The Repulsive Truth Behind School Lunches Essay - 1514 Words

The Repulsive Truth Behind School Lunches Thirty one million kids nationwide eat school sponsored meals twice a day for a hundred eighty days and on average for twelve years. In this sense school lunches are an important and critical component of childhood nutrition and development. Yet these meals are highly processed and filled with chemicals and preservatives. School lunch rooms are essentially fast food restaurants; they unload shipments of frozen food then heat it up in glorified microwaves and serve it hot and ready. This is the same basic principle of fast food restaurants and people all know how terribly unhealthy fast food is for them. Still America feeds this toxic material to kids every day. This has been a tremendous issue†¦show more content†¦As a country, we spend $110 billion a year of fast food and $50 billion on diet aids.† We are killing our kids with pitiful food in school and at home, parents send their children to school to eat cheap lunches and th en feed them fast food at home. All at the same time combating a costly war with diet related illnesses that America is creating. This is a fight the people cannot win with just diet aids; people must cut back on fast food consumption but first and foremost we must cut off the head of this monstrous snake; school lunches, for it is biggest issue and priority one is getting healthier foods in our schools for the sake of our children and for the sake of their futures. It is a monumental challenge that is worsening every year which is why we must act quickly. Children in the United States in the 1950’s were fed unhealthy school lunches of high fat, high cholesterol foods, consisting of ice cream, whole milk, mashed potatoes, and pot roast, with 1,000 calories, 33 grams of fat, 1,300 mg of sodium. Today sixty years later, school lunches throughout the nation are lacking vegetables, still loaded with carbohydrates and fats, two percent milk, canned fruits, processed meats, with 45 grams of fat, 1,200 calories, and almost twice as much sodium. Lunches that are healthier of our kids consist of

Biology The Chiral Molecules Essay - 1019 Words

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Introduction Many biomolecules besides amino acid are chiral, which contain one or more asymmetric carbon. Recently, the studies of the chiral molecules in the biological assembly system have been a subject to an extensive research. In order to improve the biosensor detection level, several research has been carried out, especially in the electrochemistry based research. In this study, collagen is used with the combination of carbon nanotubes to create a new bio-composite compound. However, this new type of bio-composite compound for certain need to go through some analyzation in order to improve the condition of the new bio-composite produced. Collagen can act as a very good matrix when combined with the†¦show more content†¦In this project the MWNTs is used. Multi wall nanotubes are made up of multiple roll layered of graphene. It can come out either in the course of a coaxial assembly of SWNT similar to a coaxial line, or as a single sheet of graphite rolled into the form of a coil. The diameter of MWNTs is usually in the range of 5 nm to 50 nm while the interlayer distance is as close as the distance between graphene layers in graphite. MWNT is easily produced in high volume quantities compared to SWNT but the structure of MWNT isles understood as it possessed greater complexity and variety. So, the regions of structural imperfection may diminish its desirable properties. Figure 1.1 (a) Structures of MWNTs Figure 1.1 (b) SWNTs and MWNTs 1.2. Fundamentals of Voltammetry Technique 1.2.1 Three electrode system The three electrode system consists of the working electrode, a reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode which made it important in Voltammetry. This three electrode plays an important role in the three electrode system. Reference electrode refers to the electrode that has a recognized electrode potential. Besides that, reference electrode can be used as a half cell. When the electrode acts as a half cell, the other half cell electrode potential can be discovered. There are two widely used reference electrode which is saturated calomelShow MoreRelatedImportance of Stereoisomers in a Biological System652 Words   |  3 Pagessubtle differences have wide sweeping implications. In living organisms chiral molecules are usually present in only one of their chiral forms. For Example the amino acids that make up proteins are only found as their L iosmers whereas glucose only occurs as its D isomer. Evolution has played a large role in this fact by favo uring one isomer over the other. This concept is easier to comprehend when you remember that the molecules that select an isomer to use (invariably proteins) are themselves isomersRead MoreSample Resume : School Of Science Health1613 Words   |  7 Pagesnot mark this assignment if the above declaration has not been signed. ADVANCED MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 300891 PROTEIN STRUCTURE Molecular Biology and Biochemistry of protein structures Introduction Molecular Biology and Biochemistry is the investigation of the chemical foundation of life and corroborates all field of studies of biology.[8] Molecular biology and biochemistry provides humans the tools to understand the broad group of formations, purposes and connections of proteins and their significanceRead MoreStructure And Function Of Biology Essay2109 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction Structure and function in Biology is a broad concept that can be explored within a diverse range of topics across the subject matter. The following essay will be focussed mainly on the subject of Deoxyribonucleic Acid, or more commonly DNA. DNA is a highly complex, intricate and extraordinary macromolecule found within all living cells. DNA is a biochemical noun and can be defined as ...a self-replicating material which is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituentRead MoreBCH190 Essay14810 Words   |  60 Pagesï » ¿Quiz # 2 on lectures 3, 4, and including Chapter 2 1. Difference occurs in the sequence of long chain molecules and becomes information in biological organisms. ‘Life’ assembles itself into chains: (A) of RNA (B) all of the answers are correct (C) of DNA (D) of protein (E) none of these answers are correct 2. Which of the following foods is not a significant source of complex carbohydrates? (A) fresh fruit (B) rice (C) pasta (D) oatmeal (E) all of the above are significantRead MoreStudy of Sterospecificity in Mushroom Tyrosinase3571 Words   |  15 Pagesone type for the phenolic substrate and one type for the dioxygen molecule (Espin et al, 1998). Different tyrosinases from different sources have similar structural and functional characteristics (Robb, 1984). Some enzymes will bind to a variety of substrates, if the structure of the substrate is similar, where as others are extremely specific, and will distinguish between D and L isomers. Several monophenols and o-diphenols are chiral tyrosinase substrates such as 3,4-Dihydroxy-L-Phenylalanine (commonlyRead MoreArchaeology Notes19985 Words   |  80 Pagesprocess which uses the measurement of the decay rate of carbon protein amino acids to date once-living organic tissue. All living organisms have protein; which is made up of amino acids. All but one of these amino acids (glycine) has two different chiral forms (mirror images of each other). While an organism lives, their proteins are composed of only left-handed (laevo, or L) amino acids, but once the organism dies the left-handed amino acids slowly turn into right-handed (dextro or D) amino acids

Lust for Power; Destruction of Humanity Free Essays

Lust for Power; Destruction of Humanity â€Å"Power†, the literal meaning of this word is â€Å"control†. Unfortunately, we are living in a world where the lust for power has resulted in the destruction of humanity. From the lower class clerks to the industrialists of the highest class, everyone is involved in a race, a race to get to the top. We will write a custom essay sample on Lust for Power; Destruction of Humanity or any similar topic only for you Order Now And they are willing to use any means to get there. Leg pulling has become a culture now a days, no one can digest anyone else’s success. Everybody is blinded by this hunger for attaining power. Take any one; a student can do anything to get an A in his finals, even if it may involve sabotaging his fellow students’ work. A country can go to unthinkable extents to get to the top, even if has to take down another country and kill numerous of innocent people. In our country, â€Å"Pakistan†, we are going through the same phase. Every day we see T. V shows where politicians are busy shouting and yelling, blaming other politicians, fighting just to get power and get a hold of our country’s treasury, or at least what’s left of it. No one really cares about the people; everyone is just interested in making their own lives better. We kill, we destroy, and we hurt the feelings of other human’s, just to satisfy our hunger. Is this what we have been taught? Are these our moral and social ethics? Is this what our Religion has guided us to do? No it is totally against everything. But we are all too busy thinking about our wants and we forget that we are humans. We have figuratively turned into cannibals. If this keeps up, very rightly man himself will become the reason for the extinction of his own self! How to cite Lust for Power; Destruction of Humanity, Papers

The Influence of Constructivism free essay sample

I intend to investigate the idea that the Constructivists created the blueprint for modern consumerism and methods of advertising. I will investigate semiotics and Marxism in context with my study. In today’s society of consumerist culture I think the topic of propaganda is interesting as I feel propaganda goes hand in hand with advertising. In today’s society we are relentlessly saturated with loaded words and images, for this reason I wanted to investigate the origins of consumerism and today’s advertising. The purpose of Soviet propaganda was to create a new type of world; Lenin wanted to remodel the world under Socialist Realism and visual propaganda played an important part in this. Using propaganda to influence people’s thoughts and actions by making them act on feelings rather than rational thought. I am going to investigate the idea that soviet Marxist ideology continues to influence To illustrate my idea I am going to discuss the semiotics of a Soviet poster designed by Alexander Rodchenko for Gosizdat (fig. ) in 1924 the poster is a typical example of the stark, distinct and timeless design of the era. The poster features Lilia brick, a muse of Vladimir Mayakovsky and later Alexander Rodchenko. The poster was designed as mass spread agitprop intended to spread the ideals of Socialist Realism with its vision of a widespread literate society. The simplified bold graphic is typical of the work produced during the Constructivist movement; the lack of decoration or of representational depiction of objects ties in with the movement’s aims to keep the production purely informative and functional. Art that fails to become part of life will be catalogued in the museum of archaeological antiquities† (Rodchenko The poster features a woman, Lilia Brick, wearing a kerchief; clothes of the proletarian workers. This design and its message was calculated so that the proletarian of Russia would relate and engage with the message the image conveys. The woman is shouting â€Å"Books† inside a trapezoid shape, as most of the population were illiterate it was necessary for the image to be understood visually. Pictures indeed could be more potent than writing because they ‘impose meaning at one stroke’ but semiotic communication could extend beyond both the verbal and the visual† (Visual Culture, Richard Howels, 2003, page 100) Personally, I think this is a timeless image but I don’t think it is very understandable without the text. It is an example of the constructivist’s novel experiments with juxtaposition and photography. Contemporary posters and graphics are testament to the strength of design this age produced. To further illustrate my idea I am going to discuss the semiotics of three advertising images and compare them with the Gosizdat (fig. 1) 1924 Lilia Brick poster from the Soviet era, which they are derivative of. The images I will discuss come from a broad spectrum in popular culture. I will look at an image from a political campaign, a mobile phone advert and a popular indie band. In order to sell and appeal, it is my opinion that these products and ideologies have borrowed the connotations of power and directness that these Soviet posters command. A humorous take on poster from the Barak Obama campaign featuring a dog in the place of Lilia Brick became a hit on the Internet. This suggests the poster has widespread appeal on masse. The poster was not affiliated with the campaign. An example of the Gosizdat posters influential use in advertising can be viewed in a Greek advert for Vodaphone mobiles (fig. 2), here the semiotics are not entirely saying the same thing as in the poster designed for Gosizdat (fig. ), in this version it is depoliticised. The poster itself comes with an extra subtext thanks to its history; the viewer can take meaning from this as well as the intended message to advertise Vodaphone. The art of the past no longer exists as it once did. Its authority is lost. In its place there is a language of images. What matters now is who uses that language for what purpose. (Berger, 1972, p. 33) The anonymous woman in the poster is supposed to be shouting some sort of offer or Vodaphone; the anonymous woman in the p oster is in black and white creating an interesting juxtaposition against the bright colour scheme. The image of the woman seems slightly more ‘cut-out and pasted in’ than the other example images. I feel this could be derivative of the Constructivists experimentation with photomontage. It is in a sense ironic that these posters are now being used to promote capitalism given that the political ideology at the time was to do with Communism. A statement made by art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon backs this up; he says in BBC4 programme The Art of Russia: Smashing the Mould â€Å"this was totally new to use words like this and that is one of the paradoxes that Rodchenko and Mayakovsky give to the West the visual language of Capitalism†¦because they are inventing advertising† (M2 PRESSWIRE-10 November 2009-BBC: The Art Of Russia on BBC Four(C) 1994-2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS RDATE:09112009) The second example of the influence of the poster for Gosizdat (fig. ) is in the album artwork for Franz Ferdinand’s 2005 album You Could Have It So Much Better (fig. 3). The semiotics suggests the same as with the last two reworks. The band reworked two other Constructivist posters for two more of their singles artwork; This Fire 2004 (fig 4) is derivative of the El Lissitzky poster Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge 1919 and Take Me Out 2004 (fig. 5) is a rework of Aleksandr Rodchenko’s One-Sixth Part the World Post er 1923 (fig 6). The illustrator and graphic designer Shepard Fairey who created the affiliated Obama campaign posters deliberately took inspiration from Soviet posters when creating the Obama Hope (fig. 7) poster. The work of Neville Brody further backs up the ideology behind the movement and that today’s designers draw much inspiration from Constructivism. Bold design and typography classic are time enduring. The semiotics of these images have connotations of empowerment. What matters is that design is a way of reflecting social undercurrents. The Futurists supported Mussolini, whereas Rodchenko was a socialist revolutionary. I draw a sense of dynamism and optimism with no intention of a political connotation. If you look at some of Rodchenko’s paintings, you’ll see he anticipated abstract expressionism by a good 50 or 60 years. It’s so abstract, it’s completely apolitical. Rodchenko was more about humanism and humanitarianism than communism. †- Neville Brod y. Another direct example of a Soviet posters influence on recent popular culture is the occurrence of Red Wedge in the 80’s, this collective of musicians wanted to inspire young people to connect with the politics of the Labour government and inspire them to take charge of their political opinions. A lithographic poster inspired the name for this movement: Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge 1919 (fig. 8); a poster designed by Constructivist artist El Lissitzky. The Red Wedge’ logo was also inspired by the poster and designed by graphic designer Neville Brody. In the 1980s there was a revival of politically fuelled art, Neville Brody reworked the typography of the Soviet era in popular magazine The Face (fig. 9). Jenny Holzier’s Protect Me from What I Want, 1998 (fig. 10) is sending out a political message in a very simplified way just as the Constructivists did. â€Å"Holzer writes messages which are not in â€Å"her† voice but in styles that mimic the anonymous voices of authority† government, education and advertising† (Toby Clark, Art and Propaganda, 1997, page 155) The film created in the time of Soviet Russia was also influential. It has had an affect on the film production and movie editing of today. The film Battleship Potemkin, a silent film directed in 1925 by Eisenstein is one of the first examples of evocative film editing and of propaganda in film, it served as a warning against rebellion toward the government, such was the influence of this film, people at the time of its release who viewed it believed these were real events. The films this influence is apparent in are The Untouchables and Brazil. In my opinion the imagery of the Soviet era is incredibly iconic and it is not surprising that it has been borrowed time and time again. It seems evident from the examples in the text that everything from companies and politicians and popular culture will continue to borrow some of the imagery and iconography that the Constructivists strived to create, it is interesting that the artistic movements at the time of the Soviet era are not known as well as some. I have come to the conclusion that Soviet idealism has influenced much of today’s culture though the message is obviously not the same. I think the much of the advertising inspired by The Constructivists is clever as it can tap into what makes an image iconic. Companies that use the Russia propaganda style of imagery are looking to give their product cult status and iconography. With reworking of the Soviet and Constructivist style the designers are borrowing some of that power. In a world where we are saturate by advertisements the ones inspired by Constructivism are most successful in my opinion.

Marketing of Projects Essay Example

Marketing of Projects Essay The first and one of the critical steps in the project cycle management is the identification and selection process.This is an important stage such that it can affect the whole process including that of sustainability of the project after completion and transferring to operational phase. However, this stage is overlooked in some cases particularly in the process of capturing the actual needs of the beneficiaries. Instead of demand driven approach some donors including international organizations would like to follow supply driven approach. In the actual practice projects should be identified from the perspective of the needs or demand of the beneficiaries whether at community or national levels.Countries need to craft their strategic plans and programs from the point of view of the interest of their people. Donors both bilateral and multilateral including international organizations and non-governmental organizations need to direct their assistance based on the programs of the countr ies which are reflecting the actual needs of their citizens. In other words the assistance of donors should be synchronized with that of the needs of the countries that are clearly shown in the strategic plans of the latter.However, what we see in practice is not similar to that of what has been said. Particularly donations from international organizations tend to focus on the interest of the donors instead of that of the recipients. Many NGOs in developing countries of Africa, for instance, design their own program based on the aim or intention of the resources from donors rather than the needs of the society at large or the community in particular. It does not mean that recipients of funds from donors should not take into account the focus of donation funds.As the recipients have enormous needs to be addressed, then it is imperative to align and match their projects towards the interest of the donors as well. In the world where we have so many poor nations that need to be helped a nd few nations that can help then this is some kind of competition for scanty resources, i. e. funds from donors. Thus there is a need to win the competition by a given nation through adopting a smart strategy. This, among other things, require the strategy of keeping the balance between the donors’ intention of funding and the country’s policy or goals to meet the interest of the society.One of the main reasons for the failure of projects either at early stage of the implementation or not being sustainable after getting into operation stages is low attention given at the project identification and selection stage. I believe that the smart strategy of maintaining the balance between the recipient countries interest and donors fund focus area is not seriously considered during project identification and planning. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to understand the concepts of Project and Project Cycle Management (PCM) and to critically examine one of the phases of PCM, which is Project Identification.An attempt will be made to identify inherent problems that are commonly overlooked at this stage of project cycle management and to come out with recommendations as part of solutions to the problems. 2. Understanding of Project and Project Cycle Management (PCM) 2. 1 What is project? According to Nicholas, John M. (2001) some of the characteristics that warrant classifying an activity as a project centers on the purpose, complexity, uniqueness, unfamiliarity, stake, impermanence, and life cycle of the activity.Based on these features then project is defined as follows: †¢ A project involves a single, definable purpose, end-item, or results, usually specified in terms of costs, schedule, and performance requirements. †¢ Every project is unique, in that it requires doing something different than was done previously. †¢ Projects are temporary activities. †¢ Projects cuts across organizational lines because they need the skills a nd talents from multiple professionals and organizations. †¢ Projects involve unfamiliarity†¦. posses significant elements of uncertainty and risk. †¢ The organization has something at stake when doing a project. Finally, a project is the process of working to achieve a goal; during the process, projects pass through several distinct phases, called the project life cycle. Westland, Jason (2006): A project is a unique endeavour to produce a set of deliverables within clearly specified time, cost and quality constraints. Projects are different from standard business operational activities as they: †¢ Are unique in nature. They do not involve repetitive processes. Every project undertaken is different from the last, whereas operational activities often involve undertaking repetitive (identical) processes. Have a defined timescale. Projects have a clearly specified start and end date within which the deliverables must be produced to meet a specified customer requirem ent. †¢ Have an approved budget. Projects are allocated a level of financial expenditure within which the deliverables are produced, to meet a specified customer requirement. †¢ Have limited resources. At the start of a project an agreed amount of labour, equipment and materials is allocated to the project. †¢ Involve an element of risk. Projects entail a level of uncertainty and therefore carry business risk. †¢ Achieve beneficial change.The purpose of a project is typically to improve an organization through the implementation of business change. GTZ (1996): A project can be described as a process of providing inputs over a limited period: using the resources provided, activities are conducted and outputs (results) generated, in order to achieve a previously defined impact (the project purpose). We talk of programmes when more than one project in a sector, sub-sector or region are linked together by a clearly defined concept. Projects and programmes are sustain able if the impact continues to have effect.RPRLGSP, May 2009: Project is defined as follows: †¢ Work that is temporary and produces a unique product or service †¢ An intervention to conduct activities, in order to provide assistance, that will allow the ‘users’ to improve their own situation’’ †¢ An undertaking for the purpose of achieving established objectives, within a given †¢ budget and time period’’ †¢ An investment of resources to produce goods or services 2. 2 What is project management? Westland, Jason (2006): Project Management is the skills, tools and management processes required to undertake a project successfully.It incorporates: [pic] Figure 1: Project management components [pic]A set of skills. Specialist knowledge, skills and experience are required to reduce the level of risk within a project and thereby enhance its likelihood of success. [pic] A suite of tools. Various types of tools are used by pr oject managers to improve their chances of success. Examples include document templates, registers, planning software, modelling software, audit checklists and review forms. [pic] A series of processes. Various processes and techniques are required to monitor and control time, cost, quality and scope on projects.Examples include time management, cost management, quality management, change management, risk management and issue management. RPRLGSP, May 2009: PMBOK 2008, defines project management as ‘the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities, to meet specific scope, time, cost and quality goals of projects’. John M. Nicholas (2001): Project management is a system/ contingency approach to organization and management; it applies elements of classical and behavioral management and uses organizational forms and management roles best suited to the unique environment of projects. 2. 3 What is Project Cycle Management?In general we can defi ne Project Cycle Management as a tool that describes the management activities and decision making procedures used during the life-cycle of a project. The following sections show the definition given to PCM in different documents. Lucian CIOLAN –Trainer- EU Project Cycle Management: The project cycle follows the life of a project, from the initial idea through its completion. It provides a structure to ensure that stakeholders are consulted, and defines the key decision, information requirements and responsibilities at each phase so that informed decision can be made at each phase in the life of the project.RPRLGSP, May 2009: The systematic process of initiating, planning, implementing, managing and evaluating projects or programmes is known as ‘Project Cycle Management’, PCM ; it is also defined as an approach in project management used to guide management activities and decision-making procedures during the life-cycle of a project, from the first idea until the last ex-post (afterwards) evaluation. European Commission (March,2002): Project Cycle Management defines different phases in the project life with well-defined management activities and decision making procedures.PCM provides a structure to ensure that stakeholders are consulted and relevant information is available, so that informed decisions can be made at key stages in the life of a project. European Commission (May 1999): The way in which projects are planned and carried out follows a sequence that has become known as the project cycle. The cycle starts with the identification of an idea and develops that idea into a working plan that can be implemented and evaluated.Project Cycle Management integrates the phases in the project cycle so that issues are examined systematically, by means of an approach and methodology which ensures that objectives and issues of sustainability remains in focus. 2. 3What are the phases of the project cycle? Westland, Jason (2006): The project life cycle consists of four phases: Project initiation: During this phase a business problem or opportunity is identified and a business case providing various solution options is defined. Next, a feasibility study is conducted to investigate whether each option addresses the business problem and a final recommended solution is hen put forward. Project planning: This phase involves outlining the activities, tasks, dependencies and timeframes; resource plan; financial plan; quality plan; acceptance plan; and procurement plan. Project execution: This phase involves implementing the plans created during the project planning phase. Project closure: Project closure involves releasing the final deliverables to the customer, handing over project documentation to the business, terminating supplier contracts, releasing project resources and communicating the closure of the project to all stakeholders. [pic]Figure 2: The four phases of the project life cycle GTZ (1996): Categorize Project Cycle in to three phases: †¢ Identification phase-asses outset situation, establish system of objectives †¢ Concept phase-establish project concept, prepare decisions to implement the project †¢ Implementation phase- operationalize planning, implement, adjust and update planning, and terminate project RPRLGSP, May 2009: Typically, the project cycle comprises 6 or more standard project stages, phases or activities, arranged in a logical sequence to accomplish a project’s goals or objectives.Stage 1: Policy setting Stage 2: Project Identification Stage 3: Appraisal Stage 4: Formulation/planning Stage 5: Contracting/ commitment Stage 6: Implementation, monitoring midterm evaluation Stage 7: Final evaluation Lucian CIOLAN(27-29 of September, 2007): The generic project cycle within EC external aid programmes has six phases. [pic] PROGRAMMING: What are the partner’s development priorities and what is the EC’s focus for assistance?During the Programming phase, t he situation at national and sectoral level is analyzed to identify problems, constraints and opportunities which co-operation could address. This involves a review of socio-economic indicators, and of national and donor priorities. The purpose is to identify the main objectives and sectoral priorities for co-operation, and thus to provide a relevant and feasible programming frame-work within which projects can be identified and prepared. IDENTIFICATION: Is the project concept relevant to priority local needs and consistent with EC policy priorities?The purpose of the identification stage is to: †¢ identify project ideas that are consistent with partner and EC development priorities; †¢ assess the relevance and likely feasibility of these project ideas; †¢ under the ‘Programme approach’, prepare a Financing Proposal, or an Identification Fiche for individual projects; and †¢ prepare a financing decision for a Programme of projects, or determine the s cope of further work required during the formulation stage for individual projectsFORMULATION Is the project feasible and will it deliver sustainable benefits? The purpose of the Formulation stage is to: †¢ Confirm the relevance and feasibility of the project idea as proposed in the Identification Fiche or Project Fiche; †¢ Prepare a detailed project design, including the management and coordination arrangements, financing plan, cost-benefit analysis, risk management, monitoring, evaluation and audit arrangements; and †¢ Prepare a Financing Proposal (for individual projects) and a financing decision.IMPLEMENTATION, INCLUDING MONITORING AND REPORTING: Are results being achieved and resources efficiently and effectively used? What corrective action should be taken? The purpose of the implementation stage is to: †¢ Deliver the results, achieve the purpose(s) and contribute effectively to the overall objective of the project; †¢ Manage the available resources ef ficiently; and †¢ Monitor and report on progress. EVALUATION :Were planned benefits achieved, will they be sustainable, and what lessons have been learned? The purpose of evaluation is to:Make an assessment, as systematic and objective as possible, of an ongoing or completed project, programme or policy, its design, implementation and results. AUDIT: Has there been compliance with applicable laws and rules? Are efficiency, economy and effectiveness criteria being met? The purpose of an audit is to: †¢ Assess an activity/subject that is the responsibility of another party against identified suitable criteria; †¢ Express a conclusion (i. e. opinion) that provides the intended user with a level of assurance about the activity/subject being audited.According to the European Commission Manual (March 2002) the six phases of the project including the major documents to be produced and decisions to be made under each phase are summarized in the following table: |Project Cycle |Major Documents |Decision | |Programming |Country Strategy Paper |Priority areas; Sectors; timetable | |Identification |Pre-feasibility study; Project |Which options to study further | | |Identification Sheet; | | |Appraisal |Feasibility study; Draft financing |Whether to draw up major financing proposal| | |proposal | | |Financing |Financing proposal; Financing agreement |To fund | |Implementation |Progress and monitoring reports |To continue as planned or to re-orient | | | |project (mid-term evaluation); about the | | | |need for extension | |Evaluation |Evaluation study |How to use results in future programming | It is possible to summarize the phases of the PCM discussed by different authors as shown in the following format. |Westland, Jason | | | | | | |(2006) | |RPRLGSP, May 2009() |EC (March 2002) |Lucian CIOLAN (2007) | |Stages | |GTZ (1996) | | | | |1 |Project |Identification phase |Policy setting |Programming |Programming | | |initiation | | | | | |2 |Project planning | Concept phase |Project Identification |Identification |Identification | |3 |Project execution|Implementation phase |Appraisal |Appraisal |Formulation | |4 |Project closure | |Formulation/planning |Financing |Implementation | |5 | | |Contracting/ commitment |Implementation |Evaluation | |6 | | |Implementation, monitoring |Evaluation |Audit | | | | |midterm evaluation | | | |7 | | |Final evaluation | | | Furthermore these stages of project cycle presented by different authors can be summarized in three phases.These are Preparation, Implementation and Project Closure Evaluation. 3. Analysis: Project Identification Selection According to Westland, Jason (2006) the project identification and selection of the project cycle is slotted in the Project Initiation Phase. Within the initiation phase, the business problem or opportunity is identified, a solution is defined, a project is formed and a project team is appointed to build and deliver the solution to the customer. Figure 3: shows t he activities undertaken during the initiation phase: [pic] Figure 3: Project initiation activities Develop a business case: The trigger to initiating a project is identifying a business problem or opportunity to be addressed.A business case is created to define the problem or opportunity in detail and identify a preferred solution for implementation. The business case includes: [pic] A detailed description of the problem or opportunity; [pic] A list of the alternative solutions available; [pic] An analysis of the business benefits, costs, risks and issues; [pic] A description of the preferred solution; [pic] A summarized plan for implementation The business case is then approved by an identified project sponsor, and the required funding is allocated to proceed with a feasibility study. Undertake a feasibility study: At any stage during or after the creation of a business case, a formal feasibility study may be commissioned.The purpose of a feasibility study is to assess the likelih ood of each alternative solution option achieving the benefits outlined in the business case. The feasibility study will also investigate whether the forecast costs are reasonable, the solution is achievable, the risks are acceptable and the identified issues are avoidable. Establish the terms of reference: After the business case and feasibility study have been approved, a new project is formed. At this point, terms of reference are created. The terms of reference define the vision, objectives, scope and deliverables for the new project. They also describe the organization structure, activities, resources and funding required to undertake the project. Any risks, issues, planning assumptions and constraints are also identified.Appoint the project team: The project team is now ready to be appointed. Although a project manager may be appointed at any stage during the life of the project, the manager will ideally be appointed prior to recruiting the project team. The project manager cr eates a detailed job description for each role in the project team, and recruits people into each role based on their relevant skills and experience. Set up a project office: The project office is the physical environment within which the team is based. Although it is usual to have one central project office, it is possible to have a virtual project office with project team members located around the world.A project office environment should include: [pic] Equipment, such as office furniture, computer equipment, stationery and materials; [pic] Communications infrastructure, such as telephones, computer network, e-mail, Internet access, file storage, database storage and backup facilities; [pic] Documentation, such as a project methodology, standards, processes, forms and registers; [pic] Tools, such as accounting, project planning and risk modeling software. Perform a phase review: At the end of the initiation phase, a phase review is performed. This is basically a checkpoint to ens ure that the project has achieved its objectives as planned.RPRLGSP (May 2009): Policy Setting precede the project identification stage. Policy Setting is the establishment of the development vision guiding the Local Authority and it includes the strategic planning process whereby the long term direction of the Local Authority is established. Accordingly Project Identification is the stage 2 of the project cycle is Project identification or initiation, where Local Authorities identify projects from an assessment of existing demand for goods or services based on 3 main sources, †¢ The Council’s Strategic Plan/IDP †¢ The annual LASDAP consultations where citizens articulate their needs †¢ Baseline surveys and diagnostic studies to meet special needsThe main practice in Local Authorities however, is to follow their primary mandates in the choice of projects, with additional ‘demand’ projects from LASDAP priorities. This planning is often called Ã¢â‚¬Ë œdemand led planning’ and is often disjointed from the more proactive policy and strategic planning process that has been described in stage 1. The problem with this demand approach is that project feasibility and sustainability is affected because the demands led planning comes with vested interests not matched with an objective appraisal of projects. As a result, LAs invest in a fragmented portfolio of projects that are neither linked to the national plans nor to their own strategic plans.It is important therefore, that at the project identification/initiation stage, LAs choose projects from many alternative ideas or schemes that balance between local demands, strategic priorities, ongoing diagnostics, and research or baseline studies. To determine ‘demand’ projects from communities or stakeholders, 2 key elements are involved; (i) needs analysis and (ii) situation analysis. i) Needs Analysis: Analysing the present actual situation can be ‘problem basedâ €™ or ‘opportunity based’. It concerns identifying the priority problems/ opportunities and their main causes, and identifying the causes that can be addressed by the project intervention.It is essential to understand the resources within the community or from others, that are relevant to tackling the problems. It is important therefore that all many citizens and stakeholder groups get the chance to express the problems they experience and recommend solutions. Discussions, opinions and clarifications by the problem ‘owners’ should be respected. The Manual on Community Participation has elaborate guidelines on how to conduct participatory needs assessment situation analysis. This ensures that ‘ownership’ which is part of the project pre-feasibility is established from people’s needs and requirements. ii) Situation Analysis: Situation analysis concerns identifying the priority problems/ opportunities and their main causes.This is an i mportant factor because people’s desires and assessment of their needs, may be based on ‘symptoms’ of an underlying or situational factor; addressing the symptoms will not solve the problems because the cause and effect have not been properly analysed. A properly planned intervention should therefore combine both needs analysis and situational analysis, based upon a correct and complete analysis of the existing situation. This involves analysing the present actual situation through various methods (transect walk, social mapping, gender analysis etc). The method chosen, can be ‘problem based’ e. g. what are the prevalent problem situations or ‘opportunity based’, e. g. is there an opportunity to serve people with disability?After discussion and clarification by the ‘problem owner’ or people affected by the problem, all opinions should be respected. The aim is to create a picture of reality. The existing situation should be in terpreted according to the views, needs, interests and activities of parties concerned. It is essential that all those involved accept the plans and are committed to implement them. A greater involvement of the beneficiaries and stakeholders in defining local problems, identifying solutions and implementing them ensures that the resulting programmes are more effective and sustainable. Participatory methods aim to create ownership and commitment among the involved parties.Once the projects are identified from needs situational assessments, the LA should consider the priority projects to be undertaken, and to do this, they must subject those needs/priorities to further review. This introduces the 3rd stage of the project cycle, project appraisal stage. VLIR (July 2002): Within the VLIR programme framework, problems, needs and interests of possible stakeholders are analysed and ideas for projects and other actions are identified and formulated in broad terms. This involves a study of the project context to obtain an idea of the relevance, the feasibility and sustainability of the proposal. A comparison of this information with the funding criteria will allow an assessment of the funding chances. The EU Project Cycle Management model takes PROGRAMMING as an initial phase of the process.In the training manual prepared by Lucian CIOLAN (2007) it is indicated that during the Programming phase, the situation at national and sectoral level is analyzed to identify problems, constraints and opportunities which co-operation could address. This involves a review of socio-economic indicators, and of national and donor priorities. The purpose is to identify the main objectives and sectoral priorities for co-operation, and thus to provide a relevant and feasible programming frame-work within which projects can be identified and prepared. According to EC manual the main question asked at project identification phase is: â€Å"Is the project concept relevant to priority local needs and consistent with EC policy priorities? The manual further describes the purpose of the identification stage as: †¢ identify project ideas that are consistent with partner and EC development priorities; †¢ assess the relevance and likely feasibility of these project ideas; †¢ under the ‘Programme approach’, prepare a Financing Proposal or an Identification Fiche for individual projects, and †¢ prepare a financing decision for a Programme of projects, or determine the scope of further work required during the formulation stage for individual projects. NB: Each project ‘general objective’ should be derived from an appropriate objective statement in the Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Planning or from a relevant sector policy or programme objective.During the identification phase the key assessments required to help ensure the relevance and feasibility of a project idea are: (i) assessment of policy and programming f ramework; (ii) stakeholder analysis, including institutional capacity assessment; (iii) problem analysis, including scoping of crosscutting issues (e. g. gender, governance, environment); (iv) assessment of other ongoing and planned initiatives, and assessment of lessons learned; (v) preliminary objectives and strategy analysis; (vi) preliminary assessment of resource and cost parameters; (vii) preliminary assessment of project management, coordination and financing arrangements; and (viii) preliminary assessment of economic/financial, environmental, technical and social sustainability issues.The key documents required by the EC at the identification stage of the cycle are therefore: †¢ Terms of reference for any EC funded prefeasibility studies; †¢ The Identification Fiche, including as appropriate draft terms of reference for a feasibility/design study; or †¢ A Financing Proposal for a programme/package of projects (e. g Action Programme together with Project Fiches ). EC Manual (March 2002):During the Programming phase, the situation at national and sectoral level is analyzed to identify problems, constraints and opportunities which co-operation could address. This involves a review of socio-economic indicators, and of national and donor priorities.The purpose is to identify the main objectives and sectoral priorities for co-operation, and thus to provide a relevant and feasible programming frame-work within which projects can be identified and prepared. For each of these priori-ties, strategies that take account of the lessons of past experience will be formulated. During the Identification phase, and within the framework established by the Country Strategy Paper, the stress is on analysis of relevance of project ideas, which includes an analysis of the stakeholders and of the likely target groups and beneficiaries (who they are: women and men from different socio-economic groups; assessment of their potentials, etc. and of the situation, inc luding an analysis of the problems they face, and the identification of options to address these problems. Sectoral, thematic or â€Å"pre-feasibility† studies may be carried out (including consultations with stakeholders) to help identify, select or investigate specific ideas, and to define what further studies may be needed to formulate a project or action. The outcome is a decision on whether or not the option(s) developed should be further studied in detail. Overall responsibility for Identification is with EuropeAid who initiates missions, studies and related preparatory work (including consultations with others donors and potential co-financing) in order to define the activities (projects, programmes, sectoral support, etc. ) to be financed.A priority list is established indicating which projects should be appraised immediately for a rapid start of implementation, in the following year and so on. 4. Case Studies: Case Study 1: Project Identification Based Countries Stra tegy: African Development Bank Group (August 2008): Project linkages with country strategy and objectives The Tanzania mainland’s National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty, known by its Kiswahili acronym, ‘MKUKUTA’ covers the period 2005-2010. It identifies three clusters of broad outcomes: i) economic growth and poverty reduction; ii) improvement of the quality of live and social wellbeing; and iii) governance and accountability.Goal 3 of Cluster (ii) addresses increased access to clean, affordable and safe water, sanitation, decent shelter and a safe and sustainable environment. Zanzibar’s Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (MKUZA) has been developed as a response to similar development needs. Zanzibar Development Vision 2020 provides the over-arching framework to reduce poverty. The Zanzibar Poverty Reduction Plan (ZPRP 2007-2010), Cluster 2, Social Services and Well Being, includes amongst others goals for i) increased access to c lean, safe and affordable water and ii) improved sanitation and sustainable environment. The Joint Assistance Strategy for Tanzania (JAST) is a compact between Government and Development Partners (DPs) for managing development co-operation.It came into force in 2006. The efforts to harmonise aid management systems on the mainland with those on Zanzibar are at an advanced stage. Case Study 2: Project Identification Based on the Local Problems: UNDP (2006): Lare (a community in Kenya-Africa) is a dry area with no permanent rivers. It receives an average of 700 millimeters of rainfall a year but this varies widely from one year to another. It is also unevenly distributed among the seasons. Farmers in Lare have identifies four major constraints to agricultural production, with scarcity of water as a major one. Before 1998, about 70 percent of all households in the area experienced shortages of water.In addition, not only was there insufficient water, but it was also of poor quality and caused a high incidence of water born diseases. In 1999, a project involving nine collaborating institutions was initiated to address rainwater harvesting practices and water treatment along with other technologies required by the farmers. The two case studies discussed above represent different factors for project identification. In case of Case 1 project consideration was given to the linkage of the project to the overall country strategy. This is taken as the main justification for the identification of a given project as a priority need of the country. In Case 2 project the local situation of the community was taken as the means for the project identification.Depending on the country’s strategy alone sometimes may lead to wrong conclusion. The country strategy may be outdated such that may lack to capture the changes that have occurred since the time of its formulation. The reality on the ground particularly the conditions in the target community may not warrant the feasi bility of the project and can lead to the failure of implementation. On the other hand many NGOs in developing country are focusing on target community needs in the identification of projects without recognition of the country strategy. This again can lead to the question of sustainability of the implemented projects due to lack of acceptance of the endeavors by the local and national governments.Therefore, the identification stage of PCM needs to

Free Essays on Euripedes

Title of work- Medea Country/Culture- Greek Literary Period- Classical Type of literature (genre)- Drama/Tragedy Author- Euripedes Authorial information- Euripedes lived from ca. 485 to ca. 406 B.C. making him younger thank Aeschylus and Sophocles, and making him the last of the great writers of tragedy in the golden age of Athens. His emphasis on human emotions and the psychology of individuals has proven more widely popular than philosophical beliefs shown in his older contemporary works. Medea, first produced in 431 B.C., features strong dramatic situations and is focused on the heroine Medea. Medea’s attitude of feminine pride and is a contradiction of tradition. Author’s unique style- Euripedes was a revolutionary during his time, portraying women in a light never before seen in literature. He preferred to dignify women and show men as the villains. Euripedes also used the factor of the women’s role to show the weakness in humans and their believe systems. He would use the common people as characters rather then heroes, as shown in most epics. Euripedes preferred situations that showed characters torn between conflicting desires. For instance in Medea, the plot to kill Medea’s two children attracts mixed feelings. Her great love for her sons causes her to question, which is greater, revenge or love. The violent obsessions prevail though, bringing the death of her sons and her acquiring revenge upon her husband. Setting- Medea was based in 5th century B.C. Greece during an age when women were seen as inferior to men. Yet Medea is portrayed as the heroine and the as being more clever then the two male characters, Creon and Jason. The story of Medea takes place in Corinth, in front on Medea’s house. Though many events do take place in other regions of the city, we only obtain knowledge of them through hearsay. Euripedes used this tool in theaters for the audience to visualize the ... Free Essays on Euripedes Free Essays on Euripedes Title of work- Medea Country/Culture- Greek Literary Period- Classical Type of literature (genre)- Drama/Tragedy Author- Euripedes Authorial information- Euripedes lived from ca. 485 to ca. 406 B.C. making him younger thank Aeschylus and Sophocles, and making him the last of the great writers of tragedy in the golden age of Athens. His emphasis on human emotions and the psychology of individuals has proven more widely popular than philosophical beliefs shown in his older contemporary works. Medea, first produced in 431 B.C., features strong dramatic situations and is focused on the heroine Medea. Medea’s attitude of feminine pride and is a contradiction of tradition. Author’s unique style- Euripedes was a revolutionary during his time, portraying women in a light never before seen in literature. He preferred to dignify women and show men as the villains. Euripedes also used the factor of the women’s role to show the weakness in humans and their believe systems. He would use the common people as characters rather then heroes, as shown in most epics. Euripedes preferred situations that showed characters torn between conflicting desires. For instance in Medea, the plot to kill Medea’s two children attracts mixed feelings. Her great love for her sons causes her to question, which is greater, revenge or love. The violent obsessions prevail though, bringing the death of her sons and her acquiring revenge upon her husband. Setting- Medea was based in 5th century B.C. Greece during an age when women were seen as inferior to men. Yet Medea is portrayed as the heroine and the as being more clever then the two male characters, Creon and Jason. The story of Medea takes place in Corinth, in front on Medea’s house. Though many events do take place in other regions of the city, we only obtain knowledge of them through hearsay. Euripedes used this tool in theaters for the audience to visualize the ...

Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 32

Personal Statement Example My love for science placed me in a good position in class as an excellent student with high levels of innovativeness. I have participated in a number of conferences, workshops, and symposiums to further my knowledge in the field and create networks with other professionals. Based on the fact that I’m greatly motivated and inspired to develop and grow as a professional mechanical engineer, it has become necessary for me to further my skills. A master’s degree will give more competitiveness and place me in a better position in the professional. From my experiences at China Southern Airline, I noticed that there is a deficiency in aviation mechanics in regard to the manner in which inspections are carried out. Given an opportunity to further my skills in this field, I would like to venture further into this field and provide possible solutions that will improve the industry. The University of Washington is a reputable institution of higher learning known for its competitiv e graduate. In particular, the University’s Mechanical Engineering Department is one of the leading faculties in the institution. It has about 235 students taking various courses whereby 153 of them are full-time students while the rest are part-time students. The institution is known for its engagement in vigorous research and student’s career development. Based on these positive attributes of the institution, it remains my most preferred institution for taking my master’s degree program in mechanical engineering.