Ethnic Groups and Discrimination Essay

I belong to the White ethnic group which was responsible for the colonization of North America. While I am part of the White ethnic group, my family immigrated to the United States from Germany quite some time after the major colonization of North America. When most people think about the colonization of North America they think of White people on the Mayflower landing on Plymouth Rock. While the pilgrims did colonize what is now referred to as New England, the Spanish were actually the first to colonize North America. No matter who first colonized North America, this colonization caused an influx of immigrants that asserted their dominance over the native people. This colonization was also the root cause of slavery being introduced to this â€Å"New World†. Pilgrims are most notably identified as coming to North America to escape religious persecution. The ironic part of the colonization is that the pilgrims forced their religion on those native to North America. It is important to note that this may be one of the first indications of future ethnic and racial problems that would caused by the colonization of North America. I don’t think people normally think about racism happening to Caucasians. Unfortunately it is very common for racism to happen to all ethnic groups in the U. S. Caucasian racism and prejudice against other ethnic and racial groups always seem to get the most publicity. It would be better to broaden our view of prejudice and racism so that we could get the whole story. I think that the Caucasian group had brought most of this negative attention on itself. Historically the U. S. has been dominated by Caucasians, which means this group doesn’t have as much to worry about restrictions due to ethnicity or racial group. If we break down the Caucasian group even further we can see that this is even truer for the males, which I am, of this group. Male Caucasians have long been the dominant force in U. S. society. The majority of restrictions placed on females and ethnic groups have been enforced by Male Caucasians. The most notable Caucasian discrimination has been against African Americans. African Americans were largely used for slave labor during the beginning of the U. S. Going from slave to equal isn’t easy, in both occurrence and acceptance from the former dominant or controlling group. This dominant position can be seen as a major reason why the view of discrimination is still focused on Caucasians. Since the Caucasian males of the past have put restrictions on most other ethnic groups, this wrong was attempted to be â€Å"undone† by Affirmative Action laws (Fullinwider, Robert). While most people see Affirmative Action as being helpful, it has also caused discrimination against Caucasian males. Some government agencies require a quota on hiring certain ethnic groups (this included female Caucasians). This can cause a job candidate that has hirer qualifications to be passed over just to fulfill a quota. I have seen this happen to my father while he was applying for a firefighter/EMT position. You can easily see the Caucasian male dominance by noticing the â€Å"dual labor market† effect. I see it more as a â€Å"multiple labor market† since I would also include female Caucasians as another labor market. Immigrants from Mexico often enter into a portion of this multiple labor market, most notably the farming community. Whether it is farming, manual labor, or the lower-end service sector it seems that it seems more acceptable to Caucasians for other ethnic groups to occupy these types of jobs. When the other ethnic groups occupy positions normally held by Caucasian males, we often see a limitation in their ability to progress in that profession (â€Å"glass ceiling†). If you look at the breakdown of people who run companies you will see this is dominated by Caucasians males, followed by males of the other ethnic groups, then females of all ethnic groups. Discrimination isn’t only apparent in the job market, but in how companies invest in certain areas. It is seen in our response to what is happening in other areas of cities or areas of the country. We have slums and â€Å"ghettos† that don’t get investment monies to fix them up due to the lower class segregation. We have other areas occupied by a high number of non-Caucasians that don’t get investments just because of their ethnicity. New Orleans is a perfect example of all of these inequalities. It was a city segregated by race, ethnicity, and social class standing. The devastation caused by hurricane Katrina happened to people who couldn’t afford to get out on their own, and was compounded by the predominantly Caucasian government’s lack of response (arguably due to the racial differences between U. S. leaders and with the people effected by the disaster). I don’t feel that I fit in with the standard culture for my Caucasian ethnic group or the U. S. mainstream culture. I don’t participate in any religions, as I believe in myself and science that can be proved. I don’t feel that I am or need to be â€Å"better† than any other ethnic group. I couldn’t care less about what style is popular or what haircuts are â€Å"in†. I just try to be myself and try to ignore things that try to sway my opinions. Instead of taking someone’s word for something I would rather research and come to my own decision (almost to a fault). I think it is better to be different than a lemming following the crowd running off the cliff. References Fullinwider, Robert (2005). Affirmative Action. Retrieved February 1, 2006 from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/affirmative-action/.

Bantay-Dagat Program (Unfinished)

Introduction Our environment is our primary concern today, for the environment that have nurtured us and provided us with everything that we need for sustenance is now in peril. Pollution, destruction of forests, extinction of floral and faunal species, coral bleaching, loss of arable due to erosion – all of these, and more, are the products of man’s destructive activities that continually threaten our fragile environment. Furthermore, the constant ruining of the environment often creates catastrophes that can, and will, endanger our very own lives.Therefore, we must conserve, protect, and save our environment for environment’s sake, for our children’s sake, and for our sake. In connection, we, the students of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas of the NSTP-CWTS program AY 2012-2013 heed to the call of the world for a new wave of young people who can bring change towards their fellowmen in the context of environmentalism, envisioned to do our part in the fruitful conservation of Mother Nature.This plan of action of ours is our own way as students to meet local and national conservation efforts towards a more sustainable development of our beloved country. Description The Bantay Dagat Project as proposed by the National Service Training Program (NSTP) officers is a program in which the beautification of native beaches and awakening of the community’s awareness regarding proper waste disposal are accentuated as the principal goals.Background The beaches of Brgy. Santo Nino Sur are said to be one of the best beaches in the province of Iloilo, visited annually by many local and foreign tourists alike. However, decades of human occupation have tarnished the beauty of the site, and is now littered with a lot of garbage. There are lot of floating debris in the sea, and the coast is strewn with many unwanted materials, suggesting years of uncareful management of the area.

Active contours

Active contours Active contours are one category of variational methods that have been used widely within image segmentation applications. An energy functional is defined with arguments as the image parameters and a closed curve that partitions the objects in the image. There are two main methods of representing the curves such as (a) extrinsic and (b) intrinsic. Extrinsic representation keeps function values at boundary points. Intrinsic lets use of functions that are defined on all the point of the image and are more desirable. Intrinsic representation of a planar curve C using an auxiliary function is denoted as C = f(x; y) j (x; y) = 0g (22) where (x; y) is called level set function of curve C and the zero level of (x; y) is taken as the contour. Curvature  of the closed curve C with level set function  is given by  = div( 5 k5k ) (23) The deformation of the contour is reprsented in a numerical form as a partial differential equation @(x;y) @t =j 5(x; y) j ( + ((x; y))) (24) where  is a constant speed term to push or pull the contour. Mean curvature of the level set function is defined as: ((x; y)) = xx2 yà ´Ã‚€Â€Â€2xyxy+yy2 x (2 x+2 y)3=2 (25) where x is the first derivative with respect to x and xx is the second derivative with respect to x. The role of the curvature term is to control the regularity of the contour and  controls the balance between the regularity and robustness of the contour. Chan Vese formulated the energy function F in terms of an internal force Eint and an external force Eext F(C) = R 1 0 [Eint(C(S)) + Eext(C(S))]ds (26) Eint = length(C) + Area(Cin) (27) Eext = R Cin j I(x; y) à ´Ã‚€Â€Â€ I1 j2 + R Cout j I(x; y) à ´Ã‚€Â€Â€ I2 j2 (28) where  and  are positive fixed parameters which help to smoothen the growing contour. I(x; y) is intensity value of image region and I1 and I2 are average intensity value inside and outside the object region, respectively. IV. IMPLEMENTATION AND ANALYSIS All qualitative and quantitative outcome of the algorithm were recorded by running the Matlab programs with Intel(R) Core (TM) i7 CPU, 3.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM with Matlab 14 (a) on Windows 8. A. Description of Test Data The dataset used in the proposed algorithm consists of scanned images of stained breast biopsy slides from MITOS dataset [35]. Each set is composed of 96 high power field (HPF) images of breast tissue scanned at 40X magnification using two different scanners, Aperio (AP) and Hamamatsu (HM), with a resolution of 0.23-0.24 m:. All the images are 1376  1539  3 size. B. Experimental Strategies This paper qualitatively and quantitatively compares the KHO based optimal nuclei detection performance with the watershed based detection done by S. Ali et al. [8] and blue ratio image based detection done by Irshad et al. [21]. The segmentation performance is compared with local threshold method done by Cheng Lu et al. [22]. 1) Experiment 1: Evaluating the optimal threshold value: Goal of this experiment was to prove the power of KHO based optimal thresholding to detect the exact nuclei regions in histology images. It also compares the optimum value of the threshold obtained by KHO in breast histopathology images with GA, HSA and BFA. 2) Experiment 2: Comparison of Detection Accuracy: Aim of this work is to validate the detection performance of the proposed technique against the watershed and blue ratio techniques in terms of detection sensitivity and precision. 3) Experiment 3: Comparison of Segmentation Accuracy: This evaluates the performance of the detection algorithm in ACM segmentation and compare the results against two state-of-the-art techniques in terms of boundary based distance measures. This experiment also measure the strength of the algorithm to resolve the touching nuclei in terms of touching nuclei resolution.1) Evaluation of Detection Performance: This paper qualitatively and quantitatively evaluates the application of optimal thresholding in nuclei detection performance. The mean objective value and standard deviation express the consistency and stability of the algorithms. The results obtained by KHO are compared with GA, HSA and BFA. The parameters used in these algorithms are given in Table II.The quantitative evaluation of detection performance is carried out by locating the centroid of detected nuclear regions. The measures used to assess the nuclei detection comprise of: 1) Sensitivity (SD); 2) Positive Predictive value or Precision (PD); and 3) F-measure (FD) as given in eq. (26), (27), and (28), respectively. The results obtained are compared with manual detection results by an expert pathologist. The SD and PD values are computed from the number of truepositives (number of correctly detected nuclei, Ntp) , falsepositives (number of wrongly identified nuclei, Nfp) and false negatives(number of nuclei not detected by the algorithm, Nfn). The detected object is considered as true positive if its centroid is within 10 pixels range of manually determined centroid location. If no centroid was manually located within

Cause and Effect of the Crash of Alaska Airlines Flight261 Essay

Cause and Effect of the Crash of Alaska Airlines Flight261 - Essay Example The National Transportation Safety Board said that the probable cause of the accident was â€Å"a loss of airplane pitch control resulting from the in-flight failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly's acme nut threads†. The thread failure was caused by excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airlines' insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly (NSTB, January 31, 2000).But when I watched the video and upon reading the transcriptions of the investigations of the National Transportation Safety Board, I realized that the jack-screw is only a participating evident of inefficiencies of the system.The circle of event shows inefficiencies on the maintenance system of the Alaska Airlines; as mechanics and authorities of the airlines dismissed warnings that the jack screw is already overused and that it may caused future problems. Perhaps reason for this is the cost of replacement is expensive. However, had it been regularly oiled and lubricated, the prob lem maybe did not exist. Clearly, at this level of ground maintenance, something is already amiss.Going to the pilots, there is no reason not to believe they are experts in their fields, but the captain lacked the will to exercise its authority to act in an emergency. Upon knowing of the problem at the tail of the aircraft, they had plenty of time to return, or land in the nearest field. The captain wanted to emergency land in Los Angeles airport, but was discouraged by the Alaskan Airlines operator at the Tower.

Social Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social Entrepreneurship - Essay Example This paper outlines that social entrepreneurs are becoming more and more vocal in these organizations, and are used to strategize ways in which an organization may make a significant social impact in the market. Social entrepreneurship is involved in business strategies and management; it is aimed at making an impact in the society, as the organization strategizes in the market. In such cases, innovation is important in coming up with social related strategies, enabling an organization to have a positive social impact other than taking away from the community in which they operate through exploitation of resources. From this paper it is clear that innovation brings about better products to the market to benefit a society. Social entrepreneurs have to pinpoint problems in the society and come up with measures to solve such problems for the betterment of the society. For example, some pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline Company carry out massive studies in many societies, related to testing and innovating appropriate drugs. A social entrepreneur in such a company may come up with other projects such as provision of basic amenities to communities, examples being water, healthcare facilities or other facilities to benefit the entire society. Therefore, instead of the company being biased and benefiting from the society, such innovators are supposed to come up with ingenious projects to enhance a ‘payback’ culture to the same society; such actions have been used to strengthen the bond between the company and the society in which such a company operates.Many textile companie s are responsible for using toxic chemicals in cotton farming, and supplying the same to cotton farmers.  

India and China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

India and China - Essay Example As mothers, they used to take care of their homes and their children and ensure that their daughters end up marring a rich person. In India, a female serves several roles throughout her life at different stages of life. Every female is expected to go through two stages of life, the first stage is when an Indian female assumes the position as a daughter in Indian family and the second stage is when she assumes the position of being a wife along with a daughter in law in her life. As an Indian female child or daughter, the parents of an Indian girl expect her to enjoy her life, concentrate on her studies and become an obedient child to her parents. For example, Sita in Sarena Nanda’s article named â€Å"Arranging a Marriage in India† states that as a child her family does not expects her to find a boyfriend and a future partner for her and instead want her to leave this task on their shoulders while she continues to have fun and enjoy their life (Hirschberg 192). This eve n means that parents of Indian families expect their daughters to be dependent on them for major decisions of their life such as deciding about the person whom she is going to get married to and spend her life with. Another important point stated in Nanda’s article is that when a girl is married to a boy in India, the girl does not only gets married to the individual male, she even agrees to be committed with entire family of her husband. For example, when Sita was asked about how she can get married to a person she does not know, she responded that her parents conduct a background check on the family of her future possible husband. This means that at an early age, her parents have already injected it in her mind that after she gets married she even has to serve the family of her husband. In the ancient Chinese era, the Chinese families expected the female children to accept that the males of the society were elites and they were subordinates to them. This is evident in the a rticle named â€Å"China Chic: East Meets West† as it has been stated that the activity of foot binding was limited to the female gender and at a very early age this activity was conducted to ensure that the size of female feet remains smaller than the size of the male feet to symbolize male dominance (Steele 416). The females of the ancient Chinese era were even expected to accept that no matter how weak their male counterparts were, they were still elites and dominant. This explanation is correct as foot binding was especially under taken during the period when the Chinese were experiencing defeats and in order to boost the morale of the military officials, foot binding was used to make them feel superior. Chinese women were even expected by their family members, especially by their mothers to look sexually attractive so they can compete against concubines in order to attract their male counterparts. Steele asserts that small feet were perceived to be very sexually attracti ve, thus females of ancient Chinese used to be involved in the act of foot binding. The process of foot binding even reflects that Chinese women during the ancient Chinese period were expected to marry a rich husband and in order to attract such a husband, their families used to bind their feet at a very early age and their children used to accept the activity in a very brave manner. Steele’s text even highlights that the role of a mother was to ensure

Libor Scandal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Libor Scandal - Essay Example The dishonesty that was exposed by the authorities was very shocking and that the ultra conservatives needed to exploit the public by weeping into public gallery. When the authorities ignore incessant warnings about the true health of the system, they merely choose to be on the sidelines yet the problem continues to spiral out of control. The society must constantly drive for more control, through several bodies and commissions and their agencies, they seem to coil under the weight pressure of such scandals. The system of relationship between the authorities and business is a network of personal interests complicated by the mutual rules and regulation governing such a relationship and underpinned by a culture of ‘too big to fail’. The authorities must use their discretions to punish those manipulating the system for profit fully, and this must be conducted without fear and favor. As a consequence the most important lesson the society should have learned from the Libor sc andal is the perpetrators going out of business, but then again this might cause further pain for non- participants of the scandal such as their customers and shareholders. However, the real perpetrators such as the traders and the brokers should feel the full force of the law for their actions in manipulating the Libor rate; therefore, they must be charged with criminal offence. When people argue about the evils of capitalism, they fail to notice that the system cannot manipulate itself; it takes the people effort to do that. The writer of the post decries the weight that the system carries, he notes when a scandal breaks out, the system bears the blame yet people cause such scandals. On the other hand,... When people argue about the evils of capitalism, they fail to notice that the system cannot manipulate itself; it takes the people effort to do that. The writer of the post decries the weight that the system carries, he notes when a scandal breaks out, the system bears the blame yet people cause such scandals. On the other hand, the Business Week claims that the Libor scandal had the consequence of destroying the entire worlds’ financial structure; this is because several people relied on the Libor rate as the benchmark rate. The rate is standard for over 360 trillion of securities loans including students and bonds, and its manipulation might have enormous results. The paper reported that there are several lawsuits filed seeking compensation from the world’s top banks such as Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Barclays, and Citigroup amongst other banks. Predictably, the banks moved to court to counter the suit by application to the court for dismissal of the suit, and these banks faced an uphill task of winning back their clients back after the enormity of this scandal was revealed. Consequently, these banks are likely to face protracted cases in court by aggrieved parties from all over the world at least thirteen different suits have been filed in the US. The paper further persuades the investors not to take lightly the importance of the issue ‘Investors should not minimize the importance of this matter’. The authorities must always have the interests of the wider public at heart.

Data mining does not violate the constitution Essay

Data mining does not violate the constitution - Essay Example They fall under different industry categories such as health care, finance, retail, aerospace, and manufacturing have began using data mining techniques as well as tools in a bid to take advantage of the historical information and data. Data mining has helped various analysts to acknowledge crucial facts, patterns, relationships, trends, anomalies, and exceptions that could have otherwise go unnoticed. This is usually achievable by sifting through the warehoused information primarily by using statistical, mathematical, and pattern recognition technologies. From the business organizations point of view, data mining is essentially an important tool for discovering patterns alongside relationships in the given data with a view to help make more useful decisions. Furthermore, data mining is vital for developing better marketing campaigns, predicting customer loyalty more accurately, and helping spot sales trends. Some of the specific uses of this technology include fraud detection, inter active marketing, direct marketing, market segmentation, trend analysis, and customer churn. Literature Review Different scholars have come out in strong defense of data mining with majority of them arguing that it does not violate the constitution. Nonetheless, various have also sort to prove the damning effects of data mining particularly looking at the privacy of individuals. ... Furthermore, the article elucidates how the U.S. investigators essentially advocating for the agenda on robust antiterrorism have compelled communications firms to store as well as turn over unprecedented information regarding the telephone calls of citizens, daily movements, and Internet communications. Similarly, the dual interests of the private sector intention to maximize profits and determination of the government to combat future terrorist attacks have imperiled the standards of human rights. Similarly, the article Twenty-First Century Surveillance: Dna Data Mining and the Erosion of the Fourth Amendment by Ferrell Kelly (2013) argues that every time a person visits a webpage, runs a search engine, or makes a call, text, or purchases data is collected, and analyzed in order to determine that person’s individual propensities and predict their future behavior. Corporations justify data mining technology as an efficient means of targeting interested consumers, while the go vernment boasts of national security and public safety to rationalize the surveillance technique. In essence, the corporations have constructive objectives and goals in terms of the way they intend to utilize the new technology to meet the demands of prospective customers. The government on the contrary has credited the technology owing to its capacity to handle national security as well as the safety of the public. In the article, Regulating Governmental Data Mining In The United States and Germany: Constitutional Courts, The State, And New Technology by Schwartz Paul (2011), the author looks at how the legal systems of Germany and the United States respond to the use of data mining by

Solow Growth Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Solow Growth Model - Essay Example The second assumption was that if you hold technological progress and D/L is going down as we deplete the resources in a country, K/L may be going up because of capital accumulation, if capital accumulation was allowed to take place in an economy its possible for Y/L to remain constant or even increase and this will lead to economic growth. If the population remains to grow in the Malthusian version, the Malthusian version is what Malthus discussed what would result from high population, he argued that in the case where population was left to grow without any control measures then this would result to a complete depletion of resources, therefore if the population grows according to the Malthusian version then this dictates that Y/L will eventually approach zero. However if we hold population constant and allow K/L to increase without a limit then Y/L will increase. If technological progress occurs in an economy such that c is not equal to zero then for any value of c its possible to calculate a growth rate of L that is consistent with Y/L remaining positive, therefore technological progress can compensate for pop... However if we hold population constant and allow K/L to increase without a limit then Y/L will increase. If technological progress occurs in an economy such that c is not equal to zero then for any value of c its possible to calculate a growth rate of L that is consistent with Y/L remaining positive, therefore technological progress can compensate for population growth. Therefore according to Solow the factors that facilitate population growth include capital accumulation and technological progress, this are the factors that determine whether per capita income grows, decline or remain constant. (Scott (1989)) Shortcomings of the Solows model: The Cobb Douglas function he uses assumes constant returns to scale; also his model assumes that there exists constant elasticity of substitution among the factors of production used in the production process, this assumption allows the standard of living and economic growth to be maintained even if D/L approaches zero as long as K/L rises appropriately. He also assumes that every generation no matter the distance have similar opportunities with the current one, this is not consistent with human behaviour, and people today only care about their immediate gratification and not for generations to come. Other theories of economic growth: The classical school of economist which included Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Thomas Mathus and John Stuart Mill considered the main factors of production which included land, capital and labour but in the absence of technological advancement, they however recognised the role of capital accumulation in economic development and

Evaluation Criteria Paper Essay Example for Free

Evaluation Criteria Paper Essay Taylor Transit is a company that is growing rapidly. The company must analyze the resources and capabilities of the company to look for the right tools that will provide potential benefits and competitive advantages in human resources. The new approach should include the selection of effective tools that help human resources during the expansion process and the criteria that will be beneficial in the human resource practices. The intent of the paper is discussing the implementation of specific HR tools such as employee selection test, Human Resource Information System (HRIS), successful planning, and the evaluation of the criteria for each tool selection. Human Resource Criteria Identification Identify and establish which is the most appropriate criteria is fundamental because it allows the implementation of new human resources procedures. The following explain the criteria for each of the following tools: Human Resource Information System (HRIS) For Taylor Transit implementation and use of HRIS is of great benefit because it helps to increase the effectiveness of human resources assets as well as provide guidance. The criteria will be based in the necessity of having a good HR information system in where the company will be able to keep information concerning to each employee and any other related HR information such as employees evaluation, disciplinary actions, rewards, and trainings within the organization. The â€Å"HRIS technology supports strategic planning through the generation of labor force supply and demand needs, requirements and forecasts† ( Lippert Swiercz, 2005). This tool will be very useful for the company; given that the company is expanding it is important to have a system that allows Taylor Transit to have a solid database to track data 8,000 employees in order to help in the planning and execution of the company objectives. Selection Test The adequate selection test for the company is important because allow identifying the right candidate since the beginning of recruitment process. The recommended tools for measure the candidates are the cognitive aptitude and the ability tests. â€Å"Cognitive aptitude and ability tests are among the most valid predictors available to organizations† ( Terpstra, 1994). The criteria in the selection of these tools are because the cognitive aptitude test measure the candidate mental capabilities as well their reasoning and communication. On the other hand, the ability test will help to predict the performance of the employee within the company. Besides the background and the experience of the candidate, for the company will be useful make a thorough assessment in order to have the best candidates within the company Succession Planning â€Å"Succession planning must be part of an integrated HR process that includes training, development and performance appraisal† (Stensgaard, 2005). The criteria for choosing this tool is because the â€Å"succession planning also has indirect impacts on measures of firm performance such as productivity and gross returns on assets† (Greer Virick, 2008). This would be excellent tool that would be beneficial in the aid of HR processes (training, development, and performance). One of the things Taylor Transit need to take into consideration is make sure of taking the necessary measures regarding in the proper selection of personnel for each of the positions within the company, as well of having the support of the senior level management. This is important because it allows a systematic process for identifying, evaluating, and developing personnel who are trained to perform key functions within the company. The usefulness of this is essential because it allows certain key personnel receive the necessary tools to develop their skills and abilities, as well as giving them the opportunity in the future to be the future leaders of the company. Conclusion By implementing the right tools allows human resource management to have a higher level of competitiveness. The three selected tools are best suited for the rapid growth of Taylor Transit. Implement the HRIS is helpful because it allows better control of information, and quick access to information for each employee. And for assessing the performance, this will help determine what kind of trainings can be provided to employees. This is helpful because it allows management the assessment and improvement of the procedures of the company. Meanwhile, the employee selection tests are useful because they allow the assessment of cognitive abilities and skills of employees in order to recruit the best possible candidates and may have better performance of the company. This is important because in the long run is cost effective because employees who have better cognitive aptitudes and abilities skills learn quickly, therefore the company does not have to incur in additional expenses for re-training their employees and in turn avoid turnover. Finally, the successful planning is helpful because it allows employees to adapt quickly to the demands of the company; the company in turn may have strategically highly qualified personnel in positions that are key to the success of the company. Implementing these tools allow the proper management of the company.

Support Networks For Young Homeless People

Support Networks For Young Homeless People The support network of leaving care and statutory homeless young people 16 and 17 years old living in homeless hostels Contents 1. Introduction 2. â€Å"Legal† literature 2.1. Youth homelessness in England 2.2. Housing provision for 16/17 years old homeless young people 2.3. Leaving care 3. â€Å"Psychological† literature 3.1. Social networks 4. Methodology 4.1. Methodology 4.2. Construction of the interview 4.3. Procedure 4.4. The pilot study 4.5. Sample 4.6. Analysis of the interviews: categorisation of contents 5. Research findings and discussion 6. Conclusion 1. Introduction Adolescence is a period where important changes occur in the relationship between young people and their parents (Paikoff Brooks-Gunn, 1991). It seems that as young people try to become more independent the amount of conflict with parents increases (Paikoff Brooks-Gunn, 1991; Laursen et al., 1998). Conflict levels seem to be higher in middle adolescence and decrease in late adolescence (Paikoff Brooks-Gunn, 1991; Laursen et al., 1998). However, in some cases the conflict can be so intense that adolescents are evicted from the parental home or leave by their own initiative to avoid or escape the conflict situations and as a result they may become homeless (CHAR, 1996; Ploeg Scholte, 1997; Smith, 1998; Fitzpatrick, 2000). Some leave their parental homes while they are under the age of 18 years old which means that legally they are still children. Therefore, these adolescents can be accommodated by the Children Services, under section 20 of the Children Act 1989, if considered to b e children â€Å"in need† according to section 17 of the same act or by the Housing Department as statutory homeless under the Homelessness Act 2002 after their inclusion in the priority list introduced by the The Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) (England) Order 2002. Research on the topic of homeless young people found that among this group is possible to find a large number of adolescents that had been looked after by the Local Authorities. This adolescents suffered, in some cases, separations of years and several restrictions in the contact with their natural family. Yet, the Local Authorities still have parental duties regarding them and in most cases they had been accommodated in foster families. This can provide young people leaving care with additional sources of support. It is often stated in literature that the social networks of homeless young people are poor and that they lack quality supportive links. In a study by Pleace et al. (2008) that looked at families and 16 and 17 years old accepted as homeless, the findings show that the instrumental (practical help in a crisis situation) and emotional (having someone to talk to) support received by 16 and 17 years old is mainly given by friends and family but overall this group is significantly less supported then the national average. Although this study gives an idea of the support networks of these group it is quantitative research and it does not provide much more information on the composition and quality of the support networks. Additionally, more than half of the participants were already 18 years old at the time the interview was conducted. Another study by Lemos and Durkacz (2002) that included 26 vulnerable people with ages between 17 and 53 years old with a history of homelessness showed tha t homeless people maintain supportive contacts with family although they differ substantially in regularity. Furthermore, they found that the relationship homeless people have with peers are mainly with other people they meet in homeless settings and although there are long term friendships this pattern is not the most common. This study provides qualitative information on the social network of homeless people, however there was only one respondent of 17 years old, all the other participants were older. Moreover it approached individuals with a history of homelessness with means that some of the participants were already in permanent accommodation and others had been homeless for several years. Homeless hostels provide accommodation for statutory homeless and leaving care with 16 and 17 years old. The adolescents in this last group suffered, in some cases, separations of years and several restrictions in the contact with their natural family. Yet, the Local Authorities still have parental duties regarding them and in most cases they had been accommodated in foster families. This can provide young people leaving care with additional sources of support. In this study the two groups will be compared to determine the extent of support received and the existing differences. The findings of this study can be used to enrich the knowledge about this vulnerable group and provide relevant information to professionals working with them in order to create methods to better support this group. Research suggests that homeless young people have less support than their peers in the general population There are a number of studies in the United Kingdom on the topic of youth homelessness. However, not much specific about the support networks and especially not much about the support network of homeless young people aged 16 and 17 years old. Additionally, the existent research focuses on homeless young people as a group and does not take into account the different groups of single homeless young people as statutory homeless and care leavers. This study aims to examine the social networks of homeless 16 and 17 years old living in homeless hostels in London. It intends to find out the extent to which homeless young people have contact with family and friends and the quality of the support received from both sources. It also aims to find whether there are differences between the social networks of statutory homeless and leaving care young people aged 16 and 17. The present paper is divided in five parts. The first part intends to contextualise the study by giving the different meanings of homelessness, presenting a brief history of homeless youth in England emphasising the causes that triggered that phenomenon to emerge. Additionally, the legal definition of homeless person will be given and the housing policies will be looked at. Finally, it will be presented an explanation of the term leaving care, the relevant legislation, the factors that can trigger homelessness and the factors that can affect the support network of this group. In the second part, a definition of social network and support network will be provided paying attention to the constructs that can be used to assess the existence and the quality of support networks, the importance of support networks will be highlighted and a studies of homeless support networks will be described and analysed. In the third part the design of the research and the sample will be described, the a nalysis of the interviews will be made and categorisation of the contents presented. In fourth part the results will be analysed and discussed related to the categories created. Finally, a conclusion will be drawn. 2. Legal literature 2.1. Youth homelessness in England There is no consensual definition of homelessness, as the same word has different meanings for the government, the voluntary agencies that work with this group of people, the common citizen and the media (Pleace and Quilgars, 1999). For the general public the word homeless is likely to bring to mind images of someone without shelter, and in that sense homeless people are seen as those who sleep on the streets. However, a homeless person can also be a person that does not have a house and lives in emergency accommodation, is institutionalised, lives in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts hostels, refuges or lives with friends or relatives for a period of time. The term homeless can also be applicable to people that live in bad housing conditions, such as overcrowded houses, substandard houses or in environments that present a threat to the safety and wellbeing of the individual. Finally, the broader definition of homeless also includes people that do not have sufficie nt economic resources to buy or rent their own house and as a consequence have to share accommodation on a long-term basis (Thornton, 1990 and Fitzpatrick et al. 2000). There is a legal definition of homelessness that will be given in the next section. However, for the purpose of this study young homeless people are those who are living in temporary accommodation and specifically homeless hostels. The phenomenon of homelessness among young people in Britain rose significantly during the 1980’s and 1990’s (Quilgars et al., 2008) due to a conjunction of economic, social and political factors (Thornton, 1990). In the 1970’s, a crisis in the oil industry led to a world economic recession that resulted in the closure of some companies and in a reduction in the recruitment or the redundancy of workers in others. This situation affected the manufacturing industries and in the United Kingdom it had a major impact on industries such as mining and ship-building. There was consequently a reduction in the number of jobs available or a complete lack of jobs in that industry, affecting particularly some areas of the country. The unemployment rate increased. Young school leavers, with almost no qualifications and with little or no work experience, that previously were able to get unskilled jobs were particularly affected. The increase in the rate of unemployment in some parts of the country made young people move to larger cities where they were more likely to find work in the service industry that had started to expand during the 1980’s (Hutson and Liddiard, 1997). However, the vast num ber of people that moved to big cities hoping to find a job, in conjunction with other demographic and social factors, aggravated the shortage of affordable houses . Consequently, in cities like London during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s it was possible to find a large number of young people sleeping in the streets (Smith, 1999). Some young people could not get a job and for those who managed to find work, the significant difference between their wages and those of adults made it harder for this group to compete in the housing market (Thornton, 1990). The growth of youth unemployment resulted in an increase in the number of benefit claims made by this group, which had a significant impact on the social security budget (Hutson and Liddiard, 1997). To reduce the benefits bill, the government introduced changes in the Social Security Benefits (Hutson and Liddiard, 1997). Until the late 1980’s unemployed young people were entitled to Supplementary Benefit that paid board and lodging allowances which permitted them to live in bed and breakfasts . However, by the end of that decade with the Social Security Act 1988 (Fitzpatrick, 2000) those benefits were discontinued and replaced by Income Support and Housing Benefit . The new benefit system introduced different payment rates according to the age of the applicant and young people aged 16 to 25 years old were entitled to the smallest amounts . When this system was introduced it was thought that it would discourage young people from leaving their parents’ home before they ha d sufficient economical resources to support themselves . Nevertheless, the effect, at least in the years following its implementation, was the opposite and there was an increase in the number of young people, that without having the opportunity to return home, ended up sleeping on the streets or accumulating huge debts (Thornton, 1990). Young people aged 16 and 17 were the most affected by the change in the benefit system as they could only claim Income Support in exceptional circumstances (Fitzpatrick, 2000). This included couples with children, single mothers, pregnant women, young people with mental or physical health problems or young people that attended full-time education (not higher education) and were estranged from their parents (Income support: information for new costumers, 2000). In 1986, the government extended the existing Youth Training Schemes, created in 1983, from one to two years in order to solve the problem of the high rate of unemployment among compulsory school leavers aged 16 and 17 and the forthcoming exclusion from the social security benefit system . This programme intended to provide young people with the adequate skills to successfully apply for a job and during the training period all trainees were entitled to a small weekly allowance . However, this measure was not successful as on the one hand, the government could not guarantee a sufficient number of work places for all 16 and 17 year olds (Fitzpatrick, 2000) and on the other hand, for many young people the chances of finding a job after finishing the training did not increase significantly (Hutson and Liddiard,1997). In addition to all of this, a change in demographic and social factors such as the increasing rate of divorces and separations, the increased longevity of life and the rise in the average age of people when they first got married resulted in more single households . With more people in need of housing, the number of affordable houses available in the market decreased significantly making it more difficult for young people to become independent from their parents and be able to live in a house of their own . While in the late 1980’s the main reason for homelessness among young people seemed to be the result of unemployment, that had made adolescents move from their home towns to bigger cities in order to find a job, in the early 1990’s the majority of homeless young people had left their parental home due to family conflict (Smith, 1998 and Smith, 1999). This is consistent with the findings from research conducted by Centrepoint. This organisation found that in 1987 hal f of the young people who had participated in the study had left the family home to find work or to live independently and that in 1996 almost all the young people (86 percent) had been forced to leave the parental home due to family conflict (Centrepoint, 1996 cited by CHAR). More recently, it was also found that 65 percent of the young people aged 16 and 17 accepted as statutory homeless participating in one survey had left the family home due to relationship breakdown, which confirms that currently this is still the main reason for adolescents to leave the family home (Pleace et al.,2008). The change in circumstances that resulted in young people leaving the family home can be attributed to a combination of factors. Firstly, the change in family structures linked to the breakdown of nuclear families and the posterior family reconstitution (CHAR, 1996) can act as a trigger due to conflict in the relationship between the young person and the parent or step-parent (Thornton, 1990). It can also be the case that the remarriage of parents results in overcrowded households which could put an enormous pressure on the older children to leave the house (Thornton, 1990). Secondly, the fact that parents lose child benefit and have reductions in income support and housing benefit when the child reaches a certain age (16 years old ) can lead to tensions resulting from the economic dependency (CHAR, 1996). Finally, poverty, poor housing conditions and overcrowded houses can cause stress and anxiety that might also lead to conflict (CHAR, 1996). After leaving the family home, there were not many options available for young people other than sleeping on the streets, staying with friends or family or approaching the housing departments and registering oneself as homeless. Accessing the private rented sector was complicated for young people as the rents were high, there was normally need for an initial deposit and for those not yet 18 years old it is not possible to hold a legal tenancy. For the under 18’s council housing could still be a solution, however, the massive selling of council houses during the 1980’s caused a reduction in the number of social houses available . Furthermore, this group was not considered in priority need for accommodation until 2002 (this will be explained in the next section). The number of people sleeping rough in Central London increased so much during the late 1980’s that the government was forced to implement measures to respond to the problem of street homelessness (Fitzpa trick et al., 2005 and Smith, 1999). Therefore, in 1990 the Rough Sleepers’ Initiative was created with the aim of tackling street homelessness by providing outreach services, hostels and winter shelters (Smith, 1999). This initiative showed positive outcomes as it reduced largely, mainly in the first years of intervention, the number of rough sleepers in the centre of the capital (Fitzpatrick et al., 2005). Consequently, in 1996 this programme was extended to the rest of the country (Fitzpatrick et al., 2005). The number of 16 and 17 year olds accepted as statutory homeless increased continuously from 1997/1998 (3,150) to 2003/2004 (11,050), having this peak probably resulted from changes in the homeless policies introduced in 2002. However, since then, the number of young people accepted as statutory homeless has been decreasing and in 2006/2007 reached 6,384 (Quilgars et al., 2008). Due to the current economic recession, the rate of unemployment has increased in the last few months . Once again the most affected are young school leavers aged 16 and 17. According to government statistics in March/May 2009 the percentage of unemployment among 16 and 17 year olds reached 30.5 percent . Difficulty in finding work and not yet being entitled to claim benefits makes young people economically dependent on their parents, a fact that can cause tensions in the family which in turn can be a trigger for homelessness (CHAR, 1996). Nevertheless, the number of statutory homeless young people 16 and 17 year olds and 18 to 20 year olds care leavers accepted as statutory homeless has been decreasing since 2003 and in 2008 was 3,870 . These numbers, however, do not include young people that did not approach the Local Authority and might be sleeping rough or staying with family members or friends. 2.2. Housing provision for 16/17 years old homeless young people The first law in the United Kingdom to define homelessness in legal terms (Pleace et al., 1997) and to recognise it as a housing problem was the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 (Lowe, 1997). This Act was also the first piece of legislation to place a duty on Local Authorities to re-house on a permanent basis and as a matter of priority households considered homeless; as long as they provided proof that they could not arrange accommodation by their own means (Pleace, 1997; Lowe, 1997 and Pleace, 2008). The definition of homeless person used in that act remained basically in the same terms within the Housing Act 1985. This last piece of legislation introduced the notion of priority need for accommodation and the groups that would fit into those criteria. Young people would only be considered in priority need under this act if they were considered to be at risk of sexual or financial exploitation (Thorton, 1990). In the United Kingdom the definition of homeless person currently in use is given by the Housing Act 1996, and although with some minor changes stays fundamentally the same as in the previous acts (Pleace, 1997). Thus, the definition of statutory homeless stated in section 175 of that act refers to a person that has no accommodation in the United Kingdom or elsewhere or a person for whom it is unsafe to enter their accommodation or someone that is at risk of becoming homeless within 28 days. Additionally, a person can apply as homeless if there is a risk of domestic violence or another type of violence for them or a member of their family (Housing Act 1996, s177). The act also lists in section 189 the groups of people that are considered to be in priority need of accommodation. These groups include pregnant women, families with children, people that are vulnerable due to old age, people that have a mental or physical illness and people that are homeless as a result of flooding, fire or other emergency disaster. This act introduced an inquiry stage, where a person applying as homeless had to show that he/she was eligible for assistance by the Local Authority Housing Department (Housing Act 1996, s184). However, one of the major changes introduced by this act, under section 193, was the reduction of the duty of Local Authorities to secure accommodation for homeless households (Cloke et al., 2000). The Local Authorities under this act had the duty to provide homeless people with the minimum of two years in temporary accommodation with the possibility of revising this provision after that period (Housing Act 1996, s193). In the meantime the details of the homeless households would be entered into the housing register and they would be put on a waiting list together with all other people that had applied for Council or Housing Association housing (Lowe, 1997). The second important measure introduced, under section 197, allowed Local Authorities to cease their duty to homeless households if anoth er suitable accommodation was available in the area. In this case the Local Authority was only required to provide advice and assistance in order for the person to gain access to that accommodation (Cloke, 2000). As it was shown, the housing policies referred to until now, do not seem to address in any way the specific housing problem of homeless young people. Young people can be considered statutory homeless if victims of domestic violence or if classified as vulnerable people but the inclusion in this last category was at the discretion of each Housing Department. A piece of legislation that had an impact in the housing issues of homeless young people was the Children Act 1989. This act, under section 20, places a duty on Local Authorities to provide accommodation for children in their area that are in â€Å"need†, as defined by section 17, and require accommodation. A child is defined as â€Å"in need† if there is no person with parental responsibility, the child had been lost or abandoned or the caregiver had been prevented temporary or permanently to provide the child with suitable accommodation or care. From 2002 the governmental strategy regarding homelessness seems to have changed from a solving approach aimed at reducing the number of rough sleepers to a more preventive approach (Pawson, 2007). The specific problems of homeless young people or those adolescents at risk of becoming homeless seemed also to have taken into consideration. With the introduction of the Homeless Act 2002 the duty of Local Authorities to prevent homelessness was reinforced. Local Authorities were required to create homelessness strategies aimed at the prevention of homelessness and at supporting people that are or may become homeless (Homeless Act 2002 s1, s2 and s3). In order to accomplish that, several measures were recommended, for example the creation of family mediation services directed at young people at risk of being evicted by their family or friends (Pawson, 2007). These services intended to prevent this eviction by helping the adolescents and family or friends to resolve the existent conflict (Pawson, 2007). The Homelessness Act 2002 was also important as it abolished, under section 6, the minimum period for which a Local Authority is subject to the main homelessness duty, previously introduced by the Housing Act 1996. The result was to place again the duty on Local Authorities to secure accommodation until the household is placed or acquires permanent accommodation. Additionally, section 9 of this act abolished section 197 of the Housing Act 1996 by which the Local Authority would cease their duty to homeless people when other suitable accommodation was available in their area. Another measure introduced in the same year was the Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 2051 The Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) (England) Order 2002. This statutory instrument, under section 3, extends the category of priority need to include a young person aged 16 and 17 â€Å"who is not a relevant child for the purposes of section 23A of the Children Act 1989† and is not a â€Å"person to whom a local authority owe a duty to provide accommodation under section 20† of the same Act. Additionally, this instrument extended the priority for care leavers aged 18 to 21 or older if they are considered vulnerable as a result of having been looked after children. The Supporting People programme introduced in 2003 had also an impact on homeless young people by recognising and investing in the quality of the housing support services available (Pawson, 2007). When accepted as homeless by the Local Authorities Housing Departments young people are usually placed in temporary accommodation. There are different types of accommodation where young people are placed, though they can be classified in five broad groups. The first group comprises bed and breakfast hotels. This type of accommodation usually presents poor standards (Fitzpatrick, 2000), some lack cooking facilities, there are also concerns regarding safety and there are no qualified professionals on site that could support those youngsters (Quilgars, 2008). All these concerns seemed to have been taken into account by the government when on the 14th November 2006 Ruth Kelly announced in a speech that â€Å"we are making a commitment today that by 2010, 16 and 17 year olds will not be placed in bed and breakfast hotels unless it is an emergency†. Since then the number of young homeless people placed in that type of accommodation has decreased, from 550 at the end of December 200 7 (CLG, 2008) to 340 (of those 120 had been in this type of accommodation for more than 6 weeks) (CLG, 2009). The second group includes hostels that provide specialised schemes for young people, where in conjunction with a safe environment, specialised support is provided (Quilgars, 2008). The level and type of support offered to residents differs (Quilgars, 2008), although generally includes the development of independent living skills, access to education or training and emotional support. The third type of accommodation is called Foyers and it is a type of hostel that supports young people with access to education, training and employment. The fourth type comprises shared houses, where a young person shares a house with others and has floating support adequate to his/her needs (Fitzpatrick, 2000). Finally, in recent years, supported lodging schemes have been expanding (Quilgars, 2008). In this type of provision the young person stays within a family house and is assisted to devel op independent living skills. The adolescent has hi/her own bedroom and shares communal areas with the family . 2.3. Leaving care Care leavers are young people 16 years old or older that have been in the care of a Local Authority. These children had been placed under the care of a Local Authority for different reasons. In the year ending 31st March 2008 of the 23,000 children who started to be looked after, 62 percent entered care due to abuse or neglect (DCSF, 2008). The amount of time children spend in care varies and although the current average is less than one year, 2.6 percent are still in care for 5 years or more and 7.2 percent between 2 and 5 years (DCSF, 2008). During this period, some of the children have little contact with their birth families . Additionally, the move into care can result in a change of neighbourhood and school (Stein, 2005) which can have a negative impact on the child’s relationship with peers. Moreover, there is still a significant percentage of children that experience several moves between placements (11.4% of looked after children moved three or more times during the y ear ending in March 2008) (DCSF, 2008) which can cause instability to children due to the change of â€Å"carers, friends, neighbourhoods, schools on several occasions† (Stein, 2005 p.7). Most of the children that are taken into care are placed with foster carers (DCSF, 2008) and when placements succeed foster carers can be an additional source of support to the young person even when they had ceased being looked after (Harper, 2006). Research carried out in 1990’s found that it was common for these children to leave the care of Local Authorities between the ages of 16 and 18 years old and that the usual reason for that was the breakdown of placements or because it was thought by their carers that it was in the best interest of the adolescent to move when he/she had reached the age of 16 or 17 (Stein, 1997). However, findings from recent research verified that the proportion of young people that leave care at an early age is still high. Governmental statistics show that in the year ending 31st march 2008, of the 8,300 children aged 16 or over that ceased being looked after by Local Authorities, 24 percent were 16 years old and 15 percent were 17 years . Wheal and Matthews (2007) also found high percentages of young people that leave care at an early age. These authors passed a questionnaire to 91 care leavers and found that in 2006, 42.9 percent of 16 year olds and 29.7 percent of 17 year olds had left thei r placement and that in 74.5 percent of the cases the move had been part of their pathway plan. They also found that 41.7 percent had left care to go to semi-independent accommodation and that 18.7 percent went to live with parents or other family members . These last set of results are very similar to those obtained by Stein et al. (2007) through the examination of social services records and interviews with professionals that were conducted during part of 2003 and 2004. These authors verified that 39.2 percent of young people aged 16 or older that had left care went directly into independent living accommodation and that 18.2 percent returned home. While young people in the general population are delaying the time that they leave the family home this research suggests that a large proportion of children in care leave residential or foster care at a very young age. Plus, it seems that a high number of young people had started to live independently before their 18th birthday. Probably, the early age these children leave care (the maximum at 18th years old which is much earlier than the rest of the population that leave home on average at 24 ) and/or the lack of preparation to live independently and/or the lack of social support (as children that spent a longer time in care have weaker links with their birth family and friends ) increases the risk of becoming homeless, a fact that is corroborated by the large proportion of care leavers among the youth homeless population (Stein, 1997). More recently Barn et al. (2005) found that 36 percent of the 261 care leavers aged 16 to 21 that participated in their study had experienced homelessness for periods that ranged from weeks to more than one year. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 imposed on Local Authorities a duty to improve the support given to care leavers. The support offered includes accommodation and financial assistance for 16 and 17 years old and the appointment of a personal adviser, the development of a pathway plan and general assistance to young people and young adults aged 16 up to 21 or 24 (DH, 2000). Additionally, this act placed on Local Authorities a duty to support care leavers up to 21 years old or 24 years if in full-time further or higher education. Under these circumstances the Local Authority has to provide vacation accommodation if needed (The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, s24B(5)). The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 extended the support to young people aged 21 up to 25 that had been previously in care and that wish to return to education or training. The support includes the appointment of a personal adviser, the development of a pathways plan (Children and Young Persons Act 2008, s22). Th is act also places a dut

The Latest Treatment for Migraines :: Health Medical Headaches Essays

The Latest Treatment for Migraines Headaches are among the most common health complaints today. According to the National Headache Foundation in Chicago, 45 million Americans suffer from recurring headaches—16 to 18 million of which are migraines (1). Migraines are vascular headaches because they involve the swelling of the brain's blood vessels (2). The occurrence of migraine headaches, contrary to popular belief, is a disease. If you suffer from migraines you might be used to people comparing your migraine to a headache or trying to blame these "headaches" on you and your lifestyle. However, migraines are caused by the expansion of blood vessels whereas regular headaches area caused by the constriction of blood vessels. Although certain things such as harsh lighting, movement, or chocolate may trigger a migraine, the actual cause of this vessel swelling is unknown and may vary from person to person. Currently, there is no cure for migraine (3). One theory as to the cause of migraines lies in excitement of the nervous system caused by stress, anxiety, or some unknown (4). A more recent form of treatment known as neurobiofeedback actually works by allowing patients to train their brains to function at a more relaxed mental state. The success of this treatment may indicate that increased neuron activity is one of the more common causes of migraines. Neurobiofeedback has been identified as successful for migraines precipitated by PMS, food allergies, or stress. It is not clear exactly how food allergies are related to increased nerve activity. Stress, however, regardless of the type, seems to be strongly correlated with migraines as it will determine the severity of the headache. Neurobiofeedback goes to the root of this problem and, as a result, is one of the more preferred methods of treatment (5). Biofeedback, in general, is a technique in which the body's responses to specific stimuli are measured in order to give patients knowledge about how they physically react to various events. In the case of headaches, patients can condition their mind or body to react differently to pre-headache symptoms and prevent a headache from occurring (1). Neurobio or electroencephalogram (EEG) feedback, specifically, measures brain wave activity and feeds back to a patient their own brain wave patterns so that they can modify these patterns through game-like computer simulations (6). Why does this work? Brain waves are recordings of electrical changes in the brain.

Nursing Practicum Proposal Essay -- nursing educator, practicum experi

Nursing students today are diverse with different learning styles. Nursing educators must shape students to become critical thinkers and there are a host of approaches for instructors to develop needed teaching skills (Kostovich et al., 2007). There are many models of education styles; one to fashion teaching after is from Kolb’s model in 1985 which suggests matching learning methods to teaching approaches. However, educators need to become proficient in identifying individual student learning styles. Nursing educators should also recognize their own teaching style and the effect it has on learner development and socialization (National League for Nursing, 2007). The National League for Nursing (NLN) has developed eight core competencies for nurse educators. The NLN proficiencies serve as a guide for faculty to follow in order to provide high quality education for nursing students (NLN, 2007). This paper is aimed at proposing a student teaching practicum at North Central M ichigan College (NCMC) in the nursing high fidelity simulation/skills lab for the winter 2014 semester. Scholarly Practicum Proposal The NLN has developed eight core competencies for nurse educators. The NLN proficiencies serve as a guide for faculty to follow in order to provide high quality education for nursing students (NLN, 2007). With a diverse student population, educators must be able to incorporate varied teaching strategies into curricula to meet the needs of each student. Older students have a tendency to prefer on line discussion and problem-based learning, while younger students prefer simulations and skills demonstration (Pettigrew, Dienger, & King, 2011). Used as a teaching tool, simulation promotes clinical skills, interperson... ...eved from http://www.nln.org/profde/corecompetencies.pdf . North Central Michigan College. (2013-14). Nursing program handbook. Retrieved from http://www.ncmich.edu/ Penn, B., Wilson, L., & Rosseter, R. (2008). Transitioning from nursing practice to a teaching role: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 13(3):3 Pettigrew, A., Dienger, M., & King, M. (2011). Nursing students today: Who are they and what are their learning preferences? Journal of Professional Nursing, 27(4), 227-236. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2011.03.007. Rattray, J., & Jones, M. (2007). Essential elements of questionnaire design and development. Journal of Clinical Nursing 16, 234-243. Wayne, D., & Lotz, K. (2013). The simulated clinical environment as a platform for refining critical thinking in nursing students: a pilot program. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34 (3), 163-166.

Graphic Correlation :: Assignment

Graphic Correlation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first step toward correlating the three sections was selecting an initial standard reference section. The Morgan Creek section was chosen for this because it had, on average, a higher number of fossil occurrences for the six species that were examined. The first and last occurrences of the six species from this section (x axis) were plotted against the first and last occurrences of the same species from the White Creek section (y axis). The product was figure 1.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Figure 2 is the same graph as figure 1, but it has a best fit line through the data, called the line of correlation. The diamond shaped points are first occurrences, while the squares are last occurrences. First occurrences which plot to the right of the line of correlation indicate that this species is found in older rocks in the White Creek section than in the Morgan Creek section. An example of this is the fossil of species Kingstonia pontotocensis (diamond #4). In order to time correlate this fossil to the Morgan Creek section, the point is carried over horizontally to the line of correlation from which the appropriate x value (point in the Morgan Creek section) was found. In other words, the first occurrence of this fossil was at a point in time that correlates to 133 m from the base of the Morgan Creek section, but due to poor preservation conditions, erosion, or some other geologic phenomena, the fossil is actually found at 138 m from the base of the Morgan Creek section. When a last occurrence plots to the left of the line of correlation, this means that the fossil occurs in younger rocks in the White creek section than in the Morgan Creek section. Kingstonia pontotocensis is the example again. To correlate this to the appropriate height in the Morgan Creek section, the data point is moved horizontally to the line of correlation, and from a vertical line to the x axis one can see that the point need be adjusted from 145m to 153m in the Morgan Creek section. By using this correlation method, a theoretical section is created, by combining first and last occurrences from both sections. It is important to note that this section is not found in nature; it is simply an idea which represents what a section would look like if fossil preservation problems did not exist, and all six fossil ranges were accurately represented in the rock record.

Neck & Neck Business Strategy

The elements that helped in the success of â€Å"Neck & Neck† are the following: – Create a brand image. It's very important to consolidate the brand. The â€Å"Made in Spain† brand had an important position in the international market, so it was very important to achieve a new brand positioning. â€Å"Neck & Neck† is an exclusive brand for children. â€Å"Neck & Neck† is recognized under the brand name â€Å"Made in Spain† – Professionalism. Since the Zamacola family took over the management of â€Å"Neck & Neck†, the company began to have continuous growth. This is due to investing time and energy into creating an efficient and professional team. Although the previous management had an adequate business strategy, they had an overall inefficient management team. The new administration is focused on being professional in every aspect of their business. – Brand Franchise. â€Å"Neck & Neck† established a new plan to grow and expand the business globally. The new strategy included the creation of franchises. Each new store is expensive so the franchise is a strategy to reduce the economy impact. Also, the franchises will help introduce the brand in the international market. One of â€Å"NECK & NECK† goals is to become a major supplier of children's clothing. Do you think they have taken the right decision about their internationalization strategy? Internationalization is a very important strategy for â€Å"Neck & Neck† growth. Certainly, the foreign franchises provide information about the culture, preferences, and prices of each location. This information helps to establish the design and product strategy. Each place is different. It is recommended that the businesses be managed by local people. The internalization of â€Å"Neck & Neck† give a competitive edge to the company. Franchisees provide information needed to make decisions regarding distribution, production and marketing. Also, according with the General Manager, â€Å"Neck & Neck† uses a portion of it's cash flow to invest in foreign stores. This way, managers can learn about the market of each location and how manage it. Analyze â€Å"NECK & NECK† internationalization strategy. Do you find their expansion To choose the right place to introduce a new location, â€Å"Neck and Neck† takes cultural affinity between the new consumers and the â€Å"Made in Spain† consumers into consideration. The market segment will be the same – sophisticated people want their kids to wear great clothes. The product is targeted to people that are looking for new and unique children's clothing styles. Which expansion model do you think NECK & NECK should follow in the future: company owned points of sale, or franchising? Which advantages and disadvantages does the second have with respect to the first one? The franchise strategy established by â€Å"Neck & Neck† has been positive. Therefore, â€Å"Neck & Neck† should continue with this plan or establishing excellent management and a rejuvenated brand positioning. However, taking in consideration the success of the trade mark, the company should consider points of sale to expand the brand all over Spain. In fact, the enterprise made a strategy alliance with the Corte Ingles to expand the brand in Spain and Portugal. In any case, the franchise strategy is a priority and thanks to global brand recognition the company will continue to expand internationally. Franchising is the best strategy. The development of franchises will reduce â€Å"Neck and Neck's† dependence on the Spanish market and be in a position to open new global markets in Asia and Latin America.

Listing Securities

Listing of Securities Chapter Objectives ? To understand the concept of listing of securities ? To know the criteria for listing shares ? To learn the listing procedure ? To understand the concept of delisting Concept of Listing of Securities ?It means the admission of shares of a public limited company on the stock exchange for the purpose of trading. ?A company intending to have its shares listed on the stock exchange has to write an application to one or more recognised stock exchanges. ?A company becomes qualified to list its shares after getting the prior permission from the stock exchange. Some of the advantages of listing of securities are: ? Liquidity Best prices Wide publicity ? Some disadvantages of listing of securities are: ? Subjected to various regulatory measures ? Expensive exercise Criteria for Listing A company that wants its securities to be listed in the stock exchange has to fulfil certain minimum requirements, such as: ? Minimum issued capital: A company shoul d have minimum issued capital of Rs. 3 crores and the minimum public offer must be of Rs. 75 lakhs. ?Listing on multiple exchanges: It is essential for a company to get listed in the stock exchange if its paid up capital is above Rs. crores. ?Number of shareholders: A company must have a minimum ten shareholders. ?Articles of Association: The Articles of Association must be prepared in line with the sound corporate practice of a company. ?Advertisement: A company during the subscription period must not advertise by thanking the public for their overwhelming response. ?Applying mode: A company must issue a prospectus, which provides information on how the investor should apply for the shares. ?Public offer size: A company, in the first page of the prospectus must state the size of the public offer and the value of shares. Listing ProcedureTo get the listing permission from the stock exchange, a company has to undertake the following steps: ?Preliminary discussion: A company must have a detailed discussion with the authorities of the stock exchange in order to acquire complete knowledge about the various formalities to be completed for listing of securities. ?Articles of Association approval: A company must fulfil the following requirements in order to get the Articles of Association approved by the stock exchange authorities: ?It must use a common form of transfer. ?In case of distributing dividends, it must comply with Section 205-A f the Companies Act. ?The free dealing of shares must not be restricted by any provision. ?Draft prospectus approval: It is very essential for a company to get its draft prospectus approved from the stock exchange authorities. A prospectus must contain all the information required by the stock exchange. Listing Application ?A company that wants to offer its shares through the prospectus must file an application to the stock exchange. ?A company has to file following certificates alongwith the prospectus: ?Three certified copies of the memorandum and articles of association, and debenture trust deed. A copy of every report, balance sheet, valuation, court order, etc. as specified in the prospectus. ?Certified copies of underwriting, brokerage and sales managers’ agreement. ?Copies of agreements with the financial institutions. Listing Fee ?It is a fee charged by the stock exchange from the company for permitting the company’s securities to be traded in the exchange. ?It varies from major stock exchanges to regional stock exchanges. ?It also varies due to the equity base of the company. Listing of Right Shares A company has to fulfil certain formalities in case of isting right shares in the stock exchange, such as: ? ? ? ? ? A company must inform the stock exchange about the date of meeting with the Board of Directors for considering the proposal of listing right shares. A company must obtain the consent of the shareholders by passing on a special resolution. A company must file a letter of offer that provides the financial information about the current market price of the share. A company must file a letter of offer within six weeks. A company must file a specimen copy of the offer letter to the stock exchange. Delisting It is the removal of a company’s shares from the listing in the stock exchange. ? Delisting can be of two types: ? Compulsory: The causes for compulsory delisting are as follows: ? Non-payment of the listing fee ? Non-redressal of grievances ? Unfair trade practices carried on by the managers ? Voluntary: The causes for voluntary delisting are as follows: ? ? ? Business suspended Mergers and takeovers Small capital base Chapter Summary By now, you should have: ? Understood the concept of listing of securities ? Learnt the procedure of listing of securities ? Understood the concept of delisting

National Livestock Development Policy

NATIONAL LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT POLICY 1. Introduction Livestock plays an important role in the national economy of Bangladesh with a direct contribution of 2. 95% percent to the agricultural GDP (Bangladesh Economic Review, 2006) and providing 15 percent of total employment in the economy. The livestock sub-sector that includes poultry offers important employment and livelihood opportunities particularly for the rural poor, including the functionally landless, many of whom regard livestock as a main livelihood option.About 75 percent people rely on livestock to some extent for their livelihood, which clearly indicates that the poverty reduction potential of the livestock sub-sector is high. According to Bangladesh Economic Review, (2006), the growth rate in GDP in 2004-05 for livestock was the highest of any sub-sector at 7. 23%, compared to 0. 15% for crops, and 3. 65% for fisheries sub-sector. These changes have been prompted by a rapid growth in demand for livestock products due t o increase in income, rising population, and urban growth.It is an established fact that high quality animal protein in the form of milk, meat and eggs is extremely important for the proper physical and mental growth of a human being. In Bangladesh, around 8% of total protein for human consumption comes from livestock (BBS, 2000). Hides and skin of cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep is a valuable export item, ranked third in earnings after RMG and shrimp. Surprisingly, Bangladesh has one of the highest cattle densities: 145 large ruminants/km2 compared with 90 for India, 30 for Ethiopia, and 20 for Brazil. But most of them trace their origin to a poor genetic base.The average weight of local cattle ranges from 125 to 150 kg for cows and from 200 to 250 kg for bulls that falls 25-35% short of the average weight of all-purpose cattle in India (â€Å"Agriculture for 21st Century in Bangladesh† by Z. Karim, 1997). Milk yields are extremely low: 200-250 litre during a 10-month lac tation period in contrast to 800 litre for Pakistan, 500 litre for India, and 700 litre for all Asia. Despite highest cattle densities in Bangladesh, the current production of milk, meat and eggs are inadequate to meet the current requirement and the deficits are 85. , 77. 4 and 73. 1% respectively (DLS, 2000). If 5% GDP growth rate is considered then the current production of these commodities need to be increased 2. 5 to 3. 0 times by the year 2020 to feed the growing population in the country. This illustrates how urgent is the need to increase the production of milk, meat and eggs. The PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper) stresses the importance of the livestock sub-sector in sustaining the acceleration of poverty reduction in the country. The dynamic potential of this emerging sub-sector thus requires critical policy attention.In the past, due importance was not given to the development of the livestock sub-sector despite its significant contribution to the national economy. In the Financial Year 2006-07 the livestock sub-sector received only about 1. 0 percent of the total budget allocation, or only about 3. 5 percent of the agricultural sector budget. Though production of animal protein has maintained an upward trend, daily per capita availability of animal protein presently stands at around 21 gm meat, 43 ml milk and 41 eggs vis-a-vis the recommended intakes of 120 gm meat, 250 ml milk and 104 eggs.Shortage of quality inputs, inadequate services and physical infrastructure, institutional weaknesses in terms of weak regulatory framework and enforcement, limited skilled manpower and resources, and inadequate research and technological advancement are all continuing to act as constraints to livestock development. The growth opportunities in the livestock sub-sector vary significantly among the species.Qualitative rather than quantitative development of large ruminants (cattle and buffalo), a parallel increase of the productivity and population size of the small ruminants (goat and sheep), and poultry keeping emerges as promising to offer substantial growth potentials with a positive impact on nutrition, employment and poverty alleviation. Research and technological development merit priority to counteract allied problems in the fields of feed, breed and disease and meet the challenge of the country’s livestock sector in the 21st century National Livestock Development Policy has been prepared to address the key hallenges and opportunity for a comprehensive sustainable development of the Livestock sub-sector through creating an enabling policy framework. 2. Objectives of the National Livestock Development Policy The general objective of the National Livestock Development Policy: To provide the enabling environment, opening up opportunities, and reducing risks and vulnerability for harnessing the full potential of livestock sub-sector to accelerate economic growth for reduction of rural poverty in which the private sector wil l remain the main actor, while the public sector will playa facilitating and supportive role.The specific objectives of the National Livestock Development Policy: 1. To promote sustainable improvements in productivity of milk, meat and egg production including processing and value addition; 2. To promote sustained improvements in income, nutrition, and employment for the landless, small and marginal farmers; and 3. To facilitate increased private sector participation and investments in livestock production, livestock services, market development and export of livestock products and by-products. 3. Legal Status of the National Livestock Development PolicyAll the government and autonomous organizations, multi-national institutions, NGOs, CBOs (community based organizations), and persons who are working within the geographical territory of Bangladesh for the management, development and conservation of Livestock resources, import-export or other business related to the livestock sub-sec tor will be under the preview of National livestock Development Policy. 4. Scope of the National Livestock Development Policy The following ten critical areas have been identified for formulating the National livestock Development policy: i.Dairy Development and Meat Production: ii. Poultry Development; iii. Veterinary Services and Animal Health; iv. Feeds and Animal Management; v. Breeds Development; vi. Hides and Skins; vii. Marketing of Livestock Products; viii. International Trade Management ix. Access to Credit and Insurance; and x. Institutional Development for Research and Extension The key policy issues for each of these critical areas are outlined in the following section: 4. 1Dairy Development and Meat Production Dairy Development The opportunity for development of large-scale dairy is limited in Bangladesh due to scarcity of land.However, the potential for development of smallholder dairy is high. Over the last few years, small-scale dairy farming has increased significan tly with the support of credit, feed, veterinary services and provision of self-insurance systems. Small-scale dairy farming provides employment for the poorer segments of the population. The availability of this form of traditional self-employment to rural dwellers, not least women, is important where there is scarcity of alternative income generating opportunities. Smallholder dairy thus widens the scope for the poor with limited access to land to enhance their income.Dairy animals can playa crucial role in household food security, through improved income and nutritional of the low-income groups. Daily farming in Bangladesh is affected by myriads of constraints such as: (i) limited knowledge and technical skills of smallholder dairy farmers; (ii) scarcity of feeds and fodder; (iii) poor quality of feeds; (iv) frequent occurrence of diseases; (v) limited coverage of veterinary services including poor diagnostic facilities; (vi) lack of credit support; (vii) limited milk collection and processing facilities and low prices at collection points; (viii) lack of insurance coverage; (ix) absence of market nformation; (x) lack of appropriate breeds; and (xi) absence of a regulatory body. Policy framework for dairy development is: 1. Cooperative dairy development (Milk Vita model) would be expanded in potential areas allover the country; 2. Successful pro-poor models for community-based smallholder dairy development including appropriate contact farming schemes would be replicated; 3. Smallholder dairy farming, integrated with crop and fish culture would be promoted; 4. Supply chain based production, processing and marketing of milk and milk products would be promoted; . A National Dairy Development Board would be established as a regulatory body to promote dairy development; 6. â€Å"National Dairy Research Institute† would be established to carryout research in various aspects of dairying. Meat Production Around 3. 5 million cattle are slaughtered annually i n the country of which 40 percent are imported through cross-border trade. Around 15 million goats are slaughtered annually mostly of local origin. Of the total slaughter of cattle and goats, around 40 percent is performed during Eid-ul-Azha.Increased demand for quality meat, beef fattening has become an important income generating activity for small fanners, and a potentially important tool for reducing poverty. Beef fattening is considered to have high income generating potential, but faces constraints such as lack of appropriate breeds, knowledge gaps of farmers, lack of proper veterinary services and quality feeds. Most meat is handled under unsatisfactory sanitary conditions in both rural and urban areas. Enforcement of legislation relating to slaughtering or meat inspection is weak.There is generally poor pre-slaughter conditions, sanitation, removal of waste materials, and disposal of offal. The Black Bengal goat is a highly prolific local breed, resistant to many diseases an d can be easily raised under most environments on low quality feed and with little investments. Rearing of Black Bengal goat is an appropriate option for many subsistence farmers. Its demand is growing in both domestic meat markets and internationally for its skins and high quality leather goods.Policy framework for meat production: 1. Animal Slaughter Act, Animal Feed Act and Animal Disease Act would be approved and enforced in order to promote hygienic production of quality meat; 2. Butchers would be trained on scientific methods of slaughtering, meat processing and preservation techniques; 3. Development of beef breeds for increased productivity at farm level; 4. Development of backward and forward linkage system to help improvement of existing cattle fattening system into private enterprises; 5.Private sector would be encouraged to establish mechanized slaughter houses with Static Flaying Frame in Divisional cities; and Local Government would be encouraged to establish slaughter slabs in municipality and Upazila headquarters; 6. Production of Black Bengal Goats would be promoted by ensuring disease prevention, availability of quality bucks and semen for artificial insemination, and knowledge transfer through special projects; 7. Buffalo and sheep farming would be developed in selected high potential areas through special projects. 4. Poultry Development The backyard poultry units require minimum inputs and are often part of integrated crop- aquaculture-livestock farming systems. Their level of production is relatively low but profitability can be high due to low inputs costs and recycling of on-farm by-products. Commercial production systems use birds of improved genetic stock and reared under semi- intensive or intensive management. There are currently an estimated 120,000 commercial poultry farms in Bangladesh, supported by 04 Grand Parent Farms and 69 Parent Stock Farms.While the growth of the poultry industry has contributed to economic growth and inco me of commercial farmers, indiscriminate and unplanned growth of breeder farms and commercial poultry farms, particularly in and around cities and towns is creating environmental hazards. There are at present no guidelines for environmental protection and bio-security when establishing poultry farms. The use of antibiotics in feeds is thought to be common and a cause of public health concern.The constraints facing the sector in general include: (i) lack of infrastructure beyond the Upazila Head Quarters for providing services to poultry farmers; (ii) shortage of skilled manpower; (iii) shortage of quality chicks and breeding materials; (iv) shortage of poultry , feed/feed ingredients and high prices; (v) poor quality of inputs; (vi) lack of quality control facilities for medicine, vaccines and biological products, feed and feed ingredients, chicks, eggs and birds; (vii) drug and vaccine residues in poultry meat; (viii) shortage of vaccines; (ix) lack of organized marketing systems; (x) poor provision of veterinary services; and (xi) insufficient credit and capital especially for the poor. The possible threat of Avian Influenza exacerbates some of these concerns and shortcomings and would require additional measures to be taken. Policy framework or Poultry Development: 1. Successful pro-poor models would be replicated for semi-scavenging poultry development; 2. Formation of poultry smallholder groups, CBOs, and producers associations would be facilitated; 3. Quality control of poultry feeds and feed ingredients would be ensured through establishment of a legal body and enforcement of regulations; 4.Production and consumption of safe (antibiotic residue free) including organic meat and eggs would be promoted; 5. Criteria and guidelines would be established to ensure supply of quality day-old chicks; 6. Specific guidelines would be developed and enforced for establishing environment-friendly commercial poultry farms; Small commercial farms would be converted into profit oriented large farms following cooperative system. 7. Poultry farms of the DLS would be utilized as breeding and multiplication farms / centres for smallholder training, technology testing and demonstration etc 8. Smallholder production and marketing of ducks and minor poultry species (e. g.Quail, Goose, Pigeon, Guinea fowl) in selected areas would be promoted; 9. National Reference Laboratory for detection of Avian Influenza virus and other emerging diseases would be established; and 10. National Avian Flu Preparedness Plan would be implemented. 4. 3Veterinary Services and Animal Health Inadequate veterinary services are one of the major obstacles for livestock development in Bangladesh. The ratio of Veterinary Surgeons to farm animals and birds was estimated at I: 1. 7 million in 1995, and according to a 2003 estimate only 5-10 percent of farm animals receive routine vaccination. Private sector investment in the animal health sector remains low and is only expanding slowly .The quality and quantity of vaccines produced and delivered by the DLS are inadequate. The use of subsidies in vaccine production in present form is a possible deterrent to private investors. There is no. Independent authority to check the quality of domestically produced or imported vaccines. Vaccination is done in a haphazard manner without any strategic plan for controlling the targeted diseases. There are no provisions for movement control and quarantine during disease outbreak or epidemics. No registration is required for feed additives such as toxins binder, antibiotics, and vitamin- mineral premixes, animal protein, many of which are potentially detrimental to human health.Most of the drugs traders and shop keepers have no formal training on drug handling, transportation, storing and dispensing, and readily sell drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, and sedatives across the counter without prescription. Disease diagnostic facilities are limited. The DVH (District Veterinary H ospitals), Regional FDIL (Field Diseases Investigation Laboratories), and the CDIL (Central Disease Investigation Laboratory of DLS are responsible for providing diagnostic services. However, due to shortage of skilled manpower and non-availability of funds they cannot provide the intended services. There IS no provision for residue analysis of drugs, heavy metals, hormones, pesticides and toxins in foods of animal origin.There are only few local veterinarians trained in clinical pathology to diagnose diseases properly. The disease surveillance system is almost non-existent. ‘The Veterinary Public Health Unit in the DLS has the mandate to perform diagnosis, surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases, ensure food safety of animal origin, and liaison with the Health Department. The Unit is however, suffering from serious shortages of human capital, funding and laboratory facilities. It has no legal framework to implement its mandate. Coordination between animal and human heal th bodies is virtually non-existent. Veterinary research is similarly constrained due to shortages of staff and funds.Very limited fund is available for veterinary research. There are important areas of public goods services like veterinary epidemiology, veterinary public health, food safety and diagnostic techniques within which research needs to be expanded urgently. The Animal Quarantine Act was recently passed by the Parliament, but quarantine stations, manpower and funds to enforce the Act are not in place yet. Laws and Regulations are essential for high quality service delivery and quality assurance of products for trade. Some laws and regulations are in place but overall regulatory framework and implementation remain very weak. Policy framework for Veterinary Services and Animal Health: 1.Soft loans would be provided to accelerate the development of private veterinary services; 2. Community-based veterinary service would be developed through special projects; 3. An autonomous Quality Control Agency would be established to ensure quality of veterinary drugs, vaccines, feeds, feed ingredients and breeding tools and materials; 4. A licensing system for veterinary pharmacists and a quality monitoring system of veterinary services would be introduced; 5. Veterinary research would be strengthened in critical areas, particularly those related to provision of public goods and services; 6. Veterinary public health services would be strengthened and closer linkages with the Department of Health would be established; 7.Capacities of disease investigation network of DLS would be strengthened for disease surveillance, quarantine services and emergency planning to manage major disease outbreaks including Avian Influenza and other emerging diseases; 8. Specific strategy would be developed for controlling economically important trans-boundary animal diseases; 9. Veterinary Council would be strengthened to help ensure quality veterinary services; 10. â€Å"National Liv estock Health Disaster Committee† would be formed including all trade organizations to combat such crisis; 11. A separate â€Å"Veterinary Cell† would be established in Department of Drug Administration for facilitating decision making on veterinary drug registration and approval in Bangladesh. Animal Health Companies Association and related trade association would be included in the committee to represent the private sector. 12.Promote and encourage private sector to set-up compliant veterinary diagnostic center, clinics and hospitals to cater the needs of the farmers and other beneficiaries. 4. 4Feeds and Animal Management The acute shol1age of feeds and fodder is one of the single most impOJ1ant obstacles to livestock development in Bangladesh. The main constraints for feeds and feed management include: (i) shortage of feeds and fodder; (ii) scarcity of land for fodder production; (iii) seasonal fluctuations of feeds and fodder; (iv) low quality feed; (v) high feed p rices; and (vi) poor husbandry practices. Feed resources for large livestock are primarily derived from crop residues and cereal by- products as well as grasses, tree leaves and aquatic plants.Very little grain is available for animals. Feed concentrates contribute only a small portion of the feed. Feed resources for scavenging rural poultry comprise scattered grains from threshing floors, left over grains, pulses, broken rice, kitchen wastes, green grasses, insects, worms, left over boiled rice, etc. Because of increasing demand for human food land is intensively used for cereal production. Neither sufficient grazing land, nor spare land is available for growing fodder. This has resulted in shortages of quality forage for ruminant livestock, causing stunted growth, reproduction problems, reduced lactation, working inability, lower growth rates, and reduced productivity.Most of the dairy and poultry farmers are facing the problem of adulterated and inferior quality of commercial fee ds and feed ingredients. Feed labeling and control is inadequate. Most feed millers do not disclose the necessary information on the packaging with regards to feed composition, ingredients, date of manufacturing, date of expiry, storage guidelines, energy levels, and protein and vitamin contents. Feed millers are widely suspected of minimizing feed production costs either by use of inferior quality ingredients and/or inclusion of lower proportions of high value ingredients. Poor packaging materials contribute to reduced quality and shelf life. Policy framework for Feeds and Animal Management: 1.Feed and fodder development strategy would be developed for community- based fodder cultivation along roads and highways, rivers and embankments, in Khas lands, and in combinations with crops; 2. Necessary support would be provided to the private sector for utilization and promotion of crop residues, agro-industrial by-products and unconventional feed resources as animal feed; 3. An Animal Fe ed Act would be approved and implemented to ensure feed quality; and 4. Resources would be provided for training of dairy farmers on improved animal management and husbandry practices. 5. Organizational support system development for coordination of support services for smallholder dairy development in private sector; . Private sector support system development for strengthening manufacturing and marketing of feed and feed additives; 7. Human resource development. 4. 5Breeds Development Livestock development through the application of science-led methods of breeds and breeding in Bangladesh is still at a rudimentary stage. There is however enthusiasm for applying breeds and breeding interventions to enhance livestock performance. Lack of a national breeding policy, use of inappropriate breeds, weak infrastructure (human capacity, national service delivery, breeding farms), and limited technical knowledge has constrained the development of improved breeds.Available high yielding seed materials (in cattle and chicken industry) are mostly exotic and imported. However, not all of these imported exotic species adapt well under Bangladesh climatic conditions. There are a number of promising well-adapted native livestock breeds in the country (e. g. Red Chittagong cattle, Black Bengal goat, Bengal sheep, Naked Neck chicken etc), which could be developed into high yielding breeds through cross breeding in a systematic manner. Importation of inappropriate genetic material coupled with indiscriminate crossbreeding and a clear neglect of indigenous breeds has created a situation, where a number of native breeds of livestock are under threat of extinction.Unplanned and sporadic attempts that were made for breed improvement of various species failed, because the initiatives were not based on thorough breed/ genotype testing results and not based on well-thought out and sound breeding goals, breeding criteria, animal recording systems, animal evaluation procedures, and anim al selection and mating plans. Breeds and breeding program inherently requires heavy initial investments and regular and timely flow of resources. Sustained funding support for breeding work has not been forthcoming. As a result, the limited expertise available in this field remains underutilized. There is no regulatory body or national Breeding Act to regulate breed imports, prices of breeding materials, merits and quality of breeds, breeding materials and breeding services. Within the existing cattle breeding services (including artificial insemination), farmers have little or no idea of the merit and quality of the semen being provided for insemination.The same is true for other species such as goats and buffaloes, and applies also to imported germplasm (live animals, semen, embryos, etc). Policy framework for Breeds Development: 1. A National Breeding Program would be finalized and approved; 2. Conservation and utilization program of potential indigenous breeds for poor smallhol ders in the pertinent locality would be developed; 3. A comprehensive human resource development program in animal breeding would be developed; 4. Frozen semen production unit would be established for wide scale artificial insemination of Black Bengal Goats to face the challenge of service storage of proven buck throughout the country; 5. Breeders Association’ would be established for monitoring and coordination of livestock breeding activities in the country. 4. 6Hides and Skins Leather including crust as well as finished leather and leather goods is an important export earner contributing about 6 to 7 percent of total export earnings. A large proportion of leather materials are however downgraded and rejected due to poor quality. Leather defects are reported to be responsible for a more than 50 percent cut in the value of leather. Cattle and goats are the major skin and hide producing species followed by buffalo and sheep. Most slaughtering takes place with inadequate facil ities for electricity, water, and sewerage.There are an estimated 192 improvised slaughter houses at district level, 1215 at Upazila level and more than 3,000 slaughtering points in hats and bazaars as well as by road sides of cities and towns. Hides are in most cases removed by unskilled persons using inappropriate tools, giving rise to irregular shapes and flay cuts. Defects in goat and sheep skins have been significantly reduced in recent years with the introduction of hang and pull systems of flaying. Besides hides and skins, the slaughtering of animals generates potentially valuable by- products including blood, bones, hoofs, rumen and visceral contents, hairs, etc. Only a part of certain by-products, generated mainly in organized slaughter houses, are collected and processed by cottage level factories.Most of these by-products are discarded and thrown away, resulting in large economic losses and environmental pollution. Tannery operations are further impacting negatively on th e environment. Financing is a major problem, particularly the primary market intermediaries like farias and beparis suffer due to lack of adequate working capital and inadequate access to finance. The shortage of capital reduces the purchasing capacity of intermediaries and consequently, a large quantity of hides and skins are pilfered in the neighbouring country, especially during Eid-ul-Azha. Ful1hennore, prices drop during Eid-ul-Azha, when large quantities of hides and skins are produced.The low prices in turn provide little incentive for proper flaying, handling and preservation. Policy framework for Hides and Skins: 1. Butchers and merchants (Farias, Beparis and Aratdars) would be trained on basic knowledge of flaying, curing and storing for improved management and quality of hides and skins; 2. An autonomous agency would be established for quality control and cet1ification of hides and skins; 3. Environmental legislation on slaughter and tannery operations would be framed and enforced; 4. Private sector would be encouraged to establish small to medium scale industries to utilize slaughter and tannery by-products for producing high quality feed supplement for animal feeds; and 5.Access to micro-finance and banking facilities would be improved for intermediaries. 4. 7Marketing of Livestock Products Milk: There is no systematic marketing network and market information system for milk and milk products to support smallholder dairy farmers in the rural areas. Farmers sell milk either in the local market or to goal as (traditional milk collectors) who continue to render useful services to the rural community, and sometimes work as supplying agents to private firms. Commercial marketing of milk started in the late 1970s by Milk Vita. Milk Vita has established milk-processing plants in various places and collects milk from its cooperatives members.BRAC, Pran and CLDDP (Community Livestock and Dairy Development Project) have also recently installed milk processi ng, and a small number of other private farms are dealing with pasteurized milk. These enterprises however, only cover a part of the country. Most small-scale dairy farmers in rural areas sell their milk in local markets at around a third to half of the price at which milk is sold in the cities. Low prices and price fluctuations are found to be important constraints to increased production and higher income of milk producers. Milk production costs are largely determined by feed prices (wheat and rice bran), which are increasing, in some cases rapidly. Meat: There is a high demand for meat in the local markets. In the past, the beef price was relatively low due the ready supply of cattle from neighbouring country.The supply has recently been restricted and as a result meat prices have increased sharply. Constraints to long-term development of the beef industry include lack of improved breeds, low meat quality, and limited access to credit and insurance amongst smallholders. Eggs: The egg marketing system can be characterized as oligopolistic, under control of the Aratdars who extend credit to the poultry farmers who in turn are obliged to sell through the Aratdars for loan repayment. The price of eggs in large city markets is usually not known to the rural poultry farmers The time and distance from collection to marketing is often long with traditional means of transportation. Spoilage and broken eggs are commonPolicy framework for Marketing of Livestock Products: 1. Farmers groups and cooperatives formation would be encouraged and supported for collective marketing of livestock products by community based organizations and associations; 2. Access to micro-finance and insurance schemes for poor smallholders including women would be improved; 3. Farmer's information network for price data and processing of trade related information would be established with private sector support; 4. An Internet-based communication system would be established alongside regular b roadcasting of trade related information and monitoring and forecasting of prices of livestock products; 5.Management Information Systems (MIS) would be established in the DLS on livestock product marketing; 6. Government if required will intervene the market to ensure minimum price of egg and meat for farmers; 7. Private sector would be encouraged to be involved in egg processing and other value added product manufacturing industries. 4. 8International Trade Management In order to derive the full benefits of globalization and trade liberalization, Bangladesh must further develop its export products to satisfy product standard requirements of importing countries and obtain up-to-date information from different markets. Bangladesh is signatory of the WTO (World Trade Organization) Agreement on Agriculture (AOA).The AOA provides a framework for the long-term reforms of agriculture trade and domestic policies to move forwards market orientation in agricultural trade. The obligations an d disciplines incorporated in the AOA relate to four aspects, viz, i) agreement on market access; ii) agreement on domestic support; iii) agreement on export competition/subsidy; and iv) agreement on SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) measures. Bangladesh is not fully able to meet the recommended safety and quality standards for livestock products consistent with the SPS guidelines as regulated by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.The main problem stem from: (i) inadequate veterinary services; (ii) lack of skilled human resources; (iii) lack of diagnostic facilities; (iv) lack of financial support; (v) lack of disease surveillance and monitoring of animal health; (vi) lack of updated food legislation; and (vii) need for an improved national food export inspection and certification program. Incidences of TADs (trans-boundary animal diseases), such as foot and mouth disease, are preventing Bangladesh from entering potential markets for live stock products. As the problem of TADs is being addressed on a larger scale, regional initiatives are becoming important and Bangladesh will seek the opportunity to enter into regional agreements to control TAOs.This will necessitate significant changes in the veterinary service system, particularly within diagnostic services and veterinary public health. Most export-oriented enterprises are small and medium size, with limited capacity to undertake market research, invest in technologies, and collect, store, and process trade information. Other important challenges relate to meeting labour and environmental standards, improving design and packaging, and accessing and using up-to-date information on consumer preferences and trends in global markets. Many enterprises have neither the in-house capacity to gather the necessary trade-related information nor the networks to access such information. Policy framework for International Trade Management: 1.Focal points would be set up in the OLS and the MoFL (Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock) to deal with the international and regional trade agreements and ensure implementation of notifications and obligations; 2. Training would be provided to the officials in the OLS, MoFL and livestock related industries to enable them to fully appreciate and deal effectively with international and regional trade agreements; 3. Requirements of trade related technical assistance for the DLS, MoFL and private exporters would be assessed and required assistance would be provided; 4. The capacity of DLS would be developed through institutional reform to address SPS and HACCP requirements; 5. An Internet-based communication system would be established to facilitate international market networking for livestock products; 6.MIS (management information systems) would be established in the OLS and MoFL for international trade management of livestock products; and 7. Private sector people would be included with all activities of internationa l trade management. 4. 9Access to Credit and Insurance Credit The effective coverage of micro credit programs in Bangladesh was around II million households in 2002 of which around 80% were below poverty line. It is estimated that less than a fifth of the total micro credit disbursed by NGOs till June 200 I, was given to the livestock sub-sector mostly to poor women in rural areas. Financing of agricultural and other rural economic activities have not in the past attracted adequate interest of banks and institutional lenders.As recently as 2003 livestock attracted less than 5% of the total credit disbursed in the agricultural sector by state-owned lending institutions, although the trend in recent years has been sharply upwards. The livestock development has accelerated the demand for concentrate feeds, drugs, vaccines, and veterinary services. These trends are expected to continue in the coming years with resultant increases in demand for credit support. Expansion of livestock oper ations among poor smallholders and commercial livestock producers, as well as input suppliers (feed mills, drug producers, etc. ) and processors of livestock products is thus expected to increase the demand tor finance throughout the sub-sector, and will be needed to help facilitate continued horizontal and vertical integration.The following constraints and challenges in particular characterize the micro-credit sector: (i) insufficient funds; (ii) inappropriately packaged loans for production cycles of livestock; (iii) red tape and collateral requirements effectively reducing credit access for smallholders, notably the poor; (iv) inadequate loan supervision; (v) insufficient training in financial management and business planning (applies to both loan providers and takers); (vi) inadequate technical support; (vi) inappropriate interest rate policies and practices; (vii) conflicts of interest within NGOs providing both technical and credit support often to the detriment of the former; (viii) smallholder vulnerability and risk from natural and man-made disasters; and (ix) better servicing of the hard-core poor. Policy framework for Increasing Access to Credit: 1.Formation of CBOs (Community Based Organisations) linking them with DLS, NGOs, commercial banks, and insurance companies would be encouraged for delivery of appropriate livestock credit packages to the doorstep of small scale livestock farmers including poor women; 2. A Livestock Credit Fund would be established in the Bangladesh Bank for distribution of subsidized credit to small scale livestock farmers through CBOs; 3. Micro-finance packages better tailored to the production cycles of various livestock species would be promoted; 4. Micro-finance packages targeted towards and appropriate for the hard-core poor including women would be promoted; 5. Training would be provided to smallholder groups in livestock-related business planning and financial management; 6. Monitoring and supervision of micro financ e institutions would be enhanced for adherence to international best practice; and 7.Provision of micro-finance services from technical services would be separated where necessary for clearer regulation. Insurance Livestock production is subject to the risks of animal disease, accident, and death. The result is often a serious decline in farm income and consequent failure on the pa11 of especially poorer farmers to maintain their livelihoods. Livestock insurance can: i) provide protection against loss of livestock from accident or disease, stabilizing income; ii) raise credit worthiness; iii) contribute to a reduction in the incidences of animal death and accident by requiring certification of a minimum standard of animal husbandry practices; and iv) encourage development of cattle breeding and dairy industries.Out of 62 insurance companies in Bangladesh, 60 are private companies of which none are involved in livestock insurance. Only a state owned insurance company, SBC (Sadharan B ima Corporation) has since 1980 been providing livestock insurance. It covers only projects financed by BKB (Bangladesh Krishi Bank) and other nationalized Commercial Banks. SBC insured 7. 567 dairy animals between 1981 and 2003, indicating only very negligible insurance coverage for livestock. No modifications of the SBC insurance program have been made since 1985 to address the changing scenarios in the dairy and poultry industries. There are at present none or only very few private sector companies with the skills or funds to initiate livestock insurance.There are no collaborative arrangements between insurance companies and public sector organizations to assist the companies in setting up insurance schemes. Milk Vita and CLDDP have developed a self-insurance scheme for their cooperative members and farmer groups/associations, which appears to be working well, Smallholders may not, however yet fully recognize and appreciate the implications and potential benefits of livestock ins urance. Experience suggests that some level of subsidy for smallholder livestock enterprises may be necessary, at least during the initial period. Policy framework for Increasing Access to Livestock Insurance: 1. In consultation with insurance companies, CBOs and NGOs and other stakeholders, a strategy for expansion of livestock insurance coverage would be developed; 2.A Livestock Insurance Development Fund would be established in the Bangladesh Bank, 3. Self-insurance systems for poor smallholders including women through community-based livestock development programmes would be promoted; 4. A national database on livestock mortality, disease incidence and productivity of livestock would be developed and maintained at the DLS; 5. Awareness among smallholders on the benefits of livestock insurance schemes would be raised; and 6. Successful experiences of insurance models of other countries in the region would be studied and emulated. 4. 10Institutional Development for Research and Ex tension Livestock ResearchTo carry out livestock research in the public sector BLRI (Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute) was established under a Presidential Ordinance in 1984 as a semi-autonomous body. It is organized into eight research divisions and an administrative division, called the support service division. The research divisions are: (i) Animal Production; (ii) Poultry Production; (iii) Animal Health; (iv) System Research; (v) Socio-economics; (vi) Goat and Sheep Production; (vii) Biotechnology; and (viii) Planning, Training and Technology Demonstration. The 1984 Ordinance was amended in 1996 as an Act in line with the amendment of the Act of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).The functions of BLRI are not sharply focused and its structure has a number of deficiencies. There are many important new issues that are not reflected in the functions. Dramatic changes that have taken place in recent years within Bangladesh and internationally (globalization and trade liberalization combined with WTO regulations and OIE requirements), which have changed both domestic and the international market scenarios. In the context of these changes, the functions of BLRI need to be sharpened. Major deficiencies exist in veterinary research, planning and management, human resource management, and information management. There is no Unit and staff to deal with planning, evaluation and monitoring.Veterinary research is done only on a limited scale under the Animal Health Division, There is no provision of a Director (Research), responsible for research planning, coordinating and monitoring the implementation of research projects; evaluating and reporting research outputs on a regular basis; and maintaining direct contact with DLS and sister research institutions, as well as liaison with other concerned Depal1ments. There is no management information system (MIS) for research at BLRI and Information management is generally weak. The shortage of operat ing funds for research is acute in BLRI. The annual allocation shows a declining trend in real terms. BLRI has been entirely depending on the development budget and contract research grants from BARC (also under development projects) for carrying out research.This has restricted BLRI in developing and undertaking meaningful research programs to support the poverty reduction program of the Government. BLRI has problems with training of its personnel. There is no provision for staff training or a built-in system of carrier progression within the research divisions like in the research institutes in the crop sector. This has created a high rate of attrition of qualified scientists. Policy framework for Livestock Research: 1. Research capacity of BLRI headquarters and its Regional Stations would be enhanced to address national priority and untapped potential regional livestock resources; 2. Private and NGO initiatives in livestock research would be encouraged and supported; 3.The mandat e, functions and structure of BLRI would be sharpened including provision of a Director (Research), with a view to enhance the capacity to coordinate, maintain liaison with other concerned Departments; and conduct livestock research for pro-poor sustainable development; 4. Research capacity of BLRI would be extended to ensure safe production of animal products and by-products, animal protein supplement, feed additives, premixes, probiotics and mineral and vitamin supplements as inputs for poultry and livestock development; 5. The Act of BLRI would be amended to give greater autonomy to the Management Board and the Institute to bring it at a par with the crop research institutes; 6.Enabling environment should be created to develop quality manpower to undertake challenges for emerging livestock resource development in the context of global reformation; 7. Service structure and rules of business would be framed for BLRI to improve its management and to provide career development opport unities for talented scientists; 8. Research budget of BLRI would be increased to 40 per cent of its total annual budget. to meet the research operating costs. Livestock Extension For the extension of Livestock Services the Directorate of Livestock Services was established in 1960 and renamed as the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in the late 1980s.Since 1960, the mandate and functions, structure, organization and management systems of DLS have remained almost unchanged. DLS is organized into five divisions, headed by their respective Directors: (i) Animal Health and Administration; (ii) Research, Training and Evaluation; (iii) Extension; (iv) Officers Training Institute; and (v) Production. The divisions are functionally split into sections to deal with different subject matters. Other entities of DLS include a LRI (Livestock Research Institute), a CDIL (Central Disease Investigation Laboratory), 7 FDIL (Field Disease Investigation Laboratories), a CVH (Central Veterinary Ho spital), and 64 DVH (District Veterinary Hospitals).DLS has a number of training facilities such as the OTIs (Officers Training Institute) and VTI (Veterinary Training Institutes) and LTI (Livestock Training Institute), but remain grossly underutilized due to lack of funds. The structure of DLS offers insufficient focus on the issues that matter most. The functional Divisions are not structured in a logical fashion. Elements of veterinary services are scattered throughout different divisions/sections and function in an uncoordinated manner. The Veterinary Public Health Section exists but is neither equipped nor does it have the funds to deal adequately with disease surveillance and reporting, food safety and control of zoonotic diseases, and other public health issues. It has no linkages to the Health Department and the Public Health Institute.It also does not have a supporting legal framework to implement its mandate. Almost nothing is done on disease surveillance, including trans- boundary diseases. The major challenges facing DLS were identified as: (i) inappropriate mandate and functions; (ii) structural and organizational deficiencies; (iii) frontline services at the Upazila level is thin and weak; (iv) weak linkages with research organization including BLRI; (v) weak management system and MIS (management information system; (vi) slow recruitment and promotion system; (vii) shortage of skilled manpower; (viii) lack of regular skill development training; and (ix) limited budget allocation.In the context of increasing participation by the private sector and NGOs in livestock development, there is an urgent need to redefine the mandate and functions of DLS in a fashion that will allow it to gradually withdraw from private goods services, engage increasingly in delivery of public goods services viz. disease surveillance and reporting, food safety, enforcement of . laws and regulations, and quality control of feeds/drugs/vaccines/semen and breeding materials an d facilitate private sector involvement. Policy framework for Livestock Extension: 1. Private sector, NGOs, and CBOs would be encouraged to provide private goods livestock services, viz. veterinary services, vaccination etc 2. DLS would be reformed to enhance its role as a provider of public goods services viz. regulatory measures, quality assurance and control, monitoring function, food safety function, disease surveillance, etc. ; 3.Livestock extension services frontline would be extended up to Union level in stages to make it available close to villages; 4. Resource allocations to DLS would be increased to make it effective in delivery of public goods services; 5. Autonomous unit/institute would be established for quality assurance and certification of livestock products, vaccines and biologics, and consumer’s rights protection; 6. Retraining program would be developed and implemented to equip DLS staffs with new knowledge and skills within the framework of a clearly defin ed human resource development action plan; 7. Besides staff training, DLS training institutes would be opened for all eligible candidates from private sector, NGOs and CBOs for livestock services extension training. 8.A special cell in all DVH would ensure round the clock service for emergency purpose. 9. DVH would further extend to TVH (Thana Veterinary Hospital) to ensure better service & protection of the animal population, and 10. Extension-research-NGO linkage would be strengthened for field testing and dissemination of livestock technologies. 5. Implementation Strategy of the National Livestock Development Policy The implementation strategy would be to provide support that will specifically target factor productivity, investments and risks as follows: a. Public investment would be increased in livestock infrastructure to provide public goods and services delivery, and promoting private investment; b.Public investment would also be increased in livestock research for technologi cal innovations to enhance productivity, income, employment; c. Market regulatory measures would be taken to shifts in relative prices of inputs and outputs to correct market distortions, rationalize the incentive structures for investment and mitigate negative impacts on environment; d. An appropriate legal and regulatory framework would be put in place; and e. Institutional reforms would be carried out and good sectoral governance would be put in place making both public and private sectors more transparent, accountable and mutually supportive. Policy framework for dairy development is: Cooperative dairy development (Milk Vita model) would be expanded in potential areas allover the country; †¢Successful pro-poor models for community-based smallholder dairy development including appropriate contact farming schemes would be replicated; †¢Smallholder dairy farming, integrated with crop and fish culture would be promoted; †¢Supply chain based production, processing and marketing of milk and milk products would be promoted; †¢A National Dairy Development Board would be established as a regulatory body to promote dairy development; †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"National Dairy Research Institute† would be established to carryout research in various aspects of dairying. Policy framework for meat production: Animal Slaughter Act, Animal Feed Act and Animal Disease Act would be approved and enforced in order to promote hygienic production of quality meat; †¢Butchers would be trained on scientific methods of slaughtering, meat processing and preservation techniques; †¢Development of beef breeds for increased productivity at farm level; †¢Development of backward and forward linkage system to help improvement of existing cattle fattening system into private enterprises; †¢Private sector would be encouraged to establish mechanized slaughter houses with Static Flaying Frame in Divisional cities; and Local Government would be encouraged to esta blish slaughter slabs in municipality and Upazila headquarters; †¢Production of Black Bengal Goats would be promoted by ensuring disease prevention, availability of quality bucks and semen for artificial insemination, and knowledge transfer through special projects; †¢Buffalo and sheep farming would be developed in selected high potential areas through special projects. Policy framework or Poultry Development: †¢Successful pro-poor models would be replicated for semi-scavenging poultry development; †¢Formation of poultry smallholder groups, CBOs, and producers associations would be facilitated; †¢Quality control of poultry feeds and feed ingredients would be ensured through establishment of a legal body and enforcement of regulations; †¢Production and consumption of safe (antibiotic residue free) including organic meat and eggs would be promoted; †¢Criteria and guidelines would be established to ensure supply of quality day-old chicks; †¢Speci fic guidelines would be developed and enforced for stablishing environment-friendly commercial poultry farms; Small commercial farms would be converted into profit oriented large farms following cooperative system. †¢Poultry farms of the DLS would be utilized as breeding and multiplication farms / centres for smallholder training, technology testing and demonstration etc †¢Smallholder production and marketing of ducks and minor poultry species (e. g. Quail, Goose, Pigeon, Guinea fowl) in selected areas would be promoted; †¢National Reference Laboratory for detection of Avian Influenza virus and other emerging diseases would be established; and †¢National Avian Flu Preparedness Plan would be implemented.Policy framework for Veterinary Services and Animal Health: †¢Soft loans would be provided to accelerate the development of private veterinary services; †¢Community-based veterinary service would be developed through special projects; †¢An autonomous Quality Control Agency would be established to ensure quality of veterinary drugs, vaccines, feeds, feed ingredients and breeding tools and materials; †¢A licensing system for veterinary pharmacists and a quality monitoring system of veterinary services would be introduced; †¢Veterinary research would be strengthened in critical areas, particularly those related to provision of public goods and services; †¢Veterinary public health services would be strengthened and closer linkages with the Department of Health would be established; †¢Capacities of disease investigation network of DLS would be strengthened for disease surveillance, quarantine services and emergency planning to manage major disease outbreaks including Avian Influenza and other emerging diseases; †¢Specific strategy would be developed for controlling economically important trans-boundary animal diseases; †¢Veterinary Council would be strengthened to help ensure quality veterinary services ; †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"National Livestock Health Disaster Committee† would be formed including all trade organizations to combat such crisis; †¢A separate â€Å"Veterinary Cell† would be established in Department of Drug Administration for facilitating decision making on veterinary drug registration and approval in Bangladesh. Animal Health Companies Association and related trade association would be included in the committee to represent the private sector. †¢Promote and encourage private sector to set-up compliant veterinary diagnostic center, clinics and hospitals to cater the needs of the farmers and other beneficiaries. Policy framework for Feeds and Animal Management: Feed and fodder development strategy would be developed for community- based fodder cultivation along roads and highways, rivers and embankments, in Khas lands, and in combinations with crops; †¢Necessary support would be provided to the private sector for utilization and promotion of crop re sidues, agro-industrial by-products and unconventional feed resources as animal feed; †¢An Animal Feed Act would be approved and implemented to ensure feed quality; and †¢ Resources would be provided for training of dairy farmers on improved animal management and husbandry practices. †¢Organizational support system development for coordination of support services for smallholder dairy development in private sector; †¢Private sector support system development for strengthening manufacturing and marketing of feed and feed additives; †¢Human resource development. Policy framework for Breeds Development: A National Breeding Program would be finalized and approved; †¢Conservation and utilization program of potential indigenous breeds for poor smallholders in the pertinent locality would be developed; †¢A comprehensive human resource development program in animal breeding would be developed; †¢Frozen semen production unit would be established for wi de scale artificial insemination of Black Bengal Goats to face the challenge of service storage of proven buck throughout the country; †¢Ã¢â‚¬ËœBreeders Association’ would be established for monitoring and coordination of livestock breeding activities in the country. Policy framework for Marketing of Livestock Products: Farmers groups and cooperatives formation would be encouraged and supported for collective marketing of livestock products by community based organizations and associations; †¢Access to micro-finance and insurance schemes for poor smallholders including women would be improved; †¢Farmer's information network for price data and processing of trade related information would be established with private sector support; †¢An Internet-based communication system would be established alongside regular broadcasting of trade related information and monitoring and forecasting of prices of livestock products; †¢Management Information Systems (MIS) would be established in the DLS on livestock product marketing; †¢Government if required will intervene the market to ensure minimum price of egg and meat for farmers; †¢Private sector would be encouraged to be involved in egg processing and other value added product manufacturing industries. Policy framework for Livestock Research: Research capacity of BLRI headquarters and its Regional Stations would be enhanced to address national priority and untapped potential regional livestock resources; †¢Private and NGO initiatives in livestock research would be encouraged and supported; †¢The mandate, functions and structure of BLRI would be sharpened including provision of a Director (Research), with a view to enhance the capacity to coordinate, maintain liaison with other concerned Departments; and conduct livestock research for pro-poor sustainable development; †¢Research capacity of BLRI would be extended to ensure safe production of animal products and by-pro ducts, animal protein supplement, feed additives, premixes, probiotics and mineral and vitamin supplements as inputs for poultry and livestock development; †¢The Act of BLRI would be amended to give greater autonomy to the Management Board and the Institute to bring it at a par with the crop research institutes; †¢Enabling environment should be created to develop quality manpower to undertake challenges for emerging livestock resource development in the context of global reformation; †¢Service structure and rules of business would be framed for BLRI to improve its management and to provide career development opportunities for talented scientists; †¢Research budget of BLRI would be increased to 40 per cent of its total annual budget. to meet the research operating costs. Policy framework for Livestock Extension: †¢Private sector, NGOs, and CBOs would be encouraged to provide private goods livestock services, viz. veterinary services, vaccination etc †¢DL S would be reformed to enhance its role as a provider of public goods services viz. regulatory measures, quality assurance and control, monitoring function, food safety function, disease surveillance, etc. ; †¢Livestock extension ervices frontline would be extended up to Union level in stages to make it available close to villages; †¢Resource allocations to DLS would be increased to make it effective in delivery of public goods services; †¢Autonomous unit/institute would be established for quality assurance and certification of livestock products, vaccines and biologics, and consumer’s rights protection; †¢Retraining program would be developed and implemented to equip DLS staffs with new knowledge and skills within the framework of a clearly defined human resource development action plan; †¢Besides staff training, DLS training institutes would be opened for all eligible candidates from private sector, NGOs and CBOs for livestock services extension tra ining. †¢A special cell in all DVH would ensure round the clock service for emergency purpose. †¢DVH would further extend to TVH (Thana Veterinary Hospital) to ensure better service & protection of the animal population, and †¢Extension-research-NGO linkage would be strengthened for field testing and dissemination of livestock technologies.Implementation Strategy of the National Livestock Development Policy †¢The implementation strategy would be to provide support that will specifically target factor productivity, investments and risks as follows: †¢Public investment would be increased in livestock infrastructure to provide public goods and services delivery, and promoting private investment; †¢Public investment would also be increased in livestock research for technological innovations to enhance productivity, income, employment; †¢Market regulatory measures would be taken to shifts in relative prices of inputs and outputs to correct market distor tions, rationalize the incentive structures for investment and mitigate negative impacts on environment; †¢An appropriate legal and regulatory framework would be put in place; and †¢Institutional reforms would be carried out and good sectoral governance would be put in place making both public and private sectors more transparent, accountable and mutually supportive.