The Religion Islam

| The Religion Islam| The Religion Islam What is Islam? The word Islam means submission to the will of God. The religion of Islam is the acceptance of and obedience to the teachings of God which the Muslims—followers of Islam—believe God revealed to his last prophet. Muslims believe that there is only one God. The Arabic word for God is Allah which means, the one and only true God who created the whole universe. According to Muslims, God sent a number of prophets to mankind to teach them how to live according to His law. To the Muslims, Jesus, Moses and Abraham are respected as prophets of God.Muslims believed in the prophets as messengers of God, but according to their beliefs, God’s final message to man was revealed by the prophet Muhammad. Who is the prophet Muhammad? Muhammad was born in Mecca in the year 570. His father died before he was born and his mother died shortly after. Therefore he was raised by his uncle. Muhammad was raised illiterate. He could no t read or write, and remained that way for the rest of his life. As he grew up, he was known to be the truthful, honest, trustworthy, generous, and sincere. Muhammad was very religious, and had long disliked the decadence and idolatry of his society.Muhammad was claimed to receive his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel when he was at the age forty. The revelations continued for twenty-three years, and they are known as the Quran. When Muhammad started preaching the truth which God revealed to him, he and his group of followers suffered persecutions from the non-believers. It got so bad for Muhammad and his followers that in the year 622, God gave them the command to emigrate. They migrated from the city Mecca to the city of Yathrib, which is now called Medina. His journey to Yathrib is called Hijra. This marked the beginning of the Muslims calendar.Several years later, Muhammad and his followers returned back to Mecca, where they forgave their enemies. The greater p art of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslims and within the century of his death, Islam had spread all over the world. Muhammad died at the age sixty-three. Though he was a man, he was far removed from evil appearances and tried only for the sake of God and his reward. Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last prophet of God. They believed that the Holy Quran is God’s last revealed book. The prophet Muhammad claimed that the angel, Gabriel revealed the Quran, which the Muslims call God’s literal word, to him.Muhammad memorized the prophecy and shared it with his companions, and they then wrote it down in a book called the Quran. Muslims believe that the angel Gabriel met with Muhammad once a year to review the Quran and during the last years of his life, he met with Gabriel twice a year. The Quran was said to be revealed fourteen centuries ago. The Quran is the primary source of every Muslim’s faith and practice. This book deals with all the subjects which c oncern human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law, and more, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and his creatures.This book is known to provide guidance and detailed teaching for society. The Quran was claimed to be revealed to Muhammad in Arabic. What are the Muslims beliefs? Muslims have six main beliefs. The first belief is to believe in God. Muslims believe in one, unique, incomparable God, Who has no son or partner, and that none has the right to be worshipped but Him alone. The second belief is to believe in the Angels. Muslims believe in the existence of the angels and that they are honored creatures. The angels worship God alone, obey Him, and act only by His command.The third belief of the Muslims is to believe in God’s revealed books. Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers as proof for mankind and as guidance for them. Among these books is the Quran, which God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The fourth belief is that the Muslims should believe in the Prophets and the messengers of God. Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God, starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus, but God’s final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.The fifth belief of the Muslims is to believe in the Day of Judgment. Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment which is the day of resurrection, when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds. The last belief of the Muslims is to believe in Al-Qadar. Muslims believe in Al-Qadar, which is divine predestination, but this belief in divine predestination does not mean that human beings do not have free will. Rather, Muslims believe that God has given human beings free will.This means that they can choose right or wrong and that they are responsible for their choices. The belief in Divine Predestination includes belief in four things: God knows everything. He knows what has happened and what will happen, God has recorded all that has happened and all that will happen, whatever God wills to happen happens, and whatever He wills not to happen does not happen and God is the creator of everything. Muslims believe the Sunnah is the practical example of the Prophet Muhammad and that there are five basic pillars of Islam.The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must fulfill in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam. These pillars are the confession of faith, praying five times a day, giving alms to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan, the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime for those who are able. The confession of faith must be said with conviction, â€Å"La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah. † This means, â€Å"There is no true god but God (Allah) and Muhammad is the messenger of God. The testimony of faith is calle d the Shahada, a simple method which should be said with conviction in order to convert to Islam. This is the most important pillar of Islam. Prayer is the second pillar of Islam which they call it the Salat. Muslims perform five prayers a day. Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God. They are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night and are performed anywhere they please. Before performing a prayer, one must be in a state of purification.That means they wash their hands all the way up to their elbows, the mouth and the nostrils are rinsed, and he feet are bathe to the ankles. The third pillar of Islam is almsgiving. The Muslims call it giving Zakat. The meaning of the word Zakat means both purification and growth. To give Zarat means giving a specified percentage of certain properties to certain classes of needy people. The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting the month of Ramadan known by Muslims as Sawm. Every year in the month of Ramadan, Mu slims spend he ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community-wide fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drinks, and sexual relations. Fasting is a method of spiritual self-purification done by cutting oneself off from the worldly comforts. A person fasting gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life. The last pillar of Islam is to pilgrimage to Mecca which the Muslims call it the Hajj. It occurs in the month of Dhul-Hijjah which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.About two million Muslims of every ethnic group, color, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Kabah praising Allah together. This is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. They pray at the Haram mosque in Mecca. In the mosque is the Kabah which they turn to while praying. According to the Muslims, the Kabah is the place of worship which God commanded the Prophets Abraham and his son, Ishmael, to build.This is where they asked for forgiveness and for what they wish for. Carrying out the Five Pillars demonstrates that the Muslim is putting their faith first, and not just trying to fit it in around their secular lives. What are the families of Islam like? One of the most striking features of Muslim society is the importance attached to the family. The family unit is regarded as the cornerstone of a healthy and balanced society. A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families; children are treasured and rarely leave home until the time they marry.According to the Quran, men and women are equal before God; women are not blamed for violating the â€Å"forbidden tree,† nor will their suffering in pregnancy and childbirth a punishment for that act. How women are seen in Islam? Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marital gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she may keep her own family name rather than adopting her husband's.Roles of men and women are complementary and collaborative. Rights and responsibilities of both sexes are equitable and balanced in their totality. How do Muslims treat the elderly? The strain of caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honor and a blessing and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. In Islam, it is not enough that we only pray for our parents, but we should act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children, they preferred us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored.When Muslim parents reach old age, they are treated mercifully, with kindness and selflessness. In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second of prayer, and it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult. Today, Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over one billion followers. According to Muslims, Islam is not a new religion, but it is the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life.

Civil Society in Russia

The term â€Å"civil society† in Russia is rarely referred to something other than to the civic organisations and movements created during and after the break-up of the Soviet Union (start of the 1990’s). Never the less this paper will look at the â€Å"civil society† term in Russia more widely and insidely. I will talk more and discuss about our time â€Å"civil society†, which came in in the end of the 90’s with the Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s ascension on the presidency. Putin re-established a top-down order in Russia and has proved to be quite antagonistic both to Western foreign policy and to pro-Western civil society groups.However, both capitalism and multiparty democracy continued their uncertain paths in Russia through the last decade. After two terms as president, Putin handed over to Dmitri Medvedev and therefore he built a so called monopoly in the hidden â€Å"Dictatorship† in the Russian political sphere. Total dominat ion until the unability of being the ruling force of the country will come in but even then he has a cut back plan of Medvedev and some later chosen candidate, that will help Medvedev make same what Putin did, with getting the presidentship back in his hands as soon as possible. Looking to the future, the paper highlights two main trends.First, the continuation of Russia’s tradition of civic and political activism, seen most dramatically in the mass demonstrations in Moscow and other cities. Second, the major steps made by CSOs and local government in implementing social partnership, with new funds from the state that both replace and build on the contributions of foreign donors during 1995-2005. History. The beginnings of Russian civil society. The first stage (1760-1860) flows out of Catherine the Great’s reforms to the Russian estates and was characterized by the creation of public organizations related to science, literature, the arts, leisure and charitable activi ties.These included famous and influential associations like the Russian Geographical Society, the Free Economics Society, the Moscow Agricultural Society, the Russian Technical Society, and the Pirogov’s Association of Russian Doctors. These societies were set up with hopes for friendly cooperation with the Tsarist authorities and in the second half of the 19th century their members played a key role lobbying for social and legal reform. Civil society growth under Tsarism. Russia’s second stage of civil society development began with the Great Reforms ushered in by Tsar Alexander II in the 1860s.Serfdom was abolished, basic civil rights were established in law, and the first steps taken in the creation of a local government system. CSOs expanded gradually, became more professional, and began to provide educational and health support to vulnerable groups across the country. At the same time industrialization and urbanization gathered pace in Russia. The extension of th e railway system across Siberia to the Pacific was one of the most dramatic examples of this in the late 19th century. Though ,the development of capitalist relations in the economy was not mirrored by political changes.The period of reforms gave way to a new period of repression and political stagnation, and the state was challenged by increasingly radical political forces such as the Popularitists(Narodniki) with their â€Å"to the people† movement, culminating in the 1905 revolution. Many voluntary associations were radicalized too (including almost all the scientific societies noted above). Significantly, the only law passed in Tsarist time devoted to public organizations was issued by the Senate in the immediate aftermath of the first Russian Revolution, in March 1906.In the next few years, almost 5,000 new organizations, societies and unions were registered. However, once again this reforming, liberalizing movement ran into opposition from the state and with the crisis that was brought into the country because of the participation and taking a huge part and playing important role in World War I. Civil society in the Soviet period. The Soviet period (1917 to the mid-1980s) is the third stage in Russia’s civil society development, notable for the â€Å"nationalization of civil society institutions†.Again, there were stages when popular activity flowered. The Soviet arts, cultural and scientific avant-garde of the 1920s is well known, but less well known are the local movements, peasants’ and proletarian organizations that emerged all around the country. For example, every settlement/district had its own Peasant Mutual Society and the Central Bureau catered to the welfare needs of students much as voluntary associations had done before the revolution.However, in the 1930s this phase gave way to a period of repression and political regimentation – occasioned by the Soviet government’s decision to forcibly collectiviz e agriculture and go for rapid industrialization. This â€Å"required state-oriented CSOs which were to drive the foundation of socialism†. The voluntary associations created in the 1920s â€Å"offered alternative ways of solving social problems† but the authorities â€Å"doubted the utility of voluntary movements and the reliability of their participants. † Thousands were shut down in the 1930s and new associations set up in their stead, as part of the government machine.It was not until the late 1950s-early 1960s that citizens’ organizations of a less politicized type began to re-emerge, encouraged by Kruschev’s denunciation of Stalin and the political though that followed. Russian analysts have identified about 40 of these, operating mainly within the arts and scientific fields under the patronage of Communist Party bodies and subject to the latter’s decisions on policy and personnel matters. By the Brezhnev period, associations were acti ve among groups as varied as war veterans, professional designers and those involved in child welfare. Civil society now included the dissident  movement.Dissidents developed various modes of resistance to the Soviet state – writing and publishing artistic or journalistic critiques of the regime, creating a variety of informal circles and discussion groups, and making statements on political and human rights issues that brought down considerable persecution on themselves. But they had many sympathizers and considerable impact on the political atmosphere in the country and its reputation abroad. The dissident movement included not only western-leaning liberals, but also strident nationalists and religious activists from many of the constituent republics of the USSRTransition period to our times. â€Å"Civil society† played a huge role in dissident ideology in Eastern Europe and the USSR in the 1980s. When the communist regimes collapsed one after the other it seemed t o many people that an entirely new society was being born. Many different analyses of â€Å"newly-created† civil society in the region were built around this view. Twenty years later and with the benefit of new historical research, most experts in the region see things differently. The current stage of civil society development in Russia is a fourth stage, starting in the mid-1980s and continuing to the present day.The movement for perestroika and glasnost led by Gorbachev was designed to solve the USSR’s pressing economic crisis (caused by the arms race and economic competition with the West) and to shore up the legitimacy of one-party rule. But it led instead to the collapse of the communist system. Many of the most active civil society sectors today can trace their origins to the 1980s – not just the human rights groups, but also the environmental movement with its active networks among young people and in the regions.The adoption of a law on public associati ons in the late soviet period, supported by subsequent Russian Federation laws regulating public and charitable activity, opened the door to CSO registration for all-comers. However, under Yeltsin’s successor Putin, the environment for civil society changed significantly. On the one hand, Putin accelerated a process initiated under Yeltsin –government financing of the sector (mainly via contracting out social services to CSOs), and set up a national structure of Public Councils to dialogue with and co-opt the sector.On the other hand,  in 2006 he introduced regulations limiting the influence of foreign donors. The study’s authors call this policy â€Å"import substitution†; the replacement of foreign models and funding by national programs, self-organization and local philanthropy. Russian civil society today. General features of the sector After two decades of transition, analysts of current developments in Russia are beginning to gain a balanced view of the civil society sector. Civil society in Russia, is showing more attention to the detail, shows that elements of continuity and change, tradition and innovation, exist alongside one another.Here is what I can say on that theme: †¢ civil society activists today are â€Å"a strong minority of citizens† who deserve more support †¢ Informal networks are important for civil society, especially in rural areas because they include a large membership and their ability and readiness to provide vital daily services, plus often good links with government †¢ Foreign funding has had a positive effect in many areas (for example, it helped open up dialogue on many issues like feminism, domestic violence and others) †¢ Mafia-type groupings have had a powerful and negative effect at all levels in Russia – even â€Å"co-opting the role of civil society† †¢ The millionaires or â€Å"oligarchs† that emerged during the 1990s preferred not to work through formal or wider business associations; hence they contributed little to civil society development. So Russia surely has a civil society. The question is how to develop it further, from local to national level. Here is some thoughts on that part because there are many different opinions from different experts on that note. I will try to suggest the best possible ways of improving it and making in stronger and more vulnerable to what tries to hurt it.†¢ Civic engagement: the level of public activity in stable periods is moderate, but CSOs have shown they can mobilize quickly when the external situation demands †¢ Level of organization: Russian civil society is still in a difficult period of organizational development †¢ Practice of values: CSO members and activists refer to non-violence, tolerance and internal democracy as being among the most important for the sector †¢ Perception of impact: the general image of civil society is not equal from internal an d external points of view. CSOs themselves rate their social and political impact as higher than the scores given by external experts †¢ External environment: the majority of the population do not approve of corruption, tax evasion, and so on. These positive social attitudes could potentially act as a catalyst for further civil society development. †¢Consultative mechanisms.Set up by Putin in 2004, the national Public Chamber has 126 members, selected in equal numbers by the President, public organizations, and Russia’s regions. The aim was to develop the space for civil society and intersectional dialogue. Gradually, this model has been extended across Russia. Critics said they would prove to be mere â€Å"window-dressing to legitimize the government’s increasingly authoritarian policies†, but at local level many NGO supporters have proved willing to give them a try. (A survey found that 60% of activists would participate if asked, while 16% wouldnâ⠂¬â„¢t, 181) In all of these developments, a clear gap can be seen between advanced and less advanced elements in civil society and government.The rural areas lag behind the cities, the remote regions lag behind the industrial centres. The character of political opposition to the regime is quite different in the regions. As the demonstrations of autumn 2011 and spring 2012 showed, present-day ‘dissidents’ in Moscow and St Petersburg tend to be middle-class, liberal and western-leaning. However, in the Urals and Siberia, many of the most strident activists are from the communist and nationalist camps. Conclusion and perspectives. In December 2011, Russia was admitted to WTO (18 years after first applying) and all that remained was for the Duma to ratify the agreement. In March 2012, Putin returned as President for a new seven-year term.Thus, for the alter-globalization movement as for other dissident forces, a new period of struggle lies ahead to win a greater degree of social and economic justice and a more democratic society in Russia. On the other hand, Putin has promised to priorities social issues and CSOs are well placed to work for positive results in this area. This is a kind of â€Å"crossroads† for Russian civil society – will activists and organizations collaborate or conflict with government? None can say surely but it is likely that many will opt for the first of these strategies, so they face the challenge of how to resist incorporation and maintain their own agenda during the negotiations.Both the democracy and the alter-globalization movements face the challenge of how to coordinate their activities, combine different viewpoints, and communicate more effectively with the general public. The activists involved in social issues at local level have put energy and ideas into setting up grants contests, ensuring transparency in awarding contracts. Now they need to focus on the development, implementation and monitoring of l onger term programs – whether carried out by NGOs or government itself. Only a truly independent position will enable them to work effectively in difficult areas like anti-corruption, anti-racism or the protection of minority rights. Civil Society in Russia Introduction.The term â€Å"civil society† in Russia is rarely referred to something other than to the civic organisations and movements created during and after the break-up of the Soviet Union (start of the 1990’s). Never the less this paper will look at the â€Å"civil society† term in Russia more widely and insidely. I will talk more and discuss about our time â€Å"civil society†, which came in in the end of the 90’s with the Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s ascension on the presidency. Putin re-established a top-down order in Russia and has proved to be quite antagonistic both to Western foreign policy and to pro-Western civil society groups. However, both capitalism and multiparty democracy continued their uncertain paths in Russia through the last decade.After two terms as president, Putin handed over to Dmitri Medvedev and therefore he built a so called monopoly in the hidden â€Å"Dictatorship† in the Russian political sphere. Total domination until the unability of being the ruling force of the country will come in but even then he has a cut back plan of Medvedev and some later chosen candidate, that will help Medvedev make same what Putin did, with getting the presidentship back in his hands as soon as possible. Looking to the future, the paper highlights two main trends.First, the continuation of Russia’s tradition of civic and political activism, seen most dramatically in the mass demonstrations in Moscow and other cities. Second, the major steps made by CSOs and local government in implementing social partnership, with new funds from the state that both replace and build on the contributions of foreign donors during 1995-2005.History. The beginnings of Russian civil society.The first stage (1760-1860) flows out of Catherine the Great’s reforms to the Russian estates and was characterized by the creation of public organizations related to science, literature, the arts, leisure and charit able activities. These included famous and influential associations like the Russian Geographical Society, the Free Economics Society, the Moscow Agricultural Society, the Russian Technical Society, and the Pirogov’s Association of Russian Doctors. These societies were set up with hopes for friendly cooperation with the Tsarist authorities and in the second half of the 19th century their members played a key role lobbying for social and legal reform.Civil society growth under Tsarism.Russia’s second stage of civil society development began with the Great Reforms ushered in by Tsar Alexander II in the 1860s. Serfdom was abolished, basic civil rights were established in law, and the first steps taken in the creation of a local government system. CSOs expanded gradually, became more professional, and began to provide educational and health support to vulnerable groups across the country. At the same time industrialization and urbanization gathered pace in Russia. The exte nsion of the railway system across Siberia to the Pacific was one of the most dramatic examples of this in the late 19th century.Though ,the development of capitalist relations in the economy was not mirrored by political changes. The period of reforms gave way to a new period of repression and political stagnation, and the state was challenged by increasingly radical political forces such as the Popularitists(Narodniki) with their â€Å"to the people† movement, culminating in the 1905 revolution. Many voluntary associations were radicalized too (including almost all the scientific societies noted above).Significantly, the only law passed in Tsarist time devoted to public organizations was issued by the Senate in the  immediate aftermath of the first Russian Revolution, in March 1906. In the next few years, almost 5,000 new organizations, societies and unions were registered. However, once again this reforming, liberalizing movement ran into opposition from the state and wi th the crisis that was brought into the country because of the participation and taking a huge part and playing important role in World War I.Civil society in the Soviet period.The Soviet period (1917 to the mid-1980s) is the third stage in Russia’s civil society development, notable for the â€Å"nationalization of civil society institutions†. Again, there were stages when popular activity flowered. The Soviet arts, cultural and scientific avant-garde of the 1920s is well known, but less well known are the local movements, peasants’ and proletarian organizations that emerged all around the country. For example, every settlement/district had its own Peasant Mutual Society and the Central Bureau catered to the welfare needs of students much as voluntary associations had done before the revolution. However, in the 1930s this phase gave way to a period of repression and political regimentation – occasioned by the Soviet government’s decision to forcib ly collectivize agriculture and go for rapid industrialization.This â€Å"required state-oriented CSOs which were to drive the foundation of socialism†. The voluntary associations created in the 1920s â€Å"offered alternative ways of solving social problems† but the authorities â€Å"doubted the utility of voluntary movements and the reliability of their participants.† Thousands were shut down in the 1930s and new associations set up in their stead, as part of the government machine. It was not until the late 1950s-early 1960s that citizens’ organizations of a less politicized type began to re-emerge, encouraged by Kruschev’s denunciation of Stalin and the political though that followed.Russian analysts have identified about 40 of these, operating mainly within the arts and scientific fields under the patronage of Communist Party bodies and subject to the latter’s decisions on policy and personnel matters. By the Brezhnev period, associatio ns were active among groups as varied as war veterans, professional designers and those involved in child welfare. Civil society now included the dissident  movement. Dissidents developed various modes of resistance to the Soviet state – writing and publishing artistic or journalistic critiques of the regime, creating a variety of informal circles and discussion groups, and making statements on political and human rights issues that brought down considerable persecution on themselves.But they had many sympathizers and considerable impact on the political atmosphere in the country and its reputation abroad. The dissident movement included not only western-leaning liberals, but also strident nationalists and religious activists from many of the constituent republics of the USSRTransition period to our times.â€Å"Civil society† played a huge role in dissident ideology in Eastern Europe and the USSR in the 1980s. When the communist regimes collapsed one after the other it seemed to many people that an entirely new society was being born. Many different analyses of â€Å"newly-created† civil society in the region were built around this view. Twenty years later and with the benefit of new historical research, most experts in the region see things differently. The current stage of civil society development in Russia is a fourth stage, starting in the mid-1980s and continuing to the present day. The movement for perestroika and glasnost led by Gorbachev was designed to solve the USSR’s pressing economic crisis (caused by the arms race and economic competition with the West) and to shore up the legitimacy of one-party rule. But it led instead to the collapse of the communist system.Many of the most active civil society sectors today can trace their origins to the 1980s – not just the human rights groups, but also the environmental movement with its active networks among young people and in the regions. The adoption of a law on publ ic associations in the late soviet period, supported by subsequent Russian Federation laws regulating public and charitable activity, opened the door to CSO registration for all-comers. However, under Yeltsin’s successor Putin, the environment for civil society changed significantly.On the one hand, Putin accelerated a process initiated under Yeltsin –government financing of the sector (mainly via contracting out social services to CSOs), and set up a national structure of Public Councils to dialogue with and co-opt the sector. On the other hand,  in 2006 he introduced regulations limiting the influence of foreign donors. The study’s authors call this policy â€Å"import substitution†; the replacement of foreign models and funding by national programs, self-organization and local philanthropy.Russian civil society today. General features of the sectorAfter two decades of transition, analysts of current developments in Russia are beginning to gain a bala nced view of the civil society sector.Civil society in Russia, is showing more attention to the detail, shows that elements of continuity and change, tradition and innovation, exist alongside one another. Here is what I can say on that theme: †¢ civil society activists today are â€Å"a strong minority of citizens† who deserve more support †¢ Informal networks are important for civil society, especially in rural areas because they include a large membership and their ability and readiness to provide vital daily services, plus often good links with government †¢ Foreign funding has had a positive effect in many areas (for example, it helped open up dialogue on many issues like feminism, domestic violence and others)†¢ Mafia-type groupings have had a powerful and negative effect at all levels in Russia – even â€Å"co-opting the role of civil society† †¢ The millionaires or â€Å"oligarchs† that emerged during the 1990s preferred no t to work through formal or wider business associations; hence they contributed little to civil society development. So Russia surely has a civil society. The question is how to develop it further, from local to national level. Here is some thoughts on that part because there are many different opinions from different experts on that note. I will try to suggest the best possible ways of improving it and making in stronger and more vulnerable to what tries to hurt it.†¢ Civic engagement: the level of public activity in stable periods is moderate, but CSOs have shown they can mobilize quickly when the external situation demands †¢ Level of organization: Russian civil society is still in a difficult period of organizational development †¢ Practice of values: CSO members and activists refer to non-violence, tolerance and internal democracy as being among the most important for the sector †¢ Perception of impact: the general image of civil society is not equal from in ternal and external points of view. CSOs themselves rate their social and political impact as higher than the scores given by external experts †¢ External environment: the majority of the population do not approve of corruption, tax evasion, and so on.These positive social attitudes could potentially act as a catalyst for further civil society development. †¢Consultative mechanisms. Set up by Putin in 2004, the national Public Chamber has 126 members, selected in equal numbers by the President, public organizations, and Russia’s regions. The aim was to develop the space for civil society and intersectional dialogue. Gradually, this model has been extended across Russia. Critics said they would prove to be mere â€Å"window-dressing to legitimize the government’s increasingly authoritarian policies†, but at local level many NGO supporters have proved willing to give them a try. (A survey found that 60% of activists would participate if asked, while 16% wouldn’t, 181)In all of these developments, a clear gap can be seen between advanced and less advanced elements in civil society and government. The rural areas lag behind the cities, the remote regions lag behind the industrial centres. The character of political opposition to the regime is quite different in the regions. As the demonstrations of autumn 2011 and spring 2012 showed, present-day ‘dissidents’ in Moscow and St Petersburg tend to be middle-class, liberal and western-leaning. However, in the Urals and Siberia, many of the most strident activists are from the communist and nationalist camps.Conclusion and perspectives.In December 2011, Russia was admitted to WTO (18 years after first applying) and all that remained was for the Duma to ratify the agreement. In March 2012, Putin returned as President for a new seven-year term. Thus, for the alter-globalization movement as for other dissident forces, a new period of struggle lies ahead to win a greater de gree of social and economic justice and a more democratic society in Russia. On the other hand, Putin has promised to priorities social issues and CSOs are well placed to work for  positive results in this area. This is a kind of â€Å"crossroads† for Russian civil society – will activists and organizations collaborate or conflict with government?None can say surely but it is likely that many will opt for the first of these strategies, so they face the challenge of how to resist incorporation and maintain their own agenda during the negotiations. Both the democracy and the alter-globalization movements face the challenge of how to coordinate their activities, combine different viewpoints, and communicate more effectively with the general public. The activists involved in social issues at local level have put energy and ideas into setting up grants contests, ensuring transparency in awarding contracts.Now they need to focus on the development, implementation and monit oring of longer term programs – whether carried out by NGOs or government itself. Only a truly independent position will enable them to work effectively in difficult areas like anti-corruption, anti-racism or the protection of minority rights.

Rite of Passage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Rite of Passage - Essay Example Ceremonies are very important during rites of passage as they help in the preparing an individual on how to adjust to different changes in their life. Besides the rites of passage being marked by the four stages of human life, it also takes the form of professional progress in life. This is indicated by graduation ceremonies that mark the end of educational progress in order to get into the job market. During the rites of passage, marriage is one of human life stages that mark a remarkable change in human life. This is because it involves making a choice of getting into a family commitment. Many societies across the globe celebrate marriage ceremonies. One of the societies that adore marriage is the Hinduism. This is depicted by the harmonious ceremonies they perform. Hindu marriage is understood as a rite of passage in which separation from the previous stage is marked by transition. The ceremony is accompanied by rituals in which integration into new roles of the social world is ma rked symbolically by a ring. Hindu marriage Hindus believe that life is sacred thus every step of their life from childhood to adulthood is marked by traditional ceremonies. Their ceremonies performed during the rites of passage are called the samskara. This marks ending point of one stage of life to the other. ... Samskara ceremony is mostly performed in the church where the couples and the people attending the ceremony surround the Homa fire. In the occasion, the couples are allowed to make a lifetime vows. In addition, they also make seven steps before God in order to be consecrated as a holy union (Das 5). Turner's model of the ritual process Turner was an anthropologist who noted that virtually every society in the world uses ceremonies to mark the transition in social status of people. The rites of passage are meant to validate chances in the individual status. This helps in the transformation of events that ranges from birth, adolescence, parenthood and finally death. He discovered that rites of passage from different societies across the world share similar characteristics. He considers a rite of passage as an activity symbolizing the crossing from old threshold of life into a new social world. Van Gennep, on the other hand, observed the rite of passage as a change in the social positio n which increases with an individual’s age. He identifies that every rite of passage is marked by separation, transition and reintegration (Das 5). Separation is the phase that is identified by symbolic behaviors of people in the society. It indicates how people detach themselves from their earlier fixed state of social structure or cultural diversity. Liminality, on the other hand, is characterized by the ambiguity of the ritual subject in the society. Individuals pass through a culture that has no attribute to the past and the future generation. In addition, reaggregation is the rite of passage that is consummated. In this phase,

Fate and Destiny Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fate and Destiny - Research Paper Example Destiny refers to the predetermined state or that to which an individual or thing is destined. In other words, the course of events in a person’s life is predetermined to get to a preordained destination. Fate or destiny means that some power determines or decrees the course that events in a person’s life will take beforehand. Thereby, it leaves no choice or chance (Boloji.com, para2). Free will, on the other hand, is the apparent human ability to choose a course of action over another and making own decision regarding an action, regardless of what others else believe (Morgan, para1). Choice/free will requires accessibility of alternatives for any action, speech and thought from which an individual can choose. Sodha gives an example of the way he occasionally wakes up scarred and bruised from the previous day’s events. He reasons that this does not that imply that his fate should leave him bruised and scarred always and in a state of disrepair. In effect, if he wakes up dreading the everyday grind, he stops fate in its tracks. He, therefore, holds that one can decide on how to live his or her day-to-day life. He looks into the whole argument of fate and free will in various ways. For instance, he argues that if a person’s fate is so mundane to him or her in such a way that daily slog is all it involves with nothing more such as enjoyment, fulfillment, and satisfaction with his or her actions, it would thus imply living each day because he or she has to. If this were the case, it would mean that one could do nothing much concerning the future but to let it happen. However, Sodha believes that this is not the case – every individual has free will and can do what he or sh e pleases with his or her life. According to Merrill, Free Will is the aspect of one choosing his or her destiny, while predestination involves factors outside an individual, which may possibly not be clear, determining his or her destiny.  

Human Resources Manager at Shangrila-Hotels International Assignment

Human Resources Manager at Shangrila-Hotels International - Assignment Example Likewise, I find fulfillment in meeting the needs of people who need good service. I believe I am the best candidate for this position. My resume is attached for your perusal. The Front Desk Officer is a crucial job, especially when handling customer service concerns. The FDO,( also commonly known as the Receptionist ) is responsible for representing the company to the public the minute they walk in an establishment especially if it’s within a hospitality industry. The important issue here is that the Receptionist creates a lasting impression on the visitors. There are many openings for a Front Desk Officer internationally. Aside from such  Ã‚   Duties, other duties may also be assigned to the Receptionist as long as it pertains to the receiving of guests. Furthermore, this job entails not only skills in accommodating guests and making reservations but also certain personal qualities that would be endearing to the guests.  

A market follower company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A market follower company - Essay Example They with the passage time become market strugglers. It is therefore imperative for all the firms in the competitive market environment to make sure they design an appropriate strategy which is in a perfect fit the external and internal environments of a company so that no conflicts occur in the firm's business operations and smooth business operations are conducted. The marketing strategy that we can adopt is by increasing the frequency by which people use our product. This can be done by either making it convenient for the consumers to use the product or by encouraging people to use it more often. This can be done by making a more tempting ad campaign in which people are asked to use the product more often. Another important thing that can be done to encourage people to use it more often is by telling the consumer that it what they need. Similarly, more persuasive ad making can be done for tempting the consumers. Another marketing strategy could be offering promotional discount that is if the product is bough frequently a certain percentage of discounts can be given. This will encourage people and target consumers to buy the product more often, the one aspect in which our country is lagging behind.

Good reporting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Good reporting - Essay Example This is because of the fact that no writer could be able to please all readers. With this in mind, the best thing to do is to delight the certain readers you want to speak to and make your words seep through their hearts and minds. It is only when you know who your readers are, what they like, and how they digest a writing are you able to resonate with them which is an effective bait to actually make them start reading you. Making your readers check your story out does not really require a rocket science skill. A catchy headline, a straight to the point front-page, or perhaps writing the first about any current event is key. However, a good journalist would not stop in just turning heads, but will want to make sure readers read until the end. This will be possible by understanding your reader’s behavior in reading. Generally, taking them through the whole story by using simple words is always helpful. Doing so would avoid them from stopping in the middle just because they got frustrated about a highfalutin word they can’t relate to (Reporting and Writing Basics). Also, a good story never fails to identify who, what, when, where, and why which is basically what will give your readers at least the slightest reason to read you. In doing so, the manner by which you establish each by using descriptions is also significant (How to Write A Good Story). It is not necessary that you describe everything but just pick out the highlights you think would play a big part in the story. Yes, it is good to involve all the five senses of each reader however, it is also very important to correctly diagnose which among the senses do your readers tend to use more often, in the kind of genre of your writing. The order of importance you incorporate in your story is also crucial. It is very important for a story to have a constructive development instead of a deductive

Floating a private company Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Floating a private company Assignment - Essay Example The pros and cons of this action involve alternative invest market, which holds the association of a high power that allows companies to have an opinion in tailoring of rules especially to those that have less accountancy history. However, there could be a possibility of lack of competence that is based on high substantive uncertainty especially with regard to incomplete information. London stock exchange gives an opportunity for the market to be open –ended. Nevertheless, it is argued that forth coming profit can be misused by the stalk holders. Floating any company provides a public price for its shares and an institutional market for trading especially its shares thereby granting ease with which a security can be traded on the market (Neale and Pike 2009). The principal factor considered when floating a company is to raise capital. Putting Tenpin in the market through floating means that the public is in a position to buy and have shares with the company (Arnett 2011). There are several practices and procedures that are required by Tenpin in order to gain authorization to float. This has emerged from the board of directors; the Ball family decisions based on the fact that they had been denied by their bankers. Due to this, the company has opted for a place in the main market of the London Stock Exchange. First and foremost, is that floating in UK dictates that a company must get authorization from the UK Securities Commission in order to make a public order (Becket 2012). In essence, the company must be able to abide by the legal and regulatory standards that have been set for public limited companies which involve a minimum share capital of  £50,000 where by a quarter of the money must be paid before commencing of the stock exchange (Neale and Pike 2009). The company’s yearly financial reports must abide with those in the London Stock Exchange. Moreover, the company must comply with the rules and regulations of

Prepare a written business plan of (THE COCA-COLA COMPANY) on the Essay

Prepare a written business plan of (THE COCA-COLA COMPANY) on the Orbis database - Essay Example Generally its products are available in bottled form or in canned form. Its carbonated soft drinks and noncarbonated beverages are very famous through out the world. The company is also engaged in activities and businesses, such as empowers its bottling partners to produce fountain syrup to sell in the restaurants, convenience store and other fountain retailers and wholesalers for the immediate consumption of the fountain syrup. Its famous soft drinks bands are- Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Diet Coke. So the company has various opportunities in manufacturing, retailing and distributing the nonalcoholic drinks, tea and coffee and juices products. To increase its business the company may take its initiative to undertake a new international business venture in any of its product and business lines in which it has a comparative advantage. It may undertake or enhance its mergers/acquisitions activities in such a location where the demand of its product is high enough or expected to increa se in future so that it can get easy market access by using its brands. If we see only its Pacific operation, we will notice that over the last 7 years, its sales have increased tremendously. This is also true regarding its assets investments. We have shown this by the figure 1 as follows: As an example, we can consider one of the new business ventures of the company, through which it plans to acquire 100 % of a fruit juice maker company of Russia, engrossing the founders and the biggest shareholders of that company, as reported by Dow Jones on March, 2010. Some other sources have informed that the Coca-Cola Company is going to take 75 % share of that Russian Company. What ever may be the position of the Coca-Cola Company, there is no doubt that this business venture will be a successful one for the company. The reason behind this is that the company has planned to take such a business expansion method in accordance its

Desegregation and the Future Essay Example for Free

Desegregation and the Future Essay The civil rights movement was one of the most pivotal periods in United States history, and Martin Luther King was one of the most influential. In Martin Luther Kings speech, Segregation and the Future, to convey the theme of freedom he uses rhetorical devices such as repetition and metaphors. In his speech, the use of repetition was used to better convey his points and to let the audience know what he wants with clarity. An example of this repetition is when he repeats the word, leaders. His use of repetition for the word leaders was to remind the National Committee of Rural Schools that they are supposed to lead with a purpose and that purpose according to Martin Luther King was to better educate both white and black students with equal treatment. He wants the leaders of the committee to lead others in a better way of thinking, and to stray from current ideas that infringe on the rights of African Americans. Another example of repetition in his speech is his use of the words, not the way. He wants the audience to know he views would impede upon their cause. He lists violence, hate and bitterness as things that are, not the way to help with their cause. The second prominent rhetorical device that Martin Luther King used were metaphors. One example of a metaphor that coveys the theme of freedom is when compares a, festering sore to segregation. Martin Luther Kings comparison shows his contempt for segregation and how freedom is always the better choice. Comparisons to negative objects or situations, put things like segregation into a more personal and more understandable meaning, making this metaphor powerful. A second example of Kings use of metaphor is his comparison of the Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board to a joyous daybreak that ended the long night of human captivity. Martin Luther King uses this comparison to show how momentous this Supreme Court decision was. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitional, became a huge step toward equality and Martin Luthers comparison shows this. Martin Luther Kings use of repetition and metaphors makes his speeches more inspiring and more emotional to others. Without his use of rhetorical  devices, his speeches would fall on deaf ears and wouldnt have caused a movement toward equality. His use of repetition and metaphors in this speech better display his themes of freedom and have inspired America for years to come.

Effect of Drug and Alcohol interventions

Effect of Drug and Alcohol interventions This study seeks to look at whether drug and alcohol interventions are of benefit to that of the service user, especially from an adult perspective. It will seek to address the help that is out there to help individuals who might recognise the need to be rid of their addiction and to be restored back to their normal routine life, before the addiction gets a hold of them any further. Qualitative researches tend to concentrate on specific issues that are health related, and that such matters are fundamental to the temperament of our thoughts and feelings. Issues that a qualitative approach might find much easier to address, such is not the case when dealing with quantitative data. Therefore it is not a matter of asking whether or not qualitative research is better than quantitative approach, but rather what is the best approach to gather information for a specific research question such as their lived experience which is what this research is based upon. Because I aim to investigate th e benefits of interventions treatment provided by the healthcare and social care sectors therefore the best approach would be to use a qualitative approach. A qualitative approach will be used; this is to best understand the experience that they have faced, and the method of interviews will be used to help gather concrete data. When an individual becomes addicted, the user no longer consumes just for the fun of it or to get high. But in actual fact, the person with the addiction now relies on the alcohol or the drugs in order to perform on a day by day basis. One might say in some circumstances, the addicted persons daily life will revolve around fulfilling their need from the substance on which they are now hooked. This study aims to help those who are not aware of services provided out there, to gain knowledge and know that there are different sectors as well as inter-professionals whether it be healthcare or social care intends to help them fight their fears. By talking about the ir experiences and feelings they are now faced with and the required actions they now should take in order to tackle their addiction, will best help one to understand what best intervention treatment is benefit able for each individual as others might be more severe and likewise not so severe. Literature Review Intervention is the course of action for which an individual take advantage of when all other options has been exploited in an attempt to help a person conquer a drug or alcohol problem. (Drug alcohol addiction-recovery). It is an intentional method used by which change is introduced into an individuals thoughts, that of their feelings and behaviour. The process of drug intervention normally seeks reinforcement from a wide variety of service providers. In addition to specialist addiction services, this may include general practitioners, pharmacists, hospital staff, social workers, and those working in housing, education and employment services, who sees it crucial to approach individuals whom they recognise are self-destructing themselves. The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) is a special health authority within the NHS, established by Government in 2001, to improve the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England (NTA, 2007). T he NTA has reasoned that there is absolute need for combined and harmonised input from a diverse range of professional groups. However in such case it should be that the local regions offer substance misuse individuals the choice of generic and specialist interventions (NTA,2006). Illicit drug users have multiple and complex needs, including high levels of morbidity and mortality, domestic and family problems, homelessness, physical and sexual abuse, and unemployment (Neale 2002). However in order to get help the person struggling with the addiction must first of all recognised the need for help. Habitually, an individual with substance misuse issues finds it hard to come to terms in accepting the fact that they do have a problem, by acknowledging this it is as if the world around them is at fault or that ones causing a commotion over nothing. Individuals who are uncompromising in regards to their addiction do not recognise the gravity of their problem. What matters to them is attaining the drug, despite the consequences. Neither health nor Legal implications are taken into considerations. The International Treatment Effectiveness Project (ITEP) is branch of the National Treatment Agencys Treatment Effectiveness strategy, which acknowledges matters for improving the excellence of treatment interventions. ITEP employs intervention to support care development which is referred to as mapping in the structure of a changing pattern guide. Mapping is a visual communication tool for clarifying shared information between client and key worker. It helps clients to look at the causes and effects of their thinking and also assists in problem solving. (NTA, 2007). Alcohol Drug Services has valued its involvement with ITEP. The project has delivered immediate and tangible, benefits for clients though mapping interventions that are clear, straightforward and meaningful. Hogan. T. 2007. (Alcohol and Drug services) This is used by qualified key workers along with their services users; this is in the format of maps which consist of five different stages and it shows the phase by which a client go through in order to get to the point where they then acknowledge that they may have a serious drug problem. Besides the mapping, the treatment manual included a concise intervention designed to change clients thinking patterns. This helps them to explore self and recognise the stage in which they are at, it highlights their strengths, things that matters to them most in life for example decision making, social relationships, careers and there morals and beliefs and how best they can improve their life It was envisage that services instigating this treatment manual would see a improved and encouraging change in service users self assessments of their treatment understanding over a period of time, in comparison to that of clients in services who had somewhat or no mapping. Research shows that the alcohol and drug services has valued the involvement with ITEP, it claimed that the project has provided direct and substantial assistance to that of the service users. Another programme that works alongside National Treatment Agency is that of the Drug interventions programme. This plays an important role in dealing with drugs and the decline of crime. Instigated in the year 2003, it was aimed at adult substance misuse criminals who specifically use Class A drugs, like for example heroin and cocaine and this is was aimed at helping them to get out of crime and to get on treatment and other support that is available to them. (DIP, 2003). It is stated in the Drug Intervention Operational Hand Book that above  £900m overall has shown interest in DIP since the programme has been established and readily available is constant financial support to guarantee that Drug Intervention Programme progression grows to be the reputable way of working with drug misusing offenders across England and Wales. (DIP, 2003). Majority of these offenders who makes use of the Drug Intervention Programmes are amongst the most difficult to reach and most challenging drug mis users, and are offenders who have not formerly had access to treatment in any significant way before. The advantage of DIP is that it concentrates on the requirements of the offenders by sighting innovative ways of inter-professional working, whilst linking pre-existing ones, across the criminal justice system, healthcare and drugs treatment services along with a variety of other assistance and rehabilitative services. It is stated that the Drug Intervention Programme and the Prolific other Priority Programme (PPO)are similar in their joint intention to diminish drug associated wrong doing by switching Prolific and other Priority Programmes into treatment, rehabilitation and other support services. The Improving Tier 4 provision quality service is a fundamental part of the National Treatment Agencys (NTA) Treatment Effectiveness strategy. This associates the responsibility that the entire stakeholder sectors can participate in cooperation with finding solutions and improvements. The provision and quality programme consists of two different but related categories of service provision as defined by Models of Care: they are inpatient treatment (IP) and residential rehabilitation (RR). Aftercare (AC) is a closely related category of service provision. (NTA, 2008) The credentials investigate the types of provision that are being referred to at any time appointed by the IP, RR and AC. The NTA Improving quality Tier 4 is referred to when the instruction may exercise all interventions treatments. It suggests that all indications to Tier 4 provisions ought to have incorporated care approach amidst Tier 3 or Tier 2 provision and with aftercare. (NTA, 2008). The Tier 4 service provision offers supportive responses to drug misusers whose consume has been ongoing, intake is quiet a substantial amount, individuals with complicated needs, and this can allow the drug users to move forward in the direction of long-term self-restraint when and where convenient. Institutionalise services can also admit and support disordered clients. However some Tier 4 service arrangement may perhaps also have a significant function to participate in whilst entertaining individuals aside from continual substance misusing livelihood by intervening early. In accordance with this, the NTA has already produced guidance on commissioning Tier 4 service provision, specifically the Models of Residential Rehabilitation for Drug and Alcohol Misusers (NTA, 2006d) and Commissioning Tier 4 Drug Treatment. (NTA, 2006b). Inpatient treatment and residential rehabilitation are evidence-based interventions and have been shown to be effective in improving client outcomes across the range of domains. The NTAs forthcoming review of the evidence base for drug treatment outlines the effectiveness of residential rehabilitation and detoxification. NTORS (2000) demonstrates the effectiveness of residential rehabilitation treatment in achieving positive outcomes in reducing both drug use and crime for clients, many of whom had more severe problems than those in community services. Specialist in-patient interventions have traditionally been focused at and work well with clients who have complex drug, alcohol and other health needs, those in crisis, those requiring medication stabilisation e.g. on injectable or high dose opioids, or for effective detoxification. Recent evidence also indicates that they may be effective in providing detoxification for younger drug misusers who wish to be drug free. Evidence also indicates that inpatient detoxification is cost effective in achieving drug-free status. Drug-specific aftercare is normally required to maintain abstinence, together with appropriate housing and other support. In-patient detoxification followed by residential rehabilitation is the most effective way for drug users to become drug free, if they are motivated to be drug free and this is the agreed objective3. Commissioners should develop local drug treatment system plans annually in line with Models of Care, which outlines the now well established four-tiered model of drug and alcohol treatment interventions for adults. Commissioners should also commission in line with the Treatment Effectiveness Strategy, particularly the emphasis on whole treatment journeys and commission full pathways of care, including aftercare and other support to enable clients to maintain positive outcomes achieved in treatment. One of the key principles which underpins the commissioning of the four-tiers is that drug and alcohol treatment services should be planned strategically. This means that the impact of the commissioning of any one intervention could be viewed in the strategic context of the drug and alcohol treatment system for a locality or region. These key principles are a major feature of the treatment planning process5 led by the NTA, which forms the basis of effective strategic planning and commissioning. This is expected to be an integral part of local treatment planning and should be used by partnerships and commissioners to address local population needs in line with the national priorities and on the basis of evidence of what works. Aim To investigate the drug and alcohol interventions in health and social care benefits on service users? Research Question How do drug and alcohol interventions in health and social care benefit service users? Methodology Qualitative data Qualitative data refers to expression or images, method used for interpretation. Qualitative data does not survive out there waiting to be exposed, but are shaped by the way they are interpreted and used by the researcher. The character of qualitative data is seen to be wholesome and intact by the act of research itself. Qualitative approach investigates the importance of in depth understanding for a research topic as experienced by the participants of the research. The qualitative approach has been used to study extremely complex experience which can be understood without being expressed in words (Bradbury Lichtenstein, 2000), others have suggested studies that justify answers like what or how type questions would be careful in using qualitative approach (Lee et al.,1999). Qualitative research usually does not seek to calculate or evaluate objects under examination using numbers, as this is an approach which deals within the quantitative domain. The profundity of qualitative data develops on or after the conversation between the researcher and the participant; the insights achieved throughout this course of action can only be achieved given the interaction between the two. Research Strategy: The research strategy chosen is the plan of answering the research questions (Saunders et al, 2000). It is a choice on the methodology to be used and how it is to be used (Silverman, 2005). The research strategy seeks to classify the alternative strategies of inquiry according to quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches (Creswell, 1998). From this research strategy a phenomenology approach is used. A phenomenology sample comes from the word philosophy and it provides a framework for a method of research. It is based within the Humanistic research theory and follows a qualitative approach Denscombe, 2003. The aim of phenomenological sampling is to investigate fully and describe ones lived experience. It stresses that only those that have experienced phenomena can communicate them to the outside world . (Todres et al, 2004). The phenomenological research strategy as a result answers questions of significance in accepting an experience from those who have experienced it. The phenomenological term lived experience is identical with this research approach. Phenomenology consequently aims to develop insights from the perspectives of those involved by them detailing their lived experience of a particular time in their lives (Clark, 2000).this sampling is about searching for meanings and essences of the experience. It gathers descriptions of experiences all the way through hearing the first-person accounts during informal one-to one interviews. These are then transcribed and analyzed for themes and meanings (Moustakas, 1994) allowing the experience to be understood. Husserls phenomenological enquiry originally came from the certainty that untried methodical study may perhaps not be the best to use to revise human phenomena and had become so detached from the fabric of the human experience, that it was in fact hindering our understanding of ourselves (Crotty, 1996). He then felt driven to start up a thorough discipline that found truth in the lived experience (LoBiondo-Wood and Haber, 2002). Quantitative v Qualitative: Quantitative data lend themselves to various forms of statistical techniques based on the principles of mathematics and probability. In contrast, qualitative research is suited to investigating and seeking a deeper understanding of a social setting or an activity as viewed from the perspective of participants (Bloomberg and Volpe, 2008). Qualitative research is concerned with the nature, explanation and understanding of phenomena. Unlike quantitative data, qualitative data are not measured in terms of frequency or quantity but rather are examined for in-depth meanings and processes (Labuschagne, 2003). Silverman (2006:42) warns that quantitative research can amount to a quick fix approach involving little or no contact with people or field and has been deemed inappropriate for understanding complex social phenomena. Approach: Typical methods used in qualitative research are structured interviews, surveys, structured observations and potentially a focus group. This is where the researcher places his or herself in the midst of the participant for a while, learns from that persons only when in the presence. Silverman (2006) recommends a qualitative philosophy to be appropriate when the researcher seeks to investigate an incompletely documented phenomena and aiming to provide a better means understanding of social phenomenon where processes are involved. Even without wanting to shift entirely away from a purely quantitative view of health, many people now appreciate that a basic understanding of qualitative research can have a positive effect on our thinking and practice. It offers new ways of understanding the complexity of health care, new tools for collecting and analysing data, and new vocabulary to make arguments about the quality of the care we offer. As a consequence of our enhanced learning, we come t o realize that qualitative research is neither a sham science nor a poor substitute for experimentation. Interviews: Interviews will be my method by which to gather data for this research. They are generally used in assembling data in qualitative research. They are typically used as a research strategy to gather information about participants experiences, views and beliefs concerning a specific research question or phenomenon of interest (Lambert and Loiselle, 2007). Important types of interviews are identified by Babbie (2007) they are known as standardized interview, the semi-standardized interview and the unstandardised interview. The distinctions regarding each type are predominantly concerned as to how the interview is structured. Interview process: Individuals will be chosen from a population 200 service users who attend on a weekly basis the local drug drop in centre for counselling, rehab or to be signed posted to other agencies who might be of help. Such individuals might be undergoing drug or alcohol interventions treatment to help them steer away from their addiction. Sample target will be aimed towards adults who may be institutionalised or living at home, but are faced with the challenges of been an addict and are trying to seek help. The size of participants will be 10 and have residency within the Northamptonshire area. Interviews notifications were sent in advance, as to prepare participant. A consent form prior to interviewers visit was sent (see Appendix A), and participants were provided with an outline of the types of questions (see Appendix B) that might be asked at the interview. This was to enable that they had adequate time to prepare and reflect what it is they would like to share and also to ensure interview er collected the right information from interview. In a qualitative interview it is important that the questions capture the interviewees perceptions and not those of the researcher (Perry, 1998). This is mostly to verify that the responses given were not probed by the interviewer. The interview was carried out the local drug and alcohol drop in center in a room away from other clients. This was to enable full concentration and for them to be more open, as they might feel embarrassed about the issue at hand. The researcher asked questions at the interview scheduled which can be found in (Appendix B).During the interview a soft approach was taken to give the participant a chance to settle down and relax. For such reason an easy question was asked to start off with, something which the interviewee might have had time to formulate views on already. The interviews took twenty five minutes per participant and notes were recorded during the interview. A convenience sample best represents the direction of this research as it generally assumes a consistent population, and that one person is pretty much like another. Data Analysis The presumption, by which qualitative data produce, ought to be honest. It is essential that there are evidence and reasonable argument to prove. The procedure carried out must be trustworthy and able to convince one that that the results obtained was not false. This is because the information that was gathered from the interviews ought to have value in order for inter-professional bodies to make use of it. Qualitative research must meet our expectations for rigorously conducted research and reliable information, but must be true to its underlying philosophies and methodologies. (2009). International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. The data will going to analysed key themes from the ten respondents, and it is hope that this will help answer the research question. Thus the data gathered from the interviews shows concrete evidence in relation to that of the information shown in the literature review. Though not a sufficient amount of data from the literature review to speak on behalf of the service users as to how they felt whilst going through the different treatments, the interviews really helped in shedding some light as to what they thought. When asked the question how they recognised they needed help, some raised the issue that they recognise that their family lives were a mess, were not able to hold down employment and other issues. Responses received from the interviews where somewhat shocking, as some found they were still struggling to be rid of their addiction whilst others were trying to get back to norm within society. The individuals who shared that they were still finding it a bit difficult was due to the fact that the environment which they still remained in, did not help them to refrain but rather tempted them more, for some this was the challenges they faced. Others recognised that the intervention treatment centres out there were readily available to help them which one can say is a good sign for them. Ethical Consideration Qualitative research confronts ethical issues and dispute exclusively to the study of human beings. Standard knowledge in areas such as physics, chemistry and biology permits the researcher to presume a point of view separate from the purpose of study occurrence in questioning. Confidentiality is an important ethical concern for most when considering a rehab program or other drug interventions treatment. Each individual in recuperation may have experiences they may not feel comfortable sharing with everyone. It is therefore important for not just doctors, but for other inter-professional members to respect the confidentiality of each person that they are treating. Giving permission for the individual to come to terms with their experience which is part of the rehab procedure, and it is not somewhat to be hastened or taken for granted. Permitting the individual who might be feeling emotional the opportunity to heal their wounds from the drug and alcohol abuse is vital for recovery. This is why it is imperative that a client enquire what the confidentiality policies are before registering unto a treatment program. Likewise one can pose a risk of harm to that of the client and this is not by being aware of the restraint imposed by the institutions order. The p rofessional team has to ensure that their influence over the clients is not predominant and they have sufficient knowledge in regards to the plan of their treatment. Though the individual might not have the capacity to make choices, conduct them self in terms of their personal values and beliefs, however if all has failed that guardian has to attempt to reach a decision as best as the individual would do if they were able. The ethical principle of beneficence, the desired to do what is considered best for the clients and promoting their growth and wellbeing, is essential to the practise of rehabilitation counselling, ( Howie et al, 1992). Conclusion The confrontation of providing best care for every service user at the towards the end of their treatment are considerable. Success is vital, and works best when all services and practioners understand each others roles and find means of working together. It is anticipated that the information received from the research will be used to improve inter- professional working and improve services. In-patient and residential rehabilitation drug and alcohol services should be commissioned as part of Integrated Care Pathways..These Integrated Care Pathways should be commissioned with clear routes into inpatient services, which seamlessly lead to residential rehabilitation (if required) followed by a community-based substance misuse support package,. Housing, education and employment support is important for individuals who have completed treatment and returned to the community if they are to sustain the gains made from Tier 4 treatment. Commissioners of drug treatment systems, should have in place the appropriate local links to work in close liaison with other local commissioners in the development of health, social care and housing strategies to ensure those leaving in-patient and residential rehabilitation services have access to the wide range of services necessary to provide comprehensive and effective packages of care. A key issue is the availability of housing support services and move-on accommodation for drug and alcohol users leaving in-patient and residential rehabilitation services. The data gathered showed that Appendix A August 2010 To whom this may Concern, My name is a researcher from the University of Northampton. I got hold of your information from the organisation which you attend daily drop in sessions, so therefore I decided to contact you. My research requested access from you in order to conduct it, as I understand that you fit my criteria for my area of study. As part of my research, I am undertaking an examination to see whether the interventions provided by the healthcare and social care services are of great benefit to you, and does it help you steer away from your addiction. The objective of my study is to best understand what it is like for you to deal with the addiction once it has gone so far. In order to undertake this research, I would be really grateful if you could give consent for me to carry out my research in the form of short interviews which will last up to 45 minutes with just myself been the researcher in your own domain. Notes will be taken at the interview and everything said will remain confidential between us. I look forward to your reply and for us to discuss the matter at hand further. Yours sincerely (NAME) Appendix B Interview schedule How did you recognise you needed help to stop taking drugs or drinking alcohol excessively? What support did you get from the inter-professional workers? Explain the challenges you faced in your decision to stop taking the drugs or alcohol? What benefits do you think youve gained from the interventions been introduced to you? What has been your experience from using the interventions services? Do you think there are enough services around to help you, if and when you do decide to refrain drugs or alcohol?

American Oil Dependence Essay -- Economy Economics Oil Essays

American Oil Dependence Since the oil embargo of 1977, there has been an increased awareness of our nation's energy security. As global population and energy consumption rise, the need for a stable energy supply has become a hot topic and a politically volatile issue. As our negative trade balance grows larger by the day, the United States finds itself in a rather precarious position. We are becoming more and more dependent on Middle East oil. Indeed, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) predicts that domestic petroleum consumption will increase to 60 Btu by the year 2025. This statistic, in and of itself, is a matter of concern with respect to the greenhouse gas emissions that result from petroleum combustion. However, perhaps more disconcerting is the fact that U.S. oil production peaked in 1970 and has continued to fall since then (Campbell et. al., 1998). Therefore, the American public has turned to foreign oil, in particular Middle Eastern oil, to supplement its increase in demand. In an age where terrorism is at the forefront of people's minds, we still continue to import oil from the same nations that supposedly harbor so-called terrorist groups. The fact is that we are unwilling to responsibly face our energy future and instead choose to maintain a policy of increasing oil supply through importation. One of the main problems with this strategy is that it is a short-term remedy. Studies conducted by M. King Hubbert in 1956 predicted the rise, peak, and subsequent decline of global oil production. He predicted that global oil production would rise until around 2002 and then start declining (Campbell et. al., 1998). If one takes the oil embargo of 1977 into account, effectively decreasing the rate... ...to a fuel that, upon exhaustion, will mark our retreat from the global economic spotlight. Works Cited: Campbell, Colin J., Laherrere, Jean H. "The End Of Cheap Oil." Scientific American Mar. 1998: 78-83. Flo, Gary. "Lecture on Fossil Fuel Consumption." 8 Sep. 2003 N.A. "Environmental Advocates Statistics In Hand." 2003: www.geocities.com/Rainforest/Canopy/2743 Assoc. Press. "U.S. Auto Sales Hit 2003 High In July." USA Today 1 Aug. 2003: www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-07-31-autosales_x.htm Mills, Mark. "25 Years After OPEC's Embargo." Environmental News Jan. 1999: www.heartland.org N.A. "www.skyaid.org." 2003: www.skyaid.org/skycar/us_auto_statistics.htm Staff Writer. "Bureau of Land Management Maximizing Energy Development, Minimizing Environmental Protection." NRDC 7 Aug. 2003: www.nrdc.org/bushrecord/airenergy_publiclands.asp#1383

Anne Sexton Essay -- Literary Analysis

Most of us accept the stories we were told as children were false, or at least romanticized. At some point, the illusion was shattered, and Santa, the Easter Bunny and Cinderella were characters we fondly remembered. But although we recognized these figures and legends as illusions, we held on to many of the sentiments the stories, without questioning their application to adult life. Anne Sexton often uses these innocent, childlike images juxtaposed with cynical but more realistic situations in order show that the lessons society teaches children, ones that children retain as adults, are illusions that do not properly illustrate the corrupt, violent world we actually live in. Sexton’s poem Cinderella, about rags to riches stories, clearly follows this pattern. First, the speaker tells four stories: one of a plumber who wins the lottery, one of a nursemaid who marries her boss’s son, a milkman who makes a fortune in real estate, and a charwoman who becomes rich after a bus she was on crashes, and she collects on insurance. The progression of these stories themselves lay cynicism into the form of the poem. The speaker starts with a story about a lottery winner, which is something lucky and could be taken as the universe helping a man struggling to take care of â€Å"the twelve children.† Next comes the nursemaid, who does have a romantic journey too, though not quite as incidental as this lucky plumber, because she â€Å"captures the oldest son’s heart.† The choice of the word â€Å"capture† could be viewed as merely an idiomatic happenstance, or more possibly an implication that the speaker feels the nursemaid had some ulterior motive to love in her interactions with the son. After the nursemaid is the milkman. The milkman still has a romantic ... ...ton’s issue is not with people on an individual level, but instead with the society that puts them in the situations that it does. This is significant because it shows Sexton’s goal is to illuminate society’s flaws and lies rather than those of people. Often, the reader cannot help but feel a bit disheartened after reading a collection of Anne Sexton’s poems. Sexton herself was disheartened with the prospect of life, killing herself at the age of 45 after years in and out of mental facilities. Her poems certainly take cynicism to an extreme, but they remain the type of extreme valuable to the literary canon. Her poetry leaves the reader questioning the world around him, now able to see stories and past experiences in a new light. And although in the case of Sexton this light may be a shadow, the new depth it adds highlights to us that which we hold truly pure.

Respiratory Diseases :: Nursing

Respiratory Diseases   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Respiration is the process of taking in and using oxygen. There are three different phases of respiration: external respiration, internal respiration, and cellular respiration. External respiration is the intake of oxygen from the environment and the release of carbon dioxide. In internal respiration, oxygen is carried to the cells and carbon dioxide is carried away from the cells. In cellular respiration, oxygen is used in chemical reactions within the cells. Some Diseases of the respiratory system are: bronchial asthma, the common cold, and diphtheria. Bronchial asthma is a disease in which the bronchial passages are made smaller and swelling of the mucous lining causes blockage of breathing, usually due to dust, animal fur or feathers, or pollen. Many people have asthma which is caused by allergies, called extrinsic asthma, usually suffer from hay fever. Non allergic asthma, which adults usually have, is called intrinsic asthma. Intrinsic asthma is usually caused by respiratory infections and emotional upsets. A typical asthma attack begins with coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Some people have dry coughing as the only symptom. Attacks usually last only a couple hours. An attack may happen again in hours to even years after the first attack. Asthma attacks can be treated and prevented by the use of drugs. Albuterol or terbutaline, which can bring relief within minutes, is the usual treatment. The common cold is another disease of the respiratory system. The cold affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. It causes nasal congestion, sore throat, and coughing. A cold usually lasts up to an average of seven days. There is no known cure for the common cold yet. Diphtheria is another respiratory disease that, most of the time, affects

Stress and Negativity in Our Human Minds

SPC Mattadeen, Judy Corine Ms. Alexa Fernandez Effective Essay Writing January 26, 2010 STRESS AND NEGATIVITY IN OUR HUMAN MINDS Introduction Eliminating stress and negativity is the most important factor in our human minds. In general it is so powerful we almost feel like we can’t cope with it. Finding ways to fight stress and negativity is crucial to not only handle the ways of life but to really live a happier and more meaningful life. Stress and negativity is not a new agenda or a phenomenon. It has been a huge experience in mankind throughout history. These feelings accumulate in our lives and in our soul over time. Although sometimes these experiences are unavoidable. There are ways that can be done to help go through the process of eliminating stress and negativity and feeding our human minds with a good and positive outlook in life. Having a positive mentality and eliminating the negativity of stress in ourselves is not going to just fall upon us. It’s really a choice we have to make. Being positive doesn’t necessarily come naturally. It’s our decision that we have to make daily. Is stress an enemy to us human beings? Of course it is because you deal with so much negative energy. That alone merges to different type of problems that we encounter in our daily lifestyle. Be at work or at home, thus this type of emotions is everywhere. Now it is up to us on how we handle the situation that can either make us or one way to break us. We make the choice. (Melinda Smith, M. A. , Ellen Jaffe-Gill, M. A, & Robert Segal M. A. 2008) (http://helpguide. org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping. htm) Stress and negative feelings The stress of always feeling bad can lead to deep depression and medical disorder. Our body and our mind are a continuum. In other words focusing too much on being angry, fear or having fear of failure is one of the contributing factor of self destruction and having such failure in achieving such goals that we human want in life. We can control all the stress and negativity we encounter by means of responding to new challenges by telling ourselves that we are capable of facing our fears and doing what is right. All this is a way of eliminating such negative thoughts and a turnaround of a positive spin. That is a good start of leading a better life. Visualization, this technique can be achieved by means of installing positive expectations and believe that we can do it. Therefore if we literally eliminate the old feelings and shadow it with the new and positive ways. We can achieve a good and healthy mind and soul. We are not meant to live a miserable and unfulfilled life. When we discover the path of visualizing what we really want to achieve in life. Then we can discover and start working in some realm associated with a positive attitude not negative and we all will thrive to the fullest of success. Critical thinking Whenever we tend to catch ourselves being critical or even having a negative thought in mind is very stressful. Thinking negative of another person, circumstances or anything that can lead a negative reaction is a challenge. Make it a priority also to keep your well pure. If somehow in some points you’re being or if somebody is being critical of you or trying to lead you in a bad light. Recognize that there is a stone coming your way. We don’t need to dwell on it, or get upset and vengeful. When these stages occur the best thing to do is pull ourselves back and have this inner question â€Å"Can I take up such challenge to control myself†? One way to look at our level in coping with these feelings is our human emotions. Our body alone is like a bucket of energy where we store pure energy alone. May it be negative or positive. We might want to declutter our world by human cleanse also. By means of letting your choice reflect your taste. Whether you let the stress and negative thoughts handle your life or fight the biggest fight. Motivation is one of the best key in life. Surrounding ourselves with positive individuals will help us move on to the right track. Keep pressing forward. The key to rising higher is to keep looking to where you want to go. Keep a positive vision and see yourself accomplishing your goals and fulfilling your destiny. Meditation Relax and take a deep breath. Always let in a positive spirit to avoid negative thoughts. Personal power, acceptance, and inner love will help restore our boundaries to normal settings. Maintaining all these positive factors are guides us in removing old baggage and replacing it with the good ones. Let in a higher power. The answer to this is simply having God in our hearts. Let our choice reflect our taste and by then when we have that higher power restored in our souls. We are on the right track. We all need to get in peace of who we really are. Dwell only on the positive, empowering thoughts towards ourselves. That’s when we realize that our faith is energized. Prayers are the best medicine in our everyday routine in life. Health and well being Maintaining a good and healthy balance mind and body will lead us to fight all the stress and unwanted negative that surrounds us in our daily lives. Exercise is also the best key. It releases such tension in due time and provides us with energy to handle anything that may come our way. One way also to eliminate stress and negativity is managing our time wisely. We must always find a way to have our own me time. Have a habit of writing everything down on paper on what to do, where to go, what else needs to be done or etc. is a good way of managing your time wisely. Handle important task first and eliminate unessential task. Exercise and eating right is also a good factor in eliminating stress and the entire negative that surrounds us. If we are fit, and nothing else is really seriously wrong in our lives, than we can probably manage a fair amount of frustration, delay, unfairness, misfortune in whatever form. Surrender and let in Instead of fighting and feeling negative about your thoughts that can lead to stress. Surrender to them and you will see that the negative feelings will quickly eliminate and lose its power over our human minds. When we are in a world of so much stress fight it by accepting it and try not to think too deep into it. Cause in some points there are stressors that are really not even meant to be paid attention too at all. We should always observe the feeling in our mind and body without labeling or either judging it by all means. Self confidence is also one of the best tools for us to use to reach our goals and be happy in life. There is always room for improvement with our inner feelings to avoid accumulating stress by means of having faith in everything we do and encounter. Be realistic about life alone. Set realistic goals. Ask yourself questions before we even execute. Think positive thoughts. Know what you want and do what is right. Nobody can hold you down if you believe. For God alone does not focus on what’s wrong with us. He’s not looking at all our faults and weaknesses. He’s looking at how far we’ve come along and how much we’re growing as a person. So we all need to focus on what’s right for us. (Henrik Edberg 2006-2010) Final thoughts Life alone is a major challenge. Everywhere we go we may encounter the good and the bad. Whether you may take the chance of absorbing the negative and deal with it or fight the toughest fight in dealing with stress alone. We all make those choices. Eliminating stress and negativity can be achieved by thinking positive. It’s time to unburden ourselves by receiving progress, initiative, inner peace, love, setting goal, prayers, and motivation. My personal experience in life alone dealing with stress and so much negative alone is challenging. There are times where in I just can’t handle the situation that I’m in yet I pushed myself for the better by pressing forward, surrounding myself with positive people, and learn how to deal with stress by means of how to handle my emotions. This is one of the most significant aspects in coping. Overall by reading every word in this essay is a step in what are the ways in dealing with everyday stress and negativity in general. It is also a guide in improving our everyday life. We can make the most of any experience or challenges that we go through by committing ourselves in change and grow. Expressing ourselves freely, fully and honestly is not going to lessen us the benefits of creating a positive meaning in life. Remember when our life or your life is full of rocks; don’t forget to throw bread back in return. Reference: How to reduce, prevent, and cope with stress (Melinda Smith, M. A. , Ellen Jaffe-Gill, M. A, & Robert Segal, M. A. 2008) http://helpguide. org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping. htm

Nokia’s Mission Statement

NokiaNokia’s Interim Report (2013) showed a decline in the first quarter for group net sales, device and services net sales and networks net sales. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Nokia’s mission statement places a strong emphasis on shareholder value and social responsibility to increase the company’s stronghold within its industry.Shareholder ValueIn order to gauge the company’s performance in these two areas, there are a couple of specific indicators that Nokia is looking for. Shareholder value is increased through the success of the business. Nokia gives four areas that will become the primary focus of each of the business areas and gauge its success. These areas are: (1) leading and winning in mobile devices, (2) growing consumer internet services, (3) accelerating adoption of business solutions and (4) leveraging scale and transforming solutions in infrastructure (Grant, 2010, p. 24). This focus in these business areas allows for Nokia to inc rease shareholder value through a strong business strategy.Nokia also wants to strengthen their strategic capabilities in the areas of: (1) consumer understanding, (2) brand recognition, (3) technology and architecture and (4) channels and supply chain (Grant, 2010). This will also help to increase shareholder value by allowing for a competitive advantage when dealing with the above business areas.Social ResponsibilityNokia also wants to focus on their social responsibility as a mediator between the unconnected and connected. They envision a world where everyone is connected and allow everyone to feel close to what matters to them. I believe that they can gauge this through the same manner they gauge shareholder value. Essentially, Nokia’s business strategy will fulfill their  social responsibility of connecting people. Leading the industry in mobile devices, Internet services, business solutions and solution infrastructure will all help connect people throughout the world. MissionWith the new Nokia Lumia reaching number four on the list of largest smartphone brands in the USA, one can say that Nokia’s mission is working on increasing the connectivity amongst people through their smartphones (Shah, 2013). However, the company as a whole is not doing so well. With all their sales dropping, the only thing that is increasing is the sale of their Nokia Lumia. Even at the number four spot, Nokia only holds a measly 4.1% of the smartphone industry in the US, and their overall sales are declining (Shah, 2013). Therefore, I would say they are not doing a very good job at fulfilling their mission statement. If Apple had the same mission statement, leading the sales of smartphones in the US at a whopping 33.7%, the statement would be more accurate in saying that they plan to connect people around the world and lead the industry.RecommendationIn order to improve the mission statement, I believe that Nokia should add more tangible short-term goals to boost morale. Short-term wins not only boost morale, but also provide more attainable objectives to satisfy shareholders. Therefore, instead of stating that Nokia plans to, â€Å"Lead and win in mobile devices,† they can state that Nokia will, â€Å"increase the smartphone market value partnering with Android AND Microsoft to expand Nokia’s global reach.† Providing short-term wins that are not as broad as Nokia’s current mission statement will help also strengthen the company’s brand and make them a stronger company as a whole. Overall, Nokia is doing well within the smartphone realm, and losing in everything else. It is either time that they specialize in a specific industry (smartphones), or take the market by storm with something that has not been offered before. Only the future will tell, and the mission statement is what will reflect these plans. Nokia’s Mission Statement NokiaNokia’s Interim Report (2013) showed a decline in the first quarter for group net sales, device and services net sales and networks net sales. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Nokia’s mission statement places a strong emphasis on shareholder value and social responsibility to increase the company’s stronghold within its industry.Shareholder ValueIn order to gauge the company’s performance in these two areas, there are a couple of specific indicators that Nokia is looking for. Shareholder value is increased through the success of the business. Nokia gives four areas that will become the primary focus of each of the business areas and gauge its success. These areas are: (1) leading and winning in mobile devices, (2) growing consumer internet services, (3) accelerating adoption of business solutions and (4) leveraging scale and transforming solutions in infrastructure (Grant, 2010, p. 24). This focus in these business areas allows for Nokia to inc rease shareholder value through a strong business strategy.Nokia also wants to strengthen their strategic capabilities in the areas of: (1) consumer understanding, (2) brand recognition, (3) technology and architecture and (4) channels and supply chain (Grant, 2010). This will also help to increase shareholder value by allowing for a competitive advantage when dealing with the above business areas.Social ResponsibilityNokia also wants to focus on their social responsibility as a mediator between the unconnected and connected. They envision a world where everyone is connected and allow everyone to feel close to what matters to them. I believe that they can gauge this through the same manner they gauge shareholder value. Essentially, Nokia’s business strategy will fulfill their  social responsibility of connecting people. Leading the industry in mobile devices, Internet services, business solutions and solution infrastructure will all help connect people throughout the world. MissionWith the new Nokia Lumia reaching number four on the list of largest smartphone brands in the USA, one can say that Nokia’s mission is working on increasing the connectivity amongst people through their smartphones (Shah, 2013). However, the company as a whole is not doing so well. With all their sales dropping, the only thing that is increasing is the sale of their Nokia Lumia. Even at the number four spot, Nokia only holds a measly 4.1% of the smartphone industry in the US, and their overall sales are declining (Shah, 2013). Therefore, I would say they are not doing a very good job at fulfilling their mission statement. If Apple had the same mission statement, leading the sales of smartphones in the US at a whopping 33.7%, the statement would be more accurate in saying that they plan to connect people around the world and lead the industry.RecommendationIn order to improve the mission statement, I believe that Nokia should add more tangible short-term goals to boost morale. Short-term wins not only boost morale, but also provide more attainable objectives to satisfy shareholders. Therefore, instead of stating that Nokia plans to, â€Å"Lead and win in mobile devices,† they can state that Nokia will, â€Å"increase the smartphone market value partnering with Android AND Microsoft to expand Nokia’s global reach.†Providing short-term wins that are not as broad as Nokia’s current mission statement will help also strengthen the company’s brand and make them a stronger company as a whole. Overall, Nokia is doing well within the smartphone realm, and losing in everything else. It is either time that they specialize in a specific industry (smartphones), or take the market by storm with something that has not been offered before. Only the future will tell, and the mission statement is what will reflect these plans.