Developing Early Warning System for Peace and Security in Nigeria Essay Example for Free

Developing Early Warning System for Peace and Security in Nigeria Essay 1. Brief Demographic Background of Nigeria: The demographic characteristics of Nigeria set the platform for an understanding of the case for conflict based National early warning system. A historical analysis of major conflicts in Nigeria since independence points to strong linkages to its demographic composition. It has been unarguably regarded as the most populous country in the Africa and also accounts for half of the entire population of West Africa. The last census exercise in 2007 conducted by the Nigeria Population Commision (NPC) put the country’s population at over 140 million. (NPC, 2006). Politically, it practices a three tier federal system of government comprising the Federal, State and Local Government Councils which implies relative levels of autonomy in governance as well as oversight and control which many political analyst has attributed as a mixture of British Parliamentary and U.S Presidential system of governance. It has 36 states with a Federal Capital Territory at Abuja. These are further sub-divided into 774 semi-autonomous local government councils. For political and economic exigencies of governance and development, it is segregated into what is referred to as six geo political zones which include the North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South and South West. With over 240 ethnic groups spread across the country, the challenges of representation, equity in political representation as well as economic accessibility has been the bedrock of many diverse conflicts in the country. This is further complicated by the heterogeneous mixture of Christian and Muslim religion greatly polarised between the Christian south and Muslim Northern region. (op cit.)The population of traditional religion is sparsely located across the six geo-political zones of the country. Despite the immense rich natural resources in the country, crude oil located at the south south, south east and south west geo political zones of the country remain the major revenue source for the country and also the major source of various causative factors of conflict in Nigeria which has led to its reference in many social science research cycles as the ‘resource curse’ to the extent that the country is now considered one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. Over 70% of the population is classified as poor, with 35 percent living in absolute poverty. This is especially severe in rural areas, where social services are limited or non existent. 2. The Peace and Security Dimension in Nigeria: In contrast, Nigeria’s complex political, socio-cultural and economic diversity has been a source of varied and multiple levels of conflicts and humanitarian crises with implication to sustainable peace, security and development within the country and the West Africa sub region. A retrospection of these conflicts highlights six basic conflict types that have pervaded the country in the last two decades. These include communal conflicts, chieftaincy conflicts, ethno-religious conflicts, oil related conflicts, election related conflicts and agro-pastoralist conflicts. These conflicts are the outcome of the deep rooted causal factors of poverty, poor/bad governance and inequitable distribution of resources and development across the country. Between 1999 to 2010 for instance there has been an estimated death of 14,000 people from various levels of these conflicts across the country and about 750,000 – 850,000 Internally displaced persons.(Internal Displacement Monitoring, 2007) Based on the lack of mechanisms to address the root cause of these conflicts, it has continued to reoccur, intensify and impact negatively in Nigerian societies to the extent of creating viscious cycles of violence and complex humanitarian crises. Communities experiencing these conflicts have remained vulnerable and usually face the risks of further conflicts and distablity. Based on the recurrence of these conflicts,the communities have been tagged, ‘flashpoints of conflict’, unusually disaggregated across geo political lines or constellations. 3. The concept of Early Warning for Peace and Security: Based on the negative impact of conflicts to development and human security, there is increasing paradigm shift from conflict resolution mechanisms regarded as reactive to conflict prevention mechanisms which is seen as more proactive and has the capacity to prevent or mitigate destructive conflict or humanitarian crises globally. As core element of conflict prevention, early warning has increasingly gained prominence, credibility and efficiency as a preventive mechanism and solution to conflicts in societies. By definition, Early Warning has been described as a process of communicating judgements about threats early enough for decision-makers to take action to deter whatever outcome is threatened; or failing that, to manage events in such a way that the worst consequences are mitigated† (WANEP: 2008). Dmitrichev Andrei defined it as organizational procedure or mechanism for the structures and systemic collection and analysis of information, and the subsequent communication of results of this analysis to policy makers in a form that would be easily recognized and understood. The recognition and appreciation of the opportunities inherent in this system resulted in the first organised platform for the systematic development of the early warning system led by the Forum on Early Warning and Early Response (F.E.W.E.R.) in 1997 in response to the Rwandan genocide of 1994. It blossomed to become the largest global network of over thirty five (35) organisations across the world that catalysed the creation of the early warning and response networks in the Caucasus (led by EAWARN/Russian Academy of Sciences), Great Lakes Region of Africa (led by the Africa Peace Forum) and West Africa(led the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding) WANEP. Further impetus to the adoption and institutionalisation of the early warning system was boosted by the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan when he stated that, â€Å"For the United Nations, there is no larger goal, no deeper commitment and no greater ambition than preventing armed conflict. The prevention of conflict begins and ends with the protection of human life and the promotion of human development. Ensuring human security is, in the broadest sense, the United Nations’ cardinal mission. Genuine and lasting prevention is the means to achieve that mission. (Koffi Annan: 2001) This further gave rise to the UN Security Council Resolution 1624 of 2005 with the following core declarations: 1. Reaffirms the need to adopt a broad strategy of conflict prevention, which addresses the root causes of armed conflict and political social crises in a comprehensive manner, including by promoting sustainable development, poverty eradication, national reconciliation, good governance, democracy, gender equality, the rule of law and respect for and protection of human rights; 2. Recognises the need to strengthen the important role of the United Nations in the prevention of violent conflicts, and to develop effective partnerships between the Council and regional organisations, in particular the African Union and its sub regional organisations, in order to enable early responses to disputes and emerging crises; 3. Affirms the UN commitment in â€Å"supporting regional and sub regional capacities for early warning to help them in working out appropriate mechanisms to enable prompt action in reaction to early warning indicators; 4. Recognises the important supporting roles played by civil society, men and women, in conflict prevention and the need to take into account all possible contributions from civil society; 5. Supporting regional and sub regional capacities for early warning to help them in working out appropriate mechanisms to enable prompt action in reaction to early warning indicators; 6. Promote coordination with regional conflict management machinery in Africa which provide the Security Council with additional reliable and timely information to facilitate rapid decision-making; 7. Strengthen the capacities of civil society groups, including women’s groups, working to promote a culture of peace, and to mobilise donors to support these efforts (UN: 2005) 4. Developing Institutional Platform for conflict Early Warning System: Reflecting on WANEP-Nigeria’s Experience: The participation and commitment of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) to the FEWER platform strengthened its capacity and hands on skill for civil society based analysis and response mechanisms towards the prevention or mitigation of conflict especially within the great lake region following the post Sierra Leone and Liberian Conflicts of 90’s. This deepened its regional expertise as the reference point for early warning system in the West Africa sub region and subsequently the network of choice for the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in the implementation of the regional based ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN). The system principally works through three basic components of reporting/data gathering, analysis and information dissemination utilised to facilitate response to issues of peace and security within the ECOWAS sub region. WANEP became the civil society partner with ECOWAS in the implementation ECOWARN since 2006. As part of the WANEP regional network, WANEP-Nigeria was mandated as the national civil society focal point to report into the online ECOWARN system. Its task was to provide weekly and daily reports to the incidence and situation reporting template as designed into the online system. This was to give ECOWARN an up to date civil society perspective of the peace and human security threats and opportunities in Nigeria. With the participation of Nigeria in this process came ominous challenges. 1. The first was the pressure from the focal points at Lagos secretariat of WANEP-Nigeria to deliver credible reports in relation to the size of Nigeria 2. With the size of Nigeria, the focal point concentrated in getting information from national newspapers, television and radio For the focal points who were staff of WANEP, it was included as part of their job responsibility. They relied on making phone calls to members of WANEP at the state levels for local or peculiar peace and security information that was not reported in the national media. However, these information were reluctantly or half-hazardly given and also cost intensive to the staff as they often bore liability for these calls. This challenge was partially cushioned when ECOWAS resolved to pay reporters communication allowance in 2007/2008. Inspite of this, the feedback from member organizations providing information at the state level was still half hazard and questionable. To redress this challenge, the program team at the national secretariat organized a brainstorm meeting to develop a framework for a workable national early warning system that not only ensures commitment of member organizations to support the system but also is both functional and cost effective. The first trial system was developed for the Nigeria 2007 elections. An Information, Communication and Technology (I.C.T.) consultant was engaged that worked directly with the program team to capture specific indicators to monitor election related conflicts in what was referred to as the ‘election barometer’. The cost of developing the barometer was wholly borne by the secretariat while the election monitoring was performed by staf f who volunteered to report into the system as an experiential learning process to enhance their understanding of the EW system. The experience motivated the secretariat to consciously plan for a conflict intervention proposal which includes an aspect of a sustainable/operational national early warning system. The submission and approval of the proposal by international partners led WANEP-Nigeria to develop the first locally designed and operated conflict focused National Early Warning system.

Guwahati Two or Three Heavy Rainfalls in Day Wreck Havoc Essay Example for Free

Guwahati Two or Three Heavy Rainfalls in Day Wreck Havoc Essay In Guwahati two or three heavy rainfalls in day wreck havoc in most of the areas of the city, creating water logging and traffic snarls. Common people however, have no other option but to vent their ire against the government and the authorities concerned, and are learning to live with the streets flooded for hours and spending considerable time in the traffic congestion. Commuters have a harrowing time in the artificial flood water in the Chandmari Colony area in Guwahati. Jawans of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue children from the submerged houses, following the disaster in the Nabin Nagar area in Guwahati. Local people using rubber boats are seen helping in the rescue efforts. Several people get killed and injured in the devastating thunderstorm. Homes and agriculture are also the victims of the destructive process. The busy GNB Road at Chandmari is one of the most affected areas today, where traffic congestion start since early morning despite the fact that it is a holiday. The lanes and by-lanes in the surrounding areas are also waterlogged for several hours creating problem for the residents. â€Å"We started our day with the roads water-logged, which has become the most predictable situation after every rainfall. Water entered the campuses of many of our neighbouring houses, creating chaotic situation,† said Juri choudhry a resident of the Rajgarh area. GS Road, another arterial street of the city, was water-logged during the morning for several hours. Christian Basti and Bora Service areas were the worst hit due to artificial flood. With no effective solution in sight, people of Guwahati are now afraid of even the slightest of rainfall. The indifference of government authorities towards the biggest civic problem of the city is strongly condemnable,† a local of the Bora Service area mentioned. This monsoon season has wrecked havoc some of the by-lanes of our locality, where constant water-logging is leading to health related problems. Foul smell due to flood water and strewn garbage is also giving a horrible time to the residents of the locality,†Chandrani Das, an office Assistant and a local of Tarun Nagar mentioned. â€Å"Lack of co-ordination between various government departments and agencies is another reason behind the failure of government authorities to find a permanent solution of this problem,† she added. Water-logging lasted till evening in Rajgarh by-lane 1, Gandhibasti, RG Baruah Road and many other parts of the city. Panbazar, Athgaon, Shantipur, Ganeshguri, Bhutnath, Lakhra were also among the worst-hit areas. The main causes of artificial flood in Guwahati, are encroachment by certain people upon wetlands and hills in the city, dumping of garbage in drains, earth-cutting in the hillocks in and around the city and blocking of natural drains by people for building houses. The GDD Minister said drains on both sides of the main roads from Last Gate to Khanapara and from Chandmari to Noonmati were being constructed and added that the Hatigaon-Dispur drain and drains in other places were under construction. Sarma also said the Guwahati Water bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act, 2008 was being implemented. Referring to the JNNURM, the GDD Minister said a survey of the drains in the city was being done and special schemes prepared. He said that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 90 crore for the State under the JNNURM. Earlier, Deka had sought to know the reasons behind artificial flood in Guwahati and the schemes, including the ones under the JNNURM, being taken by the State Government to solve the problem. The recurring phenomenon of artificial flood in the capital city is getting worse with the passage of time due to the lack of a proper scientific scheme to deal with the menace. In 1950, the natural drainage system along with the wet spaces were sufficient enough for carrying the surface run off the present catchments area of Guwahati to the outfall at Bharalumukh. As the low lying places are filled up and sewage added to run off, flood occurred. To decrease the quantity of surface run off, flowing to the natural drainage system, it is necessary to catch the run off and divert it on gravity flow. The level of Brahmaputra at Palasbari is 6 m below the level of Guwahati. The storm water coming down the hills of Meghalaya, enter Guwahati through the bridges on NH37 via Bahini and Basistha rivers near Khanapara and flowing via Bharalu river in the city exit Guwahati through the bridge on NH 37 near Jalukbari. A modern sewage treatment plant and solid disposal system is the immediate necessity of the city but let us ensure that: (i) there shall be no house in the city without a septic tank; (ii) no septic tank should be permitted without a covered soak pit; (iii) households disposing effluent from septictanks directly to roadside drains may be fined and sealed; (iv) usage of imported porous soil for the soak pit for proper soaking maybe made statutory; (v) disposal of silage (water from bathrooms, kitchens and laundry) to roadside drains maybe immediately banned. Owners must arrange soak pits for silage soaking within their own compounds; (vi) bulky household waste and solid waste must also be incinerated inside compounds only. Throwing of such wastes to roads, rivers, drains, should be severely punished by law; (vii) every citizen must keep his compound and the road and the roadside drain in front of his house clean: otherwise he should be fined in thousands of rupees daily; (viii) all hotels in Paltan Bazaar area and other places dispose the sullage into roadside drains. Hotels, apartments, commercial places disposing sullage into roadside drains should be immediately sealed; (ix) roadside drains, streams, rivers in the city should carry storm water only; (x) implementation of the above civic rules will have added benefit of mosquito control with empowered existing organizational structure of the authorities. A cleaner city will draw out its surface water: We should keep removable big plastic buckets; garbage bins with polythene carry bags inside, in large numbers in all public places, commercial place, markets, roadsides etc. ike in Singapore and keep one watchman for regular removal and replacing of the carry bags and arrange for their immediate disposal. Unemployed youths can take up this business and collect fees from the shops and residents. The State Government has entrusted the water resources, PHE and PWD departments with the task of cleaning the Bharalu, Bahini and Morabharalu rivers and the drains in Guwahati in order to check artificial fl ood in the city. Rs 370 lakhs have been allotted for cleaning the drains and three rivers.

Personal Development: Manager and Leader

Personal Development: Manager and Leader Career development is an organized approach used to match employee goals with the business needs of the agency in support of workforce development initiatives. The purpose of career development is to enhance each employees current job performance, enable individuals to take advantage of future job opportunities and fulfill agencies goals for a dynamic and effective workforce. Personal development is the process which includes personality, relationship, communication, self-awareness and way of thinking among time must be improved as compare to previous. Personal development is very important and helpful to achieve the desired goals and objectives. Personal development is our conscious self-improvement and self-transcendence. It is the aspiration to realize our higher self. Personal development goals will help organisations achieve their own objectives .if a manager or any person have these abilities that would be contribute to the organization to achieving its goal as well as help to achieve there own personal development goals. The process of Personal development involves several aspects like: 1. Transcending our Negative Qualities 2. Controlling Our Thoughts 3. Self-Transcendence 4. Intuition 5. Minimise Desires 6. To Live in the Heart 7. Gratitude 8. Enlarging our sense of self. Personal Skills Assessment There are lot of skill in personal assessment but I am mentioned just three main skill these are planning and organization skill, interpersonal skill, and leadership skill. Personal skill assessment table : Planning organizing skill Interpersonal skill Leadership skill Meeting deadlinesBeing helpful to friendSeeing a clear outcomeDelegating task to othersBeing helpful to strangersBeginning new tasks and projectsDeciding on puritiesSolving argumentsGetting people to work togetherJuggling taskUnderstanding how other feelNegotiation with othersMaking arrangementOffering supportInspiring confidenceSetting clear goals and objectivesAnticipating need of self and otherTaking difficult decisionReviewing success or failureTalking to all kind of peopleShowing good judgementWorking unsupervisedWorking well in a teamUsing and seeking skill of otherCreating efficient systemsEncouraging and motivating otherDealing well in crisesImproved/adopting ideasSharing credit with otherGiving feedback to othersSetting up control systemDealing patiently with difficult peopleMotivating selfSeeing alternative methodsRepresenting otherMotivating othersControl your temperPlanning and controlling taskWorking well with people of different status., race or valuePromoting handling changesPlanning and Organization Skill Planning and Organizing is the skill that is part of Ability to plan group of basic skills. Planning is the ability to conceive, develop and implement plans with purpose of accomplishing short and long term goals. Planning and organizing is important for different positions and functions. Systematically develops plans, prioritizes, organizes and manages resources in order to accomplish business goals within a defined timetable. Interpersonal Skill interpersonal skills are the skills we use to interact or deal with others. Interpersonal skills are sometimes also referred to as communication skills,people skills and/or soft skills. How we deal with others can greatly influence our professional and personal lives, improving these skills builds confidence and enhances our relationships with others. Leadership has been described as the process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task Leadership Skill effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or societal goals. 3.0 Personal Goals and Plan Six SMART Personal development goals SMART is an acronym for goals that are: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. A specific goal is easy and simple to describe. When you set some goals for yourself, are they precise and specific. I want to be happy this is not specific. I want to live happily in Jeddah is specific. Your personal power must lies in clarity. A measurable goal is one that has a specific outcome means must be measurable in term of percentage, price,quality and etc. How will you know when youve achieved your goal? For example, the goal of saving 10,000 in a year, or make profit 30 % in sale is measurable. It can be easily measured after end of year. An attainable goal is one that allows you to stretch means that goal is possible, but is not impossible. Lets say you want to make a million pound. Great goal. But, if you are currently out of work or are not saving money, this goal is currently not achievable. A relevant goal is one that has meaning for you means that goal is meaningful for you. It is not just a good idea. It reflects who you are and what you value as a human being. Pick something that gives you joy. If you want to lose weight connect that desire to a larger intention. Living a healthy and fit life is the larger intention that makes the weight loss goal relevant. Choose things that are important to YOU and that make a difference in your life. A time-based goal is one that has an end date like I will make 10,000 profit in a year and give the date like December 31. Even if you dont know if you can accomplish your goal in the time youve set for yourself set a date anyway. The mind responds to specifics. Setting a date and creating a plan or path for the goal will notify your mind you mean business! Table 1.2 SMART Personal Goals Personal Development Goal SMART Criteria S M A R T Goal 1: To complete CMI-5 in 2010 Goal 2: To complete my Bachelors by 2011 Goal 3: To complete MBA by 2012 Goal 4: To complete PHD by 2015 Goal 5: To get job in TNT by 2015 Goal 6: To take better position in TNT by 2016 with the help of Personal development. 3.2 Personal Development Plan Personal Development Planning is a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development. The primary objective for PDP is to improve the capacity of individuals to understand what and how they are learning, and to review, plan and take responsibility for their own learning, helping students:  ·become more effective, independent and confident self-directed learners  ·understand how they are learning and relate their learning to a wider context  ·improve their general skills for study and career management  ·articulate personal goals and evaluate progress towards their achievement  ·and encourage a positive attitude to learning throughout life. Table 1.3 Personal Development Plan Name Umer FarooqOrganisationDesignation/Job Title Finance ManagerStart Date for PDP End Date for PDPDate Plan Written Date Plan Reviewed Existing Skills and Knowledge Skills planning and organising skill interpersonal skill leading skill Knowledge Management studies finance marketing human resource operations organizational behaviour statistics Management information system Marketing Information system sociology physiology Personal Development Goals 1 to complete CMI-5 in 2010 2 take admission in CMI-7 in 2011 3 got admission in MBA in 2012 4 take admission in PHD in 2013 5 apply for job in TNT in 2014 6 after getting job apply for better position and place in 2015 Personal Development GoalSpecific Actions RequiredMilestonesResources AvailableAnticipated Implementation ProblemsStart DateEnd DateOrganisationalGoal 1 To pass CMI Level 5 by March 2011 Submit 08 Assignments and Project on time and pass all of them Maintain 80% attendance Pay Fees on time Read extra reading material to develop business and management knowledge 26 April 201025 April 2011Information On the job skills Time IT resourcesTime Money Personal Contacts Goal 1:- Goal 2:- Goal 3:- Goal 4:- Goal 5:- Goal 6:- 4.0 Assessing Resources for Personal Development Plan 4.1 Assessing Organisational Resources Your Six Personal Development GoalsOrganisational Resources AnalysisIs it viable to use organisational resources to achieve this goal? Yes/NoType of organisational resources availableAdvantages of using this organisational resourceNo Information On the job skills Time IT resources Practice based Application of knowledge to work Communication skills improvement Study time / Part time working experience NoInformation On the job skills Time IT resourcesPractice based Application of knowledge to work Communication skills improvement Study time / Part time working experienceyesIntern-ships managerial information timeCan achieve carrier development through intern-ship can use managerial information for study material Table 1.4 Assessing Organisational Resources to assist Personal Development Your Six Personal Development GoalsOrganisational Resources AnalysisIs it viable to use organisational resources to achieve this goal? Yes/NoType of organisational resources availableAdvantages of using this organisational resourceGoal 1 To pass CMI Level 5 by October 2011No Learning educational theory facilities information knowledge trainingInformation On the job skills Time IT resources Goal 2 Take admission in CMI-7 in 2010NoLearning educational theory facilities information knowledge trainingInformation On the job skills Time IT resourcesGoal 3 Got admission in MBA by 2012yesLearning educational theory facilities information knowledge trainingIntern-ships managerial information timeGoal 4 take admission in PHD in 2013yesLearning educational theory facilities information knowledge trainingIntern-ships managerial information timeGoal 5 try to get job in TNT in 2014yesPractical work experience pay contacts facilitiesReference recommendation benefitGoal 5 -apply for better position place in 2015yesPractical work experience pay contacts facilities responsibility communication skills development personal developmentInterval training programs personal development skills 4.2 Assessing Personal Resources Assessing what resources you have at your disposal before you plan out your goal aids you in several ways. Youre more likely to make informed decisions and better plans to achieve your goal quicker. Youre also more likely to get better, more specific help from others than if you were to blindly run head first into a plan.

Naked and Free in The Awakening :: Chopin Awakening Essays

Naked and Free in The Awakening The Awakening, by Kate Chopin seems to fit neatly into twentieth century ideals. Chopin addresses psychological issues that must have been difficult for people of the late nineteenth century to grasp. Just as Edna died a premature death, Chopin's book died too. The rejection of this book, at the time, ironically demonstrates the pressure many women must have felt to conform to society. Chopin shows the reader, through Edna Pontellier, that society restricts women the right to individuality. This restriction by society can be seen in the clothing Victorian women wore during the time. For example, we see clothing used as an important metaphor in the story. Victorian women's clothing was extremely confining, much like their life. The clothing can be seen as a type of "cage" which is apparent when we see Edna and Adele walking to the beach in chapter seven. Adele wore a veil, "doe skin gloves, white gauntlets ... was dressed in pure white, with a fluffiness of ruffles that became her" (478). Adele was the ideal of beauty. Edna, on the other hand, "wore a cool muslin that morning ... a white linen collar and a big straw hat" (478). We learn that "a casual and indiscriminating observer ... might not cast a second glance" (478) towards Edna. The fact that Edna was simply dressed showed her non conformity towards society's standards. When the two women get to the beach, Edna removes her collar and unbuttons her dress at the throat. Her decision not to wear all the garments is a hint at the rebellion to come. Another obvious example of the symbolism of clothing is seen at the end of the novel when Edna removes all of her clothing before committing suicide. Chopin writes that when Edna was "there beside the sea, absolutely alone, she cast the unpleasant, prickling garments from her, and for the first time in her life stood naked in the open air" (558). Edna seems to be removing her final restrictions before finding her freedom in death. This last rebellion against society seems to give Edna her final "awakening". This awakening can be seen when Chopin writes, "She felt like some new born creature opening its eyes in a familiar world that it had never known" (558).

Themes Of Bob Dylans Music Essay -- essays research papers

Bob Dylan was recognized by his poetry and song writing. He usually wrote songs about protesting and religious themes. Although the theme of Bob Dylan’s work is depressing, it is necessary to consider how the events in his life affected his music. Also Bob Dylan had other musicians that influenced him in his early years.Bob Dylan was born in Duluth Minnesota on the date of May 24th 1941. By the time he was ten years old he was writing poems and had taught himself to play guitar. He later changed his name from Robert Allen Zimmerman to the famous name Bob Dylan. In 1962 Bob visited his big early influence Woodie Guthrie in the hospital. Finally Bob Dylan got to meet him and become friends with his lost idol who was slowly dying of Huntington’s disease in Morristown, New Jersey, Dylan had written him a song called song to Woody. A famous quote from this song is â€Å"Bout a funny old world that’s coming along. Seems sick and it’s hungry, it’s tired and it’s torn, it looks like it’s dying and it’s hardly been born.†After he graduated high school in the early 1959 Dylan found himself playing folk music. This is also the time he began to write his legendary folk songs. In the 1960s Bob Dylan had turned the themes of his music to protest what many people consider the wrongs of society. In his songs he writes about the â€Å"luckless, the abandoned and’ forsaken,† as he put it in â€Å"chimes of Freedom.† He condemned the Ku Klux Klan in â€Å"The Death of Emmett Till† and the John Birchites in â€Å"Talking’ John Birch Paranoid Blues.† In Masters of War†he damned the war makers. And in Blowing’ in the wind, â€Å"he created probably his most famous song, though Dylan once stated that he wrote that song just for his friends. In fact, this anti racist, antiwar anthem is, in its deepest sense, a subtitle plea for awareness. (â€Å"How many times must a man look up/ Before he can see the sky? / Yes ‘n’ how many ears must one man have/ before he can hear people cry?†) Dylan had the characteristics of a biblical prophet, but also he had a sense of humor and irony (â€Å"Talking Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues†). One soon started to notice that he was a beginning to write songs that saw the world as consisting not just of heroes and villains but mostly cowardly people caught up in all-to-human situations. In the song â€Å"Who killed Davey Moore?† Dave Moore was a boxer who got killed by another boxer in... ...ngled Up in Blue,† â€Å"Idiot Wind,† â€Å"Simple Twist of Fate† and â€Å"Shelter From the Storm.† Dylan’s greatest album to date.In 1977 Dylan and Sara divorced and in 1978 he acted in the movie â€Å"Renaldo & Clara† and that same year converted to Christianity. In 1985 he performed at â€Å"Live Aid† and â€Å"Farm Aid† and contributed to â€Å"We Are the World.† In 1970 Dylan received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Princeton University. In 1988 Dylan was introduced to the R&R Hall of Fame. In 1991 Dylan received a Grammy Award for â€Å"Lifetime Achievement.† In 1997 Kennedy Center Honors Dylan for achievement in the arts. President Clinton stated, â€Å"He probably had more impact on people of my generation than any other creative artist.† In 1998 he was the winner of three Grammy awards in major categories for â€Å"Time Out of Mind†: The album of the Year, Best Male Contemporary Rock Vocal Performance, and Best Contemporary Folk Album. In 2000 Dylan is awarded â€Å"The Polar Music Prize† by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music for his â€Å"indisputable influence on the development of 20th century popular music as a singer-songwriter. They also nominated Dylan for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

The Population Problem Essays -- essays research papers fc

The Population Problem Two hundred years ago, Thomas Malthus, in An Essay on the Principle of Population, reached the conclusion that the number of people in the world will increase exponentially, while the ability to feed these people will only increase arithmetically (21). Current evidence shows that this theory may not be far from the truth. For example, between 1950 and 1984, the total amount of grain produced more than doubled, much more than the increase in population in those 34 years. More recently though, these statistics have become reversed. From 1950 to 1984, the amount of grain increased at 3 percent annually. Yet, from 1984 to 1993, grain production had grown at barely 1 percent per year, a decrease in grain production per person of 12 percent (Brown 31). Also strengthening to Malthus' argument is the theory that the world population will increase to over 10 billion by 2050, two times what it was in 1990 (Bongaarts 36). Demographers predict that 2.8 billion people were added to the world population between 1950 and 1990, an average of 70,000 a year. Between 1990 and 2030, it is estimated that another 3.6 billion will be added, an average of 90,000 a year (Brown 31). Moreover, in the 18th century, the world population growth was 0.34%; it increased to 0.54% in the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century to 0.84% (Weiskel 40). Neo-Malthusians base their arguments on the teachings of Thomas Malthus. Of the Neo-Malthusians, Garrett Hardin is one of the most prominent and controversial. Hardin's essays discuss the problem of overpopulation and the effects it will have on the future. In Lifeboat Ethics, he concludes that continuous increases in population will have disastrous outcomes. Neo-Malthusian arguments come under much scrutiny by those who believe that the population explosion is only a myth. Those who hold these beliefs state that the evidence Neo-Malthusians use to justify their views is far from conclusive. Critics hold that the Neo-Malthusian call for authoritarian control is much too radical. Thus, these critics belittle the theories of Neo-Malthusians on the basis that population is not a problem. However radical Hardin's theories may be, current evidence shows that he may not be too far off the mark. It is hardly arguable that the population has increased in the past few decades, for current statistics show that this a... ...gy, November 1993, pp. 88-92. Day, Henry C. The New Morality: A Candid Criticism. London: Heath Cranton Limited, 1924. Douglis, Carole, and Gaylord Nelson. â€Å"Images of Home.† Wilderness, Fall 1993, pp. 10-23. Hardin, Garrett. Stalking the Wild Taboo. Los Altos, California: William Kaufmann, Inc., 1978. Hardin, Garrett. The Limits of Altruism: An Ecologist's View of Survival. London: Indiana University Press, 1977. James, Daniel. â€Å"Close the Borders to all Newcomers.† Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues. Ed. George Mckenna and Stanley Feingold. 9th ed. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, Inc., 1995. Malthus, Thomas Robert. An Essay on the Principle of Population. Ed. Phillip Appleman. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1976. Mandel, Michael J., and Christopher Farrell. â€Å"The Price of Open Arms.† Business Week, 21 June 1993, pp. 32-35. Morganthau, Tom. â€Å"America: Still a Melting Pot?† Newsweek, 9 August 1993, pp. 16-23. Thomas, Rich, and Andrew Murr. â€Å"The Economic Cost of Immigration.† Newsweek, 9 August 1993, pp. 18-19. Weiskel, Timothy C. â€Å"Can Humanity Survive Unrestricted Population Growth?† USA Today Magazine, January 1995, pp. 38-41.

High school versus college Essay

Going to College after so many years made me realize how different high school is from College. In fact, many students that attend College straight after high school quit after their first semester of College due to the changes and difficulties encountered. There are various reasons why College differs from high school. However, knowing the expectations and the culture of College in comparison to high school would help in a more successful transition. College differs from high school in many ways. However, students should begin their transition to College by first looking at not only what to expect from College; but also what College will expect from them. As a college education is very important step to reach personal aspirations in the workplace and life. First of all, College offers an opportunity to learn independently. Unlike high school, College students can function with little guidance from their professors. As a result, College students have to develop many self management skills such as getting to school on time, turning projects by deadlines, being able to use electronic materials for the syllabus, class outlines, online classes or assignments. Secondly, College has a faster pace than high school. Each college course is twice faster than high school courses. In addition, College course usually requires more reading, more homework, and more projects. The workload is totally higher and faster and requires more time to study. The College books have more words per page, thus more chapters than the high school books. The language used in the textbooks is more difficult and requires more time to study. Unlike high school which has specific school hours 5 days a week excluding weekends; College on the other hands offer more out of class time. Students can choose to go to school any time based on their chosen schedule whether is day, night or weekends. As a result of this freedom, College students have to learn to manage their time effectively. In addition, all high schools students must take the same basic classes in order to graduate such as English, Mathematics, Sciences, Physical education, world history, economics, foreign languages and other elective. College students on the other hand can take any classes based on their academic major. Most college freshmen start with beginning classes such as English, writing, speech, and Mathematics then they can choose any other required course based on their academic field of study. College students also have higher level of thinking than high school students. They are able to do research on a topic and ideas as well as analyzing others ideas and interpreting and evaluating data from any given source. High school students on the other hands can only summarize and take ideas from others. Some of College student’s classes unlike high school class require research papers, presentation, and discussion in front of the whole class and sometimes peer evaluation. Although College culture differs widely from high school culture, students can also succeed with improved effort and practice. Whether students attend College straight from high school or its equivalents; or attending College after many years of working, going to college offers an opportunity to grow and to achieve goals. No matter what the background or motivation, being a College student will provide an opportunity to improve life and reach personal aspirations.