Counselor ethical boundaries and practices assignment

Boundaries and dual relationships As a professional counselor, one should consider the following criteria as part of an ethical decision making model. First, the counselor should identify all the ethical concerns involved in the issue. Second, one should consider one’s values and skills with regard to the problem. Step three should involve knowing the code of ethics that pertains to the issue.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Counselor ethical boundaries and practices assignment specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Afterwards, the therapist should identify some of the probable entrapments that would result from one’s decisions. Thereafter, one should think about some possible responses. Sixth, the counselor should think about the consequences of his or her actions. Seventh, one should come up with a resolution. Eighth, one should consult with other therapists. The ninth step should involve taking ac tion. Lastly, one should analyze the outcome of one’s decision (Hugman, 2003). A situation, which would solicit application of this ethical-decision-making model would be a counselor, who must work in a different country like Botswana. The local counselors request some of the recipients of the disaster relief program to participate in a televised recording of the program, but one of the clients claims that she does not want to participate. When applying the ethical decision making model, one would realize that the main ethical concern is involving a post traumatic victim in a program that she is not comfortable with; this fact exists irrespective of the positive outcome of the televised recording. As a second step, one must examine one’s values. If a counselor had a client who seemed so distraught, and he/she was going through something that the therapist went through, one should consider sharing the experience with the client. However, the need to remain professional and to limit personal issues in counseling would stop the counselor. One should ponder about one’s ethical values and beliefs; these might reveal that meeting clients’ needs are a priority for the counselor. Although the atmosphere may make one appear vulnerable, the therapist might still be okay with that if he or she can avoid emotional connections.Advertising Looking for coursework on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As long as something advances the therapeutic session, then counselors should embrace it. However, this should only be done if one thinks the patient does not have dependency issues (Berstoff, 1996). The fourth criterion entails considering some of the traps involved in a session. As a counselor, when one of the patients asks whether he/she can send the therapist a text message, one should consider the possible traps of this. The patient may continue to text the therapist even during odd ho urs or he/ she may do it excessively; one would, therefore, be trapped. A counselor may be prompted to respond to those texts, at first, but this may not be sustainable because of time constraints. These traps would cause the therapist to consider accepting one’s client’s request to SMS seriously. Counselors must ponder over the frequency and level of connection that they initiate with clients as these might be unsustainable. Another scenario, which would require the ethical decision model is getting an invitation from a client to attend a support group for sexual abuse victims. Criteria six talks about thinking of one’s consequences. Participating in such a group could create power differentials that would undermine the therapeutic process. Additionally, since this is a non office appointment, it could arouse the attention of the clinic’s board (Houser et al., 2006). Some patients may misread one’s involvement and may make allegations of misconduc t. No one would protect the counselor as he or she would be acting in a personal capacity. On the other hand, the patients may have no other professional to consult. If one chooses not to charge them, the clients may find the only affordable solution to their problem through that counselor. They may be denied any chance of recovery if one refuses to attend their session. These are all consequences that one must consider. Ethical issues change depending on whether one is a current client or a former one. It would be totally unethical to enter into a social or business relationship with a current client (ACA, 2005). In other words, one should not think about doing business with a current client or becoming a friend to a client. However, in certain circumstances, the same may be permissible after termination of therapy.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Counselor ethical boundaries and practices assignment specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/pag e Learn More Nonetheless, the elapsed time and the client’s circumstances should predetermine this. As long as a therapist does not exploit the former client’s weaknesses and two or more years have elapsed after termination, then a business relationship can be considered. Once again, this should only take place if the concerned patient has fully recovered. New thinking The most significant development in one’s thinking occurs when one realizes that ethical issues are not curved in stone. One’s ethical values should not be driven by legal codes or stringent rules. While one must consult with lawyers and other legal practitioners concerning the rules that apply to a certain situation, it is necessary for the counselor to dwell on his or her values while going through therapy sessions. If these legal codes are the focus of one’s counseling sessions, then the counselor will only protect himself/ herself; he or she will not be helping the client (Corey Herlihy, 1992). Therefore, this course teaches the importance of developing one’s own principles. The fluidity of ethical situations comes clearly after one realizes that boundary crossings can sometimes help, not hinder a patient’s recover. For instance, one may take a patient with a fear of the dark to a dark room in an effort to help him confront his fear. Alternatively, one may promise to accompany a patient to a necessary medical examination that scared him. In isolation, these acts are boundary crossings, but when integrated into a holistic treatment plan, they can lead to successful results. In summary, this course teaches that crossing a boundary does not necessarily have to lead to unethical behavior. The course also teaches that some people are paranoid about minor boundary matters. Disclosing personal information about oneself, as a therapist, does not mean that the relationship will automatically degenerate into an intimate, social relations hip or a sexual one. These extreme situations can only arise if the therapist allows them to happen. Perhaps one of the most notable things, one can carry away from these classes is that a patient’s needs should come first. A client’s characteristics will ultimately determine what path or course of action to take. Some patients can handle unconventional treatment conditions such as disclosure of the therapist’s experiences or out-of-office contact as part of treatment (Daniels, 2001).Advertising Looking for coursework on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, others would be considerably thrown off-guard; these include patients with borderline personality disorders. Such individuals may require a highly structured atmosphere. In this course, students can deduce that there is no one-size-fits-all scenario. One’s decisions must be based on one’s assessment of the patient’s conditions, characteristics and capabilities. Choosing the right treatment alternatives and actions should thus entail a thorough, analytical process. The ethical decision making model would be quite helpful in this regard. Unless a counselor constantly updates and evaluate his or her attitudes, beliefs, and treatment approaches, then he or she will always be in danger of being on the wrong side of the ethical gauge. This may undermine professionalism, clients’ recovery and ultimately the occupation’s reputation. References American Counseling Association (2005). Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. Berstoff, D. (1996). The virtue of principle ethics. The counseling psychologist, 24, 86-9. Corey, G. Herlihy, B. (1992). Dual relationships in counseling. Alexandria, VA: Author. Daniels, J. (2001). Managed care, ethics and counseling. Journal of Counseling Development, 79(1), 119-122. Houser, R., Ham, M., Wilczenski, F. (2006). Culturally relevant ethical decision making in counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage publications. Hugman, R. (2003). Professional ethics on social work: living with the legacy. Australian social work, 56(1), 5-15. This coursework on Counselor ethical boundaries and practices assignment was written and submitted by user Hayley T. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin †English Essay

The Awakening by Kate Chopin – English Essay Free Online Research Papers The Awakening by Kate Chopin English Essay The Awakening identifies those things that were viewed important within society at the turn of the century; responsibility and duty. The culture portrayed visibly reflects a similar emphasis on proper lifestyle. The main character finds her wanting to stray from her responsibilities of marriage and unspoken rules society, embrace her intense desire for personal fulfillment. Ednas choice to escape shows two elements: rebellion to the suppression of her adventurous spirit and the lack of fulfillment in her personal relationship. She invests so much time into social requirements that she loses any happiness that she could hope to achieve. After being reasonable for the twenty-eight years of her life, Edna breaks down. She wants to pursue love and disregard her duty to her husband and children. She falls in what she considers girlish love with the character Robert. Ednas life has been riddled with reason and duty, essentially giving of herself to the people around her. This devotion to responsibility causes her to break away from her common behavioral pattern and moves her to focus on finding her inner happiness. Edna was not engaged in the pursuit of her finest abilities. She lived her life for oth ers, not for herself. In the initial text it states that Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-women, further along in the novel. For the duration of her marriage she stayed in her place as a child-bearing wife, doing little but existing for the pleasures of her husband as a prized token more than a companion. Being subdued by society, the character Edna Pontellier, has no other choice than to rebel and find happiness by redefining her position in life. I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldnt give myself. Her unwillingness to sacrifice herself for her children and her husband demonstrates that she does not want to give herself away in order to make others happy. Edna can give her children superficial items, yet because of her new found awakening she can no longer truly serve to provide for their happiness. The only point that she makes clear in that statement is that she would give her life for her children, showing that she loves them but cannot define herself based on creating their happiness. Her awakening evolves into a selfish agenda, concerned only with her own happiness and disregarding all others. She loves her children, though she cannot give them the same type of nurturing, and care as the other women around her. She simply will not allow her inner self to be crushed by the bounds of mother hood. By nature she craves freedom and happiness, and as a mother she can neither provide that to her children or herself. Edna says the following to Robert: I love you . . . only you; no one but you. It was you who awoke me last summer out of a life-long, stupid dream . . . Oh! I have suffered! Now you are here we shall love each other. Nothing else in the world is of any consequence. In this Edna is craving the adventure, love, and freedom that has been void from her life since her birth. Her dream, as she notes, has truly been her nightmare, a prison containing her very life. This statement marks on e of her greatest transitions, from a woman in a relationship of comfort to one trying to build a relationship on love. Now that love consumes her nothing else matters to her, she exists to find happiness, even if it means awakening from her dreams of responsibility and duty to do it. Gradually, Edna finds herself by a series of awakenings throughout the story. These events give her justification for actions that most readers would perceive as selfish and avoiding responsibility. She has an inherent inability to deal with her emotions and lacks the responsibility to maintain her freedom. Mrs. Pontellier no doubt loves her children, yet she seems to lack any motherly characteristics of the Creole women around her. After her first liberation in the water, she begins to distance herself from both her husband and children. She is willing to give up her children in order to avoid being crushed by the bonds of motherhood. Edna craves freedom from her family in order to find happiness. To facilitate this, she allows her children to be sent to their grandmothers home, where they stay for the remainder of the book. Edna then purchases a house that is noticeably small which displays another indication of her avoidance of responsibility. The house provides little room for th e children to reside, if she had allowed them to return. This act presents a clear example to the reader of Ednas avoidance of her responsibilities. Her selfish lust for freedom and happiness separated her from her children. One of the main themes of Ednas awakening came from her relationships with various men. Her most scandalous relationship took place with Alcee Arobin, a notorious ladies man in the Creole society at her time. She selfishly uses him as a form of rebellion against all that she believes held her back in the past. She no longer cares for her husband and her affair demonstrates this. Ironically when she pondered the act with some regret, it was not directed towards her husband, but to her betrayal of her fantasy love Robert. Edna makes her greatest transitions when she falls in love with Robert. She transforms from a woman in a relationship of comfort to one attempting to build a relationship based on love. Amazingly she even betrays her fantasy love Robert by reject ing him after he returns from Mexico for her. Edna goes from one man to another at her whim, taking what she needs from them. She uses her husband for security, Robert for a feeling of being adored, and Alcee for pure lust. In reality she probably cares very little for these men, but rather what they could provide for her. Her relationships after each awakening prove her to be weak and shallow. Her major decisions result in her disassociation from her children and her manipulation of various lovers. Her venture to the horse track gives the reader a prime example of Ednas disregard for others. She needs to gamble at the horse track to rebel against the values of her family and her society. To further rebel against her husband and her father she refuses to go to her sisters wedding, disregarding her own sisters feelings. This action demonstrates a blatant disregard for the feelings of others. Mrs. Pontelliers final act of irrational selfishness relates directly to her own demise. Alth ough she embraces her new found freedoms, she commits suicide by swimming out into the water she attempts to escape responsibility. She can not face life and her freedom so she responds with her typical behavior and runs away in fear. Many scholars have dealt with the question of whether to live a life of servitude or to pursue ones greater happiness. During this period, society of the nineteenth-century gave a heightened meaning to what it means to be a woman. According to the commonly known code of true womanhood, women were supposed to be docile, domestic creatures, whose main concerns in life were to be the raising of their children and submissiveness to their husbands. Women were uneducated, not allowed to hold office or to vote. Some that were outspoken, those women with active sexual desires, who dares to stray from her husband and have an affair. These individuals were ostracized within societies relm, thought of as protagonist to create upheavals within the natural order of life. Research Papers on "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin - English EssayHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionEffects of Television Violence on Children19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesWhere Wild and West MeetThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationThe Spring and AutumnRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoHip-Hop is Art

Compare and Contrast the benefits of shopping online rather than Essay

Compare and Contrast the benefits of shopping online rather than shopping in a store - Essay Example Therefore, the storage cost of products are eliminated which will help the online stores in providing better deals to the customers. Better Choice: Compared to a retail store there are ample choices available online. A retail store has limitation of space for storage of products. But there is no such limitation in the case of online store. Therefore, various products will be listed in the online store among which the customers can choose the best of their choice. Product Comparison: This is one feature of an online store that cannot be provided by an actual retail store. Customized product comparisons are available to a customer through online stores. Products can be compared based on price, features, quality and many other product attributes. Product Feedback: On many online stores, the user feedbacks and ratings for a product will be available. A feedback and rating given by a customer is very much helpful for the next customer in the online store. This feature is unavailable in a retail outlet. More time for Shopping: In the case of online shopping, customers can spend more time for shopping compared to that of shopping in a retail outlet. Shopping online is least tiresome. Therefore, there are enough and more time for the customers to make the best product

Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 32

Essay Example it as well; there are times when it helps man and other times when it becomes man’s enemy because it replaces the personal input he would have in his work otherwise. Man becomes divorced from his own work, while some even lose their livelihood to these machines as well. John Paul II further went onto state that it turns man into nothing but a slave. The late pope called for more harmony between workers in this section. It was the pope’s point of view that capitalism and labor were at odds with each other and this conflict was born from the industrial developments that took place in the western world. This conflict illustrated itself in the values found in liberalism and Marxism. He places more emphasis on the importance of labor than capital. He sees labor as essential to driving work, where as capital is only a mere tool. He also talks about property and the church’s stand on the principle of right. Here, the church disagrees not just with Marxist ideas that promote collectivism, but also the liberalistic ideas of capitalism. Human rights that come within the circumference of one’s work are the very basic rights that are allotted to a person. The Pope outlined unemployment as a great social problem, which didn’t just break down the social fabric through economics, but also perpetuated weak morality. He wrote against one-sided centralization by the authorities that left many out of jobs. He referred to agricultural work and how it had its own dignified way. Work has to be organized in a way that suits a person and their life. Demographics need to be taken into account such as a person’s age and gender etc. Women, according to John Paul II, should be allotted jobs that fit them without prejudice; but they must avail jobs without creating problems for their families. He also emphasized on the importance of perks and benefits, along with time off from work so that workers do not burn out. Unions are of the utmost importance because they can ensure that

Foundations in Evidence based Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Foundations in Evidence based Practice - Essay Example Clinical expertise and patient preference are the overriding components of this model with clinical expertise coming to the forefront, when patients are too frail to provide adequate patient preferences Nursing professionals are taught the means of collecting clinical evidence through the evaluation of information from clinical research. However not always is pertinent and adequate information available on a timely basis. In addition clinical evidence may be at odds to patient preference and the clinical experience for the given clinical problem. Thus mere adherence to clinical evidence does not contribute to evidence based practice. (Steinberg & Luce, 2005). Patients are individuals with their individualistic desires in the treatment and management of their clinical problems. Quality of life and quantity of life are two perspectives in clinical problems. Clinical evidence may focus on one of these aspects, while patient preference may be for the other. Clinical evidence cannot be imposed through a paternalistic attitude ignoring the dignity and autonomy of the patient. Clinical experience provides the means in such situations to respect the preferences of the patient. It is this blending of clinical evidence with clinical experience and judgment that provides the means to respect patient autonomy and deliver evidence based practice. (Cody, 2003). Support and information, attentiveness and respect for the individual contribute to patient autonomy (Proot, Crebolder, Abu-Saad, Macor & ter Muelen, 2000). Care in the critical care units involves high costs due to the involvement of expensive life supporting devices like the mechanical ventilator. Clinical evidence suggests that three to six percent of patients in critical care units would require extended use of the mechanical ventilator and the prognosis is such cases is a high rate of mortality and poor quality of life in the rest. Thus clinical

The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs History Essay

The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs History Essay The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the principal agency through which the state conducts its relations with the outside world. In many countries, this important position is held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is considered as one of the most senior members of government, because to conduct the foreign policy of a state is, in effect, to have a determining voice in the development of the state. Diplomacy is the means by which the foreign policy of a state is delivered and for this reason the diplomat has to work hand in hand with the foreign minister towards the implementation of national policy. Alternatively, foreign policy is an ancillary to domestic policy and serves its need. The organisation of the diplomacy of a state is divided into two major parts. As a Government Department it operates through a Head Office in the capital city in charge of the basic responsibility of the conduct of foreign affairs. It is linked to a network of Missions in cities abroad and together, the Ministry and the Missions overseas are responsible for the promotion of the countrys interests abroad. Maltese diplomatic history began on the attainment of independence from the British on 21st September 1964. Prior to this date it cannot be said that Malta had a foreign policy of its own. As in almost all other areas of government, policies originated and were exercised by the colonial power and hence, the elected Maltese Government had absolutely no say, much less conceived or controlled the relations of the Island with other countries. However, this situation was not unknown to the Maltese people as such was the prevailing situation even between 1530 and 1798, since the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St John considered Malta as its Principality after obtaining the islands as a fief from Emperor Charles V. The Order maintained a structure of Ambassadors who were resident in the capital cities of various European states including the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Kingdom of Bavaria, France, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Holy See whilst a number of European States also had their Ambassadors in Malta. These gentlemen, were in effect the equivalent of the modern Charges d Affaires and were generally called Ministers.  [1]  The administration of the Islands being completely in the hands of the Order, the Grandmaster of the day had the privilege of bestowing certain offices to the Maltese which were however rarely of an executive nature.  [2]   During the transition period between 1798 to 1800 from the departure of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St Johns from to the end of the French occupation and the arrival of the British in Malta, there was no significant change in the participation or control of the Maltese on Maltas internal or far less foreign policy. During the British rule that extended from 1802 to 1964, the Maltese Public Service was no more than vehicle(s) by which British policy in Malta could be successfully implemented  [3]  and there were only three fields in which the Maltese government could have relations with other foreign countries: immigration, financial aid and commerce and Maltese external relations were handled exclusively by the British Governor acting on the instructions of the Colonial Office in London. As a consequence there could not be any Maltese ambassadors or consuls accredited to foreign countries. However, even before internal self-government became effective, in 1929 the British Government had agreed to the establishment of a representative Maltese Office in Australia and later in London, under the direction of a Commissioner rather than High Commissioner, on the understanding that neither post would be considered a diplomatic office. The Maltese Civil Service had over the 160 years of British Colonial rule acquired experience on the administration of domestic affairs of the island namely finance, public works, health and education  [4]  . In the period between 1958 until 1964 the higher civil service prepared the economic and administrative foundations upon which Maltese sovereignty was based.  [5]  On the 21 September 1964, for the first time in their history, the Maltese people gained the possibility of formulating and conducting their own foreign policy. Thus Maltese diplomatic history started in 1964 when Malta, as a sovereign state, became a member of the United Nations. Chapter One The Nationalist Party strove to implement a foreign policy based on three pillars as outlined in their 1962 Electoral Program and namely Maltas place within the Western bloc with a particular emphasis on the Mediterranean and the Commonwealth, the offer of services to the causes of the United Nations and that opportunities offered by the Common Market would be exploited.  [6]   On 29th September, 1964 Malta applied for membership of the United Nations and by Resolution 196 (1964) become the 114th Member State in the United Nations on 1st December 1964  [7]  in the Western European and Others Group. The first statement of Malta to the General Assembly, made by Prime Minister Dr George Borg Olivier concentrated on presenting its (Maltas) role as a bridge between Africa and Europe and analysed the implications of this matter for Malta, establishing Maltas unique role in the Mediterranean  [8]  . In this regards, it can be stated that from this very first contribution, the Maltese Government took and continued to take an active role in the proceedings of the United Nations, both in the General Assembly  [9]  and especially so when elected to the Security Council in 1983 1984. Notwithstanding Maltas status as a micro-state, its perseverance in the international fora was not to be underestimated as can be seen by the number of stands taken at the United Nations  [10]  with regards to disarmament, aid towards developing countries and peaceful settlement of disputes. But perhaps the most important issue put forward by Malta was its proposal to the United Nations on 17th August 1967, concerning the concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind to the international seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof, which eventually resulted in the International Law of the Sea.  [11]   The main objectives of the Maltese government initially were security, economic independence and political stability. For this reason even before the achievement of Independence, the Maltese government felt the need to create a distinct unit that would be responsible solely for Maltas Commonwealth and other international relations. This was not an easy task due to no infrastructure and the lack of trained personnel within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  [12]  , more so in dealings in the diplomatic field. Bilateral relations were established immediately on Independence with Australia, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and various countries sought to have their embassies accredited on the Island. Between 1964 and 1971 Malta forged diplomatic relations with countries across the globe  [13]  and its foreign policy firmly embedded it in the western hemisphere as a matter of course  [14]  . Chapter Two In June 1963, the Maltese Government issued an internal call for applications for the recruitment from within the Civil Service, of Officers willing and competent to participate in the representation of Malta abroad.  [15]  The aim was to create a small, compact, highly efficient corps of diplomats who could represent and promote effectively Maltas political and commercial interests abroad. A total of eighty Officers whose grade varied from Under-Secretary to Executive Officer applied. Immediately on Independence, the Nationalist Administration took the first steps towards the creation of a Foreign Service and hence the establishment of a new Ministry falling under the responsibility of the Prime Minister  [16]  with responsibility for Commonwealth and Foreign Relations was created. Fredrick Amato Gauci, who was a graduate civil servant having previously served as Director of Emigration, Labour and Social Service and who had also been decorated for his service as Major in the RMA during World War II  [17]  . He was appointed Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and entrusted with the task of putting into place the structure necessary for operations. In order to gain first-hand experience on the structure of a Foreign Ministry, Amato Gauci, was sent to London to study the operational system of the British Foreign Ministry. Mr Amato Gauci concentrated on building the structure of the new Ministry on two binaries and his top priority was the identification of the necessary human resources to put the newly created service in a position to implement the administrations policy. The organisation of the Head Office was divided into three sectors and consisted primarily of three distinct Divisions, namely the Political, Administration and Protocol and Missions abroad.  [18]  His second and equally important task was the identification of adequate premises located in a central and prestigious position which could accommodate visits by foreign dignitaries and also Maltese officers working in the Ministry. Adequate premises in a central position but in the proximity of the Office of the Prime Minister at Auberge d Aragon needed to be identified and the choice ultimately fell on St Georges Chancery, a prestigious location in Palace Square at the centre of Valletta. With much of the necessary groundwork accomplished, the formal establishment of the External Affairs Service of the Government of Malta was done through a call for applications for Envoy  [19]  . Amongst the qualities required were, experience in executive or administrative capacity in business or Government service, knowledge of languages and experience gained in travel and work abroad. The grade of Envoy was on the par of the Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs Secretary. A total of seventeen applications were received but the only candidate considered to possess all requisites was Mr Philip Pullicino MBE, who had made a successful career in the United Kingdom Overseas Civil Service. Ambassadors were appointed not merely for their political allegiance but in certain posts depending on their competence.  [20]   The call for the recruitment of the Officers in the Grades of Counsellor, First Secretary and Second Secretary was published in March 1965.  [21]  Individuals who satisfied any of the following basic requirements could answer the said call for applications: possession of a degree in law, science, arts, commerce, economics or accountancy; Officers of the executive or administrative grades with five years service; or Regular or ex-Regular officers of the Armed Forces of Malta. Age limits were set. All Candidates had to have attained their 26th birthday on application however candidates appointed to the grade of Counsellor could not be above fifty years of age, a First Secretary could not be above forty-five years of age whilst a Second Secretary could not be above thirty-five years of age. A fundamental requirement in the call for applications was that successful candidates would be required to sign an undertaking to serve abroad at any time and also that they would be required to undergo courses of training in Malta and abroad. A total of 53 applications were received however only 6 candidates were successful in the selection process with the appointment of two Counsellors, two appointments as First Secretary (the third candidate having declined the appointment) and no appointment as Second Secretary as the only successful candidate subsequently declined the offer of this post. The successful candidates were nominated to follow courses in diplomatic studies at prestigious educational institutions and specifically the Carnegie Endowment Institute in New York, Oxford University and the Universita degli Studi, Rome. Further training in the form of attachment to British Embassies was also envisaged.  [22]   When compared to Officers in the General Service, the grade of Counsellor was comparable to that of Assistant Secretary, ( £1,110-50-  £1,250)  [23]  , the grade of First Secretary to Administrative Officer ( £860-40- £1060) whilst a Second Secretary was comparable to a Higher Executive Officer ( £705-30- £810). The subsequent recruitment effected in 1966  [24]  was only for posts of First Secretary and Second Secretary and for the first time was open to female candidates, who would however receive three-fourths of salary rates in Malta  [25]  but would be entitled to receive the same allowances as their male counterparts whilst serving abroad. Applicants could not be over 50 years of age whilst the minimum age requirement was not amended and kept at 26 years, as in the first call of the previous year. The need to widen the areas of expertise of applicants was felt and applicants with executive, administrative or journalistic experience were also invited to apply. Whilst twenty seven applications were received, only one first Secretary and four Second Secretaries, including the first female diplomat in the Maltese External Service were appointed  [26]  . Further recruitment exercises which were carried out in 1967  [27]  and 1968  [28]  for both First Secretaries and Seco nd Secretaries resulted in the appointment of only six Second Secretaries from a total of eighteen applicants, whilst in 1968 when the call for applications was restricted only to the recruitment in the grade of Second Secretary, three Second Secretaries were appointed from a total of twelve applicants. While all these organisational activities were going on at home, adequate premises in the various capitals were being selected to house the Chanceries and official Residences. In most instances the properties were leased; however official premises were eventually purchased in New York and Washington in 1968  [29]  and Brussels and Libya in 1969.  [30]   With the Maltese Diplomatic Corps still in its infancy, the diplomats posted overseas faced difficulties in conditions of employment. These difficulties regarded post classification allowances, rent or adequate lodging for officers below the rank of Ambassador and especially the provision of medical treatment abroad for the individual officers and the members of their families accompanying them on their posting overseas. The Pay and Allowance Regulations  [31]  , which became effective 1st October 1966, and which were supplementary to Estacode  [32]  and the Administrative Instructions  [33]  formed the basis for the calculation of allowances which Officers in the External Service were entitled to during their posting overseas. Amongst the conditions stipulated one could find the rates of various allowance depending on the grade and country of posting of the Officer in respect of Expatriation, Wife and Child, Entertainment, Domestic Service, Medical Insurance and Rent. Ho wever Medical expenses proved to be a bone of contention for many officers when faced with exorbitant medical cost not covered by the Medical Insurance. This situation was solved when Mr Amato Gaucis successor, Mr Joseph Rossignaud obtained approval from the Ministry of Finance for reimbursement of ninety per cent of medical and dental costs incurred by officers serving overseas.  [34]   During the headship of Mr Amato Gauci, the Ministry, for the first time compiled the Administrative Instructions.  [35]  The Instructions constituted a compendium of operating instructions to be consulted by Diplomatic Staff on a range of subjects ranging from diplomatic practise, administrative and financial procedure. These Instructions are still available today and remain actual as regards the diplomatic and consular practice. Over the years, various attempts were made to update these Instructions so that they could effectively help diplomatic officers to respond to the ever-increasing exigencies of modern diplomatic and consular functions. The administrative and financial procedures employed at the Ministry continue to be those established by the Public Service Management Code and the Financial Regulations, in force throughout the whole public administration as updated from time to time. In a matter of a few years the Ministry of Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs had established its identity as a leader in the implementation of policy and on the change in administration in the 1970s, notwithstanding its relatively small staff complement, was an active actor in the Maltese political arena. Chapter Three The Labour Party (MLP) won the general elections in June 1971 and immediately strove to execute the far reaching changes which had been advocated on while in opposition. Dom Mintoff as Prime Minister, who like his predecessor assumed the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry, had a new, wider vision of Maltas place in the world.  [36]  The main aspects of the Labour Governments foreign policy, even in its second and third terms, were influenced by Maltas domestic policy whereby the islands strategic position were exploited into attracting investment and trade activity, securing financial aid  [37]  and creating economic activity. Furthermore, the creation of a Mediterranean awareness in the spirit of cooperation for peace and progress leading to the withdrawal of foreign fleets  [38]  from the Mediterranean and the vision of a neutral Malta  [39]  was advocated. A further move by the Labour administration to break with the past was the proclamation of the Republic of Malta on 13 December 1974.  [40]   In the United Nations, Malta started to disassociate itself from the Western European ad Other Group and sought closer links with the Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement through membership in both groups. Mintoffs intransigency on the conviction for a demilitarized Mediterranean free from superpower influence  [41]  momentarily disrupted the 1975 Helsinki Conference on European Security and Cooperation. The Maltese Government had hoped to have four security guarantors, two from either bank of the Mediterranean, however the only Protocol for financial, economic and technical assistance was agreed to with Italy in 1980. This Protocol implicitly roped back Malta into the western hemisphere. Major changes were taking place in the Ministry, where a changing of the guard at the Headship had taken place with the appointment of Mr J. Rossignaud, a senior civil servant, to the post of Secretary. Due to the increase in personnel  [42]  , the need to identify appropriate premises became a priority. Palazzo Parisio which contains architectural style and rich features necessary to do credit to the Ministry of Foreign was chosen  [43]  and the move took place in October 1973. The Recruitment into the External Affairs Service was discontinued due to the lack of response  [44]  and in concurrence with the Governments policy to achieve greater flexibility in the Public Service by curtailing the variegation of grades. The Foreign Service Grades were subsequently absorbed into the General Service as of 1 February 1974.  [45]  Under this reorganisation, former Foreign Service officers were still liable to serve abroad according to the exigencies of the Service whilst General Service officers in the grades ranging from Clerk I to Head I, were required to undertake to serve the Ministry as and where required for a pre-determined period. As a consequence, a call for applications for Posting to Overseas Missions was issued on 17 August 1976, thereby completing the implementation of this re-organisation.  [46]  The recruitment of Diplomatic Officers at a later date supplemented the arrival of new blood in the Ministry. The prominence given to foreign policy-making by the Labour administration was further enhanced when, during the third legislation, the Prime Minister chose to appoint Dr Alex Sciberras Trigona as Foreign Minister.  [47]   The policies adopted between 1971 and 1987 were a radical recasting of the security cum economic arrangements that been moulded in Maltas colonial history.  [48]  Diplomacy, as a government activity then refers to not only a particular policy instrument but also the whole process of policymaking and implementation. Further Maltese representations were established in European capitals  [49]  in an effort to actuate the foreign policies of the day thereby obtaining valuable assistance for the actuation of domestic policies whilst also accentuating Maltas importance on the international scene. The extent of the islands diplomatic presence extended to the Gulf (Riyadh), Maghreb (Algiers), East Asia (Pyongyang), Middle East (Baghdad) and Eastern Europe (Moscow). During this same period, notwithstanding limited human and economic resources as recruitment into civil service had been temporarily interrupted, and also inadequate telecommunication infrastructure, the Foreign Ministry was instrumental in hosting a continuous stream of high-level foreign delegations with the conclusion of a substantial number of bilateral agreements resulting in beneficial assistance to Malta. No Secretary in place in 1987 Chapter Four The chief thrust of the foreign policy of the new Nationalist government on its return to power in May 1987 was a realignment with Europe  [50]  and the attainment of full membership of the then European Community.  [51]  The neutrality clause however, threatened to prove an obstacle in view of the Communitys objective of fuller integration even on a political level, as signalled in the Single European Act.  [52]  Nonetheless, when the Commission of the European Union issued its Opinion or Avis on Maltas application  [53]  and an Update Report in 1999  [54]  , it did suggest that a constitutional amendment might be necessary to clear the legal difficulties that neutrality might constitute, where Malta was to be admitted as a full member. The new administration also adopted a shift in voting patterns in the United Nations and detachment from NAM and the Group of 77. Dr Vincent (Censu) Tabone, assumed responsibility for the Foreign Ministry and endeavoured to undertake a complete re-organisation of the Ministry and its policies. The application for membership in the EU necessitated the establishment of the EU Directorate within the MFA  [55]  in 1990, which was entrusted with the task of reviewing the compatibility or otherwise of Maltese legislation with European law  [56]  and keeping government organisations informed of developments within the EU by offering advice and assistance. This necessitated the recruitment of professional officers (namely economists and lawyers) under the directorship of Dr Joe Borg.  [57]   Reform of the public service to transform the bureaucracy, improve governance and accountability was a priority for the Maltese Government and following the publication of the PSRC Report  [58]  , and specifically that Public Service responds efficiently to the changing needs for effective government  [59]   and the Operations Review of the structures and administrative facilities of government, major restructuring of the public service was initiated. The classification structure of the Public Service, which in 1990 had some 100 different salary scales, was replaced by a more simplified structure of just 20 scales and newly established professions and occupational groups gained status. A main objective of the Public Service Reform was the reorganisation of departments service-wide to avoid duplication of work and the Foreign Ministry, like all other governmental departments, underwent a major reform in its organisational set-up with the establishment of a Legal Affairs Sectio n, Protocol Section and the re-introduction of a Library  [60]  . The Passport Office which had since 1964 formed an integral part of the Foreign Ministry  [61]  was transferred to the MHASD in 1992. Further human resources were necessary in the light of the opening of strategically selected new missions in Beijing, Cairo, Tunis, Athens and Madrid.  [62]  But for foreign policy to be implemented efficiently and cost-effectively necessitated the re-establishing of an ad hoc diplomatic corps  [63]  , whereby the Ministry would have the service of a professional and specialised body of officials,  [64]  who will be required to fill all vacancies in overseas posts at the various grades from First Secretary to Ambassadorial level.  [65]  In 1992 approval was finally forthcoming from the PSC for recruitment of First Secretaries into the diplomatic service through public examination  

Essay --

Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydropower in the world, has claimed to be a project that gives â€Å"hope† to the people in China. Located on the Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world, the Three Gorges Dam is the symbol of China’s technology and economic progress. For years, the government has claimed that it could benefit people’s living quality by improving the navigation on Yangtze River, providing hydroelectric power, and improving flood control. But does it true? Do the people in China get any benefit from this project? This paper will discuss about the environmental impact, the social consequence, and the current status of Government’s plans toward the Three Gorges Dam. Flood control is the main reason for building the Three Gorges Dam. Since Han Dynasty (300BC), flood has been killed millions of lives, and destroyed millions of acres of farmland and homes every ten years. Billions of money has been spent on recovering the damage. The Three Gorges Dam is meant to be responsible for controlling the flood by changing the water height of the reservoir upstream from the dam according to season. It was planned to allow the water level to reach 185 meters above the sea level during the dry season, from November to April, and reduce to 135 meters during flooding months in order to attempt to contain flood waters. ("Biggest flood control,") Energy production is the second major reason for the construction of Three Gorges Dam. China’s demand of energy has been increasing rapidly that the Government have to find ways to fulfill the huge demand. The Three Gorges Dam becomes one of the solutions in meeting the needs. According to China Three Gorges Corporation, the dam contains twenty-six turbines, each generating 700MW, thus ... ...s very inefficient. Besides hydroelectricity, China has a lot of potential in other alternative energy, like wind energy and solar power. The investment of these alternative energy could be cheaper and faster compare with the large dam. According to the China Academy of Meteorological Sciences, the potential of wind energy is massive, with 235 GW of practical onshore wind power potential and 750GW offshore. For the solar power, China is already a global manufacturer of PV panels which makes it likely to have a large market for grid-tied solar in the future. ("Three gorges dam:," 2008). The Chinese government’s goal is to get 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. With the strong financial and political power of China government, China could become the world leader of energy revolution while protecting the environment and human rights at the same time.