Bilateral Trade Between Eu and Western Balkan Free Essays

The paper centers around the two-sided exchange between Western Balkans nations and the EU and enfaces on understandings, consistency of the exchange, extension and investigation of the exchange stream. It likewise clarifies which are the Western Balkans nations, affordable attributes, legally binding association with the EU. It is comprised of three sections. We will compose a custom paper test on Two-sided Trade Between Eu and Western Balkan or on the other hand any comparable point just for you Request Now In initial segment is clarified the meaning of the Western Balkan nations, out reciprocal exchange trade between the EU and Western Balkans as a typical district. Second part examinations understandings between the EU and Western Balkans nations in regards to exchange and EU perspective.Finally, third part centers around the key pointers and exchange equalization of every nation of the district with the EU. 2. WESTERN BALKANS IN GENERAL Western Balkans is a locale in Europe which incorporates Albania and conditions of Former Yugoslavia without Slovenia. Those nations are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo (as characterized as UNMIK 1244), Republic of Macedonia and Albania. The outside of this district is around 265. 000 square kilometers and all out populace inside is 24 million inhabitants.Historical foundation of those states is that every one of them had socialistically government. Albania was self-detached state and under iron blind after Second World War. It was additionally an individual from Warsaw agreement until Sino-Soviet split (exacerbating relations between Soviet Union and PR China). Then again, Yugoslavia had one of a kind communist model on the planet called â€Å"self-management†, which had restricted receptiveness toward the western nations. All nations had turnout to entrepreneur framework in the nineties, with high swelling, high pace of debasement, enduring economies and higher joblessness rate.After wars in Yugoslavia were set up five new nations: Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Macedonia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Republic of Macedonia had a name debate of Greece (which is a piece of European Union) and has temporary name of FYROM in authentic EU reports. FR Yugoslavia was changed in 2003 into State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Montenegro left this association in 2006 and Republic of Serbia became formal replacement of the State Union. Kosovo proclaimed singularly freedom in 2008, and the EU formally considers it to be a different monetary region.Candidate statuses for promotion in the EU have Croatia and Republic of Macedonia, while different nations are considered as potential applicants. Each one of those nations are individuals from CEFTA. 3. Financial INDICATORS IN GENERAL According to International Monetary Fund affinity of 2008, GDP per capita in those states is shifting between 1. 167,00â‚ ¬ in Kosovo UNMIK and 10. 375,00â‚ ¬ in Croatia. Most elevated level is underneath EU 15, however higher than in Romania and Bulgaria. Examinations show that this district has requirement for additional financial and social union with the EU.In 2003 it was anticipated that the EU expansion towards Western Balkans nations would not be huge, regarding monetary scale, as the ostensible GDP and the GDP per capita are at moderately low levels. (World Bank (World Development Indicators)) The locale has gained solid ground, outpacing Central Europe in financial development with a normal GDP increment of over 5% in 2005. The particularly solid financial advancement is relied upon to proceed in the following quite a while. Swelling has to a great extent been monitored, and is relied upon to decay further in the quick future.The region’s improving danger profile and monetary standpoint are likewise approved by the universal FICO scores. As joblessness is still high, practical monetary development and employment creation are the significant difficulties the area faces. 4. Understandings BETWEEN EU AND THE WESTERN BALKANS 4. 1 AGREEMENTS OF BILATERAL TRADE BEFORE STABILIZATION AND ASSOCIATION PROCESS Before the beginning of the adjustment and affiliation process, and ensuing indication of adjustment and affiliation understandings between the EU on one side and the Western Balkan states on the other, every nation had separate concurrences with EU, in regards to the exchange preferences.Albania has been profiting by European Union’s General System of Preferences. Exchange with Macedonia was administered by a collaboration concurrence with the European Union finished up in 1998. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia were approved to exchange inclinations under the original of Autonomous Trade Preferences presented in 1997, which have been quickly applied to Serbia and Montenegro before they were denied. (Chamber Regulation (EC) No 70/1997, altered by Regulations 2636/97 (for1998) and 2863/98 (for 1999), and Council Regulation (EC) 6/2000 (January-October 2000)) . 2 SAA †Stabilization AND ASSOCIATION PROCESSES WITH THE COUNTRIES OF WB This procedure began by characterizing its principle models by the General Affairs Council in April 1997. After two years, in May 1999, the European Commission distributed a correspondence for the foundation of the adjustment and affiliation process. Nations included, correctly the Western Balkan nations, should fulfill the base guidelines as characterized so as to begin the adjustment and affiliation understanding negotiations.Some of these standards are: make genuine open doors for dislodged individuals and displaced people to come back to their places of starting point, readmission of unlawful foreigners, consistence with worldwide harmony understandings, rule of law, vote based system and consistence with human and minority rights, free and rea sonable decisions, nonattendance of unfair treatment, usage of first financial change steps (privatization, abrogation of value controls), demonstrated preparation to take part in great neighborly relations.Five nations that take an interest in the Stabilization and Association Process are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. There are a great deal of similitudes among these five nations, yet the primary one is their shared objective for EU participation. Then again, there are a great deal of contrasts between them, in the pace of monetary changes and the conceivable time span for EU promotion. The Stabilization and Association Process is the fundamental current system approach of the European Union for the Western Balkans.This Process has three significant parts, one is the Stabilization and Association Agreements, second is the Autonomous Trade Measures and the latter is the money related help (CARDS). (Report from the Commission Second Annual Report †Annex 1, COM (2003) 139 last) 4. 2. 1 Stabilization AND ASSOCIATION AGREEMENTS Stabilization and affiliation understandings (SAAs) are the primary legally binding structure between the EU and every Western Balkan nation. Adjustment and Association Agreements were gone before by the adjustment and affiliation rocess. The SAAs understandings have fundamentally the same as qualities with the Europe Agreements despite the fact that with certain differentiations. The SAA gives bit by bit foundation of organized commerce region with the EU, slow arrangement to EU enactment in various zones with an accentuation to the inward market rules; finish of respective understandings (for the most part in the interior market regions) with neighboring nations and collaboration with the EU on issues, for example, equity, visa, fringe control, illicit movement and others.Interim Agreements are marked all the while with the SAAs. They spread the exchange related pieces of the SAAs and go into power a lot quicker, as they don't should be endorsed by the EU Member States. (Commission staff working paper SEC 128 last) * The SAA concurrences with Croatia and Republic of Macedonia have been in power since April 2004 and February 2005 separately * Albania has consented to the arrangement on 15. 10. 2007 and it is still un der confirmation * Montenegro signedthe SAA on 15. 10. 2007, it is under ratification.The Interim Agreement went into power on 1. 1. 2008 * Serbia has marked the SAA on 29. 04. 2008. The Council of April 2008 concluded that the approval system will be propelled and execution of the Interim Agreement will begin when the Council concludes that Serbia is completely helping out the International Criminal Tribunal for the previous Yugoslavia (ICTY) * Bosnia and Herzegovina has marked the SAA on 16. 6. 2008. The Interim Agreement went into power on 01. 07. 2008 4. 2. 2 ATM †AUTONOMOUS TRADE PREFERENCESBy Regulation (EC) No 2007/2000 of 18 September 2000 which had reconsidered Regulation (EC) No 2820/98, and canceled the Regulations (EC) No 1763/1999 and (EC) No 6/2000, the European Communities have permitted one of a kind boundless obligation free access to the EU showcase for about all items starting in the nations and regions profiting by the Stabilization and Association Process. The Lisbon European Council of March 2000 determined that Stabilization and Association Agreements with Western Balkan nations, which incorporate the foundation of Free Trade Areas â€Å"should be gone before by deviated exchange liberalization†.As part of the Stabilization and Association process the Council of Ministers embraced the Council Regulation 2007/2000, and afterward altered by Council Regulation (EC) 2563/2000, to build the current self-governing exchange inclinations, and give self-sufficient exchange progression to 95% of every one of their f ares to EU. In the understanding of the Stabilization and Association Process, the conceding of these uncommon exchange inclinations is dependent upon certain conditions.Namely, regard of the recipient nations and domains of key standards of vote based system and human rights, the availability of the nations worried to create shared financial relations and to take part in monetary changes and territorial coordination through exchange. Benefit to the excellent exchange inclinations is restrictive on the recipient’s inclusion in compelling admini

Africa Is Perhaps The Most Mysterious Continent In The World. Its Eth

Africa is maybe the most secretive mainland on the planet. It's ethnic, social, and strict decent variety is great. Endeavoring to talk about a social viewpoint, for example, music, without restricting the degree, would be incomprehensible. ?The territory of inclusion has been restricted to Sub-Sahara, Black Africa?(Graham1). At the point when an individual hears the term African music, he most likely thinks about the African-American structures, for example, Hip-Hop or Reggae. Very few individuals today recognize what African music is about. They know nothing about it since they most likely discover the music to some degree crude. A nearby examination, in any case, will uncover the inverse. African music has a ton of substance in it and went from a type of diversion to a lifestyle. African music was not just utilized as music, as it is utilized here in the United States. At the point when one thinks about a lifestyle, he likely thinks about his activity, however in Africa not very numerous individuals pick music as their occupation. African artists are individuals who play while others move or are in a gathering, for example, Senufo, an ensemble comprising of ranchers, metalworkers, and other tribesmen. (Bebey 3) A ton of Westerners dismiss African music since it takes hours to comprehend. Westerners who need to comprehend it need to acknowledge the possibility that it isn't as unsurprising as conventional Western music. Most Westerns like music that is satisfying to tune in to be that as it may, The customary African artist's point is to just communicate life in the entirety of its angles through the vehicle of sound (Van Rensburg). Music has been a piece of Slam 2 most African individuals' lives since they were conceived. They begin making instruments at three years old or four, and melodic games are additionally played. A few adolescents even attempt to copy their seniors in moving and playing music. There are in any event, expanding measures of understudies for piano(University). African music is likewise utilized for perking individuals up. ?In some African social orders music is a dynamic and main thrust that vivifies the life of the whole network? (Van Rensburg). It is once in a while utilized for deals; a few Africans draw in their customers by singing. African music is even utilized for clinical purposes, such a training is called witch doctoring. Griots are supposed to be witch specialists, yet they are significantly more. Griots as a rule spend significant time in conjuring extraordinary creatures. Likewise numerous individuals in Africa use music to impart to the profound world. Baule, harp players, are know to speak with the soul world. This trademark is reverberated all through African clans. Most harp-lute players are likewise diviners as well as healers? (Bebey 22). The instruments, including the human voice, are shifted as the kinds of music themselves. African artists normally make their own instruments with the goal that they will suit their own specific tastes. (Bebey 40). The drum is the most significant instrument to African music. In the event that it is absent, at that point it will be subbed by hand applauding or stepping. ?Vocal music is really the quintessence of African music. African Musicians utilize the voice more than everything else. The voice doesn't reduce the enthusiasm to melodic instruments?(Bebey 115). Anthropologists were concerning?with the job of music in African culture, delivering important information on instruments, moves, styles and the passionate and tasteful substance of music?(Graham 16). Slam 3 In various African social orders, the option to play certain instruments or to take an interest in customary functions isn't available to all, yet is the benefit of the expert artist. In certain social orders music isn't think about a calling by any stretch of the imagination, which is the reason there are just a couple of expert performers in Africa. African music is about constantly connected with some other craftsmanship, for example, verse or move (Van Rensburg). Numerous African social orders make it a propensity to play customary African music at any rate once every day with the goal that it won't evaporate. This training plainly demonstrates the social significance of music to the individuals. African music has made some amazing progress. What must be recollected is that music includes individual tastes. Not all individuals appreciate a similar music. One's preference for music may mirror his social legacy. Some Non-Africans like it, and some don't, yet what is generally critical to Africa is that the custom proceeds.

Demonstrated Interest What Is It How Does It Impact Admission

This post was contributed by Steven Mercer, Ed.D, the founder of Mercer Educational Consulting, a private college counseling practice in Los Angeles. In addition to his extensive counseling experience, Steven worked as an admission officer at the University of Southern California and currently serves as Adjunct Faculty for UCSDs online College Counseling Certificate Program.   As an Independent Educational Consultant, and former admission officer, I am often asked to reveal the most important factors in the admission process. For a long time, academic performance in the classroom and standardized test scores have been at the top of the list for most colleges. While these priorities have been consistent, one of the new factors more colleges are paying attention to is Demonstrated Interest. Until about 10 years ago, this concept was used primarily by admission insiders; deans of admission or senior-level admission officers. Today, the idea of Demonstrated Interest is better known by many, but probably misunderstood by most. Deans of Admission are under pressure to enroll an exact number of students each year; no more and no less. Factoring in Demonstrated Interest has proven to be a valuable tool to achieve this aim. What is demonstrated interest? Demonstrated interest is the degree to which you show a college that you are sincerely interested in coming to their school. It has become an important, subtle tool that colleges use to efficiently and accurately enroll a specific target number of students each year. Demonstrated interest is something that colleges quantify through specific reliable behaviors undertaken by potential students. Colleges can then use this quantified behavior to incorporate into sophisticated models or algorithms that may lead them to admit you or decide how much merit aid to award. In the competitive marketplace for potential students, it is of great value to a college to have a stronger level of certainty that you are more likely to attend, compared to another applicant. How do you demonstrate your interest? Demonstrating your interest has little to do with what you say and more to do with what you do. Looking an admission officer in the eye and confessing your deep love for their college, or writing in your essay that this is your dream school, do not sufficiently demonstrate interest in the eyes of the admission office. Colleges gauge your interest through fairly ordinary behaviors. Making an official campus visit through the admission office is one of the most valuable ways to show your interest. But, if you simply visit a friend at the school, or walk around campus and do not sign up for a tour through the admission office, then they dont know you were there, and they dont know that youre interested. Attending a college fair or an admission presentation at your high school or in your community has similar value to visiting the campus. What is most important about all of these examples is that you make your interest known to the college by signing up or filling out an information card used by most colleges. This record of your interest is then brought back to the admission office and logged into your file. Without documenting your interaction with the college or the admission officer, the college will not know or remember you. Another important way that colleges know you are interested can happen when you apply. Obviously, you must apply by the final deadline to be considered for admission. But, applying through an Early Action or Priority deadline before the regular deadline demonstrates to a college a higher interest on your part. Many colleges can clearly calculate the increased likelihood of attendance for students who apply by an Early Action deadline, compared to those who apply by the regular final deadline. Colleges that offer interviews as part of the admission process provide an excellent way for you to demonstrate your interest in the college. Because most of these interviews are optional, the fact that you choose to spend time visiting with an admission representative is another factor that colleges may use when predicting your likelihood of attending. If you have opportunities to speak directly with admission officers in person, on the phone, or via email, then these are also subtle but important ways to indicate your interest in the college. While a college may not keep strict records of every conversation, phone call, or email, there is value in these actions in that individual admission officers will recognize you and incorporate their interactions with you into a final admission decision. Finally, one of the newer trends colleges use to determine demonstrated interest is by engaging students on popular social media platforms. I often hear stories that admission decisions could be influenced by what you post on Facebook; this is extraordinarily rare. What is not rare is the practice of colleges utilizing social media to reach out and recruit students. Connecting with colleges through social media can be one of the subtle ways to demonstrate your interest. Colleges are paying attention to whom you â€Å"like† or â€Å"follow.† How colleges use demonstrated interest: How colleges actually use the quantified data about your level of interest varies significantly from college to college. Not all colleges incorporate this type of information into their admission decision-making process. But, more and more colleges do give different consideration to students who show a higher likelihood of attending if they wind up in the admit pool. My advice is to consider demonstrating your interest to colleges in an authentic way. Do not go out of your way to convince a college that you are interested. Finding a college that fits you, challenges you at an appropriate academic level, and is affordable for you and your family should be your top priorities. By doing so, your interest in a particular college will probably appear quite naturally through the application process.

Graffiti Is Art Not Vandalism - 996 Words

Graffiti Is Art Not Vandalism Graffiti can be found everywhere and anywhere. It is a way for people to express themselves and be creative in a public manner. It shows how passionate and talented they can be when it comes to drawing or tagging and have it displayed as a piece of art for everyone to see. Graffiti goes way back to the ancient times and is now very well known in the modern days which makes more and more people interested and fascinated by them. It can be used in different types of ways. Many artists can either spray paint, carve, paste, or stencil them on a surface. From how we see them today they are usually images of random cartoons, big bubbly letters, vintage black and whites or inspirational quotes. Virtually anything colorful or not and big that can be easily spotted. Graffiti is more superior to be known as art than vandalism because it is a self expressing act. People need to be open minded about the images they see and look at the message behind it or else they will immediately criticize and say it is vandalizing property. It is a form of art not a crime. Going out of their way to trespass and damage property like fences, road barriers, or warning signs is considered a crime. Art wise, it attracts large crowds and shocks a few. It is a way to build a creative imagination and to be spontaneous. It really depends on how people look and feel about it. But there are artists that make street art which means that they areShow MoreRelatedIs Graffiti Art Or Vandalism? Essay1832 Words   |  8 PagesStorm Shepherd Professor Beerline Com 1110 Date Is Graffiti Art or Vandalism? Graffiti has put a major impact on the way people look at their everyday life. It was not used so much here in the United States but was used overseas. Overseas, graffiti, or street art, was used or played as a sport, just like baseball is Americas sport. There are different laws that are put over there than what there are here. They can get away with some of the things that they paint or make over there. If we tried someRead MoreGraffiti Is Vandalism Or Art?1035 Words   |  5 Pagesinternet and in a dictionary for the definition of art but in all reality, art is defined as something you see as art. To me, anything can be art. From building a sculpture or building, to even being an athlete. Being an athlete can be art because the person performs in his own way that is created by them. They have to create a form and a style to compete at the best of their abilities. There are many different types of art but when someone hears art, the first thing that comes to mind is a paintingRea d MoreGraffiti: Art or Vandalism?2306 Words   |  10 PagesWhat do people think of when they see graffiti? Is it art, vandalism, or could it be both. Graffiti is a relatively new and developing art form that presents a lot of controversy due to its involvement of illegality. A lot of people see graffiti and instantly label it as vandalism and not an art form; however, by legal definition that’s not always the case. According to Oxford Dictionaries, art is defined as â€Å"The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination†¦producing works toRead MoreGraffiti: Vandalism or Art623 Words   |  2 PagesIn this discursive essay i will be showing the points for and against graffiti and whether it is considered vandalism or art. Some of the major points around this is does it matter where the graffiti is drawn or who by or is it as simple as its on a public building and no matter how artistic it looks its vandalism. Points for Graffiti being and art. There and many views on whether graffiti should be considers art. Graffiti can be acceptable in the modern day with over eighty percent of teenagersRead MoreGraffiti: Art or Vandalism Essay1911 Words   |  8 PagesGraffiti: Art or Vandalism? Sam Cowey Graffiti has been around for more than half a decade and practiced worldwide. However there is debate between whether it is a form of art or vandalism. Graffiti artists’ debate that many do not understand the reason most graffiti artist take the risk of incarceration, fines, injuries, and in some cases death to paint a wall. A graffiti artist can have the simple desire to become recognized, or to create a piece that speaks to their audience as a form ofRead MoreEssay Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?1139 Words   |  5 PagesArt: the ultimate form of self expression. But, what constitutes an art? And, who decides? These very questions plague society as it tries to decide and define the official status of graffiti--art or vandalism? Because it has found its way into art galleries and because of the community of artists who challenge and inspire each other, graffiti should be considered art and as a way to express oneself. The origin and history of graffiti is not what one might expect. Believed to have been created byRead MoreArt or Vandalism? : The acceptance of graffiti as an art form2514 Words   |  11 Pagesbelieve that Graffiti is most certainly a valid art form. The question as to whether any forms of graffiti can be considered art is a controversial area. Is it vandalism when it is placed on the side of a building or a car and art when it is on a canvas on someones wall or in a gallery- what is the difference? Graffiti, in its more complex forms, can be considered art because it clearly contains artistic elements, it communicates the artists expression to the viewer, and the traditional art communityRead MoreGraffiti: Art or Vandalism Essay examples1453 Words   |  6 Pagesis recognized as art and vandalism. The individual is often faced with uncertainty when the topic of graffiti arises. The public often portray graffiti as a destructive act towards his or her surroundings however; graffi ti can also be considered a form of self-expression. Many questions can be made pertaining to the graffiti movement, but the main question is graffiti a crime or an art? The answers lie in the complex phrase of â€Å"beauty is in the eye of the beholder†. Graffiti portrays contemporaryRead MoreGraffiti Vandalism Essay993 Words   |  4 PagesIs graffiti vandalism or art? Many people say that graffiti is art, while others disagree saying its vandalism. In my opinion, graffiti is art. This type of art can be understood in different ways and can be considered as vandalism. It really all depends on what the picture expresses to you and what you see. But everyone has their own opinions and everyone sees everything differently. While many of these artists who are extremely talented and spend most of their time on their pieces, our societyRead MoreGraffiti Is A Form Of Art1019 Words   |  5 PagesDecember 2016 Graffiti is Art Graffiti is a form of art well known in the street art. There are many forms of arts like drawing, painting, sculpture, or graffiti. Graffiti is an art used for the community to send messages as well as representing for community identity and pride through Graffiti artwork. In the book â€Å"Read Write Connect† by Kathleen Green Amy Lawler, chapter 22 Public Art talks about what graffiti art, vandalism art is, the differences between graffiti artwork and vandalism, and the

American Women s Experiences With Street Harassment

[Whistles] â€Å"Oww oww.† â€Å"Hey baby, how you doin?† â€Å"Come over here.† These words can be heard roaring over Ke$ha filled headphones, followed by cat calls that can be heard around the world. Individuals experience street harassment daily. Street harassment is any form of unwanted verbal or physical harassment sexual in nature. This paper will discuss American women s experiences with street harassment. We’ll begin with looking at: Who street harasses? Why they street harass? And lastly, the desired effects compared to actual effects of street harassment? These questions will set up a foundation to view what street harassment says about larger society and the perception versus reality of gender-based harassment. WHO IS THE HARASSER?†¦show more content†¦However, for these behaviors to be deemed as street harassment perception by the victim must be in play (e.g. If a man were to catcall a woman walking down the sidewalk and she takes that as a compliment). In other words, labeling of harassing behaviors are only notable when the label is given by the individual being victimized (Wesselmann and Kelly 2010). In Everyday Stranger Harassment and Women’s Objectification, Kimberly Fairchild and Laurie Rudman (2008) conducted a study that finds significant rates of stranger harassment in college females; with around 41% of women involved expressing feelings of â€Å"unwanted sexual attention from strangers at least once a month† (p. 353). These results suggest that if women between the ages of 18-29 [the participants age range used] are being harassed by their male counterparts on a college campus, we can infer most women will experience some form of gender-based harassment at least once in their lifetime. With this inference it’s crucial that we continue researching who is street harassing and why. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT WHY INDIVIDUALS STREET HARASS? The nature of street harassment allows men lack of accountability for their public actions. In fact, street harassing situations don’t just occur in the â€Å"street† they include numerous places such as bars, taxis, metros, and countless other venues women literally cannot flee from. Street harassment is shaped differently from traditional

Is Multiculturalism Working free essay sample

Multiculturalism can be considered as a political philosophy that has long been greatly admired and repelled, researched and fought-over in the history of Canada. This term did not really exist until the 1960’s when the Royal Commission popularized ‘biculturalism’, having replaced the term ‘cultural pluralism’. Prior to that time, immigrants and minority groups in Canada have been severely discriminated against and unjustly treated, not unlike in many other countries. In the more recent decades, Canada has somehow been more willing than many of its global neighbours to work towards reaching such a state of society. Today, multiculturalism is something the world admires as perhaps the most celebrated characteristic of Canadian citizenship. However, there are many valid concerns emerging from the resulting realities of a supposed ‘multicultural society’. Many sociology experts, historians, politicians and journalists alike have knowledgeably critiqued the very notion of multiculturalism: Are Canadians really as ‘multicultural’ as they claim to be? And what is the true meaning of multiculturalism, the phenomenon that transformed Canada in to an ever-growing mosaic? Is this endless mosaic sustainable, paradoxical or even desirable? It has been very enlightening to discover that the term ‘multiculturalism’ has been arguably simplified and dumbed down for the knowledge and support of the general public. When faced with the rather frighteningly broad question â€Å"is multiculturalism working†, one is forced to adopt one of many different viewpoints from which to provide an answer. Multiculturalism as an ideology varies greatly from such as a policy, which is different from such as a sociological fact. An ample reason why this seemingly self-defining term is actually so slippery lies in the ever-changing definition of culture. More of this theme will be explored alongside some famous historic events. Here is a brief study of three of the many significant events throughout Canada’s history that revolved around multiculturalism. After the First World War, the Canadian federal government brought its discriminatory head tax on Chinese residents to the next level. Earlier in 1885, the original Chinese Immigration Act placed a fifty-dollar head tax on all Chinese immigrants coming to Canada in hopes of discouraging and lessening numbers. The fee was raised to a hundred dollars in 1990 and then raised further to five hundred in 1903, the equivalency of two year’s wages—a small fortune to Canadians at the time. Later, another law was passed declaring that only one Chinese immigrant could come to Canada for every fifty tons of the ship that carried them; this summed up to only ten Chinese immigrants per ship weighing five hundred tons. All of this became foreshadowing for what was inevitable to come. The Chinese Exclusion Act, also known as the new Chinese Immigration Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada on June 30, 1923. This act banned most forms of Chinese immigration, including ethnic Chinese with British nationality from entering Canada. Although immigration from most countries had been controlled or restricted in some manner, only the Chinese were so completely prohibited from immigrating. The only exceptions were merchants, diplomats and foreign students. As Dominion Day coincided with the enforcement of the Act, Chinese Canadians refused to take part in the celebration and referred to the anniversary of the Confederation as ‘Humiliation Day’. Due to the contributions of Chinese Canadians in the Second World War as well as the signing of the United Nations’ Charter of Human Rights at the end of the War, the Canadian Parliament repealed the Act on May 14, 1947. Now in the twenty-first century, approximately 200,000 immigrants come to Canada every year. On June 22, 2006 Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed a formal apology for the Chinese head tax in the House of Commons, and paid each of the survivors a symbolic compensation of $20, 000 CAD. Was the repealing of the Chinese Exclusion Act the end of discrimination and prejudice against Chinese minorities in Canada? It is rather safe to doubt that. One must recognize that government and policy can only control the behavior of individuals to a certain extent—and their prejudices to no extent. This shameful event in Canadian history can be considered as a symbol of a deeply-rooted, unfathomable hostility for the outsider that is present, in varying degrees, in every human being. It is a tarnished trait of the human condition that would take much more than an improved political law to change. Four decades later, in July 21st 1988, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act was passed which made Canada the first national government to officially celebrate diversity within its borders. Earlier in 1971, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau declared that Canada was to adopt a multicultural policy, in order to fully recognize and respect its diverse society in languages, religions, traditions and so on. In 1982, multiculturalism was finally recognized by Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Act ensures that every Canadian receives equal treatment from the government, and that diversity and freedom would be respected and celebrated throughout the nation. The Act also recognizes: Canada’s multicultural heritage, Aboriginal rights, English and French as the official languages while other languages may be used, equality rights regardless of colour, religion and so on, and minorities’ rights to enjoy their own cultures. Yes, setting the right policies was a crucial framework upon which a peaceful, multicultural nation was going to be built. Canada was now officially a multicultural country. However, an improved policy did not by any means simply transform Canada in to a multicultural society. It wasn’t until the last decade of the twentieth century when the majority of scholarly critics began stepping up to unravel the essence of ‘multiculturalism’ and bring many thoughtful issues in to the light. â€Å"The most curious part of the Multiculturalism Act is that it does not define multiculturalism† was a statement quoted by author Phil Ryan in his insightful novel analysis, Multicultiphobia. An early chapter revealed that back in 1971 when the Act was passed, the term culture generally meant either folklore or high art. It was only later that the term evolved and expanded in to what it is now: an anthropological term encompassing a person’s entire life. Furthermore, as briefly mentioned earlier, political multiculturalism was worlds away from sociological multiculturalism—the one that actually revolves around the intrapersonal behaviors of and between Canadian minorities and majorities. Regarding Canada’s state of sociological multiculturalism: it seems that diversity is working in the minds of the ‘majorities’, but not necessarily among the minority groups themselves. Critics point out that multiculturalism has, in essence, promoted self-segregation among cultural minorities and in turn created ethnic enclaves in major cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. The individualization of ethnicities has ironically created the image of a â€Å"default Canadian†. Immigrants have become â€Å"house guests† in the conscience of many people â€Å"who were there first†, resulting in both special funds and deliberately special treatment which in turn creates resentment among the majorities. The cultural mosaic is argued to have reduced most minority cultures to colourful displays, festivals and savories in the eyes of the majority. This is not to say to that multiculturalism is to blame. However it does raise some doubts: was this suppos ed to happen? Is this the emerging result of multiculturalism gone astray? On August 4th, 2005, Michaelle Jean was announced Governor General of Canada by Prime Minister Paul Martin, approved by Queen Elizabeth II. At the time of presenting to the public Canada’s new governor general, Jean was regarded with mixed opinions but inarguably a fair amount of surprise. She was a Haitian refugee, coming from an ancestry of slavery, who fled to Montreal with her family to escape the oppressive regime of Francois Duvalier in 1968. She later received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian and Hispanic languages as well as literature in the University of Montreal, and is now fluent in Spanish, Italian, Haitian Creole, Portuguese aside from English and French. After receiving numerous university degrees, Jean worked as a journalist, filmmaker and broadcaster for Radio-Canada and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in 1988, as well as a volunteer to assist victims of domestic violence. She became the first person of Caribbean descent to be seen on French Canadian television news. Jean married French-born Canadian filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond and has chosen to adopt a little girl from her homeland Jacmel. Although the implications for her initial support of Quebec sovereignty and dual citizenship had caused doubt about her loyalties, Jean denied separatist accusations and renounced her French citizenship. Jean has strong visions about freedom and dissolution of the ‘Two Solitudes’ of traditional French and English Canada—and onwards between peoples of all groups—in order to achieve true Canadian unity. She also encouraged Canadian involvement in their communities and sought to reach out to all Canadians regardless of background, especially marginalized youths. Her captivating spirit and passion was reflected in The Globe and Mail: â€Å"Here is this beautiful young Canadian of Haitian birth, with a smile that makes you catch your breath, with a bemused older husband by her side, and a daughter who literally personifies our future, and you look at them and think: Yes this is our great achievement, this is the Canada that Canada wants to be, this is the Can ada that will ultimately make way for different cultural identities.† Prime Minister Paul Martin also made a statement at the presenting of Michaelle Jean at Rideau Hall: â€Å"She does represent the story of Canada. She represents what we are, who we are, and what we want to be. And I think this is important for Canadians. I also think it’s important for those outside of our borders to understand the nature of our country.† Michaelle Jean was the very first Black governor general in Canada—as well as the second after Adrienne Clarkson to not only have neither a political or military background, but also be a visible minority breaking the tradition of Canadian-born governor generals. Her appointment has become a symbolic moment in Canada’s Black history as well as a milestone in all of Canada’s multicultural history. Paul Martin believed that Jean’s life journey symbolized the story of all Canadians. In Quebec’s Haitian community, Jean was admired as a role model and overall a bright ray of hope for what their future may become. In another sense, the life and character of Jean embodies the rich multiculturalism that Canada is still working to embrace and become. Among these three major events in Canada’s journey to become a diverse nation, the 1988 Canadian Multiculturalism Act proves to be the most defining moment by paving the road for many social revolutions to come. If it was not for the spark of political change initiated by Pierre Elliot Trudeau four decades ago, it would be quite frightening to imagine what life in Canada would have been like today. As for whether ‘social multiculturalism’ is working in Canada, it would be safe to say that this nation has indeed come a long way and outperformed most of its global neighbours, but still has plenty to work on. Instead of ignorantly dismissing the views of multiculturalism critics as hateful and racist, it would be wise and extremely beneficial if both experts and general public join in the discussion. How far should multiculturalism be allowed to expand in light of preserving a nation â€Å"unified through diversity†? Here is one of the most impactful suggestions made by Phil Ryan at the conclusion of his book. Instead of solely promoting a shattered cultural mosaic in which Canada is losing itself, the nation should begin looking towards the other side of the spec trum and finding a balance. After all, multiculturalism is only one of the countless efforts and policies meant to create a good society. If a method used to help further a goal is forgetting the goal itself, something needs to be done. Phil Ryan suggests that in actuality, the good ‘multicultural society’ is not a big mosaic that does not even necessarily form a bigger picture. Instead, like in politics, one must recognize that there is a spectrum: one on side, melting pot, and on the other, mosaic. Canadians have always juxtaposed the terms ‘mosaic’ and ‘melting pot’ permanently labeling one as ideal and the other as not. However, after looking in to both methods of integration, it is apparent that both have their own pros and cons, and an extreme veering towards either side is not ultimately sustainable or desirable. A just and humane multiculturalism must both nourish the types of differences that are compatible and strengthen the shared re cognition of certain common grounds. So is Canada’s multiculturalism working? So far, yes. But it’s slowly veering in a harmful direction. This country is currently trying to sustain a phenomenon based on many bottomless assumptions in a constantly shifting society. Now is the time for Canadians to pause and be honest with themselves, and each other. As mature and responsible nationwide neighbours, Canadians of each and every background need to come together to communicate their ideas—to seek to truly understand and connect with one another. With unified bravery, persistence and humility, one day Canada might just possibly bring a whole new authentic multiculturalism to the world stage.

Sugawn Chair Critique Essay Example

Sugawn Chair Critique Paper Anthony Geha 10/27/08 Eng-101b-09 Mr. Mitchell My Family’s Sugawn Chair When I look around at people, and the way they act and respond to situations in life, I can’t help but wonder what it is that makes them act one way or another. Like complete asses in situations that don’t call for it, or other times when I feel like I can’t deal with something, there are those people who seem to have the patience of saints. I wonder if it is really the life they have lead and have been brought up to lead that crates their personalities for today. Does the fact that they have the warmest most loving supporting family make it easier for them to succeed in life? If there dad left when they were young, does it make it harder to trust people for them? Through the life I’ve lead myself; I’d have to believe that this is true. Now I can’t say that this is fact of course, but I will say that I’m sure if it was really thought upon, anyone could relate some aspect in their lives to how they were brought up. Then unfortunately as times passes as it surely will, you begin to lose people you love, people move, people pass away, family members divorce and move in different directions in life and nothing feels the same as it once did anymore. Even though this happens, you are still the person you are, on account of family and the values passed down to you. Though the times have changed, nothing in you has changed and you know the importance of the times past, then unspeakably and without warning, something triggers all those times in your mind and you can’t help but feel good. We will write a custom essay sample on Sugawn Chair Critique specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Sugawn Chair Critique specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Sugawn Chair Critique specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In the story â€Å"The Sugawn Chair† the boy ultimately loses his parents and is forced to sell things in the house, and move on and forge forward with his life. He then comes upon the chair that has been in the attic for years now and when he sees it he remembers and I think he can really feel the presence of his parents and he will probably keep the chair and tell stories about it to his kids and so on for a long, long time. While reading this story it is easy to see that this chair is a symbol of their family and their togetherness and their love for each other. Almost everyone I know has a symbol of lost loved ones or family symbols that have been passed down from earlier generations, and my family is certainly no exception to this. However, in my family the item and symbol itself is a little bigger than most. As a kid and still to this day my dad’s side of the family would have Sunday night dinner at my Grandparents house in Glenmoore, it was a time for the family to get together each week, tell stories of their week and how everything was going, and of course to be together for a while. Each week there would be undoubtedly good food, loud conversations, and the occasional fights and butting heads of friends and family. Then after a while of having a babysitter as a child my grandmother told my mom that instead of bringing me and my brother to the babysitter on Thursdays (when my mom and dad both worked) why not just bring them to her house, and she would make dinner for us, almost like it was Sunday. My mom eventually agreed and I and my brother would be left at grandma’s house on Thursday afternoons along with my two cousins who were always over there because their parents both worked all the time. So as it began to continue this way for a long time, Thursdays became another day that everyone would go over to my grandparent’s house and eat dinner and talk and so forth. Well, in 1998 my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and he unfortunately passed away later that year. He was a good man and though I was only 12 when he died I think we had a pretty good loving relationship. This was a sad time for everyone obviously, but we kept up with the dinners and I think it ultimately brought everyone closer together and made us value each other more. So time passed on and the Thursday night and Sunday night dinners continued. My Grandma had always wanted a bigger kitchen and after my grandfather died she thought it was time for a change in the house, so she had the whole house remodeled and now the kitchen is humongous! Along with the rest of the house as well, people would stop on the streets after it was done and just look in. The kitchen can easily be seen through the 6 big windows in the front of the house. My grandmother if you couldn’t already tell, loved to cook she was awesome at it and it brought her so much joy, that her cooking could bring so many people together. Then again in 2001 more tragedy struck our family. My dad’s brother, my uncle, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and he fought very hard for a long time but unfortunately in 2002 he passed away from it and this was a very hard time for everyone. Not only because of the person he was, but it was my grandmother’s child, and no parent should have to live to see the day one of their children passes. He also was working to become a reverend at his church and was extremely active with youth groups to help children find more religion in their lives. There was probably no one less deserving of his young death than him. But as time moved on, we coped and continued the dinners and continued to stay positive and loving. Over time we as the grandchildren, there is 5 of us, played baseball in the front yard and backyard, played basketball in the street in front of the house, played video games and so many other games like hide and seek and capture the flag (which was hard to play inside the house) we watched numerous world series games and super bowls there at my grandma’s house. It was a comfortable place for everybody. A warm â€Å"door’s always open† type of place. My grandma would feed anyone who walked in. She also owned a restaurant called â€Å"Minerva’s† on Fremont Blvd. where some of her recipes are still being used today, but that’s a whole other story that could go on for days. Years passed and in 2004 my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Now this woman was so stubborn and hard headed that she was certain she wasn’t going to let this affect her. So she fought, and there were years in between where she seemed totally fine and like everything was ok. She was the greatest grandmother you would ever have liked to know, and I guarantee you’d feel the same had you had the chance to meet her. Unfortunately though, as cancer does, it took her from us in mid 2007. At that time we were just adding on some more room to the house because my aunt and her family were going to move in, to be able to take care of her and also because their money was a little tight. She did get to see the house right when it was finished before she passed and she loved it. Now not too add so much crap to this already large pile of it, but we had just found out at around the same time as my grandma passed away, that my uncle, my aunts husband and my cousins dad, who had just moved into the house to live with my grandma, had cancer as well. He didn’t last very long unfortunately and he passed away late in 2007. So this combination of seemingly endless destruction of our family was a big hit. For a while I was unable to go over to the house at all. There was just constant weeping and remorse. There were too many fights to even remember and everyone seemed like the only thing holding them together was my grandmother, and now she was gone. There was hope though, as time passed as it seems to do, we all were forced to keep it together, fall out was impossible because this house was important to all of us and we all wanted ultimately to be there. To this day anytime I enter that house I am overcome with memories of so many years and so many events. Everyone still comes for Thursday and Sunday night dinner and we laugh and love. We still cook and clean, and talk to each other. The house is my symbol of my family, the memories that I have were created in that house and though so many people were lost, it is important to make their memories last forever. We talk about my grandpa and uncles and grandma all the time and there is always a smile of nostalgia on someone’s face. I’m not as young as I once was, so there isn’t as many games played or high school type stories told, but it always feels the same to me, to walk into that house.