Presented by: Verspeeten J. ; Ostyn M. ; Prat L. ; Tanghe S. : Devriese S. : Parmentier J.
09-05-2011
Sixth Country: Saudi-Arabia
Hey everybody,
We have just returned from
the final country of our trip, Saudi-Arabia! I hope you enjoyed our stories!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSpR1eWKM4s
Summary:
I found a video fragment of the protests in Bahrain. The country Saudi-Arabia
sends a thousand troops to Bahrain where people are protesting the two century
rule. There are already demonstrations for a month where seven people has been
killed. Communication is important because everybody has to live together and
everybody has to talk to each other. For the opposition its an invasion for
the government its support. The population is scared by the things they see,
they dont want a revolution.
Saudi-Arabia wants to demonstrate to the population of Bahrain, because
they want to prevent a worse situation. The population of Bahrain cant believe
why the soldiers of the same people are firing shots on them. The people of
Saudi-Arabia has a different view on the situation. Washington is trying to
help and to make people change their mind.
Opinion:
Its always a sad situation when there are protests and demonstrations,
when people are disputing. I appreciate the fact that Washington is trying to help both because mostly,
America is one of the villains. I hope that Bahrain and Saudi-Arabia can change
their minds and come to an agreement. I cant understand why people are still
grabbing at weapons, because mostly, the wrong people are dying, the innocent
ones. When you are fully grown, you have to sit together and talk until you
have the right solution.
This article is about torturing maids in Indonesia. Over recent years, a number of cases of abuse of migrant domestic workers have come to light in Saudi Arabia. In this article an Indonesian diplomat has criticized the overturning of a Saudi womans her Indonesian maid. When people get a prison sentence that has been seen as a landmark verdict, there was no example of a torturer being brought to prison. A number of abuses was lighten up, but nobody is doing something about it. Last November a maid was admitted to hospital with broken bones and burns to her face and body. This case received worldwide attention and prompted the Indonesian president to demand justice for her torture. The final conclusion was that there was not enough evidence to judge the Saudi woman. Since the sentence was not recognized and overturned, that means all the tortures are free. There is not enough evidence, so case closed.
Opinion
In my opinion this news fact is unacceptable. The government has to do something about it. I cant believe they just say there is not enough evidence to proof the torture. The maid her body is totally burned and many bones are broken. If that isnt enough evidence, I dont know what they are looking for. Its not because shes just a maid, you can do these horrible things to her. The world organizations must do something about it, because otherwise it wont stop. When people get a sentence to prison, they have to go. They must be punished. I heard already a lot of stories about these countries and I think its about their faith and beliefs they do things like this. These people are doing wrong things and the government isnt say something. In my opinion they must be harder and stronger instead of let people torture others without being punished.
I had a really nice time with my friends, I saw a lot of beautiful things!
India is known for its caste system. It means that the population is divided into different categories and social classifications.This article describes how a couple is stoned to death. The reason why they were stoned is because the man is from a lower social group and he was her teacher. About 200 people tried to kill this couple and eight people are arrested. Even the girl her friends helped to kill her because of this lack of respect for tradition. In the past there have been many cases in India where people have been killed for defying tradition and family honour. The police said that community leaders had warned the couple to break off their relationship, but three days before their deaths, they ran off together.
Opinion
This caste system is a system that already exists for many years. Its a tradition that is very strong in India. When you are in a low caste, its almost impossible to grow up to another caste. They believe in return after dead. When you die, you will return as another person and return in a higher caste. The hardest part of this whole tradition is that some people dont believe in it anymore and others do. These who dont believe it anymore abuse the others. In my opinion they have to respect each other who ever they love. Love somebody is the most intense feeling a person can get. Like many religions and cultures, this would be a forbidden love. I understand that everybody has his own belief and traditions, but Im completely against the fact that they are killed because they love each other. They just could separate them or move to another place, but stoning someone to death is a step too far. I cant believe more than 200 persons killed them. Some powerful leader must say that this tradition isnt true and just abuse people.
This article is another story of countries who fight about the borderline. Its about Cambodia and Thailand. At least six soldiers have been killed, several others are wounded and more than 5000 local people are evacuated. This clash is the worst since February, then 10 people are killed at least. Both countries blamed each other for starting the latest exchange of fighting. Cambodia said the incident began at dawn when the Thailand troops moved in on their territory. They fired rockets and rifles and forced Cambodian troops to retaliate. Because of this invasion, there were three soldiers killed and six wounded. They blame each other that the other started the fire and fights. Because this area is too dangerous, the government evacuated almost 5000 people. The tensions have been high since the day in February. In that month, at least 10 people were killed. The fights are about the borderline. An area high in the mountains. Both countries claim ownership of the surrounding area.
Opinion
In every country there is something wrong. Everywhere you go, you have discussions, fights, bombings and so on. The situation in this article is comparable to the situation in Gaza. These fights wont stop before there is a compromisebetween both countries. The point is that there wont be a solution before an agreement. In my opinion there are too many fights and wars in the world. If they would talk to each other and try to come to an agreement, the world would be much better. You cant solve problems with making war. I understand that its about having the most power and that area, but do the normal people have to suffer? I dont think so. The government has to think about its locals and not about that piece of ground area.
The population of India went up to 1,21 billion in 2011, which is more
than the population in the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and
Bangladesh together! Its a huge figure but the rapidity is slower than ever
since 1947. China has a population of 1,3 billion people but India is on course
to overtake China! After all these years, there is still a preference for boys
instead of girls, because boys are still the employed earners. Every ten years,
they make an exercise about India and they make a study about the sexes, the
religions, the educations and the professions.
Opinion:
Its amazing how big the population is of India. When you read the
sentence The population in the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and
Bangladesh together! you are impressed but Im not jealous because Im
convinced of the bad and the unpleasant living circumstances. So many people in
one country, thats extraordinary. Im glad that I live in Belgium because here
the population is normal, just like the living circumstances. I think India
also has to develop more, because boys are equal to girls. Its mean that there
still is a preference for boys!
For our third trip to Vietnam, we stayed in the Southeast Asia. By using the following text I will tell something about the political situation in this country.
The article confirms that Vietnam is still a poor country, thats why the prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked the Asian Development Bank in a meeting for more international support. They need assistance to conquer the economic crisis. It will still concede some years to keep up with other countries. The Asian Development Bank congratulated Vietnam alreadyon its entry into the middle-income categories, they are strengthening their position in the global economy. It was the 44th annual meeting and the prime minister of Vietnam guaranteed that the international funds will be used for the right purposes and with the highest effectiveness.
I used a site of the latest news and information about Vietnam:
I hope the political and economical situation in Vietnam find a stabilization. This country had already a lot of bad reminders, like the Vietnam War. Just as in Indonesia, an increasing economy has to be positive for the poorest people too.The communistic situation isnt noticeable today but still visible; there are many flags presented with a hammer and reaping-hook, in the streets are speaker boxes for propaganda... The number of speakers has reduced, in the beginning of the 90s speakers were present in every living room. Since Russia stopped their financial support, Vietnam became a communism with a global market. In the country is a lot of business, remarkable was the fact that people are doing well. The inhabitants are happier, everybody has a television, fridge... Many times people think there is a difference between the North and the South, but we didnt experience that phenomenon.
Our next flight is to Thailand, Im very curious and would like to stay a while over there! Greeting Sofie
After we went to East-Timor, we made a tour in Indonesia. The Republic of Indonesia is a country in the Southeast of Asia.This country is the fourth most populouswith over 238 million people. Unfortunately I hadnt enough time to stay in several cities.
So last week Ive been there and in the first three months of 2011 the economy increased with 6,5%. Several economists had forecasted this phenomenon, because of the high investments of companies and the growth in consumption. The goal of the Indonesian government is to reach an expansion of 6,4% in 2011. But the inflation in fuel and food could be the only reason to miss that goal. The government continues the allowances to maintain the rising prices.
On the site of the BBC I found this article about the economy of Indonesia:
Given that Indonesia is a founding member of the ASEAN and a member of the G-20 major economies, I searched an articles about the economy nowadays. The abbreviation ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations, this organisation works towards cooperation between ten countries located in the Southeast of Asia. The G-20 is an organisation of the European Union, where twenty different countries are working together for a better financial system. Since 2004 Indonesia recovered from the economic crisis and has presently a period of rapid economic growth.
I can conclude its absolutely positive that this country recovered the economic crisis, nowadays their economy is going very well. This country is very large and there is also a lot of poverty, thats why I found this article gives a wrong image of Indonesia. I hope the growing economy will be just as much positive for the lower class of the population.
I enjoyed the time we spent in Indonesia, but now we will continue our travel to Vietnam! Sofie
In the world there are a lot of animals, some of them became rare and some of them are with millions. One of the rarest animals of the world and especially in Vietnam is the antelope-like, Saola. Vietnam wants to protect its animals so they want to create a 160 sq/km area in the central province of Quang Nam. Wildlife experts say the reserve could be vital to its survival. Last year, some villagers caught an adult saola to protect it from danger, but shortly afterwards it died. This new project and reserve area could be a home for 50-60 animals. The government also tries to start up education campaigns for villagers not to hunt them. It wouldnt be only good for the animals, but also for the economy and job creations. The locals are living from the Saola, so its necessary to protect the animals from them.
Opinion
In my opinion I completely disagree with the government. The locals are living from these animals otherwise they die or cant survive in this area. The government is going to set up a huge nature reserve so that means people cant build anymore and the industry will be dead in that area. When I would be the decision maker and can choose between building on the economy and starting up a nature reserve, I would probably choose for the economy. I can follow the argument to create jobs in the nature park, but when we would have a look in long terms, the industry would be more efficient and more powerful to create jobs. I agree with the fact that the animals must be protected. Instead of given educational lessons not to hunt these animals to the local people, they have to give the Vietnamese people lessons how to start their own shop or how to survive in another way.
This article is about a suicide bomber who killed 28 praying persons at a mosque. Nobody expected something like this to occur. It happened on a Friday when people where praying. In Indonesia most of the people are Muslims, but the state is secular. This attack happened because of the anger against the police and terrorism fighting. The suicide bomber was sitting on the 3rd row, in the middle of everybody. The man was very angry because high profile militants were arrested. Most of the killed persons were police men. He just wanted to take revenge on the police. In recent years, the government of Indonesia has introduced a combination of new laws, anti-terror training, international co-operation and reintegration measures to tackle militancy.
Opinion
In my opinion there is too much war and aggressiveness in this world. People cant live with different kinds of cultures and religions anymore. They have to be killed. This way of thinking is not the right way to reach something or to convince other people they are right. Many governments try to abandon crime and terrorism in this world, but some extremists always see a chance to do what they want.I agree with most of the governments and world leaders, the most powerful persons in the world must sit together to discuss a better and more safe strategy to bind and stop terrorism in the world. There must be more control all over the world. Its maybe a possibility to control some people before they enter a mosque or church. Every single person deserves a safe place to life. I also think that its important to punish people harder and more than they are doing now. In the western countries the people in jail have a luxury life and they dont want to move again.
This article is about a very small and almost unknown country in the Southeast of Asia. This country exists from 1999. After the fall of Suharto, Indonesia allowed the East Timor people to vote for independence. Before 1999, East Timor was just a part of Indonesia. Since 2002 relations between the two countries were on the mend. This little new country named East Timor wants to be a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Before they can join the membership, they have to proof if their economic interests, democratic development and geopolitical realities. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman said he want to look after his neighbour and try to help them, but they have to show their interest. Both countries are participating in an ongoing Commission on Truth and Friendship. Normally the ASEAN would reject countries like Singapore and East Timor because they have a lack of development. Indonesia is looking to East Timor differently, because they believe that the new little country can help them to develop the country.The last argument why Indonesia would say yes to East Timor is if they dont increase political and economic ties with East Timor, China and India will.
Opinion
In my opinion, when a country wants to be free and independent, they must get the opportunity to become autonomous. But before they want to separate, they have to proof if they are strong enough to survive otherwise it will be a hopeless operation. If I have to decide to join or not to join, I would have a lot of criterias they have to pass to join the association. I would compare it to some countries how wants to join Europe. The smaller and more poor countries must proof they want to co-operate and help the other countries. Their political system has to be strong without dictators. In my opinion the new country must be equal to the others otherwise it will fail. They must consider their partnership very well, because when it would fail, it could cost the other countries a lot.
In the article you could read that the export
has improved and the gross domestic product has grown with 1,2% by which
Thailand got out of recession. By raising the prices for food and goods, there
will be a pressure for the banks to sever the rates of interest. The economists
expect that the rates of interest will continue to rise. The supply in Thailand
has improved and thats why the export of goods and services has increased with
6,7%. In contrast with the previous quarter, there was a fall of 14,5%. The general
percentage of this year was 28,1%. Roughly speaking, Thailand has a good
economy at this moment, but there are also some risks. I can conclude that when the
central bank are focused on the rising inflation, the export will go forward!
Opinion:
The economy in Thailand looks very difficult
with a lot of changes and problems. First there is an expansion, later there is
a acquisition and it keeps changing and changing! An economy like this, is very
complex and I think the economists have to take pains to predict the future. Their
expectations were right so they did a great job! I hope that the banks will
focus on the rising inflation so that the export will improve!
In the article I found, they are talking about the low wage costs that
attract investors to Vietnam.Vietnam is growing and economists are predicting a growth of 7% in 2011.
Normally the status of a country is coming from cheap industries like shoes and
clothes or the export of the agriculture. At this moment the government is
trying to attract the higher value industries to Vietnam.
Low wages are typical for Vietnam and that made this country popular.
After six years, the minimum wages at foreign enterprises raised up to 28%.
Neighbours Thailand and China have higher labour costs, so Vietnamese factory
workers earn only 2/3 of the amount that factory workers in China earn. But low wages arent the only advantage for foreign countries. There are
a lot of young employees under the age of 30. Although the productivity is
staying lower than in China. The infrastructure is different in both countries.
In Vietnam, there arent that many modern installations because they mostly
trust on small groups where everyone work with their hands.
Opinion:
I understand why companies are attracted by Vietnam and it seems logical
that companies move abroad. The most important thing for an enterprise is their
benefit, so they dont look to the consequences of their actions. There are
still child labour and low wages which are positive for the company but not for
the inhabitants. The inhabitants have work and earn money but its not much! I
think that there have to be better agreements about this situation. The developed
countries, where the companies were settled at first, lost another company and
the unemployment in these countries increases! So the conclusion is that its
positive for an enterprise to move abroad, but thats the only advantage.
The article considers the building of a detention centre in East-Timor. East-Timor wants to be part of the ASEAN-organization, and for that reason, they need to build a detention centre. It is said that Australia would have funded the built, so they can put immigration detainees in the prison. Now discussions are coming between the president Jose-Ramos Horta and the opposition leader Tony Abbott. The opposition wants to cancel the plan, because its just part of the election plan, and not a project that the East-Timorian people want. Its note sure yet what it will be, because the opinions about the centre of the president are changing a lot.
My opinion:
I think the building of a detention centre in East-Timor for the Australian government, is a serious thing. You will always have a pro and contra, and in a republican state, we have to appreciate the opinion of everybody. As we know, Australia is a country, with a very strong immigration policy. The government of Australia has an overflow of immigrants, so they need a way to put them out of the country. Australia is a rich country, but I dont like the idea of paying a poorer country for solving their problems. If East-Timor can only be elected to the ASEAN-organization by this way (of building the centre for Australia), it would be really trivial from that organisation. As we visited East-Timor, we noticed that they have a lot more to offer than only the built of a immigrational detention centre. The centre will bring a lot of disadvantages with it. They will need a high-secury system with it, people will move from the place, the risk of a potential danger, But we also have to see the advantages like: an extra income for the East-Timorian government, an election to the ASEAN-organisation, the creation of extra jobs in that region, If I would be the president of East-Timor, I would use my veto (in a republican state, the president has a veto where he can use it to forbid something important) against the built of the centre. After a presidential period of 5 years, I surely wouldnt be re-elected from the people. As a president, you should think about the safety of your inhabitants, and not about the money that you possibly would earn with that built. If Australia doesnt want that centre in their country, there will be a serious reason for it.
The
big question in this article is if palm oil can help Indonesias poor? There are
millions of hectares in palm oil cultivation but nearly half is of the poor
farmers, who have to take care for their family. An economist of Australia is
doing research about this subject. When you have less than 2 hectares, you have
financial problems. The trade of palm oil in itself is good, but the situation between
the traders isnt fair, it has to change. Alterations in the regulation and the
protection of people and the environment.
Next
to making the situation fair, the smallholders need help to manage their own
business. People say that the only solution to save the poor traders is to
increase the productivity, by doubling the land area in production. At this
moment its time to talk and take a decision for the future, to help the poor
traders and their family.
Opinion:
Its
sad that there is so much inequality! Its important to find a solution because
a lot of people are living in trouble. If its a good idea to increase the
productivity, I dont know because Im not a specialist. I hope that they will
do some research so they will know if its the right thing to do. The situation
between the traders has to better so everybody has a fair chance to live.
After our visit to Indonesia, we are going to Vietnam! See you next week, bye!
The first country we visited during our trip was East Timor and I will give you some information!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmbqYlyWQrc
Summary:
In the video fragment they talk about the slow economic progress in East Timor. When the island became independent, they thought that coffee was the economic salvation for the country but it wasnt. Farmers dont earn enough to buy what they need so they need help from the outside. The group Cooperativa Café Timor tries to help the farmers to search for other opportunities to earn money, for example they can breed vanilla to supplement their incomes. But in other parts of the country, there is still a lot of unemployment. The government of East Timor has received five billion dollars thanks to the development of oil and gas resources in the sea. Its very important for the country to develop, but the government spend their money to the wrong things!
Opinion:
I think its sad that the farmers in East Timor have to work so hard but they cant buy what they need. The government has to take their responsibility to take the right decisions. These decisions should have positive consequences for the country so the country could develop. The economy in East Timor will be better when the government will spend their money to bright plans to help the inhabitants. Sometimes the foreign countries take initiatives to help poor countries like East Timor by saving money. The only problem is that this money usually stays at the government, so they dont use our money to save people and thats a shame!
This week, we will visit Indonesia and Im very curious!
East-Timor, in the southeast of Asia, is independent since 2002. The way to receive this independence is still a difficult point for the inhabitants. India had made this country inaccessible for 25 years, during this occupation over a 100 000 Timorese died.
History: In the sixteenth century the Portuguese were trading in Timor. During the Second World War the Japanese penetrated Timor,lots of people were slaughtered and there was no economy anymore. After WWII the country was split in East-Timor and West-Timor. In the east the control was taken again by Portugal and West-Timor became a part of Indonesia. In 1975 Portugal decided to give East-Timor independence, but Indonesia invaded. Indonesia dominated East-Timor till 1999, in that period there were famines, executions, murders...
Since the 21st century the United Nations support East-Timor. There is unrest caused by poverty and unemployment, fortunate by this country gets lots of help from outside.
I understand the feeling of the inhabitants, they cant easily forget whats happened in the past. East-Timor tried to judge the perpetrators of the violence of 1999, unfortunately it was without success. For the moment East-Timor is the poorest country of Asia, but it is good they get help from all countries during some years.
I think the frame of mind will redevelop when their economy gets a boost. When there is less poverty, more employment... progression will help the people of East-Timor to be more positive.
Maybe their economy can recover thanks by the gas and oil found in the Timor Sea, they can cooperate with Australia to export these natural resources.
The Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Jose Ramos-Horta won the presidential elections in 2007 with nearly 70% of the votes. Also the media like radio, television and the press arise in this country.
So East-Timor is quietly getting better and I hope the UN and other countries wont abandon them.
Now Im looking forward to our next stop in Indonesia. Greeting Sofie
We are a bunch of friends travelling together from East Timor to Saudi Arabia. The group exists of 6 young friends: Jasmin, Laurent, Sofie, Michiel, Jolien and Stephanie! Our trip begins at East Timor, then we will travel to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India and our destination is Saudi Arabia. We hope it will be pleasant but also very interesting, its a real experience!
!
