Diamond International Co-Corporation Essay

I. Executive Summary Diamond International Corporation (DIC) is one of the leading suppliers in the country. It is a trading company that imports thermoplastic (PVC) pipes, values and fittings. By 1990, the company has already grown to more than 50 employees. The company has identified its three major marketing areas: projects and major accounts, branches and dealership. It is also the major competitor in selling high-precision screws and bearings needed by the semicon industry II. Point of View (POV) President of the Diamond International Corporation III. Time Context Around the time when the company placed Mr. Robert Cruz being in-charge of the over-all shop operation of the ABC Steel Company and was appointed as the new shop manager. The same time when the company’s production backlog has reached its proportions that will lead to the halt of businesses with other companies. From the point of view of the new shop manager, the company may go bankrupt in five months time if the company keeps paying penalties. IV. Statement of the Problem To determine present and future manpower requirements of the organization in coordination with planning and job analysis activities. V. Objectives 1.To address the fair and justifiable hiring and selection of the future employees of the company. 2.To improve the working behavior of the employees and increase coordination in every aspect of their work. VI. Areas of Consideration By 1990, the company has already grown to more than 50 employees. It is now one of the leading suppliers in the country. It imports thermoplastic (PVC) pipes, valves and fittings. DIC’s main clientele is the semiconductor industry. It included Splash Island in Laguna as one of its major projects. It has a standing inventory of Php 15m+ located at its warehouse in Las Pinas. DIC is also a major competitor in selling high-precision screws and bearings needed by the semicon industry. The sales from this area constitute 10 to 15 percent of the company’s profits. Opportunities 1.The company’s assurance of the maintenance of quality 2.Improved productivity Threats 1.Company backlogs 2.Shortage of skilled manpower VII. Assumption 1.The organizational structure of the management creates discord in the effective operations of the company. 2.No effective HR program is present to handle the company’s manpower. 3.No harmony is present within the management, operations, production and logistics of the company. VIII. Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) 1. Team Building – designed for improving team performance advantages: a. encourage both individual and team development and improvement. b. helps individual to focus on group goals to accomplish more beneficial tasks. c. helps individual in decision making process. d. helps each employees to assess their personal effectiveness and strengths. disadvantages: a. difficulty in assessing the performance of an individual’s role in a team. b. coordination costs are very high (team building as a management has to spend a lot of costs.) 2. Monitor the performance of each employee advantages: a. targeted staff development – good performance management system can be positive way to identify developmental opportunities. b. rewards staff for a job well done. c.allows employees growth d. provide an opportunities to discuss issues and clarify expectations with their managers. disadvantages: a. Time consuming b. Biases occur when it comes to performance evaluation that lead to difficulty in assessing one’s work performance. IX. Conclusion and Recommendations The management should develop a just and fair hiring of their employees. They should follow the appropriate guidelines for the recruitment process so that they can hire the best candidates having the right potential for a particular position. X. Plan of Action a. The HR Department should develop a new strategy that will help them to assess the work performance of each employees. b. Everyone should be aware of the recruitment process. Ensure all staff involved with the recruitment and selection of staff are trained and aware of your recruitment policy and have the skills to ensure its effective implementation.

Maalouf – Leo Africanus

Amin Maalouf’s novel Leo Africanus, a fictionalized memoir by an actual sixteenth-century Muslim adventurer, is an often-interesting account of life during the turbulent end of the Middle Ages, told from the point of view of a man who survived his life’s ample turmoil and bridged conflicting cultures without wholly belonging to any. The narrator of this work, a traveler and author known in his lifetime as Jean-Leon de Medici or Leo Africanus, was born in 1488 as Hasan al-Wazzan, son of a prominent Muslim family in Granada, Spain.   At the time, southern Spain’s Andalusia region (of which Granada was its chief city) was Muslim-dominated, with Catholics, Muslims, and Jews alike coexisting in a cosmopolitan, relatively tolerant atmosphere.   Maalouf depicts Granada as an intriguing, exotic, tolerant place for its time, despite its corrupt rulers and ultimate weakness before the invading armies of Aragon and Castile. Shortly after his birth, Spanish forces conquered Granada and soon started persecuting all non-Christians, forcing them to convert to Catholicism or flee, depriving them of their wealth in either case.   Though European history depicts Spain’s liberation from Muslim rule as a glorious event, it was a tragic blow for the Muslims who had lived there for centuries and built a prosperous, learned society.   As his uncle Khali, a wealthy diplomat, laments, â€Å"See how the people . . . have been forced into slavery after their surrender!   See how the Inquisition has raised pyres for the Jews . . . [and] for the Muslims as well!   How can we stop this, except by resistance, mobilization, and jihad?†Ã‚   (Maalouf, 1988, p. 25)   Though the word â€Å"jihad† today carries ominous meanings for Westerners, in this context it meant self-defense in the face of an intolerant enemy. The Spanish appear in a distinctly negative light, as bloodthirsty, vindictive conquerors who used the Inquisition to crush their enemies, real or perceived.   Maalouf offers in interesting inversion of Western opinion here, and he shows post-1492 Granada as a dark, dangerous place whose intellectual life is crushed.   Also, while modern readers think of Jews and Muslims as mortal enemies, Maalouf demonstrates that they enjoyed peaceful relations in medieval Andalusia, and Leo laments the Spanish edict mandating â€Å"the ‘formal termination of all relations between Christians and Jews, which can only be accomplished by the expulsion of all the Jews from our kingdom’† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 59). His uncle Khali assumes a dominant role in Leo’s life, helping educate him and, more importantly, taking him along on his 1504 diplomatic mission to Timbuktu, then an important Muslim cultural and commercial center in sub-Saharan West Africa.   Even as a teenager, he demonstrates keen insights to the world around him, particularly to the appearances, peoples, and attributes of the cities he visits en route.   For example, he describes Ain al-Asnam, an ancient city destroyed during Islam’s spread, as â€Å"sole witness of the age of ignorance† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 155), implying that despite its former glories, it symbolizes the dark era before Islam spread its enlightened message. In addition, he reveals a gift for vivid descriptive prose when he says of Sijilmassa, a once-thriving city on the road to Timbuktu: â€Å"Of its walls, once so high, only a few sections remain, half-ruined, and covered with grass and moss.   Of its population, there remain only various hostile clans . . . [who] seem merciless toward each other [and] deserve their fate† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 157).   Though he is not intolerant of peoples different from himself, he also does not shy from passing judgments on unfortunate places, though his own life is full of misfortunes; he accepts fate’s fickle nature, which perhaps sustains him through his difficulties. His uncle dies en route back to Fez and Leo returns home to work in a hospice and marry his cousin Fatima, who is far less pleasing than Hiba, the slave girl who becomes his longtime mistress (similar to Warda, the servant whom his father chose over his wife, Leo’s mother).   He also tries to save his sister Mariam from the leper colony, where an influential suitor, a highway robber named the Zarwali, had had her banished for refusing to marry him. One sees by this point that women have a difficult position in Muslim society; denied many rights, they live tightly circumscribed lives and are subject to male commands and whims at all times.   Maalouf does not impose modern sensibilities here; he remains within the character of the times and accepts this lack of freedom as Muslims of the time did, and Leo laments his sister’s fate less because she lacks freedom than because her punishment was unduly cruel. As he enters adulthood, his life continues a pattern of good fortune followed by personal or financial disasters from which he always recovers and rebuilds.   Leo becomes a successful merchant in Fez and fathers a daughter with Fatima, but when his longtime friend Harun (who has married his unfortunate sister Mariam to liberate her from the leper colony) causes the Zarwali’s death, Leo is expelled from Fez for his complicity and loses his fortune on the road to a band of thieves.   He finds some relief in Hiba’s native village, where her former peers buy her back from Leo, restoring some of his wealth but costing him the love of his life. He accepts these reversals surprisingly well by modern standards, but Maalouf implies that the late medieval/early modern world was a cruel and fickle place, with few certainties in life other than misfortune.   A common theme throughout the book is that such events are simply God’s will; when he loses both his fortune and Hiba, Leo laments, â€Å"Such is the judgment of the Most High!† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 214).   His faith does not waver throughout the story, even when Christians abduct, enslave, and force him to become a Catholic. Leo’s destiny seems to be the roads he travels throughout his adult life; his form of geography and travelogue seem to be his calling in life, and he demonstrates a keen grasp of how to describe people and places.   His travels take him throughout northern, western, and central Africa, and he states without obvious boasting, â€Å"When our geographers of old spoke of the land of the Blacks, they only mentioned Ghana and the oases of the Libyan desert. . . . I myself, who am only the last of the travellers, know the names of sixty black kingdoms . . . from the Niger to the Nile† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 216).   Such knowledge would later serve him well. He becomes involved with the era’s political intrigues when he meets and marries Nur, the widow of the Ottoman ruler’s nephew.   While Leo supports the Turks in the vain hope that they will liberate Andalusia from the Spanish and make it safe for Muslims again, Nur opposes it and fears that Turkish agents will murder her infant son to prevent him from assuming the throne.   Reflecting on the discord within his own faith, Leo asks, â€Å"Is it not in the blade of a knife brandished by the Friend of God above a pyre that the revealed religions meet?†Ã‚   (Maalouf, 1988, p. 245)   He longs for the tolerance and unity of his youth in Granada, hence his somewhat naà ¯ve support for the Ottoman Empire, of which he says, â€Å"the turbans of the Turks and the skull caps of the Christians and Jews mingle without hatred or resentment† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 258). His destiny as a geographer and scholar is realized when Sicilian pirates kidnap him in Tunisia and present him to Pope Leo X as a slave.   As with the rest of his life, this misfortune leads to another lucky phase, as the pontiff, impressed with Leo’s intellect, employs him as a protà ©gà ©.   Forcing him to become a Christian and renaming him John-Leo de Medici (for the pope and the family that takes an interest in him), the pope employs him as a teacher of Arabic while tutoring him in European languages, so that he can produce a volume of his travels, Description of Africa.   He earns his freedom but becomes embroiled in papal intrigues, so he must flee yet again – this time for Tunisia, where he can again be a Muslim.   In closing, he advises the reader to be himself in the face of adversity, saying, â€Å"Muslim, Jew or Christian, they must take you as you are, or lose you† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 360).   Though he has kept his Muslim faith inwardly i ntact, Leo’s ability to adapt has ironically saved and sustained him. The book illustrates the uncertainty of life in the pre-modern era, since peaks and valleys of instability mark Leo’s life from the beginning.   His family loses its fortune and is driven from Granada by conquering Spanish Christians, who then launch a wave of intolerance against Jews and Muslims, forcing them to either become Catholic or leave.   In addition, he loses his fortune to thieves, his wife Fatima dies young, he remarries Nur (who leaves him after his abduction), and he is enslaved by Christian pirates in the Mediterranean. He handles it philosophically, accepting the fact that his life is destined to be itinerant, turbulent, and beyond his ability to control.   As he tells Nur, â€Å"Between the Andalus which I left and the Paradise which is promised to me life is only a crossing.   I go nowhere, I desire nothing I cling to nothing, I have faith in my passion for living . . . as well as in Providence† (Maalouf, 1988, p. 261). Overall, Leo Africanus is a solid effort to take the modern reader into the mind of an educated, influential Muslim living at an unstable time in European history.   Maalouf does not inject modern sensibilities into his narrative but depicts the Muslim culture of the times fairly, without a pro-Western bias.   In addition, he strives for authenticity by using a sort of formal, occasionally wordy prose that one assumes is based on the actual writing and conversational style of Leo Africanus’ times.   In the process of producing this interesting historical figure’s tale, Maalouf also makes clear one of the chief realities of this era in history – that life is uncertain and fickle, and that the intelligent, resourceful, and adaptable are best suited to endure these shifts of fortune. REFERENCES Maalouf, A. (1988).   Leo Africanus.   Chicago: New Amsterdam Books. Maalouf – Leo Africanus Amin Maalouf’s novel Leo Africanus is a novel based on an actual sixteenth-century Spanish-born Muslim geographer and writer born under the name Hasan al-Wazzan.   The author gives the reader clear insights into the conflicts between the Muslim world (whose influence in Europe was then waning) and that of Christianity (which reasserted control over his native Spain and to which he became a somewhat unwilling servant). The theme of the title character’s life is conflict and misfortune, which seem to plague him from early childhood.   Born in 1488 to a rich Muslim family in Granada, Spain, he witnesses as a small child the Catholic victory over the ruling but weakened Muslim elites, followed by a wave of vengeance and intolerance against not only Muslims but also the Jews, who have also lived peacefully in Spain with Christians for centuries.   Hasan (the name he uses throughout his life, except when in service to the Pope) demonstrates some of this by mentioning how members of the different religions interact and how some cultural exchange occurs. For example, when discussing dates, he frequently refers to Christian and Muslim holidays in tandem, showing their mutual acceptance: â€Å"It all happened on the ninth day of the holy month of Ramadan, or, rather . . . on St. John’s Day, the twenty-fourth of June, since Mihrajan was celebrated not in accordance with the Muslim year but following the Christian calendar† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 63). Here, Maalouf makes clear that Islam was then the much more tolerant religion, accepting aspects of Judaism and Christianity that the Catholic Church refused to allow.   Because Christianity and Islam were fighting for territory, intolerance was an instrument of control and oppression, and the victorious Spaniards had to qualms about driving out or murdering Jews and Muslims who refused to accept forced conversions to Christianity. His family, deprived of its wealth, flees for the North African city of Fez, where they live as refugees under the care of his kindly uncle, who provides for his education.   As he comes of age, he shows a remarkable ability to observe and understand the peoples and places he encounters – a gift he sharpens when, as a teenager, he accompanies his rich, well-connected uncle on a diplomatic excursion to Timbuktu. For example, he writes of Sijilmassa, a once-thriving city on the road to Timbuktu: â€Å"Of its walls, once so high, only a few sections remain, half-ruined, and covered with grass and moss.   Of its population, there remain only various hostile clans . . . [who] seem merciless toward each other [and] deserve their fate† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 157).   Though he is not intolerant of peoples different from himself, he also does not shy from passing judgments on unfortunate or blighted places, though his own life is full of misfortunes; he accepts fate’s fickle nature, which perhaps sustains him through his difficulties. Hasan’s adult life is generally unstable and rife with misfortune, which seems to be the norm in a world where little other than hard luck is guaranteed.   After his uncle dies, he returns to Fez to work in a hospice for the sick and insane, marries a rather plain cousin (despite his long relationship with Hiba, a slave mistress), later becomes a prosperous merchant, and seems to live a somewhat conventional life.   However, he is not destined to enjoy a stable, uneventful life. When he starts his business career, his mother makes a prediction that seems to foreshadow the direction of his life: â€Å"Many men discover the whole world while seeking only to make their fortune.   But as for you, my son, you will stumble on your treasure as you seek to discover the world† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 187).   Indeed, fate – so strong a presence in the novel that it almost seems like a character – intervenes and his life is again turbulent.   When he becomes embroiled in his childhood friend (and brother-in-law) Harun’s plot to avenge his sister Mariam’s confinement to a leper colony, the authorities expel Hasan from Fez and thieves on the road rob him of his fortune.   In addition, he is forced to sacrifice his mistress, Hiba, in order to regain some of his riches. However, his destiny is to discover the world, which indeed is why modern readers even know of his existence.   Always astute and insightful, Hasan compiles his observations during his many travels, forming the basis for his lasting renown as an early geographer and expert on sub-Saharan Africa.   He travels throughout the continent’s northern and central regions and, when speaking of other writers’ ignorance of Africa, states, â€Å"I myself, who am only the last of the travellers, know the names of sixty black kingdoms . . . from the Niger to the Nile.   Some have never appeared in any book, but I would not be telling the truth if I would claim to have discovered them myself, since I only followed the ordinary route of the caravans† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 216). He moves to Cairo (then under Ottoman Turkish rule) to restart his often-disrupted life, commenting that â€Å"I was suddenly certain that after the tempest which had destroyed my fortune a new life was awaiting me in this land of Egypt, a life of passion, danger and honour† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 218).   Here, he again finds himself on the wrong side of destiny when he marries into the Turkish sultan’s family and supports them in their political maneuverings, in the vain hope that they will retake Granada in the name of Islam. He dreams his entire life of his birthplace and the words of a visiting delegation from the sultan foster the naà ¯ve faith that he can return: â€Å"A great Muslim empire is in the process of coming to life in the East, and we in the West should stretch out our hand to it.   Until now, we have been subjected to the law of the unbelievers† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 257).   However, this scheme also goes awry and he is enslaved by Italian pirates, who give him to Pope Leo X. This phase of Hasan’s life is a strange twist of fate, in which apparent tragedy turns into great luck.   The pontiff, seeing that the learned, sophisticated Hasan is no ordinary captive, employs him as a tutor of Arabic and requires him to learn Latin, Turkish, and lessons in the Christian faith.   Hasan deems this â€Å"a refined form of forced labour . . . [and] proof of [the Pope’s] own enthusiastic interest in me† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 294). The end result of this gentle captivity is Description of Africa, a book describing his many travels in a continent with which Europeans were still largely unfamiliar.   He wins his freedom but again finds himself on the wrong side of a larger political conflict (this time within the Catholic Church), so he escapes Rome for Tunisia, where he can openly practice Islam again.   In closing, he advises the reader to be himself in the face of adversity, saying, â€Å"Wherever you are, some will want to ask questions about your skin or your prayers.   Beware of gratifying their instincts . . . beware of bending before the multitude!† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 360).   Though he has kept his Muslim faith inwardly intact, his ability to adapt and â€Å"go with the flow† preserves him. Without dwelling on the point, Maalouf makes clear to the reader that in this unstable, uncertain medieval world, Fate plays an exceptionally strong role in everyday life.   Indeed, Hasan witnesses plenty of calamity in his life; his birthplace is seized and made repressive by Spanish Catholics; he and his family see their wealth rise and vanish repeatedly; he marries twice and loses both wives (the first dies young, while the second abandons him after his enslavement); and he is forced to seek his fortunes elsewhere several times in his life. He accepts the fact that he is meant to live on the move and takes little for granted, seemingly aware that his fortunes can be reversed at any time (and frequently are).   However, he never becomes embittered; he accepts his fate but laments, â€Å"Such is the judgment of the Most High† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 214).   His faith does not waver throughout the story, and even when Christians abduct him and force his conversion to Catholicism, he follows but keeps his innermost religious beliefs to himself.   He excels as a chameleon and thus survives. His second wife comments on his tendency to travel and disrupt his own life, asking, â€Å"What substance are you made of that you accept the loss of one town after another, one homeland after another, one woman after another, without ever fighting, without ever regretting, without ever looking back?†Ã‚   † (Maalouf, 1989, p. 261).   He responds by telling her that â€Å"life is only a crossing. I go nowhere, I desire nothing I cling to nothing, I have faith in my passion for living, in my instinct to search for happiness, as well as in Providence† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 261).   Indeed, in this exchange, Maalouf presents the reader with the essence of Hasan’s character.   He is well aware of life’s transience and thus is passionate only about his religion; though he seeks wealth and happiness, he wastes little time mourning the loss of either and looks ahead to â€Å"the final Place where no man is a stranger before the face of the Creator† (Maalouf, 1989, p. 360). Leo Africanus is more than simply a fictionalized memoir.   It is a classic fish-out-of-water story, illustrating how this educated, well-connected Muslim merchant, traveler, and scholar finds reverses and radical changes in his life at several turns but adapts to each.   In addition, it demonstrates how people of that era were very much at Fate’s mercy; little could be taken for granted in such unstable times, but the narrator never loses faith in the â€Å"Most High,† the God to whom he turns for sustenance. In somewhat formal prose that one suspects was the norm for educated people of that era, Maalouf does not impose a modern viewpoint but offers a fair, compassionate, historically-aware portrayal of both Muslim society and one of the more unusual figures within it.   The story of Hasan al-Wazzan is, more than anything else, the tale of an accomplished scholar and a consummate survivor who never forgot who he was, the culture that produced him, or the deity that showed him mercy amidst the world’s turbulence. REFERENCES Maalouf, A. (1989).   Leo Africanus.   Chicago: New Amsterdam Books.

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Is 'gender chaos' an accurate reflection of how the twentieth century Essay

Is 'gender chaos' an accurate reflection of how the twentieth century affected the roles of men and women in African societi - Essay Example With the coming of the colonial government however, these roles came to be directly challenged, as it sought to redesign the African way of life according to its liking. The colonial policies tended to result in chaos between the genders as each strived to maintain the roles that it had traditionally held in the traditional society. Many of the policies that the colonial government instituted were aimed at achieving certain imperial goals but these came to be resisted by the men and women in African societies who felt that their way of life was being threatened by the European colonizers. While the initial response was resistance, this resistance came to fall apart as many African societies either adapted to the European way of life or chose to abandon the gender roles, which they had held in the traditional society. Therefore, it can be said that it is indeed true that gender chaos is a true reflection of how the roles of African men and women were affected in the twentieth century. The colonial policies on various issues came to affect the way men and women in African societies behaved and it can be said that they may have caused gender chaos. The colonial government tended to put limits on some of the traditional practices of African societies in order to achieve one goal or the other. While some of these intentions may have been good, they tended to create a lot of discord in the African communities involved, with some either choosing to ignore the colonial policies while others tended to do it the way they were required, and later do it the traditional way. An example of such colonial policies is given by Lynn Thomas (2003) who in her work states that in order to reduce the instances of abortion in the Meru community in Kenya, the colonial government decided that the age of female excision was to be reduced. This was done because while it was a normal thing within this community for women to have premarital sex, if they became pregnant before excision, the n they were required by their communities to abort the child. This requirement came about because those girls who had not been excised were considered not to be real women and their offspring were considered not to be human but demons. Such forced abortions were believed by the colonial government to be the reason why there were low birthrates among the Meru leading to low population growth. This colonial policy met with resistance from members of the community especially the women, who saw this as a violation of their traditions. While there was compliance with the colonial requirements, the older women in the society and at times the girls involved, often took it upon themselves to do the excision on the girls at the required age, even though these girls had already undergone the operation. The role of women in African societies came to change during the period of the struggle for independence against colonial rule. In many of the African traditional societies, men were the domina nt gender being given preferential treatment in the attainment of all the prominent positions in society. Women, on the other hand, were less visible, often concentrating on the management of their own homes and families. This was the custom throughout most of Africa until such a time as Africa came to be colonized. For several decades after colonization, the role of women in society remained the same but this came to change when some women started gaining the

Pediatric Issues Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pediatric Issues Paper - Essay Example Since the nutrient mix of breast milk is yet not fully known, giving DHA in infant formula can cause negative impacts. Secondly, the DHA added to infant formula is highly synthetic oil, extracted by growing fungus and algae in laboratories, through processing a toxic chemical hexane. It can at no chance be compared to breast milk. For gathering the required information, the WIC clinic in the area decided to take two measures. First was to ask, as a routine from every mother on their visit, about the method they use to nourish their infant. If the answer was Formula, they were further inquired about which formula they were using. Secondly, a representative was sent to every home in the nearby location to question different mothers about how they nourish their infant and incase of formula, which brand they use. Data was searched over the internet, locally published journals and magazines over infant health and growth. The research was thorough and focused on the rate of formula fed and breast fed babies and the effects on them of the chosen method of nourishment. (Positive or negative) The results raised an alarm to take the matter into serious consideration. Having DHA added, the formula was marketed ‘as closest to breast milk as ever’. With increased marketing, the number of mothers who believe that both methods are equally good also took a height. After the advent of the idea in 1996, the survey results showed that 12% of mother had this believe in 2003, which rose to a disappointing 24% in 2004 (results shown in appendix). The manufacturing companies had no way to control the demand by controlling the number of babies born, therefore, through intensive marketing, they changed the perception and succeeded in convincing and discouraging mothers to breast feed in order to increase their sales. It was shocking to hear firsthand horrible stories from mothers of how their infants

Data Storage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Amusement Parks Essay Example for Free

Amusement Parks Essay * A rushing Feeling of anticipation and excitement takes over you as you’re taking the journey through the maze called the parking lot. * Arrive at destination and a million things trickle in your head similar to look how big this place is or which rides should I attend to first and many more. * Theme parks are a sense of liveliness. * Everywhere you look; crowds of people are in high-spirits and have a bundle of energy. * Children and teens of all ages dash over to rides to get in the front row. * There is laughter, people talking, people happy or down. * Kids tugging on their parents clothes to beg for things they want. â€Å"Mommy can I go on this ride?† * The main attractions are mainly the roller coasters and rides. This includes rides that twist, turn, flip, sling, go fast, go slow, and sometimes get you soaked in water. * Amusement Parks are so massive that people can get lost. * They provide maps that have pictures and the title of the certain events or places of the park this way people know where they want to go first and how to get out. * Some theme parks not only have rides but tamed and trained animals that can do tricks to entertain the audience and then there are animals that are behind glass windows casually walking around or doing something with their partners in the area they sleep in.

Issues in Social Work and Mental Health Quality Issues

Issues in Social Work and Mental Health Quality Issues An Analysis of a Range of Issues in Quality Frameworks, Processes and Methods of Measurement in Mental Health Work and Social Work Practice Introduction In equating the various range of issues with respect to quality frameworks, processes as well as methods of measurement in mental health work and social work practice it is important to understand the meaning of these terms as well as their respective applications in the United Kingdom, which represents the subject focus for the aforementioned. Mental health is defined as (Houghton Mifflin, 2006): â€Å" A state of emotional and psychological well-being †¦Ã¢â‚¬  whereby individuals are able to utilize their respective â€Å"†¦ cognitive and emotional capabilities †¦Ã¢â‚¬  to function as members of society as well as to â€Å"†¦ meet the ordinary demands †¦Ã¢â‚¬  which are a process of daily living† In the context of mental health services it relates to â€Å"A branch of medicine that deals with †¦ achievement and maintenance †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Houghton Mifflin, 2006) of the psychological well-being of individuals. The International Federation of Social Workers (Bouldertherapist.com, 2006) defines social work as a profession that â€Å"†¦ promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships †¦Ã¢â‚¬  as well as giving individuals the empowerment and liberation â€Å"†¦ to enhance their well-being†. The profession, as maintained by the International Federation of Social Workers utilizes â€Å"†¦ theories of human behavior and social systems †¦Ã¢â‚¬  in a context whereby the profession intervenes and interacts with individuals at the areas where they â€Å"†¦ interact with their environments† and whereby the principles of both human rights as well as social justice are underpinnings in the field of social work (Boulderthe rapist.com, 2006). These two fields have a denominator in common, which is that they exist to serve people and help them to improve, as well as cope with their aliments and to ultimately return to a healthful state. The process of serving individuals in this capacity represents some of the most challenging professions in that the analysis of effectiveness, quality, processes and the methodologies utilized in measuring the aforementioned with respect to the varied issues arising from the active practice can be subjective in most instances. This examination shall look at the mental health and social work professions from the context of a range of issues representing quality frameworks, processes and methods of measurement to determine the progress made in providing better service and quality to patients and carers. Total Quality Management Deming (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 138, 248), Crosby (1980, pp. 212-223) and Juran (1992, pp. 171) are all proponents of ‘Total Quality Management’ which is a strategy dedicated to building into an organization the awareness of thinking in terms of embedding quality in all phases of an organization’s processes. The International Organization for Standardization (2006) defines ‘Total Quality Management’ as being â€Å"†¦ a management approach †¦ centered on quality †¦ which is †¦ based upon the participation of all its members †¦ that aims at long-term success †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Wikipedia, 2006) achieving the foregoing through customer and or client satisfaction that generates â€Å"†¦ benefits to all members †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Wikipedia, 2006). The preceding includes the organization itself as well as society. In equating quality, the usual context in which one thinks of this word is in products, rather than services such a those prod ucts which are made with a minimum of problems, of good materials and which work properly and achieve this through consistent operation. However, quality as an end result is an organizational mind set, and as referred to in the International Organization for Standardization (2006) definition as a process â€Å"†¦ that aims at long-term success †¦Ã¢â‚¬  achieving the foregoing through customer and or client satisfaction that generates â€Å"†¦ benefits to all members †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Wikipedia, 2006). Deming (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 6-10) is an American consultant who exposes the importance of implementing a quality oriented organization that permeates every facet of an organization’s structure and culture, regardless of department or function. Deming (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 8) states that organizations must produce â€Å"†¦ products and services that help people to live better† and that the preceding â€Å"†¦ is the raison d’etre †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 8) of the organization. His philosophy is that through the adoption of quality products and services, which is a function of management inculcating its staff in quality and innovation measures, the end product and or service improves as does its relationship with its customers and or clients. Crosby (1980, p. 1-5) indicates that mistakes or poor organizational habits and or policies are costly in terms of corrections and the damage to reputation and morale and that all members of an organization have the responsibility to perform their jobs which enhances the performance of other functions thus becoming a synergistic effect. Crosby (1980, p. 4-8), as does Deming (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 6-10) and Juran (1992, pp. 171) all emphasize the importance of quality in increasing an organization’s ability to provide services that meet and exceed client expectations through the effect that quality orientation has on internal interpersonal relationships and openness to ideas. The heart of the work level philosophies held by Deming (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 138, 248), Crosby (1980, pp. 212-223) and Juran (1992, pp. 171) is the contribution of ‘quality’ to the equation of improved services and innovation in heightening organizational standards. The term ‘quality’ can thus mean in this context (Wikipedia, 2006): the excellence and or achievement of an object or service, meaning that it is not inferior or sub-standard, a meaning of excellence in its own right ‘Quality’ is a term in this context that is synonymous with good, which represents the criteria utilized as the standard being applied. Deming (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 138, 248), Crosby (1980, pp. 212-223) and Juran (1992, pp. 171) equate this word in the following manner: Deming (Deming, 1988) states that improved quality helps to reduce operating costs through less error and correction measures. He indicates that to attain the preceding a consistency of purpose needs to be inculcated throughout the organization with an overall plan that is maintained. Deming (Deming, 1988) stresses the need for improved consistency on an ongoing basis and to remove the barriers between various departments to increase and improve communication, feedback and intra-company working processes. Deming’s (Deming, 1988) thirteen point program stresses that it is management that leads and sets the example as well as supports ongoing quality through active participation that involves everyone within the organization as well as suggestions and contributions from working partners and clients. Juran (1992, pp. 154-198) states that quality application in organizations is defined by crafting them to be utilized in context with the organizations purpose to improve performance. Crosby (1980, pp. 189-216) also trumpets the application of quality throughout the organization as a management down function that must be maintained, taught as well as communicated to bring the staff not only on board, but committed to the adoption of quality and improvements as an organizational way of thinking. Moullin (2002, pp. 2-7) advises us that quality in health and social care fits within these fields as it is important to: patients as well as service users, staff, and the application of quality can aid in the reduction of costs as well as provide better service in the context of budgetary and cost constraints. It is interesting to note that Moullin’s (2002, pp. 2-7) points are the same as those emphasized by Deming (Aquayo, 1991, pp. 138, 248), Crosby (1980, pp. 212-223) and Juran (1992, pp. 171) in the general context of total quality management, and that the application in the health and social care fields is the same as for manufacturing, banking, or any other industrial sector. Moullin (2002, pp. 2-7) points out that quality in the health and social care fields is important in that not only do patients as well as service users benefit in that their differing requirements are met in a better, more comprehensive and complete fashion, the benefit of quality also affects both these groups each time they come into contact with the organization(s) and thus their individual confidence levels rise with the expectation that they will receive good service and be well treated. Moullin (2002, pp. 5) advises that patients in need of health and social services are usually stressed, worried, v ulnerable as well as frightened with respect to the outcome of their need(s) and that long waits on the telephone, in lines, for responses, little or insufficient information, poor facilities and insensitivity exacerbate the preceding. He (Moullin, 2002, pp. 6-8) indicates that quality in these fields, health and social care, is important in that: The staff benefits as the vast majority elected for a career in these fields out of a desire to help others, rather than for monetary gains and that poorly organized staffing functions contribute to frustrations for employees reducing their morale as well as effectiveness. Moullin (2002, p. 6) adds that quality is important in the reduction of costs as he advises that the correlation between resources and quality represents a strong relationship. And while the amount and number of staffing is important, quality can be improved irrespective through the application of new innovative techniques, technology, work flow planning, scheduling and other means. Moullin (2002, p 6) indicates that reduction in costs sometimes means increasing services and or staffing in one area whereby the work load flow will thus lessen the impacts on another thus either balancing out or reducing costs through flow adjustment. While it is difficult to place an exact date or year on when quality became an active force in the health and social care sectors, the concern over spiraling health care costs, inefficiencies and deteriorating services began to surface in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s in the United States, as well as a result of the increasing costs burdening the governments in Europe’s socialized medicine schemes (Bennett et al, 1999). The era of unlimited access and treatment as the foundation of quality oriented services in the health and social care fields began to give way to the spiraling costs of advancements in diagnostic techniques and therapeutic modalities, with the rising costs of health and social care exceeding the rise in the costs of living in the United States as well as Europe and the expenditures for socialized medicine threatened the economies of many nations in Europe (Lighter, 1999, p. 265). In addition to the foregoing, the aging of the world’s po pulation as better medical care has increased life spans, and this combined with the fertility transition has increased the proportion of older adults and has contributed to the concern for quality in health and social care (Demeny et al, 2003). Health care spending in most OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, such as (OECD, 2006): Australia Austria Belgium Canada Czech republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Japan Korea Luxembourg Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Slovak Republic Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom United States, amounts to in excess of eight percent (8%) of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with health related spending in the United States projected at fourteen percent (14%) (World Trade Organization, 1998). The public’s concerns over increased costs for health and social care services prompted the privatization wave on the mid 1980’s in the expectation that the measure would increase efficiency as well as reduce costs, but those expectations from this initiative have been elusive (Bach, 1989). The preceding created a climate whereby governments in Europe under socialized medicine, as well as the private health care structure and governmental social care system in the United States began to look for measures to control and reduce costs while increasing quality. In 1998 the Department of Health in the United Kingdom issued a ‘White Paper’ titled â€Å"Modernising Social Services† (Department of Health, 1998) which represented the United Kingdom governmental response to public opinion as well as mounting social care costs to introduce quality frameworks into the system. The White Paper set forth a framework at the national level that called for (Department of Health, 1998): the establishment of â€Å"†¦ clear objectives for social services†¦Ã¢â‚¬ that created a â€Å"†¦ clear expectation of outcomes †¦Ã¢â‚¬  which social services would be â€Å"†¦ required to deliver.† (Department of Health, 1998), the publication of a â€Å"†¦ National Priorities Guidance†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998) that set up key targets that social services would achieve in the intermediate term, and putting into place â€Å"†¦ effective systems †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998) via which to monitor as well as to manage performance. The Department of Health’s White Paper in 1998 clearly set forth that the government of the United Kingdom was putting into place â€Å"†¦ new resources to support †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998) the programme, and in return for these added resources, pegged at  £1.3 billion over 1999/2000 – 2001/2002, and the United Kingdom government made it clear that it expected â€Å"†¦ to see improvements in quality and efficiency †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998). The Best Value framework represented another name for Total Quality Management in the context of health and social services care in the United Kingdom. Under the â€Å"Best Value† framework indicated under this White Paper, the government set forth that (Department of Health, 1998): Local authorities were mandated to establish â€Å"†¦ authority wide objectives for performance measures† (Department of Health, 1998) in consort with the national objectives as well as government set standards and or targets. Local authorities were also provided with the responsibility to conduct and â€Å"†¦ carry out fundamental performance reviews †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998) concerning all their services in a five year framework utilizing these reviews for assessment and the establishment of â€Å"†¦ local performance plans†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998). That the local planning process will be underpinned and supported via data obtained â€Å"†¦ from a new statistical performance assessment framework† (Department of Health, 1998). â€Å"†¦ Local Performance Plans †¦Ã¢â‚¬  will be utilized to identify the targets for improvement compared against performance indicators on a local level and â€Å"†¦. The National Best Value Performance Indicators †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998). Annual reviews of the aforementioned local performance plans will be conducted by the Department of Health utilizing Social care Regional Offices to assess progress and identify problem areas (Department of Health, 1998). The White Paper put into place an independent inspection system utilizing data from the performance assessment framework (Department of Health, 1998). And lastly, the ‘Modernisation’ programme set forth a system of Joint Reviews reducing the time table to five years from seven (Department of Health, 1998). The new programme set forth a performance assessment framework that specified performance areas defined by (Department of Health, 1998): cost and efficiency, effectiveness of service delivery and outcomes, quality of services for users and carers, and fair access. Analytical Methods of Quality Measurement and Standards Balanced scorecards represent a top-down hierarchical set of management tools that link long-term financial goals with performance targets (Kaplan et al, 1996, pp. 75-84). The United Kingdom’s National Health Service utilizes what is termed a ‘Star Rating’ system which is an example of the balanced scorecard (British Library, 2002). Kaplan et al (2001) advise that this methodology, specifically designed for the public as well as voluntary sectors has a link between performance measures and strategy, and thus the method should represent one of benefit in these regards. The caveat is that there are varied difficulties arising from its use by organizations as the financial perspective measurement is not the defining factors of organizational purpose in the public sector (Dickson et al, 2001, pp. 1057-1066). Kaplan et al (2001, pp. 135) agree with the foregoing and add that in utilizing the balanced scorecard governmental agencies should consider the utilization of an overarching objective at the head of their respective scorecards which is reflective of the long-term objectives (Kaplan et al, 2001, pp. 135). The difference in the utilization of the balanced scorecard in a not for profit and governmental agency mode as opposed to business is the way stakeholders are considered. In a business atmosphere stakeholders are involved as it represents the best means to conduct business, however in a not for profit and governmental agency sense, these organizations usually exist for the benefit of the users of the service as well as other stakeholders thus changing the emphasis whereby stakeholder contribution is more fundamental (Moullin, 2002, p. 167). Moullin (2002) adds that user involvement takes place at two levels, one represents helping to develop the service to meet their needs and the second entails the involvement of users and carers in the decisions concerning their health as well as the care given and received. Benchmarking, as a term, has numerous definitions, however at its core it represents a process of â€Å"†¦sharing information, learning and adopting best practices †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (PSBS, 2006). The European Benchmarking Code of Conduct states that it is a process of making comparisons against other organizations and thus learning from the lessons these comparisons reveal (The European Benchmarking Code of Conduct, 1998). In the context of social care, benchmarking entails the understanding or and utilization of knowledge gained across a range of services and compilations to utilize in formulating standards of measurement as a guide to rating and understanding the performance of services in individual local authorities. The weakness of benchmarking is that it can not stand as a total measurement without revision and modification as newer and more effective techniques and methods prove themselves. Thus as a standard in a state of flux, benchmarking represents a system that is base d upon existing methodologies, that are changing, being modified and or amended. Thus benchmarking represents a useful, yet temporary methodology whereby the practitioners must be mindful that existing standards are subject to change, which in conjunction with other measurement methodologies has contributed to improving quality and performance in the health and social care sectors. Quality Approach The utilization of balanced scorecards, and benchmarking fall under the concept of Total Quality Management which is termed Best Value under the Department of Health’s Modernization Programme and is illustrated by an example provided by Gillian Crosby (2004, pp. 7-8), the Director of the Centre for Policy on Ageing. She indicates that the problem in the social services arena, is wrongly based in concentrating on the solving of their problems as well as users of services rather than as their being active contributors to society. Crosby (2004, pp. 7-8) indicates that the NHS views social care as well as society’s older individuals as a â€Å"problem† which in what Crosby (2004, pp. 7-8) terms a â€Å"†¦ very narrow approach †¦Ã¢â‚¬  thus creating a focus on delivering intensive services which thus â€Å"†¦ excludes †¦ older people and their careers†. She further states that in the aspect of quality as it relates to social services the s ystems of initiatives, pilots, and projects that have been created and put into place to audit, evaluate, monitor and investigate service development and provisions have been in place for years. Crosby (2004, pp. 7-8) maintains that the problem is the â€Å"†¦ sustaining and maintaining †¦Ã¢â‚¬  these areas and â€Å"†¦ building them into effective †¦Ã¢â‚¬  provisions through utilizing these collective findings and synthesizing that information. Crosby (2004, pp. 7-8) indicates that this void causes good ideas to stagnate rather than permitting them to be explored and utilized where warranted and she cites that quality thus suffers as a result of duplication and what she terms as â€Å"†¦ pilot fatigue †¦Ã¢â‚¬ , indicating that the system needs to implement as well as create and find more innovative ways in which to service elder citizens in a manner whereby these initiatives are â€Å"†¦ developed and maintained.† Crosby (2004, pp. 7- 8) that there are numerous examples of individual cases whereby instances of good practice have been demonstrated through partnerships that have improved service provisions for elder citizens, citing the â€Å"London Older People’s Service Development Programme† as an example. The preceding utilized a collaborative model that promoted optimized care and independence and grew into a tool implemented by the National Service Framework for Older People in London with the hallmark being its â€Å"†¦ single assessment process† (Crosby, 2004, p. 8). The foregoing example is an instance whereby the practice of Best Value and allied tools need improvement to respond to the specialized needs of a segment of social care services, but this example does not indicate that system wide the measurement has not produced results. The system has shown â€Å"mixed progress† as reported by the BBC (2005) as the quality of care has improved since the adoption of the Modernization Programme, but as the BBC (2005) reports, â€Å"†¦ there are still worrying gaps †¦Ã¢â‚¬  with regard to service as reported by inspectors. The BBC (2005) report indicated that three quarters of the council departments received ratings â€Å"†¦ in the top two categories †¦Ã¢â‚¬  as opposed to slightly â€Å"†¦ over two thirds in 2004†. Thus progress has been made as a result, yet there is still sufficient room for further improvement. The NHS Mental Health sectors foundation for improvement in its quality of services was set forth under the National Service Framework in 1999 which established a blueprint for care throughout the United Kingdom †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Department of Health, 1998). The initiatives established for a modern NHS resound with the word ‘quality’ as its foundation (Appleby, 2000, pp. 177-291). The process filters down into every job description utilizing the word â€Å"quality agenda† (Appleby, 2000, pp. 177-291) which is composed of six elements: treating patients as well as service users with the dignity they deserve, the creation of the proper environments via which patients can recover and utilizing their views to accomplish how services should be developed, recognition of the skills of families in the roles of carers, linking service activities to needs so acutely ill individuals receive urgent care access through a comprehensive range of services, making the best as well as most effective treatments available, and emphasize patient safety The success of the system is contained in the regional rating system which measures the number of ‘Local Implementation Plans’ in red, amber and green (Appleby, 2000, pp. 177-291). The National Service Frameworks set measurable goals as follows (Department of Health, 2006): the setting of national standards and the identification of key interventions with respect to defined service and or care groups, placement of strategies that support implementation, establishment of means via which to ensure progress in defined time frames, introduction of the new NHS and A First Class service that re-emphasized the position of NSF’s as the key drivers in the deliverance of the modernized agenda. The success of the NSF is assessed by what are termed interface indicators which are a part of the performance assessment frameworks which has seen demonstrated improvement throughout the system as a result of the Department of Health Modernization Programme and as contained in the Mental health NSF Performance Report of July 2005 rated all ongoing programs as meeting the prescribed targets of achievement (Mental health NSF, 2005). In 2005 26 councils received the three star top rating, which represented an increase of six councils over the prior year (BBC, 2005). The total results indicated (BBC, 2005): 83 councils received two starts as opposed to 78 in the year 2004, 31 received one star, which represented a decrease from 36 the year before, 3 received zero stars, which decreased from eight in 2004. The foregoing indicates that the Modernization Programme has demonstrated progress and as a result of the varied programmes and measurement systems there is in place a means to equate progress. Clinical Governance is a term and process which grew from the commercial arena under standards for financial management for companies in the private sector (Palmer, 2002, pp. 470-476). In the framework of the NHS it represents a methodology and framework whereby organizations are accountable for the continuous improvement in the quality of their services as well as high standards of care through the creation of a climate and environment whereby excellence with regard to clinical care grows (Department of Health, 1998, p. 33). Since the implementation of the Department of Health’s modernization programme NHS community and acute trusts have been charged with the creation of established structures as well as processes for clinical governance which is monitored by the CHI. It represents a comprehensive approach comprised of four areas (Palmer, 2002, pp. 470-476): definitive and clear lines of responsibility for overall clinical care quality, programme of quality improvement regarding activities that includes a clinical audit, development and utilization of clear policies that manage risks, procedural methodologies for all groups to identify as well as correct poor performance areas The heart of the system is the clinical audit which places accountability on the managers and utilizes performance management as the process of delivering the objectives throughout organizations to filter down to each individual and job description thus providing management with clear roles and set priorities. The programme has been rated as successful in terms of it providing a clear set of measurement data to gauge and compare progress through point in time comparisons under its clinical audit segment which represents a new system that did not exist (Palmer, 2002, pp. 470-476). As such it has aided in the achievement of measurable improvements in the field of patient care, making such an established routine. The Commission for Social Care Inspection utilizes a framework of fifty performance indicators that when assessed as a whole provide an overview of the manner in which local councils are serving the needs of their residents concerning social care service delivery (East Sussex County Council, 2006). Inspections are carried out a minimum of once in a three year period and can be conducted at any time and is comprised of three types of inspections (Commission for Social Care Inspection, 2006): Key Inspections: These are comprehensive and through inspections that are unannounced and are conducted at least once for all adult social care services during a year period. It represents on sire as well as documentation reviews and inspections of all areas of service categories without any prior notice. Random Inspections This type represents targeted specific issue inspections conducted in addition to key inspections in the follow up of complaints and or progress from an earlier inspection calling for specific areas of concern. Thematic Inspections These inspections represent follow up to regional and or national issues concerning medication, nutrition or similar areas and are also in addition to key and random inspections which can be conducted at any time. The preceding inspections provide the formulation for ratings and represent a gauge on progress, standards and adherence to established policies. The performance indicators represent fifty differ areas ranging from (National Statistics, 2005): Children’s Pls placement stability employment, education and care leavers education unit cost of residential care unit cost of foster care children reviews core assessments long term stability children in need Adult Pls emergency admissions drug treatment program participation unit costs of residential and nursing care adults at home services for carers client reviews carer assessments waiting times The methodology has been successful in terms of providing a measuring device via which the CSCI can assess progress and improvements as well as backward movements in services. The audit commission’s role promotes the utilization of performance data to fuel improvements in services provided to the public (Audit Commission, 2006). The Audit Commission works with varied governmental departments, agencies and local authorities to define a broad array of performance indicators applicable to their circumstances. As a department the Audit Commission’s success is represented by the performance indicators it assists in the development of for the aforementioned and is a success as these varied programs have improved the ability of these agencies, departments and local councils in assessment of the services under their charge. Conclusion The NHS Modernization framework has been devised to oversee and create improvement in the world’s largest government public sector health and social care programme which stands in excess of  £9 billion and is responsible for delivering a huge variety of services to every corner of the United Kingdom (Department of Health, 2006). Serving individuals in these sectors represents a demanding subjective function whereby the standards of quality and service delivery are defined by consistently improving services and new methodologies which change the standards as innovation introduces newer and improved techniques. Total Quality Management represents a technique that under the NHS Best value programme and Modernization plan of 1999 offers a means via which the system can monitor itself as well as agencies and local authorities with the foregoing fluctuating basis and improve its quality of service delivery in keeping with changes and improvements in care. The preceding is important as a result of the lessons learned in spiraling health and social care costs that surfaced in the late 19

Factors Affecting International Energy Policy

Factors Affecting International Energy Policy International Energy Policy Ze Cassule The factors affecting the content of international agreements for the oil and gas industry The Oil and Gas industry has certainly come a long way since the first discovery of oil in Texas. Whilst there are several opinions about what the future holds for the Gas and Oil Industry, there is one very unquestionable detail that will influence not only the Gas and Oil Industry, but the world as well: there have been significant changes worldwide and the demand for energy across the world will of course continue to grow. Population growth and the undisputed craving of currently underdeveloped countries to gain success economically speaking. It is hazy at the moment as to what rate the demand will grow but irrespective of this, the energy demand is already there and will continue. The DECC (Department of Energy Climate Change) governs the licensing system for the UK’s offshore and onshore development and management of the gas and oil reserves. Production licences When the DECC dispenses a production licence to a group of companies or a single company the new licensee is basically given sole rights to drill for, explore for and produce natural gas and oil within an area that has been specified. Production License owners must be confident and certain of these rights they have been granted prior to making any investments that are deemed necessary to essentially develop gas and oil fields worldwide. Within the production licences there is an â€Å"Exclusivity Clause† which prevents companies from building rival wells which would try and use and develop from the same resource. Legislation and regulation The DECC is governed by the UK Government and Parliament and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the Petroleum Act 1998 to allow for gas and oil exploration. The production licences which are issued include terms and conditions under which the DECC has the power to oversee and regulate companies activities for things such as : Oil and gas drilling Oil and gas field production and development Licence operatorship and transfers The confidentiality and storage of data The DECC is a governing body of sorts and also manages and oversees all offshore environmental regulation and the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines. It seems like the DECC is the be-all and end-all of the oil and gas industry regulations but there are many energy related activities that the DECC doesn’t actually regulate. The subsequent storage of petroleum based spirits fall under the jurisdiction of the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and Local Authorities. Framework of the energy policies In the UK, (Wales and England in particular), when a consent for development application is made for a significant national energy organisation project, there are policy processes which are applicable: The UK Planning Inspectorate firstly receives and then considers the said application under the Planning Act 2008. The Planning Inspectorate then makes their recommendations to UK ministers at the DECC (Department of Energy Climate Change) Finally, the DECC ministers take everything into consideration and make their final decision. Each and every significant national energy organisation project is determined and defined as: Power stations which includes wind farms (both onshore and offshore) with a capacity of generating in excess of 50 megawatts (onshore) and 100 megawatts (offshore) Liquefied natural gas and large gas reception facilities as well as the underground storage of gas as set out in the 2008 Planning Act Electricity power lines which are above the ground at 132 kilovolts or above Gas transporter pipelines and cross country oil and gas pipelines which meet the thresholds and conditions as set out in the 2008 Planning Act The European Commission 2030 policy framework for energy and climate has clear goals and purposes to make the economy and energy system within the European Union much more secure, sustainable and competitive. Whilst the European Union seems to be making a great deal of progress towards meeting its climate and energy targets for 2020, an integrated policy framework for the period up to 2030 has been deemed as an necessity to ensure that regulatory certainty for potential investors and much more co-ordinated approach amongst Member States. The framework presented by the European Commissionin January of this year sought to drive a perpetual development and progress to an economy which is essentially low-carbon. The framework aims to develop a secure and competitive energy system that enables all consumers to purchase affordable energy, increases the EUs security of their energy supplies, lessens our dependence on imported energy and also creates new growth, jobs and opportunities. In March of this year (2014) leaders of the European Union agreed to finalise the framework by October 2014. Their framework has a number of objectives and goals which will of course effect the future of the gas and oil industry. 40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions The crux of the framework is the goal to reduce by 40% the domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This goal will guarantee that the European Union is on their economical right track in meeting its objective of reducing emissions by 80% (at least) by 2050. This goal is essentially setting the level of climate aspiration for the year 2030, the European Union are also looking to actively engage in the consultations on a relatively new climate agreement that ought to take effect from 2020. The overall 40% target looks set to be achieved, the sectors covered by the European Union Emissions Trading System (ETS) would have to significantly reduce their emissions compared to 2005 by at least 43%. Sectors outside the European Union Emissions Trading System would need to cut their emissions by 30% below the level they were at in 2005. 27% Increase in the share of renewable energy It looks like renewable energy will continue to play a significant role in the energy and climate evolution to secure a sustainable energy system. It has been reported that the Commission has proposed an objective of increasing the renewable energy share to 27% of the European Union’s consumption of energy by 2030. 30% Increase in energy efficiency A proposed 30% targeted increase in energy savings has been suggested by the European Commission after a review of the EED (Energy Efficiency Directive). The target which has been proposed seems to build on the already reached targets and achievements: in the construction industry, new builds use 50% of the energy they did in the 80’s and overall, industry is around 19% less energy intensive than it was nearly 15 years ago. EU emissions trading system reform In order to make the European Union Emissions Trading System more effective and robust in the promotion of a predominantly low-carbon investment at a much smaller cost to consumers. It is believed that the reserve would address both the surplus of allowances for emissions that have built up in recent years and also to greatly improve the resilience of the system in relation to key shocks by essentially adjust automatically the supply of the allowance. Affordable and secure energy The proposition from the Commission has a set of key indicators to assess the progress over time and deliver a basis for action as required. The difference in energy prices with trading partners, the supply variation and the reliance on natural energy sources are just some examples of what progressions will be looked at in more detail. A new governance framework The proposition of the 2030 framework suggests that a new governance framework which will be based upon national strategies for a competitive source of sustainable and secure energy. Energy costs and prices report The Commission which is setting out the framework is supplemented by an energy price and costs report which will assess the key handlers and compare European Union prices with those of the leading trading partners. The 2030 framework will be informed of these findings. In Conclusion Looking ahead; Apparently, and according to the latest energy outlook by ExxonMobil; Oil consumption across the globe is around 230 million Barrels of Oil Equivalent per Day (BOE-D). Gas and Oil supply approximately 60% of the total energy demand with 20% of the remaining demand coming from coal and the remaining 20% coming from hydro, wind, solar and nuclear energy. Predictions by ExxonMobil are that in just six years time, there will be an increase of some 24% for the worldwide demand of energy; with around 80% of this coming from previously underdeveloped. It has been reported that the outlook for gas and oil is that it they will both continue to supply the world energy demand by about 60% by 2020. This essentially means that an additional 30+ million Barrels of Oil Equivalent per Day of both gas and oil will need to be produced to meet these high demands. There are some unique challenges that will need to be met in order for oil and gas producers to achieve these goals and meet the demand for future gas and oil supplies. Access to Critical Resources At the moment, the most unyielding issue in the gas and oil industry appears to be the access to substantial and significant quantities of gas and oil resources. There seems to be a general consensus that there is more than enough oil to meet the demand in the future, however in excess of 80% of the world’s gas and oil resources lie at the mercy of NOC’s (National Oil Company’s) and governments. Politics will, as ever play a huge part in whether the future oil and gas supplies will be readily available when they are needed Cost of Services The increased costs for all services including procurement, drilling, facilities, engineering and construction will play a major part in the future of gas and oil supply and I think that this would be a major factor for all oil companies across the world. Drilling rigs or oil rigs would be a major factor and new rigs look set to become available for both deep water and also onshore areas within the very near future. This obviously doesn’t entirely solve the problem. Professionals who are experienced and have the technical know-how will need to be available to operate the new machinery; this is a major problem in the gas and oil industries as they are very hard to find. New and Innovative Technologies There is going to be an ongoing need for new technology that can help with all aspects of oil and gas production. These new technologies will need to be able to not only find and develop new sources but also be able to actually produce more gas and oil. One of the major influences in the past has been technology and is one of the major driving forces in the oil and gas industry. Being able to produce and deliver gas and oil in an effective, efficient and safe way whilst still taking into consideration the huge impacts on the environment. Bearing in mind the fierce challenges that the oil and gas industry will continue to face we can still predict that gas and oil companies may need to focus on the resilience of the energy supply chain globally. Safety will always be in the forefront in terms of concerns for gas and oil companies and it is safe to say that accountability and safety will forge relationships between service companies and owners. The gas and oil industries are facing a multilevel challenge in that they have to meet the growing demand for energy whilst reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and continually protect the environment. In order for the gas and oil companies to provide both long and short term solutions they will have to continue to carry on partnering with industry stakeholders and governments in investing and developing cleaner technologies and new energy sources. References/Bibliography

The Egoistic Friend :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites What are friends for and how can a friendship be tested? By behaving altruistically, would be the most common answer and by sacrificing one's interests in favour of one's friends. Friendship implies the converse of egoism, both psychologically and ethically. But then we say that the dog is "man's best friend". After all, it is characterized by unconditional love, by unselfish behaviour, by sacrifice, when necessary. Isn't this the epitome of friendship? Apparently not. On the one hand, the dog's friendship seems to be unaffected by long term calculations of personal benefit. But that is not to say that it is not affected by calculations of a short-term nature. The owner, after all, looks after the dog and is the source of its subsistence and security. People – and dogs – have been known to have sacrificed their lives for less. The dog is selfish – it clings and protects what it regards to be its territory and its property (including – and especia lly so - the owner). Thus, the first condition, seemingly not satisfied by canine attachment is that it be reasonably unselfish. There are, however, more important conditions: a. For a real friendship to exist – at least one of the friends must be a conscious and intelligent entity, possessed of mental states. It can be an individual, or a collective of individuals, but in both cases this requirement will similarly apply. b. There must be a minimal level of identical mental states between the terms of the equation of friendship. A human being cannot be friends with a tree (at least not in the fullest sense of the word). c. The behaviour must not be deterministic, lest it be interpreted as instinct driven. A conscious choice must be involved. This is a very surprising conclusion: the more "reliable", the more "predictable" – the less appreciated. Someone who reacts identically to similar situations, without dedicating a first, let alone a second thought to it – his acts would be depreciated as "automatic responses". For a pattern of behaviour to be described as "friendship", these four conditions must be met: diminished egoism, conscious and intelligent agents, identical mental states (allowing for the communication of the friendship) and non-deterministic behaviour, the result of constant decision making. A friendship can be – and often is – tested in view of these criteria.

Gender Bias In Language :: essays research papers fc

Language is a very powerful element. It is the most common method of communication. Yet it is often misunderstood an misinterpreted, for language is a very complicated mechanism with a great deal of nuance. There are times when in conversation with another individual, that we must take into account the person's linguistic genealogy. There are people who use language that would be considered prejudicial or biased in use. But the question that is raised is in regard to language usage: is the language the cause of the bias or is it reflective of the preexisting bias that the user holds? There are those who believe that the language that we use in day-to-day conversation is biased in and of itself. They feel that the term mailman, for example, is one that excludes women mail carriers. Then there are those who feel that language is a reflection of the prejudices that people have within themselves. That is to say that the words that people choose to use in conversation denote the bias that they harbor within their own existence. There are words in the English language that are existing or have existed (some of them have changed with the new wave of "political correctness" coming about) that have inherently been sexually biased against women. For example, the person who investigates reported complaints (as from consumers or students), reports findings, and helps to achieve equitable settlements is ombudsman (Merriam Webster Dictionary) (Ombudsperson here at Indiana State University). This is an example of the gender bias that exists in the English language. The language is arranged so that men are identified with glorified and exalted positions, and women are identified with more service-oriented positions in which they are being dominated and instructed by men. So the language used to convey this type of male supremacy is generally reflecting the honored position of the male and the subservience of the female. Even in relationships, the male in the home is often referred to as the "man of the house," even if it is a 4-year-old-child. It is highly insulting to say that a 4-year-old male, based solely on his gender, is more qualified and capable of conducting the business and affairs of the home than his possibly well-educated, highly intellectual mother. There is a definite disparity in that situation. In American culture, a woman is valued for the attractiveness of her body, while a man is valued for his physical strength and his accomplishments (50).

History of Special Needs Provision in Ireland Essay

The history of education for children with special needs in Ireland has been one of neglect and exclusion until there was a change in attitudes and policies. The government had no need for policies regarding education and care of children with additional needs because they were carried out by religious orders. Many children were sent away to hospitals, homes and even asylums. They were hidden away from society. There were three stages in relation to the education and care of children with additional needs. Era of Neglect and Denial The era of neglect and denial was when the government thought children with special needs didn’t need to be educated and were seen as a medical problem. The Medical Model of Disability thought that children with special needs were abnormal. The problem was seen to be with the person with special needs and this model focuses on the causes of the disability and would look for cures rather than accept the person. â€Å"The medical model of disability views disability as a ‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled individual. It is not seen as an issue to concern anyone other than the individual† (www.2.le.ac.uk, Assessed 07 March 2014). Era of Special Schools The era of special schools was when a number of religious orders set up schools for children with special needs. The care and education was entirely up to the religious orders and the children would often board here rather than stay at home with their families. These schools were later recognised by the state. The government now believed children with special needs needed to be educated but not with â€Å"normal† children. They believed that the children would interfere with the education of the other children and therefore could not be educated in the same schools. Era of Integration and Inclusion The era of integration and inclusion began when the government introduced policies on education for children with special needs. They introduced these because of the decline in religion and religious orders. The state took over the care and education of children with additional needs. There was a demand for these children to be educated in schools alongside children who did not have special educational needs. This did happen but the children with special needs were taught in separate classrooms away from the other children. They were been educated but still not included. There are over 140 special schools in Ireland to date. These schools are designed for children who cannot be educated in mainstream schools. Some children may go to these schools for a period of time and then move into mainstream schools. Children with special needs are entitled to a free education until they reach eighteen years of age. They are entitled to help and support from resource teachers or special need assistants if the need it and to be educated in the same environment as every other child and to be treated equally. Legislation and Policies The Education Act 1998 The Education Act 1998 was the first piece of legislation that outlined the rights regarding education. This act is a general one but it provided the first legal definition of disability, the first legal definition of special educational needs and it defined what support services are. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of teachers, Board of Management, the Inspector and the Minister for Education. The Education Act 1998 says that all children including children with special needs are entitled to free education. Parents have the right to send their children to a school of their choice. All schools must respect beliefs, languages and traditions of all children. Schools have to have a plan in place to deal with any obstacles that may affect the education or welfare of a child with additional needs. All children have the right to be treated equally and should be included in all aspects of education despite their ability or disability. â€Å"This was the first piece of legislatio n passed since the foundation of the state that directly outlined the government’s rights and legal obligations regarding education† (Assisting Children with Special Needs, Assessed 08 March 2014: 10). The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 This Act was passed to ensure that all people with special educational needs can be educated in an inclusive environment where this is possible. They have the same rights to education as a person who does not have special educational  needs. They have the right to the equipment they need in order to participate and continue with their education. The Board of Management needs to provide information to the parents and others relating to the education of the child. They need to ensure the progress of the child is monitored and reviewed regularly. To review the resources that are needed to help and provide education to children with special needs. They need to ensure that the needs of the child are being met and that a plan is put in place specifically for each child. â€Å"This Act was passed in June, 2004. The Act makes provision for the education of people with special educational needs, to provide that education whe rever possible, in an inclusive environment with those who do not have such needs† (www.asti.ie, Accessed 10 March 2014) Special Needs Conditions Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ADHD is a common behavioural disorder that affects school age children and is more common in boys. Signs and Symptoms There are three major symptoms of ADHD inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Some signs of ADHD are been easily distracted, switching from one activity to another frequently and talking excessively. Causes The causes of ADHD are not known. There are a number of factors that may be linked to ADHD such as genetics, diet and family environments. Diagnosis The diagnosis should only be made if the problem has been assessed for more than six months and has happened in two or more places. This is because there are other conditions which are very similar to ADHD that have to be ruled out. â€Å"Attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) is a disorder that appears in early childhood. You may know it by the name attention deficit disorder, or ADD. ADD/ADHD makes it difficult for people to inhibit their spontaneous response – response that can involve everything to speech to attentiveness† (www.helpguide.org, Accessed 09 March 2014). Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy occurs when the part of the brain that controls muscle tone and movement is damaged. The condition can result in someone just been  clumsy or it can be more severe where the person cannot walk or move any part of their body. Signs and Symptoms Cerebral palsy may have the following signs and symptoms, lack of movement, difficulty walking, delays in speech development and trouble with swallowing. Causes There are no exact causes for cerebral palsy but it may be caused by brain damage before or during a child’s birth. Diagnosis A diagnosis for cerebral palsy will only be made after a child has been assessed and tests carried out. The tests will focus on the child’s movements and their muscle tone. Diagnosis for cerebral palsy can take a long time. â€Å"Cerebral palsy is a term used to refer to a group of complicated conditions that affect movement and posture because of damage to or failure in the development of the part of the brain that controls movement† (www.sess.ie, Accessed 10 March 2014). Autism Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain from functioning properly. Autism affects the way a person communicates and how they relate to other people. Signs and Symptoms Some signs and symptoms of autism are if a child does not respond to their name by the age of twelve months, have no words by sixteen months and does not point at objects to show interest by fourteen months. The child will avoid eye contact and will like to play alone frequently. Causes The exact cause of autism is unknown. Abnormalities in the brain, genetics and environmental toxins may be causes but this have not been proven. Diagnosis A screening test to diagnoise autism must be based on the observation of communication, behaviour and development and compare them to children in the same age group. â€Å"Autism is a neurological condition in which a child is unable to relate to people and situations. It first emerges in early childhood, when the child is first developing social and interpersonal skills. It is a rare condition affecting approximately five people out of  every 10,000† (www.irishhealth.com, Accessed 11 March 2014). Dyslexia Dyslexia is a learning disorder which makes reading, writing and spelling more difficult. It is the most common learning difficulty among children. Signs and Symptoms The most common sign of dyslexia is getting letters and words jumbled up. Lack of self-esteem, bad behaviour and lack of interest in school related activities are symptoms of having dyslexia. Causes There is no real evidence to suggest what causes dyslexia but it may be caused by an impairment in the brain or it may be inherited. Diagnosis Tests will be done on a child that is suspected of having dyslexia and will focus on how the child processes information, their language abilities and word recognition. â€Å"There was a time in Ireland when dyslexia was the disorder that dare not speak his name. The Dyslexia Association of Ireland. (DAI), established 40 years ago this year, had to change its name in the 1980s to the Association of Children and Adults with Learning Difficulties, so it would be taken seriously† (www.irishtimes.com, Accessed 11 March 2014). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) FASD is mental and physical condition that results from alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Signs and Symptoms Some of the signs and symptoms of FASD may include having a small head, deformities of limbs, heart defects and vision or hearing difficulties. Causes The causes of FASD is when a mother drinks alcohol excessively during her pregnancy. Alcohol interferes with the oxygen getting to the developing brain. Diagnosis FASD can only be diagnosed after a child is born. Doctors will access motor skills, facial features and heart problems. Support Services HADD Ireland is a support group for people affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They offer a wide variety of services  including courses for young people, courses for parents and support groups. In these courses they build skills, promote self-awareness and encourage problem solving. In the support groups they offer talks and workshops for parents that provide information and advice on ADHD. Cerebral Palsy Alliance is a support group that provides support and assistance for parents and carers of people who suffer from cerebral palsy. Each service is in place to help improve the quality of life and participation in everyday life. The services they provide include therapy and health services, counselling and respite care. They offer early intervention services and mentoring programmes for teenagers Irish Autism Action is an organisation that was formed to help sufferers of autism and their families. They offer a range of services including early detection prog rammes, education support, counselling, and home based support. They also have a helpline that offers confidential information and support for people with autism. They provide information and advice to families upon a diagnosis been made. Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) is a membership based organisation that educates people about dyslexia. They offer appropriate and effective support services for children and adults dealing with dyslexia. The services they provide are information services through phone, website or text, assessment services, specialist tuition for children through workshops or one on one tuition, training and education for parents, teachers and others. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Ireland is a support group that was set up by a group of carers who have had contact with children who suffer from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). They provide information to families, carers and individuals on any disability associated with FASD. Alcohol Awareness Week 2014 is one way in which they provide information and promote awar eness about FASD. References University of Leicester: â€Å"The social and medical model of disability† (Online), available: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/accessability/staff/accessabilitytutors/information-for-accessability-tutors/the-social-and-medical-model-of-disability