17 August 2009
Online Viagra
Posted by Tirhas under: Globalization, Inter-Culturalism and Research 2 .
| In the first part online viagra, I’ve raised a question, and that is how could international students already present in Austria contribute in developing a much conducive inter-cultural research environment? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there’s less favorable research environment in Austria, but rather wanted to see more engagement from the side of international researchers.Austria is already a major tourist destination-to verify this one needs to just go to Stephansplatz-famous for its art and music online viagra, among other things; and despite some complaints the University of Vienna hosts tens of thousands of students, which is quite a credit! Within this context, here are my suggestions, presented in discussion and question forms, on how I think the University can offer more, and in turn we can contribute more as well.
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 Image: Tirhas T.Habtu (Salzach, Salzburg) |
Language – the language issue is crucial here – online viagra.Most international students would want to go; in fact they do, to English speaking countries not because they’re in love with those countries but because of the language issue – online viagra.For someone who has already finished his/her Bachelor’s (B.A.) in English it won’t be easy to continue further studies in other languages, in this case German; online viagra.I know some people do this and they deserve to be commended – online viagra.If there are already people who can do that, couldn’t the other way be possible? Yes, we can get classes/seminars taught in English here and there but what would it require to have more classes taught in English? Those of you who are more familiar with the workings of the University, its resources and capabilities are very much invited to help us discuss this issue.
Research and Knowledge Production – there have already been so many discussions about the production of knowledge – online viagra.Many researchers from the “Third World,” a sweeping term, which I don’t think is accurate but that is the only term available to us at the moment, have argued Western researchers have distorted their histories and lived realities by analyzing them through western methodology – online viagra.Anything that doesn’t fall inline with what is normal in the West is considered backward/traditional; online viagra. Online viagra: hence, the conclusions/recommendations of some Western researchers have implied the need to recreate/reconstruct these backward/traditional social mores.As international students/researchers here in Austria-notwithstanding whether we agree or not with either the champions of the “Third World” or that of the West-how do you think can we contribute in bridging this gap? Obviously, a lot has been said on the right to differ credibly and legitimately by “Third World” scholars.Moreover online viagra, we are in an era where we can research and argue, not necessarily praising or rejecting Western ways of knowledge of production, but also disagreeing and justifying what is real where we came from and how it needs to be portrayed.
Your comments, suggestions and criticisms are highly welcome!
Tirhas T. Online viagra: habtu
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11 Comments so far...
yes_we_can Says:
17 August 2009 at 1:09 pm.
Dear Tirhas,
I agree with most of your words.
My personal hope is, that the subject of western and not western ways of approaching science is merging – because of new communication technologies and hence an easier way to communicate directly and in lesser time over great distances. I think that knowledge will be the gold, oil and trade good of the future. And that’s why I hope that people gather a different and more open approach towards the use, aquirement, distribution and management of knowledge.
And in a world where communication between people on different continents, cultures and backgrounds is getting easier every day the understanding and respect of each other should grow. This should also affect science communication, communication between scientists and researchers and open new horizons of tolerance. Perhaps even some hardliners will try to understand different ways of collecting and creating knowledge and will try to understand other ways which differ from their own?
“Third world”: no, the categorizing of countries, cultures and regions in world-numbers is mainly history. There are other terms you could use, e.g.:
Countries of the South, lesser developed countries, lesser industrialized, countries approaching a non-western way, ….
It’s up to your own fantasy or imagination.
Wish you well!
Tirhas Says:
17 August 2009 at 7:35 pm.
Dear yes-we-can!
What an inspiring username! I admit I have fallen in love with it after America’s first black president wooed the entire world in his race to the White House.
As you mentioned, there’s no disagreement on the fact that knowledge will continue to be important as it, indeed, was in the past. But how far do you think we have come in bridging the gap between western and non-western ways of knowledge production. If I understood you correctly, what you are saying is that communication technologies are playing a great role in that direction, but you still hope for more openness in information gathering and data distribution. Hoping that you’ll check again this blog, I would like to ask you this: how do you think could communication technologies help us in achieving that?
The second point worth debating here is the term “Third World,” which I put under quotation marks to indicate that I don’t agree with the way it’s used by some western researchers. Yes, it’s true categorizing so many countries and diverse cultures under a sweeping term like this creates problems. However, it’s not history yet. When this term is used it implies, among other things, the so-called “Third World” countries suffer from poverty, their citizens survive on less-than-a-dollar-a-day, they are economically less to do in comparison with the industrially advanced countries etc……These characterizations can’t be completely denied because they are pure facts. Nevertheless, we can continue to debate on what ails the “Third World”? what are these countries doing wrong to remain in that category in the 21st century. Perhaps the reasons as to why “Third World” countries are in a disadvantaged position mightn’t be completely their doing but still they could have done better. You mentioned that there are other terms that could be used to replace it:
Countries of the south- isn’t this a geographic euphemism of the term “Third World” itself? What else does it imply beyond that?
Lesser developed and lesser industrialized countries-wouldn’t that mean if a country is in this list it can’t be compared to the advanced world and hence not in the same category, numbered or not what difference would it bring?
Countries approaching a non-western way-what exactly do you mean by that? Even the west itself is not a monolithic homogenous entity, so can you really categorize the bulk of countries already put under the banner of “Third World” into such a thing?
Yes-we-can, I like your comments and am looking forward for more of them!
WeAreTheWorld Says:
19 August 2009 at 10:22 am.
Dear friends!
I’m really interested in your discussion and wanted to let you know about my point of view to those important topics. I would like to take a closer look at the phrases you mentioned before to categorize countries.
• The definition of “third world” provided a way of broadly categorizing the nations of the Earth into three groups based on social, political, and economic divisions. It came up during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned or neutral with either capitalism and NATO (represented the First World) or communism and the Soviet Union (the Second World). Although the term continues to be used to describe the poorest countries in the world, this usage is widely disparaged since the term no longer holds any verifiable meaning after the fall of the Soviet Union deprecated the terms First World and Second World.
• To define the terms “rich” and “poor” as the status of a developing country is very insufficient. You will find their use more likely in conjunction with the income of individuals. So there is poverty even in countries with high average incomes (for example in Germany or Switzerland), and wealth in developing countries (for example in the oil-exporting countries).
• The expression of “North-South” is mostly used by developing countries themselves because it is without any prejudice and expresses only the geographical location of a country. But without any doubt, not all developing countries are located on the southern hemisphere. That is the same with the term “western countries” since it’s also geographically imprecise like “northern countries” and also a relic of the cold war.
• “Industrialized countries” was a try to delineate industrialized countries linguistically from developing countries that aspire to this condition. Though you can’t compare the historical processes of industrialization in European countries with the processes going on in developing countries these days. Actually these days, the expression of industrial countries should be associated with intentioned countries “service States” when the proportion of the industrial and service sector of national incomes should be compared.
For me personally, as a human geography student, the expression “developing countries” makes the best sense since those countries show low standards regarding their economy, social and political development.
• You have to look at economy of the countries such as income per head, trade, foreign dept, unemployment, and infrastructure.
• Ecological factors such as soil degradation, desertification, biodiversity or access to water!!
• Demographical issues such as high birth rate, low life expectancy or migration.
• Political rights: civil wars, democracy, human rights, taxes
• Child labour, low education
with kind regards!
Hope to hear from you soon!
Tirhas Says:
19 August 2009 at 11:59 pm.
Hi WeAreTheWorld!
Thanks for sharing your perspectives on the diverse issues that yes-we-can and I have been trying to discuss.
Indeed, the term “Third World” came into existence in the second half of the 20th century. During this time, perhaps the countries that were put under this category in addition to the factors you mentioned, might had had another common factor: being colonized. That factor receding further into the past and with countries like Brazil and Mexico, originally in that category, but already moving up the rungs of development, the term “Third World” can’t be applied across the board as it was used to. Indeed, so many researchers have queried even its origins. However, I don’t think the collapse of the Former Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War has rendered is absolutely useless. It’s true that more vocal critics of its usage have since then emerged.
When defining “rich” and “poor” of course income of individuals is taken into consideration. Not being an economist, I don’t feel comfortable pushing this further (would be glad if someone can step-in and discuss this more from that perspective) but still my understanding is that the majority of those who reside-citizens or not-in the countries you mentioned (Germany and Switzerland) are still rich. Remember even when developing countries move to the economic stages of where Germany and Switzerland are today, it’s very unlikely that poverty will completely become history. To the best of my understanding the term “Third World” was and is used to refer to the developing and least developed countries according to the UN. Again, obviously developing countries include some of the world’s major oil exporters but still couldn’t make the desired progress and others who have already moved up the ladders of development.
I somehow agree with your explanation of the usage of the “North-South” but still query this “it is used without any prejudice and expressed only the geographical location of a country.” In deed, as I mentioned in my reply to yes-we-can, it is a geographic euphuism of the term “Third World” itself but don’t think it’s employed without prejudice. If there is no prejudice in using it, as you would like us to believe, why again categorizing so many countries into something like “North-South”? Don’t you think those who coined it would have come with a better alternative?
You finally mentioned that it would make more sense to look at the expression “developing country (ies) from different aspects which for the sake brevity I here refer to as socio-economic, political, and cultural (for details see the above comments by WeAreTheWorld). Indeed, these are important things that need to be factored in. But when we take all these factors into consideration, how explanatory are they? Some of them, for instance, issues of democracy, human right etc….are contested notions. In other words, what I’m trying to ask you here is that should we look at the different factors you mentioned from a procedural or substantive angle?
Looking forward to more of your criticisms, comments and suggestions!
WeAreTheWorld Says:
21 August 2009 at 9:17 am.
Dear Tirhas!
Thank you for your answer.
Development aid or development cooperation startet nearly after WWII – Bretton Woods – Marshall Plan – European Reconstruction Programme (ERP) – Fight against communism – Cold War. Which is not too long ago, since many of our grand parents had to fight in WWII.
Unfortunately there was so much hate in people that they found many stupid and hurtful words for other cultures and races. My opinion is that it was a very different time as those words to categorize the status of development came up.
• Children might have learned those words from their parents who faught in WWII.
• There was no television by that time. If you were so lucky to afford a TV then you might have had 3 channels without colour.
• Travelling so far abroad was not very common and too expensive.
• People weren’t as open to other cultures as they are now. And why? Because of the points I mentioned above. How should people know what is right or wrong when everybody calls the developing countries as “third world”? By then the developing countries did not really criticise these words because it was not as “modern” as these days. Unfortunately there was just no help for developing countries from sides of the industrialized countries.
Even 20 years ago, I still learned about the “third world” at school. Thankfully these days it is different and there are even many school projects for developing countries where children make little events to collect money for e.g. Asia.
All I wanted to say, Tirhas, is that most countries are trying to improve the situation in the developing countries. People know that we are ONE WORLD and we have and want to help our neighbours.
There must just be one word to categorize these neighbours. There will always be definitions which are not 100% correct but the most important thing is that we hold together and help each other and we do. That is my opinion.
Now we discussed so much about how to define “developing countries”. What about other aspects you mentioned in your blog.
As for example the language problems many students in Austrian universities have. I absolutely agree to that point. Though I am not in that situation I always wonder how international students can listen or even pass an examination at the end of the semester.
I remember two Polish students at my university who attended some courses of Geography in German. They had to listen to it because there is no equal course in English.
Looking forward to many comments
Tirhas Says:
21 August 2009 at 12:36 pm.
Hi WeAreTheWorld!
It’s true that the development aid and development cooperation started in the aftermath of WWII.
As you mentioned, we’ve discussed a lot in defining countries-numerically or otherwise-and have to move to the other points that I raised on my blog. But before I do that some quick comments on
• Times were different- of course, they were. But I don’t think the term “Third World” just emanated from the hate people had in their minds because most of the countries categorized under that banner have nothing to do with the kind of hate that had raged in the countries who came with the notion of the “Third World.” In an ideal and fair world, those institutions and countries who came with such a concept should have long accepted their responsibility in exploiting and creating havoc-colonialism for instance- rather than marking most of their former colonies as “Third World.” No matter where children have learned the word “Third World,” whether traveling abroad was possible etc…. what is important for us who are pursuing advanced studies is to investigate what has been done at states level and policy wise. History wouldn’t forgive us if we entertain some of the arguments you’re mentioning! The reason that people-supposedly in the advanced world- didn’t know because how could while every one calls developing countries “Third World” is a fallacy not even a mere mistake. Don’t you know that Africa had been for a long time robbed off it resources by Europe! Come on, WeAreTheWorld!
• Developing countries didn’t criticize the term “Third World” because it wasn’t as “modern” as these days-I’m having hard time even contemplating on entertaining this perspective of yours. Suffice it here to mention a vocal critic and an intellectual of his time-Walter Rodney-who didn’t only condemn such notions but even wrote a book-How Europe Underdeveloped Africa-remanding Europe of its past evils vis-à-vis Africa (a continent dubbed “Third World”).
• Unfortunately there was no help from the industrialized countries-I disagree with all the due respect. Indeed, there was so much aid. But the purpose of the aid was not to lift out those countries from their poor status but to keep them stagnant forever, as the results of the last 50 years have demonstrated. I can quote so many countries in Africa that have been getting billions and billions of US $ in aid but still remain in the pleading list as I write this reply to you. In this many of Africa’s octogenarian and authoritarian rulers are not free of the blame.
• Projects for developing countries-good but do we really know what we are doing and how we intend to make a difference in these countries? You stated you learned about “Third World” in school. Indeed, I learned it at school as well in one of the countries dubbed as “Third World.” But despite hailing from a developing country, I never contemplated on painting the other regions through the same brush, thanks to what I learned in my school and college.
• Most countries are helping-may be they are but we still have to see a genuine support directed at lifting countries out of poverty.
• People know that we are ONE WORLD-that wasn’t the case before and I doubt if it’s a reality and would even happen in the foreseeable future. But let us hope for that because a better world than the one we have today is what we all look forward to.
Language
I raised this issue because I felt that the University of Vienna can offer more courses in English and attract more international students as well. As you gave us the example of your Polish colleagues, it’s very likely that some students would be forced to participate in classes taught in German because the circumstances might dictate so.
Thus far, my personal experience has been good. My German isn’t yet perfect but I can understand and even try to communicate. However, when I write seminar papers I’m allowed to use English. And for that I’m really grateful to my department. But frankly speaking, I always look for courses taught in English and I register for a course taught in German only if I can’t find the former.
The main point that I would really like to discuss within the language context is what it would require for the University to offer more courses in English? I’m hoping that someone more familiar with the workings of the University enlightens us on this issue.
WeAreTheWorld thanks a lot for all your suggestions. You’ve been an engaging discussant………..something that I always look forward to. Keep the comments coming!
yes_we_can Says:
24 August 2009 at 2:07 pm.
Dear Tirhas,
sorry for the late response!
Communication technologies already help us in this way.
If you want to know something about other cultures, languages, whatever, you just “google it” and you get lots of results. Of course it’s up to you to filter and verify but nevertheless it was never that easy to gather information. And you can communicate directly with people all over the world – by sending mails, use of instant messagin systems (skype, icq…), chatrooms etc.
Of course, not everybody has access to this relatively new technology but it really is spreading with breathtaking speed and it is very cheap compared to ancient systems of information exchange. And the technology is not a grown-up one – it still is a young one and many people are working and researching to make it even more efficient and easy to access.
So for me it is pretty clear: it is bringing people together and has some impact on prejudices and knowledge.
I am sorry for breaking loose this “3rd world”-discussion – but the comments are very interesting to read.
Keep it going!
Tirhas Says:
27 August 2009 at 1:16 pm.
Dear Yes-We-Can!
Good to have you back on the discussion again. It’s true that communications technology/ies can help us in learning about other cultures and societies. And hopefully those people who are working/researching on it find more alternatives to make it accessible by all.
No need to apologize for breaking loose the issue of “Third World.” I think that is what we are supposed to do on this blog. Discuss and exchange ideas about such matters.
Cheers!
admin Says:
6 May 2010 at 10:18 am.
Dear Kylie,
Russian is a very important and beautiful language – but if you wish to start a discussion or get replies I advise you to post your comments in English.
You write that you think somebody is at fault. But you do not specify who or why – it would be very kind of you to state a bit more precisely.
Спасибо за понимание.
Matthias
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