Advanced Corporate Reporting

A reporting entity is required to prepare its financial report based on IASB framework and it is so useful for different types of users to evaluate the financial performance of the reporting entity and make suitable decisions. In this essay, the usefulness of conceptual framework in preparing of financial report will be discussed. And also, 2011 annual report of CLP Holdings Limited will be reviewed to further discuss how its qualitative characteristics of the information are useful for shareholders.Finally, one of its qualitative characteristics will be selected to be the most important and a conclusion will be made at the end of this essay. Usefulness of conceptual framework The IASB Framework sets out the definitions and recognition criteria for the elements of financial statements. Before the framework was set, companies might use different definitions and recognition criteria to recognize their transactions, even it is the same nature of transactions. For example, non-current as sets can be recognized in cost model or revaluation model.If there was no framework, a company might use cost model to recognize its machinery while revaluation model was used to recognize property. However, the entity is required to be consistent to adopt cost model or revaluation model for a long period under the framework. As a result, the framework is useful for consistent accounting treatments. Because of the consistency, it is easier to compare the entities’ performance over time, even performance between different entities in the same industry.Also, it is easier for the reporting entity to prepare financial statements, especially in preparing consolidated financial statements for multinational entities. Most countries adopt IFRS nowadays. This is an international framework and they can use the same definition and recognition criteria when considering how to treat different transactions such as sales, purchases and valuation of stock. It will reduce the time for arguing the accounting treatment of different transactions. Qualitative characteristics of financial reportAs a shareholder, the financial statement should have four major qualitative characteristics and these characteristics will be discussed as follow: 1. Relevance A relevant financial statement should be predictable and have confirmatory value. It should be able to predict the future of the enterprise and shareholders can make a suitable decision based on the statement. In 2011 annual report of CLP Holdings Limited (CLP), there is a risk management report which is relevant to shareholders. All entities will probably have different types of risk.Nevertheless, CLP set a risk management framework which consists of risk governance structure and risk management process. The risk governance structure states that who will be responsible for dealing with risks and the risk management process diagram shows how to manage its risks. Additionally, CLP assessed its top tier risks and future challeng es so that shareholders can predict how risky if they invest in this company. Another example of relevance is the trend of earnings and dividends per share in the past ten years. The trend can help existing and potential shareholders predict the future performance of CLP.Since 2002, Earnings and dividends per share are increasing except 2009; shareholders then may predict they can still get an increasing earnings and dividends per share in the coming years and they may be willing to invest more in the enterprise. Last but not least, financial statement of CLP has confirmatory value because of its 5-year summary statement. The figures of the past five years has already confirmed in the past annual reports. For example, total revenue sharply increased in 2011 and the main reason is the rising revenue from energy business in Australia.Shareholders may predict that CLP is expanding its business to Australia and the revenue from this segment will continuously rise in the coming few years . Besides the increasing revenue, dividends declared of CLP are very steady and shareholders do not worry if they cannot receive the dividend. Hence, shareholders will evaluate that CLP is worth to invest. 2. Faithful representation A reliable financial statement should be prepared in a true and fair view. That means it should be neutral, free from material errors, complete and prudence.From the point of auditors’ view, the financial statement of CLP is prepared in a true and fair view and it complies with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (HKFRS) and Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. As the auditors’ report is clean, it reflects that the financial statement is free from material errors and the major transactions are completely recorded during 2011. On the other hand, CLP has an audit committee which comprises with five members; all of them are Independent Non-executive Directors (INED) while three of them are members of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accou ntants (HKICPA).INED do not participate in any operation and decision making of the company and do not have any relationship to the shareholders, so they are not influenced by shareholders and can be no bias in selection of information putting in the financial report. In addition, the financial report is audited by the third party and the opinion can be formed neutrally. Furthermore, the financial report should be prepared in a prudent manner which means assets or revenue cannot be overstated whilst liabilities and expenses cannot be underestimated.For CLP, its inventory is stated at a lower cost or net realizable value. Prudence concept is applied when the company prepare its financial statement. 3. Comparability A qualitative financial statement should be comparable, no matter internal or external. Shareholders must be able to compare the financial performance between different years of the reporting entity and at the same time, they also are able to compare the financial performa nce between different companies in the same industry. The financial statement of CLP can fulfil this qualitative characteristic.Besides its statement shows the figures of two years (2010 and 2011), it shows the increasing or decreasing percentage of its revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities in 5-min annual report and economic value section. It gives a clear picture to shareholders to compare between two years. Moreover, the financial report is prepared based on HKFRS, the accounting policy is consistent and because of this, it is easier for shareholders to compare the financial performance between different years.Financial statement of CLP can also be compared with Power Assets Holdings Limited (HKEL), which is the major competitor of CLP. In 2011, revenue of CLP is about nine times of HKEL and the operating profit is a double of HKEL. However, profit before taxation of CLP is only $1,000 million more than that of HKEL. Shareholders may query why there is only a small difference between profit of both companies and what is happening on the operation of CLP. Therefore, they can make a correct decision through the comparison. 4. UnderstandabilityBesides the above three qualitative characteristics, understandability is important for shareholders too. There are many explanations at the bottom of the financial statement such as a quick guide of its classification of different entities and explanation of indefinite useful life. These further explanations can also help shareholders understand the financial performance of CLP more. As not all shareholders have enough accounting knowledge, some of them may not know how to evaluate the performance through income statement and financial position.Thus, statement of cash flow can help them understand the performance easier because this statement is prepared in cash basis; it clearly reflects the net cash inflows and outflows from different activities. The liquidity and the going concern of CLP can be understood even if shareholders are lack of accounting knowledge. The items of an understandable financial statement should also be aggregated and classified. Revenue in Consolidated Income Statement is aggregated at a lump-sum figure and the analysis of the revenue only revealed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.Another example is bank loans and other borrowings. An analysis of this item is also revealed in the notes. Bank loans and other borrowings is not only aggregated at a lump-sum figure, but also is classified as a current liabilities with other short-term liability. In my opinion, faithful representation is the most important qualitative characteristic. Users of financial report are not only shareholders, but also lenders, government, suppliers, employees, customers and the public.A financial report is prepared on the basis of true and fair which means that financial report is reliable and can be used under different circumstances. For instance, the entity wants to borrow loan from ban k, the bank can rely on the financial report and estimate the risk of this loan according to accounting ratios and cash flow. For suppliers, when they consider giving credit terms to the company, they can rely on the statement of cash flow and some short-term items like current assets and current liabilities.Furthermore, the financial report must be audited. If the report is not prepared in true and fair view, the annual report will be qualified. As a result, this qualitative characteristic is the most important. Conclusion To sum up, the financial report must be prepared on the basis of the conceptual framework because the framework provides general theories and recognition criteria in preparing financial report. Additionally, a qualitative report should be relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable.Shareholders can predict the future financial performance based on the past events and the forecast of the company. Also, the report can be compared internally and externally and be understood so that shareholders can decide how to invest their money. On the other hand, the most important characteristic is faithful representation. Financial report must be prepared in a true and fair view so that the report can be unqualified and be used appropriately by the community. (Word: 1598) Reference 1. o CLP HOLDINGS LIMITED, (2012). ‘CLP Group 2011 Annual Report’.Available from: https://www. clpgroup. com/ourcompany/aboutus/resourcecorner/publications/Pages/publication. aspx [Accessed 28. 10. 2012] 2. ELLIOTT, Barry & ELLIOTT, Jamie, (2007). Financial Accounting and Reporting. England: Pearson Education Limited, pp. 161 – 181 3. HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (HKICPA), (2010). ‘Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting 2010’. Available from: http://app1. hkicpa. org. hk/ebook/index. php [Accessed 28. 10. 2012] 4. POWER ASSETS HOLDINGS LTD, (2012). ‘Annual Report 2011’.Available from: http://www. powerassets. com/pahWeb/IR/FinancialReports/AnnualReports/AnnualReport2011_en. htm [Accessed 12. 11. 2012] 5. PUTHRAN, Santosh, (2009). ‘IASB Framework – Financial Statements’. Available from: http://www. managementaccountant. in/2009/07/iasb-framework-financial-statements. html [Accessed 10. 11. 2012] 6. VICTORIA UNIVERSITY, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA, (n. d. ). ‘Conceptual framework’. Available from: http://www. staff. vu. edu. au/faux/Topic%203%20Conceptual%20Framework%201%202002. ppt [Accessed 28. 10. 2012] Advanced Corporate Reporting A reporting entity is required to prepare its financial report based on IASB framework and it is so useful for different types of users to evaluate the financial performance of the reporting entity and make suitable decisions. In this essay, the usefulness of conceptual framework in preparing of financial report will be discussed. And also, 2011 annual report of CLP Holdings Limited will be reviewed to further discuss how its qualitative characteristics of the information are useful for shareholders.Finally, one of its qualitative characteristics will be selected to be the most important and a conclusion will be made at the end of this essay. Usefulness of conceptual framework The IASB Framework sets out the definitions and recognition criteria for the elements of financial statements. Before the framework was set, companies might use different definitions and recognition criteria to recognize their transactions, even it is the same nature of transactions. For example, non-current as sets can be recognized in cost model or revaluation model.If there was no framework, a company might use cost model to recognize its machinery while revaluation model was used to recognize property. However, the entity is required to be consistent to adopt cost model or revaluation model for a long period under the framework. As a result, the framework is useful for consistent accounting treatments. Because of the consistency, it is easier to compare the entities’ performance over time, even performance between different entities in the same industry.Also, it is easier for the reporting entity to prepare financial statements, especially in preparing consolidated financial statements for multinational entities. Most countries adopt IFRS nowadays. This is an international framework and they can use the same definition and recognition criteria when considering how to treat different transactions such as sales, purchases and valuation of stock. It will reduce the time for arguing the accounting treatment of different transactions. Qualitative characteristics of financial reportAs a shareholder, the financial statement should have four major qualitative characteristics and these characteristics will be discussed as follow: 1. Relevance A relevant financial statement should be predictable and have confirmatory value. It should be able to predict the future of the enterprise and shareholders can make a suitable decision based on the statement. In 2011 annual report of CLP Holdings Limited (CLP), there is a risk management report which is relevant to shareholders. All entities will probably have different types of risk.Nevertheless, CLP set a risk management framework which consists of risk governance structure and risk management process. The risk governance structure states that who will be responsible for dealing with risks and the risk management process diagram shows how to manage its risks. Additionally, CLP assessed its top tier risks and future challeng es so that shareholders can predict how risky if they invest in this company. Another example of relevance is the trend of earnings and dividends per share in the past ten years. The trend can help existing and potential shareholders predict the future performance of CLP.Since 2002, Earnings and dividends per share are increasing except 2009; shareholders then may predict they can still get an increasing earnings and dividends per share in the coming years and they may be willing to invest more in the enterprise. Last but not least, financial statement of CLP has confirmatory value because of its 5-year summary statement. The figures of the past five years has already confirmed in the past annual reports. For example, total revenue sharply increased in 2011 and the main reason is the rising revenue from energy business in Australia.Shareholders may predict that CLP is expanding its business to Australia and the revenue from this segment will continuously rise in the coming few years . Besides the increasing revenue, dividends declared of CLP are very steady and shareholders do not worry if they cannot receive the dividend. Hence, shareholders will evaluate that CLP is worth to invest. 2. Faithful representation A reliable financial statement should be prepared in a true and fair view. That means it should be neutral, free from material errors, complete and prudence.From the point of auditors’ view, the financial statement of CLP is prepared in a true and fair view and it complies with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (HKFRS) and Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. As the auditors’ report is clean, it reflects that the financial statement is free from material errors and the major transactions are completely recorded during 2011. On the other hand, CLP has an audit committee which comprises with five members; all of them are Independent Non-executive Directors (INED) while three of them are members of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accou ntants (HKICPA).INED do not participate in any operation and decision making of the company and do not have any relationship to the shareholders, so they are not influenced by shareholders and can be no bias in selection of information putting in the financial report. In addition, the financial report is audited by the third party and the opinion can be formed neutrally. Furthermore, the financial report should be prepared in a prudent manner which means assets or revenue cannot be overstated whilst liabilities and expenses cannot be underestimated.For CLP, its inventory is stated at a lower cost or net realizable value. Prudence concept is applied when the company prepare its financial statement. 3. Comparability A qualitative financial statement should be comparable, no matter internal or external. Shareholders must be able to compare the financial performance between different years of the reporting entity and at the same time, they also are able to compare the financial performa nce between different companies in the same industry. The financial statement of CLP can fulfil this qualitative characteristic.Besides its statement shows the figures of two years (2010 and 2011), it shows the increasing or decreasing percentage of its revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities in 5-min annual report and economic value section. It gives a clear picture to shareholders to compare between two years. Moreover, the financial report is prepared based on HKFRS, the accounting policy is consistent and because of this, it is easier for shareholders to compare the financial performance between different years.Financial statement of CLP can also be compared with Power Assets Holdings Limited (HKEL), which is the major competitor of CLP. In 2011, revenue of CLP is about nine times of HKEL and the operating profit is a double of HKEL. However, profit before taxation of CLP is only $1,000 million more than that of HKEL. Shareholders may query why there is only a small difference between profit of both companies and what is happening on the operation of CLP. Therefore, they can make a correct decision through the comparison. 4. UnderstandabilityBesides the above three qualitative characteristics, understandability is important for shareholders too. There are many explanations at the bottom of the financial statement such as a quick guide of its classification of different entities and explanation of indefinite useful life. These further explanations can also help shareholders understand the financial performance of CLP more. As not all shareholders have enough accounting knowledge, some of them may not know how to evaluate the performance through income statement and financial position.Thus, statement of cash flow can help them understand the performance easier because this statement is prepared in cash basis; it clearly reflects the net cash inflows and outflows from different activities. The liquidity and the going concern of CLP can be understood even if shareholders are lack of accounting knowledge. The items of an understandable financial statement should also be aggregated and classified. Revenue in Consolidated Income Statement is aggregated at a lump-sum figure and the analysis of the revenue only revealed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.Another example is bank loans and other borrowings. An analysis of this item is also revealed in the notes. Bank loans and other borrowings is not only aggregated at a lump-sum figure, but also is classified as a current liabilities with other short-term liability. In my opinion, faithful representation is the most important qualitative characteristic. Users of financial report are not only shareholders, but also lenders, government, suppliers, employees, customers and the public.A financial report is prepared on the basis of true and fair which means that financial report is reliable and can be used under different circumstances. For instance, the entity wants to borrow loan from ban k, the bank can rely on the financial report and estimate the risk of this loan according to accounting ratios and cash flow. For suppliers, when they consider giving credit terms to the company, they can rely on the statement of cash flow and some short-term items like current assets and current liabilities.Furthermore, the financial report must be audited. If the report is not prepared in true and fair view, the annual report will be qualified. As a result, this qualitative characteristic is the most important. Conclusion To sum up, the financial report must be prepared on the basis of the conceptual framework because the framework provides general theories and recognition criteria in preparing financial report. Additionally, a qualitative report should be relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable.Shareholders can predict the future financial performance based on the past events and the forecast of the company. Also, the report can be compared internally and externally and be understood so that shareholders can decide how to invest their money. On the other hand, the most important characteristic is faithful representation. Financial report must be prepared in a true and fair view so that the report can be unqualified and be used appropriately by the community. (Word: 1598) Reference 1. o CLP HOLDINGS LIMITED, (2012). ‘CLP Group 2011 Annual Report’.Available from: https://www. clpgroup. com/ourcompany/aboutus/resourcecorner/publications/Pages/publication. aspx [Accessed 28. 10. 2012] 2. ELLIOTT, Barry & ELLIOTT, Jamie, (2007). Financial Accounting and Reporting. England: Pearson Education Limited, pp. 161 – 181 3. HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (HKICPA), (2010). ‘Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting 2010’. Available from: http://app1. hkicpa. org. hk/ebook/index. php [Accessed 28. 10. 2012] 4. POWER ASSETS HOLDINGS LTD, (2012). ‘Annual Report 2011’.Available from: http://www. powerassets. com/pahWeb/IR/FinancialReports/AnnualReports/AnnualReport2011_en. htm [Accessed 12. 11. 2012] 5. PUTHRAN, Santosh, (2009). ‘IASB Framework – Financial Statements’. Available from: http://www. managementaccountant. in/2009/07/iasb-framework-financial-statements. html [Accessed 10. 11. 2012] 6. VICTORIA UNIVERSITY, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA, (n. d. ). ‘Conceptual framework’. Available from: http://www. staff. vu. edu. au/faux/Topic%203%20Conceptual%20Framework%201%202002. ppt [Accessed 28. 10. 2012]

MHR week asses

Knowledge is composed of which three interrelated types? Answer Declarative, practical, and strategic Declarative, practical, and skill Compilation, automatic, and strategic Declarative, procedural, and strategic None of the above 4 points Question 2 1. Which of the following is evidence supporting the assertion that companies are investing in more training? Answer Higher net sales per employee Higher gross profits per employee Higher ratios of market to book value 80th A & 3 All of the aboveQuestion 3 1. Learning Is defined as a temporary change in cognition that results from experience and may influence behavior. A relatively permanent change In understanding and thinking that results from experience and directly influences behavior. A relatively permanent change in understanding and thinking that models a temporary change In understanding and thinking. A relatively permanent change in cognition that results from self efficacy and 1 OFF Question 4 1. In the training process model, evaluation begins at which point?Answer During the design phase. During the implementation phase. During the analysis phase. During the development phase. Question 5 1. A reason there might be conflict among HARD and ODD professionals is that the ODD practitioner Answer has a more tactical approach. Tends to be seen as overly analytical. Deals with mostly middle management. 80th A & B. 80th A & C. Question 6 1. A mechanistic design is best applied in which of the following situations? Answer Non routine technologies Small businesses High volume assembly linesWhere there are not clear answers to many of the problems that arise 4 points Question 7 1. ODD interventions could be implemented more successfully if they included training where employees Answer developed a common knowledge and skill base in the area of the intervention. Understood group dynamics and became skilled at working within groups. Understood and became skilled at using a common problem solving model. Question 8 1. T he Authors use the acronym ASK to refer to what? Keep, simple, and attitude Knowledge, skills, and attitudesKnowledge, strategy, and aptitude Know, strategy, always Question 9 are the foundations for competencies. Tests SOAK'S Strengths Motivation Skill sets Question 10 1. Which best explains the strategic training alternative of the internal provider? All or most training developed in house, each phase handled by specialists, and needs developed from a decentralized HARD function All or most training purchased from outside sources, each phase handled by specialists, and needs developed from a centralized HARD function.

Book Report on HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE 2010 The Forecast, The Challenge Term Paper

Book Report on HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE 2010 The Forecast, The Challenge - Term Paper Example IFTF enables organizations, companies, foundations, government agencies to make better, more informed decisions about the future, and it provides the foresight to create insights that lead to action. The book is a rare collection of thoughtful, insightful and robust forecasts covering almost all the crucial components of health and healthcare. This volume has been organized into logically sequenced eighteen chapters that cover a diverse set of topics ranging from historical trends to xenotransplantation. Each chapter includes self-explanatory and informative figures, graphs and tables. Aptly inserted sidebars in each chapter add another dimension to the text by facilitating a clear understanding of the chapter. I am of the opinion that this well researched and beautifully presented and an interesting book has been able to achieve its sole objective of providing the reader with â€Å"a description of critical factors that will influence health and health care in the first decade of the 21st century.† In the opening chapters, the book informs the reader about trends like widening economical divide, expanding and changing horizons w.r.t. nature of diseases from acute to chronic, mental and lifestyle oriented ones. It highlights the transforming demographic trends those are expected to have a far reaching effect on the evolving modalities of healthcare services delivery in America. The book also analyses the aspect of insurance in the changing scenario. Ever since the invention of the monaural stethoscope, technology’s role in medicine has been gradually increasing and today technology has secured a commanding position in almost all specialties of medicine. The book has discussed nine upcoming and promising technologies (and respective key barriers) those have the potential to â€Å"address intransigent issues and improve public health, extend our life

Feasibility of the Iphone Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Feasibility of the Iphone - Case Study Example This study on the phone and its markets and marketing strategies, aims to understand just that. In order to understand the above, it is important to thoroughly understand the previous launch of iPhone in the US and how the marketing strategies there transformed into sales. It is then pertinent to answer the question on how the launch in UK affected the mobile phone market. Customer behaviour and levels of customer acceptance of the product are also researched and studied here. Finally the important concepts of marketing that have pushed or prevented sales of the iphone have been covered. The proposal concludes with suggestions. Market condition and customer behaviour: The mobile phone market in US is growing and in the third quarter of 2007, sales were seen to reach 38million units, an increase of 13% from the previous quarter. As per the NPD group, the increase of sales was noted at 47% as compared to last year. Among various smartphones, iPhone reportedly sold approximately 525,000 phones (BBC News, 2007) within the first week of sales as per the Los Angles times. Market reviews later revealed that while the phone lived up to its hyped image of providing many attractions in one package, it performed poorly in functioning as a basic phone. Dissatisfaction with other factors like battery life, camera performance and inability to play flash or Java were also reported. Competition: The market statistics as per NPD were for third quarter as under, Companies Selling brands Market share Motorola Motorola RAZR V3, Motorola RAZR V3m, Motorola MOTOKRZR K1m, Motorola V323i/V325i 31% LG LG VX8300, LG Chocolate VX8550/8500, LG VX5300 17% Samsung Samsung SGH-A707 16% Nokia 11% Sanyo Sanyo Katana II 4% Market condition and customer behaviour in UK: The iPhone was launched in Europe during the end of the year in a 3G version, supposedly after its poor performance in US markets as a phone. Statistics1 here reveal that 77% users do not use data services like picture and video messaging. Customer reviews for the iPhone have been both positive and negative. Competition: European markets are dominated by Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Sony. Apple and its Iphone As per Steve Jobs, iPhone has scope to become the third main business for Apple after its iPod and Mac computer. The organization states that by the end of 2008, Apple hopes to sell ten million phones, and grab one percent share of the mobile phone market (Jobs, 2007). The iPhone combines in it a mobile phone and an iPod. With a wide screen and virtual keyboard, it has a new user interface. The instrument thus allows users to enjoy multimedia applications, Internet and much more content through its interface. The quad band phone uses GSM standards and comes with international capabilities. Literature overview Buzz marketing or word of mouth is ten times more effective than print or TV2 and more important today than anytime in the past (Hughes, 2004). As per Regis McKenna, 'Word of mouth is probably the

Motivation in Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Motivation in Workplace - Essay Example The earlier theories of motivation include the work of many pioneers in the field such as Herzberg, Maslow etc and attempted to analyse and evaluate the motivation within work environment. However, the literature on the subject has evolved over the period of time to include many important and new topics also. This essay will look into the motivation concepts and theories as outlined in the work of Maslow, Aldefer, and Herzberg besides discussing the motivation theory of acquired needs. It is also important to understand that this paper will attempt to analyse above mentioned theories with respect to FBI- an American agency involved in criminal justice. Maslow's theory of motivation is one of the earliest attempts to study motivation and it advocated a systematic and staged process of motivation. According to this theory, in order to motivate an employee, it is necessary that first the physical needs of the employee are taken care off. ... FBI agents though might have a good pay and most of their physical needs are fulfilled however their social security and safety stage may not be achieved. One of the most critical flaws in Maslow's theory of motivation is the fact that it advocates that an employee cannot proceed to next stage if her needs at the earliest stage are not fulfilled therefore though given the nature of the job of FBI agents, their social security and safety may not be guaranteed by their employer. In this regards, Maslow's theory of motivation may not be the appropriate theory to achieve employee motivation until it allow the skipping of various stages of motivation. Aldefer's theory of motivation Aldefer's ERG theory is another attempt to look at the motivation in much broader level as compared to the Maslow's theory. ERG theory is also a hierarchical in nature as that of Maslow's however it attempts to reduce the stages of motivation and classify the human needs into three classes or stages. Existence, Relatedness and Growth are three stages of motivation as outlined by Aldefer. The first level of motivation which is of existence suggest that in order to motivate an employee it is important that the employee's physiological needs are fulfilled first and then followed by the security needs. Since FBI is a crime investigation agency and most of its employees are directly involved into crime investigation which involve possible threat to the life therefore again like Maslow's theory, the safety needs of the employee are not being guaranteed by FBI. It is important to note that FBI has in place different benefits for its employees including Health Insurance benefits, life insurance benefits, retirement

Outsourcing Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Outsourcing - Thesis Example There may be facilities for the parent company to overview the progress going on in the outsourced work. It may be either on-site or off-site. Everything should go in accordance with the conditions of the contract signed between both the parties and each of them can bring to the notice of the other if any negligence or wrongdoings occur from any corner. This actually helps to assure and retain quality all through the functioning of outsourcing. Outsourcing refers to delegating back end functions that are necessary to run an establishment but are not a part of the core business. If we observe the market the trends in outsourcing could be understood clearly. It grows in bad times because companies want to reduce expenses. It grows in good times because companies want to grow. With the concentration on core business capabilities, many companies are outsourcing certain functions to experts. Outsourcing is done in areas like engineering, finance, health, accounting, human resources, etc. Anyway, a company goes for outsourcing means nothing but it is in the path of growth. Advantages: 1) Help cost reduction. ... Large multinational companies are investing in captive BPO units in supplier countries in multiple locations, to reduce risk and control quality. Robert Klepper and Wendell Jones points out that those who take decision should keep in mind so many things in mind. The basic fact is that managers responsible to decide on outsourcing are responsible to explain the advantages the organization is going to make. Besides, the doubts and suspicions that may naturally arise in the minds of stakeholders, suppliers, customers as well as staff could be cleared. According to Mr. Shiva Ramani (as cited http://www.thesspa.com/sspanews/June07/article6.asp) expects the following from stakeholders:"1. Perform a Thorough Self-Analysis2. Look at Strategic Benefits, Not Just Business 3. Skill Availability & Management4)Project Management & Un-interrupted Communication5).Quality Commitment" So many merits may be pointed out on outsourcing. The first and foremost positive thing is that the parent company will get more time to concentrate on strategically important subjects rather than getting hooked up around the day-to-day hassles of specialized jobs. Then comes the availability of top-notch resources. This can be made use of the company as and when required. Outsourcing helps to bring down operational costs by a considerable margin and this is being counted as one of the most striking advantages of outsourcing. Now comes the negative sides of outsourcing. It is feared that outsourcing results in quality failure in general. Also security will be at risk. The fear is not exaggeration in all cases. Some experts even point out that the economic security of each country involved may be affected. Coming to risk in outsourcing. No doubt, if the contract is not between two

Principles of Macroeconomics UAEs main economic challenges, including Essay

Principles of Macroeconomics UAEs main economic challenges, including domestic issues and its relations with the rest of the world - Essay Example After the discovery of oil, the country improved to a moderate nation with high standards of living and a rising GDP (The World Factbook, 2013). However, the country still has certain economic challenges that need to be addressed in order to maintain the economic performance of the country. Those challenges can be addressed in terms of GDP, Growth of the economy, labour force and unemployment rate, foreign relations and CPI and inflation. The major economic challenges of the country are: large expatriate workforce, growing inflation and over-dependence on oil. The World Factbook (2013) suggests that UAE’s GDP has improved since the discovery of oil in the country 30 years ago. However, efforts of diversification of the economy have reduced the proportion of GDP attributable to oil to 25%. This may have a negative impact on the size of GDP of the country if the other sectors of the economy fail to live up to the expected standards of the economy. The country’s GDP was also affected by the global financial crisis of 2009. Tight international credit and deflated asset prices also led to a restrained economy in 2009. Dubai was affected the most by the financial crisis (Dargin & Lim, 2012). It encountered serious depressed real estate prices. Dubai and UAE in general lacked enough money to meet their financial debts; resulting in world concern about its solvency. The total GDP measured in purchasing power parity was measured at $275.8 billion in 2012, ranking the country in position 50 in the world. Per capita GDP of the country in 2012 was $48,400 and the country was ranked 15th in the world. This size of GDP is mainly affected by dependence on oil. In terms of GDP, UAE is ranked behind other oil producing countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. This indicates that the GDP performance in the country is poor compared to equally resource-endowed neighbors. To improve this economic performance, the country intends to develop a

Global Warming Statistics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Warming Statistics - Assignment Example Fellow citizens, extreme weather events will be the new order of events in the world resulting from carbon emissions saturated in the air. Sandy is just one of the recent storm events that caused great destruction. In fact, the storm destroyed 76,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey. Of these, some were hospitals that need about $3 billion to resume work. Governor Cuomo Stated that New York City needs about $42 billion in total to recover form this storm (Beinecke web). Over the past decades, statistics reveal that surface temperatures have gone up by a significant amount (0.6), degrees with two-thirds of the increase occurring in the 1980s with the onset of industrialization. Many of the Americans now believe that global warming is an issue that needs to be handled with great urgency. 70% of them believe it is real and 90% believe that it is caused by human activity. At least 31 Billion tons of carbon dioxide is released to the environment every day, causing the greenhouse effect. Accumulated carbon dioxide in the environment in the past 100 years have resulted in a rise in the sea level by 17.5 cm, which is quite alarming (Mason web) Causes and Effects For sure, carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere is the greatest contributor of global warming. When carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping emissions are released to the atmosphere, they act as a blanket that traps and keeps heat. You realize that the introduction of fossil fuels to drive cars and run industries have not left our atmosphere the same. Other human activities that add carbon emissions to the atmosphere include deforestation and burning of charcoal, which leave the atmosphere bare and unable to purify the air.

Evaluate the role of the WHO in global health governance Essay

Evaluate the role of the WHO in global health governance - Essay Example This has resultantly called for the reassessment of the rules and institutions governing healthy policy and practice at various levels, including subnational level, national level, regional level and global level. This has been so due to a number of factors, which despite the fact that they are outsider the health sector brackets, they are progressively affecting health. Some of these factors include such as collective violence, trade and investment flows, conflict, criminal activity, communication technologies and environmental change (WHO 2010, p.1). This thus necessitates for the broadening of the agenda of public health to include the aforementioned global forces and at the same time see to it that human health is promoted and protected. It is however broadly believed that the international health governance system is not sufficiently meeting these needs and besides, this current system is characterised by a number of gaps and shortcomings. As a result of these perceived shortcom ings, the concept of global health governance has become a key interest area of debate in the field of international health. ... New health challenges, the likes of rising non-communicable chronic diseases and global warming have been looming on the horizon. This has greatly affected the role of the World Health Organisation (WHO) of availing leadership on worldwide health matter and moulding the health research agenda in a negative way. Having been founded in the aftermath of the World War II, WHO has been dedicated to making improvements in global health through its involvement in various public health initiatives, offering technical support and at times material aid geared towards helping in the fight against infectious and chronic diseases (WHO 1983, p.6). Role of the WHO Being the organisation of nation states aimed at promoting global health, WHO is an actor that focuses on the apprehension of social right in the health arena. Apart from being a core objective of the organisation, health for all is also an established principal wish of national and international health activities by all the world’ s nations. Undeniably, it is common knowledge that WHO’s primary function is to direct and coordinate matters concerning international health. Nevertheless, this intergovernmental organisation is obliged to see through the fulfilment of a considerably stout normative responsibility in the creation of health-related standards that strongly enhance cooperation (Burci & Vignes 2004, p.124). Among the key roles of the WHO was the creation of health-related legal instruments including such as agreements, regulations, conventions and recommendations which would permit it exercise rational and legal authority. Since it had been obliged with ensuring the improvement of the global health grants, this

Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Film - Essay Example Therefore, Robert De Niro favored him by deploying other tactics and campaigns to portray him as the best. This was seen in his campaign slogans. Thirdly, Robert De Niro had a conflict of interest, which was unethical. He developed propaganda that favored the president leading to his re-election. However, the conflict of interest emanated when he felt jealous that the media did not recognize him as the person behind the president’s re-election. This made him want to call the press to tell the truth about the president re-election leading to his death. Fourthly, Robert De Niro did not strengthen the public trust, but instead fed them with lies in favor of the president. This is because he lied to the public that the president was a clean man, despite the sex scandal that was fresh in the people’s mind. When the people realized his lies, he changed the tune and fabricated information regarding the missing people in Albania. Lastly, Robert De Niro failed to foster informed decision through open communication. He was dancing to the tune of the president because he did all that the president wanted. He was not open to receive information from other people who were also interested in finding a solution to the problem. Wag the Dog may be interpreted to mean diverting the public attention from the truth or something important to a less significant issue. In the movie, the most important point, which was going to determine the outcome of the election, was the sex scandal that befell the president. It was in the public, and everyone knew it. However, Wag the Dog was realized when attention was diverted to the fake constructed was about Albanian terrorists. The aim was to divert the attention of the media to dwell on the false war and stop spending time on the sex scandal. However, this did not do much since the CIA detected the fake annotation and never wanted to fail the

Dalit Discourse in Indian Education Dhanaraju Vulli Essay Example for Free

Dalit Discourse in Indian Education Dhanaraju Vulli Essay Abstract There are two types of school system India in the issue of medium of instruction i.e the regional language system and the English language system. There is a clear cut division between the uppers castes elite children and Dalit children in getting of English medium education in Indian society. The Dalits children are given education in regional language schools while English language school education is meant for the upper castes children. This division has always been reflecting between government and private English medium schools. In the name of mother tongue the state and the upper caste elite always compel the regional medium of instruction in the policy making. This was one of the current problems in Indian Educational system. This paper can be divided into four parts. The first part will highlight the language policy after Indian Independence. The second part discusses the concept of mother tongue and its importance in the contextualizing of educational discourse in India. In the third part I would highlight the current debate on language policy and its importance in the Indian educational system. This is very important in the understanding of politics of medium of language in the present educational discourse. The last part deals with the response of the Dalits towards the English education and how they attack the upper caste nature towards regional medium education. In an attempt to locate the importance of educational policy in the wider socio-historical and political context, I will address an  ideological deconstruction of politics of mother tongue in the present Indian educational system. Keywords: English education, language, mother tongue, globalization. Introduction The question as to which language should be used as a medium of instruction in country like India is a debatable subject. The question is often posed in binary terms: Should the medium of instruction be a regional language or English? Language is a vehicle for learning as well as expression of ideas. An advanced language (English) helps in mentally provide people to  communicate each other across the world. On the other hand, an underdeveloped language has its limitations. It keeps people underdeveloped, more so those in deprived sections. The school system is divided into two types in the context of medium of instruction i.e the regional language system and the English language system. There is a clear cut division between the  uppers castes elite children and Dalit children in getting of English medium education in Indian society. The dalits  cholderns are given education in regional language schools while English language school education is meant for the upper castes childr en. This division has always been reflecting between  government and private English medium schools. In the name of mother tongue the state and the upper caste elite always compel the regional medium of instruction in the policy making. This was one of the current problems in Indian Educational system. India. In the third part I will highlight the current debate on language policy and its importance in the Indian educational system. This is very important in the understanding of politics of medium of language in the present educational discourse. The last part discusses the response of the Dalits towards the English education and how they attack the upper caste nature towards role of mother tongue in the Indian education .In an attempt to locate the importance of educational policy in the wider sociohistorical  and political context, I will address an ideological deconstruction of politics of mother tongue in the present Indian educational system. Historical View of the Language Policy in Indian Education The historical view of the evolution of the language policy in India let know us how the importance of English and its role in Indian Education. India is multilingual country. It has been reflecting in the formulation of the language policy. The Indian constitution has provided that the primary education must be taught through the mother tongue or regional language. However, a status survey of language instruction in the country exposed that of the 1652 mother tongues listed by the 1961  Census, there are 51 languages which are spoken by more than The present paper can be divided into four parts. The first part 100,000 people each. Of these 51 languages, 16 have no script of will highlight the language policy after Indian Independence. their own, and only the remaining 35 languages are accepted as The second part discusses the concept of mother tongue and its media of instruction at the school level1. English is a common importance in the contextualizing of educational discourse in  language and it is an obligatory language in the higher education The National Council of Educational Documented the demand and importance of English language in  the position paper in connection with the National Curriculum The Indian  government has been following three-language Framework (2005) as they stated: â€Å"English in India today is a formula in Education as the National Commission on Education symbol of people’s aspirations for quality in education and fuller 1964-1966 recommended. Subsequently three-language formula participation in national and international life The level of in Education was reflected in the National Education Policies of introduction of English has now become a matter of political 1968 and 1986. The Commission said that the three-language response to people’s aspirations, rendering almost irrelevant an system is an appropriate formula for the Indian school education academic debate on the merits of a very early introduction†. and it can be good approach to accommodate different language The Commission also mentioned that â€Å"English will continue to people but it has been criticized by the different sections in the enjoy a high status so long as it remains the principal medium of society on the implementation. The Dravidain movement in education at the university stage, and the language of Tamilnadau is the preeminent instance as they vehemently administration at the Central Government and in many of the states. Even after the regional languages become media of  opposed the imposition of Hindi language on south India. Higher education in the universities, a working knowledge of There is no proper planning for formulating language policy in English will be a valuable asset for all students and a India. It can be seen as a question of status planning rather than reasonable proficiency in the language will be necessary for achievement planning. Finally, the three- language formula has those who proceed to the university†. been emerged as a policy after elaborate debates and discussions among political and academic peoples with interest of national However, there is controversial about the English as a medium of instruction in Indian educational system. The contradiction of multilingual languages. The National Focus Group on Teaching of English has taken a  strong position in connection with ‘English language question: The Central Advisory Board on Education also discussed on the â€Å"English is in India today a symbol of people’s aspiration for issue of English language and recommended that English must quality in education and a fuller participation in national and be compulsory subject in the schools from 6th class onwards and international life. Its colonial origins now forgotten or students must acquire enough knowledge of English so as to be irrelevant, its initial role in independence India, tailored to high able to receive education through this English in the higher education now felt to be insufficiently inclusive socially and education. There is another development took place in the linguistically, the current state of English stems from its development of language policy in India. The first National overwhelming presence on the world stage and the reflection of Education Commission had studied the recommendations given this in the national arena†4. by the Central Advisory Board on Education. Finally they came up with conclusion that three-language formula must be included There is an astonishing faith among all sections of the society in in the context of  multilingual Indian educational system. I argue both rural and urban areas that English has the transformative that once upon a time the English language was important part of power language. English is seen not just as a skill language, but a mechanism of exclusion language due to upper caste as a means of a better life, a pathway out of exclusion and nationalists’ creation as they differentiated native language and suppression from the unequal society. The English language has alien language but now it can be seen as a tool of inclusion. In emerged as a powerful agent for social change in India. the post modern India the English language is important factor to include all the sections of Indian society. The main reason is an Mother Tongue as the Medium of Instruction increasing demand for the language which is an important tool There is a popular perspective that advocates the use of mother for the progress and development of the country. Encourage linguistic diversity in schools. This perspective argue that mother tongues are not merely speech varieties but are  languages that provide social and emotional identity to  individuals, express the essence of their cultures, and give them a sense of rootedness. Schooling in the language of the child reflects respect for her and an appreciation of her culture. The exclusion of the mother tongues from school hence is seen as ‘harmful to the child’s self esteem’. According to Pattanaik5 children are thereby â€Å"reduced to  minorities in their own homes†. Extending the realm of  pedagogy, the argument links the acknowledgement and  acceptance by the school of the language and culture of the child to a positive identity of self and thereby to effective educational achievement. As Edward says, â€Å"the rejection of a child’s language is unlikely to enhance feelings of self worth which are important for educational success†6. Further, this perspective argues that â€Å"the right to education in a language that the child understands is a basic human right and an essential ingredient of equality in education†. Pattanaik forcefully observes that to â€Å"control and dictate the language of access† to knowledge is a â€Å"positive suppression of human talent. It deprives individual and society of free choices, curbs creativity and innovativeness and restricts participation or potential participation in mul tiple spheres of human interaction, thus imposing limits on freedom†. Current Debate on Medium of Instruction Current language politics in India is an exemplary case of the issues and controversies surrounding linguistic globalization. A primary characteristic of linguistic globalization is the increasing spread and domination of the English language, which we can  capture by the term ‘global English’8. As a post-colonial democracy, India provides a context for examining linguistic globalization that is generalizable to other cases. Furthermore, in juxtaposition to the homogenizing tendency of global English, India embraces multilingualism; its federal system is based on its linguistic diversity. India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, a modern  socialist at heart and one of the premier leaders at the 1955 Bandung conference, was utterly convinced of this linkage  between the English language and technology and modernity9.  Yet he also â€Å"discovered India† through its rich and enduring diversity. He valued the adivasi, or tribal, cultures of India as much as, if not more  than, for example, the Bengali bhadralok, an early middle-class intelligentsia that emerged under colonial The Chennai Declaration (2012) has emphasized the importance rule. of mother tongue in the multi-lingual country like India as â€Å"One 10 of the significant commonalties of the Common School System As well documented by Robert King (1998), Nehru, as well as will be the plurality of mother tongues in dynamic interface with many others feared that the major regional languages of multilingualism of child’s neighborhood. This would duly independent India, such as local languages, could be divisive by include Braille and other sign languages as well. According to fomenting narrow identities, leading to â€Å"fissiparous tendencies† this radical and dynamic conception of language education, that could tear India apart. The narrative of English as the mother tongue with a multi-lingual interface is acknowledged as language of modernity and regional languages such as regional the most potent medium of education to enable the child to i. as pre-modern, parochial and even reactionary was well given the nostalgia for  think, analyze and act; ii. acquire, internalize and transform established in Nehruvian India. Today, modern language knowledge critically; iii. Learn other the caliber of Nehru’s leadership , such Nehruvian narratives languages, including English, proficiently; iv.catalyze cultural still resonate. Indeed, many of India’s political and economic and literary renaissance; v. Negotiate with the dominant process leaders today espouse the Nehruvian language ideology. of alienation with advantage, thereby avoiding being pushed-out; and vi. Question and resist oppression and explore the path of Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder of Infosys Company has put it; in India today English is a symbol of an economy comes of  age12. It is the language of international business, science and This approach believes in quality education. The quality research. In contrast, Nilekani depicts supporters of Kannada in education begins with mother tongue. Mother tongue is very the English-versus-Kannada controversy as  Ã¢â‚¬Å"chauvinistic† and important that gives high levels of ability in learning many ideologically and politically motivated. As part of Nilekani’s languages in India. Indian constitution also acknowledged the accusation of the ideological nature of pro-Kannada forces is the importance of mother tongue language as the National Curricular claim that they are denying access to English to those who have Framework, 2005 and the Right of Children to free and historically been the have-nots in Indian society, in particular the Compulsory Education Act, 2009 provided the mother tongue as lower-castes and the lowest-of-the low, the Dalits or tool for development critical thinking. However, for most Untouchables. children, particularly for the tribal and minority language children, there is no provision for education in the mother This language ideology of English as a skill, a ‘key’ or tongue. Education of such children imposes an unfamiliar school ‘passport’ critical for â€Å"upward mobility† fits in with a larger language on them, which often leads to large scale dropouts. narrative on globalization. This globalization narrative depicts Mother tongue based multilingual education for at least 6 to 8 globalization as inevitable, a force on its own with no one or no  entity directing or controlling it. Globalization, in this narrative, regional language schools cannot therefore think of achieving is an autonomous, â€Å"invisible hand† process. The linguistic anything in the globalised economy†. dimension of this process is one where English is seen as neutral Accordingly, â€Å"the divide between the English medium schools and inevitably spreading globally. The regional language schools is a caste-class divide†, which In this context, one of the most prominent public intellectuals in can be overcome by the marginalized â€Å"hijacking† the tool of India today, Ramachandra Guha differs with Nandan Nilekani exclusion, English17. As the leaders of a Dalit Association in and claim that support for Kannada is not chauvinistic, except Hyderabad Central University, put it: â€Å"The middle class and the when the private sector is obligated, or forced, to use it. It is rich can afford to send their children to private schools. For the legitimate and indeed preferable for the government to endorse poor and Dalit, the only option is government schools. Then why and approve of changing the official name of Bangalore to the these people were denied an opportunity to learn English†18. For more Kannadiga â€Å"Bengaluru,† according to Guha; it is not these Dalit leaders, those opposing English in state schools are legitimat e for regional language enthusiasts to economically â€Å"regressive and biased† English, and the pro-English linguistic disenfranchise migrants from other parts of India, as for example globalization narrative, are seen as empowering the powerless pro-Marathi fanatics in Bombay have attempted A similar, and a necessary tool for upward mobility. â€Å"soft† liberalism reasoning seems to have been the basis for the Karnatak High Court decision in the summer of 2008 against the In the central schools the medium of instruction is where the state government mandating Kannada as the medium of upper castes and other central government employee children get instruction in private schools13. The court’s decision repeatedly the education. Even though the children of a few reserved referred to the freedom of parents to make choices for their category employees’ children benefit from these schools, the children, i.e., the freedom of the individual and, by extension, divide between the English medium schools and the regional the market based on individua l choices. Language schools is a caste or class divide based on social and economic category. The divide itself was created by upper caste More recently, Kannada activists have been seeking classical intellectuals for their own vested interest. Since the days of language status for Kannada-a further central governmental Indian national movement the upper caste intelligentsia argued categorization. This is the political space opened up for investing  that the colonial rule particularly Lord Thomas Macaulay had Kannada speakers with the â€Å"moral content of a community.† In introduced English education that convert local people into other words, to act politically, i.e., to make political claims, clerks to serve in colonial government. The real character of the regional language activists need to build community, and invest English education was emphasized by Lord Machulay often that community with moral content. There is indeed Kannada quoted ‘flourish India in blood and the colour but European in chauvinists who preach an exclusive Kannadiga identity14, task and manner’, the educational enterprise of the Government giving a â€Å"divisive and dangerous†15 or â€Å"particularist at all levels of education remained within the confines of protectionist† content to their politics. But we need not condemn colonial needs and did not break the limits of colonial interest. all pro-local language politics as such. Language politics in India With this concept, colonial education elevated western is contested because of the moral content with which many local knowledge and culture that represented the colonizer. For language activists have been able to imbue the community, i.e., instance, Grants, the East India Company officer stated that ‘for with a political transformation that is empowering and moral. the continuation of British rule it was necessary to create a cla ss of Indians’ that people brought about only from the western knowledge. This perhaps, was a natural consequence of the ideas Dalit Discourse on Medium of Instruction References 17. Aggarwal Kailash S., ‘English, Laloo: a Bihari Story’, The Independent, (Bombay), 23rd September, (1993) Chaturvedi M.G and Mahel B.V., Position of Languages in School Curriculum in India, NCERT, New Delhi, (1976) 18. Interview with Mr. Gummadi Prabhakar and Dara Suman leaders of Ambedkar Students’ Association, Hyderabad Agarwal S.P. (ed )., Commissions and Committees in India, Central University, Hyderabad, Dated: 12th May, (2013) Vol. 5, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi, (1993) Government of India., Report of the National Knowledge 19. Terry Eagleton, Ideology,( Longman, New York), 13,(1996) Commission, New Delhi, (2007) NCERT National Council of Educational Research and 20. Dalit Freedom Network http://www.nd Dalit network. org/go?/dfn/about/C33/, Accessed on 22 May, (2013) Training, National Focus Group Position Paper on Teaching of English, NCERT, New Delhi, 1, (2006) International Science Congress Association

Chemistry Module 6 Separation of a Mixture of Solid Essay Example for Free

Chemistry Module 6 Separation of a Mixture of Solid Essay This lab experiment was conduct and taught based upon the primary instruction and introduction to mixtures. With this lab I was able to determine and execute the proper separation of a mixture of solids through various means, such as evaporation and filtration. Using these techniques presented the separation of different ingredients from a mixture was conducted based upon the usage of individual physical properties of each substance presented in the mixture. . Observations: Throughout this experiment I noted several things. For example as I was heating the sand I completely forgot to cover the top to prevent splatter. Although I did heat the mixture at a much slower speed, this resulted in a loss of sample, further impacting my overall results and contributing to my percent error totals, as the sand was bubbling and slightly splattered. Also, I noted my stirring rod, along with the other tools used, had a bit of solution attached to them. Although minuet in amount I should have weighed and taken note upon the mass of my materials before and after the procedures. Questions: A. How did your proposed Procedures or flow charts at the beginning of this experiment compare to the actual Procedures of this lab exercise? B. Discuss potential advantages or disadvantages of your proposed Procedure compared to the one actually used. C. How would you explain a sand recovery percentage that is higher than the original sand percentage? D. What were potential sources of error in this experiment? A.) The methods I proposed were highly similar to the instructions used in the labpaq manual. Just as stated in the instructions, I would have used the magnet to separate iron fillings, but I would have thought lastly upon evaporation for the sand separation and used the filter. B.) A potential disadvantage of simply filtering out the sand, is that fact that the benzoic acid substance, that was not completely dissolved could have too be filtered out. Also in the filtering of iron with the magnet I would have never thought to use a bag. C.) I could explain a sand recovery percentage that was higher than that of the original sand percentage, as simply a contamination of the other substances left within the sand, such as if the sand were not completely dry as there would still be water that would be included in the measured value, or possibly the benzoic acid? D.) The potential sources of error found in this experiment could include the was heating the sand I completely forgot to cover the top to prevent splatter, removing the mixture out of the ice before adequate crystallization had occurred,. Possibly having the sand, NaCl, or benzoic acid sticking to the iron, also maybe incomplete drying. How did your flow diagram for completing the separation compare to what was really done in the experiment? Were there any advantages or disadvantages to performing the separation the way you first thought it out? Discuss these advantages and disadvantages in the context how the approach might affect the measurement of some of the materials you separated. My flow diagram thought out prior to the conducting of this experiment was carried out well. The methods I proposed were highly similar to the instructions used in the labpaq manual. Just as stated in the instructions, I would have used the magnet to separate iron fillings, but I would have thought lastly upon evaporation for the sand separation and used the filter. I thought it was rather obvious to use the magnet for the iron filings, but really did not have an educated guess for how to separate the rest. A potential disadvantage of simply filtering out the sand, is that fact that the benzoic acid substance, that was not completely dissolved could have too be filtered out. Also in the filtering of iron with the magnet I would have never thought to use a bag. All together these simple differences, although minuet could have greatly altered my results and manipulated the entire data table.

Secularisation in Contemporary Ireland

Secularisation in Contemporary Ireland This study will investigate whether, and in what ways secularisation is occurring in contemporary Ireland. Theories of secularisation, and arguments against the process, abound, and this is a hotly debated topic. How, and in what ways might secularisation be said to be taking place within a given society? This study will attempt to make a contribution to this debateby looking at the situation in Ireland. Attention will also be paidhowever, to what has happened in Britain as much of the researchconcerning secularisation has taken place in that context. It will makesome comparisons between Ireland and the situation in Britain and otherEuropean countries to demonstrate the unique place of religion in Irishsociety. The study will seek to understand: †¢Ã‚  What processes might signify whether secularization is taking place? †¢Ã‚  Whether similarly observed processes might be said to signify that secularization is taking place in Ireland †¢Ã‚  Whether Contemporary Ireland could be said to be a secular society or as Brewer (2005) contends, a post-Christian society. †¢Ã‚  Whether, and in what ways religion may be said to have a unique position in Irish society. The study will draw on statistical and documentary data, along withmedia reports to ascertain whether, and in what ways, secularization istaking place. The study will look at the relationship between religionand the state in the republic of Ireland and also in Northern Ireland.It will also look at the education system and the phenomenon ofinter-religious marriage. In this way the study treats existingdocumentation as primary data by using it together in a distinctivefashion. Structure The study will begin with theories of secularization and a literaturereview which will look at the process in Britain and in Europe andcontrast this with the situation in Ireland to demonstrate in what waysIreland may differ from other industrialized societies and how this mayaffect whether and in what ways secularization could be said to betaking place. Following the literature review the methodologicalapproach to the study will be outlined and attention will be paid toreflexivity in the research process. There will be an analysis of thefindings of the research and finally a conclusion that will establishwhether the research question has fulfilled its aims. Religion is common to almost all cultures. Religious traditions andtheir teachings are, it might be argued, the result of three things,faith, theology, and culture. Anthropologist Clifford Geertz (1966) describes religion thus: 1. A system of symbols which acts to 2. Establish powerful, pervasive,and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by 3. Formulatingconceptions of a general order of existence and 4. Clothing theseconceptions with such an aura of factuality that 5. The moods andmotivations seem uniquely realistic (Geertz, 1966:4). Religion has many different aspects from personal beliefs aboutspirituality, to institutional structures like schools and hospitals,to the influence of religious bodies over legislation Until theEnlightenment the teachings of religion were rarely questioned becausethey were regarded as direct truth from God. Modernity, with its implicit understanding of the absolute powers of reason, called intoquestion the traditional understandings of theological truth claims anddrastically reduced the cultural influence of theology and religion. The contemporary term ‘secularisation’ has come to represent thedeclining influence of religion in society. The word is contextual inthat it arises from the western tradition and is part of the history ofthe church.It was first used in 1648   to refer to the transfer of landsunder church control to lay political control. The term secular is alsoused to specify that which is inferior to the realm of the sacred. Itwas later used in the context of the priest being allowed to dispensewith his vows, in the Middle Ages the distinction between religious andsecular priests referred to those who worked within a religious orderand those who worked among the laity. From the 1830s onwards the death of religion due to the rise of thescientific age was proclaimed by confident atheists. Comte inparticular decreed that the fiction that was theology would die and be replaced by the truth of science. This viewwas largely endorsed by Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Freud, all of whomwere convinced that the forces of the modern age heralded the birth ofa secular one. Auguste Comte is regarded as the founder of sociology.He believed that with the rise of science religion would, eventually, die out. Weber also thought that religion would loseits significance through the growth of capitalism and the influence ofurbanisation and rising technology. The world would become desacralisedand there would be less reliance on magic and religion. Meaning would be found rationally. Throughout the twentieth century it had been widely assumed that the decline of religion and religious belief was an irreversible process. Sociologists are keen to stress that secularisation is a natural process rather than a polemic againstreligion (which secularism is), some would also argue thatsecularisation is not an ideology (an imposed system of ideas). It is simply a process which has been observed over the last two   or three hundred years. Seen from this vantage point secularisation is largely the result of two things, the increasing complexity of modern society andits compartmentalisation into different areas, for example, politics,education and the law, and religion ceasing to provide cohesion for allareas of human life. Wilson (1966) says that the complexity of thisprocess is characterised by a wide variety of innovations which haveled to a structural change in society. He cites the following;scientific advance and the development of technology, changing patternsof wor k and increasing industrialisation, the rise of individuality,and education characterised by science rather than religion andtradition. Bruce and Wallis (1992) class secularization as the ‘diminishingsocial significance of religion’, directly brought about by threestrands of modernization: ‘social differentiation’, ‘societalization’and ‘rationalization’.   By social differentiation, they mean theprocess by which ‘specialised institutions’ take the place of religiousones; for example, in Britain the provision of education and welfare isnow the responsibility of a secular government, not the church.   Socialdifferentiation also includes the fragmentation of society into distinct social groups basedon differing life experiences, for example a distinction between socialclasses. Bruce allows however that the significance of religion is lesslikely to decline if it can find some social role, other than thecommunication of beliefs, within the wider society. In Ireland for example, the fact that religion has long been a source of contentionhas given it anot her social role. Societalization refers to the disappearance of small-scale communities and their replacement by the idea of ‘society’, largely due toincreasing industrialization and urbanization.   Rationalization refersto changes in the way people think; the rise of science and technologyhas removed uncertainty and the need for faith and has provided rational explanations for questions which in the past were considered the domain of religion.   The combined effect of theseprocesses is the decline in the social position of religion. McLeod(1992) maintains that the concepts of differentiation andrationalization are not particularly helpful when trying to understandthe place of religion in a particular society as cultural practicesdiffer widely. Berger (1970) believes that urbanisation and modernisation result insocial fragmentation and this leads to a plurality of cultural andrelgious groups. The monopoly previously held by one group comes to anend. We can see that this has happened, whether or not we subscribe tothe secularisation thesis. Secularisation is a problematic concept however, while Wilson (1982) and Bruce (1996)maintain that the forces of modernity heralded a new secularized age,other theorists differ. The view that modernization inevitably leads tosecularization is often challenged. Martin (1978) contends that inorder to make sense of the process of religion in industrialized societies attention must be paid to the specific cultural andhistorical patterns that pertain in a specific society. In NorthernIreland for example, religion has remained in the public arena as asource of dispute that is connected to issues of national identity.What happens in Ireland is quite different to what has happened inBritain since the Second World War. The Changing Face of Religion in Britain The religious landscape of Britain was significantly different at the close of World War2 than it is now, at the dawn of the twenty first century. In the yearsimmediately preceding the war and on into the late 1940s and 50s themajority of British people still had some form of contact with theChurch (often through their children attending Sunday School, orthrough membership of Scouts, Guides and the like) and many still claimed to hold a belief in God and in the basic teachings of Christianity. They would also have been exposed to explicitly Christian teaching in schools. The General Picture and its Effects in Ireland The growing importance of the ecumenical movement meant a change indenominational attitudes. Mainstream Christianity was endorsed in partby the 1944 Education Act. The Act required that the school day begin with anassembly and act of worship and that religious instruction should beaccording to an agreed syllabus and should be given to all pupils(Parsons, 1993). The Act did not make provisions for other faith traditions, but neither did it specify the form of worship or instruction. The ongoing effect of the Act was to weaken the hold of mainstream Christianity on British society, although this was not considered atthe time the Act was passed. It was felt that non-denominational worship and teaching would make sensewhen co-related with more specific Church teaching that it assumed children would have (Parsons, 1993).   However this assumption proved to be unfounded. Theway in which education has been affected in Ireland is ratherdifferent. In some areas amendment to the education system haveresulted in a reiteration of   Catholic religious beliefs to thedetriment of the Protestant minority. The Picture in Ireland Secularisation has affected the whole ofEurope and surveys undertaken in the 1980s and 90a   via the EuropenaValues systems survey indicated that many young people show little ifany recognition of religious symbols. In Ireland the situation israther different. Although seculaisation may be seen to be having aneffect religion has always had a prominent place in Irish life andpolitics. In Ireland the survey showed that there was a growing lack of confidence in the church and that for the first time a generation who were not connected to the church was emerging. Irelandis quite different from both Britain and the rest of Europe. While in Britain and the rest of Europe the process of secularization has been taking place for the last 300 years, Bishop Bill Murphy maintains that in Ireland it has onlybeen observable for the last 30 years.   In the republic of Irelandthere has, historically been a much closer connection between Churchand state. The refusal of the state to confront the Church iscontributing to the international problem of the unresolved question of those who have been sexually abused by clergy. Doyle (2005) writes poignantly on this matter. Their voice is stifled, their complaint against the church is relegatedto the wings. This is precisely what the Church has sought to doelsewhere, including America, though with much less success and at far greater financial cost. (Doyle, 2005 no p. no.).   The place of education, and particularly compulsory religious educationis a highly controversial subject in sectarian Ireland. From thenineteenth century the education system in Ireland has been split alongsectarian lines and in the last thirty years this has been an area ofmajor concern for some analysts (Darby, 1976). Bowen (1983) maintains that since independence the minority ofProtestants (in the 1991 census only 3% fell into this category) hasfallen further and that this is largely a result of inter-religiousmarriage. In 1996 a study was undertaken to establish the number ofinter-religious marriages in Ireland (Sexton and O’Leary, 1996).Ireland has witnessed a growth in inter-religious marriages (Bowen,1983). Jack White, a Protestant wrote of inter-religious marriage that:   no single cause contributes so much to the continuing division in Irish life and the embitterment of inter-church relations; in any circle of Protestants this will be advanced to justify segregation in education and social activities’(White, 1975: 129). The Research Question This study looks at the process of secularization in contemporary Ireland. It draws comparisons between what has happened in Britain andwhat is happening in Ireland. The argument of this study is that theIrish context is quite unique and secularization may not be occurringin the way that sociologists understand it, i.e. the removal ofreligion from the public to the private sphere. In Ireland theconnection between Church and state and between religion and politicsmeans that religion is constantly in the public sphere and thus thesituation is quite different. This difference has led Brewer (2005) toview Ireland in terms of a post-Christian society rather than in termsof secularization. The use of the term post-Christian originated in the1960s in Britain where the pace of social and religious change and thecontention of many theorists that Britain was a secular society ledsome theologians to speak of the death of God and a post-Christian era.The term was again taken up in the 1960s by feminist theologian MaryDaly who called on women to leave the Churches and to participate in apost-Christian spirituality. Methodology This study will investigate the above question through a literature based survey. It will look especially at : †¢Ã‚  Inter-religious marriage †¢Ã‚  The education system †¢Ã‚  Whether the situation in Ireland could be said to be unique in that religion in Ireland still occupies a very public place. Due to costs and time constraints the research will consist of theexamination and analysis of existing documentation, statistics, andmedia reports. Theoretical concerns are: †¢Ã‚  Whether, and in what ways, increasing industrialization and modernization influences the process of secularization in Ireland. †¢Ã‚  How this process manifests and may be connected to any perceptions of the decline of religious authority in Ireland. †¢Ã‚  Whether what is emerging could be called secularization, or as Brewer(2005) maintains might be better thought of as post-Christian The major areas of analysis are through the relationship betweenChurch and state in the republic of Ireland and how this impacts on, oris impacted by, inter-religious marriage and the education system.Questions arising from this are: †¢Ã‚  How far might the relationship between Church and state be said toimply that the Irish situation is unique due to religion’s place in thepublic sphere. †¢Ã‚  Does a growth in inter-religious marriage loosen religious ties anddoes it indicate a decline in adherence to religious authority? †¢Ã‚  Has integrated education been successful and how does this affect the teaching of   religious values and doctrines? †¢Ã‚  How far could there be said to be a move towards a multi-faithorientation in the teaching of religious studies, and what effectsmight this have on the Irish situation? †¢Ã‚  Might Ireland be said to be a post-Christian rather than a secular society. †¢Ã‚   The research will be largely literature based, using existing studies and analyzing them in terms of the above questions. This same process of analysiswill also be applied to media reports and to statistical findings. Onesource of data will be the 1991 census which indicated that 84% of theIrish population still claimed regular church attendance. In addition the study will look at any decline inreligious practices as defined by Wilson 1982. How does societydistance itself from religious traditions? Theorists argue that it canbe seen in the   decline in the number of church baptisms and weddings,and the fact that church officials have less financial recognition. InBritain religious festivals have become increasingly secularised and sohave beliefs with numbers of ministers saying that they no longerbelieve in the virgin birth, the incarnation or the resurrection. Wilson   is of the opinion that there are at least three levels ofanalysis that need addressing if we are to assess the impact ofsecularisation they are: religious practice, religious organisation andreligious belief. While these three levels are dealt with separatelyfor the purpose of this research, they are connected empirically.People are, more often than not born into a religious tradition in thesame way that they are born into a particular culture and these thingswill affect a person’s worldview, their moral values, and their senseof themselves. This study will also ask how far Wilson’s levels ofanalysis could be said to be evident in Ireland and thus relevant tothe Irish situation. The distinctiveness of this study is the bringingtogether of a number of different aspects of the Irish situation andcomparing them (for example attitudes to marriage and to abortion) towhat has happened in Britain. Does going to Church really mean that a person believes in God, or canyou do this without attending religious ceremonies. It certainly seemsthat the power and influence of the Church and perhaps other organisedreligions is declining in Britain if the statistics are anything to goby.   Sunday Schools were another recruiting ground for the Church they were extremely popular in the late nineteenthcentury and remained so until the middle of the twentieth century. Thenumber of attendees at Sunday School is now only ten percent of thenumber in 1900 (Bruce, 1995). The next question is how has thisinfluenced the institutions themselves. At the same time This involves an examination of the extent to which religiousorganisations are involved in the day to day secular order in anysociety and to what extent they are able to exert control over thatsociety. Signs of the growth of secularisation include the following,declining membership of the established Churches, declining numbers ofpeople who are willing to make religion their vocation, and the closingof churches, which in Britain are either sold off or left and allowed to fall into terminal dereliction. Historically, senior clergy were recruited from the same universities,schools and families as the government.   In Britain Church of EnglandBishops were recruited largely from the peerage or landed gentry in1860. This practice has decreased and nowadays clergy often come fromthe poorer strata of society. The Protestant Church was once considereda good living but its wealth has declined and so ordinands usually haveconcerns other than material welfare, it has become   a low statusoccupation. In Britain there was a marked decline in the number ofChurch of England ordinands between 1900 and 1988 (Bruce, 1995). Thisstarted happening much later in Ireland, and at a much slower pace. With the apparent decline in church membership and the marked declinein the number of both Church of England and Roman Catholic ordinandsthe requirement for church buildings has diminished. This has largelyaffected the Anglican Church and in some cases other Protestant denominations. The trend for closingchurches is less marked in the Roman Catholic Church. It could be thatthe Catholics were not so prolific in their church building as theAnglicans were or that they have greater funding capacity formaintaining large buildings. Nevertheless it is not uncommon nowadays,in Britain particularly, to see Church buildings sold off and used aspubs or as retail outlets or warehouses. This has not yet been the case inIreland, particularly the Irish republic, where much of the land andbuildings are still the property of the Catholic church and remainsunder the church’s control. In Britain, between 1970 and 1998 1250 church buildings were closedor sold off. Religion itself appears to be changing, becomingsecularised, it is less likely to provide a lead for people and moreinclined to follow trends than to set them (Browne, 1998).Browne (1998)shows that while the influence of the Anglican Church has declined, andmay continue to do so, the Church still remains important in a numberof ways. †¢Ã‚  Church of England Bishops have seats in the House of Lords. (The Lords Spiritual). †¢Ã‚  Themonarch must be a member of the Church of England, is crowned by theArchbishop of Canterbury, and since the time of Henry V111 has beenhead of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith. †¢Ã‚  The Church of England remains the official or established Church in England. †¢Ã‚  The Church of England is extremely wealthy, with investment funds ofan estimated  £3 billion in 1991, and it is one of the largestlandowners in the country. †¢Ã‚  Since the 1944 Education Act, all schools have been legally obligedto hold a religious ceremony each day, and the 1988 Education ReformAct reaffirmed and strengthened the requirements to hold assemblies ofa broadly Christian nature and teach Christian beliefs for at least 51percent of the time allocated to religion in schools. This still leaves us with the question of whether religious belief is affected by the growth in secularisation. How much influence does religion have in the areas of personalbelief and practice, and how does one measure people’s beliefs?Sociologists identify this type of measuring as a problem and many admit that there is no clear picture ofwhether, and to what extent, secularisation has occurred in this area.One of the problems stems from the different understandings people haveof such a belief. For numbers of people it may be agreement to all ofthe teachings of Christianity, for others a general belief in God andfor some it might be a spiritual awareness and a sense of meaning andpurpose to life. In Ireland, religious belief is closely allied topolitical matters and people are far more inclined to state that theybelong to a particular tradition, in this way they define not onlytheir religion, but also their political and national loyalties. In Britain one way of estimating trends in religious believing is tolook at the rise in the number of New Religious movements, the rise ofthe Bla ck led Churches and the rise in the number of House Churches.There has also been a considerable growth in other forms of evangelicalChristianity and most people in Britain still claim a belief in God.. Bruce (1995) argues that the face of organised religion over the lasttwo hundred years has changed from a dominant Church model to thegrowth of the sect and the denomination (Bruce, 1995). This has been brought about by the riseof cultural pluralism and the reluctance of governments to use force toget people into a state Church. Although the churches were slow torelinquish their privileges the role of the Anglican, Scottish, and Welsh Churches have changed considerable sincethe 19th century, in Britain for example in 1828 a person who heldpublic office was, at least officially, a member of the Anglican faith. Non-members could not holdpublic office. Catholics were not allowed the vote before 1829 (Bruce,1995) and it was 1850 before the Church was allowed to restore its hierarchy. Until 1836 marriagescould only be celebrated by an Anglican minister, irrespective of thefaith of the marriage partners and until 1854 non-Anglicans were not allowed to study at Oxford andCambridge, and unti 1871 all teaching posts at these institutions wereheld by Anglicans. Women were not allowed to be members of thesecolleges before the late 1890s. With each of these changes the Churchof England lost some of its power in society. Bruce (1995) holds that Protestantism by its very nature increases fragmentation inreligion and by extension in society. The rise of the ecumenicalmovement also played a part in the Church’s loss of power. Fragmentation undermines the Church, it has state support for areligious monopoly and this has gradually been removed, this also hasfunding implications, until the nineteenth century the Churches werefunded by the land they owned and by public taxation, this was largelyfinished by the start of the twentieth century. Secondly its personnelbecome increasingly influenced by the psychology of an increasinglypluralist culture. It is not so easy to believe that a religion isright in every detail when other worldviews are becoming more prominent. At the same time the Church retains an illusion of strength from the continuation of communal occasions such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. However, the growth in competition means that this illusion becomes increasingly difficult to maintain (Bruce, 1995). The rise inthe number of denominations eventually increases tolerance anddecreases certainty. The problems that different denominations beenmight be said to constitute a significant feature of the situation in Ireland, particularly as it pertains to education. In Northern Ireland, beginning in the 1980s integrated systems ofeducation were introduced and this caused a deal of controversy centredaround conflicting interests (Dunn, 1989). The Belfast Agreement of1998 set out guidelines for the promotion of religious and culturaltolerance and it is thought by some commentators that this was directly linked to the Good Friday Agreement (Morgan and Fraser, 1999).Since the Good Friday Agreement some thinkers have argued that there isan increasing secularization in Ireland and that liberals in the Northmay be considering replicating the multi-faith educational model thatoperates in the rest of Britain. This has led to vigorous debate anddiscussion of the differences between Britain and Ireland (Barnes,2004). Although numbers of commentators contend that there is a growingsecularization, in Ireland in the 1991 census 84% claimed to attendchurch at least once a week. In a survey undertaken in the south ofIreland Greil (1998) found the following listed in the table on thenext page. Table One weekly mass attendance in the Republic of Ireland 1981-1998 Year  %  Comments  Source 1998  94%  older people  Survey of Diocese of Cashel and Emly published in Irish Times 1998  92%  People over 65  MRBI poll for Irish Times 1981  87%  all people  European Values Survey 1998  87%  Connacht/Ulster people  MRBI poll for Irish Times 1990  85%  all people  European Values Survey 1988/89  82%  all people  Mac Grà ©il (1996) 1998  66%  all people  MRBI poll for Irish Times 1998  60%  People 18-34  Survey of Diocese of Cashel and Emly published in Irish Times 1998  60%  all people  RTE Prime Time poll 1998  50%  Dubliners  MRBI poll for Irish Times 1998  41%  18-24 yr olds  MRBI poll for Irish Times 1990  40%  Urban unemployed  European Values Survey While this does show a rapid decline, particularly among the young,for Father Greil the fact that only one percent of his sample professedno religion at all, still leaves him optimistic about the place of religion in Irish life. Greil is of the opinion that there is a lack of community feeling in the cities and that the rapid growth in urbanization is a significant factor in the decline in church attendance.    While there does seem to be a decline in participation in organisedreligion in both contemporary Britain and in Ireland, many people stillclaim to hold orthodox beliefs and a moral judgement based on thetenets of Christianity. At the same time they do not have so muchattraction to institutional forms of religions (Bruce, 1995 and Browne,1998). The nineteen sixties saw rapid social and religious change. In theyears after the war, the rise of the welfare state, the growth in thenumber of Catholic Grammar Schools and the resulting rise in the numberof Catholics to enter Higher Education spurred a transformation inBritish Catholicism. This eventually led, in the 1960s to the holdingof the Second Vatican Council and the resultant Catholic alignment withthe ecumenical movement. By the end of the decade most people owned a television and programmessuch as That was the Week That Was took an irreverent view of religion.This, along with the sixties sexual revolution, brought changingattitudes towards the Church and to people’s attitudes to religiousauthority. The media was highly influential on the Church’s publicimage and became far more critical of outdated morality.   What went onin America had a greater influence on what happened in Britain. Thesuccess of the civil rights movement in the mid-nineteen sixties openedthe way for second-wave feminism and the call for women’s rights. Theabortion reform act of 1967 meant that women had more rights over their own body and the employmentdiscrimination act of the mid-nineteen seventies meant that other thanin the Church employers could not discriminate on the basis of sex. Thelate 1960s also saw the burgeoning of feminist theologies. These havedeveloped and changed over the last thirty years a nd have become achallenge to patriarchal systems across the world. Divorce law reformsaw a huge increase in the number of divorces and traditionalists sawthis as a threat to the institute of marriage and the structure of thefamily. The rise of the Gay Christian movement and the aids threatsfrom the 1980s onward meant an overall rethinking and debate onpersonal morality within the chuches (Parsons, 1993). As stated earlier Brewer (2005) contends that what is happening inIreland is very different to what has happened in Britain and ratherthan the secularisation of Ireland what we are seeing is the move to apost-Christian society. What Brewer means by this is: the declining ability of Christian religion to affect and shapeordinary believers’ lives, a growing liberalisation in what ordinaryChristians believe and in the certainty with which they believe it, andthe appearance of other world faiths, still admittedly very much asminority religions, but a presence that nonetheless challenges theChristian hegemony. Religious diversity and pluralism now has to caterfor differences in practice and belief between the world religions notjust Catholic and Protestant (Brewer, 2005:7).   Sociologists use divorce statistics, abortion and homosexuality figuresto sustain the argument that secularisation is on the increase. Theyuse this evidence to suggest that these factors are a result of thedeclining importance of religious thinking and teaching in people’slives. In Britain many people have a pick and mix attitude towards religious believing and more than half of all marriages are nowcivil or non-religious ceremonies.From the 1950s onward Ireland haswitnessed an increasing industrialization through urbanization and agrowth in the number of people employed in both the industrial, ratherthan the agricultural sector, and in higher education. Religion hasbeen a key factor in Ireland and, since the 1970s, an increasing causeof conflict between Catholic and Protestant groups (O’Leary, 2001).Brewer (2005) has argued that the conflict has not been about religionas such but about identity and political loyalty. Religion is not the substance of this conflict; no one seriouslyargues that the conflict has been about religion. But religion is itsform, the way in which it is experienced. The contestation has beenabout the legitimacy of the state and access to its scarce resources,but this took on a religious form because ‘Catholic’ and ‘Protestant’were the