The Political Science Certificate Advantage: Why Take a Political Science Course
Political scientists are professionals who study political systems. This can be done through a range of activities such as observing social behavior and researching on the development of political systems. Their research is important because it can provide insight into the different patterns that individuals and groups make decisions. The studies done by political science course graduates can provide solutions to many of the problems societies face. In fact, many of those who have undergone political science certificate courses work as public policy analysts for both the private and public sectors.
Political science course graduates work on a large range of topics that can cover international relations or the dynamics of small towns. They can even analyze the decisions made by the courts. Essentially, political science certificate holders pursue careers that involve the study and evaluation of public opinion, decision-making, and how these relate to policy. Depending on the specialization, a political science course graduate can take on public opinion surveys, elections, and even public documents. Some political science certificate holders even collaborate with economists to predict the effects of legislation.
The gravity of the responsibilities tasked upon political science course graduates makes the subject quite competitive. They should be knowledgeable in academic publications, public presentations, and analysis. Many political science certificate courses offer subjects in international relations, law, and statistics.
There is no set industry that makes use of a political science graduate. The job openings are quite varied because they are useful in many areas. Typically, political scientists are employed in the fields of crime prevention, healthcare, and the government. In fact, about 63 percent of graduates end up working for the Federal Government in the United States. Some are employed on a contract basis while most are employed full time.
.
Most political scientists keep have regular hours and are tasked with a desk job. It is not unusual for them to work in collaboration with other people, especially when they are supposed to read and write researches. Most of the pressures of the job come with the difficulty in writing and publishing since there are deadlines and schedules to be met. There is also the challenge adjusting to unfamiliar cultures and languages when assigned on foreign assignments.
Political scientists who are employed by schools and universities as teachers usually have flexible work hours. More often than not, this is the offshoot of the need to divide their time between teaching, research, and consulting.
“Her voice was ever low, gentle and soft—an excellent thing in woman.” – King Lear.
In history, a women’s voice has been revered in poetry and song. “It is a woman’s voice, sire, which dares to utter what many yearn for in silence.” (Unsent letter to Napoleon III re: Victor Hugo) by poet Aurora Leigh.
We know that every culture brings a different set of standards for how women are considered or related to. The United States has been known to lead the way in Women’s Rights. However, in Europe there is also a long history of powerful women creating the road map for the civility of women.
For many years Women have been leaders in developing countries around the world. More are taking the lead in becoming powerful political leaders such as Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who has been sworn in as Africa’s first elected female leader in Liberia. In Ireland, a little boy asks his mother, “Do you think a man could ever be President?” All his life he has only seen women presidents.
It is inspiring to see how far we have come. However, we still have a ways to go. Women being president in Unites States is not really an issue of women’s rights, but character. In the case of Hilary Clinton, we will be voting on her character and her ability to lead after the election in November 2008. Creating a unified, strong voice and courage, is what our future needs.
Finding your voice.
In a tribute to Benazir Bhutto, a woman who’s voice impacted the world, we explore our own voice.
As we mourn for Bhutto, 54 after her recent horrific assassination on December 27, 2007, we reflect on the impact women have in the world right now. Her message was clear, she refused to be quiet and allow extremism to continue to destroy her beloved country, Pakistan. Her heroic stand for democracy has become her legacy. As we reflect on our own voice, are we being heard?
Let’s explore a radical yet simple, approach to how to uncover your voice-and be heard, in honor of Bhutto. No matter what the country, or what culture you are from; your voice can make a difference.
If it is in your belief that your voice cannot speak for you, or for your children, or the belief that your voice cannot make a difference, this is the heart of the suffrage you may be facing.
Your passions are clear, but do you speak them? Your opinions are valuable, but do you sing them from the rooftops? It is your ‘holding back’, where the change you want to see will not take place. The change you want to see in your life, and in the world around you.
Mrs. Bhutto saw what she wanted to change. She was a valiant, passionate and loving mother and wife. A mother of three children who loved her country of Pakistan so much, she became Prime Minister twice. Bhutto’s persecution began after the dismissal of her father, Prime Minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977 and his execution by hanging in the city of Rawalpindi. She intensified her denunciations of Zia and sought to organize a powerful political movement against him.
After the hanging of her father, her mission was clear, “I told him on my oath in his death cell, I would carry on his work”, to free the people of Pakistan; once and for all; from the communist and extremist violence that has plagued her country.
Bhutto was born June 21, 1953, in Karachi, Pakistan. Her name means “one without equal.” She was educated at Harvard’s Radcliffe, College in the United States at 16 years old, and at the University of Oxford in England, where she excelled in studies as well as other activities. She was the first Asian woman to be elected president of the Oxford Union, an elite debating society.
In a country where women’s rights, are almost non-existent, and neighboring countries follow cultural and religious beliefs that women are not supposed to be educated, or work, She said, “What I really need to ask myself is: do I give up, do I let the militants determine the agenda?”
The “Times” and the “Australian Magazine” (May 4, 1996) have drawn up a list of 100 most powerful women and have included Benazir Bhutto as one of them. This magnetic woman, who came out of exile in London after repeatedly being under house arrest, was finally imprisoned under solitary confinement in a desert cell in Sindh province during the summer of 1981. Released in 1984, she went into exile in Britain until 1986, when martial law was lifted in Pakistan. Bhutto returned with a huge crowd numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Her voice gave hope where no hope existed. Her words and her actions pulled generations of Pakistani closer to freedom than they had ever seen in history. In an interview with Ann Curry in Feb 22, 2007 for the Today show she so passionately reveals her reasons for coming back. “I have a choice to keep silent, and allow the extremist to do what they are doing or I could stand up and say this is wrong, and I am going to try to save my country. And I have taken the second choice.”
Her voice rings loud and clear, especially in the ears of her children. She brought her children up to their teenage years, and before her death; she undoubtedly taught them about the importance of not being silent, not sitting back, and allowing inhumane actions to persist around them. Her first-born son speaks out (from the New York Times, Dec 31st 2007) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 19, states; “My mother always said democracy is the best revenge.” After he was chosen to succeed his mother, as leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Bhutto and her children
Pakistanis across the United States, regardless of whether they supported Benazir Bhutto or not, worry about the impact of her assassination in destabilizing their homeland and threatening the safety of family members living here. We hope Bhutto did not die in vain. As an immigrant in exile she never stopped her concern about her country. Her death is a call to action for immigrants abroad to touch base with their home and lend their voice to their future of their motherland.
In the spirit of Bhutto not holding back her voice, look to your own voice, your own power, your own ability to make a difference, and let’s explore what it really takes to be heard, and make an impact in the world.
Powerful Communication
Leaders agree that in their desire to be heard, they would have to listen first. By listening to the points of views of others it is a critical competency for success. Listening to others, and asking for their input, we enhance our leadership abilities. Our effectiveness goes the roof. Why?
Communication in relationships is a skillful art that begins with listening. Listening is getting the other person’s world. Allowing them to contribute to you is not about strategy, this is about contribution. We all have value to contribute to each other, when you allow yourself to be contributed to by another, you can make a more effective decision and results.
Some simple changes can make the world of a difference.
Instead of using the word ‘problem’, for example; try using the word ‘challenge’, or ‘circumstance’ in it’s place. See what happens. I noticed immediately that the ‘problem’ I thought I was having became less daunting and easier to solve when I saw it as an opportunity.
Begin with distinguishing what really matters to you? If anyone messed with what really matters to you, would you let them? Would you stand by and watch? You would probably take a stand, standing up for that someone or that something that you believe in. You would end up doing the right thing…even when it is the toughest thing to do.
Another great tool is being accountable. It is the greatest freedom that we can create for ourselves.
You will start to notice your power in your life.
“Those who enjoy accountability usually get it; those who merely like exercising authority usually lose it.”
- Malcolm Forbes
Bobbi Miller-Moro is an award winning, history making filmmaker and artist with five children. Being an advocate of women’s rights, she is a spokesperson women and children and for eco-friendly solutions. Check out her blogs at Powerful Mothers Blog and ThankGodForMommy.com.
Rudy Maxa, public radio s original Savvy Traveler and contributing editor for National Geographic s Traveler magazine, shares his authoritative tips, trips & secret places from his award-winning public television series. Rudy is the travel expert millions trust to make their trips memorable and hassle-free. Six unforgettable discs, stunningly photographed in high definition, go beyond the guidebooks to vividly capture the character of each destination. From magnificent cities and mu
Political consulting is the business which has grown up around advising and assisting political campaigns, primarily in the United States. As democracy has spread around the world, American political consultants have often developed an international base of clients. Though its most important role is probably in the production of mass media (largely television), political consultants advise campaigns on virtually all of their activities, from research to field strategy.
The practice of consulting has several early precedents. President William McKinley’s closest political advisor Mark Hanna is sometimes described as the first political consultant. In California in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, Whitaker and Baxter established and grew the first true consulting firm, Campaigns, Inc. However, political consulting
blossomed with the increasing use of television advertising for campaign communications in the 1960s. It was in that period that Joe Napolitan claims to have become the first person to describe himself as a political consultant (Perlmutter, ed. Manship Guide to Political Communication, pg19).
In the subsequent years, political consulting has grown in importance and influence and extended its reach to campaigns at all levels of government in the United States, and beyond. Many consultants work not only for campaigns, but also for other political organizations, including parties and political action committees, sometimes through independent expenditures; some also do public relations and research work for corporations and governments. In fact, today corporations seeking approval from municipal boards have turned to land use political consultants to help earn need entitlements for their project.
Critics also blame political consulting, at least in part, for a variety of ills of the modern election process. In part because broadcast media consultants are often paid on commission, they are blamed specifically for the rising cost of political campaigns and the increasing reliance on paid media. A successful candidate running a low-budget campaign would be a serious economic threat to the political consulting field; such candidates, however, are rare.
Left-leaning activists within the Democratic Party, in particular, charge that political consultants are a major obstacle to participatory democracy, political reform, and electoral success for the Democrats. In a much-publicized e-mail on December 9, 2004, the online activist group MoveOn.org wrote, “For years, the Party has been led by elite Washington insiders who are closer to corporate lobbyists than they are to the Democratic base. But we can’t afford four more years of leadership by a consulting class of professional election losers.”
Lastly, there is growing professional opposition to what is called a cookie cutter campaign, where the themes and strategies of one campaign are transferred to another campaign, despite what may be major differences in political context. Brian Wright, president of Democrasource, LLC (an Ohio based national political consulting firm
specializing in enhanced campaign data strategies and micro-targeting), believes that “it’s just a matter of time, campaign communications techniques are evolving so quickly — anyone sitting on the sidelines or clinging to the last presidential campaign’s strategies is done. The book’s been rewritten.”
How Race Has Changed In The Past Fifty Years In America
Introduction
Race is a universal issue. However, the United States of America should receive special emphasis because it is made of diverse cultures. Contrary to other nations in the world, the US is not racially homogenous. This has been as result of immigration patterns witnessed in the twentieth century to date. Consequently, ideas about race have changed and will continue to do so as the demographic patterns in the country keep changing. Some highlights of these ideas will be examined in detail in the essay. (Zimmerman, 1992)
Source: Booth, W. (1998): The myth of the melting post; The Washington post, page A1, February 22nd
The concept of race fifty years ago
More precise definitions of American nationality
During that era, the largest percentage of the population was represented by white Protestants. Their cultural influences were seen in almost all aspects of Americans’ lives. Movies, Music, religion, politics, educational institutions were largely dominate by these groups. Some of the people who regarded themselves as the real natives felt that they were the ideal definition of what it meant to be an American. Most of these social institutions had trouble absorbing minority groups. For example Movies at that time rarely had any black stars and when they were given a role, it was usually as a servant or any other minor role. There were very few politicians who came from minority groups as racial ideas were still quite conservative at that time. Institutions were not accommodating towards foreigners as policies mainly catered for the dominant white population.
Hatred for the Jews
In the early twentieth Century, that is, between the 1900 to the 1920s, America had one of the highest influxes of immigrant populations. Most of them came from Europe thus introducing Germans, Italians and the Irish into American soil. Some of them were Jews while others were Catholics. All of a sudden there was a mixture of different races and religious groups that presented itself to the indigenous population. This was where stereotypes emerged since they perceived the new entrants as intruders. (Dunbar, 1997)
The epitome of these negative perceptions was seen in the formation of the Ku Klux Klan. Jews were the main victims as members of the former group considered them as an inferior race that should be eliminated. These ideas were also present among other members of society although they were not depicted as openly and inhumanly as the former group did.
Passage of the immigration law
There were many complaints that had been registered by Asian immigrants and Latin Americans. They claimed that there was preferential treatment by authorities. They asserted that European immigrants were allowed to bring over their families from their native land such that they could reunite but this did not apply to the former group. Therefore, in the year 1965, the government passed an immigration law. It allowed the latter immigrant groups to bring their families into the United States such that they could be reunited. This was the reason why there was such a large influx of Latin American and Hispanic immigrants around that time.
Open racial hostilities and misunderstandings
Cases of racial hostilities were higher fifty years ago than they are now. The main reason for such trends could probably be because most of the immigrant populations were unknown to local residents. Most of them regarded them as intruders. Some natives felt insecure about them because they assumed that such influxes will bring serious competition for jobs. They were also worried that interactions with immigrants will break the social cohesiveness that had previously existed. Cases of the Chinese, Hispanics and Latinos being victims of racial hatred were high. (Booth, 1998)
The African American population had been around for sometime and opportunities were now emerging. This period characterized the point at which many African Americans started entering institutions of higher learning. Others were able to penetrate certain social circles that they had previously not been allowed. Despite all these positive changes, there were still instances when groups who were not familiar with them would instigate violence. Racially related crimes like destroying property owned by minorities or beating up blacks were still prevalent.
Economic status of immigrants
Before the 1965 immigration law had been passed, most of the immigrants were considered as successful members of society. They had achieved high levels of education and jobs were widely accessible. Consequently, their household incomes were quite lucrative and most of them had the ability to own homes or other forms of property. However after the law, there was very little discretion in terms of who entered the country. In the 1970s, such immigrants were young in age and had not reached college level. With their poor educational levels, most immigrant populations remained unemployed. They also had very low chances of fending for themselves thus mainly depending on welfare. Most of these immigrant families actually lived below the poverty line.
The concept of race currently
Changes in demographic trends
Previously, immigrant populations mainly constituted of African Americans and Europeans. But there has been a radical shift to other types of immigrants. Racial differences are no longer seen as issues between whites and blacks only. The country’s census Bureau released the following results around six years ago
whites-74%
blacks-12%
Hispanics-10%
Asians-3%
It can already be seen that in some States, whites are no longer the dominant groups. For example in Hawaii, California and New Mexico, trends have already been reversed one cannot claim that there is an ethic group there boasting of domination.
Failures to understand other races
There is considerable evidence that most Americans do not understand each other. This is mostly brought out when two groups belong to different ethnicities. There is tendency to lump members of a certain racial group together even when they have very little in common. For example, Koreans and the Japanese are usually treated as one and same group yet each group has their own identity.
Formation of cliques
Whenever one visits any high school, college, church or other social gatherings, it is a common phenomenon to find that people of certain ethnicities associate with members of their same group. The trend exists even among teenagers in high school or adults within more advanced social groups. Even institutions of higher learning have not escaped this trend because when one visits a certain University, there may be numerous student associations but most of them are formed along ethnic or racial lines. The fact of the matter is that more and more minorities want to hold on to their cultures. This is regardless of whether or not an individual was born in America or not. Some teenagers, maybe third generational immigrants but still consider themselves as largely Hispanic, Asian or black. (Dunbar, 1997)
By forming such groups, there have been limited interactions between members of different ethnicities. Consequently members of one ethnic group cannot develop to their full potential because there is no free flow of information. Another repercussion of such behavior is the emergence of specialized cultural expressions. For example, there are types of music that are exclusive to the African American population and there are also certain types of movies that are limited to Latinos or Asians. This has limited cohesion within society and so many people still lack opportunities as a result of their racial associations.
Economic and social limitations
Most races have been associated with certain jobs or levels employment. The white majority are the ones who mainly hold senior positions within Companies. Fewer minorities fall in the upper status, most of them have been seen working in low paying jobs. Others rely solely on welfare to feed their families. Even certain residential areas are associated with particular ethnic communities. The concept has been stretched to include States. Statistics show that in the year 1999, there were about six percent more immigrants than natives relying on welfare. This was especially synonymous with certain groups such as Salvadorans and Cambodians. These economic limitations have brought about more seclusion of minority groups and more and more ethnicities stick to themselves. In the year 2000, the following data was collected
New York- two fifth of the population do not speak English at home
-fifty percent do not know English well
Miami- seventy five percent of the population do not speak English at home
-sixty seven percent do not know English well
Sometimes, local culture is to blame for these imbalances in the social and economic setting. When immigrants enter the American population, there is lack of comprehensive structure to orient them into the American culture. Lack of economic empowerment among minority groups has also led to criminal tendencies among some of them. For example there are many criminal activities usually recorded in areas that are predominantly African American. Such cases have led to increased dissociation by members of the dominant white race. Some stereotypes among members of the white race assume that all black Americans may be potential criminals. However, this trend is slowly changing as some black families have become economically empowered. This point has been further emphasized by powerful positions that some blacks such as Condoleezza Rice hold. (Zimmerman, 1992)
The concept of race in the future
Lack of cohesiveness
Some demographers believe that America will become represented by almost if not all races in the world. These people will all be identified as American and the country will serve as an example of what racial tolerance and integration is all about.
However, some experts have been a bit negative in their predictions. They have claimed that the US is going to develop into a country that has too many fragments. This implies that there will be lack of common ideals between any two communities. These demographers have argued that the trend can be predicted from the present observations. They also claim that there will be minimal national identity and unity because the country will be composed of too many diverse cultures. However, such a view point may not necessarily be true because there are many countries in Africa especially in the continents of Asia and Africa that have so many ethnic groups but have managed to identify themselves with a particular country. Others have also claimed that increased immigrations and diverse racial groups will favor the rise of capitalism and other principle values. In addition, they claim that this will only be limited to the overall country; such people claim that there will be fewer interactions between members of different ethnicities. (Fein & Spencer, 1997)
Changes in the ratio of minorities
Experts have used current trends to predict what the ratio will be in the future. This what these groups are predicting by the year 2050
whites-53%
Asians- 8%
blacks-14%
Hispansics-25%
These same researchers have also suggested that there will be reversal of trends in certain States. They believe that whites will no longer be the majority in States like Maryland, New Jersey, Texas and Nevada. Suggestions have also been made that some states will be converted and will only represent one ethnic group, examples of such States include;
Los Angeles
San Francisco
New York
Chicago
Washington DC
Miami
Houston. (Dunbar, 1997)
These States are already showing promising signs currently of becoming largely minority based; most them are coastal regions. Researchers have shown that today over fifty percent of the populations in those areas are made up of residents who were not born in the United States. Yet these same people represent seventy five percent of the American population. It is therefore fair to predict that those Stages will be made up of more minorities in the future.
The result of such kinds of trends is the immigration of whites. It has actually been observed that today, whites are leaving cities to go to suburban areas or are even immigrating to other States. Some of the States that will see more and more whites include Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Las Vegas, Orlando and Portland. The immigrations will be necessitated by the need to escape competition from the high immigrant populations for jobs and other economic opportunities. These white populations will also be looking to maintain their social lifestyles. They could also be looking for residential neighborhoods that suite them. Alternatively, white migrations will also be an attempt to gain some sort of political clout by residents.
The consequences of these changes in demographics will be that there might be emergence of two categories of Americans. There will be the conservative type who will be concerned with the use of English as a language of communication and will also be concerned about social cohesiveness. On the other hand, there will also be the more diverse Americans. These ones will be able to express himself well in many languages and will have incorporated many cultures into his or her associations. Such an American will most likely care about the introduction of bilingual education and equal treatment for all. Maybe in other years to come, this type of American will become representative of the majority group. (Conference on Civil Rights, 1997)
So many researchers agree that the United States is currently experiencing the same level of immigration that it did in the early twentieth Century. But the difference between that immigration and the current one is that most of the populations are not made up Europeans as it was before. They mainly come from Asian and Latin American countries. These patterns are the basis upon which demographers have predicted the constitution of the country in the future. As it can be seen in the pie charts shown on page one, there will be a very high population of Hispanic residents in the United States. Their influxes are so high now that they will reduce the percentage of blacks as the largest minority group in the country.
Some of the consequences of such a pattern will be that power sharing is going to differ. Power will not just be limited to the majority race; that is the whites. Consequently, there will also be differential changes in attitudes of all the stakeholders in the political scene. They will have to learn how to accommodate all these former minority groups.
Some members of the indigenous population will also have to adjust to job sharing because the latter will not be the only ones who are need of them. Certain professions that had been associated with minority races will cease being so and perhaps these minority groups will rise up the corporate ladder. One such example is the African American Group. Fifty years ago, this group was largely associated with low levels of employment. Those who were employed did not engage in high status jobs. But as the years progressed and we entered into the twenty first century, more and more blacks are beginning to contribute positively to the economy. Most of them have middleclass or high class jobs. This will be very influential in the way African Americans or other minority groups are regarded.
Conclusion
Fifty years ago, America was not as racially diverse as it is today. Most people talked of racial differences in terms of white and blacks alone. At that time, there were clear definitions of what it meant to be a black but there were also open cases of hostility towards minority groups. However after the passage of the 1965 immigration law that allowed immigrant families to invite their counterparts from their native countries to come and live in the US, things changed. This brought about a high influx of Latin American and Asian immigrants. (Booth, 1998)
Consequently, there is a rise in the number of minority groups today. Blacks have become more economically empowered to day but there are still some neighborhoods that are associated with criminal activity. There are also large differences between these diverse races with the formation of groups based on ethnic lines in all social spheres including religious organizations. In light of these facts, the future might be characterized by more increases in the numbers of Hispanics than Blacks. It might also see different types of Americans emerging: Those who value conservative English speaking culture and multilingual ones who will represent the new multicultural America.
Reference:
Booth, W. (1998): The myth of the melting post; The Washington post, page A1, February 22nd
Zimmerman, E. (1992): Racial ideas and social reform; a journal by the Hispanic American Historical Review, Vol. 72, No.1, p.
23-46
Conference on Civil Rights (1997): Cause for concern: Hate crimes in America, a report for civil rights
Fein, S., & Spencer, S. (1997): Prejudice as self-image maintenance: Affirming the self through derogating others; Routledge Publications
Dunbar, E. (1997): Hate crime patterns in Los Angeles County: Demographic and behavioral factors of victim impact and reporting of crime, a report presented by the American Psychological Association
Author is associated with ResearchPapers247.Com which is a global Research Papers and Term Papers Writing Company. If you would like help in Research Papers and Term Paper Help you can visit Custom Essays> and Custom Research Papers> or Term Paper Help>
Educational in indian culture reflects as an third eye of the humans.It distinguishes them from animals and other living creatures on this planet.Vedic vision of SIVA WITH THIRD EYE is infact a collective wisdom concept and foresight .It reflected infinite energy,potential and a holostic approach to gain wisdom,Thus education in general transforms an ordinary person into extra ordinary.We can cite a thousand examples of people born in humble families and communities turn to be as great scholars and visionaries.You know them and see then arround or in the history of this world.The point which I wish to stress here the need of education.Education is the shine and glow which brings learning ,skills,inventions,innovations and transformation in a society.The divinity sermons lite Tut Tvum Asi- you are supreme if your acquire ultimate and invisible knowledge and trusth.The myth foretells every one is geneious and capable of Trust,wisdom and divinity,The sprituality follows deep persuits of Asna and Meditiation.Over years all the golden ages in history of mankind are rememberd for thier wisdom.A short review of communities and groups who were involved in mordern day educational development can be summarized in the following review.
Review of educational development
Greek educationsts.
Greek cultural revolution and development is remembered by thier ancient medicine which even today persists as unini hakmat in India and we have excellent unnani medical colleges and even now a university under the title of HAMDARAD UNIERSITYexists within the capital.The greek theory of purpose,application and interpretation are still regarded as the basic concepts of education.The Greek educational developments paved a way out of the Greek Dark AGE 1100 BC and revolutionized the world knowledge untill DORIAN INVASION IN 146 BC,The educational backup and knowledge perceptions survived over ages,Although every invasion or revolution tries to destroy these centers of wisdom and peace,Thus since time immemorial education,learing and wisdom is in harmony with peace and prosperity.The the old or the modern day crusaders only which destroy libraries and knowledge centers accross the world.Be it the demolishing of tombs,libraries or the monoments,peace sgnifies culture and education,War destroys it and spreads barbaism and illetracy.All great nation on this universe thrived and progressed untill they percieved cultural and educational superiorty and authority.Once they deviated from it they vanished like shasows in the darkness.
Roman educational theiology
Battle of corinth gave a new dimension to romen culture and education.Most of it borrowed from Greek culture and educational treasures brought during wars to Europeian libraries.Roman culture and educational setups were more steriocopiess of the Greeks .and other ancient cultures than their own innovations and developments.Even todays educational innovations like organic food and biotech farming are borrowed western technologies rather than innovated one.A system which allows to patent patna rice or even haldi can at best be remembered as pirators and not inventors.Thus the point I wish to make here is every culture,community or country have gone through cultural revolutions and wars which efected both educational institutions and establishments and moral transformations.Our short lived memoris remembered those in power or those in print and not those who were and are the poineers.The roman educational set ups coupled with Greek PHILOSOPHICAL PERSISTENCE was improved upon by the muslims in their GOLDE RENAISSANCE during 9-13 century.
GOLDEN ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL RENAISSANCE
What is an open university concept?
Open University concept is aimed at determined goals
To attain education for general awareness
To support a particular profession
To up grad skill or knowledge for a specified job.
Intent and onus
Deeper probing and acquiring knowledge.
Student intended study management
Onus is on student learning not on subject .
Conventional verses open university
The routine university set up has accumulated unemployed graduates and postgraduates in subject oriented disciplines without any reference to employment or job requirements.
The Open University aims at breaking classroom daily routine and prepare its pupils to learn and gain access to knowledge where they are and while working or during off time schedules.
Success stories
Many success stories can be written on emeritus boys and girls attaining degrees during off hours by attending evening classes in The best example of Sir Mohammad Iqbal ,of sarae jahan sae acha fame,can be quoted when he acquired three degree of philosophy, law and PhD while preparing for a degree course in U.K.
.The evening and part time course routine has been a common feature of in-service candidates of land grant UniversitiesS in USA
EDUCATIONAL ANNOVATIONS
The traditional universities in Germany and Japan have amended their curricula in 1980 to incorporate a project based degrees than a subject based one.
Openness in selecting and offering courses without barriers of prerequisites and essentials in these countries excelled their educational patterns in 1980.
A majority of graduates and post graduates in Germany and Japan were preferred in USA.Most of the noble and other prestigious prizes went to Germany in this era.
They stressed more on research and development than on theoretical models and details.The courses to suit a protect were more important than the study of a particular subject.For example a student registered as doctorate candidate had a choice to attain skills and knowledge to undertake his/her degree. Name of institute bears the mark and not the subject of study in his degree.THIS ALLOWED HIM/HER A VARIETY OF JOBS.
Problem-cause analysis.
Any subject which existed as an discipline has been reclassified into hundreds of nest titles and courses and each course can have thousands topis.The minor and macro levels of understanding of a subject has been boardend enough to be covered in a time bound curricula.
Sepacialities and sub specialities have been increasing day after day with the result each subject taught in a university covers only definitions and meanings of the titles rather a holistic acquaintance with subject.
The job structures have on the other hand been changed to tune a more specific area than a journalistic approach.
Now we need more masters of a title than jacks of all titles or subjects. This shift in education Verses employment potential in USA and EU has already changed the face of even regular or conventional universities to virtual,open, correspondence or antiuniversity concepts.
Background /historical review
AS RIGHTLY SAID BY ALVIN Toffler’s 1990.turmiols and transitions make turns and curves in educational and cultural developments. The world of university cultures have perceived these turns during the industrial revolution in the past and the currently running information revolution. The third wave change has begun with present recession and a turn in the educational set is imminent.
We have observed an obsession within us to get entries in medical and engineering schools in the past, followed BT veterinary, dental and agricultur.Soon these industrial incited waves declined in favour of management, banking and information technology. Each of us whether doctor, engineer, vet, agris, prof, or a teacher, labour or worker became computer conscious and computer courses became essential parts of education like pencil and paper. The Indian ink and coarse paper replaced wooden tactic and nor alum in Indian education during industrial revolution. The computer revolution replaces them and now a new school grammar is building up. The English vocabulary was simplified by American English. We saw new English born in India Called Hingis.
The new information revolutions surpassed the pen, computer and now a mobile does all what years in schools and colleges could not do. KEEP HUMANS ABREAST WITH KNOWLEDGE. You need to know any one language you can learn and know all the recipes of the world. Historic events need not to be memorized as they are on your finger prints. Thus knowledge of facts and figures ahs changed to knowledge of understanding and planning.
Educational stage and growth
During 12th century education was child centered, Black board was the frontal equipment and many pioneers organizing the show became celibates like Montessori group of schools and colleges. The era of organization of education came in 1870.It was the era of industrial growth and revolution. Some of the common educationists of the age can be still echoed from the hallow vacuums of the dooms and dips of universities and colleges like Ellen KAI.Maria Montessori,Helen parkhurst.Some the revolutionary educationists of the rea in India can be remembered as Sir Syed Ahmed .Khan,DR.Radhakrishnen.DR,ZAKIR HUSSAIN AND others. Here higher education was linked with higher responsibility and honour. A job in school and colleges was as prestigious as a civil servant or police officer in uniform. The onus after independence shifted slowly and steadily towards administration and government employment. The old sirs were replaced by new brand of educated youth. This gave birth to an individual driven educational system, where phrasing and speaking became a skill. This was the era of PADAGOGY REFORM. Here your English accent and way of living became more valuable than your understanding the subject or the topic. A new system of yes or no measures became common with 50% probability of knowing a subject with even open a page of the book. This new school movement came a bit late from across the shores and reached us via America around 1960.
Global EDUCATIONAL CHANGE
OF 1960 “S
The school movement in EU died quickly and was replaced with new scientific curricula and quality assessment and curriculum designing changes. NEW maths came to be leant as an extension of pioneering research in maths and physics. A new computer provided a print and material revolution. The system of frontal black boards were replaced by Xeroxed machines and cyclostyled notes this was confidently called as book errs simplification age.
Of 1970”s
This change shifted to teachers, The Photostat machines compelled teachers to be more informative than previous year note. Here focus shifted to assignments and teachers training and associations. The professional association growth mushroomed and brought teachers and students face to face in annual conferences and seminars. Mutual trust and recognitions created a new mechanism of change .A PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING THROUGH RECOMMENDATIONS CAME TO BE RECOGNIZED. Many reward and wards conferred in these meeting raised the moral of teaching community and their say begin to be heard and looked at. In the west it gave birth to reforms and comprehensive schooling with added emphasis on financial gains and research tagging and patenting
Of 1980”S
1980 saw as an implementation phase to restructure curriculum as per new Knowles gains and new schedules and micro disciplines came into existence.
OF 1990-2K”s
1990 saw a meaning derived educational system. The biotechnology and bioinformatics came too used in every day science and technology. The whole knowledge packs became redudundent without the use of information technology and communication skills bypassed all barriers to transcontinental research and search materials. A true global village narrowed the distances of universities and a true meaning of learning and practising came to existence which makes virtual and absently education without scrolls and colleges a reality/This meaning and understanding phased replaced the paper and photocopying and gave birth to cede and emails.
Demand driven educational change
Now learning in conventional universities is too changed to open system of learning .We have entered a new phase of research and capacity building stage where degree are not in demand, it is skill and job which fetches you living.Knowledge is now d acquired and self endever than exam centric.
This capacity building and multiloop system of education is on cards through Open University system. Its broad features can be summarized in the following bullet points.
1. Total quality management.
New learning approaches to be screamed, surged and researched. The phrase don’t jump in deep waters without peeping or estimating the depths, It is difficult to pull ones hair from a deep water drowning as one needs someone to pull your hair, Thus teaching in open university still need teachers of pulling calibre and gear and not those who may drown themselves like the Baron von munchanen escape swamp. Here we mean new models. Teaching aids, academic refresh, student assessment, evaluation modus operand and a huge set of recreational and curriculum amalgam is needed to leave a permanent incarceration of teaching on the taught. The system has to imbibe ethos comprising of three co’s CULTURE,CHARACTER AND CUSTOM with SEP i.e. social, economic and political change, A national pride, do right at the right moment, ability to decide and act, has to be part of quality change among our learners.
2. OPEN ENROLLMEN
University without borders and enter requirements shall encourage men of Edison’s calibre to embrace education and learning process. We open our borders and enrolments to both degree desiring and skill requiring learners. Whole populace should become our clienteles and learners. Every house wife should enrol in Open University to know the new recipe he husband is allured to in a hotel. All programmes of three Open University should have a variety and purpose .This shall make our enrolment free of culture, caste, creed, nationality and entrance qualification. The enrol ment of agricultural and farm youth, women, ngos and SHG SHALL make us resource rich.
3, FACULTY TRAINING AND SELECTIOM
Open University needs men who have climbed the mountain of knowledge and wisdom. Our professionals need more holistic training and education to discuss issues and problems. Direction has to be given .Multiplicity of disciplines and teach skills need our faculty to be merituous, self sustaining and knowlegeble.Knoeledge delivering skill is more important than the knowledge itself. Today gaining know how is easy, A PRESS IN THE web shall give all information. What is needed of an Open University professor is to interpret and place and communicate this knowledge. Thus knowledge transmission is more relevant and important in Open University system.
4.DIVERSIFICATION OF STUDY AREARS
Many universities and colleges have 30-40 odd deciplines.Here the number should grow with demand and enrollmrnt.We in Open University should be able to make study materials to all on demend.This needs many new incorporations like food science, global agriculture, biotech farming, dairy and other animal farming, paravet and med care, home management and kitchen sciences. Home science, bioscience, law, agriculture, biofarming, bioengineering, mechical innovation nanotechnology application and like. Our specialities should be carrier oriented than subject oriented like milking science, food preservation, I skills, lab diagnostics
5., RESEARCH INNOVATION AND GROWTH
Open University has to grow on its own assessment and competitions. Our learners have to partners in knowledge gathered and assessment score. A well pilot projectization shall help university to earn while imparting a instruction and training,Surveysmcollection of data base and dissemination and feed back of projects can be researched at donors cost supporting a living for the student and making university resourceful financially and educationally. A new set of innovative knowledge banks,cource development and many social and economic problems could be assessed ,analysed and projects to plan and monitor progress of investment and development both in provost sand go sectore.A plan to involve learners in their own village or locality to assess the situation in his field of specialization will make whole world our laboratory and all universities and established analytic centres our partners, Naturally all private and public institutions referring their problem for research shall have to bear the cost of each research project so devised,
6. REACHING TO UNREACHED AND STRENTHENING OUR HOLD ON REACHED.
Diversification of field of study and entries shall facilitate the university to research to unreached, Convergence with village,town,city institutions,departments and establishments both private,govt,semigovt or ngo shall be converted in a partnership mode .The total uyility,identification and sharing of outcome shall be joint and participatory. This shall make our access to hitherto unknown place and institutes so as to bring home the slogan to reach to unreached.
7, vibrant student participation and feed back
Learners views,assessment,success,and data collection and appraisals shall have to be studies and analytic modes adopted for efficiency and growth, independent surreys and assessments by peer of worth cannot be ruled out. Out sourcing this assessment component make us wiser and excellent managers.
8. EXTENSION EDUCATION
EXTENDING KNOWLEGE AND AWRENESS AT DOOR STEPS of farmers,employers,work managers, workers and artisans shall make us vibrant, Chinese model of absolute and need based knowledge and awareness through retired and other educated made their total literacy dream come true.Wiyh education came the awareness of farming,healthcaremcooking,banking and even loaning and assistance etcher we have well net institutions of kvks,atmas,sameties and rural govt and ngo programmes institutions and project ready to converge and divulge a holistic knowledge carter proliferation. What we need is the provisions of equipments of dissemination and effective convergence and mobility or mobile communication support.
9. ELECTRONOC MEDIA USE AND DESSEMINATION OF TEACHING AND AWRENESS MATERIALS.
A more elaborative and cohesive collaboration with space, web portals, cable wallets, internet, mobile and ict networking organizations hav to be interwoven like an amicus to feed our delivery and feedback systems.Ths vedios, cassets, cd should play as often as Michel Jackson ring tone or mobile advertisement.knowlede at doorstep dream cannot be fulfilled with ACTIVE ROLLING OF ICT,FILM AND TV INDUSTRY AND ESTABLISHMENTS
10. INTERNATIONALIZATIOS GOLS AND OUTREACH SYSTEM
Internationalizing open university ,enrolling students home makersmfarmers,industry and agricultural entrepreneurs for training and learning through open university shall make us global.ASIAN,ASIAN,MIDDLEEAST,SOUTH EAST,EU AND OTHER PAN AMERICAN COUNTRIES SHALL BE ON OUR NET AND ENROLLMENT. The present 9 universities and 90 correspondence offering universities have to be multiplied in all the global village offering yoga to spiritual sciences as per need. Our organic farming, unani Medicare and ayruvedic experiences need translations and transformations into educational degrees. The palmistry, nemrology and above allendology need spread and educational reform in the world. Chance to perpetuate culture and education comes once in a century. If this our century then we has to grab the opportunity coming through our windows, we cannot afford to miss it going through our open doors and unlocked lockers.
11. DYNAMIC CONTOROL BOTH IN ACDEMICS, MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION IS THE BUZZ WORD TO RECCON WITH.Reviews, researchmconceptuual mapping, infrastructure, evaluationand competency building is all we have to strive and achieve to be world masters. We have to imbibe national pride and courage to see things above the space and head of others. Make our trouble shouters our agents of change and development. Morgan imagination skill, new styles and ways have to be opened, understanding ,institution, concept an design have to be confihurated,practice and perfected to present a successful model of open university and knowledge backed holistic indo edu-sio-culture unique and patented by us and us alone
Viewers please
Please send your comments to upgrade this article
.
g.m.wani,
ghulam mohyuddin wani
professor ghulam mohyuddin wani
Lebanon Information (Arnun, Baalbek, Bcharre, Beirut, Byblos, Jounieh, Tripoli, Tyre, Zahle)
Lebanon is the historic home of the Phoenicians, Semitic traders whose maritime culture flourished there for more than 2,000 years. The region was a territory of the Roman Empire and during the Middle Ages was involved in the Crusades. It was then taken by the Ottoman Empire. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, the League of Nations mandated the five provinces that make up present-day Lebanon to France. Modern Lebanon’s constitution, drawn up in 1926, specified a balance of political power between the various religious groups. Lebanon has a lively arts scene, both traditional and contemporary. The national dance, the dabke, is an energetic folk dance. Classical belly dancing still plays an important role at weddings, representing the transition from virgin bride to sensual woman, and is also popular in nightclubs. Traditional Arabic music is created using un-harmonized melodies and complex rhythms, often accompanied by sophisticated, many-layered singing. Instruments used include the loud, a pear-shaped string instrument; the tabla, a clay, wood or metal and Tskin percussion instrument; the nay, a single reed, open-ended pipe with a lovely mellow tone; and the qanun, a flat trapezoid instrument with at least 81 pluckable strings. Literature and poetry have always had an important place in Lebanese culture. One very popular form of poetry is the zajal, in which a group of poets enter into a witty dialogue by improvising verses to songs. The most famous Lebanese literary figure is Khalil Gibran, a 19th-century poet, writer and artist whose work explored Christian mysticism. Contemporary writers include Amin Maalouf, Emily Nasrallah and Hanan Al-Shaykh. About 60% of Lebanon’s population is Muslim and 40% is Christian. The largest Muslim group is the Shiite (Shia) sect, followed by the Sunni and the Druze. The Druze are one of the religious curiosities of the Middle East. Originally an offshoot of Islam, they have diversified so much from the mainstream that they are often considered to constitute a whole separate religion. The Druze believe that God incarnated himself in men at various times and that his last, and final, incarnation was Al-Hakim bi Amrillah, the sixth Fatimid caliph who died in 1021 AD. They believe in reincarnation and that there are a fixed number of souls in existence. Druze gather for prayer meetings on Thursday evenings in inconspicuous halls; outsiders are not permitted to attend and the rites remain highly secretive. The largest Christian group is the Maronite sect, followed by the Greek Orthodox, the Greek Catholic, the Syrian Catholic, the Chaldean, the Protestant and the Orthodox churches. Arabic and French are the official language of Lebanon although Arabic is by far the most widely spoken and English is becoming common in business circles. Arabs place great importance on civility and it’s rare to see any interaction between people that doesn’t begin with profuse greetings, enquiries into the other’s health and myriad niceties. As an ajnabi (foreigner), you’re not expected to know all the ins and outs, but if you make the effort to come up with the right expression at the appropriate moment, you’ll be respected for it. In fact, any effort to communicate with the locals in their own language will be well rewarded. No matter how far off the mark your pronunciation or grammar might be, you’ll often get the smiling response ‘Ah, you speak Arabic very well!’ Lebanese cuisine is an inexpensive delight. Using fresh and flavorsome ingredients and refined spicing, the Lebanese have taken the best aspects of Turkish and Arabic cooking and given them a French spin. A typical meal consists of a few mezze dishes, such as spinach pies, dips, dried cheese, pizza and stuffed vine leaves. This is followed by a main dish of meat (usually mutton) or fish, often stuffed with rice and nuts, plus a salad such as tabouleh or fattoush. The national dish is kibbeh, a finely minced paste of lamb and bulgur wheat, sometimes served raw, but more often fried or baked into a pie. Meals are rounded off with syrupy baklava pastries or other semolina and walnut-based desserts.
Geography: A Middle Eastern country, Lebanon is demarcated to the west by the Mediterranean (Coast: 225 kilometers) and to the east by the Syro-African Depression. Lebanon borders Syria for 375 kilometers to the north and to the west and Israel for 79 kilometers to the south. The border with Israel has been approved by the United Nations, although a small piece of land called “Shebaa farms” located in the Golan Heights is still occupied by Israel. See here on the left side a map exploring Lebanon location and tourist attractions and sight seeing as well. (Reference Ministry of Tourism of Lebanon).
Arnun: Although a relatively small town, Arnun has an impressive sight: Beaufort Castle, which sits atop a 1,000-ft/305-m cliff overlooking the Litani River. Many conquerors have walked along the battlements of this Crusader castle. However, the castle was damaged during the civil war. Arnun lies 7 km southeast of Nabatiyeh. On top of a hill overlooking the whole area and controlling the road linking the southern Bekaa to Damascus stands a fortress known to Arab travelers as Shqif Arnun, a fortress term meaning high rock. Western travelers call it Belfort or Beaufort. In front of this fortress the visitors will see a large water cistern and the ruins of an ancient village contemporary with the citadel. The Crusaders restructed and fortified it and it became the most important fortress in Lebanon
Baalbek: Baalbek, 86km (53mi) north-east of Beirut, was originally named after the Phoenician god Baal. The town was renamed Heliopolis by the Greeks and still later it was made a centre of Jupiter worship by the Romans. During its Roman era, Baalbek was the premier city in Roman Syria. In more recent times, the anti-Western Islamic fundamentalist Hezbollah made its headquarters here, and the town has only reopened to tourists in the last couple of years. The modern town is very small, but its Roman ruins are probably the best archaeological site in the country. Baalbek’s temple complex is one of the largest in the world. The complex is about 300m (984ft) long and has two temples with porticoes, two courtyards and an enclosure built during the Arab period. The Temple of Jupiter, completed around 60 AD, is on a high platform at the top of a monumental staircase; only six of its colossal columns (22m/72ft) remain, giving an idea of the vast scale of the original building. The nearby Temple of Bacchus, built around 150 AD, is pretty well preserved. Outside the main area is a tiny, exquisite Temple of Venus, a gorgeous circular building with fluted columns
Bcharre: The trip to Bcharré and the Cedars, about 30km (19mi) inland from Tripoli, passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in Lebanon. The road winds along mountainous slopes, gaining altitude and winding precipitously above spectacular gorges. Villages of red-tile roofed houses perch atop hills or cling precariously to the mountainsides and there are vistas of olive groves, vineyards, lush valleys and mountain peaks at every turn. The village of Bcharré is home to the Gibran Museum – the famous author/artist was born here and is buried in an old monastery overlooking the town. The museum has a large collection of his oil paintings, drawings and gouaches, as well as many of his manuscripts. You can visit his coffin in the monastery’s former chapel: in the same room are a table, chair and other things he owned. Above Bcharré the road climbs to Lebanon’s last remaining forest of Biblical cedars, known locally as Arz Ar-rab (God’s cedars). This is only a small forest – although the tree once grew throughout the country, it has been heavily exploited. Some of the trees here are 1500 years old, and the site is classified as a national monument. Below Bcharré, the spectacular Qadisha Gorge holds the tombs of the early Maronite patriarchs, as well as rock-cut monasteries. The gorge is a hiker’s paradise, with paths along the top and bottom.
Beirut: Once known as the Paris of the Middle East, Beirut really took a beating during the 17-year war in Lebanon. The city hasn’t really recovered from the bombardments and the influx of refugees, and the destruction, rebuilding, overcrowding and chaos are often a shock to new arrivals. Situated smack in the middle of Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, Beirut is a city of contrasts: beautiful architecture exists alongside concrete eyesores; traditional houses set in jasmine-scented gardens are dwarfed by modern buildings; winding old alleys turn off from wide avenues; and swanky new cars vie for right of way with vendor carts. Although there’s not much to see here anymore, it’s still a city of vibrancy and charm. The Hamra area, in the north-west of the city, is now home to the city’s banks, hotels, restaurants, cafes and post office. It’s also a great place to window shop and soak up the atmosphere. North of Hamra, the American University of Beirut has a small museum of archaeology, although it’s not as impressive as the National Museum which re-opened, post-reconstruction, in 1999. The museum’s collection of Phoenician figurines is particularly interesting. The Sursock Museum in east Beirut is housed in a splendid Italianate style 19th century villa. The interior is also très stylish, and exhibits include Turkish silverware, icons, contemporary Lebanese art and a small but interesting library. A visit to Beirut Central District (known colloquially as ‘downtown’) will give you a good idea of what the city went through during the war. Parts of the area are being restored, others have been bulldozed and others are an apocalyptic landscape of burnt-out shells. The centre of Downtown, the Place des Martyrs, has been almost completely bulldozed (only the emotive Martyrs Statue still stands), and a huge billboard has been erected to show what the city has in mind for the area. The Omari Mosque, sometimes known as the Grand Mosque, is one of the few historic buildings still standing: built in the Byzantine era as a Crusader church, it was converted to a mosque in 1291. Pigeon Rocks are the most famous natural feature of Beirut. These offshore rock arches are a lovely complement to Beirut’s dramatic sea cliffs, and locals tend to congregate here to watch the sunset and get away from the traffic noise. It’s a delight to wander along the Corniche, Beirut’s coastal road, and just take in the sea air, stop to drink a coffee served from the back of a van or sample some produce from a push-cart vendor.
Byblos: The ancient city of Byblos, about 40km (25mi) up the coast from Beirut, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Byblos was populated during the Neolithic period 7000 years ago. In the third millennium BC it became the most important trading port in the area and sent cedar wood and oil to Egypt. It was the major Phoenician centre until the 10th century BC, and developed an alphabetic phonetic script which was the precursor of modern alphabets. Invaded by Persians, Alexander the Great, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, Byblos fell into obscurity after it was taken then abandoned by the Crusaders. Before the civil war Byblos was a mandatory stop on the jet-set circuit, and the historic harbor and picturesque old town remain un-spoilt. The ruins, to the south of the old town, are entered through the remains of the Crusader castle which dominates the city’s medieval ramparts. There are remains of huts from the 5th millennium BC, the temple of Baalat Gebal from 2800 BC, an L-shaped temple from 2700 BC, two royal tombs and a temple from the early 2nd millennium BC, and an amphitheatre from the Roman period. Other things to see in Byblos include the Wax Museum, which portrays the history and culture of Lebanon in a series of rather bizarre and sometimes creepy tableaux. Nearby is St John Church, built by the Crusaders. The local souq is lively, and Byblos has a great beach with some underwater ruins. There are only a couple of hotels in Byblos, but plenty of places to eat
Jounieh: Jounieh’s setting is still one of the most beautiful along the Lebanese coast. For the best view of the crescent-shaped bay, take the steep cable car (telepherique) up to Harissa. (The station is in the middle of Jounieh, between the highway and the old coastal road.) At the other end of the cable car line you transfer to an incline car, which takes you up to the lookout point surrounding the shiny, white statue of the Virgin of Lebanon. If you want to go still higher, you can climb the ramp around the statue’s base—the closer you come to her lowered, outstretched hands, the narrower the ramp becomes? and the pushier the people get. The view is spectacular, though, and the virgin, seen from close up, has a sweet, sad charm all her own. On your way to or from Jounieh you can stop off at Nahr al-Kalb (the Dog River) to view the inscriptions carved into the river-gorge walls by a long line of conquering armies. Jounieh is 15 mi/20 km north of Beirut.
Tripoli: Tripoli is 86km (53mi) north of Beirut, Lebanon’s second-largest city and the main port and trading centre for northern Lebanon. Although more modern than the rest of Lebanon, Tripoli’s draw cards are its medieval history and Mameluk architecture. It survived the civil war better than most Lebanese cities and retains an air of Arab charm, with its narrow alleys, souqs, slow pace and friendly people. Tripoli is also famous as the sweet capital of Lebanon, and any trip to the city would be incomplete without a visit to one of its lusciously sticky sweet shops. There are two main parts to Tripoli: Al-Mina (the port area), which juts out into the sea; and the city proper. The centre is Sahet et-Tall, a large square where you’ll find the bus stand and places to stay and eat. The Old City sprawls to the east and is a maze of narrow alleys, colorful souqs, hammams, khans, mosques and theological schools. It’s a lively place where craftspeople continue their work as they’ve done since the 14th century. It’s also home to some fabulous Mameluk architecture, including the 14th century Taynal Mosque, the Qartawiyya Madrassa and the intricate mihrab of the Burtasiya Mosque & Madrassa. Originally built in 1103 by Crusaders, St-Gilles Citadel towers above Tripoli. It was badly burnt in the 13th century, partly rebuilt in the 14th, and has been altered many times since then, but it’s still an imposing monument. In Al-Mina, it’s worth checking out the Lion Tower, the only surviving example of a group of structures built by the Mameluks to defend the city.
Tyre: Ancient Tyre, on the coast in the south of Lebanon, was founded by the Phoenicians in the 3rd millennium BC. It originally consisted of a mainland settlement and an island city, but under Hiram in the 9th century BC the island was connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. When Alexander’s troops arrived in the 4th century, he severed the old causeway and built a ‘mole’ or breakwater. The mole was much larger then the old causeway and it is this which caused the island to become a peninsula. In Phoenician times Tyre was famous for its purple dye and glass industries; these days it’s known for its Roman ruins. The old part of Tyre is on the peninsula, while the modern town is slightly inland. Further south, you come to the ruins of Roman-era Tyre. The Roman ruins include a well-preserved road which passes through a monumental archway. It’s lined on one side by an aqueduct, and on both sides there are hundreds of ornate, intricately-carved stone and marble sarcophagi. The ruins’ hippodrome, built in the 2nd century AD, is the largest and best preserved in the world today. A festival is held in the hippodrome every summer. Tyre is only 20km (12mi) north of the Israeli border, and at times of tension the surrounding area attracts special interest from Israeli gunners. It’s wise to avoid the area if tension is high,at other times a visit to the city is considered to be safe
Zahle: A red-roofed town set among the eastern foothills of Mount Sannine, Zahle enjoys a prime location in the Beqaa valley. Snowcapped mountains tower above it in winter, while in summer its 945 meter elevation keeps the air light and dry. The city center spreads along both banks of the Berdawni River, with the older section of the upper elevations of the west bank. At the northern end of town is the Bardouni river valley known as Wadi el-Aarayesh (Grape Vine Valley) – the site of Zahle’s famous outdoor restaurants. Zahle styles itself “The city of Wine and poetry”, and with good reason. In this century alone some 50 poets and writers were born here and almost as many excellent wines and araks have been produced in the area. The romance of wine and poetry is balanced by Zahle’s more business like position as the administrative and commercial capital of the Beqaa valley (42.27% of Lebanon’s territory) as well as its rank as the country’s third largest city (population 150,000). Zahle is also an agricultural town which produces vegetables, fruit, grains and most importantly, grapes. Tucked away from Lebanon’s busy coastal centers, the people of Zahle have developed their own brand of individualism and way of doing things. Even their spoken Arabic has a particular flair. The city’s reputation for intellectual vigor comes from a long line of writers, thinkers and poets who have contributed to Lebanon’s cultural and political scene. Zahle was founded about 300 years ago in an area whose past reaches back some five millennia. In the early 18th century the new town was divided into three separate quarters, each of which had its own governor. The city enjoyed a brief period as the region’s first independent state in the 19th century when it had its own flag and anthem. Zahle was burned in 1777 and 1791, and it was burned and plundered in 1860. But during the rule of the Mutasarrifiah, Zahle began to regain its prosperity. The railroad line which came through in 1885 improved commerce and town became the internal “port” of the Beqaa and Syria. It was also the center of agriculture and trade between Beirut and Damascus, Mosul, and Baghdad. Considered the birthplace of the Lebanese army, Zahle has played a major role in the political life of the country. The Bardouni is a river that flows out of Mt. Sannine and down through Zahle. It is also a name synonymous with Lebanon’s famous mezze and the delights of outdoor dining. The Bardouni restaurant tradition began over a hundred years ago with a few simple riverside cafes. Today it is a virtual bazaar of tree-shaded eating places known as “casinos”, every one more inviting than the next. Not surprisingly, competition is fierce, so each establishment outdoes itself with fountains, pools, and cooling shade to tempt potential customers. Here you can enjoy the traditional Lebanese mezze as it is served nowhere else. To add to the sense of timelessness, delicious mountain bread is baked before your eyes and a man in baggy trousers and fez is on hand to pour Lebanese coffee. He can also provide diners with a hubble-bubble (water pipe). On the cliffs above the Bardouni are the restaurants of Kaa el Reem, also known for their excellent food and atmosphere. Zahle’s association with the grape is pervasive, for it lies at the heart of an area that has been making wine since early antiquity. At the city’s southern entrance the statue of a graceful female personifies wine and poetry, but you don’t have to look far to see evidence of the real thing. The hills north of town with names like Wadi Hadi, Harqat, Bir Ghazour and Tell Zeina are covered with the neat rows of vineyards that supply Zahle’s wine and arak industries. Many of the wines have been formally recognized abroad for their fine quality – equal to some of the best in Europe. A tour of Zahle’s Ksara winery is a good way to see how wine and arak are made. Of special interest here are the extensive underground caves built around a natural grotto known and enlarged by the Romans.
Senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar was today conferred with the Indian Air Force’s honorary rank of Group Captain to honour his cricketing achievements and contribution to the nation. Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to be conferred a rank by IAF and the first personality with no aviation background to receive the honour. In 2008, India’s World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev had received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army. The 37-year-old Tendulkar was inducted into the Air Force as its brand ambassador with IAF chief Air Chief Marshal PV Naik doing the honours in a glittering ceremony at the Air Force auditorium here. “It’s a great pleasure and honour to be honoured by IAF. It was a wishful thinking and it has come true today. I’m extremely proud to be a part of IAF. I want to urge the youth to join air force and serve the nation. So dream, because dreams do come true,” Tendulkar said after receiving the honour. Earlier, President Pratibha Patil had conferred the honorary rank of the IAF on the iconic batsman on June 23 this year. The rank was conferred on Tendulkar under the provision of granting honorary rank by Armed Forces to eminent personalities acknowledging their contribution towards the nation. The IAF had, in January this year, mooted a proposal to confer the honorary rank of Group Captain on Tendulkar. IAF feels that besides the recognition, his association with it would motivate the younger generation to join the Air Force … Video Rating: 0 / 5
Anioma State: Set Up Central Working Committee Now
We are worried that our people concerned with the agitation for the creation of Anioma State are not doing enough to send signals to the Federal Government of Nigeria on our readiness and preparedness for the creation of the State. Authorities concerned through our chiefs, technocrats, Obis, Ezes and indeed the His Royal Highnesses from Aniocha, Ndokwa/Ukwani, Ika and Oshimili communities need to do a lot to effectively realize the creation of this state.
This agitation which has been in force since 1951 remains the oldest agitation for state creation in the country, and should not be rubbished through lack of seriousness currently being exhibited by our people. Agitation for the creation of this state is older than the country itself, and there is no better time than now to let the Federal Government of Nigeria realize that their inability to listen to the popular voices and create the state in the past is erroneous on their part and re-visitation of this issue is a serious social, economic and political business of the entire people of Delta North to which we hold with serious commitment.
We have all it takes to form an independent state within the Federation of Nigeria economically and no person or group of individuals have disputed this incontrovertible fact, the government will therefore be toying with the destiny of group of people who since 1951 have recognized the need to live as one indivisible people with socio-cultural affinity and all it takes to become one of the units of the nation.
On our part that the government has failed to give us the state for meaningless reasons does not mean that we should give in so cheaply for this will continue to hunt us perpetually because we have been denied our rights, our present condition within the state of Delta obviously shows that we deserve a state of our own. It is just an opportunity to let some of our Anioma brothers realize that a butter fly can never be a bird, even though both creatures have wings and fly, if it is not Bia (come) or jebe (go) as intelligible to us all in one language we undestand, it cannot look Anioma. It is for this reason that we must not throw away this rare opportunity as the cry for a state of our own will ever fill the air again and again.
There is no other means of achieving this political feat than tasking ourselves collectively because with the calibers of personalities of Anioma extraction we can do it; our founding fathers were not mistaken when the Anioma notion was conceived. It is also pertinent to remark here that a central working committee is necessary to coordinate and prepare us towards the creation of the state. I presage that failure to act now may amount to regret much later in our future, which we must all live to remember no matter the group we belong now. The history of our people shows that whenever the issue of creation of Anioma State re-surfaces, ethnic-groups distant or near cleverly segregates us and and we fall apart only to realize what we have done to ourselves in the end. This must be avoided at all cost.
The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Chike Edozien is easily identifiable in the struggle for the creation of Anioma State as his pronouncements in recent times have shown, other paramount rulers from the region should follow his footstep if this is to see the light of the day. The issue of where to situate the new state if created should not divide the people as we can sit down and determine this, ipume is still within our culture and we know how to utilize it when it matters, but if you ask me, I would advise that the proposed state be situated within the South-South, since the region is naturally and geographically already lying there. This is only my personal view, as we all have our own.
This cannot affect whatever ethnic-group people attribute to us since as the geographical setting of Nigeria displays a number of ethnic groups scattered around the geo-political regions of the country, our case will not be different. But if situating it within the South-East is all it takes to create the state, it removes nothing from the fact that the people of Anioma will have unlimited control of their destiny economically and politically since development of the area should form the topmost priority of our leaders, and every community that has experienced development today in the federation of Nigeria has done so through creation of states.
However, a committee which a person must head should be set-up to ensure the success of the agitation of Anioma State. Traditional rulers from all the existing Local Government Areas that constitute Anioma should play a role in this, with credible people of Anioma extraction constituting the committee. We are sure that all the Local Government Areas otherwise referred to as Delta North will readily transform to Anioma State with ease, since the region has been recognized as one by other ethnic-groups in the state and Nigeria as a whole. The Anioma people are already recognized as a state in a state, and our other brothers and sisters in our state will not withdraw their support to see that we leave. Homogenous and blessed with abundant human and material resources which can make it stand as an independent state, Anioma State is sure to stand and join the existing states of the federation called Nigeria; however our Anioma leaders need work towards achieving it.
Packed with travel information, including more listings, deals, and insider tips:CANDID LISTINGS of hundreds of places to eat, sleep, drink, and feel like a local RELIABLE MAPS and directions to navigate Europe’s busy cities and idyllic towns STRAIGHT TALK on everything from German beer to Iceland’s “Black Death” INSIDER TIPS on the best hostels, gay and straight nightlife, and travel deals VOLUNTEER AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES from Svalbard to Istanbul HIKING, BIKING, and CAMPING from Norweg
The Thais, most historians believe, began migrating from southern China in the early part of the Christian era. At first they formed a number of city-states in the northern part of what is present-day Thailand, in places like Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, but these were never strong enough to exert much influence outside the immediate region. Gradually the Thais migrated further south to the broad and fertile central plains, and expanded their dominance over nearly the entire Indochina Peninsula. Contradictory as it may seem, however, recent archaeological discoveries around the northeast hamlet of Ban Chiang suggest that the world’s oldest Bronze Age civilization was flourishing in Thailand some 5,000 years ago.
It is difficult to determine the type of culture which existed in Thailand before the Christian era, since no written records or chronologies exist but archeological excavations in the area north of Nakorn Ratchasima indicate that there were people living here over 4000 years ago. Thailand (previously known as Siam) has been populated ever since the dawn of civilization in Asia. There are conflicting opinions of the origins of the Thais. It presumed that about 4,500 years the Thais originated in northwestern Szechuan in China and later migrated down to Thailand along the southern part of China. They split into two main groups. One settled down in the North and became the kingdom of “”Lan Na”" and the other one is in further south, which afterward was defeated by the Khmers and became the kingdom of “”Sukhothai”".
In the early 16th century, the European visited Ayutthaya, and a Portuguese embassy was established in 1511. Portugal’s powerful neighbor Spain was the next European nation to arrive in Ayutthaya forward the end of the 16th century. In he early 17th century they saw the arrival of two northern European, the Dutch and the British, and France in 1662.
In the mid-16th century, Ayutthaya and the independent kingdom in Chiang Mai was put under the control of the Burmese, but Thais could regain both of the capitals by the end of the century.
The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya again in 1765. This time Burmese caused much fear to Thais. Burmase soldiers destroyed everything, including temples, manuscripts, and religious sculpture. After the capital fell in their hands for two years, the Burmese effectiveness could not further hold the kingdom. Phaya Taksin, a Thai general, promoted himself to be the king in 1769. He ruled the new capital of Thonburi on the bank of Chao Phraya River, opposite Bangkok. Thais regained control of their country and thus scattered themselves to the provinces in the north and central part of Thailand. Taksin eventually turn himself to be the next Buddha and was dismissed and executed by his ministers who did not approve his religious values.The British gained a colonial foothold in the region in 1824, but by 1896 an Anglo-French accord guaranteed the independence of Thailand. A coup in 1932 demoted the monarchy to titular status and established representative government with universal suffrage. At the outbreak of World War II, Japanese forces attacked Thailand. After five hours of token resistance Thailand yielded to Japan on Dec. 8, 1941, subsequently becoming a staging area for the Japanese campaign against Malaya. Following the demise of a pro-Japanese puppet government in July 1944, Thailand repudiated the declaration of war it had been forced to make in 1942 against Britain and the U.S.
The politics of Thailand took some significant turn on 24 June 1932 when a group of young intellectuals, educated abroad and imbued with the concept of Western democracy, staged a bloodless coup, demanding a change form absolute to a constitutional monarchy, Determined to avoid any bloodshed, His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) agreed to the abolition of absolute monarchy and the transfer of power to the constitution-based system of government as demanded. On 10 December 1932, His Majesty King Prajadhipok signed Thailand first constitution and thus ended 700 years of Thailand absolute monarchy. Despite the number of successive constitutions that followed in the span of just over half a century, the basic concepts of constitutional government and monarchy laid down in the 1932 constitution have remained unaltered.
Today Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors. With the incredible number of visitors who simply fall in love with this mesmeric paradise of a country who find themselves returning year after year, its hardly surprising to hear of the high rental opportunities ( find more information http://www.thaiproperty.co.uk/ ) offered to any investor with a Thailand property. Combined with the fact that globally attractive Thailand boasts 1 of the worlds most empowered and foreign investment boosting economies. Contemporary apartment’s flats and villas that are each ideal for investment or recreational purposes can be found in abundance within Thailand’s borders. With the country’s infrastructure developing at a remarkable pace, land prices are on notably on the increase too which, for property owners, is nothing but reassuringly good news.
