About metals and minerals

1 IntroductionAsia plays an of import function in today ‘s excavation industry due to important resources of assorted metals and minerals, bring forthing about a 3rd of universe ‘s bauxite and gold, histories for a half of planetary Fe ore production, and for about 70 % of universe ‘s hydraulic cement ( USGS, 2009 ) . Within the part among the largest manufacturers of metals and minerals are China, India, and Indonesia. Despite the important importance of metals and minerals in modern economic system, excavation activities far excessively frequently lead to terrible environmental debasement, put local communities under force per unit area, cause societal jobs and sometimes go the cause of struggles. Grasberg mine in Indonesia is an expressed illustration of legion issues associated with big graduated table excavation. This paper gives a brief reappraisal of excavation in Grasberg from the construct the three pillars of sustainability, therefore analyzing economical, societal and particularly environmental impacts of this peculiar mine.2 Economic ImpactDue to the big graduated table of the operations, the Grasberg mine has a immense consequence on the economical state of affairs of Indonesia. Economic benefits include direct, such as revenue enhancement grosss and employment and other indirect and induced economic benefits. The unfastened cavity operations is expected to go on until 2015, than passag e will be made to to the full belowground production and the company ( which company, name? ? Need to present this mine company ) is expected to be profitable until 2041, which secures these benefits to Indonesia until that clip ( Freeport 2008 ) . The company is the largest revenue enhancement remunerator in Indonesia, merely in 2004 it provided $ 3 billion and between 1992-2004, $ 33 billion direct and indirect benefits, which is 2 % of the GDP of the state and 55 % of the GDP of Irian Jaya state, where the mine is located ( Perlez and Bonner 2005 ) . Along with economical state of affairs, it besides has a immense consequence on the employment. In 2008 the company had 29,300 employees and 10,700 contractors, about 18,000 people work at the mine which is operated by PT ( what is it? ) Freeport Indonesia ( Freeport 2009 ) . However, the employment impacts are more complex as the excavation activity have created societal tensenesss and wellness impacts such as AIDS and malaria in footings of in-migration, transmigration and urbanisation procedures. ( mention ) Besides direct effects Indonesia benefits from the indirect economic benefits, such as new airdrome, infirmaries and roads, nevertheless these were chiefly built to back up the substructure of the mine. In add-on, the company invested into malaria control and educational AIDSs. Induced effects include rewards, other benefits paid for the workers, purchases of goods and services, which are besides heightening economic development of the state. mention To decide bing societal and environmental issues the company has established a 1 % trust fund ( 1 % of the company ‘s gross one-year gross ) . Between its initiation in 1996 and 1999 it has been contributed $ 54.8 million and it is planned to go on over the following 10 old ages. In 1999, Freeport contributed US $ 14.4 million to the fund. In contrast in the same twelvemonth the CEO of Freeport, James Robert Moffet made US $ 41 million which is approximately three times of the compensation. Sing an independent survey it has became a new beginning of troubles and struggle ( Kennedy 1998 ) . To decide urbanisation issues and increase grosss and occupations within Papuan communities Freeport cooperates with the U.S. Agency for International Development and has launched the Papua Agribusiness Development Alliance. $ 2 million is allocated to develop agribusiness and agriculture, therefore advancing betterments in agriculture and fishing supports ( Freeport 2009 ) . Besides official payments the company provided side payments to the authorities functionaries, and spent $ 35 million on military substructure. Harmonizing to company paperss, $ 20- $ 30 million were given to the military and constabularies from 1998 to 2004 ( Perlez and Bonner 2005 ) . In malice of all these above mentioned benefits and investings, the environmental debasement, societal and wellness issues remain and can ne'er be to the full compensated by the company, but are enforcing immense cost on Indonesia. The cost of lost supports ( fishing, woods, biodiversity etc. ) and environmental harm are difficult to mensurate. Many of the wellness effects can non even be captured as they are chronic. Based on the above, Freeport Company evidently has a immense consequence on the Indonesian economic system but as it is a foreign investor it besides means that most of the gross is taken out from the state. Another chief issue is that most of its production is supplied as a Cu dressed ore for refinery to other states worldwide depriving Indonesia from related service based employment and induced benefits. Fortunately, due to societal and political force per unit area, governmental alterations and more demanding environmental outlooks and ordinances increase the force per unit area on Grasberg mine and easy driving the company towards more sustainable excavation patterns ( mention )2.1 Social ImpactSocial impact of Grasberg mine operation chiefly touches three major issues: demographical alterations, substructure development, and human rights misdemeanor. All of these issues address influence on the autochthonal people, Papuan folk. Some of the alterations which the Grasberg mine brought to the part could be considered as betterments in the life criterions such as substructure development. However about all of these alterations touch the inquiry of human rights maltreatments in many dimensions. ( mention ) Irian Jaya, the state where Grasberg mine is situated, is sing a rapid population growing as a consequence of the resettlement policies of the Indonesian authorities ( Wohl 2006 ) . The mine was opened in 1967 when there were no roads and fewer than 1000 people inhabited this country. Over clip the mine drew in 120 000 people from all over Indonesia and now it serves as about the lone one topographic point of employment for local people ( Hills and Welford 2006 ) . Although the mine operation in the state has lead to infrastructure development such as edifice of roads, an airdrome, a port at Amamapare ( what is it ) , a ropeway, infirmary, lodging, schools and other installations, presents there are a batch of jobs and struggles, peculiarly, in human rights abuses around the Grasberg mine. The enlargement of excavation caused a batch of protests among local population because the societal impact was chiefly connected with disturbing of the manner of life of autochthonal people, capturing their land, forestalling attempts to seek justness through the tribunals, bankrolling the constabulary and coercing them to resettle. These protests were the other portion of human rights maltreatments which showed up in military intercessions, colzas and slayings of dissenters etc. ( Hills and Welford 2006 ) . Indonesia ‘s National Commission on Human Rights concluded that clear and identifiable human rights misdemeanors had occurred in and around Freeport ‘s undertaking country, including indiscriminate violent deaths, anguish, inhumane or degrading intervention, improper apprehension, arbitrary detainment, disappearing, inordinate surveillance, and devastation of belongings. The committee noted that these misdemeanors are straight connected with protection for the excavation concern of PT Freeport Indonesia ( Whitmore 2006 ) . Additionally such environmental impacts as H2O and dirt pollution are the misdemeanor of the human right to adequate criterions of life and the right to wellness. ( How to link with old sentence? ) Local autochthonal landholders, the Kamoro and Amungme, have been the topic of coercion and bullying. Their land have been exploited, natural resources stolen and net incomes siphoned off by foreign shareholders and national elites ( Hills and Welford 2006 ) .3. Environmental ImpactThe environmental impact from the excavation activity of Grasberg mine arises chiefly due to two beginnings. These are,Untreated chasing disposal at the Aghawagon river ( IIED and WBCSD 2002 )Acid mine drainage ( Kennedy et al. 1998 ) from reeling sum of waste stone generated3.1 ShadowingsThe excavation operations at Grasberg started in 1972 ( Mealey 1996 ) . Riverine disposal of untreated shadowings has been practiced since so ( IIED and WBCSD 2002 ) . The IIED and WBCSD ( 2002 ) reference a 30 fold addition in the shadowings production from 1972 to 2000. As of 2002 about 230,000 dozenss of shadowings are disposed off day-to-day straight from the mine into the Aghanwagon River ( IIED and WBCSD 2002 ) . Fig 3 shows a satellite image of mine country along with the river system through which the shadowings are disposed of. The Aghanwagon is connected with the Ajkwa river system through Otomona river. Ajkwa river eventually meets the Arafura sea. A comparative analysis for selected parametric quantities with regard to mining outflowing criterions of US-EPA and Canada Fisheries Act and the Grasberg mine wastewater ( Annex 1 ) is presented in the tabular array 1 below ( IIED and WBCSD 2002 ) . Table 1. Comparison of shadowings featuresGrasberg MineUS EPA criterionCanada Fisheries Act criterionspH11.36-96-9.5Sum suspended solids ( mg/l )558,5842015As ( mg/l )3.94–0.5Cu ( mg/l )5360.150.3Hg ( mg/l )& lt ; 0.0030.001–A expression at the above tabular array would do to grok the monolithic pollution load caused by the direct riverine disposal of untreated shadowings in the environing riverine ecosystem. The negative environmental impacts are chiefly manifested through following two jobs.3.1.1 Problem of depositThe IIED and WBCSD ( 2002 ) estimation shadowings lending up to 93 % of the deposit loads in the river system. This has resulted in change of geo-morphology of the river system. ( Watson 1999 ) . Changes in the nearby river classs of Pika, Uamiau and Aimua as reported by Indonesian Ministry of Population and Environment ( Kennedy et al. 1998 ) further reinforce this claim. Watson ( 1999 ) has estimated that less than 5 % of the entire shadowings reach the Arafura Sea. The shadowing disposals have created an unreal inundation field in the Ajkwa riverine system ( Kennedy et al. 1998 ) . A obstruction of Ajkwa river in mid-1990s caused unreal inundation in the river field ( Watson 1999 ) . In response to the obstruction of the river the company have constructed levees to lodge and incorporate shadowings in the designated inundation field of the river, termed as Ajkwa Deposition Area ( ADA ) ( IIED and WBCSD 2002 ) . The levees are 40 kilometers long, constructed on both bank of the low prevarication inundation field of the Ajkwa river. This has resulted in the devastation of of 30 km2 of rain forest by 2002, and finally entire loss of rain forest in the ADA has been estimated to be 230 km2 ( IIED and WBCSD 2002 ) . In mid-1995 an American research worker have conducted trials of river deposits at Timika, which is the nearest human colony from the mine ( Kennedy et al.1998 ) . The consequences of these trials along with a comparing of Australia and New Zealand ‘s National Health and Medical Research Council ‘s ( NHMRC ) criterions for contaminated sites are presented below. Table 2. Selected heavy metal concentration at riverine deposits in Timika ( Kennedy et al. 1998 )Copper ( ppm )Zinc ( ppm )Lead ( ppm )Ajkwa river deposit229053.31.35( NHMRC ) guidelines for contaminated site60200300Noteworthy from the above tabular array is the inordinate sum of Copper taint. A more recent survey by Brunskill et Al ( 2004 ) has calculated the fluxes of Copper, Zinc and Lead in the Ajkwa river basin. The present fluxes as compared to the background fluxes ( before 1950 ) from the survey are presented below. Table 3. Fluxs of heavy metals at Ajkwa river basin ( Brunskill et al. 1998 )SiteCu flux ( mmol Cu m-2 yr -1 )Zn flux ( mmol Cu m-2 yr -1 )Pb flux ( mmol Cu m-2 yr -1 )3Background390.68Present137181.54Background7.8161.3Present204282.25Background6.6111.1Present129211.8These consequences are peculiarly dismaying for Copper. Since the addition in the background degree is every bit high as 40 times. This study besides shows that this rise in flux absolutely syncs with the rise in production degree of the mine. Sing these high flux rates of the selected metal, the concentration of these metals in the riverine deposits should be much higher now as compared to degrees indicated in Table 2.3.1.2 Impact on H2OThe impact of shadowings disposal on H2O quality of the Ajkwa River is terrible. Ortman and Subra ( 2000 ) conducted field trials to measure extent of the pollution ( Annex I, table B ) . These informations are compared on two degrees. The first comparing has been made with regard to imb ibing H2O quality against World Health Organisation ( 2008 ) guideline values ( Table 4 ) . The 2nd comparing is made with regard to toxic effects on aquatic biology ( Table 5 ) . Table 4. Comparison of H2O quality with regard to WHO guideline valuesMill DischargeOtomona BridgeMid ADAWHO guideline valueAs ( mg/l )3.940.1260.0450.01Cadmium ( mg/l )0.240.0070.0010.003Cu ( mg/l )53613.134.652Hg ( mg/l )0.0030.0030.0030.006Se ( mg/l )0.2940.0020.0020.01The above comparing clearly demonstrates that the river H2O is rendered non-potable by the mine pollution. In fact in 1997, functionary of the local authorities warned local people against imbibing of the river H2O and gave it a â€Å"D† public heath evaluation ( Kennedy et al. 1998 ) . Table 5. Comparison of H2O quality with regard to toxicityMill DischargeOtomona BridgeMid ADAToxic degreeBeginningAs ( mg/l )3.940.1260.0451.85Tisler and Zagorc-Konean ( 2003 )Cadmium ( mg/l )0.240.0070.0010.01Mallett et Al. ( 1992 )Cu ( mg/l )53613.134.650.015Tisler and Zagorc-Konean ( 2003 )Hg ( mg/l )0.0030.0030.0030.000026Canadian Water Quality GuidelineSe ( mg/l )0.2940.0020.0020.002Lemly ( 1992 )Therefore, it can be seen from above that apart from quicksilver the concentrations of heavy metals at the factory discharge location is higher than the aquatic toxic degrees. Particularly for Cu, at all location the measured value is higher than the toxic degree. Locals have reported disappearing of many species of fish from the river ( Chatterjee 1996 ) . An fact-finding study by New York Times has stated the river to be virtually barren of any fish ( Perlez and Bonner 2005 ) .3.2 Acid Mine Drainage3.2.1 Beginning of Acid Mine DrainageIn the late phases of formation procedure of the G rasberg ore, native sulfur was deposited in fool's gold venas ( Friehauf 2002 ) . When oxidization takes topographic point in deposited shadowings of the ore, acidic conditions can bit by bit develop when Cu sulfide minerals are present ( IIED 2002 ) . Under acerb conditions, metals in the ore may be mobilized. This acerb H2O bearing heavy metals, if non decently treated, may do irreversible pollution of groundwater ( TCE 2008 ) . In 1993, it was reported for the first clip that sedimentation sites in Grasberg contained AMD ( Perlez and Bonner 2005 ) .Different types of Cu sulfide found in the ore can be illustrated by a sample ( Fig.4 ) . Taken from cardinal stockwork zone of the Grasberg ore, copper pyrites ( brasslike yellow-orange ) , bornite ( dark blue-purple ) , and covellite ( violet or light blue ) can be seen from the specimen. ( FCX 2004 ) . The mine waste incorporating these sulphide bearing minerals, particularly chalcopyrite and bornite, can exercise important environmental impacts in the part ( IIED 2002 ) .3.2.2 Environmental Impacts of Acid Mine DrainageThe Grasberg mine has three billion dozenss of waste stone and shadowings ( Kennedy et al.1998 ) . The local clime is every bit wet as holding 12 pess of rain a twelvemonth, which contributes to oxidization of the mine waste and shadowings ( Perlez and Bonner 2005 ) . In Freeport ‘s audit, AMD has been reported fluxing into nearby waterco urses ( Kennedy et al. 1998 ) . To cover with the job of AMD, neutralisation procedure is added to the concentration process of Cu ( Golder Associates 1994 ) . The company says that this drainage is treated by roll uping the overflow and neutralizing it with limestone ( Perlez and Bonner 2005 ) . In one study in congratulations of the mine, it is stated that the shadowing river and the deposition country meets Indonesian and US Environmental Protection Agency imbibing H2O criterions for dissolved metals ( IM 2009 ) . However, several independent surveies and audits have shown much less optimistic state of affairs. The impact on local H2O system is important. Neutralization capableness of limestone in the milieus is finite, so once it is depleted, big sum of toxic metals from the mine will leach into local rivers and H2O system ( Kennedy 1998 ) . It is disclosed that light-green springs could already be seen several stat mis off, which indicates the leach-out of Cu from the drainage has traveled a long distance ( Perlez and Bonner 2005 ) . For illustration, in the Wanagon H2O catchment basin, the acid leachate precipitates when neutralized with calcium hydroxide, and accretion has already started near the lake ( IIED 2002 ) , which may impact the deposit. Ajkwa Deposition Area and estuaries of the Arafura Sea may besides be affected by AMD ( Bryce 2005a ) . Groundwater taint has been detected in the Highlandss of Grasberg ( TCE 2008 ) , and in 1999, pollution of groundwater became important in Tim ika, a town lying below the mine ( Bryce 2005b ) . Furthermore, the Lorentz park is another focal point of concern, because the AMD has polluted the springs in the park and affected its ecological diverseness ( TCE 2008 ) . The Lorentz glaciers ( Figure 5 ) are besides at hazard ( McGinley 2008 ) . To sum up, the clime status in Grasberg aggravates the job of AMD, which has caused pollution to H2O systems including the shadowing river and deposition countries. The nearby World heritage site, Lorentz Park, is besides at hazard due to impact from AMD.DecisionAnnex ITable A. Tailings features ( IIED and WBCSD 2002 )Shadowings solids analysis mg/Kg ( dry footing )Plant discharge – slurry ( mg/l )DissolvedEntirepH––11.3Sum suspended solids––558,584Aluminum28,900––As49& lt ; 0.0023.94Cadmium0.33& lt ; 0.00020.24Copper6,6000.002536Fe56,600––Lead30––Manganese1,400––Mercury0.01& lt ; 0.0003& lt ; 0.0003Selenium3& lt ; 0.0020.294Zinc2000.06061.1Table B. Water quality at different points at the Ajkwa deposition country ( Ortman and Subra 2000 )Mill DischargeOtomona BridgeMid ADAUS EPA criterionANZECC criterionConcentration ( mg/l )DissolvedEntireDissolvedEntireDissolvedEntireSum suspended solids–558,58–12,81–4,968––Aluminum––––––––As& lt ; 0.0023.94& lt ; 0.0020.126& lt ; 0.0020.045––Cadmium& lt ; 0.00020.24& lt ; 0.00020.007& lt ; 0.00020.001––Copper0.0025360.01013.130.0114.650.00290.005Fe––––––––Lead––––––––Manganese––––––––Mercury& lt ; 0.0003& lt ; 0.0003& lt ; 0.0003& lt ; 0.0003& lt ; 0.0003& lt ; 0.0003––Selenium& lt ; 0.0020.294& lt ; 0.002& lt ; 0.002& lt ; 0.002& lt ; 0.002––Zinc0.06061.10.0021.80.0020.536MentionsBrunskill, G. J. , Zagorskis, I. , Pfitzner, J. , and Ellison, J. 2 004. Sediment and hint element depositional history from the Ajkwa River estuarine Rhizophora mangles of Irian Jaya ( West Papua ) , Indonesia. Continental Shelf Research 24: 2535-2551Bryce, R. 2005a. Freeport at Grasberg: ‘Devastated the river system ‘ . News, The Austin Chronicle September 23, 2005. Uniform resource locator: [ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story? oid=oid % 3A292540. [ consulted 29 Jan 2010 ] .Bryce, R. 2005b. Written in Stone. News, The Austin Chronicle September 23, 2005. Uniform resource locator: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story? oid=oid % 3A292538. [ consulted 29 Jan 2010 ] .Chatterjee, P. 1996. A Cu mine of decease or misplaced incrimination? . Inter Press Service ( February ) . Cited in Kennedy, D. , Chatterjee, P. , and Moody, R. Risky concern the Grasberg gold mine, 16. Berkeley: Undertaking Underground, 1998Earth Observatory ( EO ) . NASA. Grasberg Mine, Indonesi a. Posted August 1, 2005. Uniform resource locator: hypertext transfer protocol: //earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php? id=5718. [ consultd 5 February 2010 ]Freeport-McMoran Copper & A ; Gold ( FCX ) . 2004. How stone comes to life: step-by-step through the excavation procedure. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.fcx.com/envir/wtsd/2004/copper.htm. [ consulted 29 Jan 2010 ]Freeport McMoran Copper & A ; Gold Inc. 2008. Core Assets, 2008 Annual Report Phoenix: Freeport McMoran Copper & A ; Gold Inc.URL: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.fcx.com/ir/AR/2008/FCX_AR_2008.pdf [ consulted 01 Feb 2010 ]Freeport McMoran Copper & A ; Gold Inc. 2009. Employee engagement Uniform resource locator: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.fcx.com/envir/emply_engag.htm [ consulted 01 Feb 2010 ]Freeport McMoran Copper & A ; Gold Inc. 2009. Economic Development URL: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.fcx.com/envir/eco_dev.htm # casestudy1 [ consulted 01 Feb 2010 ]International Institute for Environmen t and Development ( IIED ) 2002. Mining for the Future Appendix J: Grasberg Riverine Disposal Case StudyFriehauf, K. C. 2002. Grasberg Mine Area, Indonesian research and travels, â€Å"Research† . hypertext transfer protocol: //faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/indonesia/grasberg.html. [ consulted 29 Jan 2010 ] .Friends of the Earth Netherlands ( Milieudefensie ) 2009. Mining Matters. Unacceptable metal excavation in developing states and the duties of companies in the Netherlands Amsterdam: Friends of the Earth NetherlandsGolder Associates. 1994. Shadowings and River Management Plan Options Executive Summary, Submitted by Golder Associates to PT Freeport Indonesia, November 1994Hills, J. and Welford, R. 2006. Case Study: Auditing for Human Rights: Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold in Papua. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 13: 108 – 114.International Institute for Environment and Development ( IIED ) and World Business Council for Sustainable De velopment ( WBCSD ) . 2002. Mining for the hereafter Appendix J: Grasberg riverine disposal instance survey. England: IIED and WBCSDInternational Institute for Environment and Development ( IIED ) . 2002. Mining for the Future. England: IIED.International Mining ( IM ) . 2009. The route to Grasberg. Great mines—Grasberg. International Mining 2009 ( Sep ) : 56-61.Kennedy, D. , Chatterjee, P. , and Moody, R. 1998. Hazardous concern the Grasberg gold mine, 16. Berkeley: Undertaking UndergroundLemly, A. D. 1992. Guidelines for measuring Selenium informations from aquatic monitoring and assessment surveies. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 28: 83-100Mallett, M.J. , Vine, S. , Murgatroyd, C. , Whitehouse, P. , Jerman, E. , Ashby-Crane, R.E. , Fleming, R. , Wwilson, K. and Sims, I. 1992. Toxicity of common pollutants to freshwater life. A reappraisal of the effects of ammonium hydroxide, arsenic, Cd, Cr, Cu, nitrile, Ni, phenol and Zn on autochthonal species. Bristol: Nationa l River Authority R & A ; D study Note 82.Mealey, G. A. , 1996. Grasberg. Los Angeles: Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold IncMcGinley, M. ( Topic Editor ) ; United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre ( Content Partner ) . 2008. â€Å" Lorentz National Park, Indonesia. † In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland ( Washington, D.C. : Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment ) . [ First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth February 11, 2008 ; Last revised November 21, 2008 ; Retrieved February 5, 2010 ] . Uniform resource locator: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.eoearth.org/article/Lorentz_National_Park, _Indonesia. [ consulted 5 February 2010 ] .National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) . 2003. Visible Earth a catalogue of NASA images and lifes of our place planet. Uniform resource locator: hypertext transfer protocol: //veimages.gsfc.nasa.gov//16923/landsat_carstenz_29may03_28 .5m.jpg [ consulted 5th February 2010 ]Ortman, D.E. , and Subra, W. 2000. Review of Freeport AuditPerlez, J. , and Bonner, R. 2005. Below a mountain of wealth a river of waste. New York Times ( New York ) , December 27.Tisler, T. , and Zagroc-Koncan, J. , 2003. Aquatic toxicity of selected chemicals as abasic standard for environmental categorization. Arh Hig Rada Tokiskol 54: 207-213The Council on Ethics ( TCE ) . 2008. To the Ministry of Finance – Recommendation of 15 February 2008. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php? a=8809. [ consulted Jan 29 2010 ] .Watson, M. 1999. External Environmental Audit, PT Freeport Indonesia operationsIrian Jaya, Indonesia. Steamboat Springs, CO, US.Whitmore, A. 2006. The emperor ‘s new apparels: Sustainable excavation? Journal of Cleaner Production 14: 309 – 314. ( beginning URL ) GalyaWohl, E. 2006. Human impacts to mountain watercourses. Geomorphology 79: 217 – 248.World Health Organisat ion ( WHO ) . 2008. Guidelines for imbibing H2O quality.

My Papa’s Waltz Personal Analysis

Index: Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦1 Essay†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦2 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 Bibliography †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 Introduction: For this paper, you will be able to encounter the various meanings, tones, structure, my personal opinion and analysis of the poem â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† by Theodore Roethke. For more to add, you will also encounter with a brief biography of the poet Roethke which will explain why the poet wrote this poem and how much meaning it has for him.The reason why I chose this poem out of the other seven choices that were given was because this poem captivated me. The poem itself has a lot of parts in which it amazed me, but what amazed me the most was of how the poet could give two opposite actions, feelings and emotions; that ambiguity all at the same time. 1 Essay: â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† was first written in 1942 by Theodore Roethke. It centers in the idea of the relationship between a father and a son.Theodore Roethke was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in which he spent much of his childhood in the greenhouse –enlarging his lov e towards nature– where his father and uncle worked in. Roethke had a harsh childhood, which can be portrayed in many of his poems, as his father and uncle died at an early age. Maybe it was these harsh moments that depict the reason why Roethke’s poems are so confusing and hard to know what he wants to say. â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† is an iambic trimeter with an ABAB rhyme. It consists of 4 stanzas, each stanza having 4 lines, also called a quatrain.It is iambic because according to the shmoop page, one unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one(1). Also, it is a trimeter because it has three stressed syllables. Relating to the tone, it can be seen first as violent but when looked deeply, it has a lovely, amiable and cheerful tone. Last but not least, it is a poem considered to depict connotation as it gives the association of a secondary meaning of a word or expression(2). Related to the analysis of the poem, Roethke is describing about one of his f ew memories he had with his father before he passed out.It kind of leads you at first to believe that the father is abusing and mistreating him but when you reach to the end of the poem, you end up realizing that they were having a great time together. As Roethke is famous for being ambiguous in his writings, I will first talk about the dark and violent side and then the lovely and amiable side which can be perceived by the reader; but will clarify which side I’m taking at the final stanza. In the first stanza, it can be perceived as something violent right away by seeing the words â€Å"dizzy†, and â€Å"death†.These are strong vocabulary and the voice of the boy seems kind of scared. In contrast, it could have meant that the father just had a few sips of whiskey and because the boy was still a child, just a small amount of alcohol could have made him dizzy. Also, by saying that he ‘hung on like death’ could be that as he didn’t share too 2 saying that he ‘hung on like death’ could be that as he didn’t share too much time with his dad, he held on to his father very strong as he enjoyed it. In the second stanza, the violence gets worse as the utensils in the kitchen fall and the mother’s face frowns of disapproval.This can be the most direct evidence of violence in the whole poem. But, it can also show a positive side, for example they were having so much fun and delight that they created a mess in the kitchen and the mother was frowning because she had to clean all the mess up. Or, it could also have been that the mother was frowning in disbelief of how much fun the father and the son were having together. One last option of the mother frowning could be because she was jealous of not being part of the fun the father and son were having.But most likely it would be the second reason, as it is the most reasonable one. In the third stanza, details of where the son had wounds and signs of beatings are described literally. A tone of suffering can be perceived from the tip of the nose, however as the poem gets to the end, the violence seems to cease. This is because Roethke here describes that his father actually held his wrist which is a sign of love. The knuckle of the father being battered just shows how hard the father worked with his bare hands and that even though the father must be tired of labor work, he still shares time with his son.Also, when Roethke says ‘ear scraped a buckle’, he referred that as his height was small; his ear was just at the same level as of his father’s hips where he had a buckle. So every time they loosed their rhythm of the waltzing, the boy was hit not on purpose but mistakenly or as an accident. Any fun activity has its risk or accident so a little bit of danger won’t hurt that much. In the fourth and last stanza, it is where the author Roethke shows what he has meant to say from the beginning of the poem.The beatin g time of the head is that the father was measuring the tempo of the waltzing to his head as the boy was small and again the palm with dirt depicts the father’s hard work. The act of that the father took the boy to his bed is simply an action of love, tenderness and warmth. Not any father would do that after a long day of work unless the father feels a deep connection and love towards his child. And by saying that Roethke kept grabbing to his father’s shirt means that he didn’t want to let go of his father.This showed how much affection the boy had towards his dad and that all those actions that seemed violent were actually just fun to him. 3 From my personal view and analysis I’ve made, I stand and clarify that the poem is about an intimate moment Roethke had with his dad. The title alone states it because by using the word ‘Papa’, it refers to the father whom the child feels love, closeness and warmth. The word ‘Waltz’ is also used as a flow of calm music with rhythm for dancing. The title itself is remarkably positive and warm, meaning that the poem most likely is about the boy, Roethke describing one of his best moments with his father.But also, after reading the poem several times –by several times I mean over a hundred times–, I came to this idea that maybe the waltz was the symbol or the description of how the relationship with his father was but this time METAPHORICALLY. By metaphorically I mean that maybe the waltz was the direct symbolic representation of the bond between Roethke and his father. To make myself clear, Roethke could have had a really bad relationship –as the waltzing caused broken objects, parts of the body hurt and etc†¦- with his father but he still wanted to be with him –as when he still cling to his shirt–.The entire poem could be a metaphor of how bad his relationship with his father was (because Roethke almost never had time to be with h is father) but then even though it was bad, it didn’t matter to him as he still loved his father. 4 Conclusion: In â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz†, Roethke highlighted the fondness, attachment and love towards his father in a manner only he could express. The use of these abstract ideas –in another words: connotation– were used because his love towards his father, the memories he had with his father were not simple and literal, but rather complex, deep and symbolical.All in all, the most important thing is that Roethke leaves you as the reader a decision. This is why he is considered one of the best poets; no poet has given the reader a choice, a path or simply a decision. In this poem, Roethke gives you the decision to either take the poem from a negative side or from a positive side. It all depends on the reader, on how open-minded, understanding the reader is. This makes him unique, special and now, my favorite poet of all. 5 Bibliography: (1) http://www . shmoop. com/my-papas-waltz/rhyme-form-meter. html (2) http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/waltz? s=t 6

Management of Marketing Channels Assignment

Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent Faculty of Business Marketing Management of Marketing Channels Assignment Name: Gafurov Nodirbek Batch#: B0900377 Table of Contents Executive Summary3 Introduction4 The Role of Supply Chain Management5 Flextronics Logistics Management7 Reverse Logistics9 Flextronics in Channel Management10 References:12 Executive Summary This assignment demonstrates the most key business areas of the given, Flextronics International Ltd.It analyzes the core businesses of the company as logistics and supply chain that is subjective for the development and business achievement of the company. All findings of the company examples are gained during whole study from a range of reliable sources; such as websites, textbooks, audio materials, and other consistent newspapers. Introduction The core purpose of this statement is to draw and to discuss the role of supply chain management is playing today and how the company has capitalized it and use of Fl extronics’s technology to place its self in logistics management.Also it includes a justification of Flextronics use of reverse logistics and its relation to marketing channel and last of all personal view of Flextronics’s role in Channel Management. The report will be organized as follows: Section 1: The role of Supply Chain Management Section 2: Flextronics’ Logistic Management Section 3: Reverse Logistics Section 4: Flextronics in Channel Management The Role of Supply Chain Management Business today is in a large-scale environment.This environment forces corporations, regardless of position or key market base, to judge the rest of the world in their competitive tactic analysis. Organization cannot separate them from or skip outside factors such as economic trends, competitive situations or technology innovation in other countries, if some of their competitors are rivals or are located in those countries. Companies are going truly worldwide with Supply-chain M anagement (SCM). A company can build up a product in the United States, produce in India and sell in Europe.Companies have changed the ways in which they handle their actions and logistics activities. Changes in trade, the increase and innovation of transport infrastructures and the increase of competition have elevated the importance of flow management to levels. Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG) of the economies and organizations has fuelled the competitiveness among company. A number of issues have lead to the growing globalization of the world economy and as a result the competitive environment faced by the company has changed radically since the last decade.The drivers of globalization include: decreasing tariffs, improved transportation, communications and information technology, global manufacturing of products and availability of services across markets. These changes have enabled the global competitors to make the products and services available to custo mers worldwide, and the results have been a proliferation of choices for consumers and a need for the companies to offer greater products and service quality at lower costs in order to remain competitive.Changes in technology and globalization of products and services have also resulted in increasingly dynamic markets and greater uncertainty in customer demand. SCM tools and techniques are mechanisms that can allow the companies to respond to these environmental changes. Hence the reason as to why supply chain management has become popular during the past decade is the phenomenon of globalization. Increased competition has made business look for core competencies for enhanced performance.If a particular organization in some country has the core competence for a certain product/component/service, it will get the business for that product/service. This is called global outsourcing. A supply chain is defined as a set of three or more companies directly linked by one or more of the upst ream and downstream flows of the products, services, finances and information from a source to a customer. It consists of all the stages involved, directly or indirectly, in fulfilling a customer’s demand. It not only includes the manufacturer and suppliers, but also transporters, warehouses, retailers and customers themselves.Within an organization, the supply chain includes all the functions involved in fulfilling a customer demand. These functions include, but are not limited to, new product development, marketing, operations, distribution, and finance and customer service. Flextronics International Ltd. (Flextronics), incorporated in May 1990, is a international supplier of straightly integrated complex design and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The corporation designs, builds, ships and services for electronics products for its consumers throughout a network of services in 30 countries among four continents.Its set of clients consist of Alcatel-Lucent, Applied Materials, Cisco Systems, Dell, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, Huawei, Johnson and Johnson, Lenovo, Microsoft, Research in Motion and Xerox. The services the Company presents across all the marketplaces it serves consist of design and engineering services, original design manufacturing (ODM) services; components design and manufacturing, systems assembly and manufacturing, printed circuit board and flexible circuit fabrication, logistics and after sales services. In April 2012, it obtained Stellar Microelectronics. In June 2012, Tessera Technologies, Inc. s wholly owned subsidiary, Digital Optics Corporation (DOC), purchased certain assets of Vista Point Technologies from the Company. As of March 31, 2011, the Company’s whole manufacturing capability was about 25. 1 million square feet. Flextronics works directly with leading manufacturing and distribution companies and facilitates them address their business challenges. From our practic e working with key corporations in consumer products, high tech and industrial manufacturing, there are six key trends leading to significant impact and change to supply chain design and performance: Trend 1 – Demand planningTrend 2 – Globalization Trend 3 – Increased competition and price pressures Trend 4 – Outsourcing Trend 5 – Shortened and more complex product life cycles Trend 6 – Closer integration and collaboration with suppliers Moreover, our company must face corporate challenges that impact Supply Chain Management such as reengineering globalization and outsourcing. Why is it so important for the company to get products to their customers quickly? Faster product availability is a key to increasing sales, says R. Michael Donovan of Natick (Mass. 2002), a management consultant specializing in manufacturing and information systems. There's a substantial profit advantage for the extra time that you are in the market and your competito r is not,† he says. â€Å"If you can be there first, you are likely to get more orders and more market share. † The ability to deliver a product faster also can make or break a sale. â€Å"If two products appear to be equal and one is immediately available and the other will be available in a week, which would you choose? † Clearly, â€Å"Supply Chain Management has an important role to play in moving goods more quickly to their destination. † Flextronics Logistics ManagementInitially, the supply chain management was referred to the functions of logistics, transportation, purchasing and supplies. Though, the growth of the supply chain management has moved to focus on integration, visibility, cycle time reduction and streamlined channels. The new integration has a variety of activities that include: * Integrated Purchasing Strategy * Supplier Integration * Supply Base Management * Supply Chain Management Logistics activities continue living since the early 1900s. These tricks were first associated with the military as a branch of war that pertains to the movement and the supply for armies.Military forces all the time used to make use of logistics models to make sure the availability of the compulsory material at the right place and on right time. Logistics is being used by the military even today. After 1950, supply chain management got a boost with the production and manufacturing sector getting highest attention. The inventory became the responsibility of the marketing, accounting and production areas. Order processing was part of accounting and sales. Supply chain management became one of the most powerful engines of business transformation. It is the one area where operational efficiency can be gained.It reduces organizations costs and enhances customer service. The evolution led to an Internet-based application for Supply Chain Management. Within a firm’s supply chain management, logistics is the work required to move and geographically position inventory. As such, logistics is a subset of and occurs within the broader framework of a supply chain. Logistics is the process that creates value by timing and positioning inventory. Logistics is the combination of a firm’s order management, inventory, transportation, warehousing, materials handling, and packaging as integrated throughout a facility network.Integrated logistics serves to link and synchronize the overall supply chain as a continuous process and is essential for effective supply chain connectivity. While the purpose of logistical work has remained essentially the same over the decades, the way the work is performed continues to radically change. Flextronics Global Services is a supplier of aftermarket supply chain logistics services. Its set of services serve clients operating in the computing, customer digital, infrastructure, industrial, mobile and medical markets.It provides multiple logistics solutions, including supplier managed i nventory, inbound goods management, product postponement, build/configure to order, order performance and distribution, and supply chain network design. Too many of such companies will find themselves victims of the powerful new transactional systems they put in place. Unfortunately, many leading-edge information systems can capture reams of data but cannot easily translate it into actionable intelligence that can enhance real-world operations.As one logistics manager with a brand-new system said: â€Å"I've got three feet of reports with every detail imaginable, but it doesn't tell me how to run my business† This manager built an information technology system that integrates capabilities of three essential kinds. For the short term, the system enabled to handle day-to-day transactions and electronic commerce across the supply chain and thus helped align supply and demand by sharing information on orders and daily scheduling.From a mid-term perspective, the system facilitated planning and decision making, supporting the demand and shipment planning and master production scheduling needed to allocate resources efficiently. To add long-term value, the system enabled strategic analysis by providing tools, such as an integrated network model, that synthesize data for use in high-level â€Å"what-if† scenario planning to help managers evaluate plants, distribution centers, suppliers, and third-party service alternatives. Reverse LogisticsThe raise of efficiency and competitiveness of companies, as well as legal and environmental aspects, and the change in the consumption culture of consumers have stimulated the growth of reverse logistics. In many cases, the existence of a well managed reverse logistics system is essential in the decision of purchasing products or services. Clients prefer suppliers that can operate in a close relation with their teams, to improve products and processes, and that cooperate in the solving of problems which may come off. To those clients, the sale is just the beginning of a relationship. Reverse logistics is a rather wide area/function that involves all the operations related to the reuse of products and materials such as the logistics activities of collecting, dismantling and processing of products and/or materials and used pieces in order to assure a sustainable recuperation of those that do not harm the environment (Revlog, 2005). Reverse Logistics is a process whereby companies can become more environmentally efficient through recycling, reusing and reducing the amount of materials used. Viewed narrowly, it can be thought of as the reverse distribution of materials among channel members. A more holistic view of Reverse Logistics includes the reduction of materials in the forward system in such a way that fewer materials flow back, reuse of materials is possible and recycling is facilitated†. (Carter and Ellram, 1998, p. 85).The fact of reducing materials used in the processes is according to some authors (Rogers and Tibben-Lembke, 1998) considered as Green Logistics and not Reverse Logistics, although the same authors agree in that the bound line between both concepts is not always clear. On the other hand, Carter and Ellram seem to keep tight to the same channel in which the forward flow was generated, against the more broad view in which other companies outside the business chain could be favored from the returns flows.The Company offers a suite of integrated reverse logistics and repair solutions that are operated on globally consistent processes. With its suite of end-to-end solutions, the Company can manage its customers' reverse logistics requirements while also providing critical feedback of data to their supply chain constituents while delivering continuous improvement and efficiencies for both existing and new generation products. Its reverse logistics and repair solutions include returns management, exchange programs, complex repair, asset recovery, recycli ng and e-waste management.The Company provides repair expertise to multiple product lines, such as consumer and midrange products, printers, personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile phones, consumer medical devices, notebooks, PC's, set-top boxes, game consoles and infrastructure products. With its service parts logistics business, the Company manages all of the logistics and restocking processes essential to the operation of repair and refurbishment services. The integration of reverse logistics operations inside the logistics effort of the corporation should be the first step in the process of corporate-wide integration.In the case of Flextronics, create a center of attention senior management attention and support look like to be the hardest task concerning returns. Mapping out the reverse logistics program and identifying the various departments directly or indirectly concerned in returns handling can prove to be a valuable inventiveness. Clear tasks must be assigned to account ing, sales, finance, marketing, etc. regarding increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the reverse logistics program. Flextronics in Channel Management The role of Flextronics in Channel Management has been considered as an important competitiveness factor of other companies.This is especially important for the electronics industry given the high perish ability of its products and the complexity of its distribution channel. These factors combined make critical the relation between the members of the distribution channel. The world economy is becoming borderless and integrated, driven by global market forces, global technological forces, global cost forces and political and macro-economic forces. The integrated world economy and global competitive arena is changing the way in which companies traditionally operated.There is also geographical, functional and sectored integration, which gives a truly global playing field to the companies and results in channel management. Therefo re Channel Management is playing vital role in Global competitiveness. To conclude the practical implications, channel management’s tasks and behavior seem, on the surface, to be similar to traditional management. However, the difference in the form of a SCO as a starting point for the management is considerable. To acquire a proper SCO, the SCM literature suggests that a major change in the mindset must be achieved.To become best practice in SCM performance is therefore not easily achieved. However, SCM seems to be a promising strategy for many companies when considering the best practice companies’ profitability and growth, and this dissertation can hopefully give practitioners some advice about improved SCM performance. References: Barry, J. Girard, G. ;amp; Perras, C. (1993), Logistics planning shifts into reverse. Journal of European Business, Vol. 5, No 1, pp. 34–38. Business Dictionary (2012) Definition-What is logistics management? And its role in the bu siness Available at: http://www. usinessdictionary. com/definition/logistics-management. html#ixzz2Ar3FkYOr [Accessed on: 1st November, 2012] Flextronics (2010-2011) Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility Program Sustainability Report: Flextronics Supplier CSER Program Overview pp. 64-68 Hawks, Karen. VP Supply Chain Practice, Navesink. (2006) Reverse Logistics Magazine Available at: http://www. rlmagazine. com/edition01p12. php [Accessed on: 17th October, 2012] Melissen F. W. ;amp; A. J. de Ron (1999), Defining recovery practices – definitions and terminology, International Journal on Environmentally

Organisational design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Organisational design - Essay Example this paper is to assess the manner in which the business enterprises manage uncertainty in order to meet its goals and succeed against critical challenges. Herein, it is significant to note that the uncertainty in a business environment can arise in the shape of dealers, retailers, customers etc. Organizations tend to make a list of threats and weaknesses that would come in the way of business operations. Such lists are aligned with the uncertainty to manage complications. In this regard, the phenomenon to understand is complexity within the organization. It merely states the aspect or degree of complexity that a company has to face in a business environment. Business analysts claim that a lot of forces within the business environment act together and result in uncertainty (Daft et al., 2010). The best way to easily manage uncertainty is to allow each force to be evaluated on a single ground. In simpler words, business enterprises need to cater problems simultaneously. It will not only provide solutions to the problems but also avoid a lot of forces to work together and result in uncertainty. The definition of uncertainty itself explains the core function that it plays within the business environment. It is the different areas of the business that would impact the overall profits. At times, companies would not require strategies that are critical in nature because the stability of the environment is also expected since the business forces are in control (Daft et al., 2010). In addition, it is suggested that the company is relying on the elements that are predictable. In a case of uncertainty, the forces that have been trusted for many years tend to take control of the situation. Practically, it is named as the process of working with the reliance. It is important that the actors in the society that are operating with various channels and organizations are to be focused at the first place (Daft et al., 2010). Through the above analysis of the claims, it can be

Statement of Intent for a Councel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Statement of Intent for a Councel - Essay Example I am sure with these qualities that I possess I will be able to cope up with the external pressures and will be able to come out with flying colors. I consider the global exposure that I have got as one of the big assets of mine. The important aspect of such an asset is that, it allows me to identify the concepts and ideas that could go well in accordance with each country in which they are implemented. As a result, I am confident enough to say that I have the ability to determine the success and impact of an idea in a particular region. My experiences with several regions come from the fact that I have been part of several governmental projects spanning across all parts of the world. With my team, we have expanded over 75 countries implementing developmental projects in different fields varying from judicial transparency, telemedicine to educational centers. I have a strong knowledge about partnering with government through these projects and the results of all those projects have a lways exceeded the expectations of the clients, providing them with the comfort of completing a profitable business. My team consists of 125 members and they are spread out, working across several countries. An important aspect of my team is that they are culturally diverse and hence there practices and customs differ accordingly. As the lead of the team, I have successfully overcome this challenge and instilled within each one of them a sense of unity and sameness. I have made sure to keep the team priorities first before attending to any individual favors. I am very proud that I have built a work environment that fosters growth and understands the differences between country specific challenges and works according to the specific cultural values. My knowledge about the diversities of the cultures, business and government transition processes in different regions and countries will assist me in the discussions and work groups that analyze global issues. My current position is perfo rmance driven. Hence, I have always worked as an indubitable worker, whose primary purpose has always been to give results that exceed expectations. I am sure I would continue with the same intent in this program too. My ability to take complex data and make it measurable and understandable is one of my greatest strengths. My focus is to ensure all outcomes are measurable in such a way that it allows me to analyze current and historical information in a rigorous manner. My working involves dissecting the process on which the data was produced to ensure that the information is not an anomaly but can be used by the team to understand or theorize a highly successful and a measurable outcome. Another aspect of my abilities that I would like to put forth here is my leadership skills. Obviously, one could understand that managing a 125 member team is no small thing. The fact that I have successfully managed such a team speaks in itself for my leadership skills. I am sure that such skills, exercised within this group, will be benefitting mutually. I have sharp inquisitive skills that allow me to identify, strategize and execute on an objective or problem. My daily involvement with the group will ensure a seamless communication between all group members, mentoring and developing skills and hence, gives an opportunity for an

George Herbert Mead Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

George Herbert Mead - Essay Example generally, which arouse in the individual himself the response which he is calling out in the other, and such that from the point of view of that response he is able to direct his later conduct." The gesture of one individual is his response to the symbols being shown by the society. This is where the reaction of an individual comes from. Symbols always presuppose the ability of each participant in a communicative process to visualize his own performance from the standpoint of the others, to take the role of the others. In nonsymbolic interaction human beings, like animals, respond directly to one another. In symbolic interaction, where they use significant gestures, they interpret each other's attitudes and act on the basis of the meaning yielded by such interpretations. In Mead's work individual responses on the way he sees the society. It is the society that dictates his actions and responses to one another. The society has somewhat really influenced me as an individual. ... rates nonsignificant (unself-conscious) gestures, as found on the animal level, from the significant (self-conscious) gestures that characterize most human intercourse. As an individual I usually act based on intuition. What the situation or the symbols presented to me is my cue as to what my decision would be. I have learned from George Mead writing's that interpretation is important. Interpreting once gesture or symbol would lead to a better communication. However sometimes simple reaction that is not intentionally done would result in problems and wrong interpretation. That makes me think that Mead maybe had a personal experiences on the symbols and action that he has mentioned on his writing. For me what is important is how you convey your message to others. A simple tap on the shoulder of your friend would mean that you are on his side whenever he has a problem. Or others would interpret it differently. Mead had shown me the difference in the reaction of human to non human. Anim als would behave differently than man. Sometimes animals would not show any signs that he is going to attack you, while human can show that he is going to attack by his facial reactions and gestures. The communicative process includes the self conscious adjustment of the person to the conduct of others. The responses to each other conduct would include definition, redefinition and interpretation and reinterpretation. Experience is not first individual and then social. Each individual is continually involved in a succession of joint enterprises with others, which form and shape his mind. Consciousness is not a given; it is emergent. People would blame television and media when something bad happen. This resulted in many survey being done by several organization on the influence of media

Government Contract Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

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FIVE short seminar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

FIVE short seminar - Essay Example The texts were available before in the local orthodox language and beliefs of the Church which were given new expression in the print media and led to more openness of the expression. The target segment for receiving the benefits of print revolution already existed. The paper and block printing was first invented in China in the first century which spread to Europe in the twelfth century (Eisenstein, 2012, p.53). The spread of Martin Luther’s ideas and the lessons of the Church found channels of expression. In the nineteenth century, the print presses were power driven and faster dissemination of information happened among the masses. Development in investment scenario of the countries like Australia, etc is also a contribution of the print media. Radio days The emergence of radio as a mass medium happened long back from the days of Marconi. Marconi invented ways of decoding the communication codes used in a telegraph and transmitting useful information through a radio. In the early days, the use of radio was an amateurish activity by the audiences who used crystal radio sets. People also pursued hobbies of using radio as a communication medium. In 1920, the corporate radio broadcasting centres stared to operate for reaching out to the masses. With time the desire and the need for radios developed. This gave rise to subsequent developments of the radio communication through the introduction of vacuum tube radio and loudspeakers for better communication. During the time of depression in 19298, radio became the mass medium of communication. Thus for the stages of hobby, radio developed into a wired mass medium for distant communications. Messages and information starting from emergency to entertainment were spread through the radio. The sinking of Titanic and messaging for SOS happened through telegraphic system. However, the news of the world wars was more wide spread with the help of radio. In the field of entertainment, radio started to broadcast new on films, broadcasted musical events and commentaries on live sporting events like Olympics, Football world cup, etc. Image Technologies and Mass Society The image technologies came into vogue during the end of the nineteenth century. The image technologies marked the emergence of the mass society in the twentieth century. In the twentieth century, the communication in the world circulated through wired media like telegraph and telephone. The advent of the image technology brought about the spread of news and entertainment to a wider section of the society. Almost all the spheres of life that include urbanisation of the regions, transportation and public works, information on the time zones were all the more accessible with the help of image technologies. Consumerism developed rapidly with the formation of departmental stores, exhibitions and fairs, e.g. Paris Exposition of 1901. Numerous small theatres developed along with the stardom of the celebrities also grew. The spread of pictu res led to change in lifestyles of the population with more interest to the world of eminent personalities. The Paris Exposition of 1901 received overwhelming responses on sensual pleasures as compared to the knowledge part. The heritage properties like the Crystal Palace of 1950 were designed for the awareness of the masses. The manufacturers started to apply

Problem Solving Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Problem Solving - Essay Example Employees demanded for pay rise and the newly appointed managing director (MD), promised to solve the issue by the end of the year after consulting the board of directors (BOD). However, the BOD did not meet and the MD instructed the public relations (PR) office to relay the information to the employees. The PR officer then walked from office to office at lunch break to inform the employees whom most of them had gone for lunch in various places. The PR then promised to return to the various offices after lunchtime but unfortunately tripped on the stairs and had to be hospitalized. The MD had also gone for a meeting with the state’s health department. The employees who were eagerly waiting for the MD’s message got impatient and called for a strike. Although the strike was called off the next day, a few people were injured and most of them threatened to pursue charges on the management. Several factors affect communication in our organization. Authority structure in the o rganization is so bureaucratic such that there are a number of procedures to be followed before delivering information. An employee follows very long procedures before booking an appointment with the MD. Most of the computers used are old-fashioned and not support some applications hence making it had to interact. Some of the softwares used in the hospital do not support the hospital’s operations. Professionalism also plays a major role in influencing the hospital’s communication system. Doctors and other paramedics take themselves to be superior to other non-paramedics claiming that the institution being a health facility, is only important for them. Listening is one of the most important skills that comprise a larger percentage of an effective communication in an organization (Ellis, 2009, p.15-18). Good listening includes showing interest to the information being communicated by avoiding interruptions. Listening reduces mistakes while undertaking tasks given in an o rganization. Additionally, while speaking either in the office or in seminar, one should first allow others to speak, gather information by taking notes, and carefully think about others opinion. Before answering any question, acknowledge what other employees had talked about. Respond to the issues raised tactfully and plainly while giving practical examples and state your opinions on why you are disagreeing with others opinion. Moreover, a manager or an employee of an organization should always prepare before going for a forum, departmental meetings, taking phone calls, going for a media interview, writing a formal letter to other employees or internal memos. An employee should put down in writing any question to be asked or an explanation that is required from him. Additionally, an employee should dress well to give him confidence of addressing others and prepare himself physiologically for forums. Early preparation boosts interaction with other employees. Communication overload i s one of the barriers of effective communication in an organization. Communication overload may render information meaningless and it includes long and repetitive talking hours in meetings and forums. It may also mean sending meaningless or less important mails to employees .The distance between the sender such as the MD with the employees especially branch managers. Language barriers and cultural differences may hinder relay of information. An employee may communicate in a language

Experimental film&video Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Experimental film&video - Essay Example But before I go to that specific scene, there is a need to at least describe the preceding scenes to set the premise and provide a holistic review of that specific segment of the film. The scene starts with the title honeymoon which implies that Akmatov succeeded in seducing Anna with his money and the two got married. Anna, dressed in white with a band of flowers around her head was shown smiling as she beckons someone to her side. Anna was lying on her back on what looked like a couch or a bed filled with pillows. This was followed by the shadow imagery showing a man flirting with a woman. The man was trying to tickle the woman with his playful fingers. The close up shot of Akmatov reveals the identity of the man who was with Anna. After their foreplay, Akmatov dove into Anna’s bosom. The scenes that followed showed a cannon barrel firing several shots, a woman who fell flat on her face and a close up shot of Akmatov wiping his mouth in sheer satisfaction. This series of frames depicts consummated sexual intercourse between Anna and Akmatov. The cannon barrel represents the dominant male sex while the fallen woman represents the submissive female sex. The picture of Akmatov wiping his mouth represents sexual satisfaction and satiation. After their honeymoon, Anna remembered her duty to save the world. But she cannot do that with Akmatov around so she had to strangle and kill him. He killed Akmatov so that she could go the core of the earth and become the new and better heart of the world. The message is loud and clear. Eliminating commercialism and greed for wealth is the only way to clear the path for saving the world. Too much industrialization has polluted the earth and depleted its resources. Too much commercialism fuels industrialization. And too much greed for money pushes man to commercialism even at the expense of the planet that supports every form of life on

Societies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Societies - Essay Example It is complex play of power and dominance over the weaker defenseless sex, for superiority and satisfaction. The relationship between man and woman, and the significant role that a woman plays to keep the social and the family scene moving accounts for the hidden power with which women perform her duties regardless of time and age, in 20th century Muslim society or 17th century Chinese society. Men reserved the right to betray, women remained faithful, virtuous and honorable before marriage and even after husbands death. In Alifa Rifaats collection of short stories "Distant View of Minaret" dealing with 20th century Muslim women in Egypt, the reference is to the issues related to woman's suffrage in contemporary Egypt. In the story "Distant View of Minaret" the reference in that context is to lack of privileges, rights, and gender roles and expectations facing woman. Or even simply the basic "Men being in control of woman." However, two unexpected issues are brought up in her book and both are reflected in this story. The first being sex and the second being death.(Rifaat) In this story, she describes the sexual suppression and deprivation of a young married woman. She had long forgotten her desires, needs, and urges. She had adopted a passive role not only in the family lifestyle but in the bedroom as well. "The last time she made such an attempt, so desperate was she at this critical moment that she had dug her fingernails into his back compelling him to remain inside her." ((Rifaat p. 2) The story then goes onto explains how her husband pushes her away and screams at her as though she was trying to kill him. After this failed attempt to pursue her passion she began to feel as though she was asking too much and belittled herself. It made her feel ashamed and embarrassed to even think about the act. Later in the story it points out other occasions where her husband would suppress her urges purposely. "But on each occasion, when breathlessly imploring him to continue, he would-as though purposely to deprive her-quicken his movements and bring the act to an abrupt end." (Rifaat) The act that is supposed to involve two people in passion suddenly dissolves to one.(Rifaat) In his book "The Death of Woman Wang" Jonathan D. Spence projects the life of the rural China in seventeenth century, when the ideologies of Confucius was very strong on the society. The story is about a woman, Wang, who has an illicit affair with a man and she runs away with him. The adultery is dealt very harshly in Chinese society. The husband had the right to punish, penalize or even kill the man as well as the wife. Wang is finally tracked own and returned to her husband, and is finally killed in her own bed by her husband for the disgrace. The projection of the position and the role of the woman in the Chinese society at that time is illustrated revealing the status and position of the woman in the Chinese Confucian society. The story of is the central essence of the book, though it is revealed much later in the book, the picture which is revealed is of village life in T'an-ch'eng, the people, society, their everyday life and interactions between the people in the community. The role of marriage and the transformation which a woman goes through to keep her marriage is one of the key issues emphasized in both the stories

Roman Civilization Essay Example for Free

Roman Civilization Essay Abstract The Roman civilization was one of the greatest civilizations in world history. It spanned almost a thousand years and stretched from Europe to Africa. Although the Roman civilization is already long extinct, its legacy is still an important part of todays social institutions such as government and religion. The Roman Civilization   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Roman civilization is one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in history. It was well-known for its political, economic, cultural and technological advancements that allowed it to expand from Europe to Africa (MSN Encarta, 2007). So consequential is the Roman civilization that most of its practices are still in use today. Ancient Rome   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Roman civilization was believed to have started almost 3,000 years ago on the hills beside the Tiber River in central Italy (MSN Encarta, 2007). What began as an encampment of shepherds huts later evolved into the city of Rome (MSN Encarta, 2007). It is sometimes claimed that the land and environment of Italy proved to be condusive for the growth of Roman civilization (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Being a peninsula, Italy is separated from the rest of Europe by sea on the east, west and south and the Alps mountain range on the north (MSN Encarta, 2007). The country in general enjoys a temperate climate, with hot summers in the south (MSN Encarta, 2007). Italys western coast and offshore islands have several volcanoes such as Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius, resulting in fertile land in some parts of Latium, Campania and Sicily (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Italys timber-rich mountains had vast meadows where sheep and goats grazed during the summer (MSN Encarta, 2007). The Tiber River was abundant in salt and Etruria had large iron deposits (MSN Encarta, 2007). North-south land routes boosted the Roman economy by improving commerce, agriculture, pasturage and metalwork (MSN Encarta, 2007). Romulus and Remus – The Founders of Rome   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to Roman myth, twin brothers Romulus and Remus founded Rome in 753 BC (MSN Encarta, 2007). They were the grandsons of King Numitor, the ruler of the ancient city of Alba Longa in Latium (MSN Encarta, 2007). But Numitors brother seized the throne and also tried to kill the twins by having them thrown into the Tiber (MSN Encarta, 2007). The twins miraculously survived – they were washed ashore and were nursed by a she-wolf (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Upon reaching adulthood, Romulus and Remus brought Numitor back to his throne and formed a new city located on top of Palatine Hill (MSN Encarta, 2007). Romulus had this new city surrounded with a wall, which Remus scornfully jumped over in an attempt to assert his leadership (MSN Encarta, 2007). Romulus killed him as a result, later becoming the citys first king and naming it after him (MSN Encarta, 2007). Life in Ancient Rome   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ancient Roman society was religious and family-oriented (MSN Encarta, 2007). Family and religion not only influenced personal and social relations, but also public and political activities (MSN Encarta, 2007). These two social institutions were said to be the â€Å"twin pillars of Roman society for the five centuries of the Roman Republic† (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Ancient Roman Family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Family relationships in ancient Rome reflected the patriarchal nature of the Roman state (MSN Encarta, 2007). The father (paterfamilias) wielded absolute and lifelong power (patria potestas) over his wife, children and slaves (MSN Encarta, 2007). He was also the â€Å"the priest of the cult of his ancestors and of the hearth gods of the family† (the ancient Romans practiced ancestral worship) (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Roman marriage existed primarily to continue bloodlines (MSN Encarta, 2007). The fathers family had sole custody of all legitimate children (MSN Encarta, 2007). Should a divorce occur, the mother was required to leave the children with her husband (MSN Encarta, 2007). In addition, Roman law allowed a father to abandon an infant at birth – unwanted children during this period were either deformed boys or daughters of families who cannot afford a dowry (MSN Encarta, 2007). It was also considered legal under Roman law for a father to kill an adult son as â€Å"punishment† for â€Å"treasonous† behavior (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Despite the all-encompassing authority of the father, the ancient Roman family remained tightly-knit (MSN Encarta, 2007). It was the parents themselves who educated their children (MSN Encarta, 2007). To prepare their sons for citizenship, fathers would bring them along to forums, where they can observe public meetings (MSN Encarta, 2007). During funerals, ancient Roman sons were also obliged to deliver speeches that praised the deceased and their forefathers in order to sustain family pride and myths (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ancient Roman women usually married between 14 and 17 years old, with their husbands often at their mid-20s (MSN Encarta, 2007). Although children during this era were not forced into wedlock, only few were able to refuse arranged marriages (MSN Encarta, 2007). A divorce can only take place if it was the husband who wanted it (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, women still enjoyed relative freedom in ancient Rome (MSN Encarta, 2007). They could attend public and private banquets, where they freely interacted with men (MSN Encarta, 2007). When a father died without a will, his estate was divided equally between his sons and daughters (MSN Encarta, 2007). But daughters were commonly included in the bequests of their fathers (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Religion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ancient Rome was a predominantly agricultural civilization (MSN Encarta, 2007). Hence, Romans believed that deities governed every aspect of the natural world (MSN Encarta, 2007). They even tried to â€Å"construe† the â€Å"will† of the gods by analyzing animal activities and body parts (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Romans, however, adopted from the Etruscans a religion that was based from the Greek pantheon or family of gods (MSN Encarta, 2007). As a result, most Greek gods have Roman counterparts (MSN Encarta, 2007). Zeus (Greek god of the skies) was Jupiter for the Romans (MSN Encarta, 2007). Hera (Zeus wife), Aphrodite (Greek goddess of love) and Ares (Greek god of war) became Juno, Venus and Mars, respectively (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Romans also believed that devotion through prayers, festivals and sacrifices were necessary for the community to have a harmonious relationship with the gods (MSN Encarta, 2007). Kings and civil magistrates first officiated the aforementioned activities, but priests and priestesses later facilitated the worship of particular gods and goddesses (MSN Encarta, 2007). An example of the latter would be the vestal virgins who served hearth goddess Vesta (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some of the months in the Roman calendar, as well as the days of the week, were also named after the gods (MSN Encarta, 2007). January was named after Janus, the god of beginnings (MSN Encarta, 2007). March was taken from Mars (MSN Encarta, 2007). September was derived from the Latin term septem (â€Å"seven†) – March originally was the first month of the Roman calender (MSN Encarta, 2007). October, November and December were based on the Latin words for eight, ninth and tenth, respectively (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, the English names of the days of the week was patterned after Germanic gods and goddesses (MSN Encarta, 2007). Friday, for instance, was a day that was dedicated to Venus (MSN Encarta, 2007). It was taken from Freia, the German goddess of love (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Politics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The leaders of Ancient Rome were kings who â€Å"had wide military and judicial powers and represented the people to their gods† (MSN Encarta, 2007). The kings who succeeded Romulus were appointed and advised by the Senate, a governmental institution whose members were from noble clans (MSN Encarta, 2007). These tasks of the Senate enabled the Roman elites to dominate Romes religious, political and economic life (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Meanwhile, the Assembly of the People was a Roman political body that was composed of all male Roman citizens (MSN Encarta, 2007). Divided into 30 curiae or clans, members of the assembly initially met to â€Å"witness the announcement of a new king or a declaration of war† (MSN Encarta, 2007). Later, each of the clans gathered to cast their votes regarding the approval of a certain will or adoption (MSN Encarta, 2007). The Roman Republic   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   During the Roman Republic (510 BC-27 BC), Rome â€Å"grew from a small city of 10,000 into a great cosmopolitan metropolis of 1 million whose empire of 15 million subjects encompassed the entire Mediterranean basin† (MSN Encarta, 2007). Therefore, the Roman Republic was sometimes known as the period of expansion of Roman civilization (Hooker, 1996). However, they encountered social and economic problems that resulted from imposing conventional laws and institutions on subjects whose cultures were very much different from theirs (MSN Encarta, 2007). Governance   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Roman monarchy was abolished after Junius Brutus toppled the Tarquin dynasty in 509 BC (Hooker, 1996). The Romans then assumed a republican form of government but retained their constitution, a series of unwritten laws and traditions that were still based from the monarchy (Hooker, 1996). As a result, the republics new leaders, the consuls, were no different from the kings (Hooker, 1996). Although the consuls were elected and held one-year terms, they were also the heads of the Roman military and judiciary, as well as the nations chief priests (Hooker, 1996).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, the consuls had severely limited powers (Hooker, 1996). After finishing their one-year term, they had to be reelected for another term if they wish to become a consul again (Hooker, 1996). In addition, the republic was supposed to be ruled by two consuls (Hooker, 1996). No consul can act or decide without the other consuls approval (Hooker, 1996). Lastly, consuls were mandated to serve on the Senate as soon as their term expires (Hooker, 1996). The Law of the Twelve Tables   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It would be fair to say that the Roman Republic promoted the rights of the ordinary citizen (Hooker, 1996). In 450 BC, Romes constitution and laws were standardized and put into order through the Law of the Twelve Tables (Hooker, 1996). As a result, the Roman masses became aware of the rights that the law has granted upon them (Hooker, 1996). Intermarriage between plebians and patricians were allowed in 445 BC and the position of consul was opened to plebians in 367 BC (Hooker, 1996). By 287 BC, the vote of the plebian  Ã‚   assembly â€Å"were not only binding on the plebeians, but on the entire Roman citizenry† (Hooker, 1996). Crisis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to widen itslef, the Roman Republic waged many wars, including the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) (Hooker, 1996). But these hostilities had serious social and economic consequences for Rome (Hooker, 1996). The Second Punic war, for instance, further widened the gap between the rich and the poor in Rome (Hooker, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Prior to the Second Punic War, ordinary Roman citizens worked as farmers, craftsmen or laborers (Hooker, 1996). They were able to live well because they tilled their own land or received decent wages (Hooker, 1996). But while Hannibal destroyed the Roman countryside, the elites remained quietly within the walls of Rome (Hooker, 1996).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Their farmlands gone, the Romans living in the countryside had no choice but to migrate to the cities (Hooker, 1996). The rich Romans, meanwhile, bought the ravaged lands and developed them into large plantations (Hooker, 1996). These establishments dominated Roman agriculture by the middle of the second century (Hooker, 1996).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Furthermore, wars led to the proliferation of slaves in Rome and Roman territories (Hooker, 1996). As slaves provided labor at wages that were almost below subsistence level, the Roman economy shifted from a laborer economy to a slave economy (Hooker, 2006). Poor Romans who were not slaves suddenly found themselves unemployed or taking jobs that paid very little (Hooker, 1996). This resulted in the beginning of the Roman Republics unpopularity with the people (Hooker, 1996). The Roman Empire   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The social instability during the later part of the Roman Republic produced dictators such as the Gracchi brothers (UNRV, 2008). Increasing public frustration over the republic made the people turn to citizen assemblies for the discussion of popular agendas instead of to the Senate (UNRV, 2008). However, overeliance on citizen assemblies bred unscrupulous and opportunistic leaders such as Maruis and Sulla (UNRV, 2008). Roman politics was divided between the conservative Optimate Senators who tried to preserve the political dominance of the elite and the Populares who was supported by the lower classes (UNRV, 2008). As a result, the last 100 years of the Roman Republic was characterized with political instability and violence (UNRV, 2008). Caesar Augustus   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After many years of civil war, the Senate proclaimed Gaius Octavius emperor in 27 BC, giving him the name Augustus (â€Å"exalted† or â€Å"holy one†) (MSN Encarta, 2007). Historians often said that the proclamation of Gaius Octavius as emperor marked the beginning of the Roman Empire (27 BC-476 AD) (MSN Encarta, 2007). The Roman Republic was never revived since (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Regime of Augustus.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Augustus rule (27 BC-14 AD) was marked with absolute power (MSN Encarta, 2007). However, it transformed Rome into â€Å"the greatest and most influential political institution in European history† (MSN Encarta, 2007). Thus, Augustus was said to have started the Pax Romana (â€Å"Roman Peace†), a period of peace and prosperity in Rome that lasted for about 200 years (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Under Augustus, the empire acquired new territories, such as ancient Britain, Arabia and Dacia (now Romania) (MSN Encarta, 2007). Rome became the center of politics, trade and culture in the Mediterranean region (MSN Encarta, 2007). Rome was seen as a place of opportunity – people from the Roman provinces who went there usually became soldiers, bureaucrats and senators (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Roman Empire also tolerated cultural differences among its subjects (MSN Encarta, 2007). The empire promoted Greek art, literature and philosophy, the Jewish religious and ethical system, the then-new religion of Christianity, the astronomy and astrology of the Babylonians and Persian and Egyptian culture (MSN Encarta, 2007). With the exceptions of leaders like Caligula and Nero, most Roman emperors were competent and just (MSN Encarta, 2007). Fall of the Roman Empire   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The murder of Emperor Commodus in 192 was the precedent for the collapse of the Roman Empire (MSN Encarta, 2007). After his demise, rivalry over the imperial throne resulted in a civil war that proved to be detrimental to the whole empire (MSN Encarta, 2007). Political institutions collapsed, the army was weakened and the economy crashed (MSN Encarta, 2007). The civil war lasted for about a century until the Roman Empire quietly ended in 476 (MSN Encarta, 2007). Reasons for the Fall   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The selection process for a Roman emperor was facilitated by the incumbent emperor, the Senate, the army and the Praetorian Guard (the emperors personal security forces) (Harker, n.d.). But the Praetorian Guard later had the sole authority in choosing the emperor (Harker, n.d.). In exchange for the Praetorian Guards support, the emperor rewarded them with political and military favors (Harker, n.d.). By 186 AD, the practice of selling the throne to the highest bidder was already a â€Å"tradition† in Roman politics (Harker, n.d.).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, the Roman Empire spent too much on its military (Harker, n.d.). Since the empire was very vast, protecting it from invaders was very expensive (Harker, n.d.). A huge portion of taxes were spent on soldiers and weapons, instead of on housing, roads and aqueducts (Harker, n.d.). When the empire did not have enough money, it raised taxes, leading to strong public discontent among ordinary Roman citizens (Harker, n.d.). Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Even if the Roman civilization no longer exists, its legacy is still an important part of modern society. Roman laws and Latin remain to be integral in the legal profession, governance and religion (MSN Encarta, 2007). Christianity is still one of the worlds major religions (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Latin gradually evolved into languages and dialects such as Provenà §al, French, Spanish and Catalan (MSN Encarta, 2007). The Roman civilization also served as an important influence in Renaissance art, literature and politics (MSN Encarta, 2007). Renaissance sculptors revived the Greco-Roman trend of realism (after centuries of theocentrism), while Renaissance architects used Greek and Roman designs for their creations (MSN Encarta, 2007). William Shakespeares works were based on Roman comedies (MSN Encarta, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Philosophers and political theorists in the succeeding centuries used Roman laws and Roman concepts of freedom and tyranny as a reference for their own writings and discourses (MSN Encarta, 2007). These ideas also inspired revolutionaries in America and France to liberate their respective countries (MSN Encarta, 2007). References Harker, K. Killeen Harker Heights Connections. (n.d.). Reasons for the Fall of the Roman   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Empire. Retrieved May 8, 2008, from http://killeenroos.com/1/Romefall.htm Hooker, R. World Civilizations. (1996). Rome: The Roman Republic. Retrieved May 7, 2008,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   from http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ROME/REPUBLIC.HTM MSN Encarta. (2007). Ancient Rome. Retrieved May 6, 2008, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761552589/Ancient_Rome.html MSN Encarta. (2007). Roman Empire. Retrieved May 6, 2008, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741502785/Roman_Empire.html UNRV. (2008). Fall of the Roman Republic. Retrieved May 8, 2007, from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.unrv.com/roman-republic/fall-of-roman-republic.php

Causes of Conflict in DRC

Causes of Conflict in DRC INVESTIGATING THE CAUSES OF CONFLICT IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) Location of the D R Congo Background The Congo is situated at the heart of the west-central portion of sub-Saharan Africa. DR Congo borders the Central African Republic and Sudan on the North; Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi on the East; Zambia and Angola on the South; the Republic of the Congo on the West; and is separated from Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika on the East. The country enjoys access to the ocean through a 40-kilometre (25 mile) stretch of Atlantic coastline at Muanda and the roughly nine-kilometer wide mouth of the Congo river which opens into the Gulf of Guinea. The country straddles the Equator, with one-third to the North and two-thirds to the South. The size of Congo, 2,345,408square kilometers (905,567sqmi), is slightly greater than the combined areas of Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway. It is the third largest country (by area) in Africa. In order to distinguish it from the neighboring Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is often referred to as DR Congo, DRC, or RDC, or is called Congo-Kinshasa after the capital Kinshasa (in contrast to Congo-Brazzaville for its neighbour). The name Congo refers to the river Congo, also known as the river Zaire. (The river name Congo is related to the name of the Bakongo ethnic group). As many as 250 ethnic groups have been identified and named. The most numerous people are the Kongo, Luba, and Mongo. Although seven hundred local languages and dialects are spoken, the linguistic variety is bridged both by widespread use of French and intermediary languages such as Kongo, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala. The Congo is the worlds largest producer of cobalt ore, and a major producer of copper and industrial diamonds. It has significant deposits of tantalum, which is used in the fabrication of electronic components in computers and mobile phones. In 2002, tin was discovered in the east of the country, but, to date, mining has been on a small scale. Katanga Mining Limited, a London-based company, owns the Luilu Metallurgical Plant, which has a capacity of 175,000 tonnes of copper and 8,000 tonnes of cobalt per year, making it the largest cobalt refinery in the world. After a major rehabilitation program, the company restarted copper production in December 2007 and cobalt production in May 2008. The United Nations 2007 estimated the population at 62.6 million people, having increased rapidly despite the war from 46.7 million in 1997. Currently the Head of State is President Joseph Kabila (October 2006-) and Head of government is Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga (December 2006-). Provinces and territories Formerly the country was divided into eleven provinces, Kinshasa, Province Orientale, Kasaà ¯ Oriental, Kasaà ¯ Occidental, Maniema, Katanga, Sud-Kivu, Nord-Kivu, Bas-Congo, Équateur and Bandundu. However, the constitution approved in 2005 divided the country into 26 fairly autonomous provinces, including the capital, Kinshasa to be formed by 18 February 2009. These are subdivided into 192 territories. Provinces and their Capital Cities Province Capital 1. Kinshasa Kinshasa 2. Kongo central Matadi 3. Kwango Kenge 4. Kwilu Kikwit 5. Mai-Ndombe Inongo 6. Kasaà ¯ Luebo 7. Lulua Kananga 8. Kasaà ¯ oriental Mbuji-Mayi 9. Lomami Kabinda 10. Sankuru Lodja 11. Maniema Kindu 12. Sud-Kivu Bukavu 13. Nord-Kivu Goma Province Capital 14. Ituri Bunia 15. Haut-Uele Isiro 16. Tshopo Kisangani 17. Bas-Uele Buta 18. Nord-Ubangi Gbadolite 19. Mongala Lisala 20. Sud-Ubangi Gemena 21. Équateur Mbandaka 22. Tshuapa Boende 23. Tanganyika Kalemie 24. Haut-Lomami Kamina 25. Lualaba Kolwezi 26. Haut-Katanga Lubumbashi History of the DR Congo Conflict The state of DR Congo emerged from brutal colonial history. From 1880s, Belgian King Leopold II used territory as personal kingdom, exploiting vast natural resources through indigenous forced labour. Leopold transferred control of â€Å"Congo Free State† to Belgian government 1908. After upsurge of nationalist sentiment and parliamentary elections May 1960, Belgium accepted independence June 1960. Within two weeks, country faced nationwide army mutiny and secessionist movements in Katanga and southern Kasai. Cold War interests fuelled tensions, with U.S. fearing Congos break-up and Soviet inroads. Power struggle between President Joseph Kasavubu and PM Patrice Lumumba intensified when Lumumba used army to brutally (but unsuccessfully) suppress Kasaian rebellion and appealed for Soviet support. Kasavubu dismissed Lumumba, who was later arrested and 1961 assassinated with Belgian complicity. UN troops began disarming Katangan rebels August 1961 but situation deteriorated into sporadic conflict between UN and Katangan forces. Head of breakaway Katanga Moise Tshombe forced out 1963, returning as Congos prime minister 1964. Colonel Joseph Desire Mobutu ousted Kasavubu and Tshombe in 1965 and began thirty-two year rule. In 1971-2 he changed the countrys name to Zaire. Mobutu systematically used countrys mineral wealth to consolidate power, co-opt rivals and enrich himself and allies through patronage. Following the end of Cold War, cessation of international aid and internal pressure to democratise pushed him to reinstate multiparty politics in 1991, but Mobutu manipulated agreement to retain power. Mobutu was finally ousted in May 1997 by rebellion under Laurent Kabilas leadership, backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Second war The Second Congo War, also known as Africas World War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire), and officially ended in July 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took power (though hostilities continue to this day). The largest war in modern African history, it directly involved eight African nations, as well as about 25armed groups. By 2008 the war and its aftermath had killed 5.4million people, mostly from disease and starvation, making the Second Congo War the deadliest conflict worldwide since World War II. Millions more were displaced from their homes or sought asylum in neighboring countries. War sparked again in August 1998 when Kabila moved to purge Rwandans from government. Rwandan troops backing Congolese Tutsi rebels invaded. Kabila called on Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia for help. It is estimated that 4 million people died in during this conflict between 1998-2004, mostly from war-related diseases and starvation. A Lusaka ceasefire signed July 1999 and UN Security Council peacekeeping mission (MONUC) was authorised in 2000. Laurent Kabila was assassinated January 2001 and replaced by son Joseph. Peace negotiations resulted in Rwandan and Ugandan withdrawal in late 2002, but proxies remained. In December 2002, all Congolese belligerents and political groups signed peace deal in Sun City, South Africa, ushering in transitional government June 2003 in which Kabila shared power with four vice-presidents. However, conflict in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Katanga provinces continued. Rebel groups, including former Rwandan-backed Tutsi and Hutu militias (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) being largest), continued to fight for land and resources. Violence in north eastern Ituri halted 2003 after three-month French-led emergency mission under EU authority, after UN failed to contain clashes. Deaths and displacements led UN to describe Eastern Congo as â€Å"worlds worst humanitarian crisis† March 2005. Following DRC government request International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate crimes from June 2002 throughout DRC, ICC Prosecutor opened investigation into crimes in Ituri June 2004. Government and MONUC security efforts, undermined by lack of progress in establishing integrated national army, reinvigorated September 2004 by force expansion from 10,800 to 16,700 and more aggressive mandate. From March 2005, MONUC often participated in joint operations with integrated national army. But despite significant demobilisation, many rebel groups still active 2006. Uganda rebel group Lords Resistance Army (LRA) settled in north east late 2005, reigniting tensions: Kampala threatened to pursue LRA into Congo, while Kinshasa suspected Uganda sought access to resources in east. International Court of Justice 2005 found Ugandan army committed human rights abuses and illegally exploited Congolese natural resources. New constitution introducing president/prime minister power sharing and two-term presidential limit was adopted 13 May 2005 and approved by referendum 18 December. After delays, national assembly and first-round presidential elections held 30 July 2006. Violent clashes erupted in Kinshasa between Kabila and opposition MLC leader Jean-Pierre Bemba supporters when neither gained majority in first-round votes. Kabila took presidency in 29 October second round (58 per cent of vote), and his alliance won majority in national and provincial assemblies. Elections considered by outside observers to be relatively free and fair, ushering in first truly democratic government 40 years. Kabila government faces substantial challenges, including an abusive and ill-disciplined national army (FARDC), corrupt public administration, and lack of infrastructure and basic services. Advances in Ituri remain precarious, with slow progress on militia disarmament and reintegration and lack of transparent natural resource management. Security further deteriorated in North Kivu, where the national army and dissidents under command of General Laurent Nkunda (CNDP, National Congress for the Defence of the People Nkundas political movement, unveiled July 2006) resumed fighting from late November 2006, displacing up to 400,000 in years since. Signing of Nairobi Agreement November 2007 and Goma â€Å"Actes dEngagement† January 2008 were welcomed. The Former provided for repatriation of FDLR and latter for ceasefire and voluntary demobilisation of combatants in east, to be implemented through â€Å"Amani† peace program. Success depends on will of militias to disengage, continued funding for the Amani program and improved relations between Kigali and Kinshasa over handling of FDLR. But despite some initial signs of Nkundas readiness to disengage, serious clashes between CNDP and FARDC continued, while June 2008 brought heavy FDLR attacks on civilian camps in North Kivu. Political pluralism has shrunk, with opposition virtually excluded from governorships despite performance in 2006 elections, recurrent use of force against Bembas supporters, and death of over 100 civilians in March 2008 brutal police crackdown on political-cultural movement Bundu dia Kongo in Bas-Congo. The ICC has issued five arrest warrants for DRC leaders and four are in ICC custody three militia leaders charged with crimes in Ituri, and Bemba who was arrested May 2008 for atrocity crimes committed 2002-2003 in neighbouring CARs civil war and transferred to The Hague 4 June 2008. Nkunda resisted hand over of fifth suspect, CNDP chief of staff Bosco Ntaganda, wanted for Ituri crimes. But credibility and future of ICC investigations under question after judges suspended first trial, of UPC militia leader Thomas Lubanga in June 2008 over prosecutions non-disclosure of potentially exculpatory evidence. Recent-Current situation in Congo  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A deal concluded between Kabila and rebel commander Laurent Nkunda providing for the integration of Nkundas troops into the armed forces known as mixage collapsed in 2007 amid opposition from hardliners on both sides. Kabilas aides attacked him over perceived preferential treatment given to Tutsis in army integration, drawing on public outcry over massive human rights violations caused in Nkundas operations against the FDLR to undermine the deals legitimacy. Nkundas Goma-based Tutsi backers, afraid of losing everything acquired during the war, threatened to pull their support. The mixage process and its collapse left Nkunda militarily strengthened and removed a viable alternative to continued struggle. After frequent clashes in the first half of 2008, violence again engulfed the region from late August, when Nkundas CNDP rebels launched a fresh offensive on army bases and areas under the formal protection of UN troops. After significant advances and the collapse of the FARDC in the region, the CNDP took control of Rutshuru town in late October, moved to the outskirts of the regional capital Goma and consolidated their hold over the surrounding region. For a short time, UN peacekeeping troops (MONUC) found themselves the last protection against Nkundas advances on Goma. A 29 October ceasefire soon faltered, and clashes continued throughout November (2008). Partially due to an intense diplomatic effort, Nkunda put on hold his offensive on the city, while still continuing and consolidating advances in other areas. International and regional diplomatic efforts commenced from late October, 2008. An EU mission led by the French and British foreign ministers arrived in Congo and Rwanda on 31 October, while African leaders joined by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met at an emergency summit of the African Union, calling for immediate adherence to the 29 October ceasefire. The UN Security Councils decision to appoint a special envoy former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo added welcome focus and commitment to mediation. International leaders met in Nairobi on 7 November (2008) and called for the immediate implementation of the Goma and Nairobi agreements, establishing a facilitation team composed of Obasanjo and former Tanzanian President Mkapa. The new mediators met with key players over November, securing Nkundas commitment to a ceasefire in the middle of the month, although clashes erupted again shortly afterwards. In February 2009, Rwanda arrested Nkunda though it has not yet handed him o ver. Recent developments also underscored the fragility of the situation in Ituri. October 2008 saw fresh clashes between government and rebel forces as well as a series of brutal attacks and abductions reportedly by Ugandan Lords Resistance Army rebels. Causes of the Congo conflict Leopold and Belgium colonial occupation Like most African nations, the problems in Congo in the recent past have their tap root in the colonial activities by mainly European nations. The Congo possessed an uncharacteristic wealth that made it the desire of many European countries (Lusignan: 2004). It had an abundance of natural resources such as cooper, gold, diamonds, rubber, cobalt, among others that made it the desire of many trading corporations and companies. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, King Leopold was granted to the exclusive right to privately exploit the Congo.  Ã‚   Once in the Congo, Leopold devised an economic system in which the Congo was sectioned into different areas leased to different European corporations that paid Leopold 50 percent of the extracted wealth. Lusigan (2004) writes that Leopold entered the Congo under the cloak and faà §ade of a humanitarian by making hollow promises detailing his intentions to improve the quality of life in the Congo.   He promised to build schools, homes, and to liberate the Congolese people from Arab slave traders.   But under the rule of Leopold, very little was done to improve the well being of the citizens, and instead a regime was instituted that operated solely through force of might.   People were tortured and forced to sign treaties that according to Leopold â€Å"†¦must grant us everything† (Hochschild 71), which included the rights to all land and resources therein.   Thus for a 20 year period, Leopold was able to operate with impunity, and in the process 10 million people were murdered.  Ã‚   During his reign, women and children were brutally raped and murdered and treated like animals. â€Å"They were fed-and slept-in the royal stables.†(Hochschild 176)   They were even hunted like animals for fun and for sport.   Limb amputation was a joy of many Belgium soldiers; hands, heads, and other body were severed for not only proof of kill, but for the cannibalis tic needs of these Belgium soldier.   Even the homes of some Belgium officers were lined with the skulls of the Congolese people for decoration.  Ã‚   Many more died from starvation and exhaustion resulting from the inhumane living conditions present in the Congo. After King Leopold relinquished his position in the Congo, the Belgium parliament assumed legal control of the country, but the trading corporations and companies of Belgium and other European countries continued to dominate the course of events in the Congo. â€Å"The one major goal not achieved, he (Morel) acknowledged, was African ownership of land.† (Hochschild 273)  Ã‚   The Congos wealth of natural resources had always been the main attraction of Belgium, and with Leopold removed, the corporations were given more control and influence over the economy in the Congo.   The United Mines of Upper Katanga (UMHK) was founded shortly after Leopolds reign ended and for the next fifty years, this corporation exercised the greatest influence and control over the economy and the resources with the Congo.   It â€Å"controlled about 70 percent of the economy of the Belgian Congoand controlled the exploitation of cobalt, copper, tin uranium and zinc in mines which were among t he richest in the world.†( Hochschild 31) During this time period, the Congo was one the worlds largest copper-producing countries and the â€Å"cobalt extraction in Katanga represented 75 percent of the entire world production.† (Hochschild 31) In June of 1960, the Congo was granted independence, which threatened the future of European economic control of this profitable source of revenue. The United Nations granted independence to the Congo because of pressure from the worldwide anti-colonial movement that touched Africa in the 1950s. But shortly after the Congos independence, Belgium immediately sent troops to the country in order to protect Katanga, the city in the Congo that possessed a wealth of resources and was the primary export site for these corporations.  Ã‚   With this military presence, the corporations continued their production in the city, and surprisingly, production even increased in the year of independence.   This military presence remained in the Congo for years, thus showing the Congolese people were never truly granted â€Å"independence†.  Ã‚   The entitlement complex of Belgium is further revealed here because Belgium believed that they possessed personal ownership of the land in the Congo, and that the citizens of the Congo did not warrant independence.   Belgium regarded the citizens of the Congo as an inferior people who lacked civilization; they believed that the occupation was justified. This denial of own land and resources, injustice, brutal acts and all other in human acts by Leopold and the Belgians groomed anger, resentment, feelings of discontent among the citizens of Congo that was later to be manifested in counter resistances and civil wars against any one who seemed to portray similar acts and policies, hence, conflicts in the Congo.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Assassination of Patrice Lumumba The emergence of an independent Congo on June 30, 1960 marked the beginning of a new era of colonialism by the Western powers.   On this day, Patrice Lumumba became Prime Minister of the Congo, and in six months he would be assassinated. He was an extraordinary politician, motivator, and visionary, and one of the most influential figures throughout Africa during his term.   He is now enshrined as an historical figure against the fight of injustice because of his outspokenness against the colonization of Africa by European powers (Lusigan: 2004). Lumumba came to power at a time in which the anti-colonial movement was most intense worldwide; this propelled his general regard as a worldwide leader of this movement. The period â€Å"†¦from 1960 to 1965, was the Wests ultimate attempt to destroy the continents authentic independent development.† (Kanza xxv)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before serving as Prime Minister, Lumumba was the president of the National Congolese Movement, a party formally constituted in 1958.   He was an ambitious man and envisioned a promising future for the Congo; a future void of European involvement and one in which the Congolese people had absolute power. He was already a prominent figure in the political scene within the Congo, having amassed a following through his writings and speeches advocating sovereignty and the fight against European injustice.   Lumumba eventually became prime minister through democratic elections, but his government only lasted for a very difficult period of two months during which time Belgium launched many attempts to reoccupy and subvert the independence movement. Patrice Lumumba represented a formidable opponent against the colonization forces in Africa. By advocating sovereignty and de-colonization in Africa, he represented everything that the Western powers feared. He was a man capable of affecting change throughout not only the Congo, but across Africa by promoting a self-sustained economy that was entirely independent from the European nations. He opposed the forces of colonialism throughout Africa. The riches of the Congo and the presence of Lumumbas movement could not be allowed to co-exist in the view of the United States and European political and business interests. Lumumba eventually became the victim of a coup funded primarily by the United States and Belgium, under the protection of the United Nations.   Although the United States and Belgium were the primary opponents of Lumumba, they were acting on behalf of European countries throughout the world because Lumumba personified the anti-colonial movement that everyone feared. They feared Lumumba not simply because he was a man that represented the anti-colonial movement, but because he was an African man that had become too powerful and had the potential to gain the loyalty and attention of his people and focus their goals on true independence and real control of their own resources. â€Å"The Congo crisis is due to just one man, Patrice Lumumba† (Hochschild 49) He had the potential to change the entire social structure of Africa and possessed the ability to affect change throughout the world by promoting democracy and equality.   Probably if Lumumba had lived a little longer, he would have organized and united the nation to avoid the conflicts that have characterized the country ever since time memorial. Poor Centralized governance of mobutu (dictatorship and exploitation of resources) For the next thirty years following the death of Lumumba, the Congo was the victim of a centralized government with the majority of the power concentrated in one man, General Mobutu, who was an instrumental Congolese collaborator with the Western interests in promoting the coup leading to the assassination of Lumumba. Kaplan (1979) notes that Mobutu created a rigidly centralized administration reminiscent of Belgian rule, topped by a single authority figure that he claimed to be in the African political tradition.   Governing by decree, his words literally were law.   His power was absolute, anchored in a constitution of his own inspiration that made him head of the legislative, executive, and judiciary This was not the type of free democratic society that Lumumba had envisioned, but instead one that still allowed many European nations to exercise the authority and influence that Lumumba vehemently opposed. The United States gave him well over a billion dollars in civilian and military aid during the three decades of his rule; European powers- especially France-contributed more (Hochschild 303)/   Mobutu did little to improve the quality of life of his citizens, and instead exploited his own citizens for his material and economic gain. Even after independence, the Congo was still the economic colony of Europe that existed under the control of Belgium. The European and American corporations and investments were still intact with Mobutu in control.   The Congo was now operating as a puppet government in which the United States used Mobutu to affect both economic and political decisions in an effort to stabilize its investments and operations in the country.   It estimated that a t the end of his reign, he was of the worlds wealthiest men; â€Å"his personal peak was estimated at $4 billion.† (Hochschild 303)   And very little of his fortune went to the people of the Congo. One will therefore be short sighted not to blame Mobutu for the conflicted Congo. He did his best to disorganize and disintegrate the countrys internal economic and political structures and systems that laid ground for what was termed as the â€Å"Africas World War†. His puppetism to western countries only resurrected and reminded the Congolese of the harsh, brutal and inhuman rule of Leopold and the Belgians which escalated the anger among the citizens. Mobutu can further be solely held responsible for the greed and mismanagement of natural resources for selfish needs among the Congolese today, he set a bad example. Ethnic differences One of the most sensitive areas of social life in Africa is the problem of cultural pluralism, which usually rears its ugly face in inter-ethnic relations International conflicts and civil wars, these are not simply products of failed diplomacy or policies of aggression. Virtually they all have roots in endemic cultural features of nations (Aluko: 2003). Patterns of languages, religious beliefs and legal institutions form as much a part of the environment enveloping nations have been tales of woes, anguish, sorrows, deprivations, sadness in most of the member states. Many nations of the continent such as Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Angola, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and even many nations of the great lakes region of the central Africa have been in turmoil due to ethnic related reasons. Political instability, economic and social disequilibrium became rampant in countries like Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and the two Congos. Most ethnic conflicts have a background of domination, injustice or oppression by one ethnic group or another. The tremendous psychological pressure on human populations from political change creates a sense of anxiety that frequently makes people seek refuge in belief systems that involve definitions of membership and belonging. In Sudan, Garang charged that civil war erupted largely because Hassan Turabi, the power behind Khartoums government, wanted to impose Sharia, or Islamic law throughout Sudan. The other factor relates to resources and economics. At the simplest level, the struggle to survive can spawn or deepen ethnic problem. The more limited the resources the greater the danger of ethnic problem. For a range of reasons not necessarily bad or intentionally divisive, ethnic groups are also often positioned differently in an economy. Again, change can accentuate differences, triggering hostility or drastic action. The legacy of Colonialism did not do any better. The problems of most colonial nations of Africa are direct products of their colonial experience. The problems had been created by colonialism in different ways, especially by the indiscriminate merger of various ethnic groups to become monolithic entities, and at the same time treated the units as separate entities and allowed each to develop in whatever direction it chose in isolation from others (Nnoli, 1980. Dare 1986 and Young, 1998). This was the trend in virtually all the Anglophone countries of the sub-Sahar an Africa and some Francophone countries too. Colonialism also created structural imbalances within the colonies in terms of socioeconomic projects, social development and establishment of administrative centres. This imbalance deepened antipathies between ethnic groups. In Nigeria, the South achieved a higher level of social development than the North. Similarly, the Baganda advanced farther than the other Uganda ethnic groups, the Chagga and Haya were ahead of the other Tanzanian groups, the Kikuyu, Ashanti and Bemba made more rapid â€Å"progress† than the other Kenyan, Ghanaian and Zambian ethnic groups respectively. In fact, inter-ethnic relations in Kenya have been characterized by the hostility of all the other groups to the Kikuyu. Today, many nations of the sub-Saharan Africa are in one turmoil, violence or civil disorder of one kind or the other largely originating from the ethnic problem. Such countries include Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Angola, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese people are made up of around 200 separate ethnic groups. These ethnic groups generally are concentrated regionally and speak distinct languages. There is no majority ethnic group some of the largest ethnic groups are the Luba, Kongo and Anamongo. The various ethnic groups speak many different languages but only four indigenous languages have official status Kiswahili, Lingala, Kikongo and Tshiluba. French is the language of government, commerce and education. Societal discrimination on the basis of ethnicity is widely practiced by members of virtually all ethnic groups and is evident in private hiring and buying patterns and in patterns of de facto ethnic segregation in some cities (GS: 2000-9). The ongoing conflict in the Eastern part of DR Congo has often been explained as be