Poverty and Homelessness Essay

Over the years , we as a society have become insensitive to the major issues faced by the mankind and homelessness is one of those major issues. Millions of people, including children, families , babies ,veterans and elderly live day after day without food, water or a roof over their heads. People who are mentally ill also have it tough on the streets, which can be extremely confusing to them and dangerous to the rest of society. As the con side of this argument, it can be understood as a problem that must be solved soon and therefore should be addressed as major crises affecting the society. At the same time, I argue that it is not as big problem as it is made out to be. There are various reasons for why people are homeless and some of those reasons ,along with their effects as well as solutions are mentioned in this essay. The majority of homeless people are adult men. Many of these men choose to be homeless because that is the free lifestyle they want to live. Same is the case with many women and children. Homelessness life is not always as bad as it seems. Homelessness people have all the time in the world, they are free to do whatever they like without any restrictions. They can read books, take walks, go for hang outs and enjoy nature. There are the drawbacks of diminished health, alcohol and drugs and looks of disdain from other people, but any homeless people just live in their own world and enjoy it. According to my thought, homeless should just be allowed to live their lives. Second reason that can be considered as important for homelessness is that there are those people who do not make the choice of becoming homeless, but are forced of becoming homeless because of economic issues. For example, as the population is increasing at a very fast pace , it is getting difficult for everyone to find a job and as a result, unemployment prevails which directly leads to the issue of becoming homeless. There are the people that we need to help out financially. Thirdly, there are some people who make the choice of being homeless because they simply do not want to support themselves, these are the people that need to receive professional medical help. Our society can be seen as adversely affected by the problem of homelessness. Having no home can make it extremely hard for adults to get or keep work, being one of the causes of poverty which in addition to helping to maintain homelessness also helps turn households trying to be useful rospering citizens into victimized anti-social problem households breeding further poverty, drug addiction, alcoholism and crime. Homeless young people are much more likely to be not in education. In other words, the homeless people can not get access to a better education because they do not have the resources to fulfill their basic needs. Poor qualification, in turn, act as a barrier in finding job, as a result, future of the homeless people is spoiled. Poverty and desperation means some homeless people turn t o crime. This further decreases the chances of them finding work and escaping their situation. Homeless young people are more likely to be the victims of crime. Their situation puts them at risk of exploitation, particularly if they become homeless at a very young age. Homelessness has a huge effect on an individual’s both physical and emotional health. Homeless men and women suffer from cold that they can not get rid of because they have no access to medicine, food and warm housing. They also are more at risk for dependency on drugs and alcohol and contracting HIV. They suffer from vitamin deficiencies and often don’t get adequate sleep. Homeless people have no housing to protect themselves from physical violence and even rape. These can lead to emotional breakdowns that lead them to become institutionalized. In sum, homelessness is not a big issue for those who desires to be homeless, for instance , people who do not want to have social contacts with others , but , for the persons who are forced to become homeless ,it is a huge problem and needs to be solved. There seems to be two main elements in saving a homeless person. The government needs to help homeless people get back on their feet. They need to make sure also that homeless people do not abuse systems such as social security and housing. Also, homeless need to get up on their own two feet, for themselves. Finding jobs, such as selling â€Å"Homeless Newspapers† seems to be a common first step. To illustrate, a vendor gets the papers for free or low cost, sells them for something like a dollar and keeps 55 cents, or a little more than a half, for each sold. The homeless can then use this money to pay for food, shelter and other basic necessities. Many shelters exist whose primary goal is to provide homeless with a job and home. We help these people everyday without knowing as a proportion of our taxes go back to the community in many forms and one form is helping out the homeless. One can also help the homeless by volunteering at shelters. So if the government is willing to help get the homeless roused into the wanting of a better life, and they wish to follow through, then I suppose we could find a better, faster way to end the nation’s problem of homelessness.

Culture of China Essay

Education is one of the most important things during our life. I know the difference between Chinese education and American education. American high education is the best in the world, but when we talk about the basic education, most people will have different bifurcation. However, it is allowed in U. S. Americans think calculators go fast and are correct. So, when both students have an exam, then Chinese are better than American students. But when both students use some information tools, then Americans are really better than Chinese student. All appearance, Chinese students are better than American students when they manage and exploit cerebra, but when we compare how to use different information or how to spread cerebra, the American students are better than Chinese students. When we compare the Chinese basic education with America’s, then most people’s opinion are that Chinese education is for foundation education, and American education is for the cultivation of students’ creativity. In China, â€Å"seventy three percent people agree, and twenty four percent disagree with this. Also another three percent think Chinese education is foundation education, but student may be not learning much, while American education is for cultivating students’ creativity, but it can let students learn more. † China and America have totally different tradition and exams. Chinese education focuses on the knowledge to accumulate and indoctrinate, on how students use and manage the knowledge they learned in school, and on how to understand the knowledge system and structure. Reversely, American care more about how students use knowledge in society. It lets student challenge the knowledge, animadvert ideas, and focus on, exploit or create knowledge. These two types of attitude about education show us the different ways to understand knowledge, and also to show two countries with different education opinions. â€Å"In China, when comparing the education, sixty percent people think the best education model is uniting both advantages. It lets students have very good foundation education and good creativity. Sixty five percent disagree. Another thirty three people think, because the two types of education come from different culture, tradition and society background, it is really hard to combine. † The difference between China and America is mostly an education and knowledge difference. Such as, what is basic foundation education? We can have an example in math. In Chinese education, Chinese think it is basic to have calculation skills so everybody has to remember the entire concept. So, from elementary school to high school you are not allowed to use a calculator. American education focuses on improve student assuredness, self-determination, independence, and Chinese education focuses on strictness and preciseness. Good foundation education can improve creation; also it can improve student’s thinking. Good preciseness can improve comprehensive thinking. Also, could be an enemy to thinking. Education is culture, and different educations show different societies’ culture; the good American education system may not be good for Chinese society. So, different education has to follow the society background. Because different society backgrounds and different culture helps humans create a different country in the world, American education should be following the American’s culture. Also, Chinese education has to follow Chinese culture. A good education model for China is very important to the learning process, and also is very hard. Anyway, we only need modern education which is internationalization education system and localization education systems unite each other. That is going to improve our education skills.

A Survey of Advances in Biometric Security Research Paper

A Survey of Advances in Biometric Security - Research Paper Example The research paper primarily emphasizes upon the analysis of the advancement that has been seen in the field of biometrics over the years, which has widened its implementation and popularity in the recent time. It has been learnt that biometric solutions have become quite popular amid various sectors of the society with regard to its importance as a security control measures. The technology works for analyzing and evaluating the identification of any individual through examining their physical and biological elements. It is believed that the technology assure utmost accuracy while executing the process of data accumulation and data analysis further ensuring the proper identification of any individuals. This aspect further aids in assuring protection of any secured areas or confidential networks. There are several forms of biometric security solutions, such DNA identification, fingerprint analysis, face recognition and etc. However, it is believed that there are certain errors that ca n take place in the process of executing security measures through the use of biometric solutions. This particular aspect, impact the social acceptance of the system. It is known that use of biometric solutions has its origination since the early civilization where many of the approaches currently used by biometric solutions were used for various purposes. It can be concluded that biometric security solutions has developed rapidly over the years and recently has gained widespread acceptance as one of the most reliable security measures.

Contracting for IT Software Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Contracting for IT Software - Case Study Example The SLOC is a method that plays a huge role in estimating project costs for both an existing program and a program that is yet to be built. This approach is more straightforward and less risky particularly when dealing with an existing project. Three types of SLOC methods are used in project costs estimation. These are the physical SLOC, physical carriage returns, and the Logical SLOC. The physical SLOC is the most common in the development cost estimation process (Sudhakar 80). In the application of physical SLOC, one has to express the physical length of the code used by a programmer as seen by a physical eye. That is, the user applies this method by counting the lines of source code with the exclusion of comments and blank segments. To facilitate the counting process, a user builds automated counters of the physical lines of code. It is vital to note that the use of function points is another crucial method used in the estimation of IT software project costs. Function point entails a unit of measure that is used to determine the quantity of operational or business functionalities within an information system. The function points provide a measure of a software size. In general, it measures the size of a software development project by quantifying the software functionalities required by the user on the basis of the logical design and functional specifications. The function points method plays a huge role in ensuring that there is a clear measure of a software system’s size and complexity to aid in determining its development cost. Here, one function point represents one user required business function (Mislick and Nussbaum 66). It is essential to clarify the function point method can be used in the following way to determine the development costs of a software project.

Target marget Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Target marget - Essay Example p.). While innovators are proven â€Å"risk takers† who are the â€Å"first 2.5%† that will purchase a product, and early adopters are the ones who will purchase a product after some positive response from the overall market (about 13.5% of consumers), the early majority are the group of consumers who actually tends to avoid risk and purchase a product after majority of the market have already made a positive response about the product (34% of consumers) (â€Å"Product Diffusion Curve,† n. p.). Meanwhile, consumers in the late majority group are characterized by skeptic consumers who are only willing to purchase a product after the product is already commonly used (another 34%), and laggards are the ones that will last purchase a product (16% of consumers) (quickmba.com, n. p.). With this knowledge, I will choose to target the early majority; given that I am offering a new product, I would package the product to immediately generate positive response and interest . I am optimistic that getting the support of the early majority would lead the product to be accepted by majority of consumers. Works Cited â€Å"Product Diffusion Curve.† Quickmba.com. Quickmba, n. d. Web. 14 February 2011.

Scientific Journals Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Scientific Journals - Term Paper Example BP is British Petroleum (Alexander, 2010). Three months later, the spill oil was blocked and about half of the oil spilled was removed through evaporation, natural dissolution, and human action (Ocean Conservancy, 2010). However, about half of the estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil had already polluted the environment (Ocean Conservancy, 2010). Rather than blaming the BP, a House panel blamed a rig device for failure to cut the oil flow (Doggett, 2010). In May 2010, the BP and the US government jointly estimated that more than 5,000 barrels a day of crude has been leaking into the environment and scientists warned of an environmental damage that could rival the 1989 Exxon spill in Alaska (Ball & Hughes, 2010). Other scientists say, however, that the spill may be more than 10 times the 5,000 barrels-a-day joint estimate of the US government and the BP (Ball & Hughes, 2010). On the month, US scientists estimated that the oil spill â€Å"could cause more of Louisiana’s retreating marshland revert to open water† (Ball and Hughes, 2010, 4th paragraph). U.S. Greenpeace, a leading environmental group, has her own interpretation of the timeline of the BP oil spill disaster (2010). According to the Greenpeace US, as early as 2007, the US Interior Department’s Mineral Management Services (MMS) has acquired data that oil-drilling projects are marked with a history of accidents, fires, and deaths (Greenpeace, 2010). In July 2008, a top agency manager of the MMS was criminally charged for having conflicts of interest with oil companies (Greenpeace, 2010). Yet, however, the MMS was allowed to give BP an exclusion from the US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirement to prepare an environmental impact statement for BP’s drilling operations (Greenpeace, 2010). Based on the â€Å"timeline† of the Greenpeace (2010), the BP oil spill can be blamed to the lax application of US environmental policies as well as to the congruence of

The Iraq War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Iraq War - Research Paper Example The primary rationale of military intervention in Iraq as was articulated by the joint congress resolution stated that it was necessary to remove the regime of Saddam Hussein because it was developing and had previously used weapons of mass destruction (WWD), supporting and harboring terrorists and was committing serious human rights abuses (Gordon, 156). It was also argued that it was important to change rogue regimes in the Middle East to starve the support for militant Islamic extremists in the region. The U.S led invasion of Iraq however relied on the authority given by the UN Security Council Resolution that required the international community to employ all the necessary means of compelling the then Iraqi regime to comply with the international obligations. Despite the fact that the United Nations Inspectors did not find any prior evidence of WMD, the U.N resolution was nevertheless issues based on the argument by some inspectors that they could not verify the accuracy of the I raqi declarations regarding the weapons in its possession. Preparations for the military intervention in Iraq began as early as 2001 after President Bush highlighted the intention of the U.S government to change the regime of Saddam Hussein. ... 2003, the rhetoric by the Bush administration against the Iraqi regime increased culminating to the February 2003 presentation of evidence of Iraqi WMD program by Colin Powell to the UN Security Council (Gordon, 89). There was however significant dispute within the U.S military intelligence regarding the accuracy of the conclusions that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. The senate went ahead and approved the joint resolution thereby giving the Bush administration the necessary legal basis to launch the U.S led invasion of Iraq. The resolution reiterated the need to replace Saddam Hussein’s government and promote democratic replacement. Opposition to the Iraqi invasion however increasingly grew after the joint resolution with critics questioning the legitimacy of the invasion and legality of the war. Protests against the Iraqi war were also witnessed in several parts of the United States. In October 2002, the former U.S president Bill Clinton criticized the pl anned war and warned about the potential dangers of such pre-emptive military actions. Dominique De Villepin, the former French Foreign Minister also argued that military intervention was the last solution and should not be carried out. Meanwhile a number of anti war protests were organized in many parts of the world denouncing the decision to wage war against Iraq. The first coalition military operation began in July 2002 when a team of members of CIA special activities division and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) entered Iraq and began making preparations for the invasion by conventional allied forces. Their initial tasks included carrying out reconnaissance missions, identifying targets and persuading Iraqi commanders to surrender rather than opposing the invasion. On March 20,

Course Project - Annual Training Plan Term Paper

Course Project - Annual Training Plan - Term Paper Example All of these principles serve the body fitness requirements of the athletes in an appropriate manner. Let us now make use of these principles to develop a training program based on proper testing of a 22 years old football player. The athlete is 6 feet and 3 inches tall and he weighs 215lbs. we will include off-season, pre-season, and in-season schedules in the program. 12 Months Soccer Training Program I have divided the training program into 3 main sections, which include pre-season training, on-season training, and off-season training. Let us develop charts for each of these training sessions in order to get a detailed understanding of all exercises included in these sessions. Off-Season Training Schedule The off-season training program is of 10 weeks for my athlete. The program includes four rest days per week and light exercises for the remaining three days. Days Activities for Off-season Training After all exercises Monday Swimming (8am-8:30am and 5pm-5:30pm) Stretching (15 min utes at 6pm) Tuesday Rest day Wednesday Badminton (8am-8:30am and 5pm-5:30pm) Squash (10am-10:30am) Stretching (15 minutes at 6pm) Thursday Rest day Friday Tennis (10am-10:30am and 5pm-5:30pm) Stretching (15 minutes at 5pm) Saturday Rest day Sunday 15 Pushups 3 times (8am, 4pm, and 8pm) Jogging (25 minutes at 6am) Stretching (15 minutes at 10pm) Two main purposes of these light exercises are minimization of strength loses and physical recuperation of the athlete. As the off-season phase is the transition phase from in-season to next pre-season, the trainers include such exercises in this phase, which are not very heavy or muscle building exercises. The main purpose of all of these exercises is to keep the physical fitness of the athlete intact. â€Å"Swimming can develop a swimmer's general strength, cardiovascular fitness and endurance† (Luebbers, 2011). Badminton helps in increasing the level of good cholesterol ad decreasing the level of bad cholesterol present in the body . Squash helps an athlete increase flexibility, agility, and overall fitness. Squash also provides excellent cardiovascular workout for the athletes. Tennis improves the stretching abilities and hand-eye coordination of the athletes. Pushups help athletes improve their secondary and stabilizer muscles. â€Å"Pushups are considered by many people to be the best all-around chest workout† (West, 2006). Jogging, which is the last exercise in off-season phase, helps athletes reduce blood pressure problems and improves cardiovascular fitness of the body. Pre-Season Training Schedule A good and perfectly scheduled pre-season brings a number of benefits for the athletes. The pre-season training program is of 6 weeks for my athlete. The program includes one rest day per week, which is Sunday. There are different muscle building and physical fitness exercises for the workdays. Days Activities for Pre-season Training After all exercises Week-1 Monday to Saturday Week-2 Monday to Saturda y Week-3 Monday to Saturday Week-4 Monday to Saturday Week-5 Monday to Saturday Week-6 Monday to Saturday - Warm Up (6am-6:15am) - Endurance training, such as, jogging and interval running (7am-8am and 3pm-4pm) - On spot hitting and passing (9am-11am and 5pm-7pm) --------------------

Pathos, Ethos, and Logos Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pathos, Ethos, and Logos - Essay Example In his letter, Jefferson uses Pathos, Ethos, and Logos to argue his point of view. This is a strong, well-written letter. Pathos is used by pointing out the millions of trafficked humans. Ethos is used by Jefferson’s reference to his belonging to the Human Rights Watch. Logos is used by appealing to specific problems like the lack of statistics and definitions. This letter is impressive mostly on the Ethos and Logos to persuade the reader to understand his point of views. Jefferson makes the reader feel angry and disappointed by the lack of research and measures done by the United States when some countries fail to address trafficking. â€Å"Trafficking is a blatant violation of human rights and is almost universally condemned, yet many countries are failing to address this problem seriously† (Jefferson). He creates emotion to the readers, so they can get the message he wants to share. This is an appeal through Pathos. Jefferson does not show real anger in his letter because it was written for the Secretary of State, so due respect must be given. This is the lack of Pathos from Jefferson’s letter. Although the reader can feel the anger and disappointment, it is not clear enough. One or two sentences appeal to the Pathos, but mostly logos and ethos were used. An example of one sentence is as follows, â€Å"trafficking is a widespread human rights violation that threatens the lives, health, dignity, and security of millions of people thr oughout the world, with women and children suffering the brunt of the abuses† (Jefferson). Despite this plea, Jefferson does not use many others. It seems that Jefferson was relying on Powell’s knowledge on the subject, not his emotions. Although Jefferson’s letter has lack of emotion, the credibility of his letter is really impressive. He used Ethos to strengthen his argument. Frequently Jefferson refers to Human Rights Watch when stating a request or opinion instead of asserting it on his

Elllmer Essay Example for Free

Elllmer Essay To see all NGO’s go in this website http://www. pcnc. com. ph Caloocan Community Score Cards (CSC): A Tool for Social Accountability to be Tested in Bulacan, Caloocan, Pasay and Quezon  City September 28, 2009 Citizen’s engagement should be promoted in all fronts. It is our right to take part in decision-making process, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government policies, programs and services. People have the right to transparent, accountable and participative governance, both at the national and local level. Accountability in governance can be defined as the obligation of power holders to account for or take responsibility for their actions. â€Å"Power holders† are those who hold political, financial, or other forms of power, including officials in government, private corporations, international financial institutions and civil society organizations. Social accountability is a â€Å"an approach towards building accountability that relies on civic engagement, i. e. in which ordinary citizens and/or civil society organizations participate directly or indirectly in exacting accountability.   It also  Ã¢â‚¬Å"refers to the broad range of actions and mechanisms (beyond voting) that citizens can use to help government be more effective and accountable, as well as actions on the part of government, civil society, media and other societal actors that promote or facilitate these efforts† Furthermore, social accountability is a process of constructive engagement between citizen g roups and government, a means to check and monitor the conduct and performance of public officials in their use of public resources; and a mechanism towards delivering better services, improving people’s welfare, and protecting people’s rights. One approach to promote social accountability is through the development of Community Score Cards (CSC). In a training conducted by CPE for 40 community leaders in Quezon City, Caloocan City, City of San Jose del Monte and Pasay City (thanks to FES for supporting the activity), Ms. Corrine Canlas enlightened the group on the concepts and practice of CSC. (CPE will publish a manual on CSC within October 2009 as a result of the workshop-training held). According to Ms. Canlas, CSC is ? a tool to generate â€Å"demand-side† information to enhance social accountability. It can also raise awareness and promote local-level mobilization and organization. Also, it can produce meaningful information and analysis which can be understood by all stakeholders and go beyond mere protest to evidence-based dialogues. The main objective of the CSC is to influence the quality, efficiency and accountability of public services provided at the local level. CSC can also be a follow-up or a continuing activity for Barangay Development Planning through Participatory Learning and Action (BDP-PLA). Based on experience, CSC can produce the following outcomes: * Downward accountability of service providers * Empowerment of local service users * Enhanced transparency * Enhanced sensitivity of service users to providers’ constraints * Evidence of service performance   and * Agreements on local reforms Pilot testing of CSC as a social accountability mechanism for planning, monitoring and evaluation will be tested in Barangay 91 Pasay City; Barangay Graceville, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; in Barangay Pasong Putik Proper, Quezon City; and in Barangay 176 (Bagong Silang), Caloocan   City. Source: http://urbangov. wordpress. com/tag/participatory-governance/ Bayanihan Sa Kalunsuran (BAKAL II): Reducing Poverty in the Philippines through Participatory Urban Governance September 8, 2009 In the National Capital Region, the BAKAL 2 Project will be implemented in three cities: Quezon City, Pasay City and Caloocan City. In Quezon City, the project partner will be the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)- Women which will be implemented in Barangay Pasong Putik Proper. The co-production program will focus in livelihood development. The project will also ensure that the programs pledged by the city government in support of the barangay development program created by the POs and NGOs in the barangay will be delivered. In Pasay City, the program will focus on integrated health development program which will particularly promote participatory feeding program, community-based primary health program by using alternative means (acupuncture, herbal medicines), and solid waste management program. Housing concerns will also be addressed, which was evidently expressed as a priority need of the residents. During the participatory planning process, they analyzed and realized that  securing housing and land rights will pave way for the improved delivery of basic utilities such as water and electricity. Through the leadership of Punong Barangay Nilo Ilarina , Barangay 91, where the project will be implemented, has initiated a process of participatory barangay development planning (see related story). In Caloocan City, the project will be implemented in Barangay 176 or popularly known as Bagong Silang, which is considered as the biggest   barangay in the Philippines , ith around one million population. It became a resettlement area during the administration of former President Marcos. Bakal 2 will help in promoting health and nutrition, especially among the children in the various day care centers operating in the barangay. Bakal 2 will be implemented in two years, which is being supported by the One World Action (OWA), a London –based campaign organization on good governance a nd women empowerment. Source: http://urbangov. wordpress. com/tag/bakal/ Las Pinas Composting or production of organic fertilizer from wet garbage. July 2007- August 12, 2010 Each of the 20 barangays in Las Pinas City now has at least one composting facility. One rotary composter can process the wet garbage of around 500 families or households. Since July 2007, vermi-composting is now being done in two barangays. Producing 400 kilograms a week, each location sells their produce to farmers in a nearby province as alternative fishmeal aside from organic fertilizer. It helps reduce the amount of biodegradable waste and contributes to the promotion of organic farming. On August 12, 2010 a â€Å"re-cycling day† was launched in five barangays, engaging residents to sell their recyclables to junkshop owners. There is now a monthly â€Å"re-cycling day† in all 20 barangays of the city. Category 1. Las Pinas-Zapote River System Rehabilitation Programme, Philippines December 13, 2002- August 2010 Collection of floating garbage in Las Pinas-Zapote River SystemThe Sagip Ilog (River rehabilitation) program was launched on December 13, 2002. Within the 56-kilometer stretch of Las Pinas-Zapote River System, 30 kilometers are being regularly cleaned. This involves daily collection of floating garbage, as well as the installation of steel garbage traps/wire mesh strainers in the Las Pinas and Zapote rivers to filter the waste/debris. From 2002 to 2005, 9,070 residents from various communities along the river system in Las Pinas City, Paranaque City and Bacoor, Cavite were trained on ecological solid waste and river management. Some of them were designated river watch volunteers. The local government officials and nearby communities actively participated in the information drive and capacity building activities. To date, there are 3,120 trained and active volunteers. The volunteers were organized into different river watch teams in the areas that border on the rivers. In 2001, the Coastal Environment Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) replanted bamboo species, locally known as kawayang tinik, to rehabilitate the Marikina and Las Pinas Rivers. These rivers which are both situated in Metro Manila are major contributors to the rapid environmental degradation of Manila Bay. Five kilometers of the said river system were targeted for re-greening using bamboos, mangroves and other related species for soil erosion control. To highlight this effort, two separate portions of the riverbanks were developed into â€Å"bambusetums†, planted with various species of endemic/exotic bamboos. As of August 2010, 10,000 bamboo culms are already planted on the riverbanks measuring 20 kilometers. Re-greening of the river banks minimized soil erosion that caused siltation of the river system. The propagation of culms from the 37 species of bamboos available in the area, have been sources of income through the harvesting of matured poles, sold to interested handicraft/furniture makers. This is aside from the jobs provided by the program to some 62 workers for the river dredging, clean-up, and re-greening activities. Source: http://www. un. org/waterforlifedecade/winners2011. shtml Makati A better future for 4000 Filipino farmers: a project helps to Increase rice yields by 1MT/ha Makati City, 7 July 2011 * The â‚ ¬ 1 billion food facility program was launched by the European Union in 2008 to help developing countries move towards long * term food security. Total EU Assistance to the Philippines under this program is â‚ ¬ 31 million covering eight projects nationwide. Of this amount, â‚ ¬ 4. 2 million (264 million PHP) was granted to FAO to support the Philippine Government in helping poor farmers in rain * fed areas grow more food and adopt sound water management and farming practices The project supports 3,600 small * Scale vulnerable farming households in Regions I and III, namely in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Bulacan , areas which were also affected by the floods in September and October 2009. The project likewise focuses on strengthening capacity at all levels, including the Government’s institutional capacity to expand small * scale irrigation systems to more rice farm ers in rain * fed areas. Around 4000 beneficiary farmers have seen their yield increase by 1MT/ha and incremental production for all crops across cropping seasons was valued at P94. 6 million ( USD 2. 2 million) for project sites. A National Dissemination Workshop and Press Conference is organised on 7 July 2011 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City to present the results of this very successful project. The project used the Farmer Field School (FFS) to transmit knowledge through a participatory approach to technology by sharing and adoption of water management as the focus to maximize the use of the small * Scale irrigation systems (SSIS). The project also provided SSIS to the small farmers participating in the FFS to secure irrigation water thereby decrease ng dependence on rain and avoiding costs incurred from renting pumps. The project ends on a high note after its 18 * Month implementation in the provinces of Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac covering 35 municipalities and 143 villages . High yields across the five provinces highlighted the FFS on SSIS and Palay (rice) Check during the wet season 2010. The average rice yield increase obtained was about 1MT/ha, brought about by the use of certified rice seeds and training on integrated n utrient and pest managements through the FFS. During the dry season, crop diversification was intensified and complemented by the provision of small * Scale irrigation systems (mostly shallow tube wells or STWs and small farm reservoirs or SFRs). Following the integrated crop management systems (ICM), 24% average yield increase was recorded for rice (for both cropping seasons), 23% for corn and 24% for vegetable production for dry season compared to last year’s produce. The strategy of using the FFS platfo rm complemented the provision of SSIS to the farmer * Beneficiaries so that farmers needed to complete the two cycles of FFS in order to qualify to own a SSIS. Farmers share the cost of the SSIS using cluster ownership approach through the rent * To -own scheme. About 3 * 5 farmers with adjacent farms and one hectare land holding each can be qualified to own an engine and pump set including the drilling for STW, SFR, dugwell, reinforced concrete pipes or deep setting. The SSIS is subsidized at 50% and the remaining 50% is paid by farmers. After full payment, the farmers are issued a Certificate of Full Ownership. With this scheme, the project ensures ownership and sustainability of the SSIS equipment. Malabon CAMANAVA Flood Control Project as Pilot Site December 11, 2012 The launch took place at the Bangkulasi Pumping Station in Navotas City. The Pumping Station forms part of the bigger CAMANAVA (Caloocan – Malabon – Navotas – Valenzuela) Flood Control Project. Worth P4 billion, the CAMANAVA project was chosen as the first participatory audit pilot exercise. It will be implemented by COA in cooperation with selected civil society organizations (CSOs) and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The choice of the flood control project as a pilot site reflects the government’s intention to shed light on project implementation issues by engaging and empowering the citizens and residents to demand accountability from the government through close monitoring and scrutiny of the use of project funds. The launch culminated with a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement among COA, DBM, DPWH and selected CSOs. It also included a pledge of mutual support between COA and CSOs. Additional participatory audit initiatives will be undertaken in 2013 throughout the Philippines. The lessons and experiences gained from these pilots will help determine the framework of a permanent participatory audit program within COA. Mandaluyong Breastfeeding Patrol March 2007 In 2007, Dr Sabalvaro petitioned theUnited Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Mandaluyong City Department of Health, Centre for Health Development, to sponsor IYCF training for the local breastfeeding group. Upon completion of the training, the mayor held a public gathering where the group pledged their commitment to breastfeeding education. They christened themselves ‘Breastfeeding Patrol’, a name that reflects their tactic of Moving â€Å"There was quietly through the community with an Infectious interest [and asserting] themselves to their neighbours† (Sabalvaro, 2009). Within One year they had persuaded all of the sari? Sari (sundry) Shops within the barangay stop selling formula. Since then, BF Patrol has grown to include women –and A few men From five other Blocks Of Welfareville. Nutrition Committees Of nearby barangays have also started similar advocacy groups, but Breastfeeding Patrol Remains the most well known in the area. Dr Sabalvaro Credits its success to the fact that the group was tarted by local residents, rather than as a government initiative. Block 37, She says, is the only block in the barangay that the milk companies just don’t bother with anymore. Some of Breastfeeding Patrol’s other achievements include successfully lobbying for breastfeeding stations at the mall and in the offices of major employers, such as Globe Telecom. But BF Patrol’s greatest strength is that its volunteers are a resource that is firmly rooted in the community. The Mother volunteers (and A few father volunteers, and one grandfather volunteer) are active socially and stay alert to any new pregnancies among their neighbors. Many New mothers seek them out, especially when they have decided to return. Manila Marikina Muntinlupa PHILIPPINE SANITATION ALLIANCE (PSA) PROJECT 2007 CHALLENGE Poor governance and weak enforcement of existing laws and regulations results in environmental degradation in the Philippines. While the Clean Water Act of 2004 requires the development of sewage and septage treatment systems, implementation requires capacity building and technical assistance. The private sector needs to be engaged, and the capacity of local government units (LGUs) and water districts has to be strengthened for them to develop effective and sustainable sanitation programs. INITIATIVE The USAID Philippine Sanitation Alliance (PSA), which ran from 2007 to 2011, worked with LGUs, water districts and private sector partners to develop affordable ways to protect biodiversity and reduce public health risks through improved sanitation. With assistance from the PSA, cities, water districts and private companies built treatment facilities using appropriate technology. Projects included low-cost, low-maintenance treatment facilities for public markets, slaughterhouses, hospitals and low-cost housing; and city-wide programs to properly maintain septic tanks (septage management). Cities developed effective promotion campaigns to increase willingness to pay for sanitation services and reduce the incidence of diarrhea through proper hygienic practices, particularly handwashing. Governance was also strengthened to reduce threats to biodiversity as LGUs worked to control wastewater discharges to coastal and freshwater ecosystems. PSA was part of a USAID initiative called the Global Development Alliance. The PSA assists partners through: Participatory planning workshops to develop action plans; Technical assistance to develop infrastructure and local ordinances; Information sharing for nationwide replication through national associations of cities, hospitals, hotels and restaurants, and housing developers; Site visits to learn about best practices and affordable options; Information and resource materials on technology and financing options; Training on how to develop effective promotion campaigns using a toolkit; and Sharing project results and lessons learned in local and national conferences. Under the USAID-Rotary International Water Alliance program the PSA worked in partnership with Rotary clubs and districts to implement a septage management and sewerage project in San Fernando, La Union. A second project improved water quality, access to toilets, solid waste management and health in the Pasig River System in Metro Manila. During four years of implementation, the PSA worked with its partners to provide more than 1. 4 million people with access to improved sanitation, leveraged more than $4 million in cash and in kind investments in sanitation infrastructure and activities, and trained more than 5,400 people. Some of the project results included: Onsite wastewater treatment: public and private sector partners financed 41 onsite wastewater treatment facilities for housing developments, public markets, hospitals, slaughterhouses and commercial centers; Septage management: facilitated the first city-wide septage management program in the Philippines funded jointly by the city government and water district of Dumaguete. Septic tanks are being desludged on a five-year cycle and the program will achieve full cost recovery in about five years. Five other septage management programs are in various stages of development; and Hygiene promotion: assisted partners in planning and implementing effective handwashing promotion campaigns for children with measurable results, and partners passed ordinances requiring soap and water in public restrooms. In Manila, community members decided to work together to end open defecation to protect public health and increase tourism in the historic district of Sta. Ana. ALLIANCE PARTNERS The Philippine Sanitation Alliance included ten cities (Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Malaybalay, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Naga, Sta. Rosa, Zamboanga), and four water districts (Calamba, Cebu, Davao and Laguna). Private sector companies and associations included Coca-Cola Export Corporation, Max’s Restaurants, C TRADE, Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations (CREBA), the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), and the Philippine Hospital Association. Technical resource partners included Engineers without Borders and BORDA, a German NGO. Other NGOs included Gawad Kalinga (low-cost housing) and the Blacksmith Institute (pollution remediation). The PSA coordinated closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Local Water Utilities Administration, Mindanao Economic Development Council, World Bank, and the Philippine Ecological Sanitation Network. Navotas CAMANAVA Flood Control Project as Pilot Site December 11, 2012 The launch took place at the Bangkulasi Pumping Station in Navotas City. The Pumping Station forms part of the bigger CAMANAVA (Caloocan – Malabon – Navotas – Valenzuela) Flood Control Project. Worth P4 billion, the CAMANAVA project was chosen as the first participatory audit pilot exercise. It will be implemented by COA in cooperation with selected civil society organizations (CSOs) and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The choice of the flood control project as a pilot site reflects the government’s intention to shed light on project implementation issues by engaging and empowering the citizens and residents to demand accountability from the government through close monitoring and scrutiny of the use of project funds. The launch culminated with a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement among COA, DBM, DPWH and selected CSOs. It also included a pledge of mutual support between COA and CSOs. Additional participatory audit initiatives will be undertaken in 2013 throughout the Philippines. The lessons and experiences gained from these pilots will help determine the framework of a permanent participatory audit program within COA. COA Encourages Greater Citizen Engagement in the Audit of Government Programs 11 December 2012 The Commission on Audit (COA) launched the Citizen Participatory Audit project on 26 November in Navotas City. The project aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government, particularly in the use of public funds through greater public involvement in the audit process. Implemented in partnership with the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability East Asia and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP) and funded by the Philippines-Australia Public Financial Management Program (PFMP), the project seeks to raise citizen’s awareness and understanding of the Commission’s mandate, functions and operations. It also provides a venue for citizen engagement with COA personnel in the review and scrutiny of government expenditures. Paranaque 2007 BURSARY AWARD Title: Making food Go Further: Hunger Mitigation, Urban Food Security Project With soaring food prices and rice production shortfalls, more and more Filipino families are falling into poverty and experiencing hunger. Results of a survey con ducted by the Social Weather Stations in the second quarter of 2008 revealed that 2. 9 million Filipino families said they were suffering from hunger. The National Capital Region, which includes Paranaque City, posted the highest â€Å"self-rated† hunger incidence of 22. According to the Philippines Food and Nutrition Research Institute, there was a significant increase in the cases of underweight children from 24. 6 percent in 2005 to 26. 2 percent in 2008. The malnutrition cases are highest in some provinces in Mindanao, Southern Tagalog, and Eastern Visayas. The same areas where high percentage of self-rated hunger was found (SWS, 2008). FNRI (2008) pointed out that the increase in malnutrition cases is brought primarily by the rising food prices and so less food intake. Rice prices have increased by an average of 28 percent since December 2007, prompting two * thirds of Filipino families to reduce food spending and consumption. About one in four families have already cut back on rice spending/consumption, which could eventually have a telling effect on household nutritional status given that rice accounts for up to 20 percent of total food expenditures and is the bulk of the Filipino diet. With this unfolding scenario * and the reality that one third of the total Philippine population Lives in Poverty * it is unlikely that the country’s hunger situation will drastically improve in the Foreseeable future. In the Philippines, food insecurity is exacerbated by large family size, particularly in poor households. The average family size in the city of Paranaque is 5 higher than the national average of 4. 2. Data from the 2006 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) showed that a five-Person family in the National Capital Region (NCR), where Paranaque City is located, has an average annual income of Php 313,000 ($6,388). Historical data shows that poverty incidence increases as families grow. According to the 2003 FIES, families with six or more members had double-digit subsistence (food poor) incidence compared to families with five or fewer members. 2. Goals amp; Objectives The intervention goal is to mitigate hunger and malnutrition among families and children. The assumption of the intervention is based on the conceptual framework of food security and the theory of change. That is people get hungry and subsequently may become malnourished when there is no food or they have no access to food and they utilize inadequate and inappropriate food. This is addressed by way families and children produce their own food in schools, households, and communities to ensure they have access to healthy and nutritious food. Based also on the assumption that when families are producing their own food they can have savings to buy other food needs that they do not produce. This way, families especially mothers have food items to contribute, from their own food gardens and from savings, to ollectively feed their malnourish children. 3. Key Activities Integrated School, Household and Community Food Production to Ensure Access to Healthy and Nutritious Food. This intervention is only a component of Making Food Go Further: Mitigating Hunger and Ensuring Future Resilience and Stronger Households in the Philippines Program. The main intervention focuses on building the capacity of beneficiaries in schools, households and communities to address food availability and nutrition issues. This is being done through two key activities: organic food production at schools, homes and communities; and the implementation of an integrated community approach to addressing malnourished children. 1. Small-scale, diversified organic food production at schools, homes and communities Parents, students, teachers, community leaders, and government officials and agency heads were trained on how to produce organic crops, fish, and vegetables using the Permaculture1 approach. The trainings have always hands -on activities and done on site and during learning visits to different organic production systems. Participants were also trained on how to do seed banking, organicfertilizers and pesticides making to ensure they will have seeds and organic inputs for the succeeding benefits of organically produced foods to the family and children during community meetings. Though organic food production is laborious by nature, the approach done to encourage families to practice organic food production was by mobilizing small groups of organic gardening enthusiasts in the community to demonstrate that a small * Scale (based on the family’s capacity and the availability of area at home, schools, and community) vegetable gardening using Perm culture approach can really produce organic foods. This approach designs a food production system that does not exploit or pollute the environment. It uses only organic production inputs that create a natural ecological balance in a particular location. It promotes the creation of a Harmonious relationship between plants, buildings, animals and Infrastructures on the way these are place in the landscape. Sufficiency at home and not for commercial purposes. This way they can be efficient with the available labor they have in the family to grow organic vegetables. The project also emphasized that savings from not using expensive chemical inputs also serve as income for the family which can be used to buy other food items and for other investment of the family. This is aside from the health amp; nutrition benefits of using organic inputs. To intensify the promotion of organic food production at schools, households, and communal areas, a food gardening competition was implemented. All the criteria used were consistent to the Perm culture principles so that participants are actually doing organic food production practices. A regular valuation activities and participatory monitoring and evaluation of the progress of food gardening at the three levels are done through the project management team composed of all the partners and stakeholders from the community, schools, and local government units including community health units. In all the activities and phases of organic food production, all the partners and stakeholders are always given the leadership in planning, decision-making, and implementation of plans and decisions. The project management team which is led by the project beneficiaries is the venue where they discuss, decide, and agree to collectively work as a team as they address the same targets—hungry families and malnourish children. Small -scale organic food gardening give women and men of a household the opportunity to work together to increase food availability. This was done through scheduling of works and responsibilities based on their capacity. The small-scale food gardening enabled women and men to participate in areas where they choose they are capable of doing for them to produce and access food. The products from the schools, households and group/communal food gardens become source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals of beneficiaries. These include but not limited to fish, mushrooms, legumes and lentils (e. g. string beans, mung bean, winged bean) , root crops (e. g. cassava, taro), corn, leafy and green vegetables (drumstick tree, pechay, mustard, spinach, amaranth, swamp cabbage, Malabarnightshade)yellow vegetables (e. . squash), fruit vegetables (tomato, eggplant, pepper), and edibleherbs (e. g. oregano, basil, mints). Pasay 2007 Philippine Child Friendly Cities and Communities Research:Community Assessment in Barangay 156, Pasay City The Philippine Child Friendly Cities Assessment Research is part of a global research initiative to assess the child friendliness of communities, from the perspective of c hildren and parents. Barangay 156 in Pasay City is one of two communities in Metro Manila selected for the assessment researching which this report is based The research report discusses the degree of child friendliness of Barangay 156 and provides an evaluation of the research tools and procedures utilized for the community study. Background of the Philippine CFC Research assessing the degree of child friendliness of cities and communities is one of the nine building blocks of the global Child Friendly Cities (CFC) Initiative launched over a decade ago. Although a number of assessment tools were developed to monitor child rights, these assessments came from the perspectives of individuals and groups working outside of communities. Largely missing were the views and opinions of community members, including children. To help bridge this gap, a research initiative involving the participation of several institutions namely Child watch International, City University of New York? s Children’s Environments Research Group, Bernard Van Leer Foundation, UNICEF? s Innocent Research Centre and Adolescent Development and Participation Section, New York, UNICEF country offices and local research institutions in eleven countries have collaborated to carry out a participatory assessment research. The CFC global research seeks to improve the conditions of children living in cities and communities of different types by (1) enhancing the capacity of cities and communities to better assess and monitor their level of fulfillment of children’s rights with the participation of the children themselves; (2) improving the quality and breadth of data collected on children by children and their mothers to better inform policies and programs; (3) raising awareness on children’s rights among city stakeholders like children, caregivers, community members, and local leaders; and (4) refining the action-research tools for appropriate action in cities/communities in different socio-economic, cultural and political contexts. The Philippines is one of 11 countries participating in the CFC research. The specific objectives of the Philippine CFC research are (1) to collect data and provide an analysis of the conditions of children by children and mothers in two selected cities and communities, and the governance structures and processes available to respond to their needs, and (2) to contribute to applying and refining the research toolkits and guides by using them in a range of communities, observing the process and how the data are subsequently used for community planning and advocacy, as well as contributing to the overall municipal data base on the conditions of children Pasig Quezon San Juan Taguig Valenzuela CAMANAVA Flood Control Project as Pilot Site December 11, 2012 The launch took place at the Bangkulasi Pumping Station in Navotas City. The Pumping Station forms part of the bigger CAMANAVA (Caloocan – Malabon – Navotas – Valenzuela) Flood Control Project. Worth P4 billion, the CAMANAVA project was chosen as the first participatory audit pilot exerc ise. It will be implemented by COA in cooperation with selected civil society organizations (CSOs) and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The choice of the flood control project as a pilot site reflects the government’s intention to shed light on project implementation issues by engaging and empowering the citizens and residents to demand accountability from the government through close monitoring and scrutiny of the use of project funds. The launch culminated with a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement among COA, DBM, DPWH and selected CSOs. It also included a pledge of mutual support between COA and CSOs. Additional participatory audit initiatives will be undertaken in 2013 throughout the Philippines. The lessons and experiences gained from these pilots will help determine the framework of a permanent participatory audit program within COA. Pateros Wells Project: recreation 2012 Douglas PUD has helped fund and develop the existing parks and recreation facilities adjacent to Wells Project lands and waters in the City of Pateros. These facilities include Peninsula Park, Memorial Park, tennis courts, two separate concrete boat launches, parking, a fish cleaning station and restrooms. Peninsula Park is located near the confluence of the Methow and Columbia rivers. It includes a gazebo, paved walking path, covered picnic shelter, swimming beach, restroom facilities, playground equipment, and lagoon and lawn area. Memorial Park is located in Pateros along the Columbia River. It includes three covered picnic shelters, fishing and ski docks, vehicle parking, interpretive displays, restroom facilities, a fish cleaning station and a developed waterfront trail. The waterfront trail extends along the waterfront from the concrete boat launch underneath the Highway 97 Bridge through Memorial Park to the Pateros City Hall. A second boat launch is located just upstream of Memorial Park on the main stem Columbia River.

Micro And Macro Environment Analysis Of Disneyland Tourism Essay

Micro And Macro Environment Analysis Of Disneyland Tourism Essay Upon review the Disneyland operation in different regions that appear many opportunities and challenges, which are facing to Disneyland. Since the major challenge is cultural crash in different areas that vary from region to region, which together with the problems of Disneylands standardization structure. In the past, Disneyland has difficulty when dealing with the employees in 2006 of Hong Kong Disney that led to high level of anger among dissatisfied. The top management in Disneyland tries to cope with cultural in overseas to solve the problems of conflicts between the employers and employees towards. On the other hand, Disneyland tries every mean to adapt more to the local environment in order to facilitate the local customers needs and wants. The Walt Disney Company is in the entertainment industry that is tending to spread more globally throughout the world. History and Company Background of Disneyland The Walt Disney Theme Park was founded over 80 years that the first Disneyland is lunched in USA, which is going to expand to new territories that go further to market globalization in universal. There is total 11 theme park in worldwide that contain Paris, Tokyo, Honk Kong and Shanghai in future. (DISNEY, 2010) Mission of Disneyland That is to deliver quality entertainment experience to all ages with the messages Dream come true and focus on the Imagineering that focus to provide and create magic hours to all guests and visitors. Context Analysis This will go on to analysis the marketing environment that consists of micro-environment and macro-environment. The micro-environment concerns the internal factors affecting The Walt Disney Company whereas the macro-environment concerns the external factors that can affect the micro-environment (Kolter, Bowen Makens, 2006). SWOT Analysis of Walt Disney Company There are four things an organization should consider and analyze during various stages throughout the fiscal year that are crucial to keeping up with the competition and giving a relatively accurate perspective on positioning. The SWOT analysis helps an organization understand the current and potential environment for their particular product and service (Hair, Lamb McDaniel, 2008) which allow adjusting the marketing tactics in order to help focus the strategies. That is going to analysis and recognizes the strengths and weaknesses are internal reflections, whereas the opportunities and threats are external reflections. Strengths Walt Disney Company has developed established and well known brand name and image over many years in the entertainment industry, which has long history and tradition that can facilitate traditional values (Datamonitor, 2007). In addition, Disneyland has many unique roles of characters and each of it has specific and attractive fairy tales hus, Disneyland are well equipping with broad product portfolio that consist of media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products as different business segments with Imagineering section. Weaknesses Walt Disney Company is frequent change in top management level that let to miscommunication and a high chance for a bureaucracy between employers and employees, which cause of high turnover rate. Furthermore, Disneyland is mainly focus on standardization that each of the theme parks in different region is similar except the one in Tokyo. Since 1997 decreasing revenues and strong degreasing operating income no profitable unit Opportunities The markets of today are becoming more versatile to outsourcing and globalization. The trend towards globalization is not immune to the entertainment business and The Walt Disney Company is revealing this by expanding outside of the United States and offering theme parks in France, Japan and China. Threats Threats that are more prevalent in the era of globalization are the laws and regulations of other countries. There is a need for constant monitoring of the differences in the laws of other countries and the United States when organizations are outsourcing. Moreover, the theme parks must meet the safety regulations of the countries in which they operate in order to stay in business and maintain their international status. Furthermore, since the culture difference is vary from region to region that is hard to predict the right social development or interests of the target customers. As with any business a main aspect of the threat analysis is the competition. The Walt Disney Company and the theme park industry are many competitors like Universal Studios. In addition, there are many other less visible competitors that one might not naturally think of when assessing the competitive market in which Disney deals. For instance, there are various country parks like water parks that can also be considered as cheaper or more valuable competition for Disney. Competition, in any form, can diminish Disneys market share in the entertainment industry (Datamonitor, 2007 After analysis the external and internal environment of Walt Disney Company that has been figure out some of the problems should be aware afterwards. Key Issues The major existing problems facing by The Walt Disney Company that is highlighted the theme parks in Paris and Hong Kong. For the Disney of Paris has faulty or misguided during the planning of basic assumptions and forecasts. Disney failed to anticipate the major change of economy that European Recession during the Disney opened. Europe was in the middle of an economic slump with financial problem. Thus, this reduced the purchasing power at this time. The graph below illustrates the downturn in Frances GDP during this period (1992-1994), resulting in a reduction in disposable income among the French population. Moreover, Disney did not anticipate the culture differences of Europeans that incorporate with the language and eating habits, initially, banned alcohol in the park of the worlds largest wine consumption country. The cultural miscalculations with incorrect marketing plan of cross-cultural blunders occurred and were widely, even gleefully as the American cultural imperialism. Many additional internal and external factors contributed to the initial failure of Euro Disney, which are communication gaps, increasing interest rates, reduction in the real estate market, operational errors, and high labor costs all contributed to the $1 billion USD total loss. However, many of these factors have been thoroughly analyzed throughout the years. Fortunately for Disney, many of these factors were corrected. By 2008, Euro Disney was able to make a profit of $19 million HKD. Besides, Hong Kong Disney fails to reach target numbers of guest arrivals and fails to gain competitive advantages that due to poor management that fail to embrace the importance of corporate social responsibility planning in building up customer loyalty. Although Disney learned lessons and tried to avoid the same mistakes of cultural differences, the management has only focused on risk patterns rather than appraisal and learning about potential chance and risk. Disney had attempted entry into the growing Chinese market prior opening in china (Kolter Armstrong, 2006). Since the publication of fairy tales story books in Mandarin and creation of Disney character based on the Chinese traditional legend Mulan. Thus, Hong Kong Disneyland took the steps to avoid the cultural crashes which happened in France, by preparing the population for the entry of Disney and enabling the identification with Disney character and concepts (Jobber D., 2007). However, Hong Kong Disneyland admitted that the park had only attended around 4.5 million visitors in 2008 and so on in 2009. Apart from this, there are losing money according to the revenue and expenses that shown at the bellowing (HKDL, 2010). On the other hand, Tokyo Disney regarded as a great success with combined annual attendance and operating income, which is a joint venture operation model operated by Japanese. That successful reason is not only rely on à ¦- ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã…“ ¬Ãƒ ¤Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ºÃƒ ¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ã‚ ªÃƒ ¥Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ±manageà §Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚ ªÃ†â€™Ã‚   no cultural crash that can à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. As the Japanese had a great interest in Western cultural and do love of fantasy and costume that main visitors of this theme park are the local residents of Japan in fact. Despite Japan is facing the problem of aging population, the management had set the slight on the growing elderly population as marketing strategy to deal with the problem of aging population. Tokyo Disneyland offers a cut-rate annual pass for visitor who aged 60 or above. This action arise the discussion that Disneyland is icons of entertainment for children, no matter this is the first time a special annual pass for seniors has been available, it also successes to take measure and addressed to the senior. (THINGSASIAN, 2008) http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/29639 After the wavering beginnings of Euro Disney, management quickly learned many valuable lessons about international expansion and acted on these lessons to develop culturally accepted and profitable theme park. To prevent the consequences of the failure that is needed learn from the pervious experiences and clarify clearly about the key successful factors of managing global marketing strategies. Q1. The critical success factors in managing a global marketing strategy Business consultants thus contend that the key to successful international marketing for any business-whether a multinational corporation or a small entrepreneurial venture-is the ability to adapt, manage, and coordinate an intelligent plan in an unfamiliar (and sometimes unstable) foreign environment.

Tales of a Strange Love in Dr. Strangelove Essay -- Dr. Strangelove Es

Tales of a Strange Love in Dr. Strangelove   Dr. Strangelove , filmmaker Stanley Kubrick's nuclear war satire, portrays America's leaders as fumbling idiots and forces American viewers to question the ability of their government.   Dr. Strangelove's   cast explores the quirks and dysfunctional personality traits that a layperson would find far-fetched in a person of power.   The characters are diverse yet unified in their unfailing stupidity and naivete.   The film's hysterical dialogue sheds a darkly comic light at the most ironic of times-war.   This film came out at a height of paranoia of the nuclear age and the Cold War, just after the Cuban Missile Crisis.   It depicts a horrible, tragic incident in which a breach in the government and diplomatic mistakes result in nuclear holocaust. General Ripper, a psychotic anti-Communist, exploits a loophole in the chain of command and orders nuclear warheads to be dropped on Russia.   Ripper, in a moment of humor, explains his motivation-most likely gleaned from bits of "red" propaganda he has internalized:   "I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination,   Communist subversion,   and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids."   He elaborates further citing the Communist fluoridation of U.S. drinking water as the most dangerous of Soviet plots to infiltrate and destroy the American people.   With all the sense of a Joe McCarthy, Ripper is prepared to begin and accept the consequences of a nuclear war. The impending disaster is soon brought to the attention of America's President Muffle and his team of able advisers, who quickly prove themselves worthless wastes of space.   The President scr... ...ar. By presenting war with humor, the film conveys just how much of a farce the nuclear arms race really was. The extreme views of the characters aren't fiction; Baby Boomers, for example, can recall debates about "acceptable" civilian losses in the event of a bomb being dropped.   Kubrick satirizes this time period wonderfully, capturing the insanity of a world gone mad. The key question of the film really is:   who is running the mad house?   In a world where world leaders scramble and bicker childishly and take advice from Nazi Germans, a world where bombs can be dropped at the will of a psychotic general, one seems better off to recline and laugh at the pure insanity of it all. Works Cited Dr Strangelove or : How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.   Dir. Stanley Kubrick. Perf.   Peter Sellers and George C. Scott.   London:   Columbia Pictures, 1964.

The Unscrupulous Iago of Shakespeares Othello Essay -- Othello essays

In William Shakespeare's play, Othello, there is an example of evil personified. He is the character of Iago, and he wreaks havoc and destruction on all those under his influence. As the play develops, we see unfolded a plethora of lies, deceptions and clever schemes. Iago seizes every opportunity to advance his malicious plan to his advantage. Greed and jealousy play a major role as a motive for his various schemes. Iago first reveals his cunning and unscrupulous behavior in his encounter with Rodrigo.   Iago easily controls Rodrigo and he is very aware of his power over him.   He plans to use his influence over him for his own good.   He shows this by saying "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; For I mine own gained knowledge should profane If I would time expend with such a snipe".   We learn that Iago has a secret hatred for both Othello and Cassio.   Iago says he hates Othello because he has denied Iago a promotion and for Cassio because he now occupies Iago's desired position of lieutenant.   His motive is to seek revenge upon both these characters.   Rodrigo has a shared hatred for Othello for his own and when he suggests he would not serve him, Iago reveilles his scheming plan for Othello by saying to him "O, sir, content you.   I will follow him to serve my turn upon him."   By saying this Iago shows that he plans to cleverly trick Othello of being loyal to him and th en eventually use him for his own ends.   In his first attempt to bring down Othello, he and Rodrigo tell Brabantio that Othello has kidnapped his daughter Desdemona.   This is a dishonorable act as this is definitely a lie and told to Desdemona's father only to anger him towards Othello.   Brabantio is also a senator and has the power to dismiss Othello from hi... ...s. "Two Worldviews Echo Each Other." Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Shakespeare: The Pattern in His Carpet. N.p.: n.p., 1970. Gardner, Helen. "Othello: A Tragedy of Beauty and Fortune." Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from "The Noble Moor." British Academy Lectures, no. 9, 1955. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos. Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. "The Engaging Qualities of Othello." Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.

Acupuncture essay

Acupuncture Acupuncture is a traditional Eastern therapeutic technique that uses fine needles, inserted into specific points on the body along the meridians in proper speed to achieve a specific therapeutic goal. Acupuncture originated in prehistoric China, and it is based on such theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine as treating blockages of Qi, yin-yang balancing, five elements theory and pulse diagnosis. The functional system of channels and organs uses concepts of yin-yang balancing. Nowadays, acupuncture has become commonly used in many Western countries as well. Around 200 B. C. the Yellow Emperor’s textbook of physical medicine called Huang Di Nei Jing described the essential metaphysics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The ancient Chinese doctors saw man as an integral part of nature and all things both in Yin and Yang around him were related to him, and things in Yin and Yang should be in balance. The original meaning of Yin is the shady side of the hill, and Yang is the sunny side of the hill. The opposites complement each other in a dynamic process. Thus, Yin and Yang cannot exist without the other, and the two forces always combine to make up the whole. This polar system of Yin and Yang has an important role in medicine and in the description of life processes in the human body and of their pathologic disturbances. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p88) Qi is the vital energy or life force, and it is omnipresent in nature and is apparent in all life in the form of change and movement. The action and movement of Qi expresses in every life process and every organic function. â€Å"In the body, Qi accumulates in the organs and flows in channels or meridians that are called Jing and Luo in Chinese. (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p. 88) The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are Qi. The fluent flow of Qi throughout the body is essential for optimal health. Blockag e of this energy is thought to cause disease. The aim of the treatment in Chinese acupuncture is to harmonize the flow of Qi by dissolving blockages and stagnation in the organs and channels. If the Qi of an organ is weakened, the function of this organ will be incomplete or faulty, but if Qi of an organ is present in xcess, the function of this organ will be excessive. Acupuncture can balance the conditions of excess or deficiency in the organs, and thus achieve an undisturbed function. The system of â€Å"five element†, like yin-yang balancing, is a philosophy concept and is a way of recognizing and analyzing things. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. This system is used to explain the reasons of interaction relationship between all things in the nature through the interlinked relationship between the five elements.These basic elements are intimately interlinked. Each element is controlled by another, while itself simultaneously controlling a third ph ase. According to Chinese medicine, Qi flows through meridians, and there are11 organs interact intimately with the channels. The 11 organs are described as functional systems and subdivided into six Yang organs and five Yin organs. Large intestine, small intestine, stomach, urinary bladder, gallbladder and â€Å"Sanjiao† are the six Yang organs, and lung, heart, spleen, kidney and liver are the five Yin organs. Pericardium (a double-walled sac that contains the  heart  and the roots of the great vessels) is not considered as a Yin organ, but as part of the heart, having a channel. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p122) The 12 main channels form a system of three courses of channels at the body surface. Each course of channel consists of two pair Yin-Yang channels. One pair runs in parallel along the arm, and the other along the leg. This three courses flow in similar form. One Yin and one Yang organ form a functional unit, which involves a pa rticular tissue and the corresponding channels.Acupuncture points are located on those channels. By the application of needles, heat, or massage on acupuncture points, acupuncturists can make some damaged organs function better. A pair of channels consists of a Yin and a Yang channel. â€Å"Yang channels run laterally or on the dorsal side of the body, while Yin channels run medially or on the ventral side. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p125) There are 12 main channels, like the months of the Chinese zodiac, each representing a major organ system of the body. In addition, there are two extraordinary channels named Ren Mai and Du Mai.Ren Mai is the conceptional vessel, which counts as a Yin channel, while Du Mai is the governing vessel, which counts as a Yang channel. These two extraordinary channels and the 12 main channels together make up the system of 14 channels on which the 361 classic acupuncture points are situated. The 12 main channels form a system of three courses or cycles of channels at the body surface. Each course of channel consists four main channels, two Yin and two Yang channels. â€Å"One Yin-Yang pair runs in parallel course along the arm, and the other along the leg.An internal branch of the channel derives from the main channel running to the corresponding Yin or Yang organ. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p125) The first course is located on the ventral side of the body. It is made up of the lung, large intestine, stomach, and spleen channels. The lung channel starts at the chest wall and runs along the volar side of the arm to the corner of the thumbnail, and it belongs to the Yin polarity. The large intestine channel starts from the index finger and runs on the dorsal side of the arm to the face, and it belongs to the Yang polarity.The stomach channel starts from the face and runs ventrally down the body to the second toe, and it belongs to the Yang polarity. The spleen ch annel runs from the foot along the inside of the leg back to the chest wall, and thus it belongs to the Yin polarity. The second course is located on the dorsal side of the body. It is made up of the heart, small intestine, urinary bladder and kidney channels. The third course is located on the lateral side of the body. It is made up of the pericardium, Sanjiao, gallbladder and liver channels. These courses flow similar to the first course.A Yin or Yang channel axis is made up of two adjacent Yang channels or two adjacent Yin channels in the same course of channels. The Yang channel axes pass downwards from the arm to the leg through the head and body. The Yin channel axes pass upwards from the feet to arms through the body. The channel axes are important for diagnosis as well as for treatment. Acupuncture are very useful in treating some disorders, such as respiratory disorders, mental disturbances and illness, neurological disorders, skin disorders and disorders of the sense organ s, etc.. Many respiratory disorders are successfully treated by acupuncture.Especially in chronic conditions, such as chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, or bronchial asthma, acupuncture is more effective than other forms of treatment. External climatic influences such as cold, wind, dryness, and occasionally heat are sometimes the causes of a weakened lung Qi. Thus, acupuncture can dissolving the blockage and can strengthen the Qi. Acupuncture treatment is very effective in a large number of psychosomatic disorders, such as agitation or exhaustion conditions, insomnia, depression, sexual disturbances, drug addictions, obesity, and headache. Acupuncture has a harmonizing, sedative, or tonifying effect. Many points of the Du Mail, heart, pericardium, and gallbladder channels have strong psychological effects. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p287) Also, organs that are affected in mental disturbances can be treated by stimulation of the points of the correspon ding channels. Acupuncture also shows a good effect in migraine, chronic headache and trigeminal neuralgia. According to traditional ideas, chronic headache and migraine are attributed to a blockage of Qi in the Yang channels of the head.The pain in chronic headache is mostly caused by an internal disturbance of organs. The location of pain is very important in planning for an individual acupuncture treatment. However, trigeminal neuralgia is attributed to a blockage of Qi caused by wind, cold, or heat, together with pronounced internal disturbances of the liver or stomach. â€Å"In the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, a large number of points in the face are needled on the contra-lateral side; they should be manually stimulated over and over again, for dispersing stimulation. (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p296) Acupuncture treatment is also effective in many skin disorders, such as neurodermatitis, acne, herpes zoster, psoriasis, and eczema. According to traditional ideas, the skin is related to the lung and the large intestine, and skin disorders are therefore treated with points on the channels relating to the lung and the large intestine. What worth mentioning is that points surrounding the disordered skin area should not be needled especially ulcerated regions.Acupuncture treatment is highly effective in disorders of the sense organs, deafness, tinnitus, vertigo, conjunctivitis and visual deficiency. According to traditional concepts, the ear is related to the functional system of the kidney and urinary bladder, while the eye corresponds to the liver and gallbladder. In addition, the ear is closely connected to the Sanjiao channels, which circles round the ear. Stimulation of the distal points of the Sanjiao is higyly effective in ear disorders. Negative effects of acupuncture were rarely reported, however, they do exist and special attention should be paid to. The most frequent complication of acupuncture treatment is the vasov agal episode. More serious complications reported include rare pneumothoraces, lacerations of viscera, compression of nerve trucks due to local hematomas, sepsis, transverse myelopathy, eschars and scarring, endocarditis, and broken needles. † (Ceniceros, Salvador and Geroge R. Brown, 1998) The first needles were sharp flints, and later metal needles had replaced sharp flints. Different acupuncture needles have different length and diameter. Usually, the length varies from 1. 5 to 15 cm, and the diameter varies from 26 to 36 gauge (0. 2 to 0. 5mm). Disposable needles are usually made of stainless steel with handles wrapped in copper wire. Today, most used needles are filiform steel needles because the steel is flexible and unbreakable. Filiform needles consist of a tip, a body and a handle. In most cases, 0. 3mm thick needles are used in acupuncture. When insert acupuncture needles, acupuncturist should hold them vertically use three fingers, the thumb on one side of the needl e and the index and middle finger on the other side.The needles should be held perpendicular to the three fingers and 1-2cm from the tip of the needles should not be held, especially with long needles, which are more liable to bend. There are two methods of insertion. One is fast method, and the other is low method. Fast method causes less pain, while low method may be painful. The insertion can be perpendicular (90 °), oblique (30 °-60 °), or occasionally tangential (10 °). The depth of insertion and the direction are given with the specific acupuncture point, but they can vary depending on the constitution of the patient.In China in the 1960s, electro-acupuncture (EA) was introduced into clinical practice, especially for treatment of chronic pain and neurological diseases. â€Å"Electro-acupuncture is aimed at stimulate the points electrically by attaching flexible wires (via small alligator clips) to the needles. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 20 03, p315) Electro-acupuncture uses one pair of needles which are attached flexible wires (via small alligator clips) to stimulate the points electrically, instead of twirling the acupuncture needles by hand.Pulses of electricity with the pulse width from 0. 1 to 1. 0 ms in duration are applied to the needles in order to stimulate nerves. One major advantage of Electro-acupuncture is that it is more convenient than manual therapy, and requires less skills and accurate needle placement. Acupuncture was first introduced to Europe in the 17th century. However, at that time, it was not widely accepted by Europeans. Most Western skeptics claimed that the traditional Chinese theory of acupuncture was merely anecdotal; therefore cannot be reliable.This situation has dramatically changed in the past 20 years. Lots of publications who went to China and saw the use of acupuncture have revealed the reductionism, causal mechanisms for many of the acupuncture effects in many leading Western journ als. It is estimated that over 300,000 physicians of over one million practitioners outside China use acupuncture treatment for chronic pain. About 90% of the physicians that were found in a recent study of German pain clinics used acupuncture. Also, there are over 11,000 physicians were interested in acupuncture in the USA.In Canada, more than 2000 physicians have taken courses given by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada. In North America, besides physicians, veterinarians, chiropractors, and naturopaths also use acupuncture. In conclusion, acupuncture based on the Tradition Chinese theory of Yin-Yang balancing, five elements theory to dissolve any blockages in the vital energy Qi. Acupuncture treatments are very useful in variable areas of disorders; despite there may few adverse effects. Nowadays, acupuncture is more familiar to Westerns, and it is accepted by growing number of people in the world.

Professional Identity of Michelin Star Restaurants Chefs

Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs 4th GRC 2012 School of Hospitality and Tourism At Taylor’s Graduate School Petaling Jaya Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs Master in International Hospitality Management By Benjamin Gouet 2012 Benjamin Gouet 1 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefsGeneral Introduction Since couple of years, the culinary world and the job of chef have taken another dimension with regard to the public opinion due to the emergence of many culinary and chef television show all over the word. Indeed before this new culinary trend on TV, the catering industry and in particular the professional kitchen did not benefit of one attractive label under the public opinion view, the kitchen was even pointed out and condemned for its rough working environment, particularly the Michelin stars restaurant.Why this sudden advent of the professional kitchen world promotion, and the job of chef since the last 10 years, especially that michelin star restaurant chef, then that this field was totally denigrated and forgotten previously. Is that a fad? What is the message sent behind this promotion? Is that a broad international promotional campaign in order to regild the blazon of chef? Or a vast indirect recruitment campaign, in one sector where the manpower is sorely lacking? Or probably more both, because of the unpopularity of this industry, vacant positions are numerous and manpower unceasingly sought.But, first of all what we know exactly about chef occupation itself? What do we know about the Michelin star restaurant world and their Chefs ? Can we define them precisely? Do we know chefs indentity in Michelin star restaurant? And what about the profession of Michelin star Chef, which is not a new trend on the contrary of TV's s hows, but is mostly forgotten or hidden, therefore that seems an important reflexion which be highlighted in order to better understanding on the world of Michelin star chef. Benjamin Gouet 2 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefsThe work of chef, has always existed because of its peculiarity to meet a primary need: to feed, and this occupation has crossed the times which it has forged its identity and its culture. Therefore, what we know about the historical past of chef profession? The job of chef has it conserved any marks or habits of its historical background? And if it is the case, why? Finally, very few researches and studies have been undertaken regarding the metier of chefs in itself, and more specifically in Michelin star restaurant field.Therefore it seems really interesting to look into this field, the world of Michelin star restaurant Chefs and their indentities, whose the public opinion didn't kn ow much about this profession. except the little part seen during the TV's shows, but is that the reality ? Benjamin Gouet 3 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs I. Introduction The profession of chef, has always existed because of its peculiarity to meet a primary need: to feed, and this occupation has crossed the times which it has forged its identity.But this profession has been promoted there is only a decade ago especially through all the media whose one in particular the TV. The metier of chef was previously poorly considered by the public opinion. , because of its poor image and reputation made during the past. However, the job of chef have several faces according to the type of cuisine produced. Indeed the profession itself varies highly according to whether the chef works in collectivity kitchen, a traditional restaurant, a theme restaurant or a michelin star restaurant, which all don't have the sam e vision and mission in terms of business.Therefore the occupation of chef as its identity are not same according to the the type of catering business developped. Here the study will be focused only one type of catering business, the Michelin star restaurants, which are still yet not really known by the opinion and the researchers, despite their mediatitation through their famous and well known Chef, which shows only one aspect of the this type of catering: excellence.Therefore the research will be conducted with only michelin star restaurant with aim to to focus on the identity of their chefs, which seems pretty different than a chef who works in collectivity kitchen or theme restaurant for instance. Indeed the michelin star are highly promoted since the 2000's especially through TV shows (culinary shows, culinary challenges, chefs competitions,†¦ ), whereas they have been in shadow during several decades, except few worldwide famous chefs as: Paul Bocuse, AlainBenjamin Gouet 4 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs Ducasse, Joel Robuchon or Gordon Ramsay due to their exceptional success and achievements. Despite this advent since the 2000's towards the Michelin star chefs the public opinion as well the researchers don't know about this type of chefs except what is seen and on shown on TV but is that really the thruth and the reality ? We are entitled to ask us.Thus, due to the weak number of researches and investigation therefore a poor data regarding the profession of chef, especially that of Michelin star chef, the gap of knowledge seems wide and broad. 1. Project background The author has chosen the culinary field, especially the chefs in Michelin star restaurants, due to its professional background in gastronomic and starred restaurants as chef, as well as his passion for the metier of chef, gastronomy and Michelin star restaurants.The idea to pursuing the topic of the profess ion of chef and its identiy, in Michelin star restaurants, came up after a research done on the topic of the bullying in profesionnal kitchens, where one article pointed out the behavior of the head chef in one Michelin star restaurant but without any explanations regarding the identity or even the precepts of the metier of chef in this type of restaurant.Therefore the author started to do some researches regarding this topic, indentity of starred chefs, and he didn't find much aticles, investigation or any literature on it's same topic, whereas couple of articles have been published on the stress, heat-mentoring or bullying in profesionnal, and this without know the indentity, the culture or the precepts of the starred chefs. The researcher decided to do its study on this topic in aim to gain a better understanding on the job of chef in michelin star restaurant and to highlight their identity which may be different from a chef in traditional restuarant.Benjamin Gouet 5 Chef in Mich elin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs One other option was possible for the author, the profession of chef with its precepts its culture and identity, but after couple of research the topic appeared too broad and wide, therefore the researcher decided to reduce the topic to the identity of chef and only in Michelin star restaurant. Why only Michelin star restaurant ?Because due to the high interest of the author towards gastronomic and starred restaurant, it more clear in trems of data to use starred restaurant which are awarded by the internationally and worldwide recognized Michelin Guide. 2. Aims, objectives and professional & scentific stakes of the research This research will be carried out in the field of the gastronomy. More specifically on one aspect of the gastronomy: the starred chefs. Indeed this study lean over starred Chefs with the view to highlight their identity.The culinary field, in particular the kitch en and chefs have always been not well known from the professional world and researchers even highly criticized sometimes over the past, and despite this studies, investigations and researches towards the profesionnal kitchen and chefs are not numerous, therefore the gap of knowledges is broad and wide. The type of research conduct here is an exploratory research because only a lsmall quantity of information and data exist already on the topic of identity of starred chefs.The goal of this study is to increase the understanding of this topic. The objectives of this research are various and have been defined as clearly beforehand, are as follows: ? To highlight the world of Michelin star restauarnt ? To increase the understanding towards the starred gastronomy Benjamin Gouet 6 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs ? To find out the indentity of starred chefs ? To increase the understanding towards the professio n of chefsm espcially in Michelin star restaurant ?To find out why and how become a starred chef ? To find out is there is any relationship between the metier of starred chef and the passion These six aims are all towards the same main goal which is to increase the understanding of the profession and the identity of starred Chefs. The field undertaken for this research is the sociology, especially the sociology of profession. Here are the questions/resarches/issues of the study: ? The profession/metier of Chef in Michelin star restaurant ?Differences and requirements between a Chef in michelin star and a classical chef ? Is it a vocation to be a Chef in Michelin star restaurant ? What are the factors or turning ponts which make a cook to become a Michelin star aChef ? Are there any relationship between: the metier of Michelin star chef and the passion the profession of the Michelin star chef and the personal background (fornation, training, experience, education) the prestige and th e metier of chef the profesionnal expectations/career and the metier of Michelin star Chef ?Does the profession of Michelin star Chef is an ideology ? Benjamin Gouet 7 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs The hypotheses to meet the issues: ? The profession of Michelin star Chef is a vocation ? Before being a profession Michelin star chef is a passion of gastronomy/cooking ? The personal background (formation, experience, training, education) influence in the choice to be a Michelin star Chef, as the turnings points in life ?The Michelin satr Chef looking for the prestige and the recognization through the Michelin stars ? The remuneration is note the leitmotiv of the porfession of Michelin star chef ? The metier of Michelien stars chefs require the exigency, the precise, to be meticulous and have the sens of detail, more than anyone 3. Structure of dissertation The dissertation is organized in six ordinate an d distinct parts which are articulate in that way: 1. Introdcution 2. Literature review 3. Problematization and methological review 4. Presentation of the results 5.From the results to recommendations 6. Conclusion Benjamin Gouet 8 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs II. Literature review The topic selected for this dissertation is undertaken through the sociology field in particular that regarding the professions and metiers, due to its topic oriented to to the social sciences which is focused on the profession of chefs in Michelin star restaurants, especially on the identities of these chefs through their jobs.According to Oxford Dictionary the identity is defined as the fact of being who or what a person is, and the characteristics determining who or what a person is. Palmer, C. , Cooper, J. and Burns, P. (2010) state that from a theoretical perspective the notion of identity has generated much discussio n and debate linked to a variety of approaches and disciplines, for example psychoanalysis, literary criticism and theory, lesbian and gay studies, sociology, anthropology and psychology. However, identity is more than a set of theoretical propositions it is above all a lived experience for the individual concerned (Palmer, 1998).Zarca (1988) stipulate that the metier is a group culture, it is transmitted from generation to generation through learning. It has gestures and language that are part of the body and assign a framework, whose edges are not seen as such in the constitution of the identity of any entran andt it articulates various status. While the Oxford Dictionary defined the profession or the metier as a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification. Furthermore in this study the author looks into he professional identity which is an aspect of personal and social identity that develops in professional personnel as a result of their work activities. Benjamin Gouet 9 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs Moreover Sundin, O. & Hedman, J. (1996) Theory of professions, together with the concepts of cognitive authority, occupational identity and information interest, contributes to a deeper understanding of issues concerning how practitioners’ information behavior is formed, maintained and mediated in society.The occupation of chef has always held a seat in our society since hundreds and hundreds years, but the literature regarding the identity and the culture of this profession is not plethoric, therefore researchers cannot define precisely when the work of chef appeared for the first time even if they have knowledge’s of two case, one in the Ancient Greece and one in the Roman Antiquity. The oldest famous chef known to date is the French Guillaume Tirel alias Taillevent from the 14th century.Couple of authors as: Civitel lo (2011), Symons (2003), Pastson-Williams (1993), discuss about cooking and chefs history. Some paper trail from the 17th century, have highlighted that cook was considered as a profession, Mac Con Iomaire (2008) states that ‘Crespin (1641:14-16) cited in Wheaton (1983:110-11) describes the lively social life in kitchens: full of love affairs, good dining-at their masters expense-and camaraderie where the staff covered for one another. Some culinary professionals, however, took their positions very seriously’.Here for the historical past, now look to the present, and what has been done on the topic. Regarding the previous researches which have been done on the identity and culture of chef topic, Cameron (2001), states that ‘Existing research evidence demonstrates several points of agreement about the occupational culture of chefs. Chefs through their craft and tradition tend to possess a strong self-identity. Although something of a stereotype, there is evidence that chefs can be temperamental hould traditional value systems be challenged, particularly where such challenges undermine self-perceptions of professionalism’ and suggests as well ‘Cultural identity belongs not principally to the organisation but to the occupation in terms of Benjamin Gouet 10 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs ‘concepts, judgments, ideas and norms, which are shared by a group of people’ (Hofmaier, 1980). Values, beliefs and practices become specific to their profession (Chivers, 1973; Fine, 1996).The implication of cosmopolitan occupational values is that the occupation builds degrees of autonomy from the stringent rules and polices set by the organisation’. However, Palmer,Cooper and Burns (2010) suggest that ‘identity is more than a set of theoretical propositions it is above all a lived experience for the individual concerned (Palmer, 1998)†™. While, more scientific Tajfel (1972) stipulate that ‘social identification can refer to the process of locating a person within a system of social categorizations or to any social categorizations used by a person to define himself or others.It will be used in the latter sense here and thus denotes and element of cognitive structure. ’ As regards the organization of one professional kitchen, which is also a part of the study under the main research, Mac Con Iomaire (2008) suggests that ‘Kitchens are hierarchical organisations and are run on authoritarian precepts. The word chef means chief, and there can only be one chief in a Kitchen’, which demonstrate that the organizational structure is essential in one professional kitchen, together with the importance accorded to the hierarchy by organization itself, the chefs.Palmer, Cooper and Burns (2010) stipulate that ‘the world of professional chefs and their kitchens remained largely secluded until th e emergence of the phenomenon of celebrity chefs whose open kitchens revealed the previously secret â€Å"backstage† (Goffman, 1959) of professional cooking. While this media-generated interest has been accompanied by fascinating biographical accounts of being a chef (Bourdain, 2001; Ramsay, 2006; White, 2006; Wright, 2006) and of the restaurant business (Parkinson and Green, 2001) it has not translated into a significant body of academic literature on and studies of chefs. which highlight the lacking of literature and research towards the occupation of chefs and its attributes. Benjamin Gouet 11 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs However several authors as: Andrew F (2005), Civitello (2011), Dixon (2002), Fine (2008), and the famous Chef Bourdain (2001) discuss and debate on the world of chefs and its specific aspects.Furthermore various other related studies have been conducted include those by Ca meron (2001, 2004), Cameron et al (1999), Chivers (1972, 1973), Fine (1990) Johns and Menzel (1999), Mac Con Iomaire (2008),), Murray-Gibbons and Gibbons (2007), Palmer, Cooper and Burns (2010), Pratten (2003a, 2003b). Finally Palmer, Cooper and Burns (2010) states that ‘research on chefs and identity has been carried out in North America by Fine (1987,1996a, 1996b) and is significant in terms of the sociological structures inherent in what Fine refers to as the â€Å"occupational rhetorics† of work and identity (1996a)’.Benjamin Gouet 12 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs III. Problematization and methological review The study has to aim to meet to six hypotheses which are: ? The profession of Michelin star Chef is a vocation ? Before being a profession Michelin star chef is a passion of gastronomy/cooking ? The personal background (formation, experience, training, education) influence in the choice to be a Michelin star Chef, as the turnings points in life ?The Michelin satr Chef looking for the prestige and the recognization through the Michelin stars ? The remuneration is note the leitmotiv of the porfession of Michelin star chef ? The metier of Michelien stars chefs require the exigency, the precise, to be meticulous and have the sens of detail, more than anyone Therefore the type of research conduct here is an exploratory research because only a little quantity of information and data exist already on the topic selected: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurant chefs.The goal of this study is to increase the understanding of this topic. Qualitative method will be used for this research, in beginning from the observation/description/data collection, towards analysis then to the explanation, which will be an inductive approach conduct here. The qualitative method has been chosen because it provides a rich amount of information gathered from the respon dents, which is essential for this study related to social science which analyse various aspect of the human behaviour.Moreover, in-depth interviews has been selected as the only research tool here, because this method is really useful for discovering complex interconnections in social relationships Benjamin Gouet 13 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs which is the case here for this research, furthermore the possibility that provides it to discover issues or new aspects not considered previously, is really interesting here, because the interviewee may expand the topic and add depth.Besides a letter requesting participation in the research with will be sent by mail and also email to all the Head-Chef selected beforehand, this with an explanatory letter of the conduct study and its aims, in addition to a consent form which will be provided as well during the sending. At least fifteen to twenty French Head-Ch ef from Michelin-Starred restaurant will be interviewed, in France and United Kingdom, mainly in Paris and London. The exact number of interviews will depend of the agreement or not of the respondents, and their availabilities to make an interview.The interviews will be structured around several themes linked to the issues researched and the specific questions are designed to explore these themes: the identity of starred chefs being the main topic of the dissertation. These interviews will be conducted through a interview template which include relevant question amd the way to process during the interviews, and this for the chefs interviewed. Furthermore, at the end of each interview, it will be asked to the participant whether he is agree that his name and business be identified to the tape recording and to the use of the data collected for academic purposes.Otherwise, anonymity will be maintained in terms of the attribution of specific comments to individual chefs. All the informa tion and data provide by the interview (tape recording and transcripts of interviews) will be retained in confidential secure storage during five years and will be destroyed beyond the fifth year. Finally this research will be undertaken an ethical manner, all the points in respect of others as ethical will be thoroughly followed and respected, including through a information sheet Benjamin Gouet 14 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs nd a consent sheet also for the participants, which both have been elaborated and approved by the Ethics Committee at Taylor’s University, together with the examination beforehand, of the validity and the acceptability of the research, by the tutor. Benjamin Gouet 15 Chef in Michelin star restaurant more than a profesion: Professional identity of Michelin star restaurants chefs Bibliography and References Abbott, A. D. (1988). The system of professions: an essay on the division of expert labor, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Andrew F, C. (2005), The Cooks, Virtualbookworm Publishing. Bourdain, A. 2001), Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, Bloomsbury, London. Cameron, D. S. (2001), â€Å"Chefs and occupational culture in a hotel chain: A grid-group analysis†, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 3, pp. 103-14. Cameron, D. S. (2004), Organizational and Occupational Commitment: Exploring Chefs from a Cultural Perspective, Ph. D. thesis, University of Surrey. Cameron, D. S. , J. Gore, T. Desombre and M. J. Riley (1999), â€Å"An examination of the reciprocal affects of occupation culture and organization culture: The case of chefs in hotels†, International Journal of Hospitality Management, vol. 8, pp. 225-34. Chapoulie, J. M. (1973), Sur l'analyse sociologique des groupes professionnels, Revue Francaise de Sociologie, vol. 14, issue 1, pp. 86-114. Chivers, T. S. (1972), Chefs and Cooks. Ph. D. thesi s, University of London. Civitello, L. (2011), Cuisine and Culture: A History of Food and People, John Wiley & Sons. Dixon, J. 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(2003b), â€Å"What makes a great chef? †, British Food Journal, vol. 105, issue 7, pp. 454-459. Rambourg, P. (2010), Histoire de la cuisine et de la gastronomie francaises, Librairie Academique Perrin. Ruhlman,M. (2007), The Reach of a Chef: Professional Cooks in the Age of Celebrity ,Penguin Books. Ruhlman,M. 2001), The Soul of a Chef: The Journey Toward Perfection, Penguin Books. Sundin, O. & Hedman, J. (1996), Theory of professions and occupational identities, The Swedish School of Library and Information Science. Symons, M. (2003), A History of Cooks and Cooking, University of Illinois Press. Workman, A. & Pickard, J. (2008), Professional Identity in Multi-Disciplinary Teams: The Staff Speak, Journal of Integrated Care,vol. 16, issue 3, pp29-37. Zarca, B. (1988), Identite de metier et identite artisanale, Revue Francaise de Sociologie, vol. 29, issue 2, pp. 247-273. Benjamin Gouet 18