The Management of Restraint and Seclusion for Aggression in Essay

The Management of Restraint and Seclusion for Aggression in Psychiatric Patients in Inpatient Units - Essay Example Although initially nonviolent, Jane turned aggressive during normal sampling for tests and punched the nurse who was collecting samples for the tests. On becoming excessively aggressive, the patient was secluded and further restraint to minimize harm to her, her loved ones and the facilities’ staffs and other clients. However, these interventions are rather controversial and the family members opposed their use just as health care and legal professionals and the public continue to question their therapeutic capacities. Consequently, their use is questioned and opposed in equal measures. Instead, aggression management strategies such as individualized safety plans, patient-specific and focused restraint management and prevention, staff notification of restraint and seclusion phenomena, official briefing and debriefing about restraint and nursing staff mentoring are encouraged. In applying these interventions, a nurse leaders and managers should work with all other stakeholders, especially other medical and nursing staff and the families or caretakers of the patient. Consultative approach to leadership would have been quite appropriate for dealing with Jane’s situation. Transformational leadership theory, which postulates that great leadership emerges in cases of problems and encourages collaboration and teamwork, could also apply in this situation. In addition, the contingency theory, which expects leaders to different behaviours and contexts or circumstances are and react accordingly is also appropriate for handling Jane’s aggression. This paper proposes strategies likely to help eliminate or reduce the use of restraint and seclusion as the first choice measures whenever a psychiatric patient turns aggressive on self or others. Introduction For many nurses working in psychiatric inpatient units, violence and aggression are common phenomena. Aggression continues to pose serious challenges to psychiatric inpatient unit nurses despite the many modern and universal methods and strategies of restraint (Schacht, 2006). The two most commonly used interventions applied in the treatment and management of violent and disruptive conducts in psychiatric patients are seclusion and intervention (Anderson & West, 2011). Notably, the application and management of these nursing interventions vary from one country and institution to another. The central role played by these interventions have been largely highlighted in quite a number of nursing and health care studies and literatures, with most of the authors citing numerous recommendations for managing and reducing mental patient aggression (Peterson, 2004). In most of the studies and literatures, the effects of seclusion and restraint on mental illness patients and the prevention of seclusion and restraint or the reduction of their use are among the most highlighted aspects of seclusion management (The Joint Commission, 2008). Whereas seclusion refers to retaining and placing a ment ally ill inpatient in a room so that the immediate aggressive clinical situation is contained, restraint entails the use of different techniques that are custom-made to confine a mentally person to specific body motions (Cruzan, 1992). Despite the difference in meaning, both seclusion and restraint are measures generally used with the aim of preventing further injuries to patients, harm to nurses and to reduce violence and agitation (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). This paper explores the appropriate management and leadership strategies for handling restraint of mentally ill inpatients by nurses. The following case study of an aggressive patient will form the basis of the proposed aggression management strategies outlined in the paper. Sample Case Jane (name changed for confidentiality)

Parental Involvement Essay Example for Free

Parental Involvement Essay The goal of positive and productive family and community involvement is on every school improvement list, but few schools have implemented comprehensive programs of partnership. Research suggests that this goal is an important one to reach because families and communities contribute to childrens learning, development, and school success at every grade level. Studies are accumulating that show that well-designed programs of partnership are important for helping all families support their childrens education in elementary, middle, and high schools. That is, if schools plan and implement comprehensive programs of partnership, then many more families respond, including those who would not become involved on their own. Three questions need to be addressed to help educators move from believing in the importance of family and community involvement to conducting effective programs of partnership: What is a comprehensive program of school, family, and community partnerships? How do family and community partnerships link to other aspects of successful schools? How can all schools develop and sustain productive programs of partnerships? Components of a Comprehensive Program of Partnerships A framework of six types of involvement guides schools in establishing full and productive programs of school-family-community partnerships. This section summarizes the six types of involvement and discusses a few sample practices that are being implemented in schools across the country that are working to improve and increase family and community connections. Also noted are some of the challenges that all schools must overcome to create successful partnerships, along with examples of results that can be expected from each type of involvement for students, families, and educators. Comprehensive programs of partnerships include activities for all six types of involvement. Because there are many activities to choose from, elementary, middle, and high schools can tailor their programs of partnerships by selecting activities that match specific school goals and the interests and needs of students and families. Type 1–Parenting. Type 1 activities are conducted to help families strengthen parenting skills, understand child and adolescent development, and set home conditions to support learning at each school level. Type 1 activities also enable families to provide information to schools so that educators understand families backgrounds, cultures, and goals for their children. Sample practices. Among Type 1 activities, elementary, middle, and high schools may conduct workshops for parents; provide short, clear summaries of important information on parenting; and organize opportunities for parents to exchange ideas with other parents, educators, and community experts on topics of child and adolescent development. Topics may include health, nutrition, discipline, guidance, peer pressure, preventing drug abuse, and planning for the future. Type 1 activities also provide families with information on what to expect and how to prepare for students transitions from pre-school to elementary school, elementary to middle school, and middle to high school. Additional topics for successful parenting may concern family roles and responsibilities in student attendance, college planning, and other topics that are important for student success in school. Schools also may offer parents General Educational Development (GED) programs, family support sessions, family computer classes, and other learning and social opportunities for parents and for students. To ensure that families provide valuable information to the schools, teachers may ask parents at the start of each school year or periodically to share insights about their childrens strengths, talents, interests, needs, and goals. Challenges. One challenge for successful Type 1 activities is to get information from workshops to parents who cannot come to meetings and workshops at the school building. This may be done with videos, tape recordings, summaries, newsletters, cable broadcasts, phone calls, and other print and nonprint communications. Another Type 1 challenge is to design procedures that enable all families to share information easily and as needed about their children with teachers, counselors, and others. Results expected. If useful information flows to and from families about child and adolescent development, parents will increase their confidence about parenting, students will be more aware of parents continuing guidance, and teachers will better understand their students families. For example, if practices are targeted to help families send their children to school every day and on time, then student attendance will improve and lateness will decrease. If families are part of their childrens transitions to elementary, middle, and high school, then more students will adjust well to their new schools, and more parents will remain involved across the grades. Type 2–Communicating. Type 2 activities increase school-to-home and home-to-school communications about school programs and student progress through notices, memos, conferences, report cards, newsletters, telephone calls, e-mail and computerized messages, the Internet, open houses, and other traditional and innovative communications. Sample practices. Among many Type 2 activities, elementary, middle, and high schools may provide parents with clear information on each teachers criteria for report card grades; how to interpret interim progress reports; and, as necessary, how to work with students to improve grades or behavior. Type 2 activities include parent-teacher conferences; parent-teacher-student conferences; or student-led conferences with parents and teachers. Student involvement in conferences helps youngsters take personal responsibility for learning. Activities may be designed to improve school and student newsletters by including student work, a feature column for parents questions, calendars of important events, and parent response forms. Many schools are beginning to use e-mail, voice mail, and websites to encourage two-way communication between families and teachers, counselors, and administrators. Challenges. One challenge for successful Type 2 activities is to make communications clear and understandable for all families, including parents who have less formal education or who do not read English well, so that all families can understand and respond to the information they receive. Other Type 2 challenges are to know which families are and are not receiving and understanding the communications in order to design ways to reach all families; develop effective two-way channels of communication so that families can easily contact and respond to educators; and make sure that students understand their roles as couriers and interpreters in facilitating school and family connections. Results expected. If communications are clear and useful, and if two-way channels are easily accessed, then school-to-home and home-to-school interactions will increase; more families will understand school programs, follow their childrens progress, guide students to maintain or improve their grades, and attend parent-teacher conferences. Specifically, if computerized phone lines are used to communicate information about homework, more families will know more about their childrens daily assignments. If newsletters include respond-andreply forms, more families will send ideas, questions, and comments to teachers and administrators about school programs and activities. Type 3–Volunteering. Type 3 activities are designed to improve recruitment, training, and schedules to involve parents and others as volunteers and as audiences at the school or in other locations to support students and school programs. Sample practices. Among many Type 3 activities, schools may collect information on family members talents, occupations, interests, and availability to serve as volunteers. These important human resources may help enrich students subject classes; improve career explorations; serve as language translators; monitor attendance and call parents of absent students; conduct parent patrols and morning greeters to increase school safety; and organize and improve activities such as clothing and uniform exchanges, school stores, and fairs. Schools may organize volunteers to serve as home-room parents, neighborhood representatives, and sports and club contacts and may establish telephone trees to help parents communicate with each other about school programs and events. Schools may establish a corps of volunteers to offer a wel-come wagon of information about the school to students and families who enroll during the school year. Schools also may create opportunities for mentors, coaches, tutors, and leaders of after-school programs to ensure that students have experiences that build and expand their skills and talents and that keep them safe and supervised after school. Some Type 3 activities may be conducted in a parent room or family center at the school where parents obtain information, conduct volunteer work, and meet with other parents. Challenges. Challenges for successful Type 3 activities are to recruit volunteers widely so that parents and other family members feel welcome; make hours flexible for parents and other volunteers who work during the school day; provide needed training; and enable volunteers to contribute productively to the school, classroom, and after-school programs. Volunteers will be better integrated in school programs if there is a coordinator who is responsible for matching volunteers available times and skills with the needs of teachers, administrators, and students. Another Type 3 challenge is to change the definition of volunteer to mean anyone who supports school goals or students learning at any time and in any place. This includes parents and family members who voluntarily come to school as audiences for students sports events, assemblies, and musical or drama presentations, and for other events that support students work. It also includes volunteers who work for the school at home, through their businesses, or in the community. A related challenge is to help students understand how volunteers help their school and to encourage students to interact with volunteers who can assist them with their work and activities. Results expected. If tasks are well designed, and if schedules and locations for volunteers are varied, more parents, family members, and others in the community will assist elementary, middle, and high schools and support students as members of audiences. More families will feel comfortable with the school and staff; more students will talk and interact with varied adults; and more teachers will be aware of and use the time, talents, and resources of parents and others in the community to improve school programs and activities. Specifically, if volunteers serve as attendance monitors, more families will assist students to improve attendance. If volunteers conduct a hall patrol or are active in other locations, school safety will increase and student behavior problems will decrease because of a better student–adult ratio. If volunteers are well-trained as tutors in particular subjects, student tutees will improve their skills in those subjects; and if volunteers discuss careers, students will be more aware of their options for the future. Type 4–Learning at home. Type 4 activities involve families with their children in academic learning activities at home that are coordinated with students classwork and that contribute to student success in school. These include interactive homework, goal-setting for academic subjects, and other curricular-linked activities and decisions about courses and programs. Sample practices. Among many Type 4 activities, elementary, middle, and high schools may provide information to students and to parents about the skills needed to pass each class, course, or grade level and about each teachers homework policies. Schools also may implement activities that can help families encourage, praise, guide, and monitor their childrens work by using interactive homework strategies; student-teacher-family contracts for long-term projects; summer home-learning packets; student-led at-home conferences with parents on portfolios or folders of writing samples or work in other subjects; goal-setting activities for improving or maintaining good report card grades in all subjects; and other approaches that keep students and families talking about schoolwork at home. Family fun and learning nights are often used as a starting point to help parents and students focus on curricular-related topics and family interactions. These meetings require parents to come to the school building. A systematic approach to increasing academic conversations at home is found in the Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) interactive homework for the elementary and middle grades. Challenges. One challenge for successful Type 4 activities is to implement a regular schedule of interactive homework that requires students to take responsibility for discussing important things they are learning, interviewing family members, recording reactions, and sharing their work and ideas at home. Another Type 4 challenge is to create a schedule of activities that involve families regularly and systematically with students on short-term and long-term goal-setting for attendance, achievement, behavior, talent development, and plans for college or careers. Results expected. If Type 4 activities are well designed and implemented, student homework completion, report card grades, and test scores in specific subjects will improve; and more families will know what their children are learning in class and how to monitor, support, and discuss homework. More students should complete required course credits, select advanced courses, and take college entrance tests. Students and teachers will be more aware of families interest in students work. Type 5–Decision-making. Type 5 activities include families in developing schools mission statements and in designing, reviewing, and improving school policies that affect children and families. Family members become active participants on school improvement teams, committees, PTA/PTO or other parent organizations, Title I and other councils, and advocacy groups. Sample practices. Among Type 5 activities, elementary, middle, and high schools may organize and maintain an active parent association and include family representatives on all committees for school improvement (e.g., curriculum, safety, supplies and equipment, partnerships, fund-raising, postsecondary college planning, career development). In particular, along with teachers, administrators, students, and others from the community, parents must be members of the Action Team for Partnerships, which plans and conducts family and community involvement activities linked to school improvement goals. Schools may offer parents and teachers training in leadership, decision-making, policy advocacy, and collaboration. Type 5 activities help to identify and provide information desired by families about school policies, course offerings, student placements and groups, special services, tests and assessments, annual test results for students, and annual evaluations of school programs. Challenges. One challenge for successful Type 5 activities in all schools is to ensure that leadership roles are filled by parent representatives from all of the major race and ethnic groups, socioeconomic groups, and neighborhoods that are present in the school. A related challenge is to help parent leaders serve as effective representatives by obtaining information from and providing information to all parents about school issues and decisions. At the high school level, a particular challenge is to include student representatives along with parents in decisionmaking groups and in leadership positions. An ongoing challenge is to help parents, teachers, and students who serve on an Action Team for Partnerships or other committees learn to trust, respect, and listen to each other as they collaborate to reach common goals for school improvement. Results expected. If Type 5 activities are well implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools, more families will have input into decisions that affect the quality of their childrens education; students will increase their awareness that families and students have a say in school policies; and teachers will increase their understanding of family perspectives on policies and programs for improving the school. Type 6–Collaborating with the community. Type 6 activities draw upon and coordinate the work and resources of community businesses; cultural, civic, and religious organizations; senior citizen groups; colleges and universities; governmental agencies; and other associations in order to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning and development. Other Type 6 activities enable students, staff, and families to contribute their services to the community. Sample practices. Among many Type 6 activities, elementary, middle, and high schools may inform students and families about the availability of community programs and resources, such as after-school recreation, tutorial programs, health services, cultural events, service opportunities, and summer programs. This includes the need to assist students and families to gain access to community resources and programs. Some schools work with local businesses to organize gold card discounts as incentives for students to improve attendance and report card grades. Collaborations with community businesses, groups, and agencies also strengthen the other five types of involvement. Examples include enhancing Type 1 activities by conducting parent education workshops for families at community or business locations; increasing Type 2 activities by communicating about school events on the local radio or television stations, and at churches, clinics, and supermarkets; soliciting volunteers from businesses and the community to strengthen Type 3 activities; enriching Type 4 activities by offering students learning opportunities with artists, scientists, writers, mathematicians, and others whose careers link to the school curriculum; and including community members on Type 5 decision-making councils and committees. Challenges. One challenge for successful Type 6 activities is to solve problems associated with community-school collaborations, such as turf problems of who is responsible for funding, leading, and supervising cooperative activities. The initial enthusiasm and decisions for school-community partnerships must be followed by actions that sustain productive collaborations over the long term. Another Type 6 challenge is to recognize and link students valuable learning experiences in the community to the school curricula, including lessons that build on students nonschool skills and talents, their club and volunteer work, and, in high school, their part-time jobs. A major challenge is to inform and involve families in community-related activities that students conduct. Related challenges are to help students understand how community partners help their school and to engage students, themselves, as volunteers and in service-learning in their own schools, in other schools, and in the community. Results expected. Well-implemented Type 6 activities will increase the knowledge that families, students, and schools have about the resources and programs in their community that could help them reach important goals. Well-designed community connections will increase student access to and participation in community programs. Coordinated community services could help many students and their families prevent health, social, and educational problems or solve problems before they become too serious. Type 6 activities also should support and enrich school curricular and extracurricular programs. Summary. The six types of involvement create a comprehensive program of partnerships in elementary, middle, and high schools, but the implementation challenges for each type of involvement must be met in order for programs to be effective. The quality of the design and content of the involvement activities directly affect the expected results. Not every practice that involves families will result in higher student achievement test scores. Rather, practices for each type of involvement can be selected to help students, families, and teachers reach specific goals and results. The examples above include only a few of hundreds of suggestions that can help elementary, middle, and high schools develop strong programs of partnerships. How Partnerships Link to Other Aspects of Successful Schools Good schools have qualified and talented teachers and administrators, high expectations that all students will succeed, rigorous curricula, engaging instruction, responsive and useful tests and assessments, strong guidance for every student, and effective school, family, and community partnerships. In good schools, these elements combine to promote students learning and to create a school climate that is welcoming, safe, caring, stimulating, and joyful for all students, educators, and families.

Analysis of a Story in the Newspaper -- Media Publication

Introduction ‘News media investigate, analyze, and report to stakeholder publics on issues and event s that occur around the globe in a twenty-four-hour, 365-day news cycle’ (Richard,2007:98). Because of the way news media works, we know what is happening in the world and we can have ‘connection’ to other places. With new media arising, the information transmission process become even faster. Though new media is getting more prevalent, still, a considerable amount of people rely on one of the traditional news media – newspaper. Facing the competition, the way news reported may change as newspapers ‘need to maintain large circulation figures to stay profitable’ (Bignell 1997:83). This directly affects how news is presented. To make news appeal to readers, information may under ‘design’ as mentioned by Thorne (2008), the function of newspapers in the 21st century is not only ‘referential’, ‘ entertainment has become equally important in the battle to win readers’(P.262). In this paper, a piece of news was taken from WiseNews for analysis. It was an event occupied a large coverage in newspaper and caught lots of public attention – The Manila Hostage Incident. I would like to see how journalist presents the story to their readers through looking at its structure and the use of language. Information Flow In reporting the news, journalist adopts the story-telling approach. ‘Journalists are professional story-teller of our age’ (Bell,1991:147). When reporting an incident. Journalists tend not to simply report the fact in each paragraph without linking the information together. Instead, they tend to make the piece of text into a story. Headline Te headline is considered as ‘an abstract of the abstract’ (Bell, 1991:149)... ...authority. Appraisal elements are used to align readers including concession, modality and appreciation. Echoing Bell (2004), journalists are ‘story teller’. When presenting news to readers, they do not simply report facts but tell a story by the use of certain format and lexical choices. Works Cited Bell, A. (1991). The Language of News Media. UK: Blackwell Publishers Bignell, J. (1997). Media semiotics. New York: Manchester University Press Kessler, L. and MnDonald, D. (1989). Mastering Writing with Substance and Style. USA: Wadsworth, Inc. Martin, J.R. and Rose, D. (2007). Working with Discourse. London: Continuum. Reah, D. (2002). The Language of Newspapers. NY: Routledge Richard, S. (2007). Media Relations. Australia: Oxford University Press. Thorne,S.(2008). Mastering Advanced English Language. Great Britain: Cromwell Press Ltd.

Dubai Culture Essay

Dubai is generally an Arabic country with Arab as its official language. However this should not scare you in any way because there are so many foreigners from all over the world who come as businesspeople, tourists or workers. This means that English is used as a language of communication because it common to many. In fact most of all road and location sign posts are in English and Arabic, this also includes restaurant menus, shop signs and so on. http://www. dubai-101. com/dubai-culture/dubai-culture-3. htm Dubai is therefore a cosmopolitan city because of the different nationalities that have converged here. This means that visitors can dress however they like but must be careful not to antagonize the local Muslim cultures. Therefore it would not be wise for women to dress in tight or skimpy dresses; it would be regarded as disrespectful. The local people love wearing traditional dresses, with men wearing â€Å"dishdasha† or â€Å"khandura† which is a long white shirt like dress that is full length. The men also wear a â€Å"gutra† which is a red or white checked headdress. The women on the other hand wear a headscarf and a black robe-like dress called â€Å"abaya†. The abaya is worn over their normal clothes and is worn while in public. http://www. dubai-101. com/dubai-culture/dubai-culture-3. htm The city is beautiful thus photography unless for restricted areas is not prohibited. One should be careful not to photograph Muslim women since it is considered offensive. Areas that photography cannot be allowed are government buildings, ports, airports and military installations, this because of security reasons. Also before photographing anyone it is considered polite to seek their consent. The main types of dishes are Arabic cuisines and sharwama a hot lamb or chicken sandwich with vegetables is sold in the streets by vendors. Alongside this vendors are juice vendors who take advantage of the hot weather. Alcohol is limited and only allowed in licensed hotels and bars. In general the culture of Dubai is â€Å"Vibrant and very colourful. † http://www. mapsofworld. com/dubai/dubai-culture/ REFERENCES Dubai- Dubai Culture: Retrieved on 9th June 2008 from: http://www. dubai-101. com/dubai-culture/dubai-culture-3. htm Dubai Culture: Retrieved on 9th June 2008 from: http://www. mapsofworld. com/dubai/dubai-culture/

Effective Study Skills Essay

Study is the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject and the skills are the ability and capacity acquired through deliberate systematic and sustained effort. For some students the motivation and ability to study comes easily. However for those students for whom it does not it is necessary to develop effective study skills. The aims is to provide the sole foundation of a sound education. These are necessary for the student to realise their full potential and acquire good grades. Without these skills the student would not be aware of their ability to learn in the best way and to maximise this. She states: 1) It is essential to be rested (sleep affects performance) and to sit comfortably. A change of scenery stimulates the brain and helps creative thinking. 2) To be hydrated, drinking water helps the electrical connections of the brain. 3) To be unstressed. When stressed the brain only concentrates on ‘escape’ not on tasks in hand. 4) To enjoy.  5) To learn to see something several times, little and often works better than trying to understand something in one sitting. Cottrell points out that effective study skills are needed to facilitate time management and to meet deadlines. She states spare time must be used effectively to give relaxation time, to rest and enjoy oneself as well as independent study time. According to Cottrell it is essential to learn from one’s own mistakes and feedback which give a way to improve performance and above all else, not to give up. Time management is essential, not giving excessive time to favoured topics rather than those necessary. It is essential to stay on target, stay motivated and not to let things get on top of you, to stay in control and maintain the correct direction of the studies. General tips are to identify the task in hand and work out exactly what is being asked for, setting clear goals and staying focused towards them. To develop the meaning of the task or how things work makes taking in material, reading and retaining the subject matter easier. To find links with the wider world such as the internet and journals helps. Working with others can also help by sharing ideas and getting mutual help. Finally to look for reasonable

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Impacts Of Tourism Tourism Essay Essays

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Impacts Of Tourism Tourism Essay Essays Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Impacts Of Tourism Tourism Essay Essay Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Impacts Of Tourism Tourism Essay Essay Harmonizing, Gawler ( 2001 ) believed that touristry is set uping to economic and lifestyle of people in each country of touristry. Tourism has frights that is expanded to touristry and related to severely respond or mass tourers. Anyway, touristry can be both positive and negative impacts on states. Furthermore, Mirbabayev and Shagazatova said that presents, touristry is the largest factor of economic. Tourism is germinating in economic activities. Assorted sectors of economic system have affected from turning development rates ; substructure development, foreign currency influxs, and new direction. They can be contributed to the societal and economic development in large portion of the state. Besides, Lehmann ( 2005 ) explained that there are three distinguishable parts: direct, indirect, and induced in the entire economic impact of travellers First, the direct impact is the value added of those sectors that interact straight with the visitant. Second, the indirect impact is the benefit to providers to those direct sectors. Third, the induced impact adds the impact of tourism-generated rewards as they are spent in economic system. In add-on, Rattanasuwongchai ( 1994 ) told that Tourism is the fastest turning industries and can bring forth national income in developing economic systems. Lapp as the other, Thailand has a touristry that is a major beginning of national income. Although touristry had some negative effects, it has covered all degree. Otherwise, Sugiyarto, Blake, and Sinclair ( 2002 ) defined that touristry took topographic point within a big context of the universe economic system. Besides, Sherpa ( 2006 ) said that touristry is a major economic activity supplying supports to hapless people. Furthermore, Bartsch ( 1998 ) said that Tourism conducted tourers sing the small town. They can acquire excess income and took advantage by offering adjustment to tourers. Likewise, Khadka ( 1996 ) explained that International touristry is a fast growth in economic factors. It increased in national income. Meanwhile, Albqami ( 1997 ) said that Tourism had received more attending in presents. Tourism stimulated to the economic growing. Similarly, Suntikul ( 2008 ) told that Tourism has a hard job. Tourism is accepting as the economic and social importance of touristry activity. However, touristry has ill managed within its economic system, societal, and environmental contexts. The significance of the impacts of touristry can non be decently assessed. Advantage of touristry impact Harmonizing, Gawler ( 2001 ) believed that the advantages of touristry are economic development. Tourism is assisting to back up communities, peculiarly in rural countries. There are small dependances on urban Centres and imports to prolong touristry activity as we called decentralised . Tourism development frequently brings a scope of benefits to host communities. Improved substructure power, H2O, and telecommunications, services ( Bankss, conveyance ) and new investings, all serve to heighten the life styles of communities. Tourism can do a sense of community pride in their location. Tourism can interchange for cultural between communities and visitants. Tourism creates regional individuality both nationally and internationally. Conservation country attempts and provides effectual direction of important countries can acquire the fund for conservative and direction. Tourism can advance the saving. Otherwise, Mirbabayev and Shagazatova supported that Tourism can be both a beginning of international peace and apprehension. Here are possible positive effects of touristry: Tourism is developing positive attitudes towards each other civilization and larning about each other s civilization and imposts. Besides, Tourism is cut downing negative perceptual experiences and stereotypes. Tourism is developing friendly relationships and developing pride, grasp, apprehension, regard, and tolerance for each other s civilization. Finally, Tourism is increasing self-pride of hosts and tourers. Similarly, Lehmann ( 2005 ) said that touristry consists of portion of the retail, transit, eating house, housing, and amusement industries straight contribute to the travel sector. Tourism straight gave about $ 1.64 billion in Palm Beach County on 2004. Meanwhile, Sugiyarto, Blake, and Sinclair ( 2002 ) defined that the degrees of GDP and employment are increased by touristry growing. Trade, revenue enhancement and balance of payment can increase by touristry activity. Additional, Albqami ( 1997 ) said that touristry industry is increased ; the industry will necessitate to buy more input in the economic system to bring forth the extra end product. These purchases will excite extra end product. Disadvantage of touristry impact Harmonizing to, Rattanasuwongchai ( 1994 ) told that a immense figure of tourers exploit natural resources. Tourism has a heavy impact on the environment. In add-on, touristry demands more substructures, transit and other installations which can do environmental agony. Tourism caused environmental pollution from human waste, sewage into H2O beginnings, and rubbish. Without rigorous ordinances in land utilizing, most hotel may occupy the preservative countries. It can be cause of worsening in engagement in rural traditional. Similarly, Bartsch ( 1998 ) explained that Tourism in Ban Chaidee is does non replace any other activity, and agribusiness which is still regarded by people as most of import economic activity. Environmental harm and authorities policies have decreased the traditional resources of the villagers. The pollution caused by tourers, noise pollution tardily at dark. Furthermore, Khadka ( 1996 ) explained that Environmental and socio-cultural depletes may do touristry unsustainable. These factors can besides be regional in their nature or impact. Otherwise, Sherpa ( 2006 ) said that tourers had a negative consequence to loss of rural civilization. In extra, Suntikul ( 2008 ) told that tourers took a critical the cultural in touristry pattern, and the host civilization. Tourism is presenting negative impacts to Luang Prabang.

Power Structures in Early Rome

Power Structures in Early Rome Hierarchy: The family was the basic unit in ancient Rome. The father, who headed the family, is said to have held the power of life and death over his dependents. This arrangement was repeated in the overarching political structures but was moderated by the voice of the people. It Started With a King at the Top As the clans resting upon a family basis were the constituent elements of the state, so the form of the body-politic was modelled after the family both generally and in detail.~ Mommsen The political structure changed over time. It started with a monarch, the king or rex. The king was not always a Roman but could be Sabine or Etruscan. The 7th and final king, Tarquinius Superbus, was an Etruscan who was removed from office by some of the leading men of the state. Lucius Junius Brutus, an ancestor of the Brutus who helped assassinate Julius Caesar and usher in the age of emperors, led the revolt against the kings. With the king gone (he and his family fled to Etruria), the top power holders became the two annually-elected consuls, and then later, the emperor who, to some extent, reinstated the role of the king.This is a look at the power structures at the beginning of Romes (legendary) history. Familia: The basic unit of Roman life was the familia family, consisting of the father, mother, children, slaves, and clients, under a paterfamilias father of the family who was responsible for making sure the family worshiped its household gods (Lares, Penates, and Vesta) and ancestors. The power of the early paterfamilias was, in theory, absolute: he could even execute or sell his dependents into slavery.Gens: Descendants in the male line either by blood or adoption are members of the same gens. The plural of a gens is gentes. There were several families in each gens. Patron and Clients: Clients, who included in their number manumitted slaves, were under the protection of the patron. Although most clients were free, they were under the paterfamilias-like power of the patron. A modern parallel of the Roman patron is the sponsor who helps with newly arrived immigrants.Plebeians:The early plebeians were the common people. Some plebeians had once been slaves-turned-clients who then became completely free, under state protection. As Rome gained territory in Italy and granted citizenship rights, the number of Roman plebeians increased. Kings: The king was the head of the people, chief priest, a leader in war, and the judge whose sentence couldnt be appealed. He convened the Senate. He was accompanied by 12 lictors who carried a bundle of rods with a symbolic death-wielding ax in the center of the bundle (the fasces). However much power the king had, he could be kicked out. After the expulsion of the last of the Tarquin kings, the 7 kings of Rome were remembered with such hatred that there were never again kings in Rome. Senate: The council of fathers (who were heads of the early great patrician houses) made up the Senate. They had lifetime tenure and served as an advisory council for the kings. Romulus is thought to have named 100 men senators. By the time of Tarquin the Elder, there may have been 200. He is thought to have added another hundred, making the number 300 until the time of Sulla. When there was a period between kings, an interregnum, the Senators took temporary power. When a new king was picked, given imperium by the Assembly, the new king was sanctioned by the Senate. Comitia Curiata: The earliest assembly of free Roman men was called the Comitia Curiata. It was held in the comitium area of the forum. The curiae (the plural of curia) were based on the 3 tribes, Ramnes, Tities, and Luceres. Curiae contained several gens with a common set of festivals and rites, as well as shared ancestry. Each curia had one vote based on the majority of the votes of its members. The assembly met when called by the king. It could accept or reject a new king. It had the power to deal with foreign states and could grant a change in citizenship status. It witnessed religious acts, as well. Comitia Centuriata: Following the end of the regal period, the Assembly of the people could hear appeals in capital cases. They annually elected rulers and had the power of war and peace. This was a different Assembly from the earlier tribal one and was the result of a re-division of the people. It was called the Comitia Centuriata because it was based on the centuries used to supply soldiers to the legions. This new Assembly did not entirely replace the old one, but the comitia curiata had much-reduced functions. It was responsible for confirmation of the magistrates. Early Reforms: The army was made up of 1000 infantry and 100 horsemen from each of the 3 tribes. Tarquinius Priscus doubled this, then Servius Tullius reorganized the tribes into property-based groupings and increased the size of the army. Servius divided the city into 4 tribal districts, the Palatine, Esquiline, Suburan, and Colline. Servius Tullius may have created some of the rural tribes, as well. This is the redistribution of the people that led to the change in the comitia. This is the redistribution of the people that led to the change in the comitia. Power: For the Romans, power (imperium) was almost a tangible. Having it made you superior to others. It was also a relative thing that could be given to someone or removed. There were even symbols the lictors and their faces the powerful man used so those around him could immediately see that he was filled with power. Imperium was originally the lifelong power of the king. After the kings, it became the power of the consuls. There were 2 consuls who shared imperium for a year and then stepped down. Their power was not absolute, but they were like dual annually-elected kings.imperium militiaeDuring war, consuls had the power of life and death and their lictors carried axes in their fasces bundles. Sometimes a dictator was appointed for 6 months, holding absolute power.imperium domiIn peace the authority of the consuls could be challenged by the assembly. Their lictors left the axes out of the fasces within the city. Historicity: Some of the ancient writers of the period of the Roman kings are Livy, Plutarch, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus, all of whom lived centuries after the events. When the Gauls sacked Rome in 390 B.C. more than a century after Brutus deposed Tarquinius Superbus the historical records were at least partially destroyed. T.J. Cornell discusses the extent of this destruction, both in his own and in by F. W. Walbank and A. E. Astin. As a result of the destruction, however devastating or not, the information about the earlier period is unreliable.

Case Study Analysis

Case Study Analysis Case Study Analysis Case Study Analysis One of the frequently assigned college assignments is writing case study. Read the following casestudy analysis tipsand learn how to write a case study analysis. Usually, case study analysis is based on specific situation. You are required to analyze the given situation, to solve the presented problems, and offer a recommendation. Sometimes, you are required to consult textbook and relevant articles to support your personal opinion. The purpose of case study writing assignment is to check your theoretical knowledge and an ability to apply gained knowledge to real-life situations. Secondary sources can be from historical documents, photographs, tape recordings and even statistical information. Many students do not understand that literary, historical, scientific or sociological sources are difference in essence and should be used with careful referencing. Case study analysis writing is easy with our help: Critical Essay Writing While citing secondary sources, you have to include in-text citation and bibliography entry. Endnotes are the most desirable referencing technique for case study analysis writing. Endnotes do not distort the flow of your ideas and make a reference to the source. Your tutor will definitely appreciate if you approach him for clarification. Placing an order at .com, you receive custom written case study analysis which meets all of the requirements set by the tutor. Critical essay writing requires deep understanding of the problem and an ability to analyze the situation, to apply critical thinking skills, and draw logical conclusion. Not all students are able to cope with critical essay writing assignment and seek professional assistance. We offer custom paper writing help to those students who struggle with their academic assignments. Writing Critical Essay What is the first step of case study analysis? The first step of critical case study analysis is reading of the case itself. You should be ready to read it more than twice. The first reading is done for acquaintance only. The second reading is done to identify the key players (people), to underline the problems, to make some notes and comments, and to get a detailed perception of the situation. Case study analysis writing is a challenge because you cannot simply express your opinion, you have to support it with examples from recent publications. Every idea you include should be supported with reliable evidence. Custom writing help is a solution for busy students. Do not hesitate to place an order and you will be very surprised with the high quality. Read more: Draft Essay Rough Pay For Essay Need a Professional Essay Essay Editing Editorial Essay Topics

Latin American Bond Markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Latin American Bond Markets - Essay Example an that, it examines Latin Americas international capital markets access starting 1980 to 2005 while dwelling mostly on the role of factors both domestic and external. Since the nineties, several of the Latin American countries have undertaken major policy reforms directed at ensuring the development of bond markets that had previously been non-existent. This has resulted, decades later, in an unevenly developed bond market, with thriving government and private bond markets that are still yet to be consolidated. These markets mainly concentrate on small numbers of large suppliers and show spurs in monetary growth that is unsustainable over time. As such, in several of these countries, bank credit is still the main source of financial credit to date. However, market based financing has experienced a lagging performance. Several efforts to explain this lag in performance have been made, none of which has explicit focus on the bond markets. This has left many questions regarding these markets unanswered. 1Empirical approaches to the capital markets have been descriptive with no intent to pursue models looking into market participant behavior. This raises the question as to whether, basing on policy, private bond markets development is crucial for the growth and development of economies of the involved countries, and if so, to what extent? In recent years, domestic bond markets in Latin America have constituted a growing finance source for the economies of respective countries and for global investors, a portfolio allocation. This brings up the question as to whether the region’s countries can borrow, at longer maturities, in local currency. Over the past decade, domestic issuance of securities has had a rapid expansion. This growth has led to fixed income markets domination as a funding source for both private sector and public sector. It is clearly evident that bond markets in Latin America have a long way to go in as far as policy reformation is concerned.

Ethics in Public Administration and Policy Research Paper

Ethics in Public Administration and Policy - Research Paper Example In fact, public administrators and policymakers that share common values, practice ethical behavior and have a sense of purpose enjoy a competitive advantage. Ethics applies in both public and private organizations in offering services and leadership with an aim of promoting public interest, integrity, and accountability. This paper will thus discuss the history and importance of ethics in public administration and policy. It will equally address a good, clear research question based on ethics in public administration and policy. Ethics in public administration and policy refers to the determination of the right and wrong human behaviors in course of offering public services and leadership. The modern world is a witness to questions of fraudulent practices, inequality, mismanagement of funds, and other unethical behaviors in public administration and policy. As such, this has led to the need for addressing ethical standards in public administration and policy (Lawton, 2010). Actually, there is a dire need for ethical problem solving and decision-making in public administration and policy-making. Therefore, the public administrators have a mandate to establish and implement ethical standards in an organization. Ideally, every organization adopts a code of ethics that defines how the public administrators and other stakeholders should behave in making policies and offering leadership. Moreover, Ethics in public administration and policy relates to social commitment, ethical leadership, and organizational cultur e. Indeed, the importance of ethics in public administration and policy is unquestionable. Ethics helps in restoring discipline, ensuring accountability, integrity, compliance with standards, and better leadership for purposes of public leadership. Through the code of ethics, we can avoid various frauds errors, and unethical behaviors like corruption in public administration and policy. Actually, where anti-corruption laws and codes of conduct fail in preventing unethical behavior, international bodies like the United  Nations seek to establish a code of ethics that promotes good public administration and policy.  

Revolutionary Era Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Revolutionary Era - Essay Example The user interface of the website is quite friendly and data has been arranged under multiple headings linked to separate pages. For instance, the correlation of slavery to the constitution leading to a revolutionary war is presented in detail on a separate page. The Laughter Genealogy website contains historical material including maps, photos and articles about early North America. This website is a great source of information for researchers seeking genealogy, books and military resources. However, the complexity of website makes it hard to find an article of interest. The information ranges from recent news articles to earlier American history explorations. Little effort has been made to keep the menus simple and relevant. Additionally, the recency and authenticity of the presented information is also questionable with a number of errors corrected by audience from time to time. However, as a reference and research center, it contains various valuable historical images not availab le in many other resources. Both of these websites are providing history scholars with a very comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of American history. However, they still cannot be regarded as complete resources on American history. The controversial questions raised and discussed in Digital History website articles should be researched deeply and presented thoroughly to avoid bias and confusions among scholars.

Emerging Market Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Emerging Market - Coursework Example This has lead innovation in the variety ways of availing resources to the customers through advertisement. In addition, businesses around the world are experiencing changes due to increasing number of emerging markets and there is also stiff competition in those emerging markets. Furthermore, the innovation of new ways of marketing with the use of high-tech machines and information technology (IT) has made the world a global village. This paper will focus on emerging markets in China. China has been considered by most businesses to be hard to achieve the best marketing strategies. This is because companies in China have grown for decades adopting sophisticated ways in their business performance. This has posed challenges to any company wanting to tap or consider starting a business in China. Companies, especially the western companies, have been faced with challenges but sometimes they have got opportunities to tap into emerging markets in China (Czinkota & Ronkainen 2009). China has grown to be the best economic country since inception of marketing reforms in 1978. The marketing reforms moved the country from a central governing style to a market defined economy. Changes have been felt in the country, for example, more that 500 million people have been salvaged out of poverty making the country achieve their targets. China is currently the second biggest economy after the US, and the economy of Chinese is still growing, which is one of the best achievements in the world’s most populated country of 1.3 billion people. Chinese products had high demand during the 2008 financial crisis when most countries in the world were hit by inflation and high prices of goods. The cheaper products from China were demanded by many customers. This was after the country made changes by the implementation of a $586 billion stimulus package which saw increases in leading rates by many institutions to their customers for the improvement of businesses (Dorn 2011). Despite the achievements of the Chinese government, the countries still has a high number of people living below the poverty line. China has a high number of poor people in the world and it ranks in the second position after India. World Bank numbers show that the gross national income per capita in China is $6091, and because of this, average income of persons per day is 1.8 dollars making the country to be ranked at the 90th income per capita position. Despite the high economic growth that China is undergoing, a number of challenges are faced by the country, for example, an increased rate of inequality is experience in the country. China is attributed to be losing a lot due to environmental challenges. According to Zhang (2012), estimation caused by environmental challenges in the economy is 10.51% of the gross national income. This is based on a 2008 review by the World Bank. The main focus in China is to sort the challenges they are facing with more attention on environmental and social ch allenges. The issue the country is facing is addressed in a 5-year plan which is taking place between 2011 and 2015. Characteristics and Challenges of Emerging Marketing in China The characteristics of emerging marketing China are mostly shared by most Asians countries like Japan, South Korea and China. The Asians countries have the same styles of marketing which makes them to be accepted in their continent as compared to emerging markets of Western

Site Visit Report Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Site Visit Report - Coursework Example The mosaics and marbles used in the building are representative of the different religions that ruled it. The changes that took place by different religions are reflective of the changing political situation of Turkey. Mosaics from different religions have been uncovered in the building. Many mosaics were covered by plaster since Muslims disliked representational form of architecture. There is a lot of Islamic calligraphy all over the dome. The Christian mosaics that have been uncovered show Christian scenes. The mosaics leave an impact on the visitor due to their details and fine workmanship. The building has a diameter of over 30 meters. It has a square format and a huge dome with spaces through which light streams in. Minarets and buttresses are present as well. Muslims prefer non-representational forms of architecture and so a lot of mosaics were destroyed (Mosaic Art Source Blog). The remaining ones are depictive of religious and royal pictures such as the one where Virgin Mary is being accompanied by Justinian and Constantine. Looking at the museum was a breath-taking experience for me. I was captivated by the mosaics. The thing that had the most impact on me was how both Christianity and Islam have come together under one roof in a world where religious extremism is rampant. It was built by Justinian in 532. It is named Basilica Cisterns because of it is located on an ancient Basilica, and is also known as Yerebatan Sarayi. The main purpose of constructing the building was to supply water for the Byzantine Palace. It has 336 columns, most of which are Corinthian or Doric style (Atlas Obscura). The building is located near the Byzantine Palace. It was built to overcome any water shortages for the people living in the Palace. To some degree, this tells us of how the rulers ensured that they lived a comfortable and luxurious life. There are two heads of medusa placed on

Emerging Market Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Emerging Market - Coursework Example This has lead innovation in the variety ways of availing resources to the customers through advertisement. In addition, businesses around the world are experiencing changes due to increasing number of emerging markets and there is also stiff competition in those emerging markets. Furthermore, the innovation of new ways of marketing with the use of high-tech machines and information technology (IT) has made the world a global village. This paper will focus on emerging markets in China. China has been considered by most businesses to be hard to achieve the best marketing strategies. This is because companies in China have grown for decades adopting sophisticated ways in their business performance. This has posed challenges to any company wanting to tap or consider starting a business in China. Companies, especially the western companies, have been faced with challenges but sometimes they have got opportunities to tap into emerging markets in China (Czinkota & Ronkainen 2009). China has grown to be the best economic country since inception of marketing reforms in 1978. The marketing reforms moved the country from a central governing style to a market defined economy. Changes have been felt in the country, for example, more that 500 million people have been salvaged out of poverty making the country achieve their targets. China is currently the second biggest economy after the US, and the economy of Chinese is still growing, which is one of the best achievements in the world’s most populated country of 1.3 billion people. Chinese products had high demand during the 2008 financial crisis when most countries in the world were hit by inflation and high prices of goods. The cheaper products from China were demanded by many customers. This was after the country made changes by the implementation of a $586 billion stimulus package which saw increases in leading rates by many institutions to their customers for the improvement of businesses (Dorn 2011). Despite the achievements of the Chinese government, the countries still has a high number of people living below the poverty line. China has a high number of poor people in the world and it ranks in the second position after India. World Bank numbers show that the gross national income per capita in China is $6091, and because of this, average income of persons per day is 1.8 dollars making the country to be ranked at the 90th income per capita position. Despite the high economic growth that China is undergoing, a number of challenges are faced by the country, for example, an increased rate of inequality is experience in the country. China is attributed to be losing a lot due to environmental challenges. According to Zhang (2012), estimation caused by environmental challenges in the economy is 10.51% of the gross national income. This is based on a 2008 review by the World Bank. The main focus in China is to sort the challenges they are facing with more attention on environmental and social ch allenges. The issue the country is facing is addressed in a 5-year plan which is taking place between 2011 and 2015. Characteristics and Challenges of Emerging Marketing in China The characteristics of emerging marketing China are mostly shared by most Asians countries like Japan, South Korea and China. The Asians countries have the same styles of marketing which makes them to be accepted in their continent as compared to emerging markets of Western

Learned Helplessness Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learned Helplessness - Term Paper Example The study also revealed that four components of ORS are very much related to LH namely: role ambiguity, role expectation conflict, role isolation and self-role distance. These components are caused by unclear structures, lack of job description, specification and analysis, improper placement, inadequate communication, overlapping role expectations and lack of team effort. The results also showed that the higher the LH, the higher the ORS and vice versa. From the findings of the study, it was determined that the role of the human resource management is crucial in adopting changes to reduce the stress and LH of employees in NGOs. Some of these steps include an improvement of the communication system to clearly define the vision and mission of the organization, introduction of a framework for remuneration and a restructuring of the organization to clearly identify roles of each employee (Sha & Pethe, 2004). According to the study, if management is able to implement the suggested changes , they can reduce the stress and LH of the employees and eventually increase their morale and motivation. Learned Helplessness in Sport by Harry Prapavessis & Albert V.

Media and Mass Communications Development on a Healthy Mature Culture Essay Example for Free

Media and Mass Communications Development on a Healthy Mature Culture Essay This argumentative essay is specially made to discuss the possibility for media and mass communication to nurture the development of a healthy, mature culture. Overall, the process of media and mass communication media development has already caused changes in the public sphere. The digitalization of media dramatically increases the chances of the people to get an access to the information, which is transferred instantly and often has not been edited by the people in government or media bosses. Thus, the information is now very complicated to control and therefore public has more opportunities to form its own opinion by comparing the facts from the different sources. The major problem, which could be seen right away, is the relation between the today’s process of media development and the actual development of a healthy culture. An assumption could be suggested that media and mass communication are able to influence the development of a healthy and mature culture, but it will require some significant changes form both media owners and their employees, as well as from society itself. Let’s de-construct the elements of the question and consider them in details in order to provide the better analysis. Strinati (2004) claims that the coming of the mass media and the increasing commercialization of culture and leisure resulted in the rise of issues, interests and debates which are still with us today. The researchers talk about culture, but what exactly is a culture? The word origin of culture or, the Latin root of the term is â€Å"colere,† meaning anything from cultivating to inhabiting, protecting, or worshipping. Modern definition of culture is the following: it is a growing sum of â€Å"knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations. † (Muller, 2005) Cultures differ depending on the mentioned elements of culture. As the examples of different cultures, the culture of Eastern and Western countries could be named. Mature† means the situation or the final condition when the full desired growth or development has been reached. â€Å"Healthy† means the robust and well condition; it is also an efficient and sound being. â€Å"Development† is a positive change; it is also a process of growth and an evolution. The word â€Å"nurture† means the act of helping to grow or develop; it is also an act of cultivation of some characteristics. â€Å"Media† are the means of communication that reach large numbers of people, for example, television, newspapers, radio and internet. In agreement to Morley (2000) the current global culture is the culture of hyper mobility where â€Å"we often engaged in border-crossings of one kind or another, but the nature and functions of borders themselves are shifting†. (Morley,2000) We live in the information economy era, in the era of new progressive technologies and communications that break the borders, in the times of social and economic evolution, the public sphere experiences new challenges and face new opportunities in this world full of complexity. Without a doubt the influence of modern mass communication over the culture is considerable. The shifts in the social and other aspects that are influenced by the spread of technologies and new media are powerful and they change our lifestyle, our habits and hobbies: they change the way we are living. Power and Scott (2004), argue the significance of mass media technology for economic and social life may be shown by considering certain developments of the 21st century. The situation in the 21st century in terms of the cultural development and its influence on people is much more complex than ever before. The introduction of internet has a significant influence over business and education because it provides greater learning opportunities than ever before. It is clear that the benefits of new technologies and mass communication for the education are enormous. Many experts claim that media influence the way we live in both positive and negative ways. An individual that aims to gain a significant social success almost can’t achieve it without at least slight use of the information gained through mass communication. Therefore these options can’t be ignored because they affect the majority of spheres of life and bring certain experience of social change. The development of mass media presents some outstanding social opportunities. But at the same time, the successful rise of mass media has also brought up concerns about the negative consequences of its spreading. There no doubt that mass communications and media have the tremendous influence over society and its culture. Bloomfield, Coombs Knights, 2000) These changes lead to â€Å"new era economics† also known as a knowledge economy, non-linear effects, an unpredictable future, a redefinition of terms, time/distance changes, and much greater transparency. (Bloomfield, Coombs Knights, 2000) Without a doubt, media sector experience dramatic transformations both in terms of the access to the information, the speed of the information spreading throughout the world and the increasing inability to control the information by the media o wners or the government institutions. The processes of total digitalization and media convergence have started in 2000s and the majority of mass media indicate the possibility of turning the print media into fully digital forms by 2020 or 2025. Digital media has potentially revolutionary impact on the lifestyle of society. There is also an idea that media development and digital revolution are the ways â€Å"into an unknown and fundamentally changed future. † (Feldman, 1997) New media and new way of communications not only influence the culture of society, but they also change the way and manners of the socialization of its members. The major advantage of electronic communication and information technologies is the capability to transfer the information faster, at a lower cost, and to more people while also offering increased data communality, and processing. Another important aspect in which the media and mass communication can influence and nurture the development of a new healthy culture is the improved opportunity of learning by obtaining necessary information much faster and easier than ever before. Information acquisition is the process by which information is obtained from the environment and added to the collective stock of knowledge of a person or society in general. Fast information distribution provided by the modern mass communication allows sharing information sources among members of society freely, without the governmental control. The new mass communication also store information, and it plays a critical role in the development of culture, since socially accepted past experiences need to be accumulated for future use.

Complication In Grand Multi Parity

Complication In Grand Multi Parity Grand multi parity is the condition of giving birth after the 28th weeks of gestation, following 5 or more previous viable babies. Grand multiparae is relation to obstetric performance is labeled high risk. High risk pregnancy is define as one in which the mother, fetus or newborn will be at increased risk of morbidity or mortality at or after birth. The risk to the mother and child is relatively high in first pregnancy and then this risk decline during second, third and then slowly rises with increasing parity by the sixth pregnancy risks exceeds these of 1st and after that rises steeply with each pregnancy1. Grand multiparous have been considered to be at higher risk of developing antenatal complications. These complications include gestational diabetes, hypertension, anemia, placental abruption, placenta previa, preterm labour, mal-presentation, mal-position, fetopelvic disproportion and intra-partum complication, uterine intertia, dysfunctional labour, uterine rupture, intrauterine death, marosomia and subsequent operative delivery with its consequent risk of maternal mortality and morbidity2,3. Postpartum haemorrhage also more common in grand multipara. Munim noted in her study PPH was three times more common in grand multipara4. Grand multiparity reported to increased both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality5,6. It is generally accepted that GMP is risk factor of obstetric complication but recently a few reports have appeared in the literature showing that this might be fiction rather than fact. Toohey et al, Fayed et al, and Kaplan et al, addressed the obstetric performance of great grand multipara but they concoluded that such women were not a high risk group7,8,9. Brunner et al, in 1992 concluded that grand multi parity should be regarded as an obstetric risk factor, mainly because of the higher frequency of placental complication and with good obstetric care there should be no advice affects to the mother or newborn10. The incidence of grand multipara has decreased in most western countries in recent years due to better socioeconomic status and high use of contraception11,12,13. In third world countries like Pakistan the large families are still common. Grand multi parity is a common problem in this part of world and when added to low socioeconomic status, it significantly increases the risk to mother and fetus8,14,15. OBJECTIVES The objective of our study were To compare obstetrical complications between grand multiparae and low parity women. To study the frequency of maternal and perinatal mortality associated with complications of grand multi parity. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION GRAND MULTIPARAE: Grand multiparae is woman who has delivered five or more babies after 28 weeks, weighing more than 500 grams. LOW MULTIPARAE: Low multiparae is woman who has delivered less than five (para 1-4). HYPOTHESIS: Obstetrical complication are more in grand multiparae than the low parity women. MATERIAL AND METHODS SETTINGS: This study was conducted in Obstetric / Gynaecology Unit-I, Civil Hospital, Karachi and Sheikh Zaid Women Hospital Larkana. DURATION OF STUDY: One year from 1st July 2008 to 31st March 2009 at Civil Hospital Karachi and 1st April 2009 to 30th June 2009 at Sheikh Zaid Women Hospital Larkana. SAMPLE SIZE: A total of 200 pregnant women were selected randomly, were divided into two groups with 100 women in each group. Group I consistent of women with parity five or more, and group II consisting of women with parity one to four. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE: Probability. SAMPLE SELECTION: Sample selection was done according to the following inclusion and exclusion. INCLUSION CRITERIA: All pregnant multiparous women. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Primigravida. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative, cross sectional DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE: A 200 women were admitted in our ward through out patient department or emergency, or referred by private clinics or traditional birth attendants were selected. These cases were divided into two groups. Group I consistent of 100 women of parity five or more and group II consistent of 100 women were admitted during the same period with parity one to four. On admission patients history was taken in detail. Age, parity, socioeconomic status, detailed obstetrical history, past history were recorded and previous record was received to detect antenatal complication including anaemia, PIH, APH, and malpresentation , pre-term labour. Anemia was taken as haemoglobin of 11 g/dl, PIH was defined as blood pressure of > 140/90 millimeter mercury after 20 weeks of gestation with or without protenuria on two or more occasion 6 hours apart. Bleeding from genital tract after 24 weeks gestation was taken as APH. Ultrasonography was done in non-booked cases when there was suspicious of malpresentation which was defined as presenting part of fetus in other than cephalic in relation to maternal pelvis. Preterm labour was defined as labour before 37 complete weeks gestation. During labour patients were managed according to units protocol and partogram recording was used to evaluate the progress of labour. The intrapartum complications included prolonged labour and ruptured uterus. Mode of delivery was also recorded. After delivery, the patients were monitor for 24 hours for primary PPH which was taken as blood loss estimated to be more than 500ml after normal vaginal delivery and 1000ml after caesarean section. The maternal death if any was recorded with its cause in detail. Neonates were followed for neonatal complication which included, LBW, macrosomia, perinatal death. Birth weight of < 2.5 kg was taken as LBW and > 4.2 was taken as macrosomic babies. Admission to NICU. Perinatal deaths (PND) included all intrauterine death (IUD) and early neonatal deaths (ENNDs). Data was collected through special proforma, neonatal follow up recorded was also entered in the same proforma. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data analysis was performed through SPSS version-10.0. Frequencies and percentages were computed for presentation of all categorical variables of the study including age, booking status, mode of delivery, pregnancy related complications, intrapartum and postpartum complications, maternal and fetal mortality, and birth weight. Chi-square test was applied to compare age, booking status, mode of delivery, pregnancy related complications, intrapartum and postpartum complications and birth weight between low parity and high parity groups. Fishers exact test was applied to compare maternal and fetal mortality and nursery care admissions between low parity and high parity groups due to typically low expected count (< 5). Statistical significance was taken at p < 0.05. RESULTS Commonest age group in both study groups was 20 25 years in which total 76 patients were observed, however this age group was significantly higher (46% vs. 30%, p=0.001) in low parity group that high parity group while older age group of the study 36 40 years was higher in high parity group than low parity group (4% vs. 15%). So the age distribution was significantly different in two groups (Table-1). Most of the patients in my study were unbooked, i.e. 131 % (Table-2). Booking status between two groups was statistically insignificant (p=0.344). Anemia was significantly higher in high parity group than low parity group (89% vs. 62%, P = 0.001); while abruptio placentae, PIH and malpresentations were significantly higher in high parity group than low parity group (p < 0.01). Placentae previa, preterm labour and twin pregnancy were insignificant between two groups (Table-3). Out of 200 women in this study, 21 (10.5%) underwent caesarean section and 179 (89.5%) normal vaginally delivered (Figure-1). In high parity group, proportion of women who underwent caesarean section was significantly higher in high parity group than low parity group (16% vs. 5%, p=0.011). Intrapartum and postpartum complications found insignificant between two groups at p < 0.05 (Table-4). No maternal death was observed in low parity group but one (1%) maternal mortality was observed in high parity group, however difference of maternal mortality rate was insignificant (p = 0.999) between two groups (Figure-2). Significantly high number of fetal mortalities was observed in high parity group than low parity group (16% vs. 4%, P = 0.999) (Figure-3). We observed 8% NICU admissions in high parity group that was not statistically significant (p 0.213) as compared with 3% NICU admissions in low parity group (Figure-4). Table 1: AGE DISTRIBUTION (n = 200) Age (years) Group Total Low parity (n = 100) High parity (n = 100) 20 25 46* 30 76 26 30 40 29 64 31 35 10 26 36 36 40 4 15* 19 * Shows significant difference (X2 = 18.6, d.f = 3, p = 0.001) Low parity: Parity 2-4, High parity: Parity > 4 Table 2: COMPARISON OF BOOKING STATUS (n = 100) Booking Group Total Low parity (n = 100) High parity (n = 100) Booked 32 23 55 Unbooked 62 69 131 Referred 6 8 14 * Significant difference (X2 = 2.13, d.f = 2, p = 0.344) Key: Booked = 3 or more antenatal visits. Unbooked = < 3 or no antenatal visits. Table 3: COMPARISON OF PREGNANCY RELATED COMPLICATIONS BETWEEN TWO GROUPS (n = 100) Complications Group p-value Low parity (n = 100) High parity (n = 100) Anemia 62 89 0.001 Placentae Previa 5 7 0.55 Abruptio placentae 2 11* 0.018 Preterm labour 5 6 0.760 Pregnancy induced hypertension 4 14* 0.024 Malpresentation 2 15* 0.001 Twin pregnancy 2 4 0.68 * Shows statistically significant difference at p < 0.05. Figure-1: COMPARISON OF MODE OF DELIVERY BETWEEN TWO GROUPS * Significant difference (X2 = 6.44, d.f = 1, p = 0.011) Table 4: COMPARISON OF INTRAPARTUM AND POSTPARTUM COMPLICATIONS BETWEEN TWO GROUPS Complications Group p-value Low parity (n = 100) High parity (n = 100) Obstructed labour 3 4 0.70 Ruptured uterus 1 1 Retained placentae 0 2 0.50 Postpartum hemorrhage 2 4 0.68 * Shows statistically significant difference at p < 0.05 Low parity: Parity 2-4 High party: Parity > 4 Figure-2: COMPARISON OF MATERNAL OUTCOME BETWEEN TWO GROUPS * Significant difference (p = 0.999) Figure-3: COMPARISON OF FETAL OUTCOME BETWEEN TWO GROUPS * Significant difference (Fishers exact test, p = 0.005) Figure-4: COMPARISON OF NURSERY ADMISSION BETWEEN TWO GROUPS (n1 = n2 = 100) * Significant difference (Fishers exact test, p = 0.213). Low parity: Parity 2-4 High parity: Parity > 4 NICU = Neonatal intensive care unit DISCUSSION This comparative, cohort study was conducted in largest hospital of Karachi to find out whether grand multi parity is risk factor for obstetrical complication when compare to low parity. Despite of availability of modern obstetric facilities, women in our society not intend to get book for antenatal care because they are too busy at their home and lack of awareness about health care, We found in our study that most of the patients in both groups coming in Civil Hospital, Karachi were non-booked and referred from different areas with complications. Unbooked 13% and 14% referred from different areas. In our study the grand multipara were older then low parity women. Increased age of GMP women put them additional risk for complication. As our study was not age matched study. So, the age matched study should be done for the proper risk assessment. This study shows that antenatal complication such as anemia was more common in grand multiparae. A Salick, et all also found same result in th eir studies 16. Anemia is more common in grand multipare because of poor nutrition, repeated pregnancies, low socioeconomic status. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) was more common in our study, these women were relatively older than low parity and my study was not age matched study. Munim S, et al., found in her study statistically significance difference in the induced of the PIH that was 15.4% in grand multipare compared to the 9.3% in low parity women 4. Although the patients in here study were booked patients, she reported that higher prevalence of these complications may be explained on the increased age of these women. In spite of increased incidence of PIH the superimposed pre-eclampsia and eclampsia was no more common in my study.4. Regarding the antepartum haemorrhage, abruptio placentae is more common in GMP. Although number of placenta previa was increased in grand multi parity than low parity but not statistically significant. Heija AA, also found in his study that abruptio placentae is more common in grand multipareae. He state that the high parity is significant etiological determinant of placental abruption 2. The malpresentation was more common in grand multipare especially breech was more common than the low parity. Malpresentation in grand multipara is common because increasing laxity of anterior abdominal wall musculature, failing to act as a brace to encourages and maintain a longitudinal lie, encourages malpresentation 17. Preterm labour was same in both groups. Aziz FA, studied the grand multipare Sudanese women and found the incidence of pre-term labour was increased in these women 18. The intra partum complication like obstructed labour result was same in both groups in both cases patients was referred and reason was abnormal fetal position. we found 1 case of Ruptured uterus in each group, both these are patient were referred from private hospital, both were older age, both were mismanaged with syntocynon but low parity woman was survive and grand multiparous woman was die. Our study showed no statistical difference in postpartum haemorrhage between both groups. Page L in her series of study has reported that same result. She found no direct association between grand multiparae and PPH.63 Some other studies have shown that increased risk of PPH is associated with increased age not with increasing parity. Munim et al, noted in her study PPH was three times more common in grand multiparae 4. Our study showed caesarean section is significantly increased in grand multipare than the low parity, this because of malpresentation and obstructed labour, antepartum haemorrhage. One maternal death found in my study this unfortunate woman belong to low socioeconomic class, had obstructed labor due to macrosomic baby and mismanaged with syntocinon referred in state of shock despite of emergency laparotomy, blood transfusion, and resuscitation she could not survive because she was already anemic had bleed a lot and die due to cardiac failure. As regard the neonatal outcome parity is considered as important factor in determining the birth weight of baby. Many investigators have reported association of LBW with grand multiparae. But in my study low birth weight was common in low parity as compare to grand multiparae. There was no significant increased incidence macrosomic babies in grand multiparae, compare with international literature. In our study perinatal mortality was significantly increased in grand multi parity it mainly because of abruptio placenta, PIH, obstructed labour and preterm birth. CONCLUSION It is concluded from my study that antenatal complications like pregnancy induced hypertension, abruptio placenta, anaemia, malpresentation, Caesarean deliveries and perinatal mortality were more common in grand multiparae then the low parity group and multi parity is still a major obstetric hazards in our set up with higher incidence of complications.

Return on Investment Analysis Essay -- Finance Financial Business Essa

Return on Investment Analysis Profit Every business must devise a means to make and measure the profit from an investment. Profit reflects the very nature of business. Businesses that provide a product or service want to know if their efforts in a particular field will result in financial gain (Wiens 1997). The concept "Return On Investment" provides a means to measure the profit obtained from an investment. I will discuss the area of return on investment from a training and staff development perspective and why it is important. To Train or Not To Train Companies and educational institutions at one time or another will face the question of whether training will help their company remain competitive. Training is very expensive and time consuming. The employee will miss time from work. Someone will have to fill in for the employee. The "fill-in" may not perform as well as the employee which results in lower productivity. Travel and site procurement add to the cost. The trainer will demand a salary and materials. A subject matter expert may possibly factor in the equation. Furthermore, the company usually will conduct a needs analysis to determine if training is the actual solution needed to increase profitability. All of these elements translate into time and money. However, research has discovered that a new medium of delivery has cut cost significantly. The medium is computer based training (Schriver 1999). The expense is reduced by travel, instructor hours, record handling, and productivity (Schriver 1999). Many businesses and educational institution are examining the possibility of computer based training. Many decision makers reason if the same results can be obtained at a cheaper rate, by all means implem... ...emain in an organization or fall victim to cost cutting initiatives. References: Hansen, D. & M, Maryanne (1997). Management Accounting 4th Ed, South Western College Publishing Company.. Lachenmaier, L. & Moor, W. (August 1997). Using Business Performance to Evaluate Multimedia Training in Manufacturing. Performance Improvement, p. 16. Schriver R. & Giles, S. (August 1999). Real ROI Numbers. Training and Development,p. 51. Stolovitch, H. & M. Jean (October 1998). Calculating the Return on Investment in Training: A Critical Analysis and A Case Study. Performance Improvement Vol. 37 #8, 9-20. Todnem, G. & Micheal W. (Summer 1993) Using ROI to Assess Staff Development Efforts. Journal of Staff Development Vol. 14, No. 3. p. 32 Wiens, E. (November 1997). Looking Ahead: How Will Technology Affect the Future. The Technology Teacher, p .21.

Career Paper Essay

Professor Jane Andrews Success in College Career Paper A police officer is something I have always had an interest in becoming. Law enforcement is an exciting career that can open many doors to different jobs, from patrolling the streets to protecting important political figures. Police officers are an essential part of the communities in our nation, offering citizens protection from criminals, preventing crimes, and serving the members of their community. A police officer’s duties, among other things, include patrolling a specific district or beat, writing citations when necessary, offering escorts for convoys, responding to citizens’ emergency calls, severing warrants and subpoenas, and writing incident reports after a crime has been committed. 1 An essential characteristic of a police officer is physical stamina, physical and mental endurance, and the ability to keep a calm head. These are just a few of the many duties and essential characteristics of a police officer. A police officer’s work environment can vary greatly, either being out on patrol or in an office, either writing reports or viewing bulletins. Out on patrol, an officer’s work environment is his or her patrol car. A patrol car has all the devices necessary for an officer to execute his or her duties. It will contain a radio, a mobile laptop, which is used to run license plates, do background checks, and receive directions to the locations of 911 calls, and weapons, such as a shotgun, to be used in hostile situations. A police officer’s work environment will vary depending on his or her pecific duties. Becoming a police officer is a physically demanding process. Many people choose to first obtain a college degree in criminal justice or sociology, because it can help you become a higher rank and opens the options to work for higher authority agencies. The basic requirement for becoming a cop are to be free of any felony convictions, be a citizen of the United States, be at least 18 years of age, undergo background checks, and be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of power by the peace officer. These requirements may vary slightly from state to state, but one that is consistent is that everyone must attend police academy. Police academy is an essential step in becoming a police officer. By graduating from police academy, a person becomes ‘post certified,’ which is a requirement to become a police officer anywhere. 3 At the academy, a person will take courses on firearms training, patrol techniques, crimes scene procedures, and ‘brain training’ courses, which train an officer on how to react mentally in certain situations. Physical fitness tests are an essential part of the academy, with strict requirements for both male and female requirements. Being a police officer requires both mental and physical toughness. A career in law enforcement can bring a variety of pay amounts. A standard patrol officer makes on average $34,000 a year. 4 Working for different agencies can bring different pay ranges, anywhere from $25,000 a year to $100,000. A police chief will earn towards the upper end of this range. All police officers will be members of a police union, the largest being the International Union of Police Associations, or the IUPA. 5 Being a member of a union brings benefits such as higher wages, health insurance, and a pension plan. Being a police officer is not one of the highest paying jobs staring off, but with the right promotions, one can earn a very high salary. Being a police officers is a career that is always in demand. In 2010, there were over 750,000 jobs for police officers.

PESTEL Viet Nam Analysis Essay

A. Introduction of Viet Nam Vietnam is approximately 331688 km2 in area and occupied the eastern coast of the Southeast Asian peninsula. The northern part of the country part consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. The south is divided into coastal lowlands and extensive forests. Because of differences in latitude and the marked variety of topographical relief, the climate tends to vary considerably from place to place. During the winter or dry season (November to April), the monsoon wind blowing from the northwest brings considerably moisture. Consequently the winter season in most parts of the country is dry. Major Vietnamese cities include Hanoi in the north, Da Nang in the mid coastal region, and Ho Chi Minh City (formally known as Saigon) to the south. Vietnam has considerable energy resources such as oil, gas and coal and its 41,000 km long waterways provide the basis for hydropower. The country is rich in minerals such as bauxite, iron ore, lead, gold, precious stones, tin, chromate, anthra cite, granite, marble, clay, white sand and graphite. In addition, Vietnam has a considerable fresh and saltwater fauna, dense tropical forestry resources and it possesses great agricultural potential. The history of Vietnam, reference to the Geneva Accord signed in 1954. The accord ended French colonial rule, and the country was partitioned into the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh and the Republic of Vietnam in the South. The capitals were Hanoi for the North and Saigon for the South. Fights led by Ho Chi Minh to unite the country started in 1959 and lasted until 1975. Hanoi became the capital of the country whilst Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Following reunification, the Vietnamese government’s initial plan was to manage the economy via methods of central planning. Based on experiences gained during the 1976-1980 five years plan, subsequent central plans introduced more relaxed policies with respect to agricultural collectives, State Owned Enterprises and allowed more scope for private initiatives. These measures were instrumental in elevating poverty.  Growth rates during the early 80’s were higher than during the 1976-1980 five year pl an, however it became evident that further policy shift were necessary to enable the Vietnam economy to perform closer to its potential. Economic reform was the key point of discussion at the Sixth National Party Congress held in December 1986. The process then initiated of moving from a centrally planned economy to an open, socialist-oriented and multi-sector market economy known as Doi Moi (renovation). In 1992, the National Assembly revised the post-unification constitution to better reflect the aspirations articulated in the Doi Moi process. Economic performance since 1986 has justified the policy of relaxation of central control, the challenge faced by Vietnam has been the maintenance of rapid economic growth and integration into the global economy. B. â€Å"P.E.S.T.L.E† REPORT ON VIET NAM 1. Politics The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a single-party state. Its current state constitution, which replaced the 1975 constitution in April 1992, asserts the central role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in all organs of government, politics and society. In 2011, Viet Nam held the 11th Congress of Vietnam Communist Party, in which happened the Election of the Party Central Committee for the new term. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong was elected to be the General Secretary. After the Congress, there happened the fist Congress of the Parliament, term 13th, in which Mr. Nguyen Sinh Hung was elected to be the President of the Parliament, Mr. Truong Tan Sang the President of the Country, and Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung was elected to continue the position of Prime Minister. This Congress also issued 4 degrees: first, approving the State Budget, second, agreeing on the program of building laws and ordinances in2012, third, beginning the study of the amendments and supplements of the 1992 Constitution and establ ishing the revised draft of the 1992 Constitution, and finally, the degree on the issuance of certain additional tax measures to remove difficulties for enterprises and individuals, contributing to economic development in 2011. In 2011, the disputes over the East Sea was the main cause of some changes in relations between Vietnam and some important countries in the world, especially the  Vietnam – China and Viet Nam – U.S. Tension in the East Sea has escalated due to China’s provocative acts in May, 2011. Then happened many anti-Chinese protests in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city. In this context, the relation between Viet Nam and the U.S was proclaimed to be elevated to strategic partnership.4 And late 2011, the tensions in the Vietnam-China relations down to the visit by the senior officials of the two countries. In terms of politically domestic policy, the government kept a political stability, and showed some positive signs. For example, the freedom of the press seemed to be extended. In addition, the government was also more aware of its limitations and of the policy mistakes. Concretely, at the Fourth Conference of the Party Central Committee (XI), Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong said: ―Besides the achievements, the Party building work still has many limitations and shortcomings, weaknesses, even spanning multiple defects; these limitations would reduce people’s trust in the Party; if not corrected, they will be the challenge for leadership of the Party and the survival of the regime. 2. Economy The year of 2011 was important for the economy of Viet Nam because this is the first year in the latest Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2011-2020), with the goal of becoming an industrialized and modern economy by 2020. This strategy goes on to identify the country’s key priorities to meet this ambitious target: stabilize the economy, build world-class infrastructure, create a skilled labor force, and strengthen market-based institutions. According to Vietnam Development Report (VDR) 2012, meeting these aspirations will not be easy. In fact, the country has experienced bouts of macroeconomic turbulence in recent years—double-digit inflation, depreciating currency, capital flight, and loss of international reserves—eroding investor confidence. Besides, rapid growth has revealed new structural problems. The quality and sustainability of growth remain a source of concern, given the resource-intensive pattern of growth, high levels of environmental degradation, lack of diversification and value addition in exports, and the declining contribution of productivity to growth. Vietnam’s competitiveness is under threat because the power  generation has not kept pace with demand, logistical costs and real estate prices have climbed, and skill shortages are becoming more widespread. And these difficulties strongly existed in 2011. Concretely, the inflation in 2011 was 18.13%; the growth of GDP has slowed (5,89%). Domestic and international gold price gap increased. The Corruption index 2011 from Transparency International ranked Viet Nam at the position 112. This shows that Viet Nam has been faced one of the most difficult challenges of economic development. In terms of financial, according to the document of World Bank, in 2011, foreign direct investment inflows (to Viet Nam) continued at a steady pace, although new commitments declined. International reserves increased in the first half of the year while the Vietnamese dong benefitted from a period of relative calm. In the last quarter of the year, however, exchange rate fluctuations increased due to volatility in gold prices, deepening uncertainties and the seasonal increase in demand for foreign currency as the year end approaches. With approximate 9 billion U.S. dollars, the amount of money coming from overseas Vietnamese was one of the biggest sources of foreign currency in 2011. This amount is equivalent to the amount of FDI. Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japanese are the countries that contributed the biggest investment to Viet Nam in 2011. Hai Duong, Ho Chi Minh city, and Ha Noi are three places that has been most invested in recent time. The sectors that most attract the attention of foreign investors are processing industry, electricity supply, and accommodation and dining service. However, according to the analysis of a chief economist, Dr. Allan Pham, though facing the difficulties as mentioned above, the economy is coming to a better prospect in 2012, especially with a certain success in the fight against inflation of the country (the inflation has been trending down since the 4th quarter of 2011). Following is the figure of the selected macro indicators of the economy in recent years: Key Indicators 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 GDP growth (%) 8.5 6.2 5.3 6.78 5.8 6.0 CPI (%) 12.6 23 6.52 11.75 18.0 12-14 Trade deficit (USD) 12.5 17.8 12.2 12.4 12.1 13.3 Exports (USD) 48.4 62.5 56.6 71.6 80.2 86.5 Imports (USD) 60.8 80.3 68.8 84.0 92.4 99.8 FDI commitments (USD) 21.3 66.5 21.5 18.6 15.0 18.0 FDI disbursement (USD) 8.0 11.5 10.0 11.0 12.0 12.5 Credit growth (%) 54 21 37.7 27.6 15 18 SBV Base rate 8.2 8.5 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 Deposit rate (%) 7.0-8.0 7.0-8.5 9.5-10.5 10.0- 11.0 14 12.0 Lending rate (%) 10.0-12.0 10-12.5 10.5-12 13.0-13.5 18-20 14-16 USD/VND (bank rate) 16,016 17,468 18,600 19,500 21,500 22,500 Foreign Affairs At present, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 168 countries, and it has economic and trading relations with about 165 countries. Vietnam joined the United Nations in 1977. Vietnam became an official member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, and has concluded a cooperation agreement with the European Community. Relationships with multi-national financial institutions such as the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been re-established. Viet Nam has been participating in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (â€Å"AFTA†) since 1996 and became a member of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) in 1998. Vietnam became an official member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 11 January 2007. In January 2008, the country started a two year term as an elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Vietnam signed the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United Sta tes in 2000. Besides aspects of international trade, the BTA covers a variety of other areas, including intellectual property rights, trade in services, development of investment relations, business  facilitation and the obligation to ensure transparency of laws and regulations. The BTA essentially constitutes a commitment by both countries to open their markets to each other. Intellectual Property In recent years, the Government has taken various measures to increase the legal protection of intellectual property and has created an environment of respect for intellectual property as compared to other neighboring countries. Intellectual property rights are protected by the Civil Code (1995 and 2005), the Law on Intellectual Property (2005) and a host of subordinate legislation. Vietnam is a long-time signatory to the Paris Convention, the Madrid Agreement on International Trademark Registration, and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (â€Å"PCT†) and became a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization in 1976. On 27 June 1997, Vietnam entered into an Agreement on copyrights with the US. According to the Viet Nam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, Vietnam is under the obligation to adhere to the Berne Convention. The National Office of Intellectual Property (â€Å"NOIP†) is the authority responsible for the registration of industrial property and for the resolutio n of disputes with regard to industrial property in the first instance. Foreign organizations and individuals seeking to register their industrial ownership should file their applications through an authorized agent, who will transfer their application to the NOIP. The Office of Copyright Protection under the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism has also been established and is responsible for the protection of copyright. Works may be registered with the Office of Copyright Protection; however, registration is not a prerequisite for copyright protection. Currently, patents are protected for a period of 20 years. A certificate of utility solutions may be granted for 10 years. A certificate of industrial design is granted for 5 years and may be renewed every 5 years. However, the total effective period of a certificate cannot exceed 15 years. Certificates of trademarks are granted for 10 years with no restrictions on the number of renewals. Investment Guarantees The Government of Vietnam guarantees fair treatment for investors. Capital and other legal assets of investors will not be expropriated or confiscated by law or administrative measures and businesses with foreign-invested  capital will not be nationalized. Foreign investors are allowed to remit abroad investment capital and profits, loan principal and interest, and other legal proceeds and assets. Expatriates working for businesses with foreign-invested capital or for a business cooperation contract are permitted to remit their income abroad. The Vietnam government respects intellectual and industrial property rights and the interests of foreign investors relating to technology transfers into Vietnam. Economic Risks Global Finance Crisis is the hottest issues that people discuss most in this few years. The global financial crisis that started from the United States raises a very broad impact to Vietnam. Inflation Inflation has been in double digits since 2007 and peaking at 28% in August 2008. The fiscal deficit accounted for 4.5-5% GDP in 2008 while trade deficit reached US$17.5 billion (or over 20% of GDP), a level that signals vulnerability to a sudden drop in external demand (Figure 2). A high rate of investment combined with a sizeable fiscal deficit resulted in rapid growth in aggregate demand in the first half of 2008. Massive capital inflows generated asset price inflation, especially in real estate and land prices. Export Decline Vietnamese exports have suffered the strongest negative impact. With economic problems in the US, EU and Japan, which together account for more than 60% of Vietnamese exports, Vietnam saw a significant decline in export revenues. Vietnam’s export revenues fell 6.5% in November 2008 and a further 24% drop in January 2009 (year-on-year) (Figure 3). Orders for manufactured exports including garments, footwear and furniture dropped quickly, while seafood5 producers are also under pressure. The decline of orders has caused great difficulties for exporting companies, many of them are at risk of closing down.6 Vietnamese exports’ growth is forecasted to decline from 30% in 2008 to 13% in 2009. Unemployment Unemployment has worsened. At February 28, 2009, 66,700 workers (out of 45 million workers) lost their jobs in 2008 with national unemployment rate of 4.65%. Thus, it is estimated that over 80,000 workers lost their jobs  nationwide in 2008. The latest forecast of Vietnam Labor and Employment Agency estimates the figure to hit 400,000 nationwide in 2009. Job cuts are rising especially in big cities11 with industrial, processing and exporting zones. The situation may worsen in 2009 with an unemployment rate of 5% and at a projected economic growth of 6.5%. High unemployment has already affected domestic demand and consumers’ sentiment in Vietnam, which are bearish in recent months. 3. Socio-Culture 3.1 Education Viet Nam’s population enjoys a relatively high standard of education. In fact, Confucian ethics has strongly influenced upon Vietnamese’s viewpoint of social values, and education has always been considered as one of the best values that a person should desire to achieve. Nowadays, education has been still considered as one of the most important issues that the country has to pay great attention. Recently, at the 11th Party Congress, the government is determined to develop a national education policy as one of the priorities of the country. As a result, the country has gained big success in education. Concretely, according to the 2009 Census results, there are only nearly four million people who have never attended school (5.0% of the total population aged 5 years and over) and as compared with the 1999 Census this number has decreased 5% (6.9 million people, account for 10.0% of population aged 5 and over). This shows the significant progress of Vietnam’s educat ion sector in minimizing the number of people who never go to school. The official figures also point out that the literacy rate for the population aged 15 years and over increased by 3.7% (from 90.3% in 1999 to 94.0% in 2009). The female literacy rate increased 4.9%, while the male literacy rate increased 2.2%, significantly narrowing the literacy rate gap between men and women. Ha Noi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City are three provinces having the highest literacy rate (97.9%) while Lai Chau has the lowest (59.4%). This data shows that the literacy rate was not only increased quite rapidly but also express successes of Vietnam’s gender equality work in the education sector.13 Certainly, besides such successes, Vietnamese education system also has faced many challenges,  including poor infrastructure, lack of equipment and teaching materials, low wages precipitating an acute shortage of skilled teachers and academic staff, a relatively poor linkage of higher education with research, production and employment, and some contradictions of the system. As the analysis of RFA, the situation of education in Viet Nam in 2011 had some notable points as following: There were three positive points of the education in Vietnam in 2011. The first point is the plan of â€Å"reducing the load of textbooks† from primary to secondary school of the Ministry of Education and Training. The second is the plan of achieving universal preschool education for children of 5 years old. In this plan, the Ministry of Education will build public kindergartens for children at age 5 in the mountainous areas; and the poor students will be exempt from tuition fees, with the plan of over 95% of children enroll in 2 sessions / day by 2015. And the third is the policy of training and vocational training in poor areas such as the Highlands. On the contrary, there were also many crucially negative points of the education in 2011. First of all, there was the imbalance in enrollment in universities and colleges between students with practical needs. The sectors of social sciences, agriculture, forestry and fishery were registered by only 2.5% of exam registration reco rds (while Vietnam has up to 70% of the population are farmers). And the sectors in demand such as business, tourism †¦ had to be encountered the difference between training and recruitment practices; and this leads to the fact that graduates get difficulty to find job. Secondly, teacher’s salary does not meet their living when inflation is high; and this leads to some problems: the teachers could not focus on their business as they had to find extra jobs, or to open extra classes. Thirdly, there has existed the problem of the degradation in social ethics of many students, due to lack of paying attention on humanity teaching, which can be proved by many cases of students committed violent guilty or crime. 3.2 Human Resource The national average population in 2011 estimated 87.84 million, up by 1.04% compared to 2010, including male population 43.47 million, (49.5%), and female population 44.37 million, (50.5%). Urban population is 26.88 million,  (30.6%); rural population is 60.96 million (69.4 %). According to the official report, the population structure by age in Vietnam is in a positive change. The population in the working age is 46,48 million, increased 0,12% compared to 2010. The proportion of workers in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries declined from 48.7% in 2010 to 48.0% in 2011; in industry and construction rose from 21.7% to 22.4%; and in the services maintained at 29.6%. The unemployment rate in the working age was 2.27% in 2011, of which the urban areas account for 3.6%, the rural areas 1.71%. This is the period of the country with advantages in labor force, also known as the â€Å"demographic window period†, which began in 2003 and may last from 30 to 50 years. This is cons idered as a big advantage for the industrialization and modernization of the country, if it takes advantage of the superiority Vietnamese on the labor force. 3.3 Traffic: Conditions And Problems Highway system The road system consists of over 200,000 km network including over 10,000 bridges. However road conditions are not ideal, less than half of the national highways have two lanes or more. In addition, road congestion is increasing in major cities. In recent years, the Government has mobilized a significantly large amount of capital to upgrade the highway system with financial support from international lending agencies. Railway The rail network consists of about 2,600 km of single–track line covering several routes. There are about 260 stations in the network. The longest and most important route is the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City line, which stretches for 1,730 km. This line is now serviced by an express train, which makes the journey in approximately 29.5 hours. The lines connecting Vietnam to China were re-opened a few years ago. Inland Waterways Often overlooked by foreign investors, the inland waterway system offers a cheap and flexible mode of transport. Vietnam has more than 2,300 rivers and canals with total length of 198.000 km. Currently, the inland waterway has a system of over 61,000 km. The two major inland waterway systems serve as major transportation outlets. The first major inland waterway system is in  the Red River area in the north which stretches for approximately 2,500 km. Along this system there are five main ports, of which Hanoi is the largest. The second major inland waterway extends 4,500 km along the Mekong River and its tributaries in the South and boasts about 30 ports, including Ho Chi Minh City. The larger river vessels are tug-drawn barges. Official estimates put the fleet capacity at about 420,000 tons with speeds ranging from 2 to over 20 km an hour. Smaller, wooden barges are mostly privately owned. Ports Vietnam has eleven major seaports. Ho Chi Minh City serves most of the South and now boasts modern container loading facilities. Just a few hours’ drive from Hanoi, Hai Phong serves much of the North. Given the rapid rise in trade volume, increasing port capacity is a national priority. Airports and Civil Aviation There are three international airports: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang. Currently, the Government has significantly upgraded international airports to handle the increase in the volume of traffic associated with Vietnam’s invigorated economy. A new international terminal of the Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, capable of handling up to 10 million passengers a year was opened in December 2007. Noi Bai airport in Hanoi was upgraded, enlarged and completed for operation in 2002, construction of a second terminal is expected to start in October 2008 and completed in two years. Four new international airports are planned to be constructed in Phu Quoc, Dong Nai, Lao Cai and Quang Ninh provinces. Preparations for the new Long Thanh International Airport, 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City in Dong Nai province is underway. The airport is scheduled to open in 2010 and by 2015 it will be further expanded to reach an annual transportation capacity of 80 to 100 million pass engers, becoming one of the biggest airports in the region. In addition, there are 16 other domestic airports around the country. Culture and Social Vietnam is a country located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a culturally rich country whose distinct history played a role in the development of the modern day state. Vietnamese practices of Confucianism and showing reverence towards ancestors are evidence of China’s historical influence on Vietnamese  society. Vietnam became an independent state in the tenth century but was colonized by the French in the mid 1800s. Vietnam gained independence in the mid twentieth century but still retains traces of French culture which are visible in the way people communicate verbally and nonverbally. Though Vietnam has struggled over the past century through colonial rule, the Vietnam War and recent economic upheavals, it is now rebuilding itself to be able to compete on a global scale. Having a comprehensive understanding of Vietnam’s unique cultural values and traditions can allow the company to develop strong and successful business relationships with Vietnamese counterparts. Language Vietnamese is the official language, although there are distinct northern, central and southern dialects and accents. It is a tonal language, with each syllable; there are six different tones that can be used, which change the definition and it often makes it difficult for foreigners to pick up the language. There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and other languages spoken by tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions. Although there are some similarities to Southeast Asian languages, such as Chinese, Vietnamese is thought to be a separate language group, although a member of the Austro-Asiatic language family. In written form, Vietnamese uses the Roman alphabet and accent marks to show tones. This system of writing called â€Å"quoc ngu†, was created by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly after World War I, replaced one using Chinese characters (chu nom), which had been the u nofficial written form used for centuries. Non-verbal communication For certain feelings, Vietnamese people favor non-verbal communication. Vietnamese do not express feeling of thankfulness of apology in verbal communication, but non-verbal through silence or a smile. The proper respectful behavior is to avoid eye contact when talking to person who is not equal status or of the same gender. The smile is another non-verbal symbol conveying the feeling of respect in Vietnamese culture. It is used as an expression of apology, or as expression of embarrassment. For the Vietnamese a smile is a proper response in most situation in which verbal expression is not necessary, or appropriate. Confucianism The teachings of Confucius influence the Vietnamese describe the position of the individual in Vietnamese society. Confucian teachings emphasize the importance of relationships, responsibility and obligation. This philosophy is still a vital component of Vietnamese society and is prevalent in Vietnamese business culture in conserving the harmony of the collective good. The basic tenets are based upon five different relationships: Ruler and subject Husband and wife Parents and children Brothers and sisters Friends Hierarchy As like other group-oriented societies, Vietnam hierarchical structures are very much based upon age and status. This derives from Confucianism, which emphasizes social order. Everyone is seen as having a distinct place and role within the hierarchical structure, be it the family or workplace. An obvious example is seen in social situations where the oldest person in a group is greeted or served first. Within the family the head would be responsible for making decisions and approving marriages. Therefore companies that want to invest in Vietnam are made sense to give more authority to local managers to control the subordinates. The organization structure can be designed as hierarchical, with power derived from prestige, force, and inheritance. Collectivism Vietnam is a collectivist society in which the needs of the group are often placed over the individual. Family and community concerns will almost always come before business or individual needs. Family in particular plays an important role in Vietnamese society. You will notice that close ties between extended families and communities can have a major influence on individual behavior and oftentimes there are multiple generations living under one roof. For this reason, the company of the investor can pay more attention to their employees’ family members for example provide free medical treatment, childcare leave, family trips, etc. This can increase the employees’ loyalty to the company. Besides, in order to increase efficiency of Vietnamese employees, the company should assign tasks to them by group rather than individual. Religion Religion in Vietnam is closely related to the history of Vietnam and most importantly the culture of Vietnam. The earliest established religions in Vietnam were Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism (called the ‘triple religion’). These religions have been co-existing in the country for centuries and mixed well with the Vietnamese tradition of ancestor worship. This special mix explains why the Vietnamese people find it hard to say exactly which religion the belong to. They usually classify themselves as non-religious, despite visiting religious temples several times every year. At the year 2006, the major religious affiliations amongst Vietnam born people were Buddhism (58.6%), Catholics (22.1%), other (4.6%), and no religion (11.03%). From the data, we were found that Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism have greatly affected the Vietnamese’s behavior. The foreign investors should take note there are quite a large number of vegetarian in Vietnam, because of th e Buddhism religion. Food of Vietnamese Food is a very important part of Vietnamese culture. The Vietnamese not only enjoy eating but believe eating good food can bring harmony and closeness to the family and relationships. The types of foods are chosen to bring luck and these vary from province to province. Buying daily for fresh food is essential for all Vietnamese cooking. In general, Vietnamese people are not as concerned about nutrition as Westerner. They are more concerned with the quality of the foods. Concepts of Time Like most Asians, the Vietnamese have a more extended concept of time than that of most Americans. The agrarian nature of their traditional society focuses on seasons rather than days or weeks. And this tradition is reinforced by the Confucian tradition of respect for earlier generations. Americans measure time by the clock, Vietnamese by the monsoon. Although this is changing somewhat, Vietnamese can still be expected to take a longer view of time and be suspicious of the need for urgency in making decisions  or culminating a business deal. Patience remains the ultimate Confucian virtue in personal life as well as in business. Personal Relationships In Vietnam, propriety and courtesy play a major role in personal relationships. Vietnamese are generally more interpersonally formal than are Americans. This formality decreases the uncertainty surrounding interpersonal contacts in Vietnamese society and is carried over into the business realm for the same reasons. During initial meetings with Vietnamese officials, you can expect little real business to be accomplished. The Vietnamese will concentrate on getting to know you–your background, your expertise, your character. In their high-context communication culture, they will depend heavily on non-verbal clues to assess meaning. By becoming acquainted and establishing a personal relationship with you, they are merely trying to understand you better. Vietnamese society is comprised of an interconnected network of personal relationships, all of which carry obligations on both sides. These mutual obligations are the underpinnings of social order in Vietnam, so they are taken very seriously. Americans need to understand and be sensitive to the serious nature of what may seem to them to be casual business relations. Failure to do so could easily result in a loss of trust or credibility, with obvious implications for longer-term relationships. 4. Technology In terms of technology, Viet Nam is a rapidly developing country. The year 2011 was the beginning of the strategic plan of economic and social development, period 2011-2020, in which infrastructural building is considered as one of main targets. With this plan, the country has been building many expressways and will let the local transport network be eventually upgraded to meet the requirements of rural industrialization and modernization, and connect itself with the national system. In addition, the above plan also includes a project which will work to narrow its scientific and technological gap with the world in some key fields by 2020. To launch this project, the Government will give top priority to enhancing the competence of scientists and related managers while encouraging the organization of training courses partnered with foreign competent partners. According to the project, the Government will focus on scientific and technological renovation to sharpen the competitive edge of local products and assisting businesses to purchase patents in some prioritized areas: biotechnology, information technology, new materials technology – Nano technology , manufacturing technology and automation. 5. Legislation The communist party-controlled government of Vietnam has ruled under four state constitutions. The first was promulgated in 1946, the second in 1959, the third in 1980, and the current in 1992 (amended in 2001). Significantly, each bore the mark of its time. On paper, all these constitutions seem to establish a solid democracy. In fact, the purpose of the 1946 constitution was essentially to provide the communist regime with freedom of speech, the press, and assembly. The second constitution was explicitly communist in character. Its preamble described the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as a â€Å"people’s democratic state led by the working class,† and the document provided for a nominal separation of powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The 1980 Constitution concentrates power in a newly established Council of State much like the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, endowing it nominally with both legislative and executive powers. Many functions of the legislature remain the same as under the 1959 document, but others have been transferred to the executive branch or assigned to both branches concurrently. The executive branch appears strengthened overall, having gained a second major executive body, the Council of State, and the importance of the National Assembly appears to have been reduced accordingly. The role of the Council of Ministers, while appearing on paper to have been subordinated to the new Council of State, in practice retained its former primacy. Having inherited the previous constitutions with substantial and basic changes, on the one hand, the 1992 Constitution continues reaffirming the basic principles in the constitutional history of Vietnam. First, it reiterates the target of socialist construction in Vietnam and the popular nature of the State. Second, the 1992 Constitution continues affirming the Communist Party of Vietnam’s leadership over the State and the society.  Third, it continues affirming the mechanism of State powers performed by the people through the National Assembly and the People’s Councils, the organization and operation of the State under the principle of concentrated powers; the concentration of State powers uniformly into the National Assembly with the division of responsibility among State bodies for the exercise of the legislative power, executive power and judicial power. On the other hand, the 1992 Constitution sees big changes: Vietnam decided to take economic renewal as the cent ral task, First, building the multi-sector and multi-ownership market economy along the socialist orientation. open-door policy and international economic integration. In reality, however, final authority on all matters rested with the Political Bureau; especially, the guarantees provided by the constitutions for freedom of speech, the press, and assembly has been never intended to be carried out. The constitutions eventually show its limitations since Vietnam has joined the stream of globalization, especially in the field of human rights and land-ownership law. In a report made public at the Conference on the Rule of law for human rights in the ASEAN region held by the Human Rights Resource Centre for ASEAN (HRRCA) in Jakarta, Indonesia on 30 April 2011, Mr. Vo Van Ai, President of Que Me: Action for Democracy in Vietnam and the Vietnam Committee for Human Rights called on Vietnam to urgently reform its legal system and bring domestic legislation into line with international human rights laws. Mr. Vo Van Ai declared: ―36 years after the end of the Vietnam War, the rule of law exists only in theory in Vietnam. The government has incorporated human rights into its 1992 Constitution. Yet it has also adopted a whole arsenal of Laws, Decrees, Ordinances and Decisions which restrict or even nullify the exercise of these rights, in total violation of the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Vietnam adhered in 1982â€â€". At the beginning of the New Year 2012 (Jan 1, 2012), there happened The Tien Lang land withdrawal case: in Tien Lang district (on the outskirts of Haiphong, a port city east of Hanoi) a fish farmer, Doan Van Vuong, and his family had resisted a large force moving in to enforce an eviction order. With an improvised mine and muskets bought on the black market, they’d wounded two soldiers and four policemen, including the local police chief. Prime  Minister Nguyen Tan Dung himself had to meet the Haiphong City authorities to resolve the case; and finally came to the conclusion on Feb 2 that the Haiphong government was absolutely wrong in the case; and he ordered the Haiphong City authorities to review their wrong works as and repair the situation. This case is just one among so many cases that show matters association with the land law. And this shocked case has raised the question of reforming the land law, which has been ambiguously claimed by the constitution as ―land is possessed by the whole peopleâ€â€". Mr. Dang Hung Vo, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, comments that ―it’s possible to see the recent incident at Tien Lang as a climactic demonstration of the faults in our Land Law and how it is implemented at the local level. A good farmer, pure, simple and hardworking, who’s driven to defend his right to his land with home-made weapons – what misery! Everybody believes that there’s such a thing as justice and that the law ensures it. Certainly that’s what the farmers who built the fish ponds at Tien Lang believed. They went to the court expecting fair play, but the simple truths they understood proved elusive. The hopelessness of their situati on drove them to take desperate measures. As mentioned above, the 11th Congress of Vietnam Communist Party held in 2011 issued four degrees; and one of them is beginning the study of the amendments and supplements of the 1992 Constitution and establishing the revised draft of the 1992 Constitution. This is urgent and necessary for the development of the country. 6. Environment Viet Nam is blessed by the nature, with a great ecological and hydrological diversity. The country is made up of equatorial lowlands, high, temperate plateaus and cooler mountainous areas. It lies in the inter-tropical zone and local conditions vary from frosty winters in the far northern hills to the year-round subequatorial warmth of the Mekong Delta. At sea level, the mean annual temperature is about 27 °C in the south, falling to about 21 °C in the far north. Geographically, it stretches over 1600km (1000mi) along the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula; and has two main cultivated areas, that are the Red River Delta (15,000 sq km/5400 sq mi) in the north  and the Mekong Delta (60,000 sq km/23,400 sq mi) in the south. Vietnam also has diverse wildlife, with rare and precious fauna such as elephants, rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, black bear, snub-nosed monkey, crocodile and turtle. Forest area accounts for 2% of total forests in East Asia and Pacific. Fish catch is amon g the 10 highest countries in the world, with 1,451,800 tons per year. However, as the report of the World Bank on the environment in Viet Nam, ―Rapid economic growth in Vietnam over the last ten years, and its associated industrialization, urbanization, as well as increased exploitation of natural resources, has created significant pressures for the environment.â€â€"35 For example, the diverse wildlife is in precipitous decline because of the destruction of habitats, illegal hunting and pollution. In fact, Viet Nam Rhino was officially extinct in 2011. One of the most obvious examples for illustrating the environmental pollution is the phenomenon of getting narrowed of the lakes in Ha Noi. According to the Hanoi Construction Department, there are 111 ponds and lakes in Hanoi which cover a total area of 1165 hectares. The total area of lakes has decreased sharply during the urbanization, while a lot of them have disappeared. It is estimated that 80% of the lakesides have got polluted, 71% of lakes have suffered from pollution, 26% of the lakes still do not have embankments, while 8% of lakes have partial embankments. Environmentalists have called on to take urgent actions to protect the remaining lakes, or they would also disappear one day. Vietnam is among the countries that can be seriously affected by climate change. And the fact shows that the increasing deterioration of environmental conditions is emerging as a barrier to growth and development in recent years. In fact, according to the General Statistics Office, domestic natur al disasters occurred in 2011 has made 257 people dead and missing, 267 wounded; nearly 1.2 thousand houses collapsed and swept away; 391.8 thousand houses were submerged or damaged; more than 760 km of dykes, and the 680 km road motorized traffic bursts, landslides; 867 power poles broken or poured; nearly 54,000 hectares of rice and vegetables has been lost; more than 330,000 hectares of rice crops were flooded or damaged. Total value of damage caused by natural disasters in 2011 was estimated at over 10 trillion VND. Thus, this is really a big challenge of the country; and it needs a national and urgent action to prevent an ecological and hydrological catastrophe. C. BRIEF CONCLUSION With the aforementioned analysis of ―P.E.S.T.L.Eâ€â€", we see that in 2011, on the one hand, Viet Nam constantly attempted to keep its strategic plan of development, and also has obtained some important goals; on the other hand, the country had to face many difficulties and challenges which came both from outside and from inside. In my opinion, there are some main issues that the government should pay great attention in the coming years: reforming the education system, fighting against corruption (especially, promoting fiscal transparency and the public availability of economic data and information), reforming the state-owned sectors, amending laws, narrowing the gap between the Kinh, the Hoa and the ethnic minority groups, and improving environmental conditions.