Al Gore

What is the Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Peace Prize is an Award given to an individual or an association “who has done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses “This means that the Nobel Peace prize is awarded to an individual or association who has done something to help two nations get along in peace.

Bibliography of the person:

Al Gore:

He was the second of two children and grew up in Washington D.C. His older sister Nancy LaFon Gore, who was born in 1938, died of lung cancer in 1984. He graduated 25th in his class of 51, applied to only one college, Harvard, and was accepted. Al gore married a woman called Mary Elizabeth on May 19^th 1970. They had four children, Karenna (b. 1973), Kristin Carlson Gore (b. 1977), Sarah LaFon Gore (b. 1979), and Albert Gore III (b. 1982) Gore eventually decided that the best way he could contribute to the anti-war effort was to enlist in the Army. After enlisting in August 1969, Gore returned to the anti-war Harvard campus in his military uniform to say goodbye to his adviser and was "jeered" at by students. He later said he was astonished by the "emotional field of negativity and disapproval and piercing glances that certainly felt like real hatred". Of his time in the Army, Gore later stated, "I didn't do the most, or run the gravest danger. But I was proud to wear my country's uniform. Gore began serving in the U.S. Congress at the age of 28 and stayed there for the next 17 years, serving in both the House. At the end of February 1976, U.S. Representative Joe L. Evins unexpectedly announced his retirement.  Gore decided to quit law school and run for the House of Representatives.

When and why the person was awarded the prize:

In 2007 Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  He was awarded the prize for:

“for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change”

Explain why the person became involved in the work:

Gore has been involved with environmental issues since 1976. He held the "first congressional hearings on the climate change, and co-sponsor hearings on toxic waste and global warming. He continued to speak on the topic throughout the 1980s

The 8 Millennium Goals

Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 tropical islands and has a population of 90 million. The country has a tropical marine climate with a dry season (Nov-April ) and a rainy season(May-Oct).

The capital Manila-Metro Manila- is a sprawling cluster of 17 cities with municipalities such as Manila, Quezon, Makati, Pasay, and so on generation a populace to guess at; perhaps start at ten million and keep counting.

Manila has a high population density, with one district having over 68,000people/Km squared, so at times it may feel a little crowded especially if you have just arrived from London which has about 8,000 people/km squared.

Tagalog is the national language and English is used for the official/business purposes.

There are 54 other languages with over 140 dialect variations.

The Philippines has the world’s third largest English speaking population.

Universal Declaration Articles

Article 2# 

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Every human being has the rights to be free, because of the rules of the Declaration; no one can be ranked because of where they were born or if they have a different skin colour. Everyone is equal. Everyone may speak for themselves. It also makes no difference whether the country you live in is independent or not.

Article 6#
 Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.


You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else. Your human rights should be protected by the laws written and passed in your country. A person before the law is someone who is recognized to be subject to the protection offered by the legal system and the responsibilities required by it.


Article 18#
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.


Everyone is equal to the same amount of respect for their religion choice as others. They can decide what religion they want to follow, if they want to follow a religion, then that is there choice. Some people don’t believe that the world existed from a God, they believe that it was Science.

United Nations

What are Human rights?

Human rights are the rights and freedom that we all have.

Some human rights are based on our physical needs.

• The right to life. To Food, Water and Shelter.

Other human rights protect us.

• The right to be free from torture, cruel treatment and abuse.

Human rights are also there to ensure we develop to our fullest potential.

• Human rights to education. To work. To participate in your community.

Everybody has Human rights. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what language you speak or what religion you belong to. You have a duty to respect the rights of others, just as they have a duty to respect yours. Nobody can take your rights away

  

Where do rights come from?

 Human rights are based on the values of:

·         Dignity

·         Justice

·         Respect

·         Equality

Human rights were officially recognised as values by the world when the United Nations was set up.

What is the United Nations?

·         The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation that was established in 1945, the year the Second World War ended.

·         Its founders hoped it would able to prevent catastrophes like the Holocaust from happening in the future.

·         So promoting human rights became an aim of the UN, along with maintaining international peace and reducing poverty.

The Universal Declaration of Human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human rights (UDHR) is the most famous human rights agreement in the world. It contains 30 human rights.

Who Wrote the UDHR?

The people who wrote the UDHR came from: Australia, Chile, China, France, Lebanon, the former soviet Union, The UK and the US.

Polar Regions!

2) A summary of the background of the issue

The Polar Regions, geographically, are those that are higher than 66° 33´ latitude. Polar Regions have a huge influence on the earth’s climate, weather patterns and on its environment through the heat into the atmosphere and the transfer of heat through ocean currents. Changes in the Polar Regions will affect flora and fauna not just locally, but also globally.

3) Details about the issue and why the situation occurs?

The issue is that the warmer temperatures have caused other changes in the Polar Region such as melting ice and shrinking polar bear habitat. The ice and snow in the polar regions, because of its light colour, reflect most incoming solar energy back out to space. But as more greenhouse gases cause our planet to warm, some of this ice and snow melts, less of it is reflected out to space, and more of it is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and oceans. The added energy warms the Polar Regions, causes more ice to melt and more warming.

4) What can be done about the issue?

Global warming is the cause for the Polar Regions issues, so to help we must prevent global warming some things people could do to help are:

·         Drive less. Take bikes, walk or carpool whenever possible

·         Replace all the light bulbs in and around your home with energy-efficient fluorescents that use fewer watts for the same amount of light.

·         Clean or replace your filters monthly

·         Buy recycled paper products and recycle as much of your waste as possible

·         Wash clothes in cold water and line-dry whenever possible

·         Plant a tree

5) What organisations are currently doing to address the issue?

AusAID

The Australian Government’s overseas aid program supports projects that help to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing carbon sinks and changing to the adverse effects of climate change. Many projects focus on poorer countries in our region because these countries will be affected sooner and most harshly.

6)What suggestions can you offer to address the issue ( Think Globally act Locally)

Everybody in their own homes could change light bulbs and only use the dishwasher or washing machine if they have full loads, we should all stop wasting so much of our worlds recourses as by simply looking around you can see the Earth cannot cope with it forever.  Community could reserve an area where they can plant trees so one day it will be a forest. Everyone in the world should turn all electronic devices off if you do not need them. Don’t leave the Tv running while you go for a quick walk. Really we just have to get smart and do things that will benefit out earth.

Kiribati

Climate Change

Kiribati is a coral atol containing 33 islands. 100 000 people live in Kiribati. the averge hieght above sea level is only 2 metres. Kiribati people predict that their country will be under water in 20 years. Global warming and riseing sea levels is the problem. Salt water is riseing and it is getting into their soil meaning there plants can't survive. As time goes on their weather is getting more fierce. Erosion, storm surges and drougts causes environmental impact on the island. they are training the people of the country to be sea man, and things like that so they can leave and become refuges.

Tuberculosis Kiribati

300 people per 100 00 have Tuberculosis. Normally if you have 25 there’s a problem Kiribati have 300. Tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne things. The DOTS are founded by  the AusAID of the Australian government are helping those who have tuberculosis. AusAID is also helping them create pharmacies and a Lab.

 

Thailand

Understanding poverty in our Country

What are the recent achievements and challenges of our country?

- Disaster plans are being developed to manage the regular flooding of the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers. Thailand has a number of programs to support its 570,000 (1.6%) people living with HIV/AIDS including prevention of mother-to-child transmission and provision of anti-retroviral drugs.

How dose poverty affect people in our country?

- Nearly half the world – 2.7 billion people – lives in poverty, struggling to survive on less than US$2 a day. That’s less money than we would spend on a cup of coffee or a chocolate bar. Essentially, this means that 2.7 billion people around the world struggle to afford even the most basic of food and everyday items. Poverty means they are unable to afford clean water, proper shelter and clothing. They go without transport, medical attention and schooling. Instead, they face disease and a future filled with uncertainty. 

How are poor people represented in the media in our country?

- There is a big difference in wealth between the farming and city areas with the wealthiest 10% sharing about one third of the income while the poorest 10% share less than 3%. Just over one in ten of the Thai population lives under the poverty line.

How dose our government support health and education?

- Thailand and the government provide free and compulsory education for children between 7 and 14 years. The best health facilities are concentrated in Bangkok, however, a network of health centres, hospitals and clinics exist in regional areas supported by the government.

What are aid organisations doing to assist poor people in our country?

-Thailand is an important trade partner for Australia. Australia exports gold, aluminium, cotton, milk and cream and crude petroleum to Thailand while it imports motor vehicles, prepared seafood and heating and cooling equipment from Thailand.

How does trade assist our country?

- In 2006 Thailand exported textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewellery, cars, computers and electrical appliances worth $123.5 billion. This assists Thailand with the money they earn

Statistics about poverty I our country

What is the average income (GDP per capita (PPP US$)?

-People who live in poverty struggle to survive on less than US$ a day. That’s less money than we would spend on a cup of coffee or a chocolate bar

What percentage of people lives below the nation poverty line?

-just over 1 in 10 in Thailand lives under the nation poverty line.

What percentage of children of children attends primary school?

- Education is highly valued in Thailand and the government provides free and compulsory education for children between 7 and 14 years.

What percentage of adults can read (adult literacy rate)?

- The literacy rate is 92.6% (male: 94.9% and female: 90.5%). Over half of the population is employed in agriculture while one third engaged in the service sector and 15% in industry.

What percentage of people has access to clean water (access to improved drinking water source)?

- 91 percent of rural people were able to access clean water this means they are unable to afford clean water. So, they face disease and a future filled with uncertainty. -Almost all of the Thai population has access to an improved water supply and safe sanitation. 1.5%

What percentage of people has access to sanitation?

-Almost all of the Thai population has access to an improved water supply and safe sanitation. 1.5%

How old can children expect to live to (what is the life expectancy at birth)?

-The average life expectancy of people in Thailand is 72.5 years (male: 70.24 years and female: 74.98 years). About 19 babies per 1,000 births die before their first birthday

How many mobile (cellular) phones are available per 1000 people?

-26.04 per 100 people

What percentage of income is owned by the wealthiest 20% of households?

- The wealthiest people are sharing about one third of the income.

How big is the gap between these the richest and poorest?

-There is a big difference in wealth between the farming and city areas with the wealthiest 10% sharing about one third of the income while the poores share less than 3%

How much does the government spend on health?

-          The government pays about this much for Services: 45.2% which is a category that includes heath.

How much does the government spend on education?

The government pays about this much for industry: 44.9% which is a category that includes primary education.

The 8+ Goals

In September 2000, Koffi Annan the former general secretary of the United Nations suggest the leaders of the world should do somethig to end world poverty and by 2015 they would achieve 8 goals towards ending global poverty:

1. ERADICATE EXTREME HUNGER AND POVERTY
2. ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION
3. PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOVER WOMEN
4. REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY
5. IMPROVE MATERNAL HEATH
6. COMBAT DISEASE HIV/AIDS AND OTHER
7. ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
8. DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT

Poverty Cycle

What is the cycle of Poverty?

The cycle of poverty has been described as a phenomenon where poor families become trapped in poverty for generations because they have no or limited access to critical resources, such as:

·       Education

·       Financial services

Subsequent generations are also impoverished.

There are multiple cycles of poverty-based on, among other things.

·       Economic,

·       Social

·       Spiritual and

·       Geographical factors

Many cycles overlap or perpetrate new cycles and therefore any attempt to depict the cycle of poverty will be far more simplistic than realistic.

The figure below shows – in very simplistic terms- how a cycle of poverty related to hunger keeps a person or household poor in one of the world’s developing countries.