Gobama!!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Posted by Wendy! at 12:52 pm
Monday, May 22, 2006
Globalization is the flow of information, goods, capital and people across political and economic boundaries (Daulaire 1999; 22). As that definition implies, it is not new: people have always carried information, goods and capital across countries. Indeed the globalization of disease is usually said to have begun in 1492 when the Europeans discovered the Americas, and inflicted one of the earliest examples of genocide on the American peoples through the importation of smallpox, measles and yellow fever, as well, of course, as the use of force and firearms. Not all this early globalization was negative, however, as ideas and cultures, spices and cashew nut trees. What is new is its scale and pace. Kelley Lee (2000) has defined globalization as 'the process of closer interaction of human activity across a range of spheres, including the economic, social, political and cultural, experienced along three dimensions: spatial, temporal and cognitive'
Our perceptions of physical space have changed - the 'death of distance' has made the world feel smaller - more people travel, and more often (in 1950 there were 2 million international airline passengers a year; today 1.4 billion)
Our perceptions of time have changed - the communications revolution has heightened our expectations of quick turnarounds - anyone who has experience of email knows that answers are expected immediately as we no longer rely on postal systems; even remote 'backpacker' beaches in Thailand are on the internet.
The spread of ideas, cultures and values covers not simply worldwide availability of Japanese cameras, Finnish mobile phones (Nokia), Asian clothes, Colombian coffee, but also the transfer of culture through films and other media, and of political ideas - the neo-liberalism of the 1980s, which in turn fostered the health systems reform movement
I, the health and environment expert would touch on its effects on our health.
A growing poverty gap: rising health inequalities
The basic facts are known: 20% of the world's population live in absolute poverty, with an income of less than $1 per day. Surviving on less than $2 a day is a reality for almost half the people on the planet. The resulting inequalities in health outcomes are stark. Those living in absolute poverty are five times more likely to die before reaching five years of age than those in higher income groups. Life expectancy gains from the 1950s on are falling in some countries - due to AIDS and growth in poverty. In Botswana life expectancy has fallen from 70 to around 50 years. Even in rich nations socio-economic inequalities in health have grown in the last 20 years.
In many countries of the world health systems have deteriorated: access is poor, quality is poor, drugs are not available. In some low income countries over 70% of the health budget is coming from external sources.
As public health systems have broken down, so has the spread of infectious diseases become increasingly labile - hitting the poor disproportionately. Attention on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases has risen over the past decade, partly because of growing drug resistance, partly because of new diseases such as AIDS, and partly because of self-interest: tuberculosis, for example, was described as 'conquered' in the industrialized world in the 1950s, but has re-emerged in the late 1980s. (There were also unexpected outbreaks of cholera, dengue, ebola, E.coli, diphtheria - even the dreaded plague - just to mention a few in 1997). While the response in the rich world is often couched in terms of a new threat to the health of their populations, it has drawn attention to problems which were never absent from low income and some middle income countries: TB and malaria for example, and, with a change in leadership at WHO, have led to concerted action around these diseases, as evidenced by some public-private partnerships and by campaigns such as Roll Back Malaria. Nevertheless, the balance is far from redressed.
Conclusion
Globalization is both an opportunity and a threat. We need to examine both aspects and decide what we can do. I conclude with:
Globalization may feel inexorable, but I do not subscribe to the view that there is nothing we can do about it. The shape and form of globalization is contestable, and open to local and global political challenge. We can be, and should be, researching, discussing, and acting on the threats to health, and taking advantage of the opportunities.
brought to you by: xiu (health and environment expert)
Posted by xiu at 10:14 am
Globalization Straining Planet's Health
Globalization is a powerful driving force behind today's unprecedented biological implosion.
An upsurge of trade and investment in natural resources sectors (e.g. forestry, mining, and petroleum development) is threatening the health of the world's forests, mountains, waters, and other sensitive ecosystems.
The rapid growth in the movement of human beings and their goods and services has provided convenient transportation for thousands of other species of plants and animals that are now taking root on foreign shores. On any given day, some 2 million people cross international borders, while 3,000 to 10,000 aquatic species are moving around the world in ship ballasts. Once "exotic species" establish a beachhead in a foreign ecosystem, they often proliferate, suppressing native species, and imposing high economic costs.
High-tech industries such as computers and electronics have also gone global in recent years. Despite their early reputation as relatively clean, these industries can exact heavy environmental costs.
Semiconductor manufacturing employs hundreds of chemicals, including arsenic, benzene, and chromium, all of which are known carcinogens. More than half of all computer manufacturing and assembly operations processes intensive in their use of acids, solvents, and toxic gases are now located in developing countries
Despite the environmental risks, the forces of globalization can also produce environmental gains, such as helping developing countries leapfrog to the cleaner technologies of tomorrow.
China has become the world's largest manufacturer of energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs in recent years, in part through joint ventures with lighting firms based in Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, and Taiwan.
And India has become a major manufacturer of advanced wind turbines with the help of technology obtained through joint ventures and licensing agreements with Danish, Dutch, and German firms.
Several countries are working to harness the global economy to protect rather than decimate natural wealth.
Costa Rica is now a major destination for eco-tourists, capitalizing on its moist cloud forests, sandy beaches, and dry deciduous forests. And many other countries have moved to tap into the booming international market for organic produce.
Mexico now has some 10,000 organic farms on 15,000 hectares of land, most of them run by small farmers. While coffee is their mainstay, Mexico's organic farmers also cultivate apples, avocados, coconuts, cardamom, honey, and potatoes.
Redirecting the global economy away from environmentally harmful activities and into more sustainable ones will require a multi-pronged strategy, starting with requiring international economic institutions to pay more heed to the environmental impact of their programs.
Environmentalists should take a page from the World Trade Organization and push for international environmental commitments that are as specific and enforceable as trade accords have become.
New information and communications technologies can be harnessed to forge powerful cross-border political alliances trend that is already well underway. The number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working across international borders soared during the last century, climbing from just 176 in 1909 to more than 23,000 in 1998. Empowered by e-mail and the Internet, environmental activists have gradually organized themselves into a range of powerful international networks, such as the Climate Action Network, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and the Women's Environment and Development Organization.
Some forward-looking corporations are helping to chart the path to an environmentally sustainable global economy, according to the report.
Private investors are also increasingly active on environmental issues.
Despite these encouraging developments, environmental destruction continues to outpace society's collective response.
"Over the course of the twentieth century, the global economy stretched the planet to its limits,"
"The time is now ripe to forge the international policies and institutions needed to ensure that the world economy of the 21st century meets peoples' aspirations for a better future without destroying the natural fabric that underpins life itself."
brought to you by: xiu (health and environment expert)
Posted by xiu at 9:36 am
MTV Asia!
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Another interesting article found! This time it's about MTV. And I'll make it so quick because the submission time for articles and reviews for this blog is almost here.
Starting with "MTV is American? Think Again.
As MTV invades Southeast Asia, the faces of MTV are no longer just Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake but also Indonesia's Padi and Singapore's Stefanie Sun. These names may not sound familiar to the average American, but their looks and voices have reshaped MTV's global image. "
http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/cultural/2003/0812mtv.htm
MTV going Asian is just one example of western influences becoming Asian and then continuing to shape and influence many youths lives. MTV not only brings western influence to Asia, but also Asian influence outside to the rest of the world!
"MTV is not only bringing local music out of obscurity locally, but globally as well. The station is responsible for growing regional and global recognition of local music. Indeed, shows like the MTV Asia Awards are providing 
Asian singers with the chance to perform in front of the world. Padi, an Indonesian band, received CNN coverage when it was voted Indonesia's favorite band at this year's MTV Asia Awards. And Jay Chou, a Taiwanese singer, was not only voted everybody's favorite, but grabbed the attention of international musicians, such as the Irish boyband, Blue. Blue voiced its admiration for Jay Chou's singing style and rumors abound that a collaboration is in the works between the two. "
Once again, another cool article.
Your cultural expert,
Wendy.
Posted by Wendy! at 11:38 pm
Globalization or Americanization?
A few days ago, I found this extremely interesting article on the globalization of culture. This article discusses whether it really is globalization, or whether it is just the United States of America spreading and pushing its Wal-Mart and McDonalds, megastores and fast food chains, culture to the rest of the world.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/cultural/2003/03american.htm
This article shows the way globalization works, in a sort of negative light, by following the well known American megastore, Wal-Mart. The article also introduces the idea of a McWorld, where the world is somewhat ruled by, you guessed it, McDonalds! However, it also admits that many McDonalds branches around the world have conformed to the local culture, selling items with ingredients unique to the area.
Besides that, the article also discusses the pros and cons of logos in advertising and branding around the world. As well as the spread of wealth and culture, and what globalization does to it all.
The best thing about the article, I felt, is that at the end of the whole article, there is a short section of what people can do about globalization, and where people can go from here. It concludes the article very nicely I think. Everyone should read this article! It's really quite informative, as well as thought provoking.
Your cultural expert,
Wendy.
Posted by Wendy! at 11:20 pm
Speak up, you're heard.
In today's world, it's no longer easy to hide anything from anyone (excluding hiding sweets from your younger sister and cases like this). Here, I am refering to information. An incident that happened few hours ago will easily reach the entire world within hours. Different languages, different geographical locations, different audiences, different impacts, BUT, the same content.
News travel fast, esp BAD news. If this was the case since thousands of years ago, imagine the world today. The media has employed the use of a massive amount of technology to gather first hand information, and through various means, allow the audiences to gain access to these information.
Technology the media posses.
Computers, telephones, yadda yadda. These are just basic technology in which the media (and the rest of us) connects with the world. Simply with these instruments, they are able to obtain first hand information at a lightning speed. And these information will in turn be publisized and made easy to obtain for us (newspapers articles, articles on the internet) . This way, we managed to be always aware of the global situation. Global situation in all areas: from the war in Iraq, 911, to the relationship between Stefanie Sun and her ex-boyfriend.
Of course, there are other technology the media makes use of, instrumen
ts that are more advance, such as the satellite. Satellites can not only take pictures of landscape, they are the reason why live broadcasts and telecommunication are possible. Live broadcasts give us an accurate and more reliable way of finding out that happenings in a particular area. The vivid images and graphics gives us first hand knowledge. With this instrument and technology available, we can easily keep in touch with the world and associate ourselves more closely with it.
A good examp
le will be the upcoming 2006 worldcup and the Oylmpic games that is going to be held in Beijing. With satellites, we can able to watch these games live. C'mon, admit it, who will care about these games if you can't watch it live? it's not even one tenth as exciting and engaging and interesting if you have to read the newspapers for the latest updates. But luckily for folks like us in the 21st century, that is not a problem, all you need is a television. These sports teams have the ability to unite an entire nation behind it, that's why national identity is always usually strong during those two weeks. Not only the entire nation, but maybe the entire world, through these games, we foster strong ties with other countries. The Olympic Games is also a call for world peace.
There are no secrets today.
With video cameras, cameras, the internet, satellites etc, it is no wonder that it is difficult to keep any secret these days. Today, news travel at the speed of light across boundaries. It's really difficult being a celebrity these days (poor Becks!) , everyone knows everything about you. But hey, only that way, your popularity will increase.
.:. Despite our differences, similar information ties us together, creating a global idenity.
.:. The media is so powerful today due to the technology is posses and uses.
Wanna be on tv? Hey, even William Hung succeeded!
Ziye, the technological 'expert'.
Posted by leaf at 10:40 pm
Every 100 metres...
Saturday, May 20, 2006
People say a picture says a thousand words, but this particular picture showing the golden arches of the MacDonalds fast food chain, says much more than a thousand words.
This picture truely represents what is happening in almost every developing and developed country today. There seems to be a fast food chain every 100 metres, just around every corner. It does not always have to MacDonalds, it could be any of the numerous fast food chains in the world, for example, KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl's Junior, and many others.
Maybe fast food chains are not literally found every 100 metres or so, but you know they are always nearby, or at the city centre. These fast food chains are the spawn of all things "western", especially American, since most of, if not all of the most common fast food chains found originated in the United States of America.
The western world does not only export brands and shopping, but also whole cultures. For example, the hiphop culture, which comes from 
New York, USA has become synonymous with all things cool. Hiphop music, inclusive of rap, soul, and R&B, have been gaining popularity recently all over the world. Hiphop culture can be seen all over the streets, with the clothes people wear, the music they listen too, the way they dance and move, and even how they talk! So much so that asian, spanish, and I'm sure many other language songs all have rap in them, just think Jay Chou. Besides the music, USA has also exported dance moves. Hiphop moves, as well as breakdancing, has become the "in" thing for many youths all over the world to know and show off. You just have to walk down Orchard road to be able to see the baggy jeans and tees typical of hiphop styled males, and the comfortable, yet revealing hiphop fashion typical of girls.
Perhaps it's time to talk about how much Asia influences the world, especially how much the Chinese and Japanese influence the western world, mainly America. I will now talk about the Chinese in California, especially those living in San Francisco.
Walking into the Chinatown situated in the heart of San Francisco, California, you would have never guessed that you were in an English speaking country. To hear spoken English is a rarity in this particular Chinatown. All you hear are Mandarin as well as the main dialect spoken there, Cantonese, and Hokkien every once in a while. This is because of the numerous Chinese immigrants who arrived from China hoping for a better life in USA. Because of the number of Asians in California, it has become quite common to see shops, restaurants and supermarkets totally dedicated to Chinese produce and goods which would not be out of place in China, or Singapore. Seeing white Americans shopping or eating in these Chinese have also become another common sight in the city, and around the state.
Outside of San Francisco's Chinatown, there are many youths to be found who are addicted, and some might even go so far as to say that they are obsessed, with the popular Japanese type of graphic novels, or manga. Many would watch the animated versions of manga, and some would even dress up as their favourite characters in the books, otherwise known as cosplay. This would not be an unusual sight in Japan, but it is really something else to see blonde-haired, and blue-eyed youths dressing up as Japanese characters.
While many teenagers like the Asian culture, they would not take it so far, and be obsessed with a bunch of drawn cartoons. Instead, they follow asian artistes like Stephanie Sun, Jay Chou and Ayumi Hamasaki, pretty closely, buying CDs in Japanese and Chinese when they hardly understand the songs. These youths also choose to collect cartoon collectibles, like Hello Kitty figurines and other assorted toys.
Amazing what globalization has done to youths around the world. There seems to be a slight switching of cultures between the different continents. Maybe in another 20 to 50 years, there would be a huge switch back. Who would know?
Wendy,
Your cultural expert.
Posted by Wendy! at 11:37 pm
The Use of 'Invisible' Money
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Money money everywhere, but not a note/coin to be seen.
Today, with technology, money has become nothing but a mass of numbers. For example, when you work, your boss gives you a cheque at the end of the month. You deposit the cheque at the bank. After that, you spend your money by slashing various credit cards/nets to buy things that you want/need.
Do you see the cash that is being passed around? All you see are just numbers, increasing and decreasing with time. And you work for these numbers, because you want them to increase.
In our society, money, although present, is slowly turning invsible. The use of invisible money has also shrinked the world, by a million times. 
Today, I will be concentrating on a kind of money that has been increasingly popular worldwide. This money is not only invisble when you are using it, they are not even yours in the first place. Yes, I am talking about the use of credit cards.
Credit cards was introduced a decade ago, but has became increasingly popular throughout these few years. When they were first introduced, the use of it was a symbol of status and wealth, but now, it has became so common that it has brought about a new culture: spending money when you dont have any.
I am sure that these images aren't strangers to us anymore. They can be found in many resturants, malls, cafes and many other places. As the use of it increases, the no. of places where it can be used increases as well.
In my opinion, digital (invisible) money is actually like a new currency. But it is even better than the European currency, because it is accepted all over the world! With any one of these cards, you can travel across the world without any worries, no one discrimates money ( in any form).
The use of these cards is simple and easy as well. All the consumer has to do to purchase anything is to leave his/her autograph behind! It is the same everywhere.
So how has that shrinked the world?
Firstly, with a new currency that is accepted in every country, it is a clear sign that the world is now changing to a global hub. There is no need to go to a money changer these days when you need to travel overseas if you are a proud owner of a credit card. Every businessman smiles when they see it.
With ATMS everywhere, it is no trouble if you are in need of cash too! All you have to do, is to insert your credit card into the machine, and ... tadaa! Local currency comes out. So it does not matter where you are purchasing your goods. Be it in China, Singapore, India, Germany or even the South pole, with that magical card that allows you to take almost anything back home. And it does not even matter where home is. Like man, machines do no discriminate money too, they will serve everyone politely.
Of course, the best (or maybe worst) part is that you are not even spending your own money, but the bank's money. OCBC or Citibank or UOB, they are the ones that are paying for you expenditure, first.
Of course, the surprise is always waiting for you in your letter box at home.
.:. The development of banks and and the invention of ATMs has brought about a new age, an age where invisible money is used daily. Credit cards has also brought about a new digital currency that is accepted worldwide, eradicating differences.
ahh... Fossil fuels better not run out any time soon.
By Ziye, the technological 'expert'.
Posted by leaf at 9:22 pm
Globalisation: The Comic Talks To Me
Sunday, May 14, 2006
In this comic, there are a few mentions of noteworthy entities, especially in the arena of economic globalization, namely, the WTO (World Trade Organization), and the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade). Both of these facilitate discussions and agreements due to free trade. I am deducing (I repeat, I am deducing) that the N on the heavyset white man is referring to North America, and the S on the scrawny black man is referring to South America (I stress again, I am deducing). The WTO, in this case, is the umpire, in what appears to be a boxing match, with GATT being the gong.
The boxing match is, what I believe to be, a representation for talks (in the generic sense) with the aim of consensus, and the WTO being a facilitator and the GATT being the catalyst for the talks between generic North American and South American countries.
What the comic is trying to send across, I think, is that the South American countries do not stand a chance in the talks, because of their status, that is developing countries, as seen through the miniscule stature of S. On the other hand, N has a hulking stature, showing that the North American nations are very much in control of the talks, which is most likely about the introduction of free trade between the North and South American states.
The author's intent on producing this comic, I think, is to show that free trade is very much in the interest of developed countries. This is because free trade is trade with no restriction. No taxes, no tariffs, no protected companies. This allows developed countries, that tend to have mature and economically stronger and more competitive companies, to penetrate the potential markets in developing countries. This bodes ill for developing countries, because they generally possess local companies that are economically weaker and smaller in scale, which naturally lose out to bigger foreign companies, in terms of market share.
Also, because of the larger market share held by the foreign companies through imports of their goods into the developing nations, leakages of the country's income would occur. This happens because the money is not earned by local entities, but by foreign ones. The money earned then goes overseas, instead of circulating within the nation itself.
Why is this bad for the developing nation? Local companies do not get the money, and are unable to develop, and foreign companies are able to intensify their presence in the developing nation's economy through the income, creating a vicious cycle whereby more and more money go to foreign entities, and less go to local entities. In some instances, a developed nation is able to control a sector of the economy of a developing nation through one of the foreign companies that hold a huge market share in the developed nation. This is often the biggest cause for worry, on the part of developing countries. Do I hear anyone screaming for sovereignty?
But, free trade might be good for the developing country as well, because there is then increased competition in the market between local and foreign companies, normally leading to better-quality products and services at competitive prices, benefiting the consumer. This scenario seems oddly familiar to that of a free market, does it not? Well, it does, because free trade generally begets a freer market. (Note freer, not free.)
The concept that multi-national corporations and bigger companies would hold the very much larger market share than small and medium enterprises also goes along the same line as the aforementioned concept of foreign and local companies doing so.
If there may be other relevant interpretations to the comic above, feel free to leave your constructive comments at the tag-board.
Marc, the Economic 'Expert' 
Posted by cram at 12:15 am
Globalization and Health
Friday, May 12, 2006
How is globalisation linked to health?
Humans have lived with continual change since the migration of Homo erectus out of Africa a million years ago. Globalisation, in this sense, has gone hand in hand with the evolution of human societies.
It would be overly simplistic and inaccurate to describe globalisation as either 'good' or 'bad' for health.
The impact of globalization on healthy may defer from country to country. For low and middle-income countries, the debate surrounding globalization on health would be of acquiring certain acute and epidemic infections, such as HIV/AID. For high-income countries, they may fear the potential financial burden of unhealthy populations migrating from the developing world. The increased movement of people and other items, through globalization, would create complex equations of pluses and minuses for each society, which I would elaborate below.
Example 1: Export and Import
There are risks that high-income countries may export to other parts of the world products such as tobacco and fast food and, more indirectly, macroeconomic policies that may affect foreign direct investment and debt burdens.
Example 2: Spread of disease.
Negative impact:
The speed of modern transportation systems means that infections can potentially move around the world within a few hours (as illustrated by the SARS outbreak in 2002-03). And the recently case of H1N5 virus also further prove this point.
Positive impact:
On the other hand, modern technology potentially enables the health community to respond more quickly to such emergencies. For example, an international network of institutions coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) via global telecommunications can readily detect and rapidly respond to changes in the influenza virus- such a capacity was unavailable after the First World War, when an estimated 20 million people died of influenza worldwide.
Example 3: Cognitive changes brought about by advertising and marketing Western consumer goods have facilitated the global spread of so-called 'lifestyle' diseases (eg, obesity) in certain populations within low- and middle-income countries.
Negative impact:
The shift in the tobacco pandemic to the developing world has been clearly driven by the tobacco industry. It is estimated that, by 2030, 70% of all tobacco-related deaths (7 million annually) will occur in developing countries.
Positive impact:
Global consciousness is also leading to the increased sharing of principles, ethical values and standards that underpin decision making about health. Examples of this are the 1964 Helsinki declaration on ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects, the International code on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes adopted by the WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 1981, and the Framework convention on tobacco control adopted by the WHO in 2003.
Therefore, it is important to understand that the effect of globalisation on health is both positive and negative.
Like Dr Dolittle's 'push-me-pull-you', it is unclear at present in which direction globalisation will lead us.
brought to you by: xiu (health and environment expert)
