Education is not the only key to success Essay

Most groups use some form of parliamentary procedure for their meetings. This Factsheet not only briefly explains proper parliamentary procedure for more formal meetings, but also describes acceptable alternatives for decision-making in smaller groups. Rules For Meetings Just as the object of a game gives direction to its players, traditional principles of a democratic meeting guide group members when they gather: 1. Every member has rights equal to every other member. 2. The will of the majority must be carried out. 3. The minority must be heard, and its rights protected. Only one topic will be considered at a time. In order to play a particular game, certain rules for that game must be followed. â€Å"Parliamentary procedure† is a set of rules for meetings which ensures that the traditional principles of equality, harmony and efficiency are kept. Robert’s Rules of Order, the best-known description of standard parliamentary procedure, is used by many different organizations as their rule book for conducting effective meetings. The Problem With Rules The saying â€Å"Rules are meant to be broken †¦ † implies that no rules are perfect. The parliamentary rules used in government provide guidance for a body of hundreds of people meeting daily for months with a great volume of business to conduct. These same rules are not appropriate for all organizations. How rigid are your meetings? Does too much technical procedure (motions, amendments, seconding, etc. ) get in the way of effective decision-making and total group discussion? Too much formality in a meeting will frustrate and discourage members when the proceedings â€Å"bog down†. Parliamentary rules for meetings are intended to help the group conduct its business (fairly and efficiently), not hinder it! There are many effective ways for a group to conduct its meetings. Technical procedure, however, should be discouraged in the average group meeting. Every organization should examine standard parliamentary rules, then interpret and adapt them to its own use. If group members agree that the rules they’ve developed permit a majority to accomplish the organization’s ultimate purpose within a reasonable period of time, while allowing the minority a reasonable opportunity to express its views, then those rules are appropriate. Rules For Small Group Meetings? Meeting procedures for committees, executives and most boards can be much different than those for larger gatherings. Certain formalities are unnecessary when the group size is less than about a dozen members. For example: 1. There is no limit to the number of times a member may speak to an issue. 2. It is not necessary to address the chair before speaking. 3. The chair needn’t leave that post in order to speak, make motions or vote. (In fact, he or she may well be the most active participant in discussions and work of the committee. ) 4. Motions need not be seconded. 5. Action can be taken, at times, without the introduction of a motion. If, however, a small group using these â€Å"relaxed† rules discovers that any one of the four basic meeting principles is being abused, then more formal procedures may be reintroduced to the meeting. Parliamentary Procedure At A Glance If your group follows parliamentary procedure â€Å"by the book†, the occasional technical question might be asked. 1. What is the proper sequence of steps in having a motion voted on? A motion has nine possible steps: Moved – a proposal from the floor. Seconded – another member feels the proposal is worth discussing. Stated – by the chair or secretary. Wording is recorded properly and everyone understands the intent of the proposal. Discussed – every speaker addresses the chair and must speak only to the motion. Usually, each member may speak only once to a motion except the mover who has first and last chance to speak. Amended – changing the wording of the motion by: adding or deleting words replacing with different words. – each amendment has the same 9 steps as a motion. Called – after sufficient discussion, either a motion to end debate or a vote is called at the discretion of the chair. Restated – ensures everyone understands what is being voted on. Voted – chair calls each option: â€Å"All in favour? â€Å", â€Å"Opposed? † or â€Å"Abstaining? † Declared – results of the vote are announced by the chair. 2. Can the intent of the main motion be changed by an amendment? Yes; the main motion may be changed, contrary to the intent of its movers. Only two criteria govern the use of an amendment: An amendment may not convert a motion to its direct negative; and An amendment must be pertinent to the topic in the main motion. E. g. , a motion â€Å"to purchase a new typewriter for the secretary† may not have â€Å"and to pay the expenses of delegates to the annual meeting† added to it. This amendment clearly has no relationship with the secretary’s need for new equipment. 3. How many amendments can be made to a motion? There are only two kinds of amendments: those pertaining to the proposed motion called â€Å"first rank†; and those pertaining to a proposed amendment called â€Å"second rank† (amendment to the amendment). Only one amendment of each rank may be on the floor at one time. Any number of amendments may be made to most motions, but no â€Å"second rank† amendments may be amended (i. e. , an amendment to the amendment to the amendment is not allowed! ). 4. How can a meeting start without a quorum? A quorum is the minimum number of eligible voters that must be present at a meeting to conduct business. This number is designated in the by-laws of the organization and for a board is usually half the voting members plus one. If no quorum is present when the advertised hour of the meeting has been reached, then: the presiding officer may dismiss the group (after setting a time for future meeting); or the group may agree to proceed informally with the agenda, awaiting ratification of any decisions at a future meeting; or the group may discuss any items of interest but make no decisions. 5. How can our constitution be amended? A good constitution contains provisions for amendment, so the structure and procedures can continually meet the changing needs and purposes of the group. Usually, a special committee is appointed to review the group’s objectives, structure, functions, etc. Copies of its report and recommendations are circulated to all members with the required notice and agenda for the meeting (often the organization’s annual meeting). Any amendments proposed during discussion at the meeting require a majority vote for approval, but the motion to amend the constitution needs a two-thirds majority vote for adoption. Who is the presiding officer at meetings? Often the president is designated in the constitution or by-laws to chair the organization’s meetings. In many groups, however, the chair is assigned to the past-president, special moderator, or to a different person each time on a rotating basis. This allows the president to take a lead in debates on policy rather than maintain a position of â€Å"supposed† neutrality which is directly contrary to his or her usual role as spokesperson for the group. 7. After considerable debate, we still are not ready to vote on the motion. What can we do? A motion to postpone the matter until the next meeting may be in order, so that more information can be gathered. A motion to postpone temporarily (to table) allows a motion to be set aside until later in the meeting, allowing more urgent business to be dealt with, permitting amendments to be drafted, or allowing time for implications of the motion to be checked. A motion to take from the table brings it back before the meeting. The motion may be withdrawn at the request of its mover, but only if no member present objects. 8. What happens when someone yells â€Å"Question! From the floor indicates that he or she wants the motion put to a vote. Only if the chair feels that the motion has had reasonable debate and most members are ready to vote, can he or she call the question (i. e. , â€Å"All those in favour? â€Å", etc. ). Another way to close discussion on a motion is for someone to make a motion to call for a vote. This motion must be seconded and requires a two-thirds majority vote in order to proceed with a vote on the motion on the floor. 9. How should a committee report be accepted by an organization? A motion to â€Å"receive† the report means that the organization is not committed to any of the conclusions or recommendations contained in it. (An example of such a report would be the monthly, unaudited treasurer’s report. ) A motion to â€Å"adopt† the report in whole or in part commits the organization to some or all of the recommendations of the report, and often implies some action to be taken. 10 Sometimes while one motion is being considered, an alternative motion might be the better one. How can it be presented? 1. The movers request permission from the presiding officer to read out the alternative motion. The movers of the original motion are asked if they will withdraw their motion, with the unanimous consent of the meeting. 3. If the original motion is withdrawn, then the alternative motion is moved. 4. If the original motion is not withdrawn, then the movers of the alternative motion inform the meeting that their motion will be moved if the original is defeated. They thus urge the members to vote against the original motion. | Top of Page | Consensus: Another Method Of Decision-Making In Groups How many meetings does your group hold in a year to discuss issues or problems? How much time is spent in each regular meeting making decisions or solving problems? Does the discussion end with a proposal for action? One rule in parliamentary procedure that can hamper a free and easy exchange of ideas is: â€Å"Discussion can take place only after a motion is proposed†. In fact, a motion is a proposed course of action, a solution to a problem, or a decision. By focusing the group’s attention on a solution before realizing the scope of the problem, the group may be voting on something that is entirely inappropriate. Is the â€Å"cart before the horse†? A simple method of ensuring an effective group decision is to build a motion through consensus. This method eliminates a complicated amendment procedure after an initial motion has been proposed. It also ensures that a large majority will agree with the motion rather than the mere 51% required by a typical voting procedure. The following process can be used throughout the meeting for every problem the group needs to discuss. Step 1. Describe the issue or problem confronting the group. – State the problem clearly and concisely. If it is complex, then write it out. Step 2. Gather all information relevant to the problem. – All pertinent facts and ideas about the problem need to be heard in order to make a wise decision. – Distinguish between facts and opinions. A decision can often be made right away. However, action may need to be deferred so that additional information can be gathered. Step 3. List all possible solutions or actions. – Explore alternatives. – Be creative. Use brainstorming techniques to generate new ideas, from every member. Step 4. Choose the best possible solution. – Use a process of elimination; refine and combine parts of your list in step 3. Reaching consensus is not always easy. Some individuals become frustrated with the time taken for group decision-making. Also, this method relies on the discretion of the chair who eventually decides when a general agreement or common â€Å"feeling† has been reached. In some situations, if only extremely vocal and confident individuals dare to challenge the majority view, then the minority opinion is in danger of being suppressed. Using consensus, however, can result in higher quality decisions. The complicated rules of parliamentary procedure are reduced while maximum member participation is encouraged. In the end, group decisions lead to group action! Conclusion Whichever method your group chooses to make its decisions or conduct its meetings, the four principles of a democratic meeting must be followed. As more formal procedures are adopted, more complicated rules are followed. There is little reason for any one person to attempt to learn every rule of parliamentary procedure. To know where to find the answers is enough. The following references may help answer any questions not addressed in this Factsheet. References Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance. Jones, O. Garfield.

House M. D. Essay

From the very start of film history, various genres improved and changed a great deal. In these modern times, the cross-over genre is especially popular. The focus of this essay, House M.D., is a medical drama, though not a typical one. House M.D. concentrates on an eccentric doctor of great intelligence and his doctors’ team (who never stop to mistake), trying and almost always successfully solving interesting and puzzling cases. In many ways the series fits the definition of detective fiction. To begin with, this essay will introduce the theoretical material to the reader. Subsequently it will describe the similarities of the elements of a traditional detective story and this medical drama. Then, it will center on one of the method the doctors use to help solve medical mysteries. Finally, the essay will describe some features of the main character. Since this essay will focus on the detective side of the series House M.D., it is important to define a few terms that will be used afterwards. According to J. A. Cuddon, detective fiction is â€Å"a form of fiction in which a mystery, often a murder, is solved by a detective† (Cuddon, 229). In other words, a detective story focuses on a crime which is usually unsolvable for ordinary people and only the clever detective manages to figure everything out. What is more, the difference between the â€Å"Golden Age† detective figure and the â€Å"hard-boiled† detective figure must be noted. Conforming to Aysegul Kesirli, the centre of a detective fiction is a masculine, strong, detective character (Kesirli). The â€Å"Golden Age† detective is the opposite: â€Å"the classical detective of logic and deduction is not engaged at all; he is there just for the sake of the puzzle† (Kesirli). So the â€Å"hard-boiled† detective is a power figure, general ly physically or mentally superior to others, whereas a detective of â€Å"Golden Age† is more passive and not as aggressive. As it was mentioned earlier, this essay will now focus on the similarities of the outline of the series and a typical detective story. One of the traditional elements of the detective story, as described in the Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopaedia of Literature, is â€Å"the seemingly perfect crime† (Merriam-Webster, 320). The episode this essay focuses on has its equivalent of a â€Å"crime†: â€Å"Nobody can figure out what is wrong with me† (Hunting, 00:01:40). The â€Å"victim†, or in this case the soon-to-be patient of Gregory House is of very bad health and other doctors could not help him. Thus, House gets a mysterious case, just like detectives get to investigate crimes in detective fiction. Another traditional element of a detective formula is â€Å"the wrongly accused suspect at whom circumstantial evidence points† (Merriam-Webster, 320). In the case of this episode, the doctors’ team mistakes the diagnosis, for example: â€Å"The results make sense. Calvin’s T-cells are at 200, that’s strong enough to fight infection.† (Cameron) â€Å"Fine. Parasite.† (House) â€Å" Nop. Stool sample was negative.† (Chase) (Hunting, 00:05:53) The diagnosis, or â€Å"suspect† in the detective fiction terms, for the patient is falsely diagnosed several more times. The third aspect of the traditional detective story is â€Å"the bungling of dim-witted police† (Merriam-Webster, 320). House’s doctor’s team is an alternate to the quiet foolish police force depicted in detective fiction (Figure 1). Figure 1: House’s doctor’s team (Hunting, 00:10:18) The team continues to come up with various possible diseases, though all this guessing was false. Only G. House at the end managed to find the right diagnose. The fourth element of the traditional detective story is â€Å"the greater powers of observation and superior mind of the detective† (Merriam-Webster, 320). House is superior to others intellectually with matters not only related to his work. For example, only by taking notice at behavior of his employees he figures out that they have slept together: â€Å"So you always use a condom?† (Cameron) â€Å"Uhh†¦Yeah!† (Foreman) â€Å"You?† (Cameron) â€Å"Working girls are sticklers. You’re not going to pull Chase?† (House) â€Å"I’m not an idiot.† (Chase) â€Å"Obviously not. Who doesn’t sleep with a drugged out colleague when they have a chance?† (House) (Hunting, 00:30:37) House’s logical assumptions and deductions are astonishing and truly remind, for example, of the â€Å"Golden Age† detective character’s Sherlock Holmes’ methods of solving mysteries. The last traditional element of a detective story is â€Å"the startling and unexpected denouement, in which the detective reveals how he or she has ascertained the identity of the culprit† (Merriam-Webster, 320). In this episode, House figures everything out by speaking with his friend, Wilson, about completely irrelevant things. He then explains the diagnosis to the patient and his father (Figure 2). Figure 2: House explaining how he came up with the diagnosis (Hunting, 00:33:48) House M.D., though a medical drama, in a way suits the detective formula quiet well. Only here the â€Å"victim† is the patient, the â€Å"mystery† is his disease, the circumstances differ from a real crime, and the â€Å"detective† is doctor House. What make this medical drama seem even more like a detective are the methods the team uses to solve the case of a patient. Undoubtedly, they question the patient first, then they do some researches and tests. But the most interesting method House’s team uses is looking for evidence. It is clear that detectives search for clues, for example, in the apartment of the victim, however, it is not so common in medical cases. (Figure 3; figure 4). Figure 3: Cameron looking for drugs in patient’s house (Hunting, 00:15:13) Figure 4: Cameron finding drugs in patient’s bag (Hunting, 00:17:46) Searching for evidence and clues in a medical case is uncommon, so it is one more aspect how House M.D. is similar to a detective story. Finally, this essay will shortly describe a few characteristics of one of the main characters in the episode. According to an article by Aysegul Kesirli, House is in many ways similar to the Golden Age detective Sherlock Holmes (Kesirli): in this episode the most visible similarity is the deductive method House uses to solve mysteries. For example, once looking at his soon-to-be patient, House claims: â€Å"Well, your shirt is gaping at the collar, means you lost weight; you’re flushed – that’s fever, and you’re short of breath. And finally there’s the KS lesion on your face. Means you’re HIV positive, you’ve progressed to full-blown AIDS.† (Hunting, 00:01:54). House took only half a minute to figure out and describe everything what was wrong with Calvin, the patient. Although this feature is common for the â€Å"Golden Age† detective Holmes, A. Kesirli considers House to be more of a hard-boiled detective type. In this episode Hunting, House provokes the father of a patient to punch him just to prove that his theory about the disease is right (Figure 5): Figure 5: House fights with patient’s father (Hunting, 00:36:08) House is not afraid to fight back or use physical force on a patient’s relative: he is neither afraid of authority or the law, nor he is trying to suppress his masculinity and aggression. So House has both features similar to a â€Å"hard-boiled† and â€Å"Golden Age† detectives. In conclusion, House M.D. fits the detective formula quite in many ways. The outline or the plot structure of the series and a detective story are alike. Also, the methods used by House in the episode are similar to those used by real detectives. What is more, the character of Gregory House is not a typical detective character, but rather a mix of qualities of two different detective fiction eras.

Sony PlayStation2 (A) Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sony PlayStation2 (A) - Lab Report Example Before the advent of the Playstaion console, Nintendo, another game maker, had control of a big part of the game market, but "their games were usually simple and consumers were usually between 6 to 13 years of age, due to limited technology." (Deshpande, Rohit p. 8). The Sony Playstaion and playstation2 however, came out with high resolution 3-D graphics, and "enabled game developers to create more sophisticated games that appealed more to mature gamers, especially those between 20 and 30 years old" (Deshpande, Rohit p. 8) The Sony Corporation is the Manufacturer of the palystation2 console, and the company has set up various websites that serve as the company's driving force on the internet. Sites like sonystyle.com and playstation.com. These Websites provide information about new and upcoming Playstaion games, game console sales, and customer service. Playstation.com has already been quite successful, because the Playstation console is an industry leader when it comes to video games. Sony has also been striving to create an all new lifestyle in the net era, which is based on the interconnectivity of Sony's digital electronic products with modern IT technologies, and the company is well positioned take the lead in the market for digital home products, if it succeeds in aligning its software systems with its content business lines. Presently, the company has been perceived to be in a struggle to reinvent itself, in the process of pursuing hit products like the new PlayStation3 console Business Strategy & Analysis The makers of the playstation2 console, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), came out with the objective to own the largest share of the home video game market. The company intended to achieve this by "leveraging proprietary, interactive 3-D graphics technology to provide entertainment that was unmatched by any other game system." (Deshpande, Rohit p. 4) Between 1994 and 1997, the price of the Playstaion console was reduced in a series of gradually increasing drops, forcing competitors to also decrease the prices of their products. "in 1997, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. lowered the price of the Playstaion to $149, and Nintendo and Sega refused to reduce their prices too, but by 1999, Playstaion and Nintendo's N64 platform were being sold at $99 in order to clear inventory for upcoming game models.In 2000, "Fuelled by anticipation of the success of playstation2, Sony stock rose, and hit an all time high of $314 from the $74 recorded the previous year". (Deshpande, Rohit p. 14) SWOT Analysis for Sony and the Playstation2 Strengths Sony has many valuable physical assets The playstation2 console is also a clear market advantage for Sony Weaknesses Sony might be seen to have a narrow product line in its production of Playstaion games Opportunities Excellent software capabilities Joint ventures with other progressive corporations Threats There is a risk that Sony's innovative nature with the Playstaion might not continue as well as it has in the past There is a possibility that the video game market may, in the long run, separate the Sony Corporation video game makers into winners and losers. Bibliography Deshpande, Rohit Sony PlayStation2(A) Grant, R.M. Contemporary strategy

Video Games Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Video Games - Research Paper Example eless, the abundance of videogames and the challenging lifestyles of modern families make it impossible for most parents to monitor their children’s exposure to videogames. On the other hand, some experts claim that videogames have become the easy scapegoats for the growing number of disturbing social issues such as indiscriminate shootings. The following paragraphs will present a detailed definition of videogames, their advantages and disadvantages as well as the differences of the past and present videogames. According to the Free Dictionary online, a videogame is â€Å"any of various games that can be played by using an electronic control to move points of light or graphical symbols on the screen of a visual display unit† (farflex). Such visual display unit could be a personal computer or television screen. The same online dictionary further explains that a videogame is â€Å"an electronic game played by manipulating moving figures on a display screen, often designed for play on a special gaming console rather than a personal computer†. Such gaming consoles could be a wii, play station or Nintendo, gadgets that allow players to move the figures to execute the moves desired by the player. As a general rule, videogames are more of a mental game rather than a physical exercise. Although players need to move their hands in order to manipulate their game characters, they do not need to exert so much effort as they would in physical games such as basketball or football. In video games, the characters in the virtual world are the ones who need to do the â€Å"physical exercise† as the player manipulates then through the console. Therefore, the role of the gamer is to analyze and dictate the necessary moves of his character as displayed on the screen. The â€Å"safety† that videogames provide for players is making them more popular among parents and children. Parents often feel confident about their children’s safety when they know they are inside the house. This makes

Quantitative and Qualitative Designs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Quantitative and Qualitative Designs - Essay Example Achievement of meaningful conclusions after a research requires to use appropriate statistical parameters to achieve the desired objective. In the report, appropriate statistical descriptions are used which include things such as mean age, sex ratio, height, and weight. Further sophisticated parameters for increased precision are used which include Jacobs Pediatric Anger Scale (PANGS scale), sphygmomanometer, and Jacobs Pediatric Anxiety Scale (PANX) were used to collect data. Furthermore, the report gives a brief description of the tests involved and the means of recording the unique methods such as PANX. The report does not indicate the presence of an analysis system that allows for the determination of errors. In particular research, errors are most likely to occur in different stages such as the choice of sample and collection of data. The report clearly indicates that the anxiety and anger test were carried out once which gives a wide margin of error in the final results. Therefore, it is crucial for researchers and analysts to determine possible errors during the research and, therefore, have a corrective measure before presenting the final result. Use of tables is imperative in such a scenario where juxtaposition is involved. The researchers went to an extent of establishing a statistical correlation between sex, anger, and anxiety. The findings show that there is a weak correlation between sex, anger, and anxiety as it is recorded between boys and girls. Although minor, it is crucial to determine such a relationship as it may have a significant impact on the final result and conclusions. Choice of method of data analysis enormously depends on the method and type of the data collected. Collection of data through the internet by asking a general question that is answered by an explanation or a description requires a sophisticated system of analysis.

Theory into Practice Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7000 words

Theory into Practice - Assignment Example ical Limited are considered; one of which have adopted successful CSR strategies while the other could not succeed in devising relevant CSR strategies in Indian pharmaceutical industry. With the beginning of internalization and globalization, the operation in modern day business has transformed to a great extent (Asongu, 2008). The phenomenon has brought in excessive competition and complexity in the business environment; this has challenged the managers and board of directors of well-known companies to measure its overall performance in the competitive industry. Because of globalization and internationalization, the managers and boards has to track the changes that have taken place in the external environment. In order to develop a un-interruptive business environment for the companies, the managers have undertaken several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities (Boeger, 2010; Birch and Moon, 2008). These activities have helped them to deal with the complexities that dominate the external business environment and also balance the interest of the stakeholder so as to maintain the equity investments (Birch and Moon, 2008). Over the past few decades, CSR activities have occupied a significant place in every industry across the world. The CSR activities have the capability to enhance value of the firm (Servaes and Tamoya, 2013). The project takes into account pharmaceutical industry, which is a well regulated industry. The company that is considered for case study is GlaxoSmithKline Plc. The CSR activities undertaken by GSK are discussed in the project and it is also compared with its competitors. The main motivation behind choosing the topic is to acquire in-depth knowledge regarding the companies who undertake CSR activities and explore the concept more precisely so as to examine the challenges that are related to CSR. The global pharmaceutical industry is threatened by the rule and regulations as a result it is very interesting to know how the

Human activity increases pollution of the atmosphere Essay

Human activity increases pollution of the atmosphere - Essay Example (Schneider, 103) The protocol is familiar with the fact that most of the scientists are working upon that global warming is a serious threat to the world, against which serious actions must be taken in order to maintain it when we can. Although some critics might be against the statement that there is a contribution from human activity which increases the greenhouse gases which pollute the atmosphere. Some scientists have also researched that if there is an increase of even two degrees Fahrenheit in the greengases and global warming, we are likely to experience more of severly damagable storms, earthquakes, floods, in consequence to which more diseases would arrise. Such consequences would not only damage people, the community or the society, instead it would be harmful to the entire business era and the economic system. The Kyoto Protocol warned the business leaders that the new laws that will formulate are going to not only reduce the greenhouse gases which are produced but infact, may also disturb the flow of many business around the world due to which many producers might have to change the way the produce and manufacture products. In addition, business may have to suffer from a shift in the demand curve due to energy-efficient products whose main aim would be to reduce extra pollution while at the same time providing services to the society. We could say that these are few of the reaons why many business leaders are facing issues with the Kyoto Protocol for reducing the greenhouse gases. When these sort of problems arise, many manufacturers are now thinking of where to begin in order for them to not make any losses in the future due to shifts in the demand and supply curvs. Bad Weather Ahead It is noticed that even though most of the weird weather conditions are often caught by the public eye, severe changes are yet to be introduced which may cause choas within the society.Therefore, companis who are directly affected by the climate change or companies whose demand and supply vary according to the climate, for example clothing companies, should think of the severe consequences which they may face in the near future as the climate change has started to emerge. Public Relations Campaign Environmental initiatives threatened core components of right-wing ideology such as the primacy of individual liberty, the absolute rights of private property, free enterprise and laissez-faire government. (Schneider, 103) Right-wing think-tanks and media outlets thus began a relentless public relations campaign that attacked environmentalism as alarmist or worse. In conjunction with right-wing politics, the fossil fuel industry, wishing to avoid regulation, taxation and negative publicity, used proindustry research and catchy advertisements to persuade the public that climate change was simply not a concern. Though President Bush kept his campaign promise of hosting a conference on global warming, he reversed the strong rhetoric and activist stance that characterized his presidential campaign.Instead the President claimed that scientific uncertainty clouded the issue. He favored more research, the unchanging mantra-along with denial-of most right-wing politicians in the United States. (Schneider, 103) Both public awareness and climate policy in the

American History 1865 to Present. Native Americans Essay

American History 1865 to Present. Native Americans - Essay Example However in the later years, i.e. during the end of the nineteenth century several attempts were made by the U.S. government to compensate the natives for their loss by way of reformative laws which included abolishment of the restrictive policies and introduction of measures to assimilate them within the mainstream American society. Thus, while a significant duration of the nineteenth century was plagued with wars and hostility among the two groups, the early and mid twentieth century in contrast paved way towards a more inclusive form of governance which aimed at rehabilitation and reformation of the Native Americans. 1866: The Powder River Indian Expedition The Powder River Indian Expedition refers to a full scale offensive launched by the American Army against a group of Native Americans namely the Sioux, Cheynne, and the Arapaho Indians, during the gold rush (Clodfelter, 1998). The Native Indians were pushed back from their newly assigned territories by a group of explorers and g old hunters and were left with no other alternative but to fight back in a bid to defend their territories. Comprised of a group of volunteers the Native Indians waged sporadic war against the raiding army of white Americans by mostly attacking isolated farms and eventually, transportation routes. As a result the white population living in and around Denver, fearing attacks from the Native Indians, pleaded protection from the governor which led to dispatch of the First and Third Colorado Cavalry to the Indian reservation in Sand Creek (Hampton, 1964). The massacre at Sand Creek by the Army and brutalities unleashed by the Cavalry regiments who raided and... American History 1865 to Present. Native Americans It depicts the series of events which led them to flee their land restricting them to reservations with limited access to or authority for self-governance. The history of Native Americans during the course of the nineteenth century highlights the manner in which the tribe was forced to move westwards through military might; a succession of failed treaties and laws and regulations governing crucial elements of their lives including the right to education, practicing religion, and other cultural observances. As the U.S. geared for its aggressive expansion policy, the native tribes were pushed further away losing not only their land status and identity as a whole. This study traces the history of the Native Americans through six key events between the period 1865 to present beginning from the Powder River Expedition in the year 1865 to the Termination of the Reservations and its consequences and implications on the Native Americans in present day America. It also includes a comprehensiv e discussion on the various laws, treaties, and policies implemented from time to time including the Dawes Act and the Indian New Deal during the mid nineteenth century to the various federal congressional laws introduced over the years with a view to assimilate the tribe into the mainstream society. The history of Native Americans is indicative of the various struggles, fears, endurance, and hopes experienced by various tribes during their encounter with the white Americans.

Spain The country, hertiages, the people , cullture etc.... total of 3 Essay

Spain The country, hertiages, the people , cullture etc.... total of 3 questions - Essay Example It is essential to learn how to adapt to changes we meet in another country. Such country as Spain has its own traditions, which can influence everybody who learns about it. For example, a person who learns Spanish traditions can learn how to conduct calm and comfortable life. The fact is that, for example, Americans, like to work and get results quickly. Spaniards do not like to hurry and devote more time to every issue. Also, Spaniards pay much attention to their cultural traditions, which are reflected in art. Thus every person can adopt this devotion to culture and art. Spaniards like to organize holidays and their way of life is usually merrier than the way of life of Americans. Leaning about Spain it is impossible not to adopt this way of life as Spaniards know how to enjoy life, while Americans devote their life to business. Moreover, the history of Spain shows that Spaniards are the unique nation that managed to change its political conditions seamlessly. Some facts from thei r history can serve as an example and teach learners to implement changes slowly and without stress. 2. Two Spains The Second Spain existed in 1931—1939 during the period of Revolution in Spain. The term â€Å"Two Spains† became relevant due to the influence this period imposed on Spain’s further development. ... Irreconcilable controversies about the past and future development of the country take place till nowadays. Spanish political geography is the direct consequence of the Civil War. On the one hand today’s Spain arouse affection. Its peaceful transfer from the dictatorship to democracy can serve as example. However, Spaniards know that not everything is so great in their country. The members of Royal Family have already forgotten when they crossed the borders of Basque Country for the last time. Obviously, they are not going to visit Catalonia – last time their visits were not successful as were accompanied by burning their photos and Spanish flags. Civil War became the part of the history, but its consequences are felt even now. The successors of rebels and republicans continue to dispute and these disputes are not going to finish (Cowans 26). 3. Democracy In the modern world democracy is crucial as it determines the welfare of the state. Every country tried to gain demo cracy, but not every state managed to gain it seamlessly. The majority of the countries in the world should have taken effort to gain democracy. The transfer to democracy in Spain is considered to be the most seamless in the world history. It happened after the death of Francisco Franco, who was the head of the country during 35 years. It is essential to mention that during the rule of Franco Spain was a so-called outlaw of the Western world. The limitations on visiting this country were spread on American citizens. The main thing is that Spanish nation was split after the Civil War in 1936-1939 and it seemed that it was split forever. Actually, this war was as cruel and bloody as Civil War in Russia. Alienation between the republicans and the members of Falanga were moving

Theme of religion in the Arab world Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Theme of religion in the Arab world - Essay Example Religions also should practice equality. In respect to the Muslim perspective all people are equal before the eyes of God. God created people equally and they should be treated equally. The poor should be helped by the rich and exploitation should not be practiced among religious people or the Muslims. In reference of the documentary, religious people should have original goodness. This means that people should practice goodness without being forced or pretending. Original goodness should be seen among religion with people helping each other without expecting repayment or compensation. Religions like Islam beliefs in one God who they regard as the creator of all things and the earth. Muslims belief and worship one God known as Allah who created mankind. The followers of religions set time to worship the Supreme Being. The devoted Muslim should adhere to the practices as required in the Quran. As the religions have a free choice principle, some people choose not to follow the practices while others follow keenly. Muslims belief that they should remain committed to religious teachings in order to receive blessings the Supreme

Ronald Reagan Essay Example for Free

Ronald Reagan Essay Ronald Reagan came from humble beginnings. He was born on February 6, 1911 in the town of Tampico, Illinois. His parents were Jack and Nelle. Jack Reagan was an unsuccessful salesman who was also known as an alcoholic. His mother, Nelle Wilson Reagon was a devout farmwoman who raised Ronald and his older brother, Neil, in the Disciples of Christ Church despite their fathers Catholicism. The family moved frequently, sometimes in response to new job opportunities, sometimes after Jack had been fired because of his drinking. In 1920 they settled in Dixon, Illinois, where Jack became the proprietor and part owner of a shoe store (Reeves 2). Ronald Reagan was an outgoing, optimistic, popular, and apparently happy youth despite the problems of his family. He was interested in sports from an early age and particularly liked football and swimming. Ronald was also nearsighted, which was later diagnosed, made baseball difficult for him. He was a hardworking and modestly successful student, with a talent for memorization (Miller Center). He was active early in school dramatics. As a teenager, he worked during summers as a lifeguard at the swimming area of the local river and put aside much of what he earned for his education (Reeves 6). Reagans youth was in many ways oddly similar to that of other provincial Americans who rose to political prominence: a boyhood in a small town, a family struggling precariously on the edges of the middle class, education in small, undistinguished schools. Huey P. Long, Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and many others had grown up in comparable circumstances. But unlike most other small-town boys who rose to political greatness, Reagan showed little early interest in politics (Brinkley). Jack Reagan, like most American Catholics of his era, was a staunch Democrat and Ronald inherited his fathers unreflective enthusiasm for the party even though, throughout the 1920s, it enjoyed little national success. He became a fervent admirer of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, an attachment that grew stronger when the New Deal agencies began providing jobs to unemployed men (among them his father) in depression-ravaged central Illinois (Miller Center). But he never became actively involved in Democratic politics in the state. He found himself drawn occasionally into campus politics at Eureka and in his senior year won election as class president. But when he graduated in 1932, with a B. A. in economics and sociology, politics and public life remained far from his thoughts. He was, he later wrote, drawn to some form of show business, an interest born in part of his experiences in the Eureka drama society (Brinkley). Following graduation, at a time when a quarter of Americans were unemployed, Reagan found work as a radio announcer, first in Davenport, Iowa, then later Des Moines. Reagan struggled at first but in time became one of the best-known sports announcers in the Midwest (Reeves 9). He also became a popular speaker before Des Moines service groups and enlisted as a reserve officer in the U. S. Cavalry so he could ride horses regularly. But he dreamed of bigger things. In 1937, Reagan went to California with the Chicago Cubs baseball team on spring training and arranged through a friend for a screen test at Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers offered Reagan a contract for $200 a week that launched his film career (Brinkley). His growing success also won him a series of deferments from military service (at the request of Warner Brothers) once the United States entered World War II, and then after he was called up and commissioned an officer in the cavalry, an assignment with an army film unit. He spent the war in California making army training movies at a military base in Los Angeles, with time off to make feature films at Warner Brothers (among them the successful 1943 tribute to the military, This Is the Army ) (D’Souza 10). Much of the time, he lived at home with his family. Despite his later claims to the contrary, he never left the country and never saw combat. But he cooperated with studio public relations efforts to portray him as a soldier, who, like other soldiers, left his family to go off to war. Feature stories described Wyman bravely carrying on, raising the children and maintaining the household while her man was away. Newsreels and magazine photos depicted Reagan coming home for leaves and visits. Reagan later sometimes seemed actually to have believed the ruse. Even decades later, he liked to talk about coming back from the war, like other veterans, eager to take up family life again (a life that in his case had hardly been interrupted) (D’Souza 11). Reagans postwar acting career never regained the momentum it had enjoyed in the early 1940s. He had some occasional successes (among them The Hasty Heart in 1949), but he found himself working more often now in minor roles or minor films. Jane Wymans career, in the meantime, was flourishing, and her absorption with it contributed to what were already growing tensions within the marriage. The couple divorced in 1948 (Reagan 4). As his career and his marriage languished, Reagan had begun to become active in politics. His first vehicle was the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the film actors union. Reagan had been active in SAG since his first months in Hollywood, and his involvement grew with his marriage to Wyman, who was also an important figure in the organization. In 1946, he chaired a union strike committee and demonstrated an energy and a toughness that his SAG colleagues had not previously seen. In 1947, he became president of the union, a position he held for six years. Reagan still considered himself a liberal Democrat, and he used his new political distinction to campaign for Harry Truman in 1948. There was occasional talk of Reagan himself running for Congress as a Democrat, but party leaders apparently opposed the idea because they considered him too liberal (Barlietta 15-17). In reality, Reagans political views were changing more rapidly than his public activities suggested. During the war, he had harshly criticized the waste and corruption he saw in the awarding of military contracts, and his suspicion of government bureaucracies only grew in the following years. He was also now complaining frequently about taxes. He had signed a million-dollar contract with Warner Brothers in 1944, but the very high wartime tax rates (up to 90 percent in the upper brackets) greatly reduced his income. In 1950, after initially endorsing the actress Helen Gahagan Douglas for the United States Senate, he switched his support to Richard Nixon in mid-campaign. And as president of SAG, he became active in efforts to distance the union from Communist influence (driven to do so, no doubt, by the savagely anti-Communist political climate, but also by his own deep and growing aversion to Communists) (D’Souza 12). By the late 1940s, he was cooperating with the FBI and testifying before the House Committee on Un-American Activities against Communism in the union (although he was not asked to name any individual Communists). Subsequently, he cooperated with the studios as they quietly administered the notorious blacklist of alleged Communists who were to be barred from employment in the movie industry. Reagan later claimed that the effort by Hollywood Communists to take over the motion picture business, and the unwillingness of many liberals to confront them, was responsible for his political turn to the right (Brinkley). At least as responsible, however, was his marriage in 1952 to Nancy Davis, a young and largely unknown actress whom he had met at a dinner party in 1949. Davis was the daughter of a once-successful stage actress, Edith Luckett. Her natural parents separated when she was an infant, and she spent most of her childhood in the home of her mothers second husband, Loyal Davis, whose name Nancy took and whose right-wing political views she uncritically absorbed. Her familys conservatism reinforced Reagans own accelerating drift to the right (Brinkley). Reagans second marriage was a happy one. The couple lived in a comfortable home in Pacific Palisades and began to spend time at a ranch Reagan had bought near Santa Barbara. They had two children, Patricia, born in 1952, and Ronald, born in 1958. But Reagans film career was now in serious decline. Warner Brothers had not renewed his contract, and he was having difficulty finding steady work elsewhere. He was now in his mid-forties, and major stardom was coming to seem beyond his reach (Reeves 13). Over the next few years FBI agents working with the House of Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood Motion Picture Producers, got 320 people blacklisted from the entertainment industry. As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan refused to support those actors such as Larry Parks, Joseph Bromberg, Charlie Chaplin, John Garfield, Howard Da Silva, Gale Sondergaard, Jeff Corey, John Randolph, Canada Lee, and Paul Robeson who were on this list.   Reagans support of McCarthyism enabled him to continue working in Hollywood but his films continued to appear in mediocre films such as Bedtime for Bonzo (1951), The Last Outpost (1951), The Winning Team (1952), Law and Order (1953), Cattle Queen of Montana (1954), Tennessees Partner (1955) and Hellcats in the Navy (1957). Between 1954 and 1962 Reagan also worked for General Electric as host of the companys weekly half-hour dramas for television. (Miller Center) In the 1930s and 40s Reagan had been a loyal supporter of the Democratic Party. However, he switched to the Republican Party after the war and supported Dwight Eisenhower (1952 and 1956) and Richard Nixon (1960). In 1964 that Reagan became a national political figure. (Barlietta 67) This was as a result of a televised speech in support of Barry Goldwater. It did not help Goldwater win the election (he was seen by most people in America as a dangerous, right-wing extremist). However, it did convince members of the Californian business community that here was a man with the charm to sell right-wing extremism. Reagan was approached about becoming the Republican Party candidate as Governor of California with the help of a smear campaign against Pat Brown and promises of tax cuts he won an easy victory. (Miller Center)? As governor Reagan quickly established himself as one of the countrys leading conservative political figures. This included dramatic budget cuts and a hiring freeze for state agencies. He also put up student fees and when they complained he sent state troopers to deal with their protest meetings. (D’Souza 45) Re-elected with 52 per cent of the vote in 1970, Reagan introduced a series of welfare reforms during his second term in office. This included tightening eligibility requirements for welfare aid and requiring the able to seek work rather than receiving benefits. However, the tax cuts never came, in fact, he presided over the largest tax increase any state had ever demanded in American history. Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489 electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter. (Miller Center) On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar. (Brinkley) Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit. (Brinkley) A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro. In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression. (Brinkley) In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve peace through strength. During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. (Brinkley) Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub. By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa. D’Souza 74) After leaving office in 1989, the Reagans purchased a home in Bel Air, Los Angeles in addition to the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara. They regularly attended Bel Air Presbyterian Church and occasionally made appearances on behalf of the Republican Party; Reagan delivered a well-received speech at the 1992 Republican National Convention. Previously on November 4, 1991, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was dedicated and opened to the public. (D’Souza 111) At the dedication ceremonies, five presidents were in attendance, as well as six first ladies, marking the first time five presidents were gathered in the same location. Reagan continued publicly to speak in favor of a line-item veto; the Brady Bill; a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget; and the repeal of the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits anyone from serving more than two terms as president. In 1992 Reagan established the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award with the newly formed Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. His final public speech was on February 3, 1994 during a tribute to him in Washington, D. C. , and his last major public appearance was at the funeral of Richard Nixon on April 27, 1994. Brinkley) In August 1994, at the age of 83, Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, an incurable neurological disorder which destroys brain cells and ultimately causes death. In November he informed the nation through a handwritten letter, writing in part: â€Å"I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimers Disease At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainde r of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you. † (Miller Center) After his diagnosis, letters of support from well-wishers poured into his California home, but there was also speculation over how long Reagan had demonstrated symptoms of mental degeneration. In her memoirs, former CBS White House correspondent Lesley Stahl recounts her final meeting with the president, in 1986: Reagan didnt seem to know who I was. Oh, my, hes gonzo, I thought. I have to go out on the lawn tonight and tell my countrymen that the president of the United States is a doddering space cadet. But then, at the end, he regained his alertness. As she described it, I had come that close to reporting that Reagan was senile. (Miller Center) However, Dr. Lawrence K. Altman, a physician employed as a reporter for the New York Times, noted that the line between mere forgetfulness and the beginning of Alzheimers can be fuzzyand all four of Reagans White House doctors said that they saw no evidence of Alzheimers while he was president. Dr. John E. Hutton, Reagans primary physician from 1984 to 1989, said the president absolutely did not show any signs of dementia or Alzheimers. (Miller Center) Reagan did experience occasional memory lapses, though, especially with names. Once, while meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, he repeatedly referred to Vice President Bush as Prime Minister Bush. Reagans doctors, however, note that he only began exhibiting overt symptoms of the illness in late 1992or 1993, several years after he had left office. His former Chief of Staff James Baker considered ludicrous the idea of Reagan sleeping during cabinet meetings. Other staff members, former aides, and friends said they saw no indication of Alzheimers while he was President. Barlietta 197) Complicating the picture, Reagan suffered an episode of head trauma in July 1989, five years prior to his diagnosis. After being thrown from a horse in Mexico, a subdural hematoma was found and surgically treated later in the year. Nancy Reagan asserts that her husbands 1989 fall hastened the onset of Alzheimers disease, citing what doctors told her, although acute brain injury has not been conclusively proven to accelerate Alzheimers or dementia. Reagans one-time physician Dr. Daniel Ruge has said it is possible, but not certain, that the horse ccident affected the course of Reagans memory. (Barlietta 209) Reagan died of pneumonia at his home in Bel Air, California on the afternoon of June 5, 2004. A short time after his death, Nancy Reagan released a statement saying: My family and I would like the world to know that President Ronald Reagan has died after 10 years of Alzheimers Disease at 93 years of age. We appreciate everyones prayers. (Brinkley) President George W. Bush declared June 11 a National Day of Mourning, and international tributes came in from around the world. Reagans body was taken to the Kingsley and Gates Funeral Home in Santa Monica, California later in the day, where well-wishers paid tribute by laying flowers and American flags in the grass. On June 7, his body was removed and taken to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where a brief family funeral was held conducted by Pastor Michael Wenning. His body lay in repose in the Library lobby until June 9; over 100,000 people viewed the coffin. (Miller Center) On June 9, Reagans body was flown to Washington, D. C. where he became the tenth United States president to lie in state; in thirty-four hours, 104,684 people filed past the coffin. On June 11, a state funeral was conducted in the Washington National Cathedral, and presided over by President George W. Bush. Eulogies were given by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and both Presidents Bush. Also in attendance were Mikhail Gorbachev, and many world leaders, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and interim presidents Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, and Ghazi al-Yawer of Iraq. Brinkley) After the funeral, the Reagan entourage was flown back to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, where another service was held, and President Reagan was interred. (Brinkley) At the time of his death, Reagan was the longest-lived president in U. S. history, having lived 93 years and 120 days (2 years, 8 months, and 23 days longer than John Adams, whose record he surpassed). He is now the second longest-lived president, just 45 days fewer than Gerald Ford. He was the first United States president to die in the 21st century, and his was the first state funeral in the United States since that of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1973. (Miller Center) His burial site is inscribed with the words he delivered at the opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life.

Analysis of Migration Patterns in Afghanistan

Analysis of Migration Patterns in Afghanistan Migration in Afghanistan: 1. Introduction Afghanistan is home to the largest refugee crises experienced since the inception of the UNHCR. Decades of war have led millions to flee their homes and seek refuge in the neighboring countries of Pakistan and Iran, and for those who were able, further abroad. The number of refugees spiked in 1990 at 6.2 million. They began to decrease in 1992 with the fall of the government, but began to increase again in 1996 with the rise of the Taliban. In 2002, with the fall of the Taliban and the US-led invasion, record numbers of Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan. An international reconstruction and development initiative began to aid Afghans in rebuilding their country from decades of war. Reports indicate that change is occurring in Afghanistan, but the progress is slow. The Taliban have regained strength in the second half of this decade and insurgency and instability are rising. Afghanistan continues to be challenged by underdevelopment, lack of infrastructure, few employment opportunities, and widespread poverty. The slow pace of change has led Afghans to continue migrating in order to meet the needs of their families. Today refugee movements no longer characterize the primary source of Afghan migration. Migration in search of livelihoods is the primary reasons for migration and occurs through rural-urban migration in Afghanistan or circular migration patterns as Afghans cross into Pakistan and/or Iran. Afghans utilize their social networks to find low-skilled work in the cities or neighboring countries. The highly skilled in Afghanistan often seek to migrate to Western countries, as the opportunities in Afghanistan are limited. Afghans transnational movements have led to the development of the Afghan Diaspora, which has been essential in providing remittances to families in Afghanistan to meet their daily needs. The Afghan Diaspora has been involved in the reconstruction effort and is a key contributor to development in Afghanistan. The continued engagement of the Diaspora is important to the building of Afghanistans future. This paper seeks to provide an overview of migration and development in Afghanistan. It will begin with a country profile on Afghanistan (Chapter 2), followed by a review of historical migration patterns in Afghanistan (Chapter 3) and a synthesis of current migration patterns in Afghanistan (Chapter 4). The paper will then move to discuss migration and development in Afghanistan (Chapter 5), the Afghan Diaspora (Chapter 6), policies regarding migration in Afghanistan (Chapter 7), and the migration relationship between the Netherlands and Afghanistan (Chapter 8). The paper will conclude with an examination of future migration prospects for Afghanistan (Chapter 9) and a conclusion (Chapter 10). 2. General Country Profile Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been inundated by decades of war, civil strife and poverty. Today, Afghanistan is central in media attention due to the US led invasion post 9/11, however the country has been in turmoil for much longer. This section will provide a brief overview of the recent history of Afghanistan, the current economic situation, the current political situation, a cultural overview, and the current status of women in the country. Historical Overview The modern history of Afghanistan can be divided into four essential periods: pre 1978, 1978-1992, 1992-2001, and post 2001. Pre 1978 Afghanistan was founded in 1774 by Ahmad Shah Durrani who unified the Pashtun tribes in the region and created the state (CIA, 2009). The country was ruled by a monarchy and acted as a buffer between the British and Russian empires until it received independence from conjectural British control in 1919 (CIA, 2009). The last King, Zahir Shah, reigned from 1933 to 1973, when he was overthrown by a coup detat led by his cousin and ex-premier President Mohammed Daoud (Jazayery, 2002). Opposition to Daouds Government lead to a coup in 1978 by the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) (Jazayery, 2002). 1978-1992 Soviet Invasion The PDPA was a Marxist regime and from 1989 was supported by the Soviet Union. This was the first major flow of refugees from Afghanistan. The occupation by the Soviets was viewed in the west as an escalation of the Cold War. The West began to fund millions of dollars, which became billions of dollars, to the resistance forces known as the Mujahideen (Jazayery, 2002). The resistance forces operated primarily from Pakistan. In 1986 when Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union, the Soviets began the process of extraditing themselves from Afghanistan and by 1989 the Soviets had left Afghanistan. 1992-2001 Taliban Rule In 1992 the Mujahideen forces overthrew Najibullahs Government. A failure of consensus of the new Government led to a civil war from 1992-1996 (Jazayery, 2002). Afghanistan became divided into tribal fiefdoms controlled by armed commanders and warlords (Poppelwell, 2007). The country was in a state of anarchy and Afghans lived in a state of constant fear of physical and sexual assault (Poppelwell, 2007). During this time, the Taliban emerged in 1994, claiming that Afghanistan should be ruled by Sharia (Islamic law) (Jazayery, 2002). The Taliban received support and funding from Saudi Arabia and Arab individuals in the quest to establish a pure Islamic model state (Poppelwell, 2007). The Taliban swept through Afghanistan encountering no resistance by the Mujahideen and were welcomed in many areas as they established relative security in the areas they controlled (Jazayery, 2002). By 1998, The Taliban had captured the majority of the country and established the â€Å"Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan† (Jazayery, 2002). A Northern Alliance that arose in opposition to the Taliban maintained a Government of the â€Å"Islamic State of Afghanistan† with Burhanuddin Rabbini as president (Jazayery, 2002). The Taliban Government was only recognized by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, while the Government of Rabbini maintained an officially represented seat at th e UN (Jazayery, 2002). After the bombings of the US Embassys in Kenya and Tanzania the Taliban were asked to stop harboring Osama bin Laden (Poppelwell, 2007). At their refusal, the UN imposed sanctions against the Taliban and Afghanistan in 1999 (Poppelwell, 2007). By this time the Taliban were known for disregarding international law and human rights (Poppelwell, 2007). During this time, killing, pillaging, raping, and ethnic cleansing of individuals occurred across Afghanistan by the Taliban regime (Jazayery, 2002). Post 2001 The events of 9/11 2001 led the US to lead Coalition Forces to invade Afghanistan on 7 October 2007. Within months the military forces had taken control of Afghanistan and declared the fall of the Taliban. The International Security and Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan began with 5,000 troops. In 2003, NATO took over the ISAF, which now, due to increased security concerns, is comprised of approximately 50,000 troops coming from all 28 NATO members (NATO, 2009). In December 2001 a UN led interim administration was established under the Bonn Agreement. The Bonn Agreement established a new constitution and the first democratic elections in 2004 (Poppelwell, 2007). Hamid-Karzai, became the leader of a broad based thirty-member ethnic council that aimed to be multi-ethnic and representative of Afghan society (Poppelwell, 2007). The new administration faced many challenges and in 2005 the Taliban began to regain strength in Afghanistan. The increased security challenges led to the London Conference in January 2006 to address the end of the Bonn agreement and the current challenges in Afghanistan. The result of the London Conference was the Afghanistan Compact, which identified a five-year plan for Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Compact is based on three key pillars: â€Å"security, governance, the rule of law and human rights; economic and social development; and the cross-cutting issue of counter-narcotics† (Poppelwell, 2007, p. 8). Western Governments have taken on specific areas as a country lead for areas in which they will focus. The reconstruction process in Afghanistan has been extensive. A total of $14,775,000,000 US dollars has been contributed to the reconstruction process since 2001 (Livingston, Messera, and Shapiro, 2009). Despite the development efforts, insecurity has increased since 2005 with the Taliban regaining strength. The overall situation in Afghanistan continues to be characterized by conflict and poverty. Demographics A census has not been conducted in Afghanistan since prior to the Soviet invasion in 1978. Thus, all demographic information is estimates. In 2009, the CIA World Factbook estimated the population of Afghanistan to be 28.3 million. This was a significant decrease from the previous estimate of 33.6 million. An Afghanistan census is scheduled for 2010. The population growth rate in Afghanistan was estimated by the United Nations to be 3.9 percent 2005-2010 (UN Data, 2009). Economic and Poverty Overview Economic progress in Afghanistan is occurring through the reconstruction effort, however, Afghanistan continues to be one of the least developed and poorest countries in the world. Table 1 provides an overview of key economic and poverty indicators for Afghanistan in 2007. Real GDP growth for 2008-09 decelerated to 2.3 percent from 16.2 percent in 2007-08 (World Bank, 2009). This is the lowest GDP growth has been in the post-Taliban period and was due to poor agricultural production (World Bank, 2009). In 2009, however, growth is expected to increase due to a good agricultural harvest (World Bank, 2009). Table 1: Key Indicators GDP Per Capita (PPP US $) 1,054 Life Expectancy 43.6 Adult Literacy Rate (% aged 15 and above) 28.0 Combined Gross Enrolment Ration in Education 50.1 Human Poverty Index Rank 135.0 Probability at birth of not surviving to age 40 (% of cohort) 40.7 Population not using an improved water Source (%) 78.0 Children underweight for age (% under age 5) 39.0 Overseas Development Assistance per Capita (US$) 146.0 Source: UNDP, 2009 The latest poverty assessment in Afghanistan was conducted in 2005 through the National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA). The findings indicate that the poverty rate was 42 percent, corresponding to 12 million people living below the poverty line (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2009, p. 14). In addition, 20 percent of the population was slightly above the poverty line, suggesting that a small economic shock could place them below the poverty line (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2009, p. 14). It is evident that widespread poverty continues to be a challenge in Afghanistan. Political Situation In August 2009, Afghanistan held it second democratic elections (World Bank, 2009). The incumbent President Hamid Karzai, was re-elected with 50 percent of the necessary votes, however, since the election there have been over 2,000 fraud allegations lodged with the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC). The Independent Election Commission announced in October 2009 that its final results indicated less than 50 percent of the votes for Karzai. Thus, a run-off election was scheduled for November between Karzai and the lead opponent. Before the election, however, the opponent withdrew from the race leaving Karzai as President (World Bank, 2009). The United Nations Mission to Afghanistan has continued to coordinate international assistance and support the Afghan government in developing good governance. The key aspects of the UN Mission political mandate include: â€Å"preventing and resolving conflicts; building confidence and promoting national reconciliation; monitoring and advising on the political and human rights situation; investigating and making recommendations relating to human rights violations; maintaining a dialogue with Afghan leaders, political parties, civil society groups, institutions, and representatives of central, regional and provincial authorities; recommending corrective actions; and undertaking good offices when necessary to further the peace process† (UNAMA, 2009). The political situation in Afghanistan continues to be complex. In 2009, Transparency International rated Afghanistan 1.3 on the Global Corruption Perceptions Index (Transparency International, 2009). This was the second lowest ranking with only Somalia receiving a lower score. This suggests a high lack of trust in the Government of Afghanistan. Culture/ Ethnic Groups Afghanistan is a traditional and conservative society with large ethnic divisions. Table 2 shows the percentage of the population that belongs to the different ethnic groups. Table 2: Ethnic Groups in Afghanistan 1970s 2006 Pashtun 39.4 40.9 Tajik 33.7 37.1 Uzbeck 8 9.2 Hazara 8 9.2 Turkmen 3.3 1.7 Aimak 4.1 0.1 Baloch 1.6 0.5 Other 1.9 1.4 Source: The Asia Foundation, 2006; Encycopedia Iranica, 2009 The Pashtuns have generally been the majority in Afghanistan. They occupy land in the South and the East and are divided amoung tribal lines. The Tajiks are primarily Sunni Muslims who are Persian and occupy the Northeast and West of Afghanistan. The Tajiks are often well educated and landowners. The Uzbecks are descendents from the Turks and are primarily involved in agriculture. The Hazaras are primarily Shiite Muslims who occupy the infertile highlands in central Afghanistan. The Hazaras are subsistence farms that have used migration routes for survival for centuries (Robinson and Lipson, 2002). The vast majority of the population in Afghanistan is Sunni Muslim (87.9 percent). Shiia Muslims account for 10.4 percent of the population and the remaining ethnic groups are negligible in numbers. Shiia Muslims are thus a minority and have faced persecution in Afghanistan. Status of Women Afghanistans GDI (Gender Development Index) value is 0.310, which is 88.1 percent of its Human Development Index (HDI) (UNDP, 2009). The HDI does not account for gender inequality, and the GDI adds this component to the HDI. Afghanistan ranks 155 out of 155 countries measured in the world for its GDI. Indicators, such as literacy, illustrate this; 43.1 percent of adult males are literate, compared to 12.6 percent of adult females (UNDP, 2009). The culture of Afghanistan is a based on traditional gender roles. Traditionally, women are seen as embodying the honour of the family (World Bank, 2005). As such, women are given as brides to create peace, or to honour a relationship. The role of a wife is to maintain the household and support the husband, which includes domestic and sexual services. In general, a wife meets the husbands needs and if the wife does not she has dishonoured her family and community (World Bank, 2005). The legal rights of women in Afghanistan have changed with the political structure. Prior to Taliban rule, the Constitution of Afghanistan guaranteed women equal rights under the law, although local tribes may have had different customs. Under Taliban rule womens rights were severely hindered as they were not permitted to leave their homes unless accompanied by a close male relative, receive education, and had restricted access the health care and employment. Women were frequently raped and abused during this time. With the fall of the Taliban the situation has improved for women, however there are great differences between the rural and urban situation (World Bank, 2005). The Ministry of Womens Affairs (MOWA) was established in the Bonn Agreement to promote the advancement of women in Afghanistan. MOWA works in an advocacy role to ensure that policies are implemented for both men and women. In addition, MOWA works with NGOs to ensure programs for women are implemented. Womens rights remain to be a primary concern in Afghanistan. At present, approximately 60 percent of women are married before the age of 16 (IRIN, 2005). At 44, women in Afghanistan have one of the lowest life expectancies in the world (UNDP, 2009). Women who are widowed are ostracized in rural communities, but are often able to make a living in the cities to support themselves and their families. However, female-headed households tend to be primarily represented in the poorest quintiles of Afghan society (World Bank, 2005). The situation for women in the urban centres such as Kabul is becoming more liberal. Education rates of girls in the urban centres are high than rural areas and these indicators suggest changes are occurring for women in urban areas. Womens rights are high on the international policy agenda for Afghanistan and a key goal of development aid. 3. Historic Overview of Migration Migration in Afghanistan has had a long history and has significantly shaped the countries social and cultural landscape (Monsutti, 2007). Historically, Afghanistan was a country of trade between the east and the west and a key location on the Silk Road trade route. Thus, migration is a part of the historical identity of the country. The following chapter presents an overview of the complex migration patterns, with a historical perspective. Migration Patterns from Afghanistan to Pakistan and Iran Prior to 1978 Migration between Afghanistan and Pakistan and Iran has a long history. The migration relationships are rooted in the ethnic ties that span the borders between the countries. For instance, Pashtuns make up 20 percent of the population in Pakistan and 30 percent in Afghanistan. The Pashtuns are separated by the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, which is referred to as the Durand Line. The Durand Line was established during British colonialism to demarcate British India from Afghanistan, and has been acknowledged to be an arbitrary divide of Pashtun land (Monsutti, 2005). Thus, cross-border migration of the Pashtuns between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been a way of life. Similarly, the Hazaras of Afghanistan are Shiites Muslims, which is the majority religion in Iran (Monsutti, 2005). Hazaras regularly engaged in migration to and from Iran via religious ties. These ethnic and cultural ties led to cross-border migration for decades prior to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. The poor economic position of Afghanistan prior to 1978 led to further economic migration to the better off states of Pakistan and Iran. Stigter states, â€Å"The economic differences between Afghanistan and Pakistan and Iran have long led Afghans to migrate to these countries to find employment and, for Iran, enjoy the benefits of a higher income† (2006, p. 117). In the 1960s and 1970s industrialization in Afghanistan was minimal and there were limited opportunities for the newly educated and growing rural population (Stigter, 2006). A widespread drought in the 1970s led to large-scale crop failure and further migration of many Afghans from the north and north-western Afghanistan into Iran (Monsutti, 2006). In addition, the oil boom of 1973 caused further increasing numbers of Afghans to cross into Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to capitalize on the labour opportunities (Stigter, 2006). Studies have also confirmed that prior to the war migrants from Northern Afghanis tan travelled to Pakistan during the winter, illustrating that seasonal migration occurred between the two countries (Stigter, 2006 from CSSR, 2005). These pre-established migration movements reveal that social networks were established between Afghanistan and Pakistan and Iran prior to the Soviet Invasion and proceeding wars. Monsutti states that â€Å"Channels of pre-established transnational networks exist between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran- the movement of individuals to seek work, to escape drought or to flee war has been a common experience in Afghanistan† (Monsutti, 2006, p. 6-7). Thus, it can be deduced that migration to Pakistan and Iran was a natural option for many Afghans. International Migration Post 1978 International migration movements from Afghanistan from 1978 have primarily been comprised of refugee flows. The vast majority of refugees fled to Pakistan and Iran in the largest refugee crises of the late 20th Century. 1 shows the number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran from 1979-2001. 1 illustrates that refugee outflows from Afghanistan began in 1979 with the Soviet Invasion. The outflows continued to increase during the Soviet occupation when there was civil war between the US funded Mujahideen and the Soviet backed Najibullah. Flows during this time spanned social classes and ethnic groups as the initial reason for migration was primarily protection led. However, reasons of a lack of economic opportunities, devastation of infrastructure and trade networks, limited access to social services such as healthcare and education, and political and social reasons also contributed to migration flows (Stigter, 2006). Migration was thus not only refugee protection, but also the need to make a livelihood (Stigter, 2006). The peak of the refugee flows occurred in 1990 with 6.2 million Afghan refugees. This was after the Soviet withdrawal and when the Najibullah remained in power (Jazayery, 2002, p. 240). In the 1990s drought contributed to continuing refugee flows from Afghanistan (Stigter, 2006). The fall of the Najibullah in 1992 led to large-scale repatriation. However, with the Taliban gaining power in 1996, the number of refugees began to increase again to approximately 3.8 million refugees in 2001. During the initial refugee outflows in 1979 both Pakistan and Iran warmly welcomed the refugees under a banner Muslim solidarity (Monsutti, 2006). Iran is a signatory and Pakistan is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, however both countries welcomed the refugees. In Iran the refugees were given identification cards, allowed access to work, health care, food, free primary and secondary education, and were free to settle where they chose (Monsutti, 2006). Pakistan created an agreement with the United Nations to provide services to the Afghan refugees and received financial support from the international community (Monsutti, 2006). The era of welcoming Afghan refugees began to change in 1989. In Pakistan refugees were still welcomed from 1989-2001, but were not provided with the same level of services and facilitation (Monsutti, 2006). In Iran support also decreased and by the 1990s refugees no longer received identity cards and assistance (Monsutti, 2006). The position of the host countries became increasingly unfriendly post 2001, which will be discussed in the next chapter of this paper. Return Migration The Mujahideen took over the government in 1992 and as a result nearly 2 million refugees returned to Afghanistan. By 1997 an estimated 4 million refugees had returned from Pakistan and Iran (Stigter, 2006). Simultaneously, however, conflicts between rival Mujahideen groups dissuaded many refugees from returning, and created new refugees and IDPs. Internal Migration The primary source of internal migration in Afghanistan was Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Internally Displaced Persons Internal displacement flows have followed a similar trajectory as refugee flows. The exact number of IDPs is not known and 3 shows estimated number of IDPs in Afghanistan from 1985-2001. Generally those who are internally displaced do not have the means to cross an international border. IDPs in Afghanistan had access to very few services during this period. The UNHCRs capacity in Afghanistan began to increase after 1992 as is illustrated in 3 by the red line. From 1995 the two lines start to converge as the number of IDPs assisted by UNHCR increases and the total number of IDPs decreases. By 2001 the number of IDPs has significantly increased to 1.2 million. The number of IDPs in Afghanistan will be further examined in the next chapter. 4. Current Migration Patterns- 2001- Present Current migration patterns in Afghanistan are complex and multifaceted. Since 2001 Afghanistan has witnessed the largest movement of refugee return in UNHCRs history (Monsutti, 2008). These flows have been a mixture of voluntary and forced return of refugees who had been outside of Afghanistan for varying periods. The majority of returnees are from Pakistan. Afghan refugees have maintained ties with Pakistan and now cross-border labour migration between Afghanistan and Pakistan is increasing. In addition to international flows, the numbers of IDPs have decreased in Afghanistan since 2001 as IDPs return to their regions of origin. Finally, within this picture there are large flows of rural-urban migration as returnees and non-returnees find limited opportunities in rural areas and move to the cities in search of work. All of these flows are occurring simultaneously and present a complex picture of current migration patterns and flows. Each of these areas will be addressed in the follo wing section. Internal Migration Internal migration flows in Afghanistan have been increasing in the post-Taliban period. As refugees and migrants return to Afghanistan they do not necessarily end their migration cycle. Returnees may continue to migrate internally in search of livelihoods and opportunities. The internal migration flows in Afghanistan are comprised of IDPs, rural to urban migration, and trafficking. Internally Displaced Persons Internal displacement in Afghanistan has been understudied and information is limited to availability from the UNHCR. In 2004, the UNHCR conducted a data profiling of IDPs in UNHCR assisted camps and in 2008 the UNHCR created a national profile of IDPs in Afghanistan. Statistics regarding IDPs are estimates[1]. Table 3 shows the number of IDPs and IDP returnees from 2001 to 2008. At the fall of the Taliban in 2001 there were approximately 1.2 million IDPs in Afghanistan, of which many returned spontaneously in 2002 (UNHCR, 2008, p. 6). In 2008, IDP returns were negligible due to continued insecurity, inter-tribal and personal conflict, landlessness and drought, and lack of job opportunities and basic services in rural areas (UNHCR, 2008). Table 3: IDPs Total and Returns: 2001-2008 IDPs IDP Returnees Year Total Assisted Total Assisted 2001 1,200,000 2002 665,200 753,300 2003 184,300 2004 159,500 27,400 2005 143,000 17,000 8,600 2006 129,300 129,300 10,400 10,400 2007 153,700 153,700 8,000 8,000 2008 230,700 230,700 6,500 4,000 Total 2,865,700 513,700 822,600 31,000 Source: UNHCR Global Reports, 2001-2008 Of the current IDPs (235,000) the UNHCR identifies 132,000 as a protracted caseload (2008). Table 4 shows the reasons for displacement of the current IDP population. These numbers do not include those who are invisible IDPs or urban unidentified IDPs. UNHCR estimates that the actual number of IDPs in Afghanistan is substantially larger than the numbers suggest (2008, p. 18). Table 4: Reason for Displacement of Current IDPs (2008) Reason for Displacement No. of Families No. of Individuals Protracted 31,501 166,153 New Drought affected 1,083 6,598 New Conflict Affected 1,749 9,901 Returnees in Displacement 8,737 52,422 Battle-affected 127 759 Total 43,197 235,833 Source: UNHCR, 2008 Since 2007 the return of IDPs has continued to decrease due to increased instability in the country, drought, landlessness, and the spread of conflict and insurgency areas (IDMC, 2008). Disputes are arising between IDPs and locals as in Afghan culture if you are not born in the region you do not belong there (IDMC, 2008). Options for IDPs appear to be limited as they are not welcomed in the regions where they are seeking protection. Rural to Urban Migration Urbanization is rapidly occurring in Afghanistan as returnees settle in the cities and people migrate from rural communities to urban centres. Approximately 30 percent of returnees settle in Kabul (Stigter, 2006). The population of Kabul in 2001 was roughly 500,000 and it had grown to over 3 million by 2007 (IRIN, 2007). The urban centres do not have the infrastructure or resources to meet the needs of the large inflows of migrants, however, research suggest that the difficult situations in the cities are better than rural areas. In 2005 the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit conducted a study on rural to urban migration (Opel, 2005). A total of 500 migrants were interviewed in the cities of Kabul, Herat, and Jalalabad. The majority of migrants were male (89 percent) and the average age of migrants was 31 years (p. 4). Males tend to migrate to support their families, and females migrate when they have lost their husbands or have been ostracized by their community and have no means of supporting themselves in rural areas. The majority did not own productive assets in their village (71.2 percent), although 43 percent owned a house in their village (p. 8). The primary reasons for migration were the lack or work in the village and better opportunities in town (42%), followed by lack of work in the village (38.2%) and insecurity (16.3%) (p. 11). The majority of migrants made the journey on their own (70.7%) and paid for the journey from their savings (p.14). Migration to urban areas is expensive and the poor est of the poor cannot afford the journey. Once in the cities, the majority were employed in low skilled day labour work and on average respondents reported working 16 out of the past 30 days (p. 20). Social networks were essential in people finding work as 89 percent of skilled workers and 60 percent of unskilled workers reported receiving assistance from a relative, friend or neighbour (p. 20). Incomes in the cities were low, but were higher than what individuals could earn in the rural areas. The majority of urban migrants remitted money to their family in rural areas, which they carried with them when they returned or sent through family or friends. None of the urban migrants use the Hawala (see Chapter 6) system, which was reported to be too expensive for them. The majority of migrants reported planning to settle in the city (55%) (p. 26). Overall, the majority did improve their economic situation through migration (61.9% for males and 80.9% for females) (p. 27). The large-scale migration to urban centers appears to be a trend that will continue. It is estimated that urban centers are now accounting for 30 percent of the population in Afghanistan (Opel, 2005). The rapid urbanization has shifted rural poverty to urban poverty (Stigter, 2006) and many challenges remain for the cities in managing the rapid growth. National Trafficking In 2003 the IOM in Afghanistan conducted a study on trafficking of Afghan women and children. Research on trafficking in Afghanistan is difficult due to the lack of data inherent in all areas of Afghanistan, but increasingly so due to the fear of reporting trafficking related crimes and the shame associated with such

Taxonomy and Biogeography of the Genus Colura

Taxonomy and Biogeography of the Genus Colura Jiroat Sanngrattanaprasert   English: Taxonomy and biogeography of the genus Colura (Dumort.) Dumort. (Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta) in Tropical East Asia Introduction Colura (Dumort.) Dumort. was coined by Dumortier (1835) in Recueil dObservations sur les Jungermanniacà ©es and C. calyptrifolia (Hook.) Dumort. was used as a holotype. This genus belongs to Lejeuneaceae, which is the largest family of the liverworts (Gradstein, 2013). The Colura was found in all Floristic regions except USA (Fig. 1), comprising 76 taxa, of which 39 endemic taxa are also reported. Tropical East Asia is the region where Pà ³cs (1996) had reported the highest number, both total and endemic, of taxa in the area. Species of Colura are typically recognized by their leaf morphology; the presence of lobules forming an apical sac with an aperture mechanism consisting of a valve and a hinge. This sac varies greatly in sizes and shapes, and may function a water retention and in some species as zoophagy (Barthlott et al., 2000). Most species of Colura can be considered being epiphyllous, but many of them can occur likewise on small twigs. Colura species grow in well-illuminated sites from the lowlands to about 4,000 m above sea level. A few species (e.g. C. ornithocephala) of this genus, especially those from high montane habitats, were never observed on leaves, but seem to inhabit exclusively on thin twigs or sometimes on the bark of thicker tree trunks. (Pà ³cs, 1996; Heinrichs et al., 2012). Two critically endangered Colura species (C. heimii Jovet-Ast and C. obesa Jovet-Ast) found in Rà ©union Island, where is the largest island of the Mascarene Archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, were listed in IUCN Red List (Ah-Peng et al., 2012). In addition, Gradstein, Raeymaekers and Churchill (2000) reported common taxa such C. clavigera be as an indicator of undisturbed rainforest in Tropical America (including Mexico). Tropical East Asia region consists Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Western Indonesia, Southern China (north to 30 °N), plus the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the Andaman as well as Nicobar Islands of India. (Corlett, 2009) Fig. 1. Floristic regions where epiphyllous bryophyte occur. USA: The SE part of United States. MEA: Mesoamerica from Mexico to Panama. ANT: The Antilles. GUI: Guyanas, including the Venezuelan and Brasilian parts of Guyana Highlands. LSA: Amazonia and other lowland parts of South America, such as Choco and the Orinoco basin. SBR: The southeastern highlands of Brazil, with Paraguay and the Province Misiones in Argentina. AND: The Andes. TSA: Temperate South America. MAC: Macaronesia (excluding Cape Verde Islands). WAF: West Afirica from Guinea to the Congo. CAF: Central Africa including Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi. EAF: East Africa from Ethiopia to Mozambique. SAF: South Africa. MAD: Madagascar and the Seychelles, Comoro and Mascarene Islands. IND: India with the Himalayas, Khasia Hills (but excluding Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and lowland Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. OAS: East Asia including China, Taiwan, South Korea and Southern Japan with the Ryukyu Islands. ICH: Indochina from Chit tagong Hills of Bangladesh to Vietnam. MAL: The Malesian Archipelago including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Malay Peninsula but excluding West Irian. MEL: Malanesia, including the whole New Guinea, New Britain, the Bismarck and Solomon Islands, New Hebrides and New Caledonia. AUA: Australasia, including Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and the neighboring islands. OCE: Oceania, the Pacific from Volcano and the Carolines to Hawaiian Islands and from Fiji to Easter Islands (Pà ³cs, 1996). The Hypothesis of Work How many species of the genus Colura (Dumort.) Dumort. are there in Tropical East Asia? This Present Work Mainly Aims 1. To investigate morphology, ecology and distribution of all taxa of the genus Colura on Tropical East Asia 2. To enumerate taxa account and accepted names of Colura in Tropical East Asia Expect Results 1. The description, ecological data and distribution patterns of all taxa of the genus Colura on Tropical East Asia will be provided. 2. The synoptic account of Colura species will be enumerated. Literature review Checklists in Asia Herzog (1921) investigated liverworts in Moluccan Island, Indomalaya. Two Colura species was found, viz. C. brevistyla Herz. and C. javanica Steph., the first one was the new to science. Mizutani (1961) revision studied of Lejeuneaceae in Japan, Colura tenuicornis and C. meijeri were found. Description, key to species and illustration were added. Kitagawa (1969) collected hepatic plants from Penang, Malaysia. Two species of Colura was reported, viz. C. acutifolia Jovet-Ast and C. corynephora (Nees) Trev. Pà ³cs and Ninh (2005) collected the hepatic plants from Vu Quang Nature Reserve in central Vietnam and found Colura brevistyla Herz. as be as a new record to Indochina, furthermore, C. corynephora (Nees) Trev. as well was listed in this record. Zhu (2006) reported a checklist of liverwort, hornwort and takakiophytes from China, of which seven taxa of Colura (C. acroloba, C. ari, C. conica, C. corynephora, C. inuii, C. karstenii and C. tenuicornis) were listed. Lai, Zhu and Chantanaorrapint (2008) reported an updated checklist of liverwort and hornwort in Thailand. Among the account there are 6 species of Colura, viz. C. acroloba (Mont. ex Steph.) Ast, C. conica (Sande Lac.) K.I. Goebel, C. corynephora (Nees et al.) Trevis., C. siamensis Jovet-Ast, C. superba and C. tixieri. Sà ¶derstrà ¶m, Gradstein and Hagborg (2010) reported 15 taxa of Colura in Java, including 12 taxa that be a good species or accepted except 3 taxa (C. denticulata Jovet-Ast, C. imperfecta Steph. and C. junghuhniana (Steph.) Steph.) that be probably a good species. Chuah-Petiot (2011) listed the account and phytogeographical data of liverworts and hornworts of all states in Malaysia. Seventeen species of Colura were found and enumerated. Wang, Lai and Zhu (2011) updated checklist and floristic accounts of liverworts as well as hornworts in Taiwan. The present list contains 512 species of liverwort belonging to 116 genera in 52 families, including three taxa of Colura (viz. C. acroloba (Mont. ex Steph.) Jovet-Ast, C. inuii Horik. and C. tenuicornis (Evans) Steph.) Dey Singh (2012) investigated epiphyllous liverworts of Eastern Himalaya, which Colura tenuicornis was reported in this study. Pà ³cs (2012) have small collected epiphyllous liverworts from Laos, which Colura tenuicornis (Evans) Steph. was reported with this list. Pà ³cs and Ninh (2012) reported epiphyllous liverworts from Cà ¡t Tià ªn National Park of Southern Vietnam. They found 21 species including two species of Colura, viz. C. conica (Sande Lac.) Goebel and C. ornata Goebel, the latter was a new to Vietnam. Pà ³cs (2013) investigated the genus Colura in New Guinea and in neighboring areas. This paper based on the collection made in 1981 by a joint expedition of the University of Helsinki and the Humboldt State University of Arcata and on other collections, there are 25 species present. The phytogeographical evaluation of all species was provided. The description and illustration of four new to science species (C. koponenii, C. medusa, C. mizu-tanii and C. norrisii) were equipped. Furthermore, he as well treated C. simplicior Jovet-Ast (1983) to be a synonym of C. denticulata. Jovet-Ast (1954). Pà ³cs, Luong and Ho (2013) examined epiphyllous liverworts in Bidoup-Nà ºi Bà   National Park, Vietnam. Among the 125 samples containing 43 species belong to Lejeunea-ceae, both Colura acroloba (Mont. ex Steph.) and C. superba (Mont.) were found. These two species distribute particularly in Giang Ly station, where the altitude is 1481-1500 m a.s.l. Checklists in Oceania Thiers (1987) reported ten taxa of Colura in Australia, viz. C. acroloba (Mont.) Steph., C. ari Steph., C. australiensis Jovest-Ast, C. bisvoluta Herz. et Jovet-Ast, C. conica (Sande Lac.) Goeb., C. crispiloba Jovest-Ast, C. pulcherrima var. bartlettii Jovet-Ast, C. queenslandica B. Thiers, C. saccophylla Hodgs. et Herz. and C. simplicior Jovet-Ast. Among them, three species (C. acroloba, C. ari and C. conica) were first reportedly seen according to this investi-gation, especially C. queenslandica sp. nov. was new to science. A key to all ten taxa was provided. Moreover she additionally validate Colura sect. Lingua Jovet-Ast ex Thiers. Pà ³cs and Streimann (2006) collected five taxa of Colura, viz. C. apiculata (Schiffn.) Steph., C. leratii (Steph.) Steph., C. crispiloba Jovet-Ast, C. ornata Goebel and C. queenslan-dica Thiers in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria states as well as the Austral Capital Territory. Pà ³cs and Eggers (2007) investigated ten species of Colura from the Fiji archipelago. Three new to Fiji (C. crispiloba Jovet-Ast, C. cristata Jovet-Ast and C. queenslandica Thiers) as well as C. vitiensis Pà ³cs et Eggers which was a new to science were added in this paper. The photograph and illustration of some species and together with dichotomous key to all species were provided. Pà ³cs et al. (2011) reported Colura brevistyla Herz. and C. tenuicornis (Evans) Staph. be as new record taxa for the Fiji Islands. C. acroloba also was listed in extended distribution records from new islands within Fiji. Sà ¶derstrà ¶m et al. (2011) accounted the checklist of liverworts and hornworts of Fiji, including the islands Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Ovalau and surrounding smaller islands. The checklist of 14 species which belong to genus Colura were provided; furthermore the synonymous data were enumerated. Checklists in Amarica Engel (1978) had taxonomically and phytogeographically studied of Hepaticae and Anthocerotae in Brunswick Peninsula, Chile. Reportedly, three species of Colura were found, viz. C. calyptrifolia (Hook.) Dumort., C. naumannii (Schiffn.) Steph. and C. patagonica Jovet-Ast. Dauphin et al. (1998) reported Colura verdoornii Herz. et Jovet-Ast as new to Costa Rica, Tropical America. This species was previously known from Malaysia and Borneo, but it probably has a pantropical distribution, but not been reported from Africa. Checklists in Africa Jones and Harrington (1983) reported phytogeographical data of hepatic plant in Sierra Leone and Ghana, of those taxa, three species of Colura (C. digitaris (Mitten) Steph., C. dusenii (Steph.) Steph. and C. tenuicornis (Evans) Steph.) were included. Pà ³cs (1993) found new Colura from Comoro Archipelago and coin it as C. hattoriana Pà ³cs in this paper, including description, type specimens, illustration and note. Fischer (1999) reported five species of Colura from Aberdare mountain, Kenya, viz. C. berghenii Jovet-Ast, C. calyptri-folia (Hook.) Dumort., C. hedbergiana Pà ³cs, C. tenuicornis (Evans) Steph. and C. zoophaga Fischer, the latter species was a new to science. Wigginton (2001) investigated about habitat and location for 64 taxa that belong to Leajeuneaceae in Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. There are four Colura spp. which was reported in this investigation, viz. C. calyptrifolia , C. digitalis, C. tenuicornis and C. usambarica. Chuah-Petiot and Pà ³cs (2003) treated Colura zoophaga Fischer (1999) to be a synonym of C. kilimanjarica Pà ³cs et Jovet-Ast which they was found in same place, Aber-dare Mountain, Kenya and in addition they grew together on the twig of Cliffortia nitidula (Chuah-Petiot and Pà ³cs, 2003; Fischer, 1999). Mà ¼ller and Pà ³cs (2007) investigated epiphyllous bryophyte of Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea), biogeography of three species of Colura (viz. C. calderae Pà ³cs, C. digitalis (Mitt.) Steph. and C. hattoriana Pà ³cs, which the first one was a new to science) were provided. Wigginton (2009) investigated liverworts and hornworts of sub-Saharan Africa, including the East African Islands. There are 22 taxa of Colura were reported; moreover, synonymous taxa as well were enumerated. Hylander, Pà ³cs and Nemomissa (2010) reported Colura digitalis (Mitt.) Steph. and C. tenuicornis (Mitt.) Steph. from southwest Ethiopian montane forests, in addition, ecological and biogeography were included. Pà ³cs (2010) reported new bryophyte taxa in Mayotte Island, among them, Colura heimii Jovet-Ast was included. Pà ³cs (2011) reported four species of Colura, viz. C. calderae Pà ³cs, C. digitalis (Mitten) Steph., C. tenuicornis (Evan) Steph. and C. thomeensis Pà ³cs in Sà £o Tomà © island. Among them, C. calderae was a new to Sà £o Tomà © and C. thomeensis was a new to science. Morphological characters Pà ³cs (2012) investigated morphological character of leafy liverworts and found endogenous gemma in Cololejeunea bifalcata Pà ³cs, C. crateris Pà ³cs, Colura calderae Pà ³cs and Co. vitiensis Pà ³cs et J. Eggers Research Method 1. Literature to which the previous investigations releveant will be revised. 2. Morphological study based on field trip specimens and herbarium specimens, description concerning vegetative part and reproductive part will be investigated in Bryology laboratory, PSU Herbarium, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University. 3. Illustrations of each taxa found in this investigation will be provided. 4. Hard copy format will be publicized. The Research Period Three years in the Ph.D. course period. References Ah-Peng, C., Bardat, J., Pà ³cs, T., Sà ¶derstrà ¶m, L., Stamà ©noff, P. and Strasberg, D. 2012. Red List of liverworts and hornworts for Rà ©union (Mascarene archipelago). Phytotaxa 68: 1-23. Barthlott, W., Fischer, E., Frahm, J.-P. and Seine, R. 2000. First experimental evidence for zoophagy in the hepatic Colura. Plant Biology 2 (1): 93-97. Chuah-Petiot, M.S. 2011. A checklist of hepaticae and anthocerotae of Malaysia. Polish Botanical Journal 56 (1): 1-44. Chuah-Petiot, M.S. and Pà ³cs, T. 2003. 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Brown, E., von Konrat, M. and Renner, M. 2011. Checklist of hornworts and liverworts of Fiji. Telopea 13 (3): 405-454. Thiers, B.M. 1987. A preliminary accout of Colura (Hepaticae, Lejeuneaceae) in Australia. Brittonia 39 (2): 175-179. Wigginton, M. 2009. Checklist and distribution of the liverworts and hornworts of sub-Saharan Africa, including the East African Islands. Tropical Bryology Research Reports 8: 1-116. Wigginton, M.J. 2001. British Bryological Society expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 15. Lejeuneaceae, and the occurrence and frequency of foliicolous taxa. Tropical Bryology 20: 83-94. Zhu, R.L. 2006. New checklist of Chinese liverworts, hornworts, and takakiophytes. (PDF file). Bryological Laboratory, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai.