Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Biography of Nelson Mandela

*Time line

1918- born in Transkei, South Africa
1942- was educated at universities and qualified in law
1944- joined the African National Congress
after 1948- was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies
1956-1961- went on trial for treason
1960- argued for the setting up of a military wing with the ANC
1961- was acquitted
1961- his proposal was considered on the use of violent tactics
1962- was arrested and sentences to five years' imprisonment with hard labour
1963- was brought to stand trial
1964- was sentences to life imprisonment
1964-1982- was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison; thereafter was at Pollsmoor Prison
1990- was released
1991- was selected President of the ANC

*Turning points

-Was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwaterscrand: qualified in law
-Joined the African National Congress
-The ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violenct tactics and agreed not to stop his members from campagning
-His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity.
-Was released.

*Achievements

-He has spent most of his lifetime striving for the anti-apartheild compaign.
-He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa.
-He was elected as the President of the ANC.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Domestic Violence

True story: Sharon’s new boyfriend

Domestic violence can be described as any type of abusive behaviour by a person that tries to gain and hold control over the other. There are many forms of domestic violence such as physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault or social or financial control.

Sharon is a 16-year-old girl who has been together with her 19-year-old boyfriend Anthony for four months. Unfortunately, she suffered physical violence and emotional abuse which are two forms of domestic violence from her boyfriend.

In Sharon’s story, it was obvious that her boyfriend presented an abnormal, enormous ego which led to physical violence. However, Sharon didn’t notice that and continued to make a relationship with others. It is more serious that she chose to hide the bruises on her arms that Anthony did to her. If she ever tried to take actions to make her safe by talking to her families or friends, the following thing that Anthony hit her aggressively would never ever happen.

It is clear that Anthony’s personality of possessive shows selfhood. He allows himself to do things whatever he likes, however, for Sharon, no way! It is not fair at all.

From this story, a conclusion can be easily drawn that respect is important in any kind of relationships. People can build self-esteem to cope with and recover from domestic violence. You can choose to tell a friend about the things that are happening to you or tell an adult. This could be another family member or family friend, teacher, counsellor – someone you trust and feel comfortable with.Remember, do not go through anything involving domestic violence alone, things could be better if you get help!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Martyrs in The Struggle for Justice

Time Line
-1904 born in Warrangesda Mission, NSW
-1917 was taken to the Cootamundra Girl's Home
-1930s begun to campaign for Aboriginal rights alongside other legendary Koori campaighners
-1932 co-founder of the Australian Aboriginal League
-1938 one of the Victorian representatives observing the first national Day of Mourning
-1960s was instrumental in founding the United Council of Aboriginal and Islander Women
-1964 was the first Aboriginal woman appointed to the Aboriginal Welfare Board
-1968 the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
-1968 was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) for services to the Aboriginal community
-1996 died
Turning Points
-1917 removed from family and taken to the Cootamundra Girl's Home
-1930s begun to campaign for Aboriginal rights
Achievements
-1977 wrote of her harrowing experience in her autobiography
-spent most of her time campaigning for Aboriginal rights

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

German plan to integrate migrants

source: The Australian 20/10/2010 Wednesday p9

Notes

*German government adopt a new migrant plan
*Centre-right cabinet adopt new regulations in immigration policy
*The government aim in a bill: more foreign diplomas recognised
*Mr Seibert: with some foreigners, integration is not happening as it should
*Central banker: migrants in Germany made the country "more stupid"
*Chancellor: Those who don't accept migrants don't have a place here (multiculturalism)

Summary

The German government will adopt a new migration plan to integrate immigrants. In a declaration, Chancellor Ms Merkel's centre-right cabinet said they would adopt new regulations in governing immigration policy as well as addressing German language courses and combating forced marriages. Mr Seibert added that the government aimed in signing a bill that would have more foreign diplomas recognisedand help employers in Europe's biggest economy find qualified workers. However, he also mentioned that with some foreigners, integration was not happening as it should. In addition, central banker said Germany's migrants had made the country "more stupid". But Chacellor Ms Merkel stated "those who don't accept them don't have a place here".

Personal reflection

It is my opinion that every country needs a certain number of migrants to join if this country wants to get connected with the world. In this stage, German government has a good attempt. It is a good idea to plan a new immigration policy to integrate a country. As the developing of the globalization, migrants have been playing an important role in both economy and policy. They have brought a large number of knowledge and skills to help a country get advanced in a way. Being liveing in a multicultural society, there is no doubt that getting migrants that from different backgrounds involved in a country is really a must.
In this case, I agree with the German government's plan!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Obesity in Children

· What is obesity?
Obesity is a medical problem which is caused by excess energy stored in a person's body and can not be used.

· What are the reasons for obesity in children?
The reasons for obesity in children are unhealthy food choices, lack of physical activity and family eating habits.

· Is obesity only a national problem?
No, it is a worldwide problem. The increasing rates of childhood obesity are shocking in many countries.

· What do statistics show?
The statistics show more people are getting obesity in Australia.

· What is making worse the obesity problem?
Some major changes in society have led to an increase of overweight and obesity.
Those changes include increases in portion sizes, marketing of energy-dense foods and drinks, the use of cars, family incomes, working hours and decreases in the overall cost of food, the role of physical education in the school curriculum, and more take-away foods.

· Does obesity have an impact on children’s health?
Yes, it does.

· If yes, explain how?
Some potential health problems for obese children include:

Type 2 diabetes
Eating disorders

Orthopaedic disorders
Liver problems
Respiratory disorders

Sleep apnoea
Cardiomyopathy.

· What are the other impacts caused by obesity in children?
Obesity in children can cause obesity in adults.

· What is the treatment?
Go to your doctors or nutritionists for help.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Regulator mooted to ensure academic freedom

The Australian, Wednesday, 01/09/2010 p25


Notes:
*Labor government: extend powers to oversee academic freedom
*Opposition: limited public scrutiny of research would be an assault on freedom of speech
*The Coalition: stop Labor's advocacy science
*Macquarie University vice-chancellor: academics must stay up-to-date in their field,understand the techniques of their discipline


Summary:
A Labor government would extend the powers of the higher education regulator to oversee academic freedom. However, Opposition education spokesman said limited public scruting of research would be an assault on freedom of speech. And the Coalition's new higher education policy has promised to "stop Labor's advocacy science". The vice-chancellor of Macquarie University said that academic must tay up-to-date in their field and understand the techniques of their discipline.


Personal Reflections:
I think the government should take moderate freedom to academics. If there is no control about freedom, the academic education will definitely be a panic. As a result, students can't focus on research but look for a loophole on kinds of theories. If the government allows but limits the freedom, everyone can express their ideas and show great creativity. So in my opinion, the government should make decision by considering the real need of the academics.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Independents make day for rural universities

The Australia 25/08/2010 Wednesday P21

Notes:
*Regional universities in a position: benefit from the hung parliament
*haggling between parties, independents may lead to initiatives to support regional campuses
*Professor Simon Marginson: discount for regional students might come on to pork-barreling
*Chairman Peter Coaldrake: warned against the temptation to set up unviable regional campuses
*Coalition’s election policy focus on rural provision: a $1 billion regional education fund also support for regional school education
*Coalition relax work criteria for Youth Allowance: slash funding for Labor’s payments

Summary:
Regional universities are in a position to benefit from the hung parliament. The haggling between the parties and independents may lead to initiative to support regional campuses and participation. Universities of Melbourne higher education professor Simon Marginson speculated that discount on HECS and scholarship for regional students might come on to pork-barreling. But the Universities Australia chairman Peter Coaldrake warned against the temptation to set up unviable regional campuses. The Coalition’s election policy focused on rural provision. It proposed creating a $1 billion regional education fund included supporting for regional school education. In addition, the Coalition’s proposal to relax the work criteria for Youth Allowance will slash funding for Labor’s incentive payments to enroll more students from poor backgrounds.


Personal Reflections:
The hung parliament will definitely be a great benefit to the regional universities. It is also obvious that this kind of ‘competition” between the parties and the independents may result in some problems. As the Universities Australia chairman Peter Coaldrake stated that setting up regional campuses could be temptation, besides, as we all know, things are easy to promise but difficult to put into practice, nobody will know what could happen in the future. But I am sure one thing, that is Labor’s plan of incentive payments to enroll more students from poor backgrounds will be definitely harmed by Coalition’s proposals. I don’t think it is a good idea, because many students will leave school for lack of money. I don’t agree with the point that the main parties seek to win the independents by pork-barreling.