Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) The Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) This lesson deals with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). MDGs are derived from earlier development targets. The MDG’s originated from the United Nations Millennium Declaration, was the main outcome of the Millennium Summit. The Declaration asserted that every individual has dignity; therefore, the right to freedom, equality, a basic standard of living. MDG’s emphasized the role of developed countries in aiding developing countries, as outlined in Goal Eight, which sets objectives and targets for developed countries to achieve a global partnership for development ________________________________________________________________________________ Objectives After going through this lesson, you should be able to: describe the millennium development goals-(MDGs) Focus on three major areas for improvement. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.1Â  Introduction It is not the United Nations that has to achieve millennium development goals; they have to be achieved by every country, by the joint efforts of government and people. The millennium declaration promises people from the dehumanising conditions of extreme poverty, make the right to development a success and reality for everyone. Each goal is easy to understand and implement. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) are the world’s biggest promise – a global agreement through collaborative action. Any happening in one country undoubtedly affects those who live in other countries. We need to have a safe and secure world unless we react all against poverty, injustice and inequality. We can eradicate poverty, since we have the resources, and know how. Let us make best of opportunity. One World One Hope: to achieve our global commitments and vision of the Millennium Development Goals targets by 2015. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.3 THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS-(MDG’s) The Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) are the most broadly supported, comprehensive and specific development goals the world has ever agreed upon. These eight time-bound goals provide concrete, numerical benchmarks for tackling extreme poverty in its many dimensions. They include goals and targets on income, poverty, hunger, maternal and child mortality, disease, inadequate shelter, gender inequality, environmental degradation and the Global Partnership for Development. Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Targets Target 1a: Reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day Target 1b: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people Target 1c: Reduce by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Targets Target 2a: Ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary schooling Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Target 3a: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015 Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Targets Target 4a: Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five Goal 5: Improve maternal health Indicators Target 5a: Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio Target 5b: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases Targets Target 6a: Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS Target 6b: Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Targets Target 7a: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes; reverse loss of environmental resources. Target 7b: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss. Target 7a and 7b Indicators: Target 7c: Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation Goal 8: A global partnership for developments Target 8a: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system Includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty reduction; both nationally and internationally. Target 8b: Address the special needs of the least developed countries Includes tariff and quota free access for the least developed countries exports; enhanced programme of debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) and cancellation of official bilateral debt; and more generous ODA for countries committed to poverty reduction. Target 8c: Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and Small Island developing States through the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and the outcome of the twenty-second special session of the General Assembly. Target 8d: Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Summing Up: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), endorsed by governments at the United Nations in September 2000, aimed to improve human well-being by reducing poverty, hunger, child and maternal mortality, ensuring education for all, controlling and managing diseases, tackling gender disparity, ensuring sustainable development and pursuing global partnerships. This would help to bring underdeveloped and developing nations on the next level of progress.

Nicolo Pignatelli and Gulf Italia: Case Analysis Essay

1. Pignatelli should first and foremost properly assess the ethical dilemma he faces. The problem before him comes down to the decision between two outcomes both with their share of benefits and risks. He can follow guidelines by waiting several months to receive a response from the Italian government while losing millions of dollars and risking his reputation and fate of his company if the government decides to not allow Gulf Italia to refine at full capacity. On the other hand he can attempt to pay someone off either directly or indirectly, a potential illegal activity, and more quickly have his company produce at full capacity, preserving his reputation without losing money and securing the jobs of his many workers. Because this is an ethical dilemma, a straight forward decision is not possible and a careful consideration of the factors must be taken. No code of ethics is mentioned in the case description, so a measurement of the moral intensity factor will be more relevant. The magnitude of the consequences leans more in favor or Pignatelli paying someone off because the employment of thousands of his workers is as stake and because the risks are not as high as imagined. It is mentioned that this practice is common in Italy despite it being illegal. The social consensus also leans in favor of Pignatelli paying someone off because of the fate of his workers and also because he has gone to great lengths to satisfy the local communities already in moving the location around five times and implementing cleaner technology at a higher expense to his company. The probability of effect also leans in favor of paying someone off because it seems as if his company is not doing any harm but rather is being harmed by the limitations placed by the Italian government. Proximity also leans in favor of paying someone off because his reputation is at stake and he could very well lose everything if he decides to wait it out. For these reasons Pignatelli should either pay someone off or ask Mobil to put pressure on decision makers. Although the bribe option is illegal, that should be the last choice he makes after he tries paying someone connected to take care of it and having Mobil work on the problem as well. If I were in his position, I would do as I have just recommended, but only in the context of what his situation was. It seems as if Pignatelli was under intense pressure to lead his company, to ensure the livelihoods of his workers and to turn a profit. On top of this, it seems almost unfair that his company was promised one thing then given another. 2. If Pignatelli does not pay the bribes directly, it does not absolve him from responsibility because of accountability. If he did not need to have someone indirectly paid off in the first place for a specific reason, then no bribe of that matter would have ever taken place. If Pignatelli ended up paying someone to bribe someone else and the authorities found out, the chain would lead back to Pignatelli and he would most certainly be held accountable for the activity. 3.  The argument that asks if it is justifiable to illegally bribe someone because it is common practice has two sides. On one hand it is simply illegal, should not be done, and will be prosecuted if discovered. However on other side, one could ask the question, is a law really a law if it is not enforced and under what circumstances, if any, would it ever be okay to break that law? If someone is to consider the second stance, they would have to consider the moral and philosophical implications of what justice is. For the example of Pignatelli, if he is doing nothing morally wrong, in fact he is actually creating a commodity for the world to use while ensuring the livelihoods of many of his employees, is it justifiable for him to break the law to ensure that he can maintain his operation? The answer to this question depends on the viewer and what he or she personally believes and defines as justice. I personally believe that justice is a moral virtue which is delineated and refined through the judicial system, and that laws can change over time. I believe that bribing to get something unfairly in return is morally wrong, but I believe that in the case of Gulf Italia because the government already gave him the go ahead to refine oil, then suddenly cut it back, there is a tremendous desire to look more closely at the situation. If his company is more than qualified, and the government made an irrational decision, I believe that in this particular case, that a bribe to ensure the flow of so much else would be justifiable. 4.  Pignatelli does not necessarily have a responsibility to go above and beyond environmental requirements. This does not mean that he could actually go above and beyond. It all depends on his management style. If he believes in social responsibility, then he would go above and beyond. If he believes in efficiency, he would only do what is the bare minimum to pass the requirements. Whether it is appropriate or not for Gulf to spend extra money thereby taking it away from shareholders also depends on his management style. If he believes in social responsibility then he would see it in the sense that he owes something back to society because without it, his company would not exist, and therefore he would take money from his shareholders to enact policies towards social responsibility. However if he believes in efficiency, he would see his responsibility as an owner and manager to maximize profits to the other owners and shareholders because that is basically his job and that issues pertaining to social responsibility are better left the government. 5. Considering the context of the case, I would be perfectly fine.  If I were an Italian working for a huge Italian conglomerate, I would most typically think that one vice in exchange for much good is tolerable. Going back on my response to question 3, my ethical obligations in any other case of bribery would lead me to a moral dilemma. If I were working for a finance company and found out that my bonus was directly correlated to a senior partner bribing someone, I would most likely protest and revolt. However if I were a lower-middle class Italian laborer with a secure and promising job, I would not see it as a bad thing what the owner did which in a way he did to guarantee my pay and security.

Improving the Sales of a Retail Store

This paper aims to apply the retail elements discussed in the book of Paco Underhill, â€Å"Why We Buy†. As discussed in the book, improving the state of certain but key retail elements of the store will likely improve its sales performance. For this study, the proponent opted to study the prospects of improving the retail elements of the Starbucks Coffeeshop located at 62 Boylston, Boston, Massachusetts and subsequently, the store’s sales performance. I. THE STORE – The proponent chose the Starbucks Coffee Shop located at 62 Boylston, Boston, Massachusetts for this study. It is a very small establishment that provides that rustic makeshift feel typical of Boston. While the coffee shop is successful in blending with the building that houses it and appears to have tapped a substantial percentage of foot traffic to keep it afloat, the proponent believes that it can do more once improvements are implemented to it. These improvements will be discussed in detail and will be conveyed after reviewing key retail elements. 1. Facade – As mentioned earlier by the proponent, the establishment blended well with the building’s color scheme and all with only the logo to distinguish it from afar. If one is new in the area and happens to pass this route to the office, chances are, the establishment will not register as on of Starbuck’s stores unless one looks up and sees the logo. 2. Layout– In general, the interior follows a typical Starbucks coffee shop with varying seat arrangements ranging from a 2-seater coffee table to bar tables on the glass panel provided with stools to suit to the dining preference of its customers. Similarly, the tables and chairs are arranged in such a way to allow a free flowing process for the customer, i. e. , from the time one enters the store, to approaching the counter, then dining until the customer heads for the exit. The interior painting provides a warm and homey feel enticing customers to stay a little longer. . Display – Inside the store, you will see the usual Starbucks merchandising showing their valued coffee beans, thermo mugs, coffee press and music cds to name a few. In front of the counter, one gets enticed to indulge in a sweet spree with all the pastries the store has to offer. The window panels while bare and boring from afar, allows passersby to get a glimpse of what is happening inside and what is in store for them and the proponent believes that this is the how Starbucks wanted it. . Value Added Amenities – The store provides its customers with mild pipe in music that stimulates an engaging conversation with friends. In addition, the store provides wireless fidelity connection to give customers access to the internet. 5. Customer – While the regular Bostonian walks to and fro school or work, most come from old rich descent. Life in Boston is a bit laid back compared to other areas in the United States making the theme of the store under study suitable for them. II. THE PROPOSAL – In reviewing the Starbuck’s store, the proponent attempts to apply the following retails points crucial in improving the sales performance of an establishment. These elements are: 1) A reason to return; 2) Interception Rate; 3) Display windows; 4a) Touch, trial, or other sensory stimuli; 4b) Immediate gratification; 4c) Social interaction; 5) Adjacencies and 6) Design, merchandising and operations (Underhill 2000). As the proponent conducts the analysis certain areas for improvement will be identified in the process. Among these areas, the proponent believes that application of certain modification on the stores design, i. e. , facade, and initiating activities that will enhance social interaction will not only increase the occurrence of repeat customers but will also enable them to tap other target markets. These two areas are discussed in detail below: 1. Design – Obviously, the operator of the Starbucks coffee at 62 Boylston, Boston, Massachusetts tried to blend in with the overall color and theme of the building, unfortunately, certain marketing concepts have been sacrificed in doing so. For instance, while people passing within the proximity of the coffee shop will likely identify it immediately, people from afar will most likely miss it not to mention if these people are new or are just visiting the area. The proponent also suggests that applying a contrasting color scheme will not only help increase the visibility of the store but as a matter of fact, will improve the appearance of the building en banc. 2. Social Interaction – Another avenue for sales improvement is in initiating activities that will enhance group meetings or social interaction in the store. To note, the baseline sales of the store is more or less dependent on the number of seats occupied. Oftentimes, the seating capacity of the store will be underutilized due to customers who would be dining alone. By initiating activities or promotions like group discounts, utilization of the store’s seating capacity, which as mentioned is a function of sales, will likely increase.

History Of The Russian States Summary - 715 Words

History of the Russian states The chapter talks about Russia’s history and their failures and what ought to be done to bring order in Russia. This history is a description of various historical events in Russia including various leaders and their historical events and failures. This history is communicated in the form of a poem. The poet crafted the piece lamenting of various leaders who took leadership in Russia and never brought order. The persona that was used by the poet to communicate his ideas and message shows how Russian land is fertile and rich of useful resources. The persona at some instance calls for the foreigners to come to their land and bring order. They say the Germans liberal†¦.Well shower you with silver, of which†¦show more content†¦The chapter looks into various civilizations in the world. The world during this century was characterized by various civilization activities. The chapter looks at civilization I various aspects which include technologies that were used for v arious economic activities in various parts of the world as well as political development in this century. The chapter further looks keenly looks into the civilization in various parts of the world. The chapter looks at various aspects of the diverse economies of the world. The economic activities in the world at this century included mining in China and other parts of the world, pastoral communities of both Asia and West Africa. At the beginning of the chapter, we are introduced to the current perspective of Christopher Columbus as opposed to the praise he was accorded in the nineteenth century (Bontrager pg., 500). He, therefore, contributed to civilization and the movement of slaves from various parts of the world to America. 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