Biometric Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biometric Security - Essay Example â€Å"Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and analyzing biological data. In information technology, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics, such as fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand measurements, for authentication purposes.† SearchSecurity.com (2008) These have several applications including time attendance, access control, identification card, security systems, server rooms and data centers. The advantages of this system are: easy to use, removes proxy punching, prevents identity theft, no recurring costs on cards, better returns on investment and instant reporting. (BioEnable 2007) The objective of this paper is to discuss three technological applications on biometrics in the areas of fingerprint scanners, iris recognition system and smart cards. A presentation of each features, mechanics, and practical applications would enable one to discern which biometric techno logy is most beneficial to more members of the society. However, one should bear in mind that there are other factors to consider in selecting a biometric technology. Fingerprint scanners are technological applications in biometrics utilizing fingerprints of a user to be initially enrolled in a data base. The identity of the user would be authenticated by matching a current scan with that previously recorded in the data base. According to WebMediaBrands (2009), â€Å"fingerprint scanning essentially provides an identification of a person based on the acquisition and recognition of those unique patterns and ridges in a fingerprint.† This technology is currently being used in timekeeping, payroll, computer and security systems, among a host of other innovative applications. However, the cost of applying fingerprint scanning is still relatively expensive as compared to the traditional modes of ID badges. Iris recognition system is reported as one of the most accurate of all biometric

Eualuation of National Solidarity Program

Eualuation of National Solidarity Program EUALUATION OF NATIONAL SOLIDARITY PROGRAM: PEOPLE PARTICIPATION, CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINBALITY The case of Sayed Abad District of Wardak Province Tariq Salari Table of Contents (Jump to) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Context of the study 1.2. Rationale of the study 1.3. Hypothesis: 1.4. Limitation of the Study: 1.5. Organization of the thesis: ABBREVIATIONS AF Afghani (Currency of Afghanistan) ANDS Afghanistan National Development Strategy AREU Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit AusAID Australian Agency for International Development CDCs Community Development Councils CDP Community Development Plan CRDP Comprehensive Rural Development Program CSO Central Statistics Organization DAC Development Assistance Committee DFID Department for International Development EPA Environmental Protection Agency EU European Union FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FP Facilitating Partner IFAD International Fund for Agriculture GDP Gross Domestic Product HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus ILO International Labour Organization IWG-PA Informal Working Group on Participatory Approaches Methods KW Kilowatt N Number NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NGO Non Governmental Organization NSP National Solidarity Program OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development PDPs Provincial Development plans PIDRA Participatory Integrated Development in Rain-fed Area SAHEE Sustainability for Agriculture, Health, Education and Environment SCA Swedish Committee for Afghanistan UN United Nation UNDP United Nation Development Program UN ESCAP United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific UNESC United Nation Economic and Social Council UNRISD United Nation Research Institute for Social Development USAID United States Agency for International Development USFAA United States Foreign Assistance Act WB World Bank WCARRD World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development WECD World Commission on Environment and Development WMP Watershed Management Program 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Context of the study In the 1950s and 1960s many top-down development programs failed because of the wrong policies of the governments, donors and non-governmental organizations, which people were not involved in the design and implementation of the projects. World Bank (1994) proclaimed that top-down fashion entailed long bureaucratic process; they prefer participatory approaches because it is â€Å"learning by doing† which means people learn throughout the process. Top-down forms provide limited opportunities for participatory learning and decision-making as well. It obstructs local culture and habits (FAO, 1997). Shah (2012) stated that it is assumed that if local people were involved in the project cycle, it would be more successful. In most countries top-down policies caused the isolation of the people, increase in poverty, social and economic inequalities and deprivation. Many governments, non-governmental organizations and development agencies have acknowledged that traditional top-down approaches in many developing and developed countries failed to reach the benefits of rural people (FAO, 1991). Moreover, Binns et al. (1997) asserts that top-down strategies have failed to raise living standards of rural people; these approaches ignore rural people’s perception, needs and understanding. It is clear that without people’s participation it would be difficult for the planners to understand the socioeconomic and cultural situation, needs, problems and priorities of the rural communities. In the last few years the term of participation has become popular, especially in relation to sustainability of rural development projects (Bagherian et al, 2009). In the 1970s people’s participation recognized as a missing component of development projects which caused intensifying poverty (Karl, 2000). Participatory approach got momentum after the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (WCARRD) organized in 1997. WCARRD emphasized on the organization and active participation of rural people in the development programs (UN ESCAP, 2009). Local participation is considered as a vitally important factor for rural development projects, since rural people are the only one who knows their own problems better than anyone else. Hence, participation improves ownership, helps with rural people’s knowledge and boosts sustainability of rural development projects. In 1990, after more than four decades of providing foreign aids to developing countries, the assistin g and major donor agencies came up with the issue of benefits and activities in long term after stopping aids fund. They tried to establish local governance to manage resources and ensure long term sustainability (Bossert, 1990; Mohammad, 2010). A project can be sustained when the beneficiaries are involved in the project cycle; they will train throughout the project and would be enabled to work for their community in the future. Agriculture and livestock sector plays a vital role in the rural economy of Afghanistan. According to the World Bank (2012) rural population measured 76.14% where agriculture is the primary activity. Despite of the many challenges rural economy contributes to more than half of the country’s GDP. The three decades of war, turmoil, instability, revolution and social disruption enormously affected rural people in terms of social development and economic growth. Social institutions and economic infrastructures have been destroyed, sources of livelihoods, housing, schools and hospitals were demolished (Rahimi, 2013). After a long time, the government of Afghanistan and International Community in 2002 began some initiatives to reconstruct and stabilize the country through local communities. Zakhilwal and Thomas (2005) suggest that for longer peace and stability, rural participatory policies are needed to include those people who were often excluded from the decision-making before, especially women who have historically been victims of imbalanced development. The Transitional Government of Afghanistan in 2002 has started national programs. One of these programs was National Solidarity Program (NSP) to create, build up and maintain Community Development Councils (CDCs) as effective foundations for local governance and socioeconomic development (NSP-Web, 2014). NSP as a bottom-up program was created in 2003 to develop the ability of Afghan communities to identify, plan, manage and monitor their own development projects (NSP-Web, 2013). Development projects have a crucial role in the local development, since they improve the living standards of local people, empower local people and educate rural communities. Hence, it is important to be sustained which depends on the project selection, project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Without active participation of local people, it is impossible to achieve this goal (sustainability), which NSP projects couldn’t meet this criterion many projects have failed to produce expected outcomes. This study examines people participation in NSP projects and it explores major obstacles of people participation and likely sustainability of two projects in Sayed Abad district of Wardak province. 1.2. Rationale of the study Since 2001 government have put the issue of local participation in the centre of their policies and much more attention has been paid to rural areas and community participation, to bring people together in order to utilize the local resources, as well as to improve the livelihood of the rural people. In the first couple of years government tried to build capacity at local level in the public sector and civil society but these efforts had light impact. Subsequently, Afghan government jointly with the International Community initiated national programs to cope with poverty, engage directly people in the reconstruction process of the country, empower local people and make them responsible for their own development (Rahimi, 2013). Mostly the process of these programs has been bottom up, which has mainly focused on minorities and underprivileged strata of the community. But it is supposed that in some regions these initiatives have not succeeded to perceive the objectives of community par ticipation and empowerment in the local projects and many times it criticized that minorities, especially women have not been involved in these efforts, and still people are suffering from the elite and power-holders interference in the rural development projects. This study attempts to answer the empirical questions which often asked that whether in the NSP program people meaningfully participated and whether people’s participation incorporated with sustainability of the projects. With this background and empirical questions, the entire study was designed to meet the following objectives: To identify the level of involvement of local people in the National Solidarity Program (NSP) projects in the study area. To explore the barriers and factors that affect community participation in National Solidarity Program (NSP) projects in Sayed Abad district. To examine the sustainability of the NSP projects in the study area. To make recommendations based on the findings of this study. 1.3. Hypothesis In Sayed Abad district of Wardak province, elite power holders, socio-cultural situation and personal relationship caused isolation of minorities, especially in case of participation of women in the National Solidarity Program. Threatened security conditions, lack of substantial information and conflicts among tribes are the biggest challenges for community participation in the National Solidarity Program in Sayed Abad district. Meaningfully Participation of people in National Solidarity program likely lead to sustainability of projects in Sayed Abad district. 1.4. Limitation of the Study The limitations are mainly related to the availability of information and time, difficulties of collecting primary data in rural area of Afghanistan. It is not an easy task because of the threatened security conditions and a high illiteracy rate of the citizens. Some of the limitations are listed below: Lack of time and financial limitation. Security problems in Wardak province. Unwillingness of the respondents to give information due to security problems. Bureaucratic policy in the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Rural Development. Lack of secondary data due to absence of database in the provincial office of NSP. Absence of the officials and members of Community Development Councils (CDCs). 1.5. Organization of the thesis The entire thesis has been organized in five chapters. The first chapter highlights the context of the study, objectives, hypothesis and limitation of the study. Chapter two includes an extended literature review about the history of participation, definition of participation and sustainability, typology of participation, factors influencing participation and sustainability, relationship between participation and sustainability of the projects, social exclusion and inclusion and a short description of NSP. Principle concepts, information about study area, methods and tools used in the analysis are elaborated in the chapter three. Chapter four explores the results and findings in a logical scientific manner to accomplish the objectives and test the hypothesis of the study. Chapter five presents conclusions based on research outcomes and also some recommendations for enhancing the people’s participation in rural development projects and sustainability. In the next chapter the st udy is summarized and finally the sources of research materials, books and research papers related to the present investigation are listed.

Social Construct of a Pool Hall Essays -- Billiards Bars Games Essays

Social Construct of a Pool Hall Billiards, or more commonly referred to as pool has been played for many decades. In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century it was played by those of upper class standing in their homes. Over the twentieth century pool shifted roles, becoming part of middle and lower class society. With the class change, pool also moved out of the home and into bars and halls. Pool has been forever transformed; today there are three main groups of pool players to be found in pool halls; professional players: blue collar players, and teenage players. Non-pool players hold a very stereotypical view of what makes up a pool hall and its patrons. It tends to be a bar, full of drunkenness and fighting. Gambling, smoking, and trashy women standing next to their men. As one mother of five children stated in her interview, "it's motorcycle people." Here she was referring to the type of people who go to pool halls. And while she has never been herself, nor does she plan to go, she describes her motorcycle people as wearing, "leather jackets with fringe over dirty white t-shirts." These stereotypes could be possible for the lack of families and older couples who would go to pool halls. As with many stereotypes, this one is also inaccurate, of the three groups, the description of a "motorcycle person" does not fit in. To define the groups of pool players, I studied a pool hall in Waterford, Michigan. This pool hall is located on the Waterford border with Pontiac, right off the main highway, in a collapsing business district. This area has seen its better days; it is now falling down the economic ladder. Now it resembles many inner cities of America. The hall is tucked back in off the highway, next ... ...oup that should be left unrecognized, the women. Players from the lower groups do not strive to become members of the professional players, as professional players do not wish to move down in the ranks. The order is set; there are very few transfers between the groups. The three groups: the professional players, the blue-collar players, and the teenagers, have forever transformed the atmosphere of the pool hall. While many stereotypes exist concerning what a pool hall is, many are not true. It is not full of "motorcycle people," nor is it a drunken scene as depicted in movies. It is a place of social construct, such as everything in society. Works Cited Jennifer. Gender Relations and Alchol: An examination of The Cocktail Waitress: Women's work in a Man's World. 5 November 2001. http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/6265/papers/gender/cocktailwaitress.html.

Employment Rights and Responsibilities Essay

1.1 Below is a list of the aspects of employment covered by law: Minimum wage Hours worked Discrimination Health and safety Holiday entitlements Redundancy and dismissal Training Disciplinary procedures Union rights and consultation Maternity leave Read more: List the aspects of employment covered by law essay 1.2 Below is a list of the main features of current employment legislation Employment Act 1996 Equalities and Discrimination laws Employment Act 2008 Health and safety legislation at work Act 1974 1.3 Why do legislation relating to employment exists? The reason employment law exist is to stop the exploitation of workers by their employers, and to ensure that the employees rights are being followed. If these law didn’t exists them employer would be took advantage of and may not be treated correctly and fairly. The laws cover all aspects that could arise, weither this involves age, gender, disability. The laws protect employees from unfair bosses. if there wasn’t laws then there would be no rules, and companies could do whatever they want. These legislation are also in place to support employers. 1.4 Below are sources and types of information and advice available in relation to employment responsibilities and rights: There are many places you can get information from these could include: †¢Web sites †¢Books †¢Colleagues †¢Manager †¢Information leaflets †¢Citizens Advice Bureau †¢unions 2.1 Describe the terms and conditions of own contract of employment My contract of employment covers Job Location, as regards to where I am based in my employment. A job description, which describes the duties and responsibilities of my role as a care assistant , Probationary period, this confirms length of probationary period which is 3 month then a full contract will be offered , it will include what is expected of me within that period and also what happens at the end of the probationary period. A description of how much I will be paid, any possible pay raises dependant on gaining certain qualifications. Payroll procedures, this describes how I will be paid, how often and when I will be paid, pay slip information, about the company’s rights to make deductions if over paid or if you left and owed holiday/money for training or CRB. It will also include information about Hours, this is information on hours I am expected to do and break entitlements. It will describe my holiday entitlement, how to book it and when the leave year commences and ends. It will also include information on length of notice needed to terminate employment by myself or company. It includes information on training states that I am required to attend mandatory training and about the possibilities of further training. Sickness arrangements, details the procedure to follow if I am ill and statutory sick pay entitlements. Confidentiality is included explain the need for  confidentiality due to sensitive nature of the business whilst working and after leaving. Data protection, informs of the need for the company to hold personal information on you. 2.2 Describe the information shown on our own pay statement There is a lot of information shown on your pay statement, the amount of wage before any deduction (gross wage) and also your wage after deductions, the amount of tax and national insurance you have paid, your pay statement will also include your national insurance number, your tax code, your pay rate and also any additional information regarding your pay for example sick pay, holiday pay and over time. 2.3 The procedure to follow in event of a grievance When you have a grievance, you should write to your employer giving them details of your grievance. Include in your letter how you would like your employer to resolve the problem. Date the letter and keep a copy for yourself. Your employer should arrange an initial meeting to discuss your grievance. The main purpose of the meeting should be to establish the facts and find a way to resolve the problem. You have a legal right to take a representative to the meeting with you. To exercise this right, you must make a request to your employer that someone comes with you. Your representative could be, a colleague, union official, or solicitor. After the meeting your employer should, without unreasonable delay, write to you with their decision. They should set out, where appropriate, what action they intend to take to resolve the grievance. 2.4 Identify the personal information that must be kept up to date with own employer There are several things that must be kept up to date with your employer these include: †¢ Name †¢ Address †¢ next of kin †¢ contact number †¢ Education and qualifications 1. List the types of information that are held on your personal record and say why you think they are needed Data an employer can keep about an employee includes: Name Address Date of birth Sex Education and qualifications Work experience National Insurance number Tax code Details of any known disability Emergency contact details They will also keep details about an employee such as: Employment history with the organisation Employment terms and conditions Any accidents connected with work Any training taken Any disciplinary action 2. Who should you inform if you are changing your personal details? You should always keep your employer informed of any changes in your personal details so that their records are up to date and correct, if you have a change in personal details you should inform your manager as soon as  possible so that they information they have for you is correct, this is very important in case of an emergency. 3. How should your records be stored and who has a right to see them? Your personal records should be stored safely and securely they should be locked away so that no one can read them, if they are stored on a computer the computer should be password protected. Only your employer and yourself have a right to see your personal records unless you give permission for other people to see them. 2.5 Explain agreed ways of working with employer The agreed ways of working are the codes and policies provided by the employer for the care worker to follow these will include legislation, codes of conducts and employer’s policies and procedures that all care workers should follow when working in a care home setting. It is the responsibility of the care workers to work within the policy guidelines provided and also to ensuring that they are working at the standard expected of them, it is a legal requirement to follow policies and procedures.

Book Cover Analysis on the Pinocchio Effect Essay

Upon going through the vast artwork, one particular piece grabbed my attention. It was of a line up composed of men in boxer shorts in different colors. The overall look of the work gave it almost a vintage feeling because of the way the figures were drawn. It gave a sort of â€Å"pin-up† feel. Although composed of men, you can not help but be transported through time just by the visual aspect. The book was entitled â€Å"The Pinocchio Effect: On Making Italians, 1860-1920†. It dawned on me that these were Italians lined up, in a way that is reminiscent of a group of new recruits waiting to get their gears for war. As I further observed, these figures were progressing, starting from left to right. And taking this into consideration, I realized that this was a crude depiction of the evolution of an Italian man. The use of this illustration was very effective in stirring up intrigue in the work and as well as reinforcing what the book was about. Further research on the contents of the book revealed that this was indeed a book about the progression of the Italians after different Italian states began uniting into one nation (Stewart, 2007). This artwork was done by Isaac Tobin, an artist particularly renowned for his works on graphic design. The original look of the figures depicted in the work was compromised by the addition of color on the trunks. This added a comical feel to the overall mood of the figures, but is nonetheless effective in drawing out attention and to provide a contemporary feeling for the art. Overall, this artwork leaves a lasting impression and certainly a valuable addition to the cause of the book. It took the theme of the book and properly wielded the appropriate sources to tell its story at a moments glance.