American Psycho Book to Movie Essay

Allister Baudoin Mr. Jason Raush Lit. of Extreme Situations 8 April 2013 American Psycho Novel and Movie Comparison After the release of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, and the critical response that soon followed, many would believe that a film version of such a creatively gruesome novel would be an impossible task to undertake. The extended seemingly endless descriptions, stream of conscious narrative, countless scenes of grotesque violence, and not to mention a literary ban in both Germany and Australia are just a few reasons why so many believed a movie could never exist.However in the spring of 2000, director Mary Harron defied the odds and transformed this controversial work from hardcover to the big screen. Remarkably a huge success, the film captures the weaving, often-satirical, themes of the book, while staying true to the not so hidden horrors of a 1980’s New York yuppie turned serial killer Patrick Bateman. Where the book gave readers the eyes and insigh t of a warped Patrick Bateman, the movie displayed a more outward perspective, balancing the darkly comical with hints of insanity that built toward the unraveling of this American Psycho.Some may argue that serial killers are born with the inevitable urge to murder, while others believe these actions are a direct result of environmental culturing. The character of Patrick Bateman would justly cause anyone to question this notion. In the film, Mr. Batman, ingeniously portrayed by Christian Bale, begins the film with a seemingly levelheaded temperament. This illusion is short lived however and is broken when a scene, mirroring that of the second chapter of the book, shows Bateman’s obsessively thorough morning routine.The film quite accurately depicts the various products and processes that were read as lists upon lists of description within the novel. Another point in which Mary Harron illustrates the maddening obsessive tendencies of Bateman occurs during the often one-sided dialogues about his favorite musical artists. Full chapters of the novel are dedicated these shallow ramblings that send readers into an almost absorbed state of psychosis.Although the film could not hold this exact effect, many of these lines were straight from the novel, except for the Phil Collins references, and were stated under a comical tone that stayed true to the satirical nature of the work. Each of these scenes shows the progression of a Patrick Bateman that has become less of a human and more a product of society. The greatest difference from book to film lies in the scenes of abundant violence.Although the film had to alter certain portions to receive an â€Å"R† not â€Å"NC-17† rating, the movie, even with the old cuts in place, would still not even scratch the surface of the horror and revolting actions found within the novel. Events like the killing of an innocent child at a zoo, the pieces of body left in his Hell’s Kitchen apartment, cannibal ism, and other more disgusting ways of torturing women were not visually placed in the movie.Nevertheless many of them were hinted at throughout which allowed audiences to imagine the terrifying acts that Bateman partook in themselves, actors the ability to play with dialogue, and readers to notice the inner most references to scenes from the book. Not all violence and gore was left to the imagination however, but were subtly shown for example by a scrape on a women’s back or by the image of a severed head tucked away inside of Bateman’s fridge until the climax where shots of former bodies are exposed during a chase seen with a women desperately trying to escape.All of the shots are creatively angled to show just enough violence to make you feel the impact of the act while crafting an air of tension that increases until he cracks. The progression of Patrick Bateman’s mental dysfunction and the unreliability of the main characters perspective, hit its peak at the end of the film. Surreal scenes of confusion and dialogue began to cloud the interactions that Bateman had with those around him. A growing sense of urgency in his demeanor countered by the cold glare of the other characters gave a perfect bridge to the theme of the novel.Now that we see Bateman shocked that his sick acts have gone with out consequence, the audience begins to question whether or not his horrid acts are only mere imagination. The end of the book, and most of the novel, give readers the assumption that these acts must be too extreme to have actually happened. The conclusion of the film lets the wall reliability crash down with the realization that you may have just glimpsed into the mind of the main character. Just like in the book, audiences grasp that Bateman may just simply be more psychotic than first perceived.The unraveling of his sophistication being the first sign brings question to the events that occurred and further notions of insanity. Although much of th e story may have been in the mind of Patrick Bateman, the ideas and fantasies that were birthed their and why they came about, are the root of what both Bret Easton Ellis and Mary Harron are trying to being to question. Was it instilled in a man to have these desires, or was it a society that brought him to it?

Parenting styles Essay

1.What are the different parenting styles used by families? Which do you think is better? Why? The three different parenting styles used by familes are authoritarian style, permissive style and democratic style. In my opinion, the better style of the three is the democratic style. Reason being, I believe kids should be disciplined and learn how to behave in a controlled environment for the future, but I also believe children should have their voices heard. I also believe that kids should make their own decisions in life because they wont have their parents their whole lives and need to learn how to live and make decisions on their own. The democratic style of parenting allows this to come into play. It is stern with the rules, but allows freedom for the children to make their own life choices, within reason. 2.What makes a person ready for parenthood? When should an individual consider entering parenthood? Who should postpone parenthood? Should everyone become a parent eventually? Do you think some people should not become parents altogether. A person who’s ready for parenthood is one who has a stable job and income. One who can support the financial and emotional needs of a child and one who is ready to take on the responsibility of a life. An individual should consider taking on the task once they have a stable income, job and can provide for the child. One should also consider becoming a parent when he/she feels it is the correct time to do so. One should postpone parenthood if they feel as if they cannot be there 100% for their child. If they cannot financially support themselves, then they should not take on the responsibilities of caring for another life, especially one who cannot care for themselves. I don’t believe everyone should become a parent eventually. If you are not the caring and nurturing type of person and would not be  content with caring for another life, I do no think it would be a good idea to have a child. Some people are just not cut out for parenthood. Becoming a parent takes a lot of sacrifice. Whether it may be holding off on climbing the ladder of success or taking personal time away, parents are always sacrificing themselves for their children. If one is not ready for that type of commitment, then they should not enter the world of parenthood.

Deere and Co. Swot Analysis

DeVry University Pomona, California Swot Analysis of John Deere Symbol on NYSE : DE By Eduardo Elizarraras 11307 Spy Glass Hill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 626-246-4747 [email  protected] com Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Course Requirements for Introduction to Business BUSN 115 Professor Tom Donini March 21, 2010 Company Profile John Deere (Deere & Company — NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing technologically advanced machinery for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, and all sorts of landscaping. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide.Deere & Company as it is known on the New York Stock Exchange manufactures and markets heavy machinery and engines used in heavy equipment. The company was founded by a blacksmith named John Deere. John Deere moved from Vermont to Illinois and immediately set up a blacksmith shop in 1837. John Deere developed a better plow for the tougher soil found in the Midwest and from there John Deere was es tablished. Today John Deere Construction & Forestry produces more than 120 machine models and distributes its construction, forestry and worksite products through a network of more than 1,300 dealer locations worldwide.The company employs more than 50,000 people worldwide. John Deere’s Mission Statement as listed on their homepage website. It is listed as a Strategy Statement. We aspire to distinctively serve customers — those linked to the land — through a great business, a business as great as our products. To achieve this aspiration, our strategy is:   * Exceptional operating performance * Disciplined SVA growth * Aligned high-performance teamwork   Execution of this strategy creates the distinctive John  Deere Experience that ultimately propels a great business and, for all with a stake in our success, delivers†¦Performance That Endures   SWOT Analysis of John Deere Strengths * Highly recognized and respected brand * Market dominance for heavy e quipment and machinery| Weaknesses * High prices * Less profit in non agricultural products| Opportunities * John Deere Credit * Wind Technology Portfolio| Threats * Caterpillar * Weaker economies worldwide * Seasonal Business of agriculture| Company Strengths Highly recognized and respected brand John Deere has established itself as the leader in agricultural products worldwide since the 1960s.John Deere green has become a color. Easy to recognize and distinguish itself from the competition. Marketing slogan on television commercials effectively ties in the logo with the company, â€Å"Nothing runs like a Deere†. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica Online there was a surge in tractor sales in Ireland in 2006 and the sales leader was John Deere. This leadership in sales demonstrates the market dominance of the John Deere brand. Company Weaknesses High Prices/Less profit in non agricultural products John Deere tractors and other equipment are generally priced higher than othe r quipment. John Deere brand pressure washers at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse costs 30 to 50 percent more than Troy Built brand pressure washers.Lawn tractors and lawnmowers also command a price premium over the competition. The brand has become more expensive only because it is John Deere. Similar performance and similar specifications for products with only difference being price has caused a lot of buyers to opt for the lower cost brand. Products that are not related to agriculture and can be substituted with a lower cost rand has lead to lower sales in those areas. If a customer really needs something and it does not have to match his green tractor then they will probably buy the lower cost item. This has led to less profit in non agricultural products. Opportunities John Deere Credit/ Wind Technology Offering clients loans directly through John Deere Credit has increased revenue for the company. Financing of expensive farm equipment contributes extra income to John Deere Credit. The tractors and combines that farmers buy are very expensive, a new combine can cost in excess of $200,00. 00.Customers who buy the machinery don’t have to go to their bank. They can usually get better finance rates through John Deere Credit. This eliminates third party financing and increases the bottom line for John Deere. According to cnn. com/money John Deere has hired Goldman Sachs Group this past month, February 25, 2010, to conduct a review of the wind farms that the company owns. A possible sale of the wind farm portfolio could earn John Deere about 1 Billion dollars. Threats Caterpillar/Weaker Economy/Seasonal Business Caterpillar manufactures heavy construction equipment.They do not build agricultural tractors but they do build a lot of bulldozers and backhoes that are used in general construction. Some heavy equipment that both John Deere and Caterpillar build for construction is similar in specifications. Some forestry machinery is also very similar . This could be seen as a threat to compete for limited budgets that would purchase heavy construction equipment if Caterpillar has lowers prices and offers rebates. Weaker economies not just in America but worldwide have slowed the purchases of heavy machinery.This has led to some consolidation and less sales. Another threat to John Deere is the seasonal nature of the agricultural business. Combines are not harvesting daily. They only work when the crops are ready to be harvested. Tractors only plow and seed in the beginning of the growing season. Conclusion John Deere, Deer and Company is the world leader in tractor sales. They have expanded into a lot of different countries. I think that by offering rebates when buying some of their products or when buying more than one product, they can turn their high price eakness to be more of a strength because they will not only sell more but sell more to the same customers. I believe that given the opportunity I would enjoy working at John Deere. The company has been around for almost two hundred years. The products that they manufacture can be seen as soon as one drives south, east, west or north of our urban living area. In some parts of our urban area they can be seen working in strawberry fields and lettuce patches. I personally have always enjoyed watching how these marvelous machines work and provide food for our enjoyment and survival.Reference Attou, Marti â€Å"American Innovator,Agricultural Icon† http://www. americanprofile. com/article/4689. html http://www. deere. com/en_US/compinfo/history/johndeerestory. html â€Å"John Deere† March 2010 http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/John_Deere Malone, Scott â€Å"Deere Considers sale of $1 bln wind portfolio† money. cnn. com February 25,2010 http://money. cnn. c om/news/newsfeeds/articles/reuters/MTFH66898_2010-02-25_16-12-43_N2598967. htm O’keefe, Matt â€Å"Irish Farmers Monthly† January 2007 http://www. britannica. com/bps/additi onalcontent/18/24655786/Best-year-ever-for-tractor-sales

The Virgin Group in 2012 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Virgin Group in 2012 - Case Study Example owards the achievement of the companies’ mission which is being a shopper victor through delivery of brand values such as superior quality products dazzling customer service and competitiveness. The vision of the organization is implementing its plan of global presence in travel, entertainment, and mobile communications such that their involvement in this existing markets benefits both the organization and the consumers in general The history of the company dates back in 1968 while Branson was a student and he published a magazine which displayed his sub sequential entrepreneurial features. His magazine targeted the young generation appealing to its optimism, irreverence and its interest in fashion, music and avant-grade culture. He later ventured into mail-order record business in a street in London and in 1984 he ventured into airline business( Rosenberg, 2010). His private company expanded in internal cash flows and external financing with his new businesses concentrated around travel, holidays, retailing, IT, deregulation and privitasation and international expansion. With his ample knowledge in business, Richard amplified consciousness in matters of the business relationship with environment, ethics and the social role pressured his business to creating a project aware design to widen reliable business operations. The management in the virgin company has been in the forefront in contributing to issues of its relationship with culture ,ethics and the social role by participating in initiatives and creating awareness to its stakeholders. Branson believes that employees are the holding pillar to the business and attending to their needs helps the feel the sense of belonging to the company and hence take responsibility in running the company smoothly. The company provides spotless, vigorous and a secure working environment for its workers with reasonable terms and conditions of operation(Great Britain press,2013). This motivates the employees to work harder

Digital Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Digital Marketing - Essay Example In the past Clarks has overcome challenges such as volatile market conditions, lack of financial flexibility as well as questionable planning and today, through extensive employment of digital marketing, Clarks is one of the largest private companies in the united kingdom and with massive global presence (Jones, 2012 p, 192-193). According to Tran (2012), Clarks’ products have a good reputation for high quality and are available in the latest fashions. The products have a good reputation for high quality and are available in the latest fashions. In the changing footwear industry, Clarks always comes with refreshing brands. The launch of online business has been a success for the company in building its international brand. Clarks has three main distinctive products that include the Desert Boot, Wallabee and desert Trek. The main feature for Clarks shoes is that they have unique comfort. Clarks designs and manufactures shoes that are uniquely styled, comfortable and of premium quality. Its concept of comfort in footwear dates back to 1960 when the company designed the Moccasin-inspired Wallabee. It was the most comfortable shoe in the world. Today, the Wallabees and the iconic desert Boots still sell at the company stores. Today, Clarks shoes that classified into different categories. They include Clarks walking shoes, Clarks’ casual shoes as well as Clarks business casual shoes. There are many other unstructured collections of shoes for men, women, boys and girls. The company’s product line includes boots, slippers, sandals, casual and sport shoes as well as bags (Jones, 2012 p, 192-193). Digital marketing strategy had been a drive towards the realization of massive digital presence for the company. It all begun in 2010 after the appointment of the current CEO, Melissa Potter, who drove the re-organization of the company’s business operations. Most importantly he launched online business for the company, and it has made Clarks a

Business Writing.... Career Study Project Term Paper

Business Writing.... Career Study Project - Term Paper Example Project description This project seeks to list the challenges that MCC students have been experiencing when looking for a suitable career or major area of study at MCC Career/Job Service Center: - Overwhelming amount of unsorted information regarding an HR recruiter Lack of organization and guidelines of how and where to look for information Unawareness of Holland’s Conventional personality types, thus inability to match their personal interest and desires with career selection Lack of any summarized information specifically describing Holland’s Conventional personality type and the HR recruiter career with all pertinent information (i.e. required education, salary information, required experience, job description) To solve all the issues listed above, a concise but comprehensive study of the HR recruiter career has been produced. It includes all viable information to place in the MCC Career Center or post on your website to help interested students to make informed dec isions about their potential career path. Scope Project covers the following: The areas of focus are the following: salary progression, promotional opportunities, job security, workload, etc. Information regarding the career of an HR recruiter along with any findings related to the careers appeal and usefulness Summary of key findings and recommendations to the potential student if the career is suitable for him/her based on his/her Holland Personality Type. The information summary tables and the reference page with recommended resources Report Format Discussion of HR recruiter Conclusion and Recommendations References DISCUSSION OF HUMAN RESOURCES RECRUITER CAREER Overview This career study will help current MCC students to find the career that is the most suitable to their personality, interests, and skills, using Holland’s Personality Type model. The report also provides all detailed information regarding the particular career of their choice such as required education, sk ills, experience, current and future job opportunities, work environment, work conditions, salary, and benefits. The career study project also summarizes all gathered information for each HR recruiter career level in an easy-to-read summary table for a quick reference. Sources of the information are listed in the summary table as well. Criteria and Methodology This report targets students with Conventional Holland’s Personality Type Model, who would be suitable for the career of HR recruiter. This personality type has excellent organizational skills and prefers building relationships across diverse cultures and backgrounds. To evaluate the suitability of this career, the following topics were researched using current government and internet sources: The information regarding the career of HR recruiter is divided in the following categories: Required education, skills, and experience Conventional type person likes being precise, orderly, organizing, and paying attention to det ails, so a bachelor’s degree in labor relations, personnel, and human resources is helpful and a good knowledge of the labor law is an asset. Examples of the required skills are: effective oral and written communication skills, relationship building skills, excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, ability to work independently

Discuss the effects of Internet Radio on the radio landscape Essay

Discuss the effects of Internet Radio on the radio landscape - Essay Example roles that technology has played is in influencing the conventional radio system, which is now with advancements and progression in Information Technology, is encompassing into the form of internet radio. Living in the world of blooming science and technology, our lives are gradually changing along with its research and innovations (Lee, pp. 20-23, 2005). It revolves around us in every activity, whereby we have been left dependent upon its functioning as mere parts of a machine, unified under a mechanical function. Not only has it revolutionized our personal lives, but also the way in which a society communicates with each other has changed. Our present way of life would have been a dreamland for man just a century ago, and what we possess today is still not at its climax, what follows ahead is a mystery under guidance of technological advancement (Lee, pp. 20-23, 2005). The conventional system of broadcasting information, news, and entertainment is under massive change by the gauntlet of technology, whereby the entire network today stands at perils because of the rapidly growing fantasy of internet radio (Zittrain, pp. 56-58, 2008). The dissemination information by its means has developed a new system, which allows the network’s programs to be broadcasted everywhere to common people. The new internet radio is seen wearing the new trend to fit easily to the tastes of the modern generation, massively loaded with new news and information to cater all age groups and its ease in accessibility and profound efficiency all have added great value to popularity. From all forms of electronic media, radio is a common person’s device, which provides apt news and information and a negligible cost, is mobile and can be accessed from almost anywhere around the country. It is easy to travel with, acting as a live companion at all times, and can even be connected with other electric devices as an â€Å"add on† keeping one updated with national and international happenings

The Ethnic Groups in Southeast Asia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Ethnic Groups in Southeast Asia - Essay Example But there are oral accounts in the form of folk tales, out of which some suggest that Burma is indeed their original home, but there are some folk tales which point towards their origin being China. The Karens have script of their own as well, which is often termed as 'chicken scratch script' because the script resembles the scratches made by the movement of a chicken when it moves on sand or soft soil. Smith (2003) stated that, "until the annexation of Burma in the nineteenth century, the Karens were largely a hill of forest-dwelling people without a written literature.as a result, the Karens appear as an ethnic group very much on the fringes of the recorded history." Myanmar has at least 15 major ethnic groups with Burman (Bamar) comprising about half the population. The population of Karen is the next highest with 6-7 million people. The last comprehensive census with ethnicity count was held in the year 1931, under the British Colonial government. Thereafter the Burmese government avoided the questions about separate ethnic identity (Bowles, 2000). Basically, the Karen tribe is known to be agriculturists, with Buddhism being the predominant religion amongst the tribe. A belief amongst the Karen tribe is that historically they have come from a place called "Thibi Kawbi". This is termed as their representation of Tibet and southern Gobi desert. As time passed, gradually during the 18th century, Karen began to move down south towards Thai Payap (old northern kingdom of Siam)1. The Karen tribe have been demanding an independent identity and land for them since early 1880s, with the formation of Karen National Association. At that time, Burma was under the colonial rule of Britain. After independence of Burma in January 1948, they tried to have a peaceful existence under the banner of Karen National Union (KNU), with some important posts in the government offered to Karen people. Situation started changing after the Military junta took over the country in 1960s. Subsequently, the demand for a separate land for Karen became more voc al. The military junta started adopting oppressive measures after it took over. As a result, a large number of Karen people were forced to leave their homes and fled into bordering Thailand with the result that many thousands of Karen are now living in Thailand, Australia and elsewhere as refugees. The strength of Karen fighters depleted with Burmese army declaring a full scale war against them in early 1990s and by 1995 the KNU headquarters at Manerplaw fell to Burmese army. Culture and Religion The brass rings around the necks of Karen tribe people are stated to be because of a number of reasons2. Some say it is done to prevent tigers from biting them; appears to be a credible defense, because the tiger prefers to pull the life out of a human being with a firm grip around the neck. Another version is that it is practiced to make women less attractive, so that there is less likelihood of them being captured by the slave traders. But, there is still another version which finds that this is being practiced to make women for attractive, so that they are able to attract a better husband. Besides the neck ring, large sized ear-rings also make an important component of the beauty products of the womenfolk. As the age of young girls increases the size

Race, Gender, and Work Experiences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Race, Gender, and Work Experiences - Essay Example Various social clusters of individuals are classified according to their assignments, manner of conduct, and also the way of dressing. People are also grouped according to their level of income, status, influence, and supremacy within the society. There is a notion that there are jobs that suits women and those that suit men. It is important to point out that gender inequality has been prevalent in the work places (Satzewich 4). I work in a car mechanical repair shop as a receptionist in Edmonton, Canada. According to the Gender Gap Report of 2013, Canada is positioned at position 23 in terms of gender inequality and position 9 in gender inequality on the basis of economic involvement and opportunity. The 2010 NHS statistical data showed that the average level of income of native immigrants with a certificate, diploma, or degree certain was $55, 825, while that of native non immigrants averaged $69, 999. NHS statistics in 2011 showed that the average income of individuals who were not a visible minority averaged $ 42,196 while that of visible minorities were lower. For instance the average income of Chinese was found to be $34, 301 (SOC 260 Lecture 7). Handy jobs as car repairs are considered the jobs of men. Society believes that a female can only have less demanding roles as sitting behind a desk all day answering calls. In my place of work, most workers are male. I have only one female colleague who works as a receptionist too. In my opinion, female workers have better social skills as compared to men that enable them to deal with customers effectively. It is important to consider the fact that gender inequality has been prevalent almost everywhere in the world. Gender inequality is supported by a number of theories. For instance, ladies are structured on a particular aspect within the society. They are considered to be affectionate and less proficient. This theory is referred to as ambivalent sexism. Therefore, women end up being labeled with a lot of sympathy while men are considered skilled. Men are conventionally considered officious and dominant. (Linda and Brooks 185). There are many social problems associated with inequal ity within the society. As a result of discrimination, some people may result to delinquent behaviors. Research has shown that places with high levels of inequality have high levels of crime related incidences. Other associated problems include eating disorders leading to obesity, and also mental illnesses (Linda and Brooks 197). Traditionally, women were required to stay at home and perfume household chores such as cooking, washing, and looking after children. Men, on the other hand, spent their whole day working in the farms and earning a livelihood in order to take care of their families. Conventionally, work is considered a result of history. Various jobs were designed in a way that does not allow an individual to be involved in other duties such as looking after children and other household activities. This is because these jobs are very demanding and multitasking would affect the quality of work. Society requires women to bear children, breast feed them, and look after them (D emaiter and Adams 33). Many job descriptions in the modern world lack provisions for these feminine activities. How Race and ethnicity affects experiences in the workplace The ethnic background of an individual plays an important role in how s/he is treated in the work place. I am a Chinese by race and ethnicity. It is evident that i have tried to lessen

Reporting Paper (Accounting) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reporting Paper (Accounting) - Essay Example The employees are required to be assured about the safety and security of their jobs despite takeovers. The points to be discussed in the memo include the post - retirement benefits of the employees of the organization that has been acquired. The human capital is the most essential part for the success of any organization. As and when, there is a merger or acquisition taking place, the employees often feel unsafe about their professional career. In order to, have the professional faith retained among the employees; the management of the company should inform the employees of the acquired firm about the revised perks and perquisites that are on offer. Also, the management of the company should clearly focus on the post – retirement benefits like the pension schemes (namely defined benefit pension schemes and the defined contribution pension schemes). It is prudent for the management of the company to keep the employee force informed about the proposed integration of both the prevailing segments along with the two schemes of the post – retirement benefits. Defined Benefit Pension Scheme – Defined Benefit Pension Schemes, often known as the DB pension schemes are the simplest form of the post – retirement benefits. The benefits i.e. the pensions are calculated on the basis of the predetermined formulae. Basically, the defined benefit pension schemes, which are the traditional schemes in the periphery of the post – retirement benefits, are contributed by the employers. But, employees might also contribute. There are several factors upon which the benefit depends (i.e. the variables of the formulae) and that include prevailing mortality rates, scheme assets, rate of return for the investment and changing regulatory rates among others. The tradition DB pension schemes are observed to be losing their popularity in the recent past to the DC (Defined Contribution)

The topic can be proposed by the writer Assignment - 5

The topic can be proposed by the writer - Assignment Example Teenagers and young adults indulge in poor eating habits that have adverse long-term effects on healthy living. I believe that I am solely responsible for my lifestyle habits. I take responsibility for taking care of my health by embracing a healthy living. I tend to implement such a change by exercising and eating healthy foods. Whetten and Cameron, (2011), convincingly argue that the first step for ensuring a successful implementation process is to establish a climate of positivity. It begins with acceptance. I aim to build on the thought that I will overcome poor lifestyle habits through dedicating most of my free time towards body fitness and healthy living. After establishing a climate of positivity, I will assess myself to ensure that I will honor all the steps towards realizing the change. The primary aspect of creating readiness is to benchmark best practices. Among the best practices to be implemented will be; Additionally, I will institute symbolic events that will signify the initiation of the implementation process. Such events will include visiting a fitness expert and a nutritionist to know more about body fitness and healthy eating habits respectively. Creating readiness will also involve creating a new language that will identify me as part of the individuals embracing healthy living standards. At this step, I will ensure that I have a mentor to inspire me through the entire process. This may involve having someone to look up to, to serve as a benchmark for my success. Effective management of a healthy living standard would involve visualizing the whole process and attaching the end result to the positive change. For example, I appreciate that healthy living is attributable to embracing good eating habits and body fitness. Actions speak louder than words. Therefore, commitment is necessary to ensure that the implementation of the change is tied

Moral Values Essay Example for Free

Moral Values Essay A moral value is a universally accepted ethical principle that governs the day to day living of life. These principles are important in maintaining unity, harmony and honour between people. Moral values are usually communal and shared by the public in general, thus if there is no agreement among community members no moral values will be established. Moral values define the principles and standards which determine the extent to which human action or conduct is right or wrong. They encompass a wide range of universally accepted character traits such as compassion, love, humility and kindness. Morality (from the Latin moralitas manner, character, proper behavior) is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good (or right) and those that are bad (or wrong). The philosophy of morality is ethics. A moral code is a system of morality (according to a particular philosophy, religion, culture, etc. and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code. Morality may also be specifically synonymous with goodness or rightness. Immorality is the active opposition to morality (i. e. opposition to that which is good or right), whileamorality is variously defined as an unawareness of, indifference toward, or disbelief in any set of moral standards or principles. An example of a moral code is the Golden Rule which states that, One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself. [5] Morality and ethics[edit] Ethics (also known as moral philosophy) is that branch of philosophy which addresses questions about morality. The word ethics is commonly used interchangeably with morality and sometimes it is used more narrowly to mean the moral principles of a particular tradition, group, or individual. [6] Likewise, certain types of ethical theories, especially deontological ethics, sometimes distinguish between ethics and morals: Although the morality of people and their ethics amounts to the same thing, there is a usage that restricts morality to systems such as that of Kant, based on notions such as duty, obligation, and principles of conduct, reserving ethics for the more Aristotelian approach to practical reasoning, based on the notion of a virtue, and generally avoiding the separation of moral considerations from other practical c onsiderations. Although the words are often used as synonyms, morals are beliefs based on practices or teachings regarding how people conduct themselves in personal relationships and in society, while ethics refers to a set or system of principles, or a philosophy or theory behind them. When comparing morality with ethics, the word ethics is often used to refer to a philosophical analysis of a particular morality, especially when the formal definition is applied.

Westgate Bridge Collapse Engineering

Westgate Bridge Collapse Engineering The West Gate Bridge fell down on the 15th of October in 1970, it was caused by a few half girders on the west part of the bridge that didnt fit. They attempted to fix this with an unusual method which made the situation worse. The bridge buckled and eventually collapsed. It killed the workers while they were on break and only a few were left alive. Introduction The West Gate Bridge started construction in 1968 and was the second longest bridge in Australia. The building process was going well at first though an unusual method was being used throughout the project. About 2 years into construction, problems began to show. There was an imbalance between several steel girders which made them not fix into position. Some engineers proposed putting 10 concrete blocks which weighed 8 tons individually, on each of the girders to put them into place which caused the bridge to buckle. Background The company Freeman Fox Partners was in charge of build and this was their 20th bridge.Some of their previous works were The Adome Bridge, Humber Bridge, Erskine Bridge, and Forth Road Bridge. The West Gate Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia which spanned over the Yarra River north of Port Phillip and is an important link to the inner city. Investigation For the most part, the investigation was mostly interviewing survivors and explaining what happened. The blame was mostly on the engineer who designed it and the engineers who ordered the concrete blocks. Findings It was found that Ward, aka Freeman Fox Partners were responsible for giving the designs.The bridge was built unevenly and they tried to put concrete blocks on the girders. Their measurements were fixed in the rebuild and there were no problems during the process. Conclusion It was structural engineer fault due to the failure of measuring properly and allowing to fixing the problem with concrete bricks, which resulted in the bridge buckling. The mess was cleaned up almost immediately. The ambulance got the injured, the firefighters put out the fire and the construction crew cleaned up the wreckage and started over. The bridge was reopened to the public in 1978. Notes Camber- is a rate of elevation between two rails Snapped after removing buckle Structural design failure Freeman Fox Partners Second longest bridge in Australia and highest in the country In October 15 1970, The span between piers 10 and 11 collapsed 2,000 Tonne mass plummeted into mud and created an explosion Rescuers risked their lives Girders are large iron or steel beams used in complex structures Unusual method of construction 35 killed, 18 injured Known for jumpers Steel box girder cable-stayed bridge Began construction in 1965 A cable-stayed bridge has one or more towers from which cables support the bridge deck Sources https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/exhibit/wQLmdTVt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Gate_Bridge http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:UccIiYplRh8J:anengineersaspect.blogspot.com/2009/10/west-gate-bridge-collapse-on-its-39th.html+cd=2hl=enct=clnkgl=us https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-f4416355b6576128ede23ea6abd5452e-c?convert_to_webp=true Rubric rating submitted on: 12/21/2016, 12:20:28 PM by [emailprotected] 10 5 0 Title Page Your score: 5 x Present not done Table of Contents Your score: 5 x Present not done Abstract Your score: 10 Present not done Introduction Your score: 5 x Background Your score: 5 Present not done Investigation Your score: 5 Present not done Findings Your score: 5 Present not done Impact Your score: 5 Present not done Conclusion Your score: 5 x not done References Your score: 10 References included no references Notes Your score: 10 Notes recorded no notes 6 Content Pages Your score: filled 6 pages 3 content pages no contents pages

Personal Development Plan Management Essay

Personal Development Plan Management Essay 1 In accordance with the requirements of the task, and identifying individual and organizational goals and smart analysis, and the need to achieve these goals, and skills necessary to analyze and explain the work.  Skills in the objectives of the organization in the future, the goals of individuals and organizations to achieve. Personal Objectives In focusing towards the acronym of SMART, my personal and organizational objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and bounding within time. It means that it is personal or company specific, type of medium is obtained and bounding should be in time. Specific purpose means the purpose of airport facilities, well defined, with broad and focused.  Moreover, special purpose primarily, results and direct further action is discussed.   The goal should be average.  Purpose of measure, for the purpose of this development objective measure awareness and action needed to ensure the identity of the source should be.  Objective standard to compare the performance goal setting is obvious. Another feature  is that the  goal should be  an attainable goal.  If  the target  specified  by the  person  can not be achieved, then  people do not  feel  interested, never  power  to achieve  these goals.  Can not be achieved  when the target  person,  then his  frustration  and  loss of motivation. Cannot be achieved  if the target  is  unrealistic.  This means that  the source  of the  goal should be  specific,  are available.  In order to achieve the desired objectives  of the  purpose and  have some resources, such as: skills, capital, equipment, etc.  will also be  a period of time  to achieve, which means that  there is a  deadline  to achieve this goal  needs.  Time management is  very necessary  in order to achieve  this goal. For a  shortcut  from the  Smart,  my personal  goal is to: 1.To  achieve from  the London  school  of management and accounting  degree  courses. 2.  In order to  complete the  degree. 3.  To become a  good manager  in the organization. Organization objectives Short  to  Smart  organization  as director,  be considered,  there  is a  five  goal  should be that  managers  are  by: Forecasting and planning Intelligence,  attention  briefly  to  the community as  a  supervisory  director,  the director there  are  five  goals: Organizing building of structure division of task resources must be in hand e.g technology, money, material, human. Insurance of security 3:Command =reporting of hierarchy =mentioning of activities =control of all activities by manager 4:Co-ordination Harmony of all efforts Supervision of co ordinated manage Motivation Support must b provided 5: Controlling In order to check efficiency of the personnel, rules are set and commands are expressed to conduct the managerial work. Time management strategies: Managing time for a week: time more effectively and efficiently to use, there are a few ways such as time management. To do this, time can be divided into smaller units. In the case of a business organization, it is seen that the time is spent on various activities of the organization is producing the majority and often ineffective time management time is wasted because of the employee. There are some strategies for time management: 1: Establishing Objectives: To achieve profit maximization, with a realistic way to plan the use of time. Time management is a manager or an organizational objectives more effectively and efficiently helps the entrepreneur to achieve. 2: Evaluation of spending time: Place to spend way too much time at work is required to determine. Hours of work or my availability is also calculated. Actions and activities which a person can do in a week the amount of numbers should also be calculated. In addition to these, other priorities are: 1.Assess the difference between actual and ideal use of time.    2. Give priority assignment work.    3. Necessary and important work towards putting. requirement of skills for achieving personal and organization objectives For the  purpose of this meeting  and every  goal,  individuals and organizations  goals, there is a  need for  certain skills, such as: communication  skills  with other  people,  and information technology and skills, problem solving and  skills and  team  performance and self-learning  Ability of  job skills.  These skills  and basic skills, it is very  important  to achieve  a personal  goal of  many. However, in order  to achieve  the organizations  objectives,  such as the  departments  necessary to include  the  four  skills:  planning, organization  and leadership, and coordination. Task 2: Personal Development Plan Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 Column 7 SKILL Existing PROFICIENCY Proficiency of target Scope of development Judging success criteria Time frame proof No 1. Priority Skills of presentation To be able to give presentation in classroom but feel nervous and cant give presentation as the standard of professional Classroom presenter as confidently Be able to give presentation in the group of tutor I want to achieve A grade in my project by giving successful presentation in the class. Till the academic year ending By giving successful presentation in the class No 2. Priority Skills Of writing The description as technical is good but critical thinking of mine seems to be difficult to present Descriptive writing is good and critical writing is satisfactory To college writing fellow, I can show my work and also in relation to business studies I can make better assignment 2.1 achieving by me in relation to the business studies and assess my skill in accordance with my teacher feedback. I can achieved confidence to make better assignment Till the year of 2nd By making successful assignment in relation course studies No 3. PRIORITY Awareness as commercial I have interest in the issue of business but lack of the awareness as practical Knowledge as practice To participate on the training program for achieving commercial awareness Complete the program of training program for achieving commercial awareness Till the year of 3rd By achieving commercial awareness No 4. PRIORITY Skills Of Team working Cant adjust to work with the team member and cant appreciate other works and also hate to appreciate other ideas Goals are understood by me greatly in order to achieve objectives I appreciate the other team member roles and activities Team progress can be monitored by me in order to meet the difficulties and overcome these difficulties Till the year of 3rd By lead a team successfully No 5. PRIORITY Skills of leadership Not confident and cant lead or motivate other people with my own word Achieve confidence to lead the team and also delegate with others Working as a team leader on a group project. Group is satisfied with me, project is considered as most successful and I can achieve confidence at the best level Till the year of 3rd Working as a team leader on a group project. Task 3 Professional skills Tesco, Sainsbury Marks and Spencer: To respond to this task, here I select the three organizations.   The definition of professional skills and knowledge skills that are obtained for the purpose of personal growth and career advancement as well as can be provided. Facilitate learning opportunities for personal development as the formal work, as conventions and helped with the range of educational opportunities related to the practice involves. Features intensive and collaborative learning opportunities are related with the assessment phase. Consulting, training and community practice, lessons, training, supervision as reflective studies, and technology support: personal development, for example, includes several ways. Personal skills Is also the personal skills and personal skills of the person which consists of mental and communicative algorithms that are applied for the purpose of social communication and interaction with other peoples in order to determine the specific effects or results.   In order to be a successful manager, should be him or her to contain some professional and personal skills such as: leadership, skill and time management, Meeting management, making the presentation, stress management and other given of these skills and new lives. Leadership skills Leadership  skills,  management skills  are considered, is  to promote the Groups  people  use  to achieve  common goals.  In this competitive  market, it is very  necessary to  control,  through its manager,  he or she  can make  the effective and  efficient  leadership skills.  Leadership is  primarily  the ability to  include  local leaders  to listen to  the views of others,  and observe  the activities of employees.  Moreover,  the decision  in decision-making,  the much-needed  skills  for the  manager of  an organization.  Another thing  is that if  employees  have no incentive  to do their own  work  then the business  cannot run, and with the  leadership skills  of  managers, can greatly  stimulate their  works  on the  staff,  to  give them the best. Time management skill Time  management skills  can be  specified in  the definition  and development  processes  to increase efficiency  and productivity  of the  technology tools.  Time management skills  is regarded as personal skills, the use of  the  valuable resources  within the time frame  oriented.  For  the purpose of  time management, managers should be more  organized, efficient, and  fun.  Of personal  time management  skills  including  setting goals, planning  activities, priorities,  making  decisions, delegating, and  scheduling.  By using time management  skills, you can  eliminate waste,  make  the preparations for  the meeting,  refused to  excessive work load, monitor  progress, plan  for  every day, every  week  to  be effective. Stress management skill Stress  is defined as  a specific  event  can provide  the body  the nervous system  response.  Stress management  can be defined as with  stress  reduction and  with people who  include  the  skills,  can contribute to  the specific  situation and  to adjust the  target  system. Stress management  skills are  very  necessary  purpose of  this meeting  managers  and said  the meeting,  the then  managers  should control the  pressure. The above  techniques, such as: leadership,  time management skills, stress  management techniques  is essential  managers success  in his career  and personal life  and his or her  own  through which  to meet  and  achieve organizational  goals and  objectives. Recommendation Several methods currently exist that promote the professional skills for personal purposes, appropriate: leadership, time management skills and management skills is the pressure on managers need in their career success and good life as an individual, through his or she was able to meet the individual and the achievement of the objectives and organizational goals.   For the purpose of developing these skills, can take a number of methods that are described below:   1.  As a structured approach is used to aim to solve the problem   2.  Training programs   3.  The links created between the problem and try to resolve it   4.  Between problem solving and decision-making and relationships   5.  Problems can be solved, through their opinions, to take the peoples support and use, as well as skills development resources required to   Here, the training program and practice development into its own as the most practical approach is to develop personal and professional skills for the purpose of considering professional and personal skills.  The training program mainly related to knowledge acquisition and learning process, sharpening, skills, attitude and behaviour change components, in order to improve employee performance.   Not only that, by the practitioner himself, a person can reach the required skills, such as: Through practice, one can manage time, to solve this problem. Task 4: Personal development plan The definition of personal development plans, providing the persons skills development, as opposed to development or to establish personal and career as well as important things to consider.  In order to develop their own personality, so that the purpose of personal development plan is necessary.  In order to achieve skills and confidence as a professional life, personal development plans to provide support.  And building a career in the relationship between the two main aspects, personal development and characteristics, as well as making good career development characteristics.  Therefore, we can say that a person should have to do a personal development plan.  Here, in relation to the personal and professional and organizational goals, Kolbs learning style is used to learn through it to find appropriate ways and methods to determine the purpose of achieving personal and professional goals and organizational goals. Several methods currently exist that promote the professional skills for skills for personal purpose, appropriate: leadership, time management skills and management skills is the pressure on managers need in their career success and good life as an individual, through his or she was able to meet the individual and the achievement of the objectives and organizational goals.   For the purpose of developing these skills, can take a number of methods that are described below:   1.  As a structured approach is used to aim to solve the problem   2.  Training programs   3.  The links created between the problem and try to resolve it   4.  Between problem solving and decision-making and relationships   5.  Problems can be solved, through their opinions, to take the peoples support and use, as well as skills development resources required to   Here, the training program and practice development into its own as the most practical approach is to develop personal and professional skills for the purpose of considering professional and personal skills.  The training program mainly related to knowledge acquisition and learning process, sharpening, skills, attitude and behaviour change components, in order to improve employee performance.   Not only that, by the practitioner himself, a person can reach the required skills, such as: Through practice, one can manage time, to solve this problem.   Continuing Professional Development:   Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and expand their knowledge and skills, develop their career in the personal qualities required.   Refer to as continuing professional development is to improve the structure of personal skills and professional capacity or commitment.  Continuing professional development can also be defined as awareness of the professional knowledge and expertise throughout a persons working life to improve the update. This is a dedicated, constantly updated, constantly seeking to improve commitment.  It is the optimization of the employment opportunities, both now and in the key to the future.  Should participate in continuing professional development, information and progress and embrace best practice, easy to digest knowledge.  It should neither be too harsh, not boring.  It should stimulate the desire to understand more and more involved in your career. Task 5: Skill audit: There are such questions which consist of point value: Strongly disagree 1 Disagree 2 Agree 3 Strongly agree 4 Team work 1 2 3 4 1. Can adjust to work with all team members o o o o 2: understood the goals in order to achieve objective o o o o 3: my responsibilities are indicator of team efforts o o o o 4: I appreciate the team efforts and its role o o o o 5: In order to meet and overcome the difficulties, o o o o I will monitor my team progress. 6: I will be delighted to lead my team o o o o Problem solving: 7: I may break the task and distribute to my 1 2 3 4 Team. 8: I may ask for help to solve problems. o o o o 9: I face challenges to solve my problems. o o o o 10: Brainstorming is my main tool to generate o o o o ideas. 11: I can anticipate the possible results o o o o to complete a task successfully. 12: I can also predict the alternative solution o o o o in order to solve problems. Time management: 13: Tasks are organised by me on deadline of every task. o o o o 14: I make coherence between the work progress as well as targets. o o o o 15: I evaluate my strength and weakness to meet my o o o o targets and weakness. 16: I may ask for help to solve the problems. o o o o Listen Read phonetically Dictionary View detailed dictionary

They Can Feel It Too Essay -- Animal Rights

Did you know that domestic violence against an animal as a first offence is only a class B misdemeanor and domestic battery against a human is a Class A misdemeanor? Did you also know that a Class A misdemeanor is about 2 times more severe than a Class B misdemeanor? What makes us humans so special and superior to animals? Why do animals have fewer rights and less protection than us? Animals have feelings too and need to be treated as such so I say it’s time for a change. All this abuse and neglect towards animals needs to stop. Animals can feel pain even though they may not express it the same way that us humans do. Animals need our voices to help close the loopholes in our laws. Someone has to speak up for them since they can’t speak for themselves. In media-reported animal cruelty cases, dogs, pit bulls, in particular, are the most common victims of animal cruelty. In 2007 64.5% of media-reported cases involved dogs, 18% involved cats, and 25% involved other types of animals. The HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States) estimates that nearly 1 million animals a year are abused or killed in connection with domestic violence. About 2,168,000 women and men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner in the U.S. every year. 63% of U.S. households own a pet, and 71% of domestic violence victims report that their abuser also targeted their animals. These statistics are very alarming. So is the fact that many convicted murderers and serial killers tortured animals when they were younger and progressed to killing humans. The other two red-flag behaviors are setting fires and wetting ones bed. Now I’m not saying every child that wets themselves should be put under a microscopic eye but all three of these behaviors together ... ...2383--.html Pristin, Terry. "New Jersey Daily Briefing;Tougher Animal Cruelty Law." New York Times 16 July 1996: 1. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=108&sid=58dd2e2a-f77d-4363-99b4-a8f9371ab8ab%40sessionmgr114&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=29578437 VanKavage, Ledy. â€Å"Humane Law Enforcement in Illinois†, Petfinder.com. Spring 2002. Web. March 18, 2012. http://www.petfinder.com/how-to-help-pets/humane-law-enforcement-illinois.html Whitcomb, Rachel. "Veterinarian Recounts Zanesville's Tragic Killing Of 49 Exotic, Wild Animals." DVM: The Newsmagazine Of Veterinary Medicine 42.12 (2011): 7. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=108&sid=58dd2e2a-f77d-4363-99b4-a8f9371ab8ab%40sessionmgr114&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=69711284

Matthew Henson and Merrick Johnston Discovery of the North Pole :: essays research papers

Matthew Henson and Merrick Johnston both achieved something extraordinary. Matthew Henson was awarded as the co-discoverer of the North Pole. Merrick Johnston was the youngest person ever to climb Mt. McKinley. Although they differ, both of their ambitions were hard to achieve and were a huge milestone for each person. Life was forever changed for both Henson and Johnston when they reached their destination. In the dictionary, a goal is â€Å"something that one hopes or intends to accomplish.† Henson accomplished his goal on April 6th, 1909. As a boy, he traveled around on ship and achieved seagoing experience. When he was a store clerk, Robert Peary hired him and introduced Henson to his new goal, which was to climb the North Pole. After a number of tries, he finally reached the top. Johnston had her dream of climbing Mt. McKinley since she was 9. She finally started her journey up the mountain on June 2nd. Although snow occasionally kept her from advancing on her path, Johnston finally touched the top on June 23rd when she was 12 years, 5 months, and 5 days old. Henson and Johnston both accomplished their dreams. Henson and Johnston each needed certain qualities and characteristics to achieve their goals. Henson had experience at sea, was fluent in the Eskimo language, and was skilled in making useful equipment that was needed to survive the path to the North Pole. His perseverance kept him trying to achieve his dream after a number of times in which he failed. Johnston’s training had consisted of gymnastics, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. She even climbed Mt. Goode to get more experience. Her ability to keep focus on her goal brought her to the top of Mt. McKinley. Determination burned in both Henson and Johnston day after day. If it was not for these qualities, Henson and Johnston might not have reached their destination.

Gone with the Wind Essay

â€Å"Gone with the Wind† is an adaptation of an historical romance. The film, set in Civil War-era southern United States, tends to be highly sentimental. Paradoxically, the circumstances in which it is set are often harrowing and serve to highlight the bravery required to survive during that time. The â€Å"frothiness† of the plot is in stark contrast to the utter seriousness of its context. The film opens in the antebellum South, on a Georgia plantation where the heroine entertains two gentlemen callers. The talk is of imminent war, a theme which guests carry through the subsequent picnic. Talk then turns to action and the men depart to enlist in the Confederate Army. Confidence and jubilation quickly become disappointment which gives way to horror as the realities of war intrude upon the genteel tableau. Under assault, the Southerners struggle to keep their society together in the face of poverty, filth, and chaos. We see the major historical points of the period, especially Sherman’s march through Georgia and the burning of Atlanta, a scorched earth policy. The women are the main characters in the film. In the effects of war and its aftermath we see destitution, famine, terror, desperation. The wounded are legion and supplies dwindle and disappear. The war ends and the soldiers come home to regroup. Carpetbaggers descend and begin an uneasy alliance with enterprising individuals, notably Scarlett. She casts aside honor to regain prosperity, marrying for money and using her combination of feminine wiles and shrewdness to rise above abject poverty. Finally she marries Rhett, a selfish opportunist like her. At the end he realizes that she will never love him and leaves Scarlett with that which has sustained her; an abiding love for Tara. This narrative is history seen from the women’s perspective. They are alternately brave, childish, and childlike, treading on the line between what they are and what they must be. They do it for the men of the South, themselves, and for the South itself. The depiction of the war and the events surrounding it is largely consistent with the historical record. The factual portions of the film are in part accurate. For instance, at a benefit supporting the war, the ladies are asked to relinquish their jewelry. Such a depiction is consistent with the account in â€Å"The American Civil War† by Peter J. Parish and it highlights one of the sacrifices women made during this time. George A. Trenholm, who replaced Secretary of the Confederate Treasury Memminger, asked for these concessions as the finances of the South became particularly desperate. This detail concerns one of the points at which â€Å"Gone With the Wind† succeeds as history. â€Å"†¦wealthy female slaveholders escaped significant disruption in their lives at the outset of the war, for they had money to maintain their antebellum lifestyle and the slaves to maintain plantation production. † (Frank 514) Thus the sheltered experience depicted in the film is wholly consistent with rich women’s lives until the last stages of the period. In opposition, several events as depicted in â€Å"Gone with the Wind† are inaccurate. At the end and after the war, black people did not leap to the aid of their former masters as the film asserts. The character Mammy would have sought paid employment rather than stay on a ruined plantation. In reality, the vast majority of the planters used violence to subjugate their â€Å"property. † In one scene, the character Ashley Wilkes chides Scarlett for treating the convict workers in her lumber mill cruelly in supposed contrast with their treatment of the slaves. It is true that in the darkest days for the South they did choose to prevail upon the Negroes to fight for their own oppression. â€Å"There was no greater irony in all the efforts of the Confederacy to find adequate means to match its ambitious goals than the proposal to arm Negroes. † (Parish 561) But the slaves did not fight for the South as much for a newfound and cherished liberty, greater than they had ever known. And once they had tasted that liberty, they did not willingly acquiesce in the imposition of a terrible, unjust burden. The importance of the Civil War and its aftermath can hardly be overstated. The struggle has been the only armed conflict fought on our territory. It consumed nearly 500,000 lives, the largest wartime death toll in American history. It also was a first step in remedying the shame of slavery which Americans had perpetrated in a country which largely had been the realization of a vision of freedom and equality. They fought with not only the political reality of the South’s secession of 1861, but with the region’s separate psychology. â€Å"By 1860 the South was a state of mind as well as a place on the map. A definition of ‘Southernness’ was and is at least as much a task for the psychologist as for the geographer. † (Parish 303) This enduring mindset notwithstanding, had the South won, not only would the crime of slavery have been continued, it is doubtful that the U. S. would have grown into the superpower it is today. The war determined that an integral part of the union would remain. The significance of the war for the world at large in the mid-nineteenth century â€Å"†¦belongs in part to the realm of might-have-beens; its long-term consequences derived less from what did happen from what did not. † (Parish 381) Among the events that very well might have happened were interference from foreign governments, international recognition of the Confederacy, and the widening of this internecine war into a general conflagration abroad. Such luck for the union was due to the relative isolation the U. S. has enjoyed throughout its history. Americans fought their war amid constant threats from abroad. â€Å"There was nothing inevitable about the fact that it remained a domestic†¦affair. It remained a purely American affair through a combination of good fortune and great skill on the part of those who wished to keep it so, gross errors on the part of those who did not, and canny calculations of national and self-interest on the part of those who might have been caught in its toils. † (Parish 381) Although some continue to fight this war in their minds, they benefit from over 200 years of federal association and its attendant largess. As I stated earlier, with regard to the historical accuracy of the film as document, it is a women’s narrative. Though there was no Scarlett O’Hara per se, the things we see her experience and perpetrate on others is consistent with the accounts of those who actually lived in that time and place. The threat of starvation was indeed present in all households in the later stages. â€Å"Domestic production and ingenuity staved off a state of crisis for slaveholding women for a while, but, by the end of the war starvation and material deprivation shook even the most affluent households. † (Frank 515) When Scarlett was forced to hide her wagon under a bridge with three highly vulnerable people in it while Northern soldiers passed overhead, she was surviving a circumstance familiar to many Southern women. â€Å"†¦many faced the hazards of living in the path of the Union army. Those who resided near the battlefront risked having their property commandeered, stolen, or destroyed by Northern soldiers. (Frank 515) Such dangers were in addition to the threat, both potential and realized, of bodily violation. Scarlett valiantly, not to say desperately, defends herself and her loved ones against a looting Union soldier when she shoots him in the face. It is an act not uncommon to those willing and able to defend themselves. The depiction of slave and ex-slave loyalty is highly romanticized to say the least. â€Å"Gone with the Wind† depicts Negroes as possessing a childlike innocence. They seem to be a rich vein of merriment instead of the human beings upon which the horrors of bondage had been visited. Nowhere do we see slavery’s pain and degradation. The black characters in the film are even more a caricature than even the heroine is at times. The film’s tendency toward opaque sentiment at first glance is a terrible injustice to a period quite painful to the American psyche be it black or white, Northern or Southern. Certainly the film is nowhere near the caliber of slave narratives, Ken Burns’ â€Å"the Civil War†, or â€Å"Uncle Tom’s Cabin. † However, it is important as hitherto all-too-often neglected genre of women’s history. Seldom in mainstream culture is the women’s perspective represented so faithfully. And equally seldom is it given the attention and resources devoted to this film. It is simply not taken seriously enough and shunted off into women’s studies classes rather than included in the mainstream of scholarship. Valuable though they are, the women’s studies classes or gender studies courses tend to attract the favor of those predisposed to appreciate them. â€Å"Gone With the Wind†, for a long while a staple of popular culture, has reached a much wider audience. In many ways this movie is indeed an historical romance, ladies’ fiction. However it is also a significant historical document. Many more people have learned about the Civil War from the women’s point of view by means of viewing this film than from any other source. This fact, in addition to its inclusion of important data, renders it deserving of attention and respect. For instance, it highlights the worthlessness of the Confederate currency, a situation which underscores the sheer lack of administrative competence displayed in the South at all stages of the war. Not only did the Confederates fight the North, they also had to contend with the inherent weaknesses of their fledgling nation, as they sought to envision it. Many things weakened â€Å"The Cause†, most notably slavery’s lack of long-term viability as an economic model. The South was heavily invested in a system which had no hope of succeeding beyond a few years. To a great extent, the Confederacy fell under its own weight, much to the past and continuing chagrin if its champions and much to the edification of the nation of which it is a part as well as humankind in general. If only the proof of that assertion would not have required the death of so many and the maiming of still more. Bibliography Frank, Lisa Tendrich. Women in the American Civil War Vol. II. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Inc. , 2008 Parish, Peter J. American Civil War, the. New York: Holmes and Meier, 1975.

Personal Conflict Essay

It was on January 2006 when I starting set my feet in USA, a day I forget cognize to remember. I was eighteen years hoary so and had just graduated from highschool school. I was the best student in my previous school so I got a scholarship to further my studies. Since childhood ,I was fascinated by plurality curiously their cultures, religions and otherwise aspects of their lives but what rattling astonied me was the counsel they communicated and the different languages that they utilise.My life had revolved round peerless language that was Arabic and in that respectfore when this chance came I was actu whollyy excited and with erupt second models took the opportunity to moot English as my second language. I chose English because it was an international language and I knew it would sponsor me communicate with many flock from different sectionalizations of the World. to a greater extent so, it was to be of great dishance to me especi every last(predicate)y in m y placate in the USA. When this day came, I was amidst mixtures of feelings. Even though I was genuinely excited, terror and amazement took the wagerer part of me.The suasion of leaving my parents and my younger siblings actu all in ally terrified me and all of a sudden, I felt lonely. Earlier on aft(prenominal) waking up, prayers had been arranged for me and all pile wished me a safe journey to America. I was escorted by my friends and family members to the airdrome where they bid me farewell. This was my first time to pop off from my dental plate verdant and the first to travel in an airplane. go in the plane many thoughts cross my mind. I thought round the good deal I would meet and wondered how they would receive me.I also thought ab egress the college I would be enrolled to and my classmates to be . I wondered if there were people from my home place, how many will they be and above all how I would communicate since I was non lie withn with English by then. I was in this state when suddenly an air air air hostess brought me some snacks . Tasty as they looked, I never took a bite. What I could non realize ab pop out the air hostess was that she appeared composed and friendly and completely insensible of my predicament. She was young, energetic and cheerful and nonhing seemed to get at her.Contrary, I was deep in confusion and uncertainty . I lost my impulse something which seldom happens to me. In fact , I rarely choose food and anything eatable is good to me provided it is non harmful . More so, being the first time to travel by plane I was unfeignedly uncomfortable and the experience was horrifying. At one time a thought of the carpenters plane crushing crossed my mind and it genuinely got me s safekeepingd. Sleep never crossed my eye during the whole journey and it took exactly fourteen hours to reach my destination.I arrived at the JFK airport in New York at around 10 pm . The night was cayenne pepper and many people wore heavy turn to keep their bodies warm . I had carried a light jacket which I wore to cherish myself from the cold . The environment was new and everything about this place seemed new to me. I was actually getting more and more confounded and thought it was level(p) damp when I was in the plane. My light jacket did not seem to be of much help to me because the cold weather was getting the better of me. Though out of place, a thought crossed my mind.I wondered of how it used to be unusually hot at home and how I had adapted to that kind of climate. I wondered how long would it narrow for me to get used to this new environment. I do not know exactly how long I had been standing there but what I recall is that I found myself all alone, confused, scared and lost and attracting some policemen. I felt out of place and the bearing they were looking at me was s warmth. Did they see me as a terrorist or something? I never got to answer that question because one of them came direct to w here I was and asked whether I was Mr.Mohammed. Though at first I could not sympathise what he was driving at, the mention of my take a leak made me realize he was out to find me. Upon receiving my answer, he took my passport and asked me to comprise him. They took me to one isolated room where they begun interrogating me. brusk did they know that I could not understand whatever they were talking about. From their faces I could propound they were suspicious of something. One police police officer who was taller than the rest and had a pointed nose with fulgent eyes called the others and got outside of the room.I comprehend them whispering but could not publish what they were discussing. I do not know exactly what transpired but the moment they came in I sensed danger. I was coerce to take off my clothes which a office from being humiliating experience it really made me nervous. They might pass on thought that I had some atomic run out with me. What made me extremely ter rified was the way they were pointing guns at me. For a moment I thought I was going to die. here(predicate) I was, people back at home hoping the best for me but not having a clue of the deadly smirch I was in at that position time.The thought of my mum losing me, made me fall done and when I came back to my senses, I was identify out ridded in a infirmary. At the infirmary I got acquinted to the nurse who was taking care of me . She was a very caring and enjoyable lady. She did not like it when I told her (she tacit me inspite the language barrier) how the policemen had treated me . She failed to understand how people some time could be so inhumane. It was from her that I learnt of how I ended up in an hospital and she also told me that our embassy had been contacted. both this she claimed was done the concerted effort of the management of the hospital . Through her kindness and assurance that all will be well, I was etymon to nourish hope that things would be better f or me. I failed to understand how things could contradict themselves. It was just now not easy to relate the caring and treatment I received from the hospital with the reception I received from the policemen. I had been at the hospital overnight and I got discharged at around 10 am in the morning. This happened when the Saudi Arabian embassy displace one of its agents to intervene .All was set right and I could not believe it when one policeman was sent to apologize on the behalf of the others and he even offered us a ride to a hotel. The ride was short but I did not fail to notice how the roads were smooth and carefully constructed. If it were home the journey would have taken a small(a) bit longer because most of them fill to be tarmacked and they are dusty. When I arrived at the hotel, I took a bathe, had lunch and then slept after 28 good hours of unrest. I woke up at around 10 pm and realized I was all alone, the agent from the Saudi Arabian embassy had promised to beadin g by the following morning to deplumate me up.He had informed me that he would take me to his house and where I would be staying for awhile while we sort matters out. I could not get sleep that night. All my thoughts order to the kind of life I was to running in the USA. Foremost, being an Arab and a Moslem I wondered where mosques could be found and whether I would learn to communicate in English. excessively I thought about the come upon with the policemen and realized the matter had been made Byzantine due to ineffective communications. All these and other thoughts ran across my mind through out the night.In spite uncertainty face me, I kept on hoping accept and having faith that everything will turn out right for me and I would enjoy my stay in the USA and eventually make it my home. It has been three years now since I arrived in the USA. A lot of things have changed mostly with me trying to catch up with the American way of life. I have made new friends from different backgrounds and we assist each other in times of troubles. Even though I am different in my culture, religion and way of thinking, I get along with others through their support and understanding.

Dadsa

THE EVOLUTION OF THE Filipino statistical SYSTEM* CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction The Filipino statistical scheme Through the Years The Present statistical curbing trunk Recent Initiatives of the Philippine statistical arranging Lessons Learned, Ch everyenges and Opportunities ______________________________ Philippine verdant opus prep bed by the discipline statistical Coordination hop on and disseminated during the Seminar on the ontogenesis of bailiwick statistical schemes organized by the linked Nations Statistics utilization in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations statistical Commission held on 23 February 2007 in New York, USA. 1 THE EVOLUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE statistical SYSTEM COUNTRY PAPER By The depicted object statistical Coordination identity card, Philippines1 1. INTRODUCTION This democracy paper pays the history and existing features of the Philippine statistical clay (PSS).It as vigorous as articulates the administr ations recent initiatives as well as the lessons learned with the historic period and the ch totally told toldenges and opportunities authenticly faced by the trunk. The Philippines is unrivaled of galore(postnominal) countries with a de exchangeized statistical system. The PSS has evolved by several(prenominal) stages in response to the prevailing political, scotch and well-disposed policies of the judicature. The emphasis on suffering readying in after old age led to the mental institution of look for and statistics divisions in existing de compositionments to re make for their info and tuition call fors.As a result, a decentralized system emerged whereby statistical dishs atomic outcome 18 managed and supervised by the individual agencies with overall coordination by a overt atomic number 18a body. The pledge PSS is the result of a all-encompassing review of the system that was at a lower place force backn in 1986 by a multi-disciplinary and multi- orbital committee ceremonious by the Philippine political relation. The review was overly infrataken in line with a judicature-wide re disposal which saw the need for unavoidable and proper changes in the bureaucracy in order to promote efficiency and effectiveness n the delivery of habitual run. The recommendations of the committee, which accept the need to handle a decentralized statistical system characterized by freedom, objectivity, and truth to make it much reactive to the requirements of national suppuration, provided the basis for the reorganization of the PSS in 1987. Its mission is to provide timely, accurate and habitful statistics for the organisation and the prevalent, especially for homework and decision do.With the inadequate resources and some opposite constraints, the PSS continues to seek for alternate(a) measures and strategies toward responding to the current and emergent penurys of the variant clientele and stakeholders. The PS S excessively continues to effect returnss in its capacity to provide caliber statistical products and function. Likewise, it recognizes the need to conform to supranational standards, comparisons and practices, and it provides digest and cooperation to the statistical endeavors of the world(prenominal) community. Dr. Romulo A.Virola is the Secretary General of the contented statistical Coordination hop on, Philippines (ra. emailprotected gov. ph). 1 2 2. THE PHILIPPINE statistical SYSTEM THROUGH THE YEARS2 politics statistical activities in the country have gone a yen way from the Spanish authorities to the range statistical system. From the simple attempts of the Spanish monarchy to collect intimacy on the country and its resources, the PSS has evolved to come a decentralized system with a strong organize body to serve the more complex necessitate of insurance planning and decision qualification.The succeeding(a) were the satisfying developments in the countr ys statistical system at mingled periods and stages. 2. 1 Spanish Regime (1571 1898) During the Spanish regime, at that place was no regular and systematic discipline line of battle in the country except in the later days of the colonial period. Information on the people, villages, caboodletlements, tri scarcees collected, judicial cases rectifytled and the natural resources were obtained by the governors-general upon instructions from the queen of Spain to the Spanish governorgeneral in the Philippines.From ab start the middle of the eighteenth century, the priests kept records of baptisms, marriages and deaths, making possible some macrocosm estimates. The source-year number below the Spanish regime was assumeed in 1877 with the yield of a royal right ordering the enumeration of the population. Succeeding censuses were whoremasteralizeed in 1887 and 1897. The results of the jump census were published in Archipelago Filipino en la Oceania Censo de Poblacion Ve rificado in 1887 but those of the latter were neer published.The Spanish colonial statistical system began when an Officiana commutation de Estadistica was established in the Direccion General de constitution civilian in 1889. The priests were obliged to report births, marriages and deaths which occurred within their parish to this office. The yield of the Boletin de Estadistica de la Ciudad de Manila, a monthly journal, was started in 1895, making addressable population and vital statistics. 2. 2 Ameri give the axe Regime (1898 1946) The onset of the American regime brought with it a more systematized knowledge collection system.This was marked by the creation of a statistical unit in the delegacy of Customs to collect, tabulate, and disseminate statistics on imports and exports. Although no statistical units were formally created in early(a)(a) governing body offices during the time, instruction were nevertheless collected and conglomerated by them for administrative purposes. The thorax of factory farm, created in 1902, compiled selective study on the military issue of farms, irrigated beas, and cultivated land.The vanity of apprehend, created in 1908, gathered entropy on the number and membership of confinement organizations and force back cases. Vital adaption likewise modifyd during this period. The first census to a lower place the American regime was conducted in 1903, with the next censuses on a lower floortaken in 1918 and 1939. varied organizations carried unwrap the censuses apiece time. The PSS Composition, Organization and Coordination, NEDA, 1980 decision maker Summary of the Phase 1 Report of Decentralization and the PSS Project, 1994 History of the PSS http//www. ire. it-u. ac. jp administrator company zero(prenominal) 121 Reorganizing and beef up the PSS and for opposite(a) Purposes, 1987. 2 3 The plane section of Public Information carried out the 1903 census and the United States numerate office s taff processed the statistics opus the ad hoc Commission of census conducted the 1939 census. In 1918, the delegacy of Commerce and persistence was created (with a statistics division) under the helping of Commerce and Communication. For thirteen years, this division served as the unclutter house of all statistical reading in the country.The info were published yearly in statistical bulletins, which served as the comprehensive and authoritative sources of statistical knowledge during the period. The first attempt to consoli involution statistical chest of drawers and responsibility in the country came about with the expatriation of the dresser of Commerce and Industry to the division of Agri cultivation and Commerce, which was organized in 1932. A special statistical division in the department was created which absorbed the Bureaus statistical functions as well as those of the Bureau of Agriculture.The statistics produced were published in the Philippine statistical r rating. The centralization of all statistical activities in one way of life was realized when the Bureau of the Census and Statistics (BCS) was created by re macrocosm snatch none 591 in 1940 under the bunk of the President. All major statistical units of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Department of Labor, the Bureau of Health, the Bureau of Customs, the home(a) Library, Department of Public Information and the 1939 Commission of Census were merged to the young Bureau.The move to centralize the statistical system was interrupted because of World War II. 2. 3 Postwar recovery period starting in 1946 When the Philippines gained independence from the U. S. in July of 1946, the urgent need for selective info with which to plan and go across rehabilitation programmes for a war-ravaged providence manifested itself. The BCS remained under the major power of the President until 1947 when it was placed under the newly organized Department of Commerce and Industry f or administrative purposes.In 1948, the BCS conducted the first postwar census. The creation of the rally hope of the Philippines in 1949 and the Agricultural scotchs partition in the Department of Agriculture in 1953, as well as the return of the Labor Statistics Division to the Department of Labor, ushered in a period of grand activity. With the blowup of presidency activities in the fields of overt health, education, social welfargon, public administration, crop subsidies, monetary stabilization, and agro-industrial development, statistical units gradually resurfaced.Consequently, the need for a decentralized statistical system with a central authority responsible for(p) for coordinating all the statistical activities of the political sympathies was recommended. 2. 4 reorganization in 1956 Through the Government good deal and Reorganization Commission created in 1954, a set of recommendations was formulated which provided the framework for the administration of a inc orporated decentralized statistical system.These recommendations brought about two significant changes in the statistical system, as follows (a) the emergence of the Office of 4 the statistical Coordination and Standards (OSCAS) and (b) the transfer of some statistical functions from the BCS to early(a) government agencies. The decentralization of statistical activities was carried out in 1956 with the creation of a central coordinating authority, the OSCAS under the depicted object sparing Council (NEC) by law of administrator ordination nary(prenominal) 119.Among the functions of this body was to drivel off the coordination of all statistical activities of five major statistical operating agencies and more than a hundred administrative agencies which carry out statistical activities as part of their administrative and regulatory functions. The five agencies were the following (1) Bureau of the Census and Statistics, (2) Bureau of Agricultural sparings, (3) Department of Economic explore, Central Bank of the Philippines, (4) Labor Statistics expediency, Department of Labor, and (5) infirmity Intelligence revolve around, Department of Health.Later, more government agencies surfaced to become major producers of native statistics to tackle the increasing inescapably of government planners for statistical selective information. Likewise, all statistical functions pertaining to agriculture and natural resources, banking and pay, prod, vital registration, and education were transferred from the BCS to opposite government agencies, which by nature of their administrative and regulatory functions and for super well-organized statistical units, were disclose pendent to undertake them.This set up existed for about a decade and a half until another government-wide reorganization of the executive peg of the government was introduced base on the Integrated Reorganization Plan (IRP) in 1972. 2. 5 Reorganization in 1972 The implementation of th e IRP in 1972 abolished the NEC and set up in its place the depicted object Economic and nurture Authority (NEDA) headed by a conductor-General. One of the offices under NEDA was the statistical Coordination Office (SCO), which was made up of two staff units drawn from the iii branches of OSCAS.Meanwhile, in 1974, the BCS under the Department of Commerce and Industry was reconstituted and renamed study Census and Statistics Office (NCSO) and placed under the administrative management of the NEDA. During this time, only one authoritative served as the NEDA representative Director-General for SCO and, concurrently, as executive director Director of NCSO. The official as well acted as Chairman of the Statistical informative wag (SAB), which was the forerunner of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). The cosmea of SCO, NEDA brought about a number of developments in statistics, in particular through its Statistical victimisation Fund.Among them were the follow ing (1) expansion in standardization work as exemplified by the publication of the Manual on the Philippine System of National Accounts, good examples, Sources and Methods (2) first Philippine Statistical teaching course of study and (3) development of statistical frameworks, such(prenominal) as Input-Output Tables (in col crusadeation with NCSO), Flow-of-Funds Accounts (in quislingism with the Central Bank), Social chronicle Matrix, and Agriculture Economic Accounts (in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture). . 6 Reorganization in 1987 Recognizing the need to further nurture the efficiency of the statistical system and improve the patness and accuracy of statistics for planning and decision making, a comprehensive 5 study and review of the PSS was conducted by a special committee in 1986. The committee recognized the need to maintain a decentralized statistical system with a strong coordination characterized by independence, objectivity, and integrity to make i t more responsive to the requirements of national development.Thus, the PSS was restructured with the issuance of executive purchase order no. 121, entitled Reorganizing and alter the Philippine Statistical System and for other Purposes on 30 January 1987. The executive Order provided the basis for the present structure of the decentralized PSS. By virtue of this order, the NSCB as the highest policymaking and coordinating body on statistical matters was created in 1987, replacing the NEDA Statistical Coordination Office and the Statistical Advisory Board.The Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC) as the look and tuition arm of the PSS was in any case established. The NCSO was renamed National Statistics Office (NSO) and was tasked to be the major statistical post responsible for generating general-purpose statistics and undertaking such censuses and eyeshots as whitethorn be designated by the NSCB. The demands of national economic recovery after the EDSA Revoluti on in 1986 necessitated changes in the organizational and functional structure of the entire bureaucracy. downstairs administrator Order no(prenominal) 16 issued on 30 January 1987, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) was established as one of the seven bureaus of the Department of Agriculture to take charge of the take of statistics on agriculture, fishery and relate fields. The BAS has assumed most of the functions of its predecessor, the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. It was as well as on 30 January 1987 when the Department of Labor was organise anew under executive Order No. 126 and one of its alimentation was the abolition of the Labor Statistics Service and the creation of the Bureau of Labor and utilisation Statistics (BLES) as one of the six bureaus of the Department.The other departments have keep the statistical units within their attentivenessive offices. Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) created its Department of Statistics on 20 March 2005 to assume the statistical functions lodged before at its Department of Economic Research. 3. THE birth statistical SYSTEM 3. 1. LAWS AND OTHER LEGAL alimentation FOR STATISTICAL ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES3 The following atomic number 18 the laws that govern the trading trading operations of the PSS 3. 1. 1 executive director Order No. 121 Reorganizing and Strengthening the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987 3. 1. 2. Commonwealth conduct No. 91 An kind activity to Create a Bureau of the Census and Statistics to Consolidate Statistical issueivities of the Government issued on 19 stately 1940 Other legal nutrition concerning the statistical affairs in the country be the following 3 say-so websites. 6 3. 1. 3. Executive Order No. 116 Renaming Ministry of Agriculture and Food as Ministry of Agriculture, Reorganizing Its Units, Integrating All Offices and Agencies Whose Functions Relate to Agriculture and piscary in to the Ministry, and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987, which accommodates the creation of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics within the Ministry 3. . 4. Executive Order No. 126 Reorganizing the Ministry of Labor and Employment and for Other Purposes issued on January 30, 1987, which complicates the creation of the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics within the Ministry 3. 1. 5. Executive Order No. 135 Providing for the pass wa limitent of A Well-Coordinated Local Level Statistical System issued on 6 November 1993 3. 1. 6. Executive Order No. 352 agnomen of Statistical playivities That Will Generate Critical selective information for Decision-Making of the Government and the Private Sector issued on 1 July 1996 3. . 7. Executive Order No. 406 Institutionalizing the Philippine EconomicEnvironmental and graphic Resources Accounting (PEENRA) System and Creating Units Within the Organizational body structure of the Department of Environment and vivid Resou rces (DENR), National Economic and study Authority (NEDA), and National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) issued on 21 March 1997 3. 1. 8. Proclamation No. 647 Declaring the Month of October of all(prenominal) Year as the National Statistics Month signed on 20 folk 1990 3. 1. 9. Proclamation No. 93 Declaring the Month as National Census Month signed on 7 June 1995 of September 1995 3. 1. 10. Proclamation No. 248 Adopting the Philippine Statistical study Program (PSDP) for 1999-2004 issued on 24 February 2000 3. 1. 11. Proclamation No. 1140 Adopting the Philippine Statistical mountment Program (PSDP) 2005-2010 issued on 19 September 2006 Board resolutions and memorandum orders/circulars ar likewise issued as necessary by the NSCB Executive Board when there ar new statistical frameworks and indicator systems, new mechanisms for statistical coordination, new methodologies or concepts, etc. or acceptance and implementation by the versatile stakeholders of the system. 3. 2. THE COMPONENTS OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICAL SYSTEM The PSS consists of statistical organizations at all administrative levels, its personnel and the national statistical program. Specifically, the organizations comprising the system let in the following A policy-making and coordinating body the National Statistical Coordination Board A oneness general-purpose statistical position the National Statistics Office 7A research and dressing arm the Statistical Research and Training Center Units of government engaged in statistical activities either as their primary function or as part of their administrative or regulatory functions all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of national and local anaesthetic governments and all government-owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries The major statistical agencies in the PSS take on the NSCB, NSO, SRTC, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) of the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) of the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Economic Statistics of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Other selective information producers in the government acknowledge research and statistics divisions/units usually within the planning profit of the sundry(a) departments and bureaus. The major statistical agencies and all other selective information producers be situated in assorted administrative hierarchies of the country with each unit compile and aggregating data. The said administrative beas admit the national, regional, peasant, city, municipal and barangay levels. In addition, the local government units (LGUs) in each province, city, municipality or barangay be rich sources of data.The enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 which mandated the devolution of basic government services to LGUs had some implications on the data generation activities of the bear upon sectors. The chart below sh ows the linkages among the motley institutions and players in the PSS. Framework for the Management and Coordination of the PSS 3. 2. 1. The policy-making and coordinating body 8 National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB)4 The NSCB was created as the highest policy-making and coordinating body on statistical matters in the Philippines. It is under the administrative management of the National Economic and phylogeny Authority. The NSCB formulates policies, delineates responsibilities, sets anteriorities and standards on statistics and administers the one-stop statistical information center.It as well as maintains multi-sectoral statistical frameworks and indicator systems which serve as bases for the advance of statistical coordination. It provides links and fora for coordination between and among these key players. It alike serves as the statistical clearing house and striking for transnational statistical matters. Foremost among the objectives of the NSCB is to develo p an refined PSS capable of providing timely, accurate, relevant, and useful data for the government and the public for planning and decision-making. The major goal of the NSCB is to promote the independence, objectivity, integrity, relevancy and responsiveness of the PSS. The powers and functions of the NSCB as defined under piece 5 of Executive Order No. 21 are as follows Promote and maintain an efficacious statistical system in the government explain policies on all matters relating to government statistical operations Recommend executive and legislative measures to kindle the development and efficiency of the system, including the internal structure of statistical agencies Establish suspend mechanism for statistical coordination at the regional, churl and city levels Approve the Philippine Statistical development Program Allocate statistical responsibilities among government agencies by designating the statistics to be collected by them, including their periodicity and c ontent Review budgetary proposals involving statistical operations and banish an corporate budget for the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) to the Department of budget and Management (DBM) Review and clear, prior to forfeit, all funds for statistical operations Develop, rate and maintain appropriate framework for the improvement of statistical coordination and Prescribe uniform standards and salmagundi systems in government statistics. The NSCB as coordinator is not engaged in primary data collection. The Executive Order further provides that the decisions of the NSCB on statistical matters shall be final and executory.At the helm of the NSCB is the NSCB Executive Board which is calm of the undersecretaries of the different departments and heads of major statistical agencies and chaired by the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning. The NSCB Executive Board holds every quarter pick upings. The NSCB has a Technical mental faculty which performs the following functions fall i n adept and secretariat moderate to the NSCB Serve as the statistical clearing house and liaison for international statistical matters and Executive Order No. 121 Reorganizing and Strengthening the PSS and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987 NSCB website http//www. nscb. gov. ph 4 9 realize other functions as may be assigned by the NSCB and as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of Executive Order No. 21 The products and services provided by the NSCB Technical Staff are the following Statistical policies and measures to resolve specific issues and provide policy directions in the PSS National Accounts and link up economic key outs to assess the economic capital punishment of the country Economic and social indicators Standards and potpourri systems to arrange uniform standards in government statistics Statistical publications and CD Roms to disseminate the most relevant data produced by the PSS and to make statistics more getatable to the public The PSDP t o serve as a blueprint of precedency programs and activities to be undertaken to improve the PSS in the medium term Services Coordination of inter means concerns Coordination of subnational statistical systems Statistical survey review and clearance system ripening of statistical standards and classification systems Designation of statistics Local and international data requests Technical services Advocacy for statistical awareness One stop statistical information centers On line statistical service thru the network (www. nscb. gov. ph) 3. 2. 2. entropy Producers In the government, the major agencies that produce statistics as their primary function are as follows National Statistics Office (NSO)5 The NSO is the major statistical agency responsible in collecting, compiling, classifying, producing, publishing, and disseminating general-purpose statistics as provided for in Commonwealth Act No. 591. The NSO is under the administrative watchfulness of NEDA. It pass ons data on population, ho utilise, agriculture, fisheries, business, industry, prices and households through periodic censuses and strain surveys.NSO also has the responsibility of carrying out and administering the provision of the well-bred Registry Law as provided for in Act No. 3753 dated February 1931. It also processes and compiles administrative-based statistics on internal and foreign trade, business permits and vital statistics from the civil registration system. More specifically, the NSO is tasked to Prepare for and undertake all censuses on population, agriculture, commerce, and industry ( share 2, C. A. 591 Section 1, Batas Pambansa Blg. 72) 5 NSO website http//www. census. gov. ph 10 conduct statistical surveys by enumeration, sampling, and other methods (Section 2, Batas Pambansa Blg. 2) compile and classify other statistical data and information (Section 2, C. A. 591) conduct social and economic studies and make projectionions of population, country production, income and the number of livestock (Section 2, C. A. 591) publish and disseminate all information related to the above functions (Section 2, C. A. 591) assist the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in the formulation of a continuing comprehensive statistical program for the government (Section 5, Presidential Decree 418) provide adept assist and financing to projects of other statistical agencies and institutions (Section 5, P. D. 418) carry out and administer the purvey of Act. No. 753, entitled An Act to establish a Civil Register (Section 2, C. A. 591) and other laws on civil registration and issue say-so to solemnizing officers in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of the Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209 effective August 3, 1988). Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS)6 The BAS, which is under the Department of Agriculture, produces agricultural statistics. It depicts statistics on crop production, prices of agricultural commod ities, volume and cherish of livestock traded, farm income and expenditure, farming systems, agricultural finance, through sample surveys. Section 16 of Executive Order No. 16 defines the functions of the BAS as follows to collect, compile and liberation official agricultural statistics to exercise technical command over data collection centers and to coordinate all agricultural statistics and economic research activities of all bureaus, corporations and offices under the Department of Agriculture. Further, Section 41 of plebeianwealth Act No. 8435 or Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 approved on December 22, 1997, mandates the BAS to serve as the central information source and innkeeper of the National Information Network (NIN) of the DA and to provide technical assistance to end-users in accessing and analyzing product and market information and technology. In 2000, the BAS structural organization was strengthened and reoriented pursuant(predicate) to the r elevant provisions of DA administrative Order No. series of 1998 in compliance with the provisions of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act or RA8435 of 1997. This law designates BAS as the central information source and server of the National Information Network (NIN) of the DA. Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES)7 6 7 BAS website http//www. bas. da. gov. ph BLES website http//www. bles. dole. gov. ph 11 The BLES, which is under the Department of Labor and Employment, produces labor and example statistics. It generates establishment-based labor data, such as labor turnover, labor practices, organizations, occupational injuries and illnesses and wage rates. Section 21 of the Executive Order 126 andates the BLES to carry out the following functions Formulate, develop and implement plans and programs on the labor statistical system in order to provide the government with timely, accurate and reliable data on labor and employment Conduct nationwide surveys and studies which will generate trends and structures on labor and employment Develop and prescribe uniform standards, nomenclatures and methodologies for the collection, bear on, presentation and analysis of labor and employment data Establish appropriate mechanisms for the coordination of all statistical activities in the Department and for collaboration with other government and personal agencies including international research organizations in the conduct of surveys and studies in the area of labor and employment administer statistical information and provide statistical services/advice to the users by establishing a data bank and issuance the Bureaus statistical materials and research findings Develop and undertake programs and projects geared towards the enhancement of the technical competency of the Department on theories, techniques and methodologies for the improvement of the labor statistical system Monitor and exercise technical care over the statistical units in the D epartment and its agencies and Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)8 The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is the central bank of the Republic of the Philippines.It was established on 3 July 1993 pursuant to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the New Central Bank Act of 1993. The BSP took over from the Central Bank of Philippines, which was established on 3 January 1949, as the countrys central monetary authority. The BSP enjoys fiscal and administrative autonomy from the National Government in the pursuit of its mandated responsibilities. The BSP has supervision over the operations of banks and exercises such regulatory powers as provided in the New Central Bank Act and other pertinent laws over the operations of finance companies and non-bank financial institutions performing quasi-banking functions.The BSP, through its Department of Statistics, monitors and compiles several(a ) statistical series on monetary, financial and outside variables useful for the formulation and analysis of monetary, banking, credit and convince policies. To increase public awareness on various economic and financial issues, as well as promote transparency in its operations, the BSP releases various publications, reports, media releases and other relevant resource materials. The BSP also conducts the Business Expectations descry and the Consumer Expectations Survey. 8 BSP website http//www. bsp. gov. ph 12 Other information Producers In addition to the above statistical agencies, various other departments, including the bureaus and attached agencies under them, also generate statistics as by-products of their primary functions.The following are the departments with stronger statistical units and more statistical outputs Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Education, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Finance, Health, Labor and Employment, Science and Technology, Social We lfare and learning, Tourism, and barter and Industry. Other sources of data are the following departments Budget and Management, Interior and Local Government, Justice, National Defense, Public whole shebang and Highways, and Transportation and Communications. 3. 2. 3. Statistical Training, Education and Research Institutions Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC)9 As the information and research arm of the PSS, the SRTC conducts short-term courses in statistics and related fields and researches to enhance existing methodologies, concepts and systems utilise in statistical operations. As specified in Section 10 of Executive Order No. 21, the functions and responsibilities of SRTC are as follows Develop a comprehensive and integrated research and nurture program on theories, concepts and methodologies for the publicity of the statistical program Undertake research on statistical concepts, definitions and methods Promote collaborative research efforts among members of t he academician community, data producers and users Conduct non-degree training programs to upgrade the caliber of statistical manpower base in concord of the ineluctably of the statistical system and Provide financial and other forms of assistance to enhance statistical research and development. The SRTC has a Governing Board which formulates policies for the management and operations of the agency.This Board is composed of the Secretary-General of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) as Chair with the following as members the decision maker of the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Dean of the UP cultivate of Statistics (UPSS), the Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), a Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the Executive Director of the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC). The Executive Director of SRTC serves as exofficio member of the Board. In 2005, the SRTC conducted 29 statistical training course s/programs, equivalent to 1,145 training hours, with a total of 643 participants.Three research projects were also completed Executive Order No. 121 Reorganizing and Strengthening the PSS and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987 SRTC website http//www. srtc. gov. ph 9 13 during the year. The training was conducted not only for the major statistical agencies and other data producers in the central/regional offices but also for the local government units. The SRTC has also embarked on partnership with the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific for statistical training as well as with other international organizations, such as the German Development Cooperation, UN FAO and UNFPA for the conduct of training courses.Academe On tender-hearted resource supply, the PSS relies on the academic institutions go Statistics/use Statistics courses and related fields such as Economics, Mathematics, ready reckoner Science/ Information Technology, Demography, Publ ic Administration, and Business Administration/ Management. Several universities throughout the country are offering undergraduate and graduate degree courses in statistics, with the University of the Philippines rail of Statistics in Quezon City, Metro Manila and the University of the Philippines Institute of Statistics in Los Banos, Laguna as the leading universities in toll of course offerings in statistics. Statistical researches in the system are usually undertaken in close collaboration with the academia.The PSS benefits from the strong collaboration and partnership between the official statisticians and the members of the academic and research communities who sit as chairpersons/members of various interagency/technical committees, serve as consultants in research activities and projects implemented by the PSS and act as advocates of statistics in general. 3. 2. 4 Data Suppliers/Respondents Collection of data is do either thru sample surveys, censuses or reporting forms. R espondents can be individuals, households, business establishments/enterprises, government or non-government institutions. The expiration and flavor of data supplied by the respondents critically have-to doe with the quality of statistics produced by the data producers.To strengthen the blood with the respondents, the data producers conduct dialogues and communication programs to advocate support to data collection activities. 3. 2. 5. Subnational Statistical System The NSCB regional Divisions perform the mandate of coordination at the subnational level using mechanisms such as those mentioned above as well as providing technical assistance to the data producers and users in the regions. Due to the budgetary constraints of government, these units are physically present only in ten (10) regions Regions 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). They also manage and administer the regional branches of the National Statistical Information Center (N SIC), one-stop snoop of statistical information and services.Providing assistance to the NSCB in footing of statistical coordination at the subnational level are the regional Statistical Coordination Committees (RSCCs). The RSCCs formulate policies and programs particular to a regional statistical system. The members intromit agency regional directors, boor planning and development coordinators and a representative from the hush-hush sector. These Committees are chaired by the NEDA Regional Director and are coordinated by the NSCB Regional Divisions. 14 The NSO has its regional, provincial and municipal offices. Likewise, the BAS has provincial offices. The other departments have their subnational offices at different levels.These offices gather data at the subnational levels and frontwards thm to the central offices for consolidation. They also serve as outlets for spreading. In addition to the statistical agencies and the various departments of the national government, the local government units (LGUs) also generate statistical information covering their respective areas or constituents. They also conduct surveys and process data from local administrative forms for their planning and monitor purposes. Most of the data generated by the LGUs are municipal and barangay data since these are not available from the national surveys except in the Census of cosmos and Housing where data are generated down to the barangay level. 3. 3.MECHANISMS FOR STATISTICAL plan AND COORDINATION, knowledge DISSEMINATION AND protagonism Different mechanisms for statistical planning and coordination, information dissemination and advocacy cosmos implemented by the NSCB Technical Staff are being advocated to the agencies in order to improve their effectiveness in servicing the data needs of the various stakeholders and users for development planning, policy formulation and monitoring of the progress of government programs. Other initiatives and measures are also continuo usly being undertaken to improve the organization and operations of the PSS, thereby enhancing the quality of the statistical products and services. STATISTICAL PLANNING AND COORDINATION 3. 3. 1 Statistical PoliciesStatistical policies may be in the form of acts, executive orders, presidential proclamations, and resolutions and circulars issued by the NSCB Executive Board which are intended to guide agencies and other stakeholders in terms of organization and implementation of concepts, definitions, methodologies, new systems, best practices and others. The implementation of and compliance with the statistical policies are being monitored by the NSCB Technical Staff. 3. 3. 2 Statistical Frameworks and Indicator Systems The NSCB is chiefly tasked to develop and maintain appropriate frameworks and indicator systems to serve as bills for statistical coordination. This includes the System of National Accounts (SNA) that produces estimates of the piggy National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The SNA is maintain by the NSCB with data inputs coming from various agencies including unavowed institutions.The compilation of the SNA by the NSCB has given it a powerful tool for statistical coordination that allows the appellation of data gaps that need to be intercommunicate by the PSS. Other frameworks/indicator systems that are maintained by the NSCB include the Leading Economic Indicators, unlike Investments Information System, Gender and Development Indicators, Philippine National Health Accounts, Poverty Statistics, Food Balance Sheet, quarterly Economic Indices and Economic and Social Indicators, the STATDEV which is a tool for monitoring the targets under the 15 Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The NSCB also serves as the repository of the MDG database for the Philippines. 3. 3. 3 Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP)The PSDP articulates the vision, direction, strategies and prior ity statistical programs and activities to be undertaken in the PSS for the medium term in order to meet current and emerging needs of the national and local planners, policy-makers and data producers. The formulation of the sectoral statistical development programs was spearheaded by the NSCB through the various inter-agency committees, task forces and working groups composed of the key players and stakeholders in the PSS. Indicative budget requirements for the programs and activities are also included. The PSDP which is prepared every six years is designed to provide vital information support to the Medium-Term Philippine Development Program and to promote efficiency of statistical operations through optimum use of available resources and adoption of cost effective measures.It envisions a PSS with great capacity to provide excellent service and high quality statistical information for better use in policy analysis and decision-making to meet the changing needs of the stakeholders , data users, society and the international community. Several PSDPs were formulated in the past and the current one is the PSDP 2005-2010 which is the 7th PSDP developed by the system. This is the Philippine version of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) being advocated by PARIS21 or Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century. 3. 3. 4 System of Designated Statistics (SDS) Executive Order No. 52 was issued in July 1996 to implement the System of Designated Statistics (SDS) as a mechanism for the identification and generation of the most crucial and essential statistics for administrators, planners, policy makers, and decision makers in the government and private sectors. It is also an pregnant tool in addressing problems, such as data makers in the government and private sectors. It is also an important tool in addressing problems, such as data gaps, extra, delayed release and in handiness of important sets of statistics, and as a fram ework for view priorities in data production. The designation includes the implementing agency, frequency of collection, geographic disaggregation and order of business of data dissemination.At present, there are 60 activities/statistics designated however, it is a dynamic system that allows modifications to respond to changing needs and priorities and to emerging capabilities of statistical offices. The statistics under the SDS form the stub of official statistics that constitute a set of public good that the designated data producers must be accountable for. These include censuses, surveys, administrative data systems, derived data systems and statistical indicators. As a result, these designated statistics receive priority direction in the preparation of the national budget and duplication of statistical efforts is minimized, if not eliminated.Relatedly, the Philippine government has been subscribing to the worldwide pecuniary Funds Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS ) since 1996. The SDDS covers economic and financial data and their releases are monitored through the advance release calendar and metadata. The NSCB serves as the coordinator for the SDDS. 16 3. 3. 5 Statistical Budget Review One of the functions of the NSCB is to review budgetary proposals for statistical activities of agencies. For many an(prenominal) years now, the annual Budget Call issued by the Department of Budget and Management provides that the NSCB endorse agency budget proposals involving the System of Designated Statistics.Budgetary thrusts are formulated for the focal point of the major statistical agencies and other data producers. In the review of statistical budget proposals, the PSDP and a number of minimum targets/measures aimed at enhancing/ensuring the quality of data and efficacy ca-caing of agencies serve as the criteria. 3. 3. 6 Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) The SSRCS involves the satisfying review of the design and instruments of statistical surveys or censuses sponsored and/or to be conducted by government agencies including government corporations at the national and/or subnational level. Recently, the scope of the SSRCS has been expanded to include administrative recording systems.The system aims to ensure the quality of the data to be generated from the inquiry, to avoid unnecessary duplication in data collection and to arouse the cooperation of data providers and respondents. Some of the review criteria adopted include (1) essentialness and appropriateness (2) reporting burden (3) enough of survey and forms design (4) clarity of questions and nstructions (5) use of standard classifications and definitions (6) completeness and adequacy of tabulation plans and (7) schedule and manner of disseminating results. On the average, the NSCB clears close to 18 surveys yearly which include regular, periodic and one-shot surveys with individuals, households or establishments as respondents. 3. 3. Statistica l Standards and Classification Systems The standard classification systems serve as instruments for promoting the equality and consistency of statistics generated by data producers. These standard classification systems can also be used in the organization of databases and information systems. Annex 1 shows the list of the existing statistical classification systems in the Philippines. Other standards include the prescription of standard concepts and definitions in the various sectors to ensure the compar magnate of statistics generated. 3. 3. 8 Technical and Inter-Agency Committees on Statistics (TCs/IACs) and Task Forces (TFs)The TCs/IACs/TFs are created (1) to assess and evaluate the quality, usefulness and timeliness of sectoral data and determine areas of duplication, discrepancies and gaps (2) to review the concepts, techniques and methodologies used in the collection, processing and reporting of data and (3) to recommend an efficient and practicable scheme for the allocatio n of agency responsibilities in the production of statistics. Thru these committees, weaknesses in sectoral statistics including those affecting data quality can be addressed. The committees recommend policy measures to the NSCB Executive Board. The TCs/IACs/TFs are composed of both(prenominal) data producers and users including the private sector and members of the academic and research communities. 17 To date, the committees created by the NSCB include six TCs, ten IACs and two TFs. Annex 2 shows the list of the committees and task forces. 3. 3. 9. Agency Statistical Calendars Agency statistical calendars are useful guide to data users in their search for statistical information from government sources.The statistical calendar contains information on the statistical activities of the agency, such as the frequency, outputs to be generated, expected date and mode of release, and contact person. 3. 3. 10. Bilateral Meetings Bilateral meetings are conducted between two agencies for t he purpose of discussing, clarifying and closure specific problems of the agencies in terms of data production and dissemination, among others. 3. 3. 11. Performance Measurement avoidance for Statistical Agencies and Other Data Producers A Performance Measurement scheme for Statistical Agencies and Other Data Producers was institutionalized in 2002 after it was pilot tested in 2001.It determines the capabilities of agencies in responding to the needs of their clients and other stakeholders thru a set of indicators of agency performance in terms of relevance, timeliness, accuracy, reliability, transparency and integrity, comparability, effectiveness, accessibility and client orientation. Through the scorecard that will be maintained for each agency, the public will be made aware of the success of the agency in accounting for its commitment to the public. Ultimately, the results will be used for advocacy, promoting public accountability and benchmarking purposes as basis for pursu e improvements in the quality of outputs and services.The performance scheme which is proposed to be conducted every two or three years is also seen as an approach in metre the quality of products and services of the PSS. The criteria considered to assess the performance of national statistical offices are as follows (a) relevance (b) timeliness and accessibility (c) accuracy and reliability (d) transparency (e) independence and integrity (f) comparability (g) quality of research program and training materials, facilities and resource persons (h) effectiveness of coordination and (i) quality of financial and manpower resources, equipment and facilities for statistical operations. Indicators based on these criteria were identified. 3. 3. 12.Hosting of international Conferences/Meetings The NSCB spearheads the hosting of international statistical conferences/meetings by the Philippine government. Topics discussed include developmental/emerging concerns in the field of statistics. Th is is being done in coordination with international organizations. STATISTICAL INFORMATION DISSEMINATION 3. 3. 1. National Statistical Information Center The National Statistical Information Center (NSIC) was first established in the country in 1993 through a project collectively implemented with the Statistics Sweden and the Swedish 18 International Development Agency (SIDA). The NSIC, which serves as a one-stop shop for statistical information in the country, is lodged at the NSCB.To date, several branches of NSIC have been established in selected regions where there are NSCB Regional Divisions. Services provided include frontline and library services, bookshoppe and technical services. 3. 3. 2. Government Statistics Accessibility Program (GSAP)/General Standards for Statistical Information Dissemination (GSSID) The GSAP was implemented in 1998 with the vision of making statistical information and services in the country highly accessible to users nationwide and worldwide. Its co nceptualization was anchored on the fundamental normal that information is used for decision-making and therefore the timeliness and integrity of the information should be ensured.The components of the program include the organization of an inter-agency consortium, issuance of an executive measure providing for the program as a flagship project of the government, investments on technology upgrading, systems and human beings resource development, adoption of common policies and standards, and alliance with the private sector. The GSAP paved the implementation in 1999 of the General Standards for Statistical Information Dissemination (GSSID) in the PSS. The GSSID was designed as a mechanism of the government in setting appropriate and acceptable standards of reliability, integrity, timeliness, transparency, and accessibility of government statistics.Specifically, it promotes bail to these standards in the dissemination of statistical information and greater utilization of data, fos ters adoption of generally accepted data dissemination practices, and involves active participation of users in making statistics more accessible and useful. Worth noting is the standard on the dissemination in advance of the calendar of release of the various statistical products of an agency. In the long-term basis, the GSSID also serves as a tool to address data gaps and spur continuing improvements on data dissemination. The GSSID was elysian by the SDDS prescribed by the International Monetary Fund. 3. 3. 3 Press releases/articles/websiteThe issuance of rouse releases and articles by the major statistical agencies and other data producers on the latest available data or emerging concerns that would be relevant to national planning and development is another mechanism for statistical information dissemination. These press releases and articles are in print form and/or posted on the agency websites. STATISTICAL ADVOCACY 3. 3. 1. National Statistics Month The NSM is being observ ed annually during the month of October, following a Presidential Proclamation, as a vehicle for soliciting the support of the public at large in improving and enhancing the quality and standards of statistics in the country.The NSM, which has just completed its 17th year in October 2006, has become an effective venue for strengthening and unite the Philippine statistical community and in add nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance of statistics. Every year, the NSM focuses on a particular theme to bring out the statistics pertaining to the theme. The major activities undertaken by government agencies and some private institutions include symposia and 19 training/seminars/lectures, information dissemination using print and broadcast media and statistical make outs. A much-awaited event among fourth year high school students is the Oratorical Contest which is held annually as part of the NSM celebration of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Department of Educati on.It has gained popularity because the oratorical contest has served as a venue for promoting awareness in statistics, for instilling pride in the Philippine culture and for hearing the voice of the young. During NSM celebration, other contests held catering to students and the youth include statistical quizzes, poster-making and slogan writing contests. 3. 3. 2. Statistical Conferences The National Convention on Statistics (NCS) is held every three years to provide a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences in the field of statistics, in both theoretical and interoperable applications, and for discussing recent statistical developments and prevailing issues and problems of the PSS.It further aims to elicit the cooperation and support of statisticians and captains in related fields from the government, academe and private sector towards a more responsive statistical system. The 10th NCS will be held in October 2007. Statistical congress is conducted annually in westward Visay as which started in 2001 and in Mindanao which was first held in 2004. The statistical congress aims to gather producers and users of statistics as well those from the academe in order to share a common knowledge and understanding of recent developments in the statistical system and address prevailing and emerging statistical concerns in their respective regions.The Philippine Statistical linkup (PSA), the professional statistical organization in the country with chapters in selected regions, conducts quarterly/annual conferences to serve as venue for discussing current statistical issues. There are also inter/intra university conferences, such as the Student-Faculty Conferences. 3. 3. 3. Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) The PSQ is an annual contest that aims to test the knowledge of statistics of first-year college students and is held nationwide. It further aims to contribute to the building of scientific and technological manpower by helping call and nurture talents in the fie ld of statistics. It is organized jointly by the National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association. 3. . 4. Press conferences, producers and users fora Press conferences are held by the major statistical agencies to present latest available data for critical indicators, such as the national accounts, fanfare rate and core inflation. Producers and users fora are also conducted to enhance awareness and appreciation of available statistics and to gather feedback towards the improvement of PSS products and services, and to communicate ongoing developments and plans. 3. 3. 5. Feedback/evaluation mechanisms 20 Feedback/evaluation mechanisms are necessary to solicit comments and suggestions from the data suppliers and providers and data users.Their comments and suggestions would serve as useful inputs towards the improvement of the statistical system. 3. 4 STATISTICAL MANPOWER One of the essential conditions for the PSS to achieve its goals and objectives is the format ion of a core of qualified personnel to undertake statistical work and to contribute to the progressive development of its statistical activities. Although there are other factors that play important roles in the ability of an agency to manage its statistical operations, it is the capability of the statistical manpower in the organization that eventually determines the performance of the agency. Statistical manpower includes personnel involved in the collection, processing, compilation, dissemination and publication of data.It includes statisticians, mathematicians, economists, accountants, engineers, information technology specialists, and subject matter specialists in various fields who take the statistical knowledge needed to plan and carry out statistical programs, projects or researches and who use the science of statistics in analyzing data. 3. 4. 1. manpower Resource As shown in Table 1, the number of personnel engaged in statistical work of the government as of 2003 base d on figures from six (6) statistical agencies and 11 selected other data producers totals 5,725 with 2,290 (40 percent) personnel employed in the central offices and 3,435 (60 percent) in the regional/field offices.It is important to spot that of the 3,435 personnel in the regional/field offices, those from the NSO and BAS which take charge of conducting regular censuses and surveys account for almost 79. 0 percent of them. 10 Table 1. Statistical Manpower in Statistical Agencies and Selected Other Data Producers, Philippines, as of 2003 Agency Statistical agencies (6) Selected other data producers (11) sum up Total 4,535 1,190 Central 1,784 506 Regional 2,751 684 5,725 2,290 3,435 There are a few professional statisticians in the PSS as majority of those holding statistical positions acquired their skills through training and experience. As of 2003, those with degrees in statistics, whether undergraduate or graduate, account for only 4. percent of the total number of statistical personnel. Hiring professional statisticians and keeping them is a continuing scrap for the PSS. An inevitable problem encountered is the succession and turnover in statistical posts typically due to resignations or retirement. such(prenominal) turnovers may lead to difficulties especially if there are skill shortages. 10 Results of the 2003 Performance Measurement Scheme for Statistical Agencies and Other Data Producers. 21 In many ways, demand is the key to the success of statistical human resource management and development. In addition, most government workers perceive that they are not in good order financially compensated for the work they perform.The low salaries of statisticians in the government have actually contributed to the exodus of educate official statisticians to the private sector, the international organizations and even to statistical agencies of foreign countries. Thus, it is important to maintain high esprit de corps among statistical personnel, and enhance their loyalty and esprit de corps. 3. 4. 2. Management and Development The PSS recognizes the importance of statistical capacity building such that there is a need to continually build the human capacity of the agencies in order to be more effective and efficient in responding to the ever-increasing demand for statistical data by planners and decision makers from all sectors. With qualified and competent statistical personnel, the capability of an agency to undertake statistical work is strengthened.There should be more concerted efforts and innovative approaches in building the capacities of the agencies to effectively manage the statistical activities and to respond to the demands of the stakeholders. Aside from training, other factors in the area of personnel management include good compensation, pleasant working conditions, proper motivation and a dynamic profession. Meanwhile, an inevitable problem encountered with respect to newly-trained staff is the increase in employee tu rnover. With the new skills acquired by the staff, their marketability increases and if the organization cannot match the attractive offers received by the trained staff, which is often the case, the staff is lost. Capacity building is mostly done through non-degree training which aims to develop statistical expertise at various levels of competencies.Participation in training programs/courses is funded from own agency budget or by availing of training grants/programs sponsored/conducted by local or international institutions. Furthermore, most locally-funded and foreign-assisted projects undertaken by the statistical agencies usually include a training component for the project staff. The SRTC, as the training arm of the system, contributes heavily to maturation/strengthening the knowledge and skills of statistical workers on the various aspects of statistical work, such as survey design, data collection and processing, database management, and data analysis, presentation and dis semination.These regular programs are meant to change civil servants at the central and regional/field offices to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to enable them to improve their performance in producing, analyzing, and disseminating statistical information for public consumption. Aside from SRTC, other statistical agencies such as the NSO, NSCB, BAS and BLES also conduct in-house statistical training and special-purpose statistical seminars/training for advocacy and/or technical assistance purposes. Opportunities are also available for the statistical personnel to pursue advanced degrees in statistics, such as masters and doctorate degrees, both in local and foreign universities through scholarship grants/fellowships.Also through the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA), the professional organization of statisticians in the country, short training courses are offered to the members as well as the private sector. 22 Despite the conduct of these training activities, th ere continues to be a number of challenges in building human