MIB Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

MIB - Essay Example Wall-Mart Stores operate as chain discount retail stores spread through all 50 states in the US with the growth based on basic but unique operational principles (Ingram, Yue & Hayagreeva 2010). The industry has expanded to incorporate chain stores, multinational operations and lately, the introduction of e-commerce. With success in other foreign markets like Mexico Wall-Mart has potential to expand to the fast growing Asian market like Malaysia amidst technological and logistic challenges in the industry. This paper considers the potential of expansion into this market by analyzing the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and carrying out a PEST analysis of Malaysia. This will be used to examine the potential for expansion into the foreign market and the possible risks that may be faced by expanding into such a market. The analysis bases on the entry mode of foreign market servicing strategy that gives best strategic expansion into foreign market. PEST analysis of M alaysia Political analysis When considering the political system of a nation some of the important elements include the responsiveness of the system to corruption, tribalism (nepotism m), collusion and democracy (if any) and then the overall stability of the government system as noted by Knol (nd). This may include the legislature, judiciary and the executive arms of government. In this case the factors leading to government stability are manifested through the electoral systems, clear separation of powers and the strength of the justice system. The federal constitution monarchy in Malaysia has been able to work out a stable government with reduced political risks manifested (EDC, 2010). The political system has been able to maintain peace with the neighbourhood as well as contain internal conflicts that are a sign of low political risk to foreign investment according to the BBC (2010) and the Encyclopedia of the Nations (2010). As one of the current indicator of business security, political risk manifests in form of internal or border strife, terrorism or other unseen political matters. The Malaysian situation has witnessed internal strife between the major communities in the country (the Malays, the Chinese, and the Indians) that easily cause riots in the country (Knol nd). An example of such a strife is one that resulted from how the word â€Å"Allah† was used hence sparking up nationwide strife in most if not all government system. However, since the worst 1969 strife the communities co-exist easily in spite of the differences in the areas they live in. This means that in hiring labor the company must equally consider job distribution among these communities in terms of type and number of positions to avoid rejection by the locals. In terms of national political governance, the country has established strict immigration controls that may have an implication on foreign traders. Movement into the country may therefore require early arrangements to avo id possible hindrance of movement especially where outsourced employees are of foreign origin. The country is ruled under political monarchial government consisting representation of members from all communities in the country but mainly run by the Malays under the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and other

The Impact of ‘Scientific Ideal’ on the Development of Political Science Essay Example for Free

The Impact of ‘Scientific Ideal’ on the Development of Political Science Essay Introduction The philosophy of history is a study on how the human history is supposed to be laid down in papers. There are several studies that are interconnected with the process of knowing how and what should history contain about the human past. Along with this, an important focus on how wide the philosophies on historical set up directly affect the developments in the present systems of political science is also being observed. Political Science as defined mainly refers to the study of political behavior of people making up the government of certain specific countries. These behaviors also include the scientific examination of the acquisition and the application of power in different forms of government practiced by respectively different countries as well. According to authors Dickerson and Flanagan in their book â€Å"An Introduction to Government and Politics (2001), â€Å"Political Science is a process of conflict resolution in which support is mobilized and maintained for collective projects†. This naturally means that it is a way in which countries are able to formulate public projects de to the existence of authorities who have the power to give permission for such public projects. Other known writers and philosophers have different views towards the real meaning of the said study. As for Mao Zedong, Political Science is the study of politics wherein politics is defined as â€Å"war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed† (As cited by Slann, 2004). Another writer, Otto Van Bismarck says that Political Science is the art of politics, which is referred to as the art of the possible (As cited by Slann, 2004). To him, the said study makes impossible things to occur within the existence of the human government. Indeed, as many writers have different and at times even contrasting views regarding the study of politics which is Political Science, debates and other social issues behind the controversies of political philosophies. Among the issues concerned within the topic is the fact that the Philosophies of History sets clear points showing the connection of the ‘scientific ideal† studies and observations to the developments of Political Science itself. With the use of several literature readings and observation, an issue regarding the emergence of power within the history of human civilization shall be discussed in this paper. Along with this, some points of concern regarding the relationship between the scientific processes mostly called the ‘scientific ideal’ in putting down the historical past of the human civilization and the development of Political Science up until the present time shall also be tackled herein. Philosophy of History The philosophy of history is referred to as the branch of the study of philosophy focused on the eventual significance of human history to the present development of several aspects of living within the human society. Thus, this study includes political science within its scope. In the process of knowing the specific details of human history and its connection to the present existing systems in the human society, several questions are considered in performing the said study. First is the determination of the specific and proper unit used for the study of the human past. It mainly asks â€Å"what possible unit should be mainly considered when history is presented to the readers of the present generation, the individual points, the cities or the sovereign territories, the development of civilization or culture, or everything else comprised within the details of the human past?† Another question is concerning the broad patterns used in posting the human past in historical write-ups and literatures. The main question is â€Å"are there any patterns of progress followed in the posting of history? The last point of concern of this study is the direction passed by historical accounts. The question on this matter of concern is â€Å"what is the driving force of the progress in history?† The questions mentioned above are mainly used to observe the different aspects of human society. Moreover, among the aspects to be considered as mentioned earlier is the connection of this process to the developments of Political Science. Consequently, many debates arise because of the fact that there are many theories concerning this matter. Some of the theories of power and politics shall be discussed in the paragraphs to follow. The Introduction of ‘Power’ in the Human Society With the records written in the pages of history, it has been made clear that ever since the human civilization started to thrive in the face of the earth, leadership and power had already been a part of the human’s everyday living. There had always been a need for people to have somebody stand up as their leader to instruct them of what they are supposed to do. Simple forms of governments have been formed in the earlier years of human existence to support the said need for leadership. On the other hand, many people too wanted to have the privilege of ruling their respective small communities. With this, there came to be the birth of simple politics. According to the analysis of Michel Foucault (1977) in the journal â€Å"Politico-Historical† discourse on â€Å"Race Struggle†, politics began to thrive due to the fact that people wanted to become a part of the authoritative power who rules other people. Because of this, Foucault claims that social conflict based on ethnic groups, class struggle as well as social elements contributing to power began in the earlier human generations. Then, as years passed, the simple political set up in the human communities began to change. Some tribes or even certain individuals wanting power, already wanted the position of an official in a certain society already came up with different propagandas to get what they want. Indeed, the politics as defined by Mao Zedong earlier as ‘war without bloodshed’ began to be given birth during these times of political progression in the human civilization. Another analysis on Philosophical History by Foucault (1976) entitled â€Å"Society Must be Defended† says that politics all began with the race struggle. People began to take territories as well as claim their people’s race when the beginning of politics had been introduced to the human society. This has been proven when the said analysis of human society and politics by Foucault had been used in Great Britain for study. It has been proven that people used to struggle against monarchy thus having the motives of gaining considerable social class from not much different from that of the monarchial rulers. Indeed, as clearly pointed out on the different literatures regarding philosophy of history and how the human past accounts had been laid down into writing, politics had been proven as a developing social factor which directly affects the whole society’s life and dealings with their own communities. Today, as history makes it clear, political science has been continuously developing through the years of human civilization. From the simple forms of government and creation of simple laws to the birth of a more organized human rulership and more complex creation of laws, the ‘scientific ideal’ had helped the people understand the developments of politics in the society as well as its study. Along the pages of human history, it could be tracked down how much politics as well as political science had been developing through the passing on of generations. The accounts on the years of imperialism and colonization have also been a factor, which contributed to the present political systems applied in many countries around the world. In this regard, the introduction of democratic government around the world had been very successful because of the fact that history shows the need for such kind of rulership basing from the past occurrences that happened due to the existence of other forms of government. Although not all the nations around the world applies the said form of government, many people still began to realize that this form of government gives so much benefit to people due to the effects of many analytical literatures written to support the said idea on freedom and democracy. Developments of Political Science As mentioned earlier, political science had been continuously developing through the years. Indeed, the fact that through the scientific formulas of historical presentation of different political accounts through the years of human civilization, politics and its study had been able to aim for better ways of governing people and helping the human civilization progress further for human advancement. In the face of history, it is clearly shown how the political aspect of the society had affected so much of human activities through the years of progress. Other social aspects such as religion and social classes as well as the different ideologies regarding life had been directly affected by the development of politics in the whole world. Along with this, the analysis of the said factor in human society also continuously developed helping in further progress of politics itself. As often said by writers who endeavor in the reports of both social and political progress, â€Å"the society is constantly developing and this is all because of the impact of history to the human civilization† (Rousseau, 2005). Conclusion True, as clearly pointed out in the entire theme of this paper, ‘scientific ideal’ in the placement of history of the human civilization on paper makes it possible for political science to develop in the way it analyzes the present political situations in the world. The creation of laws and other national rules are also directly affected by the said state of development in political science. Yes, indeed, the way history is carefully written for the benefit of the present generation is truly an important factor contributing to the progress of the study conducted by political science in the development of world politics and governance. Bibliography Martin Slann. (2004). Introduction to Politics: Governments and Nations in the Twenty- First Century. Atomic Dog Publishing. Pp 14,15. Jean-Jacques Rousseau. (2005). The Plan for Perpetual Peace, On the Government of Poland, and Other Writings on History and Politics (Collected Writings of Rousseau). Dartmouth College Press. P 122. Dickerson, M. and Flanagan, E. (2001). An Introdustion to Government and Politics. Atomic Dog Publishing. 12. Foucault, M. (1976). Philosophical History. The Society Must Be Defended. Verso Publishing Company. 14. Foucault, M. (1977). Politico-Historico. Race Struggle. Verso Publishing Company. 21. Louis Althusser. (2001). Politics and History: Montesquieu, Rousseau, Marx (Radical Thinkers). Verso Publishing Company. 23. Iain Hampsher-Monk. (1993). A History of Modern Political Thought: Major Political Thinkers from Hobbes to Marx. Blackwell Publishing, Incorporated. 121. John Milton, Martin Dzelzainis. (1991). Milton: Political Writings (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought). Cambridge University Press. 145. Blackwell Publishing. (2003). History and Theory Studies in the Philosophy of History. http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0018-2656. (September 6, 2006). Blackwell Publishing. (2006). History On-Line. http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0018-2656. (September 6, 2006).

Impact of Technology on Teaching

Impact of Technology on Teaching Our students live in an era known as the Digital Age. More information is accessible to all people in our society, and more industries are seeking employees who are proficient in information literacy combined with highly-developed technological skills. Therefore, technology is key in helping students use learning throughout their lives. As an IT educator at my middle school, I know that my students are part of a tech-savvy generation who demand 21st century classrooms that prepare them for modern-day realities and future employment. If technology is now considered a teaching and learning approach, what are its attributes? In this paper, I will describe various characteristics of technology as a teaching and learning approach, circumstances where technology in the classroom is thought to be most effective, and specific examples of the efficacy of technology. I believe there are three unique characteristics of technology as an approach to teaching and learning. First, as technology becomes more available, teaching and learning become more flexible and tailored to student needs. For instance, with the use of some types of technology, such as the internet, hand-held devices, and online classrooms, teaching and learning can extend beyond traditional classroom walls and campuses. Hardcopy textbooks become relics of the past, as inexpensive, up-to-date, and interactive e-books are adopted by more and more institutions. With hand-held computing devices, students are no longer reliant on a single computer lab in the school. Students now have the means to conduct online research and master technology skills that they will need in their future careers. For instance, as soon as tasks are assigned by teachers, students can begin working at any time in and out of class. This bodes well for blended learning and e-learning approaches to education. Thes e are just a few examples of how teaching and learning takes place not only within the classroom but also outside the classroom too. Technology further affects teaching and learning because it changes student and teacher roles so that teachers can offer more personalized learning. As Bitner and Bitner (2002) note, the traditional role of teacher has been radically altered with the advent of technology as a teaching and learning tool: [Technologys] use can allow teachers and students to become partners in the learning process. Technology integration necessarily alters the traditional paradigm of the teacher providing wisdom and the student absorbing knowledge and for good reason. The knowledge needed for tomorrows jobs will change before many of todays students enter the job market (p. 97). Rather than acting as expert lecturers who provide knowledge, teachers in todays technological age play the role of facilitators who help students to think critically and learn actively. In this new relationship, students are much more engaged because lessons can be more customized and enhanced to fit each students learning styl e and progress. As more and more teachers are using adaptive learning software, gaming, coding and virtual reality in their classrooms, students can work and excel at their own level and pace. Students are active learners and authors, not just consumers when using technology: Students today must learn to search and discover knowledge, actively communicate with others, and solve problems so that they can become productive life-long members of our society (Bitner and Bitner, 2002, p. 97). Technology makes that happen by asking them to publish, share, and collaborate. A third unique feature of technology as a teaching and learning approach is its ability to transform classrooms into highly collaborative spaces, where learning happens both in and out of classrooms. Technology facilitates interaction amongst students so that they can share questions and information while participating in relevant, real-world tasks prepared under the guidance of the teacher. As a result, technology changes teacher practices because the classroom is more student-centered. Students roles change too from passive listener to collaborator and occasional expert. Furthermore, as tasks become more collaborative, they also become more complex, and students develop various transferable skills: Technology-based projects often require students to undertake a larger workload that can also be different in nature-completing open-ended tasks, collaborating with others, directing their own learning, and assuming new leadership roles to name a few (Groff and Mouza, 2008, p. 33). In te chnology-rich classrooms, students are more likely to be engaged in specialized group projects rather than whole class activities. People rarely work alone to accomplish important tasks in the world of work; technology is allowing schools to better reflect the collaborative nature of todays workplaces and perhaps better equip students with the skills they will need. I believe it is the skill and attitude of the teacher that determines the effectiveness of technology integration in the classroom. When the teacher is confident with technology, employing technology daily in the classroom using a variety of tools to co-create lessons, assignments and projects that show a deep understanding of content, the effectiveness of technology integration is present in the classroom: To be successful teaching with technology requires teachers to have a strong comfort level with, and consistently implement technology tools as part of their own repertoire of tools in courses they are teaching (Keengwe et al., 2008, p. 561). Teachers who are most successful at technology integration in the classroom are those who are so comfortable with technology that they intuitively know when to use and how to use it for student teaching and learning. When teachers are excited about and fully invested in employing technology, optimal teaching and learning environments are created. For instance, Darvasi (2014) recounts the story of a seventh-grade English teacher who used alternate reality games (ARGs) to transform his students study of The Odyssey. Using their teachers game-based version of The Odyssey, students had to follow QR codes and clues to re-assemble lost journals and make their way to the end of the game, often working together in groups to decipher hints in a variety of unexpected ways. Within this example, Darvasi (2014) argues that ARGs became an immersive learning system that combine[d] rich narrative, digital technology, and real-world game play, which allowed students to exercise critical thinking, resilience, and creative problem solving to succeed in the ARG (p. 1). While creating an ARG might seem implausible to many teachers, Darvasi believes that it is an achievable strategy, as it can be created via free user -friendly, web-based tools and digital software. A second example of the efficacy of technology in the classroom is a personal one based on my seven-year experience as the IT teacher at my middle school. My class is completely online and paperless, based in a wiki website where students log in to access lesson plans, assignments and resources, as well as chat in real time with each other or with me. Using a variety of web 2.0 tools on my wiki, and mind-mapping, VOKI, and comic software (to name a few), students are challenged to develop problem-solving skills to both navigate the interface and software as well as work collaboratively on open-ended assignments. In my experience, the presence of the online environment motivates students to learn, perhaps mostly because the technology eliminates a one-size-fits-all approach to learning and customizes content to meet individual needs and learning styles. Todays students cannot effectively be taught with pen and paper only. These dated technologies, while perhaps perfectly acceptable several decades ago, do not reflect the realities or needs of 21st century learners. As a teaching and learning tool, technology modernizes classrooms, transforming them into spaces that better reflect the day-to-day lives of todays learners and the skills they need to build for tomorrow. Just as we would never think of asking a student today to write a paper on a stone tablet, so too can we not ignore the necessity of various technological tools in making learning relevant and engaging for todays learners. References Bitner, N., Bitner, J. (2002). Integrating technology into the classroom: Eight keys to success. Journal  of technology and teacher education, 10(1), 95-100. Characteristics of Highly Effective Technology Teaching and Learning in Kentucky Schools.2009.  Retrieved from the web site:  http://education.ky.gov/curriculum/standards/teachtools/Documents/TechCharacteristicsARCCKDEPJK.pdf Darvasi, P. 2014. How to Transform the Odyssey into an Epic Game in Alternate Reality. Retrieved  from the web site: https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/10/13/how-students-can-channel-the-odyssey-into-an-alternate-reality-epic/ Goddard, M. (2002). What do we do with these computers? Reflections on technology in the  classroom. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 35(1), 19-26. Gorder, L. M. (2008). A study of teacher perceptions of instructional technology integration in the  classroom. The Journal of Research in Business Education, 50(2), 63. Groff, J., Mouza, C. (2008). A framework for addressing challenges to classroom technology  use. AACe Journal, 16(1), 21-46. Keengwe, J., Onchwari, G., Wachira, P. (2008). Computer technology integration and student learning:  Barriers and promise. Journal of science education and technology, 17(6), 560-565. Venezky, R. L. (2004). Technology in the classroom: steps toward a new vision. Education,  Communication Information, 4(1), 3-21.

Shattered Dreams in Stolen Party :: stolen

Shattered Dreams in Stolen Party In the story "Stolen Party" written by Liliana Heker, a girl’s dreams are shattered by the bitter reality of her destiny. Rosaura spends most of her time trying to convince her mother, as well as everyone at the birthday party, that being an educated girl makes her an equal to everyone at the party. She feels great determination to become a part of her friend Luciana’s lifestyle even though it would be rebelling against her mother’s wishes. Rosaura almost believes she has accomplished this feat until she is harshly brought back to reality and faced with her position in life once again. It will be an impossible struggle to overcome the class status that she was born into with the many factors against her. When Rosaura’s mother can tell her starry-eyed daughter who is full of hope and innocence that, "The problem with you, young lady, is that you like to fart higher than your ass" (Heker 1133), it creates a bitterness between them and damages the idea of Rosaura improving herself. The mother does not want Rosaura to go "the rich people’s party," perhaps due to fear that her daughter might experience the cold shoulder from the upper class, or perhaps out of fear that Rosaura might truly make it and leave the mother behind. The fact that this mother could have this incredibly mature conversation with her daughter "barely even nine," and that Rosaura could say to her mother "rich people go to heaven too," indicates the maturity of the daughter as well as her intelligence level that was already higher than her mother’s. Rosaura proceeds to tell her mother what a friend is. However despite her greatest efforts to make her mother understand, her mother continues to keep throwing negative thoughts and opinions at her. The next hindrance Rosaura experiences is at the party. She is confronted by a "high class" young girl who is the cousin of her friend Luciana. After numerous questions about who Rosaura was, the young girl tells her "you are not a friend of Luciana because I’m her cousin and I know all her friends" (1135). Rosaura maintained her ground through the slew of questions thrown at to her. Not until the question of how was she Luciana’s friend came up did Rosaura start to become defeated by her social class. Rosaura recited the line "my mother’s an employee," a face-saving but still revealing statement that had been instilled in her head (1135).

Case Study – Sustainable Tourism in Lagos, Portugal

[pic] College of Commerce Catering and Tourism Sustainable Tourism Case study on the tourism related problems of Lagos, Portugal [pic] Rebecca Zug 19. 11. 2012 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 3 2. Findings 4 3. Discussion 5 4. Conclusion and Recommendations 8 5. Implementation 8 6. References9 Case study: Lagos, Algarve, Portugal 1 1. Executive Summary The reason why I choose Lagos for this case study is because I was living there from May 2012 – October 2012 and I think it is a good example for some problems which may occur due to tourism.However it is not an example for the typical mass tourism associated problems, because the nature of tourism in the Algarve is water sports related and therefore reflects a different lifestyle and attitude to the local environment. Lagos Lagos is a harbor town in the Portuguese Algarve coast. The region Lagos has about 30000 constant inhabitants, but due to the fact that Tourism brings 3 million people to the Algarve every year the am ount of inhabitants may be tripled at certain times of the year. Furthermore it has the highest share of residents with foreigners in the whole country.It is probably the most popular destination in the Algarve, because it offers a great diversity of activities for the whole family but mainly the younger generation (water sports: surfing, kiting, wakeboarding, diving, kayaking, as well as a huge gastronomical repertory with countless English bars, restaurants (mainly foreign cuisine), but still kept its old flair in the carless old town due to its 2000 year old history. There are several beaches, one km long sandy beach and more small bays, which are although it is quite a big town still not the typical city beaches.There are only separated single restaurants directly at the beaches, keeping the â€Å"original† coastline, while buildings are only few hundred meters behind. As you can see the problem is obvious as tourism caused kind of an invasion of foreigners on Lagos. A s very tough example: I did not use the Portuguese language ones because there were more foreigners around in town than Portuguese and even them adapted the English language so well (in the most important daily functions) that it was absolutely not necessary.This overcrowding of foreigners leads to a couple of tensions with the locals but there are some opportunities arising of tourism there as well which I am going to explain in the following study. First of all I am going to analyze all the problems occurred by tourism differentiated by their nature. First the problems occurred by the amount of foreigners (- socio cultural impacts) and then the environmental impacts and their economic consequences. Furthermore I am going to point out the opportunities which are already given but not used in this area.These opportunities lead to the solutions I may suggest to overcome the problems and finally I am going to write about the implementation, how the solutions may be adopted. 2 2. Finding s The main problem of Lagos is that the tourism sector and therefore the main business sector is ruled by foreigners. Most hotels, surf camps and water sports providing facilities as well as bars are owned by foreign people, mostly English and Germans which is the reason why most of the tourists are English and German too.Other than in most other vacation spots the tourism facilities are not only owned but run as well solely by foreigners. The reason for that is the new â€Å"fashion† of employing foreign interns rather than locals for every department in hospitality and gastronomy, because they are even more cheap (mostly board and lodging and a little pocket money) than locals. This phenomena is not used in lower quality accommodation but, as I experienced in former internships, in up to 5 star hotels as well.Of course it is a profitable way for the owners, because interns are highly motivated to learn, therefore they accept every kind of work for a very low compensation. F urthermore they are usually highly educated, studied in the field of operation and speak more languages. This is why owners of in this case surf camps and hotels employ mainly interns for the seasons. Another advantage of interns is to avoid the problems of seasonality, because they can primarily work in semester breaks or after high school graduation exactly in the time when the (high) season is.However this sounds perfect for accommodation facility owners it is a huge problem for the local community. Like this the positive impact of tourism in generating jobs for the community is missing due to the fact that even the lower quality jobs are given to foreigners. As well with the low wages for interns it is impossible to actually live a normal life in the area. My experience was that ONLY if it was really necessary (end of the season when everybody has gone home) owners are willing to employ locals for a couple of weeks as well on a higher wage (almost double), but solely if there is no other choice.Another problem arising of this is that most of these interns are not registered or on a no-payment base for what the owners do not have to pay taxes. This induces a lack of income for the community as well. In higher quality hotels it also creates an image of not trained staff (â€Å"intern flair†) which degrades the quality of services. But not only the accommodation facilities are run and owned by foreigners, almost every single bar in town as well. Also because of the majority of outgoers are foreigners the barmen and waiters are 90% foreigners, youngsters working the seasons, who only need money for their next trip.My observation was that only some restaurants but rather bistros and breakfast cafes are owned and run by Portuguese. The lack of jobs (unemployment rate in the Algarve is the highest in the whole country: 20%) leads to crime generation of the locals, who as kind of a revenge rob and break into foreign-owned houses. Other socio-cultural proble ms arising from the impacts of tourism are due to the above mentioned: the standardization and commercialization of the Portuguese culture. A very common phenomena is the building of outlets or well known chains in gastronomy or commerce sector (e. . McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Aldi, Lidl). The gastronomy of Lagos is ruled by all imaginable foreign The Green Room (Mexican Restaurant) in the old town of Lagos countries cuisines (Italian, Japan, Thai, English, Turkish, Romanian, Mexican†¦) but a very small part of real Portuguese food. An economic disadvantage is furthermore that there are loads of foreign supermarkets as well like Aldi and Lidl, which are cheaper and more familiar to tourists and the great number of English residents in this area.This means that the positive impact of the multiplier effect of tourism is missing, because foreigners do not go grocery shopping in local shops. As already mentioned the Portuguese language is starting to get lost due to the number of foreig ners not willing to learn and not forced to learn it because everybody speaks at least the necessary communicative English needed to manage everyday life. This adoption of tourist demands leads to a slow but very significant decrease in Portuguese culture. Environmental ImpactsThe problem of pollution is steady everywhere where people are and of course more people create more pollution and waste, this makes it to a fundamental problem of tourism. Water consumption in watering gardens of hotels, camps as well as pools and golf courses is an essential problem in the rainless months of the summer. Moreover is there no regulation for recycling in Portugal. Waste is collected in one huge ton for every street. There is no refuse collection for every house, however there are quite a lot recycling stations but this is only volunteer.Seasonality as in almost every tourism destination is an issue in Lagos as well. Low season starts in May + June, July + August are high season and September + October are low season again. From November – End of April most of the hotels, camps are closed or operate only partly. This provokes an even higher unemployment rate and of course lack of income. 3 3. Discussion The main problem of the foreigners â€Å"stealing† the jobs of the Portuguese is a very serious issue and can not be solved without the interaction of the local government.In my opinion there should be a regulation, setting a specific percentage of employees, who must be local. There are several examples where this governmental interaction lead to advantageous outcomes (GCC member states). In the Oman for example, the government set a guaranteed employment quote of locals, called Omanization, aiming the reduction of the portion of foreign employees. This way the unemployment rate would be decreased and therefore the tensions between locals and foreign business owners would be reduced as well.Difficulties may arise with the European Union, whose four main aims (free movement of people, capital, goods and services – jobs) are in contradiction with not allowing foreigners to work in a country different to their home country. But realizing the bad financial situation of Portugal and the statistical data has a lot to commend it. Also is employing locals a very important cultural aspect in the guests satisfaction, who lacked the involvement of Portuguese culture during their stay. As well do people living their whole life on the spot of course have a better knowledge about natural conditions, which are very important for water sports.Furthermore there should be a tax reduction for employers hiring locals, to make the employment of them attractive and economically advantageous. Due to this business owners are hopefully keen to officially reinvolve locals rather than foreign interns and therefore pay taxes on them. As well education in Lagos must be enhanced. There is only one University in the Algarve (in Faro) with an extension to the n earby Portimao which is public, all other higher education institutes are private.Furthermore most of the international schools are private as well and there are barely high quality state-run secondary schools. This means that mostly only the children of foreigners are getting a good education in this area, locals mainly have to go further away (Lisbon) and when they are already gone, they most of the times are not coming back, being aware of the bad employment situation in the Algarve. So even if the youth has the opportunity to be educated quite far away, they afterwards go abroad (a phenomena we can observe in Hungary as well).My suggestion would be to make the access to higher and good quality education available for everybody (mainly with European Union tenders) and put an effort in the education of occupations needed in this area: Tourism and water sports. Economically surf camps can help as well in producing income for the local community, for example in sending their guests to nearby cafes to have breakfast there. These breakfast possibilities are around almost every corner and owned by locals, because locals love to eat breakfast outside and combine it with a casual chat with friends.Thus guests have the opportunity in learning about the culture and habits as well as add to the local economy. Economically this won't affect the camps, because breakfast is absolutely not the main income source and rather eases up the work in camps and helps to concentrate on the major activities. Discounted firm prices may be negotiated, sometimes even with a commission for the camps. Problems would occur for camps outside the city center, there are a few camps (Algarve Watersports, The Surf Experience) which are located far away from the old town and therefore do not have the opportunity to send guests away for breakfast.The standardization problem of the local restaurants, who barely serve typical Portuguese food occurred due to the fear of local business owners. Ther e are a few Portuguese restaurants (e. g. Casinha do Petisco) with great Portuguese cuisine, enormous portions and good prices. Every single night this restaurant is full of people and there is barely never a less waiting time than 45 minutes to get a table. Although it looks quite unimposing it is the best going restaurant in town (even in the off season) full of a mixture of locals and tourists as well.This means that the demand for Portuguese cuisine is present and a great opportunity, which only has to be captured. Here the camps might help again, due to the fact that they normally do not serve dinner. Making agreements with local business owners serving Portuguese food, will probably emphasize others to at least serve Portuguese food as well, because many guests complained about â€Å"not being in Portugal† regarding the food supply. The environmental threats may be solved due to small interactions of the government again. For example the recycling of waste should be obl igatory.As it is seen in several European countries since decades (Germany, England), those guests and foreign residents even do it voluntarily in Lagos. We made it obligatory in our surf camp, but every time I brought the separated waste to the recycling stations, I only saw Recycling station in Lagos foreigners, who did the same. This is a good opportunity of tourism to promote recycling. It may be made obligatory intern by single camps, but there is a need of governmental intervention to make locals recycle as well.Due to the fact that there is no regular garbage collection for every house making it very difficult to control who is throwing his waste how away. Therefore it should be (e. g. as in Germany), that there should be a garbage collection for every house and every household gets different recycling tons on a yearly payment. Thus if people do not recycle his waste won't be taken away. As a matter of course this is combined with enormous costs, but may be covered by e. g. h igher annual payment of foreigners and European Union contributions.It would furthermore create jobs, because the garbage collection of every household requires more people. The pollution due to water sports activities is in proportion very low, because the main activity of surfing comes with an environmental friendly lifestyle. This green close to nature way of life is promoted and educated in the surf camps in encouraging their guests to be very careful with the environment, recycling, low water consumption etc. and advertise to respect the locals (with t-shirts for example).In a surfing society these things are so evident, that people react very upset on people ignoring these unwritten laws. (â€Å"Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but memories†) Surf camps and locals know that the beaches Beach of Zavial are their main income source, this is why they are absolutely protected, no waste is left there and they are almost totally untouched, mainly only one restaur ant. Even the beach boys and lifeguards use surfboards and not motorized lifeboats in cases of emergencies.This statement is as well proved by the fact that even robberies hardly ever occur on the beaches, it is possible to stay hours in the water while nobody looks after one's belongings and nothing happens, but if one once do not lock the windows in his apartment, it is 99% sure that he won't find his apartment as it was left. The only thing which could be reduced are the daily long drives to the west coast. Every surf school in the Algarve has only one or two licenses (only The Surf Experience (first surf school in the Algarve) has the right to go to almost every beach) to teach surfing at a beach.This is actually a very good thing, so the carrying capacity of the beaches is balanced anf there are never to much schools, people at the beaches. But many schools have licenses for far away beaches (e. g. Algarve Watersport in Lagos has a license for the beach in Monte Clerigo  œ 40 km away) they have to drive there every day. Surely the possibility of surfing must be secured, but there are geographically closer beaches for the differently located camps as well. Also the public transport opportunities should be enhanced. Currently there are barely busses to the beaches, only to the major cities.As well the accessibility of Lagos from the airport after 20. 00 is poor, only with private shuttle busses. Due to the extension of the public transportation air pollution may be reduced. The problem of seasonality, in Lagos due to the climatic variations of a continental area, are that serious that most of the tourism related businesses have to close down the operation for the winter months, to avoid financial loss. Resulting in Lagos becoming a â€Å"ghost town†. An opportunity to avoid closing down the whole operation may be to offer discounted packages for this time, because actually the natural conditions or surfing are the best from November until March and the air temperature is still mild and springlike. But it is always hard to measure if it is worth to even run the operations on a very low level, because the â€Å"real surfer† for whom this conditions are advantageous won't come to a surf school or camp. This is why I would suggest a steady operation especially for apartment rentals, rental car providers, surf shops and restaurants. It is as well important to consider that people working during a season do not have the chance to rest or even think about holidays.Off season is the only time these workers can think about themselves, go on holiday, visit their families or even make doctors appointments. So people are actually looking forward to the end of the season (if they have an alternative job or earned enough to bridge the income less winter months). In addition may these time be used for maintenance works in the accommodation facilities. On these grounds I think that seasonality in this area has indeed a very powerf ul impact, but not in an absolutely negative way. 4 4. Conclusion and RecommendationsAs already mentioned is governmental intervention essential to solve the problems of the Lago's community. To avoid the negative economical impacts occurred by tourism and to achieve more positive impacts of it some regulations must be appointed: The introduction of an obligatory guaranteed employment rate of locals in every tourism related business and a tax reduction for businesses employing more locals than required, so the unemployment rate can be controlled and the thereby emerging socio-cultural conflicts may be reduced.In addition should recycling be made obligatory and the public transfer to the beaches should be enhanced. Also should the state-owned educational system be improved and specialized on available occupations, so that locals are able to stay in their home towns or areas and still receive effective education and have a belief in a future there. All in all are surf camps ecological ly sensitive accommodations that work to preserve the local environment, culture and surf. Those camps help ensure that tourism is sustainable and that the spot will be around for years to come.This great opportunity given by tourism must be captured. Surf camps can contribute economically and environmentally to make tourism in Lagos more sustainable. Economically and socio-culturally by encouraging their guests to go to local restaurants and put their breakfast into local cafes and environmentally while staying educative and teach the environmental friendly surfer's lifestyle to their guests. 5 5. Implementation The implementation of these solutions must be â€Å"SMART†: Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.To specify the goals I have to answer the following questions: What: To make Lagos more sustainable, while balancing the amount of local and foreign workers, therefore encouraging business owners to employ more locals, ease up occurred tensions between l ocals and foreigners and promote the â€Å"green† surfer lifestyle. Who: With the regulative and financial help of the government and the educative support of local surf camps When: Regulations should be set for the next season already, education during the season Where: Lagos and its affected beaches, PortugalWhy: Lagos is one of the most visited cities in the Algarve, not capturing the potential of being more sustainable would occur in an absolute invasion of foreigners, the loss of Portuguese culture and the excess of Lagos' carrying capacity. Measuring: How much? How will I know when it is accomplished: The unemployment rate should be reduced down to max 5-10 %. Local tourism related businesses should have a percentage of min 30% of locals working for them.All the surf camps in town should if possible transfer their breakfast to local cafes. Attainable: How can the goal be accomplished: The goals may be accomplished with the interaction of the government, the surf camps a nd the locals as well. Relevant: Does this seem worthwhile: Implementing these solutions will make Lagos more sustainable and keep it as an attractive destination in the future as well. Is this the right time: It is definitely the right time, because the problems will get worse and worse if nothing is to be done.Does this match other needs: It perfectly matches the most important need of reducing the negative and increasing the positive impacts of tourism. Time-bound: When: ASAP What can be done today: Inform and encourage to do something: governments, authorities, camps and locals. 6 6. References Personal experiences while working at Algarve Watersports http://www. carvoeiro. net/news-reader/items/2011-01-01_arbeitslosigkeit_an_der_algarve. html http://topachievement. com/smart. html ———————– [pic] ———————– 9

Divine Revelation and the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity

Divine Revelation and the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity Introduction The aspect of faith is a contentious issue and therefore different Christian denominations have different beliefs in various aspects pertaining to God, the Supreme Being. There are however certain elements of faith that are almost universal to all Christians while others are treated differently.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Divine Revelation and the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Nicene Creed that emphasizes on the Blessed Trinity, for example, attracts different views as some completely adhere to it while others reject it on the basis that it is not part of the bible. This paper tries to evaluate the Church’s understanding of mystery of the Blessed Trinity and the various arguments associated with it. The Blessed Trinity and the church The Blessed Trinity comprises of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one body and spirit. It shows the unity among the three parts in one God. It is given high emphasis in the Nicene Creed which is adopted by most churches including the Anglican Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Assyrian Church of the East, the Roman Catholic (Old Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic Churches), the Lutheran church and most Protestant denominations. Some churches and Christians however consider it as unauthoritative because it is not part of the bible, for example, the Church of the New Jerusalem and the Jehovah’s Witnesses.[1] According to the Nicene Creed, there is only one God who is the creator of everything that is visible and invisible, one Lord Jesus, the Son of God who was born of the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary for the sake of our salvation, crucified, suffered and died for our sins then rose and ascended into heaven and will come again for judgment, and the Holy spirit who is worshiped and glorified together with the Son and the Father. The Nicene Creed also states that there is also the resurrection of the dead and life after death (eternal life). The creed gives a person some form of identity in professing what he/she believes and gives him/her the spirit to keep growing in faith and doing the right things knowing that at the end of it all there is life after death just as Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. Any person though has the option of either professing the creed or not. The creed clarifies opinions on whether and how Jesus Christ is God and also serves as a basis of church doctrines.[2] A Christian should believe and understand the mystery of the Trinity.[3] In prayer Christians should ask God the Father to draw them close to the Son, the Son to reveal the Father to them and Holy Spirit to unite them to the Father and the Son. The trinity should be treated as one God in three persons and none of the persons should be under-emphasized. The three persons interrelate and work together as one. The Catholic Church preaches th at there is only one God who is infinite in knowledge, power, and other aspects of perfection. In this supernatural being there are three self who are perfectly equal to each other.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Jesus Christ is God for he is over all things and Man since he was born as man through incarnation and lived a normal life and died as we do. The sign of the cross used by Christians, for example, in baptism shows a profession of faith in the Blessed Trinity. Members of the church should be united and believe in the same doctrines of revelation[4] (Gibbons, 2003). The Blessed Trinity is a concept adopted by the church in its practices. A Christian should in all ways believe that God manifests Himself in three bodies; The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as one. Just as there is unity in the Blessed Trinity, the church expects unity and harmony among the church members and also among the various organs that constitute the church. People should co-relate and work together to achieve what God require of them and in the long run to inherit the kingdom of God. The controversial element in the Blessed Trinity is the second person; the Son; where people tend to disagree to the idea that He is God basing their arguments on the fact that he was created by God the Father. Further arguments state that the Son is not equal to the Father as He is visible as opposed to the Father, He is a created being and that his generation is not eternal and hence He is inferior to the Father. In His teachings Jesus Christ also stated that there is a powerful God who had sent Him making us feel the superiority of God the Father. Nevertheless, the church teaches that Jesus Christ is God since he is of the substance of the father and he is also Man since He was born of the Virgin Mary through incarnation, and he lived and died as man. The Blessed Trinity has c o-existed and neither the Father has lived without the Son or the Son without the Holy Spirit. The Blessed Trinity aspect has been given great emphasis by various congregations by integrating the Nicene Creed in their ways of worship in the liturgy. The creed is recited after the word of God is read and before the prayers of intercession and this shows the importance attached to it since it acts as a link between the word of God and prayer. Though the Blessed Trinity idea is not in the Bible it receives great support from the scripture, for example, in baptism where Jesus Christ authorized baptismal of people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Mathew 28:19). He also told them to recognize him as the Son of God and promised them that the Father would send them a divine person; the Holy Spirit. It is nonetheless associated with debate since some people believe that since the three persons have equal powers, there are three Gods as opposed to one God in three pers ons. The fact that the Son and the Holy Spirit draws power from the Father also makes people believe that they are less equal or inferior to the Father.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Divine Revelation and the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conclusion The Blessed Trinity teaches God’s nature. It is evident that God implements His powers through three persons who have a divine nature. The persons; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are perfectly equal though distinct from each other. The Son is begotten of the Father by eternal generation and the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and Son by an eternal procession. It is however through divine revelation that this concept of Blessed Trinity can be understood, all in all this remains an impenetrable truth to reason. Reference List Geitz, E. Gender and the Nicene Creed. Church Publishing, New York, 1995. pp 11-85. Gibbons, J. Faith of our fathers; blessed Trinity’, Tan Books and Publishers, New York, 2003. pp 17-19. Lafrance, J. Abiding in God; Prayer and Life in the Blessed Trinity, National library of Canada, Canada, 2004, pp 47-56. Willies, D. Clues to the Nicene Creed: A brief Outline of the Faith. WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing co., Cambridge, 2005, pp 14 -18. Footnotes E Geitz, Gender and the Nicene Creed. Church Publishing, New York, 1995. pp 11-85 D Willies, Clues to the Nicene Creed: A brief Outline of the Faith. WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing co., Cambridge, 2005, pp 14 -18. J Lafrance, Abiding in God; Prayer and Life in the Blessed Trinity, National library of Canada, Canada, 2004, pp 47- 56 J Gibbons, Faith of our fathers; blessed Trinity’, Tan Books and Publishers, New York, 2003. pp 17-19.

Ottawa, the Capital City of Canada

Ottawa, the Capital City of Canada Ottawa, in the province of Ontario, is the capital of Canada. This picturesque and safe city is the fourth largest city in the country, with a population of 883,391 as of the 2011 Canadian census. Its on the eastern border of Ontario, just across the Ottawa River from Gatineau, Quebec. Ottawa is cosmopolitan, with museums, galleries, performing arts and festivals, but it  still has the feel of a small town and is relatively affordable. English and French are the main languages spoken, and Ottawa is a diverse, multicultural city, and about 25 percent of its residents are from other countries. The city has 150 kilometers, or 93 miles, of recreational paths, 850 parks and access to three major waterways. Its iconic Rideau Canal becomes  the worlds largest naturally frozen skating rink in the winter.  Ottawa is a high-technology center  and boasts more engineers, scientists and Ph.D. graduates per capita than any other city in Canada. Its a great place to bring up a family and a fascinating city to visit. History Ottawa began in 1826 as a staging area a campsite for the construction of the Rideau Canal. Within a year a small town had grown up, and it was called Bytown, named after the leader of the Royal Engineers who were building the canal, John By. The timber trade helped the town grow, and in 1855 it was incorporated and the name was changed to Ottawa. In 1857, Ottawa was chosen by Queen Victoria as the  capital of the province of Canada.  In  1867, Ottawa was officially defined by the BNA Act as the capital of the Dominion of Canada. Ottawa Attractions The Parliament of Canada dominates the Ottawa scene, with its Gothic-revival spires rising high from Parliament Hill and overlooking the Ottawa River. During the summer it includes a changing of the guard ceremony, so you can get a taste of London without crossing the Atlantic. You can tour the Parliament buildings year-round. Canadas National Gallery, the National War Memorial, the Supreme Court of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mint are within walking distance of the Parliament. The National Gallerys architecture is a modern reflection of the Parliament buildings, with glass spires standing in for Gothic ones. It houses mostly the work of Canadian artists and is the largest collection of Canadian art in the world. It also includes work by European and American artists. The Canadian Museum of History, across the river in Hull, Quebec, is not to be missed. And dont miss the spectacular views of Parliament Hill from this vantage across the river. Other museums to check out are the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Weather in Ottawa Ottawa has a humid, semi-continental climate with  four distinct seasons. Average winter temperatures are around 14 degrees Fahrenheit, but can it sometimes dip to -40. There is significant snowfall in the winter, as well as many sunny days. While average summer temperatures in Ottawa are around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, they can soar to 93 degrees and above.