Indigenous Engagement

Question: Discuss about theIndigenous Engagement. Answer: Introduction: Australia has initiated the Indigenous land and sea management activities with the involvement of various groups and organizations (Hill et al. 2013). Natural and resource management relates to management of interaction between people and the natural landscapes. It includes range of activities for managing the natural resources, environment and cultural heritage (Martin and Trigger 2015). These initiatives have contributed to the development of conservation-based economy with significant social and cultural benefits in remote areas (Kerr et al. 2015). The essay explains the term indigenous engagement in context of natural and cultural resource management. It further provides an assessment of the necessity of engagement by government agencies, business and NGOs with Indigenous stakeholders in land and sea management. Later it discusses the implications of successful and unsuccessful participation of indigenous stakeholders on the management agencies. A thorough literature review is pe rformed to support the facts provided in the essay. Finally, the essay draws a conclusion based on the overall discussion. Firstly, it is necessary to discuss why particularly Australia emphasizes on Indigenous engagement for natural and cultural resource management. The origin of these activities lies in the fact that there is a holistic relationship of 50,000 years between Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their customary lands and sea estates (Martin and Trigger 2015). Since 1970, Australian Indigenous communities have received ownerships on significant areas of land (Perth et al. 2015). Since then, these communities have showed great interest in land and sea management. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders embrace their traditions and culture very tightly and are very particular in implementing long-established cultural practices that are passed on by their ancestors (Langton et al. 2014). These include worshiping of sacred plants, which also have great medicinal values, performing species-specific ceremonies and use of traditional resources seasonally (Hemming and Ri gney 2014). Aboriginals are involved in contemporary practices such as feral animal and weed management and other activities include maintaining desired environmental conditions by use of fire (Kerr et al. 2015). A great deal of research has been conducted on Aboriginals cultural and traditional practices and the research findings showed that these activities are highly beneficial to the environment (Pert et al. 2015). The present day environment in coastal and island region existing in Australia is due to these cultural practices of Indigenous population. The other regions in Australia have undergone great climatic and sea level changes. The necessity of Indigenous engagement in land and sea management is due to recognition of their spiritual and cultural connections with connection and passion for active participation in protecting their motherland (Watkin et al. 2016). According to Hill et al. (2012), the government of Australia has initiated these caring for country activities after recognizing the value of environment and biodiversity on Indigenous management lands and their importance in sustaining lives of present and future generation (Altman and Jackson 2014). Government agencies have started employing Indigenous Australian in national parks, and organizations involved in natural resource management incorporating Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK). These communities have also established their own land and sea management agencies (Pert et al. 2015). These land and sea management activities are funded by all levels of governments in Australia. The government engages indigenous communities to establish a protected area on their own after they have successfully claimed their lands and work for its betterment. The non-government Natural Resource Management bodies, have also responded and provided support through funding, policy innovations and partnerships (Watkin et al. 2016). Indigenous people engage with multiple stakeholders such as government, conservationists, scientists, in managing environment through various mechanisms- Natural Resource Management (NRM), water planning processes, native title agreements, and endangered species initiatives and others (Bohensky et al. 2013). The Commonwealth Employment Program in Natural and Cultural Resource Management provided contract employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians in Marine Park, Crown land and national parks (Smyth and Isherwood 2016). The establishment of government independent NRM bodies as well as Aboriginal Ranger services on Kowanyan land and Palm Island has provided new directions to present time Indigenous land management agencies( Hill et al. 2013). Some of the other regional organizations for land and sea management include Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MALDRIN), North Australian Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) (Langt on et al. 2014). The necessity of Indigenous engagement is to improve the social, economic and environmental viability of the land (Cunneen and Libesman 1995). The Indigenous engagement for land and sea management is an interrelated pathway. The NGOs and NRM agencies need support from these communities to manage natural resources efficiently incorporating IEK (Jang et al. 2015). To support the initiatives partnership with Indigenous stakeholders require enhanced support to provide them with adequate training and education in environmental research disciplines and simultaneously transfer their knowledge for betterment of land and sea (Kerr et al. 2015). The need to understand the ecological importance of some of the plants, wild animals such as buffaloes and horses and to gain knowledge if these animals are bush pests or bush pets, rock hole cleaning and knowledge of bees triggers Indigenous engagement (Anaya 2004). It promotes management of threatening processes, preserve natural resources and sustai nable agriculture. Altman and Jackson (2014) believes engagement is an innovative framework to better handle issues related Marine Park; protect the cultural values of Aboriginals including traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering. This framework alternately improves the life of Indigenous communities by enhancing self-dependency, dignity, respect, improved outlook on life, and greater development of organizational skills (Martin and Trigger 2015). Their engagement is highly important in saving ecologically important marine resources such as marine turtles and dugongs and recognizing culturally important domains of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia (Jang 2015). Conclusively, Indigenous engagement offers multiple benefits that are protection of environmental resources, sustainable economic development and tourism industry, sustaining Indigenous culture and minimizing the social determinants of Indigenous communities. The engagement of Indigenous communities in land and sea management is an optimistic approach. The Law of Sea adopted by UN convention in 1982 created positive implications for Indigenous people. They regained control and improved access to marine resources. Martin and Trigger (2015) studied that the successful engagement of the Indigenous stakeholders and partnerships with NGOs worked well due to strong Indigenous leaderships and their involvement in decision making regarding policy framework of human rights and respect for self determination (Pert et al. 2015). The positive implication of the NRM agencies of successful engagement of Indigenous stakeholders originated from partnership built on Indigenous history, culture, IEK, aspirations and understanding of Indigenous capacities. The positive implication was also an outcome of better living conditions, protection of rights and empowerment of Indigenous Australians (Hill et al. 2013). The unsuccessful engagement of Indigenous commu nities in some cases was due to poor governance and coordination by agencies, existence of racism in organizations (Anaya 2004). In addition, the NRM agencies failed to tangibly resource the Indigenous partner. According to the case study reports of Jang (2015), funding allocations by the government agencies were too small and supported only one-off programs which caused limited sustainability of health improvements. Moreover, there was a power imbalance due to weak funding relationship (Martin and Trigger 2015). The mainstream providers of some of the NGOs lacked cultural sensitivity and failed to provide sufficient information to the stakeholders. Due to short time frame, and partnership with inadequate resources and differences in pay, position and training between mainstream and Aboriginal health workers. Consequently, it resulted in unsuccessful engagement of Indigenous communities. It delayed the accomplishment of goal of successful land and sea management (Cunneen and Libesma n 1995). In conclusion, there have been significant changes in the protected land areas and current marine management arrangements in coastal regions. Further development can be observed by paying attention to urgently needed reforms such as National Reserve System for Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA), requires establishment of MPAs by Act of Parliament. Since last 30 years, there has been a quantum increase in funding by the Commonwealth government in Indigenous land and sea management initiatives. These increasing initiatives are giving rise to diverse partnerships with research, government bodies, and non-government conservation agencies resulting in mutual benefits for all parties. It may take another decade to demonstrate if land and sea management economy is a short term or long term propitious niche for Australian Indigenous communities. The natural resource management initiatives driven by Indigenous groups instead of government policies incorporating IEK clearly appears to have long-t erm future as they are grounded in Indigenous culture. The government must respond to this momentum positively and overcome its challenge of not burdening the fund recipients with reporting and excessive compliance processes. References Altman, J. and Jackson, S., 2014. Indigenous land and sea management.Ten Commitments Revisited: Securing Australia's Future Environment. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, pp.207-216. Anaya, S.J., 2004.Indigenous peoples in international law. Oxford University Press, USA. Bohensky, E.L., Butler, J.R. and Davies, J., 2013. Integrating indigenous ecological knowledge and science in natural resource management: perspectives from Australia.Ecology and Society,18(3), p.20. Cunneen, C. and Libesman, T., 1995.Indigenous people and the law in Australia. Butterworth-Heinemann. Havea, J. ed., 2014.Indigenous Australia and the Unfinished Business of Theology: Cross-Cultural Engagement. Springer.. Hemming, S. and Rigney, D., 2014. Indigenous engagement in environmental water planning, research and management: Innovations in South Australias Murray-Darling Basin Region.Goyder Institute for Water Research Technical Report Series, (14/21). Hill, R., Grant, C., George, M., Robinson, C.J., Jackson, S. and Abel, N., 2012. A typology of indigenous engagement in Australian environmental management: implications for knowledge integration and social-ecological system sustainability.Ecology and Society,17, pp.1-17. Hill, R., Pert, P.L., Davies, J., Robinson, C.J., Walsh, F. and Falco-Mammone, F., 2013.Indigenous land management in Australia: extent, scope, diversity, barriers and success factors. Jang, H.S., 2015. Social Identities of Young Indigenous People in Contemporary Australia. Kerr, S., Colton, J., Johnson, K. and Wright, G., 2015. Rights and ownership in sea country: implications of marine renewable energy for indigenous and local communities.Marine Policy,52, pp.108-115. Langton, M., Palmer, L. and Rhea, Z.M., 2014. Community-oriented protected areas for indigenous peoples and local communities.Indigenous Peoples, National Parks, and Protected Areas: A New Paradigm Linking Conservation, Culture, and Rights, p.84. Leonard, S., Parsons, M., Olawsky, K. and Kofod, F., 2013. The role of culture and traditional knowledge in climate change adaptation: Insights from East Kimberley, Australia.Global Environmental Change,23(3), pp.623-632. Martin, R.J. and Trigger, D., 2015. Nothing never change: mapping land, water and Aboriginal identity in the changing environments of northern Australia's Gulf Country.Settler Colonial Studies,5(4), pp.317-333. Pert, P.L., Ens, E.J., Locke, J., Clarke, P.A., Packer, J.M. and Turpin, G., 2015. An online spatial database of Australian Indigenous Biocultural Knowledge for contemporary natural and cultural resource management.Science of The Total Environment,534, pp.110-121. Smyth, D. and Isherwood, M., 2016. Protecting sea country: Indigenous peoples and marine protected areas in Australia.Big, Bold and Blue: Lessons from Australia's Marine Protected Areas, p.307. Watkin Lui, F., Kiatkoski Kim, M., Delisle, A., Stoeckl, N. and Marsh, H., 2016. Setting the Table: Indigenous Engagement on Environmental Issues in a Politicized Context.Society Natural Resources, pp.1-17.

Ferdinand Porsche Essay Example For Students

Ferdinand Porsche Essay Ferdinand Porsche was born on September 3, 1875. Always interested in thingsmechanical, at the age of 15 he equipped his familys home with electricity, designing andbuilding the generator and even the light bulb. The name Porsche first appeared on a carin 1900, the Lohner-Porsche, a battery-powered car that was first shown at the ParisExhibition. In 1906 Porsche was hired by the Daimler Motor Co. as Technical Director,and eventually becoming the Chief Engineer. One of his Mercedes designs created forDaimler-Benz won the 1924 Targa Florio, and he built on this success to create theMercedes-Benz S series of the late 1920s, cars which have been referred to as streetPorsche proposed a mass-produced Mercedes-Benz for the ordinary driver but was turneddown by his employer, so he left the Daimler-Benz organization and started up on hisown. The Volkswagen plan dates from this time, along with three aerodynamic versionsbuilt for racing. During World War II Porsche found himself working for hitler andbuilding projects such as producing farm tractors. Hitler got porsche to build him theKubelwagen, the Schwimwagen, and even a car that used wood as fuel to opperate in thewar.But in 1946, when Porsches son Ferry and daughter Louise Plech joined the firm,they returned to the goal of sports car design. The Porsche Type 356 went into productionPorsche died in 1951, having seen the Porsche name on a sports car.Bibliography:

William Figueroa Essay Example For Students

William Figueroa Essay William Figueroa was born on March 9, 1961, in Havana, Cuba. He was the son of a civil engineering student at University of Havana who became a revolutionary leader in Fidel Castros military. His mother was a Spanish hairstylist in Havana. William began to draw at an early age. After the Cuban Revolution his parents left the country because of political persecution and were forced to abandon him at the early age into the custody of Luis Bush. Bush was a well-known Cuban politician and businessman. William was cared for throughout his childhood years and was introduced to art by Bushs son, Luis Bush jr. n architectural student at the University of Havana. ) We will write a custom essay on William Figueroa specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now From this, he was inspired to become an architect with a dream of someday working for Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Architects the designer of the Lever House, which was the first modern glass skyscraper ever built. William graduated Louisiana State University architectural program with help of his mentor architect Charles Colbert. In 1986 his first exhibition was at the Louisiana State Museum art competition where two of his paintings were selected. In 1989, William was given the opportunity to work as an architectural designer for the famous New York firm of I. M. Pei Partners Architects. In 1999, William began to concentrate on creating painting and sculpting pieces. Figueroa has used his mathematical skills derived from architecture and applied it to his artwork. His paintings express simplicity yet has definition of spirituality and a sense of higher power. Most of his paintings are straight edged and â€Å"boxed†. The colors he uses gives meaning to the mood of the work. His sculpture work is much like his paintings with an architecture feel. His work is currently displayed at the Center for the Arts Museum in Vero Beach, Florida.

Writing a Good Sample Essay For the English Regents August Opportunity

Writing a Good Sample Essay For the English Regents August OpportunityIf you want to have a better chance of getting accepted for the English Regents August Employment Opportunity, then you should be prepared to write a good sample essay. In most cases, applicants will get asked to send in an essay or writing sample because they are less likely to think that this particular opportunity requires one. The fact is that this is the only way to know whether or not you will receive an interview with the English Regents August Employment Opportunity or not.The English Regents August Employment Opportunity will be held at South Carolina College. This particular college has been around for decades and is known for its college graduates who make it big in the business world. As such, you need to prove that you have a good command of the English language as well as that you have relevant work experience. Aside from this, the essay samples that you are required to send in are going to be used as a foundation for the interview.The essay samples that you are asked to send in will either be the actual essay that you have written or a finished piece. Once you have completed the essay, the fact that you have submitted it in English should be clear. This is going to be used by your potential employer to determine whether or not he wants to talk to you on the phone or if he is going to allow you to go through a personal visit first. You should use this sample essay as a guide so that you can avoid writing something that will be difficult to understand or will have grammatical errors.Your essay should also show how you can help the company accomplish its goals for the best possible job for your skills and experience. If you have many writing skills, then you should use them to supplement what you have to offer. As such, it is important that you have good proofreading skills as well as grammar skills. With these, you can let your personality shine through in the essay.There are goi ng to be a number of essay samples that you will be asked to send in for the English Regents August Employment Opportunity. Most of these are going to be on subjects such as leadership and teamwork, but there are going to be others as well. If you are asked to write a number of essays that all focus on one topic, you will want to ensure that you have all of the skills necessary to do so.As with any sample essay, you should use your creative writing skills to bring about some type of impact. As such, you should incorporate elements of your personal experiences or perspectives into the essay. By doing so, you can make a statement that would be meaningful to the company.You should think of a topic that would attract the attention of the reader or listener by being able to come up with a unique perspective. Many companies base their hiring decisions on the idea that employees come with a very strong point of view that will stand out from other applicants. By coming up with ideas that yo u have had or experiences that you have had, you can not only give an insight into yourself, but also that of the company.In conclusion, when it comes to the English Regents August Employment Opportunity, you need to be prepared to write a good sample essay. By having a strong grasp of the English language, a professional command of grammar and a creative and unique perspective, you can be sure that you will have a great chance of being offered an interview at the English Regents August Employment Opportunity.

What to Do in Budapest 11 Top Attractions

What to Do in Budapest 11 Top Attractions SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips One of the rising stars in European tourism, Budapest’s charms and sights are gaining popularity worldwide. Gone are the days when the Hungarian capital was widely thought of as a drab administrative city, filled only with aging Communist-era buildings. These days, Budapest tourism is rapidly growing and savvy visitors know that it's one of Europe’s great cities with diverse architecture, unique cultural experiences, and some of the most inventive nightlife on the continent. Are you wondering what to do in Budapest? Follow this guide to immerse yourself in Budapest’s history, traditions, and culture. By visiting the Budapest attractions listed below, you’ll find yourself relaxing in opulent thermal baths, paying your respects at moving WWII memorials, admiring the largest Parliament in Europe, and drinking a new cocktail in the gardens of a formerly abandoned warehouse. This list of 11 things to do in Budapest is organized into four groups, based on the location of the sites: Castle Hill, City Park, Parliament and Around, and Central Pest. This organization lets you visit sites near each other, instead of spending your trip running from one end of town to the other. Many people choose to stay in downtown Pest because it has the most accommodation options, but Budapest has a great subway system to help you get from one area to another. You can buy individual subway tickets, day passes, or multi-day passes. I'd recommend that you spend at least a half-day to a full day in each area, and, if you choose to stay longer, you’ll find Budapest has enough activities to fill any itinerary. The Top 11 Places to Visit in Budapest Check out this map of the best things to do in Budapest and then read more about each below. This map can also be viewed online. Castle Hill - Red Matthias Church Fisherman’s Bastion Buda Castle City Park - Blue Szà ©chenyi Bath Vajdahunyad Castle Heroes’ Square Parliament and Around - Purple Hungarian Parliament Building Shoes on the Danube Monument Central Pest - Green Hungarian State Opera House Ruin Pubs Great Synagogue Castle Hill Attractions You can find some of the most famous- and stunning- things to see in Budapest in the Castle Hill area, including gorgeous architecture and historically important sites. Matthias Church Matthias Church is one of the top Budapest attractions, and it’s a center point of Castle Hill. Built in the late 13th century, Matthias Church was the first parish church in Budapest, and it has remained an important symbol of the city. During its long history, Matthias Church hosted multiple royal coronations, was damaged by cannon fire, and spent over 100 years as a Mosque while the city was under Ottoman rule. Even if you feel like you’ve seen enough European churches to last a lifetime, stop for a look at Matthias Church. It doesn’t have the soaring grandeur of larger churches like Notre Dame and Milan’s Duomo, but its unique colors and design make it one of the most pleasant churches in Europe to view. The church was extensively restored in the 1900s, and today it’s popular with tourists who come to see and photograph the Gothic architecture, stained glass windows, and vibrant diamond-patterned roof tiles. The church is also home to the Ecclesiastical Art Museum. The museum (which charges a small fee) begins in the church’s medieval crypt and continues to the chapel. While touring the museum, visitors can view the tombs of 10th century rulers King Bà ©la III and his wife Agnes, replicas of the royal Hungarian jewels, and assorted other jewels and religious objects. Fisherman’s Bastion One of the most unusual sights in Budapest, Fisherman’s Bastion is an elegant, neo-Gothic terrace overlooking the Danube. The site was named for a group of fisherman who defended the city from invasion during the Middle Ages. Walking under gleaming white arches and along staircases and terraces, visitors get sweeping views of the Danube, including a birds-eye view of Parliament. The seven turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion represent the seven Magyar tribe leaders who are regarded as the founders of modern-day Hungary. It may not seem like there’s much to do at Fisherman’s Bastion since the site is little more than an attractive lookout, but many tourists spend far longer than they planned here, strolling from one end of the terrace to the other and taking rolls of photos. When visiting Castle Hill, make Fisherman’s Bastion your first stop (easy to do since it’s very close to public transportation stops). The weather in Budapest can be fickle, and there are times when the terrace and its views are enveloped by fog. It usually clears later in the day, so check back periodically if the weather isn’t cooperating when you first stop by. Fisherman’s Bastion is located next to Matthias Church, and together these two sites make up one the best places to visit in Budapest. Here you can walk along cobblestone streets, look at historic buildings, and grab lunch in one of the numerous traditional cafà ©s that line the streets. Buda Castle Rising up from the southern end of Castle Hill is the imposing, sprawling structure of Buda Castle. The first castle on this site was completed in 1265, and the castle continued to be expanded and rebuilt throughout the centuries. Buda Castle has been a royal residence for generations of Hungarian rulers, besieged by Ottoman armies, taken over by the Habsburgs, occupied by Nazis during WWII, and designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987. Today, the grounds are adorned with numerous statues and gardens, which visitors can admire while walking around the castle. Within the castle are a trio of museums and institutions: the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, and the National Szà ©chà ©nyi Library (the museum and gallery both require tickets, but the library is free to visit). Each site is well worth a visit, focusing on the history of the city, Hungarian art, and a collection of rare books and paper, respectively. If you can only visit one museum (visiting all three can make for a long day), my pick is the Budapest History Museum. Far more than a dry collection of artifacts, this museum spans three floors and includes such varied exhibits as recreations of opulent rooms as they looked when used by royals, paintings by Hungarian Masters, and excavated rooms of the medieval castle in the basement. There are no cars allowed on Castle Hill unless you live or work in the area, and the lack of noise and traffic contributes to the feeling that you’ve stepped into the past and are far removed from the bustle of the city down below. City Park Attractions City Park is a large public park that includes some of Budapest's best attractions. Szà ©chenyi Bath Visiting the city's famed baths is one of the top things to do in Budapest. Budapest’s abundant thermal waters means there are numerous baths to choose from, but, in terms of history and enjoyability, Szà ©chenyi Bath is far and away your best option. As the largest thermal bath in Europe, Szà ©chenyi Bath is one of Budapest’s iconic sites. When it was built in 1913, the architecture followed the Neo-baroque style popular at the time, and it’s easy to feel like you’re wading through the private pool of a royal palace as you move between the bath’s 18 different pools. When you arrive, you’ll be given a waterproof key card to a personal closet-sized locker, where you can change into your swimsuit (required) and store your belongings while you’re in the baths. There are both indoor and outdoor pools to choose between in Szà ©chenyi. While the indoor pools have a wider variety of temperatures, as well as saunas and steam rooms, most people prefer the outdoor baths because they are typically brighter and cleaner, and they let you enjoy the cheery, slightly aged exterior of the baths. Szà ©chenyi is popular with tourists, and there will likely be a number of people soaking alongside you, but it remains an institution for Budapest locals. They come here to relax after work, socialize, and play a game of chess on one of the waterproof boards in the baths. At Szà ©chenyi, you can also purchase additional services, such as massages. Ticket prices vary depending on the time of day you visit and if you want a cabin or locker, but expect to pay about 5000 Florin (about $18 USD). Massages are an additional 5000-35000 Florin. The thermal waters keep temperatures warm year-round at Szà ©chenyi, so both the indoor and outdoor baths remain open in winter. Vajdahunyad Castle Vajdahunyad Castle is located close to the Szà ©chenyi Baths within City Park, but many people breeze past this tucked away corner of town without pausing to explore. Vajdahunyad can’t compare to Buda Castle’s immense size or history, but this attractive and somewhat mysterious castle earns major points for charm. The castle was originally built in 1896 as a temporary structure of cardboard and wood to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin. However, Budapest’s citizens were so taken with it that the present structure, made of stone and painted in muted blues, purples, and oranges, was soon constructed. Set back amongst trees and gardens, the castle’s shadowy exterior reveals features from numerous architectural styles that showcase the variety and evolution of architecture in Budapest. Additional touches to the castle include sunken windows, a portcullis, and numerous turrets overlooking a boating lake turned ice skating rink in the winter. A popular spot for photos is the brooding, slightly creepy statue of Anonymus, a mysterious Hungarian notary and chronicler who lived around 1200 AD. Inside the castle is Museum of Hungarian Agriculture (small fee charged), but even if you’re not interested in the museum’s focus, it’s pleasant simply to walk through the castle’s interior and climb to the top of the two tallest towers for views of the park. Vajdahunyad Castle was only built at the turn of the 20th century, but its historical architecture and romantic setting make it feel far older. A short stroll around the castle or a picnic on its grounds beside the lake is an excellent way to take a break from a busy day of sightseeing. Heroes’ Square Another attraction near City Park, Heroes’ Square does not take long to visit, but it’s one of the city’s most important landmarks. Located at the end of Andrssy Avenue, Heroes’ Square is well-worth visiting to get a sense of Hungary’s history. Built in 1896 to celebrate Hungary’s 1000th anniversary, Heroes’ Square is the largest square in Budapest. The focal point of the square is tall column adorned with a statue of the archangel Gabriel. Flanking the base are seven statues representing the seven original Magyar chieftains. Surrounding the column are 14 pillars with statues of other important Hungarian figures. Viewing the square’s statues and plaques is a great crash-course on the history of the country. Among the statues you’ll see famed Hungarian saints, rulers, and warriors. A plaque in the square dedicates the site "To the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of our people and our national independence." During Budapest’s long history, the city was occupied by foreign invaders several times and ruled by a communist regime. Heroes’ Square now serves as a physical monument to Hungary’s dedication to democracy. The square can be visited both during the day and at night, when it is lit up by floodlights. Parliament and Around If you're interested in more recent history, this is the area for you, with monuments to Hungary's tumultuous 20th century. Hungarian Parliament Building The Hungarian Parliament Building is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary and one of the icons of Budapest. Its design was based on the UK Parliament Building, the Palace of Westminster, but the Parliament of Budapest is no mere copycat. This is one of the oldest and largest legislative buildings in Europe, and since the day it was completed in 1904, it has been the largest building in Hungary. Built along the bank of the Danube River, this soaring Gothic Revival building looks surprisingly delicate up close, with numerous intricate details. Visitors can opt to take a guided tour of the building to see sights including the House Chambers, the inside of the dome, the grand entrance staircase, the Hungarian crown jewels, and a small museum. Tickets, which are 5200 Florin for non-EU citizens, must be purchased beforehand, either online or in person. Make sure you view the Parliament Building both during the day and at night, when the entire structure is lit up, its reflection glowing in the river. Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial There are World War II memorials far grander than this collection of 60 pairs of iron shoes scattered along the edge of the Danube, but that doesn’t make this site any less moving. The monument was conceived by director Can Togay and created by sculptor Gyula Pauer to honor the people murdered by soldiers of the Arrow Cross, a national socialist party in Hungary during WWII. Between 1944 and 1945, an unknown number of victims, mostly Budapest Jews, were taken to the edge of the Danube and shot, their bodies falling into the river. Before they were killed, they were told to remove their shoes, which could be resold for a profit. This small memorial, a few hundred feet from Parliament, poignantly pays tribute to the victims. The shoes were designed to accurately represent shoes from that period, and they were created in many different styles to represent the wide variety of victims: men, women, business people, teenagers, and children. The shoes are often adorned with ribbons or flowers left as tokens of remembrance by visitors. Walking along the memorial and viewing the empty shoes strewn forlornly along the Danube’s bank is a powerful reminder of the lives lost in WWII. Central Pest Attractions Central Pest is where many visitors choose to stay, because it offers easy access to all the Budapest sights. It's also home to some of the city's most exciting cultural attractions. Hungarian State Opera House Housed in an elegant neo-Renaissance building dating from 1884, the Hungarian State Opera House is a point of pride for many Hungarians, yet it’s much less well-known than many other European opera houses. For a small fee, you can take one of the regular tours of the opera house. After passing the figures of two of Hungary’s most renowned composers in the entrance, you’ll enter a foyer with marble columns and vaulted ceilings. Like all grand opera houses, this one has a sweeping staircase dominating the entrance, used by Hungarian’s past elite to see and be seen. Other opulent touches include a brass chandelier and vast murals decorating the walls and ceilings. The theater itself is decorated with red velvet and gold leaf. It seats over 2,600, with the royal box in the center of the horseshoe-shaped rows. Many people simply opt for a tour, but the Hungarian State Opera House is one of the best places to view an opera in Europe, particularly if you’ve never been to one before. The opera house often performs crowd pleasers like Carmen and Madama Butterfly, which are a great introduction for opera novices. Additionally, tickets here are significantly cheaper than at most other opera houses; you can often get a seat for less than $10 USD. At many other opera houses, tickets this price are typically for the standing area only, and standing shoulder to shoulder with other guests for several hours is enough to fatigue even opera aficionados. At the Hungarian Opera House, you’ll be able to enjoy the opera in comfort without breaking the bank. In addition to operas, the building also hosts ballets and other performances. The Hungarian State Opera House website has a calendar showing all upcoming events. Operas are subtitled in both Hungarian and English, and opera season lasts from September to July. Ruin Pubs Budapest can be heavy with history, so for a change of pace and to get a sense of how the city enjoys itself, head to one of Budapest’s many ruin pubs, drinking establishments that have sprung up in recently un-abandoned buildings. Rumor has it that ruin pubs first came into existence in 2001, out of a need for a cheap place to drink. No two ruin pubs are alike, but all of them share several characteristics: they’re housed in a formerly abandoned building, the furniture is eclectic and often pre-used, and they show their links to the community by hosting local bands or DJs or having local artists decorate the interior. Most of the ruin pubs are located in Budapest’s old Jewish Quarter, in the streets behind the Great Synagogue. In a ruin pub, you could find yourself in a cozy former home with couches for seating, taking to the dance floor in a large, rambling warehouse, tasting plinka (a traditional fruit brandy) under the glow of old-fashioned lanterns, enjoying beers in a courtyard filled with picnic tables, or learning Hungarian phrases at one of the regular informal classes the pubs host. One of the best aspects of ruin pubs is that you never know what type of experience you’re going to get until you walk inside. The best ruin pub to start at is the original, Szimpla Kert. Occupying a large, formerly abandoned building, Szimpla is filled with mismatched and often antique furniture and decorations. Outside there’s a spacious courtyard which includes an old Trabant car guests can lounge in. Ruin pubs attract a mostly young, international crowd, but you’ll find all types here. Local Hungarians often frequent them, as do older visitors. Ruin pubs may be most enjoyable to visit on a warm summer evening, but they’re open year-round, with outdoor spaces typically closed in the winter. Great Synagogue This massive building, also known as the Dohny Street Synagogue, is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest in the world. It was completed in 1859 in the Neo-Moorish style, giving it a distinct look compared to many other synagogues. Inside the Great Synagogue is seating for more than 3,000 people, as well as the Jewish Museum, which has exhibits on Jewish traditions and the history of Judaism in Budapest. The building is rich with history. During World War II, the site was bombed by Nazi planes, and it later became one border of Budapest’s Jewish ghetto. In the grounds surrounding the synagogue is a graveyard where over 2,000 people who died in the Jewish ghetto during the winter of 1944-1945 are buried. There's also the Heroes’ Temple honoring Hungarian Jews who died during World War I and the Holocaust Memorial. The Holocaust Memorial, also known as the Emanuel Tree, is particularly striking to see. Crafted by Hungarian sculptor Imre Varga, the memorial takes the form of a delicate and intricate weeping willow. The name of a Hungarian Jew killed during the Holocaust has been engraved on each metal leaf. In my opinion, this is one of the world’s most beautiful and moving Holocaust memorials. If you don’t have time to tour the synagogue, you can get a view of the tree through the gate surrounding the grounds. You can take a self-guided tour around the synagogue, but a guided tour (available at the entrance) can help you navigate the large site and fully appreciate its historical importance. Entrance to the synagogue costs 3000 Florin and includes access to both the building and its grounds.

Black queer feminists Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Black queer feminists - Research Paper Example The purpose of this essay is to explore the black queer feminist movements to highlight the struggle that women of color have when identifying with queerness. It will become evident that, though the situation is becoming easier with time, it is only through the actions of outstanding individuals that this improvement is possible and there is still a long way to go before black queer feminists are seen favorably in society. The Combahee River Collective is an organization active in Boston in the 1970s, comprising of black feminist lesbians, who developed the Combahee River Collective Statement. This statement was influential in defining and discussing black feminism and the concept of identity (Johnson & Henderson, 1996), and has had a huge impact on the work of a number of social theorists. The Combahee River Collective Statement suggests that black feminists may have problems defining an identity because the notions of â€Å"black†, â€Å"lesbian† and â€Å"feminist† are so often seen as being at odds with each other (Harris, 1996). This notion is common amongst a lot of black feminist literature and highlights part of the struggle that those identifying with all three labels may face. The statement suggests that ‘Feminism is...very threatening to the majority of Black people because it calls into question some of the most basic assumptions about our existence’ (Comb ahee River Collective, 1982), again highlighting that there may be problems with being both black and identifying as a feminist, and there is a need to correlate the two identities. Audre Lorde was an African-American lesbian feminist active in the 20th century. Her work included a huge amount of poetry, as well as articles and feminist critiques (Hammonds, 2004). Lorde was critical of the feminist movement of the 1960s because she felt that it was aimed at

On Roses Liberty, Property, Environmentalism Essay

On Roses Liberty, Property, Environmentalism - Essay Example In property regimes, parties involved may not come up with conformity is a possibility. In the first place, it is a tough activity to manage the environment. It is hard to manage it because it is vast and unlike a single property or so, it is tough to control or maintain it due to its area of coverage (Rose 1). On the other hand, the environment is largely considered under the property domain of the public. This means that everybody could significantly own any possible integral component of an environment. In the case of Scarborough shoal, the heated debate between the Philippines and China continues to create significant tension as these two countries could not actually come up with an agreement as to which the territorial responsibility on this rich-oil area should fall. Due to significant benefits that this land could provide, it would ignite significant intentions which make it hard for the two countries to actually come up with an agreement. A rich-filled oil area is considered to be an asset of a country as processed oil has become lifeblood of the modern economy. Thus, economically and politically speaking, it would be a great opportunity for either China or Philippines to take hold of the said parcel of land or territory. Another pitfall of property regimes is their being ineffective. For instance, if prevailing law concerning area of territorial responsibility between nations is effective, then China and the Philippines would not have become too narrow-minded on the issue about Scarborough shoal.