When Giving Becomes The Problem

People do not hesitate to give and share their blessings if they only have more than enough. We may say that the world is a harsh place to live in now but there is still hope for humanity as people still do random acts of kindness and become a brother or a sister to others especially to those who have nothing. While not everyone is blessed to have more than what they need, many still respond to the call of charity. We may think that this is the answer to many of the world’s current problems but it has barely scratched the surface.

Despite the many internal problems faced by most progressive nations, they are often the first ones to extend a helping hand to any country that has survived the wrath of Mother Nature or any terrible tragedy caused by man. Unfortunately, some poorer countries take advantage of the help they receive from other nations that the mere concept of charity has forced people to resort to fraudulent scams like orphanage tourism in order to continually enjoy the steady stream of outside financial help and keep it coming for a long time. While tourists who volunteer in orphanages do not see anything wrong in what they are doing, this action actually encourages families to give up their children for money, which is just awful no matter where you look at it.

However, just this month Australia pledged to cut federal support for such organisations amid mounting concerns over “orphanage tourism”, where children are trafficked and sometimes forced into slavery in order to fill establishments that turn a profit from well-intentioned volunteers.

Tourism Concern, a UK organisation that campaigns for ethical tourism, has warned: “The rise in the number of tourists volunteering in orphanages is actually fuelling the number of ‘orphans’, and  causing unnecessary separation of children from their families.

“While we appreciate that aspiring volunteers offer their services for the best of motives, our view is that looking after vulnerable children should be undertaken by local, full-time, professional staff and not by short-term volunteers, no matter how skilled or qualified.”

(Via: http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/charity-donations-uk-caf-aid-foundation-harm-a7944986.html)

Certain parts of the world may enjoy the good life but there are places that are bedrocks of poverty, conflict and political oppression. People living in these places can barely survive each day and often rely on outside help for support and survival. Most of the time, they see an opportunity in the generosity of Westerners and come up with various schemes to make money even at the expense of the young and vulnerable members of the family – children. Now, it makes you wonder whether we are really doing charity right?

On the auction block to raise money to carry out its mission of assisting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were yacht excursions, lunch with Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Miami” star Lea Black and a “power breakfast” during New York’s Fashion Week with a branding expert.

Why juxtapose calls to feed the hungry, house the homeless and cure cancer with champagne toasts and caviar hors d’oeuvres? As researchers who study charities, we understand why opulent bashes that raise money for good causes seem puzzling. These inherently contradictory events intended to help people in need double as vehicles for the rich and famous to show off their largesse.

(Via: http://wtop.com/business-finance/2017/09/let-them-eat-caviar-when-charity-galas-waste-money/)

Aside from the problems that arise because of charity among the recipients themselves, there are also countless issues pertaining to the lavish lifestyle lived by the people running most popular charitable organizations in the country and even in the world. Many of the charitable galas in the US are held at prestigious locations like 5-star hotels with lavish banquets full of delectable and pricey dishes like caviar. Considering that these organizations are trying to raise money hence the said event, the amount of money they spend on such galas is a big irony to the cause they are supposedly advocating for which is often more than what they actually raise during that occasion.

When Giving Becomes The Problem is republished from IPAction.org/blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/when-giving-becomes-the-problem/

Catalonia’s Struggle Continues

There are many places in the world that struggle with political strife for a long time now despite the many tech advancements we are now enjoying. It is such an irony that human beings still can’t reconcile many of their differences that end up in violence or even more violence. There really is no way out here without suffering many casualties. Freedom is often the cause that people are fighting for, which they can’t always get without bloodshed. Many countries in the Middle East suffered the same fate and are now but left in ashes and a picture of poverty and despair.

Even in Europe, a continent known for its power, affluence, and peace, conflict is still present and is a threat to the peace the region enjoys. Spain, for instance, faces the same problem faced by some countries that are politically oppressed and became battlegrounds of modern warfare. Catalonia has long since wanted to be independent of Spain but their pleas fell on deaf ears until now. European organizations appear to be at risk. Many protests escalate quickly and end up with street violence that disrupts the unity and stability enjoyed by most European nations.

The leader of Spain’s Catalonia region called Monday for help from European leaders in working out the region’s move to be independent.

The request comes a day after a violent crackdown by Spanish police trying to block Catalonians from voting on whether they wanted to separate from Spain.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said he would file a complaint against Spanish police after officers fired rubber bullets, smashed into polling stations Sunday and beat back protesters with batons. Puigdemont urged Spain’s national police reinforcements to leave the area.

Spanish authorities said police acted professionally. And Spain’s interior minister said that the 5,000 extra officers sent to Catalonia would stay as long as necessary.

(Via: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/catalonia-asks-europe-to-help-resolve-its-fight-with-spanish-government/2017/10/02/dcb44088-a788-11e7-850e-2bdd1236be5d_story.html?utm_term=.ada65dd62710)

Spain’s resolute attempt in preventing Catalonia from gaining its independence continues to earn the ire and disapproval of Catalonians to think that the majority of voters actually want to separate from Spain for good. And it is not just the Spanish government that agrees with this decision. Other European nations also support it since they want to prevent the same thing from happening in other places in the region, which is likely possible if they let the Catalans get what they want.

Catalonia's pro-independence regional government said Spain is "the shame of Europe" for the way it has cracked down on the region's bid to hold a secession referendum.

Government spokesman Jordi Turull says "what the police are doing is simply savage, it's an international scandal."

The Catalan government's health service says 465 people have been treated in hospitals following clashes Sunday with police who were ordered by a regional judge to prevent the independence referendum from taking place. Turull said two of the injured were in serious condition.

He said "Today, Spain is the shame of Europe."

(Via: https://www.dailysabah.com/europe/2017/10/01/catalan-government-says-spain-is-the-shame-of-europe)

The Catalonians continue to fight for their independence and even if they call foul on the Spanish government, they still won’t be able to earn the support of neighboring nations so as not to set a precedent that others can follow and mitigate other coups from happening. What the Catalonians are doing right now is actually considered as the first official coup in the European Union’s history and that is really a major thing. Dissent is not new but it is not welcome either.

As Catalonia struggles to get what they want, they would likely face bigger challenges and they do not even have an assurance they’d get what they wished for with only themselves on their side. However, the Catalonian’s aren’t even the aggrieved party here all the time since they are at fault too. Many times they have broken the law and caused chaos in Spain rather than lend a helping hand for its progress. They can only wish to pull off the same thing as Brexit because they are poles apart and Spain won’t likely just let them leave without putting up a good fight.

The following article Catalonia’s Struggle Continues was originally published to The IPac Action Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/catalonias-struggle-continues/

Will Most Religion Ever Approve Of Same-Sex Marriage?

We can’t deny how the world has changed over the past century. Looking back on old photos of the not-so-distant past, it is easy to tell how time has changed in the way people look and the surroundings itself. If there is one thing that has surpassed the test of time, though, it is the people’s faith in their religion. Religion has been the most enduring of all and today’s people still profess their faith and stay true to its teachings. But over the years, we have also witnessed the many changes in people’s perspective. And now, same-sex marriage is already practiced in many countries but does one’s religion really support it?

Most organized religions actually condone same-sex marriage. Just the very idea of a person legally marrying the opposite sex is a ludicrous idea and goes against the teachings of the Church. So, it is but understandable if the Church does not plan on ever giving its go signal and openly condemns those who get married to anyone from the same sex. However, advocates of the LGBTQ community are saying that not allowing same-sex marriage is essentially a violation of a person’s human right to get married even if society, in general, is mainly a heterosexual community.

Conservative religious organisations and politicians have played a major role in preventing the introduction of same-sex marriage in Australia and hope to do so again.

John Howard cited conservative religious views when he banned same-sex marriage. Labor’s fear of losing religious voters to the Liberals contributed to concessions to the religious right, and saw it oppose same-sex marriage until 2011. Even then, Labor MPs opposed to same-sex marriage were granted an initial moral conscience vote that contributed to a parliamentary vote being lost under the Gillard government.

Now, Malcolm Turnbull’s fear of alienating the religious right in the Coalition has seen him agree to a plebiscite he previously opposed.

(Via: https://theconversation.com/talk-of-same-sex-marriage-impinging-on-religious-freedom-is-misconceived-heres-why-82435)

However, religious groups are making a noise once more as the number of countries, states, and cities supporting same-sex marriage has considerably grown over the years. It’s not that easy to stop them now as the public seems to be okay with it and tolerant of the growing number of married homosexual couples. Even famous personalities take advantage of this growing public acceptance and openly flaunt their marriage for everyone to see.

One thing is certain. The issues surrounding religious freedom in a society which recognises same-sex marriage will not be fully resolved any time soon. Some argue that these issues should be resolved before the public votes in a compulsory plebiscite or voluntary postal survey. I can see that opponents of same-sex marriage might want to insist on this, and that supporters of same-sex marriage might regard this as a time delaying tactic. I could vote “yes” in a survey while hoping and demanding that the parliament do the hard work on religious freedoms when considering amendments to the Marriage Act. It is important to appreciate that the legal and policy changes needed to protect religious freedom would not appear in the Marriage Act but in other statutes such as the Sex Discrimination Act.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/17/religious-freedom-is-an-important-right-once-same-sex-marriage-is-legal-it-must-be-protected)

Different places follow different laws and they also have differing interpretations of the church’s teaching. It is a known fact how homophobic the Church is in general and how they can’t accept the very thought of someone marrying the same sex but not everyone agrees nowadays even if they belong to a religion that is not accepting of this novel idea. The law is full of loopholes itself and haven’t addressed certain aspects that remain the cause of debate today but only time can tell how the Church, the different governments all over the world, and the society at large will react and see same-sex marriage in the years to come – whether it will be part of the norm or something that will persist to be a source of conflict.

The following post Will Most Religion Ever Approve Of Same-Sex Marriage? Find more on: IPAction.org/blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/will-most-religion-ever-approve-of-same-sex-marriage/

Are Conferences Getting Old Yet Too Expensive?

You are never too old to learn something new. It can’t be any truer. It is even a requisite nowadays as the world becomes more globally interconnected and people from different parts of the world may even compete for the same job. Hence, education is the key to professional and financial success in later life. Even if you are a degree-holder, it is not often an assurance you’d be able to land the job of your dreams after graduating since many others take the same path too.

Attending academic conferences is a great way to boost your knowledge and skills and make you a more valuable asset to any company or organization. Fortunate for those who are sponsored by the academe or their offices for such lucrative post-graduate continuing education events but most individuals actually have to shell out a lot of (their personal) money in order for them to enhance their knowledge and stay updated on the latest news and trends in the competitive (and often changing) world of Academia.

Conferences have been held since the early days of academia. But their size has changed dramatically. The intimate gatherings of academics from a specific field have now been replaced with mega conferences, frequently featuring 1,000 participants or more. Stockholm World Water Week, which brings together scholars and practitioners, counts more than 3,000 participants.

These gatherings are fancier than ever. Academic conferences used to be in universities. Yet the last annual meeting of the American Association of Geographers, the world’s largest geography conference, was in the Sheraton Boston, a four-star venue. Many now also feature elaborate social programmes. Those who attend World Water Week must choose whether the cocktail reception on Monday night, the royal banquet on Wednesday night or the “mingle and dance” on Thursday night is the conference’s main see-and-be-seen event.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2017/aug/30/expensive-academic-conferences-give-us-old-ideas-and-no-new-faces)

What used to be the sharing of knowledge between a small number of people, academic conferences these days boasts of thousands of attendees and is proving to be a costly investment for those who want to further their education or career. When in the past the participants and the organizers didn’t care much about the venue themselves, today’s gatherings are often held in fancy hotel ballrooms or events hall that is equally expensive to lease themselves. No wonder people have to pay a hefty amount of money for registration just so they can attend these academic conferences.

I say that conferences are “relatively expensive” because alternative marketing mastermind groups are almost like retreats with a few dozen people and a handful of gurus and experts, and can run in the thousands. And while the conference attempts to cover absolutely everything you need under its roof, like breakfast/lunch and snacks in between, you’ll be footing your own dinner and any lodging for the duration of the conference.

Most conferences I’ve attended have been in the $800 to $1,200 range (and usually after using a promo code). Though much of the information you’ll pick up could be considered “invaluable,” I believe that there are times when conference costs are needlessly inflated. I’ve been to conferences that have had copious high-end snacks and drinks provided around the clock, and one that had an absolutely ridiculous flash mob in the middle of its networking happy hour. 

(Via: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/08/09/are-marketing-conferences-worth-it/#1d0cf8a01851)

There are various conferences you can attend to not just in the academe. In the field of marketing and business, there are a multitude of conferences as well that are just as expensive as the academic ones if not even costs more. Like the problem with academic conferences, they are held in posh hotels and venues that cost an arm and leg already not to mention payments given to the speaker. It is mainly the primary obstacle as to why many can’t afford to go to these conferences even if it can take them up the corporate ladders or eventually free them financially. After all, you have to plant first before you can sow and at the rate these conferences are being priced right now, it’s either fewer people can attend them or the public is forced to shell out more money in order for them to reach their dreams.

The blog article Are Conferences Getting Old Yet Too Expensive? Find more on: https://ipaction.org/blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/are-conferences-getting-old-yet-too-expensive/

The Things That We Do To Protect Our Data

In life, we usually know our priorities. We meet our basic needs first before going after luxuries if we want to be well and healthy all the time. It is not only our basic needs and commodities that must be met but a new breed of necessity that we can’t afford to live without now. Data, big or small, is precious. It defines who we are and are often the product of our hard work. However, cybercriminals are always after it or you may also lose data because of a technical glitch in your system whether it was your own fault or that of nature.

And as such, computer users go to great lengths to ensure their data stays safe no matter what happens because these data are often irreplaceable especially when no duplicate copy was ever made. Not all the time, though, data can still be salvaged depending on the circumstances on how it was lost yet there are ways for you to get it back and it mainly involves data recovery services that are usually costly and as already mentioned, not 100% reliable due to a lot of factors.

The Village of Lindenhurst is creating a computer network recovery program to protect data from hackers and natural disasters.

The board of trustees voted to adopt the Disaster Recovery Program on the recommendation of Village Treasurer Louise Schrader. The program has five components: critical data recovery; off- and on-premise backup; third-party vendor remote access; password changes and deletion of users; and financial program access.

Adept Technology Consulting Inc. of Hauppauge, already under contract with the village for other work, will monitor backups, updates and firewalls, and the village will keep backups of the servers. Adept will also confirm off-premise backups, which will be done daily and stored in a secure site run by mozy.com. 

(Via: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/lindenhurst-program-to-protect-data-from-hackers-natural-disasters-1.14325957)

In today’s world, protecting your data should be everybody’s business like what the village of Lindenhurst is doing right now. While the rest of the world is procrastinating, they are doing something to protect one of their most valued possessions – their personal/ collective data. What they have come up with is actually a well-thought-out plan that has covered almost all the important aspects and may even be considered fool-proof whether the threat is manmade or brought about by Mother Nature.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK Facebook is reportedly developing its own take on Apple's Face ID tech to help users gain access to locked accounts.

Facebook doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to facial recognition, having previously been forced to suspend a mug-scanning feature for failing to comply with European Union data privacy laws.

Zuckerberg really wants access to your face, though, and is testing a new feature that will let users easily recover their accounts. 

Screenshots of the system have been posted to Twitter by The Next Web's Matt Navarra.

(Via: https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3018419/facebook-is-testing-face-id-style-tech-for-account-recovery)

Not only are individual people and small organizations working hard on data recovery measures to safeguard their data online or offline but even global brands like Facebook. It should not come out as a surprise either as they have the money and manpower to do initiatives like this and knowing how much data is stored and entrusted to them by the billions of Facebook users the world over, it makes perfect sense for the company to continually explore for and invest in solutions pertaining to all sorts of data issues.

With the advent of today’s current Apple technology involving facial recognition, Facebook is once again considering pursuing this project to help users unlock their locked accounts. It solves most challenges faced by users who forget passwords or whose account has been hacked by third parties. Two-factor authentication is becoming the norm today and it is proving to be a helpful tool for tech users to secure their devices and confirm their identity in case they end up unable to access their accounts whatever the reason may be.

The Things That We Do To Protect Our Data is courtesy of The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-things-that-we-do-to-protect-our-data/

The Dangers Of Traditional Medicine

It is inevitable for humans to get sick. We aren’t born superhumans after all, so we are susceptible to the myriad of diseases that plagues mankind for as long as we can remember. But because of our resiliency and creativity, we have managed to survive through the years. It is because we have developed what we now know as modern medicine and these medicinal concoctions have spared human life from morbidity and mortality over the ages.

Yet despite the many medicinal wonders that are now at our disposal, many still succumb to sickness and death. And as the number of chemical-based medicines abounds the market, people are looking for healthier and safer alternatives that can also deliver positive results. The resurgence of alternative medicine is growing in followers today and it is not entirely a bad thing as it gives people an option as to how they want to be treated. Some of these natural supplements, medications, and treatments are also effective, so it gives people even more reason to explore this aspect of medicine.

In many parts of the world, policymakers, health professionals and the public are wrestling with questions about culture and mental health services. Some have argued that African traditional medicine might be a more appropriate way to meet mental health needs in Africa. In some Asian countries like Pakistan, traditional healers are widely consulted for the treatment of depression.

One argument is that traditional medicine is more accessible and affordable than contemporary medicine. Patients find it easier to accept and this can be seen as an easy way out for governments in low and middle income countries that can’t provide other types of care.

But many Western medical professionals, even those in countries with a strong history of traditional medicine, have strong reservations. They don’t believe that such treatment has benefits.

(Via: https://theconversation.com/traditional-versus-contemporary-medicine-mental-illness-in-zimbabwe-82764)

People are also more inclined to try a more traditional approach to medicine especially when these practices are supported by their culture or religion. This is especially risky when dealing with mental health conditions as they aren’t easily treated by natural healing herbs or such. Others who are into holistic treatment also prefer alternative medicine since it encompasses the management of the mind, body, and spirit. It’s especially prevalent in nations or communities riddled with poverty, corruption, and violence where the majority are uneducated and don’t know any better.

Herbal medicines can cause kidney failure and liver damage in some consumers because they contain toxic chemicals or heavy metals, or react harmfully with other drugs, a study has found.

The finding comes from a paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday. Researchers led by the University of Adelaide reviewed the findings from 52 studies of herbal medicines and toxicology.

The lead author of the review, pathology professor Roger Byard, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) should require independent testing of herbal medicines before placing them on the market, and that legal action should be considered when products did not comply with regulations. The products should also be closely monitored once on the market, he said.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/feb/06/herbal-medicines-can-have-dangerous-side-effects-research-reveals)

The very nature of it being unregulated is already a big red flag for would-be buyers as nobody can really tell the components of these herbal medicines or the extent of its effects. It isn’t supported by sufficient clinical trials and studies that can ease our worries over potential side effects or adverse reactions. Those are just some of the valid reasons raised by medical experts regarding the pros and cons of supporting traditional medicine.

It does not ignore the fact, though, that there are many herbs and herbal treatments that have proven to be effective in nurturing and supporting human health but many have been just as bad. It’s the same with modern-day treatments. It is really hard to choose between the two. It all boils down to how you understand both treatment options and their impact on your health or condition. And of course, as much as possible try to consult with a medical provider that can assess your current condition and give his/her recommendations on the best course of treatment for you and you take it from there.

The following post The Dangers Of Traditional Medicine was originally seen on The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-dangers-of-traditional-medicine/