I have often heard folks talking about the negative impacts of Walmart business model on local small business. I heard about "small business killer", "High cost of the low price" and "Globalization monster" all the time.
Coming from China—a country where people usually tend to brag about their nation’s business giant more than criticizing it—it was challenging for me to understand the prevailing hates among the Americans about—Walmart. For many years in many countries’ people’s mind, Walmart has been a symbol of American Products and quality life with affordable price.
So, why the Americans hate Walmart? Because the complex social issues they believe was brought up by Walmart’s growth in the communities, which also happen many where in the world? The complex issues of environment sustainability which is a global issues and a result of the globalization? Talking about multinational corporations operations—why Walmart seems to be the only one being picked up all the time?
Is the hate just a "go with the flow" tendency of the public? Is it becoming a fashion to say “I don’t like Walmart”? Or an excuse for the local small business?
Well, most of the blames to Walmart focus on three major issues: Affecting Local Small Business, Employment issues, and the Corporate Social responsibilities. From my speculations, I found these arguments unsupported by the facts I found from various sources.
A Good Neighbor Boosts Local Small Business Development
A few days ago, I happened to read this article “New Walmart Opens, Small Businesses Close–Common Misconceptions” having critique on the newly released report “The Wal-Mart Effect: Wave of Destruction or Creative Destruction?” from Economic Geography. The author cited three major reasons why Walmart is not the one to blame to for the failure of local small business.
The author argued that “The ostensible mythos negatively effects intimidated local business owners to the point of considering and often calling it quits rather than evaluating all possible circumstances before closing. If local surrounding businesses offer services and products Walmart does not provide, the competition is not as tough in the long haul.”
The Walmart moving into urban areas can actually attract entrepreneurs that diversify the local market. For example, a camera store can provide higher end products and more quality photos printing services that Walmart does not have. A Chinese restaurant can benefit more from the consumers drive by Walmart. The arrival of Walmart can boost the dynamic among local small business, improve the consumers’ shopping experience by providing them with quality products with lower prices, and foster the variety and diversity of the local business environment rather than affecting the local small business.
Ultimately, the Walmart model can cultivate “potential entrepreneurial ventures in a business environment” according to the author.
A Good Neighbor Provides Affordable Quality Life and Serves the community
I came across this video clip on youtube “ We All Are Praying for this Walmart”. I made a deep breath after watching this video—it was so real and close to my everyday life that made me rethink about the massive protesting videos online.
In the video, Adelaide Randall, resident of Chicago's 9th Ward, talks about how a Walmart in Pullman Park would help revitalize a neighborhood devastated by lack of jobs and lack of access to fresh groceries.
“If the store was here, it was a nice, quiet and clean area. But when the store starts leaving, drugs got busy—they start selling more drugs, and robbering..the crime rate went up, without Walmart”
In the video, even though the walmart is a bit far away from where she lives, she still would like to go to Walmart for shopping—because “ I can find something to bring home here”.
Providing people with affordable quality life—isn’t it something we would truly appraise for?
Not to mention the chain effect that Walmart can bring to a host community—build up the community confidence, reduce the street crimes and create more potentials for the host community by attracting various business entrepreneurs.
A Good Neighbor Creates Jobs with comparative wages and demonstrate the hiring diversity in workplaces
I was impressed by this video--“The Story of William” –a typical Walmart success story for a young local associate to a potential CFO”
Walmart provides not just a single job, but training and development opportunities along side as well, and to help the employees advance as far as they want to go in their careers. In fact, about three-fourths of management-level associates in our stores started as hourly associates.(http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/FactSheets/) The average, full-time hourly wage for Walmart stores is $11.75 and is even higher in urban areas. Additionally, associates can receive performance-based bonuses.
Besides, employment in Walmart is not just about comparative wages paying the bills, it is also about helping millions of customers living better life with affordable price.
Walmart demonstrates increasing diversity and equal opportunities in workplace with more than 257,000 African-American associates; more than 41,000 Asian and 5,900 Pacific Islander associates; more than 171,000 Hispanic associates; more than 16,000 American Indian and Alaskan Native associates; more than 869,000 women; and more than 430,000 mature associates who are 50 and older. Walmart insures more than 1.2 million associates and family members making us among the nation’s largest providers of private sector health insurance. Unlike the employees of many of our retail competitors, Walmart associates – both full and part-time – can become eligible for health benefits.( http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/FactSheets/)
I’m not related to Walmart—just as an ordinary community member living in D.C., I feel Walmart is indeed a good neighbor of mine.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Walrmart—A Good Neighbor
I have often heard folks talking about the negative impacts of Walmart business model on local small business. I heard about "small business killer", "High cost of the low price" and "Globalization monster" all the time.
Coming from China—a country where people usually tend to brag about their nation’s business giant more than criticizing it—it was challenging for me to understand the prevailing hates among the Americans about—Walmart. For many years in many countries’ people’s mind, Walmart has been a symbol of American Products and quality life with affordable price.
So, why the Americans hate Walmart? Because the complex social issues they believe was brought up by Walmart’s growth in the communities, which also happen many where in the world? The complex issues of environment sustainability which is a global issues and a result of the globalization? Talking about multinational corporations operations—why Walmart seems to be the only one being picked up all the time?
Is the hate just a "go with the flow" tendency of the public? Is it becoming a fashion to say “I don’t like Walmart”? Or an excuse for the local small business?
Well, most of the blames to Walmart focus on three major issues: Affecting Local Small Business, Employment issues, and the Corporate Social responsibilities. From my speculations, I found these arguments unsupported by the facts I found from various sources.
l A Good Neighbor Boosts Local Small Business Development
A few days ago, I happened to read this article “New Walmart Opens, Small Businesses Close–Common Misconceptions” having critique on the newly released report “The Wal-Mart Effect: Wave of Destruction or Creative Destruction?” from Economic Geography. The author cited three major reasons why Walmart is not the one to blame to for the failure of local small business.
The author argued that “The ostensible mythos negatively effects intimidated local business owners to the point of considering and often calling it quits rather than evaluating all possible circumstances before closing. If local surrounding businesses offer services and products Walmart does not provide, the competition is not as tough in the long haul.”
The Walmart moving into urban areas can actually attract entrepreneurs that diversify the local market. For example, a camera store can provide higher end products and more quality photos printing services that Walmart does not have. A Chinese restaurant can benefit more from the consumers drive by Walmart. The arrival of Walmart can boost the dynamic among local small business, improve the consumers’ shopping experience by providing them with quality products with lower prices, and foster the variety and diversity of the local business environment rather than affecting the local small business.
Ultimately, the Walmart model can cultivate “potential entrepreneurial ventures in a business environment” according to the author.
l A Good Neighbor Provides Affordable Quality Life and Serves the community
I came across this video clip on youtube “ We All Are Praying for this Walmart”. I made a deep breath after watching this video—it was so real and close to my everyday life that made me rethink about the massive protesting videos online.
In the video, Adelaide Randall, resident of Chicago's 9th Ward, talks about how a Walmart in Pullman Park would help revitalize a neighborhood devastated by lack of jobs and lack of access to fresh groceries.
“If the store was here, it was a nice, quiet and clean area. But when the store starts leaving, drugs got busy—they start selling more drugs, and robbering..the crime rate went up, without Walmart”
In the video, even though the walmart is a bit far away from where she lives, she still would like to go to Walmart for shopping—because “ I can find something to bring home here”.
Providing people with affordable quality life—isn’t it something we would truly appraise for?
Not to mention the chain effect that Walmart can bring to a host community—build up the community confidence, reduce the street crimes and create more potentials for the host community by attracting various business entrepreneurs.
l A Good Neighbor Creates Jobs with comparative wages and demonstrate the hiring diversity in workplaces
I was impressed by this video--“The Story of William” –a typical Walmart success story for a young local associate to a potential CFO”
Walmart provides not just a single job, but training and development opportunities along side as well, and to help the employees advance as far as they want to go in their careers. In fact, about three-fourths of management-level associates in our stores started as hourly associates.(http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/FactSheets/) The average, full-time hourly wage for Walmart stores is $11.75 and is even higher in urban areas. Additionally, associates can receive performance-based bonuses.
Besides, employment in Walmart is not just about comparative wages paying the bills, it is also about helping millions of customers living better life with affordable price.
Walmart demonstrates increasing diversity and equal opportunities in workplace with more than 257,000 African-American associates; more than 41,000 Asian and 5,900 Pacific Islander associates; more than 171,000 Hispanic associates; more than 16,000 American Indian and Alaskan Native associates; more than 869,000 women; and more than 430,000 mature associates who are 50 and older. Walmart insures more than 1.2 million associates and family members making us among the nation’s largest providers of private sector health insurance. Unlike the employees of many of our retail competitors, Walmart associates – both full and part-time – can become eligible for health benefits.( http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/FactSheets/)
I’m not related to Walmart—just as an ordinary community member living in D.C., I feel Walmart is indeed a good neighbor of mine.
Friday, October 1, 2010
A Life-Time Enchanting Journey --The 2010 D.C. Miss Chinese American Beauty Pageant and Me
It’s been almost two weeks since the Grand Finale of the 2010 D.C. Miss Chinese American Beauty Pageant, yet for me it feels like it has just happened last night.
The grand music hall full of cheering crowds, the elegant orchestra, my fellow glamorous beauty pageant finalists, and of course, the bitterness and sweets from the past two months’ training—these exciting moments and scenes all look like they just happened.
I said to myself the night before the finale, that no matter what the result would be, it was already the time of my life.
The night before the finale, my house got blacked out for the whole night as the heavy storms hit the Northwest D.C. areas, and I got more scared by the fact that I was the only one staying in the house for the night since all my roomies were out for the night. At the same time, I couldn’t locate the bracelets and necklace that mom and grandma gave to me as signs of blessings, and being on the phone with my make up artist for almost half an hour trying to clearing out some miscommunications—Yes, I got very frustrated just the night before the finale and thought I wouldn’t be able to make it .
During that panic moment, I asked myself that did I really wanna quit in the last minute? After all these two months bitter and sweet training? the lovely fellow pageant girls that I had been hanging out with all the time? My friends who had purchased the tickets to come support me for the night? And not to mention me working my ass off in the gym and on my latin dance almost every single day during the past 2 months, sketching on the papers dozens of times with my designer friend just to finalize the evening gown design, riding metro and walking on my feet across D.C., Maryland and Virginia to look for the right latin dance dress and finally got to spend 3 nights to sew up my latin dress by myself, etc.
After the flashing back, I felt I had no reason to say no to the finale—I could not control others but I can control myself. I just need to beat myself up and try my best- so that when someday I looked back, I would not hesitate to say that no matter what the result was, it was already the time of my life.
It then was already the big time! Opening Group Dance and Self-Introduction—Great, done! Talent Show—Done! Almost like what I expected, but I still feel I could have done it better. Swimwsuit Competition—the two months’ almost-brutal work-out plan and healthy diet finally looking paid off. Evening Gown Competition—Done! On stage question—just being myself and looked like it was not bad. And I was done, Done, DONE, D.O.N.E for all the competition parts.
Here came the most exciting and long anticipated part: Time for announcing the winners!
In the backstage, I was actually already free from the nervousness and thinking what to eat when got home (yes, I love love food ).
I wasn’t expecting to win like a queen or princess. In my imagination—I was hoping that if I could win a single prize, such as the best dress, best posture, or best talent—that would already made my night. When the M.C.s and the VIPs were announcing the single awards one by one, and turned out that none—NONE of which was related to me—I was saying to myself: Ok, Serena, time to go home and eat.
When the M.C.s started to announce the top 5, I was already planning my little dinner and the Dim Sum date with the girls over the weekend in my head—my mind wasn’t very focusing on the Top 5 result since I was assured by myself that I wouldn’t be one of them, however I was truly happy to see my girls getting up on the front one by one receiving the awards that they deserve.
Therefore, when Mr. Gibson and Mr. He announced the 1st runner up was No. 11, Serena Lin—me myself--I got shocked and was not able to step up on the front until 30 seconds or so later. Suddenly the past two months memories flashing back, I was thinking about my parents in China, my wonderful time with the fellow finalists, and the hard works I had put into this pageant—I could not help but burst into tears.
I am actually glad that I was not asked to say something after the crowning since I honestly was full of mixed feeling and didn't think I could actually talk....
But, I was asked by one of the judges after the pageant, that have I imagined to win, and I said that I tried to imagine what I would say if I got to win—which was part of the preparation for each finalist—but I had never expected that I would win in that way.
But you know what, given a second chance, I think I would still like to win in surprise, just like the famous saying “ Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you are gonna get”
Inspired by this quote, I think I would just keep up the hard work—expecting less, working more and enjoying the good surprises in life.
If there is anyone that inspired me to walk into this pageant, I think that would be Audrey Hepburn—because when looking into her life path, I got to know more about the true beauty of a woman. It was the desire to reveal such philosophy of true beauty and elegancy to more fellow young Chinese American women and also to serve the Chinese American community that brought me to this journey. I believe it is a life-time enchanting journey as the winners from year to year will keep up the legend and pass down the spirits from generation to generation.
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone”
--Audrey Hepburn
XOXO
Serena
Democracy, Elite Politics and Propaganda
Democracy, Elite Politics and Propaganda
After the reading, I have a impression that the Dewey -Lippman debate actually points to whether we need Elite Politics or the Grassroots Politics.
Lippman argued that public opinions are highly influenced by the opinion leaders/ political elites. He therefore suggested that democracy is a Nostalgic pursue and a myth. He said " and hence that governance should be delegated exclusively to political representatives and their expert advisors" He also argued that public opinions can be "manufactured".
Based on Lippman's theory, I think the propaganda tactics such as "Glittering Generalities", "Bandwagons", and the use of fear has been tirelessly used by politicians and propagandists. These tactics basically believes in the bullet magic theory, which emphasizes the vulnerability of public when messages are presented.
However, Dewey argued that although social inquiry and policy design can be done by experts, all the relevant facts and potential implications of such inquiry and proposed policies should remain a public trust which must no be manipulable by private interests. One of the very valuable arguments of Dewey is that he believed Democracy is rather the way people decide to live, learn and work together, than a technical system of governance defined by devices, such as elections. Dewey believe that elections, universal suffrage, checks or balances are only tools to achieve democracy, and the essential democracy should be ruled by the people and serve the people.
From his point of view, the tactics of propaganda do not serve a significant role in the democracy process.
As my personal opinion, I agree with Dewey more. I do not believe in Elite politics and propaganda, and I think given the time, public will distinguish the difference between true informational campaign and propaganda, essential democracy and the elites politics.
After the reading, I have a impression that the Dewey -Lippman debate actually points to whether we need Elite Politics or the Grassroots Politics.
Lippman argued that public opinions are highly influenced by the opinion leaders/ political elites. He therefore suggested that democracy is a Nostalgic pursue and a myth. He said " and hence that governance should be delegated exclusively to political representatives and their expert advisors" He also argued that public opinions can be "manufactured".
Based on Lippman's theory, I think the propaganda tactics such as "Glittering Generalities", "Bandwagons", and the use of fear has been tirelessly used by politicians and propagandists. These tactics basically believes in the bullet magic theory, which emphasizes the vulnerability of public when messages are presented.
However, Dewey argued that although social inquiry and policy design can be done by experts, all the relevant facts and potential implications of such inquiry and proposed policies should remain a public trust which must no be manipulable by private interests. One of the very valuable arguments of Dewey is that he believed Democracy is rather the way people decide to live, learn and work together, than a technical system of governance defined by devices, such as elections. Dewey believe that elections, universal suffrage, checks or balances are only tools to achieve democracy, and the essential democracy should be ruled by the people and serve the people.
From his point of view, the tactics of propaganda do not serve a significant role in the democracy process.
As my personal opinion, I agree with Dewey more. I do not believe in Elite politics and propaganda, and I think given the time, public will distinguish the difference between true informational campaign and propaganda, essential democracy and the elites politics.
What Privatization of Gobal communication means to us?
Since when it became a shame to say the communication services within a nation-state are subject to the state regulations? Since when it became a fashion to claim that the communication market of a nation-state is liberalized and open to privatization?
After reading this week's reading "Global Communication Infrastructure", I am impressed by the scale and depth of the privatization of the global communication that has been taking place since the late 20th century.
In the reading, the author cited two case studies: Intelsat and the Murdoch's News Corporation.
Intelsat first emerged as a product of the global communication liberalization--it was created in 1946 as an intergovernmental treaty organization to operate a global satellite system for telecommunications services, offering affordable satellite capacity on a non-discriminatory basis. At the time it was created, commercial satellite communication did not exist and most telecommunications organizations were state-controlled monopolies.
The clients of Intelsat included 143 member countries, and its main goal is to provide equal access to satellite communications for countries in the world. It used to play crucial rols in bringing satellite technology to the South. However, after the privatization, merger and acquisition happened from 2002 to 2005, Intelsat has to charged the same rate for all routes. Given their economic situation, poorer countries found it difficult to afford the satellite communication services.
Not only intelsat, generally speaking, empirical experience suggests that nowadays the satellite communication as a result of the great contingency of the global communication demands substantial investment and high risk, therefore only large businesses and governments will be able to afford this kind of service.
Intelsat: Rich communication, poor democracy: poorer countries cannot afford to get their words across.
Rupet Murdoch's Media Empire: The eyes of the world are on us: Cultural imperialism
Murdoch's ambition to create a global communication empire has brought TV stations,Radios, newspapers, magazines from across the continents reaching nearly half a billion people in more than 70 countries. Although many of its overseas operations is broadcasting the contents they subscribe from the host countries', the large part of the news corporation TV programs and news are produced based on the News Corporation proposition. In my perspective, this is what Murdoch's statement " The eye of the world are on us" really means.
Summary: The global shift from state regulation to market-driven policies are evident in all sectors of international communications--take a look at Murdoch's sweeping-floors acquisitions thru the globe, and the Intelsat transforming from a international non-profit to a private hold communication hardware--the expansion of private capitals in the global communication system have also contributed in widening the gap between the rich and the poor and not necessarily creating more public sphere for democracy.
After reading this week's reading "Global Communication Infrastructure", I am impressed by the scale and depth of the privatization of the global communication that has been taking place since the late 20th century.
In the reading, the author cited two case studies: Intelsat and the Murdoch's News Corporation.
Intelsat first emerged as a product of the global communication liberalization--it was created in 1946 as an intergovernmental treaty organization to operate a global satellite system for telecommunications services, offering affordable satellite capacity on a non-discriminatory basis. At the time it was created, commercial satellite communication did not exist and most telecommunications organizations were state-controlled monopolies.
The clients of Intelsat included 143 member countries, and its main goal is to provide equal access to satellite communications for countries in the world. It used to play crucial rols in bringing satellite technology to the South. However, after the privatization, merger and acquisition happened from 2002 to 2005, Intelsat has to charged the same rate for all routes. Given their economic situation, poorer countries found it difficult to afford the satellite communication services.
Not only intelsat, generally speaking, empirical experience suggests that nowadays the satellite communication as a result of the great contingency of the global communication demands substantial investment and high risk, therefore only large businesses and governments will be able to afford this kind of service.
Intelsat: Rich communication, poor democracy: poorer countries cannot afford to get their words across.
Rupet Murdoch's Media Empire: The eyes of the world are on us: Cultural imperialism
Murdoch's ambition to create a global communication empire has brought TV stations,Radios, newspapers, magazines from across the continents reaching nearly half a billion people in more than 70 countries. Although many of its overseas operations is broadcasting the contents they subscribe from the host countries', the large part of the news corporation TV programs and news are produced based on the News Corporation proposition. In my perspective, this is what Murdoch's statement " The eye of the world are on us" really means.
Summary: The global shift from state regulation to market-driven policies are evident in all sectors of international communications--take a look at Murdoch's sweeping-floors acquisitions thru the globe, and the Intelsat transforming from a international non-profit to a private hold communication hardware--the expansion of private capitals in the global communication system have also contributed in widening the gap between the rich and the poor and not necessarily creating more public sphere for democracy.
New Deceiving Propaganda Tactic: Framing Propaganda under the frame work of Global Public Sphere and Global Governance.
New Deceiving Propaganda Tactic: Framing Propaganda under the frame work of Global Public Sphere and Global Governance.
The post 911 propaganda of the Bush Administration was compared as no difference to the Nazi’s propaganda, according to Noam Chomsky. Noam Chomsky argued that the concept of democracy is attacked by the U.S. post 911 propaganda. He said “What honest people are saying is that ‘paying attention to our own crimes and stop committing it” and should not jump into others’ homelands to kill millions of people leaving a country devastated and the people suffering from chemical wars.
From my understanding, the nowadays’s globalization trends created a even harder battle for those anti-propaganda. To better understand the argument, I would like to take a step back for now and look at the bigger picture.
Public Sphere is first introduced by Habermas meaning “an area in social life where people can get together and freely discuss and identify societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action.” (Hauser, Gerard 1998) And in accordance with the globalization, the Global Public Sphere is usually interpreted by scholars as “through global media and Internet networks is the most effective form of broadening political participation on a global scale, by inducing a fruitful, synergistic connection between the government-based international institutions and the global civil society. This multimodal communication space is what constitutes the new global public sphere.” (Castells, Manuel 2008) It is usually understood in the frame work of Global Civil Society, which is popularly interpreted as “rise of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with a global or international frame of reference in their action and goals.” (Castells, Manuel 2008)
Global governance is another concept that can help us better understand how the
propagandists deceive in making use of the global civil society. Global governance can be understand as due to “the increasing inability of nation-states to confront and manage the processes of globalization of the issues that are the object of their governance, network states ad hoc forms of global governance and, ultimately, to a new form of state, examples are as follows: APEC, ASEAN, United Nations International Monetary Fund, World Bank, NATO.
After examining these concepts in the bigger picture, let’s look back at the argument. So the globalization brought up the trends of Global Public Sphere, and the Global Governance. These tendencies simply created scopes for the deceiving democracy imperialism to take place under the cover of them. Look at these organizations: Voice of America – broadcasting the blocked news to the people living in the non-democratic countries, NATO – all the NATO members were involved in the Gulf War and most of them directly or indirectly sponsored the Iraqi and Afghanistan War. APEC and ASEAN have been accused of being instruments of Chinese government economic bullying on the Southeas Asian member countries.
The National Endowment of Democracy (NED) is a cannot-be-better example. The NED funded international NGOs in the name of advocating for democracy and many of which are international NGOs, such as the Fa Lun Gong, and the World Congress of Uyghur. They which are categorized by Chinese government as “Terrorism groups” and “Religion Extremists”.
It might sound ironic, but please imagine and do this comparison:
U.S. -- Al-Qaeda--“terrorists” - war --while China’s is accused of being “behind Iran and Palestine”
China –Dalai Lama and Radeer - “Terrorism group” and “religion extremists” -- U.S. based NED is sponsoring Dalai Lama and Radeer.
According to Castells, Manuel there are three features characteristics of the international NGOS must be emphasized: “In contrast to political parties, these NGOs have considerable popularity and legitimacy, and this translates into substantial funding both via donations and volunteerism. Their activity focuses on practical matters, specific cases, and concrete expressions of human solidarity: saving children from famine, freeing political prisoners, stopping the lapidation of women, and ameliorating the impact of unsustainable development on indigenous cultures. What is fundamental here is that the classical political argument of rationalizing decisions in terms of the overall context of politics is denied. Goals do not justify the means. The purpose is to undo evil or to do good in one specific instance. The positive output must be considered in itself, not as a way of moving in a positive direction. Because people have come to distrust the logic of instrumental politics, the method of direct action on direct outputs finds increasing support. Finally, the key tactics of NGOs to achieve results and build support for their causes is media politics (Dean, Anderson, and Lovink 2006; Gillmor 2004). It is through the media that these organizations reach the public and mobilize people in support of these causes. In so doing, they eventually put pressure on governments threatened by the voters or on corporations fearful of consumers’ reactions. Thus, the media become the battleground for an NGO’s campaign. Since these are global campaigns, global media are the key target. The globalization of communication leads to the globalization of media politics (Costanza-Chock 2006).”
These interpretations mean that
1, Goals do not justify the means, no matter what cover that propaganda is using, propaganda is propaganda.
2. Through the frame work of global civil movement and the influence of global public sphere, it’s very easy for propagandists to take advantage of public’s trust on such medium and play the new persuasion game.
Micro-Look:
Is it working?
I took a look at the NED funded NOGs based on China mainland. Many of the listed names are in the government’s black list, from my belief, which means that they cannot reach out to the public almost “at all”. This trigger the question—so how do these blocked NGOs work? Are the NED’s efforts working in China? This could be my question for further research.
References:
CASTELLS, Manuel. "The New Public Sphere: Global Civil Society, Communication Networks, and Global Governance".The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 616, No. 1, 2008, pp
Hauser, Gerard , 1998 "Vernacular Dialogue and the Rhetoricality of Public Opinion", Communication Monographs 65 (2): 83–107 Page. 86,
The post 911 propaganda of the Bush Administration was compared as no difference to the Nazi’s propaganda, according to Noam Chomsky. Noam Chomsky argued that the concept of democracy is attacked by the U.S. post 911 propaganda. He said “What honest people are saying is that ‘paying attention to our own crimes and stop committing it” and should not jump into others’ homelands to kill millions of people leaving a country devastated and the people suffering from chemical wars.
From my understanding, the nowadays’s globalization trends created a even harder battle for those anti-propaganda. To better understand the argument, I would like to take a step back for now and look at the bigger picture.
Public Sphere is first introduced by Habermas meaning “an area in social life where people can get together and freely discuss and identify societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action.” (Hauser, Gerard 1998) And in accordance with the globalization, the Global Public Sphere is usually interpreted by scholars as “through global media and Internet networks is the most effective form of broadening political participation on a global scale, by inducing a fruitful, synergistic connection between the government-based international institutions and the global civil society. This multimodal communication space is what constitutes the new global public sphere.” (Castells, Manuel 2008) It is usually understood in the frame work of Global Civil Society, which is popularly interpreted as “rise of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with a global or international frame of reference in their action and goals.” (Castells, Manuel 2008)
Global governance is another concept that can help us better understand how the
propagandists deceive in making use of the global civil society. Global governance can be understand as due to “the increasing inability of nation-states to confront and manage the processes of globalization of the issues that are the object of their governance, network states ad hoc forms of global governance and, ultimately, to a new form of state, examples are as follows: APEC, ASEAN, United Nations International Monetary Fund, World Bank, NATO.
After examining these concepts in the bigger picture, let’s look back at the argument. So the globalization brought up the trends of Global Public Sphere, and the Global Governance. These tendencies simply created scopes for the deceiving democracy imperialism to take place under the cover of them. Look at these organizations: Voice of America – broadcasting the blocked news to the people living in the non-democratic countries, NATO – all the NATO members were involved in the Gulf War and most of them directly or indirectly sponsored the Iraqi and Afghanistan War. APEC and ASEAN have been accused of being instruments of Chinese government economic bullying on the Southeas Asian member countries.
The National Endowment of Democracy (NED) is a cannot-be-better example. The NED funded international NGOs in the name of advocating for democracy and many of which are international NGOs, such as the Fa Lun Gong, and the World Congress of Uyghur. They which are categorized by Chinese government as “Terrorism groups” and “Religion Extremists”.
It might sound ironic, but please imagine and do this comparison:
U.S. -- Al-Qaeda--“terrorists” - war --while China’s is accused of being “behind Iran and Palestine”
China –Dalai Lama and Radeer - “Terrorism group” and “religion extremists” -- U.S. based NED is sponsoring Dalai Lama and Radeer.
According to Castells, Manuel there are three features characteristics of the international NGOS must be emphasized: “In contrast to political parties, these NGOs have considerable popularity and legitimacy, and this translates into substantial funding both via donations and volunteerism. Their activity focuses on practical matters, specific cases, and concrete expressions of human solidarity: saving children from famine, freeing political prisoners, stopping the lapidation of women, and ameliorating the impact of unsustainable development on indigenous cultures. What is fundamental here is that the classical political argument of rationalizing decisions in terms of the overall context of politics is denied. Goals do not justify the means. The purpose is to undo evil or to do good in one specific instance. The positive output must be considered in itself, not as a way of moving in a positive direction. Because people have come to distrust the logic of instrumental politics, the method of direct action on direct outputs finds increasing support. Finally, the key tactics of NGOs to achieve results and build support for their causes is media politics (Dean, Anderson, and Lovink 2006; Gillmor 2004). It is through the media that these organizations reach the public and mobilize people in support of these causes. In so doing, they eventually put pressure on governments threatened by the voters or on corporations fearful of consumers’ reactions. Thus, the media become the battleground for an NGO’s campaign. Since these are global campaigns, global media are the key target. The globalization of communication leads to the globalization of media politics (Costanza-Chock 2006).”
These interpretations mean that
1, Goals do not justify the means, no matter what cover that propaganda is using, propaganda is propaganda.
2. Through the frame work of global civil movement and the influence of global public sphere, it’s very easy for propagandists to take advantage of public’s trust on such medium and play the new persuasion game.
Micro-Look:
Is it working?
I took a look at the NED funded NOGs based on China mainland. Many of the listed names are in the government’s black list, from my belief, which means that they cannot reach out to the public almost “at all”. This trigger the question—so how do these blocked NGOs work? Are the NED’s efforts working in China? This could be my question for further research.
References:
CASTELLS, Manuel. "The New Public Sphere: Global Civil Society, Communication Networks, and Global Governance".The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 616, No. 1, 2008, pp
Hauser, Gerard , 1998 "Vernacular Dialogue and the Rhetoricality of Public Opinion", Communication Monographs 65 (2): 83–107 Page. 86,
The Application of the Communication Theories
So, this week's readings basically dealt with theories and concepts, and we have learned:
Bullet Magic, Spiral of Silence, Social Validation,
Cultivation Theory, Mc Luhan's "Medium is the Message", etc.
I am most interested in two theories: The Cultivation theory and the "Medium is the message" school.
Cultivation theory basically addresses to the phenomenon that the more exposure to TV shows, the more likely the receivers are to incorporate the ideas in the shows in their daily life. More importantly, this theory implicates that when young adults are exposed to violence on TV, they are more likely to pick up such violent behavior or embrace the ideas of violence. The theory has critical meaning for contemporary communication studies because it tells the TV industry to be cautious about the impacts of what they broadcast on air.
The” medium is the message” tells that communication technology has important meaning for communication scholars because it was the first in its time to point out how important the changes of medium and technology mean to both the senders and receivers and how technology can drastically changed the way individuals are connected and communicate with each other. For example, the arising of internet and the Web 2.0, social media application have shaped the way even the language people communicating. Social media has created a digital platform where individuals meet and interact with friends and in more cases, “strangers” and “stalkers” at a level that no era before can compared. Individuals feel it is much easier and faster to interact to people in long distance. More importantly, individuals are getting used to a “customized” medium—Blogs, My Space, Facebook, Twitters, Foursquare and so forth. Extremely, by examining a person’s facebook, myspace, foursqure and bloggers, you can effortlessly see through this persons’ personal life. The boundary between reality and digital world has never been so ambiguous. You can argue the negative impacts of such technology changes making people’s privacy vulnerable. However, on the other hand, the level and the scale of such communication style changes is the one at a time and no compare in the history. It even gave birth to a new communication school “Digital Communication”.
In summary, I think both the Cultivation Theory and the Medium is the message tell me that both the content and the medium of communications matter to the receivers and one cannot live without the other for making impacts.
Bullet Magic, Spiral of Silence, Social Validation,
Cultivation Theory, Mc Luhan's "Medium is the Message", etc.
I am most interested in two theories: The Cultivation theory and the "Medium is the message" school.
Cultivation theory basically addresses to the phenomenon that the more exposure to TV shows, the more likely the receivers are to incorporate the ideas in the shows in their daily life. More importantly, this theory implicates that when young adults are exposed to violence on TV, they are more likely to pick up such violent behavior or embrace the ideas of violence. The theory has critical meaning for contemporary communication studies because it tells the TV industry to be cautious about the impacts of what they broadcast on air.
The” medium is the message” tells that communication technology has important meaning for communication scholars because it was the first in its time to point out how important the changes of medium and technology mean to both the senders and receivers and how technology can drastically changed the way individuals are connected and communicate with each other. For example, the arising of internet and the Web 2.0, social media application have shaped the way even the language people communicating. Social media has created a digital platform where individuals meet and interact with friends and in more cases, “strangers” and “stalkers” at a level that no era before can compared. Individuals feel it is much easier and faster to interact to people in long distance. More importantly, individuals are getting used to a “customized” medium—Blogs, My Space, Facebook, Twitters, Foursquare and so forth. Extremely, by examining a person’s facebook, myspace, foursqure and bloggers, you can effortlessly see through this persons’ personal life. The boundary between reality and digital world has never been so ambiguous. You can argue the negative impacts of such technology changes making people’s privacy vulnerable. However, on the other hand, the level and the scale of such communication style changes is the one at a time and no compare in the history. It even gave birth to a new communication school “Digital Communication”.
In summary, I think both the Cultivation Theory and the Medium is the message tell me that both the content and the medium of communications matter to the receivers and one cannot live without the other for making impacts.
Technology and the New Era of Global Communication
One interesting found from last week's class is that I remember the girl in front of me stated that "Globalization is not just a concept but rather, an ongoing process." in regard of my question.
My original question was "Does the new era of communication, thanks to the new technology, facilitate the process of globalization or hinder it? And following that "how do we define the essence/nature of globalization:is it encouraging more variety and diversity in a synergy fashion? Or is it encouraging more similarity and becoming a 'one world'?"
From my point of view, I think by examining how communication technology evolves over the decades is a good way to find out what exactly the globalization means to us. In short, I believe the evolution of international communication techniques and devices is a reflection of globalization process.
Before the appearance of newspaper, people were living under "unknown social circumstances"--they were not informed with much social, political and cultural actions and even if informed, not in wider dimensions and in-depth level. The coming of newspaper changed the political dynamic--public were more informative than before and they started paying attention to what was going on around their life. Kings and politicians found it more difficult to hide the news, and found a need to communicate with the people and the outside world in order to maintain the governance.
The birth of telephone dramatically shaped he way people communicate with each other. One no longer need to travel across half of the city or the entire country just to get their word out--They were using Telephone. Generally speaking, telephone and telegraph shortened the cultural and social distance between each individuals.
The emergence of telegraph changed the dynamic of international communication and it was the key factor in the World War I information battle. It was from this turning point that governments realized the need of communicating both with their allies and enemies. It was from there Propaganda has been putting into use. It was also from then, history witnesses the emergence of the 4 oldest international news agencies and the agency news era. It was from there that the international community realized the need to setting rules, common agreements and regulations on the international communication. In this regard, technology self-evidently changed the social, cultural and political construction of the world and the world became more and more synergized.
The coming of Television and Radio drastically changed the way people received information. People no longer highly reply on the reading or the listening, but rather than the vivid visual messgaes in terms of communication. It was from there the term "Mass Communication" actually started making the most profound meaning and Mass Commnucation, and Mass Media have became study subject for the scholars.
More importantly, it was also from there, the international communication was facilitated by this form of a gatther of sensual and visual emphasized communication medium. It is instant, fast and generally efficient. We now can also see that most of the communication medium of the AL-QAEDA are based on radio and video. That tells something.
The arriving the internet swayed the TV and Radio dynasty and has almost totally changed the way people live, communication and get together. Along side it's arrival was the new strategic communication strategy which is based on the social media. It has never been such a time in the history that the non-face-to-face, digital,virtualized and customized communication has taken a large proportion in the total amount of people's daily communicaton. The issues of individual privacy, copy rights, national security, information security arising along with this new communication techniques have also forced nation states to rethink about digital communication, it's essence and impacts, and also think about the public diplomacy strategy in this new era.
In the age of digital communication, the world has synergized more coherant as we witness individuals now have more access and various source for information. On the other hand, we also witness individuals could feel even more isolated and the feeling of alienation.
In summary, international communication is in a new era which new technology is playing a role more important than ever. Governments should pay more attention to it and make the best of this trend.
My original question was "Does the new era of communication, thanks to the new technology, facilitate the process of globalization or hinder it? And following that "how do we define the essence/nature of globalization:is it encouraging more variety and diversity in a synergy fashion? Or is it encouraging more similarity and becoming a 'one world'?"
From my point of view, I think by examining how communication technology evolves over the decades is a good way to find out what exactly the globalization means to us. In short, I believe the evolution of international communication techniques and devices is a reflection of globalization process.
Before the appearance of newspaper, people were living under "unknown social circumstances"--they were not informed with much social, political and cultural actions and even if informed, not in wider dimensions and in-depth level. The coming of newspaper changed the political dynamic--public were more informative than before and they started paying attention to what was going on around their life. Kings and politicians found it more difficult to hide the news, and found a need to communicate with the people and the outside world in order to maintain the governance.
The birth of telephone dramatically shaped he way people communicate with each other. One no longer need to travel across half of the city or the entire country just to get their word out--They were using Telephone. Generally speaking, telephone and telegraph shortened the cultural and social distance between each individuals.
The emergence of telegraph changed the dynamic of international communication and it was the key factor in the World War I information battle. It was from this turning point that governments realized the need of communicating both with their allies and enemies. It was from there Propaganda has been putting into use. It was also from then, history witnesses the emergence of the 4 oldest international news agencies and the agency news era. It was from there that the international community realized the need to setting rules, common agreements and regulations on the international communication. In this regard, technology self-evidently changed the social, cultural and political construction of the world and the world became more and more synergized.
The coming of Television and Radio drastically changed the way people received information. People no longer highly reply on the reading or the listening, but rather than the vivid visual messgaes in terms of communication. It was from there the term "Mass Communication" actually started making the most profound meaning and Mass Commnucation, and Mass Media have became study subject for the scholars.
More importantly, it was also from there, the international communication was facilitated by this form of a gatther of sensual and visual emphasized communication medium. It is instant, fast and generally efficient. We now can also see that most of the communication medium of the AL-QAEDA are based on radio and video. That tells something.
The arriving the internet swayed the TV and Radio dynasty and has almost totally changed the way people live, communication and get together. Along side it's arrival was the new strategic communication strategy which is based on the social media. It has never been such a time in the history that the non-face-to-face, digital,virtualized and customized communication has taken a large proportion in the total amount of people's daily communicaton. The issues of individual privacy, copy rights, national security, information security arising along with this new communication techniques have also forced nation states to rethink about digital communication, it's essence and impacts, and also think about the public diplomacy strategy in this new era.
In the age of digital communication, the world has synergized more coherant as we witness individuals now have more access and various source for information. On the other hand, we also witness individuals could feel even more isolated and the feeling of alienation.
In summary, international communication is in a new era which new technology is playing a role more important than ever. Governments should pay more attention to it and make the best of this trend.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A Dream--The Preclude of A Journey of A Princess
Princess (4 year old): Grandma, why so hurry?
Old queen (Breathing heavily): My sweetheart, in 20 years, you will debark a long long long journey to go to a far far far away land. But remeber, no matter how hard things would be, you should always and forever have this wonderful crystal heart inside of you, to wherever you go and whatever you do.
Princess: Grandma, I don't understand. Why do I have to travel long away? Am I not coming back?
Old Queen: My dearest princess, our kingdom is dying. A new kingdom will be set up in 20 years. You have a mission.
You are traveling to find the new land -- a wonderful land, establish new rules and making better life for our people--That is your mission.
To fulfill this mission, my dear sweetheart, you will have to grow up and be tough because I will not be able to be your side by that time.
In the journey, you will start a new life, meet new people, and maybe meet the one. Most importantly, you will discover a new yourself through the journey. It will be hard, very very hard. But you will be rewarded-- I swear to you--by the time you finish your mission, you will be brave enough to embrace an enemy, kind enough to warm an ice, tenacity as water dropping through a stone, intelligent as a twinkle star, beautiful as to give love to the most in need--My dear, you will become a true Princess and my deepest proud.
Princess: Will it be very hard? Too hard that I cannot make it?
Old Queen: It will be tough, my dear, but I don't think anything could harm you or impede you from fulfilling your mission -- because you are a real Princess, and you will always carry on this crystal heart -- which would protect you from any harms.
As she saying, the Old Queen took off her golden cross necklace and make it on the little princess neck. Smilling to her.
Princess: Grandma, are you going anywhere? You will always be my side right?
Old Queen: My dear, I won't be able to be with you physically when you debark your journey -- but wear this necklace--it is my heart, always with you.
Princess: Why? Where are you going, aren't you staying with us, (pointing to the palace) all of us in the palace forever?
Old Queen: My dear princess, I am going to another wonderful place, where you could meet me up after your fulfilling the mission and became a true Princess without any regrets left in the world. You will meet me somewhere, you have my word.
Princess: Alright grandma. But you have to spend this summer with me in the palace, I love you.
Old queen (Breathing heavily): My sweetheart, in 20 years, you will debark a long long long journey to go to a far far far away land. But remeber, no matter how hard things would be, you should always and forever have this wonderful crystal heart inside of you, to wherever you go and whatever you do.
Princess: Grandma, I don't understand. Why do I have to travel long away? Am I not coming back?
Old Queen: My dearest princess, our kingdom is dying. A new kingdom will be set up in 20 years. You have a mission.
You are traveling to find the new land -- a wonderful land, establish new rules and making better life for our people--That is your mission.
To fulfill this mission, my dear sweetheart, you will have to grow up and be tough because I will not be able to be your side by that time.
In the journey, you will start a new life, meet new people, and maybe meet the one. Most importantly, you will discover a new yourself through the journey. It will be hard, very very hard. But you will be rewarded-- I swear to you--by the time you finish your mission, you will be brave enough to embrace an enemy, kind enough to warm an ice, tenacity as water dropping through a stone, intelligent as a twinkle star, beautiful as to give love to the most in need--My dear, you will become a true Princess and my deepest proud.
Princess: Will it be very hard? Too hard that I cannot make it?
Old Queen: It will be tough, my dear, but I don't think anything could harm you or impede you from fulfilling your mission -- because you are a real Princess, and you will always carry on this crystal heart -- which would protect you from any harms.
As she saying, the Old Queen took off her golden cross necklace and make it on the little princess neck. Smilling to her.
Princess: Grandma, are you going anywhere? You will always be my side right?
Old Queen: My dear, I won't be able to be with you physically when you debark your journey -- but wear this necklace--it is my heart, always with you.
Princess: Why? Where are you going, aren't you staying with us, (pointing to the palace) all of us in the palace forever?
Old Queen: My dear princess, I am going to another wonderful place, where you could meet me up after your fulfilling the mission and became a true Princess without any regrets left in the world. You will meet me somewhere, you have my word.
Princess: Alright grandma. But you have to spend this summer with me in the palace, I love you.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Communiqué of the Washington Nuclear Security Summit
Communiqué of the Washington Nuclear Security Summit
Nuclear terrorism is one of the most challenging threats to international security, and strong nuclear security measures are the most effective means to prevent terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials.
In addition to our shared goals nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, we also all share the objective of nuclear security. Therefore those gathered here in Washington DC on April 13, 2010 commit to strengthen nuclear security and reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism. Success will require responsible national actions and sustained and effective international cooperation.
We welcome and join President Obama's call to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years, as we work together to enhance nuclear security. Therefore, we:
1. Reaffirm the fundamental responsibility of States, consistent with their respective international obligations, to maintain effective security of all nuclear materials, which includes nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons, and nuclear facilities under their control; to prevent non-state actors from obtaining the information or technology required to use such material for malicious purposes; and emphasize the importance of robust national legislative and regulatory frameworks for nuclear security;
2. Call on States to work cooperatively as an international community to advance nuclear security, requesting and providing assistance as necessary;
3. Recognize that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium require special precautions and agree to promote measures to secure, account for, and consolidate these materials, as appropriate; and encourage the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium fuel and minimization of use of highly enriched uranium, where technically and economically feasible;
4. Endeavor to fully implement all existing nuclear security commitments and work toward acceding to those not yet joined, consistent with national laws, policies and procedures;
5. Support the objectives of international nuclear security instruments, including the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, as essential elements of the global nuclear security architecture;
6. Reaffirm the essential role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the international nuclear security framework and will work to ensure that it continues to have the appropriate structure, resources and expertise needed to carry out its mandated nuclear security activities in accordance with its Stature, relevant General Conference resolutions and its Nuclear Security Plans;
7. Recognize the role and contributions of the United Nations as well as the contributions of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the G8-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction with their respective mandates and memberships;
8. Acknowledge the need for capacity building for nuclear security and cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels for the promotion of nuclear security culture through technology development, human resource development, education and training; and stress the importance of optimizing international cooperation and coordination of assistance;
9. Recognize the need for cooperation among States to effectively prevent and respond to incidents of illicit nuclear trafficking; and agree to share, subject to respective national laws and procedures, information and expertise through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms in relevant areas such as nuclear detection, forensics, law enforcement and the development of new technologies;
10. Recognize the continuing role nuclear industry, including the private sector, in nuclear security and will work with industry to ensure the necessary priority of physical protection, material accountancy and security culture;
11. Support the implementation of strong nuclear security practices that will not infringe upon the rights of States to develop and utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and technology and will facilitate international cooperation in the field of nuclear security; and
12. Recognize that measures contributing to nuclear material security have value in relation to the security of radioactive substances and encourage efforts to secure those materials as well.
Maintaining effective nuclear security will require continuous national efforts facilitated by international cooperation and undertaken on a voluntary basis by States. We will promote the strengthening of global nuclear security through dialogue and cooperation with all states.
Thus, we issue the Work Plan as guidance for national and international action including through cooperation within the context of relevant international fora and organizations.
We will hold the next Nuclear Security Summit in the Republic of Korea in 2012
Nuclear terrorism is one of the most challenging threats to international security, and strong nuclear security measures are the most effective means to prevent terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials.
In addition to our shared goals nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, we also all share the objective of nuclear security. Therefore those gathered here in Washington DC on April 13, 2010 commit to strengthen nuclear security and reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism. Success will require responsible national actions and sustained and effective international cooperation.
We welcome and join President Obama's call to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years, as we work together to enhance nuclear security. Therefore, we:
1. Reaffirm the fundamental responsibility of States, consistent with their respective international obligations, to maintain effective security of all nuclear materials, which includes nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons, and nuclear facilities under their control; to prevent non-state actors from obtaining the information or technology required to use such material for malicious purposes; and emphasize the importance of robust national legislative and regulatory frameworks for nuclear security;
2. Call on States to work cooperatively as an international community to advance nuclear security, requesting and providing assistance as necessary;
3. Recognize that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium require special precautions and agree to promote measures to secure, account for, and consolidate these materials, as appropriate; and encourage the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium fuel and minimization of use of highly enriched uranium, where technically and economically feasible;
4. Endeavor to fully implement all existing nuclear security commitments and work toward acceding to those not yet joined, consistent with national laws, policies and procedures;
5. Support the objectives of international nuclear security instruments, including the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, as essential elements of the global nuclear security architecture;
6. Reaffirm the essential role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the international nuclear security framework and will work to ensure that it continues to have the appropriate structure, resources and expertise needed to carry out its mandated nuclear security activities in accordance with its Stature, relevant General Conference resolutions and its Nuclear Security Plans;
7. Recognize the role and contributions of the United Nations as well as the contributions of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the G8-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction with their respective mandates and memberships;
8. Acknowledge the need for capacity building for nuclear security and cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels for the promotion of nuclear security culture through technology development, human resource development, education and training; and stress the importance of optimizing international cooperation and coordination of assistance;
9. Recognize the need for cooperation among States to effectively prevent and respond to incidents of illicit nuclear trafficking; and agree to share, subject to respective national laws and procedures, information and expertise through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms in relevant areas such as nuclear detection, forensics, law enforcement and the development of new technologies;
10. Recognize the continuing role nuclear industry, including the private sector, in nuclear security and will work with industry to ensure the necessary priority of physical protection, material accountancy and security culture;
11. Support the implementation of strong nuclear security practices that will not infringe upon the rights of States to develop and utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and technology and will facilitate international cooperation in the field of nuclear security; and
12. Recognize that measures contributing to nuclear material security have value in relation to the security of radioactive substances and encourage efforts to secure those materials as well.
Maintaining effective nuclear security will require continuous national efforts facilitated by international cooperation and undertaken on a voluntary basis by States. We will promote the strengthening of global nuclear security through dialogue and cooperation with all states.
Thus, we issue the Work Plan as guidance for national and international action including through cooperation within the context of relevant international fora and organizations.
We will hold the next Nuclear Security Summit in the Republic of Korea in 2012
Full text of Work Plan of Washington Nuclear Security Summit
Washington Nuclear Security Summit Work Plan April 2010
This Work Plan supports the Communiqué of the Washington Nuclear Security Summit. It constitutes a political commitment by the Participating States to carry out, on a voluntary basis, applicable portions of this Work Plan, consistent with respective national laws and international obligations, in all aspects of the storage, use, transportation and disposal of nuclear materials and in preventing non-state actors from obtaining the information required to use such materials for malicious purposes.
Recognizing the importance of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism as an important legally binding multilateral instrument addressing threats posed by acts of nuclear terrorism,
1. Participating States Parties to the Convention will work together to achieve universality of the Convention, as soon as possible;
2. Participating States Parties to the Convention will assist States, as appropriate and upon their request, to implement the Conventions; and
3. Participating States Parties to the Convention encourage discussions among States Parties to consider measures to ensure its effective implementation, as called for in Article 20 of the Convention.
Recognizing the importance of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as the only multilateral legally binding agreement dealing with the physical protection of nuclear material in peaceful uses, and the value of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention in strengthening global security,
1. Participating States Parties to the Convention will work towards its universal adherence and where applicable, to accelerate the ratification processes of the Amendment to the Convention and to act for early implementation of that Amendment;
2. Participating States Parties to the Convention call on all States to act in accordance with the object and purpose of the Amendment until such time as it enters into force; and
3. Participating States Parties to the Convention will assist States, as appropriate and upon their request, to implement the Convention and the Amendment.
Noting the need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on preventing non-State actors from obtaining weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials, in particular as it relates to nuclear material,
1. Participating States support the continued dialogue between the Security Council committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1540 and States and support strengthened international cooperation in this regard, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and within the framework of the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy;
2. Participating States support the activities of the Security Council committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1540 to promote full implementation;
3. Participating States recognize the importance of complete and timely reporting as called for by UNSCR 1540, and will work with other States to do so, including by providing technical support or assistance, as requested;
4. Participating States note the outcome of Comprehensive Review by the Security Council committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1540, including the consideration of the establishment of a voluntary fund, and express their support for ensuring the effective and sustainable support for the activities of the 1540 Committee;
5. With respect to the nuclear security-related aspects of Paragraph 3, sections (a) and (b) of Resolution 1540, Participating States recognize the importance of evaluating and improving their physical protection systems to ensure that they are capable of achieving the objectives set out in relevant International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Security Series documents and as contained in the document "Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities," (INFCIRC/225); and
6. Participating States in a position to do so are encouraged to provide technical assistance to those States that request it through appropriate mechanisms, including through the Committee's efforts to match needs with available resources.
Welcoming IAEA activities in support of national efforts to enhance nuclear security worldwide and commending the work of the IAEA for the provision of assistance, upon request, through its Nuclear Security Programme and for the implementation of the Nuclear Security Plan 2010-2013, approved by the Board of Governors in September 2009 and noted by the IAEA General Conference, and welcoming IAEA programs to advance new technologies to improve nuclear security and nuclear materials accountancy;
Recognizing that the IAEA is facilitating the development by Member States, in the framework of the Nuclear Security Series, of guidance and recommendations relating to the prevention and detection of, and response to, theft, sabotage, unauthorized access and illegal transfer of other malicious acts involving, inter alia, nuclear material and associated facilities, and is providing guidance in developing and implementing effective nuclear security measures;
Noting that pursuit of the objectives of this Work Plan will not be interpreted so as to alter the mandate or responsibilities of the IAEA,
1. Participating States note that the IAEA's Nuclear Security Series of documents provides recommendations and guidance to assist States in a wide range of aspects of nuclear security, and encourage the widest possible participation by all its Member States in the process;
2. Participating States in a position to do so, will work actively with the IAEA towards the completion and implementation, as appropriate, of the guidance provided by the Nuclear Security Series, and to assist, upon request, other States in doing so;
3. Participating States in particular welcome and support the IAEA's efforts to finalize the fifth revision of the recommendations contained in INFCIRC/225, which will be published in the Nuclear Security Series;
4. Participating States recognize the importance of nuclear material accountancy in support of nuclear security and look forward to the completion of the technical guidance document on " Nuclear Material Accountancy Systems at Facilities";
5. Participating States will endeavor to incorporate, as appropriate, the relevant principles set out in the Nuclear Security Series document, into the planning, construction and operation of nuclear facilities;
6. Participating States, when implementing their national nuclear security measures, will support the use of the IAEA Implementing Guide on the Development, Use and Maintenance of the Design Basis Threat to elaborate their national design basis threat as appropriate, to include the consideration of outsider and insider threats;
7. Participating States welcome the IAEA's efforts to assist States to develop, upon request, Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans to consolidate their nuclear security needs into integrated plans for nuclear security improvements and assistance;
8. Participating States recognize the value of IAEA support mechanisms such as the International Physical Protection Advisory Service missions to review, as requested, their physical protection systems for civilian nuclear material and facilities; and
9. Participating States call upon all Member States of the IAEA in a position to do so to provide the necessary support to enable the IAEA to implement these important activities
Noting the contributions to the promotion of nuclear security by the United Nations and initiatives such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, as well as other bilateral, regional, multilateral and nongovernmental activities within their respective mandates and memberships,
1. Participating states will work together, as appropriate, to ensure that nuclear security cooperation mechanisms are complementary, reinforcing, efficient, consistent with related IAEA activities and appropriately matched to identified needs in those states requesting assistance;
2. Participating states encourage, where appropriate, expanded participation in and commitment to international initiatives and voluntary cooperative mechanisms aimed at improving nuclear security and preventing nuclear terrorism; and
3. Participating states welcome the intent of the members of the G8 Global partnership, in a position to do so, to undertake additional programming to enhance nuclear security.
Recognizing states' rights to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and noting the responsibility of each state for the use and management of all nuclear materials and facilities under its jurisdiction and recognize that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium are particularly sensitive and require special precautions,
1. Participating states will consider, where appropriate, the consolidation of national sites where nuclear material is held;
2. Participating states will continue to exercise particular care in ensuring the safe and secure transport of nuclear materials, both in domestic and international transport;
3. participating states, where appropriate, will consider on a national basis the safe, secure and timely removal and disposition of nuclear materials from facilities no longer using them;
4. Participating states will continue to exercise particular care in securing and accounting for separated plutonium, taking into consideration the potential of various forms for use in a nuclear explosive device.
5. Participating states will consider, where appropriate, converting highly-enriched-uranium fueled research reactors, and other nuclear facilities using highly enriched uranium, to use low enriched uranium, where it is technically and economically feasible;
6. Participating states, as appropriate, will collaborate to research and develop new technologies that require neither highly enriched uranium fuels for reactor operation nor highly enriched uranium targets for producing medical or other isotopes, and will encourage the use of low enriched uranium and other proliferation- resistant technologies and fuels in various commercial applications such as isotope production.
7. Participating states in a position to do so will provide assistance to those states requesting assistance to secure, account for, consolidate, and convert nuclear materials; and
8. Participating states will consider how to best address the security of radioactive sources as well as consider further steps as appropriate.
Mindful of the responsibilities of every participating state to maintain effective nuclear security and a robust domestic regulatory capacity,
1. Participating states will establish and maintain effective national nuclear security regulations, including the periodic review and adjustment of the regulations as the state considers appropriate;
2. Participating states undertake to maximize regulatory independence, consistent with each state's particular legal and institutional structures.
3. Participating states will undertake to build regulatory capacity and ensure sufficiently trained and fully vetted professional nuclear security staff and adequate resources, taking into account current needs and future expansion of their respective nuclear programs; and
4. Participating states will pursue the review and enforcement of compliance with national nuclear security regulations as a matter of priority.
Understanding the role of the nuclear industry, including the private sector, in nuclear security and recognizing that national governments are responsible for standard setting within each state,
1. Participating states will work, in guiding the nuclear industry, to promote and sustain strong nuclear security culture and corporate commitment to implement robust security practices, including regular exercises and performance testing of nuclear security features, consistent with national regulations;
2. Consistent with state requirements, participating states will facilitate exchange of best practices, where legally and practically feasible, in nuclear security in the nuclear industry, and in this respect, will utilize relevant institutions to support such exchanges; and
3. Participating states encourage nuclear operators and architect/engineering firms to take into account and incorporate, where appropriate, effective measures of physical protection and security culture into the planning, construction and operation of civilian nuclear facilities and provide technical assistance, upon request, to other states in doing so.
Emphasizing the importance of the human dimension of nuclear security, the need to enhance security culture, and the need to maintain a well-trained cadre of technical experts,
1. Participating states will promote cooperation, as appropriate, among international organizations, governments, industries, other stakeholders, and academia for effective capacity building, including human resources development in nuclear security programs;
2. Participating states will encourage the creation of and networking among nuclear security support centers for capacity building to disseminate and share best practices and will support IAEA activities in this area;
3. Participating states encourage the creation of adequate national nuclear security capacities, and encourage supplier countries and technology suppliers to support those capacities in the recipient countries, including human resources development through education and training, upon request and consistent with each state's particular legal and institutional structures;
4. Participating states will encourage an integrated approach to education and training and institutional capacity building by all stakeholders having a key role in establishing and maintaining adequate security infrastructure; and
5. Participating states will encourage the implementation of national measures to ensure the proper management of sensitive information in order to prevent illicit acquisition or use of nuclear material, and, where appropriate, will support bilateral and multilateral capacity building projects, upon request.
Underscoring the value of exchanging accurate and verified information, without prejudice to confidentiality provisions, to detect, prevent, suppress, investigate and prosecute acts or attempted acts of illicit nuclear trafficking and nuclear terrorism,
1. Participating states will strive to improve their national criminal laws, as needed, to ensure that they have the adequate authority to prosecute all types of cases of illicit nuclear trafficking and nuclear terrorism and commit to prosecuting these crimes to the full extent of the law;
2. Participating states are encouraged to develop and apply mechanisms to expand sharing of information on issues, challenges, risks and solutions related to nuclear security, nuclear terrorism and illicit nuclear trafficking in a comprehensive and timely manner; and
3. Participating states are encouraged to develop methods and mechanisms, where appropriate, to enhance bilateral and multilateral collaboration in sharing urgent and relevant information on nuclear security and incidents involving illicit nuclear trafficking.
Noting the IAEA's and participating states' work in the field of nuclear detection and nuclear forensics, aimed at assisting states in connection with the detection of and response to illicitly trafficked nuclear material, and determination of its origin, and recognizing the importance of respecting provisions on confidentiality of information,
1. Participating states will consider taking further steps, nationally, bilaterally or multilaterally, to enhance their technical capabilities, including the appropriate use of new and innovative technologies, to prevent and combat illicit nuclear trafficking;
2. Participating states will explore ways to work together to develop national capacities for nuclear forensics - such as the creation of national libraries and an international directory of points of contact - to facilitate and encourage cooperation between states in combating illicit nuclear trafficking, including relevant IAEA activities in this area; and
3. Participating states will explore ways to enhance broader cooperation among local, national and international customs and law enforcement bodies to prevent illicit nuclear trafficking and acts of nuclear terrorism, including through joint exercises and sharing of best practices.
This Work Plan supports the Communiqué of the Washington Nuclear Security Summit. It constitutes a political commitment by the Participating States to carry out, on a voluntary basis, applicable portions of this Work Plan, consistent with respective national laws and international obligations, in all aspects of the storage, use, transportation and disposal of nuclear materials and in preventing non-state actors from obtaining the information required to use such materials for malicious purposes.
Recognizing the importance of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism as an important legally binding multilateral instrument addressing threats posed by acts of nuclear terrorism,
1. Participating States Parties to the Convention will work together to achieve universality of the Convention, as soon as possible;
2. Participating States Parties to the Convention will assist States, as appropriate and upon their request, to implement the Conventions; and
3. Participating States Parties to the Convention encourage discussions among States Parties to consider measures to ensure its effective implementation, as called for in Article 20 of the Convention.
Recognizing the importance of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as the only multilateral legally binding agreement dealing with the physical protection of nuclear material in peaceful uses, and the value of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention in strengthening global security,
1. Participating States Parties to the Convention will work towards its universal adherence and where applicable, to accelerate the ratification processes of the Amendment to the Convention and to act for early implementation of that Amendment;
2. Participating States Parties to the Convention call on all States to act in accordance with the object and purpose of the Amendment until such time as it enters into force; and
3. Participating States Parties to the Convention will assist States, as appropriate and upon their request, to implement the Convention and the Amendment.
Noting the need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on preventing non-State actors from obtaining weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials, in particular as it relates to nuclear material,
1. Participating States support the continued dialogue between the Security Council committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1540 and States and support strengthened international cooperation in this regard, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and within the framework of the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy;
2. Participating States support the activities of the Security Council committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1540 to promote full implementation;
3. Participating States recognize the importance of complete and timely reporting as called for by UNSCR 1540, and will work with other States to do so, including by providing technical support or assistance, as requested;
4. Participating States note the outcome of Comprehensive Review by the Security Council committee established pursuant to UNSCR 1540, including the consideration of the establishment of a voluntary fund, and express their support for ensuring the effective and sustainable support for the activities of the 1540 Committee;
5. With respect to the nuclear security-related aspects of Paragraph 3, sections (a) and (b) of Resolution 1540, Participating States recognize the importance of evaluating and improving their physical protection systems to ensure that they are capable of achieving the objectives set out in relevant International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Security Series documents and as contained in the document "Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities," (INFCIRC/225); and
6. Participating States in a position to do so are encouraged to provide technical assistance to those States that request it through appropriate mechanisms, including through the Committee's efforts to match needs with available resources.
Welcoming IAEA activities in support of national efforts to enhance nuclear security worldwide and commending the work of the IAEA for the provision of assistance, upon request, through its Nuclear Security Programme and for the implementation of the Nuclear Security Plan 2010-2013, approved by the Board of Governors in September 2009 and noted by the IAEA General Conference, and welcoming IAEA programs to advance new technologies to improve nuclear security and nuclear materials accountancy;
Recognizing that the IAEA is facilitating the development by Member States, in the framework of the Nuclear Security Series, of guidance and recommendations relating to the prevention and detection of, and response to, theft, sabotage, unauthorized access and illegal transfer of other malicious acts involving, inter alia, nuclear material and associated facilities, and is providing guidance in developing and implementing effective nuclear security measures;
Noting that pursuit of the objectives of this Work Plan will not be interpreted so as to alter the mandate or responsibilities of the IAEA,
1. Participating States note that the IAEA's Nuclear Security Series of documents provides recommendations and guidance to assist States in a wide range of aspects of nuclear security, and encourage the widest possible participation by all its Member States in the process;
2. Participating States in a position to do so, will work actively with the IAEA towards the completion and implementation, as appropriate, of the guidance provided by the Nuclear Security Series, and to assist, upon request, other States in doing so;
3. Participating States in particular welcome and support the IAEA's efforts to finalize the fifth revision of the recommendations contained in INFCIRC/225, which will be published in the Nuclear Security Series;
4. Participating States recognize the importance of nuclear material accountancy in support of nuclear security and look forward to the completion of the technical guidance document on " Nuclear Material Accountancy Systems at Facilities";
5. Participating States will endeavor to incorporate, as appropriate, the relevant principles set out in the Nuclear Security Series document, into the planning, construction and operation of nuclear facilities;
6. Participating States, when implementing their national nuclear security measures, will support the use of the IAEA Implementing Guide on the Development, Use and Maintenance of the Design Basis Threat to elaborate their national design basis threat as appropriate, to include the consideration of outsider and insider threats;
7. Participating States welcome the IAEA's efforts to assist States to develop, upon request, Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans to consolidate their nuclear security needs into integrated plans for nuclear security improvements and assistance;
8. Participating States recognize the value of IAEA support mechanisms such as the International Physical Protection Advisory Service missions to review, as requested, their physical protection systems for civilian nuclear material and facilities; and
9. Participating States call upon all Member States of the IAEA in a position to do so to provide the necessary support to enable the IAEA to implement these important activities
Noting the contributions to the promotion of nuclear security by the United Nations and initiatives such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, as well as other bilateral, regional, multilateral and nongovernmental activities within their respective mandates and memberships,
1. Participating states will work together, as appropriate, to ensure that nuclear security cooperation mechanisms are complementary, reinforcing, efficient, consistent with related IAEA activities and appropriately matched to identified needs in those states requesting assistance;
2. Participating states encourage, where appropriate, expanded participation in and commitment to international initiatives and voluntary cooperative mechanisms aimed at improving nuclear security and preventing nuclear terrorism; and
3. Participating states welcome the intent of the members of the G8 Global partnership, in a position to do so, to undertake additional programming to enhance nuclear security.
Recognizing states' rights to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and noting the responsibility of each state for the use and management of all nuclear materials and facilities under its jurisdiction and recognize that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium are particularly sensitive and require special precautions,
1. Participating states will consider, where appropriate, the consolidation of national sites where nuclear material is held;
2. Participating states will continue to exercise particular care in ensuring the safe and secure transport of nuclear materials, both in domestic and international transport;
3. participating states, where appropriate, will consider on a national basis the safe, secure and timely removal and disposition of nuclear materials from facilities no longer using them;
4. Participating states will continue to exercise particular care in securing and accounting for separated plutonium, taking into consideration the potential of various forms for use in a nuclear explosive device.
5. Participating states will consider, where appropriate, converting highly-enriched-uranium fueled research reactors, and other nuclear facilities using highly enriched uranium, to use low enriched uranium, where it is technically and economically feasible;
6. Participating states, as appropriate, will collaborate to research and develop new technologies that require neither highly enriched uranium fuels for reactor operation nor highly enriched uranium targets for producing medical or other isotopes, and will encourage the use of low enriched uranium and other proliferation- resistant technologies and fuels in various commercial applications such as isotope production.
7. Participating states in a position to do so will provide assistance to those states requesting assistance to secure, account for, consolidate, and convert nuclear materials; and
8. Participating states will consider how to best address the security of radioactive sources as well as consider further steps as appropriate.
Mindful of the responsibilities of every participating state to maintain effective nuclear security and a robust domestic regulatory capacity,
1. Participating states will establish and maintain effective national nuclear security regulations, including the periodic review and adjustment of the regulations as the state considers appropriate;
2. Participating states undertake to maximize regulatory independence, consistent with each state's particular legal and institutional structures.
3. Participating states will undertake to build regulatory capacity and ensure sufficiently trained and fully vetted professional nuclear security staff and adequate resources, taking into account current needs and future expansion of their respective nuclear programs; and
4. Participating states will pursue the review and enforcement of compliance with national nuclear security regulations as a matter of priority.
Understanding the role of the nuclear industry, including the private sector, in nuclear security and recognizing that national governments are responsible for standard setting within each state,
1. Participating states will work, in guiding the nuclear industry, to promote and sustain strong nuclear security culture and corporate commitment to implement robust security practices, including regular exercises and performance testing of nuclear security features, consistent with national regulations;
2. Consistent with state requirements, participating states will facilitate exchange of best practices, where legally and practically feasible, in nuclear security in the nuclear industry, and in this respect, will utilize relevant institutions to support such exchanges; and
3. Participating states encourage nuclear operators and architect/engineering firms to take into account and incorporate, where appropriate, effective measures of physical protection and security culture into the planning, construction and operation of civilian nuclear facilities and provide technical assistance, upon request, to other states in doing so.
Emphasizing the importance of the human dimension of nuclear security, the need to enhance security culture, and the need to maintain a well-trained cadre of technical experts,
1. Participating states will promote cooperation, as appropriate, among international organizations, governments, industries, other stakeholders, and academia for effective capacity building, including human resources development in nuclear security programs;
2. Participating states will encourage the creation of and networking among nuclear security support centers for capacity building to disseminate and share best practices and will support IAEA activities in this area;
3. Participating states encourage the creation of adequate national nuclear security capacities, and encourage supplier countries and technology suppliers to support those capacities in the recipient countries, including human resources development through education and training, upon request and consistent with each state's particular legal and institutional structures;
4. Participating states will encourage an integrated approach to education and training and institutional capacity building by all stakeholders having a key role in establishing and maintaining adequate security infrastructure; and
5. Participating states will encourage the implementation of national measures to ensure the proper management of sensitive information in order to prevent illicit acquisition or use of nuclear material, and, where appropriate, will support bilateral and multilateral capacity building projects, upon request.
Underscoring the value of exchanging accurate and verified information, without prejudice to confidentiality provisions, to detect, prevent, suppress, investigate and prosecute acts or attempted acts of illicit nuclear trafficking and nuclear terrorism,
1. Participating states will strive to improve their national criminal laws, as needed, to ensure that they have the adequate authority to prosecute all types of cases of illicit nuclear trafficking and nuclear terrorism and commit to prosecuting these crimes to the full extent of the law;
2. Participating states are encouraged to develop and apply mechanisms to expand sharing of information on issues, challenges, risks and solutions related to nuclear security, nuclear terrorism and illicit nuclear trafficking in a comprehensive and timely manner; and
3. Participating states are encouraged to develop methods and mechanisms, where appropriate, to enhance bilateral and multilateral collaboration in sharing urgent and relevant information on nuclear security and incidents involving illicit nuclear trafficking.
Noting the IAEA's and participating states' work in the field of nuclear detection and nuclear forensics, aimed at assisting states in connection with the detection of and response to illicitly trafficked nuclear material, and determination of its origin, and recognizing the importance of respecting provisions on confidentiality of information,
1. Participating states will consider taking further steps, nationally, bilaterally or multilaterally, to enhance their technical capabilities, including the appropriate use of new and innovative technologies, to prevent and combat illicit nuclear trafficking;
2. Participating states will explore ways to work together to develop national capacities for nuclear forensics - such as the creation of national libraries and an international directory of points of contact - to facilitate and encourage cooperation between states in combating illicit nuclear trafficking, including relevant IAEA activities in this area; and
3. Participating states will explore ways to enhance broader cooperation among local, national and international customs and law enforcement bodies to prevent illicit nuclear trafficking and acts of nuclear terrorism, including through joint exercises and sharing of best practices.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Hello, Half of the world
April 14, 2010
Not a very special day--despite the fact that it is the tax day and the seond day that I lost my laptop.
This is now the official blog of Serena, about her voyage & adventurn around half of the world.
The girl came across the Pacific Ocean in the hope of exploring both the other half of world and the other half of herself - whom she's never known yet.
Hello, Half the of the world?
Salam, Esfahan?
Not a very special day--despite the fact that it is the tax day and the seond day that I lost my laptop.
This is now the official blog of Serena, about her voyage & adventurn around half of the world.
The girl came across the Pacific Ocean in the hope of exploring both the other half of world and the other half of herself - whom she's never known yet.
Hello, Half the of the world?
Salam, Esfahan?
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