Monday, September 28, 2009

UNESCO and Its Structure

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the UN, created in 1946 to aid peace by promoting international cooperation in education, science, and culture. It supports member states' efforts to eliminate illiteracy, encouraging the extension of free education, and acts as a clearinghouse for the exchange of ideas and knowledge. In 1972 it sponsored an international agreement to establish a World Heritage list of cultural sites and natural areas that would enjoy government protection. In 1984 the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO to protest what it considered the agency's anti-Western approach to cultural issues; the United Kingdom and Singapore withdrew a year later. The United Kingdom rejoined in 1997, and the U.S. followed suit in 2003.

STRUCTURE OF UNESCO
The following are responsible for policy-making, governance, and day-to-day administration at UNESCO:

The General Conference: The General Conference is a gathering of the organization's member states and associate members, at which each state has one vote. Meeting every two years, it sets general policies and defines programmed lines for the organization.

The Executive Board: The General Conference elects The Executive Board’s 58 members for staggered four-year terms. The Executive Board prepares the sessions of the General Conference and ensures that its instructions are carried out. It also discharges other specific mandates assigned to it by the General Conference

The Secretariat: The Secretariat consists of the Director-General and his staff and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization. The Director-General, who serves as the public face of UNESCO, is elected for a (renewable) four-year term by the General Conference.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Who are responsible for Global warming

Global warming becomes a big issue in today’s media.

What is Global Warming? Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. The prevailing scientific opinion on climate change is that "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations," which leads to warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases are released by activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, and agriculture. Other phenomena such as solar variation and volcanoes have had smaller and probably negative effects 1950. There are lots of myths about the global warming like? It is undisputed that humans are entirely responsible for the increase in atmospheric CO2 over the past few centuries. In pre-industrial times, large
natural sources of CO2 were balanced by equally large natural removal processes, such as photosynthesis in plants, maintaining a stable level of CO2 in the atmosphere for thousands of years. Human-produced emissions, though smaller than natural emissions, upset this balance. Because human-produced emissions aren’t completely absorbed by natural processes, they accumulate in the atmosphere, increasing the concentration of CO2.

There are natural sources of greenhouse gases. At times during the earth's history, natural emissions of greenhouse gases have been critical factors in major biological calamities on the planet. For instance, during the "Permian extinction" 250 million years ago, volcanic greenhouse gases played a primary role in the catastrophic climate change that caused about 80% of the life on earth to die off. At other times, naturally released greenhouse gases have also played a role.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Factors that influence the price of gold

Today, like all investments and commodities, the price of gold is ultimately driven by supply and demand, including hoarding and dis-hoarding. Unlike most other commodities, the hoarding and dis-hoarding plays a much bigger role in affecting the price, because almost all the gold ever mined still exists and is potentially able to come on to the market for the right price.

Given the huge quantity of aboveground hoarded gold, compared to the annual production, the price of gold is mainly affected by changes in sentiment, rather than changes in annual production.

According to the World Gold Council, annual mine production of gold over the last few years has been close to 2,500 tonnes. About 3,000 tonnes goes into jewelry or industrial/dental production, and around 500 tonnes goes to retail investors and exchange traded gold funds. This translates to an annual demand for gold to be 1000 tonnes in excess over mine production, which has come from central bank sales and other dis hoarding. Demand from the electronics industry is rising by 11% a year, jewelry by 19%, and industrial and dental by 21%.


Central banks and the International Monetary Fund play an important role in the gold price. At the end of 2004 central banks and official organizations held 19 percent of all aboveground gold as official gold reserves. The Washington Agreement on Gold (WAG), which dates from September 1999, limits gold sales by its members to less than 400 tonnes a year. European central banks, such as the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank, have been key sellers of gold over this period.

Although central banks do not generally announce gold purchases in advance, some, such as Russia, have expressed interest in growing their gold reserves again as of late 2005. In early 2006, China, which only holds 1.3% of its reserves in gold, announced that it was looking for ways to improve the returns on its official reserves. Many bulls hope that this signals that China might reposition more of its holdings into gold in line with other Central Banks.


In general, gold becomes more desirable in times of:


Bank failures
:
When dollars were fully convertible into gold, both were regarded as money. However, most people preferred to carry around paper banknotes rather than the somewhat heavier and less divisible gold coins. If people feared their bank would fail, a bank run might have been the result. This is what happened in the USA during the Great Depression of the 1930s, leading President Roosevelt to impose a national emergency and to outlaw the holding of gold by US citizens.

Low or negative real interest rates
:
If the return on bonds, equities and real estate is not adequately compensating for risk and inflation then the demand for gold and other alternative investments such as commodities increases. An example of this is the period of Stagflation that occurred during the 1970s and which led to an economic bubble forming in precious metals War, invasion, looting, crisis
In times of national crisis, people fear that their assets may be seized and that the currency may become worthless. They see gold as a solid asset, which will always buy food or transportation. Thus in times of great uncertainty, particularly when war is feared, the demand for gold rises.

Anti-trust litigation
:
The Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee was organized in January 1999 to advocate and undertake litigation against illegal collusion to control the price and supply of gold and related financial securities. GATA underwrote the federal anti-trust lawsuit of its consultant, Reginald H. Howe -- Howe vs. Bank for International Settlements et al. which was pursued in U.S. District Court in Boston from 2000 to 2002. While the Howe suit was dismissed on a jurisdictional technicality, it became the model for Blanchard Coin and Bullion's anti-trust lawsuit against Barrick Gold and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which was filed in U.S. District Court in New Orleans in 2002 and prompted Barrick Gold's decision to stop selling gold in advance for 10 years.

Monday, September 7, 2009

How to Choose apartment for Vacation

Choosing a vacation apartment is surely far from simple. Not only does it get to be a spot where you look relaxed, it too has to be a spot you know you are going to instinctively enjoy before you come. Many holidaymakers fail to make sufficient investigation before they intend a vacation and sustain as an outcome; thus it is essential to go some measures to guarantee your holiday is going to be an unforgettable one.

Set a Budget:
Before choosing apartments in atlanta for vacation, setting a budget is more important aspect to consider. This will allow you to explore options in terms of where you can go, whilst you will be able to forget about options that are too expensive. A budget allows you to stay firm and not become attached to places that you will not be able to afford further down the line. This is why setting a budget should always be the first step in planning a vacation.

Research Online
:
Search online and look for places that you would like to visit. Once you develop a short list do more research on each apartment you are in the process of considering? What attractions are there that I would find appealing? It is also a great idea to look online for reviews of the apartments that you have short-listed.

Where is it Located:

It is important that you find out where your apartment is situated in relation to the attractions you plan to visit. Consider your proximity to locations you want to visit. Another important consideration is how far away the vacation home is from the airport if you are getting there on a plane.

What Does Everyone Else Think:

If you are going away with other family and friends, it is important that everyone decides what they would like to do among themselves. Should everyone sit down and discuss the options then it more likely that everyone will have a good time. If nobody can make up his or her mind, then you may have to settle it with a vote!

Plan Ahead
:
Further to book the las vegas apartment or any other apartment, which you have decided to go for a rental, it is important that you ask for relevant information in terms of what you will get when you arrive, and what you will not. Many apartment homes will supply bedding and towels, while others will ask that you bring it along. You should also ask the landlord if there is anything else that they would recommend that you bring. Before you leave it is very important that you make a definitive list and tick it off as you go. This will make sure you remember everything, and have the memorable vacation as you dreamt of.