoslavia and the Fall of Communism The Balkans had been the site of conflict between the Austrian and Ottoman Empires for centuries before both collapsed during World War I. The peace conference which redrew the maps of Europe created the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes out of territory in the area, pushing together groups of people who soon quarreled about how they wished to be governed. A strictly centralized state formed, but opposition continued, and in 1929 the king dismissed representative government- after the Croat leader was shot while at parliament- and began to rule as a monarchical dictator. The kingdom was renamed Yugoslavia, and the new government purposefully ignored the existing and traditional regions and peoples. In 1941, as World War II spread over the continent, Axis soldiers invaded. During the course of the war in Yugoslavia- which had turned from a war against the Nazis and their allies to a messy civil war complete with ethnic cleansing- communist partisans rose to prominence. When liberation was achieved it was the communists who took power under their leader, Josip Tito. The old kingdom was now replaced by a federation of supposedly six equal republics, which included Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia, and two autonomous regions, including Kosovo. Tito kept this nation together partly by sheer force of will and a communist party which cut across ethnic boundaries, and, as the USSR broke with Yugoslavia, the latter took its own path. As Tito’s rule continued, ever more power filtered down, leaving just the Communist Party, the army, and Tito to hold it together. However, after Tito died, the different wishes of the six republics began to pull Yugoslavia apart, a situation exacerbated by the collapse of the USSR in the late 1980s, leaving just a Serb-dominated army. Without their old leader, and with the new possibilities of free elections and self-representation, Yugoslavia divided. The Rise of Serbian Nationalism Arguments began over centralism with a strong central government, versus federalism with the six republics having greater powers. Nationalism emerged, with people pushing for splitting Yugoslavia up or forcing it together under Serb domination. In 1986, the Serbian Academy of Sciences issued a Memorandum which became a focal point for Serb nationalism by reviving ideas of a Greater Serbia. The Memorandum claimed Tito, a Croat/Slovene, had deliberately tried to weaken Serb areas, which some people believed, as it explained why they were doing relatively poorly economically compared to the northern regions of Slovenia and Croatia. The Memorandum also claimed Kosovo had to remain Serbian, despite a 90 percent Albanian population, because of the importance to Serbia of a 14th century battle in that region. It was a conspiracy theory that twisted history, given weight by respected authors, and a Serb media which claimed Albanians were trying to rape and kill their way to genocide. They we ren’t. Tensions between Albanians and local Serbs exploded and the region began to fragment. In 1987, Slobodan Milosevic was a low-key but powerful bureaucrat who, thanks to the major support of Ivan Stambolic (who had risen to be Serbia’s Prime Minister) was able to leverage his position into an almost Stalin-like seizure of power in the Serb Communist Party by filling job after job with his own supporters. Until 1987 Milosevic was often portrayed as a dim-witted Stambolic lackey, but that year he was in the right place at the right time in Kosovo to make a televised speech in which he effectively seized control of the Serbian nationalism movement and then consolidated his part by seizing control of the Serbian communist party in a battle waged in the media. Having won and purged the party, Milosevic turned the Serb media into a propaganda machine which brainwashed many into paranoid nationalism. Milosevic than gained Serb ascendance over Kosovo, Montenegro, and Vojvodina, securing nationalist Serb power in four of the region’s units; the Yugoslav government c ould not resist. Slovenia now feared a Greater Serbia and set themselves up as the opposition, so the Serb media turned its attack onto Slovenes. Milosevic then started a boycott of Slovenia. With one eye on Milosevic’s human rights abuses in Kosovo, the Slovenes began to believe the future was out of Yugoslavia and away from Milosevic. In 1990, with Communism collapsing in Russia and across Eastern Europe, the Yugoslavia Communist Congress fragmented along nationalist lines, with Croatia and Slovenia quitting and holding multi-party elections in response to Milosevic trying to use it to centralize Yugoslav’s remaining power in Serb hands. Milosevic was then elected President of Serbia, thanks in part to removing $1.8 billion from the federal bank to use as subsidies. Milosevic now appealed to all Serbs, whether they were in Serbia or not, supported by a new Serb constitution which claimed to represent Serbs in other Yugoslav nations. The Wars for Slovenia and Croatia With the collapse of the communist dictatorships in the late 1980s, the Slovenian and Croatian regions of Yugoslavia held free, multi-party elections. The victor in Croatia was the Croatian Democratic Union, a right-wing party. The fears of the Serb minority were fuelled by claims from within the remainder of Yugoslavia that the CDU planned a return to the anti-Serb hatred of World War II. As the CDU had taken power partly as a nationalistic response to Serbian propaganda and actions, they were easily cast as the Ustasha reborn, especially as they began to force Serbs out of jobs and positions of power. The Serb-dominated region of Knin- vital for the much needed Croatian tourism industry- then declared itself a sovereign nation, and a spiral of terrorism and violence began between Croatian Serbs and Croats. Just as the Croats were accused of being Ustaha, so the Serbs were accused of being Chetniks. Slovenia held a plebiscite for independence, which passed due to large fears over Serb domination and Milosevics actions in Kosovo, and both Slovenia and Croatia began arming local military and paramilitaries. Slovenia declared independence on June 25, 1991, and the JNA (Yugoslavia’s Army, under Serbian control, but concerned whether their pay and benefits would survive the division into smaller states) was ordered in to hold Yugoslavia together. Slovenia’s independence was aimed more at breaking from Milosevic’s Greater Serbia than from the Yugoslav ideal, but once the JNA went in, full independence was the only option. Slovenia had prepared for a short conflict, managing to keep some of their weapons when the JNA had disarmed Slovenia and Croatia,  and hoped that the JNA would soon get distracted by wars elsewhere. In the end, the JNA was defeated in 10 days, partly because there were few Serbs in the region for it to stay and fight to protect. When Croatia also declared independence on June 25, 1991, following a Serb seizure of Yugoslavia’s presidency, clashes between Serbs and Croatians increased. Milosevic and the JNA used this as a reason to invade Croatia to try to protect the Serbs. This action was encouraged by the U.S. Secretary of State who told Milosevic that the U.S. would not recognize Slovenia and Croatia, giving the Serb leader the impression he had a free hand. A short war followed, where around a third of Croatia was occupied. The UN then acted, offering foreign troops to try and halt the warfare (in the form of UNPROFOR) and bring peace and demilitarization to the disputed areas. This was accepted by the Serbs because they’d already conquered what they wanted and forced other ethnicities out, and they wanted to use the peace to focus on other areas. The international community recognized Croatian independence in 1992, but areas remained occupied by the Serbs and protected by the UN. Before these could be reclaimed, the conflict in Yugoslavia spread because both Serbia and Croatia wanted to break up Bosnia between them. In 1995 Croatia’s government won back control of western Slavonia and central Croatia from the Serbs in Operation Storm, thanks in part to U.S. training and U.S. mercenaries; there was counter ethnic cleansing, and the Serb population fled. In 1996 pressure on Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic forced him to surrender eastern Slavonia and pull out his troops, and Croatia finally won back this region in 1998. UN Peacekeepers only left in 2002. The War for Bosnia After WWII, the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina became part of Yugoslavia, populated by a mixture of Serbs, Croats, and Muslims, the latter being recognized in 1971 as a class of ethnic identity. When a census was taken in the aftermath of the collapse of Communism, Muslims comprised 44 percent of the population, with 32 percent Serbs and fewer Croats. The free elections held then produced political parties with corresponding sizes, and a three-way coalition of nationalist parties. However, the Bosnian Serb party- pushed by Milosevic- agitated for more. In 1991 they declared the Serb Autonomous Regions and a national assembly for Bosnian Serbs only, with supplies coming from Serbia and the former Yugoslavian military. The Bosnian Croats responded by declaring their own power blocs. When Croatia was recognized by the international community as independent, Bosnia held its own referendum. Despite Bosnian-Serbian disruptions, a massive majority voted for independence, declared on March 3, 1992. This left a large Serb minority which, fuelled by Milosevic’s propaganda, felt threatened and ignored and wanted to join with Serbia. They had been armed by Milosevic, and would not go quietly. Initiatives by foreign diplomats to peacefully break Bosnia into three areas, defined by the ethnicity of the locals, failed as fighting broke out. War spread throughout Bosnia as Bosnian Serb paramilitaries attacked Muslim towns and executed people en masse to force the populations out, to try and create a united land filled with Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs were led by Radovan Karadzic, but criminals soon formed gangs and took their own bloody routes. The term ethnic cleansing was used to describe their actions. Those who weren’t killed or had not fled were put into detention camps and mistreated further. Shortly after, two-thirds of Bosnia came under the control of forces commanded from Serbia. After setbacks- an international arms embargo which favored the Serbs, a conflict with Croatia which saw them ethnically cleanse too (such as at Ahmici)- the Croats and Muslims agreed  to a federation. They fought the Serbs to a standstill and then took back their  land. During this period, the U.N. refused to play any direct role despite evidence of genocide, preferring to provide humanitarian aid (which undoubtedly saved lives, but did not tackle the cause of the problem), a no-fly  zone, sponsoring safe areas, and promoting discussions such as the Vance-Owen Peace Plan. The latter has been much criticized as pro-Serb  but did involve them handing some conquered land back. It was scuppered by the international community. However, in 1995 NATO attacked Serbian forces after they ignored the U.N. This was thanks in no small part to one man, General Leighton W. Smith Jr., who was in charge in the area, although their effectiveness is debated. Peace talks- previously rejected by the Serbs but now accepted by a Milosevic who was turning against the Bosnian Serbs and their exposed weaknesses- produced the Dayton Agreement after the place of its negotiation in Ohio. This produced The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina between Croats and Muslims, with 51 percent of the land, and a Bosnian Serb republic with 49 percent of the land. A 60,000 man international peacekeeping force was sent in (IFOR). No one was happy: no Greater Serbia, no Greater Croatia, and a devastated Bosnia-Hercegovina moving towards partition, with huge areas politically dominated by Croatia and Serbia. There had been millions of refugees, perhaps half of the Bosnian population. In Bosnia, elections in 1996 elected another triple government. The War for Kosovo By the end of the 1980s, Kosovo was a supposedly autonomous area within Serbia, with a 90 percent Albanian population. Because of the region’s religion and history- Kosovo was the location of a battle key in Serbian folklore and of some importance to Serbia’s actual history- many nationalist Serbs began to demand, not just control of the region but a resettlement program to oust the Albanians permanently. Slobodan Milosevic canceled Kosovar autonomy in 1988–1989, and Albanians retaliated with strikes and protests. A leadership emerged in the intellectual Democratic League of Kosovo, which aimed at pushing as far as they could towards independence without getting into a war with Serbia. A referendum called for independence, and newly autonomous structures were created within Kosovo itself. Given that Kosovo was poor and unarmed, this stance proved popular, and amazingly the region passed through the bitter Balkan wars of the early 1990s mostly unscathed. With ‘peace’, Kosovo was ignored by the negotiators and found itself still in Serbia. For many, the way the region had been sidelined and lumped into Serbia by the West suggested that peaceful protest wasn’t enough. A militant arm, which had emerged in 1993 and produced the Kosovan Liberation Army (KLA), now grew stronger and was bankrolled by those Kosovars who worked abroad and could provide foreign capital. The KLA committed their first major actions in 1996, and a cycle of terrorism and counter-attack flared up between Kosovars and Serbs. As the situation worsened and Serbia refused diplomatic initiatives from the West, NATO decided it could intervene, especially after Serbs massacred 45 Albanian villagers in a highly publicized incident. A last-ditch attempt at finding peace diplomatically- which has also been accused of simply being a Western sideshow to establish clear good and bad sides- led the Kosovar contingent to accept terms but the Serbs to reject it, thus allowing the West to portray the Serbs as at fault. There thus began on March 24 a very new type of war, one which lasted until June 10 but which was conducted entirely from the NATO end by airpower. Eight hundred thousand people fled their homes, and NATO failed to work with the KLA to coordinate things on the ground. This air war progressed ineffectually for NATO until they finally accepted that they would need ground troops, and went about getting them ready- and until Russia agreed to force Serbia to concede. Quite which one of these was the most important is still up for debate. Serbia was to pull all its troops and police (who were largely Serb) out of Kosovo, and the KLA was to disarm. A force of peacekeepers dubbed KFOR would police the region, which was to have full autonomy inside Serbia. The Myths of Bosnia There is a myth, widely spread during the wars of the former Yugoslavia and still around now, that Bosnia was a modern creation with no history, and that fighting for it was wrong (in as much as the western and international powers did fight for it). Bosnia was a medieval kingdom under a monarchy founded in the 13th century. It survived until the Ottomans conquered it in the 15th century. Its boundaries remained among the most consistent of the Yugoslavian states as administrative regions of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires. Bosnia did have a history, but what it lacked was an ethnic or religious majority. Instead, it was a multi-cultural and relatively peaceful state. Bosnia was not torn apart by millennia-old religious or ethnic conflict, but by politics and modern tensions. Western bodies believed the myths (many spread by Serbia) and abandoned many in Bosnia to their fate. Western Lack of Intervention The wars in the former Yugoslavia could have proved even more embarrassing for  NATO, the UN, and the leading western nations like the U.K., U.S., and France, had the media chosen to report it as such. Atrocities were reported in 1992, but peacekeeping forces- which were undersupplied and given no powers- as well as a no-fly zone and an arms embargo which favored the Serbs, did little to stop the war or the genocide. In one dark incident, 7,000 males were killed in Srebrenica as UN Peacekeepers looked on unable to act. Western views on the wars were too often based on misreadings of ethnic tensions and Serbian propaganda. Conclusion The wars in the former Yugoslavia appear to be over for now. Nobody won, as the result was a redrawing of the ethnic map through fear and violence. All peoples- Croat, Muslim, Serb and others- saw centuries-old communities permanently erased through murder and the threat of murder, leading to states which were more ethnically homogenous but tainted by guilt. This may have pleased top players like Croat leader Tudjman, but it destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives. All 161 people charged by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia for  war crimes  have now been arrested.

Non-Plagiarized Term Papers

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Aviation System Safety Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Aviation System Safety - Assignment Example In the past we had been getting complaints of malfunctioning air conditioning unit on our Boeing 737 series. Six out of 10 air crafts have such problems much to our ignominy. Because of this problem we have lost many of our frequent flyers. Some of the Pilots have refused to fly the plane. The paucity of apt spare parts simply adds fuel to the fire. But after such a pandemic problem of mal functioning of the A.C units, I along with board members had decided to completely replace the critical components of the A.C units on all our jets. The results of our move were truly remarkable as we no longer faced any problem related to the A.C units. None of our planes after the replacement have been grounded due to inaction of the A.C. later that year we also earned ourselves a reputation of being a five star air line in terms of safety. Today we face stiff competition from all corners. Our rival airlines get the spares from Boeing earlier; our planes are late because of sloth of air traffic controller leading to delayed flights. These problems only compound to further delaying of our flights. Unfortunately we are blamed for it. All our efforts seem to go in vain. The vast majority (80%+) of incidents & accidents are caused by human error. Error is a natural condition of being human! It is a primary function of personal development. We are all error prone, even the most experienced engineers and managers including myself. Management should not be surprised when Human Error occurs! But they should be surprised if systems of work are not robust enough to contain that error.

Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Tourism - Essay Example However, scholars hold the view that to the profession requires specialised skills and knowledge, continuous education and be good to the society and community. According to Roberts (2007), corporate social responsibility (CSR) entails responsible business conduct causing no harm in the workplace, marketplace, the natural environment as well as the community they operate in. In the tourism sector, it would mean that it is the local, national and global community. CSR is not only vital in promoting business operations but also creates harmony and respect between the business and the community. To the business, CSR looks to ensure that the organisations keep on making profit while ensuring that her future is safe. Tourism industry’s management ought to understand that CSR, reduces general operational costs while improving the firm’s reputation. By extending services to the community, the firm’s dignity rises, resulting to not only a competitive advantage but also access to investment and funding opportunities. Notably, most NGOs prefer funding projects that improve the society’s welfare. Corporate social responsibility in the tourism industry is not a choice; it is a business obligation (Lyn 2009). To the society, CSR increases welfare as well as building a liking for the firm. Going green initiative, maintained by a firm via CSR improves he ecological conditions of the society. The result is reduced health hazards, better working conditions as well as better services and safe products. Involvement in charitable fundraising can improve the society’s education and possibly create equal opportunities. According to Lyn (2009), tourism managers who focus on short-term profits at the expense of the society and the environment are doomed to fail. For sustainability, a business ought to ensure that there is a bottom line that measures environmental, economic and social profits and losses. That goes a long way at maintaining customer

Impact of Globalization on engenireeng industry Essay

Impact of Globalization on engenireeng industry - Essay Example It is evident from the study that the â€Å"new globalization of engineering† entails a proliferation of specialized firms across the globe. It seems as if the world has been undergoing a transition in its infrastructure and the traditional organizational boundaries have been expanding far beyond the concepts of physical proximity. The international trade barriers have blurred and the rapid advancement of technology and its geographical mobility has enabled the engineering industry to capitalize on low cost models and market growth in emerging economies like India, China and Brazil. And this transition is still on-going with its ramifications yet to be explored. This very new concept has been coined as â€Å"unlocking† of the organizational bonds. Whereas traditionally the manufacturing was bonded to the IT infrastructure within the same organization up until early 1990s, the new millennium saw this unlocking of these activities, keeping the core competencies unlocked t o attain competitive advantage. Globalization then can be described as augmentation of international integration of markets; an interconnectedness of cross border political, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological issues. Freidman describes globalization in respect to three eras; the era from 1492 to 1800 that marked America’s discovery by Columbus, the second era from 1800 to the new millennium, which was majorly characterised with dispersement of markets for cheap labour and resources. And the new era of globalization is the present era that has made the world shrink even further. (Giachetti 2010). Hence, companies have faced the pressure to make internal decisions consistent with global competition and incorporate these decisions into their business strategy. The engineering industry has undergone these changes in terms of investing in research and development, innovation, cost savings and making the production processes more efficient in order to create a com petitive edge in this highly competitive industry (Laudon 2007). Aims of the Study The aim of this study hence is to analyse the impact of globalization on the engineering ind

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Is Killing Nonhuman Animals Wrong and the branch topic is Regan and His Critics - Essay Example Regan’s book and article on issue was written some time ago and since then there have been several critics disagreeing with the philosopher. First of all, Regan claims that the whole system of exploitation and killing animals is fundamentally wrong (in any area by any means). To change such fundamental wrongness and exploitation of animals requires drastic changes in people’s beliefs and habits. Furthermore, killing animals is causing pain and harm to them. Even though animals are not human beings, they feel pain and they suffer. Causing pain and suffering is wrong, so the very idea of killing animals is wrong too. Morality is a certain set of rules. A person agreeing to abide to those rules is as if signing a contract. Children are taught to abide to the rules almost from their birth. Keeping this idea in mind we have to remember that we have certain duties to animals as we have some duties to each other. Such thinking reflects contractarian position. From utilitarian perspective one has to look for equality of rights. Animals which live together with us in neighboring environment have to be counted. Humans and animals are very different. And yet, they have a lot in common. Animals like humans have inherent values and, thus, should not be killed: â€Å"All who have inherent value have it equally, whether they be human animals or not† (p.

Journal of Clinical Nursing FOLLOW-UP CARE An exploratory study of the Assignment

Journal of Clinical Nursing FOLLOW-UP CARE An exploratory study of the follow-up care needs of patients treated for colorect - Assignment Example This is in line with the assertions of Alasuutari, P. et al. (2008); Balsley (2007) that a document abstract should in brief present the researcher’s proposed objectives and whether they were met; how he/she had proposed to carry out the research-the research paper design; the reasons for choosing such a design given there are so many design methodologies citing the advantages and disadvantages and comparing the shortcomings with those of other potential design methods; perceived outcomes citing the actual and the expected impacts. Further, the abstract should clearly give the research methodology including the research tools giving reasons of their choice, the data collection methods, , how the data will be analyzed and including the software to be used (SPSS, STATA, EnVivo, GenStat etc) in addition to research schedule and envisaged budget. As Alasuutari, P. et al. (2008) puts it, all the above are meant to present the research protocol in an easier manner to comprehend. The authors of the research paper article have taken all the above into consideration while writing the paper. One important aspect included in the research paper it background, which gives a foundation for the paper citing the existing information gap to form a sound justification for current and future research works in the area. Further, relevance of the research work in the provision of health services is well articulated and sound well for a research work findings which are expected to be generalized and replicated. Evaluation In any research work, the research design and methodology which form the research protocol are entirely based on proposed research objectives. Research objectives guide the researcher in the formulation of specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and time bound activities which guide the researcher in avoiding those that are likely to interfere with the research timelines and budget. According to Kinta, B. et al. (2010), the research objective was to exp lore patient perceptions of their experiences of follow-up care after treatment for colorectal cancer. The research objective is supported by the formulated questions which the research aims at answering and which are disaggregate into a level which is easily manageable. In this case the null hypothesis assumed that the traditional method of routine hospital follow-up may be effective in the surveillance of disease recurrence, but does not always address patients’ psycho-social and information needs adequately (Kinta, B. et al. 2010). The null hypothesis assumed none effect of follow-up of cancer patients. The formulated hypothesis formed the basis for the development of research tools, data collection protocol, determination of the analysis methods and the way to report the findings. Hypothesis formulation is very important in that, they are integral parts which guide the readers on what to expect, what the research paper aimed at in addition to reducing the research questio ns into manageable components (Babbie 2007). The importance of a research article is clearly captured by the authors stating that nurse-led clinics and/or telephone follow-up by specialist nurses may be effective models of care for this particular patient group, providing appropriate access for meeting clinical, psycho-social and

Human Euthanasia is Unethical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Euthanasia is Unethical - Essay Example All of them are for the protection of life. In the world of medicine, the World Medical Association (WMA, 2002) made its point well on euthanasia. The policy adopted by the 38th WMA Assembly, in Madrid, Spain, October 1987, states: "Euthanasia, that is the act of deliberately ending the life of a patient, even at the patient's own request or at the request of close relatives, is unethical. This does not prevent the physician from respecting the desire of a patient to allow the natural process of death to follow its course in the terminal phase of sickness." "Physicians-assisted suicide, like euthanasia, is unethical and must be condemned by the medical profession. Where the assistance of the physician is intentionally and deliberately directed at enabling an individual to end his or her own life, the physician acts unethically. However the right to decline medical treatment is a basic right of the patient and the physician does not act unethically even if respecting such a wish results in the death of the patient." As one of the most contentious issues of our time, "euthanasia" (herein clarified as human) is understood as "good death." According to Bamgbose (2004), there are many angles in looking at this issue as euthanasia has been deliberated in a many-sided debate from different groups. On one side are the medical practitioners ready to assist with their expertise; on another are the legal practitioners who interpret the law; on still another are those in the judicial arm of government who have to make authoritative decisions. There are yet the two groups where on one side are the terminally ill who look for assistance to die with dignity, and then on the other side are the family members much tormented with anguish. My position. The debate on euthanasia is on whether a person may decide to have his or her life terminated for his or her own benefit (Bamgbose, 2004). The burden appears to lie on the one who has a life to reckon with. Does a person own his own life such that he can decide how long he should live or notAs defined by euthanasia.com (http://www.euthanasia.com/index.html), euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. Accordingly, the key word here is "intentional" so that if death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia therefore refers to when the person who is killed has requested to be killed. Accordingly, there is no euthanasia unless the death is intentionally caused by what was done or not done (Website: euthanasia.com). Zeroing in on this angle, this paper takes on the position that a person's decision to terminate his or her life is unethical. In other words, the WMA's belief that euthanasia is unethical is well taken. Euthanasia or good death or mercy killing may take on other meanings like suicide or physician-assisted suicide (PAS) depending on the circumstance. All of them, however, amount to euthanasia. For either argument for and against euthanasia, this paper will endeavor to counter or concur with the contentions accordingly The word euthanasia originated from an amalgam of two Greek words: eu

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Individual Improvement Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Individual Improvement Plan - Essay Example First, my intellectual skills, especially personal emphasis on mental activity worked well in this project because it required effective problem-solving skills. The complexity of the project required the team to seek alternative solutions to problems. This task matched my skills. I would apply personal reflection and introspection to gain motivation to complete the task. Further, I feel that my commanding style applied in presenting the scenarios as well as moving the team forward in moments when we would have stalled. Once we established the project goals, I developed a clear map of what I wanted achieved. Negotiations with the other team members allowed us to create synergies and complete the project in time. May contributions were to the team were exceptional because I am a competitive individual, and thus I wanted to be the best. However, this was apparent. All the individual tasks that I performed in this project related well with my inquisitive nature. A personal reflection about the activity shows that I can achieve better results by focusing more on my strengths as a programmatic learner. Therefore, I should seek opportunities for hands-on training. I would require demonstration from an acknowledged expert. Overall, this means that my personal learning style can help support growth and development activities during the proposed hands-on training activity. This is especially important because it links well with my pragmatics

Origins of Quinceanera Essay Example for Free

Origins of Quinceanera Essay Quinceanera cerebrations history is mainly found in the Aztec and Mayan cultures of the Latin American people with the roots in the ancient Mexican society. A girl approaching her fifteenth birthday would be taken from her home to be prepared on how to transcend from girlhood to womanhood and marriage. During this time, she would be taught about her traditions and history as well as being given instructions and guidelines through which she would learn to be a responsible adult and a good wife in her community. By the time she was returning to her family, a great celebration was launched that marked her womanhood (sexual maturity) status. The celebration is still held to this date in Latin and Hispanic families all over the world. However, the girls are no longer taken from their families but they rather get involved in group discussions and classes where they learn issues such as family, adulthood, and religion. In many cases, this goes on for a period of six months or even more as adopted by different communities around the world. Preparations for the major quinceanera celebrations often begin about two years before the actual date of the wonderful occasion. The major purpose for the quinceanera is to act as a right of passage or social initiation that is intended to teach as well as reinforce the important and valuable cultural values of the community. These days, the ceremony is conducted to acknowledge the young girl’s rite of passage to womanhood. Since many societies that practice this ceremony have turned it into a religiously oriented activity, the ceremony acts as reaffirmation of the baptismal vows the parents made on behalf of their daughter(s). The ancient Mexican quinceanera is equivalent to the sweet sixteen in many United States societies. At the age of fifteen, boys traditionally became warriors. This therefore necessitated the need for girls to be presented to their communities as a vital force of community’s future in the sense that their power to become mothers would ensure continued provision of more warriors for the tribe (http://kufflynx. com/historyofquinceanera. aspx) The history of quinceanera, unlike the sweet sixteen, has many religious components that make it more or less the same as the Bar Mitzvah which is held in the Jewish culture when their youth turn thirteen (Lankford, 1994, pp. 18). Before the celebrations commence, family members and guests accompany the quinceanera to a church service. The delivered sermon by the clergy is usually one whose main theme is the importance of growing up to be a responsible woman in the society. In the process, the young lady is given an opportunity to share her future hopes. Other family members and guests may also be allowed to speak too. After the service is over, people proceed to the party where under normal circumstances plenty of food, games, dance, and music take the order of the day. Quinceanera parties usually require a lot of preparation and planning. It is as thus a very big occasion for the young woman and sometimes it takes many years of saving to make the girl’s fifteenth birthday dream a reality. Due to the value attached to this event, it is very common to have live bands, catered food, superb location reservations, and photo sessions. The quinceanera girl will often have a lavish gown and the guest of honor will sometimes have one as well. This makes the birthday as elaborate as a wedding. The most crucial aspect of the quinceanera is invariably a thanksgiving Mass (Karen, 1996, pp. 76). Traditionally, the King conducted the girl’s exhortation, giving the relevant instructions related to the duties of the woman. In the Aztec tradition for example, if a woman died during child birth, she received funeral honors equivalent to the ones accorded a warrior who died in battle. During the whole session of the Mass, the girl remains specially seated at the altar’s foot. When the Mass ends, bolos or commemorative favors are passed out by cousins, younger sisters and close friends to those who have attended, while the quinceanera girl deposits her bouquet in a niche or on the altar honoring the Virgin Mary (http://kufflynx. com/historyofquinceanera. aspx) There is a traditional provision that the quinceanera, depending on the economic strength of the parents and the godparents, can further the celebration opulence by opting between a journey to a fancy city and a party with live band music. Today there is a general tendency of women from all social strata to opt for the later. Regardless of the magnitude of the opulence involved in the quinceanera celebrations, the highest goal of the event is to strengthen the social fabric and bonds that should remain firmly cemented not only among families but also at the societal level. This postulates the spirit of communal cohabitation, togetherness, and cohesiveness that must be maintained at all times. One uncertain thing is how far this norm is maintained in our â€Å"electronic† global community (Lankford, 1994, pp. 40). Learning from the importance that was, and to some extent is still associated to quinceanera or the sweet sixteen in most parts of the United States, we need to realize the significance of the social bonds that persist in our societies from ancient times to date. Beyond any reasonable doubts, there are certain stages and rights of passage that each one of us passes in life and which are given some form of communal responsibility, however little it may be compared to earlier times. These include similarly shared social functions such as child birth, the first marriage, parental responsibility, and lastly the final stage which is death. These are considered in different perspectives in different cultural backgrounds but the truth of the matter is that they are present in all communities in the world. Furthermore, the quinceanera topic is significant in the sense that it portrays the gender differentials were and are still seen in our societies today. Not many years have passed since women stated involving themselves in the disciplines which were traditionally regarded as masculine oriented. Examples of this can be found in cases where women were considered as child bearers and home keepers who were expected to be submissive to their husbands. In academic arenas, mathematics and science oriented subjects were gender-roles meant for men (Karen, 1996, pp. 45). The trend has fundamentally changed from women being submissive child-bearers, cookers, and weavers to equally productive citizens in the world. The political climate has also significantly changed since women engaged in politics. Further lessons from the quinceanera topic advocate for personal growth and development. The major reason I postulate this is because by learning of our cultural heritage and social institutions we find ourselves in, one is able to critically reflect on what needs to be reinforced and what should be abolished from our systems. On example is the fact that in many Mexican communities, women are still regarded as second-class citizens, even with the known fact that they are the best family maintainers as compared to their male counterparts (Karen, 1996, pp. 64). Some of these outdated opinions should be addressed with the most appropriate urgency if we are to claim of freedom from social segregations and inequalities. References: Karen Mary (1996). La Quinceanera: Making Gender and Ethnic Identities. Frontiers: A Journal of Women’s Studies, Vol. 16, pp. 45, 64, 76 Lankford, Mary D. (1994). Quinceanera: a Latina’s Journey into Womanhood. Brookfield, Connecticut: Millbrook Press, pp. 18, 40 The History and Meaning of Quinceanera.

Echoing Footsteps: Rape, Victims, Survivors, and What We Can Do Essay

Echoing Footsteps: Rape, Victims, Survivors, and What We Can Do Rape is devastating to its victims. I feel as if this statement should stand alone, underlined and in bold typeface. It is crucial that we, as a society, come to a deep understanding and awareness of this message. For that reason, I will state it again: Rape is devastating to its victims. Thirty percent of rape victims will contemplate suicide. Slightly more will seek therapy. Slightly less will invest in some form of self-defense. The overwhelming majority, 82%, will tell you that their lives have been permanently changed. The way they view men will be permanently changed as well (Warshaw 66). Forty-one percent of victims go through life believing every day that they will be raped again (Warshaw 64). Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we do what we can to spread knowledge of this crime, protect its victims, prosecute its perpetrators, and prevent it from ever happening again. Acquaintance rape, sometimes called date rape, is the most common form of this crime. Yet, until the 1980s, it was virtually unheard of (Warshaw 2). We believed that rape was fairly rare. When it did take place, we wrongfully assumed that the victim was an idealized virginal school girl and that her attacker was a ruthless and depraved psychopath, armed and lurking in the shadows (Warshaw 14). This image needs to be destroyed. Rape is common. One in four women will be raped during her lifetime. Current statistics say that a woman is raped every four seconds in this country (Anderson 213). These women will be assaulted by people they know, most often by people they trust. They will be disbelieved when they tell their story. They will... ...Violence 14 (1999): 62-79. Dervarics, Charles. â€Å"Date Rape, Hate Crimes May Get Hill Attention.† Black Issues in Higher Education 15 (1999): 6. Foege, Alec and Jennifer Mendelsohn. â€Å"Silent No More.† People 50 (1998): 185-188. Henderson, Alan. â€Å"Study: Women Using ‘Date Rape Drug’.† Women’s Health Weekly (01/11/99): 8. Koss, Dr. Mary. Arizona Rape and Sexual Assault Surveillance Project. December 1997. Online. Internet http://www.u.arizona.edu/~sexasslt/text.html 28 March 1999. Rubenzahl, Samuel A. â€Å"The Prevalence and Characteristics of Male Perpetrators of Acquaintance Rape New Research Methodology Reveals New Findings.† Violence Against Women 4 (1998): 713-726. Warshaw, Robin. I Never Called it Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1994.

Gainsborough, A Story of a Painter and an Era Essay -- essays papers

Gainsborough, A Story of a Painter and an Era To be able to appraise the originality of eighteenth century English art, one must recognize its importance in history. A great painter to research is Thomas Gainsborough. His artwork was an important aspect of the art community of the middle seventeen hundreds. His paintings seem to bring brightness and color to a period in art that needed his creative boost. His combination of portrait paintings along with beautiful landscapes was not recognized in his time, but would be recognized as remarkable later in history. Thomas Gainsborough was born in 1727 in the town of Sudbury in Suffolk (Internet 1). He grew up as the son of a woodworking father and his mother was a teacher. He had 7 brothers and sisters, with whom he attended school until he was thirteen. He traveled to London and worked for a Silversmith. While there he saw many painters, he enjoyed it and began painting himself. It was impressive that he began painting without any formal academic lessons (Woodall 11). In spite of that his work was very astonishing and he published his first sketches in 1747. He was greatly influenced by the great painter Sir Anthony Van Dyck before he decided that it was time for him to leave the silversmith’s shop (Internet 2). He married and had two daughters, his love for painting continued on. His love for painting landscapes brought great paintings, but these were not popular enough to earn a living. He had to paint portraits to keep an income. Gainsborough’s combination of both po rtrait style painting and landscape painting was to give him a large contribution to his era of painters. Up until this point in time, paintings were usually face shots or occasionally full body sho... ... may seem confusing, but with just a little conversation with it should have all the details figured out. Art is History. Bibliography: Sources Woodall, Mary. Gainsborough. London: Phoenix House Limited, 1949. Internet sources 1 http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jgainsborough.htm 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 2 http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/04854.html 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 3 http://acker.cwrl.utexas.edu/~scoggins/britishprojects/eighteenth/economy.html 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 4 http://metalab.unc.edu/wm/paint/auth/gainsborough/ 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 5 http://encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/4F/04F02000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1 6 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 7 http://tetrad.stanford.edu/hm/HorseNMusket.html 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. Gainsborough, A Story of a Painter and an Era Essay -- essays papers Gainsborough, A Story of a Painter and an Era To be able to appraise the originality of eighteenth century English art, one must recognize its importance in history. A great painter to research is Thomas Gainsborough. His artwork was an important aspect of the art community of the middle seventeen hundreds. His paintings seem to bring brightness and color to a period in art that needed his creative boost. His combination of portrait paintings along with beautiful landscapes was not recognized in his time, but would be recognized as remarkable later in history. Thomas Gainsborough was born in 1727 in the town of Sudbury in Suffolk (Internet 1). He grew up as the son of a woodworking father and his mother was a teacher. He had 7 brothers and sisters, with whom he attended school until he was thirteen. He traveled to London and worked for a Silversmith. While there he saw many painters, he enjoyed it and began painting himself. It was impressive that he began painting without any formal academic lessons (Woodall 11). In spite of that his work was very astonishing and he published his first sketches in 1747. He was greatly influenced by the great painter Sir Anthony Van Dyck before he decided that it was time for him to leave the silversmith’s shop (Internet 2). He married and had two daughters, his love for painting continued on. His love for painting landscapes brought great paintings, but these were not popular enough to earn a living. He had to paint portraits to keep an income. Gainsborough’s combination of both po rtrait style painting and landscape painting was to give him a large contribution to his era of painters. Up until this point in time, paintings were usually face shots or occasionally full body sho... ... may seem confusing, but with just a little conversation with it should have all the details figured out. Art is History. Bibliography: Sources Woodall, Mary. Gainsborough. London: Phoenix House Limited, 1949. Internet sources 1 http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jgainsborough.htm 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 2 http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/04854.html 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 3 http://acker.cwrl.utexas.edu/~scoggins/britishprojects/eighteenth/economy.html 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 4 http://metalab.unc.edu/wm/paint/auth/gainsborough/ 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 5 http://encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/4F/04F02000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1 6 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999. 7 http://tetrad.stanford.edu/hm/HorseNMusket.html 8 December, 1999. 12 December, 1999.

An Epic Man Who Became an Epic Hero Essay

Odysseus, of Homer’s Odyssey, is an appropriate hero and ruler of Ithaca. He does not act irrationally but contemplates his actions and their implications. Odysseus is an appropriate hero because he embodies the values of bravery, intelligence, astuteness, and competency. Odysseus is an appropriate ruler for Ithaca by virtue of his hereditary right to kingship as well as his diplomatic skills, familiarity with his male subjects, discipline, and his impartiality and compassion. However, he is a character that does make a foolish decision. There is a rare instance when his pride supersedes his intellectual ability. Odysseus is an appropriate hero for he embodies the values of bravery, intelligence, astuteness, and competency. While he trying to return home from Ilium, numerous suitors attempt to seduce his wife, Penelope. However, when he returns Odysseus cleverly plans and carries out the demise of the evil and wasteful suitors with the help of Athena, goddess of wisdom: â€Å"Come on [Athena] weave me a plan to punish them [the suitors].† Odysseus’ wisdom is admired by Athena, the goddess of that aptness. Athena is also impressed by his battle heroics and so she endeavors to provide him with succor: â€Å"And you didn’t know Pallas Athenaia the daughter of Zeus himself, your faithful stand-by and guardian in all your labours!† With Athena’s assistance Odysseus becomes a true hero. Odysseus is the epitome of honor and virtue for his Ithacan subjects. Odysseus’ kind and stalwart leadership is revealed by Eumaios, his faithful swineherd, and Philoitios, his loyal cowherd, who have both remained loyal to him for twenty years. Eumaios praises Odysseus as â€Å"A rare fine master.† â€Å"Indeed I do not mourn so much for them as for him [Odysseus], though I long to see ’em again and my native land, but I do miss Odysseus since he went away. I don’t like to speak his name, man, although he is absent, but I call him ‘his honour,’ even when he is far away.† Odysseus is a befitting king because it is his ancestral right, for he is familiar with his male subjects and understands their desires. Odysseus’ equity and mercy is displayed after his triumph over the suitors, whom he executed because of their lawless  behavior. However, Odysseus shows compassion by allowing Phemius, the minstrel suitor, and Medon, a herald suitor to live. â€Å"Cheer up, my son has saved your life. So you shall know, and tell other men, that doing well is far better than doing ill.† Odysseus’ proper sovereignty is expressed by his justice. Odysseus displays his shrewdness as he overcomes the challenges that beset his crew. When Odysseus and his men become trapped by Polyphemos on the island of the Cyclops, Odysseus cleverly tells Polyphemos that his name is ‘Noman.’ Thus, when Polyphemos is stabbed in the eye by Odysseus and his men, he renounces assistance from his friends by stating that â€Å"Noman is killing me,† leading his companions to believe that no man has hurt him. However, once Odysseus and his men reach their ships and set sail, he performs his most foolish act. Odysseus taunts Polyphemos by declaring, â€Å"if ever any one asks who put out you ugly eye, tell him your blinder was Odysseus, the conqueror if Troy, the son of Laertes, whose address is Ithaca!† Once Polyphemos obtains this critical information on his blinder’s identity, he implores his father Poseidon, god of the sea, to â€Å"grant that Odysseus the conqueror if Troy- the son of Laertes- whose address is Ithaca, may never reach his home!† Because Odysseus’ pride would not allow him to let his ingenious action go unrecognized, he dooms himself and his crew. Odysseus’ wisdom and courage enable him to be a brave hero and a strong ruler, both traits of superiority in his society. Being mortal binds him to occasional mistakes that he compensates for by becoming wiser and stronger. His extraordinary abilities are heralded by the gods. Upon his return to Ithaca, Odysseus ingeniously kills the rude and wasteful suitors and reclaims his title of king. In reconciliation and honor, he finally makes a sacrifice to Poseidon. Odysseus is the epitome of a hero of his culture.

Csr – Evaluation Methods

Claremont Colleges Scholarship @ Claremont CMC Senior Theses CMC Student Scholarship 2011 An Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Implemented by Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale as a Means to Aid in Poverty Alleviation in the Brazilian Regions These Mining Companies Operate Emily A. Coleman Claremont McKenna College Recommended Citation Coleman, Emily A. , â€Å"An Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Implemented by Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale as a Means to Aid in Poverty Alleviation in the Brazilian Regions These Mining Companies Operate† (2011).CMC Senior Theses. Paper 198. http://scholarship. claremont. edu/cmc_theses/198 This Open Access Senior Thesis is brought to you by [email  protected] It has been accepted for inclusion in this collection by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email  protected] claremont. edu. CLAREMONT McKENNA COLLEGE AN EVALUATION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVES I MPLEMENTED BY ALCOA, VOTORANTIM, AND VALE AS A MEANS TO AID IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN THE BRAZILIAN REGIONS THESE MINING COMPANIES OPERATE.SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR WILLIAM ASCHER AND DEAN GREGORY HESS BY EMILY AIKO COLEMAN FOR SENIOR THESIS FALL 2010/ SPRING 2011 APRIL 25, 2011 Acknowledgements Thank you to my loving parents who supported me throughout my academic career from preschool to my degree at Claremont McKenna College. I would have never made it without you! Thank you to my excellent professors who have challenged me to stretch outside my comfort zone in order to help me grow academically and personally. A special thank you to Professor William Ascher for his undying support and constant critiques.You made this process enjoyable and stress free. I truly appreciate your invaluable contribution to my Claremont McKenna College education. Lastly, thank you to my friends, Career Services Center, Kravis Leadership Center, and the wonderful staff at Claremont McKenna College for you r friendship and support throughout my college career. Table of Contents I. The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in International Development Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies Corporate Social Responsibility Implementation Techniques Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment Methods II.Historical Trends of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies Implemented by Corporations in Brazil Background: Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazilian Business Culture Brazilian Government Social Policies Brazilian Government Environmental Policies Present State of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Modalities of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Corporate Social Responsibility in the Mining Industry Challenges Faced By Mining Companies The Mining Industry in Brazil III.ALCOA in Juruti, Para: Bauxite Mine and Shipping Port The Region Alcoa’s Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsib ility Initiatives Civil Society Organization Partners Conflicts with the Local Community Evaluation of Aloca’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program and Impacts Analysis of Aloca Corporate Social Responsibility Table 1. Alcoa corporate social responsibility programs and impacts analysis IV.Votorantim in Niquelandia, Goias: Nickel Mine and Processing Center The Region Votorantim’s Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Civil Society Organization Partners Conflicts and Community Challenges for Votorantim Program and Impacts Analysis of Vorotantim’s Corporate Social Responsibility Table 2. Votorantim corporate social responsibility programs and impacts analysis V.Vale in Carajas, Para: Iron Mine, Railroad, and Smelting Industry The Region Vale’s Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Civil Society Organization Partners Conflicts and Challenges at the Car ajas Mine Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Program and Impact Analysis of Vale’s Corporate Social Responsibility 1 6 10 14 19 19 19 23 25 26 30 33 34 36 38 38 38 40 42 44 45 48 49 52 52 52 54 56 57 59 60 62 62 63 65 67 68 69 70 Table 3. Vale corporate social responsibility programs and impacts analysis VI.Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies: Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale Evaluation of the Data Collection Analysis of Alcoa, Votorantim, and Vale’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Degree of Monitoring and Evaluations Implemented by Alcoa, Vale, and Votorantim Can Companies Learn from Corporate Social Responsibility Experiences? VII. Assessment and Recommendations Considerations for Corporate Social Responsibility Development and Implementation Implementation of Evaluations Conclusion VII. Bibliography 65 73 73 74 84 87 89 90 94 99 100I. The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in International Development Even though each year m illions of people in developing countries are rising out of poverty to join the emerging middle class, a large portion of the developing world still lives on less than $2 a day. Governments, non-governmental organizations, non-profits, and corporations acknowledge this disparity and aim to address the issue using a variety of methods. Mineral extraction corporations, in particular, have the potential to play a key role in alleviating poverty.These firms are eager to meet the increasing demands of the newly developing global middle class by spreading their operations further around the globe. Their sprawling presence creates new opportunities to serve the world? s impoverished through corporate social responsibility initiatives. Today, many of the problems seen in developing countries include inefficient distribution of resources, poverty, poor standards of living, overpopulation, malnutrition, disease, lack of education, gender inequality, and government corruption.Corporate social responsibility initiatives create new avenues to address these issues associated with developing nations. In the past 20 years, the private sector has been experiencing a paradigm shift from purely focusing on generating profits to also contributing to the social good. Today, civil society pressures corporations to not only earn profits, but also contribute to the betterment of society. Corporate social responsibility initiatives are methods of how companies can provide services to society.The term is roughly defined as â€Å"economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic expectations placed on organizations by society at a given point in time â€Å"(Carroll and Buchholtz 2000, 35). Carroll and Buchholtz argue that each of these corporate social responsibility components must be met before the 1 subsequent component can be met (2000). Essentially, businesses must first fulfill economic responsibilities which include, making profits, providing employees with safe and fair paying jobs, and providing customers with good quality products. More broadly speaking: to be a functioning economic unit and stay in business.Secondly, businesses need to commit to their legal responsibilities. Meaning a business must obey the laws and follow industry norms. Since the government is viewed as an extension of society, the laws that the government enacts are social codes that must be met before any other social responsibilities are pursued. The third step of corporate social responsibility is to address a business? s ethical responsibilities. Carroll defines this element as what is generally expected by society, above and beyond economic and legal requirements (1991).Society generally expects corporations to be just, fair, and to do what is right. Lastly, businesses will focus on corporate social responsibility philanthropic initiatives. The Greek word â€Å"philanthropy† directly translated means â€Å"the love of the fellow human. † Thus, philanthropic corporate s ocial responsibility is how businesses can positively contribute to the overall quality of life (Hennigfeld et al 2006, 8). Corporations are driven to participate in corporate social responsibility by a compilation of altruistic and utilitarian motives.The stronger and more integrated application of these motives precipitate richer, fuller relationships capable of producing higher value for stakeholders on multiple levels (Austin 2004, 30-32). Altruistic components refer to a passion to help society. Utilitarian components refer to organization competitiveness. It is important to note that each factor does not represent a â€Å"right† or â€Å"wrong† corporate social responsibility method. There is not an innate tension between the two because both are essential in the corporate social responsibility process. While it is important to serve the needs of the community, it is equally important to meet the legitimate needs of a corporation. (Austin 2004, 33). Davis and Blo mstrom's â€Å"Iron Law of Responsibility† suggests that â€Å"in the long run, those who do not use power in a manner which society considers responsible will tend to lose it† (1975, 50). The most successful corporations must choose to intentionally and strategically become a part of the solution to complex issues today, in order to preserve their businesses for the future.Michael Porter, well-known for his work on competitive advantage, argues that if a corporate philanthropic activity does not have a strategy base, it is a disadvantageous activity. Thus, even though companies gear corporate social responsibility towards an altruistic element, a utilitarian element must be present, as well. Porter attests that certain philanthropic investments will create a long-term competitive advantage for business, industries, and communities (2003). In some cases, companies are better equipped than governments to meet society? needs because they possess specialized skills and te chnologies that are significantly more efficient than government. Similarly, the â€Å"bottom of the pyramid† method aims to tap into the nearly 4 billion person market in developing countries. When companies transform their products to meet the financial and resource needs of this market they simultaneously increase profitability and contribute to reducing poverty. In addition, when companies contribute to social, economic, or environmental community needs the company is investing in the region? s potential for business operations in the future.As a result, improving the company? s competitive advantage compared to those companies who do not participate in equitable quality corporate social responsibility. 3 Adversaries of corporate social responsibility business strategy refute that corporations should play a role in philanthropic activities. Milton Friedman once attested that the primary â€Å"social responsibility of business is to make profits (Friedman, 1970). † Within his argument, Friedman claims that only human beings are responsible for their actions and that corporations are not considered human beings.Therefore, corporations are not responsible for their business activities, but rather the individuals a part of the corporation must hold themselves responsible. Further, Friedman (1970) asserts that social issues should be the responsibility of the state, not business. This is because managers do not have the capacity to understand how to address society? s needs. This rests under government jurisdiction. Since legal restrictions on business activity are set in place by the government, who represents society, managers are obligated to solely act in the interest of shareholders, as long as the mandatory legal framework is being met.According to Friedman, shareholder interest revolves around fulfilling the corporation? s central purpose: profitability (1970). For managers to act otherwise, would be considered „theft? from shareholde rs. Friedman does not deny that corporations participate in such corporate social responsibility activities, however he argues that any business action performed for corporate-interest should not be classified as corporate social responsibility (1970). If actions are grounded in a central goal to produce profit, then Friedman reasons it should be not characterized as a corporate social responsibility activity.Either way, corporations are engaging in corporate social responsibility activities, therefore, investigating the most efficient models provides valuable information to these entities. Determining which element causes the other, corporate social responsibility initiatives or profitability, is nearly impossible to prove because of the ambiguity between 4 each factor. There is, however, a positive relationship (Porter and Kramer, 2002). So according to Carroll? four-level corporate social responsibility design, it is imperative that corporations take into account social concerns because corporate social responsibility promotes profitability, which is the first requirement of his corporate social responsibility model. Corporations are attracted to corporate social responsibility activities because of the multi-tiered benefits for the community and the corporation itself. For example, by using a socially responsible business structure studies show an increase in new consumers who are attracted to the company? s positive reputation.Further, companies who uphold social responsibility attract a higher quality workforce, which is even more committed to their corporation because of its perceived socially responsible mission. Establishing a positive mutual relationship with the government is also an advantage for corporations. They gain more autonomy from and influence over legislation in order to promote their own business practices. Overall, corporate social responsibility represents short-term and long-term investments in the local population, government, and ec onomy to secure a prosperous business in the future (Henningfeld 2006).Individual corporations participating in corporate social responsibility initiatives dictate their own strategies according to their industry norms, available corporate resources, and specific community needs. Some corporations commit to meeting the minimum governmental regulations. By doing this, corporations curb the most pressing public concerns, but do not go beyond their legal obligation. On the other hand, corporate social responsibility could be used to fulfill a philanthropic vision in which a corporation proactively and consistently contributes to society above and beyond the basic governmental requirements.Regardless of the differing corporate social responsibility 5 missions, each entity strategically formulates their corporate social responsibility agenda to, in some regard, meet the needs of the communities it affects. This agenda dictates how a corporation? s resources and expertise are administered . Discussed below are examples of methods in which corporations may construct corporate social responsibility initiatives. This information represents hypothetical strategies and possible results, not necessarily strategies proven to be most effective.Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies (1) Environmental Sustainability Environmental sustainability initiatives aim to provide an environment that meets the needs of those today, without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations, 1992). Since a wide range of people benefit from sustainable development and environmental activist groups strongly support these initiatives it is useful in influencing positive public opinion. In addition, corporations preserve future resources for their own business activities.The first step corporations take in pursuing environmental sustainability is to thoroughly research the environmental impacts of their operations. If corporations are producing negati ve environmental externalities, local communities are inflicted with present and future environmental challenges. In response, corporate social responsibility resources are used to create proactive and retroactive sustainable business responses, techniques, and technologies in order to reduce their direct environmental impacts. Further, environmental education and sustainable community development can be provided.This strategy places more responsibility on the local citizens to use their sustainability education to benefit their 6 own community. In theory, it creates a longer lasting sustainable influence because community members can use their knowledge throughout their entire lifetimes and pass on sustainable traditions to future generations. (2) Anti-corruption/ Anti-bribery Multinational corporations operating in the developing world typically possess more influence over political, social, and economic issues than local community members.This is due to the fact that the corporat ions have superior financial resources, connection with the government and knowledge about national legal issues. Despite this power disparity, it is in a corporation? s best interest to avoid engaging in corrupt activity. The news of questionable business operations eventually leaks out to the global community. Currently, international business etiquette disapproves of corrupt behavior and views it as immoral. A company that participates in corrupt activities negatively impacts its reputation, thus, diminishing shareholder confidence and ultimately decreasing overall business value.To avoid this, a corporation should adopt anticorruption and anti-bribery corporate social responsibility strategies. When a corporation refuses to engage in dishonest activities, it reflects positively on corporate operations and adds to a just political climate (Stewart 2009). In addition, a contribution to a smooth running government benefits corporations because they can operate with few governmental interventions and also save money by avoiding bribes. 7 (3) Local Economic Development Corporations may choose to invest in local economic development.As a method to spur business growth corporations provide microfinance loans to local start-up or small businesses within the community. Business management courses that extend knowledge concerning entrepreneurship and sustainable business are another beneficial corporate social responsibility economic development alternative (Stewart 2009). In addition, contribution to infrastructure such as roads, ports, and city centers are beneficial for local trade because goods can be more efficiently transferred over a broader region. 4) Education and Training If a corporation employs people from the local community, it is necessary that these people are trained adequately. Education integration into business operations is imperative for social development (Nelson 2006). Corporate social responsibility focused on educational development helps p eople become more self-sufficient by teaching them skills that will attribute to being more productive members of society. This type of corporate social responsibility strategy, creates valuable human capital. Corporations could choose to focus on primarily employee training or choose to extend services to the entire community.The latter would consist of supporting primary to tertiary schools in order to invest in local human capital for potential future employees. The locally operating corporations will be more efficient with trained and educated employees who gain business and operations skills. 8 (5) Health and Wellness Access to health care services attributes to healthier community members, therefore extending a person? s work life and improving productivity. â€Å"Business works best when operating in stable and secure societies,† (Plugge 2004) in which a healthy workforce plays an important role.Corporate social responsibility health and wellness strategies may include education about basic hygiene, nutrition, and sanitation. Corporations who open access to basic medicines reduce the risk of many common illnesses that could be avoided or significantly reduced. All of these benefits contribute to stronger, healthier, and more productive employees. (6) Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Evidence shows that empowering women contributes to positive socio-economic development within communities in developing countries (Malhorta et al 2002, 33).Female leadership programs, increase corporate employment of women, provide microfinance loans for female entrepreneurs, and establish strict sexual harassment corporate policies are all possible corporate social responsibility gender equality initiatives (Plugge 2004, 6). By empowering women, more people are added to the work force, more businesses are developed, and familial relationships are more equalized. As a result, the community becomes increasingly competitive. (7) Employee Volunteerism Highly qualif ied professionals immigrate into local developing communities when a large business opens.These people have received ample training and are intellectually 9 qualified to operate a business on multiple levels. Using employee volunteerism within the local community is another example of a beneficial corporate social responsibility strategy. Depending on each employee? s skill set, corporate volunteers serve the community by improving local business strategies, infrastructure, education system, and public services. Studies have shown that employees desire a sense of â€Å"self-worth and a belief that their work provides value to the community,† rather than solely receiving high salaries (Shayon et al 1975, 2).Employee volunteerism fulfills this desire for importance in corporate work. When employees participate in volunteer work they also gain and perfect skills that will be more effective within corporate operations. Hence, this corporate social responsibility technique improve s employee morale, provides needed services to the community, and advances employee skills. Corporate Social Responsibility Implementation Techniques Corporations choose from a variety of implementation techniques in order to maximize the positive effects of each corporate social responsibility strategy within communities.Specific techniques are â€Å"aimed at mobilizing not only money, but also the company? s people, products, and premises to help support and strengthen local communities and non-profit partners† (Nelson 2006, 7). Discussed below are examples of corporate social responsibility implementation techniques that multinational corporations invest in. 10 (1) Philanthropic Cash Donations The philanthropic corporate donation phenomenon began in the United States during the 20th century with business leaders such as Rockefeller, Mellon, Ford, Gates, Kellogg, and Packard.This type of relationship is based upon responses to non-profit requests for donations with simple à ¢â‚¬Å"check-writing,† rather than a deeper interaction with charitable organizations. Interactions between corporations and non-profits are usually infrequent, with low engagement, and do not apply strategic planning. The basis for this implementation technique is to promote company image in a way that consumers and stakeholders perceive a compassionate and responsible institution. On the flipside, nonprofits receive the necessary funding to maintain service operations (Austin 2004, 4). 2) Independent Service Provider Less commonly pursued, corporations may choose to develop an â€Å"in-house† philanthropic service department to carry out their corporate social responsibility strategies. This department would act as the management team for the creation and implementation of corporate social responsibility strategies autonomous from non-profits, non-governmental organizations or the government. Nonetheless, consultation from these service organizations and the government occurs because of their specialized understanding of philanthropic initiatives which the corporation does not possess.Employee volunteerism would be the most common resource used within this implementation technique because it is one of the most accessible assets the company holds. 11 Direct Corporate Humanitarian Investments represent another form of independent service provider implementation technique that corporations autonomously develop. This technique â€Å"involves a firm using its resources and know-how to alleviate a particular instance of human misery† (Dunfee ; Hess 2000, 95). Corporations with specific niches in a development sector best optimize this technique.For example, the pharmaceutical company, Merck, held the patent to the drug that controlled river blindness. Hence, Merck was the only entity that could distribute this drug independently to developing communities for a reduced price. (3) Partnerships Corporate and social sector partnerships resemble a jo int-venture relationship in order to achieve common philanthropic goals central to the mission of each institution. Within the partnership each organization shares its resources equally and frequently communicates about specific initiatives.In addition, the managerial complexity required within a partnership typically precipitates a separate department to directly manage and implement the bilateral exchanges (Austin 2004, 4-5). In contrast to the previous implementation techniques, corporations acting in a partnership focus on specific initiatives and programs. For example, cause-marketing, project development, and synchronization of strategies are all activities involved within corporate and non-profit partnerships. Multinational corporations play an additional role in partnership corporate social responsibility implementation.Specifically, multinational corporations frequently participate in cross-sector partnerships because most have a mission to engage with the local community. Not only do corporations transfer technology and economic 12 development, but also their values and social policies (Austin 2004, 35). This adds another level of influence within the partnership. Methods of how corporations establish partnerships include social networking, past relationships, connections through acquaintances, related institutions or an affiliation with a specific cause.Typically in developing countries partnerships are with reputable non-profits or non-governmental organizations. Corporations partner with mostly traditional institutions because of their established reliability and proven success. In more progressive developing countries relationships could be developed with local service organizations, but in more underdeveloped countries multinational western based service organizations are used. A partnership acts as a form of risk-management for both the corporation and non-profit organization.Corporations utilize a partnership as an effective tool to address in curred harm to the community from business activities or as a resource to resolve future issues (Austin 2004, 34). Specifically in industries that produce negative externalities, a preventative alliance with a non-profit that specializes in neutralizing harmful business activities is extremely advantageous. Businesses cut-costs, improve public image, and engage with the local community with an established partnership. Moreover, when a corporation partners with the government or provides a service to society, both parties create a â€Å"win-win† relationship (Steward 2009, 18).The government gains from the economic development, material wealth, and jobs that corporations provide. Corporations benefit from government investment in infrastructure and legal protections. In addition, the government determines laws and regulations that a corporation must abide by. Thus, positive and reliable partnerships would influence the government to be more willing to 13 responsive to accommod ating corporate needs. Governments are better off because corporations create an increase in GDP, provide jobs to local citizens and contribute to national development.Non-profits and non-governmental organizations further gain from partnering with corporations. Funding diversification and reducing dependence on public resources are the main examples of how these organizations reduce their business risks. Corporations provide a secure source of funding despite possible government fluctuations in monetary support. For example, if a non-profit organization relies solely on government funding and there is a change in government leadership, budgeting, or policy that reduces funding to the non-profit, the organization would be at-risk of losing many resources.By partnering with corporations, non-profits and non-governmental organizations reduce their financial risk and gain valuable business strategy consultation. Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment Methods The evaluation of corpo rate social responsibility initiatives is extremely important for organizational analysis and public awareness. Documenting corporate social responsibility investments may influence corporations to be more accountable and take more ownership over their activities because it will be appraised by corporate and public experts.Firms use a variety of corporate social responsibility assessment methods in order to internally assess and externally report their corporate social responsibility investments. Reporting assessments may be an important and efficient way to communicate corporate social responsibility investments and achievements with academia, the financial community, government, policy makers, regulators, interest 14 groups, non-governmental organizations, general public, the local community, employees, shareholders, and the industry (Tilt 1994).Jason Saul (2009) believes that â€Å"at the end of the day we have to demonstrate value, and the way we demonstrate value to business, and to society, is by speaking the language of the business—by speaking the language of measurement. † Therefore, he argues that quantitative analysis of corporate social responsibility initiatives and reporting is a key component of corporate social responsibility management. In addition, if companies choose to use the internet and their websites to disseminate their social and environmental activities they have the potential to increase their transparency.This is an advantageous mode of communication because of its wide accessibility, low-costs, and ability to easily create in-depth or interactive tools (Line et al, 2002). The information gathered from expert audits, annual reports, corporate social disclosure reports, environmental sustainability reports and corporate assessments can be used to assess the efficiencies and short comings of corporate social responsibility initiatives. Important factors to consider are generally firm transparency, corporate governance, code of conduct, corporate social disclosure, social mpacts, community relationships, product quality, and stewardship (Szablowski 2006, 49). Thomas Haynes (1999) further recommends all companies measure four critical areas of corporate social responsibility: 1) economic function, 2) quality of life, 3) social investment, and 4) problem-solving. However, Harold D. Lasswell would consider these four critical areas incomplete because it does not take into account the evaluation of corporate social responsibility investments and policies according to the appraisal results. The corporate social responsibility goals must be specific and clear in order for the evaluations to be 15 ffectively implemented to improve corporate social responsibility programs and investments or to propose alternatives. In the past decade, corporate social disclosure reports are being more commonly used. These reports consist of voluntary and mandatory accounting of community issues above purely economic activi ties, such as human resources, community involvement, energy, product safety, environmental issues). The Corporate Citizenship Company, an international corporate responsibility and sustainability consulting firm, uses seven categories to assess the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility activities.Assessment Factors by Corporate Citizenship Company (Yakovleva 2005, 23) 1) Shareholders a. Return on investment b. Corporate governance 2) Employees a. Salary and Benefits b. Health and safety c. Training and staff development d. Diversity e. Communications 3) Consumers a. Price/ value b. Quality of product c. Advertising policy 4) Business partners a. Jobs sustained b. Payment of bills c. Technology transfer 5) Government a. Tax contribution b. Local economic impact c. Transfer pricing policies 6) Community a. Charity contributions b.Local economic impact c. Transfer pricing policies 7) Environment a. Sustainable raw materials 16 b. Emissions to water and air c. Energy efficie ncy d. Waste management e. Reduced packaging f. Consumer education In partnership with the Corporate Citizenship Company, the London Benchmarking Group analyzes corporate social responsibility investments and gives each program and service quantitative value. The LBG was founded in 1994 and consists of over 100 companies dedicated to measuring Corporate Community Investment. Hundreds of companies round the world use the LBG method to quantitatively value corporate social responsibility activities. Monetary values are applied to 5 variations of business activities: 1) business basics, 2) mandatory contributions, 3) commercial initiatives in the community, 4) community investment, and 5) charitable gifts. These varying business activities allow corporations to classify a monetary value to a company? s corporate social responsibility inputs including cash, time, in-kind, and management costs (â€Å"Measure for Measure,† 2004).The companies also assess their corporate social resp onsibility outputs and impacts in order to equate the net gains of corporate social responsibility investment. For example, new availability of cash or other resource, quantity of people aided, and business benefits represent measurable outputs. Assessment tools have the potential to be extremely valuable in corporate social responsibility strategies. Companies should be evaluating the performance of their corporate social responsibility investments to gain further intelligence about how to efficiently improve the use of their corporate resources.However, currently corporations are not required by law to report their corporate social responsibility activities. Those that do report use different methodologies, creating inconsistencies in appraisals techniques. 17 Some models that companies are presently using could be omitting crucial key factors in corporate social responsibility efficiencies, thus, providing incomplete information. A comprehensive corporate social responsibility ev aluation model needs to be established in order to effectively assess and improve corporate social responsibility activities. 8 II. Historical Trends of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies Implemented by Corporations in Brazil Background: Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Throughout Brazilian history, philanthropic and charitable donations were significantly represented in the nation? s culture. Since the colonial period, the Catholic Church has inspired the establishment of many civil society organizations that carry out needed services for society. This movement grew during the industrialization period and gained substantial public support.During military rule, civil society organizations diminished in quantity because of the extremely centralized government. By the democratization period during the late 1980s until present, more and more corporations have adopted corporate social responsibility initiatives, thus, influencing a shift in Brazilian business culture. B razilian society remains highly centered around philanthropic concerns, which is made evident through a study cited by Cappellin and Giuliani. In 2000, 70 percent of the adult population donated goods and money to social organizations or people in need (2004).Understanding the historical trends of the evolution from philanthropy to corporate social responsibility strategies will provide more insight into the analysis of mining company corporate social responsibility and how it could be most effectively implemented. Brazilian colonial development was originally based upon an agricultural slave economy under an authoritarian and centralized government. The country? s colonial origins also influenced the predominance of the Catholic Church in Brazilian society. The state collaborated heavily with the Church.Responsible for public services including education, health and social welfare, the Church played an important role in connecting 19 the state to its people. After the separation of Church and state in 1891, the Church continued to invest in schools, hospitals and charitable works (Landim 1998, 68). During this period, â€Å"popular Catholicism† inspired the establishment of the first societal associations, including the most notable â€Å"Brotherhoods of Mercy. † These endeavors were sponsored by the business elites, who helped in establishing a philanthropic cultural norm among many wealthy citizens.These associations were used for worship, as well as creating some of the first hospitals, homes and psychiatric hospitals (Landim 1998, 67). Corporations did not notably donate to philanthropic associations, but business leaders contributed individually. The state managed Brazilian society in a hierarchical fashion that maintained power and wealth within exclusive authoritarian elite. For example, societal changes generated by industrialization in the late nineteenth century were managed using agreements between the dominant elites (Landim 1998, 64 ).Under governance, the Brazilian rich became relatively richer while the poor became relatively poorer. This disparity is evident to this day. During the industrialization period between 1822 and 1930, the government established associations to provide services and resources to the unemployed as a strategy to attract foreign workers. Trade unions gained momentum during this period, as well. Thus, businesses were forced to deal with employee rights and services in order to contract with the trade unions.James Austin notes that if corporate social responsibility was implemented, it only extend to corporate employees (Austin 2004, 29) during the industrialization period. Military governments controlled the state from 1964-1985. They prioritized economic growth through expanding its industrialization system to diversify from the 20 previous mono-culture agriculture of sugar, rubber, coca, and coffee (Schroy 2006). In the mid-twentieth century the military government instigated anti-inf lation policies and invested in economic infrastructure: industry, transportation, and power, but failing in essential reform of public education (Evanson 2002).In addition, this period also marked the suppression of social organizations and social movements. The state controlled all social initiatives from education, to social security and health care. Consequently, the evolution of corporate philanthropy into Brazilian business strategy became extremely limited. However, the Brazilian non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and non-profits that did operate during the period of military rule were given minimal supported by the government, so some organizations turned to corporations as a source of resources and funding.This process led to significant alterations to how Brazilian social organizations strategized their operating models (Austin 2004, 207). Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazilian Business Culture In Brazil, like elsewhere, companies are being c hallenged to better strategize their corporate social responsibility resources in order to become a part of the shifting paradigm that businesses should implement corporate social responsibility initiatives in their development. A survey conducted by Instituto Ethos (2002), a Brazilian corporate social responsibility on-profit organization founded in 1998, reveals that Brazilian consumers expect ethical behavior from companies. It is no longer acceptable for a corporation to produce negative externalities without engaging in activities to recuperate and compensate those who are affected. On the other hand, Brazilian consumers seek out 21 companies that operate sustainably, collaborate with the community, and provide quality working conditions (Instituto Ethos 2002). Corporations increasingly devote more resources to their corporate social responsibility initiatives as a result of public pressure and evolving business missions.In the 1990s, an increase in civil society organizations occurred because of the changing economy and collaboration of business leaders. Liberalizing the Brazilian economy presented many challenges due to over 25 years of strictly regulated military rule. After eradicating most trade barriers, local Brazilian businesses were faced with intense international competition that nearly suffocated local businesses. This created an extremely unfavorable economy for corporate commitment to factors outside of direct business activities, such as corporate social responsibility.Instead, business leaders personally founded third-sector organizations in order to influence legislation and public opinion regarding issues they were most passionate about. For example, a group of business people who all had a mission to mobilize, encourage, and help companies manage their business in a socially responsible way, established Instituto Ethos. Once the Brazilian economy began to recover in the mid-1990s, businesses slowly started engaging in corporate social r esponsibility initiatives once again, first with charitable giving (Austin, 2004) to many of the newly established third-sector organizations.The increase in research, academic studies, dissemination pieces, and broad media communication about corporate responsibility initiatives has further influenced businesses to participate in corporate social responsibility activities. The stronger spotlight on this shifting business paradigm further increases awareness and promotes widespread expectation of corporate social responsibility investment. 22 Brazilian Government Social Policies During the early part of the twentieth century, civil society organizations rapidly gained a strong presence within Brazilian culture.In 1938, the Decree-Law was enacted establishing the Conselho Nacional de Servico Social (National Social Service Council or CNSS): a linkage institution between the state and public sector. The institution? s main duties included implementing and assessing aid to the poor and determine which nonprofits should receive government funding. In addition, the Legiao Brasileira de Assistencia (Brazilian Legion of Assistance or LBA) was established to serve the needs of the noticeably vulnerable portions of the population, for example, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly.These services were carried out with the partnership of social or church organizations. These departments of state maintained a social network within the government and society that set a precedent for subsequent social governing and Brazilian culture. The military acted as a highly centralized functioning government from 1964 to 1988. Under military rule, the government directly controlled the economy, national development, and social service agencies. The military focused on rapid economic growth and expansion creating the â€Å"Brazilian Economic Miracle. From 1964-1972, Brazil experienced an average of 10% GDP growth (Schroy 2006). Despite its economic achievements, Brazil negl ected education and health care reform leaving a significant portion of the population in poverty (Evanson 2002). By the end of military rule, the economic disparities between the rich and poor were epic creating the societal need for poverty assistance. 23 The current democratic government and constitution were founded in 1988 after the military relinquished governing power. In light of the experience under the military governments, the 1988 constitution directly protects Brazilian civil rights.It is best known as the â€Å"Citizen Constitution† due to the state? s commitment to enhancing social policies and defending human rights (Austin 2004, 210). This philosophy aids in developing and maintaining civil society organizations that contribute to reducing poverty, improving health care and education, and protecting the environment. Government regulation of business also reflects the protection of civil rights. For example, in 1995 the Environmental Crime Law was enacted to g ive citizens the right to sue business executives in court if they do not comply ith health, environmental, or safety standards (Cardoso 2003). To understand the remaining needs and opportunities for corporate social responsibility contributions, it is important to understand existing social policies. Currently, the Brazilian government actively implements social service programs for poverty alleviation and social safety protection. The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva established the Ministerio do Desenvolvimento Social e Combate a Fome (Social Development and Fight Against Hunger Ministry or MDS) in 2004.This ministry enacted â€Å"Assistencia Social† (Social Assistance), â€Å"Bolsa Familia† (Family Bag), â€Å"Seguranca Alimentar e Hutricional† (Food and Nutrition Security), â€Å"Inclusao Produtiva† (Production Inclusion), and â€Å"Avaliacao e Gestao oa Informacao† (Information Management and Evaluation) all aimed at elevatin g poverty and promoting human development (Desenvolvimento Social, 2010). As a result, Brazil? s poverty rate declined by 20 percent during the 1990s (Cardoso 2003). Bolsa Familia was created in 2003 as a 24 ethod to reduce short-term poverty and combat long-term poverty by requiring children to attend school and become vaccinated. Currently, the program provides 11 million families with US$44 a month (Casanova 2009, 141). The past decade has shown even more social improvements. The World Bank justifies that living on less than US$1. 25 equates to living in poverty. In 2003, 22. 9 percent of the Brazilian population was impoverished, but by 2009 only 10 percent of the population was impoverished (Santos 2010). It is important to note that there are still many weaknesses within the social system. 3 percent of the active working population does not qualify for unemployment or social insurance, leaving them at risk against sickness, accidents or maternity leave. At the same time, 20. 3 percent of children are still living in poverty (Santos 2010). Overall though, the system as a whole has been effective in reducing poverty. Brazilian Government Environmental Policies The government has a formal commitment to sustainable development in addition to improving civil society. For instance, the Brazilian â€Å"Environmental Protection and Licensing Plan† requires corporations to receive a „Previous License? „Installation License? , and „Operation License?. At each stage, environmental risk assessments must be completed by the company and approved by the environmental government agency, Insituto Brazileiro do Meio Ambiental (IBAMA 2010). At any time in the application process, the Brazilian government has the right to halt construction. Government regulations appear to be strict; however, past precedent shows that the government encourages profitable resource extraction industries, such as mining. Mineral exports are a robust commodity for Brazi l contributing to GDP and tax revenue for the quickly 25 eveloping nation. Therefore, the government reduces regulation and loosens its monitoring system in order to promote rapid resource extraction and increase national revenue. At the same time of the increasing expansion of the mining industry, the International Council of Minerals and Metals, consisting of 19 robust multinational mining corporations, have set in place environmental and social commitments in an attempt to preserve environmental and social rights. Each mining project must receive a â€Å"Social License to Operate† from the International Council of Minerals and Metals.This requires consent by the local community through negotiations and written agreement of how the community will regulate mining activities. The firm is obligated to administer an environmental impact assessment to pinpoint potentially hazardous affects on the environment and how it plans to rehabilitate any degraded environments. However, th e International Council of Minerals and Metals does not regulate corporate social responsibility initiatives. Companies themselves are responsible for implementation and assessment.Present State of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Instituto Ethos, Brazil? s prominent social change non-profit organization, reports that more than half of Brazilian companies implement social policies (2010). Public opinion continues to promote a shift in corporate culture to develop solutions to some of the country? s toughest problems such as, environmental degradation, poverty, and health care. The vast inequalities within Brazilian society have become a hot topic among international development organizations. For example, even though Brazil? s economy is 26 anked as the eighth largest economy in the world (IMF 2010), 50 million people are living on less than US$30 a month. Globally, Brazil is ranked 4th to last in income distribution and 73rd on the Human Development Index (Austin 2004, 215 ). This wealth disparity highlights the extensive potential corporate social responsibility initiatives could have upon the disadvantaged populations. Corporations operating in Brazil view corporate social responsibility as a tool to restore trust among the public by serving those who suffer from the unequal distribution of national wealth originally initiated by some of these corporations.SustainAbility ViceChairman Geoff Lye reasons that â€Å"if business leaders can make a difference but choose not to, they will live to regret the disruptive social, environmental, and economic consequences that will result from failing to achieve development goals† (Lye 2006). Purely focusing on firm profitability is not enough now. A corporation? s culture, impact, and global image play an imperative role in Brazilian business activity. Businesses that do, however, chose to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives usually focus on issues that have relevance to their own business activities.For instance, Roberta Mokrejs Paro and Claudio Bruzzi Boechat (2008) researched business priorities and corporate social responsibility initiatives of 30 Brazilian companies. The study uncovered that corporations prefer corporate social responsibility activities that are important for business activities. For example, the top four corporate social responsibility initiatives among the participants are in the energy, water, education, and environmental sectors. These were also the top four sectors for the implementation of business activities (Paro 2008, 539). 7 The Brazilian government heavily promotes corporate social responsibility activities, as well as, implements extensive corporate regulations in order to protect its environmental, social, and economic identities. Even though some business philosophies behind corporate social responsibility activities appear to be clearly defined and structured, often the reality is a different scenario. Emilio Klein a resea rcher at the International Labor Organization remarks about corporate social responsibility in Brazil Hopkins 2007, 177): †¦in that country everything is there on paper, perfectly neat and rational. But when you check the reality then things are very different. I would say that roughly in Latin American large corporations, and almost all enterprises, lack something that is essential in the background of your definition: fairness. They are unfair with their stakeholders, both inside and outside, and they can be so because they have all the power, including of course the government. If you add to that their short-term perspective, then you get what we get [in Brazil].Employees, customers, purveyors or whatever, are being squeezed and pushed around by business, particularly those related to basic services (privatized), financial services and commerce. Even though the Brazilian government has set into place complex social and environmental protection laws, the enforcement and regul ation of these principles are extremely limited. Therefore, businesses easily take advantage of local communities by out maneuvering them through economic and political avenues. As a result, businesses typically operate according to their own motives, not the governmental guidelines.Instituto Ethos uses strategies such as expanding the corporate social responsibility movement, deepen corporate social responsibility practices, creating a more favorable business environment for corporate social responsibility, and articulating corporate social responsibility within public policies to achieve their mission. Currently, this Brazilian corporate social responsibility organization has 907 member companies 28 who combined employ about 1. 2 million people and contribute to about 30 percent of GDP. Business represents one of the most powerful groups in Brazilian society.Therefore, it is pivotal that this sector engages in corporate social responsibility activities to achieve development succe ss. In 1999, the UN Secretary General launched the Global Compact Program. This aims to coordinate business and corporate responsibility initiatives. Instituto Ethos organized a conference of over 107 companies to develop guidelines for Brazilian companies to participate in this Program. Fourteen principles were created: 1) Indivisibility of rights (all human rights must be considered as a whole) 2) Meeting employee human rights should be viewed as positive and productive for business 3) Companies are leading agents for hange because of their large presence in society, 4) Possible new labor relations could be developed 5) Refuse child labor 6) Implement multiple intervention corporate social responsibility programs 7) Business participation in policy development for long-term commitment 8) Promote women rights 9) Environmental protection 10) Exchange knowledge and methodologies 11) Increase interaction with UN agencies 12) Pro-active thinking 13) Create methods for discussion 14) Mo nitor Global Compact indicators 29These goals represent key factors that Brazilian companies could address while constructing their corporate social responsibility initiatives. Because of the scope of corporate social responsibility options is broad, the presence of corporate social responsibility and corporate social conscience create a favorable environment for further promoting corporate social responsibility into businesses not yet participating. Modalities of Corporate Social Responsibility in Brazil Within the Brazilian corporate social responsibility environment, corporations most commonly participate in civil society partnerships.A study conducted by James Austin (2004, 215) shows that of the 385 companies that participated, 85 percent rely on some variation of alliances with civil society organizations to implement social responsibility strategies. Of this group, 15 percent solely use partnerships to conduct their social practices, 37 percent use non-permanent partnerships, and 33 percent occasionally engage in partnerships. Most often these partnerships are multi-sectored, because each civil society organization has specific niches that aid in the common corporate social responsibility goal.For example, businesses often partner with non-governmental organizations and non-profits that already have social management expertise to reduce implementation and operating costs for business social responsibility activities. In addition, corporations are amenable to working with local non-governmental organizations or non-profits because it can lead to positive community relations. In addition, corporations may also choose to partner with the local, regional or national government to implement social initiatives. Business leaders often view Brazilian governmental organizations as non-cooperative, bureaucratic, slow, nd 30 inefficient. Therefore, business and government alliances tend to be infrequent in Brazil (Austin 2004, 220). However, these difficulties do represent an opportunity for businesses to enhance government entities and to provide advice on how to make the government processes more effective. For example, Naturas commitment to improving local public education in Itapeceriaca da Serra not only required the company to work closely with the local government quiz, but also led to the establishment of â€Å"Barracoes da Cidadania† (Community Shelters).This program is managed by the Municipal Secretary of Culture in order to provide needy children and youth social and cultural activities and equipment (Austin 2004, 220). Even though such partnerships are becoming more prevalent, a significant proportion of corporations? efforts remain un-partnered because of factors such as lack of confidence in civil society organizations, lack of information, and precedent frustration. 15 percent of the companies in the Austin? s sample do not engage in partnerships, but individually create and implement corporate social responsibility (A ustin 2004, 219).Some company executives believe that they can better manage their resources independently because they have â€Å"better control† (Austin 2004, 219) than those firms who engage in cross-sector partnerships to implement their social initiatives. Another finding is that companies that incorporate corporate social responsibility into their business models are more likely to make profits than if they treat these factors as expenses unrelated to business strategies directed to enhancing good will, educate potential employees or provide health care to the community (Hamman 2003, 238).Company executives frequently commit to carrying out ethical business practices as a component of their corporate responsibility. This includes refraining from using 31 child labor, providing fair compensation, creating safe and comfortable work conditions, and operating within the legal environmental regulations. This promotes ethical business behaviors, as well as benefits the produc t and companies because they will avoid potential labor rights issues. Further, environmentally friendly operations reflect positively on the company and its products.The company also reduces the risk for governmental fines due to negative environmental impacts. Often companies whose business leaders choose to invest in â€Å"green† technology and environmentally sustainable business practices tend to become industry leaders because they are evaluating and strategizing how to improve their operations, as opposed to maintaining the status quo. Joint commitments to practice corporate social responsibility among firms at the same level within a specific industry have proven to be an effective tool to promote company investment in corporate social responsibility initiatives.These commitments consist of each company dedicating a standardized amount of business resources to corporate social responsibility. Therefore, no company can gain a competitive advantage by not engaging in co rporate social responsibility, thus creating a â€Å"level playing field† within the industry. The International Council on Mining and Metals is an example of this type of alliance. The organization consists of 18 mining and metals companies, as well as 30 national and regional mining associations and global commodity associations.Its vision is to lead â€Å"companies to work together and with others to strengthen the contribution of mining, minerals and metals to sustainable development† (ICMM 2010). This alliance encourages mining corporations to participate in corporate social responsibility, which neutralizes potential disparities 32 between competitors because a significant amount of the world? s most prominent mining companies are members of the International Council on Mining and Metals.Corporate Social Responsibility in the Mining Industry Mining company leaders argue that the extraction of non-renewable resources is essential to world development (Jenkins and Yakoyleva 2006, 271). They declare that newly discovered mineral deposits and improved technologies will provide additional wealth into the world? s economy. Even though the mining companies claim that they are a part of an important source of global wealth, public opinion has largely focused on the negative externalities of mining activity.In response to this public cynicism, corporate social responsibility represents a valuable impression management tool that all prominent mining corporations utilize (Jenkins and Yakoyleva 2006, 272). Corporate social responsibility is treated as a strategic response to social challenges that inevitably arise from mining extractive operations. Almost all mining companies allocate resources to these initiatives. Thus, it is necessary for corporations in this industry to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives in some capacity in order to remain current among industry competitors.It has become standard practice in the mining indus try to develop more environmentally and socially conscience operational strategies. â€Å"corporate social responsibility in the mining industry is viewed as a mechanism for maximization of positive and minimization of negative social and environmental impacts of mining, while maintaining profits† (Acutt et al, 2001). According to a poll of the ten largest mining companies in the world, the number one reason for participating in corporate social 33 esponsibility activities is to contribute positively to brand reputation. Additional incentives are to increase value to shareholders, maintain relationships with the domestic government, and satisfy socially conscience consumers (Hamann 2003, 242). Not only is corporat