Ethical Leadership: What It Is and How We Use It in Schools Essay

In the context of the present century, when the entire course of life is changing much faster than ever, rapidly increasing body of knowledge in every walk of life has made tinier issues look magnified. Today, what is considered as a most important requisite of a plan or strategy may not have even been noticed in the past days. As such, education is one domain where challenges of the present time of diversity are felt more than in any other area. Thus educational management and leadership is one area that catches a good deal of scholarly attention. When it comes to leadership, ethical leadership takes the lead because today leadership in schools is something highly challenging due to the diverse environment of cultural diversity and so on. The present paper carefully examines the phenomenon of ethical leadership, and then makes empirical analysis as how it can be employed usefully in schools for better outcomes. For this purpose, the present paper takes into account extensive research with regard to ethical leadership in schools. Today, the need for exploring the phenomenon of ethical leadership in an academic environment has become a necessity especially for those working at such positions: principals and teachers. The present writer is a teacher and considers that the study of ethical leadership is highly important for professional growth and substantial results with regard to training of pupils being taught at any level of schools. This study, henceforth, is useful not only for professional teachers, but it also encompasses grounds for other related people in the field. It will also be worthwhile for the common reader. Problem Statement On the face value, the phenomenon of ethical leadership remains a complex area which is in need of exploration for its better understanding and implication in practical ways in a school or college, etc. For example, what is known from the observable behaviors of leaders like principals and teachers may not be sufficient to mark any solid statement with regard to the definition and implication of ethical leadership. However, this is another grey area to point out that observable behaviors have not been fully investigated in this regard. Different practices of leadership, say across the educational setting of the United States of America, exist and need to be interpreted for a comprehensive exploration of ethics and the use of ethics to lead. As such it is important to address both these areas. From the explicit definition of explanation of what ethical leadership is to how it can be best practiced to positively influence an academic environment is at the core of the problem. A number of researchers have already delved into this area; however, more digging is needed. The present paper looks at the issues from both the sides: from its explanation to its implementation in best possible conditions. Literature Review Available literature on ethical leadership yields a good deal of information. The Concise Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Craig, p. 256, 2000) states the following explanation for ethics: â€Å"What is ethics? First, the systems of value and custom instantiated in the lives of particular groups of human beings are described as the ethics of these groups†. This definition tells us that ethical leadership is about practices that leaders exercise with regard to pupils studying in their institutions. It means not merely controlling the physical actions of the learners but influencing their values and customs in a positive way. To Campbell (2000), â€Å"Ethics are standards by which one should act based on values. Values are core beliefs such as duty, honor, and integrity that motivate attitudes and actions† (p. 23). As such, ethical leadership is something that aims at addressing the issues of attitudes and strikes morally the attitudes of workers and students in such a manner which positively provokes high level of motivation. According to Covrig, D. M. 2000), ethical leadership â€Å"is the practice of effective ethical decision making and leadership which responds to, preserves and clarifies the organization’s core values. Conflict and conflict resolution suggest a healthy moral administrative process† (p. 40). If we look at this definition, we will notice that preserving and clarifying an organization’s core values is one important factor that keep s the ethical leadership going. As such one simply observable point here is that an organization, say a school, will only adhere to its core values only when these values are well defined and logged. If the values are not well defined, no effort will result in preserving any value because, according to the present writer, there will not be any values worth mentioning. This will, in turn, give no positive feedback for the practice of ethical leadership. Sergiovanni (1992) defines ethics in the following manner: When purpose, social contract, and local school autonomy become the basis of schooling, two important things happen. The school is transformed from an organisation to a covenantal community, and the basis of authority changes from an emphasis on bureaucratic and psychological authority to moral authority (p. 102). Foster (1986) pointed out the serious implication and significance of ethics in educational management as he penned that, â€Å"Each administrative decision carries with it a restructuring of human life: that is why administration at its heart is the resolution of moral dilemmas† (p. 33). This definition again informs us of the importance of dealing with values and moral code of students instead of controlling them outwardly so that true basis of character can be fostered. The ethical leadership also addresses the role played by faculty and teachers. This is a switch-over from traditional views about leadership because they are simply top-down. They consider influence in terms of a mechanical process. Hashem (1997) observes that â€Å"The conventional leadership concepts and practices which rely on top-down philosophy, decisiveness, unemotional, and total control have been challenged by the transformational concept and more empowering practices† (p. 94). When it comes to ethical leadership, ‘what is to be achieved? ’ is the question often asked by the critical eyes. The purpose of ethical leadership is to seed in students the confidence to build or construct knowledge genuinely by addressing their natural demands. Hence ethical leadership is constructivist in approach. According to Henson (2004) by this approach, students construct knowledge through the process in which an interaction between their perception about their knowledge and new knowledge and ideas and experiences that come to their way of learning. This way the students practice highest possible model of ethical learning which is possible only if leaders practice ethical code to train their students. Initial research worth-noticing in this area links as back to the past as the 1980s. Forty empirically conducted studies were reviewed by Reid et al. 2004). They investigated the impact of school heads on different aspects of students’ functioning and teacher’s activities. With regard to the leadership impact on students, they found out positive attitudes of students to school, better mathematical and reading skills, and absenteeism + vandalism were reduced. With regard to the impact of school leaders on teachers, Reid at el. found out that teachers’ satisfaction for job increased; they used innovative techniques in classroom. Additionally, seven studies were conducted by Majestic et al. 2004). These studies also affirm that leadership by principals in schools positively impacted students’ basic learning skills and teachers’ attitude toward job satisfaction and employment of innovation by them in classroom settings. However, the researchers also came up with four additional types of impacts. Andrews et al. (2002) also undertook a study in which they analyzed scores gained by students on standardized tests to examine the influence of school leaders. Teachers rated their principals on a band of strong, average, and weak leaders. The findings presented high correlations between what was achieved and how strong ethical leadership of these leaders was in both mathematical and reading skills. Four major areas were listed in this study, which were directly or indirectly influential for the strength of ethical leadership. These were: (i) mobilization of human and material capital by principals to meet school’s targets; (ii) effective communication with regard to negotiating the set-goals; (iii) their active involvement in school’s teaching practices; and (iv) the time span that these principals spent to make their presence known at school. These four areas are very influential if the leaders are at the top of the grid, that is, if they are trying their level best to perform better in these four areas. As far as loyalty of teachers with regard to their teaching practices and leadership influence down to students, the principals who had the ability to address the moral issues of both the faculty and students were successful in attaining higher level of loyalty from their teachers (Spillane, 2004). As such, a number of school administrations have come to realize the importance of ethical leadership as being the powerful tool that can yield higher results in students not only with regard to their learning but also to the higher order thinking and moral strength of these students as prospective individual citizens. Now the focus should be how effectively these ethical leaders affect the course of learning of their students in connection with the above as well as in the present context of changing cultures, cultural assimilations, self-concept in the fast-paced world, sense of community service, and so forth. This should be our future schools (Hargreaves 2004 8-13). In this very regard, Hart (2004) points out to the importance of understanding and addressing the inside-school culture and its impact on the knowledge-construction and ethical character of the learners. According to him, future research should focus on the elements as to what extent the culture of a school helps train students ethical healthy and how much contribution can be made on the side of the principals and teachers (pp. 117-28). With this all review of literature review, what can be noticed is that ethical leadership is not a simple phenomenon which addresses only one or two areas of school leadership and the training of the learners in a school. Substantially, ethical leadership is about building better moral values for character building and higher order thinking and learning. The process of ethical leadership is not simply top-down or bottom-up (which in contrast to traditional views of leadership); in fact, it is a combination of a number of processes taking place at a number of places in an organization like a school. These processes are present anywhere in the faculty, administrative staff, and students themselves. Thus, ethical leadership is the outcome of efforts put by all the major players in a school context. There is no doubt that such an approach to understanding ethical leadership and its implementation is the need of the present as well as future time so that higher order thinking and learning can be obtained making the students ethically strong.

How the practitioner should respond to parents Essay

P8. 1 In a setting it is very often that practitioners will receive enquiries from parents and carers. It is therefore important to respond in the appropriate way. It is very important to follow up any enquiries from parents as this will show them that you care about their concerns or questions. Every practitioner should show and reassure the parents that their opinions and circumstances matter and will always be addressed to. As a student practitioner with children, it is most likely necessary to refer parents to supervisors who they may be more acquainted with and who may be able to help them more in order to ensure best practice. As a practitioner, it is my role to know the policies and procedures of the setting as to what to do if parents ask for my advice or need help with a matter. This is important because it offers a professional approach and will show consistency in practice with all the other staff members. If I would not read the policies and procedures, it could show a lack of communication between practitioners and parents may lose respect or trust for the setting. Knowing the policies and procedures will also safeguard practitioners from any abuse or strange practice as they would have followed the correct procedures for the situation. It is important for practitioners to be aware that all parents have individual needs and circumstances thus needing an individual response. Whilst doing so, it is important to remember to carry out inclusive practice and not to judge or show any prejudice attitude, but instead to show genuine care and interest in helping them. A way in which practitioners can respond to parents is to make sure they know to make appointments for a set date to discuss matters unless it is an emergency. Practitioners must also maintain that they keep to this format and do not let parents change the procedures, as this would not be beneficial to anyone. In my setting A class teacher became very stressed when having to deal with a parent’s enquiry because the parent would not listen to the advice given to them. This then resulted in the other children of the class being unattended because the teacher was being harassed. There needs to be mutual respect and it is the practitioner’s role to instigate this in their speech and conduct. It is important for practitioners to know and understand their role in order to create the best environment for children and their families. It is important to know the policies and procedures, whilst also knowing their role so that they can be confident in their practice and will deal with matters rationally and professionally. Making a mistake in what their role involves can result in the harm to the children or legal action being taken. P8. 2When dealing with enquiries and information about children and their families, it is very important to maintain confidentiality and this can be executed by many ways. Any information should be stored correctly and safely and only shown to certain necessary adults on a need to know basis. If other adults who know the child want to know any information, it is important that I do not share it with them but tell them to ask the parents who are involved. That way, it is the parents’ right to tell anyone else or not, and I would be respecting that decision and it reflects a professional approach towards others in your practice. It is important to make sure there is no confidential information stored on display boards that strangers and other people could see. To make sure that there is no confusion as to what is confidential, there should be indication on letters, emails and in conversation about the need of confidentiality, therefore creating a safe environment for children and their families. Practitioners can also explain the importance of confidentiality to parents so that they can carry out the same practice in the setting and at home proving a high level of consistency and safety. A lot of the time it is difficult to maintain confidentiality whilst speaking on the phone as neither end of the conversation knows who could be listening. Therefore an effective way to ensure confidentiality is by making appointments to see practitioners or parents face to face in a private area so only the necessary adults are involved and there is less danger brought for the child. In order to maintain confidentiality in the setting, practitioners should provide a use passwords on computers and files so that important and personal information will not be shared with people who are not involved with the family, or who could become a danger to a child and their family. To ensure and maintain confidentiality it is important to not speak about the children in a public place where there are other parents that may know the child or who may be offended by teachers ‘gossiping’. It is also important for practitioners to make sure they don’t speak about children or their families with other practitioners for example students, or practitioners from other agencies and organisations. Whilst in my setting I showed ways to maintain confidentiality while carrying out observations on children; By not stating the child’s name for protection purposes or the settings details so that no traces can be brought back to the child because if it got into the wrong hands there could be serious problematic outcomes. Information that gets out could include medical issues and I would not want to cause any embarrassment to either the parents or the practitioners. Having this confidentiality helps to maintain the trust between the practitioners and the parents and this is very important because you want the parents to feel happy to leave their child in your care. I also made sure that one I finished my observation I put it straight into my back where no one else had access to it. If I allowed the situation for anyone else to get hold of the written observation, it could cause issues that other people would be part of. If any other parents pick it up for example, they now have specific information about another child and they could expose it to other people, causing tension between families and practitioners Lastly, I showed that I maintained confidentiality by only showing my observation to my supervisor in order for her to mark it for me which was a requirement as part of my unit 2 assignments. After it was signed it went straight into my bag in a secure place so I knew where it was at all times. P8. 3 There are many suitable ways to greet and welcome parents to provide inclusive practice and create a positive environment. Practitioners can provide welcome messages in a variety of languages which could include boards of different languages and teaching children phrases to say in other languages. Practitioners can provide a use of interpreters for parents and carers to be able to communicate with practitioners and to make them feel welcome and valued. To greet and welcome parents, practitioner can make it a positive experience by using positive body language, smiling and using kind words when greeting children and their families. It is important to have a positive start to the day and also a positive finish to the day as this will ive parents confidence that their children are being cared for and are in a stimulating and happy environment. As there will most likely be parents from other countries who have different customs, it is important for practitioners to find out how parents want to be addressed. This could mean using a certain title of their choice, or using a greeting from their home land. By finding out this information, practitioners can show they have genuine personal interest in the lives of the parents and this can have a very positive effect on parents who will be happy to leave their children in the care of the practitioners. Having approachable staff is of great importance as this can create a professional but relaxed atmosphere in the setting which will contribute to having positive feedback to the way parents are greeted. Ways that practitioners can show their positive attitude is by having good eye contact with parents and carers, which means listening to their concerns and opinions and responding in a way that will put them at ease. Part of the role of the practitioner includes being aware of cultural differences in gestures and greetings. This is vital because there could be a risk of offending parents and carers by the attitude or gestures that are portrayed in the setting when communicating. When working in an early years setting, there should be an unhurried approach towards the children and the queries of parents, showing them how much you value their opinion. This would mean even if your plans are to go home at that time.

How Litigation and Court System Affect Immigration Research Paper

How Litigation and Court System Affect Immigration - Research Paper Example The Centre for Public Studies also reported that the United Nations in 2005 found that there were at least 191 million migrants of international descent across the globe. This represents about 3% of the total world populations and is mostly from the developing nations. The numbers of people living in their countries of birth are expected to dwindle in the near future since there is an increasing influx of individuals who seek residence outside their countries of origin mainly for financial reasons. In the current day of world economic recession, influxes of immigrants are posing financial/economic, safety and population challenges in the countries that host immigrants. The increases in population are rising faster than economic growth. Given that most countries are putting down strict laws where immigrants and refugees are concerned, most immigrants are finding â€Å"underhand ways of becoming citizens of the countries† that they desire thereby raising diplomatic and legal con cerns in the countries affected (Romero and Hing 230). The problems that have accompanied the influx of immigrants are not limited to logistical issues on housing and economy, but also on fraud and security issues. Among the most significant questions that have been raised are the employment of non-immigrant citizens, government provision of infrastructure and the longtime change of culture and ways of life of the people; which adversely affects the citizens. For the stated reasons, many governments have developed different policies and laws that govern the acceptance and handling of immigrants. Wexler widely studied that the laws vary from one country to another and the judicial involvement in cases pertaining to such topics also varies from one country to another (1). The politics of immigration in the present day is however increasingly revolving around issues like terrorism and national security. For example, the Australian public policy debates on immigration have been based on the burdens that result from populations surges may have on the infrastructure, public services and the natural environment. There is increasingly a high level of political sensitivity on uncontrolled entry of migrants and the risk of ethnic and racial tensions that might result from such associations. Wexler stated that judicial power has been invoked in the concern for immigration issues and parliament has over time tried to confine the area of operation of the judicial review and the jurisdiction of courts (1). In the United States, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 forms the basic body of immigration law in the country. This Act is also contained in the United States Code (U.S.C.) which contains all the laws of the United States of America. This Act has undergone several amendments so as to reach several current requirements in immigration. In the 1990 Immigration and Nationality Act, an amendment was done to change the preference and level of admission of immigrants into the United States. It was also meant to provide administrative naturalization among other functions.  

Brief of case U.S v. Kozeny Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Brief of U.S v. Kozeny - Case Study Example Defendant asked that the court determine the substance of appropriate law in Azerbaijan and instruct the jury on particular defenses that might be accessed through the law of Azerbaijan. Reasoning: The Court argued that, though the defendants were relieved from prosecution because the bribery had been properly reported to the authorities, it did not make the action unlawful. Article 171 relieves the payer of prosecution, but not the payment. The defendants showed â€Å"corrupt† intent by consciously paying the officials which made them liable to the law. However, if the defendants provided evidence for â€Å"true extortion† then the Court would instruct the jury to provide exemptions to criminal liability under Article 171. Analysis: The case is significant because it shows that reporting the bribery does not exempt bribers from related criminal charges, unless in cases of â€Å"true extortion.† Defendants of bribery cases cannot easily evade the legal consequences of corrupt bribery

The Empty Quarter desert in Saudi Arabia Term Paper

The Empty Quarter desert in Saudi Arabia - Term Paper Example According to the paper people also avoid living in this region because it has scarce rainfall, vegetation, and lack of clean water. Hence, the name Rub’ al Khali, which means, the Empty Quarter. In addition, the natural features of the desert such as large sand dunes make it difficult for human beings to live and walk around. The Empty Quarter also has another name, the Great Sandy Desert due to these large sand dunes. People also believe that the Empty Quarter desert evolved during the time of pluvial in the Tertiary and Quaternary. The sand dunes of the Empty Quarter desert emerged from the far end of Miocene and up to the late Pleistocene. There are two main sources of the sand dunes in The Empty Quarter desert.   From this study it is clear that strong winds then moves the accumulated sand to the Empty Quarter desert. This type of sand is characterized by its white color, salty, course, and easy to move. Marine sands cover the eastern and northern parts of the Empty Quarter desert. The ideal source of marine sand found in Empty Quarter desert is Al Gafourah. The strong winds play a vital role in shaping the sand dunes of the Empty Quarter desert. The desert generally slopes from west towards east at a rate of one meter per kilometer. The approximate height above sea level of the sand dunes ranges between nine hundred to one thousand meters. The middle of Empty Quarter desert has is approximately four hundred to five hundred meters above the sea level. The Empty Quarter desert elevation decreases towards the Arabian Gulf. Touring the around the desert, I realized that the Empty Quarter can be divided into five main section considering the types of Sand Dunes. To begin with, there are Barchan D unes, which are large, and high dunes having moist sabkha spread among the dunes. Such dunes exist in northern parts of the Empty Quarter desert. Secondly, there are star dunes, which are steep pyramidal in shape, vertical peaks, formed individually or inter-structural in shapes. Some of the star dunes height reaches as much as two hundred meters. Star dunes mainly cover the southern and eastern parts of the Empty Quarter desert. A good example of star dune is Al G’ad and Ghonaim sand dunes. Thirdly, there are domal dunes characterized by being high and inter-structured. Domal dunes occur at the junction of longitudinal dunes that flow in opposite directions. Some of these dunes have a height of one hundred meters. Domal dunes cover the middle portion of the Empty Quarter desert.

Relationship between science and Bible Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Relationship between science and Bible - Essay Example This idea is neither a biblical nor logical inference (Yasri & Mancy 2). The Bible even states it clearly that the earth is by the heavens and not the other way round (Jaki 224). The paper discusses the relationship that exists between the Bible and science. Zigerell (314) explains that the early proponents such as Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler and Nicholas Copernicus were all Christians. The famous scientist Isaac Newton stated that the most beautiful system of the planets, comets and sun could proceed only from the dominion and counsel on a powerful and intelligent being (Zigerell 315). Therefore, the Bible and science are closely related. Scientists agree with the physical world described in the Bible. Zigerell (315) asserts that some of the scientific principles described in the Bible in the thousands years ago are (El-Hani & Claudia 103). The Bible and science relate in various ways as discussed below. The bible addresses statements consistent with the astronomy (Zigerell 315 ). The Bible refers frequently to the great number of stars that are in heaven. The book of Genesis talks of the stars (Schroeder 178). In chapter twenty-two, verse seventeen of Genesis book states how God was to bless Abraham. God will bless Abraham abundantly, and he will multiply the descendants of Abraham as the heavenly stars and as the sand that are on the seashore (Zigerell 315). The descendants of Abraham will be able to possess the gates of their enemies. The book of Jeremiah also addresses the issue of stars (Zigerell 316). Chapter thirty three of the book of Jeremiah explains how God was to bless the descendants of His servant David and the Levites who were ministering to him. â€Å"As the host of the heavens cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to me† (Jer. 33:1). The number of stars that are in heaven is not in the two books, but they are to be many (Yasri & Ma ncy 3). Scientists even today admit that they are not aware of the number of stars in the heaven (Yasri & Mancy 3). With the naked eyes, the scientists are only able to account for 3,000 stars. Scientists have estimated the number of stars and seashore sand grains of the earth to be great numbers, but they don’t give the exact values of each (Jaki 225). The Bible states that the stars are unique (Zigerell 316). The book of I Corinthians 15:41 express the uniqueness of each star. The book states that, â€Å"there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory† (Jaki 226). Scientists explain that all stars look the same when observed with the naked eyes (El-Hani & Claudia 104). The stars seem to be just light points when seen from a telescope. When the light spectra of stars are, it reveals that each star is unique and is different from the others (Yasri & Mancy 3). The movement precision in the universe has in the Bible (Zigerell 317). The book of Jeremiah 31:35-36 describes the movement precision in the universe. Scientists have also explained the movements that occur within the universe (Yasri & Mancy 4). The Bible also describes how the earth is in the space (Zigerell 317).

Science lab 3.11 Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Science 3.11 - Lab Report Example This paper outlines a procedure for cleaning up oil spills in the sea. All the four methods helped in cleaning up the water. The feather dipped in oil and water mixture was different from the one dipped in the oil spill cleaned water. There were challenges of what to do with the oils spill after it was collected from the water. The cotton balls absorbed water as well as the oil. The dish detergent only broke the oil and it does not remove the oil from the water while use of Styrofoam is time consuming, and they also act as pollutants. The home clean-up process is easier as compared to the one in the ocean since there are wind and currents in the ocean which causes the oil spill to move and at times mix with the water making the clean up difficult. Use of paper towels in cleaning up oil spills is more effective as compared to other methods. They absorb the oil without absorbing water as compared to the cotton balls. They are also faced with the challenge of what to do with the collected oil spills, which may be broken down using the dish detergent. Oil spill in oceans and seas is a universal tragedy that is causing environmental pollution and death of marine creatures. There is a need to adopt an oil cleaning procedure that will clean oil spills as soon as they occur and prevent their adverse impacts. I would recommend modification of the paper towel to enable application in large ships and water vessels to enable clean up which will not only be cheap but also

Reflection On Freewriting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflection On Freewriting - Essay Example Answering the question â€Å"who am I?† truly offers me an opportunity to distinguish and express my personality, traits, and potential. I can quickly and briefly identify myself as a simple person who believes that a person’s surroundings do not dictate their future or potential. I am not a complicated individual who seemingly knows a little bit of everything and always ignores his surroundings. In addition, I am most certainly not similar to any other human being because we all possess unique character traits irrespective of how insignificant they may seem. The question â€Å"who am I?† is a lifelong endeavor. However, I can do my best to answer that I am a person who reads, reflects, and explores my many beliefs and decides which are real or unreal. I am a young adult who reads, reflects, and explores my many beliefs and settles on the idea that they are either real or unreal. There are numerous ways of answering the question â€Å"who am I?† The conven tional answer to this question unveils how saddening and dictating religion or traditional culture can be. Similarly, the modern way of defining my life is saddening but not dictating. Instead, the modern way only proves that there is no natural meaning in essentially anything in the universe. I chose a much more personalized standpoint to define who I am than the generalized roots of traditional and modern views. First, I am proud of this free writing piece because it is a reminder of the signs of progress in my writing I have made. Among the signs of progress in my writing is structure.

Biological Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biological Science - Essay Example sult the transfer of heat from a cooler body to a hotter one.† (Jones) This law states that there cannot be energy gain in a system with out doing any work. In the universe there can’t be change inside any system with out doing any work. The third law states â€Å"It is impossible to reduce any system to absolute zero in a finite series of operations.† (Jones) It says there can’t be any system in this universe such that energy transfer does no take place. So the conclusion can be drawn is, the universe as such will not undergo the absolute zero and it will exist forever. Law of Conservation of Matter states that â€Å"During an ordinary chemical change, there is no detectable increase or decrease in the quantity of matter.†( Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy) This content the fact universe will remain constant that is, the matter in universe will be constant and there will not be any change in the amount of matter present. There could be changes taking place. The science has brought drastic change in human history and itself created a big history. There are constructive as well as destructive effects of science on society. The human beings are considered to be a sophisticated aspect in the world. And to live as group it requires lot of sense about what happening in the world. Starting from the old age, the hidden principal of life is being brought into action in a systematic manner and that’s what called as the effect of science on society. The culture and tradition follows the aspect of science. So as the inventions grow up, the human beings started practicing all sort of things in the world and created further enhancement on the existing concepts. Starting from the morning toothpaste to the mosquito coil in the night science is involved in every moment of life of an average person. Due to discovery by Newton that earth is round there were opposition for his invention which resulted in death of Newton. After serious of transformation Newton’s

EM-CNI Joint Venture Collaboration Research Paper

EM-CNI Joint Venture Collaboration - Research Paper Example This collaboration can accelerate the forward momentum of the company and the benefits of such partnerships are often derived much faster, cheaper, easier, more profitable, and without debilitating conflict and turmoil when compared to a typical merger or acquisition.  In today’s technologically fast-changing business environment, the windows of opportunity for strategic attacks often are open only briefly and close quickly. More importantly, if we do not exploit an opportunity, other competitors will. This may turn the table, giving them additional resources, time, market share, and profits. However, we have the technology, Information Technology tools, the Internet, and other business innovation tools that we can avail of in the collaboration process. Collaboration is not new in the world of globalization. Businesses and organizations are merging and forming alliances to further their aims. And as we said earlier, if we don’t do it rightly and quickly, our competito rs will because they also have those tools at their easy reach. Our primary objective is to acquire the government license from Amazonia. This is a long-term project that requires a lot of planning. But the rewards of a successful collaboration can be enormous in Amazonia. When the firm wins the application, we are rewarded with a major source of competitive advantage. We will also be strengthened financially, organizationally, and reputationally while our competitors are weakened. Moreover, these competitors are watching and doing something to get the leverage.  Financial benefits can come sooner, but we have to take the financial side carefully and this has to be forecasted in a ten-years time. We can virtually create a new vital core competency with financial, managerial, and reputational benefits that can reverberate into the future of the organization.  

Individualism as an American Culture Essay Example for Free

Individualism as an American Culture Essay Question: How do the examples involving the child who has fallen, the way food is served and eaten, and the newspaper route provide the author with significant insights into American cultural value? Do you agree with her interpretations? Poranee like many other immigrants are faced with various changes/challenges when they leave their homeland to start a new life in another country. Some of these changes are obvious, while others are not so blatant. Poranee first realized these changes with the simple question â€Å"how are you?† While somethings are consider normal and acceptable in one country, it may be consider rude or inappropriate in another. Poranee was raised in culture that emphasis service and togetherness, which is why she felt comfortable enough to help the fallen child. Without being told, she wouldnt have known that letting the child get up himself will teach him to be independent from an early age. Just like the fallen child, eating off someone else plate or reaching across the table isnt consider inappropriate since the Thais focuses more on forming a community than individualism. The American way of eating is consider inappropriate to the Thais because it is seen as selfish and inconsiderate to have so much food on your plate. I agree with the author on her interpretation of the examples except for the example about the newspaper route. I dont think that the couple who own the BMW’s were materialistic because they were well off but still made their children work. I think that by making their son sell newspapers and their daughter babysit, they were teaching them the value of hard work Working teaches them that just because their parents have money, doesnt mean they can sit around and do nothing.

Effect of cooking on amylose content of rice Essay Example for Free

Effect of cooking on amylose content of rice Essay In diabetes type 2, there is a deficiency of insulin which results in improper/ slow breakdown of food. This results in sugar level spikes immediately after a meal, which can be harmful. Hence, diabetics must have food stuffs which have a slow release rate so as to not cause any spikes. In order to find out the most suitable method of cooking rice for diabetic patients, we found out the amylose content of rice cooked by different methods and co-related it with Glycemic Index (GI). Glycemic Index is release of glucose in the blood by the breakdown of carbohydrates. Higher the glycemic index, faster breakdown of food and thereby more release of glucose in the blood, so immediate requirement of insulin, which can be toxic for diabetic patients. Glycemic index and amylose content are inversely proportional to each other. There is a wide variation in the amylose content of rice depending on the way it is cooked. In this paper, the effect of cooking on amylose content of rice is described using various experimental approaches. Various method of cooking involves traditional method, microwave and steam cooked method. The amylose content of the rice is then co-related with its glycemic index. Keywords: Rice; Glycemic Index; Amylose Content; Diabetes; Cooking. INTRODUCTION Rice is the most important staple food for a large part of the worlds human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies [6]. The awareness of the general public related to health foods has been on the rise recently and people are looking for the right variety of rice and more efficient methods of cooking it for diabetics. Due to the low insulin concentration in the body, the release of sugar into blood is less controllable than normal, leading to spikes in blood sugar after meals for them. High blood sugar, if left untreated, can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance etc. over short term and retinopathy, nephropathy over long term. Hence, this is an acute problem faced by all diabetics. Brown rice is obtained directly from the plant and is rich in nutrients like vitamin B1, B3 and minerals like iron which can be used in preventing deficiency diseases like beriberi etc. [8]. The nutrient content of consumable rice varies with the processing techniques. For example, brown rice undergoes minimal processing and thus retains most 385 Pelagia Research Library Ashish Jain et al Euro. J. Exp. Bio. , 2012, 2 (2):385-388 of the original nutrients within the grain, whereas white rice or polished rice is devoid of most of the nutrients as they are pushed into the husk of the grain during processing which is then removed during polishing [9]. Similarly, the starch content also varies with the cooking methods viz., traditional methods or home-made or microwaved method etc. [6]. Rice contains two types of starch in rice: amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a long straight starch molecule that does not gelatinize during microwave cooking [4] and hence rice with more amylose content tends to cook fluffy, with separate grains. Besides, amylose also hardens and forms during crystals during cooking and melts when the rice is re-heated. Rice that is high in amylose has a lower Glycemic Index number [1, 7]. This is because amylose is harder to break down than simple sugars like glucose etc.and ensures a sustained release of sugar into blood without spiking immediately after a meal. MATERIALS AND METHODS The following reagents are used for estimation of amylose content and for preparation of standard: 95% Ethanol: Prepared from 100% Ethanol 1N NaOH, Iodine Potassium iodide solution Standard amylose: Obtained from HIMEDIA 1N Acetic acid: From NICE Chemicals Glassware: Borosil Water bath: High Precision water bath from Acmas was used Spectrophotometer: From Amersham Biosciences to measure OD Cuvette: Quartz Cuvette to measure OD. Software: HandyGraph Software to draw graph 1N NaOH solution: Dissolve 40g of NaOH in 1000ml distilled water 1N Acetic acid solution: Dilute 57. 5 ml glacial acetic acid to 1000ml using distilled water Iodine Potassium iodide solution: Dissolve 0. 26 g of Iodine in 10 ml of Potassium iodide solution containing 2. 6 g of KI Standard Amylose Solution: Take 40mg of pure potato starch (amylose) in a 100 ml volumetric flask and add 1 ml of 95% ethanol and 9. 0 ml of 1N NaOH. Shake well and boil over water bath for 10 minutes and make up the solution to 100 ml using distilled water. Method: We weighed 100 mg well powdered milled rice into 100 ml volumetric flask and to it 1 ml 95% ethanol and 9 ml 1 N NaOH was added. The sample was heated for 10 minutes in boiling water bath, cooled and the volume was made up to 100 ml. 5 ml was pipetted from the 100 ml into another 100 ml volumetric flask. To it 1 ml I N acetic acid and then 2 ml iodide solution were added and the volume was made up to 100 ml. The mixture was stirred and allowed to stand for 20 minutes and the per cent Transmittance at 620 nm was determined using a colorimeter. A series of standard starch solution containing 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% amylose was prepared as in the steps 1 to 5. The transmittance of the standards was read at 620nm and a standard graph was plotted. Amylose content of the sample was determined in reference to the standard curve and expressed on percent basis. RESULTS In Table 1, five different amylose solutions were prepared at different concentrations and the absorbance values at 620nm were noted down. The absorbance readings were triplicated for standard amylose and standard graph was obtained as follows: 386 Pelagia Research Library Ashish Jain et al Euro. J. Exp. Bio. , 2012, 2 (2):385-388. Table 1: Preparation of Standard Graph from Amylose Amylose Concentration (mg/mL) Blank 8 16 24 32 40 Abs @ 620 nm T1 T2 T3 0 0 0 0. 079 0. 072 0. 077 0. 156 0. 156 0. 149 0. 239 0. 24 0. 239 0. 321 0. 32 0. 33 0. 40 0. 40 0. 40 Avg. Abs 0 0. 076 0. 153 0. 239 0. 323 0. 40 Std. Deviation T1 T2 T3 0 0 0 +0. 003 -0. 004 +0. 001 +0. 003 +0. 003 -0. 004 0. 000 +0. 001 0. 000 -0. 002 -0. 003 +0. 007 0. 000 0. 000 0. 000. This table is used in making the graph shown below. The procedure followed to obtain these readings is described in the Materials and Methods section. T1, T2, and T3 are the triplicated values. Scale X Axis: 1cm 8mg/ml Y Axis: 1cm 0. 08OD A b s o r b a n c e A b s o r b a n c e Amylose concentration Amylose concentration A b s o r b a n c e Amylose concentration Figure 1: The above graphs are obtained by taking Concentration on the X-axis and Absorbance at 620nm on the Y-axis for each of the set of values. 387 Pelagia Research Library Ashish Jain et al Euro. J. Exp. Bio., 2012, 2 (2):385-388. Table 2: Extrapolated values of rice cooked by different methods Cooking Method Steam Cooked Traditional Method Microwaved Raw Abs @ 620 nm T1 T2 T3 0. 169 0. 172 0. 171 0. 195 0. 194 0. 196 0. 227 0. 227 0. 230 0. 258 0. 259 0. 259 Avg. Abs 0. 171 0. 195 0. 228 0. 259 Amylose Concentration (mg/mL) 17. 35 19. 67 22. 98 25. 99 This table lists the amylose content of rice which is cooked by different methods. The values are obtained from extrapolating from the standard amylose curve. DISCUSSION. Table 3: Co-relation between amylose content and Glycemic index of rice [8] If Amylose content is high Amylose content is low Then Low Glycemic Index and the rice grains will show high volume expansion (not necessarily elongation) and a high degree of flakiness. The rice grains cook dry, are less tender, and become hard upon cooling. High glycemic Index and the rice grains will cook moist and sticky It is seen that amylose content is inversely related to the Glycemic index. From table 2, it is observable that the amylose content of microwaved rice is highest after raw, uncooked rice. Hence, this method of cooking rice is the most suitable for diabetic patients as the Glycemic Index will be lowest. Since the Glycemic Index is low, the breakdown rate is slower, which prevents the sugar levels in blood from spiking just after a meal. REFERENCES [1] DJ Jenkins et al. (1981). Am J Clin Nutr 34; 362–366. [2] Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, et al. , N Engl J Med. 2002;346(6):393–403. [3] Brouns et al. (2005). Nutrition Research Reviews 18; 145–171. [4] Chiu CJ, Liu S, Willett WC, Wolever TM, Brand-Miller JC, Barclay AW, Taylor A. , Nutr Rev., 2011 ;69(4): 231-42. [5]. Temelkova-Kurktschiev TS, Koehler C, Henkel E, Leonhardt W, Fuecker K, Hanefeld M. , Diabetes Care. 2000 Dec;23(12):1830-4. [6] White Rice, Brown Rice, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in US Men and Women. †Arch Intern Med 2010 170: 961969. [7] International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002. †Am J Clin Nutr 2002 76: 5-56 [8] Brand-Miller JC, Pang E, Bramal L. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:1034–6. [9] Srisawas, W. and Jindal, V. K. (2007), Journal of texture studies, 38: 21–41. doi: 10. 1111/j. 17454603. 2007. 00084. x 388 Pelagia Research Library.

Transnational corporations in developing world

Transnational corporations in developing world Introduction Transnational corporations have spread their operations around the entire world and are frequently violating the most basic human rights. This paper will discuss the negative impact of transnational corporations (hereinafter: TNCs) on the natural environment in host countries. It will focus on corporations operating in developing countries. Environmental degradation is closely interlinked to health, but due to restrictions, the paper will only focus on the environmental aspect. As a result of the global impact of TNCs operations and the negative effect on the environment they may cause, environmental protection is a very relevant topic. It is very concerning that there are only a few international legal documents which lay down TNCs responsibilities regarding this matter. Due to the voluntary nature of those, TNCs can very often operate in their own way, without any regard to the environment and what is more, in many cases the host states are reluctant to take any measures to prevent pollution done by TNCs. The working hypothesis of this paper is as follows: TNCs and host countries have certain responsibilities regarding environmental protection. However, they are reluctant to take measures to prevent environmental pollution, the former because they are driven by profit and the latter because of a lack of will or means. Developing countries where TNCs operate frequently lack sufficient funds for environmental management or are unwilling to put pressure on TNCs because they do not want to lose TNCs investment. The paper will be divided into three sections. In the first one, the recognition of the right to a healthy environment will be examined. This section will include some global and regional documents which recognize that right and it will briefly present how the right to environment is recognized at the national level of states. The second part will contain an overview of TNCs impact on the environment and research their legal and moral obligations with regard to environmental protection. In the third part, responsibility of states to protect peoples right to the environment from being violated by TNCs will be examined. Throughout the paper, cases of environmental pollution by TNCs will be presented. Good practices will be mentioned as well. The paper will among others, look into the following documents: UDHR, ICESCR, Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights. Furthermore, constitutions of some countries regarding the environment will be mentioned. As examples of certain claims, cases will be presented and statistical data used to support some statements. The Right to a Healthy Environment Consequences of environmental degradation have increasingly started to attract international attention in the second part of the 20th century. Many attempts to develop regulations for environmental protection were made, but at first, environmental protection was not directly linked to human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights for example recognizes the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family[1] which emphasizes more the social care. The Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, adopted in 1972 in Stockholm (hereinafter: Stockholm Declaration) made a significant step towards environmental protection by stating: Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and he bears a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.[2] Fr om this formulation it can be understood that environmental protection is a precondition to the enjoyment of human rights. In other words, human rights are seen as a goal and environmental protection as means to achieve it. The Stockholm Declaration influenced the development of a number of documents and organizations concerned with the environmental protection. Important to mention is the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development which proclaims the right of human beings to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature[3] and states further that the environmental requirement of future generations is a basic human right: The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.[4] There exist a number of international and regional documents, principles and norms relating to the concept of the environment[5]. However, no global human rights treaty which includes the right to environment has been adopted so far. There are several regional documents which explicitly recognize the human right to a healthy environment, for instance African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights[6] and American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights[7]. It is worth mentioning that the European Convention on Human Rights does not include the right to a healthy environment but this might change in October 2009 the Parliamentary Assembly issued a recommendation that this right be included in an additional protocol to the convention. On the national level, the right to a healthy environment is today codified in numerous constitutions[8] and national laws. The formulations of the right vary but in general they include the principle that the human right to a healthy/clean/secure/safe environment provides each individual a right to an environment that enables him/her well-being and development.[9] Environmental degradation is closely linked to some other human rights. Pollution of resources such as water, air or soil is violating the right to health and can have an impact on the right to life. Forced evictions caused by consequences of corporations projects for example are connected to the violation of the right to the property, just to name a few. As stated above, this paper will only focus on the environmental aspect. Transnational Corporations The impact of TNCs on the environment In the past century, transnational corporations have expanded their activities throughout the entire world. They operate in many sectors such as extractive industries, footwear and textile production, manufacturing, electronics, construction etc. Most TNCs are registered in developed countries[10] but usually move their operations to developing countries. They are attracted by less stringent environmental regulations and bigger tolerance to the pollution they cause, which is closely connected to tolerance to other human rights violations arising from the environmental degradation.[11] Corporations are capable of contributing to better local living conditions by increasing the standard of living and some surely do. They stimulate development by for example providing jobs, training or modern technical equipment. There are cases where corporations operating in a host country which has lower environmental standards compared to those in their home country, operate under stricter standards. This, however, is not a universal practice. TNCs often move their operations to developing countries precisely because they can get away with the bad conduct prohibited elsewhere. In developing countries corporations frequently use potentially dangerous technologies and outdated machinery which are highly pollutant. In 1985 for instance the Westinghouse Electric Corporation from U.S. sold a nuclear reactor to Philippines which did not meet U.S. safety standards.[12] What is more, examples can be found of TNCs which do not meet neither the standards of the home nor the host country. Such was the outdated equipment in the pesticide plant in Bhopal which was the reason for the worst industrial accident in history. Mining and oil industries are contributing to large-scale environmental pollution. Those, along with other industries cause soil degradation, deforestation, pollution of the atmosphere, contaminate water supplies and have a heavy impact on biodiversity as well. Such degradation is long-term and heavily impacts health. Among other diseases it causes respiratory and lung problems, skin rashes, allergies, tumors and can even result in death. Environmental damage is often irreversible or it takes long time for the nature to renew. As it has been recognized in the Rio Declaration, it has an impact on future generations as well. Legal obligations of TNCs The international system for protection of human rights is a state-based system. That means that states are primary duty-holders of human rights obligations but they are not exclusive duty-holders. A question arises if TNCs have any obligations[13] to comply with these laws. The International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights[14] for example refers to any State, group or person[15] as having duties so from this statement it can be deducted that TNCs have duties as well and should therefore refrain from violating human rights through their activities. The problem arises with the accountability. Under current international law namely, states are the ones which are required to impose standards that TNCs must adhere to and states are the ones which will be held liable for human rights violations by corporations.[16] In the 1970s several codes of conduct concerning the duties of TNCs have been developed, such as OECD-Declaration on International Investments and Multinational Enterprises (1976), which includes Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. In regard to environmental protection, the guidelines state that enterprises should take due account of the need to protect the environment and avoid creating environmentally related health problems. They should furthermore provide timely information regarding the potential impacts on the environment and health, take measures to minimize the risk of accidents and damage to health and environment and cooperate in mitigating adverse effects of their operations.[17] The guidelines can be used as recommendation to TNCs but they are not legally binding. Today there are 42 countries which have signed the document.[18] A more recent voluntary standard developed for promotion of human rights by corporations is the United Nations Global Compact, an initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.[19] The abovementioned initiatives are both voluntary and it is true that they are a step into the right direction but due to the fact that they are voluntary and not legally binding they have proven not to be effective, which can be seen in cases mentioned throughout the paper. In 2003 a significant document was adopted: the UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights (hereinafter: the Norms). The Norms are the first international legal instrument to recognize the obligations of TNCs regarding the protection of human rights. With regard to the environmental protection, it is clearly stated that TNCs shall carry out their activities in accordance with national laws, regulations, administrative practices and policies relating to the preservation of the environment of the countries in which they operate.[20] The commentary of that clause states that corporations shall respect the right to a clean and healthy environment in the light of the relationship between the environment and human rights.[21] The Norms impose obligations on TNCs to assess the impact of their activities and deliver reports to competent bodies.[22] TNCs are furthermore to adopt internal rules of operation which ar e in compliance with the Norms[23] and respect and protect human rights within their spheres of their activity. Nevertheless, as it is stated in the text, the primary responsibility still lies within the states.[24] As can be seen from the way the Norms are formed, they are not purely voluntary. They namely foresee a monitoring and reporting mechanism to determine if TNCs comply with the obligations they have under the Norms. What is more, according to the text TNCs shall provide adequate reparation to communities which have been affected by TNCs failures to comply with the Norms.[25] In April 2004 though, the Commission on Human Rights affirmed that Norms have no legal standing and that Sub-Commission should not perform any monitoring.[26] That means that Norms are only a consultative document. The same as the abovementioned regulations, the Norms are of voluntary nature and therefore its provisions cannot be enforced upon TNCs. It can be concluded that just as any other voluntary document, they will only be observed by a few corporations and these tend to be the ones which are already operating in a positive manner. The international community has so far been unable to reach an agreement on a legally binding document recognizing the right to environment which is strictly directed at TNCs. That, however, does not mean that there are no environmental standards TNCs must adhere to while conducting their practices. TNCs must respect national laws of host countries regarding those standards. Moral obligations of TNCs There is an increasingly strong view that TNCs have ethical or moral duties to respect fundamental human rights in the countries in which they do business. The NGO sector expects TNCs to engage more in their environmental responsibility and that they act to ensure that their impact is positive, not negative.[27] If companies are observed from the perspective that they are created to make profit and that profit maximization is the only force that drives them, then it is contradictory for them to have any additional expenses which are not strictly necessary. Milton Friedman in his article on social responsibility of businesses argues that the responsibility is to conduct business in accordance with their desires, which generally will be to make as much money possible.[28] He points out that a company engages in certain activities which are good for the community just for its own purposes and profit.[29] Can it be deduced that ethical conduct is only in the economic interest of a corporation? From that perspective it would mean that TNCs invest money into something that is not strictly necessary for business, but they do it only because they believe they will have some economic benefits from the investment. And if ethical conduct would not be beneficial, would TNCs still consider it? Not all corporations can be blamed for polluting the environment. Many are operating in positive manners but as already mentioned above, due to the restrictions, this paper is only focusing on those which have a negative impact on the environment. From the latter group, there is a number of TNCs which have improved their policies. The question that arises in this respect is if they do that because they realized that due to new practices they would have a greater economic benefit. Is the change genuine or are the efforts being made just for the sake of gaining competitive advantage? In times of globalization, companies cannot escape the scrutiny of media for their misconduct even if it is taking place at the other side of the world. There are many campaigns calling for consumers attention to irresponsible operations of TNCs which give them bad publicity that may consequently reduce the sales.[30] Organizations like Corporate Watch, Global Exchange or CorpWatch are constantly exposing TNCs for the environmental damage they cause. TNCs do not want consumers to think of their brand as a bad brand because of their negative practices and may change their conduct for that reason. The importance of public scrutiny is growing. What is more, this might be the main tool for forcing TNCs to become more responsible towards the environment since they may want to avoid negative publicity which can affect their sales. On the other hand, what they might do is to advertise their good practices when in fact they continue to work in environmentally destructive practices. Unilever for example portrays itself as a business which exercises the same concern for the environment wherever it operates and whose policy is to ensure safety of its operations for the environment.[31] Greenpeace on the other hand has accused Unilever of double standards because the company had allowed its Indian subsidiary to dump several tones of highly toxic mercury waste in a surrounding protected nature reserve.[32] Another case worth mentioning is Royal-Dutch Shell which now portrays itself as a good corporate citizen by announcing it operates in environmentally and socially responsible ways.[33] According to Corporate Watch however, the corporation continues, behind the greenwash, with many of its old ways.[34] States As already mentioned above, states are primary duty-bearers of human rights and have obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of their citizens in accordance with their national laws and with international documents they are parties to. States are the ones who establish treaties, they are the ones who sign them and must play the central regulatory role over activities within their territory.[35] With regard to the subject of this paper that means that states should have an overview of TNCs operations on their territory and make sure that corporations respect national environmental regulations. The implementation of environmental laws largely depends on each countrys efforts to enforce them. Frequently when dealing with TNCs, host countries on one hand lack the capacity or on the other hand, the political will to enforce the laws and consequently fail to respond to threats of TNCs to the environment. As mentioned above, many TNCs operate in Third World countries and these often do not have sufficient means for environmental management. There might be a lack of funding and lack of mechanisms needed to monitor compliance with laws. Therefore states are frequently unable to pressurize TNCs into adhering to their environmental laws. Operations of the U.S. corporation Newmont Mining and Peruvian firm Buenaventura in Yanacocha in Peru can be given as an example. Mining activities have resulted in depletion and pollution of water supplies, which led the local community to organize numerous protests. In 2006, with the change of government, an agreement between the TNC, communitys representatives and the government was concluded. The three parties agreed that the TNC would build a water purification plant and carry out studies of the local water supply. Upon that, a local NGO insisted that the government must act to stop the environmental pollution and got a response of the Minister of Energy who claimed that government would take steps to ensure that the rights are respected, but he pointed to the lack of funds for setting up an autonomous oversight body.[36] Some truth definitely lies behind the fact that developing countries are restricted in their funds and thus may not be able to perform certain activities. Stil l it has to be taken into account that the country profits from TNC activities as well so the lack of capacities can in many cases be connected to the lack of will. The second aspect of non-enforcement of environmental laws is, as mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, that states might be unwilling to put pressure on TNCs. One of the reasons is because of the fear that corporations might transfer their investments to other countries. Less stringent environmental laws or failure of states to enforce the laws might be more attractive to TNCs. States namely have economic benefits from TNCs investments and some put priority on those over environmental issues and consequently over their citizens rights. It is not rare that countries give out concessions to TNCs even though they are aware of the environmental pollution the TNCs cause. What is more, governments frequently even actively help TNCs, sometimes with use of violence against their own citizens. This has been the case in the example that follows. Freeport Indonesia has been operating a gold and copper mine in West Papua since 1970s and polluting irresponsibly almost without any liability. At the time when Freeport started its mining operation this was the cornerstone of the countrys economy. In order to lead the country towards economic stability, the government had given the corporation generous concessions. In exchange, the company provided employment, infrastructure and technology. The mining company, operating in the way it chose, with little regard for environmental consequences, and the government have therefore both benefited from the activities. While operating, Freeport has been disposing hazardous waste into the nea rby rivers, polluting the water and the surrounding environment which has caused severe health problems of the local population. When opposition to the TNC started gaining power, Freeport relied on the state military for security. It was claimed that Freeport financed Indonesian military to violently repress protests against its environmental crimes.[37] This case is very complex and it is evident that Freeport is involved in the political issues as well. Both parties profit from the situation to the detriment of the environment and local communities. The government with its power is able to repress any opposition and it seems that it has no intention to stop the environmental degradation because the profits it has from Freeports operations are too significant. The environmental harm caused does not seem to be of much importance and the same holds true for the health of the population. As can be seen from the cases mentioned throughout the paper, implementation of laws on the sate level in many cases proves to be insufficient. Some governments take the exact opposite role to what they are supposed to be doing instead of preventing TNCs environmental pollution and protecting their citizens they take an active role and support TNCs misconducts. Laws are too often not enforced and TNCs can continue exploiting the resources and polluting the environment without any limitations. Conclusion In the past few decades the initiative to recognize the right to a healthy environment has become stronger. The progress can be seen from the increasing number of documents recognizing the importance of environmental protection. At the regional level, there are a few treaties recognizing the right to a healthy environment, however no global treaty exists yet which recognizes this right. The international law is in this perspective lagging behind some national laws many states have namely recognized the right to a healthy environment in their constitutions. Activities of transnational corporations around the world have become unavoidable. TNCs are mostly registered in developed countries and often operate with harmful business practices in the Third World. There is no global binding treaty directed at TNCs regarding their conduct towards the environment and this proves to be a weakness of current international law. TNCs can therefore often get away with the pollution they cause. Many voluntary regulations exist but these cannot be legally enforced. They can only be seen as guidelines which TNCs are not obliged to follow. Only corporations that want to adhere to them will do so and it can be expected that those will probably be the ones which already operate in ethical ways. Voluntary guidelines will therefore not impact corporations which are responsible for the worst abuses. The importance of media in this regard is growing. Criticism of TNCs behavior might be the main weapon against their misconduct since they may want to avoid negati ve publicity which can affect their sales. It remains the fundamental role of each government to enforce environmental laws. It is up to each state to ensure that TNCs operating under its jurisdiction do not operate in an environmentally harmful manner. In the case of developing countries these often lack sufficient funds for environmental regulation or mechanisms to monitor TNCs performance. At the same time, they are often reluctant to act because of the fear of losing TNCs investment. Countries frequently place priority on economic benefits over environmental protection and it is not rare that they even help TNCs in their environmental exploitation by violently repressing resistance of their citizens. It can therefore be concluded that national governments of developing countries can in many cases not be relied upon to play their role in environmental protection. Bibliography Primary Sources Secondary Sources African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Buttefield, Fox: Philippines Expected to File Suit Against Westinghouse New York Times, 1 Dec., 1988. http://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/01/business/philippines-expected-to-file-suit-against-westinghouse.html?pagewanted=1 (accessed 5 Dec. 2009). Business and Human Rights Resource Center. Freeport Indonesia. 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Business Week, 15 August 2005. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_33/b3947115_mz017.htm (accessed 10 Dec. 2009). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (New York, 16 Dec. 1966) 993 U.N.T.S. 3, entered into force 3 Jan. 1976. International Law Programme Discussion Group. Norms on the Human Rights Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations: where next? 17 June 2004. http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/files/3244_ilp170604.pdf (accessed 10 Dec. 2009). Jà ¤gers, Nicola The Legal Status of the Multinational Corporation Under International Law. In Linking Human Rights and the Environment, ed. Romina Picolotti and Jorge Daniel Taillant, 31-56. Tuscon, The University of Arizona Press, 2003. Kiss, Alexandre The Right to the Conservation of the Environment. In Linking Human Rights and the Environment, ed. Romina Picolotti and Jorge Daniel Taillant, 31-56. Tuscon, The University of Arizona Press, 2003. Maggio, Greg and Owen J. Lynch Human Rights, Environment, and Economic Development. Existing and Emerging Standards in International Law and Global Society. CIEL Home Page, 15 Nov. 1997. http://www.ciel.org/Publications/olpaper3.html (accessed 11 Dec. 2009). Marsden, Chris In Defence of Corporate Responsibility. URL (accessed 8 Dec. 2009). OECD-Declaration on International Investments and Multinational Enterprises (21 June 1976) OECD Press Release A (76), 20. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/56/36/1922428.pdf (accessed 9 Dec. 2009). OReilly, Paddy and Sophia Tickell TNCs and Social Issues in the Developing World. In Human Rights Standards and the Responsibility of Transnational Corporations, ed. Michael K. Addo, 273-287. The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 1999. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (14 June 1992) UN Doc. A/Conf.151/5/Rev.1, reprinted in 31 ILM 874 (1992). http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=78ArticleID=1163 (accessed 9 Dec. 2009). Salazar, Milagros  »PERU: Leaching Out the Water with the Gold «. Inter Press Service. CorpWatch webpage. http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14157 (accessed 14 Dec. 2009). Sende, Analia Marcella The Responsibilities of States for Actions of Transnational Corporations Affecting Social and Economic Rights: A Comparative Analysis of the Duty to Protect. 15 Colum. J. Eur. L. Online 33 (2009) http://www.cjel.net/online/15_2-marsella-sende/ (accessed 14 Dec. 2009). Shell. Webpage. http://www.shell.com/ (accessed 12 Dec. 2009). Tonkin, David. The Complex Story of Freeport. Inside Indonesia. Dec. 2004 http://www.insideindonesia.org/content/view/219/29/ (accessed 13 Dec. 2009). UN Commission on Human Rights, Round-up of 60th Session, U.N. Doc. HR/CN/1099 (26 April 2004). http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2004/hrcn1099.html (accessed 10 Dec. 2009). UN Human Rights Commission Resolution 2004/11, U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/2004/L.73/Rev.1 (20 April 2004). URL UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights (13 Aug. 2003) U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/12/Rev.2 (2003) http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/links/norms-Aug2003.html (accessed 10 Dec. 2009). Unilever. Unilever Environment Policy. http://www.unilever.com/images/sd_Environment-Policy_tcm13-173498.pdf (accessed 12 Dec. 2009). United Nations Organization. UN Global Compact, The Ten Principles. 2000. http://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/index.html (accessed 9 Dec. 2009). Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10 Dec. 1948), U.N.G.A. Res. 217 A (III) (10 Dec. 1948). http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html (accessed 13 Dec. 2009). University of Michigan. The Curse of Oil in Ogoniland. http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/cases_03-04/Ogoni/Ogoni_case_study.htm (accessed 20 Dec. 2009). Zarsky, Lyuba (1997): Stuck In the Mud? Nation-States, Globalization and the Environment. The Hague. OECD. Woodroffe, Jessica Regulating Multinational Corporations. In Human Rights Standards and the Responsibility of Transnational Corporations, ed. Michael K. Addo, 131-142. The Hague: Kluwer Law Inter

Singapore Casino :: essays research papers

Casino gambling has been legalised in Singapore. Give economic arguments for and against legalisation. There has been much debate in Singapore both amongst the politicians, religious leaders, senior people in the community, and the lay people at large. It is a hot topic. But, the decision has finally been made, the casino will be built. There are many arguments both for and against building a casino. The government, which is for, cites the economic advantages and everyone who is against cites the social impact the casino will have. Arguments FOR the casino The government’s main argument for the casino is increased revenue leading to a boost in the economy. Currently, Singapore’s revenue comes from high tech electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and finance. These industries are starting to slow. According to Reuters Singapore employment in the manufacturing sector has dropped 9% since 1990. In 2004, 14 per 1,000 were laid off in the manufacturing sector and 8.5 per 1,000 in the services sector. The government’s alternative has been to reverse a 4 decade ban on casino’s to help the Singapore economy. The majority of the focus in the long term is from tourism and the flow on effects of tourism such as hospitality, food, retail, taxi, conventions and aviation. The government fears that a steady decline in tourism is already happening. The Prime Minister in his ministerial statement on April 18 2005 said: â€Å"First, we are losing ground in tourism. Tourism in Asia is growing phenomenally, especially the traffic from China and India. Singapore’s tourist numbers are up too, but we see warning signs of problems ahead. Our market share is declining (from 8% in the Asia Pacific region in 1998 to 6% in 2002). Tourists are spending less time in Singapore. They used to stay an average of about 4 days in 1991, but now they stay only for 3 days. In contrast, on average, they are staying for about 4 days in Hong Kong, 5 days in London and almost a week in New York City. We are losing attractiveness as a tourist destination†. In 2004, Singapore earned US$6 billion from 8.3 million tourists. Tourism currently accounts for 3% of Singapore’s GDP, it needs to be at 7% if it is to be a real growth driver. By 2015, Singapore is aiming at 17 million tourists which alone will bring in US$18 billion. It is predicted that by 2010, Asians will spend $23 billion on gambling, and Singapore wants it share.

The Patriot Act Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Patriot Act. On September 11, 2001 Muslim terrorists instilled with a hatred of the west attacked the United States in a brutal fashion. Planes were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center in New York. Over three thousand people were killed and the impregnable nation known as America was know scared and vulnerable. Almost immediately the legislature began drafting an act that would make the war on terror and the fight for homeland security a little easier to fight, this would come to be known as the Patriot Act â€Å"PATRIOT† is an acronym for â€Å"Uniting and Strengthening America by providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. The Patriot Act allows the government and law enforcement agencies to have certain freedoms that have not been allowed since before the attacks. The most controversial part of the Act is that surveillance guidelines have been relaxed along with investigative guidelines, while no system of checks to safeguard civil liberties are provided (Podesta) Another problem that is somewhat alarming was the quickness and haste with which the act was introduced-less than a week after the attacks. President Bush signed the Act on October 26 with no House, Senate, or conference reports. (Podesta) The Act is an expansion of the Anti Terrorism Act of 2001 (ATA) which was also intended to strengthen America against terrorism. Both acts expand the ability of law enforcement and an intelligence agency, the only difference is that the ATA contained safeguards against violations of constitutional rights. One of the safeguards was known as the â€Å"sunset provision†, which stated that certain sections of the Act expired after a period of time if it was not renewed by congress. Due to the fear and pandemonium our country was suffering the implementation of the Patriot Act commenced without any sort of judicial oversight. This has caused people to be discontent with the violation of their constitutional civil liberties. In the months before September 11, 2001 many ideas and provisions that are found in the Act were already being proposed and debated, especially those relation to electronic surveillance. Podesta states that the topic of broadening electronic surveillance was criticized harshly but after the attacks people chose panic over their misgivings. This is why the act passed so quickly. Podesta warns that many of ... ... an inferno. â€Å"But its my toy† they would complain, and your duty as a parent would be to tell them that trying to hold on to that toy would result in a serious injury to themselves and people around them. Civil liberties will come back to America in the coming years but for now I want my security to be first priority. Works Cited Frieden, Terry. â€Å"Attorney general defends Patriot Act† CNN.Com Apr. 6, 2005 http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/05/patriot.act Hatch, Orrin G. "Judiciary Statement: 'America After 9/11: Freedom Preserved Or Freedom Lost?'" Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Nov. 18, 2003. http://hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.View&PressRelease_id=215260 Masci, David. "Civil Liberties in Wartime." The CQ Researcher Online 11.43 (2001). 4 May 2005 http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2001121400. Document ID: cqresrre2001121400. Podesta, John. â€Å"The USA Patriot Act: The Good, the Bad and the Sunset†. Winter, 2002. http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/usapatriot/ The American Civil Liberties Union. "Civil Liberties after 9/11". 2004. http://www.garynull.com/Documents/ACLU/911_Report.htm

Discussion in terms of Fayol’s Managerial Functions Essay -- Business

Discussion in terms of Fayol’s Managerial Functions Henri Fayol proposed that all managers perform five management functions. 1- Planning, 2- Organizing, 3- Commanding, 4- Coordinating, 5- Controlling. Most management books still continue to be organized around the management functions, Although they have been condensed down to basic and very important functions. 1- Planning The planning functions involves the process of defining goals, establishing strategies for achieving these goals, and developing plans to integrate and coordinate activities. Our instructor also defines or goals which is standard education and successfulness in the exams, according to this concern he establish the ways and strategies that how can we perform well in our exams. 2- Organizing Managers are also responsible for arranging work to accomplish the organization’s goals. This function is called Organizing. It involves the process of determining what tasks are to be done, who is to do, how the tasks are to be grouped, who reports to whome, and where decisions are to be made. 3- Leading When managers motivate subordinates, influence individuals or teams as they work, select the most effective communication channel, or deal in any way with employee behavior issues, the are leading.. Our instructor leading us by motivating through his moral support, he use best channels to teach us, he polish our attitude by using his good behavioral skills. 4- Controlling Management function that involves monitoring actual performance, comparing actual to standard, and taking action, if necessary. Our instructor controlling his class by monitoring the students, he maintain discipline, even threats students if necessary. Discussion in terms of Mintizberg’s Managerial roles Henry Mintzberg, a prominent management researcher says that what managers do can best be described by looking at the roles the play at works. Mintzberg Developed a categorization scheme for defining what managers do. He concluded that managers perform ten (10) different but highly interrelated roles. The managerial Roles. 1- Interpersonal 1- Figurehead 2- Leader 3- Liaison Provide information 2- Informational 1. Monitor 2. Disseminator 3. spokesperson Process information 3- Decisional 1. Entrepreneur 2. Disturbance handler 3. Resource... ... they seldom actually say it, and they never write it down. And the main employment of numbties world-wide is in creating project specifications. You must know this - and protect your team accordingly. 9. Becoming a Great Manager. The first steps to becoming a really great manager are simply common sense; but common sense is not very common. This article suggests some common-sense ideas on the subject of great management. Skills changes according to Management Level The extent to which managers perform the functions of management - planning, organizing, directing, and controlling - varies by level in the management hierarchy. A manager is someone skilled in knowing how to analyze and improve the ability of an organization to survive and grow in a complex and changing world. This means that managers have a set of tools that enable them to grasp the complexity of the organization's environment. 1- Most of the first line manager’s time is allocated to the functions of directing and controlling. 2- Middle management implements top management goals 3- In contrast, top managers spend most of their time on the functions of planning and organizing.

Divorced, Beheaded, Survived Essay

Death is a peculiar thing. Everyone reacts to it in different ways. And no one seems to fully understand what to do, what to say and how to react when death occurs in the family or in the family in one’s circle of friends. It seems that man can’t really understand why it happens. At least not when it is someone one cares about. But it happens, and there is nothing else to do about it, than survive and move on with one’s life. This is the subject treated in Robin Blacks shortstory â€Å"†¦ Divorced, Beheaded, Survived† (2010). The shortstory is the story of a woman who loses her big brother, Terry, to sickness at a very young age. It is also a story about how her brother and she used to play with the other children who lived close by, and how they stopped playing after Terry died. The main character also describes how she tries to protect her children from this awful phenomenon that death is, but how she is unable to do so as her son’s friend dies in the end. The main character who acts as a past tense narrator, does not tell much about herself. To be clear she does not describe many of the characters at all. The fact that there are very few adjectives and adverbs shows the reader that one must use ones imagination, the characters are not important for they could be anyone in such a neighborhood. The reader relates to the story in a different way than they normally would, because they have to use their own experiences to fill out the missing pieces of the personalities of the characters. The person the narrator tells about the most, is Terry or Terrance as he is actually called. The narrator describes how he plays Anne Boleyn with much character and liveliness. Page 2, line 6-9 â€Å"(†¦) was undoubtedly the most convincing. Once, he stole a dress from our mother’s closet – a red-and-white Diane von Furstenberg wraparound so he could use the beltlike part to hold the couch-pillow baby, the future Queen Elizabeth, in place. ‘Oh, Hal,’ he cooed. † He is a happy boy and has no worries, until he gets sick. This turns his life upside down and it changes him, which one could imagine is only natural for a child when it gets sick. Page 4, line 103-104 â€Å"He stopped being the boy who would throw himself into anything that seemed like fun. † The narrator loves seeing her brother play Anne Boleyn, she thinks he is very convincing in the role. Page 2, line 12 â€Å"It was worth giving up the role yourself just to watch Terry give it his all. † The fact that it is Terry that is often chosen to play Anne Boleyn, even though they all want to play her, could be a symbol of fate choosing him to get sick and die. It might as well have been one of the other kids, as well as it could have been one of the other kids who could have played the role. This is shown in the part of the story where Anne Boleyn dies, and Terry has to play the dying woman. Page 4, line 99-101 â€Å"And Terry would hold his face in both hands, his shoulders heaving in enormous, racking, make-believe sobs. But in real life, it was all silent hours. Vacant stares. † The game of playing Anne Boleyn could also be a symbol of the children losing something. Anne Boleyn loses her head and life, Terry loses his life and the narrator loses her brother, her friends and a part of her childhood. At this point it is only the first part of the rhyme that is used. Page 3, line 43 â€Å"Divorced, beheaded, died. † But as the children move on with their lives, learn to live with the loss of a friend and a brother, and some of them meet again even though they do not talk, the rest of the rhyme appears in their life. And this time it holds a whole new meaning. Page 6, line 174 â€Å"Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. † The structure of the text is a bit messy but it still manages to give the reader a good and continuous view of the narrator’s life. The fact that the first 1,5 pages focuses on her childhood with the games and her brother, gives the reader a strong sense that it is a chapter of her life that ended when her brother died. But as she continuously mentions her brother, one also understands that her brother is still with her, even though he belongs to an ended chapter. And as she moves on with her life, and survives, she keeps him with her in a more secure way and without getting scared of forgetting about him. Page 5, line 153-156 â€Å"the truth is sometimes even more than a day goes by before I remember to think of my brother (†¦) Maybe it’s a gift to be able to let go of remembering. Some times. Some things. † The narrator tells us about her family and how her son loses his friend in the end of the text, this is a way to tell the reader that it can happen to anyone, and that it is possible to move on. It is possible to survive the death of someone dear. But never to forget it, a person lost will always be remembered one way or another, intentionally or not.

Ethno Religious Crisis in Nigeria: Causes and Remedy.

ETHNO RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA CAUSES AND REMEDY. BY MUHAMMAD GAMBO ISGOGO HASSAN ADAMU MAKUKU UMAR HAMIDU ALIYU ABSTRACT Introduction Nigeria is no precariousness a populous commonwealth of every(prenominal)where 88 million (1991 dry land census) simply as at now Nigerias population is estimated to be above presbyopic hundred million tidy sum of diverse cultural groups and piece of musicy a(prenominal) holinesss. Its bulk ar different than distri preciselyed in the 36 states that do up the re semipublic. In addition to this, the ground is sunny wagh many an some other(prenominal) economic caboodleentialities which help in the movement of the unhomogeneous nations by performer of the regale of economic inter-dependence.Though abounds with human and innate(p) resources, the land has since independency witnessed a make sense of inter and intra heathen and spectral crisis which oerlay to be an impediment to its oer every last(predicate)(a) develop ment. The exercisings of differences amid and within heathen and sacred groups could be obtainn in a number of f coifors, such as ways of propagating the godlinesss, mistrust and suspicion among the pursuit of the mingled spectral and ethnic groups, selfishness ignorance and in perimeter amongst the two groups.References be make in the holy books, such as the Glorious Quran and the holy password on their t in all(prenominal)(prenominal)ings showing how if fully adhered to, the nation go away be in stop. In this repute, the prevailing crisis might non be un- connected with the deviation of the t individuallyings of these worships by their followers. In the make-up, causes of these crises argon discussed and few suggestions atomic number 18 provided which if correctly implemented will serve as remedies to two ethnic and apparitional crisis in the nation. Ethnic Crisis In Nigeria.In the row of Eleazu the commonwealth of Nigeria be many and wide-ran ging1. Actually, a nation with a population of over 120 million people now and ab disclose 391 disparate ethnic groups2 with divergent socio-political, economic, cultural and ghostly backgrounds could be termed a nation of many and varied peoples. With this heterogametic disposition. Nigeria has on that pointof, return out a melting pot where social conflicts and peculiarly of ethnic nature atomic number 18 bound to exit. Causes of ethnic crisis in Nigeria argon many comprising of both long and short term factors. at that place had been in the past for face, solid inter-ethnic rivalry to unsex knuckle ingests for both domestic use and trans-Atlantic slave job and secondly, there were struggles of expanding the territories of the divers(a) states, kingdoms and empires that made up what is straight off Nigeria. These wars were the predominant activities of the various ethnic groups which became a factor of venomous family amongst them in the past. This slip of malignity among the various ethnic groups was correspond to Ryder From the 18th century onwards when the slave trade supplied weapons that made these conflicts more(prenominal) destructive.Internally, a sagaciouslyening of divisions within societies is well attested3. These wars caused serious jeopardy so that many old towns were move in mountainous states or sens defensive walls were constructed to avoid the intrusion of enemies. It is cost noting that these earlier conflicts were sponsored by the European slavers. In this way unmatched could sound out, the seed for such conflicts was planted right in the design before colonial rule. Slave trade on its own was an inhuman act and thus a terrorist act.In the colonial period, the colonial system of dividing what is today Nigeria into deuce-ace administrative units had contri yeted greatly in shape the present day relationship of suspicion, dread and mistrust among the divergent ethnic groups in the country. The admin istrative units were-Lagos colony, Southern Protectorate and Union protectorate, in this system, the north was excluded from the central administration. This expulsion was to afterward cope a crap a serious implication on the relationship between the people of the north and those of the South, (East and West).The implication became more pronounced when in 1914, the ternion administrative units were amalgamated. This attain was marked by mutual suspicion and some prison terms open conflict between the diversed ethnic groups. One could presuppose at this juncture that, this suspicion and panic calm down shapes the relationship between the peoples of these various corners of the country. This is overly the genesis of the subsequent crisis of ethnic nature in Nigeria. Today, Nigerians feel unsettled in the regions other than their own.The sectional feeling further manifests itself clearly in the topicous competition in all aspects of the organisation between the people s of the North, West and East. Tensions between these peoples become more and more intensified with each trying to protect its sectional interest. On this note, Awolowo, cited in Ekeh, P. P. and Osaghae, E. E. eds blamed the British For dividing the North from the South so well and effectively that the two were divergently and almost irreconcilably oriented4With nationalism which was instituted to principally to avoid unrivalled ethnic group dictatorial others and besides protecting the interests of the minorities, the nation was at unrivaled magazine again split into regions, each with its autonomous power. In this political arrangement also, it was find that The colonial administrators have passed on to the Nigerian wards the prejudices which had enabled them think and act in the imprint that this informal federation was a marriage of convenience between incompatibles 5.With this clinical de water closetion in the minds of Nigerian peoples, it becomes very catchy for t hem to work on-keyly together without such tribal conflicts. each(prenominal) of the tribes of the country today works b arly for the interest of its people and not the nation, thus in these contrivance competitions of each trying to dominate the other, conflicts of ethnic nature always occur. Clear evidence to this was that the political parties of the scratch Republic were regionally organized Northern Peoples sexual congress (NPC), was for the North, bring by Group (AG) was for the West (Yoruba) while guinea pigCouncil of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) was for the East (Igbo). Equally the study parties of the second republic were only the rebirth of those of the starting signal republic, National Party of Nigeria (NPN) for cause replicated the NPC, United Party of Nigeria (UPN) was the AG body forth while the National Peoples Party (NPP) replicated the NCNC. Each of these worked tirelessly to protect the interest of its geopolitical z unrivalled, and in so doing, conflict s occur.A case to mention here was the coup and preclude coup of January and July 1966 which came close as a result of the heedless pride, greed, selfishness and shortcomings of the members of these troika regions. The affront inflicted by the Nigerian civil war did not heal properly as there argon calm down moves for drug withdrawal in the country. Minority issues in Nigeria be also seen as hotshot definitive phenomenon which causes ethnic conflicts in the country. These nonage tribes were once neglected in the socio-political and economic personal business of the country.Nigeria was seen and regarded as the home of only three tribes Hausa/Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba. tho later even Arthur Richard cited in Ekeh, P. P and Osaghae, E. E confirmed that It is only accident of British suzerainty which has made Nigeria superstar country or champion nation socially, economically and even politically, there are deep differences between the study ethnic groups. They do not speak the alike(p) actors line and they have highly divergent customs and ways of life and they interpret stages of culture. 6 From the 1950s till date, the truth of Nigerian problem started to unfold. umteen minority ethnic groups began to cavort in the sharp competitions in the entire aspects of disposal. This is make through the formation of their own political parties and associations in order to out do the activities of major ethnic groups whom they regard and see as threats to their economic and political aspirations. This suspicion and panic by the minority tribes over the major tribes expect a prominent feature in the Nigerian socio-political and economic activities and have in no small treasure helped in intensifying ethnic crisis in the country.The desire to harness and utilize the paragon habituated economic potentials distributed in all split of the country made the movements and unceasing settlement of different tribes in different regions of the country inevi table. Socio-political and economic relations that follow, crisis of leading result in serious clashes between many tribes. In 2002 for utilisation, there was a serious conflict between the Yoruba and Hausa over the leadership of a cattle marketplace in Bodija, Ibadan and in Jos, the conflict is lighten on between the Hausa and some tribes over who has the legal right of chieftaincy.Cases of this nature are numerous and too many to be menti unmatchedd here. One can also mute see the traces of the British administration in Nigeria on the issue of sectionalism. It is worth mentioning that afterward forty four (44) years of independence and despite several calls for national unity, associations of stringently tribal interest are realized in the country. In the West, there is the Ooduwa Peoples Congress (OPC) for purely Yoruba people, in the East, there is the Ohaneze (Ndi Igbo) purely for Igbo people, while in the North, there is Arewa advisory Forum for the northern people s.It should be noted that all these associations have been established to directly and openly protect the interests of their honourive peoples. Where their interests clash, it results to conflicts. Many ethnic crises in Nigeria are as a result of the activities of these associations. It is very put off to add that these tribal associations and other purely tribally motivated movements are directly back up and sponsored by top serving and retired government personalities.These supports only help in fuel crisis of ethnic nature in the country. scald still, is that security and law follow throughment agents always take sides when performing any national identification of sleep keeping. These agents openly support their people even if they are the offenders. This issue is no doubt causing further ethnic crisis and even escalating the outlasting unrivaled(a)s. One cannot also delink this problem of ethnic crisis with the activities of the area boys who fall out suddenly as t he result of the ontogenesis unemployment in the country.These groups of unemployed, misguided, disgruntled and unpatriotic teenagers unnecessarily cause commotions and misunderstanding under the pretext of tribal issues to enable them loot and steal private and public bes. Area boyism is thusly a force to reckon with in causing tribal conflicts in the country. further it is worth mentioning here that some of the activities of these area boys are mostly engineered and sponsored by the selfish, devouring(a) and unpatriotic politicians who by all means and at all cost grisly to win election or cause unnecessary commotions.Under the pretext of tribalism, they because incite such crises in the country. defame and exaggerated information by the press and the media houses sometimes form the background for tribal conflicts in the country. Such exaggerated news will only spark up some ethnic groups to avenge on some innocent victims. Almizan of 16th Zulkida 1420 for example report ed that over 2000 Hausa people were killed by the Igbo in the East to avenge the killings of Igbo in Kaduna7. The Igbo took this action because the nation was err unrivaledously assured of the Kaduna crisis by the Today crudespaper of 21/2/2000. ollowing this, other major towns in the country started brewing with tension. No one can quantify the extent of damages caused by these ethnic crises in Nigeria. Hundreds of thousands of lives were helpless leaving behind them so many orphans and widows, many were m headed and wounded, private and public property worth millions of naira were damaged. Also the tribes of Nigeria are left in a spartan state of perpetual psychological hazard and fear curiously those settling in a region other than their own.In this way, the spirit of national cohesion which is the fundamental principle of peaceableness and stability still remain a dream, Nigerians therefore remain in either cold war or open war with one another. sacred Crisis In Nige ria (Causes) The causes of religious crisis in Nigeria have the appearance _or_ semblance to have been an event that occurs as a surprise to all concerned citizens of the nation. The crisis are mostly centered on religion though with some hidden motives. religion which is often used as sell up is considered as one of the major causes of the crisis in Nigeria.Definition of Religion. Religion fit in to the Oxford Dictionary is defined as one of the systems of faith that are establish on the belief in the existence of a particular god or gods Jewish religion, Christian Religion, Muslim religion and other world religions8. It is also defined as, a particular interest or regularise that is very important in ones life 9. Christianity is the belief in Christ, the man that Christians believe is the son of God and on those teachings the Christian religion is based.The ingathering book 1998 states the Christian faith is based on the belief in one God summarized in what is popularly co gnize as Nicene Creed thus reads We believe in one God, the father, the Almighty, manufacturer of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one master key, Jesus Christ, God from God, motiveless from light, lawful God from true God, ca-ca not made, of one being with the father, through him all things were made. For us men and for our repurchase he came down from heaven by the power of the holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made man. 0 Islam as a religion is an Arabic word and connotes submission, conceding and obedience to the laws of Allah. Islam is to enter into peace and Moslem is one who makes his peace wit Allah and mans peace wit Allah implies go off submission to his will and peace wit man is not only to bring to an end from evil, injury to another man but also o do cracking to him. Christianity and Islam as religions of peace preach peace and co existence among their adherents. The word of honor says in the Book of illusionist Isaiah 96 Proclaimed Jesus Christ as the prince of peace12.It will be sozzled to see the followers of this prince of peace breaching the peace that was announced. Based on Moslem peace teaching, Al-Ezzati observed, that The task of guiding the misled to virtuous style and persuading them to stop doing wrong (Al-amir bil-al-ma-rouf wa-al-nahy anil-munkar) is laid on every Muslim and this is why every Muslim is supposed to preach responsibility and decency13 . Religious crisis in Nigeria seems to be as a result of digression from the teachings of both religions.Prophet Isa (Jesus) (AS) displayed a good position and requested all his followers to emulate. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul in his rebuke to the Romans in chapter 129, 10 & 18 charged them Let love be without dissimulation, abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be openhearted affectionate one to another with amicable love in honour preferring one another. If it is viable, as mor e than as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men14. In Galatians 522 peaceful co-existence is depict as one of the Christian virtues.The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) have shown in theory and practice too, the right of neighbours both Muslims and non-Muslims, in a hadith which states Whosoever happens to be such that his (or her) neighbours do not feel secured of being discomfit from his evils, will not be admitted into paradise15. other Hadith states By Allah he has not acquired Iman (faith) and by Allah he has not acquired Iman. So it was state who is that person O ye messenger of Allah He said, that one whose neighbours do not feel safe from the evil in him or (her). Bukhari narrated 16.The above traditions teach harmonious relationship that is to be encouraged by both followers of the two faiths especially the Muslims. To buttress further from the Christian side, the Holy Bible, in nib 311 says Let him eschew evil, and do good, let him seek peace and ensue it. For the eye of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil 17. If such teachings are emulated by both Muslims and non-Muslims of the world, and Nigeria in particular, there will be no religious crisis.Most if not all of the crisis occurred out of ignorance. The present society tends to neglect all the above teachings and behave recklessly as explained above. Umar Ibn Khattab the second khalifah said when send troops to the battle field. Destroy not fruit trees, nor fertile fields in your path, be bonny and spare the feelings of the vanquished, respect all religious persons who live in hermitage or convents, and spare their edifice18. Ezzati further explains how caliph Umar protected the people of the Book.The killings, destructions being do in the process of fighting each other is not religious. In one of Jesus last sermons to his disciples in washstand 1427, He said tranquillity I leave with you, my peace I give unto you19. As mentioned above, the religious crisis in Nigeria are mostly manifested out of none adherence to the teachings of all the religions, since all the Holy books like the Quran and the Bible teaches peaceful co-existence of the people. The Quran openly states in chapter 2 verse xcl Fight for the sake of those that fight against you, but do not attack them first.Allah does not love aggressors20. It is therefore not true to say that the Muslim leaders or Christians of Nigeria are ignorant of such verses and the relationship that existed at the early state, which is supposed to be emulated by the present society. Quran 2256 states There should be no compulsion in religion21. Another verse states 1096 Unto you your religion and unto me my religion22. The above verses shows that many religions could co-exist in unity without conflict since followers of every religion are enjoined to stick to their religions.For example, in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW ), some religions existed side by side with Islam, and the prophet himself accorded much respect to the followers of these religions. The Quran is full of teachings in which no doubt about it, a counselor-at-law to those who are pious, who fear Allah and very much abstain from all kinds of sins and evil industrial plant which Allah has forbidden, and performance of good deeds which He has ordained. Several crises occurred in many parts of Nigeria from the initial stage as tribal and later turned to religious crisis.But the question is, were all these really religious crisis, if they were, were the forerunners of these crises ignorant of such teachings of the glorious Quran and The Bible? One may likely say that such crisis were not religious as such, since the holy prophet states in one of his traditions that the blood of a brother Muslim is only lawful in three ways 1. When a Muslim kills a Muslim brother, he will be killed. 2. When he commits apostasy (Ridda) and warned to repe nt, if he refused, he will be killed. 3. When a unify man or married cleaning lady commits adultery he or she will be killed.Again the messenger of Allah (P. B. U. H) said A thief will not commit theft at the time he/she commits it while he is still a Mumin and drunkard will no drink at the time he/she drinks while he/she is still a mumin, and the armed robber will not commit robbery of the precious thing, with people watching him at the time he commits robbery while he is still a mumin23. The above Hadith illustrated the situation in Nigeria about those who call themselves religious and yet engage in such irreligious crisis. As pointed out above, the spry causes of which can therefore be attributed to A.Pretensious ignorance of followers of the dominant religions in their religious tenets twin with lack of proper adherence to the teachings of their religions. B. out-of-pocket to Lack of Allahs consciousness ethno religious crisis arising from economic consideration from the le aders of Nigeria, many of the crisis are economically ignited, e. g. with all Nigerias oil wealth, what has been done to alleviate the sufferings of the mass masses. In such a case, uprisings occur in the name of religious crisis where the scotch Nigerians will take laws into their hands in the name of protecting the interest of their various religions.Though Muslims cite example of a hadith which says If one sees an abomination he should correct it with his hand and if that is not possible, he should correct it with his tongue and if that is not possible he should hate it in his heart, the later being the weakest degree of faith24. The above Hadith shows the level of subject field to be embarked upon by any good Muslim, not the correction through destruction as it is done in Nigeria. This is the correction that is done, not with the deviation of lives or destruction of public property C.Although Nigeria is a secular state, yet some top government officials take aslope decision s in favour of their religions, especially on employment and other government af fair(a)s. This action always provokes the followers of other religions which so result to crisis in the name of religion. An example is that of complains by Christians about the Arabic inscriptions in the Nigerian currency, while on the other hand the Muslims too complain about Friday not being work-free day just like their Christiancounterparts enjoy Sundays as work free day.D. Misunderstanding of the pattern of shariah Some Muslims and non Muslims in the country are ignorant of the entire thought of shariah and therefore, see it as an official document of oppression and abuse of human rights. With this erroneous conception of shariah, some Muslims and non Muslims oppose its effectuation openly and in so doing conflicts of religious nature occur. To this end, remedy to these problems must be sought in order to create a peaceful social milieu for the overall development of our country, Nigeria.Su ggestions As Remedies For Ethno-Religious Crisis In Nigeria. We have seen that the socio-political history of Nigeria has been bedeviled with series of conflicts especially of ethnic and religious nature. These conflicts are also varied, sometimes within a given religion or between religions, so also is the case with ethnic crisis. These crisis are seriously hindering the nation towards achieving one of its desired objectives of unity and stability which is the basic pre-requisite for any meaningful development.Below are a number of suggestions which would serve as remedies to the frequent ethnic and religious crisis in the country. 1. The method of imparting to the Nigerian the great unwashed the spirit of patriotism should be revisited. Nigerians should be fully acquainted with the ethics of patriotism. They should be made to take the nation first before any sectional interest. 2. chase of both religions should value and adhere strictly to the teachings of their faiths since all religions are peace-loving, the spirit of tolerance ad cooperation will be real so that Nigerians can work with one another peacefully. . The basic aim of the Federal Character Commission should be observed with all sense of seriousness. The aim is to give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging to the nation notwithstanding the diversities of ethnic origin, culture, language or religion which may exist and which it is their desireto nourish, harness to the enrichment of the federal Republic of Nigeria. If this aim is fully implemented, all Nigerians irrespective of language, religions or sex will have a sense of belonging and fuller lodge in all government affairs without discrimination.In this way the feeling of one tribe or religion dominating the other will be discarded. 4. shaping of associations of purely tribal nature should be out rightly discouraged. 5. Inter-faiths Mediation Centers should be developed at all levels of government. 6. right enforcement and securi ty agents should be re-oriented on the vastness of being neutral when putting down crisis of any nature in the country. 7. Standards should be set for treatment on all religions. In this way rampant preaching by the scholars of various religions could be controlled. 8.The authoritative bodies of various religions in the country should enforce the law guiding the adherence of their belief system. Muslims for example should be made to dedicate Shariah. In the same vein applications programme of ecclesial law should be encourage . In this way conflicts within and between religions would be reduced. 9. Media houses and the press should always be fair in their reports, especially when it involves crisis of ethnic and religious nature. 10. As some of the crisis are caused advisedly by area boys and certain movements, this is actually reflecting the economic situation of the country.Effort should be done to reduce the activities of area boyism through employment and equitable distribu tion of the nations wealth. 11. There should be native war against the debilitating problems of ignorance, poverty and disease, therefore promoting the well being of the individuals that make up the nation. Notes And References 1. Eleazu, U. History and Geography of Nigeria in Eleazu U. Ed. Nigeria The first 25 years, Lagos Heinemann. 1985 -p3 2. Abdul Basir, A. A. & Bala, U. K, In search of knife Franca/National Language Towards Sustainable commonwealth for Nation Building.A seminar paper presented at the 1st national company organized by School of liberal arts & Social Sciences, F. C. E. Kontagora. From 26th 30th April. 2004, p- 1 3. Ryder, A. F. C. The Trans-Atlantic slave Trade in Obaro, I. Ed. founding of Nigerian History, Ibadan, Heinemann. 1980. p150 4. Ekeh, P. P. and Osaghae, E. E. (eds) Federal Character and Federalism in Nigeria, Ibadan, Heinemann. 1989 p 337 5. Ibid, p337 6. Ibid, p340 7. Al-mizan of 16th Zulkida, 1420 Similarly see all the publications of Almizan and other Kaduna based Newspapers published within the period of the Kaduna crisis, I. . from 20th February, 2000. 8. Hornby, A. S. Oxford advance(a) Learners Dictionary of Current English, 6th Ed. New York. 2000. p 900 9. Ibid pp. 900 10. The Holy Bible genuine fag James Version, U. S. A. World Publishing. Ioma locomote Ioma 50126 p. 165 11. Edmund, P. Christianity in Northern Nigeria. second Ed. Zaria, Gaskiya Corporation. 1976, p131. 12. Ibid,p. 131. 13. Ezzati, A. An introduction to the History of the spread of Islam, Lagos, Islamic Publication Bureau. 1979. p 4. 14. Ibid, p 116 15.Idris, I. G. The film of a Muslim (Bugyatul-Muslimina) English translation, Kauran Wali Islamic Publishers, Kaduna. 1979. p 49. 16. Ibid pp 49 17. Ibid in Peter 311 18. Ezzati, A. 1979 p. 5. 19. Authorized King James Version, John 1427 pp. 78 20. King Fahd Complex The noble Quran, English Translation of the meanings and commentary. (1419 A. H). 2xcl 21 Ibid, 2256 22Ibid, 109 6 23. Abdur Rahman, I. Doi. sharia The Islamic Law, Ta Ha Publications, London, 1984 p 355/6 24Idris, I. G. 1979. p. 50.