Workforce Planning And Employment Workplace Flexibility

Merlene Samuels Workforce Planning and Employment December, 15 2014 Topic: Workplace Flexibility Introduction: Workplace Flexibility will provide information of the variations in work schedules arrangements for employees, such as Breaks/Lunches, Episodic time off, Short and Long term time taken from work. The advantages, disadvantages, policies and benefits for both the employer and employee from these arrangements. The appropriate forms needed, the mandated Labor Laws, who may be qualified and the requirements for approval for part-time and full-time employees. Thesis statement: Workplace Flexibility is the variations in work schedule that is typically a core time for employees to work; the advantages, disadvantages and benefits for both the employer and employee working either full-time positions, based on the needs of each employee that are within set parameters and approved by the immediate supervisor. Flexible Work hours, Breaks/Lunches and Short and Long Term Time off. How the schedule can add more value to effective productivity and performance of employees to improve work-life balance in the workplace. Body: A Flexible Workweek schedule is designed for the employee to vary his/her start and departure times, which is an alternative to the standard or traditional work week of 9am to 5pm, with the approval from the immediate supervisor. The organization has set policies where employees still need to achieve the goal of aShow MoreRelatedThe Workplace Is The Feeling For Many Workers1485 Words   |  6 Pagesis the feeling for many workers, not only in the United States but globally. With the combination of global market growth and advanced technology, flexibility in the workplace is on the rise. Flexibility in the workplace will not only meet business needs, but it will also help individual needs. Flexibility is not the only change happening in the workplace, labor laws are also changing to help both employers and their employees. Depending on which side – management or labor – is interested, callsRead MoreKey Functional Areas Of Human Resources Management1144 Words   |  5 Pagesneeded organizations engage in Human Resource Planning (HRP). The third task is recruitment, which is the process of attracting enough skilled people to apply for jobs in the organization. The last step in the staffing process, is selection which involves choosing the best suited individuals to fill the open positions in the firm. Human Resource Development, as known as HRD is made up of six functions, which include training, development, career planning, career development, and organization developmentRead MoreHow Globalization Effects Hrm Essay1733 Words   |  7 Pagesdependent world. No country can meaningfully progress today without efficiently responding to demands and pressures generated by international organizations and processes. 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There are various important practices of HRM that support the business strategy of organization including analyzing and designing jobs, HR planning, selection, recruiting, development and training, compensation, performance management and employee relations. But there are five main and most important functional areas of HRM are: analyzing and designing jobs, Employee relations, Recruitment and

The Mist Countries Free Essays

THE THE MIST COUNTRIES – Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea Turkey: Are MIST countries becoming the new BRICs? : For many investors, Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey have taken over from the BRICS becoming the four biggest emerging markets, and growing faster than their major rivals. BRIC inventor Jim O’Neil from Goldman Sachs proposed the new term MIST term for Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey, which are the four biggest markets in the Goldman Sachs N-11 Equity Fund. The MIST economies more than doubled during the last decade, according to Bloomberg, and continue surging despite global economy concerns. We will write a custom essay sample on The Mist Countries or any similar topic only for you Order Now Mexico’s IPC Index has climbed 11% this year, comparing with a 2. 8% growth of Brazil’s Bovespa. Meanwhile Turkey’s ISE National 100 gained 28 percent, compared to 13% gain of BSE India Sensitive Index and 2. 6% gain in Russia’s MICEX. Though the MIST nations outperformed the BRIC in pace of growth, its economic output still can’t approach the BRIC. Total GDP for the MIST nations was $3. 9 trillion last year, compared to $13. 5 trillion of BRIC economies and $7. 3 trillion for China alone. Comment: If you go to the Wikipedia page about BRIC you will read that Mexico and South Korea tried to become part of BRIC. It was used the name BRIMC†¦. But it failed because the BRIC were Core-Hubs in their areas (Eurasia, South America, Far East, South East Asia) while the MIST are a second dependent layer around the Hub. In fact, and to be precise there are three World Hubs-Cores: USA, GERMANY (Eurozone) and CHINA. Turkey depends on Europe, Mexico depends on the US, South Korea depends on China†¦. So, if those hubs are hit, the MIST will be hit MUCH MORE, as we remember from the Bhat crisis. Russia could be an Eurasian and Energy Hub-Core†¦. even if still not fully developed, so it is still a layer of the E. U. Hub. Mexico Economy – overview: Mexico has a free market economy in the trillion dollar class. It contains a mixture of modern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Recent administrations have expanded competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation, natural gas distribution, and airports. Per capita income is roughly one-third that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal. Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, Mexico’s share of US imports has increased from 7% to 12%, and its share of Canadian imports has doubled to 5%. Mexico has free trade agreements with over 50 countries including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the European Free Trade Area, and Japan – putting more than 90% of trade under free trade agreements. In 2007, during its first year in office, the Felipe CALDERON administration was able to garner support from the opposition to successfully pass pension and fiscal reforms. The administration passed an energy reform measure in 2008 and another fiscal reform in 2009. Mexico†s GDP plunged 6. 2% in 2009 as world demand for exports dropped, asset prices tumbled, and remittances and investment declined. GDP posted positive growth of 5. % in 2010 and 3. 8% in 2011, with exports – particularly to the United States – leading the way. The administration continues to face many economic challenges, including improving the public education system, upgrading infrastructure, modernizing labor laws, and fostering private investment in the energy sector. CALDERON has stated that his top economic priorities remain reducing poverty and creating jobs. GDP (purchasing power parity) $1. 657 trillion (2011 est. ) $1. 596 trillion (2010 est. ) $1. 514 trillion (2009 est. ) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate) $1. 185 trillion (2011 est. ) GDP – real growth rate . 8% (2011 est. ) 5. 4% (2010 est. ) -6. 2% (2009 est. ) GDP – per capita (PPP) $15,100 (2011 est. ) $14,400 (2010) $13,600 (2009) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP – composition by sector agriculture:  3. 8% industry:  34. 2% services:  62% (2011 est. ) Population below poverty line 18. 2% note:  based on food-based definition of poverty; asset based poverty amounted to more than 47% (2008) Labor force 49. 17 million (2011 est. ) Labor force – by occupation agriculture:  13. 7% industry:  23. 4% services:  62. 9% (2005) Unemployment rate 5. 2% (2011 est. ) 5. 4% (2010 est. ) note:  underemployment may be as high as 25% Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 total:  10% male:  9. 7% female:  10. 6% (2009) Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:  1. 5% highest 10%:  41. 4% (2008) Distribution of family income – Gini index 51. 7 (2008) 53. 1 (1998) Public debt 37. 5% of GDP (2011 est. ) 36. 9% of GDP (2010 est. ) Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3. 5% (2011 est. ) 4. 2% (2010 est. ) Central bank discount rate NA% (31 December 2010 est. ) 4. 5% (31 December 2009 est. ) Commercial bank prime lending rate 5% (31 December 2011 est. ) 5. 287% (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of domestic credit $407. 4 billion (31 December 2011 est. $374. 2 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Market value of publicly traded shares $454. 3 billion (31 December 2010) $340. 6 billion (31 December 2009) $232. 6 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture – products corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products Industries food and b everages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Industrial production growth rate 3. 9% (2011 est. ) Current Account Balance -$11. 27 billion (2011 est. ) -$5. 724 billion (2010 est. ) Exports $336. billion (2011 est. ) $298. 5 billion (2010 est. ) Exports – commodities manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton Exports – partners US 73. 5%, Canada 7. 5% (2009 est. ) Imports $341. 9 billion (2011 est. ) $301. 5 billion (2010 est. ) Imports – commodities metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts Imports – partners US 60. 6%, China 6. 6%, South Korea 5. 2% (2009 est. ) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold $142 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) 114 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Debt – external $20 4 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $195. 6 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – at home $321. 5 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $326. 1 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad $84. 92 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $78. 38 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Exchange rates Mexican pesos (MXN) per US dollar – 12. 39 (2011 est. ) 12. 636 (2010 est. ) 13. 514 (2009) 11. 016 (2008) 10. 8 (2007) Fiscal year calendar year Indonesia Economy – overview: Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, grew an estimated 6. % and 6. 4% in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The government made economic advances under the first administration of President YUDHOYONO (2004-09), introducing significant reforms in the financial sector, including tax and customs reforms, the use of Treasury bills, and capital market development and supervision. During the global financial crisis, Indonesia outperformed its regional neighbo rs and joined China and India as the only G20 members posting growth in 2009. The government has promoted fiscally conservative policies, resulting in a debt-to-GDP ratio of less than 25%, a small current ccount surplus, a fiscal deficit below 2%, and historically low rates of inflation. Fitch and Moody’s upgraded Indonesia’s credit rating to investment grade in December 2011. Indonesia still struggles with poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource distribution among regions. The government in 2012 faces the ongoing challenge of improving Indonesia’s insufficient infrastructure to remove impediments to economic growth, labor unrest over wages, and reducing its fuel subsidy program in the face of rising oil prices. GDP (purchasing power parity) $1. 121 trillion (2011 est. ) $1. 054 trillion (2010 est. ) $993 billion (2009 est. ) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate) $834. 3 billion (2011 est. ) GDP – real growth rate 6. 4% (2011 est. ) 6. 1% (2010 est. ) 4. 6% (2009 est. ) GDP – per capita (PPP) $4,700 (2011 est. ) $4,400 (2010 est. ) $4,300 (2009 est. ) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP – composition by sector agriculture:  14. 7% industry:  47. 2% services:  38. 1% (2011 est. ) Population below poverty line 13. 33% (2010) Labor force 117. 4 million (2011 est. ) Labor force – by occupation agriculture:  38. 3% industry:  12. 8% services:  48. 9% (2010 est. ) Unemployment rate 6. 6% (2011 est. ) 7. 9% (2010 est. ) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 total:  22. 2% male:  21. 6% female:  23% (2009) Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:  3. 3% highest 10%:  29. 9% (2009) Distribution of family income – Gini index 36. 8 (2009) 39. 4 (2005) Public debt 24. 5% of GDP (2011 est. ) 25. 7% of GDP (2010 est. ) Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5. 7% (2011 est. ) 5. 1% (2010 est. ) Central bank discount rate 6. 37% (31 December 2010) 6. 46% (31 December 2009) ote:  this figure represents the 3-month SBI rate; the Bank of Indonesia has not employed the one-month SBI since September 2010 Commercial bank prime lending rate 12. 2% (31 December 2011 est. ) 13. 252% (31 December 2010 est. ) note:  these figures represent the average annualized rate on working capital loans Stock of domestic credit $305. 2 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $254. 1 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Market value of publicly traded shares $360. 4 billion (31 December 2010) $178. 2 billion (31 December 2009) $98. 76 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture – products ice, cassava (manioc), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs Industries petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism Industrial production growth rate 4. 1% (2011 est. ) Current Account Balance $5. 704 billion (2011 est. ) $5. 654 billion (2010 est. ) Exports $208. 9 billion (2011 est. ) $158. 1 billion (2010 est. ) Exports – commodities oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber Exports – partners Japan 16. 3%, China 10%, US 9. 1%, Singapore 8. 7%, South Korea 8%, India 6. %, Malaysia 5. 9% (2009) Imports $172. 1 billion (2011 est. ) $127. 4 billion (2010 est. ) Imports – commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs Imports – partners China 15. 1%, Singapore 14. 9%, Japan 12. 5%, US 6. 9%, Malaysia 6. 4%, South Korea 5. 7%, Thailand 5. 5% (2009) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold $136. 2 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $96. 21 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Debt – external $158. 8 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $196. 1 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – at home $105. 7 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $86. 5 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad $41. 89 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $32. 85 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Exchange rates Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar – 8,696. 1 (2011 est. ) 9,090. 43 (2010 est. ) 10,389. 9 (2009) 9,698. 9 (2008) 9,143 (2007) Fiscal year calendar year South Korea Economy – overview South Korea over the past four decades has demonstrated incredible growth and global integratio n to become a high-tech industrialized economy. In the 1960s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies, and currently is among the world’s 20 largest economies. Initially, a system of close government and business ties, including directed credit and import restrictions, made this success possible. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods, and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea†s development model including high debt/equity ratios and massive short-term foreign borrowing. GDP plunged by 6. 9% in 1998, and then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. Korea adopted numerous economic reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. Growth moderated to about 4% annually between 2003 and 2007. With the global economic downturn in late 2008, South Korean GDP growth slowed to 0. 3% in 2009. In the third quarter of 2009, the economy began to recover, in large part due to export growth, low interest rates, and an expansionary fiscal policy, and growth was 3. 6% in 2011. In 2011, the US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement was ratified by both governments and is projected to go into effect in early 2012. The South Korean economy†s long term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, and heavy reliance on exports – which comprise half of GDP. GDP (purchasing power parity) $1. 549 trillion (2011 est. ) $1. 495 trillion (2010 est. ) $1. 409 trillion (2009 est. ) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate) $1. 164 trillion (2011 est. ) GDP – real growth rate 3. 6% (2011 est. ) 6. 2% (2010 est. ) 0. 3% (2009 est. ) GDP – per capita (PPP) 31,700 (2011 est. ) $30,600 (2010 est. ) $28,900 (2009 est. ) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP – composition by sector agriculture:  2. 6% industry:  39. 2% services:  58. 2% (2008 est. ) Population below poverty line 15% (2006 est. ) Labor force 25. 1 million (2011 est. ) Labor force – by occupation agriculture:  6. 4% industry:  24. 2% services:  69. 4% (2011 est. ) Unemployment rate 3. 4% (2011 est. ) 3. 7% (2010 est. ) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 total:  9. 8% male:  11. 9% female:  8. 5% (2009) Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:  2. 7% highest 10%:  24. 2% (2007) Distribution of family income – Gini index 31 (2010) 35. 8 (2000) Public debt 33. 3% of GDP (2011 est. ) 35. 1% of GDP (2010 est. ) Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4% (2011 est. ) 3% (2010 est. ) Central bank discount rate 1. 5% (31 December 2011) 1. 25% (31 December 2009) Commercial bank prime lending rate 5. 9% (31 December 2011 est. ) 5. 508% (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of domestic credit $1. 356 trillion (31 December 2011 est. ) $1. 275 trillion (31 December 2010 est. ) Market value of publicly traded shares $996. 7 billion (31 December 2011) $1. 093 trillion (31 December 2010) $836. billion (31 December 2009) Agriculture – products rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish Industries electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel Industrial production growth rate 3. 8% (2011 est. ) Current Account Balance $29. 79 billion (2011 est. ) $28. 21 billion (2010 est. ) Exports $556. 5 billion (2011 est. ) $466. 4 billion (2010 est. ) Exports – commodities semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals Exports – partners China 24. %, US 10. 1%, Japan 7. 1% (2009 est. ) Imports $524. 4 billion (2011 est. ) $425. 2 billion (2010 est. ) Imports – commodities machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics Imports – partners China 16. 5%, Japan 13%, US 8. 5%, Saudi Arabia 7. 1%, Australia 5% (2009 est. ) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold $306. 4 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $291. 6 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Debt – external $397. 3 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $359. 4 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – at home 130. 3 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $127 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad $190. 4 billio n (31 December 2011) $164. 8 billion (31 December 2009) Exchange rate South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar – 1,107. 3 (2011 est. ) 1,156. 06 (2010 est. ) 1,276. 93 (2009) 1,101. 7 (2008) 929. 2 (2007) Fiscal year calendar year Turkey Economy – overview Turkey’s largely free-market economy is increasingly driven by its industry and service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. An aggressive privatization program has reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication, and an emerging cadre of middle-class entrepreneurs is adding dynamism to the economy and expanding production beyond the traditional textiles and clothing sectors. The automotive, construction, and electronics industries, are rising in importance and have surpassed textiles within Turkey’s export mix. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that will bring up to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian to market. Several gas pipelines projects also are moving forward to help transport Central Asian gas to Europe through Turkey, which over the long term will help address Turkey’s dependence on imported oil and gas to meet 97% of its energy needs. After Turkey experienced a severe financial crisis in 2001, Ankara adopted financial and fiscal reforms as part of an IMF program. The reforms strengthened the country’s economic fundamentals and ushered in an era of strong growth – averaging more than 6% annually until 2008. Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey’s well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis and GDP rebounded strongly to 8. 2% in 2010, as exports returned to normal levels following the recession. Turkey’s public sector debt to GDP ratio has fallen to roughly 40%. Continued strong growth has pushed inflation to the 8% level, however, and worsened an already high current account deficit. Turkey remains dependent on often volatile, short-term investment to finance its large trade deficit. The stock value of FDI stood at $99 billion at year-end 2011. Inflows have slowed considerably in light of continuing economic turmoil in Europe, the source of much of Turkey’s FDI. Further economic and judicial reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost Turkey’s attractiveness to foreign investors. However, Turkey’s relatively high current account deficit, uncertainty related to monetary policy-making, and political turmoil within Turkey’s neighborhood leave the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. GDP (purchasing power parity) $1. 026 trillion (2011 est. ) $981. 2 billion (2010 est. ) $906. 9 billion (2009 est. ) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate) $763. 1 billion (2011 est. ) GDP – real growth rate 4. 6% (2011 est. ) 8. 2% (2010 est. ) -4. 7% (2009 est. ) GDP – per capita (PPP) $14,600 (2011 est. ) $13,800 (2010 est. ) $12,900 (2009 est. ) note:  data are in 2011 US dollars GDP – composition by sector agriculture:  9. 3% industry:  28. 1% services:  62. 6% (2011 est. ) Population below poverty line 16. 9% (2010) Labor force 27. 3 million note:  about 1. 2 million Turks work abroad (2011 est. ) Labor force – by occupation agriculture:  25. 5% industry:  26. 2% services:  48. 4% (2010) Unemployment rate 9. 8% (2011 est. ) 12% (2010 est. ) note:  underemployment amounted to 4% in 2008 Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 total:  25. 3% male:  25. 4% female:  25. 1% (2009) Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:  2. 1% highest 10%:  30. 3% (2008) Distribution of family income – Gini index 40. 2 (2010) 43. 6 (2003) Public debt 42. 4% of GDP (2011 est. ) 43% of GDP (2010 est. ) ote:  data cover central government debt, and excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment. Debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions. Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7. 8% (2011 est. ) 8. 6% (2010 est. ) Central bank discount rate 5. 25% (31 December 2011) 15% (22 December 2009) Commercial bank prime lending rate 16% (31 December 2011 est. ) 19% (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of domestic credit $573. 8 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $496 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Market value of publicly traded shares $306. 7 billion (31 December 2010) $225. 7 billion (31 December 2009) $117. 9 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture – products tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulses, citrus; livestock Industries textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Industrial production growth rate 9. 2% (2011 est. Current Account Balance -$71. 94 billion (2011 est. ) -$47. 74 billion (2010 est. ) Exports $133 billion (2011 est. ) $120. 9 billion (2010 est. ) Exports – commodities apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment Exports – partners Germany 10. 1%, UK 6. 4%, Italy 5. 7%, France 5. 3%, Iraq 5. 3%, Russia 4. 1% (2009 est. ) Imports $212. 2 billion (2011 est. ) $177. 3 billion (2010 est. ) Imports – commodities machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment Imports – partners Russia 11. 6%, Germany 9. 5%, China 9. 3%, US 6. 6%, Italy 5. 5%, France 4. 4%, Iran 4. 1% (2009 est. ) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold $96. 05 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $86. 08 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Debt – external $313. 6 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $290. 7 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – at home $98. 98 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $86. 98 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad $18. 63 billion (31 December 2011 est. ) $16. 88 billion (31 December 2010 est. ) Exchange rates Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar – 1. 668 (2011 est. ) 1. 5028 (2010 est. ) 1. 55 (2009) 1. 3179 (2008) 1. 319 (2007) Fiscal year calendar year How to cite The Mist Countries, Essay examples

Being a Young Person in South Africa Essay Example For Students

Being a Young Person in South Africa Essay Being young in South Africa is kind of a bittersweet moment. Bittersweet in the sense that many youngsters are not equipping themselves for the future. Many do not realise that in no less than thirty years, most of us will be in ministerial positions, being CEOs, slowly taking control of the economic wealth and raising families. They need to realise that their consequences will die if they do not change their lives for the better, but there is hope. There are those that have realised that a certain generation is slowly being replaced by a younger one. There are those who have taken up the responsibility of building a bright future not only for themselves but for their future generations. Those young people have also given me the zeal to yearn for a better as a young person in South Africa. I was born in 1992, during the times of the referendum, the imminent start of the township wars and the creation of the co. za internet domain. My siblings were already approaching teendom and on the verge of becoming some of the first black learners at previously white high schools. They were the first to experience a multi-racial atmosphere in its infancy. We will write a custom essay on Being a Young Person in South Africa specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now For years they would tell me about all their experiences, and I would listen intently waiting on my opportunity to be a teenager. Fast forward to 2007; I was already here. Grade 8 was the start of a new life for me, and in those five glorious years I made sure that I partake in whatever activity possible. That gave me the confidence to trust my own skills because in whatever I took part in; I succeeded. From sports to literature, I excelled to the best of my abilities, but sometimes in life you stumble at your highest point. One of the biggest ills of being young in South Africa is the over-abundance of opportunities, resources and chances; which is often accompanied by procrastination and not having the will and drive to pursue your dreams. I experienced that before, because I used to tell myself that, â€Å"I am young and I have all the time in the world to get my life together. † Boy was I wrong! I have learned that my peers home and abroad have been living their dreams lives from a young age. They have fully embraced their youth and taken handfuls from the pot of success, but they have also worked hard for their spoils. Reading their stories has somewhat given my spirit a new lease on life. Quite a few prominent young people today in this country have overcome situations where the ordinary individual would not have been strong enough to endure. I live in the Vaal; an area of untapped talent which is yearning for investment. The Vaal has a very rich history, up there with the likes of Soweto. The youth of this region are immensely talented but are in desperate need of facilities that would make their lives better. Most are budding artists, like my group of friends but we are mostly forced to travel to the city of gold in pursue of those dreams. I have an exciting picture in my head; an indelible mark that one day my region will rise and claim its stake amongst those celebrated areas. My wish is for the youth of the Vaal Triangle to come together and turn the area into cultural hub of many diverse, interactive and positively uplifting sub-culture trends. For now, Braamfontein is in forefront of propelling the independent artist to the greater heights. The area is synonymous with the Internet generation, people who have placed their talent on the Web and are reaching more and more individuals through their works. When I first travelled to Braam in 2012, I was in awe of the vibrant energy circulating through the area. The area had once again come alive and most areas too (Maboneng and Newtown). Gone are those days when Johannesburg was wrought with rampant crime and urban decay. The collapse of apartheid caused fear amongst most white residents who abandoned their apartments and shops. .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 , .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .postImageUrl , .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 , .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23:hover , .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23:visited , .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23:active { border:0!important; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23:active , .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23 .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u90369a98f9a018537b92f665c65afe23:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Child welfare EssayThis in turn turned Hillbrow another suburbs into crime capitals, but from the concrete cracks a rose began to grow. Urban regeneration was born and thanks to visionary young adults, they have given the city a chance at a new era. Today I am proud to say that I am no longer afraid of being in the city because slowly but surely, the streets are changing. Young adults are taking charge and turn the deficit around. These same people are also employing their peers and helping to turn the tide against high employment rates amongst the youth. As a young person, I can comfortably say that we can all make it, just by changing our mind-set. I have a new train of thought and every time I picture myself, I see a young individual on the brink of greatness. Democracy ushered in many opportunistic schemes aimed at making our lives. They have made education so accessible and through student funding, most of my peers have been table to further their education. The chances are there for the taking, all we have to do is to apply ourselves and work hard. South Africa is now ‘in the hands’ of the youth. We have to embrace our past, understand it and use it as a tool; a tool for correcting those social ills of the past. I have chosen to arm myself with knowledge and to grab those changes with both hands. I have been afforded the chance of growing up and the township and in an urban area, and ever since I moved my life changed. I began to yearn for a better life and set of living. I now longer fear taking chances because I know success or failure are imminent. I have truly embraced my youth and I will soon be living proof that being youth in South Africa, has boundless possibilities.