It is an interesting book. It was what the United Nations have done and planned 14 years ago about peace , development and democracy.
The Report of the International Commission on Peace and Food brings together many of the issues central to the reflection on development which the United Nations is trying to encourage…. Once again, we see the inescapable relationships governing the goals of peace, development and democratization.
– Boutros Boutros-Ghali, United Nations Secretary General
By Jonathan Leake and Richard Woods
Weighty carbon footprint ... Google searches are costly to the planet, experts say.
IF you want to help save the planet from carbon carnage, cut your Google searches, scientists say.
Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research, The Australian reports.
While millions of people tap into Google without a thought for the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2. Boiling a kettle generates about 15g.
“Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power,” said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon.
“A Google search has a definite environmental impact.” Continue reading
There are different forms of discussion. The debate and dialogue are most popular ones. However there are different approaches and goals in these forms of discussion.
WHAT IS DIALOGUE?
Dialogue is a special kind of discourse employing distinctive skills to achieve mutual understanding and mutual trust and respect.
To explain dialogue we like to contrast it with debate, a more common form of discourse. The goal of debate is winning; the goal of dialogue is learning.
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Dialogue is about learning: |
Debate is about winning: |
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Assuming that others have pieces of the answer |
Assuming that there is one right answer – and you have it |
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Collaborative: attempting to find common understanding |
Combative: attempting to prove the other side wrong |
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About finding common ground |
About winning |
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Listening to understand and find a basis for agreement |
Listening to find flaws and make counter-arguments |
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Bringing up your assumptions for inspection and discussion |
Defending your assumptions |
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Re-examining all points of view |
Criticizing the other side’s point of view |
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Admitting that others’ thinking can improve your own |
Defending your views against others |
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Searching for strengths and value in the other position |
Searching for weaknesses and flaws in the other position |
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Discovering new possibilities and opportunities |
Seeking an outcome that agrees with your position |
GROUND RULES OF DIALOGUE
The purpose of dialogue is to understand and learn from one another. (You cannot “win” a dialogue.)
- All dialogue participants speak for themselves, not as representatives of groups or special interests.
- Treat everyone in a dialogue as an equal: leave role, status and stereotypes at the door.
- Be open and listen to others even when you disagree, and suspend judgment. (Try not to rush to judgment).
- Search for assumptions (especially your own).
- Listen with empathy to the views of others: acknowledge you have heard the other especially when you disagree.
- Look for common ground.
- Express disagreement in terms of ideas, not personality or motives.
- Keep dialogue and decision-making as separate activities. (Dialogue should always come before decision-making.)
- All points of view deserve respect and all will be recorded (without attribution).
CHANROEUN PA 