VENEZUELAS ECONOMY AS A WHOLE Essays - Venezuela,

VENEZUELA'S ECONOMY AS A WHOLE ECONOMY Venezuela is rich in oil and other mineral resources. Its per capita income is about average for Latin America. The country's public external debt (excluding the obligations of the central bank and PDVSA, the parastatal oil company) stood at approximately $26.5 billion in 1996. The economy grew by 4.5% in real terms in 1997. Consumer prices rose only 37.6% in 1997 compared to the record 103% of 1996. The government is hoping for inflation of 24% during 1998. The Venezuelan economy is making a comeback under the Agenda Venezuela, propelled primarily by the opening of the petroleum sector to foreign investment (the apertura), a far-reaching privatization program, and plans to reform public sector operations. Oil prices have shown a continual decline since 1996, which is serving to erode the budgetary surplus from 4.5% in 1996 to an estimated 1.5% in 1997. In July 1996, the Venezuelan Government and the IMF formally announced a $1.4 billion stand-by loan. The World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank are also contributing to efforts to promote fundamental structural reforms--in the judiciary, electoral system, and social security/severance pay programs. Petroleum and Other Resources Venezuela's economy is dominated by petroleum, and the country is a founding member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In 1997, this sector accounted for more than one-quarter of GDP, almost three-quarters of export earnings, and almost half of central government's revenues. Most of Venezuela's energy exports consist of crude oil, but the country is also the United States' leading foreign source of refined petroleum products. The Government of Venezuela has opened up much of the hydrocarbon sector to foreign investment, promoting the establishment of massive new petrochemical joint ventures and reactivation of inactive fields. The Venezuelan petroleum corporation and foreign oil companies signed eight contracts for exploration and production joint ventures in July 1996. These contracts are expected to generate over $15 billion in foreign investment. A range of other natural resources, including iron ore, diamonds, coal, bauxite, hydroelectric power, gold, and nickel are in various stages of development. In 1996, CVG, the state-owned mining firm, announced its first joint venture with a foreign company to develop the Las Cristinas gold mine. Congress is also considering legislation which would update Venezuela's 1945 mining law in an effort to encourage greater private sector participation in mineral extraction. Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Trade Manufacturing contributed 15.6% of GDP in 1997. The manufacturing sector grew slightly (2.2%) in direct contrast with the contraction in 1996. Venezuela manufactures and exports steel, aluminum, textiles, apparel, beverages, and foodstuffs. It also produces cement, tires, paper, and fertilizers, and assembles cars for both the domestic and export market. The Agenda Venezuela envisions the privatization of a range of state-owned enterprises, including banks. Agriculture accounts for 4% of GDP, 12% of the labor force, and 24% of Venezuela's land area. Venezuela exports beef, rice, coffee, and cocoa. However, the country is not self-sufficient in most areas of agricultural production and imports about 60% of food consumed. In 1996, U.S. firms exported approximately $475 million of agricultural products including wheat, soybeans, corn, soymeal, and cotton to Venezuela, our third-largest agricultural export market in Latin America. The U.S. usually accounts for slightly more than a third of Venezuela's food imports. Thanks to petroleum exports, Venezuela usually posts a trade surplus. In recent years, non-traditional (i.e. non-petroleum) exports have been growing rapidly but still constitute only about one-fourth of total exports. The United States is Venezuela's leading trade partner. During the first 10 months of 1997, the United States registered $3.0 billion in exports (about 38% of Venezuela's total) and purchased $12.9 billion in imports (about 55% of Venezuela's total). Venezuela's trade with other Andean Pact members, particularly Colombia, is growing in importance. Labor and Infrastructure Venezuela's labor force of about 8.8 million is growing faster than total employment. At the end of 1997, official unemployment was 12.8%, but unofficial estimates are higher. The public sector employs 14% of the work force, while less than 1% work in the capital-intensive oil industry. About 25% of the labor force is unionized. Unions are particularly strong in the public sector. Venezuela has an extensive road system. With the exception of air service, transportation and communications have failed to keep pace with the country's needs. Much of the infrastructure suffers from inadequate maintenance.

Butterflies Are Free, a Full-Length Play

Butterflies Are Free, a Full-Length Play Don Baker and Jill Tanner have adjoining apartments in a lower income section of New York City in the late 1960s. Don is in his early 20s and Jill is 19 years old. The play opens with Don moving around his meticulously kept apartment while talking on the phone with his mother. Jill is watching TV loudly in her place. Since the walls are paper-thin, the two neighbors talk to each other in their separate dwellings before Jill finally invites herself over. She is a flighty, commitment-phobe, who has recently moved to New York to attempt a career as an actress. Some keys to her personality include her escape from her life in California, her constant search for food to munch on, and a six-day marriage when she was just 16 years old. (Read an online copy of the monologue in which Jill describes the circumstances of her startlingly short marriage.) Don has lived a sheltered life and his move to New York for two months is a deal he has struck with his mother to prove to himself and to her that he is self-sufficient and can live on his own. The reason he has never lived apart from his mother is that Don is blind. He is only beginning to discover who he is and what he might like to do with his life. The two neighbors quickly fall for each other. At the end of the first act, they have climbed into his bed and begun an affair. Jill is as fascinated with Don’s life as Don is with her. The two seem to balance each other out and make a good match. But before Don and Jill have had a chance to put their clothes back on, again in walks Don’s mother who just happened to be in the neighborhood after a shopping trip to Saks Fifth Avenue (30-some blocks away). She is less than pleased with what she has found. Mrs. Baker is understandably protective of her son and sees Jill as a ship passing in the night. She dislikes the girl and after Don leaves to get food from a deli, she explains to the 19-year-old what a life with Don entails. To the flighty and erratic young girl, the picture Mrs. Baker paints sounds more like a prison than a life. Jill decides to take Mrs. Baker’s advice and proceeds to fall into the arms of a director at her next audition. The play climaxes with Don and Jill fighting about the glaring personality flaws they see in one another and Don dealing with feeling doomed to move back in with his mother. Jill leaves him in a furious state and Don frantically moves around his apartment until he becomes disoriented, trips over his furniture and falls on the floor. Jill comes to investigate and regrets their fight. The play ends with a slight hope for their relationship. Production Details The production notes for Butterflies are Free are as specific and meticulous as the apartment of a man who is blind would need to be. The script, available from Samuel French, includes a detailed floor plan for the set as well as a four-page prop list. Lighting and costume needs are minimal, but the set pieces are described in detail by the characters within their dialogue and therefore need to be constructed accordingly. The two most important items are Don’s lofted bed over the door to his bathroom and a bathtub/dining table. Both are described in the dialogue and the production notes. Cast Size:  This play can accommodate 4 actors.Male Characters:  2Female Characters:  2 Roles Don Baker  is a young  blind man. He is in his 20s and excited to be living on his own for the first time in his life. He is appreciative of his protective mother but is ready to experience a less sheltered life. He quickly falls for his exciting and independent neighbor, but he is naà ¯ve in his expectations for their relationship. Jill Tanner  is young enough and pretty enough that she can afford to be reckless in her decisions and relationships. She is fascinated by and attracted to Don. There is real chemistry between them, but her flighty nature rebels against the idea that Don could tie her down to a life she is ill-equipped to lead. Mrs. Baker  is Don’s overbearing but well-meaning mother. She does not approve of him moving away from home to New York. It is as  big a step for her to let her son live independently as it is for Don to actually be living on his own. She is abrupt and controlling, but ultimately this is because she has her son’s best interests at heart. Ralph Austin  is the director of Jill’s new show. He is more than thrilled to have the amorous attentions of the pretty young girl. He is excited to meet Don after everything Jill has told him about Don’s life. Ralph is unaware of the effect his words and presence have on everyone in the apartment when he shows up late at night with Jill. Content Issues:  Sexual talk and relationships, limited clothing, language Music The song that Don writes that serves as the title of the show. â€Å"Butterflies are Free,† is under copyright by Sunbury Music, Inc. There is  a video that contains an excerpt of the song from the movie  and  Samuelfrench.com  offers the sheet music. Productions Butterflies Are Free  debuted in 1969 at the Booth Theater in New York City.Goldie Hawn and Edward Albert starred in the  1972 film production of Butterflies Are Free.Production Rights for Butterflies Are Free  are held by  Samuel French, Inc.You can read  portions of the script on Google books.

Argumentative Essay - Being Awkward Sucks Laughter, Joke, Pet Shop Bo

Growing up in a large strict family that limited outside interaction when I was growing up has in turn made me fairly introverted and awkward. I do not do well in social situations and try to avoid them at all costs. See unlike most people, who can strike up a cordial conversation about sports, business, or common interests with people they have just been introduced to; I on the other hand, turn to jokes and sarcasm to break the ice. Sometimes it is well received and I am dubbed â€Å"the funny one† other times it leads to nervous laughter and â€Å"what the hell† looks from everyone. It’s like Russian roulette every time I enter a new situation with a few sarcastic ice breaker comments in the chamber. Take for example, my cousin had a certain type of party that has become pretty common now-a-days. I won’t drop any names but it entails certain battery operated devices commonly used in a romantic nature. A party like this is awkward enough as it is. So let’s take that and layer in my a bunch of people whom I have never met before and for fun, let’s talk about which vibrato...

Ch7 - reflectional journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ch7 - reflectional journal - Essay Example The advantages of questioning in learning show that questions trigger divergent thinking, encourage reflection, build inward understanding, promote factual knowledge, and nurture convergent thinking. When questioning, teachers should consider the structure of questioning so that they can balance the appropriateness of the questions in the teaching and learning process. Teacher responses influence effective learning process and are vital because the teacher must consider the answers given by the learners in an encouraging way so that the learner can feel motivated. Additionally, the teacher should respond in an extensive way whereby he/she expands the student’s answer for better understanding of the content being asked. Expansion of a student’s response encourages and motivates the learner in the sense that the learner attains a sense of appreciation and within the right path to getting the right answer. Finally, the teacher should also probe when answering to leaners questions; this is whereby the teacher questions further the answers given by the learner. This method tests whether the learner has understood the concept being learned. In summation, the author points that teachers should adopt an appropriate way of questioning and answering during the teaching and learning process so that the objectives of the lesson are outstandingly met making the teaching effective. In summation, the author points that teachers should adopt an appropriate way of questioning and answering during the teaching and learning process so that the objectives of the lesson are outstandingly met making the teaching

Epidemiology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Epidemiology - Essay Example This entails food safety to ensure monitoring of food to avoid causing foodborne diseases. Therefore, the research question is â€Å"what can consumers do to protect themselves from foodborne illness. The study is purely cross-sectional and investigates the control measures used to enhance prevention of foodborne illness among the consumers. First the study identifies the community, who are the consumers. Some of the basic steps towards prevention of foodborne illness include buy of foodstuffs from reputable sources to enhance any follow-up in case of an emergency. The consumer should ask the supplier of the standards they normally impose to ensure food safety (Lindell & David, 2001). The consumer must choose foodstuff that is wholesome and appears fresh. Any unfamiliar color or odor causes for alarm, and any produce with excessive soil or dust on edible portions must be avoided. The foodstuff should be stored in dry and cool place, and the consumer should follow all directions for use. Washing of hands should be exercised before preparation of any food. All produce must be washed in a clean colander or sink under running water. The cutting boards should be washed in warm water, and any raw produce like fruits should not be chopped in a board used for poultry or raw meat (Lindell & David, 2001). The cross-sectional design involves the collection of data at a definite time to assess the prevalence of chronic or acute conditions. The study involves the collection of special data like the questions about past, and they rely on the originally collected data (Lindell & David, 2001). The design is relatively easy and quick to conduct, and the collection of data on all variables happens at once. This is because the design involves observing the entire population. The method is applicable where the prevalence can be measured for all the factors investigated. Also, multiple outcomes can be studied. The prevalence of any health related characteristics or

Memorandum for new model to FQHC Service Plan Essay Example for Free

Memorandum for new model to FQHC Service Plan Essay It is to propose a new service channel to the existing service model of FQHC which is currently doing community development activities in the nation. Recently we found that the local community does not have any drug rehabilitation center even though most of the men and women wanted to change their lifestyle. The alcohol consumption rate in adults is very high and is affecting the family lives and the development of the children. The income earning rate has reduced drastically during the past 3 years and work place absenteeism has increased. Family conflicts have increased and child crime levels are also showing up due to the lack of family discipline and reduced family income levels. The adult crime rate and workplace unrest has roused to beyond normal levels and the local police control is become inadequate during some instances. So the local community elders have decided to establish an alcoholic rehabilitation centers to bring reformation in the lives of the community people. The community elders wanted to cooperate the establishment by giving vacant land and building on lease for a period of 5 years to use them as drug de addiction centers. The community intends to have a paramedical clinic to facilitate the medical interaction to the community. Also the community requests that awareness camps on alcohol consumption risks and the hope for rehabilitation should be promoted more in the community to bring them out of addiction. In this regard, as a health consultant, it is proposed that FQHC should take the initiative and readiness on the community awareness programs. As the local community centers have the inability of establishing the Paramedical clinic for the drug rehabilitation due to the lack of know how and the lack of support staff and the lack of financial supplies. And it is identified that community needs technical and financial cooperation of FQHC to bring the functional program of alcoholic rehabilitation to the community, it is proposed that FQHC should invest initially in establishing the centers, where in it can draw funds gradually. And FQHC should validate the local community centers about their Stand of Capability to carry on the proposed program, conducting the free campaign for the general check up in the rural areas, conducting campaigns regarding the awareness. Through this FQHC can encourage the community initiative to bring the vulnerable drug addicts out of the addiction, by giving them a hope in life. As the local community centers exercise good established connections and rapo with the public, media and facilities they can employ to the best output of the program. The local communities can conduct training and awareness programs and can monitor the medical camps and the clinic and can report the FQHC on the program progress from time to time. Owing to the fact that FQHC, several health programs funded under the Health Center Consolidation Act, we request you to give the opportunity to serve the community by joining hands with you. References: FQHC Frequently Asked Questions, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://www. raconline. org/info_guides/clinics/fqhcfaq. php#certification DRUG DE-ADDICTION PROGRAMME, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://www. mohfw. nic. in/kk/95/ia/95ia0j01. htm Drug treatment and rehabilitation services, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://www. spym. org/drugprojects. htm George Kaplan, Health Status Disparities in the United States, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://www. wilsoncenter. org/events/docs/Kaplan1. pdf Drug Rehab Programs, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://www. drug-rehabs. com/ Michael G. Boyle Thomas P. Murphy, Guidelines for Linking Addiction Treatment with Primary Healthcare Developed for the Behavioral Health Recovery Management Project, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://www. bhrm. org/guidelines/BHRM%20Primary%20Care%20Integration. pdf Drug treatment and rehabilitation services, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://www. spym. org/drugprojects. htm How to Write Memos, Retrieved November 8, 2000, from http://elc. polyu. edu. hk/CiLL/eiw/memos. htm

Juvenile Stats On Crime :: essays research papers

40% of all residential burglary charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 9% in 1996. 28% of all non-residential burglary charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 5% in 1996. 29% of all Residential Entry charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 18% in 1996. 19% of all Theft charges and 18% of all Receiving Stolen Property charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- down from 22% (Theft) and up from 6% (Receiving) in 1996. 18% of all Auto Theft charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 6% in 1996. 16% of all Criminal Conversion charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles. 37% of all Child Molesting charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles. 25% of all Handgun Violation charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles. 12% of all Marijuana Possession charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Secure Detention Costs The per diem costs to Morgan County of placing juvenile delinquent offenders in the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Facility decreased in 1997, as compared to 1996. According to the weekly detention statistics maintained by the Morgan Superior Court No. 2, the total costs of secure detention of juvenile delinquent offenders in 1997 was approximately $179,900.00 (average cost: $3459.00 per week). By comparison, the total costs of secure detention of juvenile delinquent offenders in 1996 was approximately $214,686.00 (average cost: $4128.00 per week). Juvenile Probation Supervision Stats As of January 1, 1997, 154 juvenile delinquency cases were under supervision by the Juvenile Probation officers of Morgan County. During 1997, 302 new probation cases were referred to probation supervision; of that total, 164 Delinquents and Status offenders were placed under formal probation supervision, and 125 Delinquents and Status offenders were placed under informal probation adjustment and supervision. Also during 1997, 246 probation cases were completed and closed. As of December 31, 1997, 210 juvenile delinquency cases were open and under supervision by the Juvenile Probation officers. Here is a table summarizing Juvenile Delinquency Probation Cases supervisions for 1997: Total Supervisions Pending on 1/1/97 154 Total Supervisions Opened during 1997 302 Formal Probation - Delinquents 101 Formal Probation - Status Delinquents 63 Informal Adjustment - Delinquents 54 Informal Adjustment - Status Delinquents 71 Transfers in: Intra/Inter State 2 Supervisions Completed/Closed during 1997 246 Supervisions Pending on 12/31/97 210 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waiver of Jurisdiction in Juvenile Delinquency Cases to Adult Court