It's only foreverNot long at all
~ David Bowie / Underground
You Are Barney |
 You could have been an intellectual leader... Instead, your whole life is an homage to beer You will be remembered for: your beautiful singing voice and your burps Your life philosophy: "There's nothing like beer to give you that inflated sense of self-esteem." |
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"Clients... Are your Worst...
Enemy..."
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"Working in the Netherlands
Foreign workers regularly come to find a temporary job in the Netherlands; they come, for example, from Poland, Portugal, Germany and Greece. They may come because of high unemployment in their home country or because of the jobs on offer in the Netherlands. Foreign workers make an important contribution to the Dutch economy. If you are considering temporarily working in the Netherlands, you will certainly benefit from reading this leaflet.
If you intend to work as a foreign worker in the Netherlands, you will obviously be very careful about making the right arrangements. You will want to do pleasant work, under good conditions and for a good salary. You have to be able to rely on everything being arranged properly, especially in the light of the stories concerning illegal practices. You may choose to have a private employment agency mediate for you. That can save you a lot of trouble, particularly if you choose a private employment agency that is affiliated with the ABU (Dutch association of private employment agencies). Then you are assured of mediation that meets the requirements for the ABU quality mark. The quality mark guarantees security, quality and professionalism.
ABU private employment agencies: security, quality and professionalism
The ABU quality mark means, for example, that you will receive proper guidance as a foreign worker. You get help with looking for a job. You are provided with information on matters such as transport from your country of origin to the Netherlands and on commuting. The private employment agency ensures that you find reasonably priced accommodation. You therefore get the help you need. You can also get help with filling in forms to claim tax refunds. Your employment contract is drawn up in two languages, Dutch and your mother tongue.
Why are all these arrangements made for you? Because employees of ABU private employment agencies think it is important that you feel at home while you are working in the Netherlands. They do their best to achieve that for you.
Collective agreement for temporary employees
Working for an ABU private employment agency means that you work in accordance with a collective agreement (CAO) for agency workers. The collective agreement is an employment contract concluded by the ABU with the main, officially recognised trade unions in the Netherlands, such as the FNV affiliated trade unions, De Unie and the CNV Dienstenbond. This collective agreement sets out all the rights and obligations of employees and employers (the private employment agencies). Working in compliance with this collective agreement means working with a proper contract and for proper pay.
Special scheme for foreign workers
A separate scheme has been worked out especially for those of you who do not live permanently in the Netherlands. This makes it possible to arrange terms of employment in accordance with your own wishes. Perhaps you would prefer to be paid directly, rather than having money that is being set aside for you. The scheme makes this possible. You also receive clear instructions on the work that you will be doing, and if it is possible to take a day off on a day that is a special holiday for you (i.e. a day that is not considered as a public holiday in the Netherlands). Moreover ABU private employment agencies arrange for good, reasonably priced accommodation for you. The ABU Web site www.abu.nl, provides a downloadable summary of the collective agreement for agency workers in Polish, German, English, Turkish and Arabic.
Malafide employment agencies
An ABU private employment agency distinguishes itself from malafide private employment agencies. If you are going to work for a private employment agency, it is essential for you to choose a reliable one. Malafide agencies exploit their workers, who generally do not have a proper contract, are low paid, work under terrible conditions and pay too much for poor quality accommodation. You become the victim of this as an agency worker. It is therefore advisable to choose a private employment agency critically. You can be confident that the private employment agencies affiliated with the ABU are reliable. These agencies can be recognised in the Netherlands by the blue ABU sticker on the door. The ABU Web site www.abu.nl also indicates which private employment agencies are members of the ABU.
The facts
The ABU quality mark stands for security, quality and professionalism. At an ABU-accredited private employment agency
you can make use of a special scheme for foreign workers, which includes the following benefits:
some terms of employment benefits are paid in money instead of being set aside
clear instructions are provided about the work and workplace
possibility of taking a day off on a day that is a special public holiday
cheaper accommodation
you receive help with looking for a job
you are assured of a reliable employer
you are provided with information on transport (commuting and travel from your home country to the Netherlands)
you are given help with arranging accommodation or accommodation may be provided for you
you receive guidance in looking for health care providers
you get help with arranging practical matters, such as tax refunds
your employment contract is drawn up in two languages (your mother tongue and Dutch)
you work in accordance with the collective agreement for agency workers (which means, amongst other things, a proper contract, good pay and a supplement to sickness benefit).
The ABU quality mark, a reliable quality mark
The ABU ensures that ABU private employment agencies comply with strict rules on conduct and meet all the statutory requirements. ABU private employment agencies are periodically screened by an independent institution. Besides being subject to strict checks on the employment of foreign employees, the proper application of the collective agreement is also thoroughly checked.
The ABU, a reliable partner
The ABU (Dutch association of private employment agencies) looks after the interests of 280 private employment agencies in the Netherlands that comply with the strict acceptance criteria on professional skills, integrity, reliability and service. The 280 private employment agencies affiliated with the ABU have a joint total of more than 2600 branches throughout the Netherlands.
The agency work industry in the Netherlands fills 1.1 million agency jobs per year. You can find further details on ABU-accredited private employment agencies at www.abu.nl
"
"All cover letters should:
Explain why you are sending a resume.
Don't send a resume without a cover letter.
Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?
Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.
Convince the reader to look at your resume.
The cover letter will be seen first.
Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.
Call attention to elements of your background — education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.
Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.
Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.
Indicate what you will do to follow-up.
• In a letter of application — applying for an advertised opening — applicants often say something like "I look forward to hearing from you." However, if you have further contact info (e.g. phone number) and if the employer hasn't said "no phone calls," it's better to take the initiative to follow-up, saying something like, "I will contact you in the next two weeks to see if you require any additional information regarding my qualifications."
• In a letter of inquiry — asking about the possibility of an opening — don't assume the employer will contact you. You should say something like, "I will contact you in two weeks to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities with (name of organization)." Then mark your calendar to make the call.
"
"Cover letters generally fall into one of two categories:
1. Letter of application: applying for a specific, advertised opening. See:
Sample 3.1: letter of application following personal meeting, hard copy version
Sample 3.2: letter of application for advertised position, e-mail version
Sample 3.3: letter of application for advertised position, e-mail version
Sample 3.4: letter of application for advertised position, hard copy version
2. Letter of inquiry: expressing interest in an organization, but you are not certain if there are current openings. See:
Sample 3.5: letter of inquiry about employment possibilities, e-mail version
Sample 3.6: letter of inquiry about internship opportunities, hard copy version
Information-seeking letters and follow-up
To draft an effective cover letter, you need to indicate that you know something about the employing organization. Sometimes, even with research efforts, you don’t have enough information to do this. In such a case it is appropriate to write requesting information.
See Sample 4.1: Information seeking letter, hard copy version.
After you receive the desired information you can then draft a follow-up letter that:
Thanks the sender for the information;
Markets why you would be a good job candidate for that organization based on the information; and
Explains why you are sending your resume.
See Sample 5.2: Follow up letter to information seeking meeting.
"
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"
"Cultural imperialism is the practice of promoting the culture or language of one nation in another. It is usually the case that the former is a large, economically or militarily powerful nation and the latter is a smaller, less affluent one. Cultural imperialism can take the form of an active, formal policy or a general attitude.
Empires throughout history have been established using war and physical compulsion (military imperialism). In the long term, populations have tended to be absorbed into the dominant culture, or acquire its attributes indirectly.
Contents [hide]
1 Early history
1.1 English cultural imperialism
2 20th century cultural imperialism
3 Cultural dissemination - international development
4 Theory and debate
4.1 Cultural diversity
4.2 Cultural fascism
4.3 Said and post-colonial studies
5 See also
6 References
[edit]
Early history
One of the first known examples of cultural imperialism was extinction of the Etruscan culture and language caused by the influence of the Roman Empire.[1]
The Greek culture built gyms, theatres and public baths in places that its adherents conquered (such as ancient Judea, where Greek cultural imperialism sparked a popular revolt), with the effect that the populations became immersed in that culture. The spread of the koine (common) Greek language was another large factor in this immersion.
As exploration of the Americas increased, European nations including England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal all raced to claim territory in hopes of generating increased economic wealth for themselves. In these new colonies, the European conquerors imposed their language and culture.
Similarly, policies of Russification were carried out in the Russian Empire throughout the 19th century.
[edit]
English cultural imperialism
A revealing instance of cultural imperialism is the Prayer Book rebellion of 1549, where the English state sought to suppress non-English languages with the English language Book of Common Prayer[2] . In replacing Latin with English, and under the guise of suppressing Catholicism, English was effectively imposed as the language of the Church, with the intent of it becoming the language of the people. At the time people in many areas of Cornwall did not speak or understand English.
[edit]
20th century cultural imperialism
Cultural imperialism in the twentieth century was primarily connected with the United States and with the Soviet Union (see Russification), and to a lesser extent with other countries that exert strong influence on neighboring nations. Some people in countries outside the US feel that the high degree of cultural export through business and popular culture--popular and academic books, films, music, and television--threatens their unique ways of life or moral values where such cultural exports are popular[citation needed]. Some countries, including France, have policies that actively oppose Americanisation. Some American cultural producers such as Reader's Digest have responded to or altogether avoided such resistance by adapting their content (or the surface of it) to local audiences.
China has, in various periods over the 20th century, pursued repressive policies towards the indigenous cultures and religions of Tibet and Xinjiang, and has encouraged Han Chinese immigration into those regions, for example, through the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. This has been widely viewed as cultural imperialism by exile and dissident groups abroad and their supporters. The nationwide promotion of a standardized Chinese language has also sparked debate, both in Mainland China and Taiwan, about whether this constitutes a form of cultural imperialism over regional dialects.
Canada is also affected by the influence of the United States. Aside from the fact that American businesses are purchasing Canadian industries and resources, the Canadian population is continuously exposed to the American media. Whether this can be fairly termed "cultural imperialism" or not is open to debate, as most Canadian media outlets broadcast American content voluntarily simply because it attracts higher viewership from Canadian audiences; the most popular music, movies, and television programs in Canada are frequently American. Whatever the label for US influence, various Canadian governments have practiced Canadian cultural protectionism in response.
Representatives of al-Qaida have stated that their attacks on US interests have been motivated in part by a reaction to perceived US cultural imperialism. The extent to which American cultural imperialism is an important source of hostility in the Middle East, and the corresponding implications for the American-led War on Terror is a matter of great controversy.
[edit]
Cultural dissemination - international development
Though the majority of international service trips and other related voluntary organizations generally advocate the promotion of the socioeconomic advancement of developing nations overseas, little research has been conducted concerning the overall effectiveness of many of these programs. Some believe that ideas associated with cultural imperialism and the active promotion of one’s own language and culture pose positive as well as negative effects for those less affluent nations. A popular organization like the Peace Corps, for example, has been established for over forty-five years and continues to serve almost one hundred and forty impoverished nations worldwide. Although this particular organization endorses the growth of developing nations, two out of the three main goals comprising Peace Corps’ mission statement place a strong emphasis on promoting a better understanding and acceptance of American culture and the United States. Whether intentional or unintentional, researchers have found that local power and gender differences are often overlooked during a community’s participation in international development and funding organizations. Many modes of cultural imperialism have been analyzed but few studies have been conducted to test the effects associated with introducing elements of new culture, including technological advances and religious institutions.
The topic of information technology, in particular, has sparked a controversial debate as to whether technology actually facilitates economic growth and quality of life throughout the world. Arguments have been made that promoting the use of technology in developing nations may ultimately intensify global inequality, though studies have shown that access to information technology has increased economic expansion and decreased rates of child mortality in the developing world. Some studies have concluded that nationally and internationally funded projects with higher levels of participation have much better success rates and aid a broader section of the population.
[edit]
Theory and debate
'Cultural imperialism' can refer to either the forced acculturation of a subject population, or to the voluntary embracing of a foreign culture by individuals who do so of their own free will. Since these are two very different referents, the validity of the term has been called into question. The term cultural imperialism is understood differently in particular discourses. E.g. as "media imperialism" or as "discourse of nationality" (Tomlinson, 1991).
Cultural influence can be seen by the "receiving" culture as either a threat to or an enrichment of its cultural identity. It seems therefore useful to distinguish between cultural imperialism as an (active or passive) attitude of superiority, and the position of a culture or group that seeks to complement its own cultural production, considered partly deficient, with imported products or values.
The imported products or services can themselves represent, or be associated with, certain values (such as consumerism). According to one argument, the "receiving" culture does not necessarily perceive this link, but instead absorbs the foreign culture passively through the use of the foreign goods and services. Due to its somewhat concealed, but very potent nature, this hypothetical idea is described by some experts as "banal imperialism." Some believe that the newly globalized economy of the late 20th and early 21st century has facilitated this process through the use of new information technology. This kind of cultural imperialism is derived from what is called "soft power."
[edit]
Cultural diversity
One of the reasons often given for opposing any form of 'cultural imperialism,' voluntary or otherwise, is the preservation of cultural diversity, a goal seen by some as analogous to the preservation of ecological diversity. Proponents of this idea argue either that such diversity is valuable in itself, or instrumentally valuable because it makes available more ways of solving problems and responding to catastrophes, natural or otherwise.
Opponents of this idea deny the validity of the analogy to biodiversity, and/or the validity of the arguments for preserving biodiversity itself.
[edit]
Cultural fascism
Some claim that the attempt to preserve the purity of a culture against noncoercive incursions is itself a far worse imposition. Proponents of this view argue that not only ought people have the right to choose what media and other products they consume, including those of external cultures, but also that the lack of such rights is part of a kind of nationalism that leads in a dangerous direction. Not only is "Cultural Imperialism" a misnomer and an intellectually invalid concept, proponents of this view say, but it is by nature a culturally fascist accusation or retort against cosmopolitanism, and, ultimately, racist. This is part of a larger world view known as Circular Political Theory[citation needed] (the farther you go to the extreme left, the closer you come to the extreme right, and vice versa), which interprets so-called "anti-imperialist" movements and the "new leftism" as merely superficial reworkings of classic fascism.[citation needed]
Opponents of this idea respond that it trivializes the idea of fascism, and that nationalism or cultural pride as such is not intrinsically dangerous. Some add that the root of its mistake is to mischaracterize fascism by its surface traits, ignoring the importance of its social base; similar rhetoric in the mouths of the powerful and the powerless has a different meaning. On the other hand, one could retort that the very idea of cultural imperialism itself trivializes imperialism, as revealed by a comparison of Japanese atrocities in China in the late 1930s to the influence of American jazz and film in Paris during that same period.[citation needed]
[edit]
Said and post-colonial studies
The writer Edward Said, one of the founders of the field of post-colonial study, wrote extensively on the subject of cultural imperialism, and his work is considered by many to form an important cornerstone in this area of study. His work attempts to highlight the inaccuracies of many assumptions about cultures and societies, and is largely informed by Michel Foucault's concepts of discourse and power. The relatively new academic field of post-colonial theory has been the source for most of the in-depth work on the idea of discursive and other non-military mechanisms of imperialism, and its validity is disputed by those who deny that these forms are genuinely imperialistic.
[edit]
See also
Transculturation
Media and ethnicity
Ethnocide
Hegemony
Genocide "
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"Foreign policies
In foreign affairs, he devoted himself to keeping peace in Europe, so that the strength of the German Empire would not be threatened. He was, however, forced to contend with French revanchism — the desire to avenge the loss in the Franco-Prussian War. Bismarck adopted a policy of diplomatically isolating France, whilst maintaining cordial relations with other nations in Europe. In order to avoid alienating the United Kingdom, he declined to seek a colonial empire or an expansion of the navy. In 1872, he extended the hand of friendship to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russia, whose rulers joined Wilhelm I in the League of the Three Emperors. Bismarck also maintained good relations with Italy.
After Russia's victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War, Bismarck helped negotiate a settlement at the Congress of Berlin (1878). Russia had previously secured great advantages in southeastern Europe when it made peace by ratifying the Treaty of San Stefano. Bismarck and other European leaders, however, opposed the growth of Russian influence, and sought to protect the power of the Ottoman Empire (see Eastern Question). The Treaty of Berlin revised the Treaty of San Stefano, reducing the concessions offered to Russia. As a result, Russo-German relations suffered; the Russian Prince Gorchakov denounced Bismarck for compromising his nation's victory. The relationship between Russia and Germany was further weakened by the latter's protectionist policies. The League of the Three Emperors having fallen apart, Bismarck negotiated the Dual Alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879. The Dual Alliance became the Triple Alliance in 1882 with the addition of Italy. Attempts to reconcile Germany and Russia failed to have any lasting effect: the Three Emperors' League was re-established in 1881, but quickly fell apart, and the Reinsurance Treaty of 1887 was allowed to expire in 1890.
At first, Bismarck opposed the idea of seeking colonies, arguing that the burden of obtaining and defending them would outweigh the potential benefits. During the late 1870s, however, public opinion shifted to favour the idea of a colonial empire. In this regard, Germans were not unique; other European nations also began to acquire colonies rapidly (see New Imperialism). During the early 1880s, Germany joined other European powers in the Scramble for Africa. Among Germany's colonies were Togoland (now part of Ghana and Togo), Cameroon, German East Africa (now Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania), and German South-West Africa (now Namibia). The Berlin Conference (1884–1885) established regulations for the acquisition of African colonies; in particular, it protected free trade in certain parts of the Congo basin.
"
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