Culture is prevalent for just about any area and influences the way we live, how we think about things, and how we react to situations. With a culture representative in every region, we can understand the linkage between biodiversity and cultural diversity. As previously learned, biodiversity relates to specific environments/ecosystems and cultural diversity relates to the population in a cultural aspect. These differing cultural populations and environments certainly damage its cultural diversity and biodiversity. Since this is such a big issue, I believe that governments should be actively involved through both legislation and funding in protecting cultural diversity. An authoritative figure has to take action and protect the threat of cultural diversity or it will never be done, so the government's everlasting power will diminish this issue. The issues of biodiversity are related to the idea of the threats to cultural diversity because cultural diversity and biodiversity are very important in any country. Natural resources play a huge role in both cultural diversity and biodiversity. Cultural diversity relates to the people and biodiversity refers to the use of natural resources. A major factor contributing to issues in biodiversity is unsustainable use of resources. The lack of using resources effectively affects the economy, which is a problem that can be solved by the government. The government needs to be involved to make sure that everyone has access to natural resources and that they are being sustainable as well.
In all countries it can be known that biodiversity and cultural diversity are very important. Biodiversity links to resources that can or cannot be used in the country and help its people. I believe that the government has the power to make decisions and advocate for certain causes that can impact their countries, cultures, and biodiversity in a positive manner. Within the realm of biodiversity humans take part in such threats like over fishing, and pollution. And if someone advocates for the reduction of certain threats, there can be a chance within protecting biodiversity. If the government is involved through legislation and funding, they can enable themselves to take a look in what cultures need language revival. Looking at Switzerland for example, their government recognizes the importance of fair and accessible mainstream policies as well as the offering of support programs that promote citizenship as well as build a sense of community through cultural diversity programs. Switzerland's government is very active in reviving mother tone languages of the country and supporting those that are not native; the idea of cultural diversity is an identifying factor in the countries social environment. Overall I believe in a world in which it is polychromatic instead of monochromatic. Government can make a huge impact on the protection of cultural diversity, but there can be such problems like a lack of funding that disables the government to do such great big actions for a country. Instead of the government having to do all the work in order to protect cultural diversity, different cultures and people can advocate for themselves and start up different programs that enable the protection of cultural diversity. Although the government can make things happen at a faster rate, individual people still have great power within them to be able to stand up for something that they believe needs to be done.
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I just posted a report on Swiss education on my political and economics page. I hope for you to visit my page!
To define globalization it is the process in which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start to operate on an international scale. It looks towards a broader outlook of an interconnected and interdependent world with services across the nation. To be more specific globalization encourages the flow of goods, services, capital and labor opening up barriers between nations. Globalization can be characterized by economic, social and political.
Switzerland is a well globalized country that is ranked 9th overall. One example in globalization in Switzerland is its international exports of gold and other metals. The country also imports many other goods such as cars, jewelry and packaged medication. Additionally, another example of globalization in Switzerland is its social aspect. The country is home to many immigrants and has a very large base of tourism year round. Culturally the country holds various diverse backgrounds from all of the world becoming a melting pot. Furthermore, from a political aspect of globalization the country is part of the United Nations (UN). They are internationally part of a group of countries that respect one an other offering help and solutions in times of need, along with keeping the peace. These examples are aspects of globalization as the country takes part in connecting and working with other nations. Globalization is based off of the principle of breaking down barriers between countries, having open doors in which they are able to benefit off of one another. In an economical standpoint Switzerland is sharing its materials with other nations along with importing goods from others. This is globalization as the country is trade and forming business connections on a global scale. In a social aspect the country is open to tourism and holds various immigrants from other countries. This is globalization because Switzerland is allowing others from different nations to live and work in its country. From a political outlook the country is partaking in globalization aspects as it's government is working with other nations in peace talks, treaties and laws. I believe that globalization in Switzerland is very positive for the country. Having connections with other nations is helpful for trade and business endeavors. The country is able to capitalize on their goods and make profits off of those materials. However, globalization does have its cons. Small businesses or local family owned shops suffer from big corporations that are able to take their products international. This does take away from the authentic and traditional life that many live in the country. Overall, globalization has its pros and cons but with a set balance in small and big scale the country benefits from it. Present day Switzerland men and women roles are equal. However, this was not always the case for this country. There used to be a very large inequality between genders that had only changed since the 1970's. Switzerland like many countries has gone through social change regarding gender and equality within them, although it is not perfect.
Europe was one of the later countries to bring equality between men and women. Switzerland's gender perceptions have been formed around the then patriarchal society. This means that society was male dominated and superior, making women lesser. Although the times have changed there is still a presence of the old ways throughout society. Women in the work force are not seen to hold important roles. In fact in some fields in Switzerland gender equality is not enforced. This means that women can still blatantly be treated lesser than men. Additionally, there is a wage gap within the country. Women earn less than men per year, and within a study it has shown that there is a 38.9% wage difference (Gender Equality in Switzerland, 2014). Men are still held to be superior to women in the work field even though constitutionally they should not be. In a political realm, women were not generally seen to have a hand within politics or hold strong political views. Women were not about to vote in Switzerland until 1971. However, every canton within the country did not allow women to vote until 1991. Switzerland has come along way since 1971, as the country has a number of women that hold political positions within government. In 2016 six women were elected and held high political positions in the Swiss Federal Council that marked a total high in history for the country (M.G., 2013). Looking at gender roles in home life, domestic abuse is present upon women. One in five women are victims of domestic abuse by their spouses or significant others. In the past year there were 14,000 reports and cases of domestic abuse within Swiss homes across the country (Domestic Violence, 2016). Police have reported that this problem has become wide spread throughout the country and is not just present within any particular region. The old patriarchal society seems to still be present within Swiss homes as men try and assert their dominance over women. From an education standpoint women do not generally advance into higher education after secondary school compared to men. There is a large education gap between men and women. However, over the years this wage has started to close. It is now seen that 13% of women obtain some sort of higher education that has doubled since 2000 (Higher Education Gap, 2016). Gender equality may never be the same within Switzerland or this world at all. Although, every day we are making changes in which women are starting to close the wages that we face compared to men. Sources Gender Equality in Switzerland. (2014). Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://www.humanrights.ch/en/switzerland/internal-affairs/gender/gender-equality/gender-equality-switzerland-well-finish M.G. (2013). Women's Right to Vote. Retrieved February 21, 2017 from http://history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/chronology-womens-right-vote-switzerland.html Domestic Violence. (2016). Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/abuse-at-home_domestic-violence-is--fairly-widespread--in-switzerland/42611778 Higher Education Gap. (2016). Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://lenews.ch/2016/10/16/swiss-higher-education-gap-between-men-and-women-shrinks-dramatically/ Hi welcome to my Switzerland country website/blog. As you go through my page I would love comments and feed-back! I hope you enjoy some of my findings and learning about the culture within Switzerland.
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Katie PetrieASU'19 Archives
April 2017
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