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Report | Doc. 14069 | 23 May 2016
Educational and cultural networks of communities living abroad
Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
Rapporteur : Mr Pierre-Yves LE BORGN', France, SOC
Origin - Reference to committee: Doc. 13404, Reference 4028 of 7 March 2014. 2016 - Third part-session
The integration of migrants and diaspora communities represents a major challenge for European societies today. Communities living abroad are vital bridges between Europe's cultures and can contribute to building cohesive societies and strengthening pluralism and democracy in European societies.
This report calls on member States to involve educational and cultural networks of communities living abroad in a more systematic way in the framing and implementation of policies concerning different aspects of the integration process (including educational, cultural and social integration). It also asks member States to set up national platforms, which would allow the different ministries and specialised institutions to work transversally with diaspora associations, to encourage the establishment of similar platforms at local level and to provide adequate financial support programmes to help them to professionalise their activities, develop and consolidate their networks and conduct joint initiatives.
At European level, the report advocates the setting up of a European parliamentary network on diaspora policies and the establishment by the diaspora communities of a European platform to collect data and assess the cultural and social impact of diaspora communities on European societies, and to promote the exchange of best practices and the development of joint projects.
A.	Draft resolution
1.	The Parliamentary Assembly considers that communities living abroad ought to be seen as vital bridges between Europe's cultures and as an asset for the countries of residence and of origin. However, the integration of diaspora communities and migrants represents a major challenge for European societies today.
2.	Problems of marginalisation and exclusion are increasing across Europe. Weak identification both with the country of residence and of origin can create a sense of alienation, particularly among second and third generations of young people in quest of identity and belonging. Many feel they are not perceived as equal citizens and can fall prey to fundamentalism, extremism and racism. Such anxieties can further deepen the divide between communities along linguistic, cultural or religious lines.
3.	The Assembly believes that the role of educational and cultural networks of communities living abroad is crucial to building cohesive societies by strengthening pluralism and democracy in European societies. These networks play a key role in providing support, solidarity and mutual assistance; they provide a link to the culture of origin and an openness to multiple cultural affiliations; they nurture multilingualism; they provide cultural and educational support to children and youth of the second and third generation. Furthermore, they can play an important role as mediators between diaspora communities and public authorities.
4.	The Assembly nevertheless considers that their role is not sufficiently understood, recognised and mobilised, particularly in the context of developing national and local strategies that aim to improve social cohesion and the spirit of "living together". Moreover, there is very little research at national and European level to assess the cultural and social impact of diaspora communities on local societies.
5.	The Assembly therefore recommends that the governments and parliaments of the member and observer States of the Council of Europe, as well as the States whose parliaments enjoy observer or partner for democracy status with the Assembly:
5.1.	when concerned as countries of residence:
5.1.1.	involve diaspora associations in the framing and implementation of policies concerning different aspects of the integration process, including educational, cultural and social integration;
5.1.2.	consider setting up national platforms to allow the different ministries and specialised institutions to work transversally, and to facilitate the drafting and implementation of national integration strategies through a permanent dialogue with organisations that reflect the interests and opinions of different diaspora communities in the country of residence; encourage the establishment of similar platforms at local level;
5.1.3.	provide adequate financial support programmes for diaspora associations to help them to professionalise their activities, develop and consolidate their networks and conduct joint initiatives;
5.2.	when concerned as countries of origin:
5.2.1.	develop stronger partnerships between the relevant public bodies – in particular schools and universities, embassies and cultural and linguistic centres – and diaspora organisations, seeking to encourage their action through knowledge sharing and concrete support (provision of teachers, educational materials and adequate premises) for language tuition and its recognition within the formal education system;
5.2.2.	if it is not already the case, consider establishing a high-level office (possibly at government level) responsible for diaspora issues and/or the election of representatives of diaspora communities to national and, where appropriate, regional parliaments;
5.3.	in co-operation with the Council of Europe and the European Union, seek partnerships to:
5.3.1.	set up a European parliamentary network on diaspora policies;
5.3.2.	support the establishment by the diaspora communities of a European platform to collect data and assess the cultural and social impact of diaspora communities on European societies, to promote the exchange of best practices and to develop joint projects.
6.	The Assembly, welcoming the Council of Europe Action Plan on Building Inclusive Societies (2016-2019), calls on the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to include therein concrete initiatives in the sphere of culture and education which involve diaspora communities.
B.	Explanatory memorandum by Mr Pierre-Yves Le Borgn', rapporteur
1.	Origin, scope and objectives of the report
1.	In line with the motion for a resolution, the present report emphasises that "communities living abroad are an asset for Europe, the host countries and the countries of origins. They make for valuable economic and human contacts and form vital bridges between Europe's cultures and between them and the rest of the world. While communities living abroad rarely enjoy political representation, they are often organised in powerful voluntary associations which are particularly active in the field of education and culture. These offer a social framework through which migrants can find ways of integrating in their countries of residence, while retaining ties with their countries of origin."
2.	It was therefore proposed in the motion for a resolution to "consider the practical measures which could be taken at national and/or European level to support these voluntary educational and cultural networks and draw more effectively on their contribution to intercultural dialogue and social harmony".
3.	In this report, I pursue the important work undertaken by our colleague Mr Carlos Costa Neves in his report on "Identities and diversity within intercultural societies" (Resolution 2005 (2014) and Recommendation 2049 (2014)). The present report also ties in with the Council of Europe activities to promote intercultural skills and to devise policies and instruments in the diversity field and with the long-standing work of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons related to migrant diasporas.
4.	I seek to complement this most useful work by looking at diaspora communities from a cultural perspective. I explore, in particular, how the voluntary-sector and cultural networks of the communities of Europeans living abroad can help people enjoy, preserve and transmit their culture – for example build up a sense of community – and at the same time become well integrated in their country of residence – for example promote inclusion, involvement in public and social life and democratic citizenship.
5.	It is important for the purposes of this report to distinguish between first generation migrants who have recently arrived in Europe and the more consolidated "diaspora" population, which may include first, second, third and even fourth generations.
6.	The concept of "diaspora" is relatively vague. Diasporas are generally dispersed, diffuse, unrepresented and largely invisible. According to the OECD publication "Connecting with emigrants: a global profile of diasporas", the term covers (in theory) all people who maintain some form of attachment to a specific country of origin in relation to their migration background. I would also like to recall the definition of diaspora given by Professor Gerard-François Dumont (which was also retained in the Parliamentary Assembly report on "Democratic participation of migrant diasporas" (Doc. 13648)), describing it as "a community of individuals living together on the same territory and having in common the conviction or belief of belonging, themselves or their families, to another territory with which they maintain regular relations". These people can be migrants themselves or the children or grand-children of migrants. Some of them have the citizenship of the country in question; others have multiple nationalities or only the citizenship of their country of residence. In practice, because of data limitations, quantitative analysis on diaspora is today limited and usually restricted to the first generation of migrants.
7.	Statistics remain scarce for the 47 member States of the Council of Europe, but available data for the countries of the European Union show that about 17.9 million European Union citizens live in another EU country, representing around 3% of the total population. Some 15% of marriages in the European Union are mixed marriages. In Switzerland for example, approximately 30% of newborn children have double nationality.
8.	In the context of globalisation and greater mobility among European citizens, the notion of diaspora with a permanent place of residence may no longer prevail like it did in the 20th century; for many people (often with a higher level of education and skill), living abroad may mean a temporary residence, moving across countries in pursuit of international studies, jobs and careers, or suitable places for retirement. However, the more "traditional" forms of diaspora communities are also persisting, if not expanding, but their expectations are changing, as maintaining ties with the countries of origin has become much easier as a result of rapidly advancing and widely available information and communication technologies and low-cost travel.
9.	Notwithstanding such positive changes, I believe that in most European countries the important role of voluntary-sector and cultural networks of diaspora communities in building up a sense of community and bridging different cultures is not sufficiently understood, recognised and mobilised. Particularly in the context of developing national and local strategies aimed at improving social cohesion and the spirit of "living together", there is very little research at national and European level, to assess the cultural and social impact of diaspora communities on local societies. And yet this is becoming an urgent political priority for most European countries, as tensions, incomprehension and insecurity grow in society. Regrettably, these anxieties further deepen the divide between communities along their linguistic, cultural or religious differences.
2.	Integration of diaspora communities in the country of residence
10.	Integration of diaspora communities in the country of residence is an important political issue at the core of the work of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons. From the perspective of political rights, this Committee underlined the need for greater political participation of migrants as a way of increasing their capacity to promote and transfer democratic values, and recommended that member States elaborate migration policies which promote an institutional role for diasporas. This is something I wholeheartedly welcome as a member of parliament representing my French compatriots living overseas. For example, in his latest report adopted in March 2015 (Doc. 13648), Mr Rigoni dealt with democratic participation and voting rights of migrant diasporas.
11.	I therefore wish to take a different angle in my report, looking at how could public authorities in the country of residence (at local, regional and national level) can improve their integration policies through closer co-operation with educational and cultural networks of diaspora communities residing in the country. Voluntary associations represent an important point of reference for communities, thanks to their less bureaucratic and more informal nature.
12.	I believe that closer and more institutionalised co-operation with voluntary organisations of diaspora communities would enable public authorities to reach more widely the first and second generation of immigrants and also in a more direct way – one which would create a basis for building long-term relationships and trust. Moreover, I would argue that public authorities need to actively include diaspora organisations not only in the implementation, but also in the framing of policies.
2.1.	Role and functions of diaspora organisations
13.	Before looking more closely at possible areas of co-operation, let me recall the main components of the integration process from the perspective of an individual. It consists of structural integration (acquisition of rights, access to jobs, education and housing); cultural integration (acquiring the core elements and competences of the culture of host society); social integration (building relations) and identification (feeling of belonging). Diaspora organisations tend to support and promote integration in all these areas while at the same time nurturing bonds with the country of origin.
14.	However, approaches and goals of diaspora associations are not static and they change over time. They follow the dynamics of integration in the country of residence and changes in their relations with the country of origin. When the settlement of diaspora community is a recent phenomenon and most migrants are first generation, organisations aim to satisfy primary needs and priorities. As the community becomes integrated in the country of residence, needs and priorities change; thus also the roles and the structures of organisations change.
15.	In addition, the way in which organisations and networks actually contribute to building integration and social relations across borders can significantly diverge between diaspora groups depending on their history, political or cultural approach, and people's individual characteristics and self-perception.
16.	Counselling and assistance activities, as well as mediation with public authorities, are particularly relevant for those who have recently arrived. Voluntary organisations, due to their informal structure, are easier to reach than embassies and consulates and frequently serve as initial points of contact. They provide useful information and carry out networking activities. They are important not only for connecting individuals, but also for strengthening community bonds. Today, websites and social media provide additional information and networking tools.
17.	Rombel, an association of Romanians in Belgium, launched in 2009 an 120-page orientation "Guide for Romanians in Belgium", as a very useful tool to help the integration of expatriates, while also maintaining cultural links with Romania. The online guide has 80 000 downloads and 5 000 printed samples were distributed. The association provides a website platform on all aspects of social life in Belgium and promotes networking to involve small isolated communities of expats. There are 120 000 visitors per year.
18.	Albinfo, Actualités des Albanophones en Suisse, established in 2009 as a trilingual website, defines itself as a "service and news platform". The website reached 1 055 109 visits in May 2015, having a strong impact both in Switzerland and in the Balkan media. Services include: putting expatriates in contact with authorities and companies; uploading a database of associations, companies and services; answering a vast number of personal enquiries; etc. Albinfo co-operates with three Swiss federal institutions in charge of migration: the Federal Department of Justice and Police – Secretary of Migration, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Federal Commission for Migration Issues. The association promotes the integration of migrants in Switzerland, based on the assumption that identity is not exclusive and that the media have a relevant role in influencing a change in identity. Albinfo tries to facilitate communication between the "two realities" of migrants (country of residence and country of origin). It also co-operates with other communities of expatriates and regularly organises conferences, with the aim of embedding diaspora communities in the political discussion in the country of residence.
2.2.	Public authorities: policy approaches to integration
19.	From the perspective of many States, integration has been traditionally conceived in terms of assimilation, which leads to a progressive loss of links with the country of origin, or pluralism, which allows for a coexistence of different collective identities in the same society, where no change in identity and cultural belonging is required. Today, policy approaches in most European countries are evolving by seeking to deal with new forms of mobility and the explosion of migration flows. The challenge is to build social cohesion on the basis of cultural diversity and positive interaction between people with different and often multiple cultural affiliations. It does not run counter to bonding with the country of origin.
20.	Depending on the structure of the State, the issue of integration of immigrant communities may be the competence of the State (centralised States) or of regional or local authorities (decentralised States). In France for example, the role of national institutions is predominant. In other countries, like Italy, policies related to integration of immigrants are largely administered by local and regional authorities. Also, local institutions can more easily co-operate with diaspora organisations and networks, as most of them are active at local level.
2.3.	Examples of co-operation between public authorities and diaspora organisations
2.3.1.	Local advisory councils in Italy
21.	Town councils of foreign citizens have been created in many Italian cities in order to provide an institutional form of representation for foreigners who do not have the right to vote. Immigrant councils are advisory bodies, with members who are directly elected by foreign residents or nominated among representatives of diaspora organisations.
22.	Such advisory councils are intended, in particular: 1) to empower non-European Union citizens by giving them a voice; 2) to promote and support the activities of diaspora organisations; 3) to encourage initiatives and projects aimed at integration of foreign citizens, and to remove every form of discrimination; 4) to build a bridge between local institutions and diaspora communities; 5) to recollect and discuss problems and needs of foreign citizens and to include them in the policy-making process on issues such as employment, health, housing, schools, public transport, etc.
2.3.2.	Decentralised co-operation in Germany
23.	In Germany, diaspora organisations may contribute to integration on the national level by participating in the integration summits organised in the Federal Chancellery and by working together with the federal commissioner for integration on the national integration strategy and the national integration action plan. Most German federal States, especially those with a high proportion of migrants, regularly consult diaspora organisations. For instance they invite them to annual integration conferences (North Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Saarland) and include them in the policy-making process. The means through which migrant associations can influence policy and decision making is not always specified. Larger States offer specific (financial) support programmes for diaspora organisations (for example North Rhine-Westphalia), others try to integrate them in regular funding schemes (for example Hessen). However, not every federal State is able to provide funding due to legal issues and financial shortcomings (for example Schleswig-Holstein). Most integration commissioners of the German Länder as well as local authorities and integration centres work closely together with diaspora associations though their co-operation is not institutionalised.
24.	The initiative of the Ministry for Integration in Saarland can be considered as an example of good practice in the German context, as it represents an attempt to institutionalise co-operation with diaspora organisations. The ministry prepared a "Declaration on the Integration Policy in Saarland" which has been signed by diaspora associations, religious institutions, chambers of commerce, charities and local councils. The minister regularly consults and visits voluntary organisations in order to demonstrate presence and explain the Land integration policy and its support programmes, also encouraging associations to network between themselves. Most associations are open and support an intercultural approach. The role of the Land Minister is crucial to alleviate the risk that migrant associations isolate themselves by keeping to their own ethnic minority, by encouraging them to see themselves as a bridge between diaspora and the majority population.
25.	Since the change in German migration policies in the late 1990s, a shift can be observed from isolated and closed diaspora communities to well-integrated organisations seeking dialogue and interaction. Many associations have expanded their activities to cover integration projects, founded larger umbrella organisations and sought co-operation with the authorities and institutions.
2.3.3.	Swiss model
26.	The Swiss model of co-operation with diaspora organisations is highly institutionalised. The Swiss Confederation takes an interministerial transversal approach, based on well-integrated co-ordination between the Federal Department of Justice and Police, which deals with integration, and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, which deals with migration inflows by supporting projects in countries of origin. Co-operation is also established with other departments responsible for specific aspects of integration (for example the Cultural Department, the Department of Health).
27.	Transversal and strategic co-operation is also reflected in the funding of diaspora organisations. Projects are not merely submitted for funding but are negotiated together with the respective public authorities in order to ensure a positive outcome of the project for the whole of society. Diaspora associations approach public authorities with their ideas, so that they may elaborate a concrete plan together, harmonising their expectations with the general integration strategies and structures.
28.	An example of good practice, the GGG Ausländerberatung (Foreign Consultant Agency) of Basel provides information, consulting and mediation in 15 languages about various legal and social issues and helps individuals to contact public authorities, institutions and employers. The issues may include: employment, residence permit, citizenship, insurance, housing, rent and questions concerning taxes, financial matters, family issues, education, health, etc. The GGG Ausländerberatung Basel also regularly holds information seminars directly in the premises of diaspora associations.
29.	The GGG Ausländerberatung also supports the co-ordination of practices in different countries. For example, a platform was created to exchange best practices, ideas and inspiration. Co-operation is not only established between diaspora organisations but also with local/native organisations that are involved in exchange projects with border countries (Germany and France).
3.	Preserving and transmitting cultural identity of the country of origin
"If we do not give young immigrants a homeland ..., they will create an imaginary one in their own minds. Fundamentalism and fanaticism will do the rest: exclusion often leads to crime and, sometimes, to terrorism." Michel Rocard
30.	While, on the one hand, the presence of communities of different origins raises the difficult issue of integration in the countries of residence, on the other, for different personal, political or historic reasons, many expatriates may experience difficulty in preserving their cultural and linguistic ties with the country of origin, and they may struggle to transmit them to the next generations. These are interconnected issues as the integration process very much depends on the ability to structure one's own identity. I believe that nurturing the plural identity and cultural ties with the country of origin does not imply denying integration into the life of the country of residence; on the contrary, it strengthens the (plural) identity of each individual and gives a solid basis for successful integration.
3.1.	Second and third generations
31.	The needs of second and third generations deeply differ from the needs of first generations. The challenge is how to conciliate full integration in the country where they are born and grew up with the preservation of ties with the country of origin of their parents or grandparents, achieving a fine balance between two cultures and, in certain cases, several cultures.
32.	The second generation can be defined as children born to immigrants or born in the country of origin and brought to the country of residence before the age of six. They can preserve the culture and the language dear to their parents while at the same time integrating into and bonding with the country of residence, which is their home country. The question where to place the "home country" seems to be at the core of the problem, particularly if the "host society" is not sufficiently open to fully embracing the second and third generations as equal citizens.
33.	Their integration represents a big challenge and a change for European societies. However, integration is not always successful and problems of marginalisation and exclusion are increasing in many European countries. Weak identification both with the host society and with the diaspora community creates a sense of alienation among second and third generations, particularly for young people in quest of identity and belonging, who can be easily attracted to fundamentalism, extremism and racism.
34.	The search for strong identities leads many to embrace imaginary identities, using references to the past and to common roots that are distorted. In need of belonging, they focus on difference, drawing borders and separating themselves from mainstream society. Such deep malaise and segregation can easily spark cultural clashes.
3.2.	Living together: the perspective of composite or hybrid identities
35.	The role of diaspora organisations and networks is therefore crucial to positively promoting the perspective of composite or hybrid identities and overcoming the prevalence of a nostalgic, or even regressive, approach to the identity and values of the country of origin. The construction of meaning and value by individuals is largely shaped by the cultural codes they share with the groups they belong to. Open and forward- looking diaspora organisations can play a key role in nurturing "composite identities", no longer restricted to predefined collective identities related to particular ethnic and religious groups.
36.	Many diaspora organisations work with second and third generations, focusing on community and networking, cultural activities, education and language tuition.
37.	The association "A ta Turquie" is a good example of a small independent association with limited resources, which succeeds in promoting encounters between Turkish and French cultures and values, building common ground. The association was founded in France in 1989 with the objective to promote Turkish culture for a wider public as well as for young people of Turkish origin. Secularism is the most important trait of the organisation, which demands an absolutely neutral stance towards Turkey and on political, religious and ethnic issues. The association differs from other Turkish organisations, as most people of Turkish origin tend to look for organisations with a clear political and/or religious stand.
38.	The association aims to spread knowledge about Turkey (overcoming stereotypes) and to encourage and value the artistic and literary production of talented young migrants. It edits a bilingual bimonthly magazine Oluşum/Genèse and manages a website, where general news and information on projects and upcoming events are regularly published. The association also carries out research on the Turkish community in France and in Europe focusing on integration. One of the most important projects undertaken by the association was a research project on mediation activities to be put in place for the Turkish diaspora community.
39.	In Germany today, the Turkish people prefer to define themselves as German ethnic minorities, rather than immigrants or diaspora. The main goal of their voluntary organisations is to act as a bridge between Germany and Turkey, and to create a positive bicultural identity by establishing a close social link with the country of residence without losing the connection with the country of origin and its culture. In this respect, they adopt an open transnational approach, arguing in favour of multi-layered, inclusive identities as opposed to the traditional concept of integration.
3.3.	Saturday schools and multilingualism
40.	Multilingualism is an asset, both for individuals and for society. I believe that countries of residence can only get culturally and economically enriched by the spread of multilingualism. Diaspora associations play an important part in informal language tuition for second and third generations. However, they generally lack institutional support, funding and in some cases adequate professional skills for language tuition.
41.	"Saturday Schools" is an umbrella organisation created in 1990 in the United Kingdom. The main goal of the 22 Saturday Schools is to teach German children of German background living in the United Kingdom. The teaching of German is important for them, as children of German families living in the United Kingdom are much less exposed to German at home and they would lose their language skills without special tuition. The schools mainly rely on volunteers, even though they receive support from the German Embassy and the Goethe Institute. Due to lack of regular funding, they are not sustainable and are subject to frequent opening and closure. This informal umbrella organisation makes up for the fact that Germany has not implemented in the United Kingdom a stringent policy to spread the German language and provide language education for expatriates.
42.	By contrast, in the United Kingdom, countries with a history of emigration tend to be more prone to invest in language tuition, as they expect that their expatriates will return. Portuguese and Spanish children, for example, can get free language tuition in many schools in London for a certain number of hours, thanks to co-operation agreements between institutions and diaspora organisations.
43.	I believe that native language tuition provided through diaspora organisations could work in a more institutionalised way within the mainstream education system. If the promotion of bilingualism and multilingualism is a shared objective, the implementation cannot be assigned only to diaspora organisations, but requires an active involvement of State institutions. Stronger partnerships should be built between institutions of the country of residence (government, school administration), embassies or other institutions of the country of origin (cultural or linguistic centres) and diaspora organisations in order to fund teachers, educational materials and adequate premises for language tuition and to integrate it into the formal education system (primary, secondary schools), involving also local/national children. This would be an important step towards building multilingual societies in Europe.
44.	Native language tuition ought to be better supported and considered not only a resource for diaspora communities but more generally for Europe, as an extraordinary tool to achieve better conditions for mutual understanding and living together. A consistent language policy in Europe in terms of promoting and supporting community languages, having access to appropriate language qualifications and official acknowledgement of language skills (exams) could be linked to the European framework of languages.
45.	Bilingualism is a way of overcoming the presumption that there is a trade-off between identification with the culture of the country of residence and preserving the culture of the country of origin. Instead, by actively encouraging bilingualism, and even multilingualism, governments can help second and third generations to achieve a multiple identity.
3.4.	Diaspora engagement policies
46.	With the growing global economy, trade and mobility, governments and institutions in emigration countries are now taking greater interest in diaspora communities. They began to adopt different tools to maintain the relationship with expatriates, including dual citizenship. Support for integration in the receiving country has increased as well, as evidenced by the presence and the role of dedicated overarching ministries, agencies or ministerial departments.
47.	In Turkey for example, the Prime Minister created Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities in 2010 as the umbrella organisation in charge of co-ordinating Turkey's complex structure of institutional bodies dealing with the diaspora. Some countries have introduced strategies and funds to ensure the institutional representation of diaspora.
48.	It is important to underline, however, that many diaspora associations wish to preserve their independence and do not accept to depend or to be associated with government-led institutions in the country of origin as they fear political interference. Such dissociation seems more apparent in cases where the country of residence and the country of origin differ substantially in their cultural, religious or political history. It is important to acknowledge here that modern expatriate communities are hybrids; they look to their origins while also looking forward. Therefore they are not citizens who can be "governed" as an extra-territorial extension of the national population. On the contrary, they consist of civil societies and associations with multiple cultural affiliations to sustain, and for this reason they require special forms of partnership to maintain the feeling of trust and confidence.
49.	In this context, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad offers, in my view, a good example. This organisation has been representing the interests of Swiss nationals living abroad for almost 100 years. Although politically independent and neutral, it has close links with the State. The organisation is first and foremost an advisory body, with the ability to issue resolutions, guidelines and opinions. Its secretariat (25 staff) has regular contacts with umbrella organisations in the countries of residence and undertakes four main tasks: to inform (mainly via a magazine which comes out six times a year and a newsletter); to advise Swiss nationals living abroad and bring them together; to develop a programme for young people abroad (by offering them activities in their country of origin as well as educational guidance); and to engage in lobbying representing the interests of Swiss abroad. The main challenge for the organisation is to show that the Swiss living abroad are a potential asset for Switzerland.
50.	The magazine "Swiss Review" informs Swiss nationals living abroad about the current themes in their home country and provides specific information on votes and elections. The Swiss Review also periodically contains regional pages that aggregate information related to specific countries or groups of countries and it is published in four languages: French, German, English and Spanish. Once a year, the organisation holds a convention that brings together approximately 400 participants around a topic that interests them and government representatives in countries of residence. Since 2010, the OSE has set up a social network, which now has over 30 000 members.
51.	The organisation implements specific projects for young people, from leisure activities to training. It also gives youth the opportunity to participate in the federal parliament and to attend a seminar week dedicated to the theme of the Congress of the Swiss Abroad. The OSE has close ties with "educationsuisse" to support Swiss young people living abroad who wish to study in Switzerland.
52.	The OSA is recognised as the official voice for the Swiss abroad. The organisation lobbies in parliament and exerts influence on legislation, through the Council of the Swiss Abroad, which has 120 delegates and 20 diaspora members living in Switzerland. Another point of reference is the parliamentary intergroup "Swiss abroad", bringing together 100 federal parliamentarians with an interest in issues of the Swiss abroad.
3.5.	Cultural centres as spaces for inter-cultural encounters
53.	Cultural centres can also play a strategic role in promoting intercultural dialogue, integration, multilingualism and pluri-culturalism, associating diaspora organisations in a less bureaucratic way. Cultural centres such as the Goethe Institute, the Dante Alighieri Institute, the Institut français and the British Council were created at the end of the 19th century to preserve and promote the national language, identity and culture of citizens living abroad, especially in the colonies. In the 20th century, the focus shifted from cultural imperialism to cultural diplomacy.
54.	Today, cultural centres pursue various other goals, besides promoting national culture abroad. Among these, expanding the use of their language and retaining links with diasporas. They have the potential to become spaces of intercultural encounters, holding activities that involve both diaspora and citizens of the host country. Such activities can help diaspora to be visible and recognised by the host society, providing them with opportunities to introduce and value the culture of their country of origin and to creatively interact with other cultures.
4.	Future perspectives
55.	Let me draw on the conclusion made by Mr Costa Neves in his report on "Identities and diversity within intercultural societies" that cultural diversity is becoming an essential condition for human society, brought about not only by increased mobility and cross-border migration, but also by the cultural effects of globalisation. As a result, new generations with multiple cultural references and composite identities will inevitably prevail in most European societies in the future, no longer restricted to homogeneous collective identity. This scenario is not that of multicultural societies, where collective identities coexist, but that of composite or hybrid identities, where diversity coexists inside individuals.
56.	I share a strong conviction with Mr Costa Neves that this deep societal change urgently requires a rethinking of the processes, mechanisms and relationships that are needed to counter racism and intolerance and strengthen pluralism and democracy in Europe.
4.1.	Political recognition: diaspora as a bridge between cultures
57.	In this respect, the first and particularly the second, third and fourth generations of diaspora populations – who carry within them different cultural references – can act decisively as leading actors of cultural change. They represent not only a bridge between cultures, but they can enrich society further by synthesising new ones. However, in order to act positively they need support and due recognition. At political level, we need to value the role of different cultures in the building of national identities and of a European identity. These identities are today evolving and ought to positively feature diversity, pluralism and respect for human rights and dignity.
4.2.	The issue of funding, sustainability and resilience
58.	The role of diaspora associations and networks in bridging cultures and building a cohesive society (living together) is still not adequately understood, recognised and encouraged.
59.	Most organisations are based on voluntary work, strong enthusiasm and the commitment of a few individuals. While they actively seek co-operation, they generally lack adequate structures, sufficient and sustainable funding and human resources. Despite the fact that they are increasingly entrusted with important tasks related to integration, education and culture, most associations desperately lack financial support and struggle to "survive". Some have even ceased to exist.
60.	Many are forced to spend long hours competing for basic funding and promoting their projects. As a consequence, it is difficult for them to strike the right balance between time spent on concrete project work and advocacy. Because of important cuts in public expenditure in most European countries, they increasingly depend on international funding with cumbersome procedures and requirements that are often perceived as too complex and time consuming. Smaller associations complain about lack of information on European Union support programmes and funding schemes or other supranational institutions and indicate that they are discouraged by bureaucratic procedures.
61.	I believe that within national and local strategies for integration, public authorities should provide adequate financial support programmes for diaspora associations in order to draw on this important resource and reach diaspora communities more effectively. A more systematic form of co-operation and funding would improve co-operation between associations, helping them to professionalise their activities, prevent fragmentation and better structure joint initiatives and events.
4.3.	Co-operation between diaspora organisations and public authorities
62.	Local authorities are often the main partners for diaspora associations. However, in most cases this partnership remains informal. In order to make them sustainable and effective in the long term, I believe that these partnerships ought to have a more institutionalised form. This could be achieved, for example, by setting up advisory councils and by electing representatives of diasporas to local councils.
63.	There is widespread consensus among representatives of diaspora organisations on the need to strengthen the role of public authorities in valuing and supporting their activities and in promoting integration policies through closer co-operation with educational and cultural networks of different communities.
64.	Diaspora organisations could play an important role of mediators between diaspora communities and public authorities. The creation of a public interface, a platform for exchange between public authorities and diaspora associations, would provide a point of reference and make these partnerships more structured, more transparent and more efficient. Such platforms would at the same time create an opportunity for building synergies between different diaspora communities locally.
65.	Likewise, a public interface (platform) could be established nationally to allow the different ministries and specialised institutions to work transversally and to facilitate the drafting and implementation of national integration strategies through a permanent dialogue with organisations that reflect the interests and opinions of different diaspora communities in the country of residence. The issue, however, is to address the problem of representativity, as diaspora associations are very different with regard to political stands and value systems they defend, and the topics they cover and the services they provide. It is also important to avoid the risk of empowering organisations which lack a real constituency and only reflect the personal opinions and interests of a few.
66.	With increased mobility, many countries in Europe are today becoming both countries of immigration and emigration, having to deal with integration of different diaspora communities residing in the country and also maintaining links with expatriate communities living abroad. They will increasingly need to co-ordinate many different policies and initiatives to deepen integration nationally by opening up a more systematic dialogue with diaspora communities and, at the same time, helping second and third generations establish connections with countries of origin of their parents which have the potential to create opportunities and benefits for the country of residence.
67.	Moreover, governments need to develop policies and partnerships also with expatriate organisations. Electing representatives of diaspora communities (with national or dual citizenship) to national parliaments may represent a viable solution to give voice to these communities living abroad. For example, in France, Croatia, Italy and Portugal, the legislation provides for political representation of citizens living abroad in national parliaments.
4.4.	Synergies at European level
68.	At the European level, the concept of "diaspora" and "expatriates" ought to be fully integrated into European policies. A possible solution could be the appointment of commissioners in charge of relations with diaspora communities at national and European level, following the example of the Swedish Commissioner responsible for European expatriates.
69.	A European platform for diaspora associations, committed to co-ordination and exchange of best practices, could play a strategic role. Several organisations state that regular contact among diaspora organisations is particularly important, because they face similar issues and questions. The annual conference of the Scandinavian umbrella organisations for expatriates could serve as a model for a larger conference organised at the European level.
70.	Dialogue and co-operation should be further promoted by holding meetings at national and European level and by regular exchange through online platforms, easy to access and cost-effective, devoted to sharing information, holding debates and the exchange of best practices. Online platforms could contain general information on funding and requirements of associations, material for cultural programmes or case studies with experiences of specific diaspora communities. The sharing of information and better communication could also encourage different local diaspora communities to work together, for instance by launching joint cross-national events and projects.
71.	The Council of Europe could facilitate co-ordination and promote the exchange of good practices in the cultural and educational fields. I believe that the information provided at the level of the European Union and the Council of Europe could help expatriates and other citizens to know more about their rights and the opportunities offered to them and promote a positive image of cultural diversity.
72.	Facing tensions in society and under pressure to react quickly, governments are today reviewing their policies and making important political choices: whether to strengthen integration and national identity? Or whether to build social cohesion on the basis of cultural diversity and positive interaction? As Mr Costa Neves already argued in his report on "Identities and diversity within intercultural societies", cultural diversity is a social reality in most parts of Europe and therefore inevitable. The question remains how to treat it positively. I share his belief that in this new cultural era, we will need to innovate and multiply the "laboratories for cultural exchange", in order to nurture cultural diversity and with time develop a European cultural space that will encourage the creative expression of multiple cultural affiliations and identities.
73.	Associating voluntary-sector and cultural networks of diaspora communities in this process will be therefore vital. They play a key role in providing support, solidarity and mutual assistance; they provide a link to the culture of origin and an openness to multiple cultural affiliations; they nurture multilingualism; they animate cultural and community life; they provide cultural and educational support to children and youth of the second and third generation; they give added value to the "difference" of plural identities; with social activities and cultural events they can open up to local society, develop common projects and create opportunities for interaction.
74.	However, beside many opportunities to bridge cultures, there are also risks of segregation, nurturing the "old values" that have not necessarily evolved with contemporary societies; risks of growing extremism, fundamentalism and intolerance. The questions are therefore: which type of policies in the field of culture, education and youth should be developed at local, national and European level to ensure that opportunities prevail over risks? And how to build synergies?
75.	I believe that countries of residence will need to pool resources to acquire more accurate quantitative and qualitative data on diaspora communities (to get to know them better) to open up a dialogue with them and to develop suitable mechanisms and partnerships to involve diaspora communities in a more systematic and structured way. In chapter 4, I have considered some practical measures which could be taken at local, national and European level.
76.	Likewise, countries of origin could also largely benefit from stronger ties with expatriate communities that may generate closer cultural, economic and political links with other countries and having also the potential to contribute to socio-economic development at home through investments, transfer of knowledge, new cultural models and new skills. There is a growing importance of young people of the second and third generation who have greater mobility, a dual culture in particular with respect to language and who are ready to connect with the countries of origin of their parents. However, their involvement will hinge very much on economic, social and political conditions in the country of origin, as well as on the type of partnership and the extent of support that is provided to them.
77.	Today, my own country France is under pressure to react quickly to the terrorist massacres perpetrated in Paris on 13 November 2015. Besides the issue of security and combating terrorism in the short term, we need to look also at prevention in the long term. I strongly believe that as a matter of political priority in France, but equally throughout Europe, we need to engage in more concerted action, take stock of existing integration policies and best practices, exchange experience, pool resources and co-operate more intensively to build better synergies with the voluntary sector of diaspora communities nationally, bilaterally between countries of emigration and immigration, and multilaterally at European level.


text:
SPBPU.MPM
NUCLEAR GEOMETRY: SODIUM, MAGNESIUM, ALUMINUM
Alexander I. Melker
Text published via Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
The nuclear geometry has been developed by analogy with the fullerene geometry. On the basis of this geometric approach, it was possible to design the structure of sodium, magnesium and aluminum isomers and their isotopes, which can be obtained by means of nuclear synthesis. The most stable nuclei can be classed into two groups: basic nuclei having equal number of protons and neutrons and isotopes having one or two more neutrons. The latter ensure their...
https://doi.org/10.18149/mpm.4612020_16 Cite
Experimental study and modeling of changing mechanical properties in tempering of bainitic-martensitic steels
A.A. Vasilyev , D.F. Sokolov & S.F. Sokolov
Dependences of mechanical properties (yield stress, tensile stress, relative elongation) and impact toughness on the tempering time at various temperatures have been investigated for 10 industrial bainitic-martensitic steels with a wide range of chemical compositions (C(0.04-0.27), Mn(0.33-1.57), Si(0.22-1.09), Cr(0.02-1.14), Ni(0.01-3.74), Cu(0.02-1.03), Mo(0.01-0.43), Nb(0.002-0.044), V(0.003-0.200), Ti(0.001-0.045), B(≤0.003) (mass.%)). Based on the obtained experimental results, a quantitative model is developed to predict the mechanical properties of the considered steels after tempering. The modeling results comply well with...
https://doi.org/10.18149/mpm.4752021_7 Cite
Crystallographic texture of industrial automotive steels and effect of tertiary cementite dissolution on its development
Alexander A. Vasilyev, N.Y. Zolotorevsky, Dmitry F. Sokolov & S.A. Philippov
X-ray investigation of crystallographic texture and its correlation with r m value (Lankford coefficient) was performed on a representative set of industrial automotive steels of different grades. Though the majority of steels had the structure of polygonal ferrite with small fractions of pearlite in the hot rolled condition, steels with a more complex structure were also included in the study. For this set of steels, a linear dependency has been shown to hold between r...
SIMULATION OF INVERSE HALL-PETCH RELATION IN NANOCRYSTALLINE CERAMICS BY DISCRETE DISLOCATION DYNAMICS METHOD
S.V. Bobylev
A theoretical model of plastic deformation of nanocrystalline ceramics in the region of small grain sizes is proposed. In the framework of the model, deformation is described as the combined action of grain boundary sliding and emission of lattice dislocations from triple junctions of grain boundaries. Using the method of discrete dislocation dynamics we obtained an inverse Hall-Petch relation, which qualitatively coincides with the experimentally measured dependences of microhardness in nanocrystalline ceramics with extremely small...
ALGORITHM FOR POSITIONING OF ROTARY ACTUATORS BASED ON SHAPE MEMORY Cu-Al-Ni TENSILE FORCE ELEMENTS
A. Priadko, S. Pulnev, O. Kovalev & I. Ilin
This paper considers positioning algorithms for rotary actuators based on shape memory Cu-Al-Ni crystals. The actuator function scheme is provided. An algorithm for positioning of the actuator based on an actual rotary angle has been developed. Experimental results on the control algorithm and the actuator are presented. The functional characteristics of the actuator (rotation speed and positioning accuracy) are considered.
ASYMPTOTICAL REGIMES OF THE HYDROFRACTURING PLANAR 3D MODEL
E.V. Shel
In the proposed paper the Planar 3D model of hydraulic fracturing was investigated. All of the hydraulic fracturing equations were substituted into the mass conservation law and scaled. Nontrivial dimensionless parameters of the problem were found. Asymptotic regimes of the equation, the Radial or the Pseudo3D model, correspond to the infinitely small or the infinitely large dimensionless parameters. Thus, the limiting conditions of these models were found in the terms of the dimensionless parameters.
Laser-driven metal alteration for glucose detection sensor
A. Kondrateva, V. Babyuk, D. Strekalovskaya, L. Filatov, P. Gabdullin, O. Kvashenkina, Y. Prokopenko, A. Gruzdev, K. Petruhno & A. Kuznetsov
In this work, an experimental comparison of the laser-driven alteration of nickel, copper, and steel surface efficiency was carried out. The selection of the material most suitable for non-enzymatic measurement of the glucose amount in the medium was carried with respect to surface modification efficiency. The electrooxidative activity of the fabricated structures with a modified surface was investigated with respect to the glucose addition to a 0.1 M solution NaOH by potentiostatic method. The modified...
Migration of nonequilibrium grain boundaries in metal-graphene composites with ultrafine-grained matrix
We propose a theoretical model describing stress-induced migration of nonequilibrium grain boundaries constrained by the presence of second phase inclusions in metal-graphene composites with the ultrafine-grained matrix. Within the framework of the model, the structure of nonequilibrium boundaries is represented as a combination of dislocation structure of equilibrium boundary and dislocations introduced from outside, trapped by the boundary during deformation. Using the disclination theory approach, a change in the energy of the system associated with...
NUCLEATION AND GROWTH OF FULLERENES AND NANOTUBES HAVING FOUR-FOLD SYMMETRY
Alexander I. Melker, Maria A. Krupina & Aleksandra N. Matvienko
We have studied possible ways of generating and growing the fullerenes having four-fold symmetry. Beginning with cyclobutane C4H8 and clusters C8, we obtained elementary fullerenes C8 and mini-fullerenes C16, which produce the following fullerenes from C24 to C64, perfect (basic) and imperfect, as well as nanotubes. The imperfection is connected either with extra 'interstitial' or 'vacancy' carbon dimers, both types of dimers playing the role of defects. Only the basic fullerenes C24, C32, C40, C48,...
The mechanical properties improvement of thermoplastics-based fiber metal laminates
Dmitry Goncharenko, Ilya Kobykhno, Elizaveta Bobrynina & Oleg Tolochko
This study investigated the possibility of increasing the fiber metal laminates mechanical properties by improving the impregnation quality due to the addition of a different number of layers of polymer film on the prepreg-metal interface. Specimens were made based on two thermoplastic polymers (polyamide-6 and polypropylene), glass fibers (E-glass), and aluminum alloy (AlMg6) by hot pressing. The theoretical calculation was performed for the tensile strength according to the rule of mixtures. The dependences of tensile...
Deformation mechanism of bimodal metal-graphene composites with nanotwinned structure
N.V. Skiba
The theoretical model is suggested which describes micromechanisms of plastic deformation in bimodal metal-graphene composite consisting of large grains embedded into nanocrystalline/ultrafine-grained metal-matrix reinforced by graphene inclusions. In the framework of the model, lattice dislocation slip and grain boundary sliding has occurred in nanocrystalline/ultrafine-grained matrix, and lattice dislocation slip and migration of twin boundaries are realized in large grains with a nanotwinned structure providing the plastic deformation of bimodal metal-graphene composite. With this assumption, the...
Modeling of carbides and copper particles precipitation during tempering of bainitic-martensitic Cr-Mo-V-Cu steels
A.A. Vasilyev, S.F. Sokolov & D.F. Sokolov
The paper represents a model for the tempering effects on quenched bainitic-martensitic steels that describes both the recovery and precipitation phenomena. The latter involves various carbides (Fe3C, V4C3, Mo2C, Cr7C3) and particles of pure Cu. Thermodynamic driving forces in the nucleation of the considered particles have been calculated using empirical formulas obtained with the Thermo-Calc software. The predicted formation kinetics for the considered carbides and Cu particles complies well with relevant experimental data.
NUCLEAR GEOMETRY: FROM NITROGEN TO NEON
The nuclear geometry was developed by analogy with the fullerene geometry. On the basis of this geometric approach, it was possible to design the structure of nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine and neon isomers and their isotopes, which can be obtained by means of nuclear synthesis. The most stable nuclei can be classed into two groups: basic nuclei having equal number of protons and neutrons and isotopes having one or two more neutrons. The latter ensure their...
Effect of the specimen size on necking development in metals and alloys during superplastic deformation
A.G. Sheinerman
A model is proposed that describes the development of individual and multiple necks in superplastically deformed materials. Within the model, the examined samples have the form of round bars and are subjected to tensile superplastic deformation without strain hardening. It is demonstrated that neck development and necking-induced failure occur faster with a decrease in strain rate sensitivity and/or an increase in the fraction of the sample length occupied by necks. This means that high values...
ON BUCKLING INDUCED BY A CHEMICAL REACTION
V.O. Shtegman, A.V. Morozov Morozov, A.B. Freidin & W.H. Müller
This study is concerned with the modeling of plate buckling induced by a chemical reaction and is inspired by the observation that buckling may be a mechanism of stress relaxation in Si-based anodes in Li-ion batteries. A chemical reaction is localized at a sharp interface and accompanied by transformation strains, which produce internal stresses. If external supports restrict the deformation of the plate, buckling may occur. At the same time, mechanical stresses affect the kinetics...
A model for annealing-induced hardening in ultrafine-grained metals
A.G. Sheinerman & S.A. Krasnitckii
We suggest a model, which describes the effect of grain boundary relaxation on the annealing-induced hardening in ultrafine-grained metals. Within the model, grain boundary relaxation during annealing is accompanied by a decrease in the number of grain boundary dislocation sources. The exhaustion of easily activated grain boundary dislocation sources results in the activation of harder grain boundary dislocation sources and/or repetitive action of the same dislocation sources. This gives rise to an increase in the...
THE NATURE OF DC CONDUCTIVITY AND STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF GLASSES OF THE Ag – As – Se SYSTEM AS MATERIALS FOR PHOTONICS AND INTEGRAL OPTICS
E.V. Bochagina, V.A. Klinkov, V.A. Markov, V.V. Polyakova & I.A. Sokolov
The physical and chemical properties (density, microhardness, thermal effects, elastic modulus, dc conductivity, and the transfer number of silver ions) of glasses of the As – Se – Ag system along the AsSe – Ag and AsSe1.5 – Ag sections were investigated. The transfer numbers of Ag+ ions were determined by a direct method; from their changes, it was found that the glasses of the investigated sections have mixed ion-electronic conductivity. The threshold concentration of...
SSRT method: application to studying the mechanism of stress corrosion cracking in steels and alloys (overview)
A.А. Kharkov , A.A. Alkhimenko, N.O. Shaposhnikov & E.L. Alekseeva
The paper briefly describes the slow strain rate testing (SSRT) method used for steels and alloys, considering the stress and strain criteria for assessing the sensitivity of materials to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). We pointed out the clear benefits of the SSRT method over static SCC testing. We reviewed the modern theories of the main possible mechanisms of SCC, typically including alternating stages of anodic dissolution and hydrogen embrittlement during the initiation and propagation of...
St Petersburg University
Institute of Problems of Mechanical Engineering
Ioffe Institute
Saint Petersburg Academic University

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
About Us > Geographical & Physical Features
Ajmer district is located in the heart of the state of Rajasthan and is surrounded by the Aravali ranges. Nagpathar range of mountains separates the district from the Thar Desert and safeguard it from the sandy storms that flow from the desert.
In the east, the district is plain land, while in the west the area is hilly since it is close to the Aravali ranges. The western part of the district comprises of many valleys of sandy deserts, which are a part of the Thar desert. There are portions of land with fertile soil as well where cultivation is possible. Ajmer city, which is the district headquarters, is located in this hilly area of Ajmer district.
River Banas passes through the south-eastern part of the district and there are four other small rivers as well which intersect the region. They are namely Sagarmati, Saraswati, Dai and Khari. The famous Luni River originates from the Nagpathar mountain range and is utilised to fulfil the water requirements of the district.
Prominent Lakes
Anasagar Lake :
The very famous Ana Sagar Lake is a beautiful lake which is situated in the north of Ajmer city. It is an artificial lake which was constructed by Anaji Tomar, the grandfather of King Prithvi Raj Chouhan. The lake was built between 1135 A.D. and 1150 A.D. and was named after Anaji. In 1637, Shahjahan built the marble structured pavilions around the lake, which are also called 'Baradari'. Ana Sagar Lake is spread across more than 13 sq km area and is the biggest lake of Ajmer. The lake has a depth of around 4.4 m and has a water storage capacity of 4.7 million cubic metres. It is one of the famous tourist places of the district.
Foysagar Lake :
Named after an English Engineer Mr Foy, Foy Sagar Lake is another artificial lake of Ajmer. It was built by Mr Foy, who was working on a famine relief project in 1892. Foy designed this lake in such a way that it could withstand even the worst conditions of famine. The capacity of Foy Sagar Lake is 15 million cubic feet and is situated very close to the Aravali ranges. There is an inscription at the lake which suggests that the name of Ajmer city then was 'Ajmere'
Pushkar Lake :
Pushkar Lake is situated in Pushkar town of Ajmer district and is located at a distance of 12 km in the north-west of Ajmer city. It is believed to be sacred and has been described as 'Tirtha Raj' in Hindu scriptures. There is a famous Lord Brahma temple on the shores of Pushkar lake. The lake is surrounded by as many as 52 'ghats' where the pilgrims visit and take holy bath especially on Kartik Poornima in the months of October-November.
A Pushkar fair is also organised during this time. There are over 500 temples located around the boundaries of Pushkar Lake
Other notable lakes of the district are Narayan Sagar, Ajaysar, Lasadiya, Vasundani, Fool Sagar, Shiv Sagar, Ramsar, Budha Pushkar, Gundolav Talab (Kishangarh), Ajgara and Lordi Sagar.


AIR WICK REPUESTO X250 MAGNOL.
AIRE PUR AEROSPRAY LINO ALGOD.
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AIRE PUR FRESH X2U.COCO VAINI.
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GLADE ACEITES NATURALES PLACER FLORAL Y FRUT. ROJOS RTO.
GLADE AUTO SPORT KIT 75D.
GLADE AUTO SPORT LIMON REFRESCANTE RTO.
GLADE CANASTA 3EN1 RTO. LAVANDA X35G.


From around the World Universities Network (WUN), the graduate students from a wide range of scientific disciplines will spend some of their time at UWA's Future Farm near Pingelly looking particularly at landscape and soil-related climate change issues that are fundamental to the future of the planet. They will be at UWA until 13 February.
WUN Executive Director, Professor John Hearn, said the location for the Network's first summer school could not be more appropriate: the south-west of WA was a recognised global biodiversity hotspot - the only one in Australia - and home to the WUN Critical Zones Observatory.
This part of Australia had undergone significant climate change since the 1960s, with an average increase in temperature of almost one degree Centigrade and an associated 30 per cent reduction of rainfall.
WUN summer school co-convenors, UWA's Dr Matthias Leopold and Dr Deirdre Gleeson have been working with the students who had been identified by their universities as future leaders in their field.
"This experience will further enhance not only their academic abilities but equip them with valuable networking and leadership skills," Dr Leopold said.
Switzerland's University of Basel joined the WUN this month, meaning 18 of the world's leading universities are now members of the network.
WUN provides new opportunities for international collaboration and exposure for researchers, bringing together people from around the world to work towards developing solutions to problems that are common to all our countries, drawing on each other's research strengths and expertise.


text:
Q: Access extended class method I have a class called Occupant and extended Occupant classes for different occupant types such as Animal, Food, Tools, Treasure.
All occupants are placed on GridSquares, A Square can hold up to 3 occupants.
Occupant class has a method to get all the Occupants on a GridSqure when the position is given.
The method will return a Occupant Array with extended occupant classes.( E.G: An Animal, A Tool and A Food).
   Occupant[] allOccupants = newGridSquare.getOccupants();

    for ( Occupant oneOccupant : allOccupants)
      {
         if(oneOccupant.getStringRepresentation() == "A")
         {

             player.reduceStamina(oneOccupant.getDanger());

         }
     }

compiler cannot access getDanger method in Animal class just because I already have assigned it as Occupant.
How can I access getDanger method in extended Occupant class Animal?

A: You can cast the instance
for ( Occupant oneOccupant : allOccupants)
{
    if("A".equals(oneOccupant.getStringRepresentation()))
    {
        Animal animal = (Animal) oneOccupant;
        player.reduceStamina(animal.getDanger());
    }
}

Assuming the "A" is an identifier for an Animal instance and Animal is a subclass of Occupant and has a getDanger() method. Otherwise, first do a check
if (oneOccupant instanceof Animal) {
     Animal animal = (Animal) oneOccupant;
     player.reduceStamina(animal.getDanger());
}

Related :

*

*How do I compare strings in Java?

A: As getDanger does not exists under Occupant class but in specific class Animal. So you you need to downcast oneOccupant  To Animal class .
Another solution is you declare getDanger under Occupant class and implement it under extended class. In case of classes except Animal, you can provide empty implementation. But thats not a good approach from design point of view but sometime is resorted to in case of legacy code

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Type 1 diabetes, which used to be called juvenile diabetes, develops most often in young people; however, type 1 diabetes can also develop in adults.
What exactly is Type 1 Diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, your body no longer makes insulin or enough insulin because the body's immune system, the system that fights illnesses and infection begins to attack and destroy cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
In Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin.
People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop heart disease than non-diabetics. Because of potential secondary complications, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Unlike Type 2 which occurs more often in middle aged and elderly adults and is linked to weight gain and obesity, Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that may be linked to genetic or environmental factors. When it occurs, the pancreas, an organ that produces insulin, doesn't produce enough to break down sugar. Without insulin, blood sugar isn't regulated. Elevated levels of blood sugar over time have serious health risks.
Extreme thirst, hunger, fatigue, and blurry vision are some common symptoms. Other symptoms could include a cut that doesn't heal, dizziness from changes in blood pressure, and headaches. Because diabetes can affect blood vessels in the body, an optometrist or ophthalmologist can check eyes for signs of diabetes.
Sometimes, diabetes can be treated with diet but in Type 1 Diabetes when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, it's common to take insulin shots. Shots can be given through self-injections or via an insulin pump that automatically monitors blood sure in the bloodstream and injects insulin as needed.
Sometimes, insulin can be taken by mouth too. Other treatments focus on lifestyle modifications. In children, it's especially important to teach children how to recognize symptoms in their own bodies. It's empowering and critical to teach kids the signs of high blood sugar when insulin is needed, or low blood sugar when eating something to raise blood sugar is needed. It's also critical to teach kids about insulin shock. Insulin shock occurs when blood sugar levels get too low in the body. Symptoms are fogginess, fatigue, disorientation, and a feelings of passing out.
A child with Type 1 Diabetes must also be taught healthier food choices and will probably be referred to a nutritionist or dietician.
Your child's physician, commonly an endocrinologist who treats diabetes and other hormonally based conditions, will make recommendations to help your child stay fit. Diabetes can affect weight and though early symptoms of diabetes can be weight loss, once a child is on insulin, weight gain might occur. The best lifestyle modification is to keep your child involved in physical fitness.
Your doctor will recommend that your child's blood pressure is monitored. The school nurse can usually do that job. Since diabetes affects the health of blood vessels, it can cause fluctuations in blood pressure.


Denny's Driveshaft offers a selection of various Buick Driveshafts and Driveline Parts for Regal, Gran Sport, Grand National, Le Sabre and Electra or most any model Buick. We have a variety of driveshafts, transmission slip yokes, pinion yokes and attaching hardware, universal joints, axles and differential parts, double cardan CV parts, seals, bearings and more for most Buick drivelines. Replacement rear end pinion yokes for the 8.5 inch 10 bolt in the stock 3R size or 1310, 1330 and 1350 series. We offer our super smooth running High Speed Balanced Steel and 6061-T6 Aluminum Driveshafts built specifically for the demanding Buick enthusiast. Choose from our Heavy Duty or Nitrous Ready versions or the ever popular 6061-T6 Aluminum version. They are available in 3.0, 3.5 inch or 4 inch tube diameters and in 1310 and 1330 series or yours can be built with the stock size 3R u-joints. Choose 1350 series for the ultimate in strength and reliability.


text:
Q: Divider help (PHP, Wordpress) Having a strange issue with my PHP walker in Wordpress. My menu is acting up and CSS won't fix my issue.
Its doing | HOME | ABOUT | NEWS | FAQ
It should be HOME | ABOUT | NEWS | FAQ
Here is my walker code. What am I doing wrong?
class top_bar_walker extends Walker_Nav_Menu {

  function display_element( $element, &$children_elements, $max_depth, $depth=0, $args, &$output ) {
    $element->has_children = !empty( $children_elements[$element->ID] );
    $element->classes[] = ( $element->current || $element->current_item_ancestor ) ? 'active' : '';
    $element->classes[] = ( $element->has_children ) ? 'has-dropdown not-click' : '';

parent::display_element( $element, $children_elements, $max_depth, $depth, $args, $output );
  }

  function start_el( &$output, $object, $depth = 0, $args = array(), $current_object_id = 0 ) {
      $item_html = '';
      parent::start_el( $item_html, $object, $depth, $args );

      $output .= ( $depth == 0 ) ? '

' : '';

      $classes = empty( $object->classes ) ? array() : (array) $object->classes;

      if( in_array('label', $classes) ) {
          $output .= '

';
          $item_html = preg_replace( '/]*>(.*)<\/a>/iU', '$1', $item_html );
      }
  if ( in_array('divider', $classes) ) {
      $item_html = preg_replace( '/]*>( .* )<\/a>/iU', '', $item_html );
  }
  $output .= $item_html;
  }
  function start_lvl( &$output, $depth = 0, $args = array() ) {
      $output .= "\n
\n";
  }
}

A: Try something like this:
class top_bar_walker extends Walker_Nav_Menu {
        static $count=1;
      function display_element( $element, &$children_elements, $max_depth, $depth=0, $args, &$output ) {
        $element->has_children = !empty( $children_elements[$element->ID] );
        $element->classes[] = ( $element->current || $element->current_item_ancestor ) ? 'active' : '';
        $element->classes[] = ( $element->has_children ) ? 'has-dropdown not-click' : '';

    parent::display_element( $element, $children_elements, $max_depth, $depth, $args, $output );
      }

      function start_el( &$output, $object, $depth = 0, $args = array(), $current_object_id = 0 ) {
          $item_html = '';
          parent::start_el( $item_html, $object, $depth, $args );

          $output .= ( self::$count > 1 ) ? '

' : '';

          $classes = empty( $object->classes ) ? array() : (array) $object->classes;

          if( in_array('label', $classes) ) {
              $output .= '

';
              $item_html = preg_replace( '/]*>(.*)<\/a>/iU', '$1', $item_html );
          }
      if ( in_array('divider', $classes) ) {
          $item_html = preg_replace( '/]*>( .* )<\/a>/iU', '', $item_html );
      }
      $output .= $item_html;
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Depth is used only for traversing child items, it is not an iterated counter.


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ALVAREZ, RICHARD MANUEL
Richard Manuel Alvarez, 43 of Phoenix, went to join our Lord on December 27, 2011. He was born in Germany on January 9, 1968. A Commercial Truck Driver for 14 years, his passion was music and playing his guitars, camping with his friends and smoking fine cigars and always by his side Malaki his German… Continue Reading
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TAYLOR, GEORGINE M.
93 years, died peacefully on December 19, 2011. She was born in New York City to George and Mary Lavender on September 27, 1918. After graduating from St. Barnabas High School, she attended secretarial school and then worked at Sherman Ellis Advertising Agency in NYC where she met her husband of 66 years, Marshall Taylor…. Continue Reading
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BAUER, KENT MICHAEL
Michael Bauer, 54, passed away December 25, 2011. Born on August 31, 1957 in Phoenix, AZ to Dick and Nancy Bauer. He is in heaven to meet his namesake maternal grandfather, Kent Moody and reunite with his grandmother, Von Moody, along with his beloved Samoyed, Beau, whom he "adopted" after dog-sitting and "forgot" to return… Continue Reading
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CANEZ, ARTHUR, JR. "Doobie"
Art Canez Jr. "Doobie" passed away peacefully the morning of December 24, 2011 at the age of 36 in Phoenix, AZ. Art Jr. is survived by his father, Art Canez, Sr., his mother, Norma Bennett, his step-father, Frank Bennett, his sisters, Annette Canez and Courtney Canez and his brother Kevin Canez. If you had the… Continue Reading
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SCHILLING, HELEN M
After a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, Helen Schilling passed away peacefully on December 15, 2011. It was her strong faith that enabled her to face this illness with such a positive outlook and she was an inspiration to us all. She was born May 28, 1924 in Merrillville, Indiana and married to her husband,… Continue Reading
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DONATO, JOSEPHINE (Bergero)
95, of Phoenix, passed away December 25. Born May 5, 1916 in San Francisco, CA and brought to Phoenix at the age of 5 when her parents purchased a farm on the outskirts of Phoenix on 44th Street near Roosevelt Road. Josephine was in the first graduating class of St. Mary High School. She was… Continue Reading
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STAFFORD, NORMA BLANCHE
Norma Blanche (Butler) Stafford was born October 1st in 1926 to James Richard Butler and Agnes Blanch Crane Butler in Hartford, Connecticut. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Howard Ernest Stafford, and two daughters, Sr. Terri Stafford and Eileen Stafford Frazier, son-in-law, Patrick Frazier, grandchildren Jenna Frazier and Brendan Frazier. She is… Continue Reading
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BURNS, ALYCE GRACE
Alyce Grace Burns, 81, of Scottsdale, died December 3, 2011 at her home with family by her side. Though she struggled with rheumatoid arthritis for over fifty years, she died of natural causes. Mrs. Burns was born December 27, 1929, in Del Rapids, South Dakota, to Dennis and Ellen Loretta Flanagan. She was the fourth… Continue Reading
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STEPHENS, MARK GREGORY
age 50, passed away on December 5, 2011 in Roswell, GA after his second long battle with cancer. Mark was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. Mark married his soul mate Debra Montagnari-Stephens in 2001 and together they raised a son and a daughter from Mark's previous marriage. A graduate of Arizona State University, Mark… Continue Reading
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RITTER, MARGARET K.
Margaret K. Ritter of Phoenix died December 13, 2011. Our dear Margaret was born in Berlin, Germany and, at the age of 2, came to this country with her parents and sister Eleanor Rossi (deceased) to live in Buffalo, NY. When she married John Ritter in 1943, they made their home at Schenectady, NY. After… Continue Reading
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text:
Upcoming Auditions: "A Christmas Story"
Auditions to be held for: "A Christmas Story"
Sunday, October 2: 2:30 pm *** Sunday auditions will be held at SS Peter and Paul Church, in the lower level***
Monday, October 3: 7:00 pm; at the Grand Opera House
Everyone's favorite Christmas story (excepting the original, of course) comes to life on Pierre Players' stage December 1-3 and 9-11, 2011. Jean Shepherd's popular 1983 movie "A Christmas Story" set in 1938 in Hohman, Ind., was adapted as a play by Philip Grecian in 2000. The stage version loses none of the charm of the original as the audience revisits main character Ralphie's ninth Christmas through the eyes of a much more mature Ralph who takes the audience down memory lane as the onstage narrator.
We follow Ralphie in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Goldblatt's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out." All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family's temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys' experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie's father winning a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking; Ralphie's fantasy scenarios and more.
There are parts for four adults, seven children and various other children as extras. For more information, contact director Lee Ann Smith at 224-1838 or assistant directors Nancy Baker at 224-7017 or 222-0655 or Kathleen Currey at 945-1097.
Upcoming Dinner Theater Production
Mystery/Comedy Dinner Theater
Pierre Players and View 34 present: "Murder's in the Heir" by Billy St. John -- an audience-interactive mystery-comedy dinner on October 28 and 29 at View 34. A dark and stormy night. A tyrannical patriarch near death. Fifty billion dollars at stake. And nine people who had the motivation and opportunity to commit murder. It's no wonder the old man didn't live to see morning. But who really did him in? Actually, we'll leave that up to you. For tickets call View 34 at 224-7537. Exact time and details coming soon.
Pierre Players' annual meeting will be Thursday, September 29th at 5:30 pm at the Grand Opera House in the new box office space! The agenda includes reports of committees, the president's report, the election of a new board member and acknowledgement of the service of retiring board members. Members leaving the board are Tam Gatje, Tim Larson & Ryan Riedy. A nominating committee has been appointed to select candidates for the open positions; nominations will also be taken from the floor. All season membership holders are encouraged to attend. The meeting is brief and provides information on the current state of the organization, its finances, and plans for the future!


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A national survey this past year showed how in the dark many people are when it comes to understanding who runs their state government and what they're up to.
Johns Hopkins University researchers found more than one-third of those questioned were unable to name the governor of their state. The results were worse when asked about members of the legislature.
8 out of 10 also failed to name the most debated issue in their state.
The researchers say lack of media coverage on state matters is part of the problem. They also argue for better civics education in schools.
Others have argued even if citizens are unware of legislators' names, they understand when governments are underperforming.


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Uncovered California: Community College Students' Quest for Mental Health Services
Surveys suggest that somewhere in the region of one in four community college students will experience a diagnosable mental health problem at some point, but approximately 40% of them won't seek timely help.
Sasha Abramsky
On April 19, 35-year-old Sacramento City College student Rachel Wilson testified before the state Assembly's higher education committee. A survivor of sexual assault and multiple suicide attempts, she described the lack of mental health support services available to her at school. Wilson was followed by an American River College professor, whose own son had killed himself while studying at a community college. The professor talked about three students who had recently committed suicide at her school, and of the lack of mental health services to help troubled individuals. When faculty members saw someone in crisis, she said, they were instructed to call campus police and have them take the student away.
"Mental illness is not a crime," she told legislators. Then she repeated it: "Mental illness is not a crime."
At many of California's community colleges mental health services are virtually nonexistent.
Both women wanted the legislators to support Kevin McCarty's (D-Sacramento) Assembly Bill 2017, which would significantly expand mental health services across California's vast community college system.
Roughly two million Californians attend classes in one or another of the 113 community campuses dotted around the state. Surveys suggest that somewhere in the region of one in four of these students will experience a diagnosable mental health problem at some point, but approximately 40 percent of them won't seek timely help. And too often, the institutions at which they study won't be proactive in linking them up with vital services. As a result, they go untreated.
"Uncovered California" is a three-part series of stories and videos examining how the Golden State is trying to fill holes in its health care coverage. Sasha Abramsky's articles look at working people who are falling through coverage cracks, and at what's being done to help community college students gain access to mental health services. Debra Varnado reports on efforts to expand the role of nurse practitioners to increase medical services for low-income Californians.
In the wake of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, education systems around the country have realized the importance of identifying potentially troubled students and helping them access help before they spiral deeper into crisis. "It's really important. We have to catch these students, the suicidal students," says Susan Quinn, director of Student Health Services at Santa Rosa Junior College, and research director at the Health Services Association of California Community Colleges.
Despite this awareness, the mental health services infrastructure of California's community college system remains haphazard at best; and at many of the colleges it is virtually nonexistent. Santa Rosa Junior College has more resources than most, says Quinn, yet it only has one full-time psychologist, eight half-time student interns, and a handful of counselors paid on an hourly basis, to cater to the needs of nearly 27,000 students. Nearly four out of every 10 community colleges, Quinn continues, don't have any health services onsite at all.
Twelve years ago, California's voters passed Proposition 63, imposing an additional one percent tax on million-dollar-plus earners so as to generate a pool of money that could be used to bolster the state's failing mental health services. Taken as a whole, the initiative has been a roaring success, argue supporters, who include the Steinberg Institute, a Sacramento-based organization dedicated to addressing Californians' mental health challenges. Founded by ex-Senate President Pro Tem and Sacramento mayor-elect Darrell Steinberg, the institute has found that people who received services such as trauma intervention and assistance from mobile health teams under its auspices were far less likely to require aid from emergency services, to need hospitalization, to end up homeless or to be incarcerated, than were those who didn't access treatment.
Research shows that community college students are more at risk than UC students.
However, the law hasn't been universally acclaimed. Conservative fiscal groups, such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, have long opposed it because of the increased tax burden it imposes on wealthier Californians. And last year the Little Hoover Commission issued a critical report suggesting that it was impossible to accurately assess the success stories claimed by Proposition 63's supporters since oversight mechanisms weren't up to par, and programs were being funded that weren't demonstrably beneficial in terms of reducing the mental health crises. Other critics have accepted the claims that local programs funded with Proposition 63 dollars are working, but have argued that while many of the law's programs are good, they haven't gone far enough, that the measure leaves many vulnerable groups underprotected.
Seven years after Proposition 63's passage, California's counties started coordinating early intervention services under the umbrella of the California Mental Health Services Authority. Recognizing that many college students were going untreated for their mental health conditions, the authority, in coordination with the University of California and California State University systems, and community colleges, began surveying tens of thousands of students about their mental health status, and whether or not they were accessing treatment. In a 2015 paper published this year on the website Psychiatric Services, the researchers released their findings. Amongst the most notable was that community college students "remained significantly less likely to receive mental health services compared with their UC and CSU peers."
Image by Pandora Young
That ought not to have been a surprise. For unlike the UCs and CSUs, which have some discretion over how they spend their dollars, and have thus been able to build up mental health counseling services for their students, funding for the community colleges is rigidly distributed. Health services, which include mental health, are funded via a per-student fee, which not all colleges charge and which is capped at $19 per student per semester, far less than the roughly $300 per semester in health fees charged by the UCs.
For the larger community colleges and districts, this might mean the presence of a handful of nurses and a couple of counselors; although in a few cases, such as the City College of San Francisco (CCSF), it can range up to what Becky Perelli, CCSF's director of Student Health Services, calls "pretty comprehensive services." For the smaller colleges, however, it means a void. Gavilan, for example, currently has 6,300 students, but only one nurse. Feather River has 1,789 students, but only $46,321 coming in to spend on health services. Barstow, Taft College and several other schools have zero dollars coming in from student fees that they can put into developing a health care system on campus.
In fact, the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges estimates that only 45 of the 72 districts into which the 113 campuses are divided have any mental health programs onsite. And, even then, says spokesman Austin Webster, oftentimes instructors are told to call the campus police department if one of their students seems to be having a mental health crisis.
What makes this particularly galling, Susan Quinn argues, is that research shows that community college students "are more at risk [than UC students], because they are a more marginalized population, their socio-economic status is less. So we really are in a pickle. There should be established mental health providers with that focus." At a bare minimum, says outgoing HSACCC president Naomi Forey, each campus should have a health services office, staffed by at least a couple counselors, since 75 percent of serious mental illness develops before people reach the age of 24, and since community colleges cater to such large numbers of young people. There need to be, Quinn says, investments to establish a campus culture "where everyone in the community recognizes and responds to mental health crises. That public health model is shown to be what really works."
To partially address this gap, Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, who chairs the Assembly Budget Sub-Committee on Education Finance, introduced AB 2017, which, over each of its five years of existence, would use $40 million of the nearly $2 billion that Proposition 63 raises annually, to build up a mental health services infrastructure on campuses. While the grants will be available to all public higher education institutions in the state, between 60 and 70 percent of the dollars will be earmarked for community colleges.
"This will create a shot in the arm for colleges to increase mental health services on campus," McCarty tells Capital & Main. "This can only make our colleges more healthy, more conscious about mental health."
Six weeks after Rachel Wilson's testimony, McCarty's bill moved over to the Senate. Although AB 2017 has rattled nerves at the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, which fears a series of raids on the Proposition 63 pool of cash, and has stirred worries that the counties' role in distributing and spending the money will be undermined, the association has been unable to slow its march. That's not least because Darrell Steinberg has thrown his weight behind it. In an internal memo written in early June, CBHDA recognized as much: Steinberg's influence "with current legislative leaders has been very powerful," the authors wrote, "leaving CBHDA in a less optimal strategic position to oppose or influence the legislation at the last minute."
Essentially unopposed in the legislature, AB 2017 will almost certainly be sent to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature before the summer is out. If Brown signs it, a College Mental Health Services Trust Account will be established to disburse $40 million per year. "We've received no opposition," says Anna Hasselblad, the Steinberg Institute's public policy director. "Student associations are in line with us all the way, the Faculty Association is a co-sponsor, the California Community Colleges' League is a co-sponsor." And, she says, perhaps most important for the bill's prospects of success, it has had "bipartisan support throughout."
Assuming it becomes law, as of early next year colleges will have to apply for grants out of this fund, and there will be some matching fund requirements – to ensure that the colleges have some skin in the game themselves, so that they can keep their mental health services operational once the five-year life of the fund runs its course.
"The proposal to increase funding for student mental health services is one of our top priorities," explains Hasselblad. "There's the greatest need at the community colleges. They have the largest number of students enrolled. "
Late last year, the RAND Corporation issued a report, Payoffs for California College Students and Taxpayers from Investing in Student Mental Health, on the impact of Proposition 63 spending. It concluded that every dollar invested in mental health services for community college students leads to more than an $11 return, in terms of improved graduation rates and higher wages.
If McCarty's bill passes, says CCSF's Becky Perelli, "it will mean there will be funds to build some infrastructure in institutions, staffing, and technology, to provide resources to people around mental health. Licensed people who can really work to help identify students in need."
Will it meet all the mental health challenges on campus? By no means. After all, with more than two million students at community colleges, $40 million annually can only go so far. But it's a start. It will allow desperately under-resourced colleges to begin investing in their mental health infrastructures. And, for the tens of thousands of college students who currently do not have their mental health needs adequately met, that can only be a good thing.
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