diversity initiatives

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 / Style Definitions / table.M.Though supplier diversity has been a business reality at Microsoft for a while, the company decided to aggressively pursue diversity initiatives about five years ago. a�?Today, we've grown this initiative to the point where we have spent ...uuworld.org: liberal religion and life is the weekly web magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.WHY: a�� Even during a down economy, forward-thinking companies are embracing their workplace diversity initiatives just as much as their bottom lines. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Diversity Council will ...Our Diversity Initiatives Committee will publicly unveil its Handicap-Accessible Housing database as part of the Civic Engagement Committee's Disabilities Awareness Week. a�?Disabilities Awareness Weeka�? week was created by students in the ...Many of the major networks have diversity initiatives. Some, like CBS and ABC, have annual showcases where minority actors are given an opportunity to perform scenes in front of the professional casting community. ...All too often I have seen organizations focus only on launching the diversity initiatives without focusing on how to build an inclusive environment that supports diversity. Having just one process a�� the staffing process focus on ...I had the dubious pleasure of hearing Ms Mirza speak at length about her cultural ideology last night at the debate a�?Cultural diversity initiatives reinforce stereotypes rather than remove thema�? at Notting Hill's Tabernacle. ...The 2007-09 a�?Biennial Report: Advancing Diversity a�� Working Towards Inclusiona�? highlights some a�� but certainly not all a�� of the most successful diversity initiatives out of my office for the past two years. In the following pages, ...... Represents region as global PCIS initiative gets underway; Works with region, national offices and GC on diversity initiatives; Engages with GC diversity initiative regarding assessment of diversity status and goals ...
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The Canadian Education Association, a national charitable organziation, founded in 1891, is committed to improving education through research an dialogue.
What did you do in school today?: Transforming Classrooms through Social, Academic and Intellectual Engagement

We are proud to announce that the First National Report of CEAa��s What did you do in school today? initiative is now available.

What did you do in school today? Transforming Classrooms through Social, Academic and Intellectual Engagement contains research highlights of this student engagement initiative from a survey of 31,000 students in Grades 6-12 in 93 Canadian schools.

Please visit our What did you do in school today? web page to access additional supporting documents and summaries detailing this ground breaking initiative.

Clarification: People to People Ambassadors Program, China Tour

A number of Canadian educators have received invitations to join a tour to the Peoples Republic of China organized by People to People Ambassadors (www.peopletopeople.com), a well established and respected U.S. organization that sponsors international exchanges to promote intercultural understanding. It appears that People to People Ambassadors has used some mailing lists with home addresses. These have not been provided by either CEA or the Halifax Regional School Board. We regret both the confusion and concern that this has caused. Although this is a worthy program, it has not been officially endorsed by either CEA or HRSB.

Education Canada's Summer 2009 edition is now available

Our latest issue features several articles that focus on the relationship between public policy and public opinion, and the negative consequences that can arise when these policies are drafted in response to public opinion with little research into their effectiveness.

In Rising Educational Expectations: Trends and Limits in Times of Economic Downturn authors Doug Hart and D.W. Livingstone argue that relying on education spending as a major part of an economic stimulus package would be a mistake because our economic problems are not a result of educational failures. They conclude that a�?We should support educational investment for the things that it can do, but recognize clearly what it cannot do.a�?

A�TUDE ONTARIO/QUA�BEC

A�TUDE ONTARIO/QUA�BEC is an interprovincial initiative of the Ministries of Education of Ontario and Quebec that examined the use of information technology in the classroom by comparing studentsa�� level of engagement, comprehension and knowledge transfer using two different technologies. In Ontario, students used a digital audiovideo simulation training module on CD-Rom. In Quebec, students collaborated with peers and the teacher through the use of a Knowledge Forum. This comprehensive report details the process and results of this unique interprovincial collaboration. (Available in French only)
News and Events

Announcements: On the Adequacy of Public Education
In a recent survey by Harris/Decima, a public opinion surveyor, a majority of respondents believe that Canada's education system adequately prepares young...
Learn more
Posted on June 26, 2009

CEA News: What did you do in school today?: Transforming Classrooms through Social, Academic and Intellectual Engagement
We are proud to announce that the First National Report of CEAa��s What did you...
Learn more
Posted on June 17, 2009

Research: Gender Perceptions Hold Students Back
A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), finds that gender perceptions hinder the academic pursuits of many...
Learn more
Posted on June 1, 2009

Events: Diversity & Equity Leadership -- Starts July 6, 2009
The Diversity & Equity Leadership Institute is a highly interactive and experiential course grounded in adult pedagogy and layered with leading information...
Learn more

Initiatives: Youth to Youth
A new website created by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, aims to guide youth with learning disabilities...
Learn more
Posted on May 6, 2009


We became interested in [school] early on for [child] and met with [headmaster] in September 2008 when [child] was 3 to tour the school and discuss our interest. Wea��ve also spoken extensively to parents who have children enrolled at the school, such as [names of parents]. We attend [name of church] and [child] is currently in pre-K at [school]. We plan on attending open houses over the next few years.

Wea��ve looked at a considerable number of schools in [city] because we both feel strongly about investing in education early and both had wonderful experiences and opportunities due to our own private educations. We are especially interested in [school] for [child] because we are looking for an outstanding faculty and challenging academics as well as athletics, fine arts, music and an emphasis on giving back. We also want [child] to be in an open, welcoming and progressive environment where every child receives individual attention. We feel strongly that we want our son to be in a community where empathy, integrity, moral and emotional intelligence, self-awareness and confidence are integrated into the environment. The overall philosophy of the school is very appealing to us, as are special programs such as the remarkable focus on community service, the Travel Program and diversity initiatives. We also appreciate the consistency of the unchanged leadership of the school for over 20 years. As members of [name of church], we would like our sona��s education to encompass the philosophy of the [name of religion] faith, while embracing other faiths and diversity of thought and practice at the same time.
Finally, based on our tours, observations and conversations with friends and people associated with the school, we have come away with the impression that it is a warm, caring environment and the children who attend are smart, friendly and simply good kids.

We learned of [school] by several avenues and from excellent word of mouth. We first became aware of [school] due to my interviewing of several potential [name of college] candidates from the school. In September of 2008, we met with [name of headmaster] to express our early interest in the school and take a tour. We have several friends who have children at the school: [names of friends]. Wea��ve spoken to them at length about their experiences at [school] and they have been overwhelmingly positive.


Wea��ve looked at a considerable number of schools in [city] because we both feel strongly about investing in education early on and both had wonderful experiences and opportunities from our own private educations. We are especially interested in [school] for [child] because we are looking for outstanding faculty and challenging academics plus athletics, the fine arts, music and an emphasis on giving back. We also want [child] to be in an open, welcoming and progressive environment where every child receives individual attention. We also feel strongly that we want our son to be in a community where empathy, integrity, moral and emotional intelligence, self-awareness and confidence are integrated into the environment. The overall philosophy of the school is very appealing to us, as are special programs like the remarkable focus on community service, the Travel Program and diversity initiatives. We also appreciate the consistency that must come due to the fact that the head of the school has remained unchanged for over 20 years. As members of [church], we would like our sona��s education to encompass the philosophy of the faith, while embracing other faiths and diversity of thought and practice as well.
Finally, based on our tours, observations and conversations with friends and people associated with the school, we have come away with the impression that it is a warm, caring environment and the children that attend are smart, friendly and simply good kids.





Also, it's been shown that Bush's "faith-based initiatives" have never benefited religious organizations that aren't Abrahamic in origin. Since Obama discussed the religious and philosophical diversity of our country in his Inauguration address, is it likely that religious groups of non-Abrahamic origin will now benefit from this program?


Dear name,
I am writing you this letter to inform you how much I really appreciate you keeping me under your companya��s consideration. My interest for this company is extraordinary. Company name has so much integrity and diversity.
Be assured that I can be counted on to get the job done under demanding schedules, and I would definitely enjoy the opportunity to work and grow in your Company. What you will expect and get from me as a member of your team is dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism.
Again, thank you for taking the time to meet with me in these interviews. I remain very well interested in this position. Thank you for keeping me under your consideration. Hope to hear from you soon on your decision and hopefully be able to start with you and take initiative on the first receipt, on Date.
Sincerely


Hello, I just wanted to know how many rounds were there in the PricewaterhouseCoopers interview process for Exceed? It's the diversity based initiative for the firm. How many rounds is it? Like one on campus and then a superday? Or just one? Thanks


i looked it up on the internet...there have always been citizens siding with the wolves, but this is a wilderness problem. here is the game dept statement:



Wolf Management in Alaska

Wayne L. Regelin,
Director, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska

Public attitudes toward wolf management, and wolf control in particular, are based on deeply held values. Conflicts between people with divergent values have fueled the controversy for decades, and I expect this will not change. Some people and organizations have no desire to understand and accept the values of others on this issue. This conflict of values makes setting wildlife policy difficult.

Most Alaskans are proud that we have large and healthy wolf populations, and many recognize that we have a special responsibility to manage wolves to ensure their continued abundance. Wolves do have an impact on moose and caribou populations, and this impact, in combination with factors such as severe winter weather or bear predation, can depress moose and caribou populations to very low levels leaving little harvestable surplus for humans.

Man has the ability to influence this system by reducing wolf populations and allowing ungulate populations to recover from depressed levels. The controversy centers on whether a�� or when and how a�� it is appropriate for man to decrease wolf numbers to increase ungulate harvests

The department tried a new approach to resolve the long-standing issue of wolf control. We proposed the concept of developing a statewide wolf management plan using a stakeholder process. We hoped a strategic plan built with a lot of public involvement had the potential to defuse the issue and allow development of a stable wolf management policy.

The board agreed, and we selected team members, hired a facilitator and developed a charter for the group. Twelve citizens, representing a wide variety of wildlife values, served on the team. The team included advisory committee members, Alaska Natives, the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Alaska Outdoor Council, National Audubon Society, hunters, trappers and the environmental community at large.


From the hisroricalperspective, of these long-held conflicts, these resolutions have come:

1. The department will never again conduct widespread and continuous wolf control to increase ungulate populations. The monetary costs are too high and the public does not want their wildlife to be managed in that manner.
2. Wolf control by department personnel may be possible in small areas to help restore moose or caribou populations. In order to gain public acceptance, it will be necessary to have citizen participation in a planning process, guided by reliable scientific information.
3. Public acceptance is more easily gained if non-lethal methods of wolf population reduction are used, but this practice is probably not feasible in most places in Alaska.
4. A statewide planning effort, as was done in 1990, is unlikely to be productive. Such a plan can only provide general guidelines for wolf control. We must address each area individually with a planning team that includes local residents.
5. In most places in Alaska, local residents and other hunters must reduce predator populations on their own, through legal means of hunting bears and hunting and trapping wolves. The board and department will need to consider seasons, bag limits and methods needed to reach to this goal, as part of an overall wildlife management strategy.
6. The intensive management statutes are difficult to use and time consuming. Their emphasis on predator control is contradicted by public opinion, as represented through successful ballot initiatives.
7. Wolf management is complex, because sociological considerations are more influential than biological information. The majority of the American public and a sizeable proportion of the Alaskan public do not want the department to undertake wolf control.
8. The public supports department and board actions that recognize and provide for a diversity of wildlife values and uses. One way the board has demonstrated this balanced view has been to provide viewing opportunities by protecting wolves. The department will continue to support providing for appropriate viewing opportunities.
9. The public has an important and legitimate role in managing public resources. We must continue to discuss predator and prey management objectives with a broad-based public.
********************
What do you think now?





I am 39 years old and have only had two jobs since graduating in 1991 with a Bachelors in Business Marketing and 2006 with a Masters Degree in Management and Organizational Development. I worked primarily in Education as a Director of Diversity Initiatives at a Catholic Institution, and Coordinator of Minority Affairs at our local college. I have been at home with my last baby and now deciding to go back to work. I really want to be a professor and help other students. I could teach Career Development, Leadership Development, Organizational Development, Managerial Presentations or General Business Courses, but admittedly, I do not feel I have enough business experience or examples to bring to the classroom. I have an interview next week and need to sell myself, what do you recommend?


CASE: SHELL ATTEMPTS TO RETURN TO PREMIERE STATUS

The Shell Oil Company, which began about 1912, had been for decades a household name as a quality oil company in the United States. However, by the late 1970s much of its prestige as a premiere company had disappeared. How could Shell regain its high status?
In the 1990s, Shell undertook an extensive research effort to find out what it needed to do to improve its image. As a first step, Shell hired Responsive Research and the Opinion Research Corporation to conduct a series of focus groups and personal interviews among various segments of the population. Included in these were youths, legislators, academics, and present and past employees of Shell. The researchers learned that people believe that top companies are integral parts of the communities in which the companies are located rather than separate entities. These studies and others led to the development of materials that Shell used to explain their core values to the general public.
Next, PERT Survey Research ran a large quantitative study to determine which values were best received by the target audience. Social issues emerged as the theme with the most support. During the next few months, the advertising agency of Ogilvy & Mather, hired by Shell, developed several campaigns with social themes. Two market research companies were hired to evaluate the receptiveness of the various campaigns. The result was the a�?Count on Shella�? campaign, which featured safety messages with useful information about what to do in various dangerous situations.
A public a�?Count on Shella�? campaign was launched in February 1998 and met with considerable success: the ability to recall Shell advertising jumped from 20% to 32% among opinion influencer's; more than 1million copies of Shella��s free safety brochures were distributed and activity on Shella��s Internet a�?Count on Shella�? site remains extremely strong. By promoting itself as a reliable company that cares, Shell seems to be regaining its premiere status.
Today, Shell continues its efforts to be a�?community friendly.a�? United Way of America announced Shell Oil Company as one of its three Spirit of America Summit Award winners for 2002 and commended the company for its outstanding volunteer and corporate contributions programs. Several Shell employees were recognized by the Houston Minority Business Council for their continued efforts to provide windows of opportunity for minority business owners and strengthen Shella��s commitment to supplier diversity. Shell employees and retires give back to their communities through such Shell-sponsored activities as Americaa��s WETLAND campaign, Shella��s Workforce Development Initiative, and other community/quality of life and environmental projects. Shell is also a strong supporter of the Points of Light Foundation, which strives to engage people more effectively in volunteer community service.

Discussion:
1. Suppose you were asked to develop a sampling plan to determine what a a�?premiere companya�? is to the general public. What sampling plan would you use? What is the target population? What would you use for a frame? Which of the four types of random sampling discussed in this chapter would you use? Could you use a combination of two or more of the types (two-stage-sampling)? If so, how?


2. It appears that at least one of the research companies hired by Shell used some stratification in their sampling. What are some of the variables on which they are stratified? If you were truly interested in ascertaining opinions from a variety of segments of the population which regard to opinions on a�?premierea�? companies or about Shell, what strata might make sense? Name at least five and justify why you would include them.


In a one-page summary, reflect on your personal development in accordance with the Attributes of a BC Graduate. I just finished answering the above question. I am having difficulty with it so please help me. I need you to check for grammatical errors and please try to spice up the content a bit more to make it sound better. Thanks.

High school has molded me into the person I am today. I am a world apart from what I was when I started school; I've grown up, learned a lot, and broadened my experiences.
I am physically, morally, and emotionally who I always was, but have developed my intellectual person, human nature, and social, and career development.

Intellectually, I have acquired many useful skills. For example, I decided to increase my knowledge base by learning a second language; learning a new language is an extremely useful skill to have in the professional realm. It is also helpful in terms of understanding the world we live in today. I have also extended my ability to think critically and solve problems. Finding solutions to analytical problems, criticism of articles in English, alternative explanations of results in Science, and problem solving in Math have all helped me to improve my critical thinking and problem solving skills. These intellectual skills will help me be ready to face the challenges I will meet in college as well as in my career. High school has also given me the chance to better understand the importance of commitment to continual learning.

As humans, we undergo several changes in our psychological state based on our experiences, and ultimately our psychological maturity. High school was an experience that helped me become a socially responsible citizen who acts in caring and moralistic ways.
My experiences in high school have led me to develop a better understanding and respect for diversity of all people and the rights of others to hold different ideas and beliefs.
I have been through many tough times with my friends that have shaped me and encouraged me to use positive thinking I need to be a healthy individual. All the emotionally trying experiences have made me understand that I have to be more responsible to my physical and emotional well-being. This is now, and forever will, help me to improve the quality of my life.


High school has not only taught me the basics in life, but has helped me to find my own interests. It has given me the chance to be a self-directed individual who displays initiative, sets priorities and goals. High school has helped me pave the wave for pursuing those
goals in an ever-changing, unpredictable society. With the aid of all the teachers who
supported me, I now have a better understanding of the wide array of career choices available to me. I've become better-rounded, and now possess greater skills required to work effectively and safely with others. I have a better understanding on how to work towards my future goals. All the changes and information acquired during my high school career will ensure that I will continue to be a positive aspect in culture and society to come.


If so, even more specifically, are there any national programs that many different schools are all using effectively?


What do I love about my country, the United States?
1. Strong militarily and economically
2. Excellent universities
3. Low crime rate (away from major cities)
4. Can speak my minds in public forums with little or no fear of government reprehension
5. 50 diverse, beautiful states
6. Two of our states were nations before joining us: Texas, Hawaii
7. We have great diversity in cultures, subcultures, races, ethnicities, nationalities, walks of life that can not compare with the rest of the world
8. Our initiative to crusade for struggling peoples around the world. In Iraq and Afghanistan, we're not only seeking to stabilize those two countries and build democracies, we've freed millions of oppressed people living in fear
9. Our modern, easily-accessible (and, thank GOD, not nationalized) healthcare
10. We're not Canada!

What's not so great:
1. Most of our citizens are ignorant and jerks
2. Our cities have high crime rates
3. Our public schools suck
4. MTV, it sucks!


Will it look bad if I have her write one for me?

I have to send a pre-written form to each teacher that lists 1-5 scales for:

Academic Qualities

Academic work ethic
Problem solving ability
Enthusiasm for learning
Participation in class
Overall Academic Performance

Personal Qualities

reliability and Dependability
Self-discipline and Responsibility
Initiative
Motivation
Potential for Growth

Character, Maturity and Integrity

Social and Emotional Maturity
Concern/Respect for Others
Appreciation for Diversity
Leadership
Service to the Community

Overall Recommendation

and next to each section, there is a place for written comments.
I know that I'll get all 5s for Personal Qualities, a 5 for work ethic, a 5 for participation (I was the only student to dress every day and the only student to never be tardy).

In 9th grade, I had her for a "health" semester, in which she would have judged my academic abilities.

However, I don't believe that she saw much of my community service efforts, as big as they might have been.

There is a space on the form for "title," in which she would state "Phys ed teacher," I assume.



So, will this look bad to an admissions officer, having my gym teacher write one of my recs?


What do I love about my country, the United States?
1. We're strong militarily and economically.
2. Our excellent colleges and universities
3. Our low crime rate (away from major cities.)
4. We can speak our minds in the press or other public forums with little or no fear of government reprehension.
5. We have 50 diverse, beautiful states.
6. Two of our states were nations before joining us: Texas, Hawaii.
7. We have great diversity in cultures, subcultures, races, ethnicities, nationalities, walks of life that can not compare with the rest of the world.
8. Our initiative to crusade for struggling peoples around the world. In Iraq and Afghanistan, we're not only seeking to stabilize those two countries and build democracies, we've freed millions of oppressed people living in fear.
9. Our modern, easily-accessible (and not nationalized) healthcare.

What's not so great:
1. Most of our citizens are rude jerks.
2. Our cities have high crime rates.
3. Our public schools suck.
Chipper, I like the way you think.
And you're right Chipper: Do you know how to spell MTV? "S-U-C-K-S!"


The question given to me is this:
"Our text suggests that cultural problems "...result from the depletion, destruction, and inefficient use of natural resources" Therefore, one would think that MDC's (more developed countries) with their superior economic resources, should lead the way in preventing this from occuring. However, what often happens in the process is the promotion of global initiatives and mandates at the expense of local cultural diversity. How do we realistically reconcile the two when dealing with this specific issue?"


Im a little confused on the question. I understand that MDC's use much of the worlds resources so I assume this is what she is talking about, but where does global initiatives and mandates come into play? Maybe I am thinking too much and getting lost in the words. If anyone could help me understnad the question, it would help a lot. I am not looking for anyone to do it for me, just help me understand so I can write my paper. Thanks!


Any suggestions? I've participated in diversity initiatives and would like to pursue this area or employee relations/communications. Am I considered too old or not enough experience? Can't seem to land an interview!


Please read and let me know how you would analyze this article:The Water Crisis: Analysis and Proposals

By Celine Tan

Water and sanitation is the first of five priority action areas under the
WEHAB plan for the post-WSSD implementation of sustainable development.
The challenge of providing safe and clean water and sanitary conditions for
an increasing world population, in the face of rising inequities, is
phenomenal.

Forty percent of the worlda��s population, in 80 countries, currently suffer
from serious water shortages. A billion people worldwide lack access to
safe drinking water and 2.4 billion people lack access to adequate
sanitation (Global Economic Outlook 2002).

Yet, the biggest threat to universal access to clean water and adequate
sanitation is not mother nature but corporate globalisation. Privatisation
of water is aggressively exported to the developing world under the rubric
of poverty reduction and debt relief strategies, free trade and economic
development. By turning a scarce resource into an economic commodity, the
worlda��s economic leaders and policy planners claim that existing water
resources can be managed and consumed efficiently in accordance with
competitive market principles. These claims are not only misguided, they
are deceitful. There are two myths being projected: first, that placing a
price on water will encourage conservation and wise water consumption.
Secondly, that market competition will lead to more consumer choice and
better services. In reality, the water sector is monopolistic when placed
in the hands of the market. It is thus alarming that the commodification of
water resources is now heralded as the answer to the worlda��s water woes.

Monopoly and subsidies for corporations

Water is a US$400 billion global business, controlled by a handful of
European transnational companies and consortiums, namely French
multinationals Vivendi and Suez Lyonnaise, SAUR and British water companies
Thames Water, Anglia Water and United Utilities. The global drive towards
privatisation of water services is thus pursued not by a collective of
democratically elected governments acting in the interest of the worlda��s
population, but by a cartel of corporations motivated by profit and market
conquest.

To make matters worse, these companies are subsidised by their governments
(and invariably their taxpayers) through support from domestic export
credit agencies, and by multilateral development banks, such as the World
Bank and the African Development Bank. They are also subsidised by
developing countries who raise credit from international financial
institutions to upgrade their water systems prior to private takeover. This
corporate subsidy comes at the expense of consumers, most of them in
developing countries, who are made to pay for what is a necessity of life.
For the poor this means no access to water.

Additional loans to facilitate the privatisation process are raised by
developing country governments from multilateral and bilateral sources.
Often, these loans are also used to finance the creation of an a�?enabling
environmenta�� for foreign water and wastewater investors. This includes the
drafting of local investor protection legislation to guard against
re-nationalisation of the water industry and to provide for hefty
compensation for any attempt to renege (for good reasons) against the
privatisation contracts.

In many cases, corporate access to a developing countrya��s water system is
paved by a loan or debt relief conditionality requiring the poor or
indebted country to privatise its water and sanitation services. For
example, the IMF insisted that Tanzania privatise its Dar es Salaam Water
and Sewerage Authority (DAWSA) as a condition of its debt relief package
under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

Fallacy of privatisation

Experience shows that the privatisation of water services cannot ensure
universal delivery of safe water and efficient sanitation. Privatisation
imposes additional financial obligations on governments. They may have to
bail out failed privatisation project, and also shoulder the costly legal
risks of rescinding a privatisation contract with a wealthy transnational,
even if the companya��s performance is unsatisfactory. Argentina, Hungary and
Bolivia have found that the legal claims for compensation by private water
companies in Tucuman, Szeged and Cochabamba respectively, have made
terminating contracts prohibitively expensive.

The dominance of foreign water companies and the liberalised investment
climate - mostly facilitated by structural adjustment, and now under trade
agreements including those under the WTO A? in developing countries will
also ensure that a large portion of profits from water privatisation will
not accrue to the countries themselves but are repatriated abroad instead.

The imposition of full-cost water pricing as a result of privatisation will
only deprive more and more people of access to clean and safe water by
forcing poor communities to seek alternative sources of water for
consumption, such as untreated well water and water from sewage-ridden
urban rivers.

Forced upon rich and poor, consumers and industrial producers, similar
rates for water use will also result in greater income disparity and deeper
social cleavages, leading to higher risks of civil unrest. In 2000, martial
law was declared in the Bolivian city of Cochabamba as a result of
city-wide riots precipitated by high water prices. A private consortium led
by International Water doubled the water prices to city residents. Water
bills went up by 35% and some, twice that. The World Bank supported
full-cost water pricing and prohibited any use of its structural adjustment
loans to subsidise water services for the poor.

Future fears and WSSD outcomes

There is no agreement on the text in the WSSD Draft Plan of Implementation
that commits governments to supporting the UN Millennium Development Goal
of halving, by 2015, the proportion of people unable to reach, or afford,
safe drinking water and access improved sanitation (paragraphs 7 and 7[alt]).

However, the most pressing concerns over universal coverage of water and
sanitation services are not expressed in these bracketed paragraphs.
Rather, they are reflected in the general lack of political will
demonstrated by developed countries to address the systemic issues leading
to a crisis of sustainable development in the south, and the alarming
emphasis placed on public-private partnership funding and implementation of
sustainable development programmes. The relinquishing of responsibility by
developed countries is marked by their reluctance to commit to specific
disbursements of ODA and by repeated references to voluntary partnerships
and initiatives as a means of financing WSSD programmatic outcomes.

In the absence of firm commitments by governments, Type II partnerships on
water and sanitation services will only increase private sector involvement
in this crucial area. The private sector is already identified as a key
implementer of the a�?Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for All
Initiativea�� involving 28 countries, six UN agencies, the World Bank, and
the Asian and African Development Banks.

Another major threat to universal access to water and sanitation is
liberalisation under the WTOa��s rules. Although Member countries have the
right to liberalise at their own pace, and even choose not to open up a
sector under the WTOa��s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), there
is tremendous pressure especially on developing countries to liberalise.
Thus in the ongoing negotiations at the WTO, developed countries are
submitting extensive A�requestsA� that seek access to every sector in the
developing world, including water services and sanitation.

If developing countries succumb, privatisation of water services initiated
under World Bank and IMF structural adjustment programmes could become
permanent under the binding rules of the WTO. Once a country is locked into
the GATS regime, the right of its government to regulate liberalized
service sectors will be diminished, paving the way for foreign
transnationals to enter the domestic market. Any attempt to reverse the
situation would be subject to WTO disciplines and penalties.

Any real effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goal must therefore
include commitments to review loan conditionalities that impose
privatisation and countries must not be pressured to offer water services
under GATS liberalisation. Essential services should be exempted from GATS.

Conclusion

Privatisation does not address the deeper economic and ecological issues of
water shortages. Questions of why there are water shortages in countries
not under water stress are not resolved by shifting responsibility of
service provision to private companies. Water management and water
distribution are also key factors in determining water supply and universal
coverage. Until and unless rich countries fulfil their commitment to
provide resources for developing countries to build solid, cost-effective
water delivery systems which support the needs of the worlda��s population
equitably and ecologically, the water woes of the world will not go away.

At the same time, all governments need to recognise and support the
diversity and replication of community water management systems and
practices. These have proven in many countries to be the most sustainable
approach to rural water management for rural populations. The WSSD process
and the last 10 years of the work of the CSD have called for good and best
practices in sustainable development. However, where water resources are
concerned the trend and emphasis are privatisation which has proven
destructive.

Firm commitments must be made at the WSSD to reverse the trend of corporate
takeover in the water and sanitation sector, rather than to accelerate the
process of privatisation and corporate monopoly. Undermining the sovereign
power of governments to regulate supply of water in their countries and
passing the bucket onto private transnationals to steward the worlda��s water
resources would probably be a most anti-development and anti-ecological step.


The mission of Whitworth College is to provide a�?an education of mind and hearta�? through rigorous intellectual inquiry guided by dedicated Christian scholars. While neither Whitworth nor Act Six expects or requires any faith commitment from students, both are committed to exploring Christian perspectives on important issues including diversity, leadership, reconciliation and service. What impact does this commitment have on your decision to apply for the Act Six Initiative?

Whitwortha��s mission had, in fact, been one of the main reasons why I decided to apply to this college. As of now, I am unsure of what religion I belong to. My situation, when it comes to faith, is very confusing. My parents are divorced, and I have always lived with my mother. Although she is Buddhist and is very keen to keeping up with the Buddhist traditions, she does not force me to choose this religion. My father, who lives clear across the nation, is Christian. I have been introduced to both these religions and both have many different beliefs. With this in mind, I have decided that rather than choosing a religion, I will expand my knowledge on religions with different perspectives. The Act Six Initiative is the perfect program that will help me with this.
Finding what I believe in is very important to me, so it was very crucial for me to apply to this program. I have already taken the first step in deciding to explore the Christian perspectives and have even begun reading the Bible to learn more. The Act Six will definitely help me in taking the other steps.


We allow our hard-earned money to be taxed to support things we don't believe in or support. We are force by our federal government to support Planned Parenthood's abortion-mills for instance. It does not matter that half of us are pro-life; we are still made to pay for abortions.

Also, why should our winnings such as Lottery, or what have you, be taxed by the federal government? The federal government has nothing to do with the luck, instincts, wisdom, knowledge, and personal initiative that we individually use to win something. Why do we let the federal government penalize and exploit our good future?

Furthermore, why do we allow the federal government to tax our personal investment activities? The federal government has nothing to do with, and does not participate in the personal investment research, the luck, instincts, wisdom, knowledge, time and effort, and personal initiative that we individually apply to be successful investors.

These approaches to over taxation are not positive reflections of a healthy democracy. They are reflective of exploitation, abuse of power, and self-consuming and self-destructive savage capitalism. I know a lot of money is required to run our government, but the government should be a more efficient and effective steward of our tax dollars. Payroll income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes are enough to cover all government operational needs. The greed and wastefulness has to be eliminated.

If all of an individuals taxes are added together (sales, city, state, and federal) they add up to about 50% of our income. Another way of looking at this isa��the government guarantees itself a 50% return on our invested (time and energy) labor. This is usury, and is immoral and unethical, yet we accept this as the wonderful working of the worlda��s best democracy. When in reality, we are only 50% better off than people in Red Communist China.

We Americans need to ask why and how well our tax dollars are being spent, and hold elected political leader accountable. Aborting babes is not tax dollars well spent, and $500 billion in an unnecessary Iraq War is not tax dollars well spent. The cost of wars of choice must be accurately calculated beforehand. It is extremely costly to bury 3,000 dead soldiers, to provide medical-care to 30,000 injured soldiers, to support their families for a lifetime, and for all the materials that are consumed in war.

Our government agencies (FBI, CIA, Arm Forces) are heavily weighed with white-male-supremacy, and their white-wing biases and bigotries. This has lead to government agencies that are dysfunctional, and are dangerous to national security as was brought to our attention by 9/11. Inter-agency communications were marginal at best, and intra-agency communications were close to non-existent. Our tax dollars were not, and are not well spent in and on these agencies. The answer to this problem is simple; implement multiculturalism and diversity across the board.

Middle-eastern countries, cultures, and radical groups have a point about the savagery of our capitalism, and the critical dysfunctional aspects of our democracy. The UK and USA has interfered with their sovereign governance, encroached on their lands, exploited the fractious nature of Middle-eastern cultures, manipulated cultural differences to pit them against each other, and coveted their natural resources for over 100 years. This is why they hate America, Americans, and the British.

This unfortunately is what we stand for, and is the essence of our misplaced patriotism.








South Bend Tribune ^ | September 15. 2006 | JAMES PRICHARD Associated Press
GRAND RAPIDS a�� Federal immigration officials have completed a five-day sweep of western Michigan in which they apprehended 54 fugitive illegal immigrants who had disappeared after receiving deportation orders. They also captured an illegal immigrant with an extensive criminal history who had illegally re-entered the United States after being removed, officials at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday. The initiative, dubbed "Operation Return to Sender," started Sept. 8 and ended Wednesday. The agency focused its efforts within the triangle formed by Lansing, Grand Rapids and Battle Creek.The sweep was part of an "interior immigration enforcement strategy" Burma, Cambodia, China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Turkey and Yugoslavia.Ain't diversity grand?
And angela R they're just here to work 24hrs a day and send 90% of their money back to their wife, 20kids and 100yo grandmother. Oh the pain and heartache!
Plus even more STILLMORE, Ga. a�� Trailer parks lie abandoned. The poultry plant is scrambling to replace more than half its workforce. Business has dried up at stores where Mexican laborers once lined up to buy food, beer and cigarettes just weeks ago. This Georgia community of about 1,000 people has become little more than a ghost town since Sept. 1, when federal agents began rounding up illegal immigrants. The sweep has had the unintended effect of underscoring just how vital the illegal immigrants were to the local economy. More than 120 illegal immigrants have been loaded onto buses bound for immigration courts.
(Anne AA
(You are ignorant. My family is full of illegals. Not one of them is a criminal.) You are ignorant illegal is a criminal or have you rewrote the laws in your lil never,never land?


The global diversity trust is a project being implemented by the Norwegian goverment in order to preserve the diversity of crops by establishing a global seed vault. will you support this initiative? I think in-situ (on farm conservation) is still reliable as the environment and morphological characteristics of a certain seed changes.