Water resources Essay Example for Free

Water resources Essay Our business SABMiller is one of the world’s largest brewers, with brewing interests and distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents. Our brands include premium international beers such as Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Miller Genuine Draft, as well as an exceptional range of market-leading local brands such as Aguila, Miller Lite, Snow and Tyskie. Six of our brands are in the world’s top 50 beer brands. We also have considerable expertise in bottling and distributing some of the most famous soft drink brands in the world, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Appletiser and Minute Maid. We are one of the biggest franchise bottlers and distributors of Coca-Cola products outside the United States, operating in 10 of our markets as bottlers of Coca-Cola products. In addition to our Coca-Cola bottling operations, we also produce and bottle a range of soft drinks in a further eight of our markets. In total, non-alcoholic beverages – sparkling beverages, water, fruit juices and malt beverages – make up 18% of our total beverage volumes. Sparkling beverages alone constitute 11% of our total beverage volumes. We operate 41 bottling plants, responsible for producing 50 million hectolitres (5 billion litres) of soft drinks per annum. Contents 01 Leading bottler of soft drinks 02 Where we operate 04 A framework for sustainable development 06 Marketplace 07 Workplace 09 Environment 11 Community 12 Contact details Leading bottler of soft drinks SABMiller’s beverage interests extend beyond brewing and into soft drinks where we have operations in 18 countries, both as selfstanding businesses and, in some countries, alongside a brewery. While brewing is at the heart of our business, the soft drinks operations contribute demonstrably to our overall profitability and success. Through consistently delivering superior operating performance and earnings growth for our bottling operations, and through our commitment to sustainable development, we are able to bring significant value to the economies and societies in which we operate. We work closely with The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) across 10 of our soft drinks markets. The business partnership through which soft drinks reach consumers is known as the CocaCola system. Coca-Cola licenses bottlers in each region which then manufacture and distribute the final product. Our partnership with TCCC extends beyond just selling soft drinks. Our local bottling operations take part in joint planning with their regional and local Coca-Cola partners, addressing both operational issues, such as packaging and procurement, and wider social investment activities. TCCC sets and controls very detailed standards to maintain the integrity and quality of its brands through a process known as The Coca-Cola Quality System. Our brand portfolio As one of the biggest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world, we believe that brands are the key to our success. Our ability to nurture and grow brands that consumers want is one of our most important business assets. We are proud to be associated with some of the world’s best known soft drink brands through our partnership with TCCC. As part of our franchise agreements, we bottle and distribute a wide range of still and sparkling soft drink brands. Some of the best known brands include Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Light, Fanta and Sprite. We also aim to offer a range of products and brands that meet different consumer needs for refreshment, nutrition and replenishment. The soft drinks product range that we produce includes still and sparkling mineral water, fruit juices, and sport and energy drinks. SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 1 Where we operate SABMiller operates franchise bottlers of Coca-Cola products in 10 markets: El Salvador and Honduras in Latin America; Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia and the Indian Ocean islands of Comores and Mayotte in Africa; and South Africa, where we own major brand Appletiser and ABI, the largest bottler in the country. In addition, our operations in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru in Latin America, China, USA, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Canary Islands produce a range of fruit juices, water and malt beverages. Total beverage sales volumes by region Latin America 20% Europe 15% North America 17% Africa and Asia 32% South Africa 16% (‘000 hectolitres) Beer/other alcohol 34,948 Soft drinks 19,474 Total 54,422 (‘000 hectolitres) Beer/other alcohol 40,113 Soft drinks 27 Total 40,140 (‘000 hectolitres) Beer/other alcohol 46,591 Soft drinks 84 Total 46,675 (‘000 hectolitres) Beer/other alcohol 74,163 Soft drinks 13,837 Total 88,000 (‘000 hectolitres) Beer/other alcohol 26,543 Soft drinks 15,987 Total 42,530 2 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007. Denotes regions where SABMiller operates, or has a major distribution agreement Denotes regions covered by our strategic partner Castel North America distrubution only Europe distrubution only Africa and Asia Latin America 14 bottling plants 17 bottling plants Brands include: Coca-Cola Fanta Sprite South Africa Brands include: Coca-Cola Fanta Sprite Tropical Cristal (water) 10 bottling plants Brands include: Coca-Cola Fanta Sprite Appletiser Peartiser Minute Maid SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 3. A framework for sustainable development Sustainable development is an integral part of running our global business successfully. We work within a sustainable development framework which focuses on the 10 priorities most relevant and material to our business’s environmental, social and economic footprint. This framework has been embedded into our global operations and we have developed, tested and launched a sustainable assessment matrix (SAM) which enables each operation to measure its performance against the 10 priorities. This framework provides a common approach within the group, supporting learning between our businesses. SABMiller’s 10 sustainable development priorities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Discouraging irresponsible drinking Making more beer and soft drinks but using less water Reducing our energy and carbon footprint Packaging, reuse and recycling Working towards zero waste operations Having supply chains that reflect our own values and commitments Benefiting communities Contributing to the reduction of HIV/Aids Respecting human rights Transparency in reporting our progress Strategy and performance measurement The creation of the sustainable development framework of 10 priorities and the accompanying SAM system has been an important investment for us. The self-assessment process enables our businesses to compare their performance against the 10 priorities and with their peers within the group. All operations where our group companies have day-to-day management control must achieve the minimum level 1 on the stairways. Operations which fall short of level 1 must have mitigation plans in place to achieve this standard as soon as possible. Where operations have achieved the highest standards at level 4, they provide case studies and learnings for other parts of the business. In addition, to encourage operations to engage in level 4 projects, we have also committed to long-term scenario planning for the key priorities of water, carbon and HIV/Aids, to assess the business needs and current and potential future thinking on these issues. Through SAM, we aim to collate and report the sustainable development performance of all our businesses where SABMiller group companies have day-to-day management control, either as a result of a majority shareholding or through a management agreement. However, we share our standards and policies with our associates and other business interests where we do not have direct management control. In China, for example, we have had several meetings with the CR Snow senior management team to share our sustainable development approach. 4 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 Our soft drinks operations adhere to the fundamentals of our sustainable development priorities, while also endorsing and operating within the Coca-Cola framework of four key areas: Marketplace, Workplace, Environment and Community. This framework is closely aligned with our sustainable development priorities, and working in partnership with TCCC, we are committed to delivering programmes and initiatives which add value in the countries and communities in which we operate. Marketplace TCCC is an active member of the business community in each country where it operates, working hand in hand with local individuals, merchants and governments to improve the health and prosperity of the local economy and environment. Similarly, SABMiller is committed to creating sustainable ways to do business and to contributing to economic growth by running successful and accountable businesses which encourage entrepreneurs, create jobs and stimulate local economic activity. In order to make a long-term and sustainable impact, we need to explore ways in which our core business activities can best contribute to both our organisation and towards wider social and economic objectives. and collaboration. As a global organisation, transferability of skills is important to us and we are committed to employing the best people, whatever their backgrounds, and we value and respect diversity. We also acknowledge that HIV/Aids is an operational as well as a social issue and we cannot rely on a healthy workforce for the future unless we proactively engage with this difficult challenge. As one of the biggest bottlers of Coca-Cola products, we ensure that we meet, or exceed, the water management requirements of TCCC at our bottling plants. The Coca-Cola approach is built upon comprehensive risk analysis of the water resources supplying plants in its global franchise bottling network. Since 2004 we have worked collaboratively with Coca-Cola in our Central American and African operations to study the annual renewable fresh water supply, supply economics and the social context of water resources of our bottling facilities. Environment Operating in an environmentally responsible way is a priority for all of our businesses. The Coca-Cola system’s environmental commitment is focused on the areas where we have the most significant and visible impacts – water, sustainable packaging, and energy and climate protection. As the bottler, our operations play a crucial role in water conservation and purification, energy efficiency and solid waste management. We are also committed to the re-use of bottles. SABMiller and TCCC share the commitment to the conservation and preservation of scarce natural resources, and in 2007 both companies signed the CEO Water Mandate, a United Nations initiative. Community SABMiller and TCCC share the belief that the future of our businesses depends on the vitality of the communities where we operate. The continued health and sustainable growth of our business depends on the long-term wellbeing and success of the communities that surround us. We are intensely committed to the economic success and continued growth of these communities through our corporate social investment activities. Our particular emphasis is on supporting enterprise development, promoting sustainable water use and tackling HIV/Aids. Workplace For the people of TCCC, work is more than a place to go every day. TCCC believes work should be a place of exploration, discovery, creation and inspiration. At SABMiller, we believe that people are our enduring advantage. We understand the importance of training and development, and of creating a culture of communication SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 5 Marketplace SABMiller is committed to creating sustainable ways to do business and to contributing to economic growth by running successful and accountable businesses which create jobs and stimulate local economic activity. 1 Empowering soft drink distributors in Zambia Since SABMiller re-entered the Zambian market in 1994, Zambian Breweries Limited (ZBL) has become one of the country’s largest taxpayers and investors outside of the mining sector. ZBL’s sales and marketing department has invested more than US$1,300,000 in setting up an empowerment distribution chain for its carbonated soft drinks operations, creating over 1,800 jobs. This investment involves several initiatives, including the sourcing, purchasing and maintaining of 500 branded kiosks, or N’tembas, complete with ice bins; providing 155 fully branded containers which are placed in high density areas as retail sales points and wholesale outlets; and the provision of more than 300 vending trolleys and 700 ice boxes to street vendors. Interest free start-up loans and loans to purchase vehicles are also provided to enable distributors to more adequately distribute our products in rural areas where distances preclude direct outlet delivery, and in urban high density areas where drop sizes are too small. In order to help these entrepreneurs to succeed, trade marketing representatives from ZBL provide training to ensure that they distribute the product effectively. Through these investments ZBL achieves additional sales volume, while the distributors make a profit, enabling them to employ people and generate growth within their community. 2 Honduras provides skills to children. Our soft drinks business in Honduras introduced an education programme for the children of workers in the Azunosa sugar cane fields with the aim of eliminating the problem of child labour in the local industry and improving the level of education and household income in the community. Up to 100 children attend the school operated by the Cerveceria Hondurena Foundation, where they are provided with knowledge and skills in a structured and certified programme. Food, medicine, clothes and financial assistance are also provided. Part of the training includes the growing of non-traditional crops such as sweet potatoes, peppers and tomatoes. These crops are taken to the local market to be sold, and the proceeds are reinvested in the Foundation to cover some of the costs of the programme. 3 Angola supports Junior Achievement In partnership with several other companies operating in Luanda, our soft drinks business, Coca-Cola Bottling Luanda (CCBL), supports the Coca-Cola Foundation’s Junior Achievement Initiative in Angola. The training programme aims to develop entrepreneurial spirit and selfinitiative, as well as to provide a basic understanding of business fundamentals to students in public schools. The people of CCBL volunteer to contribute 75 working hours to the programme, giving their time and expertise to teach the students and provide them with knowledge and information about how the business world works and how strong ethics and values can contribute towards creating a successful business. Two courses are available: Personal Economics, which introduces the students to the business world, and helps them to choose a career path and understand the skills required for it; and Mini-Enterprise, which consists of basic business content from setting up a business to producing and selling the goods. Students set up their own simulated businesses and are responsible for producing and selling the products, and ultimately its success. Almost 900 students benefited from the first two semesters of the programme, and CCBL believes this will prepare and inspire Angola’s youth to lead fruitful lives at home and make a meaningful contribution towards the country and a better world. 1 2 3 6 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 Workplace At SABMiller, we understand that people are our enduring advantage. We strive to create excellent, safe working environments that inspire and motivate our people to develop a can-do attitude that comes from a real passion for what we do. 1 ABI addresses HIV/Aids For several years our soft drinks business in South Africa, ABI, has addressed the issue of HIV/Aids among its workforce through a comprehensive intervention programme. The two areas of major focus internally are to manage existing infections through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and early diagnosis; and managed health care, which includes anti-retroviral treatment and an effective education programme aimed at reducing or preventing new infections. Wellness educators have been trained to apply the model in small group sessions which are carried out during working hours. ABI focuses on VCT through its ACT campaign (Awareness, Counselling and Testing), which is designed to encourage employees to discover their status early enough to start treatment should it be required. The costs of the ACT campaign are paid for by the company and since its inception, 86% of ABI employees have participated and know their status. Information regarding the medical condition of employees is kept strictly confidential at all times and employees who have a life threatening disease are treated with sensitivity and compassion. The company supports the principle of non-discrimination. A Life Threatening Diseases policy has been put in place to provide a framework within which to manage HIV/Aids and inform employees of their rights, responsibilities and benefits. All employees and their dependents have access to a managed health care programme which includes lifestyle management and the provision of antiretroviral therapy through an external service provider. ABI aims to contribute to the reduction of HIV/Aids in the communities in which it operates by making HIV/Aids prevention and management an integral part of its Corporate Social Investment strategy and projects. 2 Angola training for success Coca-Cola Bottlers Luanda (CCBL) believes in harnessing the potential of the people who live and work in the communities in which it operates. In partnership with a professional training school, EFTA (Escola de Formacao Teconologica de Angola), students are recruited and provided with the training and skills required by CCBL for expansion into other parts of Angola. Through the education programme the students are trained to become mechanics, electricians and production line operators over a period of three to 18 months. This enables the business to invest in both developing skills for future employees, and in enhancing the capabilities of local communities. An added benefit is that students are also equipped with skills which can be transferred to other parts of the business. CCBL has invested approximately US$400,000 in the programme, which will run until 2010. 1 2 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 7 Workplace continued We are committed to building strong teams of smart, educated people who are capable of working throughout the company, throughout the world. 3 Zambia assists employees with HIV/Aids programme Most of the employees who work at Zambian Breweries and its soft drink operations are locals who have grown up with the stigma that surrounds. HIV/Aids in a country which has a national prevalence rate of 18%. HIV/Aids is a major focus for Zambian Breweries and as such it was the first company in Zambia to provide antiretroviral treatment for all of its staff and their families, as well as to have voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centres in place on all sites. Following initial discussions with employees, the first on-site VCT centre was opened, and within six months approximately 100 employees had been through the centre. A year later the business had an HIV/Aids VCT count of 80%. This was a huge source of pride for management, indicating a high level of trust from employees. As an example to all employees, members of the Operating Board went for VCT and were taken through the counselling training. Managers were then required to include HIV/Aids in their goals in order to create a sense of ownership from senior managers. While its HIV/Aids policy is recognized as one of the strongest in the country, the disease remains one of the biggest risks facing the business, given its high prevalence among those individuals who form part of its supply and distribution chains. As a result, Zambian Breweries has also started a programme to promote awareness and understanding of the disease beyond the workplace and into the communities in which it operates. At our operations in Botswana, a similar programme is in place to assist all employees. The company provides on-site clinics, a doctor who calls twice a week to test and counsel employees, and nurses and peer educators educate the staff about the virus. 8 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 Environment Operating in an environmentally responsible way is a priority for all of our businesses. 1 ABI sets the benchmark ABI, the soft drinks subsidiary of SAB Ltd in South Africa, has set the benchmark for SABMiller’s priority to make more soft drinks with less water. ABI’s Midrand manufacturing and distribution unit upgraded its water treatment plant, replacing the conventional chemical treatment plant with a Nano/RO membrane filtration plant. In a country where potable water remains an issue, the plant invested R2. 4 million ($344,800) in new equipment and systems to reduce waste water. The upgrade resulted in the plant performing at 1. 48hl of water for every hectolitre of product, and a water ratio target of 1. 3hl/hl by 2012 has been set. The percentage of water lost down the drain was also reduced from 30% to 10%. Steady progress has been made on the previous water to soft drink ratio of 2hl/hl at the plant, and 1. 35hl/hl is now being achieved when production conditions are favourable. This compares very well against other PET only plants and the average usage across TCCC’s global operations, which includes those plants which use returnable glass bottles, is between 2hl/hl and 2. 5hl/hl. In a further effort to reduce the company’s environmental footprint, ABI is also a major funder of South Africa’s Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Recycling Company (PETCO), which is a world first industry-led initiative. The company’s activities involve the recycling of PET plastic bottles and their conversion into polyester resin, which is then used to make products such as video tapes, pillow fibre, fleece jackets and carpets. Established in 2005, PETCO has made steady progress in increasing the volume of recycled PET in South Africa. The company is also committed to increasing awareness and education about PET recyclability. 2 Creating business opportunities in Zambia Zambian Breweries Limited (ZBL) is the largest recycler of bottles and plastic crates in Zambia. Of the 320 million bottles that are used in Zambia every year to bottle beer and soft drinks, only 9 million of these are being used for the first time. The rest are reused between 10 and 25 times during their lifecycle, after which they are crushed and recycled. ZBL also uses 13 million plastic crates a year, only 100,000 of which are being used for the first time. These plastic crates are reused several times and, once damaged, they too are crushed and recycled. In addition to reducing its impact on the environment, the recycling of bottles and crates has created opportunities for small local recycling businesses to develop. ZBL has helped to set up an independent plastic recycling business which has created 40 jobs and resulted in any new crates consisting of 75% recycled plastic materials. Three local entrepreneurs have also been assisted with the purchase of a glass crusher to help them set up a glass recycling business. Additional kilns may also be purchased with the aim of turning the bottles that are no longer suitable for bottling beer or soft drinks into recycled glassware which small businesses can sell to local bars and trade outlets. 1 2 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 9 Environment continued As a bottler, our operations play a crucial role in water conservation and purification, energy efficiency and solid waste management. 3 Honduras recycles PET bottles As PET plastic bottles have grown in popularity with consumers in Honduras, the lack of an existing recycling culture has resulted in problems with litter and environmental damage. On the island of Roatan, Cerveceria Hondurena, in collaboration with the local municipality, government authorities, local communities and other private sector businesses, has established a recycling programme involving the collection, storage and transfer of PET bottles. The programme aims to remove the solid plastic waste on the island and reduce the environmental damage caused to beaches and coral reefs; promote a culture of recycling plastic bottles among the community, consumers and the general public; protect the mangroves; and help reduce environmental pollution. The project involves the collection of plastic waste from the collection points established by the local council. The waste is then transported from the island to the mainland at La Ceiba and Puerto Cortes. A pilot recycling campaign held during the Easter period in two local communities also included visits to schools and colleges to help educate students about recycling and the impact of litter on the environment. Cerveceria Hondurena has undertaken several other initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint. Among its major achievements has been a 21% reduction in the total glass weight used for sparkling soft drink returnable glass bottles over the last 10 years, and the introduction of 100% recycled plastic crates two years ago. Of the current crate population, 30% is now made of 100% recycled plastic. 4 Cleaner water at Appletiser At the Appletiser plant in South Africa, waste water used in the manufacturing process is carefully cleaned and filtered before either being reused to irrigate the neighbouring apple orchards or returned to the nearby river. The Appletiser plant filters and releases its waste water into a series of four ponds. Through the ponds, the Ph balance of the water is restored and it is aerated before being allowed to settle. From there, the water is pumped through a shallow labyrinth, which allows oxidation to take place and uses ultra violet light from the sun to help sterilise the water. At the end of the process, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) has been reduced from an average of 8,000 units when it leaves the plant to between 30 and 50 units. This reduction in COD is critical, as a high level can cause water life to die from lack of oxygen. The waste and treated water is carefully monitored and a report supplied to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. 4 10 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 Community The continued health and sustainable growth of SABMiller’s business depends on the long-term wellbeing and success of the communities that surround us. We are firmly committed to benefiting our local communities. 1 Lesotho: educating the supply chain on HIV/Aids In line with our Sustainable Development Framework, SABMiller’s subsidiaries and affiliates aim to contribute to the reduction of HIV/Aids within their sphere of influence. The Lesotho Brewing Company (LBC) held a workshop to educate soft drink hawkers and street vendors about HIV/Aids. The course provided attendees with information on how to avoid infection, the use of condoms, voluntary counselling and testing, as well as living with the virus. both students and neighbouring communities, that the company identified other local schools in need of access to water where it has implemented the rain harvesting system. Through this project, Industrias La Constancia has helped three schools in the Nejapa area neighbouring the soft drinks plant. Over 1,000 members of the community have directly benefited from the programme to date. The system has also enabled the schools to save money as they no longer need to buy water. The programme will benefit 23,000 people in local communities and is supported by several companies including USAID and financed by the Coca-Cola Foundation. It will contribute to the country’s efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate the infrastructure that was almost entirely destroyed during the war, by increasing access to water among the urban poor and improving the management of water points. In a second project CCBL also recognized that the hospital in Bom Jesus, the municipality where CCBL’s plant is located, needed substantial upgrading in order to improve access to healthcare services for its 150 employees and the local community. In a partnership which CCBL established with other local companies, local authorities and the provincial government, critical services at the hospital have been upgraded in order to more effectively combat common diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis and malaria, and to decrease the infant mortality rate. 2 El Salvador provides water to students In partnership with TCCC, Industrias La Constancia in El Salvador has worked to help schools in local communities gain access to water, thus elevating the quality of life of the students and enabling them to enjoy their education in a healthier environment. The company identified the Tutultepeque School as one in need of assistance and in co-ordination with FONAES, a semiautonomous organisation, designed a project that would enable the school to have its own water supply through the construction of a rain harvesting system. The programme, called ‘Water for my school’, was such a success, benefiting 3 Angola builds for the future In an effort to improve access to water and health facilities, Coca-Cola Bottling Luanda (CCBL) has embarked on two projects to improve local facilities and infrastructure. The Community Watersheds Partnership Programme aims to reduce the incidence of water borne diseases among the residents of Kilamba Kiaxi and Viana in Luanda, thus leading to improvements in health and the quality of life. The project includes the construction of 10 community water standpoints, training for community hygiene promoters, the establishment of municipal water boards and a governance structure being put in place. 2 3 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 11 SABMiller plc (Registration No: 3528416) Registered office SABMiller House Church Street West Woking Surrey England GU21 6HS. Telephone +44 1483 264000 Telefax +44 1483 264104 Head Office One Stanhope Gate London England W1K 1AF Telephone +44 20 7659 0100 Telefax +44 20 7659 0111 Internet address www.sabmiller. com Sustainable development Telephone +44 1483 264139 Sustainable. [emailprotected] com For further information on SABMiller’s global Sustainable Development priorities and activities, please visit http://www. sabmiller. com/sabmiller. com/en_gb/ Our+responsibility/ 12 SABMiller plc Soft Drinks Report December 2007 www. sabmiller. com.

The Doctrine Of Double Effect

The Doctrine Of Double Effect The Doctrine of Double Effect The principle of double effect also called the doctrine of double effect normally applied in the medicine, palliative care and war fields is always invoked in order to explain the permission to carry out an action that can cause serious harm. The harm in this case may include the death in human beings as a result of the side effects otherwise with the aim of promoting some good. This doctrine affirms that at times it may be permissible to cause harm as side effect to arrive at a desirable result. However it becomes necessary to understand that it is not permissible to cause such harm so as to arrive at the same good end Thomas Aquinas coined this principle during his discussion of the permissibility of self defense. Aquinas observed that nothing hinders one act from having two effects only one of which is intended whereas the other is besides the intention. There are four conditions tied to the application of this principle: The act must be morally good or else indifferent. In other words the good result should be achievable apart from the bad one The good effect must be derived from the action immediately just as the bad effect. This implies that the desirable or good effect is produced directly by the action not by the bad effect. The good effect should be proved sufficiently desirable as compensation for allowing the bad effect The agent who in this case may be the practitioner of the principle should not positively will the bad effect but may permit it. In other words the bad effect here is considered as an indirectly voluntary happening. Administering a vaccine for example will definitely save many lives. However a few people get sick and even die from the vaccines side effects. The vaccine manufacturer and agent who administer the vaccine are morally discharged. This is because lives are saved because of the vaccination and not as a result of the fatalities resulting from the side effects. The fatalities as a result of the vaccine do not advance any objectives of the agents and therefore is not intended as a means to an end. The number of lives saved by the vaccine is much greater than the numbers who die from the side effects satisfying the proportionality condition legitimizing this principle. In order to understand if this principle provides a sound basis to make a distinction between intentional and unintentional actions for which we are morally responsible or not we need to summarize the conditions under which the principle of double effect would be considered ethically legitimate and these are that: The act being performed is not itself morally evil. Using the vaccine example we can point out that the manufacturers or administrators of the same (agents) are not performing a morally evil act. The good effect in this case of the vaccine example is to save lives and is not as a result of the evil effect the fatalities resulting from the vaccines side effects. Only the good effects in this case the saving of lives through body immunity enhancement by the vaccine is directly intended, the bad effects which would be the death due to side effects of the vaccine is not intended but tolerated or unavoidable. There is due proportion between good which is the total number of people who benefit by boosting their immunity through the vaccine and the bad effects which is the small proportion of people who succumb to the vaccines side effects. Considering palliative care and medical cases this principle provides a sound basis for making a distinction. According to Dr. Taboada we have to understand that a moral act does not merely consist of a physical performance. There is the moral species of the act that we must consider as well. The moral species of the act can be analyzed by asking the question what are you doing? An appropriate answer that can be backed by this principle of double effect would reveal an intrinsic intentionality of the moral act. Using the case of palliative care where an agent such as a doctor uses morphine to relieve pain in terminally ill patients to elaborate this fact we would have a more accurate answer to the moral species act question what are you doing ? as relieving pain. This answer reveals the intrinsic intentionality of the moral act. Dr. Taboada further points out that ethical experiences are determined by the moral species of the act which in essence is the kind of act we perform. There can be proved a relationship between an agents motivation and the moral character of the given action. Therefore the intrinsic intentionality of the act itself and the intention of the agent are not the same thing as elaborated by Dr. Taboada and hence they must be carefully distinguished. Further still ethical character of our actions do not primarily depend on motivation or intention of the agent as such but on the moral species of the action performed. Thus the principle of double effect intends to secure this distinction as a necessary condition for ethical legitimacy to be established and our actions respected. Therefore in carrying out actions that can easily invoke a moral debate it is necessary to clearly understand the doctrine of double effect and legitimize each of these actions based on the conditions that have suggested by Michael Walzer. In order to legitimize the action to take we may also consider the Sulmasy test especially so if this action is confined within the medical field. Daniel Sulmasy in this test challenges the medical practitioners to ask themselves this question if the patient were not to die after my actions would I feel that I had failed to accomplish what I had set out to do? The problems that arise from the principle of double effect can effectively be handled while considering the contributions of people like Dr. Taboada who points out that an actions anatomy which distinguishes the action from the intention must be always considered. This draws us to a very important conclusion that will require the application of the doctrine of double effect to effectively ad dress that is the distinguishing of intrinsic intentionality of an act and the intention of the agent. With this in mind we can effectively conclude that the principle of double effect provides a sound basis for making a distinction between intentional effects of our actions for which we are morally responsible and the unintentional effects of the actions for which we are not morally responsible.

Approaches to Responding to Discrimination

Approaches to Responding to Discrimination People with mental illness are one of the most marginalised groups in society. Stigma and discrimination affect tangata whai ora’s (TWO) quality of life, prevent them from full access to education, employment, and housing, contribute to lower incomes, increase relapse, and result in exclusion from the society. This damaging effect on the person is often persisting even after resolution of the symptoms. The evidence shows that a combination of approaches and intervention methods at different levels times and in range of settings is the most effective in reducing stigma and discrimination (Gale, 2004). The effective approaches ensuring sustainable change take account of education, promotion, respect, and have to be supported by policy and legislation as essential parts of building a successful, integrated society. (Sayce, 2000) â€Å"Raising awareness and changing attitudes are not enough on their own – because attitudes are not necessarily a reliable predictor of behaviour. Effective approaches also require work to promote social inclusion and empowerment, creating an environment of intolerance to prejudice and ensuring change is sustainable and supported by policy and legislation† (Gale, 2004). Public Policy The New Zealand Government laid its expectation from mental health and addiction services in Te Tahuhu: the second mental health and addiction plan 2005-2015. Te Tahuhu is the policy on mental health and addiction that identifies challenges, ascertains outcome the Government strives to achieve, and provides direction for the continued development of the sector. The main focus is on improvement, recovery and wellness of tangata whai ora. Implementation of the plan, on the other hand, and improving mental health outcomes for TWO is the focus of Te Kokiri. It (Ministry of health, 2006)ascertains specific actions and responsible organisations for achieving them. â€Å"Understanding mental illness and addiction in the general community is critical to reducing stigma and discrimination, both of which can reduce an individual’s sense of belonging and participation in society† (Ministry of health, 2005). The outcomes include full participation of tangata whai ora in society and have the same opportunities as everyone else. Among Ten leading challenges are inclusion and support on the part of employers and effective support, protection and redress for TWO who are discriminated against. The action plan contains promotion of social inclusion, implementation of the next step of the ‘Like Minds like Mine’ project as part of a multi-agency plan to reduce discrimination, develop activities to address the discrimination by addiction users. Mass media campaigns A well-known anti-stigma and discrimination public education campaign in New Zealand â€Å"Like minds, like mine† (Like Minds) started in 1997, funded by the Ministry of Health and the Health promotion Agency, and implemented by 26 regional providers. The campaign is directed at reducing discrimination associated with mental health and increasing social inclusion through advertising, community activities, research, events, education, helpline, newsletters, website, and training. It has been proven by international research that sustained mental health antidiscrimination programs is the best practice in achieving behavioural change. The National Like minds campaign invested a great deal of time and energy in programs aimed at tackling stigma and discrimination, yield improvement in public attitudes towards mental health. â€Å"Advertising involving the stories of well-known and famous people who have experienced mental illness has created significant interest, awareness and improved attitudes among the general public. Local community education and other follow-up activities have also contributed to this success† (Vaughan, G Hansen, C, 2004). For years campaign has challenged public stereotypes, attitudes, demonization and alienation of tangat whai ora. The effective approaches that underpinned the campaign are: Its nature: robust, multileveled, evidence-based and responding to a changing environment The involvement of tangata whai ora in the campaign has been critical to its success. They personally leading the work and dispelling stereotypes and prejudice through their personal experience and knowledge. Amplifying social contact with TWO. â€Å"Face to face contact and community engagement are often the most effective ways to reduce stigma and discrimination† (Alexander, L.A Link B.G, 2003). Famous and everyday people with mental illness spoke to media and employers about their experience made the campaign human and personal. Focus on the positive: emphasising abilities, supporting development of the TWO’s capacity to contribute Modelling social inclusion Education about human rights The new National â€Å"Like minds, like mine† plan for 2014-2019 states that â€Å"the Ministry of Health will continue national efforts to reduce stigma†¦ providing direction for the continuation of the journey towards social inclusion for people with mental illness in New Zealand† (Ministry of Health, 2014). It identified that to this day disrespectful attitudes (stigma) and unfair treatment (discrimination) are among the biggest barriers to social inclusion for tangata whai ora. The role of the programme is to ensure that public demonstrate socially inclusive attitudes and behaviours towards TWO and in so doing, increasing their opportunity to fully participate in community life. Health promotion Mental health promotion refers to the actions taken to strengthen mental health and is a powerful resource with significant potential. Research is showing that its initiatives can have concrete, positive outcomes for the entire population. Building on strength: A guide for action is a practical mental health promotion document designed for the service providers, communities and government bodies of the country that focuses on wellness, healthy populations and the community taking control. Building on strength promotion is consistent with a vision for recovery and participation. Its aims are to: build (inclusive and supportive) healthy communities; work across sectors (i.e. social services, education, housing, employment, ext.) to address the broader determinants of wellbeing; improving skills of the workforce; leadership through policy; to encourage research, innovation and development that can affect mental health and wellbeing of different population groups. One of the principles of the New Zealand health strategy is to promote active involvement of tangata whai ora and communities at all strata of policy development. â€Å"People who have experience of mental illness have vital contribution to make to our understanding of illness prevention and as advocates for mental health promotion† (Ministry of Health, 2001). A central theme for tangata whai ora is their experience of the stigma and discrimination, and the denial of their rights of citizenship. Hence ‘Building on Strength’ supports participation of tangata whai ora in the development and delivery of programmes and continue to work to eliminate stigma and discrimination. The examples of mental health promotion given in the Building on strength guide include Te Pae Mahutonga: a model for Mà ¤ori health promotion, and the Fonofale Model. Both holistic models highlight views of their respective communities on wellness and relational harmony of different elements. Te Pae Mà ¤hutonga is, the Maori name for the Southern Cross constellation of stars, â€Å"used as a symbolic map for bringing together the significant components of health promotion, as they apply to Maori health†¦ Te Pae Mà ¤hutonga model suggests that health promotion is about creating a climate within which human potential can be realised† (Durie, 1999). The four central stars reflect the four key goals of health promotion: Mauriora (security of cultural identity), Waiora (environmental protection and connectedness), Toiora (a shift from harmful to healthy lifestyles), Te Oranga (increasing the extent of participation in society). The two pointers – prerequisites for the effective health promotion are Nga Manukura (leadership) and Te Mana Whakahaere (the level of autonomy and self-determination). Service development and educational measures Service development measures are intended to improve education and training for people coming into the mental health professional services. Support workers who are showing respect and kindness towards tangata whai ora, have the right skills, values and attitudes make an enormous impact on their recovery process. The Ministry of Health developed the programme with the focus on putting the TWO’s needs and lives first. Let’s get real: Real Skills for people working in mental health and addiction builds workforce’s resources and knowledge to provide qualitative and effective service delivery. The framework has seven Real Skills which are underpinned by the essential values and attitudes across the sector to achieve Te Tahuhu outcomes. One of them is challenging stigma and discrimination. â€Å"Every person working in a mental health and addiction treatment service uses strategies to challenge stigma and discrimination, and provides and promotes a valued place for service users† (Ministry of Health, 2008). The latest include understanding, recognising, minimising and challenging of the impact of stigma and discrimination on TWO; using non-judgemental language; promoting and facilitating inclusion; modelling non-discriminatory behaviour; and using non-discriminatory practices.

Abstract: :: essays papers

Abstract: Currently, violence is commonly thought of as serious physical harm done unto another individual. Recently that definition has been rethought to now include milder forms of aggression. This is redefinition is key as instructors begin taking a fresh look at the problem of school violence, especially when it involves very young children. Aggressive children were once thought of as just going through a phase and eventually out-growing the aggressive behavior. But recent research has discovered that aggression in early childhood leads to much more severe behavior in later life. Because of these new findings, the purpose of this research paper is to discover the impact of early childhood violence prevention programs and if they would be successful in combating the issue of school violence. School violence is a rising epidemic occurring every day, in varying degrees, at schools across the country. School shootings that are being broadcasted in the media are the most extreme and rare forms that seems to attract the most public attention to the problem, while bullying and other "smaller" forms of violent acts that are happening more frequently don't gain the same type of media attention as the occasional shootings do. Parents across the nation are thinking, â€Å"not my child, not my neighborhood.† They do not believe that it could happen in their own backyard or in an expensive private school, but it does. Middle and high school students are finally beginning to receive information from school and community prevention programs that are designed to help them to identify and deal with violence in their schools. But there is an alarming new trend of school violence that is occurring with even younger children in elementary schools which is having a tremendous imp act on their behavior as adolescents and adults. Young children are becoming more and more aggressive towards their peers, which is directly escalating the problem of school violence and aggression in middle and high schools. Because of this, school violence prevention programs need to be implemented in early childhood educational settings in order to bring an end to the rising rates of bullying and school violence among kindergarten and elementary school-aged children and to prevent school violence later in life. Today, the term â€Å"violence† in American society is generally reserved for only acts of severe physical harm towards another person. Because of this commonly thought, narrow definition, many educators and parents only see the school violence problem as intentional interpersonal violence between middle or high school students or from a student towards a teacher.

Analysis Of Nathaniel Hawthorn :: essays research papers fc

Ld be at my very elbow" symbolizes that the forest is a mysterious and frightful place (244). With the words, "staff, which bore the likeness of a great black snake" (244) and "The moment his fingers touched them, they became strangely withered and dried up as with a week’s sunshine" symbolizes the devil (246). Another important literary element that Hawthorne uses is characterization. He also uses symbolism to represent his characters. For instance, Faith is the wife of Young Goodman Brown and is represented as a beautiful, faithful, and pleasant person. When Hawthorne writes, "the wind play with the pink ribbons of her cap", symbolizes Faith to be a beautiful and pleasant person (244). Also Hawthorne writes, "as the wife was aptly named, and she’s a blessed angel on earth" symbolizes that Faith is faithful and honest (243). In contrast to Faith is the mysterious travellar. He represents the devil in the forest which represents hell. Hawthorne writes, "his staff, which bore the likeness of a great black snake" (244) and "The moment his fingers touched them, they became strangely withered and dried up, as with a week’s sunshine" (246) symbolizes the hellish powers of the devil. Young Goodman Brown plays the middle man within the story. He is married to a beautiful wife and is urged to become bad in the hellish forest. He also finds that his religion teacher, Goody Cloyse, and the church minister, Deacon Gookin, was in this forest. Young Goodman Brown faces an internal conflict with good and evil. Hawthorne writes, "With Heaven above, and Faith below, I will yet stand firm against the devil" lets you know that Young Goodman Brown is strongly against evil (247). Also within the story Hawthorne writes, "My Faith is gone, there is no good on earth, and sin is but a name. Come, devil for to there is this world given" which shows that Young Goodman Brown has come to realize that he can no longer trust anyone (248). In this allegory, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses dual settings, along with mood, conflict and characterization to create his theme. That mankind possesses both good and evil within each individual. This is represented by the internal conflict by Young Goodman Brown to be a good individual, but realizing that everyone possess bad.

Persuasive speech Essay

`Americans should be considered equal and allowed the opportunity to marry a person of the same sex if they desire`.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For years, marriage has been defined as the union of a man and woman. In fact, in the United States, the Defense of Marriage Act has been passed by the Congress. This has prohibited and denied same-sex marriages. According to democracynow.org, this issue on same-sex marriages has continued to bring out divided and different opinions from people, though some states have stepped towards allowing legal rights to gay marriages. According to law.richmond.edu, same sex marriage has become a major constitutional issue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In all these debates, my stand is that we should allow this kind of marriage. I believe that every person, whatever his or her gender is, should be treated with equality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mary Bonauto, the Civil Rights Project Director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, said that civil rights movements make an effort â€Å"to create a world without privileged places from which individuals or groups of people are excluded solely because of personal characteristics.† They have struggled for women, African Americans and now lesbians and gays in America. Are we to overlook and disregard those struggles? If they have fought for equality for women and for African Americans and we have learned to accept it, why can we not give way to equality in terms of marriage? Gays and lesbian couples want to get married simply because they love each other deeply. Bonauto said that these people view marriage as the ultimate means of expressing their love for each other, just like other people do. Many of these couples would want to marry if only they were allowed to do so, according to bc.edu.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to law-library.rutgers.edu, Mary Becker, Professor of Law at DePaul University College of Law found the real good in marriage, it being â€Å"an intimate human connection that transcends gender and procreation†. Professor Becker suggests that the government should support a model that advances â€Å"human happiness and well-being† in its regulation of marriage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There had been a lot of arguments on this, though. I quote from a press release from white house.gov, â€Å"America is a free society, which limits the role of government in the lives of our citizens. This commitment of freedom, however, does not require the redefinition of one of our most basic social institutions. Our government should respect every person, and protect the institution of marriage. There is no contradiction between these responsibilities. We should also conduct this difficult debate in a manner worthy of our country, without bitterness or anger.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Also, the site cwfa.org cites things that gay marriages can result to, such as weakening of the family and the encouragement of people to remain homosexual.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Well, what I have to say is I think that every person has a choice to become what he wants to be. He can choose what to make of that right. What steps can we do to solve this issue? For starters, if we are to respect every person in the real sense, we are not to let discrimination hurt anyone. And I know that each of us can handle this debate without bitterness. I hope we could all open our eyes and see beyond ourselves, to see where other people come from and what they believe in and to respect what they uphold. If we say that we are a free society then let’s show it. Let us give gay couples the freedom to marry if they want to.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At some point in our lives, we may have experienced discrimination in various ways. And we know that doesn’t feel good. You see, we all have rights. And we need to treat all people, including gays and lesbians equally and with respect, just like how we want to be treated. Same-sex marriage is not a bad thing. Gay marriages just prove that marriage, love and commitment pass beyond gender. Think of this. What if you were in their shoes, not having the chance to marry the person you love because of gender biases? How would you feel? Live and let live. Sources: Becker, M., â€Å"Family Law in the Secular State and Restrictions on Same-Sex Marriage: Two Are Better Than One,† University of Illinois Law Review, 2001:1-56, Retrieved November 21, 2006 from http://law-library.rutgers.edu/SSM.html#pro Bonauto, M. L., â€Å"Civil Marriage as a Locus of Civil Rights Struggles,† Human Rights, 30(3):3-7 ( 2003) (American Bar Association, Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities) Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.abanet.org/ Henkle,G. (2004). Same Sex Marriage In The News. Retrieved November 21,2006, from http://law.richmond.edu/ Knight, R. (2003). ‘Gay Marriage’ Is Not Only Wrong; It’s Socially Destructive. Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.cwfa.org/ Wriggins,J. MARRIAGE LAW AND FAMILY LAW: AUTONOMY, INTERDEPENDENCE, AND COUPLES OF THE SAME GENDER, Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.bc.edu/ Gay Marriage in Native America (2005). Retrieved November 21,2006, from http://www.democracynow.org/ President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage (2004). Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Cultivation Analysis: an Overview

Cultivation Analysis: On Overview The complete scope of the effects that new media mediums, in particular television, have had on culture and individuals in society are hard to identify. However, it would be hard to argue that television has had no impact on society and how individuals form their values, beliefs, cultural identity and social norms. Cultivation Analysis is a leading theory that explains how television has shaped individual’s and society’s perspective on reality, truths and the world in general.The theory was developed over a number of years by George Gerbner and his colleague Larry Goss at the University of Pennsylvania while they were researching the cultivated impacts that television has on viewers. Gerbner and Goss found that the more time individuals â€Å"live† in a televised world the more they perceive the world television portrays as reality. Gerbner states in his more recent research that television is to the modern world what religion wa s to earlier generations (Gerbner & Goss, 1976).The theory of Cultivation Analysis traces back to the Cultural Indicators Project in 1967 and 1968. The study was for the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. The study was sponsored by the U. S. Surgeon General’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Television and Social Behavior, the National Institute of Mental Health, The White House Office of Telecommunications Policy, the American Medical Association, the U. S. Administration on Aging, and the National Science Foundation. Gerbner was the lead theorist of the study.Gerbner and his team investigated the extent to which television contributed to viewers’ ideas and perspectives on gender, minority and age-role stereotypes, health, science, the family, education, politics, religion and several other topics. The Cultural Indicators Project involved a three-pronged research strategy. The first prong, called institutional process analysis, was designed to investigate how policies directing the massive flow of media were developed. The second prong is an on-going research project that has recorded weeklong samples of U. S. etwork television dramas. A content analysis of the samples is done in order to classify trends and themes in the world that television presents to its viewers. The third prong deals with examining the responses to questions about social reality among individuals with varying amounts of television exposure. The three prongs used in the Cultural Indicators Project were used to help Gerbner and Goss do research for the development of Cultivation Analysis (Gerbner, 1998). Providing explanation for the terminology used in Cultivation Analysis is crucial to understand the theory.Gerbner uses the concept of â€Å"cultivation† to refer to the independent contribution that television has on its viewers as they make sense of social reality. The term â€Å"cultivation differential† refers to the marginal diff erence between heavy and light television viewers and their conception of social reality. The term cultivation cannot simply be substituted for â€Å"effects. † Cultivation also does not imply a one-way process. The cultivation process explains that there is an interaction between the medium, television, and its publics, television viewers.Television does not simply just create or reflect certain images, opinions or beliefs but rather is an integral aspect of a dynamic process. Institutions that control the creation and distribution of the mass-produced messages on television use the institution’s needs and objectives to shape the views, values and ideas expressed. Gerbner refers to cultivation as a gravitational process. The process depends on where groups of viewers are, viewers style of life and the strength of their personal beliefs, values and view of social reality (Gerbner & Goss, 1976).Cultivation Analysis begins with a message system analysis that identifies t he most recurring, stable and overarching patterns in television content. They are the messages in television that are presented as a system rather than as a specific message in a particular program. Using standard techniques of survey methodology, questions are then posed to sample groups of adults, teens and/or children. Multiple indicators determine the amount of time spent watching television. The difference between heavy and light viewing is made on a case-by-case basis.Cultivation is also dependent on how much television’s messages dominate viewers’ sources of information. The process of mainstreaming stands out as both an indicator of differential vulnerability and as a general pattern that represents the consequences of living with television (Gerbner, 1998). In 1976, George Gerbner and Larry Goss discuss the findings of Cultivation Analysis, which helped with the development of the theory. Gerbner and Goss found differences between symbolic reality and indepen dently observable reality. For example, they found that television underrepresents elderly people (when at the time the lderly population was the fastest growing). They found that the facts of the television world are learned quite well, regardless of whether the viewer believes what they see on television and claim to be able to distinguish between factual and fictional presentations. In this essay, they develop the term â€Å"mean world syndrome. † The term means that heavy viewers of television believe the world to be much more violent and dangerous than in reality. This is a good example of what the theory of cultivation analysis represents. If people are exposed to high amounts of television, it causes them to have a false sense of reality.In television, half of all majors characters encounter a violent action each week, when in reality the FBI reported that only one percent of people in the United States are victims of criminal violence (Gerbner & Goss, 1976). Cultivati on Analysis is a complex and dynamic process. The theory can be defined as the assumption that television cultivates facts, norms and values of society that are in reality, untrue. Cultivation Analysis focuses on the consequences of long-term exposure to the messages, stories and images presented in television.Cultivation Analysis should not be seen as a substitute, but as a complement to traditional approaches to media effects. It concentrates on the powerful and lasting effects of growing up in an era of television. The theory is still being challenged, confirmed, added to and expanded on by many theorist and scholars in the fields of communication and psychology (Gerbner, 1998). References: Gerbner, G. (1998). Cultivation analysis: An overview. Mass Communications & Society, 3(4), 175-194. Gerbner, G. , & Goss, L. (1976). Living with television: The violence profile. Journal of Communications, 26(2), 172-194.