The Sequestration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Sequestration - Essay Example One of the challenges that I have had to deal with is the introduction of unpaid off days as one way of reducing budgetary allocations at my work place. One requirement of the sequestration is to carry out deductions on employees pay on the total number of days the employee was off from work. As a result of this move by the government, it has become a necessity to look for part time jobs in order to compensate for the reduced income. Maneuvering between my workplace and my part time job is a real challenge. The second challenge is that I have to make reductions on expenditures on certain luxuries I and my family used to like. This poses a psychological challenge based on the fact that it is difficult to accept that I can no longer afford some services that were part and parcel of my life. Therefore, my performance at the workplace becomes compromised because I can no longer perform to the maximum. Some of the areas that I have been forced to make reductions on include expenditures on cell phone services, movie night and restaurants, cancelling vacations, and general reductions on family expenditures. Servicing mortgages, car loans, and other loans have become real challenges since the introduction of the sequestration strategy of dealing with budgetary deficits. This is as a result of the unexpected reduction in income at a time when mortgages and other loans were under servicing. This is frustrating in the sense that members of the congress who are imposing the sequestering policies may not be subjected to pay cuts similar to those of federal workers (Lee et al, 2012). The fact that reductions on budgetary allocations on government programs are likely to cause layoffs of government workers keeps every government worker with a lot of worries. It is projected that thousands of government workers are likely to lose their jobs as a result of the

Poetry essay Essay Example for Free

Poetry essay Essay ?How does Owen Sheers use language, form and structure to explore ideas about separation and division in ‘Winter Swans’? The Poem ‘Winter Swans’ seems to convey a strong theme of natural love. The poem begins with setting a scene of a peaceful day, where nature seems to be stilled after the torrential weather that is referred to in the first line through ‘The clouds had given their all. ’ It goes on to say that there was then a ‘break’, and throughout the poem the poet uses words such as ‘silent’ and ‘rolling’, ‘stilling’ and ‘slow-stepping’ to capture this scene of peace and serenity, as if the world was resting after being thrashed about by a storm. With the idea of a natural love, there comes the confusion and the inartificial knowledge that love is not materialistic, a feeling and something that can not be brought on by force. Through all natural love stories come feelings of hurt and division. A separation that brings the subjects closer and strengthens the emotion. Sheers uses the theme of leaving, and then returning, or rage, and then peace, or the unknown, and then the known to reoccur throughout the poem, eventually strengthening the love, which could be argued as the main emotion of the poem. The poet also uses imagery such as ‘lakes and ‘swans’, to symbolise the peacefulness, and also to symbolise love. You notice words that show the subject is not alone, with ‘we’ and ‘our’. These words and also the motion of the swans, the lake, and the peacefulness are foreshadowing that the poem will take a turning onto love that is more literate. However I don’t think that the poems theme is so much about love in particular, but about a natural love, a natural pull that brings two people together even after hard times. Sheer’s uses Swans as a metaphor of love, the way swans will smoothly dip in and out of the water, and how they are known to curve towards and away from each other as if dancing on ice. They are the perfect example to show the way love will draw away and then come back. He uses vocabulary ranging from ‘silent’ and ‘rolling’ to ‘righting’ and ‘rough’ to show the separation and how quickly the emotions get confused, and how quickly compassion will turn into anger, and vice versa. The poem begins referring to this in the first stanza with weather, as raging storm. And then a ‘break’. The poet then adds on ‘in which we walked’, showing possibly that the subject and whoever they are with also went through a hard time, but are now peaceful along with the nature. In the fourth stanza it describes the swans ‘halving themselves’ in the ‘dark water’, to portray a hard time, but then ‘returning again like boats righting in rough weather’ It then moves onto the poems only piece of speech, â€Å"they mate for life. † Which rounds off the conclusion of the theme of the poem, that although there are hard times, they will always be pulled back together. The poem then shows this also applies for the people, as at the beginning of the poem it describes them as being ‘silent and apart’, but right at the end it shows them holding hands, symbolising how they are together. The poem’s theme is concluded with comparing them to a ‘pair of wings settling after flight’, to show that finally, the emotion has strengthened, and they can settle after the confusion and separation.

The Concept Of Early Marriage Society Essay

The Concept Of Early Marriage Society Essay Everyone knows the problem of young and adults because of its adverse effects on the family and society, and has negative implications in terms of health, psychological and economical aspects(14 October) newspaper some of the members of the community to know the damage this marriage that people complain about it. Effects of Early Marriage Early marriage effects can be both negative and positive, it may be a successful marriage, but the cons are more than the pros. For example, we can say that a large proportion of the Yemeni society represent an example of this issue but if we think that this segment live without a stable marriage life we might be wrong and perhaps they feel that theyre happy because they got used to it as a tradition. The most important disadvantages of early marriage is that it always ends in failure and paradoxical as it may be married at the request of parents and held them since they were small meaning that marriage imposed does not exist for the passion between them, early marriage, even if they continued accompanied by a lot of problems and the contract, especially after a period of  age of marriage, where the feel of each party that imposed on him and that view both to the other non-interest and satisfaction in other words, that feeling and a sense of the party towards the other party no longer has any existence, and that was contrary to the truth becomes a spacing and acrimony between the parties. Another result from early marriage, family non-threaded or non-M in the case of the continuation of the marriage and the reason is due to the lack of full maturity and rationality of the husband or wife and irresponsibility in building a noble family strong and I mean that boys have no one to c are for them and bring them good education, because the spouses do not realize the meaning of responsibility of the parties and achieve the desired goal  and satisfy the instinct emotional only. may be the man at the age or old age and women are at an early age has been a marriage for the purpose of material or so and thus appear negative after marriage, a lack of understanding between married couples, or different thinking or a difference of age and perhaps married women in  an early age was forced and therefore not aware of the meaning of married life later, and may be just the opposite for men who marry early, a woman older than him not as a woman or girl when she marries at an early age is not reassuring for life and face many pressures psychological, social and often mood nervous  , feel that they have committed a sin or it is a human being naive, being married at a young age and things are a shame for them and in this age, she does not understand the meaning of a family and have no look to build a society and that foundation is the family sense of two fresh for Dyalrgel and women who get married at the age of  early to be inadequate for building the family and society, but remains of early marriage are some positive aspects for the young and the young because it works on the vaccinated and protected from corruption and moral decay and the behavior is normal and is therefore considered this marriage horse for the person and maybe this kind of marriage has its benefits in the face of the burdens of married life and its problems with  After marriage, born with the challenge, resilience and ability to carry tow and the requirements of married life so that men have acquired a strong will not weaken in front of the difficult circumstances it was important and this is rarely found in people who were raised in the environment or harsh conditions ..   It could be argued that the benefits of early marriage that children living in the age and age is enough to help their parents until they are old and cannot fear them from the pitfalls of old-time.   Marriage Alambkremcklp haunt community   She spoke Sister / Salwa Mohammed Ali gauze, saying:   Marriage housing and love and mercy to form a stable family united and that the marriage of the ways of God in the universe for the sustainability of life and continuity to what God wills, but early marriage, which means that a person is is ready physically and mentally etc incomplete maturity and identifies age is under the age of eighteen  age, that early marriage problem of great social concern to the community and lead to a lot of social and psychological problems, one of the most important reasons that lead to high divorce rate in society and leads to many social and psychological problems and also lead to a deviation of the children and their estates and are considered victims of early marriage as it is the most important  factors affecting the creation of family volatile of the inability of spouses to raise children properly so that they become a burden on society but on their families and themselves, which leads to backwardness and lack of growth of the community and res ult in early marriage conflict between the families so as not to bear a spouse, each other and Isttie solve their problems but  resort to the parents mentally and physically, to the lack of psychological stability in the family and most of this or that loss of life in the bickering and problems that do not expire and age that does not repeat without that we benefit in our religion and our mundane. Reasons behind early marriage?   The most important reasons that drive parents to marry off their daughters or their children at a young age instinct existing within the human psyche and of greed for material shall be their children just a commodity sold without thinking about their future, which is the most expensive things in life as well as the motivation, traditions and customs that would lead to marriage of children in  an early age, especially the girl who beat her and be married at the age inappropriate for her and are not able to bear this responsibility, because age is not formatted to the procreation and upbringing of children, and motivations also underdevelopment which is the problem itself, I mean the failure of parents who push them strong impetus to the lack of understanding that life  change and not necessarily to live their children as they lived them, as well as becoming early marriage stumbling block particularly girls Fimnaha of education altogether, or are taken out of school early in life a nd thus are lagging behind non-educated and have a negative impact on society and therefore fail in her marriage these and other factors  help to leave the community and not to link the past with the present at this important point with the harm caused by serious and psychological impacts both on women at this early stage is not ready physically and still members of the body in the process of growth and reproduction at this stage may lose their life or grow properly and is an important factor in  high mortality rate at birth Add to this the complications subsequent harmful to their health and the health of her unborn child and most importantly, the injured psychological where infected women are depressed psychological due to the circumstances the new life that can not afford what the difficulties because they do not have experience in how to deal with life, which is still living is  the same age children    Therefore, we have as much as possible to avoid early marriage and childbearing for the risk of significant social and judge our minds on this issue in order to avoid the scourge before they regret when it is too late because a marriage to a social entity and the prisoners must be equal.   In contrast,  At the other end spoke Brother / Abdul Salam future Rabadi said: Marriage is a blessing of God Almighty bestowed on all human beings to the fraught relationship of love and compassion and intimacy between the couple and a family to preserve the offspring of human extinction has embodied the marital relationship, all the laws of  era (our father Adam) until God inherits the earth and them, therefore, early marriage is not a distasteful because it is for both sexes, male and female chastity and purity, the purity of the vices which are located in communities that are prescribed in laws and prohibit this type of marriage. helps to spread of immorality how much gets  in Western and Eastern societies that do not condemn the Islamic law.   It also has disadvantages may be negligible compared positively by fortifying communities Underworld reservation offspring of human extinction and protect communities from diseases that arise from the delay of marriage as is the case in the communities mentioned above. Therefore I think that early marriage is the only way to protect communities from indulging in the relations  illegal and therefore they work on the conservation of lineages and races and good birth control. Children do not bear the responsibility   He spoke Brother / Nayef Hammoud right: First to Know Why marry boys and girls at a young age and early and say they were previously driven to marry off their children are young because of the lack of hands to help them in farming and the individual, including married women Owalitnin Owalthelat even have help to work and serve the land and planting and harvesting  But the question is puzzling in our time because they do not work on farms and became the Son burden on the father rather than what to be the father costly supports an the child only becomes a father costly supports an son and his wife and children This is a dilemma in itself add to the burden of the family I am the opinion that parents do not give the marriage of their children  However, when mature and appreciate the responsibility and know the rights of marriage for males and females all of whom know his wealth and what it should be efficient and able to bear the responsibility and expenses of the House because it wo uld establish a home and family I am When I married that my son was young and I spent it will become the responsibility of heavy Ali and therefore will be forced  to tell him that God opens you rode your home and here face reality and do not work, no job and no home do not study a whole part dependent on his father does not compare marriage in the past and present in the past of early marriage was not a problem because life as a whole were not complex, as is the  today in the era of technology and the person to go to anywhere and do any work without conditions and the number of hearts of the people was a little comparison of population explosion happening, who is suffering from the country before twenty years have passed a variety of jobs present and most people working in Gulf countries and the rest at home and very easily accessible, but  In the present work is becoming difficult, both outside and inside the country.   Conclusion From my point of view, disadvantages of early marriage causing the number of divorces for the failure of the two partners in the marital life and the ignorance of the girl of their duties and their rights and problems of early marriage is also that children do not know the meaning of marriage and what the duties and rights are married, imagine when the wife is a child and are subjected to pregnancy and childbirth and give birth to a baby is  do not know the methods of education and do not know how to care for this baby because they are themselves looking for a mentor, and from the complete breeding, as well as the health problem faced by post-natal and the Son which was imposed by the marriage and parenthood is not capable nor wise nor very well all these reasons, the above-mentioned  lead to the failure of the marriage and lead to early divorce logic is to learn and study and get a job then we can think about marriage.  

Essay --

Ganguly, Rajat, and Ray Taras. Understanding Ethnic Conflict: The International Dimension. New York: Longman, 1998. Print. This book offers interesting insight on the role nationalism plays in the cause of violence ethnic conflict. It does this by looking at the overlapping aspects of nationalism, conflict, social cleavages, and the reaction of the international community. They also take and explain three main approaches to ethnic identities: primordialist, instrumentalist, and constructivist. They then explain how the mobilization and polarizing of groups ultimately led to conflict and the goals of their perspective political movements. Samarasinghe, V. "‘A Theme Revisited’? the Impact of the Ethnic Conflict on Women and Politics." JOURNAL OF WOMEN POLITICS & POLICY 33.4 (2012): 345-64. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. This article focuses role and impact ethnic conflicts have on the shaping of a nations ideology towards women of the ethnic majority. It looks at the case of ethnic civil war in Sri Lanka, and more specifically that of Sinhalese women. The research done in this article was primarily conducted through field work and field surveys of educated urban women. The work concludes that the ethnic conflict enforced the areas â€Å"ethno-religious identity† as well as creating a space for its inclusion in the nation’s political arena. Okoye, Festus (ed ). Victims: Impact of Religious and Ethnic Conflicts on Women and Children in Northern Nigeria., 2000. Print. 12 Feb. 2014. This book looks at how conflict in Nigeria has impacted women and children. It looks at the social, political, and cultural impacts of such violence at entire generations of Nigerian people. It looks at the the potential future impact on the countries development,... ... challenge the patriarchal hierarchy of society† where women and girls were subordinate to their male counterparts. Therefore, this article reflects on how gender is impact in post-conflict interventions. Lives Blown Apart: Crimes against Women in Times of Conflict, Stop Violence against Women. London: Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 2004. Print. This book looks at specific cases of violence and questions not only why these acts happened, but what can be done to prevent further violence. The book maintains that government and media play a role in both creating and ending such atrocities. It explores the ways in which sexual acts of violence impact women and their society at large. The book seeks to explain how the long-lasting impact of such events play an active part in the rebuilding of society, and how this impacts all levels of the culture.

Barefoot running

Athletics is one of the major sports in the world with running being the key event. The major debate relating to running concerns the benefits of running barefoot over running in shoes. Hersher (2010) argues that there is a growing trend of athletes going shoeless and taking on the lifestyle of running barefoot. Quite a number of well known international athletes have effectively completed barefoot. Barefoot running in long distance events is clearly not a hindrance to performance (Montgomery, 2010).Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the most appropriate mode of dressing during running; this includes running in shoes and barefoot running. Proponents of barefoot running, as indicated by Montgomery (2010), argue that it enhances foot biomechanics and also reduces risk to injury. My concern on the issue of barefoot running increased after realizing that quite a number of runners complete in bare feet during major events. This review is aimed at showing that running barefo ot increases performance and reduces the risk of injury.Benefits of barefoot running Studies, according to Barkoviak (2010), have revealed that people who run barefoot greatly avoid heel-striking and instead land on the mid section of the foot. As a result these runners utilize the architecture of the foot and leg in addition to some physics devised by Isaac Newton to prevent damaging and potentially hurtful effects, which are two to three times equal the body weight, that shod heel-strikers repeatedly undergo through (Warburton, 2001).Barefoot runners are at an advantage as compared to those who run in shoes, because they subject their feet to minimal damage due to the fact that they hold their feet differently (Hersher, 2010). They land on the midsection or the front of their foot thereby greatly reducing impact collision. People who run in shoes, on the other hand, generate a very high collision impact when they heel-strike. Barefoot runners tend to land with a bouncy step toward the front of the foot.Barefoot runners also tend to stretch out their toes more at landing; this helps them avoid collision by reducing the effective weight of the foot that suddenly comes to a stop after landing and through a springy leg (McDougall, 2010). A lot of people think that barefoot running is dangerous and hurtful, but in reality an individual can run on the worlds hardest and roughest surfaces without experiencing any discomfort or pain. However heel-striking is painful when running barefoot (McDougall, 2010).This is because it causes a great collisional force every time a foot lands on the ground. Modern running shoes are designed in such a way as to make heel-striking comfortable and easy. The padded heels, of modern shoes, reduce the force of impact and as a result make heel-striking less punishing. However, people who run in shoes only use a small percentage of their leg muscles. On the contrary, barefoot runners use different muscles of their legs (Warburton, 2001) . As a result the strength of their calf and foot muscles is developed rapidly (Warburton, 2001).Studies, as Barkoviak (2010) asserts, have revealed that damage to the foot muscles is higher in people who run in shoes as compared to those who run barefoot. It has been discovered that chronic damage to bone and connective tissue in the legs are uncommon in developing countries, where people usually run barefoot, as compared to developed countries, where it is rare to find a person running barefoot (McDougall, 2010). Running shoes tends to aggravate the risk of plantar fasciitis in addition to other chronic damage of the lower limb through adjusting the transfer of shock to muscles as well as other supporting structures (Montgomery, 2010).Montgomery (2010) argues that running in shoes makes the small muscles in the legs to weaken, and the connective tissue and natural arches to stop functioning properly. Shoes insert orthotics as well as extra padding, which results in poor foot biome chanics and increase in the risk of damage to the foot, leg, and the knees (Hersher, 2010). Muscles, tendons, and ligaments of barefoot runners are stronger as compared to those who run in shoes. This strength helps them develop a more natural gait thereby improving the balance of athletes along with helping them stay connected with their environment.Barefoot running is also economically beneficial, in regards to the energy cost of running, as compared to running in shoes. Research, according to Barkoviak (2010), has shown that increasing the amount of mass on the feet increases the rate of oxygen consumption. Running barefoot is as Warburton (2001) argues, beneficial as it reduces the rate of oxygen consumption thereby enabling athletes to compete effectively. However, as a disadvantage, it is impossible to run barefoot in some weather conditions due to minimal foot protection. Running shoes are very beneficial in extreme weather conditions as they play a protective role.Conclusion Barefoot running is more beneficial a compared to running in shoes. There is a growing trend of athletes going shoeless and taking on the lifestyle of running barefoot. Proponents of barefoot running argue that it enhances foot biomechanics and also reduces risk to injury. People who run barefoot greatly avoid heel-striking and utilize the whole architecture of the foot and leg thereby enhancing the development of their foot muscles, ligaments and tendons. Damage to bone and connective tissue in the legs is less common in people who run barefoot.Muscles, tendons, and ligaments of barefoot runners are stronger as compared to those who run in shoes. Running barefoot is beneficial as it reduces the rate of oxygen consumption thereby enabling athletes to compete effectively. Reference: Barkoviak M. , (2010), Study: Running Barefoot Better Than Wearing Running Shoes, Retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://www. dailytech. com/Study+Running+Barefoot+ Better+Than+Wearing+Running+Shoes/articl e17535. htm Hersher R. , (2010), Barefoot running easier on feet than running shoes: New research castsdoubts on some major assumptions, retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://harvardscience. harvard. edu/foundations/articles/barefoot-running-easier-feet-running-shoes McDougall C. , (2010), Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never, ISBN 0307279189: Vintage Books Montgomery B. , (2010), Barefoot Running: Should You Ditch Your Running Shoes and Bare it All? Retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://walking-runningtraining. suite101. com/article .cfm/barefoot-running Warburton M. , (2001), Barefoot Running, retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://www. sportsci .org/jour/0103/mw. htm

Over Reliance on Technology Essay

It’s 2010 and the human species as we know is in a monumental technological crossroads. Globally, we have defined the age of technological and industrial growth. As a whole our society has always been improving on all of the technological inventions to provide the general public with seamless automated and convenient applications to our personal and work life. In the age of pin size microchips and artificial intelligence the sky is the limit to our advancement of faster and more integrated technology. We as a society have embraced all of the new technological advancements and have integrated it throughout all aspects of human life. This over reliance on technology has taken away an aspect of human interaction that is vital to the way we have conducted ourselves in the past. It brings up many questions about the role technology is playing in our everyday lives. We seem to be on the constant search for ways that reduce the time worked. I-phones, Blackberry and other communication devices are always getting faster and more integrated. Specifically, the I-phone has applications that can be downloaded pertaining to just about anything. There is an application that can be downloaded that connects your I-phone to your house’s burglar alarm as well an application that can cipher passwords for alarm systems as well. Yes, I agree that this is the direction we have been catapulted in and it seems like there is not a safety net for us. Reliance on technology simply means that our personal world cannot function without the use of technological devices. According to a study done by National Public Radio, 68% of Americans say that they use a computer on the job. Of those 68%, 84% say that the use of a computer is crucial to their job being completed. (Mcphilson) A great example showing how technological advancements have taken away the human interactive experience involves the insurance industry. According to an article by Ara C Trembly, he explains how new customer service technology implemented by the major insurance companies across the United States has failed to live up to the satisfaction of the majority of these companies clients. He states â€Å"For example, at the beginning of this decade. Customer relationship management (CRM) technology was all the rage in insurance circles with carriers falling over each other trying to get (CRM) systems  implemented within there companies. As many now know, (CRM) was-on balance- a colossal flop in the insurance industry. It was a fully automated system that led clients through a corn maze of automated directions for the client. This idea was not accepted by the customers as a whole. It caused great confusion and landed most of the companies in hot water with there clients.† (Trembly) The main reason for the (CRM) failure was the lack of guidance for the clients and not being able to connect to a live representative in a timely manner to discuss there financial inquiries. The program was doomed from the beginning. What the insurance industry failed to realize was that the same visceral human interactive experience that secured the clients in the first place was being replaced with a robotic voice that cannot be spoken to. The public in general rejected this technological advancement due to a lack of human interaction. Further defending the viewpoint that over reliance on technology can be detrimental, an article by Shankar Vedantam explains what he describes as the â€Å"automation paradox†. He shows how disaster may erupt from over reliance on technology meant to minimize human error. Although, mainly addressing automated systems such as cruise control, he cites a cruise ship accident in which crewmembers were so trusting of their GPS that when the device accidently disconnected, the crew did not notice and simply followed the emergency plan route. He says â€Å"The problem is when individuals start to over trust or become complacent and put too much emphasis on the automation.† (Marcellus) It shows how we have become so reliant on technology especially, GPS, that we are not trained to detect if the information being relayed to the transmitter is correct or not. Back in the old maritime days before GPS and radar were available the captains and crew of all of the big ocean liners were well versed in charting maps, currents and reading compasses. The innovation of radar and sonar helped the skippers chart there courses more precisely. The invention of GPS basically allowed for complete course charts with limited crew interface. The GPS program would chart, estimate  fuel consumption and engage in autopilot so the duties of the maritime crews changed. The training is now eased with the use of computers and GPS. The real math calculations and degree settings that the crew would work as a team to produce is now being produced in seconds, not always correct I may add by a microchip and satellite. Humans are regressing in education and knowledge due to the over reliance on computers and technology. We seem to be embracing all of these technological advances without fully understanding the long term ramifications of this decision. We are constantly seeking out short term gains and improvements without really taking into consideration the whole big picture for future generations. As the absolute most vital connector we own, our computer as a tool is an amazingly useful aid. It has helped architects and engineers design and provide more reliable, interesting structures and buildings. It has allowed us to split atoms and categorize the human genome. Completely take the guesswork out of business intelligence and product demand curves. It even allows us to exchange money in the form of bits and bytes instead of actual paper money changing hands. As a foundation for an important economic pillar in our country we may heading for trouble. It is well known in the IT community that any computer can be hacked into. A question arises with amount of trust that you should put into this technology knowing that at any moment your computer could compromised by hackers and wrongdoers. We as a society have reached our capacity on our electrical grids. Being so reliant on electricity to run all of our new technological devices it sounds like a rather simple idea on how to bring down a modern day society. Cut the electric off. Talk about being thrown back into the early 1800’s real quick. As our thirst for electricity increases and our infrastructure fails to keep pace with demand we will be ultimately be forced to live like the pre-electric 1800’s era people. We as species have become very sedentary and non motile with all of our technological devices that make our lives easier but less interactive. The price we pay as a society will be enormous. Instead of trying to make our lives easier we should be developing ways to make the species as a whole more adaptative to new technology without losing the human interaction. (Technology Reliance) Maybe when it is all said and done we should have taken some meaningful advise from our Amish brother and sisters. According to an article by James Surowiecki of Technology Review â€Å"Amish people are less likely to have depression and are consistently happier than the rest of society. This is partly due to the strong community ties ,stable families and unchanging faith. Not believing in modern technology such as the Amish people believe made for reliance on there fellow man instead of a Blackberry. Towns would get together and build houses for the residents and providing what was needed to maintain a fruitful happy life. (Surowiecki) The Amish people make for a strong argument that technology does not have to be over relied upon. In conclusion, technology as we know and understand it is always compounding on itself. We as a society need to embrace the advancements of our great inventors but never forget the process it took to get that point. Technology without education is pointless. We can overcome this dilemma by not letting education standards go by the wayside while our technology races to infinity. Works Cited Page Marcellus, Jill. â€Å"Misled by GPS, Careless Drivers Reveal Dangers of Over-Reliance on Technology.† 30 July 2009. finding Dulcinea. . Mcphilson, Susan. National Public Radio. 28 July 2010. . Surowiecki, James. Technological Reveiw (2010). Technology Reliance. 6 July 2010. Trembly, Ara C. â€Å"Over Reliance on Technology is an Ever-Present Danger.† 18 August 2009: 2.

A Beautiful Mind - A film review essays

A Beautiful Mind - A film review essays The director Ron Howard's latest film, A Beautiful Mind, is a entertaining, enlightening and compassionate drama witch tackles the trials and tribulations of a genius suffering from schizophrenia. The film is a the true story of a mathematician named John Forbes Nash Jr. who is played by Russell Crowe whom won a Academy Oscar for his portrait as Maximus in The Gladiator. We first meet John Nash at Princeton University in 1947 as a mathematician with social problems due to paranoid schizophrenia. Hes brilliant and doesnt hold back on expressing the capacity and merits of his brain to his peers. As a matter of fact he is already so above the institutional standards that he chooses to skip classes. He doesnt have much luck with women either and found himself being slapped in the face all too often with his blunt, "why don't we skip to the sex" line. Still, he understand his personal condition, so he has as little contact with people as possible, and spends most of his time in his dorm room searching for a discovery of a new theory. He is basically a smart, shy jerk with a wry sense of humour. Shortly after receiving recognition for his theories at Princeton, he becomes a professor at the prestigious school of MIT and begins teaching. He attracts the attention of one of his physic students, Alicia Larde, (played by Jennifer Connelly) and she finds Nash's eccentricities charming and asks him out to dinner. By 1957 the two were married. But at about the same time he meets his future wife, he also meets the compelling government agent (Ed Harris) who recruits the professor to break codes for the Department of Defence. It is only a few years later that Nash's schizophrenia is diagnosed. He becomes paranoid and delusional and at times violent. His world comes crashing down around him. People and things he believes are real are only in his head. Nash can no longer be convinced about who is real and who is in his h...

Communism and Small Elite Group Essay

Communism and Small Elite Group Essay Communism and Small Elite Group Essay Revolution goals and outcomes of Russia and Mexico (Similarities) * Both revolutions were started by the lower, working class because they wanted a government who would support them and not just the wealthy and powerful - Mexico - large sectors of the economy were controlled by foreigners. Most of the land was owned by a small elite group of people (pg 711) * Both governments had a lot of corruption and did not support the working class who protested the conditions of early industrialization (Russia pg 713). - Industrial nationalism disrupted manufacturing in Russia creating more economic hardship by increasing unemployment and famine. (pg 715) - Mexico – the corrupt government would punish the working class when they would oppose the loss of their lands and horrible working conditions (pg711) * Although the Mexican Revolution was caused primarily by internal forces, it was eventually influenced by the outbreak of WWI . The war caused a disruption of traditional markets for Latin American exports and the elimination of European sources of goods forced them to rely on themselves. (pg 711) Revolutionary outbursts in Russia were even more so spurred by wartime misery, including painful food shortages and great loss of life. (pg 677 and 713) * One common goal of the revolutions was to reassert greater national autonomy and move away from Western influence, economic control and cultural influence. (pg 718) * Outcome: both countries put land redistribution policies in place to try to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. (pg 712 – Mexican Constitution of 1917) Russia – Lenin decreed a redistribution of land to the peasantry and launched a state takeover of basic industry. (pg 715) Revolution goals and outcomes of Russia and Mexico (Differences) * The new Russian government tried to establish a classless society (Marxism) where everyone had complete equality. Liberal leaders (the czar) had held

Anazlyzing George Bush's speech Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Anazlyzing George Bush's speech - Case Study Example He also uses pathos to evoke the feeling of sympathy from his audience when he says â€Å"Sadam Hussein has placed Iraqi troop and equipment in civilian areas attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shield for his own military- a final atrocity against his own people.† The audience cannot avoid feeling sorry for the Iraqi citizens and supporting the course of the United States army. Bush cleverly woos the support of the audience by asserting that the main objective of America is to ensure peace and liberate the people of Iraq. He also uses ethos effectively, deriving the credibility of his status as the president of the most powerful nation of the world. He gets people to believe that the war in Iraq is nothing but over with the United States registering victory. Bush also uses logic fallacy, when he created an impression that the war against Sadam Hussein was over when the reality was that he was diverting attention from ailing economy of the United

Pasta Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pasta - Essay Example Considering that pasta is made from healthy items like wheat and corn and that it is relatively cheaper, â€Å"total U.S. consumption rose 0.4 percent by volume, according to The Nielsen Co (cited in The Associated Press). With the inflation speeding up through out the American grocery stores a few years back, pasta suddenly became the top priority of American public concerning food. Chief executives of many pasta companies in US claim that the way sales of other goods got reduced, pasta sales did not reduce as commodity prices jumped up which shows that American people certainly do not know what to do without pasta (Twiddy). Availability in a wide variety of attractive shapes makes pasta a favorite item of the American cuisine presently. Nutritional value, great taste, and economical value majorly contribute to pasta’s popularity in America. According to the American Pasta Report, â€Å"77% of the 1,003 Americans surveyed said they eat pasta at least once a week, while a third eat it three or more times a week† (New Taste Dimensions Foods, Inc). Concluding, pasta remains highly popular food item in America because it is everything what any food item is required to be since it is cheap, tasty, and nutritious. The interesting thing about the research is that pasta pairs quite harmoniously with recession as well, which I did not know before. The Associated Press. â€Å"Forget the carbs, pasta pairs well with recession.† Msnbc.com. 21 Jan. 2009. Web. 01 Dec. 2011.

What do I think the life of a paralegal looks like Essay

What do I think the life of a paralegal looks like - Essay Example The life of a paralegal is challenging due to the demanding tasks, strict deadlines, work overloads and long working hours. A day in the life of a paralegal often starts at 9.00 am on arrival at the office where the paralegal must go through his e-mail and check for any letters at his or her desk. The individual must first finish with any administrative duties such as filling the paperwork and responding to e-mails from clients and his or her boss. The individual is expected to interview clients and attend meetings the boss and life can be stressful especially when the individual is not aware of the current status of the ongoing cases. The opportunity to display well-honed practical legal skills presents itself when the boss calls the paralegal to prepare a legal research on a certain case. A paralegal is tasked with legal research and is one of the tasks that occupies most of the paralegal’s time since it entails looking for details of past court rulings on similar cases, court decisions, verdicts of trials and relevant statutes that support the lawyer’s case arguments. The work is tedious and time-consuming since a paralegal is expected to have the current writings and documents that uncover the facts about a case in an organized and concise manner. The individual will be required to draft and write legal documents and attorneys expect one to have top-notch writing skills. In a day, a paralegal can draft, review and write several pleadings, case findings and legal memorandums and this requires one to remain attentive to details and present the ideas coherently in the writings. The paralegal will have to prepare court memos and briefs or write minutes during meetings. Depending on the field specialization, the paralegal will assist the attorney in filing tax returns or drafting contract documents. In short, a paralegal writes many documents during his or work and advises clients on

Managing Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Managing Change - Essay Example Lewin’s change model: The model has three stages, these are: Unfreeze, Change and Refreeze. The unfreeze stage involves convincing the organization that the change is necessary. This is done by artificially creating a minor crisis that leads to the required motivation for the change. Change stage owing to the uneasiness faced by the people in the unfreeze stage, the employees start believing and acting in the direction of the change. Some employees take to change quickly where as some people who are genuinely affected by the change take time to adopt the change. In the final stage termed ‘refreeze’, as the change is being accepted, the employees are supported in order to help them to adapt to the change in a better manner. Discuss the external and internal forces that create the need for organizational change There are two types of forces those generate the need for a change in an organization. These are: i) external forces: Industry Standards, Government Regulati ons, Technology trends, Socio-Economical aspects. ii) Internal forces: Strategic decisions, Changes in technology and Employee attitudes etc. External forces are beyond the control of an organization, e.g. personal computers replaced the electronic typewriters, the employees had to be trained on the use of personal computers. Similarly, in the case of internal forces, if the company needs to change its business from services to production then the organization will need employees with different skill sets, hence the change. Kotter's Eight Steps for Leading Organizational Change: Professor John Kotter of Harvard Business School has mentioned Kotter’s eight steps for leading organizational change in his book â€Å"Leading Change†. These eight steps are: 1. Establish the sense of urgency – this sense can be created by very honest and clear discussions depicting the real state of affairs like poor sales figures. If people start talking about it this will lead to mot ivation, hence the sense of urgency for the change will appear. 2. Form a strong coalition: Coalition will not get formed unless the organization identifies few forward looking leaders. After these leaders have been identified, they must be committed. Their weak areas are worked upon to make them better leaders. 3. Create a vision: The vision of the organization needs to be created, this is summarized and familiarized by the leaders. A strategy is then worked out for implementing the vision. 4. Communicate the vision: The vision is discussed and talked about amongst the employees, the idea is to address the queries and anxieties of the workers. All types of changes are linked with the vision. 5. Remove Obstacles: After the system is in place for working out the change, the people who oppose this change need to be identified. The barriers and obstacles are also identified and then the needful is done to remove these issues. 6. Plan and create short term wins: Initially change is impl emented in the projects those are certain. This is done to pose confidence in employees about the change. 7. Consolidate improvements and produce more

International business management Strategic Information Management Essay

International business management Strategic Information Management - Essay Example SIM is important because information tends to become vague and complicated and very often it can be Organisational Activity can demonstrate a lack of quality in the information.2 A Strategic Information System (SIS) aligns itself with the management strategy and the structure of a Firm and allows the timely response to changes recurring in the business environment and competition issues.3 Wiseman (1985) has defined the strategic information system (SIS) as, "The information system to support or change enterprise's strategy."4 The general perspective of Information management involves a reference to the management of any kind of information .This may involve document management, electronic document management records management, document imaging, process automation and digital asset management.(Wiseman 1985) Historically information management was subject to the nuances of bureaucratic procedures and had a limited role in management decisions.(Galliers 1991).The potential of profit by information management systems has only emerged in the recent decades and the modern businesses view information as a weapon against competition and a strategic resource. (Galliers 1991).The former attitude changed radically in the mid-sixties when organisations started viewing information as a tool for general management support. Until the decade of the eighties however information management was limited to weekly financial and management reporting and accounts of inventory and arrears.(Galliers 1991) During the early nineties these information systems emerged as serving a special purpose. At this point information systems like decision-support systems (DSS)5 and executive support systems (ESS)6 became popular with the main aim of support and the fast expedition of the decision-making process of organisations (managers and executives). (Swatman 1995). Prominent examples of Strategic information systems have included the use of SABRE and APOLLO by the US Airlines in the past for the increase in travel bookings of these Carriers by making sure their names appeared on the first screens of the travel agents.7 In the recent times Information has emerged as a strategic resource to gain competitive advantage, as well as to defeat and frustrate the competition. (Porter 1985).An important example quoted by Porter (1985) of information management is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 the philosophy behind which was to manage information by requiring federal government agencies to develop an information resource officer's role. Such systems being an integral part of SIM ensure the organisations survival in the fast track corporate world. Porter(1985) has also identified a value chain model to help identify problem areas in information systems in order to supply a strategic advantage. Porter (1980) has also identified the competitive forces model which describes a number of external threats and opportunities which can be countered by competitive strategies. See below for a model diagram of both these concepts. The potential of information systems is immense as it can be developed to not only defeat rivals but also to counter the pressure from competing substitutes and an

EXtensible Business Reporting Language Research Paper

EXtensible Business Reporting Language - Research Paper Example Currently, the SEC requires that all companies should utilize the XBRL format in presenting their financial statements and reports. Owing to the constant push for the use of the new business and finance communication mode, this paper explores potential advantages and disadvantages of XBRL implementation for business entities. Advantages of XBRL The proponents of XBRL have hinted that entrepreneurs and business entities stand to benefit greatly from XBRL implementation. Some of these befits include: i. It Is Accepted Globally As a Business Information Sharing Tool XBRL is readily accessible in many parts of the world and enhances information dissemination and sharing in various languages through electronic means. XBRL makes it possible for investors to conduct nearly real-time assessments because increases information accessibility. Data tagged in XBRL can be transformed into various formats such as HTML or spreadsheets, depending on the needs of the users. Owing to its global presenc e and high level of accessibility and acceptability, it reduces the cost of mechanizing business information (Gelinas, Dull & Wheeler, 2012). ii. XBRL Benefits Many Stakeholders XBRL can be utilized by investors to perform analysis of financial reports by corporation, thus making it a desirable tool. It allows corporations to automate their information and reduce manual processes of financial reporting. For the government, XBRL facilitate the collection of information about various businesses in the country. XBRL also ensures high level of information sharing efficiency (Stabryla, 2012). iii. XBRL Can Be Multi-Purpose XBRL functions beyond financial reporting role. It is applicable in many business information sharing scenarios. It is capable of streamlining the process of preparing and reporting tax returns. It also facilitates distribution of non-financial information such as production quantities as well as stock reserves among others. XBRL can also be fundamental for ensuring in ternal organizational efficiencies by facilitating smooth flow of information electronically from source to where they are needed most. It also facilitates data sharing between organizations and their customers, suppliers and strategic partners among others (Garner, McKee & McKee, 2008). XBRL can facilitate mechanization of purchase process and invoice reception and many other processes. iv. It Facilitates Substantiation and Reusability XBRL can speed up the process of financial reporting and information sharing process of an organization. It can greatly enhance spreadsheet functionalities through facilitation of electronic information access, which helps to alleviate human input inaccuracy during entry. Information conveyed through XBRL remains for a long period of time and can be re-used over and over again if needed (Bergeron, 2004). v. It Is an Open Source The last benefit of XBRL is that it is an open source. Corporations can create taxonomies that can be used at no cost for th eir users. Because it is freely accessible, corporations can maximize from it while at the same time ensuring low cost of its implementation (Bergeron, 2004). Disadvantages of XBRL In spite of all the benefits that come with XBRL, there are some disadvantages that are associated with the tool. Some of these disadvantages include: i. XBRL Amplifies the Likelihood of Error One of the most pointed out shortcomings of XBRL is its

Managing Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Managing Change - Essay Example Lewin’s change model: The model has three stages, these are: Unfreeze, Change and Refreeze. The unfreeze stage involves convincing the organization that the change is necessary. This is done by artificially creating a minor crisis that leads to the required motivation for the change. Change stage owing to the uneasiness faced by the people in the unfreeze stage, the employees start believing and acting in the direction of the change. Some employees take to change quickly where as some people who are genuinely affected by the change take time to adopt the change. In the final stage termed ‘refreeze’, as the change is being accepted, the employees are supported in order to help them to adapt to the change in a better manner. Discuss the external and internal forces that create the need for organizational change There are two types of forces those generate the need for a change in an organization. These are: i) external forces: Industry Standards, Government Regulati ons, Technology trends, Socio-Economical aspects. ii) Internal forces: Strategic decisions, Changes in technology and Employee attitudes etc. External forces are beyond the control of an organization, e.g. personal computers replaced the electronic typewriters, the employees had to be trained on the use of personal computers. Similarly, in the case of internal forces, if the company needs to change its business from services to production then the organization will need employees with different skill sets, hence the change. Kotter's Eight Steps for Leading Organizational Change: Professor John Kotter of Harvard Business School has mentioned Kotter’s eight steps for leading organizational change in his book â€Å"Leading Change†. These eight steps are: 1. Establish the sense of urgency – this sense can be created by very honest and clear discussions depicting the real state of affairs like poor sales figures. If people start talking about it this will lead to mot ivation, hence the sense of urgency for the change will appear. 2. Form a strong coalition: Coalition will not get formed unless the organization identifies few forward looking leaders. After these leaders have been identified, they must be committed. Their weak areas are worked upon to make them better leaders. 3. Create a vision: The vision of the organization needs to be created, this is summarized and familiarized by the leaders. A strategy is then worked out for implementing the vision. 4. Communicate the vision: The vision is discussed and talked about amongst the employees, the idea is to address the queries and anxieties of the workers. All types of changes are linked with the vision. 5. Remove Obstacles: After the system is in place for working out the change, the people who oppose this change need to be identified. The barriers and obstacles are also identified and then the needful is done to remove these issues. 6. Plan and create short term wins: Initially change is impl emented in the projects those are certain. This is done to pose confidence in employees about the change. 7. Consolidate improvements and produce more

EXtensible Business Reporting Language Research Paper

EXtensible Business Reporting Language - Research Paper Example Currently, the SEC requires that all companies should utilize the XBRL format in presenting their financial statements and reports. Owing to the constant push for the use of the new business and finance communication mode, this paper explores potential advantages and disadvantages of XBRL implementation for business entities. Advantages of XBRL The proponents of XBRL have hinted that entrepreneurs and business entities stand to benefit greatly from XBRL implementation. Some of these befits include: i. It Is Accepted Globally As a Business Information Sharing Tool XBRL is readily accessible in many parts of the world and enhances information dissemination and sharing in various languages through electronic means. XBRL makes it possible for investors to conduct nearly real-time assessments because increases information accessibility. Data tagged in XBRL can be transformed into various formats such as HTML or spreadsheets, depending on the needs of the users. Owing to its global presenc e and high level of accessibility and acceptability, it reduces the cost of mechanizing business information (Gelinas, Dull & Wheeler, 2012). ii. XBRL Benefits Many Stakeholders XBRL can be utilized by investors to perform analysis of financial reports by corporation, thus making it a desirable tool. It allows corporations to automate their information and reduce manual processes of financial reporting. For the government, XBRL facilitate the collection of information about various businesses in the country. XBRL also ensures high level of information sharing efficiency (Stabryla, 2012). iii. XBRL Can Be Multi-Purpose XBRL functions beyond financial reporting role. It is applicable in many business information sharing scenarios. It is capable of streamlining the process of preparing and reporting tax returns. It also facilitates distribution of non-financial information such as production quantities as well as stock reserves among others. XBRL can also be fundamental for ensuring in ternal organizational efficiencies by facilitating smooth flow of information electronically from source to where they are needed most. It also facilitates data sharing between organizations and their customers, suppliers and strategic partners among others (Garner, McKee & McKee, 2008). XBRL can facilitate mechanization of purchase process and invoice reception and many other processes. iv. It Facilitates Substantiation and Reusability XBRL can speed up the process of financial reporting and information sharing process of an organization. It can greatly enhance spreadsheet functionalities through facilitation of electronic information access, which helps to alleviate human input inaccuracy during entry. Information conveyed through XBRL remains for a long period of time and can be re-used over and over again if needed (Bergeron, 2004). v. It Is an Open Source The last benefit of XBRL is that it is an open source. Corporations can create taxonomies that can be used at no cost for th eir users. Because it is freely accessible, corporations can maximize from it while at the same time ensuring low cost of its implementation (Bergeron, 2004). Disadvantages of XBRL In spite of all the benefits that come with XBRL, there are some disadvantages that are associated with the tool. Some of these disadvantages include: i. XBRL Amplifies the Likelihood of Error One of the most pointed out shortcomings of XBRL is its

Education in India Essay Example for Free

Education in India Essay Takshasila was the earliest recorded centre of higher learning in India from at least 5th century BCE and it is debatable whether it could be regarded a university or not. The Nalanda University was the oldest university-system of education in the world in the modern sense of university. [2] Western education became ingrained into Indian society with the establishment of the British Raj. Overall System Education in India is provided by the public sector as well as the private sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: central,state, and local. Education in India falls under the control of both the Union Government and the State Governments, with some responsibilities lying with the Union and the states having autonomy for others. The various articles of the Indian Constitution provide for education as a fundamental right. Most universities in India are controlled by the Union or the State Government. The National Policy on Education (NPE) is a policy formulated by the Government of India to promote education amongst Indias people. The policy covers elementary education to colleges in both rural and urban India. The first NEP was promulgated in 1968 by the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the second by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. It emphasizes three aspects in relation to elementary education: * universal access and enrolment, * universal retention of children up to 14 years of age, and * a substantial improvement in the quality of education to enable all children to achieve * Revival of Sanskrit and other classical languages for contemporary use. Today education system in India can be divided into many stages. * Pre- Primary It consists of children of 3-5 years of age studying in nursery, lower kindergarten and upper kindergarten. At this stage student is given knowledge about school life and is taught to read and write some basic words. * Primary It includes the age group of children of 6-11 years studying in classes from first to fifth. * Middle It consists of children studying in classes from sixth to eighth. * Secondary it includes students studying in classes ninth and tenth. * Higher Secondary Includes students studying in eleventh and twelfth classes. * Undergraduate Here, a student goes through higher education, which is completed in college. This course may vary according to the subject pursued by the student. For medical student this stage is of four and a half years plus one year of compulsory internship, while a simple graduate degree can be attained in three years. * Postgraduate After completing graduation a student may opt for post graduation to further add to his qualifications. 10+2+3 pattern [. * The central and most state boards uniformly follows the 10+2+3 pattern of education. [11]:3 In this pattern, 10 years of primary and secondary education is followed by 2 years of higher secondary (usually in schools having the higher secondary facility, or in colleges),[11]:44 and then 3 years of college education for bachelors degree. [12] Distant Education * National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi is one of the mega open universities in the world and caters to around 1 million students around the world. Vocational Education. Vocational Education at Certificate level are offered by 1500 vocational institutions in the country in the areas of agriculture, business, commerce, health and para-medical, home science and humanities in addition to engineering trades. Primary Education in India The World Education Forum, held in 2000 set an ambitious goal: universal primary education by the year 2015. Schooling all children until they reach young adulthood is recognized as important because it leads to many substantial positive effects: better family health, lower birth rate, higher productivity, higher earnings, and improved economics of the country as a whole. Globally, however, more than 115 million children of primary school age do not attend school. The Indian government lays emphasis on primary education up to the age of fourteen years, referred to as elementary education in India. [14] The Indian government has also banned child labour in order to ensure that the children do not enter unsafe working conditions. Further, education has been made free[14] for children for 6 to 14 years of age or up to class VIII under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. [18] Current status of primary education in IndiaAbout 20% of Indian children between the ages of six and 14 are not enrolled in school. Even among enrolled children, attendance rates are low and 26% of pupils enrolled in primary school drop out before Grade 5. The situation is worse in certain sectors of the population Despite a vibrant emerging economy and a string of excellent colleges that produce high caliber professionals, India has not made the grade yet on primary education. Hurdles in primary education (double it as general problems as well) Shortage of resources and lack of political will. High pupil to teacher ratios,(shortage of teachers –one teacher schools) Shortage of infrastructure and poor levels of teacher training. (toilet for girls etc. ) The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education of 2009 recommended longer preparation for teachers, but the B. Ed curriculum structure continued to be for a single year. There is also a lack of enough skilled trainers and preparation to develop skills, abilities and attitudes to teach students. Poverty and illiteracy of the parent Gender Issues(girls cannot study). Social Issues like caste system (some castes are not allowed) Several efforts to enhance quality made by the government. (primary education) The District Education Revitalization Programme (DERP) was launched in 1994 with an aim to universalize primary education in India by reforming and vitalizing the existing primary education system. [19] 85% of the DERP was funded by the central government and the remaining 15 percent was funded by the states. [19] The DERP, which had opened 160000 new schools including 84000 alternative education schools delivering alternative education to approximately 3. 5 million children, was also supported by UNICEF and other international programmes. [19] . [19] Significant improvement in staffing and enrollment of girls has also been made as a part of this scheme. [19] The current scheme for universalization of Education for All is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which is one of the largest education initiatives in the world. Enrollment has been enhanced, but the levels of quality HERE first Write to improve all the above negative issues. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)/Right to Education (RTE). Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All Movement) is a programme by the Government of India aimed at the universalization of elementary education in a time bound manner, as mandated by the 86th amendment to the Constitution of India making free education to children aged 6–14 (estimated to be 205 million in number in 2001) a fundamental right. The programme was pioneered by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. SSA is being implemented in partnership with State Governments to cover the entire country and address the needs of 192 million children in 1. 1 million habitations. In FY 2009-10,60% of SSA funds came from GOI. This has now been revised to 65%. The programme is looking to open new schools in those habitations without schooling facilities and to strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants. SSA is now the primary vehicle for implementing the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE). National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) The National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL), is a focused intervention of Government of India, to reach the â€Å"Hardest to Reach† girls, especially those not in school. Launched in July 2003, it is an important component of SSA, which provides additional support for enhancing girl’s education over and above the investments for girl’s education through normal SSA interventions. The programme provides for development of a â€Å"model school† in every cluster with more intense community mobilization and supervision of girls enrolment in schools. Gender sensitization of teachers, development of gender-sensitive learning materials, and provision of need-based incentives like escorts, stationery, workbooks and uniforms are some of the endeavors under the programme. The future of primary education in India The importance of universal primary education has now been widely recognized by everyone involved. Policies and pledges are easy to make but implementation can be difficult and goals hard to achieve, especially in a vast and populous country such as India. International agencies, the government of India, and the numerous NGOs will have to work together with will, wisdom and tremendous energy to make their desire for universal primary education by 2015 a reality in India. Secondary education. For several decades, it has been argued in the literature that secondary education needs to be expanded both as a response to increased social demand and as a feeder cadre for higher education, giving little emphasis to its other important functions. It is also argued that investment in secondary education yields considerable social and economic returns, making it crucial for national development India is following a service-led growth model and striving hard to survive the global competition, in these conditions it is being increasingly recognised that secondary education, is the most critical segment of the education chain. Apart from the bottom-up pressure (i. e. arising from the growth of primary schooling) and the top-down pressure (as the source of potential intakes for higher education) for its expansion, there is a need to pay greater attention to secondary education as it caters to the needs of the most important segment of the population – adolescents and youth, the source of the future human and social capital of a nation. Secondary education covers children 14–18 which covers 88. 5 million children according to the Census, 2001. Features * A significant feature of Indias secondary school system is the emphasis on inclusion of the disadvantaged sections of the society. * Professionals from established institutes are often called to support in vocational training. * Another feature of Indias secondary school system is its emphasis on profession based vocational training to help students attain skills for finding a vocation of his/her choosing. [27] * A significant new feature has been the extension of SSA to secondary education in the form of the Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan[28] Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) programme was started in 1974 with a focus on primary education. [7] but which was converted into Inclusive Education at Secondary Stage[29] The government started the Kendriya Vidyalaya project in 1965 for the employees of the central government of India to provide uniform education in institutions following the same syllabus at the same pace regardless of the location to which the employees family has been transferred. [7] Policy Initiatives in secondary education After independence, the first step towards improving policy planning for development of secondary education was the setting up of the Secondary Education Commission in 1952(also known as the Mudaliar Commission). The primary objective of the Commission was todiagnose the growth pattern and suggest measures for reorganisation and improvement ofsecondary education. The commission’s major recommendation was to develop a 3-yearnational system of secondary education after 8-years of elementary education (8 + 3 systemof school education) to make it a complete stage. The commission also recommended thereconstruction of the syllabus to provide a wider and more balanced course and adopt mother tongue as the medium of instruction (Kabir, 1955). Nearly one-and-a-half decades after the Mudaliar Commission, the Kothari Commission(1964-66), while articulating goals and objectives at all stages of education in the context ofnational development priorities, recommended for a 4-year secondary education system anddiscontinuing the practice of ‘streaming’ up to Grade X. It may be noted that, ten years afterthe commission submitted its report; education was placed in the Concurrent List States and the centre responsible for its development. This changed the policy context fordevelopment of secondary education. The National Policy on Education (NPE), of 1986 subsequently reiterated the views of the Education Commission to implement a 4-year secondary education system across the states and UTs. 23 The NPE emphasised improving equitable access to secondary education and the enrolment of girls, SCs and STs, particularly in science, commerce and vocational streams (Para 5. 13 of the NPE, 1986). The NPE and the Programme of Action (POA), 1992 while recognising secondary education as a critical instrument for social change, called for its planned expansion. The NPE, (as modified in 1992) specifically laid emphasis again on increasing access to secondary education with particular focus on participation of girls, SCs and STs; increased autonomy of Boards ofSecondary Education to enhance their ability to improve quality; introduction of ICT inschool curriculum for coping with globalisation; renewed emphasis on work ethos and valuesof a humane and  composite culture in the curricula; And vocationalisation through specialisedinstitutions or through the refashioning of secondary education to meet the manpower requirements of the growing Indian economy Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) This scheme was launched in March, 2009 with the objective to enhance access to secondary education and to improve its quality. The implementation of the scheme started from 2009-10. It is envisaged to achieve an enrolment rate of 75% from 52. 26% in 2005-06 at secondary stage within 5 years of implementation of the scheme by providing a secondary school within a reasonable distance of any habitation. The other objectives include improving quality of education imparted at secondary level through making all secondary schools conform to prescribed norms, removing gender, socio-economic and disability barriers, providing universal access to secondary level education by 2017, i. e. , by the end of 12th Five Year Plan and achieving universal retention by 2020. Inclusive Education for the Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) The Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) has been launched from the year 2009-10. This Scheme replaces the earlier scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) and would provide assistance for the inclusive education of the disabled children in classes IX-XIITo enable all students with disabilities, after completing eight years of elementary schooling, to pursue further four years of secondary schooling in an inclusive and enabling environment. Higher education Indias higher education system is the third largest in the world, after China and the United States. [32] The main governing body at the tertiary level is the University Grants Commission (India), which enforces its standards, advises the government, and helps coordinate between the centre and the state. [33] Accreditation for higher learning is overseen by 12 autonomous institutions established by the University Grants Commission. [34] In India, education system is reformed. In future, India will be one of the largest education hub. After passing the Higher Secondary Examination (the grade 12 examination), students may enroll in general degree programmes such as bachelors degreein arts, commerce or science, or professional degree programmes such as engineering, law or medicine. [31] As of 2009, India has 20 central universities, 215 state universities, 100 deemed universities, 5 institutions established and functioning under the State Act, and 33 institutes which are of national importance. [33] Other institutions include 16,000 colleges, including 1,800 exclusive womens colleges, functioning under these universities and institutions. [33] The emphasis in the tertiary level of education lies on science and technology. [35] Indian educational institutions by 2004 consisted of a large number of technology institutes. [36] Distance learning is also a feature of the Indian higher education system. [36] Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), have been globally acclaimed for their standard of undergraduate education in engineering. [36] The IITs enroll about 10,000 students annually and the alumni have contributed to both the growth of the private sector and the public sectors of India. [37] Several other institutes of fundamental research such as the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Indian Institute of Science IISC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Harishchandra Research Institute (HRI), are acclaimed for their standard of research in basic sciences and mathematics. Government programs on Education Rashtriya Uchattar Shiksha Abhiyan[. The Rashtriya Uchattar Shiksha Abhiyan is a centrally sponsored flagship umbrella scheme aimed at providing strategic funding to State higher and technical institutions. States will develop comprehensive state higher education plans that utilize an interconnected strategy to address issues of expansion, equity and excellence together. Central funding will be linked to academic, administrative and financial reforms of state higher education. The Rashtriya Uchattar Shiksha Abhiyan proposes to put a ceiling of maximum number of colleges to be affiliated to any university at two hundred . [17] Higher Education and Eleventh Plan (2007-2012) With the objectives and proposals of the Plan as the basis, the report mentions that the private sector has played an instrumental role in the growth of the sector. Private institutions now account for 64% of the total number of institutions and 59% of enrollment in the country, as compared to 43% and 33%, respectively, a decade ago. The Government has also given the required thrust to the sector in its Five Year Plans. During the Eleventh Plan period (2007–2012), India achieved a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 17. 9%, up from 12. 3% at the beginning of the Plan period. India’s higher education system faces challenges on three fronts: Expansion:India’s GER of16% was much below the world average of 27%, as well as that of other emerging countries such as China (26%) and Brazil (36%) in 2010. Excellence:Faculty shortage there is 40% and 35% shortage of faculty in state and central universities, respectively. Accredited institutions 62% of universities and 90% of colleges were average or below average in 2010, on the basis of their NAAC accreditation. Low citation impact India’s relative citation impact is half the world average. Equity There is wide disparity in the GER of higher education across states and the Gross Attendance Ratio (GAR) in urban and rural areas, and gender- and community-wise Drawbacks of Indian Higher Education System * Besides top rated universities which provide highly competitive world class education to their pupils, India is also home to many universities which have been founded with the sole objective of making easy money. * Regulatory authorities like UGC and AICTE have been trying very hard to extirpate the menace of private universities which are running courses without any affiliation or recognition. Indian Government has failed to check on these education shops, which are run by big businessmen politicians. * Many private colleges and universities do not fulfill the required criterion by the Government and central bodies (UGC, AICTE, MCI, BCI etc. ) and take students for a ride. * Quality assurance mechanism has failed to stop misrepresentations and malpractices in higher education. At the same time regulatory bodies have been accused of corruption, specifically in the case of deemed-universities. [39] Road Ahead in Higher Education * Merit-based student financing: This should ensure admissions to meritorious students independent of financial background * Internationalization of education: This would entail aligning different aspects of education (curriculum, faculty, etc) to international standards * Enabling a research environment. This would involve creating adequate means of research funding and practical application of research * High quality faculty: The need of the hour is to create a conducive environment and provide incentives to attract and retain high quality faculty. * Improved technology for education delivery: Leveraging technology for enhancing the teaching-learning experience will ensure better outcomes * Employability: Making education-industry relevant and practical would be the right way to ensure a highly employable talent pool India’s higher education system can be expected to be better aligned to industry and global practices, and be more transparent and inclusive by the end of Twelfth Plan period, provided the Government is able to create an enabling regulatory environment and put in place robust implementation, monitoring and quality assurance mechanisms. * Legislative support. One of the most talked about bill is Foreign Universities Bill, which is supposed to facilitate entry of foreign universities to establish campuses in India. * Private Sector-The private sector can be expected to play an instrumental role in the achievement of these outcomes through the creation of knowledge networks, research and innovation centers, corporate-backed institutions, and support for faculty development. Saakshar Bharat (Saakshar Bharat)/Adult Education. The Prime Minister of India launched Saakshar Bharat, a centrally sponsored scheme of Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India (GOI), on the International Literacy Day, 8th September, 2009. It aims to further promote and strengthen Adult Education, specially of women, Education Governing Bodies he Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): This is the main governing body of education system in India. It has control over the central education system. It conducts exam and looks after the functioning of schools accredited to central education system. * The Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE): It is a board for Anglo Indian Studies in India. It conducts two examinations Indian Certificate of Secondary Education and Indian School Certificate. Indian Certificate of secondary education is a k-10 examination for those Indian students who have just completed class 10th and Indian school certificate is a k-12 public examination conducted for those studying in class 12th. * The State Government Boards: Apart from CBSE and CISCE each state in India has its own State Board of education, which looks after the educational issues. * The National Open School: It is also known as National Institute of Open Schooling. It was established by the Government Of India in 1989. It is a ray of hope for those students who cannot attend formal schools. * The International School: It controls the schools, which are accredited to curriculum of international standard. * Classification of Colleges. Colleges in India come under four different categories. This categorization is done on the basis of the kind of courses offered by them (professional/ vocational) / their ownership status( Private/ Government) or their relationship with the university (affiliated/university owned). University Colleges These colleges are managed by the university itself and situated mostly in the university campus. Government Colleges The government colleges are few, only about 15-20 percent of the total. They are managed by state governments. As in case of other colleges, the university to which these colleges are affiliated, conducts their examination, lays down the courses of studies and awards the degrees. Professional Colleges The professional colleges are mostly in the disciplines of medicine, engineering and management. There are few for other disciplines too. They are sponsored and managed either by the government or by private initiative. Privately Managed colleges About 70% of the colleges are founded by the privately owned trusts or societies. But these institutes are also governed by the rules and regulations of the university they are affiliated to. Though initially started up as a private initiative, the state government also funds these college Private Education What is it? What is the need for it ? What are benefits? What are problems with it? What can be done to streamline it? India saw the largest increase in literacy rate in the decadeof 1991–2001 — from about 52 per cent to 65 per cent. From 2001 to 2011, the literacy rate increased by 9 per cent to 74 per cent (Planning Commission 2011). The 13 per cent increase in 1991–2001 has been the largest for any 10-year period in the history of the country. Private investments and the emergence of budget private schools was the main cause for this.! As parents began to earn more in the post-reform era, they began to invest in their children. As better employment opportunities arose, the value of education became more apparent to parents. This increased demand for education was met by a rapid expansion of budget private schools The biggest success story of literacy in India has been written withprivate initiative — parents’ willingness to pay and the edupreneur innovation of an aff ordable school. In post-liberalisation India, the importance of the private sector in economic growth is well understood and appreciated. For economic growth, the state’s role is primarily to enable the private sector as a facilitator, prudent regulator, impartial enforcer of contracts, and at times as a financier Incentives for efficiency are also weak. Government employees have little incentive to minimise costs, fi nd and correct mistakes, innovate, and acquire necessary information about resources and consumer demand. The high teacher absenteeism in government schools is just one indicator of poor incentives. . High prices in terms of tuition fees, donations andlong queues for admissions are signs of the shortage of quality educational institutions. The same paucity of supply existed for consumer goods before the 1991 liberalisation. The license-permit-quota raj still exists in our education system. Schools and colleges need to be made accountable not to education bureaucrats (licensors) but to parents and students (customers). The government policy should be to increase choice and competition in education as it has been done in many areas of the economy — facilitate, not control. The core competency of the private and public sectors should be combined. The private sector should be allowed to produce education — manage schools and colleges — and provide it to all who can aff ord to pay. For those who cannot aff ord to pay, the government should finance their education through scholarships, education vouchers and loans. Instead of focusing on the inputs to education, the government ensures the output — meaningful, high quality learning. This approach combines the efficiency and accountability of the private sector with the equity and independent supervision of the public sector. . Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) should evaluate schools and colleges and publish the results so that parents can make informed decisions. One key goal of global reformers is to increase the accountability of schools towards parents — restructure the system so that schools are at least as much accountable to parents as they are to the education offi cials. There are many ways to achieve this goal: put parents on school boards or district education councils, give powers to parent-teacher associations, create something like our village education committees . One new idea in this bucket is that of school vouchers. Several countries have undertaken pilot projects. The voucher is a tool to change the way governments finance education, particularly of the poor. It is a coupon off ered by the government that covers full or partial cost of education at the school of the student’s choice. The schools collect vouchers from the students, deposit them in their bank accounts and the banks then credit the school accounts with equivalent money while debiting the account of the government. Section 12 of the RTE requires private unaided schools to reserve 25 per cent seats in the entry-level class (nursery or Class I) for socially disadvantaged and economically weaker sections. The government would provide private schools with reimbursements equal to their fees or the per student cost in government schools, whichever is lower. EDUCATION REFORM Just as in economic reforms, the list of education reform ideas could be quite long. This paper suggests that two principles should be the focus of reforms in the education ecosystem — effi cient use of public funds and the promotion of equity and quality through choice and competition. Achieve Efficient Use of Public Funds. (a) Fund students, not schools (school vouchers, charter schools, conditional cash transfers); (b) Convert state funding to per student basis and link it to performance; (d) Give poorly performing state schools to private parties on learning outcome contracts; (e) Hire teachers at the school level, not at the state level; Promote Equity and Quality through Choice and Competition: (i) Apply the same standards to both private as well as government schools; (ii) Annual independent learning outcome assessment across all schools; (iii) Decentralise and depoliticise syllabi and textbooks; (iv) Open Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and state board exams to all students, not only for students who study in CBSE or state board affiliated schools.

Sustainability Standards In Events Organizations

Sustainability Standards In Events Organizations In November 2007 we witnessed the release of BS8901 Event Management Standard on sustainability. This new standard was aimed at helping to improve the management systems in the events industry and thereby conduct business in a more sustainable manner. Amongst the earliest people to adopt the standard are the 2012 London Olympic Games Organizing committee. This being to oversee the tender process for the Olympic Games. BS8901 has received wide acclaim from a number of early sponsors in the events industry i.e. Live Earth, Manchester International Festival, Lords Cricket Ground and Reeds Carpets etc. BSI British Standards provides a system for managing the overall environmental, economic and social impact of an event. BS 8901 is a new standard which sets out the requirements for planning and managing a sustainable event. (Fulton) The DEFRA Minister Hillary Benn has been an immediate supporter of BS 8901 and the concept of sustainability. He was quoted as saying Lots of us love to attend music festivals and football matches but they can produce a lot of rubbish. We all have to play our part in the move to more sustainable living. (Benn). In addition to the national standard there is also the development of ISO 20121 that is being developed and finalized for the Olympic Games in 2012. The standard (ISO 20121) will take a management systems approach requiring identification of key sustainability issues like venue selection, operating procedures, supply chain management, procurement, communications, transport, and others. (Lazarte) The new ISO standard is expected to make a significant contribution to the entire event industry in the UK and Elizabeth Henderson the Director of Social and Corporate responsibility at media firm MPI stated As sustainability is becoming increasingly important for the event industry, individuals, companies and countries are setting multiple and differing standards. ISO 20121 will be developed with extensive stakeholder engagement so the industry can have one internationally recognized framework to implement sustainability (Lazarte). DEFINITIONS Definitions of sustainability in the event industry include: An enduring and balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress (Sustainable Events) There are broader definitions of sustainability as this can be applied in a number of other very different contexts. These additional contexts are explored below with definitions provided by leaders in that particular field. Sustainable Development : Sustainability encompasses the simple principle of taking from the earth only what it can provide indefinitely, thus leaving future generations no less than we have access to ourselves. Friends of the Earth http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/ Sustainable Society: Society whose long term prospect for continuing to exist are good. Such a society would be characterized by an emphasis on preserving the environment, developing strong peaceful relationships between people and nations, and an emphasis on equitable distribution of wealth. Coop America Quarterly, No. 37 Summer 1995. Sustainable Production: Sustainable Production is the creation of goods and services using processes and systems that are: non-polluting; conserving of energy and natural resources; economically efficient; safe and healthful for workers, communities, and consumers; and, socially and creatively rewarding for all working people. http://www.uml.edu/centers/LCSP/ Sustainable Agriculture: farmers in sustainable agriculture are concerned about feeding their families and paying their bills, but those are not their only goals in life. They set out to protect the land, improve their quality of life, and enhance the communities in which they live. Their day-to-day decisions are not guided by a single minded search for profit, but by a delicate balancing act among many goals. Land Stewardship Program, White Bear Lake Minnesota. Monitoring Sustainable Agriculture with Conventional Financial Data, http://www.landstewardshipproject.org From the above examples it can be observed that the general concept of sustainability has a wide application beyond that of event management. The Government is more concerned with sustainable environment and development matters The goal of sustainable development is to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations. (DEFRA). Sustainability in the event industry is really all about good management and business practice. It is important to demonstrate to key stakeholders that the event being hosted is ecofriendly and is being managed in a professional and responsible way. The 2010 Winter Olympic Games held in Vancouver Canada was a great international event but it equally left behind a lot of infrastructure and facilities that would be of benefit to the public post the games i.e. swimming pools, improved ski facilities, ice rinks, running trails etc. In essence sustainability leaves behind a lasting footprint and provides a major value added contribution to the original event. The London Olympic Games in 2012 will be no exception to this and it is already working on potential enhancements and improvements for re-generation of areas within greater London. As such it will provide a welcome boost to the local economic development of greater London. CRITICAL REVIEW OF BS8901 BS8901 has been developed entirely for the event industry. The prime objective being to make the industry operate in a more efficient manner. The standards are based around the support and build of an effective event management system. The British Standard requires those participating organisations to re-examine the efforts and impact that this event will have on the environment, society and the economy in both micro and macro conditions. From this analysis to determine a set of counter measures that will address this and help to mitigate the negative impacts. By implementing the guidelines of BS 8901 you would expect to derive the following benefits: A clear direction through the implementation of a sustainability policy; A thorough omissions check ensuring no important areas have been left out; A reduction in complaints as a result of improved communications with the key stakeholders; Better reputation through improved supplier relationships; Reduction of operating costs and elimination of waste; Improved process efficiency through streamlining and elimination of redundancies; More robust information and better decision making; A whole batch of cost reduction improvements i.e. lower training costs, lower staff turnover, improved productivity gains etc.; General increased customer satisfaction and an improved stance regarding marketing. BS8091 has changed from a specification to that of a standard focused on sustainability system for management of events This means that events do not comply with BS 8901, but that rather it is the management system behind the events that complies. The standard clarifies that it is applicable not only to event organisers, but to all organisations in the events industry, from event clients to venues, suppliers and contractors, regardless of their role in delivering events. (Whiteling). Another important aspect of the standard is that it requires the organisation to clearly define the scope of how it complies with the standard. Hence organisations must prepare a report that describes both the activities and the functions which are an integral part of the sustainable management system. Another change from the old version is that this new standard is far more process oriented. This will require a lot more communications with the key stakeholders and in general terms an improved communications plan. On the implementation side there is an increased reliance upon effective planning and particular the definition of roles and responsibilities together with milestones and timelines. Many of the ambiguities within the original version have been cleared up, and some of the confusing clauses, such as assessing options for improved event sustainability, have been removed, (Whiteling). ISO 20121 The future standard of ISO 20121 will make a significant impact to the events industry when it is released in 2012 at the eve of the London Olympic Games. The standard is aimed at providing a framework where event planners and other individuals in the supply chain can implement and maintain a sustainable program. ISO 20121 will have been designed and developed in extensive consultation with stakeholders in the events industry. It is anticipated that the standard will become the benchmark for the industry in terms of both quality and performance. The standard will adopt a management systems approach requiring identification of key sustainability issues like venue selection, operating procedures, supply chain management, procurement, communications, transport, and others (Lazarte). ISO20121 uses the BS 8091 as the starting point in order to develop a more comprehensive framework for an events sustainable management system. The global standard is intended to benefit all in the events industry and not only help in the reduction of an organizations social and environmental impact but help to streamline the operating procedures and reduce costs. An example being where energy is an identified issue, an appropriate sustainability mitigation strategy might be developing procedures that would reduce the carbon footprint. Despite the development of IS20121, the event and tourism industry is currently less sustainable than any previous time in its history. Consider the following issues: à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ We are seeing far more emissions in absolute terms; à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ With energy and land use we are seeing a lot more resource utilization; à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ We are seeing an increased loss in the contribution to bio diversity à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ The increasing contribution of tourism to that of environmental change raises considerable concern over effective sustainable policy development in this area. Another issue concerning sustainability is that it is mostly portrayed in terms of a one dimensional though process i.e. it is shown in economic terms. Hence using the London Olympic Games as an example it is mainly concerned with the hosting of that event and the impact to the UK inn terms of economic growth. There is not enough attention being paid to the costs of the longer term implication, this particularly at the time of a major recession in the UK. The BC Government in Canada was criticised for political grand-standing and committing a massive overspend on the hosting of the 2010 winter Olympics. Similarly in London this shows a considerable emphasis on international profiling and showcasing London in order to enhance its global marketing position and profile. The sustainability plan for the London Olympic Games is based upon 5 central themes: The Sustainability Plan focuses on five key themes: 1. Climate change: dealing with emissions and the impact of climate change such that there is a sustainable legacy for the future 2. Waste: The complete elimination of waste and ensuring that such a bi-product is not sent to land fill sites during the development of the games sites 3. Biodiversity: minimising the dangers on the destruction of wildlife sites and the habitats of same. Building upon the existing eco development policies leaving parks that will promote wildlife and sanctuaries. 4. Inclusion: Providing opportunities to showcase the diversity of London and market the business and commercial opportunities for the Capital 5. Healthy living: Getting people motivated towards concepts of more healthy living and taking up sports. ACCEPTANCE OF BS8901/ISO 20121 IN WIDER TERMS The concept of BS 8901 has a wide acceptance both in the UK and overseas. One of the important factors being that of long term sustainability in the urban planning of the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee is highly supportive of this and takes into consideration how applicant nations will incorporate this into the overall planning of the games the IOCs Olympic Study Commission in July, 2003 has recommended a number of controls to ensure that legacy is a priority in the staging of future Games. Legacy needs to be integrated and given equal weighting through all stages of Olympic planning. (Chalkey). Another example of a specific success story was the hosts of the Olympic Games in Australia in 2000. Their attention to sustainability gave them the title of the green games By committing the government to environmental guidelines based on Agenda 21 and the recommendations of the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development, the Sydney Olympics earned the unofficial title of the Green Games (Briese) The impact of BS 8091 and the subsequent development of ISO 20121 have been widely observed by other countries including Australia, Brazil and Canada. Amongst the first to take action was that of Brazil in developing the standard for use in that country Responding to wide-spread enthusiasm for BS 8901, work has now started on an international standard for event management. The proposal for the development of ISO 20121 was jointly submitted by BSI and ABNT, the Brazilian national standards body, as members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (Fulton) Examples of adoption of BS 8091 include the following: The Barbican, London A large conference facility in the Centre of London with 2000 seating capacity is used for hosting a wide range of events and meetings. It has recently started to implement BS8091 The centre introduced a variety of policies to improve its environmental efficiency, and won Gold at the City of London Clean City Awards 2008. The steps to this included sourcing 55 per cent of electrical energy contracts from renewable and green contracts, sourcing heating and cooling from a highly efficient, combined heat and power system. (Wyatt). Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre, Berkshire A fully compliant BS8091 venue. A state of the art conference centre in Berkshire, greater London. Won awards for sustainability and eco considerations in its design It won the Green Venue Event Award 2008. Initiatives include using recycled or renewable materials during construction. Electricity is from 100 per cent renewable supplies, while a solar panel pre-heats water for the boilers. Its reed bed system annually recycles seven million litres of waste water. (Wyatt) The Brewery London A venue that has historical roots back to the 18th Century. Not currently BS8091 accredited but is an integral part of a larger group that has received the award. Low-energy LED lighting is used throughout, with high-powered hand-dryers and sensor lights in the bathrooms. Local produce is sourced wherever possible. The venue operates a waste management system and provides guests with filtered water in reusable bottles. (Wyatt) The ACC Liverpool ( BT Convention Centre) Not currently BS8091 certified but actively working towards certification acquisition. 1,350 seats with an adjoining area containing 11,000 seats and one of the largest UK facilities of its kind. It has 18 meeting rooms and a large area for exhibition space The  £164m venue is designed to produce half the CO2 emissions of a traditional building. The electricity supply is from a green energy provider. Five 20-metre low-noise wind turbines generate around ten per cent of the required electricity. Rainwater is collected and provides around 40 per cent of the water needed to flush toilets. The venue has won two Green Apple Awards, is about to embark on attaining IS012001 and is awaiting the outcome of a Green Business Tourism Scheme assessment. (Wyatt) Excel London A BS 8091 showcase site and one of the first to gain certification. It boasts a facility that contains over 5,000 seating capacity and in May 2010 this was expanded to 26,000 Has its own materials recycling facility, a wormery for food waste and a  £14m energy centre housing three boilers, three chillers and two back-up generators. (Wyatt) Faversham House Group One of the worlds largest independent media groups. They adopted certification of BS 8901 With ever increasing pressure from stakeholders and authorities to address sustainability, independent certification to BS 8901 will undoubtedly enhance the competitive stance and environmental credibility of any organisation involved with the events industry (BSI) Nimlok Ltd Nimlok are builders and constructors of custom exhibition stands and have a global presence in the supply of portable exhibition stands for conferences and exhibitions. Having already gained certification to ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) with BSI, Nimlok recognised that BS 8901 would be an appropriate addition to its certification portfolio and would help the organisation differentiate itself from industry competitors. (BSI) Earls Court and Olympia A purpose built conference centre with BS8091 certification. All of the event managers are required to undergo BS8091 training The group won the 2008 AEO Sustainability Excellence Award and the Visit London Sustainable Tourism Award. The venues sustainable development policy includes engaging with customers and suppliers on sustainability issues, assessing sustainability risks and opportunities presented by hosting events and setting key performance indicators and objectives. Both venues have on-site recycling centres. (Wyatt) There are no significant problems reported with the implementation of BS8091 although some folk have cited minor operational issues that have caused some controversy. Overall the standard has been well received and adopted by all of those who have chosen to move forward and implement it. There is always room for ongoing enhancement and improvement and it is anticipated that this is where ISO 20121 will pick up any slack when it is formerly released in 2012. A lot of attention will be focused on the London Olympic Games and the success of these games will further enhance the credibility of these standards and the amount of work adapted from these standards in order to make the event a huge international success story. 11 Countries have signed up to mirror ISO20121 for adoption in their native country. One of the more recent entrants to the mirror committee being that of Australia It is important to note that a working draft for the International Standard (ISO) 20121 was produced with no involvement from the Australian events community. Twenty countries are actively involved in the development process including New Zealand. The SEA recognised this and approached Standards Australia to encourage our participation level to move from O (observer) status to P (participating) status (sustainable event). RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVENT ORGANIZATIONS Many of the initiatives that support the implementation of BS8091 and that of ISO 20121 are still voluntary. There is no doubt that most event management organizations will significantly benefit from adopting these standards and taking up these initiatives. It is perhaps first useful to explain what BS8091 does relative to other environmental policies. There are three distinct advantages of BS8091. It defines the management system that an organization must put in place for effective sustainability of its operations. It is not a checklist but a definitive guide to operational procedures; It does not directly apply to events but more concerned with the management system that must be adopted in order to run these events. It is the management system operated by an organisation to deliver its event related activities that is certified and not the event (SEC) The standard is really more about sustainability and not purely focused on environmental issues, hence sustainability is about adopting strategies that will not only ensure long term financial success but will also drive social prosperity and progress as well as reduce environmental degradation (SEC). BS8091 has been criticised for containing too much jargon and not being an easy document to comprehend or navigate. Nevertheless, it contains a lot of good and useful material and many companies have succeeded in proper interpretation and use of the standard. These constraints have been notified to ISO 20121 which is expected to resolve these difficulties in the reading and interpretation of the standard. Benefits of BS 8901 The adoption of BS8091 has to be considered from the many benefits that it provides to event management organizations. Current research has demonstrated that the standard is particularly useful for small-medium sized business operations as it provides a reliable and robust framework which facilitates the integration of new staff. It also helps the organization in gaining a clearer understanding of the overall strategic direction and helps in harmonization of the workforce. Current projects have seen an improvement in communications and planning illustrating more integrated and harmonized communications that promote better teamwork and improved decision making capabilities. Overall a concept of rationalization and streamlining those results in more lucid and efficient systems and processes. As the standard effectively integrates social and economic standards it has an impact in helping to raise employee motivation and assists in retaining people with the best skills and talents. Furth er, it helps in improving the relations with key stakeholders and clients and strengthens the position of the business in the local community. From the financial perspective adoption of the standard is seen to reduce costs, eliminate wastes and create savings on energy. BS 8901 challenges business as usual and drives creativity and innovation which in turn can provide organisations with a competitive edge. (SEC) Recent reported innovations have included: à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Improved return on investment by introduction of new toolsets à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Reduction in carbon emissions by catering companies à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Venues providing improved waste diversion rates from land fill sites à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Reduction in paper handouts by event organizers à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ More events and conferences using 100% solar energy à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Gifts to those who support the sustainability events and objectives There is a huge benefit to be derived in terms of marketing capability. In particular the ability of organizations to demonstrate their uniqueness and distinction from competitors. This will improve chances of winning new contracts and awards as business move towards increased concepts of sustainability and environmentally friendly projects. A good example is that of the Greater London Authority that is now seen to include mention of BS8091 in the criteria of its tender documents, as such their clients are taking the lead and making similar incorporations into their own documents. This demonstrating to the wider market the importance of sustainability options in their contractual relationship building. Most noticeably, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) released its London 2012 Sustainable Event Guidelines in which they expect all companies and organisations that wish to be associated with the Games to be working towards BS 8901. (SEC). There is also the question of getting ahead of your competition. There is no doubt that BS8091 will be thoroughly adopted by the events industry. Those who do not participate will be left behind and seriously disadvantaged in the competitive market place. Eventually the voluntary situation might change and it could become a minimum entry requirement to be BS8091 certified. This is likely to be further reinforced in 2012 when the ISO 20121b becomes released as an international standard. Hence those who take strides now will benefit over those who fail to see the significance of these standards in the future. CONCLUSIONS Despite the initial complexity of BS 8091 it has been widely accepted and endorsed by the event management industry. The benefits of adopting the standard far outweigh the disadvantages. The progression to the international standard of ISO20121 will be far more inclusive and involve the collaboration of multiple companies on a world-wide basis. The world has come to recognize the growing importance of sustainability as a direct result of climate change and environmental changes taking place throughout the world. We need to find an enduring and balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress. Hence the concept of sustainability has far more wider reaching implications beyond that of the event industry. Major international events like the Olympic games provide the opportunity to both raise awareness and showcase the importance of sustainability and the need for international standards to a world audience. Another significant advantage of the mir roring concept being used in the deployment of ISO 20121 is that it provides a standard and uniform framework across different countries and as such gains immediate transparency in terms of understanding, interpretation and implementation. The increase in the technological development of computers and sophisticated communications has facilitated the design and build of robust event management systems. This has enabled better planning and organization of events and eliminated the need for generating large volumes of paper reports or storage. Sustainable Events Management Solutions (SEMS) are a good example of an Australian firm that has taken the matter seriously and fully embraced BS8091 into the design of its event management system. There is no doubt that to make BS8091 work requires a great deal of inclusivity and collaboration amongst the partners in the event management project Incorporating sustainability into meeting and event management practices requires organisers to employ a combination of sustainable approaches including environmental stewardship, economic efficiency, and social and cultural responsibility. (Edwards) 4010