Damanhour Agricultural Mechanization Training Center: يوليو 2014

الأربعاء، 30 يوليو 2014

20 20Most Peaceful Countries in the World

12. Finland

Finland is considered one of the most peaceful and livable countries, which is not renowned for its combative nature. Finland is still a country that embraces mandatory civil and military service for young people, and the country’s only participation in fighting has been as a part of joint United Nations peacekeeping forces. When speaking about Finland, I want to say about its education. Finland places education at the heart of literally everything. Finland’s education system is ranked fifth best in the world.

13. New Zealand

Each year since 2007, the Institute for Economics and Peace has ranked New Zealand as one of the most peaceful countries in the world. With a small percentage of its population in prison, limited military capability, strong relations with Australia and down-to-earth hospitality, New Zealand is a wonderful country to live in. This is a country of natural beauty, diverse scenery and quirky natives. Visitors from all over the world come to New Zealand to experience rugged landscape, breathtaking alpine glaciers, awesome beaches and fantastic geothermal and volcanic activity. The country is also renowned for its fine wines and there are a great number of grape varieties planted throughout New Zealand. So if you are a great wine lover, you should definitely visit New Zealand at least once in life.

14. Canada

Having one of the best standards of living in the world, Canada is also one of the most peaceful countries on Earth. It has a population of approximately 33 million people, yet it’s the second largest country in the world by area. With clean and safe cities, spectacular scenery and extremely friendly people, Canada is a wonderful and peaceful country to live in. The largest strike against the peace score of Canada is that it has a comparatively high military capability, though it currently is not involved in any conflict.

15. Austria

Austria is a small landlocked South Central European country which gains a place on the list of the most peaceful countries in the world for its stance on international politics. Since World War I and the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and World War II, Austria has been content to embrace a life of peace and serenity. Many people claim that Austria is a great country to live in and I personally agree with them. After all, with its world-famous resorts in the breathtaking Alps, and magnificent cultural centers like Vienna, I think it’s not surprising to see Austria on this list.

16. Bhutan

According to the 2013 Global Peace Index (GPI), Bhutan is also among the 20 most peaceful countries on Earth. The point is, Bhutan has remained unchanged in international and domestic conflict in the last 6 years with a GPI score of 1.6 out of 5, 1 being really low. The report uses 22 indicators to measure internal peace, including number of police per 100,000 people, levels of perceived criminality, level of organized crime, and external peace indicators that include military expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product and nuclear and heavy weapons capabilities. I personally think Bhutanese people are peace loving and they are well cultured. Plus, Bhutan boasts plenty of spectacular attractions for everyone.

17. Australia

Australia is a beautiful and peaceful country that offers cultural diversity, spectacular beaches, loads of breathtaking natural beauty, wonderful fauna and friendly people with an amazing sense of humor. Although Australia is a large country, approximately the same size as the USA, it has a small population of about 20 million, so there’s a lot of uninhabited space worth visiting. Australia’s low crime rate, stable political system, high standards of health care and well-maintained roads make it a safe and comparatively easy country to live in or just to explore.

18. Portugal

You might be surprised to know that Portugal is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, but it’s true. The country has been a member of the EU for roughly 26 years and it forms a part of the European Monetary System and use the single European currency. Portugal is the world’s 43rd largest economy according to the World Bank and it has one of the highest GDP growth rates among the OECD countries. The country has the low crime rates, great standards of living and a stable government. Plus, fascinating sandy beaches, golden plains and impressive mountains, a millennial heritage and vibrant cities make Portugal one of the best places to live in.

19. Qatar

According to the Global Peace Index, Qatar is the most peaceful country in the Middle East and one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Violent incidents are very rare in this country and the crime rates are relatively low compared to other industrialized nations. Qatar is one of the most flexible and liberal countries in the Middle East where women have many rights, including working, driving and voting rights. The country is undergoing transformation under the National Vision 2030 to achieve a diversified, sustainable and advanced economy.

20. Mauritius

According to the GPI Report 2013, Mauritius is one of the most peaceful nations on Earth and it was also ranked the most peaceful country in Africa. The strong score of this island country in the GPI highlights the relative stability of the region and thus further promotes it as a trusted platform for wealth management services and estate planning.

20 Most Peaceful Countries in the World

Do you know which are the most peaceful countries in the world? Since 2007 each year, the Global Peace Index has been issued by the IEP (Institute for Economics and Peace) and is a measurement of nations’ and regions’ peacefulness based on external and internal measures. Although it seems like the world is becoming more cruel, according to the Global Peace Index there are 20 most peaceful countries in the world.

1. Denmark

Denmark tops the list of the most peaceful countries on Earth since it’s really a safe place to live. Even while Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was under occupation by the Nazis during the World War II, it still did not fight. The point is that people living in Denmark prefer to focus on economic matters, instead of involving themselves in various armed conflicts. Danish people are very friendly, open and helpful. Personally I have been to Copenhagen twice and I wish I lived in this country. I’m pretty sure that those who have been to Denmark at least once could say the same.

2. Norway

Many people do not expect Norway to appear in the list of the most peaceful countries in the world. Perhaps, this is because of Anders Behring Breivik, mass murderer, who hit the pride of the country hard. Sure, it was an extraordinary incident, but according to the Global Peace Index Norway is one of the world’s most peaceful countries and friendly and safe place to live. Norway is the country with the highest level of human development in the globe, plus, the government of Oslo always places peace at the forefront of the priorities of the country

3. Singapore

As an active member of the international community and, overall, a small nation, Singapore can never take its right to exist and security for granted. Since achieving its independence in 1965 as a sovereign Republic, Singapore has always concentrated on being a great neighbor, through establishing social, peaceful, economic, cordial political relations with all countries.
The country has worked with the United Nations and its supporting agencies on a great variety of efforts. It also participates in various global, unilateral and multilateral organizations to promote international cooperation, including WTO (World Trade Organization). Singapore is among the most peaceful countries in the world as well as one of the world’s wealthiest countries. The homicide and violent crime rates are lower than the criminal rates.

4. Slovenia

A beautiful European country, Slovenia is also among the most peaceful countries in the world. The country got its lowest marks in funding for the United Nations peacekeeping missions, number of police and security officers, level of perceived criminality in society, number of organized internal conflicts, violent protests, and number of internal and external wars fought. I agree with the Global Peace Index and believe that Slovenia deserves its place in the list of the most peaceful countries on Earth. Moreover, with its wonderful cities like Maribor and Ljubljana teeming with unique culture, Slovenia is a fantastic travel destination.

5. Sweden

One of the most beautiful Scandinavian countries, Sweden is located in the far north of Europe. Although Sweden is one of the biggest weapon exporters in Europe, the country has a low level of robberies (only 9,000 a year) compared to the United States (about 350,000 a year)! According to the Global Peace Index, Sweden is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, in spite of the fact that it’s among the world’s top arms exporters. Besides, Sweden has not been to war and has not participated in any combats for the whole 2 centuries.

6. Iceland

Iceland was also ranked as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, staying out of the main conflicts in the world. Iceland seldom or never hits the headlines and despite the collapse of the Icelandic banks several years ago, the country is remained as an amazing place of spectacular natural beauty. Tourists from all parts of the world come to Iceland to view its huge glaciers and raging volcanoes, as well as numerous unique natural and cultural attractions in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

7. Belgium

According to the Global Peace Index, Belgium is one of the best and most peaceful places to live in Europe and on Earth. Situated in the heart of Europe, this small country holds a special place. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to the European Union and NATO. Belgium boasts medieval cities, beautiful town halls, majestic castles, and captivating natural beauty. Homicide and imprisonment rates are low in this country, even though Belgium did experience a crisis within its government over the 2008-2011 period

8. Czech Republic

A relatively new country, the Czech Republic gained its independence from the Soviet Bloc in 1989 due to the Velvet Revolution and its subsequent split with Slovakia. After the division of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic has largely concentrated on building a strong capitalist economy and creating a stable climate for investment. In 2009, the Human Development Index (HDI) ranked the Czech Republic as a country of ‘Very High Human Development.’ Renowned mostly for its magnificent capital city Prague and breathtaking natural beauty, the Czech Republic draws tourists from all over the world.

9. Switzerland

According to IEP, the Swiss maintain a well-functioning government and an open political culture. Illustrating the quality of government, Switzerland received the lowest score for political instability. It’s also among the world’s most peaceful countries that have low levels of violent crime. Although Switzerland is known for its neutrality in regional, international and global political issues, it maintains strong diplomatic relations with various countries around the world.

10. Japan

One of the most enchanting countries culturally, Japan has the third largest economy in the world. Since the World War II, Japan has been really peaceful, with little internal conflict and low crime. The country settles on an internal security force in order to maintain the peace. Japan is a peaceful as well as breathtakingly beautiful country worth visiting.

11. Ireland

With its rich historical sites, amazing green pastures and friendly people, it’s not surprising that Ireland is one of the most peaceful countries on Earth! Ireland is an overall fabulous country with a plethora of reasons for tourism! Its rich literary history, castle-topped hills, spectacular coastline and legendary hospitality make Ireland a wonderful place to visit any time of the year.

Why South Koreans are killing themselves in droves

Suicide represents the nation's fourth-leading cause of death. Cultural mores offer an explanation why

This article originally appeared on GlobalPost.

SEOUL, South Korea — The headlines are regular and morbid: a shamed celebrity or politician takes her own life, a student leaps off a bridge after being rejected from a first-class university, and an ailing grandfather commits suicide to relieve the financial burden on the family.
South Koreans are under enormous pressure to succeed at work, school and in relationships, and to care for their families, fueling an abysmal suicide rate that is the highest in the OECD group of developed countries. About 40 Koreans commit suicide every day, making it the nation’s fourth-highest cause of death in 2012.
The relentlessness of these tragedies may be numbing, but the nation was shocked last week when a 29-year-old reality show contestant, in a bathroom at the guesthouse where filming was taking place, hanged herself by a hairdryer cord.
The woman, identified only by her family name Chun (a common privacy practice here, even for some people on television) left a suicide note proclaiming her life was “full of drama” and that she no longer wanted to live. The tragedy unleashed an onslaught of criticism against the dating show, The Mate.
Critics proclaimed the show put its participants under emotional duress, forcing them through rigorous physical challenges to find a boyfriend or girlfriend. When contestants were rejected by the date of their choice, they were forced to eat outside, unable to mingle with the hip, young crowd of romantics.
Chun worried that the directors were planning to portray her on television as a tragic and forlorn outcast, according to her friends later interviewed by Korean media.
The television network, SBS, has since apologized and abruptly cancelled the show, but it has not accepted responsibility for the incident.
It may sound awful, but this is merely the latest of two high-profile suicides in recent weeks. On Feb. 26, a struggling 60-year-old widow, apparently in agreement with her two daughters, sealed the windows of her home and burned a charcoal briquette in their house, killing the entire family to permanently end their poverty.

Police found an envelope with about $650 in cash, along with a note for the landlord: “To landlord, We are so sorry. This is the last monthly rent and utility payment to you.”
Korea, Japan, and the Chinese countryside are known for their high suicide rates. Young people in particular can feel helpless against what society demands of them, failing to live up to the expectations that they land the perfect job or meet a mate. Older people can end their lives for more altruistic reasons, attempting to relieve the burden of their presence on a family of struggling care-takers.
But in South Korea, it wasn’t until the past two decades — when the country joined the ranks of developed nations — that suicide more than tripled. (The rate has tapered off slightly in the past two years.)
South Korea has developed at lightning speed. The resulting economic and social shifts have fostered a confusing and high-pressure “cultural ambivalence” among its citizens, in extreme cases leading to suicide, said Ben BC Park, a sociologist at Pennsylvania State University at Brandywine.
In other words, it’s a matter of old versus new. Younger South Koreans in particular are caught between a modern, individualistic economy that demands intense competition in school and the workplace, and the olden Confucian expectations of reciprocity and caring for the family, he said.
“People are receiving conflicting messages,” he said. “The family traditionally served the role of promoting the sense of identity and effective welfare. But policymakers still haven’t designed enough policy interventions for individuals, preferring to pass the burden to the nuclear family.”
Impoverished and suffering Koreans can “fall through the cracks” of the welfare system and take their own lives, he said. Others commit suicide when they’ve failed crucial university entrance exams or get laid off, while far fewer kill themselves in public as a form of political protest, he added.
South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye has pledged an expansion of the welfare state, attempting to sew up a widening wealth gap.
In the OECD, South Korea ranks among the highest for divorce, alcohol consumption, and household debt.
And while the country has a sophisticated national health insurance program, it falls behind in other areas, relying on a low minimum wage of $4.57 per hour, keeping its exports competitive often at the expense of its poorest citizens. Just over a year into office, critics accuse the president of backing away from the bulk of her welfare promises.
Other government bodies, though, have stepped up in recent years, embracing unconventional schemes meant to make their citizens happier. The Seoul municipal government, for one, launched a campaign in 2012 to rebrand the city’s eerie Mapo Bridge, known to residents as the “Bridge of Death,” where dozens of people leap into the Han River each year.
The Samsung-sponsored project, ironically called the “Bridge of Life,” installed motion-sensor lights for night-time pedestrians, shining over messages scrawled into the bridge rails. “Let’s walk together,” and “I love you,” the inscriptions read. City authorities have since expanded the campaign to another bridge.
The Bridge of Life project has attracted controversy, with the number of recorded suicide attempts quadrupling since it began. Experts say the redesign had the unintended consequence of strengthening the edifice’s association with death.
Lauren Suk, a spokeswoman for the Seoul city government, disputed the criticism, pointing out that the number of actual, successful suicides was nearly halved to 8 last year, from 15 in 2012.
She added that the rise in the number of attempted suicides owes to a change in the counting process, and has nothing to do with the Bridge of Life renovations.
In the past, authorities relied mainly on witness reports for their tally, but now they can keep watch through cameras and through cooperation with a suicide hotline called LifeLine Korea, the city government said in a written statement.