Bio of a Space Tyrant essays

Bio of a Space Tyrant essays Piers Anthony's epic novel Bio of a Space Tyrant acts as a macrocosm of the treatment of refugees and their journeys to freedom. At the time of its creation in the early 1980's, the novel represents the Vietnameseboat people? more specifically, but can still stand for what refugees of all times and from all parts of the world have gone through and continue to go through. Through five volumes, the main character, Hope Hubris, progresses up the societal chain of power, starting as an impoverished refugee fleeing from his home on Callisto and eventually rising up to become President of the United States of Jupiter. It is needless to say that a refugee, even in contemporary America, could never rise to the highest position in the government, however, the novel serves to show that Hope Hubris could work extremely hard to break the pattern of harsh and unfair treatment of refugees, at least for a brief moment in time. The first volume in the series, Refugee, focuses on Hope's difficul t life as a refugee and his emigration to the futuristic United States. This volume shows Hope Hubris and his family as a part of aboat people? community escaping their homeland. ?After the fall of Saigon in the summer of 1975, hundreds of thousands of people began fleeing [Vietnam] for fear of political persecution. They were all secretly escaping the country in small, rickety, and un-seaworthy wooden boats? (?Vietnamese Boatpeople Connection?). In Vietnam, the boat people were escaping the Communist rule that was left after the end of the Vietnam War. The boat family in the novel was also escaping political persecution. Due to the Hubris? low place in society, when Hope got into a fight over his sister's safety with a scion who had a much higher place in society, the family was evicted from their home and forced to start all over again from scratch. Then, when they were leaving their homeland, Callistan authorities followed them: The nether ha...

A Child Called It Essays

A Child Called It Essays A Child Called It Essay A Child Called It Essay A Child Called It is a first-person narrative of a severely abused child, Dave Pelzer, who has survived to tell his tale. This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures Daves mother inflicted on him, told from his point of view as a young boy. Among the cruel games Daves maniac, alcoholic mother played were smashing him face-first into mirrors, forcing him to eat the contents of his baby brothers diaper, drinking ammonia, and burning him over a gas stove. Daves story has two objectives: the first is to inform the reader how a loving, caring parent can change to a cold, abusive monster venting frustrations on a helpless child; the second is the eventual survival and triumph of the human spirit over seemingly insurmountable odds (164). Dave describes his earlier years as idyllic: In the years before I was abused, my family was the Brady Brunch of the 1960s. My two brothers and I were blessed with the perfect parents. Our every whim was fulfilled with love and care (17). His mothers behavior began to change drastically and Dave and his brothers had become afraid of her. Eventually, Dave was singled out for such vicious treatment. His mother made sure he knew that theres nothing he can do to impress her. She told him, you are a nobody! An It! You are nonexistent! You are a bastard child! I hate you and I wish you were dead! Dead! (140) School held no appeal to Dave either: At school I was a total outcast. I had no one to talk to or play with. I felt all alone (58). Since his mother rarely gave him the luxury of eating food, Dave resorted to stealing from his classmates lunch pails. The teachers and principal knew and carefully watched him. Oddly, his father never intervened. His attempts to talk to his wife about Dave failed, and only worsened the abuse. This caused Dave to hate his father: he was fully aware of the hell I lived in, but he lacked the courage to rescue me as he had promised so many times in the past (134). As the beatings and the torture continued, Dave began to give up: With no dreams, I found that words like hope and faith were only letters, randomly put together into something meaningless-words only for fairy tales (132). Inside, my soul became so cold I hated everything (133). Whats your single greatest accomplishment and why? Im so alive (155). My life as a child was extremely turbulent, being pushed and pulled in every direction. I tried as hard as I could to reach the light at the end of the dark tunnel, but it always seemed out of reach. Until suddenly, without warning, I broke free (156). What was your biggest obstacle? How did you overcome it? My mothers abusing me was no doubt my biggest obstacle. I hated Mother most and wished that she were dead. But before she died, I wanted her to feel the magnitude of my pain and my loneliness for all these years (134). As the years passed by and the beatings became more intense, I wished shed returned with a knife and ended it all.. My morale had become so low that in some self-destructive way I hoped she would kill me (141). But I made a promise to myself that kept me going. I wanted to show The Bitch that she could beat me only if I died, and I was determined not to give in, even to death (91). What one trait or characteristic would you most like to be remembered for? Why? I would definitely most like to be remembered for my resilience. Perhaps my faith and the security of my early years helped me develop enough resilience to survive the abuse and grow up to be an emotionally healthy adult with a child of my own. The challenges of my past have made me immensely strong inside. I adapted quickly, learning how to survive from a bad situation. I learned the secret of internal motivation. My experience gave me a different outlook on life, that others may never know. I have a vast appreciation for things that others may take for granted.. I hope that my story will help instill resilience in others. What was the single, most important thing youve learned? Why do you consider this so? The single, most important thing Ive learned from my past hardships was that even in its darkest passages, the heart is unconquerable. It is important that the body survives, but it is more meaningful that the human spirit prevails (165). I believe that no matter what happens in your past, you can overcome the dark side and press on to a brighter world. It is perhaps a paradox that without the abuse of my past, I might not be what I am today (166). My Reaction: I read A Child Called It in one day. Its one of those books you cant put down because you want to know whats going to happen next. I was always in constant suspense as to what Daves emotionally unstable mother was going to do to him and how he was going to survive the abuse. This book really sunk into my heart and the imagery used in the book helped put a clear picture of the dysfunctional household Dave lived in. The fact that this is a true story and millions of children suffer from the same ordeal saddens me. Also, the fact that he remembers all those horrible things that he went through in the past, in detail, is very sad. Im glad that Dave triumphed not only in finding a better, loving family, but also within himself. If I was in his shoes, I dont think Id be able to make it where he is today. His story truly changed my perspective on life. I realized how lucky I am to belong to a nice, tight-knit family and that I have it good compared to most people.

Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of using customer Essay

Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of using customer focused interactions as a basis to standardise and improve business operations - Essay Example Focusing on precision and customer service accelerates the transformation process. British Telecom chose not to rely on such systems to solve its immediate problem. British Telecom saw a dramatic expansion in the number of services offered to its customers. Additional revenues from these services and related ventures have been sufficient to justify further investments of more than five billion dollars in second-generation packet switching, terminal technology, and support systems. (Johnson and Clark, 2001, 115-120) While new business units may become the principal vehicles for growth, the existing core business can also be redefined from within. New capabilities cannot only alter how the original business is conducted, but can alter the nature of the business itself. British Telecoms business focus a decade ago was voice transmission (Fraser, Shobrys & Kruse, 2003, 10-13); today it has a much broader scope of activities and services. Not all companies choose to spawn new businesses (Johnson and Clark, 2001, 115-120). New information processing capabilities can be viewed as central to the success of a traditional business and treated as a proprietary asset to be kept closely guarded in the inner sanctum of the enterprise. Yet even in such cases, those new core competencies will drive redefinition and transformation of the traditional business from within. In this way, successful customer interaction efforts ultimately lead to business transformation. (Slack, 2001, 1100-1121) â€Å"Quality management approaches can be categorized broadly into three stages according to the evolution of management control. Management can implement control before an activity commences, while the activity occurs, or after the activity has been completed.† (Hsieh, Chang & Lu, 2000, 191–201) For example, British Telecom might have chosen to address its directory services crisis with a limited solution that automated operator database access and audio response--the type

Vanderbilt Law School debate on the Death penalty Essay - 1

Vanderbilt Law School debate on the Death penalty - Essay Example Owing to the above details provided, the opponent of death penalty, Dr. Ken Haas, was more convincing in his argument (Haas and Marquis). Death penalty is not only about liberal or conservative politics but also about the moral choices of this nation. This dispels any notion that the death penalty debate is about conservative and liberal politics. The proponent of the death penalty elaborates that this form of punishment should only be utilized on the most heinous criminals. As such, most murder convicts would not face execution since the majority would not repeat their actions. Convicts such Mohamed who repeatedly killed innocent civilians should face such severe punishment. This is because they have proved clearly that they had the intent to commit the crime repeatedly. On a moral basis, this punishment is unacceptable owing to the sacred nature of life. However, the proponent reveals that this severe disciplinary measure has a deterrent effect on criminals. According to the research cited, it reveals that the penalty saves hundred of innocent civilians. Overall, this punishment is immoral, but the justice system sh ould have this option owing to some extreme scenarios that require measures. The death penalty is inappropriate but a legal necessity (Haas and Marquis). Death penalty has caused a lot of controversy even among judges. Subsequently, in 1985 some judges were deemed unfit to partake in court proceedings since their views would impede their ability to make fair decisions in line with the existing statutes. The opponent thinks that the research on the deterrent effect of execution is a culmination of defective research. The assumption in this kind of research is rationality. However, most criminal who will face such punishments as execution have limited options. The only possible punishment is a life sentence without a chance for parole. Therefore, both punishments are severe. Hence, it will have no deterrent

Wave-current interaction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Wave-current interaction - Essay Example These powerful and varied forces can wreak considerable damage on a wide variety of human activity, making â€Å"reliable prediction of wave motion in coastal areas †¦ crucial to coastal engineering applications associated with nearshore morphologic change and harbor/inlet maintenance †¦ In some areas, however, ambient tidal and other currents can be strong and their effect on wave transformation can be substantial. They create a Doppler shift and cause wave refraction, reflection and breaking, which can result in overall redistribution of wave energy† (Chen, Panchang & Demirbilek, 2005). An understanding of several key terms is necessary to the discussion. The term wave-current interaction is used to describe the various ways in which wave height, wave length and wave energy are affected when a wave encounters a current (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea, 1998). â€Å"Wave height is the distance from a waves trough to its crest †¦ The crest is the top of an unbroken wave, the trough is at the bottom of the front of the wave† (Wave Basics, 2006). Wave length is generally accepted to mean â€Å"the distance in a periodic wave between two points of corresponding phase in consecutive cycles† (Stewart, 2005) or a measurement of â€Å"the length between the top point of one wave, and the top of the next† (Explaining Waves, 2005). Wave energy can be explained as a concentrated form of solar energy as swells are created by the interaction of wind on the water surface, transferring solar energy to the water (Ocean Wave Energy, 20 05). Prediction of these wave motions are made complicated with the introduction of refraction, reflection and breaking. Refraction is â€Å"a process in which the wave crests tend to parallel the depth contours† (Coastal Change, 2003) upon entering shallow waters. â€Å"The reflection of

Importation of Agricultural Products from Africa to the EU

Importation of Agricultural Products from Africa to the EU The Role Certification, including Grading and Standards Play in the Importation of Organic Agricultural Products from Africa to the EU CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Abstract What are standards?; what is organic produce? What factors drive the economic climate in Africa and the EU? What is certification? What is the purpose of certification? and how important is the exportation of organic agricultural produce from Africa to the EU in terms of their economic relationship?, are all questions which go to the heart of this thesis. Accordingly they will be extrapolated throughout the thesis enquiry and where they intersect and overlap this will be explained throughout the thesis. Various themes will be incorporated into the thesis since these, too will be relevant to the answering of the above named questions. These themes include; the economic climate in Africa; poverty in Africa; the importance of the organic produce exportation market to African farmers; why regulation is important in the EU; supply chain management issues and their importance; business good practice; traceability of produce; pricing; productisation and marketing strategies. These themes an d the answers to these questions will highlight the role that certification, including grading and standards play in the importation of organic products from Africa to the EU. The purpose of these processes will be looked at throughout the course of the thesis and this will elucidate their role also. The place of certification, grading and standards processes will be assessed; and their overall contribution to the economic climate in Africa will be examined. In this sense, through analysis of contemporary and historical, economic and political issues, both in the EU and in Africa, a greater perspective on the role of these processes may be derived. Also, the importance of organic produce to consumers in the EU will be examined and the reasons for its growth in popularity will be analysed, since this too will shed light on the role played by certification, grading and standards processes in the importation of organic produce from Africa to the EU. Introduction The economic relationship between Africa and the EU is complex (Ake, C. (1996); p1), and may be described as of key economic significance to Africa, and, albeit to a lesser extent to the EU. The economic relationship in terms of organic commodity trade and exportation is also important. The market for organic produce in the EU is developing at an exponential rate. The reasons for this will be looked at in more detail, as the thesis progresses, but for the moment is is suffice merely to support this point in the following way: the Centre for the Development of Industry in the EU has estimated that the annual growth rate of the organic products market in global terms exceeds 20% (CDI, 1999; p1). Some more figures may put this statistic into perspective. This industry for organic commodity produce produces sales of an estimated 4.1 billion Euro, in Europe (as estimated in 1997) (CDI, 1999; p2). This is all the more significant for the EU, given that according to EPOPA (2006; Section 3.1 .1) the connections between Africa and the EU in the arena of organic exportation of agricultural produce are far more developed that those between Africa and Japan or between Africa and the United States[1]. This evidences the importance of the relationship between the EU and Africa, and the importance of sustaining this economic relationship by keeping standards of produce in terms of quality and integrity at a high threshold. This is one of the functions of the the process of certification, which will be examined in greater detail as the the thesis progresses. The European Union have strict regulations which apply to the importation of organic products from Africa into the EU, and this is particularly true of organically produced commodities such as coffee, vanilla and other foodstuffs produced by African farmers. Certification is one of these processes of regulation and it is a requirement which is just one of an amalgam of requirements which must first be satisfied before organic agricultural products may be exported from Africa to the EU. Many programmes and organisations have been established with the specific purpose of encouraging African farmers to export organic produce to the EU. Organic produce which is to be exported from Africa into the EU is required to be checked rigorously to ensure that its standards are acceptable for consumption in the EU. These standards, procedures and programmes and their purpose will be explained and discussed throughout this project. In particular, there will be a focus on the role that grading and standards play in the importation of organic agricultural products from Africa into the EU. The methodology which will be used throughout the thesis will be qualitative in nature and will revolve around the evaluation of secondary sources. Some quantitative material will be used but this will be evaluated qualitatively, in keeping with the emphasis which is to be maintained on the qualitative arm of research methodology. Research Aims and Objectives The objectives of the research are fairly straightforward. The primary concern of the research is to answer the thesis question as clearly and as concisely as possible. The writer wishes to formulate an originally conceived thesis and to draw conclusions on the basis of what has been discovered through the research enquiry. The limitations of the research will be assessed, and the best ways to lessen the effects of limiting factors will be identified and implemented. Therefore the writer wishes the thesis to contribute to research in the field and to be a source of information for others interested in researching the same field. It is the ultimate aim of the writer, to fully understand the role of certification (to include the process of grading and standards) in the importation of organic agricultural produce from Africa to the EU. Therefore these processes will be examined in depth and explained in full, with reference to academic publications and internet based resources. The socio-political and economic environment in which these processes operate is of crucial importance to the thesis, and accordingly it is the aim of the writer to fully explain these and the give illustrations of theory, where appropriate. A means of doing so effectively has been identified as the use of a case study. Accordingly, the country of Uganda has been chosen as the basis for the case study, and the socio political environment and the points made in relation to this will be illustrated through this mechanism. CHAPTER TWO METHODOLOGY Methodology This project will involve a qualitative evaluation of published and well known texts in the field. These will be secondary sources, as the topic is so far removed from Western culture and the resources available to the writer are such that credible primary research is perhaps not a feasible option. Nevertheless in depth and comprehensive insights will be gleamed from books, articles and web based resources. The methodology will therefore use secondary sources. Qualitative research mainly focuses on an interpretation of the world around the researcher. The researcher themselves is used as a mechanism of research and their observations form key elements in the research (Bryman, A. (1992); p45). Quantitative research, conversely focuses on scientific extrapolations of data (Bryman, A. (1992); p11) and quantitative research tends to predict and hypothesis about results whereas qualitative research results tend to be more malleable and subjective in their extrapolation. The focus on qualitative research was chosen for this project as it seemed more compatible with the ultimate aims of the thesis enquiry. A dearth of literature is available on the subject at hand and this may be explored through many means such as library based and internet based research. Therefore views and opinions, as well as the research of others were consulted in the course of the research. In the course of research of this nature, to preserve the integrity of the research; objectivity is obviously a prime concern. The writer must be careful not to extract views that are biased, or to formulate their own views through examination of biased material. Therefore a very wide scope was introduced to the research and a wide selection of texts were consulted. Where possible more than one text were used to substantiate points that are to be made. This scope will assist the writer to accumulate a more biased and open minded view of the issues which the research question will address. The objectivity of the research was also preserved as the writer consulted a wide range of sources published by interested parties, such as development agencies, non profit making organisations, government endorsed material and material available from the world of academia. The website of the European Union was also consulted as this is probably quite a reliable source of information, and reliability, like objectivity was paramount in the pursuit of the research objectives. Therefore sources that were disseminated through reliable and well recognised media like on-line book databases were consulted. In this sense therefore the qualitative research which was the objective of the project was gathered systematically and in a planned and structured manner. Potential drawbacks and potential problems for the thesis enquiry were also considered. Limited resources were obviously a primary concern, as any research project may be indefinitely improved upon through expenditure of money and availability of resources. However, since this is a university project and one which has a limited time scale, such investment was not feasible. Therefore the writer attempted to compensate for this by ensuring that the research objectives were identified clearly from an early stage of the research, so as to enable the writer to devote as much time as possible to the gathering of material for the project. The research was therefore well planned and executed in a consistent and methodical manner, adding credibility and depth to the finished piece. Ethics are also of primary concern to any credible researcher. Therefore, the writer ensured that they familiarised themselves with ethical research practices, prior to the execution of the research. In terms of ethics, for this research, which does not involve contact with human research subjects, the ethical concerns of the writer were probably much less onerous, as great care must be taken when human subjects are involved in research. Nevertheless, ethical concerns played a substantial part of the research skeleton and the themes of objectivity and reliability of sources were given much consideration, as has been explained above. The emphasis was on producing a wide, comprehensive, well thought out and ethically complied thesis and this is obvious from how the piece has been approached. CHAPTER THREE AFRICA, FARMING AND THE EU African Farmers and the EU Thousands of African farmers operate small farm holdings and they are, in many respects reliant upon these agricultural practices in terms of maintaining a healthy, or even subsistence standard of living. Poverty among this sector of Africans (the agricultural sector) has been explained in many ways, some of which are described in this passage: 'Tiffen et al.'s (1994) much-admired study of Machakos District, Kenya, demonstrates much success in agricultural development and improved rural welfare over the last 40 years. But there is precious little in that work about differentiation. Instead, we have had to wait for Rocheleau et al. (1995) for reports of increasing social differentiation in the District. This has been reinforced by the detail in Murton's recently published work (1999), based on surveys in one village in upper Machakos, supported by rapid appraisal for other villages.Forty per cent or more of households have not had the capital to invest in cash crops of coffee and French beans(Belshaw and Livingstone (2002); p110)'. The EU plays an important part in maintaining higher living standards for the African farmers, and a large part of this involves supporting the practice of exportation of organic produce from Africa to the EU. This supporting function engaged in by the EU involves the support and maintenance of various agencies and initiatives. The agencies to whom the responsibility of ensuring that the importation of organic agricultural products from Africa to the EU runs smoothly conduct research and gather data in relation to the operation of importing organic produce from Africa into the EU. They also offer advice to African farmers wishing to improve their circumstances through growing and exporting their products to the EU. Examples of the agencies and initives mentioned above include EPOPA (Export Promotion of Organic Products from Africa), Fairtrade and EFTA. EPOPA This is an organisation which is called a development agency. It was originally set up by the Swedish International Development Agency in 1997, and its aim is to educate African farmers about business strategy and awareness of the regulations which are involved in exporting their organic produce to Africa (EPOPA, 2006; p1). Specifically, this agency targets small holder farmers as this sector of the African population stand to gain the most from this education, advice and information provision service (EPOPA, 2006; p1). EFTA EFTA was established in 1990 and this term stands for the European Free Trade Association (http://www.efta.int/). This organisation operates as part of a network which involves eleven different Fair Trade organisations in various European countries, who import fair trade products from almost 500 economically disadvantaged countries, including Africa (http://www.efta.int/). Its head office is based in Maastricht in the Netherlands and its main official mission statement is to ensure that Fair Trade is conducted more efficiently and effectively; part of its role is also to disseminate information to farmers in Africa and to organise networks between farmers to ensure that they can exchange ideas and experiences of producing products, including agricultural products for sale in the EU (http://www.efta.int/). Markets for Organic Products It is important to be aware that the market for organic produce is limited when compared with the markets for more generic produce. Although it has been argued above that the market for organic produce in the EU is quite large, it is important to understand that this market is not comparable in terms of size with other markets, selling globally recognised merchandise and products such as Mc Donald's food and mobile phones. This puts the pressing need for quality standards in the organic food market into perspective, and highlights the need for processes of certification and quality control. In terms of organic trade the US, the United Kingdom and Germany have the biggest markets for the sale of organic produce; whereas the most significant per capita consumption can be found in Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark (EPOPA, 2006; Annex 2). This limited size exemplifies the importance of putting high quality produce into these markets; as often what drives the demand for organic produce is the perception that organic produce is of a superior quality and is more healthy for the purposes of consumption. Outlets for Organic Produce A look at the food outlets for organic produce throughout the EU will also allow the writer to gain perspective on the importance of quality and standards. This analysis will introduce the main thrust of the thesis, which is the role of certification, grading and standards in the importation of organic produce from Africa into the EU. In the EU, most organic produce tends to be marketing through hypermarkets and supermarkets (EPOPA, 2006; Annex 2). The emphasis is on cleanliness and presentability. This is an indication of the growing demands there are in the EU for organic produce. The features of organic produce are very marketable within the EU, in the face of public concerns about food safety and health issues connected with foodstuffs. The genetically modified food market has also perhaps strengthened the demand for organic foodstuffs within the EU, since this controversial issue has highlighted and contributed to the growing concerns there are among members of the public about the long term health impacts which may be the result of eating an unhealthy or overly chemically ridden diet. There are proven links between diet and cancer; proven links between some chemicals and cancer and obviously these health issues make the public image of organic foodstuffs very important. These factors have put organic food onto the shopping lists of many people within the EU, who perhaps traditionally would have regarded organic food as a luxury which was extravagant and unnecessary. The next section will focus on how Africa came to be one of Europe's main suppliers of these organic foodstuffs, that are growing in importance. CHAPTER FOUR AFRICA'S DEVELOPING ECONOMY Africa's Economic Climate and the Developments Which Have Affected the Agricultural Industry The Africa economy has undoubtedly become more sophisticated in recent years (http://europa.eu/pol/agr/index_en.htm) (Hanna, J. and Hanna, W. (1981); p81). Like the Republic of Ireland, Africa has seen a process of diversification. The age old dependency upon commodities for the economic well being of the country has been lessened through the process of diversification (Barber, W. (1961); p44) (Hyden, G., Kates, R. and Turner, B. (1993); p41). Mauritius is just one example; South Africa, Botswana, Senegal and Uganda are others. Commodities such as sugar cane, minerals and gold and diamond exportation and the manufacturing industries which have seen more investment have contributed to this emboldened leap forward(Arnold, G (2000); p91) (Konadu-Agyemang, K. (2001); p11). Strengthening political structures has also played a large part in the economic progress that has been seen to affect the commodity markets in particular in these countries (Yudelman, D. (1983); p3) (Ottaway, M. (1997); p15). Ottoway gives us some important detail here: 'The economy that the new democratic elites inherit in most African countries has typically suffered from two decades of mismanagement, exogenous shocks, and inappropriate policies, resulting in a growing debt crisis and a semipermanent process of negotiations and debt rescheduling with international creditors. In addition, the democratic transition itself has occasioned large economic costs, either because of extensive civil unrest and sometimes violence, or because of the fiscal recklessness of authoritarian leaders trying to hold onto power. Thus, the governments that emerge from the process of democratization face the daunting tasks of consolidating pluralist institutions and undertaking urgent economic reform simultaneously(Ottaway, M. (1997); p17)'. During the 1960s, when most African countries obtained independence from colonial rule, many commodity industries were subject to a process similar to the nationalised industry strategies we saw immediately prior to the Thatcher era in Britain (Aryeetey, E., Court, J., Nissanke, M. and Weder, B. (2003); p201). The commodity industries in most African countries therefore were heavily influenced by politicians often engaged in undemocratic practices (Reynolds, A. (1999); p28). Also, the absence of private enterprise which these national led economies fostered led to huge market inefficiency. These processes are slowly becoming more sophisticated, and African countries have moved from selling raw produce to packaging and marketing their own. Africa farmers are also engaged in direct trading with the West(Federici, S., McLaren, J. and Mwaria, C. (2000); p3); the EU in particular as we have seen explained in the introduction. Better investment in the economies of African countries has led to the availability of more education for more people. Interventions from agencies, described above have also contributed greatly to the increasing sophistication of the economies of African countries, paying dividends in terms of a strengthened economy and better stability for small holdings farmers (Abubakar, A. (1989); p83). Better roads have also been a dividend of this growing economic fervour, as these have led to better economic stability for producers who are able to sustain their own supply chains for private enterprise commodity exportation to the EU, and further afield. Specifically, this is of relevance to organic producers of agricultural produce for ultimate distribution in the EU. Sea and air freight are the most common forms of transportation used by African farmers to deliver their products to the EU (EPOPA, 2006; Section 3.1.3). However there are countries such as Uganda and Zambia, which may be descried as landlocked countries, and as such they need to rely upon established and well constructed roads in order to ensure that there business supply chain is uninterrupted and reliable. This is so that they may be able to reach ports and airports with their produce. What is Quality/What are Standards? This refers to a measure of how much value the product may be seen as having. Higher quality products tend to have higher values. Standards, in the context of the certification process refer to a measure of quality. Quality is important in the context of organic commodity export from Africa to the EU as it allows producers to measure how valuable their produce is in a comparative sense. In this sense, quality informs the end consumer of the product and it also informs each and every actor who has contact with products along the supply chain which brings the product to market. Quality is therefore of key significance to all concerned with the presence of organic agricultural commodities from Africa in the EU and global markets. Specifically, quality in the production of organic commodities in Africa is measured with reference to particular characteristics. These are: origin, service, volume, and reliability of exporter (EPOPA, 2006; Section 3.5). CHAPTER FIVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS AND WIDER ECONOMIC ISSUES Factors which an African Farmer Must Take into Account: The Certification Process Before an African farmer may export organic agricultural goods for consumption within the EU, the farmer must first obtain a certificate in Organic Standards (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.2). The purpose of the certification process is to ensure that the farmer is producing organic products that are of a high enough standard to enter the EU market and the homes of EU consumers. It is illegal for an African farmer to export goods from their farms, for distribution in the UK, without first obtaining such certification, and the organic certificate is only issued for a period of one year (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.3). While obtaining the appropriate certification, is often time consuming and expensive, there are many ways this certification can be obtained and the two major categories are external certification and internal certification (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.3). The farmers may engage in what is known as an Internal Control System or ICS. Small farmers can obtain certification in groups, which ameliorates the constraint of expense on the farmer in question (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.3). This system of internal certification is advantageous to farmers also as it maximises contact between farmers in similar situations and enables networks to the established between the farmers and therefore facilitates the building of economic relationships and the sharing of experience and expertise. These groups need to be monitored internally. External certification involves an external certifier gathering much information about the farmers who wish to export their agricultural organic produce to the EU. In order for standards and grading to be conducted in a fair and consistent manner the farmer in question must provide much information about their business and agricultural practices (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.3). The external certifier may organise inspections of the produce (and where quality suspicions have been raised, more inspections may be carried out at the certifier's discretion) which has been grown by the farmer wishing to export organic goods for sale and consumption in the EU and the certifier may make certain recommendations to the farmer; accordingly the external certifier holds much power and influence (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.3). What Does the Certifier Look For in the Pursuit of Consistent Standards of Product Integrity? The certifier will look at a number of issues before the issue of a certification which will enable the farmer to distribute his organic agricultural produce for consumption in the EU. Firstly there will be a need to ensure that organic and non-organic produce is keep separate; secondly there will be a need to ensure that products are traceable; thirdly the technologies which are used in the growth and production process are strictly monitored, and lastly there will be a need to ensure that controls are imposed on agents used in the production process of the goods (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.4). These are the main issues which a certifier will look at before a certificate will be issued to the farmer who wishes to export his agricultural produce to the EU. Perhaps the most important of these processes is the need for traceability. This process refers to the identification of foodstuffs and an ability to trace where the product has come from (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.3-2.4). This process is particularly important, where there are quality or health and safety issues with the organic foodstuffs. This process therefore involves a registration programme, where farmers are required to to register the full origin of the produce, including any supply chain transitions, so that the origin of the foodstuffs are always clearly identifiable (EPOPA, 2006; Section 2.3-2.4). In terms of the monitoring of technology and the other factors identified above; these are also very important in the process of standards and grading of the produce. Ethical factors are key here. Organic agriculture is often viewed by those who purchase and consume organic products as a safer and more environmentally friendly option. The certification process has to ensure that these standards are retained on a level which is commensurate with the levels of faith that consumers of organic produce place in them. Therefore technologies and production enhancement through the use of technology is strictly monitored in the standards/grading and certification process. The Need for Certification in Terms of Quality Control of Organic Agricultural Produce There is quite a broad spectrum of quality which may be expected from African producers of organic agricultural produce. This diversity exists even in spite of the checks which are imposed at certification level. The agencies which work closely with African farmers aim to eliminate these problems with quality. The certification process is just the first step, since even the checks which may be imposed at certification level can only guarantee a standard level of quality. In some cases, also the certification inspections may not be frequent enough to identify and eliminate sub standard produce. The long term solution to this problem therefore is arguably to attempt to look at why some African farmers are producing lower grade produce and in doing so to attempt to identify some possible solutions to this problem. Organic farming is also highly labour intensive and attracts very high distributions expenses. Also, in terms of organic produce from Africa, the African distributors often obtain very low prices for their products in EU markets and this encourages or even necessitates lower quality produce to be distributed (EPOPA, 2006; Annex 3). This is due to a number of factors, one of which is that the image of Africa and African produce is quite poor. Consumers are often very concerned with the origin of the products in question and, while this is an intangible issue, which is essentially reputation orientated; this does not imply that it cannot be addressed at source, by African farmers. One way to address this problem is to build rapport with the customer, by attaching recognisable names and personas to the produce, creating continuity and trust between producers and the end consumer. Examples of these 'personas' have been identified by EPOPA (2006; Section 3.2.1) as Tasty Toms, De l Monte Pineapples and Chiquita bananas. Branding therefore is a crucial part of the commodity market for sale of organic produce between Africa and the EU, as it builds trust and encourages the African farmers producing such commodities to maintain their reputations through strengthening the quality of the products they can distribute to end customers. The Fair Trade Certification Process This is a particular course of certification which may be acquired mainly for agricultural products (EPOPA, 2006; Section 3.3.3). It is similar to the generic process of certification, although it is perhaps not as widely recognised by exporters of produce to the EU, which is because this particular method of certification seeks to target small and disadvantaged commodity producers in Africa (EPOPA, 2006; Section 3.3.3). What is the Grading and Standards Process? The grading process is an essential part of the organic exportation business. It may be done by both farmers themselves and by exporters (EPOPA, 2006; Section 3.2.2). It ensures that minimum standards are adhered to and that there are levels of consistency in terms of quality instilled in the quality control processes surrounding the exportation of organic produce to the EU. Grading may be carried out in conjunction with other processes that are linked to the grading system. Bulking, cleaning, grading and packing are usually undertaken at the same time (EPOPA, 2006; Section 3.2.2), as this enables the grader to identify and separate lower quality produce, and to ensure that the produce is fully prepared for exportation. For example, if a certain commodity is packaged in a particular way, it may be graded in a better category, since it is to be expected that the packaging may preserve the produce better than inferior packaging or no packaging at all. Grading and its Links with Better Infrastructure Grading is inherently linked with economic and infrastructure development in African countries. It makes sense that processes like this should not be regarded as isolated processes. For example, the grading of produce may be significantly affected by the length of time it takes for their produce to reach points where exportation may begin. Therefore the point that economic processes may be seen to be intertwined so crucially with more macro economic

Teaching: It Chose Me :: Reflective Writing Education Essays

Teaching: It Chose Me What inspired me to be a teacher? In the back of my mind, I think I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. Although I wasn’t always particularly fond of going to school early in my life, I always, it seemed, really liked my teachers. I didn’t like being away from home when I was in elementary school and a lot of times I would cry and want to go home, but my teachers would talk with me and help calm me down and then I would be okay for a while. Looking back, I appreciate the way they helped me through those "bad" days. I realize now teachers do more than teach -- they are role models for their young students and they can have a tremendous influence on them. Another factor that helped influence my decision to enter the teaching field is that I love children. I have always enjoyed babysitting, not just for the money, but for the enjoyment I usually have when I babysit. I think kids are such fun. In a way, I guess when I babysit, I do some of the things teachers do. I like to read books to them and ask them questions and do learning activities with them. Today’s young children are our next generation. I love to see how well they learn what you are teaching them, like when they learn to read. It is so exciting to them to be able to read! I still love to read to this day from being inspired by my elementary teachers. My teachers inspired me to be anything I wanted to be in life. I want to have an impact like that on someone’s life one day also. My road to the teaching field has taken a few curves along the way. While I had given some thought to being a teacher earlier in my life, other things began to influence me. When I was in high school, I gave serious thought to being a journalist, especially a television newscaster. I thought that would be an awesome job! You get to dress up, have your hair styled everyday and, on top of that, you would always be ‘in the know’ about what’s going on locally, statewide and nationally. Teaching: It Chose Me :: Reflective Writing Education Essays Teaching: It Chose Me What inspired me to be a teacher? In the back of my mind, I think I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. Although I wasn’t always particularly fond of going to school early in my life, I always, it seemed, really liked my teachers. I didn’t like being away from home when I was in elementary school and a lot of times I would cry and want to go home, but my teachers would talk with me and help calm me down and then I would be okay for a while. Looking back, I appreciate the way they helped me through those "bad" days. I realize now teachers do more than teach -- they are role models for their young students and they can have a tremendous influence on them. Another factor that helped influence my decision to enter the teaching field is that I love children. I have always enjoyed babysitting, not just for the money, but for the enjoyment I usually have when I babysit. I think kids are such fun. In a way, I guess when I babysit, I do some of the things teachers do. I like to read books to them and ask them questions and do learning activities with them. Today’s young children are our next generation. I love to see how well they learn what you are teaching them, like when they learn to read. It is so exciting to them to be able to read! I still love to read to this day from being inspired by my elementary teachers. My teachers inspired me to be anything I wanted to be in life. I want to have an impact like that on someone’s life one day also. My road to the teaching field has taken a few curves along the way. While I had given some thought to being a teacher earlier in my life, other things began to influence me. When I was in high school, I gave serious thought to being a journalist, especially a television newscaster. I thought that would be an awesome job! You get to dress up, have your hair styled everyday and, on top of that, you would always be ‘in the know’ about what’s going on locally, statewide and nationally.

Broad History of Culinary Arts

Renita Thornton Chef Jerome Culinary 1010 18 February 2013 A Broad History of the Culinary Arts Introduction Culinary arts describe the art involving the preparation and cooking of foods. Culinary artists are usually responsible for preparing meals skillfully, which implies that the food made is appealing to the eye and the palate. The culinary arts history dates back from 1800s, when the first school in Boston involved in teaching the art of cooking became discovered. Various changes have taken place in the culinary arts from the discovery time to the present.For instance, various cooking methods are continuously being discovered. Although cooking was once taken as a household chore supposed to be carried out by women as men worked in the field, it has presently developed and has become a world’s wonder and highly attracting both men and women due to its ability to provide incomes. Today, cooking is not just a hobby but also a job to the American people. In this paper, I will discuss the evolution of the culinary arts commencing in the prehistoric times to the present. The history o f culinary arts dates back to 1800s, a time when the first cooking school became established in Boston.The cooking school established in Boston taught students how to prepare different foods and prepared them on passing knowledge to others. The Boston cooking school was a chief contributor in the creativeness of culinary professionals everywhere. However, more schools began popping up, and up to now, there are about 21,000 universities teaching culinary arts programs (Toussaint-Samat 29). Apart from the immense contribution of Boston cooking school, another vast contributor to the early culinary arts is Fannie merit book on American culinary arts and recipes.This book became published in 1896; it became the first ever official cookbook in America. During the time, the book became highly demanded since every household demanded the book as it was valued and used in every day’s life. This original book of cooking is still utilized in the present age as a reference in the cooking profession (Glazer 103). The next phase involving the history of culinary arts describes the culinary arts being taken to the television, in 1946, where the father of American cuisine; also known as James Beard held regular classes of cooking.This gave lesson to individuals desiring to know more regarding the cooking profession. The appearance of cooking lessons in the television brought a lot of changes to the cooking profession. Individuals desiring to become cooks became inspired since one was not required to pay anything in order to learn how to prepare and cook various cuisines; all that a person required was listening to cooking lessons on the television and then applying the learnt lessons practically. Many people did not understand how to prepare certain recipes not until there were free classes on televisions.In the 1800’s, people had the mentality that cooking was meant for women and participation of men in the cooking became deemed as a failure of man’s res ponsibility. However, in the early 1900’s, people commenced appreciating the art of cooking with the emergence of industries. The emergence of businesses such as tourist hotels made cooking become a vast profession that could hold almost all individuals regardless whether one was a female or male (Mondschein 49). This exceedingly gave the culinary arts a bit of professionalism, although not to a vast deal. Later, in 1946, the Culinary Institute of America became established.The establishment of the Culinary Institute of America brought changes in the professionalism of cooking. Since the institute is non-profit organization, it was capable of supporting professionalism in cooking without the objective of making a profit. This made most individuals join the cooking professionalism. Unlike the earlier days, most men joined the cooking profession. The college still offers professional education in cooking. Training materials, videos and books from the college have been used to t rain professionals and non-professionals in cooking.Cooking techniques have changed over time, due to interaction between various individuals. For instance, the interaction between the Americans and Africans has led to learning of new techniques of cooking embraced by the different groups (Strauss 43). In the same way, the interaction of Americans with the Asians has led to the adoption of new cooking techniques (Labensky 36). Also, new techniques have developed with the advance of time; traditional cooking techniques have been replaced by new techniques that are still emerging with the advancement of the cooking profession.ConclusionCulinary art involves the art of preparing and cooking different cuisines. Various changes have taken place in the culinary arts from the discovery time to the present. For instance, various cooking methods are continuously being discovered. Although cooking was once taken as a household chore supposed to be carried out by women as men worked in the fie ld, it has presently developed and has become a world’s wonder and highly attracting both men and women due to its ability to provide incomes. Changes have occurred in the cooking techniques emanating from the advancement of the cooking profession and integration of communities.Works Cited Labensky, Steven. The Prentice Hall Dictionary of Culinary Arts.Upper Saddle River, N. J: Pearson/Prentice Hall Books, 2006. Print. Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne. A History of Food. Chichester, West Sussex, U. K: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.Internet resource. Glazer, Francine S. Blended Learning: Across the Disciplines, Across the Academy. Sterling, Va: Stylus, 2012.Print. Mondschein, Ken. Food and Culinary Arts. New York, NY: Ferguson, 2009.Print. Strauss, G L. M. Philosophy in the Kitchen: General Hints on Food and Drink. S. l: Vintage Cookery Books, 2008. Print.

Gas Mileage essays

Gas Mileage essays As his car warmed up that morning, Alan Wilson stared with amazement at his gas gauge. I cant believe its on EMPTY again, he ranted. I just spent twenty bucks last weekend! Alan sped away from his home toward the gas station before he had to be at work that morning only to find out that the gas prices had been raised again. Why dont I just burn my money? he said facetiously. Alan grabbed the nozzle and began the weekly task of filling up the gas tank on his 1970 Ford Maverick with a 302 and dual exhaust. I need to go buy one of those new Styrofoam pieces of junk that get thirty miles to the gallon, he mumbled to himself. Since the invention of the car, people have had to go through this ordeal because we have no choice. It has been over eighty years, and we are still using gasoline as the primary source of power for our vehicles. With all of the new technology created over these years, shouldnt we have thought of something better by now? The truth is that we have. Electr icity is a much cleaner, more efficient form of power that could be put to use, but it hasnt (Bradley 444). Is there any particular reason? Of course! Somebody will lose money. The idea of an electric car has been embedded in the mind of people for countless years. Whether it be by a writer, an inventor, or a scientist, it has been thought about for some time. Not only would this idea be safer for the environment, it would save billions of people money. Unfortunately, gas companies havent preferred these ideas over losing millions of dollars in sales. Although it may not be true, many environmentalists believe that car manufacturers have been bought off by the gas companies in order to keep their millions flowing in (Sullivan 2). How could an idea perfected years ago not have caught on by now? The first working electric car was created in the 1800&...

Destalinization in Soviet Russia

Destalinization in Soviet Russia Destalinization was the process begun by Nikita Khrushchev, following the death of former Russian dictator Joseph Stalin in March 1953, of first discrediting Stalin and then reforming Soviet Russia leading to large numbers being released from imprisonment in Gulags, a temporary thaw in the Cold War, a slight relaxation in censorship and an increase in consumer goods, an era dubbed as ‘The Thaw’ or ‘Khrushchev’s Thaw’. Stalin’s Monolithic Rule In 1917 the Tsarist government of Russia was removed by a series of revolutions, which climaxed at the end of the year with Lenin and his followers in charge. They preached soviets, committees, groups to govern, but when Lenin died a man of bureaucratic genius called Stalin managed to warp the entire system of Soviet Russia around his personal rule. Stalin showed political cunning, but no apparent compassion or morality, and he instituted a period of terror, as every level of society and seemingly every person in the USSR was under suspicion, and millions were sent to Gulag work camps, often to die. Stalin managed to hold on and then win the Second World War because he had industrialized the USSR at vast human cost, and the system was so enshrined around him that when dying his guards daren’t go and see what was wrong with him out of fear. Khrushchev Takes Power Stalin’s system left no clear successor, the result of Stalin actively removing any rivals to power. Even the Soviet Union’s great general of WW2, Zhukov, was shunted into obscurity so Stalin could rule alone. This meant a struggle for power, one which former Commissar Nikita Khrushchev won, with no small amount of political skill himself. The U-Turn: Destroying Stalin Khrushchev didn’t want to continue Stalin’s policy of purge and murder, and this new direction- Destalinization- was announced by Khrushchev in a speech to the Twentieth Party Congress of the CPSU on February 25th , 1956 entitled ‘On the Personality Cult and its Consequences’ in which he attacked Stalin, his tyrannical rule and the crimes of that era against the party. The U-turn shocked those present. The speech was a calculated risk by Khrushchev, who had been prominent in Stalin’s later government, that he could attack and undermine Stalin, allowing non-Stalinist policies to be introduced, without damning himself by association. As everyone high up in Russia’s ruling party also owed their positions to Stalin, there was no one who could attack Khrushchev without sharing the same guilt. Khrushchev had gambled on this, and the turn away from the cult of Stalin to something relatively freer, and with Khrushchev remaining in power, was able to go ahead. Limits There was disappointment, especially in the West, that Destalinization did not lead to greater liberalization in Russia: everything is relative, and we are still talking about an ordered and controlled society where communism was sharply different to the original concept. The process was also reduced with Khrushchev’s removal from power in 1964. Modern commentators are worried by Putin’s Russia and the way Stalin seems to be in a process of rehabilitation.

Research paper over positives and negatives of war bonds during world

Over positives and negatives of war bonds during world war 2 - Research Paper Example However as with regular bonds the purchaser always has the option of redeeming the bond for its face value at a later date. Typically war bonds tend to have a yield which is below market value and are usually sold in different denominations to suit different purchasing power of prospective buyers. All things considered these government issued bonds are considered as steady and reliable investments (Altius directory). War bonds were issued by many countries, including United States and Germany during World War I and II. The role of War Bonds During the Second World War, a number of companies encouraged citizens to buy war bonds. In addition to funding the government, war bonds also reduced the amount of currency on the  open market, with the hope of keeping inflation rates down. Many Americans think of the Series E Bond when they hear the term â€Å"war bonds.† This bond was initially marketed as a â€Å"defense bond† in 1935, and with the outbreak of war, the Treasury switched to calling it a â€Å"war bond.† Series E Bonds were available from the Treasury until 1980. The funds from the sale of war bonds are used to finance the military. American Patriot Bonds may seem like war bonds, but the sale proceeds actually go into a general fund, rather than supporting the military specifically. For people who dislike the idea of supporting military action but want the safety and stability of government securities, other Treasury securities are available for sale, including treasury bills, notes, and general bonds. War bonds during World War 2 United States Initial offerings The last time it was seen that the United States issued war bonds was during the World War 2. This was in the event when full employment clashed with rationing, and the only way money could have been removed from circulation in order to reduce inflation was through the introduction of war bonds. These bonds were issued by the U.S Government, and they were initially called Def ense Bonds. However post the attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941; they were renamed to War Bonds. War bonds were primarily debt securities issued for the purpose of financing military operations in the war period, these bonds yielded a 2.9 percent return after a 10 year maturity. If you analyze the median income of a resident of the United States during the World War 2 phase, annual earnings equaled to a total of $2000. It was during this period that regardless of the hardships the American citizens were facing 134 million Americans were asked to purchase war bonds to aid in financing the war. Another option was to purchase stamps, costing 10 cents each, these could be saved towards the future acquisition of a bond. The first series labeled as the ‘E’ U.S. Savings bond was purchased by President Franklin. D. Roosevelt and it was sold to him by Henry Morgenthau, the Treasury Secretary. These bonds served as a loan to the government so that the war could be financ ed. The E Series bonds were sold at 75% of their face value in denominations of $ 25 up to $ 10,000, with some limitations. Promoting the War Bonds The voluntary promotion of the War Bonds was the key responsibly of the War Advertising Council whereas the sales were supervised by the War Finance Committee. Together the work of these two agencies resulted in the

One economics aspect of oil industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

One economics aspect of oil industry - Essay Example The oil industry focuses on demand as a central point of production. As such, a given energy demands rely on the existing economic activity.Supply is a general aspect of the oil industry affected by weather and other geopolitical elements. Oil demand is a vital feature that largely affects the oil industry. Unreliable economic activities directly affect the demand for energy. As such, the oil demand decreases within a given duration. A decrease in oil demand results in a low number of investors within the industry. As such, the industry experiences rising cases of companies practicing monopoly. The ideology revolves around limiting consumers to regulate the supply chain. As such, the independent companies overcharge the government for using the organization’s oil reserves. Independent companies raise revenues through the monopoly policy affecting a country’s revenue or source of income(Spilsbury, Richard &Louise, 202). Countries that produce oil contribute largely to the changes in oil prices. These countries regulate supplies based on individual interest or political gains. As such, the world oil prices fluctuate to accommodate the given interest. Other countries such as the superpowers also engage in practices that undermine oil prices. The various changes within the economy depend directly on the oil prices. Inflation rates shape the oil industry with key participants who tend to control the industry. Powerful countries tend to enlarge shares within the oil producing countries through the oil companies. Decreasing oil fields affect the oil production percentage and eventual supply to the world. Different countries struggle to obtain stable supplies of the oil to meet the rising demands. As such, the world thrives on an unstable environment that reflects on the economy of various countries (Spilsbury, Richard & Louise, 171). Additionally, various organization emerge to regulate the