A History of United Nations Missions in Africa

A History of United Nations Missions in Africa The United Nations (UN) conducts a number of peacekeeping missions throughout the world. Beginning in 1960, the UN began missions in various countries in Africa. While just one mission occurred through the 1990s, turmoil in Africa escalated and the majority of missions were run from 1989 on. Many of these peacekeeping missions were the result of civil wars or ongoing conflicts in African countries, including Angola, the Congo, Liberia, Somalia, and Rwanda. Some of the missions were brief while others lasted years at a time. To confound things, some missions replaced previous ones as tensions in the countries escalated or the political climate changed. This period is one of the most dynamic and violent in modern African history and its important to review the missions that the UN carried out. ONUC -  UN Operations in the Congo Mission Dates: July 1960 through June 1964Context: Independence from Belgium and the attempted secession of the Katanga province Outcome:  Prime Minister  Patrice Lumumba  was assassinated, at which point the mission was expanded. The Congo retained the secessionist province of Katanga and the mission was followed by civilian aid. UNAVEM I -  UN Angola Verification Mission Mission Dates:  January 1989 through May 1991Context:  Angolas lengthy civil war Outcome:  Cuban troops were withdrawn one month ahead of schedule, having completed their mission. The mission was followed by UNAVEM II (1991) and UNAVEM III (1995). UNTAG  -  UN Transition Assistance Group Mission Dates:  April 1990 through March 1990Context:  Angolan Civil War and Namibias transition to independence from South Africa Outcome:  South African troops departed Angola. Elections were held and a new constitution approved. Namibia joined the UN. UNAVEM II  -  UN Angola Verification Mission II Mission Dates:  May 1991 through February 1995Context:  Angolan Civil War Outcome:  Elections were held in 1991, but the results were rejected and violence escalated. The mission transitioned to UNAVEM III. UNOSOM I  -  UN Operation in Somalia I Mission Dates:  April 1992 through March 1993Context:  Somali Civil  War Outcome:  The violence in Somalia continued to escalate, making it difficult for UNOSOM I to deliver relief aid. The United States created a second operation, the Unified Task Force (UNITAF), to help UNOSOM I protect and distribute humanitarian aid. In 1993, the UN created UNOSOM II to replace both UNOSOM I and UNITAF. ONUMOZ  -  UN Operations in Mozambique Mission Dates:  December  1992 through December 1994Context:  Conclusion of the Civil War in Mozambique Outcome:  The ceasefire was successful. Mozambiques then government and the major rivals (Mozambican Nation Resistance, or RENAMO) demobilized troops. Those people who were displaced during the war were resettled and elections were held. UNOSOM II  -  UN Operation in Somalia II Mission Dates:  March 1993 through March 1995Context:  Somali Civil War Outcome:  After the Battle of Mogadishu in October 1993, the United States and several Western countries withdrew their troops from UNOSOM II. The UN voted to withdraw UN troops from Somalia after having failed to establish a ceasefire or disarmament. UNOMUR  -  UN Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda Mission Dates:  June 1993 through September 1994Context:  Fighting between the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF, based in Uganda) and the Rwandan Government Outcome:  The Observer Mission encountered many difficulties in monitoring the border. These were  due to the terrain and the competing Rwandan and Ugandan factions. After the Rwandan genocide, the missions mandate came to an end and it was not renewed. The mission was succeeded instead by UNAMIR, which had already begun its operations in 1993.   UNOMIL  -  UN Observer Mission in Liberia Mission Dates:  September 1993  through September 1997Context:  The First Liberian Civil War Outcome:  UNOMIL was designed to support ongoing efforts by the  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  to bring an end to the Liberian Civil War and ensure fair elections. In 1997, elections were held and the mission terminated. The United Nations established a Peacebuilding Support Office in Liberia. Within a few years, the Second Liberian Civil War had broken out. UNAMIR -  UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda Mission Dates:  October 1993  through March 1996Context:  Rwandan Civil War between the RPF and the Rwandan government Outcome:  Due to the restrictive rules of engagement and an unwillingness from Western governments to risk troops in Rwanda, the mission did little to stop the Rwandan genocide (April through June 1994).   Afterward, UNAMIR did  distribute and ensure humanitarian aid. However, the failure to intervene in the genocide overshadows these significant although belated efforts. UNASOG  -  UN Aouzou Strip Observation Group Mission Dates:  May 1994 through June 1994Context:  Conclusion of the territorial dispute (1973-1994) between Chad and Libya over the Aouzou Strip. Outcome:  Both governments signed a declaration agreeing that Libyan troops and the administration had been withdrawn as previously agreed upon. UNAVEM III  -  UN Angola Verification Mission III Mission Dates:  February 1995 through June 1997Context:  Angolas Civil War Outcome:  A government was formed by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), but all parties continued to import arms. The situation also deteriorated with the involvement of Angola in the Congo Conflict. The mission was followed by MONUA. MONUA  -  UN Observer Mission in Angola Mission Dates:  June 1997 through February 1999Context:  Angolas Civil War Outcome:  Fighting in the civil war resumed and the UN withdrew its troops. At the same time, the UN urged a continuation of humanitarian aid. MINURCA -  UN Mission in the Central African Republic Mission Dates:  April 1998 through February 2000Context:  Signing of the Bangui Accord between rebel forces and the Central African Republics government Outcome:  Dialogue between the parties continued and the peace was maintained. Elections were held in 1999 after several previous attempts. The UN mission withdrew. MINURCA was followed by a UN Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic. UNOMSIL  -  UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone Mission Dates:  July 1998 through October 1999Context:  Sierra Leones Civil War (1991-2002) Outcome:  The combatants signed the controversial Lome Peace Agreement. The UN authorized a new mission, UNAMSIL, to replace UNOMSIL. UNAMSIL  -  UN Mission in Sierra Leone Mission Dates:  October 1999 through December 2005Context:  Sierra Leones Civil War (1991-2002) Outcome:  The mission was expanded three times in 2000 and 2001 as the fighting continued. The war ended in December 2002 and  UNAMSIL troops were slowly withdrawn. The mission was followed by the UN Integrated Office for Sierra Leone. This was created to consolidate the peace in Sierra Leone. MONUC  -  UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mission Dates:  November 1999  through May 2010Context:  Conclusion of the  First Congo War   Outcome:  The Second Congo War began in 1998 when Rwanda invaded. It officially ended in 2002, but fighting by various rebel groups continued. In 2010, MONUC was criticized for not intervening to stop mass rapes near one of its stations. The Mission was renamed the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNMEE -  UN Observer Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Mission Dates:  June 2000  through July 2008Context:  A ceasefire signed by Ethiopia and Eritrea in their ongoing border dispute. Outcome:  The mission was ended after Eritrea imposed numerous restrictions that prevented an effective operation. MINUCI  -  UN Operation in  Cà ´te dIvoire Mission Dates:  May 2003 through April 2004Context:  Failed implementation of the  Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, which was to end the ongoing conflict in the country. Outcome:  MINUCI was replaced by the UN Operation in Cà ´te dIvoire (UNOCI). UNOCI is ongoing and continues to protect the people in the country and aid the government in disarmament and demobilization of former combatants. ONUB -  UN Operation in  Burundi Mission Dates:  May  2004 through December 2006Context:  Burundian Civil War Outcome:  The missions goal was to restore peace in Burundi and help establish a unified government. Pierre Nkurunziza was sworn in as President of Burundi in August 2005.  Twelve years of midnight-to-dawn curfews were finally lifted on the people of Burundi. MINURCAT -  UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad Mission Dates:  September  2007 through December 2010Context:  Ongoing violence in Darfur, eastern Chad, and northeastern Central African Republic Outcome:  The concern for civilian safety amidst activities by armed groups in the region prompted the mission. By the end of the mission, the government of Chad pledged that they would retain responsibility for protecting its citizens. After the termination of the mission, the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic continued efforts to protect the people.   UNMIS  -  UN Mission in Sudan Mission Dates:  March 2005 through July 2011Context:  End of the Second Sudanese Civil War and signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) Outcome:  The CPA between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) was signed, but it did not bring immediate peace. In 2007, the two groups came to another agreement and Northern Sudanese troops withdrew from Southern Sudan.   In July 2011, the Republic of South Sudan was formed as an independent country. The mission was replaced by UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) to continue the peace process and protect civilians. This started immediately and, as of 2017, the mission continues. Sources: United Nations Peacekeeping.  Past Peacekeeping Operations.

McDonalds ethical issues Essays

McDonalds ethical issues Essays McDonalds ethical issues Paper McDonalds ethical issues Paper Ethics could be defined as moral principles that underpin decision-making. Ethics is what is deemed to be morally acceptable.  Business ethics: are a set of principles or a code of behaviour that influences business behaviour. Business ethics is therefore the application of ethical values to business behaviour.  Ethical activities: refers to a broad agenda and focuses on making a positive contribution to the community. For some businesses ethics become a main priority as profitability and survival. But it depends on how ethical a business wants to operate. Ethical values of business: this refers to the standards that are set by a business or individual that controls their behaviour.  Professional ethics: This relates to how people behave to their selected careers e.g. bankers, doctors and teachers.  Individual ethical behaviour: This gives the individual within the organisation corporate image.  Identify Business activity (its basic operations)  Describe the general ethical issues or concerns of the business. McDonalds is the worlds largest chain of fast food restaurants, serving nearly 47 million customers daily. McDonalds primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken products, French fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes and desserts. More recently, it has begun to offer salads, wraps and fruit. It is a large global company which operates all around the world. Its revenues grew 27% over the three years ending in 2007 to $22.8 billion, and 9% growth in operating income to $3.9 billion.  McDonalds corporate governance states that McDonalds success is built on a foundation of personal and professional integrity. They earn peoples trust everyday by serving safe food, respecting our customers and employees and delivering outstanding Quality, Service, Cleanliness and Value. They build on this trust by being ethical, truthful and dependable. As the worlds largest fast food company, McDonalds proudly serve more than 46 million customers in 59 different countries and have more than 30,000 different locations internationally. McDonalds has always maintained an extensive advertising campaign. In addition to the usual media (television, radio, and newspaper), the company makes significant use of billboards and signage, sponsors sporting events ranging from Little League to the Olympic Games, spending millions of pounds a year. Animal rights and trading fairly  McDonalds claim that it is the best company in meeting the animal rights. The company declared that every farm that supplies its eggs must raise the hens more humanely and kindly. They gave farmers less than 18 months to comply which according to McDonalds they did. McDonalds also claims that the company is communicating effectively with farmers from around the world to treat the animals more kindly. McDonalds offer its consumers products that are trustworthy and of satisfactory quality. They trade fairly and allow competition to take place in the market. Competitors such as Burger King and Sams equally compete with McDonalds.  Being environmentally responsible and carrying out duties towards the wider environment: McDonalds has always claimed that they are very environmental friendly, however critics say otherwise.  Participating Human Rights such as legal and regulatory compliance with consumer laws Compliance with protecting employees and employee working conditions  Poor nutrition: Many nutritionists argue that the type of high fat, low fibre diet promoted by McDonalds is linked to serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. The sort of diseases that are now responsible for nearly three-quarters of premature deaths in the western world. McDonalds promote its food as nutritious while in fact it is classified as junk food. It is claimed by anti-McDonald websites that McDonalds food also contains many chemical additives, some of which may cause ill-health and hyperactivity in children. Poor nutrition has always been linked with McDonalds products. Such a bad publicity has actually damaged the companys reputation as well as their overall profitability and customer base. People are currently moving towards healthy-eating and they would pay higher prices for healthier foods, therefore, poor nutrition is one serious ethical issue that McDonalds needs to address and provide solution for; if they want to survive and remain profitable for a long time in the future. Corporate governance: Corporate governance is the set of processes, customs, policies, laws, and institutions affecting the way a corporation (or company) is directed, administered or controlled. Critics claim that McDonalds senior management are far away from considering what is ethically right. They use marketing tactics such as the promise of toys and other gimmicks which causes children to lure in and drag their parents behind them. The management is using such selling tactics to increase its customer base and makes more profit; they do not think about those childrens health and whether their food harms their future health. The management also does not have an appropriate recycling process in place. Every year McDonalds use thousands of tons of unnecessary packaging, most of which ends up littering the streets or polluting the land buried in landfill sites. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): McDonalds has long been claiming that the company is a socially responsible organisation who takes into account and monitors its adherence to law, ethical standards and international norms. Critics say otherwise, McDonalds junk food has been always linked to causing obesity and making an individual put on 2 stone (12.7 kilos) in a matter of a few months. Customers has suffered stomach pains, mood swings, vomiting, a reduced sex drive, headaches, palpitations and liver problems after consuming McDonalds food.

Case 2 research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Case 2 research paper - Essay Example Nonetheless, with increasing awareness among women as well as government initiatives to guard men and women against malfeasance of the society, more and more people are rising to protest against sexual harassment cases. As a result, the policy makers have also started developing more stringent and defined rules and policies in order to ward off criminals, who escape through loopholes in policies and amendments. The EEOC has set explicit guidelines so as to define sexual harassment. Any unwelcomed sexual advance, physical or verbal conduct or requests for sexual favors will be considered as sexual harassment, when; If such conduct has a purpose or an effect of unreasonable prying on the work performance of an individual or creates a hostile, offensive or intimidating working environment (TWU counseling center, n.d.). In a detailed manner, sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or non-verbal and even, psychological. It can also be in form of unwelcomed gestures or postures. Most of the activities performed by Peter Lewiston fall under the EEOC’s definition of sexual harassment; for instance, giving unwanted letters or materials, which are of sexual nature. Lewiston was constantly giving flowers to Gilbury without informing her and before she arrived in the school, which made her uncomfortable. Another act of sexual harassment pursued by Lewiston was that of pressurizing Gilbury for a date. Even after her rejection, he incessantly asked her to have lunch with him. Lewiston also deliberately touched her head, while having conversation with Gilbury, which made her further uncomfortable and uneasy. Peter also blocked her path, when she was returning from work. All of the above gestures, postures as well as actions pursued by Peter were unwelcomed by Gilbury and can definitely be considered as a case of sexual harassment. Dealing with complaints of harassment is

Enterprise Resource Planning Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Enterprise Resource Planning - Research Paper Example When one is reactive, one probably loses an opportunity that existed and may never get the opportunity again. Being proactive means putting in place systems that will help the business to have the checks and balances of what is needed at any predetermined time (Sheilds 2001). If one has to excel, it means that one has to be ahead of the competitors because the moment your competitors are ahead of you, one simply reacts to the demands of the consumers. In order to be proactive, one has to manage all organization’s resources very effectively and efficiently. Management means being able to be in control. The aim of this paper is to outline the benefits that come with master production scheduling (MPS) and material resource planning (RPF) as a function of Enterprise resource planning (ERS). This will be done by describing the function of Enterprise resource planning and the role of master production scheduling and material resource planning (Sheilds 2001). ... Later on ERP became an integrated system that addressed all the core functions of an enterprise, with the governments and non- profit organizations employing the system (Chang, Symythe and Timbrell 2000). When ERP systems were introduced, their main focus was to automate the functions of the back office. The functions of the back office are activities that did not involve the customers directly. They are referred to as back office activities because those activities took place in the building where other people cannot see those activities going on. Such activities include manufacturing, developing products and administration. The front office functions were integrated later in the ERP system. As opposed to the back office functions, front office functions are directly related to the customer for instance customer relationship management. Master Production Schedule (MPS) A master production schedule (MPS) is a plan that a company develops so a as to plan for production, inventory and staffing. A master production schedules gives the time the product will be demanded and also gives the quantity that will be demanded. It is therefore a plan for future production. An MPS therefore contains a statement of what the firm anticipates to manufacture. For instance, it states the amount to be produced and possibly how much labor is required. It is therefore concerned with elements such as forecast demand, production cost, inventory costs, lead-time and working hours (Sheilds 2001). The MPS translates the business plan into a production plan. Its addresses the concern of demand, hence forecast demand. It helps to avoid shortages,

Experience of Illness and Disability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Experience of Illness and Disability - Essay Example This study analyses Michael’s case, where interview reveals a number of social perspectives on his view regarding health. Through drawing from literature concepts and critically analysing the case study, specific aspects that will be covered are the lay health beliefs, illness behaviour, social support and practitioner-client interaction as they gradually progress in Michael’s illness narrative. The guiding thesis for this study is that a sociological viewpoint is pivotal in establishing the experience of illness and thus determining health outcomes. Studying lay health beliefs is critical to the healthcare industry due to a number of reasons; it helps understand practitioner-client relationships; it aids design of effective health education programs; most of healthcare work is carried out by lay people in terms of self-care or friend-family care (Nettleton 2006, pp. 35-36). Lay ideas and concepts about health are socially mediated and vary according to several considerations including time, social location, cultural contexts and socio-economic conditions. There appears to be points of divergences and convergences between expert knowledge and lay beliefs about explanations and definitions of health, health behaviour and the relationship between health maintenance and disease prevention (36). According to Gabe, Bury and Elston (2004, pp. 135-136), individual beliefs about illness, health and healthcare are vital in establishing illness behaviour such as non-compliance and the decision to visit a physician among others. Such belie fs are shaped by broader cultural and social factors that are also context dependent, influencing the actions taken by the individual for instance through the lay referral system where individuals consult family and friends about visiting a doctor (67). Besides, lay beliefs about health influence individual lifestyles and risks that have a bearing on such individuals’ health and

The Topic Of Applied Management Project Education Essay

The Topic Of Applied Management Project Education Essay Reflection is the key that opens the door to understanding ourselves in relation to core ethical values (Beland, 2003, p.15). Indeed, reflective thinking is very important since it helps us to critically evaluate our own behaviour and behaviour of others. Being able to critically think and reflect on our work enables us to gain self-knowledge, to demonstrate our understanding of learning progress and take on the perspective of others. However, reflective thinking is most important in identifying the ways of problem-solving. By stepping back and reflecting on our experiences, we are able to think how to solve the problems, choose apropriate strategies and consider consequences of actions. The process of writing the Applied Management Project (AMP) has also incorporated various components to prompt my reflective thinking. It provided me with an opportunity to gain further insights from my own work through deeper reflection on my research and writing experiences. Thus, the following paper is structured to produce the critical evaluation of my own learning. It is a recollection of my own experiences during the process which I was engaged in producing AMP towards the completion of MSc. This major piece of individual work was structured to address appropriate strategies for corporate managers that would guide them on how to sell to the developing countries while at the same time reducing poverty rate. For this purpose, I was required to conduct, analyse and present.. by employing sound research methods to generate a 12,000 word research project report. Thus, the following report looks back on my thoughts and feelings, including mistakes and achievements. It also identifies successful aspects of the experience that might be usefully applied in the future and points out the lessons I should adopt in the long run. By the end of this report, I hope to be able to improve my future performance as an individual or as a member of the group. Recollection of Experiences Since the aim of AMP was structured to explore how multinational companies can become involved in the pursuit of poverty reduction while selling to the poor, it was necessarry to obtain a strong understanding about the issue at hand. For this purpose, an in depth review of the literature was undertaken to present a thorough analysis of the key elements involved in serving the poor. As such, the following section of the report recalls the development and key stages in search for the in-depth literature. Development of Literature Review One of the most important and crucial things that proceeded writing a report was to precisely define the problem I wished to address. Thus, I started off by establishing a mission statement that guided me throughout the whole process. Having a purpose for my literature review helped me narrow the scope of what I needed to look out for when I was researching. Once the problem was defined, my literature review involved two stages: the research process and writing process. 2.1.1.Research Process: I started my research process by brainstorming ideas for my subject at hand. I determined the questions I was attempting to answer and scanned the articles which helped me refine the topic. Using keywords from abstracts and descriptors, I performed a broad and general survey to orient myself to the field, to find out the main theories, the key scholars, and their principal publications. This pointed me to the key studies I should read. Thus, a more detailed, selective list of books, journals and articles was narrowed down as most relevant. Secondary Research Only secondary research was employed in the AMP which involved processing data from previous studies and findings in order to come to conclusion. The secondary research was undertaken through to focus on a deeper and more insightful level of investigation of certain areas, such as BOP proposition, buyer behaviour, marketing strategies and others. It was important to conduct secondary data as it played a substantial role in the exploratory phase of the research when the task at hand is to provide recommendations for improvement. The assembly and analysis of secondary data almost invariably improved my understanding of the topic problem. Note Taking Note taking was essential with a long assignment of this nature.  In order to concentrate on and understanding the information I was reading, summarising the ideas and arguments were necessarry. Thus, I used a sytem of grouping notes in categories such as theories, findings, opposing views and other aspects of the topic. This approach allowed me to focus on the points relevant to my purpose. A track of notes of all the references I wanted to use, including a detailed bibliography, was also kept. Such well-organised notes made the writing process much more efficient. It made it easier to analyse and evaluate the information and to synthesize it to find patterns, connections and trends. Note taking was essential to provide me with the necessary evidence to inform and develop the argument. Thus, I tried to manage my notes from the start of my research to the editing of the final version of the project. Evaluation of Literature Review The sources used in my report were carefully chosen based on their relevancy. Indeed, it was very important to focus on the relevancy of the relevant material used otherwise this could decrease the credibility of the paper. As such, evaluation of literature was essential thus, authors credentials, expertise, date of publication, reputation of the publisher and other evaluating material points were taken into consideration. The literature review spanned the body of journals, abstracts, books, websites and references from articles across the works of business approach towards poverty alleviation. Peer-reviewed journals served as the main adequate sopport material for my report. These articles reviewed by experts in the field provided me with more in-depth studies and explorations. The availability of journals online helped me greatly with my report, as they were easily searchable.  Ã‚  However, it was quite difficult to select the most reliable ones as a great deal of irrelevant and incorrect material can be found online. Thus, the advice from library staff was taken on how to access relevant material in a variety of formats.  They advised me to avoid using particular websites where the information provided was not based on the reliable and veracious sources.  I also tried to avoid newspapers, magazines and non-peer reviewed journals. 2.1.2. Writing Process Writing process included couple of stages. Brainstorming was the first stage to get me started. Using notes I noted down the ideas, wrote sub-topics I wanted to include in my report. I then wrote down these ideas without concern for conventions. Drafting was the preliminary stage of my written work where I did not think about word-count, grammar or spelling; some of the sentences did not even fit too well. At this stage I also organized the layers of subheadings. I selected notes to each section, arranged them according to themes, types of literature, main findings, contrasting perspectives. Using subheads to guide the organization made it easier to write and to follow. Revision was another important step in the process of writing where I reviewed, altered and amended the information from the draft. At the editing stage I removed sections, rewrote paragraphs and added in information. When adding, I tried to take into account what the reader would want to hear and presented only points directly relevant to the reviews focus. In many cases, I needed to rearrange my sections for the report to flow better. Finally, I produced the final report. Throughout the whole report I tried to use clear topic sentences and transitions to help the reader follow ideas. I also used summary sentences in each section that underscores the significance of what I had synthesized. Finally, I summarized main points for the topic, by pointing out existing gaps and directions for future research and practice. Time Management In order to boost my performance and to deliver the report on time, management of my time was of a great importance. Thus, a number of activities needed to be set. These included strategies such as planning, allocating, setting goals, analysis of my time spent, organising and prioritizing. I started off by making a list of everything I wanted to do regarding report writing. Such list included things like background reading, additional research, samples of other dissertations and other key elements that helped me to enhance my report sufficiency. I reviewed the list and prioritised the work that needed to be done first. Using a calendar, I then tried to ensure that   my research effort is aligned with the way in which my dissertation would be structured. To do this, I drew a typical weeks timetable on a large sheet of paper, on which I  wrote down my activities and other regular commitments such as part-time work and regular social events. When drawing timetable, I took into accou nt of the time and place I was best to get on with my work. I also mapped out a timetable of sub-tasks and assignment deadlines. Personal Feelings and Learning from Experience The Applied Management Project has demonstrated my abilities to use the knowledge and skills that I learned during the course. I was contsantly required to combine knowledge and increase my understanding in a variety of ways. In particular, in search for literature allowed me to gain appreciation for the practical applications of knowledge. By stepping outside my classroom, I was able to learn about the theories, tools, resources, and ethical issues that scholars and professionals encounter on a daily basis. In addition, I learned how to formulate questions, design plans to find answers, collect and analyze data, produce creative solutions, and share my findings with others. Most importantly, it made me an informed consumer, so that now I will be able to evaluate the information presented and make informed decisions about business approach towards poverty reduction. Nevertheless, since there was an abundance of literature available, it was hard to select which information to use. I felt confused and was not sure which direction to take. I felt demotivated and was not interested in continuing with the report. Fortunately, I received a great support from group members. They gave me a friendly advise on the issue at hand which clarified my doubts and confusion. I also felt quite anxious at times working effectively in time constrained situation like this. For such a major undertaking, it was essential that I manage my time well throghout the whole process of writing. Thus, organizing my activities in a sequence that best utilized my time was critical. With the help of previously mentioned calendar, I managed to meet the deadline. I also tried to make sure that I got a reasonable number of study sessions in each week however at times, it was quite dificult to study accordingly to my plan. Unexpected social events made it à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ However, I tried to use every trick ro persuade myself to stay committed to my plan. Group Dynamics and Learning from Experience Not only did the Applied Mangement Project enabled my adaptation of appropriate methods for the unique focus of this project and enhanced my individual creativity, but it also gave me an advantage of working in a diverse group. Throughout the year of the Masters course I experienced many benefits the multi-cultural group can bring, thus, I was extremely happy to work as part of a group this time. Our group started off using what we learned of core values and creating the main goal to help guide us through the project. We established a set of values and mission statement during our first meeting. This helped us to remain motivated and stay on task. Group discussions involed everyones active participation which was a very effective learning method for all of us. All of us shared experiences and feedback, pooled ideas, generated insights, and developed an arena for analysis of experiences. This approach allowed for the utilization of the different skills, knowledge and experiences that team members had. As such, a great diversity of ideas were developed and I found the energy of the group participation made me feel even more energetic about contributing to a team. Thus, I tried to share all the relevant information I found about the project. My input was well aknowledged by others and I felt appreciated. In fact, each of us kept updated each other about the changes thruoghout th e whole process, which led to a greater understanding of the topic about poverty reduction. Since we were working together for a week only, we did not encounter any big arguments or problems. Some debates however occured whenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. We worked all together to clearly defined the problem, tried to thoroughly explore and understand what is expected from us. Some of us collected additional information and analyzed it to understand what to do further. Such group dynamics helped in clarifying doubts, confusions and misconceptions. In particular, this task gave us an opportunity to connect with the staff at the University of Bedfordshire. They were very helpful in directing us what we should include in our reports. It was amazing the amount of friendship was created in our team. Many times team members went extreme lengths to help each other. Everyone knew they can rely on each others support and encouragement. Such mutual trust facilitated through open, honest and collaborative environment.All in all, working together was extremely important to the success of my indivdual work. I received so much advice, support, new ideas that helped to enhance my report and improve effectiveness. Lessons for Future The skills and knowledge gained during the Applied Management Project can be usefully applied on my future projects. Research skills à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦along with group work will make me achieve my future goals. Nevertheless, I have not sufficiently learned how to manage my time. Thus, develop good study habits and time management skills without procratinating would be my next step to improving my performance. During this assignment I learned that I need to make more careful and effective use of my time than ever before. I was responsible for planning and organising my work and therefore responsible for managing my own time. And even though it offered me a good opportunity for developing this skill as well as providing a new challenge, I found myself distracted from it many times. Therefore, in future I will try to concentrate on the important elements of my tasks and stop working frantically with no accomplishments. I believe that finishing my essential tasks as they arise can prevent a tremendous loss of time and help me to stop procrastinating. Next time, I would also start preparing as soon as I receive the task. When I give myself enough time to plan effectively, I will save time and avoid stress. Therefore, proper scheduling, planning, deciding on objectives, looking at the components of the task and sorting out the different skills will be key elements of report writing. Finally, even though I achieved a successful outcome, but to improve my achievement for future, I perhaps would need a supervisor or mentor to help encourage and advice me. Conclusion The Applied Management Project gave me the opportunity to demonstrate my knowledge and constantly stimulated the environment where I was able to use my understanding in different areas. During its process I went through many thoughts and feelings which this reflective report was aimed to explore. It looked back at my experiences of mistakes as well as successful aspects that migh be usefully applied in the future. Indeed, reflecting on and learning from this experience, including my mistakes, will help me to avoid repeated mistakes and, at the same time, identify successful aspects of an experience and principles which might usefully be applied to other situations. Reflection has provided the opportunity to make sense of and learn from any experience and handle similar situations appropriately another time. For instance, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦It gave me the chance to explore thoughts and feelings, work through difficult or painful experiences, develop self awareness and fresh insights. Indeed, reflection on my own experience help you to make links between theory and practice, integrate new knowledge with previous knowledge and develop your understanding. I believe that It  prepared me for the world beyond university by honing my independent thinking and creativity, time-management and budget skills, and confidence in my academic and career goals. This knowledge is fundamental to my future, which I attempt to continually develop and reflect.

Free Essays on Terrorism: The Threat of Usamah Bin-Ladin :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

The Threat of Usamah Bin-Ladin This essay was written in 1999 when I was a student at the University of Kentucky. My college roommate and I often debated our opposing views on foreign affairs. My roommate, animatedly felt that ridding the world of nuclear weapons would gradually end all violence between states. Although idealistically I would have liked to agree, I had to contend that war would never end as long as religion was central to the beliefs of the soldiers fighting. Sheikh Usamah Bin-Muhammad Bin-Ladin personifies and embodies my argument . He has founded organizations and formed coalitions amongst known terrorist groups which "advocate the destruction of the United States" . Furthermore, Bin-Ladin desires that: The ruling to kill Americans and their allies--civilians and military--is a duty for every Muslim. We--with God's help--call on every Muslim to kill Americans . The justification that Bin-Ladin submits is that Allah "orders us to carry out the holy struggle 'jihad' to raise the word of Allah above the words of the unbelievers." Bin-Ladin believes that "...Americans impose themselves on everyone who believes in his religion and his rights." Furthermore, he warns of the consequence that America will face whereas "...every day the Americans delay their departure, for every day they delay, they will receive a new corpse from Muslim countries" . Bin-Ladin is a man whose religious beliefs, along with his financial resources, provide him with the power necessary to create wars and terrorist violence. If there were an absence of heavenly decree in his actions, perhaps he would have no power, for he would lack a justifiable motive. Hence, this demonstrates the impact of religion on violence. In this specific instance, the violence is portrayed as a justifiable mean towards reaching the end of furthering religious beliefs. As a viable threat to America, the United States government must find avenues of deterrence to terminate the current and future terrorist activities of Bin-Ladin. Moreover, prior towards discussing options of deterrence, the threat of Bin-Ladin will first be expanded upon. It only seems logical to state that when someone is fighting for a cause on behalf of his religious beliefs, he is a greater threat then someone who is not. It would seem that the individual who is defending his religious beliefs would be more willing to lay down his life for his cause, because he is operating in a domain of loss.

Charity: High Schools

AP English Charity Many people donate to charity in their everyday lives, while others do it as an assignment. Individuals even give to charity just to receive money, gifts, or bonuses in return. Giving to charity portrays an act that certain people want to do for others, by the goodness of their hearts. However, then why do high schools ask their students who perform these tasks for a reward, such as extra credit and the ability to graduate? High schools that offer incentives for charitable acts become unethical since it takes away from the true meaning of giving. Teachers who offer students bonus points to those who bring in money, food, etc. don’t realize other people’s socioeconomic status. Although, by offering a reward will result in more students participating, those who live less fortunately may not obtain the food or clothing to donate. Families may be low on money; therefore enabling their children to donate to the cause and resulting in their child not receive bonus points since they need such items for themselves. High schools who offer incentives do not fairly give each student an equal opportunity. Donating for grades appears as unjust and irrational since not everyone may be able to afford it, while donating without expecting anything in return remains reasonable to everyone in society. At Wahlert Catholic High School we do not exchange donations for grades. It appears required of us to perform acts of giving to those of the community who reach out in need of it, without anything in return and enabling us to graduate. We do, however, arrange collections to help those in need. For example, when Japan experienced a tsunami, the whole school came together and raised a great deal of money to send over and help out. We donated from our hearts since we didn’t get anything in return. We remain left with the satisfaction of helping those in dire need of it. Therefore, the ways of the high schools such as Wahlert Catholic, happen to exist as ethical and portrays the truth behind giving to others in need. At Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, we did the very opposite and exchanged money for the right to come out of dress code. Yes, by doing this a lot of students got to wear whatever they wanted and the school raised a good chunk of money to give to nearby charities. However, the students gave their (or their parents) money not by thinking about the charities, but the clothes they became capable of wearing. This defeats the purpose of giving and carrying out the true Christian ways. Schools, such as Mazzuchelli, mean well by giving the opportunity to its children to do something new, in this case, no uniforms for the day. However, they should teach the kids the real reason to donated money, without the incentives they may receive. As Catholics, we should act in the way Jesus would and for the right purpose. We often ask ourselves, â€Å"What would Jesus do? † and wonder if giving to charity for a grade exists as the right thing? High schools need to encourage students to go out of their ways for others. Those who give to charity carry out their Christian morals by following in Jesus’ footsteps and doing what he would want his followers to do. On the other hand, by gaining extra credit or carrying through with charitable acts just to graduate exposes the wrong message. High schools that pursue these sorts of encouragements exist fair-minded, although others may argue it undermines the true value of charity. Students who give their time and possessions to charity act as true Christians and seem right minded. However, those who complete charitable deeds just to obtain objects in return portray immoral and wicked actions. High schools that offer its students the choice of donating for improving their grades usually mean well, but by doing this, it does not teach the kids the reason why they serve. High school students know to do what appears right and live out Jesus’ laws. Pursuing the act of donation affects many people and families, as well as influencing others to give. Therefore, carrying through the act of donation within high schools without any rewards reveals individuals as altruistic and leaves them with the knowledge of the true meaning of giving.

Rationalism in Philosophical Traditions

Rationalism in Philosophical Traditions Rationalism is the philosophical stance according to which reason is the ultimate source of human knowledge. It stands in contrast to  empiricism, according to which the senses suffice in justifying knowledge. In one form or another, rationalism features in most philosophical traditions. In the Western tradition, it boasts a long and distinguished list of followers, including Plato, Descartes, and Kant. Rationalism continues to be a major philosophical approach to decision-making today. Descartes Case for Rationalism How do we come to know objects - through the senses or through reason? According to  Descartes,  the latter option is the correct one. As an example of Descartes approach to rationalism, consider polygons (i.e. closed, plane figures in geometry). How do we know that something is a triangle as opposed to a square? The senses may seem to play a key role in our understanding: we see that a figure has three sides or four sides. But now consider two polygons - one with a  thousand sides and the other with a thousand and one sides. Which is which? In order to distinguish between the two, it will be necessary to count the sides - using reason to tell them apart.For Descartes, reason is involved in all of our knowledge. This is because our understanding of objects is nuanced by reason. For example, how do you know that the person in the mirror is, in fact, yourself? How does each of us recognize the purpose or significance of objects such as pots, guns, or fences? How do we distinguish one similar object from another? Reason alone can explain such puzzles. Using Rationalism as a Tool for Understanding Ourselves in the World Since the justification of knowledge occupies a central role in philosophical theorizing, it is typical to sort out philosophers on the basis of their stance with respect to the rationalist vs. empiricist debate. Rationalism indeed characterizes a wide range of philosophical topics. How do we know who and what  we are?  Ã‚  Rationalists typically claim that the self is known through a rational intuition, which is irreducible to any sensorial perception of ourselves; empiricists, on the other hand, reply that the unity of the self is illusory.  What is the nature of cause and effect? Rationalists claim that causal links are known through reason. The empiricists response is that it is only because of habit that we come to be convinced that, say, fire is hot.How do we know which actions are ethically correct?   Kant argued that the ethical worth of an action can be understood only from a rational perspective; ethical evaluation is a rational game in which one or more rational agents envisage their actions under hypothetical conditions.   Of course, in a practical sense, it is almost impossible to separate rationalism from empiricism. We cannot make rational decisions without the information provided to us through our senses, nor can we make empirical decisions without considering their rational implications.

Best Podcasts for Law Students

Best Podcasts for Law Students Blogs can be helpful for new law students, but many people enjoy listening to podcasts as well. Podcasts can be a great way to get information and give your very tired eyes a break from reading online. To help you update your podcast subscriptions, here is a list of some of the best podcasts for law students. Best Law Podcasts Enchanting Lawyer Podcast: This podcast is hosted by Jacob Sapochnick who runs his own solo practice and focuses on helping lawyers understand how to run and grow a business. Tips will be shared for using social media to grow your business and general marketing tips. Gen Why Lawyer Podcast: This weekly podcast is hosted by Nicole Abboud who interviews Gen Y attorneys who are accomplishing great things in their legal careers. She also talks to non-practicing attorneys who are using their legal knowledge to explore other ventures. Law School Toolbox Podcast: The Law School Toolbox podcast is an engaging show for law students about law school, the bar exam, legal careers, and life. Your hosts Alison Monahan and Lee Burgess offer practical tips and advice on academic matters, careers, and more. You might not always agree with them, but you won’t be bored listening. The goal is to impart useful, actionable advice in an entertaining manner. Lawpreneur Radio: This podcast is hosted by  Miranda McCroskey  who hung out her shingle over ten years ago to found her own firm. Her goal is to create a community where members are both lawpreneurs who’ve figured out how to successfully start their own firm and the vendors who support them. If you are ever thinking of hanging out your own shingle, check this out. Lawyerist Podcast: The  Lawyerist  is a popular legal blog and is also a podcast. In this weekly podcast, the hosts Sam Glover and Aaron Street chat with lawyers and interesting people about innovative business models, legal technology, marketing, ethics, starting a law firm, and much more.​ Legal Toolkit Podcast: This podcast is a  comprehensive resource for professionals in law practice management. Your hosts Heidi Alexander and Jared Correia invite forward-thinking lawyers to discuss the services, ideas, and programs that have improved their practices. Legal Talk Network:  The Legal Talk Network is an online media network for legal professionals that produces a large number of podcasts on a variety of different legal topics. The programs are available on-demand through various channels, including on the Legal Talk Network website, iTunes, and iHeartRadio. The flagship show called  Lawyer 2 Lawyer  has over 500 shows for you to listen to and download. If you are looking for a podcast to fill some extra commute or downtime, this may be the one for you. Resilient Lawyer: This podcast is hosted by Jeena Cho who offers mindfulness training for lawyers and is the author of The Anxious Lawyer. Jeena interviews a number of attorneys who share their stories about practicing law and finding a path to happiness. Thinking Like a Lawyer: This podcast is brought to you by the folks at Above the Law. Your hosts are Elie Mystal and Joe Patrice. They discuss a variety of topics, promising an entertaining and fun listen for those interesting in talking about the world through a legal lens.

Cause and effect of smoking Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cause and effect of smoking - Term Paper Example Smoking, therefore, has several negative effects as discussed below. When one decides to quit smoking, the craving for nicotine results to withdrawal symptoms, which include short temper, aggression, anger and negative feelings. Apart from nicotine, cigarettes also contain carbon (II) Oxide that increases the risk of developing heart disease. Tar is also a component in cigarette associated with different types of cancer. It is also associated with damage to the lining of the lungs (Soneji, Samir, et al. 2204). Smoking not only affects the smoker but also anyone nearby. Although most countries have designated areas for smoking, most smokers do not smoke in these smoking zones. They carelessly smoke in public places affecting many people and exposing them to the danger of smoking. The human body is made up of several cells, which form and die continuously in a controlled way. However, some chemicals can easily interfere with the process of cell division causing the development of cancer. The different cancer names originate depending on where in the body they start. For example, lung cancer starts from the lung and spreads. Cancer normally leaves its initial location and spreads in the body through a process called metastasis. When the body becomes unable to cope up with the cancer growth, the smoker dies. As it grows and spreads through a person’s body, it increasingly becomes painful, particularly if it spreads to the bones (Zale and Joseph, 296). It weakens the bones resulting to fractures. This condition is called osteoporosis. Weakness, coma, paralysis and death might occur when cancer spreads to the brain. Smoking accounts for at least a third of cancer related deaths in the US. Smoking causes the following type of cancers: Smoking has increasing been associated with cancer of the pancreas, kidney, bladder and the cervix. The major cause of lung cancer deaths in men and women is due to cigarette smoking. Toxic gases inhaled during smoking

Educational Standards and Principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Educational Standards and Principles - Essay Example The administration of the educational organizations should ensure that each and every affair of the institution is completely complying with the policies and principles set by the school authorities. If an institution falters in any of the ethical standards then that means that it has failed in the principles set by the education system. There should be maximum effort to comply with the ethical standards because if an organization falters here then the whole reputation of the organization is at stake. The following are the important ethical standards: 1. Educational Research Population: As mentioned in the website of American Educational Research Association (AERA) "Educational researchers conduct research within a broad array of settings and institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and prisons. It is of paramount importance that educational researchers respect the rights, privacy, dignity, and sensitivities of their research populations and also the integrity of the institutions within which the research occurs." (Para.1) This is a principle, which is termed as 'preamble' by AERA. Apart from this principle there are other principles like, with the children and other vulnerable group of the research population, the educational researchers should be exceptionally careful. Under the 'standard section' of the AERA website, many explanations of how the preamble or principle should be followed is given. Hence the principle is a concise statement of the plan of action while standard is an elaborate explanatio n of how and to what level of perfection this plan of action should be carried out. Thus the AERA website that focuses on the educational research population, in order to make understand one paragraph of principles eleven points of standards have been mentioned. For example "Participants have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, unless otherwise constrained by their official capacities or roles." (Aera, para.6) is an example of the standard related to the set principle. This website is an excellent way to find out the difference between educational standards and principles in the context of educational research population. 2.Intellectual Ownership: The authors and poets who have creatively produced a piece of prose or poetry are considered to have intellectual ownership of their work. This is an educational principle whereas points like "Clerical or mechanical contributions to an intellectual product are not grounds for ascribing authorship. Examples of such technical contributions are: typing, routine data collection or analysis, routine editing, and participation in staff meetings." (AERA, para.5) is an example of the many standards that revolve around the principle of intellectual ownership. 3.Sponsors, Policymaker, and Other Uses: In the field of education many principles are framed keeping the sponsors and policy makers in mind. Sponsors are an integral part of the entire education system as all educational endeavors are successful only due to them. Whereas policy makers are the backbone for the proper functioning of the entire educational system. It is due to the sponsors and policy makers, that the different educational princ