Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Aid Watch Rerun: African leaders advise Bono on reform of U2

Bono_Mandela

Bono thanks Commission chairman Nelson Mandela for the Report

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS: Over the holidays, we’ll be publishing reruns of some of our posts from the first 2 years of Aid Watch. This?post?originally ran on November 23, 2009.

An expert commission of African leaders today announced their plan for comprehensive reform of music band U2. Saying that U2’s rock had lost touch with its African roots, the commission called for urgent measures to halt U2’s slide towards impending crisis.

“Our youth today are imperiled by low quality music,” said Commission chairman Nelson Mandela. “We will be lending African musicians to U2 to try to refurbish their sound to satisfy the urgent and growing needs for diversionary entertainment at a time of crisis in the global music and financial sectors.”

Concerns about U2 have been growing in Africa for a while. One Western aid blogger testified to the Commission that his teenage kids found U2’s music “cheesy.” The Mandela Commission proposed that U2 follow a series of steps to recover its Edge:

1) Hire African consultants to analyze U2’s “poverty of music trap”

2) Prepare a Band-owned and Commission-approved Comprehensive U2 Reform Strategy Design (CURSD)

3) Undertake a rehabilitation tour of African capitals to field-test and ground-truth proposed reforms

4) Subject all songs to randomized experiments in which the effect on wellbeing of control and treatment groups is rigorously assessed.

Mandela expressed optimism that the Commission’s report and proposed reforms had come in time to stave off terminal crisis in U2, and restore its effectiveness in the 80s arena rock field.

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Alaska Construction Jobs

Alaska is known to be the largest state in the United States of America in terms of the area. But it is the least densely populated area with most of its population residing in the Anchorage metropolitan. This state is filled with thousands of lakes; much of the area is covered by forests and surrounded by glacier complexes. The Bering Glacier complex is situated in Alaska.

Since the climate in Alaska is characterized by coolness, it can be imagines with snow fall how cold it gets in winters. Being covered in snow there is no possibility of construction works in the winters. The summer is cool and snow free and thus offers a suitable condition for Alaska construction work.? The area of construction work is also restricted by its geographical features. Since the major residential area is near and surrounding Anchorage, all the construction work is predominantly done there.

The major areas where Alaska constructions jobs are located are- Anchorage, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kenai Peninsula and Fairbanks.

Alaska construction employment is seasonal given its climatic conditions. It is more like a summer job that cannot be the source of income round the year. Alaska gets17 to 24 hours of sunlight in the summers which helps in stretching work for hours longer than usually feasible in other states. This also means the workers can make money with working overtime.

One advantage of the Alaska construction employment being seasonal is that their payment or salary is higher by as much as 20% to 85% than equivalent categories of work done in other states. With their longer working hours and higher hourly wages, the Alaska construction job opportunities offer higher income than is possible in any other state.

Construction degrees can be acquired from different universities like – University of Phoenix, Kaplan University Online, Capella University, American Intercontinental University Online etc.

The kind of Alaska construction job opportunities available are- Senior Project Manager, Project management Supervisor, Pipeline Integrity Professionals, Engineering construction project manager, Construction Plan Engineer, Execution coordinator, Construction and Related workers, Construction Niche audit Senior associate, Project Business Administrator.

It is possible to earn more money in Alaska construction jobs but the higher the qualification of a worker or an employee, the better would be the salary. Definitely experience has a strong role to play special with the difficult terrain in Alaska. It is a comparatively less populated area so the job opportunities are almost in proportion with the number of applicants. There is also need for the manual laborers that do not need any educational qualifications.

But for those jobs that need qualification, knowledge and experience, the resumes should be drafted very carefully reflecting on the expertise part and the efficiency of the employee and how the company and construction may flourish on inclusion of the particular employee in to the project.

Benefits like insurance and legal plans, compensation and bonuses etc are also made available for the employees of each company depending upon the company policies. The most distinctive feature of Alaska construction jobs is that it is seasonal, like a summer job.

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Modern Furniture Toronto

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Torontomodernfurnitures.com offers you Modern Furniture Toronto that will suit your traditional modern style.If you are looking for affordable Toronto furniture and modern interiors that suit your traditional modern style, modern taste, budget and modern home interiors then online modern furniture, Toronto stores are here to serve you. Modern Furniture Toronto is looking forward to be part of your next project. If you want to contact Modern Furniture for any query or information, don’t hesitate, Toronto Furniture will be honored in helping you out.

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THE INFLUENCE GAME: Safety, trade interests clash

By JOAN LOWY | Published: 5:00 AM 01/03/2011

FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2010, file photo, smoke rises from the site of a cargo plane crash in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Some of the United States' top trading partners are waging an aggressive, behind-the-scenes effort to derail an Obama administration safety proposal that would affect the shipment of products by scores of industries. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)



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Monday, January 3, 2011

Feng Shui Romance And Relationship Area – Feng Shui Tips For Attracting Love Into Your Life

Feng Shui Romance And Relationship Area

For enhancing your love life, increase passion and harmony in your existing relationships or marriage, to attract more energies to find your perfect mate or just to generally attract more romance, there are many feng shui tips that can help. Feng Shui Romance And Relationship Area

These feng shui tips work by creating a good balance of yin and yang-female and male energies. If activated and enhanced, it leads to happiness in personal relationships. Whether you are seeking to strengthen an existing relationship or planning to attract a new love or more romance, feng shui tips can be used easily and effectively.

There are many ways of activating the love and relationships area. Here are a few tips. Images of you and your partner in photo frames or paintings are ideal for bedroom feng shui. Furniture in the bedroom should also be soft with no hard or sharp edges. You should also avoid placing any kind of electronic device or equipment in the bedroom as it can disrupt the peace and intimacy of the room.

This means no tvs or computers!

Entertainment in the form of television, radios, computers and video games kill the intimacy of a bedroom. Read romantic poetry instead for preparing you mentally for romance. These feng shui tips are most effective if you visualize and clear any mental negativity that could block your chances of love.

Bedding is also key to creating a good, intimate, romantic atmosphere. Treat yourself to plush fabrics and fluffy cushions that make you never want to leave your bed. Making your sleeping space a little bit smaller encourages you to snuggle more. Learn to prepare for company. Clear out a dresser or drawer, leave a few empty hangers, keep a spare set of toiletries. If you make your place inviting enough and give off a vibe that you are very willing to share your precious space, opportunities for romance will come. Feng Shui Romance And Relationship Area

A good symbol for increasing romantic energies is a figure of two mandarin ducks in the bedroom. The ducks symbolize marital happiness.

Crystals or reddish lights placed in the southwest corner of your house, together with lit candles and roses (without thorns, of course) are also simple ways of activating and enhancing personal relationships. Peonies are said to be a good cure in Feng Shui for enhancing love and relationships. Never place real flowers or plants in the bedroom however. If you must, fake flowers can be used.

Add a framed picture of your and your loved one in this area, to increase your fondness for each other even more. If you don’t have a partner but are looking to attract one, you can still display images of happy couples in this corner. Use these to replace solo pictures and sad, moody ones. Create cozy and intimate seating arrangements with sofas, chairs and love seats. A free flowing arrangement signifies that you are ready and open for a new relationship.

Make your relationship area-usually at the far right area of your home-intimate and inviting. Place a love seat and install mood lighting. Create an intimate and romantic atmosphere for your bedroom. Keep it a private retreat. Move pictures of your family, kids’ artwork, etc. someplace more fun and active. Use warm colors like pink and red to enhance your love life considerably. Use a wide array of color, from soft to bold, to enhance romance. Feng shui tips for colors that are optimal for boosting this energy are pink, salmon, coral, scarlet, crimson and burgundy. Feng Shui Romance And Relationship Area

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US-Japan discussed ‘action’ against anti-whalers

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Obama to increase engagement with Africa in 2011

By JULIE PACE - AP | Published: 4:42 AM 01/03/2011

FILE - In this July 11, 2009, file photo, President Barack Obama takes the stage as he participates in a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

FILE - In this July 11, 2009, file photo, President Barack Obama speaks at a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

FILE - In this July 11, 2009, file photo, President Barack Obama addresses the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra, Ghana. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

FILE - In this July 11, 2009, file phto, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama visit the La General Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

FILE - In this July 11, 2009, file photo, a Ghanaian police officer mans a security barrier ahead of the arrival of President Barack Obama, at the Presidential Castle in Accra, Ghana. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)



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Aid Watch Rerun: The lure of starting from scratch

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS: Over the holidays, we’ll be publishing reruns of some of our posts from the first 2 years of Aid Watch. This?post?originally ran on June 17, 2010.

It is an acknowledged national characteristic that Americans believe in self-reinvention. One of our founding myths—inspired by the once unexplored and sparsely populated expanse of the North American continent—is the idea that you can head out of town, leave the encumbrances of the past behind, and start over in a new, unspoiled place.

What would happen if we brought this sensibility to development plans for poorer, more crowded nations? What if we already do?

The ingredients for Paul Romer’s solution to global poverty include an unoccupied tract of land, a charter to lay out a new set of just and commerce-promoting rules, and two or more sovereign governments. Just as Hong Kong was created as an island of prosperity by the British in China (only voluntarily this time), poor countries would lease a piece of their land to a richer, benevolent government or group of governments that would agree to administer the new city according to the rules of the agreed-upon charter.

From a new article in Atlantic Monthly by Sebastian Mallaby, we learn that Madagascar might have become the first testing ground for Romer’s charter cities idea—if not for a coup that ousted the Malagasy President in March 2009.

Madagascar’s government was anxious to attract foreign investment, and it understood that a credibility deficit held it back…Faced with this obstacle, the Malagasy authorities were open to unconventional arrangements. To boost investment in agriculture, they were ready to lease a Connecticut-size tract of land to Daewoo, a South Korean corporation, for 99 years…Romer’s proposal fit in with these adventurous ideas.…

Romer made his pitch for a charter city, and Ravalomanana responded that he wasn’t sure one was enough; if Romer could identify two rich countries willing to play the role of government trustee, it might be better to launch two parallel experiments. The president and the professor agreed that the new hubs should be open to migrants from nearby countries as well as to locals. They rose to examine a map of Madagascar on the study wall. Ravalomanana suggested building the first city on the island’s southwestern coast, which was largely uninhabited because of its dry heat. To Romer, the site sounded very much like the coastal locations that appeal most to the world’s affluent as vacation spots.

Ravalomanana’s government was toppled before any of these plans could go forward, in part as a result of violent protests over the perceived threat to national sovereignty represented by the Daewoo deal. As Mallaby points out, this failures suggests at least one flaw of the charter cities idea—that land ownership and sovereignty are explosive issues that may not be easily or peacefully negotiated away by leaders on behalf of their people. But Romer remains optimistic, and is talking to other African leaders, possibly ones with more staying power.

The charter cities idea appeals because it is bold. It promises a fresh start for people mired in the muck of old conflicts, inequality, and bad government. When Mallaby concludes “When African teenagers do their homework under streetlights, isn’t Romer right to think the unthinkable?,”? he is arguing that while there may be legitimate concerns about the ethics or feasibility of the charter cities, those concerns are made irrelevant by the overwhelming gravity and scale of global poverty and inequality.

In other words, big, desperate problems call out for big, radical solutions. Solutions that sweep away the detritus of past failure, promise to replace it wholesale with something new and better, and perhaps even alter the boundaries of the world as we know it.

The discussion about rebuilding Haiti has been full of ideas about the earthquake as an opportunity to ”start over,” “reboot,” “wipe the slate clean” and finally “get things right” (some stellar examples here). Two recent proposals brought the call for slate-cleaning back to Africa: We already blogged Professor Pierre Englebert’s suggestion in the NYT for the international community to “move swiftly to derecognize the worst-performing African states” like Chad, the DRC, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan, and in Foreign Policy, G. Pascal Zachary submitted that “no initiative would do more for happiness, stability, and economic growth in Africa today than an energetic and enlightened redrawing” of Africa’s colonial borders.

Call it the “let’s just scrap this mess and start over” approach to development.

Unfortunately, in earthquake-devastated Haiti as in troubled central Africa, the promise of starting from scratch is an illusion. It has always been true that no matter where you go, you take yourself with you—culture, history, habits, attachments and animosities come along like a skin you can’t shed. But these days there are fewer and fewer territories on our taxed and shrinking planet beyond the reach of someone’s determined claim.

These ideas share an overly-optimistic belief in a neutral, benevolent international community and its power to peacefully oversee imposed changes. All are tone-deaf to the very real degree of nationalism that does exist in basically all countries by now, regardless of whether they were misbegotten colonial creations or not. They also violate sovereignty as conventionally defined, which may be good or bad but is sure to provoke a nationalist reaction.

Early development economists working at the hopeful dawn of colonial independence believed that they really were starting from scratch. The last fifty years have shown us that they weren’t, and this has been—and remains—one of development’s biggest blind spots.

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Aid Watch Rerun: A suggestion for the 1MillionShirts guy

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS: Over the holidays, we’ll be publishing reruns of some of our posts from the first 2 years of Aid Watch. This?post?originally ran on April 28, 2010, and was one contribution to a controversy that erupted on the internet when aid workers got wind of an amateur aid effort called 1 million shirts.

We will be back running new content starting tomorrow, January 4th.

Here’s the back story: A young American entrepreneur wanted to use his powerful social media profiles to do good. He hit on the idea of convincing people to pack up all their unneeded T-shirts, throw in a dollar for shipping, and send them – 1 million of them – somewhere in Africa. He partnered with two charities, applied for 501(c)3 status, and voila, a new cause was born: 1MillionShirts.

Yesterday, professional aid workers, academics, and researchers responded vociferously to this idea. Take a look at these blog posts for more details, but for our purposes we can break it down to two reasons why 1MillionShirts is a poor idea:

  1. It’s terribly inefficient. One million T-shirts are heavy, and shipping and customs cost ?a lot, likely more than it would cost to produce those shirts locally. Plus, cheap donated clothes flood local markets, undercutting local textile industries.
  2. It’s just not needed. There are many serious health, economic, social and political problems challenging different African countries today, but lack of T-shirts isn’t one of them. This project idea, like many bad ones, clearly came from thinking “what kind of help do I want to give” rather than “what kind of help would be most useful to some specific group of individuals.”

So it’s safe to say that Jason, the ?guy behind 1MillionShirts, is not an expert in giving aid to Africa. But maybe he IS an expert in something.

He is ?an expert in reaching people through social media. We can conclude this because Jason makes his living from companies that pays him to wear their T-shirts for a day and spread videos, pictures, blog posts and tweets about it to their networks—see iwearyourshirt.com. As one of the testimonials on their website puts it, “They are funny, creative guys who really know how to promote you and your products by wearing your shirt.” Another one: “Gotta love a guy who wears a shirt, gets great exposure for the company whose shirt he’s wearing as well as himself, and who manages to turn it into a business.”

After Jason’s do-gooding was met with such a barrage of criticism, he apparently offered to axe the 1MillionShirts campaign if someone could come up with a better idea.

So here’s our suggestion: Why doesn’t he?use his own specialized expertise to help get the word out that giving cash is better than giving stuff. I bet if he put his mind to thinking about creative ways to spread that message, he could knock it out of the park.

And if the 1MillionShirts guy doesn’t feel that spreading this important message satisfies their desire to do good in the world, he can still follow the advice of many people who devote their professional lives to thinking about problems like these, and donate cash to a trusted charity with local knowledge and experience working to solve some specific problem—just so long as it isn’t African shirtlessness.

Update: Alanna Shaikh has written a definitive rebuttal to 1MillionShirts and Jason’s reaction to criticism- see it here.
Update 2: See also the open letter from Siena Antsis.
Update 3: A perspective on the broader meaning of the 1MillionShirts fail from Christopher Fabian of UNICEF’s innovation team.
Update 4: This blog post has been edited at Jason’s request to indicate that only Jason (and not Evan, with whom he works on iwearyourshirt.com) is involved in the 1MillionShirts campaign.

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