Conflict between the Country and Company

Conflict Between the Country and Company

"Battling for a Safer Bangladesh"
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/business/international/battling-for-a-safer-bangladesh.html?ref=international

As indicated in the article, "Battling for a Safer Bangladesh," Bangladesh has consistently found extreme unsafe conditions in factories and companies for employees to work in. There have been many issues with factories collapsing and killing those inside. Just last year, another factory collapsed killing 1,129 people. This has obviously inspired conflict in the public and has resulted in a conflict between the country's people and the companies that they work in.

For the conditions found, there are extreme infrastructure problems such as overloaded buildings so there are cracks in the building foundations, the storage spaces are flammable, and unsafe fire escape routes. Adding to those problems, you also have the political maneuvering and corruptions involved.

If the conflict between the country and companies is not enough, in efforts to fix the problems and satisfy the public, companies have created alliances to combat these. However, now these two alliances of companies, Bangladesh Accord for Fire and Building Safety (H&M, Carrefour, Mango) and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Walmart, Target, Gap, Kohl's), are feuding. Basically, both alliances are saying they are inspecting the factories better and are working on improving the issues better then the other alliance. To make matters worse, universities are now saying the companies that sell their products must align with the company that the university chooses or they can't sell their products.

Out of one conflict, there has arisen many others. Conflicts between alliances, between the public, and between companies and universities is very unnecessary. The Accord has inspected less factories, but closed more and the Alliance has inspected more factories, and only closed one. These alliances are now going back and forth saying they are not being truthful and only closing or not closing factories to look better to the public.

The benefits of this conflict between the Accord and Alliance is that there is a better chance that the workers will see more safe conditions. The companies want to be seen as better and have better brand recognition so are striving to provide more. Some are providing wages to those who worked in factories that closed. This means that they are resolving the conflict between the Bangladesh population and the companies, which is good. This also means that there will be safer working conditions, people are more likely to survive and benefit the economy, they will be paid and can support their families, which could also lead to less poverty.

The conflicts between the companies and the universities is unnecessary and is just creating a bad image for each. All of the universities and companies should work together instead of separately to benefit the Bangladesh population because tensions could hurt the population in the long run. Competition between companies is beneficial to a point and they  must make sure they do not reach that point. Overall, we will be seeing improved conditions for Bangladesh in the future.

Globalization of Disease

Globalization of Disease

"U.N. Struggles to Stem Haiti Cholera Epidemic"

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/20/world/americas/un-struggles-to-stem-haiti-cholera-epidemic.html?ref=world

Since 2010, Cholera has been a rampant epidemic throughout Haiti. The question on everyone's mind, however, is if the United Nations brought the deadly strain of cholera to Haiti. It is the belief of the Haitian government that in an attempt to provide aid to Haiti, the United Nation's peacekeepers transmitted the disease to the Haitian population. Even now, the UN is within Haiti trying to provide aid and they are unable to cope with the amount of cases that have broken out. The UN did not raise even a fourth of the $38 million it needed to provide aid to these civilians especially the water purification tablets. Some clinics have been forced to shut down because they are unable to treat those inflicted and there are more and more patients that are dying from cholera.

The United Nations is floundering. Not only is it believed that they transmitted the disease, but they are not able to uphold their promises. They promised to vaccinate the 600,000 people who are vulnerable to cholera and they did not raise the money. They promised to build Haiti's water and sanitation infrastructure, which is vital to ridding Haiti of cholera, but are unable to due to lack of funds. Since 2010, 8,562 people have died. In 2011, there were 350,000 reported cases of cholera. Many aid groups of moved out of Haiti as well. There were 120 clinics, but now there are only 40.

Cholera has run rampant due to the lack of clean drinking water and sanitation as well as the lack of a good health care system. People  need to drink fluids. If they cannot purify their water, they still must find some type of fluid to sustain their bodies or they will die of dehydration. Many resort to drinking the contaminated water because there are no other options open to them. Many now who arrive at the clinics either die before they reach it or die soon after entering. This is largely due to the longer travel time to get to the clinic to receive treatment. Children are also most susceptible because of their low immune systems, which makes it even more traumatic for the rest of the population and in the long run, the economy. That is the next generation that would support the elderly in Haiti as well as fill the open positions for jobs with strength and intelligence.


The outbreak has also spread to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Mexico, however due to the better health facilities, there is not such a large death toll.

Research even indicates that Haiti now suffers due to the United Nations. This strain of cholera is an Asian strain found in Nepal. Hundreds of the United Nations personnel that traveled to Haiti were originally stationed in Nepal and often drank and bathed in the contaminated river tributary there. Haitians are demanding the United Nations provide reparations for the damage caused. They want $100,000 for each person who died from the outbreak and $50,000 for each that was received the disease. The people are angry and even Haitians working in the clinics have not been paid in months and for some even years. The United Nations has yet to speak on the topic.


This is a huge issue, however. The United Nations does provide aid to many countries who desperately need it. This is a fantastic thing to do to help those in need. However, precautions must be taken especially when traveling between countries where one might have a disease that could cause a large number of people to die. It is very easy to transmit diseases with a person. These diseases function so beautifully due to lack of sanitation, drinking water, healthcare, and poverty. People cannot pay for antibiotics and they most likely to receive the disease. The United Nations must really think of how they can act differently in the future to prevent the globalization of disease.

Facing Environmental Issues

Facing Environmental Issues

"China's Eco-cities: Sustainable urban living in Tianjin"

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120503-sustainable-cities-on-the-rise

Watch the Video here:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2014/04/eco-cities-china?zid=313&ah=fe2aac0b11adef572d67aed9273b6e55

The article, "China's Eco-Cities: Sustainable Urban Living in Tianjin," is an article that talks about China's endeavor to face the environmental issues that have plagued their country. China realizes that its population continues to grow and that it will need to provided housing, infrastructure, water, food, and jobs to all of these individuals while combating the rising pollution and social issues. The country's government has already made moves to begin this process by forcing the largest polluters to move out of the largest cities so that one area will not be so heavily polluted.

China has also begun the construction of what are called "eco-cities." They have created large model blue-prints of what their eco-cities will look like and involve as well. China has begun construction in an area called Tianjin with the Singaporean government. This city will house 350,000 people and involve a low-carbon, green environment. This project is meant to be finished by 2020 and is still under construction. China hopes that when this city is completed, it will provide sustainable blueprints for other countries around the world who would like to become more environmentally friendly.

What is most interesting about this project, is that China chose Tianjin. Tianjin is a barren wasteland. It was the site where industries dumped their toxic waste, is barren and is next to one of the world's most polluted seas. The choice was important, however. China has basically ruined the area and made it uninhabitable. Therefore, they want to prove to the world that the damage can be undone. That any area can be utilized and made green and provide a safe, healthy living environment for the future. It is important to China to prove that any location can be cleaned up to become healthy. They succeeded in the clean-up part. It took 3 years, but it occurred.

Within the incomplete city, there are all kinds of sustainable energy resources. There are solar-energy panels, wind turbines, solar-powered street lights, 1/5 of the energy will be emission-free, ground-source heat pumps will be used, and there are fragrant trees everywhere. The buildings utilize sound and motion sensitive lighting, there are smart controls, pneumatic municipal waste collection systems, and General Motors will test their new eco-friendly vehicles there.

60 families moved in in March to begin the testing of the locations. Buildings involve water-saving sanitary fittings, insulated walls and double-glazed windows, south facing orientation to optimize heat, and there are green spaces everywhere . Every type of greenery has a purpose as well. There are reed beds that attract birds and help clean water. There are bike paths and walking paths everywhere so people will be more inclined to actually use other transportation methods then driving. Companies are moving in quickly too and all are using sustainable energy and processes to function in such an eco-friendly city. The only issue the city faces at this moment is water provision, but this is an issue they are working on. Overall, China has made a huge advancement in becoming more environmentally friendly and stopping the pollution that is in abundance. Let us hope that soon all countries will follow.

Corporate Responsibility: Use of Marketing

Corporate Responsibility: Use of Marketing

"All of Thailand is Compulsively Weeping Over this One Life Insurance Ad"

http://www.businessinsider.com/thai-life-tearjerker-ad-2014-4

Recently in Thailand, companies have taken it upon themselves to market their products through the use of emotional advertisements. "All of Thailand is Compulsively Weeping Over this One Life Insurance Ad" talks about 4 specific advertisements that were created by Thai Life Insurance, Google, and Thai mobile company TrueMove H. These advertisements use the strategy of emotion to inspire viewers to invest in their products and also to "share" these videos with others.

Thai Life Insurance

Thai Life Insurance

Google

TrueMove H

What is truly phenomenal about these advertisements, however, is that recently Thailand has undergone a company-wide move towards these commercials that undertake the idea of giving and responsibility. Each commercial tells a story that in some way involves the use of one individual giving of themselves to benefit another. What do they receive in return? Nothing. They are doing it for the emotion and for the idea of helping another in need. This is a huge endeavor that has been sparked. Many of these companies are hoping in a world that is so stricken with chaos in many areas, that it will inspire individuals to want to better themselves and aid others. It also is in a hope that companies around the world will be inspired to provide more aid to those in need and to revitalize their production capacities, work-life, people, and all business processes to be more environmentally friendly to others and to be more humane.

Attack on Gay Rights

An Attack on Gay Rights

"Egypt Jails Four Men for Gay Acts"

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26934432

"Egypt Jails Four Men for Gay Acts," is an article that is dedicated to the injustice occurring in Egypt in regards to freedom of sexual expression and individuality. Men were arrested, charged, and convicted for attending sex parties while dressed in women's clothes and wearing make-up. In Egypt, as in many countries around the world, homosexuality is looked down upon greatly and measures are taken to enforce what is considered "normal" by not partaking in or expressing that sexuality or practice. Egyptian law doesn't ban homosexuality outright, however, they have other laws that can be utilized to try and convict homosexuals. 

This has also been occurring more frequently in Egypt since their President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in July of 2013. Human Rights advocates are worried because Egypt sets the trends for other Arab regions in that area. They are worried there will be an increase in arrests across that region now because of Egypt. This is also a mark against political freedoms. Without the ability to express individuality and gender identity, people live in a state of oppression and fear. Anyone can be accused and anyone can be convicted in a system that does not cater to those with a different sexual orientation then what is considered "the norm."

It is not only in Egypt that homosexuality faces this discrimination. Russia has fierce discrimination as seen in the news during the Olympics of this year. It runs rampant and there are legislative proposals that discriminate against individuals on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. These were introduced to the Russian Federation. Any protesters are attacked, harmed, or simply disappear. Those who are found or suspected to be gay are brutally attacked, raped, and sometimes killed by those against homosexuality to use as an example. Also, if those attacked survive and try to press charges, they receive ill treatment by the justice system and rarely ever receive justice. 

In some countries (5 and parts of 2 others) homosexuality is punishable by death. These countries are Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen and parts of Nigeria and Somalia. 70 other countries simply arrest and imprison their people due to their sexual orientation. There are bans on marriage, unequal ages of consent, laws banning the promotion of homosexual acts, and other  acts against human rights. In the map indicated below, countries in red punish homosexuals with the death penalty, dark orange, imprisonment, light orange laws against gay expression, and beige different age of consent. Very light gray homosexual acts are legal, light grey there are laws against discrimination, grey there is a marriage substitute, and dark grey marriage. As you can see, North America and parts of South America allow marriage, Australia has a substitute, and other parts of the world homosexual acts are legal.

Also of note is that in the last 200 years countries have been either decriminalizing same-sex relationships or criminalizing them. Decriminalization was becoming popular, however, recently, punitive laws have strengthened existing laws against homosexuality. India reinstated a 153 year old law that criminalizes gay sex in 2013. Also, the United States who always seems to be at the forefront of human rights, did not decriminalize homosexuality until 2003. At the beginning of 1789, homosexuality was illegal in 126 countries. 

Criminalized	Date	Decriminalized
126 countries
	1791	France
	1793	Monaco
	1795	Belgium
		Luxembourg
	1811	Netherlands
Singapore	1819
	1822	Dominican Republic
	1831	Brazil
Russian Empire	1832
	1837	Peru
Hong Kong	1841
	1858	Turkey
India	1860
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Pakistan
Myanmar
Sri Lanka
Ghana	1860s
Seyshelles
Sierra Lione	1861
Jamaica	1864
San Marino	1865
Zanzibar	1867
	1869	Suriname
German Empire	1871
	1872	Mexico
Fiji	1874
Kiribati	1880s
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Soloman Islands
Western Samao
Lesotho
Swaziland
	1880	Paraguay
Togo	1884
Botswana	1885
Portugal	1886
	1887	Argentina
Belize	1888
Papua New Guinea
Somalia
Gambia
	1890	Italy
Malawi	1891
Zimbabwe
Uganda	1894
	1896	Taiwan
Kenya	1897
Burundi	1899	Honduras
Sudan
Nauru
Nigeria	1901
Uganda	1902
Brunei	1906
Vanuatu
Zambia	1911
	1917	USSR
Namibia	1920
Tanzania
	1932	Poland
	1933	Denmark
USSR	1934	Uruguay
	1940	Iceland
	1942	Switzerland
	1944	Sweden
	1951	Greece
		Jordan
		West Bank
	1957	Thailand
	1961	Mongolia
	1962	Czechoslavakia
		Hungary
Algeria	1966
	1968	East Germany
		Bulgaria
	1969	Canada
		West Germany
	1971	Finland
		Austria
		Costa Rica
Cameroon	1972	Norway
	1973	Malta
	1975	Timor Leste
	1976	Bahrain
	1977	Croatia
		Montenegro
		Slovenia
	1979	Cuba
		Spain
	1981	Colombia
	1982	UK
	1983	Portugal
	1986	New Zealand
		Haiti
	1988	Israel
	1989	Liechtenstein
	1990	Andorra
	1991	Bahamas
		Ukraine
		Hong Kong
Nicaragua	1992	Latvia
		Estonia
	1993	Australia
		Russia
		Ireland
		Lithuania
		Guinea Bissau
	1994	Belarus
		Serbia
	1995	Djibouti
		Moldova
		Albania
	1996	Macedonia
		Romania
	1997	China
		Ecuador
	1998	Cyprus
		Kazakhstan
		Kyrgyzstan
		South Africa
		Tajikistan
	1999	Chile
	2000	Azerbaijan
		Georgia
	2001	Bosnia and Herzegovina
	2003	United States
		Armenia
	2004	Cape Verde
	2005	Marshall Islands
	2007	Vanuatu
	2008	Nepal
		Nicaragua
		Panama
Burundi	2009	India
	2010	Fiji
India	2013