Thursday, October 31, 2019

Law being ubiquitous in everyday life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Law being ubiquitous in everyday life - Essay Example As result, this faith on media is not as strong as it used to be and today's audience is not passive like past, but highly active and critical to media reports, treating it as 'one' of the sources in shaping their understanding of the legal system5. This essay will look at three different dimensions of legal consciousness and will argue that although law is often portrayed as a remote phenomenon, it is still ubiquitous in everyday life, however its presence varies from person to person according to his/her social background. The essay will also examine, how media dramatizes events, simplifies legal language and misreports legal information, selecting sensational news to increase profits. It will also argue that despite media's power and influence, personal experience of the legal system also creates knowledge of the legal system increasing public awareness. ... Law being ubiquitous in everyday life Some legal scholars see law as an important part of everyday life, whereas others assert its presence as marginal7. For years legal scholars examined subjective experiences and public perceptions of law to understand, how society forms an' internal' feature of social relations8 and to comprehend whether it is ubiquitous in social relations. Legal consciousness measures people's awareness and attitudes towards law and the legal system. Legal consciousness examines, what people 'do' and 'say9', how they engage, avoid, or resist the law. Ewick stated, that legal consciousness is shaped by "cultural schemas that define the pattern of social life10" facilitating our behaviour towards other members of society. The presence of law in everyday life and extend of legal consciousness varies and depend on person's race, education, background and experience of the legal system11. The individuals who encounter a greater personal experience are less likely to rely on media. The law is applicable in different ways and holds different meanings for people in a society as Ewick introduces three different forms of legal consciousness: before the law; with the law; and against the law12. 'Before the law', views law as an independent entity with fixed rules and procedures, but these procedures are removed from daily life affairs and are invoked only, when people turn for legal assistance13. The engagement 'with the law' states that law is perceived as a game, and law exists as a part of everyday life14. Under the 'against the law' framework states, that people resist the law, avoiding its presence in their daily activities and try to disobey wherever possible15. Thus individuals

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Culture of a place in California Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Culture of a place in California - Essay Example During and after the WWII, there was immense growth as entrepreneurs boosted the economy which is still running as military, tourism, defence industries, manufacturing, and international trade. A number of cultural groups and monuments exist in California throughout the history. San Diego has been a very lively and energetic city because of its people. It consists of people who migrated from several different areas and formed their communities in the city in order to earn money and send back home to their families. These individuals eventually migrated to the city with their families and the economy boosted. Today, the city is full of entrepreneurs, cheap labour, artists, and several communities that make San Diego what it is. The Californios community took hold of a numerical majority in 1848 as they owned a major part of the property and secured the social and cultural recognition; however they failed to take control of the political system and thus by 1860, the area had declined economically. The Hispanics made huge breakthroughs in the WWI in San Diego farm districts. Their skills, experiences from military, and contacts lead to profits and improved the economy (Lockwood 95). Many other cultural groups that settled in San Diego were mainly in order to boost the economy. San Diego also welcomed the Chinese immigrants in the 1860s as they settled in two fishing villages; Point Loma and New Town. These Chinese immigrants became the pioneers in 1860s in the industry and their peak time was in the 1880s. By the 1890s, the Chinese settled and found more jobs in the fishing industry as well as the service industry, railroad construction and general construction, merchandising, and food industry. District associations, family associations, business guilds, and secret societies were eventually formed. San Diego consists of several Chinese immigrants who have now achieved the status of a community and are

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Risk Management Of District Cooling Plant Construction Essay

Risk Management Of District Cooling Plant Construction Essay Risk, which could be defined as a hazard posed for an event or an activity, is inherent in all activities and functions of any organisation. The consequences which would arise from an organisations exposure to risk could include financial loss, disruption in operations, failure to meet the expectations of stakeholders and customers, legal concerns, political and competitive failure and so forth. Therefore it is highly necessary to implement management procedures, policies and practices that would minimise the organisations exposure to risk. Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga is project for a district cooling plant to be constructed by SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. Any failure at any phase of the project could reflect on the reputation of the organisation as a whole. Thereby, making risk management highly essential at all phases of the project. The risk management plan for the project Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga is detailed in the document, which adheres to the risk management policy of SNC-Lavalin, followed by SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC.. The risks identified are those that relate to the construction phase of the district cooling plant as SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., has a sector dedicated to the construction of the district cooling plants in the region. The document discusses the benefits of incorporating risk management in order to achieve the corporate objectives. For the purpose of the document, the Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZ 4360:2004 was used in establishing the risk management framework. The risk management processes for the district cooling plants are documented as common document for all cooling plants in the region considering the similarity of the construction and areas of construction. For the project Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga, the common set of risks was identified along with a few variances in relation to the construction of the cooling plant in one of the busiest areas of Dubai. The risk implementation is followed by the monitoring and review sessions in order to achieve maximum effectiveness and allow successful implementation of the project. All information in the document has been obtained through the corporate handbook, interview with the management and corporate website. Introduction SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., is a part of the global network of the Canada based engineering and construction organisation, SNC-Lavalin. SNC-Lavalin operates in about 35 countries worldwide and would have projects in about 100 countries all over the globe. SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., operates in the United Arab Emirates with its head office in Abu Dhabi. In 2004, SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., expanded its expertise in district cooling technology by entering into a partnership with international and local service providers forming a joint venture i.e. National Central Cooling Co. TABREED. SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., take responsibility mainly in the construction of the district cooling plant, either directly or through outsourcing. About the project Tabreed DM.02 Cooling Plant, Al Rigga The project for which the risk management plan is to be documented is a district cooling plant to be constructed by SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., for its client Dubai Metro. The cooling plant would be constructed at Union Square, Al Rigga, Deira and is named as Tabreed DM.02 Cooling Plant. The project would hereafter be termed as per the naming of the contractors as Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga. The contract for the construction was awarded to SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., is one of the global branches of SNC-Lavalin, which is one among the giants in the construction and engineering sector in the world. Cooling plants are one of the recent environment-friendly engineering developments. The cooling plants provide savings in power consumption in providing air conditioning and chilled water supply. Tabreed DM.02 Cooling Plant is a district cooling plant which would provide air conditioning and chilled water supply to three stations of the Dubai Metro namely Al Rigga Station, Union Square and Reef Mall Station. The total cost for construction of the project is estimated to be about AED 33.4 million which covers about 2637 square metres of land. The cooling plant would consist of four chillers, of which two would be operational and two would be standby as per client requirements. The plant would have a capacity of 500 RT (Refrigerant Tonne) which would be required for the chilled water supply for the three stations. Tabreed DM.02 would be constructed with two levels of basement considering the height restrictions. SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., have a sector which deals only with the construction of the district cooling plants in and around the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Countries. Therefore, the risk management policy, processes and approaches are created to be suited for all types of district cooling plants that would be constructed, and so does not differ from project to project unless in case of major differences in sites. Purpose The Risk Management Plan presented in the document describes the methodology used for identifying, analysing, estimating, evaluating and ultimately treating the risks for the Project Tabreed DM.02 Cooling Plant, Al Rigga. The document would define the roles and responsibilities which would assist the project management team in effective risk management of the project. The risks that would arise in the course of the construction of the project are identified and analysed using the risk management processes. Treatment plans are evaluated for a few of the risks and the risk management implementations are discussed in the document for the project Tabreed DM.02 Cooling Plant, Al Rigga. Scope The scope of the document pertains to the Tabreed DM.02 Cooling Plant, Al Rigga Project and its risk management processes and plan. The methodology used in the risk management is in accordance to the Australian New Zealand Standards 4360:2004. The risks identified in the document concentrates primarily on the risks pertaining to the construction of the cooling plant rather than all external and internal risks of the organisation. The risk management document would be used as reference through out all the phases of the project. The plan would be a deliverable along with the project management plan for the construction of the district cooling plant. The scope of the document would not include the risks relating to the organisation or the any other risks outside the construction phase as the contractors, SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., concentrate only on the construction of the cooling plant. The risks detailed in the document would encompass the engineering concerns of construction as well as the health, safety and environmental issues in the project. Glossary of Terms All terms used in the document are as per the Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZ 4360:2004. However few terms used in the document within the organisation are as follows: Terms Definition/Description Hazard Equivalent of risk Impact Equivalent of consequence PPE Personal Protection Equipment Probability Equivalent of likelihood Project Risk Database Compilation of all the risks encountered in similar projects and those applicable to the current project QA/QC and HSE Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Health, Safety and Environment. The department that primarily operates the risk management processes within the sector of district cooling plants in SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC.. SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. Abbreviation for SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga Project documented Risk Management Plan Risk Management is a practical, structured approach in creating a systematic procedure to identify, analyse, evaluate, control and monitor risk, thereby reducing and maintaining risks within a level tolerable to the organisations risk appetite. For the project, Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga, these risk management processes are employed during all the phases of the project in order to minimise the exposure to risk especially during the implementation i.e. the construction of the project where most risks are prone to arise. As applicable to all projects at SNC-Lavalin, an effective implementation of risk management plan in the project Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga would increase the probability of successful implementation of the project as a whole. For Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga, it would assist in achieving the triple constraints of quality, cost and time. It would play a major role in making decisions on funding priorities would also serve as a basis for identifying alternatives of the performance goals. An effective risk management plan would allow high adherence to the strict timelines of the project, which would inturn enhance the reputation of the organisation to meet project deadlines. The advantages of risk management would be creating value, providing lesser uncertainty, reducing capital cost, creating reliability of shareholders and assisting in successful accomplishment of objectives. Objectives of Risk Management Plan The aims of SNC-Lavalin for introducing the risk management plan are mainly to set up a systematic process that would integrate the risks and control measures already implemented by the organisation, to provide an assurance to all stakeholders of the organisations knowledge of its exposure to risk and implementation of steps to mitigate and manage the risks. It would also ensure that the organisation would consider risk management as a business tool which would allow focus on all areas which require management of risk. For SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., the main objectives of managing risks would be to: provide maximum safety to its employees at all levels avoid any penalties for legal or regulatory non-compliance prevent loss in relation to company assets retain the reputation of the company decrease costs related to occurrence of unfavourable events allow efficient allocation and utilisation of resource creates accountability for all activities promotes creativity in management practice Risk Management Policy SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., is guided by the corporate approach on safety of the parent organisation, SNC Lavalin, in order to match corporate standards around the globe. Safety is embedded as a core value in the WE CARE Policy (See Appendix 1) in order to carry out its mandate to protect people, properties, the environment and sustainable development of the communities while maintaining work quality in pursuing its business objectives. The policy provides the guiding principles for SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors in achieving the Zero Harm goal. The Zero Harm objective has the ideal goal setting which would eliminate all dangers of health, safety and physical well-being of the employees, through zero fatalities, zero occurrence of serious occupational health-related illness in employees and zero environmental citations from authorities. Risk management is key tool in business decision making which would allow the controlling, elimination or minimisation of all potential forms of loss. Implementation of risk management within the business processes would be able to provide protection to all its employees, customers, stakeholders, environment, assets, earnings, intellectual property as well as the organisations reputation which would maximise efficiency and effectiveness. Risk management procedures would need to be created, effectively implemented, maintained and constantly improved to match with the goals of the risk management plan. Continual identification, analysis and evaluation of risks are highly essential in order to make judicious decisions of risks. The risk management policy at SNC-Lavalin focuses mainly on the prevention and control of the occurrence of incidents that could result in personal injury, loss of life, damage to assets and properties, or any incident that may pose a threat to the environment. Although managers at all SNC-Lavalin offices have risk management as a core responsibility, all employees are to assume individual responsibility in executing risk management by reducing the likelihood and consequence of any losses or accidents. The managerial activities in implementing risk management include: training for staff in project or organisational risk management conducting surveys to facilitate identification of risks constant review of existing policies and procedures scheduling improvements in existing controls for the project or any of the business unit maintaining up-to-date information of the latest technological developments on systems, tools and process guidelines reporting to the higher management board on compliance and improvements of risks SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., as well as all subcontractors are to strictly follow the procedures relating to risk management in order to conform to the highest standards of safety in all processes of the project and organisation. The risk management processes for the document of the project Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga would be in accordance with the Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 4360:2004. Project organisation Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga is a project that would be handled by the sector for construction of cooling plants in SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. The highest responsibility is with the general manager of the sector. All the responsibility allocation is distributed as per the organisational hierarchy as shown in Figure 2. Figure Project organisation structure Each cooling plant project is handled by a project manager, who would have overall authority in decision making processes related to the project. The project manager would report to the project director on the status and any issues of the project. For any further management involvement with reference to the project, the general manager who is the managements representative would have the final authority. The risk management plan is created and monitored by the QA/QC and HSE Coordinators throughout the phases of the project, the present being Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga Roles and Responsibilities General Manager (Top Management Appointee) Provide coordination with the government interfaces and policy Timely issue of permits Monitor project security and compliance to policies Support corporate values and policies by implementing applicable risk management programs Managing contracts and agreement to varying policies of subcontractors Maintaining information pertaining to corporate risk and controls Lead the development of dynamic safety culture based on SNC-Lavalins core values Ensuring all risk management procedures are conformed by all employees and subcontractors of SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. Verification and approval of risk assessments and update on risk management plan Constant review and update of the risk management plan Reporting to the board of directors and parent company, for any risk management updates Accountable for any failure in risk management processes to the board of directors and parent company Project Director Coordination and regular updating of the project risk registers and treatment plans, leading to a compilation of a master risk management plan Continuous review and updating of the risk management plan, including risk identification and analysis processes Reporting to the general manager on constant intervals regarding updates on the existing policies and procedures of risk management Communicate all risk management standards and processes to all SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. personnel Provide overall direction and support for the implementation of SNC-Lavalins Risk Management Policies and Management Systems Attend project review meetings Ensuring sufficient resources to support approved SNC-Lavalin initiatives Lead the development of dynamic safety culture based on SNC-Lavalins core values Selection of contractors and compliance to the SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. practices of risk management Accountability for overall project performance in compliance with risk management initiatives Participate in risk assessments Review the risk assessment, elimination and control process results Provide documentation of updates on risk management plan Investigation of serious incidents Workplace inspections Accountable for failure of compliance or awareness of risk management processes among the project teams Project Manager Ensure that SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. operations comply with legislative requirements and best standards within the industry, and in reference to the standards of the parent company Reporting to the project director on constant intervals regarding updates on the existing policies and procedures of risk management, and any issues arising from risk management Communicate all risk management standards and processes to all SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. personnel Ensure that all contractors and consultants are informed of procedures, safety policies and safe construction methods prior to commencing a project Investigate on serious incidents Participate in workplace inspections Provide updates on the risk management procedures Review proposals for practical and effective risk management initiatives Accountable for any failure in project, arising from lack of risk management compliance Site Manager (the resident engineer would also comply with these responsibilities) Ensure that all the risk management policies and procedures are implemented through all the phases of the project Accountable for the overall direction and support of the implementation of the risk management processes Accountable for ensuring engineering specifications and method statements being critically reviewed in conformance to SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. policies Encourage the proactive involvement of all personnel in managing the risk management program Ensure that project supervisors take an active role in promoting and enforcing health and safety protection Enforce HSE procedures and practices Investigate injuries/illnesses, near misses and environmental incidents and communicates the lessons learned throughout SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. Ensure that Job Planning and Safety Analyses are completed and reviewed before tasks are begun Accountable for provision of adequate resources, facilities and initiatives to effectively implement risk management QA/QC and HSE Coordinators Conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspection of work areas Coordinate audits to eliminate conditions and work practices that are hazardous to the job Coordinate the thorough investigation of all incidents Review and monitor emergency Key Elements Encourage hazard identification and reporting by all site personnel Maintain a current knowledge of UAE federal standards and other applicable international standards or industry practices and communicate to the site manager and personnel Deliver internal training Attend in the site progress meeting Participate in any investigations relating any risk issues Monitor project risk policies and procedures, paying particular attention to potentially hazardous operations and emphasizing proactive solutions Coordinate contractor activities in reference to complying with the risk management policies Initiate and implement programs for the accomplishment of project risk management objectives including site emergency response plans Assist employees with all risk issues Maintain project risk recordkeeping system Recommend safety disciplinary actions to the Site Manager for deliberate safety violations committed by individuals Establish site emergency response plan, organize emergency response team and conduct training and exercise for emergency response Display and maintains materials on site bulletin boards as required Ensure that Job Planning and Safety Analyses are completed and reviewed before tasks begin Conduct safety induction and site orientation to new site employees including contractors, visitors, suppliers, etc. before mobilization to ensure that they understand and have agreed to comply with HSE policies Report all hazards to the site manager and project manager Communication Framework SNC-Lavalin operates a formally documented risk management system designed to clearly define policies, responsibilities, accountabilities and operational practices. This together with performance parameters to measure the effectiveness of the management system in operation will direct the control applied to the implementation and maintenance of the companys risk management policy throughout the organisation The System has four levels: The policy manual, to clearly define company policy and its operating policies Risk management operating procedures written as appropriate to the function to clearly define responsibilities, accountabilities and controls applied in the risk management system Work instructions, comprising of specifications, checklists, externally sourced standards, technical directives, or government legislation. Forms, templates and reports necessary for effective communication, and constitute the records generated by risk management system planning, implementation and maintenance of the risk management system. Figure Documentation process model The risk management program would be communicated to all employees within SNC-Lavalin displaying it in offices and strategic places. The involvement of all employees in the systems management ensures that they are involved in the development and review of policies, procedure changes related to the project risk matters by seeking feedback related to the same. External communication covers the following: Local authorities (Government, Municipal authority) Suppliers Interested parties Corporate head office Risk Management Framework The processes used in the risk management of Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga are in accordance to the AS/NZ 4360:2004 standards as illustrated in Figure 4. Figure Framework for developing risk management program Communication during the project Communication processes would include developing documentation of risks applicable to the project in accordance to the standards to identify the risks, assess the likelihood and consequence of the identified risks, estimate the risk level, evaluate the risks and treat the risks accordingly. In order to establish criteria for evaluating risks, it would be essential to document the criteria for establishing the likelihood and consequence for the project. This would be based on the risk appetite and tolerance of the organisation. After the evaluation, the risks that are unacceptable to the organisation would be considered for creating treatment plan. Monitoring the risk in external situations, would allow further changes to the existing controls, if necessary. A periodical review and update on the risk register would allow for changes in the risks identified. The risk management plan for the district cooling plant is documented on common stance considering the similarity of locations all around the country. However, changes would be included depending on the variance of the area from the standard description. Internally, the risk management team, which is the QA/QC and HSE coordinators in the documented Tabreed DM.02, Al Rigga project, are scheduled for meetings which have to meet on a monthly basis in reference to the project requirements, or as relevant to the demands of the project. Training Success of the project would depend on the effective implementation of risk management through out all the phases of the project, which requires risk management training to be provided to staff, contractors and managers. The skills qualifications of all personnel within the organization are essential to achieving business quality and corporate objectives. Competence of the organization and people in identifying and managing risk requires a systematic focus on behaviours, risk perceptions and skills. Training material would encompass risk management policies, application of tools of risk management, assistance in identifying and analysis the risks which the project and the organisation is exposed to, providing the profiling of risk and reporting of assurance. On recruitment, SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., provides induction training to all new employees in risk management involving safety measures, code of conduct and fraud awareness. On-site training is provided to all employees, site visitors, and vendors as a prerequisite to site deployment. Except for visitors and vendors, all site workers shall be assigned a SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. number identification in the form of helmet decal sticker signifying a worker had passed the orientation program. A regular refresher course is provided to all employees in risk management awareness on updating the risk register or every two years. Monitoring and Review The risk management system operated by SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., is subject to documented procedure and systematic program of Internal Audits. The audit procedure will direct responsibilities and controls to be applied to planning, preparing, conducting, reporting and follow-up of the risk audits. The audit program, including the schedule will be based on the results of risk assessments of the companys activities, and the results of the previous audits. The audit procedure will cover the scope, frequency, methodologies and competencies, as well as the responsibilities and requirements for conducting the audits and reporting results. The project risk registers would formally be reviewed and updated every six months, but more regular reviews and updates are conducted in reference to any significant changes in activities. With the district cooling plant projects, the common risk register would be modified after evaluation of the work site and in reference to any changes in the work activities and areas. The audits will be conducted by suitably qualified personnel and by independent of those having direct responsibility for the activity being examined. The reviews would consist of a summary risk register which would provide the overall rating to identify all levels of risks mainly the high and the medium risks across the projects. It would also include a report of the implementation of the risk treatment plans made for the previous audits and its effectiveness in the management of risks in either reducing the risk, decrease in costs associated to risk management and the progress made in the controls of risk. The internal audits will determine whether or not the risk management system conforms to planned arrangements and has been properly implemented and maintained. Where non-compliance or opportunities to improve systems or practice are identified, appropriate corrective or preventive actions or controlled changes will be implemented. All such actions will be assigned, time limited and upon completion, reviewed for effectiveness. Where considered necessary subject to audit results obtained, the frequencies assigned on the audit program will be updated. Figure Internal Risk Audit Considerations The results of the audits will be recorded, maintained and subject to further review as an integral part of the risk management review meetings, thus assuring the effectiveness of the audit program in achieving desired goals. The performance of SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., risk management system and its suitability and effectiveness to satisfy the requirements of the zero harm corporate risk management policy would be reviewed every six months. Meetings Meetings are held at various levels in order to ensure that the project adheres to the organisations standards of safety, to create an awareness of SNC Risk Management Policy and to ensure that it is implemented in the project risk management process. Meeting Who are involved? How often? Project Executive Meeting (Overall review on the internal audits, changes in the existing risk management plan, any serious non-compliance issues) General Manager, Project Director, Project Manager Once in two months or as required by the project or in emergency situations. Project status meeting (Up-to-date information on the status of the project as well as review on conformance to the risk management procedure) Project Director, Project Manager, Site Manager, QA/QC and HSE Coordinators Weekly and in emergency situations Toolbox Talks ( Priorityissues, new instructions, lessons learned, or any job-related information that matters to the safety, health and welfare of employees, and the work environment) Contractor, SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., QA/QC Coordinators, SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., Personnel Weekly at the beginning of the work week Pre-job task instruction (the risks analysed are discussed herein in order for the crew to be aware of the proper job steps, the hazards associated with each job step (or activity) and the appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce the impact or the probability of the hazards) QA/QC and HSE Coordinators, SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC., personnel on site Daily, before commencement of the activity Records are subject to systematic review and analysis as an integral part of SNC-Lavalin Gulf Contractors LLC. Internal Audit Plan, identify any apparent trends, prove the effectiveness of their application and identify the opportunities for continual improvement. The disposal of records at the end of their retention period will be carried out under controlled conditions designed to protect the status of any confidential or exclusive information. During project closure and demobilization, obsolete and yet classified documents exclusive to the particular project shall be shredded and recycled. Other document files shall be labelled and delivered to designated store for safekeeping. Clients would be provided access to records pertinent to the contract regulations. Risk identification Risk identification refers to the identification of potential risks exposed in a project. The deliverable of the risk identification process is the project risk register which involves the risks that could affect the ability of a project to attain its objectives. The process in which

Friday, October 25, 2019

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

As a graduation speaker, I'm supposed to stand up here reflectively gazing out upon the few, the proud, the chosen: the Class of 2012, and point in general directions while saying the clichà ©, "Among us I see the first female president and a future congressman and the next mayor of Everett." But besides that I would never in my most vengeful moments wish those positions upon any of you, I cannot make those assertions because I am categorically against campaigns of any kind. Inspirational speaker John Bytheway said, "Success is more likely to come naturally from living life fully than by a direct and pointed campaign to achieve that long-range goal." This asserts that it's better to achieve by living deliberately than by doorbelling. Maybe this is because of those things we associate with campaigning. Campaigning implies the pursuit of power or a position. Whistle stops aren't about smelling the roses or enjoying the view, they're about shaking as many hands and kissing as many babies as possible, never mind the names and faces. Campaigning implies competition. Some people don't go after opportunities because they wish to avoid the cannibalism involved, and it's really unfortunate that any of our high school experiences may have been less because of a fear of friction. Even more misguided were those who did compete, but only because there was the chance to become taller by standing on someone else's head. They didn't know the cause, they didn't really care; they just wanted the crown. And campaigning ends in one of two ways: you either win or you lose. Now I'm not trying to knock on goals. On the contrary, discover a goal worth working for, something you can be passionate about. Better yet, get yourself a project... ..., I get it." Those times are bonuses, because sometimes there's nothing: there is no thanks, there is no recognition. But we don't do it for the crown. We don't campaign. We do good things for the right reasons at Wilson so now, now I can gaze prophetically out upon the few, the anxious, the survivors of CE: the Class of 2003, and predict that among us is the parent who will endure bad weather and worse calls during a Little League game only to be thanked by muddy cleats on the seat of the car. Among us is the kindred spirit who will pick up the neighbor's blown-over trashcan every Thursday morning. Among us is the nine-to-fiver who will stick around until eight to cover for an overwhelmed colleague. We do good things for the right reasons. It may not be glamorous, but it's genuine. We may not build monuments, but we have and will continue to make memories.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Travel Broadens the Mind

Travel broadens the mind Traveling broadens our minds in different ways. I had visited a different country for the first time when I was 8. My father lives in Norway with his American wife. I had already tasted the other side of life. I am only 15 and I know life is in front of me, but from my experience I know that traveling does change your point of view. How do you know? You might find yourself by traveling. Traveling does broaden our mind. We meet new people with new ideas .We find different architecture and religions. Other differences are the languages . The unknown languages are being a wall between us and the world. A wall that we break little by little every day being here in English class. Like we already said that travel broadens our mind. When we see how the other people survive we start thinking about our lives . We associate everything with our way of living . We started judging them for some things and being jealous for others.Every time when I travel I find something new, something different. But one thing will always be the same: when you travel you realize what are the most important things in your life. You start appreciating the little things in the big world. You discover that being rich is not to have money, cars or houses but to have friends and family to appreciate you. Whenever I get back from Norway, I am thinking differently. I see the bad and the good side of my country.I begin associating everything around me with the way they live in Norway. Travel broadens the mind, it shows us what are we missing and the important things in life. It does not really matter were you live or what launguage you are speaking, we are all people. We all have brains and bodys. We all have good and bad moments in our lives. Until you see something and get to know it better you can not judge it. Traveling broadens my mind. What about you? †¦

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Friedrich Engels and histor Essay

If one is not historical, then it is unscientific. The historical process that has commenced for millennia in the development of societies is a product of scientific processes and vice versa. Friedrich Engels has greatly contributed to the exposition of historical dynamics, one that is ever changing, in constant contradiction with the forces within and without. As it has been definitely asserted, historical materialism, as a part of a dialectic philosophy is not just narrowly limited to a â€Å"study† but it is a scientific process wherein events were investigated, researched, a hypothesis is derived and tested or compared if that assertion applies to universal condition. History thereof is a result of contradictions, a making of man, not just simply a compilation of events that transpired in the past. Only in such a way can history become a science. Thus, a truly revolutionary of his time, Engels presented history according to the material basis of the existence of societies, discussed the evolution of such societies as subsequent effects of the past, constantly playing interconnected, interwoven stories, which without the other is simply incomplete, unscientific. Here he illustrated the formation of history as a result of humanity’s struggle to attain its aims, therefore its own creation, its own being. Engels’ history does not consider man simply a being with presupposed actions, knowledge or decisions, man is a becoming, moulds the society that he belongs to, inseparably intertwined with the progress of the economy, his propensity to survive, to all other aspects of social existence. Certainly, Engels’ life is no different from the society he intended to explain. What has moulded him to become such a great influence in socio-economic paradigms and in the formulation of Marxism surely has a basis in his past, interconnected with his identity, with everything that has gone through his age, internal and external, positive and negative. His own being a laboratory of man as a â€Å"becoming† and of contradictions where which a new form from the antagonisms of the old is drawn. Hence, his life and works were a result of scientific processes, a fruit of the reactions among the material conditions that he was exposed to, a synthesis of numerous theses and anti-theses. Facts and figures are simply not what history is. Facts and figures say something but not substantially anything. History is a correlation and interrelationships between and among facts and figures without finding those connections are mere ink and paper –insignificant. Hitherto, Engels’ works remains to be of great influence in the struggles of oppressed peoples and of the international proletariat. This came into reality because Engels’ works were connected to the material foundations of human existence, ideas and theories that are not alienated: theories that can be felt, ideas that are tangible and inseparable from the activities of societies. As it was, matter precedes consciousness; Engels’ historical and philosophical analysis did not surface out of mere conception of abstract economic and historical fables, but were a result of the effects of the economic and social conditions existing at that time; societies came into reality first and from those realities a consciousness was obtained enabling Engels to scientifically analyze the future of societies based on the reasons that has caused past societies to progress into what they are at present. Engels biography is a display of such scientific course. His early life has been the origin why he came about with his voluminous works on history, implications brought by the facts how he was raised and intended of him to become, his experiences, and his direct contact with the production process and later in complete absorption to the revolutionary struggle in the industrial West. Friedrich Engels was born in Barmen, Prussia to a family of bourgeois origins in September 28, 1820, time when Europe was at the height of the development of the industrial era and wars of conquest for the accumulation of market, labour and resources for the bourgeois economy. It was a time of rapid changes ensuing on all borders, expansion of industrial interests was grappling Europe and colonies in Asia, Africa and Latin America were continuously ransacked while the European continent was in a constant scrabble of migration from different nations in search of industrial work. Indeed an era of accumulation of wealth and technological advances to improve productivity . His nascent years have been vital for the development of his future philosophical pursuit. In his poem â€Å"To My Grandfather†, written December 20, 1833, Friedrich has shown his early acquaintances in history through stories in the Greek mythology which he described as â€Å"many a beautiful story† that his grandfather told him . Another untitled poem written 3 years after described characters in stories from all over Europe seen by young Friedrich as â€Å"pictures to delight† . He was an observer and the environment drew much attention from him. Once he wrote about the conditions in Wuppertal, one of his first attempts to explain the seemingly complicated miseries of the working class , that even the columns of a building and the style of architecture did not escape his watch. It was the beginning of his acquisition of his most powerful weapon in his revolutionary battle, the excellence in textual conveyance. Not only was it a peek to his future history inclinations but also his superb literary talent that has greatly manifested in his works. His father, a German textile mill owner wanted him to become an industrialist too like himself. Though, the environment in which Friedrich Engels lived was full of stark contradictions, external factors which greatly affected his inner resolve, so that a strained relationship developed between them. A supporter of the Prussian government, Friedrich’s father held conservative views in politics and religion which could be attributed to his Protestant Pietist devotion that he entered Friedrich in local Pietist schools, indoctrinating him of narrow fundamentalist views of society that were never acceptable to his broad interests. He was then sent to Bremen, a German port city, before he finished his high school studies to work as a clerk, and there he exhibited despise to autocracy and religion, enjoyed life at its fullest and studied literature, philosophy, theology and history . The democratic struggles gaining political momentum at that time was under a literary movement drawn Engels to participate under a pen name Friedrich Oswald. His first work, a poem titled â€Å"The Bedouin † was published in the Bremisches Conversationsblatt No. 40. In September 1838 and many other literary works and commentaries proceeded thereafter. When he moved to Berlin to join the Household Artillery of the Prussian Army, he already had attractions to the Young Hegelians . His contact with the radical group proved to be vital in Engels’ future philosophical treatises. Hegelian philosophy maintained an idealist core with the dialectic claims that everything, after they had come into being, will ultimately wither away, a constant reminder of change and development inherent in everything therein. Though Hegelian dialectics maintained that thought precedes matter, it still had some followers who were radicalized and reached the point of concluding that even the Prussian state and religion will pass. The most revolutionary of them, however, deviated from Hegel’s â€Å"consciousness precedes matter† and inclined towards materialism. These revolutionaries, among them the 22 year-old Friedrich Engels, asserted that it is the other way around based on Ludwig Feuerbach’s rejection of Hegelian idealism and turned the tables for materialism. He would later publish a pamphlet hailing Feuerbach’s â€Å"The Essence of Christianity† in 1841. The pamphlet echoed Feuerbach’s materialist basis of societal thought and finally debunked theological monopoly of reflection with a â€Å"pulverizing† blow, but later Feuerbach’s materialism would be wedded with Hegelian dialectics . There he was an active radical, wrote articles for the democratic movement while attending lectures at Berlin University with his military service all at the same time. Before he would be sent to England, Engels, travelled to Cologne to meet Moses Hess, the first Hegelian who called himself a communist and the man behind Rheinische Zeitung –a radical daily newspaper. It was possibly in this acquaintance that Engels was influenced with utopian socialism and his travel to England would be decisive in starting a proletarian revolution in the most advanced industrial nation . His experience in Manchester, England in his father’s factory from 1842 opened his eyes to the realities of the working class which he stated in his Conditions of the Working Class in England in 1844, his first book bourn out of his observations in his father’s firm. In his English travel desertion, Engels have had certain exchanges with other workers’ organizations, radical, utopian socialists and Chartists and wrote for Robert Owens’ Utopian socialist paper, the â€Å"New Moral Order† . Only on his way to Barmen did he meet Karl Marx, his lifelong revolutionary collaborator. They first met in Cologne in 1842 and Karl Marx was an editor in the Rheinische Zeitung but took no time to explore their philosophical similarities. That friendship would last for about four decades. Together, Marx and Engels paved the way for the synthesis of Dialectical Materialism, Historical Materialism and Scientific Socialism among many other works that were to become the foundations of the proletarian movement. Engels could never be considered as Marx’s side kick as others would usually portray him, nor must he be treated as above Mar’s intellect on many philosophical questions. Often they would consult each other on certain points of argumentation and Engels recognized Marx’s excellence and at the same manner, Engels displayed his virtuoso in historical and literary fields. They were, in the truest sense, partners in their lifelong struggle for the liberation of the working class. What Engels had become could be ascribed to the people who had played certain parts in his â€Å"becoming†. His grandfather introduced him to the world of history and literature, his father pounced on him that he would later hate everything that his father believed, Hegel on his dialectics (though Engels had broken away from the idealist sector), Feuerbach presented the materialist view for his and Marx’s philosophical synthesis of the Dialectical Materialism and the millions of the workers’ masses that have borne the weight of the whole capitalist production system were, presumably, the greatest influences on Engels’ philosophy. Thus cementing that Engels was really a man that is a â€Å"becoming†. An accumulation of experiences, observations and contact with nature was the reason for having such philosophical standpoint . Engels’ philosophical background could be that of a German philosophy that could be traced from Leibniz, Kant, and Hegel. Though Engels or Marx did not have any â€Å"original† philosophical theories, it is precisely the justification on what was commented on the Critique on Feuerbach that theirs was a philosophy that aimed direct to the point of changing the existing order in the world not just explain it. On many occasions, Engels has directly found the connection of matter and thought, of historical events that are quite apart in ages but were systematically an integral part of the totality of human history. Friedrich Engels’ first book was the Conditions of the Working Class in England in 1844, written when he was in Manchester England. On its preface, Engels explicitly stated the conditions of the working class at that particular time based on his direct acquaintances with the proletariat or twenty-one months, straight from his observations. These observations were directed for the German proletariat so intense their conditions that Engels wished to know the root causes of their misery . In his dedication to the British proletariat, Engels can be seen as a true revolutionary, never satisfied with documents, it was a close contact, an integration among the masses of British workers that has propelled his understanding of the conditions of the working class. It was on the streets, in the alleys, in the working places that true understanding can be derived. The whole of Manchester turned into a laboratory of revolution . Manchester in 1844 is the centre of the Industrial Revolution which he observed, made the conditions of the workers worse. Huge industrial cities such as Manchester and Liverpool had disease occurrences four times grater than in the countryside. Before mills were introduced in England, more than four thousand out of ten thousand children die of whooping cough, scarlet fever, measles, and smallpox and an addition of another three hundred after. While adult mortality numbered to a thousand out of ten thousand and another two hundred added to the previous respectively. In one of his contributed article to the New Moral World Engels concluded that this condition must soon be ended with a revolution that would rearrange the social order existing at that time in three countries in Europe (England, France and Germany) as there is a fast spread of suffering among the working men in the continent. There were existing socialist and communist movements in many parts of Europe, half a million communists in France alone, with some differences in minor points in principle but again, Engels asserted that the proletarian class has the power to rise and become masters of their own, enjoy the fruits of their own labour only if these communists would be united –that would later be named as â€Å"proletarian internationalism† – costing most of Eastern Europe after the Second World War, a little more than a hundred years, with the USSR’s campaign of socialist annexation . Engels described the state of the capitalist system in England, being the most advanced at that time. In the book’s 1892 preface, 52 years since it was first published, the author noted that the rising industrial nations such as France, Germany and America and starting to break Britain’s â€Å"industrial monopoly† and finally reached what has England reached in 1844 and the effects were not different. Same economic laws apply and the fight of English workers five decades ago is happening in the country. It is after all still a bourgeois mode of production, the same tendencies, characteristics and social classes and antagonism still exist. Such was what he had predicted in his first edition and, scientifically, it was indeed the same characteristic of the capitalist economy regardless of nations and cultures. The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844 mirrored the condition of the working class not only in certain time frame but through the times as long as capitalism exists in a more or less varied intensity. Further expounding on the roots of the proletariat’s miserable place in the relations of production, Lenin commented that Engels was not the first to say that the working class is suffering from the ills of the capitalist mode of appropriation and expropriation, but it was Engels who said that the working class is being pushed to the very edges so that the proletariat had been left with no choice but to fight back and destroy the bonds of slavery. A power, so much moving this line had exuded that after seven decades Russian proletariat had risen to create the first proletarian state. In 1847, Mikhail Bakunin, a Russian anarchist was banned from Paris because of calling for the over of the Polish and Russian governments. Bakunin was one of the many revolutionaries that appearing in Europe. A revolutionary high tide is sweeping all over the continent and the great masses of workers are looking for the lead in the revolutionary struggle. Such was the condition when Engels wrote â€Å"The Principles of Communism† in 1847, a year before the Communist Manifesto was published. There was, however an earlier composition for the Communist League. In June of that year, the founding event of the Communist League, the Congress of the Just, the Principles of Communism was written to serve as a draft for a statement to be embraced by the proletarian revolutionary movement, the Communist Manifesto . The International Workingmen’s Association formed in 1864 was actively participated by Engels, and later joined Marx in the General Council in 1870, two after the IWA was organized. Historically, the IWA had a huge part in the uprising in Paris in 1871: the Paris Commune. In this event Engels’ writings defeated Bakunin’s Alliance for Social Democracy. IWA was considered to be the first International, and after the Paris Commune was quelled, after the commune died, Engels guided the formations of many socialist parties in Europe, especially in Germany which has been the movement that the whole European communist movement looked upon as bearer of the great socialist revolution. It was here that the term â€Å"manufacture†, denoting production by hand was conceived by Engels, such was to differentiate â€Å"production by hand† from production using a machine. This scheme was decisive in future historical annotations for the transition from guilds to factories of the primitive capitalist model. It is best too clarify that Marxist literature considers, based on historical materialism, that world history has not grown uniformly, some have advanced to capitalism, other nations remain in the feudal stage, and certain communities were even at the stage of primitive communalism. In the year 1884, Engels wrote â€Å"The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State. It was this document that really showed Engels’ distinction in history. He wrote this manuscript in just two months to continue what Marx would have wanted him to do – a treatise on the evolution of the State. This book covers the history of many nations, the emergence of private property and classes, and the state and ultimately how this state would perish, mush like Hegelian concept on the dialectical process of societies. Engels’ works were immensely influenced by Hegelian thought, especially evident in his â€Å"Origin of the Family†¦ † which was a complete narration of the scientific evolution of the societies, brought about by the contradictions that were constantly the cause of development, of ending an old social order and beginning anew. Aside from that, Engels life as a revolutionary and his works were also influenced by Moses Hess’s utopian socialist ideas, which, together with Karl Marx, they arrived into concluding that the future of capitalism is a scientific socialism and the establishment of the proletarian state. He also viewed the economy as the social foundation that it gives rise to the conception of the state, and that material foundation is the essential ingredient of the thought or way of thinking that would be dominant in the society. It was the very core of the materialist belief that matter precedes consciousness. Which takes us to think that a worker can not have a consciousness of a proletariat if the society has not reached the stage of capitalism, because in the first place, a condition does not exist that would permit a capitalist relation of production (wage labour). Through his life, Engels never believed in marriage pointing out that the natural order of reproduction is not bound by the exclusivity of a woman to a single man. That only came into being when the concept of private property had materialized, so as women. Women held a high place in the primitive societies since they were the only means that tribes and communities would survive was only through continued human reproduction . Engels’ works were referred to by the revolutionary movement especially on the philosophical discourses on dialectics, historical materialism and some of his economic formulations. These influenced leaders of different socialist parties in Europe and around the globe. In autumn of 1985, the leader of the Russian proletarian socialist revolution, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin wrote about Engels saying that he was a great teacher of the world’s working class, and his life must be known to every workingman. Lenin further states that Engels did not let his bourgeois status to stop him from serving the cause of the revolution, study of philosophy and science and politics. The article published in Rabotnik, clarified certain principles in Engels’ philosophy, and asserted that although Engels followed Hegelian dialectics, he was nevertheless not an idealist but one who firmly believes in materialism. Engels, said Lenin, used scientific methods in answering the economic questions of the time. It also gave an insight into Engels political history that being said, Engels was a democrat before he became a socialist. Thus Engels taught that the liberation of the working class is in the hands of the working class. Lenin after 22 years would lead the Russian working class to a socialist victory, fulfilling Engels’ vision of a socialist state won by the proletarian themselves. Later in 1920, three years after the Russian socialist revolution had been won, a document was published showing that Lenin would again comment on Engels through â€Å"The Marx-Engels Correspondence† which he wrote in 1913. The letters contained many of the theoretical foundations of socialism, masterfully fighting through the ins and outs of the political struggle in Europe. It was an exposition of the revisionist renegades attempt to mislead the great masses of the proletariat to capitulate in the bourgeois political system. Through these letters, as Lenin pronounced, the socialist movement was kept in the right track. The tasks of the proletarian revolutionary were outlined to serve as a guide for many socialist parties that were waging underground warfare against their governments. The dialectical course of history was reaffirmed and from that principle, Russian revolution had drawn much of Engels’ guidance in the theoretical as well as in the practical recourse of the revolution. Mao Zedong, leader of the Chinese revolution from the 1920’s until after the Second World War had been a staunch Engels follower through his works with Marx. Chairman Mao had quoted the communist manifesto, stressing on the point that without the theories that Marx and Engels developed, the revolution will have no guide. Revolutionary theory as Mao had said would give the people a direction in waging a war for national liberation, to assure that there would be no resurgence of bourgeois state in liberated nations and ensure that new democratic revolutions will continue to the socialist stage . Again Mao on his article on Women, Engels was often quoted because of his contributions in the study of the status of women in the society, through his book â€Å"the Origin of the Family, Private Property and State†. The study of the women was a big issue in the Chinese revolution. China was then waging a war against traditions that existed for thousands of years that was the feudal relationships between husbands and wives, elderly and the young in Chinese culture. Engels’ views on the question of the equality of the sexes in the primitive communal stage of societies shed light on the history of the struggle of women. Women suffer exploitation twice. A female worker is exploited because she is a worker and she is a woman. She does not only suffer from capitalist exploitation but also from male domination. However, the struggle for women’s liberation is not a struggle against the opposite sex, but a struggle based on the economic class . Friedrich Engels was said to be the builder of socialist thought, the International Review issue no. 83 on the 4th quarter of 1995 stated that Engels had been persistent in his revolutionary career, truly of German tradition. Owing much to his perception of the workers’ movements tendencies and strengths that in the article his first book published was the book used by many revolutionaries through the years of struggle all over the world, from Russia to China. Thus Engels was a man defined by his becoming. Through his life, from the time he was born till the day he died, Europe was in the middle of an economic advancement, it was also a period of political changes. In the middle of those political and economic current, Friedrich Engels stood to face the challenges of his time. The blowing winds of free thought have set his mind to open to new ideas, seemingly the emergence of radical movements were just on the right time. When he became a part of the Young Hegelians, his philosophical inclinations were further developed. If we would look at this through an idealist perspective, it would be possible that Engels life had the right coincidences: Marx was born on the same era; the proletarian movement was on its fiery start. However, dialectically, the course of history would be just the same, it could have not been Engels, it could have not been Marx but still the truth of the development of societies will be there because it is science. History is a making of humanity not just one man, thus independent of anyone’s identity yet it identifies with everyone. It is the reality. Through Engels’ writing Marx was able to find himself a competent partner in his revolutionary theorization. Together they had formulated the socialist philosophy that soon changed the course of the modern society. Engels contributed much to humanity’s understanding of history, complete and thorough interpretation of the events, explained the mysteries that bind each and every event from the beginning of human civilization. History was view on another angle, from the toiling masses, thus, breaking the monopoly of the establishment’s monopoly of truth. Hitherto, societies were seen as dynamic, changing every second, quantitatively and qualitatively –change that was internally caused by those who are within the system, not by something that is detached, alienated, or abstract. Material basis was always at the fore of historical explanations. Engels’ historical insights gave the ruled power over the ruler, the oppressed over the oppressor. In time, the order of things will be changed, asserts Engels, which change will never end. History had become an integral part of the future, not confined to the records of the olden times; it has passed yet continues to take part in molding the future of societies. Without Engels history would still continue and take its path as we have it today. Without Engels to help Marx, the society will still change. Therefore, Engels did have a contribution to humanity’s history. Through his writings, Lenin foresaw the First World War as an imperialist war took advantage of it and made the revolution at home victorious. With the victory of the Russian proletariat, the course of struggles around the world suddenly changed course and had a farther perspective. Not only did these liberation movements aimed to free their nations from foreign domination but had decided to free them from the slavery brought about by the conception of private property. Movements did not only strive to destroy the existing political order perpetuated by tyrants, they had sought to destroy the economic foundation of tyranny. In the country from where he came from, Engels, too, caused much change. He became one of the contributors to the German philosophy, became an inspiration to German revolutionaries and paved the way for the advancement of the German proletariat. As Germany was inseparable from the conditions that what existing in Europe at that time, it too had been reached by the socialist movement that after the Second World War, Germany was divided into two. East Germany had a socialist economy and the, capitalist. Engels had his great deal of share in the development of Marxism and socialism. He was the brain behind the Communist manifesto and Historical Materialism. His studies in the field of history enlightened Marxists and revolutionaries in the course of the inevitable changes in the society. Bibliography (Section 1) Kenwood A. G. and A. L. Lougheed. The Growth of the International Economy 1820-2000: An Introductory Text. London: Routledge, 1999. Carver, Terrell. Engels. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2003. Engels, Friedrich. â€Å"Bedouin. † Young Engels, Marx & Engels Internet Archive. Available from www. marxist. org. Engels, Friedrich. The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State. New York: Pathfinder Press, 2000.