Blog Post #8 – Semester Overview

Guest Lecture Insight

I found that I was most inspired and informed by Jung Ha-Brookshire and Nick Monaco’s lectures. I honestly don’t recall Dr. Brookshire’s lecture detail for detail. I just recall being very motivated during her lecture and thinking about how she genuinely cared for topics and how it was displayed through her mannerisms and tones. Dr. Brookshire spoke of sustainability amongst several countries throughout her conversation. Nick Monaco’s lecture touched on the use of bots throughout politics and propaganda, as well as their role in state sponsored trolling. He mentions how we deal with bots on the daily and how exactly we interact, or rather, how they interact with us. He states that there are several different kinds of bots within these categories. Most collect information and intelligence, some crash sites, and some even amplify messages. These bots are more commonly known for their utilization in the 2016 U.S Presidential election, however, they have been utilized in several other elections worldwide. Monaco also discusses open source intelligence and the ethics behind the information that is collected and compiled from the public resources they are taken from.

Semester Insight on Laos

Laos is not a country that if we had the choice to decide which country we would have liked to reported on that I would have chosen. I had no idea what or where Laos even was in the world. However, I fairly enjoyed learning about Laos and their sectors, people, government, and culture. This was an immersive project throughout the semester and even though it was difficult to get by at times, it was interesting to view and understand the differences not only between the United States or the western world in general and Laos PDR, but it was also interesting to gain an understanding for the region in which Laos is placed in. The countries that border Laos, although they share common territory, are widely varied in comparison.

I gained knowledge on how Laos is relying on their resources that make up their country to include themselves in the world market. The side effects of this ‘need’ to be included have harmed the country and continues to affect every citizen within its bounds. Deforestation and the use of through damming are vital to their economy. However, the over manufacturing of wood and wood products and the extended use of dams throughout Laos and the lower Mekong River basin that it sits on has caused widespread devastation to areas. This has led to the displacement of thousands, deaths, missing persons, disruption of the ecosystem that people rely on so heavily, and taxing effects on the climate (locally, regionally, and worldwide). I was especially curious to view how exactly these processes have an effect on world global climate and the world trade network that has been established. The laws and policies involved with these processes have not necessarily been forged into the country and its various sectors, causing commotion and loose standards in terms of safety.

Blog Post #7 – Sex Trafficking

Defining Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking, often viewed as a current form of slavery, involves the performance of sexual acts through the use of force or coercion. Women, men, and children are traded around for profit that is received by traffickers. “Sex trafficking is a market-driven criminal industry that is based on the principles of supply and demand. Therefore, people who purchase commercial sex increase the demand for commercial sex and likewise provide a profit incentive for traffickers, who seek to maximize profits by exploiting trafficking victims” (Sex Trafficking).

Laos PDR and Sex Trafficking

In Laos, there is a severe issue with sex trafficking and sex slavery. In the 2018 Global Slavery Index, Laos ranked 22nd out of 167 countries. There are 62,000 estimated people involved in the sex trafficking in Laos. Laos not only shares borders with countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, they also share a sex trafficking ring of imports and exports between the countries that numbers in the high thousands. Most of the import and export of trafficking occurs in the country’s capital, Vientiane. Those trafficked are “mostly rural migrant, specifically from the Lao Tai ethnic group and lowland Lao regions” (Human Trafficking).

Sex Trafficking Ring of Laos and Countries in Southeast Asia

There has been the implementation of policies put into place by the government and this has assisted in capturing some criminals but there are several loopholes in relation with sex trafficking and not many key players have been captured. It should be noted that Laos was recently downgraded from Tier 2 to Tier 3 of the U.S. Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons report. “The government took some steps to address trafficking, including by continuing to investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence a modest number of traffickers; providing re-integrative livelihood assistance to some returned victims; and conducting awareness-raising activities in Lao communities at elevated risk of forced labor in relation to large-scale infrastructure projects” (Trafficking in Persons).

Born Free Summary

In Sarah Mendelson’s article, “Born Free”, global sex trafficking is discussed in relation to MDGs or Sustainable Development Goals. There hasn’t been an emphasis on sex trafficking as opposed to movements such as AIDS and other movements that appear to need to be immediately solved. Mendelson recalls that most organizations have not made trafficking a priority of theirs. She believes if there were more of an emphasis on the cause decades ago, more solutions and results may be in place. Its stated that it is vital for there to be an inclusion of trafficking in other sectors, mainly, the integration of education on trafficking. She finds it increasingly important fo there to be an establishment of human trafficking into the post MDGs, aside from those established in 2000. This way there is proper funding available for the cause and with this comes opportunities for solutions and open awareness.

There have been goals set in place that include gender equality, ending the trafficking of women, girls, and children, promotion of inclusive societies, and providing legal identity for all. Also, transparency and crack down of organized crime. These goals have separate dates of achievement but they all plan to achieve them by 2030.

Artificial Intelligence

There have been mishaps in relation to AI, diversity, and the data used to train the technology. AI reportedly performs poorly with specific groups and companies are looking to solve the issue. Workplace diversity and the inclusion of different races, genders, and mindsets could serve as a potential solution. If you’re able to include as many people as possible into a room, all with different backgrounds, outlooks, and viewpoints, you’re bound to end up with a more distinct AI.

Blog Post #6 – Non-Governmental Organizations

NGOs Overview

Non-governmental organizations, otherwise known as NGOs throughout the world, are often thought to be a sincere form of aid provided to disasters throughout regions of the world. If you were to imagine what an organization such as this would look like, one would probably visualize a group of people that genuinely care for the well being of others, most of the time for people that they have never had any sort of encounters with. They are there to assist those that are in need and to lighten the burden of whatever it is that they might have had to deal with prior to the arrival of aid organizations. Individuals constantly donate to notable organizations such as the American Red Cross or United Way because they only have heard proper things about them. Whenever a disaster occurs or relief is expected, organizations such as these usually are the first to step up and try to create some sort of funding to assist.

In Linda Polman’s, ‘The Crisis Caravan War’, she raises concerns on whether or not the aid that is being sent to countries that are in desperate need, are actually receiving the aid. She mentions that “warlords of regions are taking large siphons of aid/relief for themselves and their own uses” (Polman). As organizations enter the areas that are in need, warlords, whether current or post-war are finding ways to control what goes to who and where. She also mentions that as these organizations arrive, to even make it to their destinations they are susceptible to “taxes” that allow for those in power in the area to remain in power by creating avenues of revenue for themselves.

Aid Organizations are “Businesses”

Polman continues by saying, “Aid organizations are businesses dressed up like Mother Teresa” (Polman 177). I interpreted this as aid organizations such as the Red Cross who have portrayed themselves as premiere NGOs that are the first responders to any sort of disaster situation. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, if you are these NGOs you have the perfect opportunity to amass huge chunks of money and usually you don’t have to explain your true intentions for its use because everyone believes that you’re headed to the disaster zones. However, as we can view situations like Haiti’s 2010 earthquake that devastated the country as a whole, the Red Cross was able to round up nearly $500 million worth of relief that was to be used to assist in the rebuilding of the country and the homes of the people who had everything that they had taken away from them. To this day, no one has been able to quite pinpoint where the funds have gone or why an ‘established’ organization such as the Red Cross would act so oddly when questioned about locations of funds or why they’ve yet to do what they promised millions of people.

Improvements on Reporting

We all have a job to do when it comes to this topic. We must not assume that these organizations whose names we’ve become so familiar with always have the best intentions. It’s okay to question things. It’s even better to question everything about a process so meticulous as these usually are. It’s often not just instantaneous and this may be understandable but it should be reported on to allow others to gain knowledge on the topics of war, politics within certain regions, and the goals of organizations. Humanitarian aid is just that, it’s available for those who are in desperate need of it, it should not be treated as an opportunity for others to be able to siphon off funds for themselves so that they may be even more well off than they already are.

Works Cited

Polman , Linda. “The Crisis Caravan: What’s Wrong with Humanitarian Aid? by Linda Polman.” Goodreads, Goodreads, 14 Sept. 2010, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8101105-the-crisis-caravan.

Blog Post 4 – Concern For Mother Earth

What Should Be Done?

Regardless of your sex, race, ethnicity, or nationality, we are all humans and we all share one home, in the end. The Earth is home to all and yet it is not treated equally by all its inhabitants. Businesses, corporations, and political figures are often blamed for their mishaps and blatant mistreatment but each and every day, citizens all around the world have some sort of impact on their own individual environments. Often times, these environments interact with one another without those who affect it necessarily understanding their actions.

In the reading, “The Inuit Right to Culture Based on Ice and Snow” by Sheila Watt-Cloutier, global climate change has had quite a significant impact. “Several communities already, as we speak, are so damaged by global warming and climate change that relocation at the cost of millions of dollars is now the option” (Moore 26). Communities throughout the world who have, in some cases, never had to deal with extreme environmental changes, are doing just that.

Often times, our actions have consequences and those who commit these actions, never think past the initial effects that they may have. Now, these effects are so severe that they negatively impact far off nations of people. “By putting the climate change in the arena of human rights, we have moved the focus from being solely that of a political, economic, and technical issue to one of human impacts and consequences that do affect our children, our families, and our communities” (Moore 29). It’s time that we place our focus on thinking about our actions past ourselves and understanding that they have dire effects on the global community.

Laos and its Environmental Issues

The environment in Laos, along with most environments throughout the world, has been notably modified. “The Lao environment is changing rapidly as a result of economic development. While many environmental impacts can be observed, the most significant pressures are associated with deforestation, soil and water pollution, altered hydrological flows, and the loss of biodiversity” (Environment and Natural Resources). Although there are issues that could be considered an ‘in-country’ matter, most of these concerns are due in fact to global climate change.

Deforestation

Deforestation has plagued Laos for decades now and continues to be a pestering matter for the country. “Only 6% of the country’s primary forests remain and 93% of forests in Lao are in various stages of natural regeneration after being degraded” (Environment and Natural Resources). Illegal logging has served as a primary reason for such large declines in Laos forests. Deforestation also serves as an economic dilemma for the biodiversity that resides in Laos forests.

Pollution and its Effects

Pollution is environmental trouble that plagues most countries in a similar manner that it does in Laos. It is an issue that continues to persist throughout generations of communities. “Hazardous waste like batteries, paint cans, and aerosols are also mixed with general solid waste, but there is no proper measure to keep track of potential leachate into the soil, surface, and underground water” (Environment and Natural Resources). Through the mishandling of the waste in Laos, there are more severe issues that rise to the surface including air and water pollution.

Environmental Policies Established in Laos

Laos has recognized that the changes that have occurred over the decades due in part to the global climate shifts have had significant representations in their country. The government has reached out several times in pursuance of legal frameworks that will allow itself to become protected from issues that have tormented the country. “Linked with the implementation of the 8th NSEDP (National Socio-Economic Development Plan), in 2017, the government adopted a green growth initiative, part of the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework for Lao PDR (2017-2021), to pave the way for sustainable development, environmental protection and climate resilience in the country” (Environment and Natural Resources).

Along with the country’s alliance with the World Bank’s Partnership Framework, Laos has also partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society to attempt to create a future perception of a healthy ecosystem. “Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR’s vision for the Greater Northern Annamites of Lao PDR is that its unique ecosystems thrive indefinitely and are valued by the people of Lao PDR and the world for their biodiversity, natural beauty, and services provided to humanity” (WCS Lao). WCS surveys the environment and gains access to implement national protected areas.

Citations

“About Us History & Mission.” WCS Lao PDR, laos.wcs.org/About-Us/History-Mission.aspx.

“Environment and Natural Resources.” Open Development Laos, laos.opendevelopmentmekong.net/topics/environment-and-natural-resources/.

Moore, Kathleen Dean., and Michael P. Nelson. Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril. Trinity University Press, 2010.

Blog Post #3

Nationalism and its role in the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos

Nationalism is a movement, that of political, social, and economic concern, that essentially allows one to advocate and endorse that of their country, exclusively. Zakaria notes that immigration serves as a reluctant danger in the rise or continuation of nationalism. As well as various forces that play on one another, such as “economic success, national pride, higher levels of education, greater information, and transparency and memories of the past” (Zakaria 36).

For decades, specifically between 1920 and 1940, the French’s’ rule suppressed Lao nationalism and the unique ways of their population and people. However, nearing the end of the second decade, “French powers weakened and along with a foreign staff administration and many other resentments gave way to the rise of the Movement for National Renovation, an overt cultural nationalist movement” (Lao Nationalism). The movement was said to have “praised Lao literature, art, music and history — all to install an identity that was recognizable by Lao” (Lao Nationalism). This excited the youth and revived the population.

Even now, it can be seen within the People’s Democratic Republic that France has a quite a loose grip in terms of nationalism. “The blanket theme of the ‘30 year struggle for independence’ that gives the standard propagandistic narration a thin thread of continuity and unity has steadily lost its appeal and credibility among the population in the past – Cold War era” (Pholsena 235).

Inequality Issues

Social inequality refers to the procedures and actions that may affect a group’s social status or class. A report shows that Lao’s national poverty rate sits at 23 percent and although there has been a significant decline in poverty throughout the country, the areas most impaired by this decline was the rural population in comparison to the urban areas. “Lao PDR’s growth in consumption has benefited the richer quintiles more than the poorer segments of the population, and the rural-urban gap remains significant” (United Nations Lao). It is also stated that, “policies and measures to increase the access of the most vulnerable groups to services, livelihoods and resources need to be much more explicit and better targeted” (United Nations Lao). The income shared by the highest 20 percent sits at 44.6 percent compared to that shared by the second 20 percent which sits at 11.5 percent (Laos GINI Index).

Citations

“Lao Nationalism.” Voices of the Past, Voice of the Future, www.voicepf.com/lao-nationalism/.

Pholsena, Vatthana. “The Changing Historiographies of Laos: A Focus on the Early Period.” Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, vol. 35, no. 2, 2004, pp. 235–259. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20072579.

Zakaria, Fareed. The Post-American World: Release 2.0. W.W. Norton, 2012.

“United Nations Lao PDR – United Nations Lao PDR – SDG 10: Inequalities.” United Nations, United Nations, http://www.la.one.un.org/sdgs/sdg-10-inequalities.

“Laos – GINI Index.” Kenya Government Debt to GDP | 1998-2018 | Data | Chart | Calendar, TRADING ECONOMICS, tradingeconomics.com/laos/gini-index-wb-data.html.

Blog Post 2

Languages of Lao

Within Lao People’s Democratic Republic, several languages remain scattered throughout several regions but few reign supreme. “Lao is the official language of Laos, where it is spoken by 3 of the country’s 5.6 million people” (Thompson, Irene). Assuredly, this number has risen as the Laos population has risen. Also known as ‘Laotian’ it is a member of the Tai Kadai language family, which serves as a home to approximately 76 languages. It also serves as a ‘lingua franca’, common among natives. All languages differ but Lao is interesting itself as it is a tonal and monosyllabic language. “Tones are determined by a combination of group of consonant, type of syllable, tone marker, and the length of the vowel” (Mancone, Jennifer). French and English remain relevant and have seen an increase in usage. Nonetheless, Lao is the principal language. Of the 83 individual languages utilized in Lao, “72 are indigenous” (Laos, Ethnologue). However, as English and French usage increases, so do the issues that Laotian speakers face on the daily. “English contains words that are composed of multiple morphemes. Laotian speakers will have difficulty understanding English’s compositional structure. Particularly, trouble with inflectional suffixes” (Mancone, Jennifer). This structuring may be a simplicity that English speakers never even reflect upon but it serves as a legitimate language block between Laotian and English/French speakers.

Memberships of Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Lao People’s Democratic Republic is a member of the UN, IMF, and WTO. Their corresponding memberships dates are as followed: December 14, 1955; July 5, 1961; and February 2, 2013. Their UN role relies upon “consistently and actively engaging itself in the United Nations and has international undertakings through its foreign policy of promoting global peace and security, friendship, independence, and international cooperation” (H.E. Dr. Khiane). Its ties to the IMF vary from the UN’s. Though its role is not completely reflected in information given, a 2017 press release from the Executive Director for Lao People’s Democratic Republic entails that “authorities are moving to implement reforms consistent with past advice, including the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals in their 5-year plan” (Article IV). Their WTO membership depends upon its ability to “enhance its geopolitical clout” (WTO Membership Mean). The GINI Index Coefficient is a tool that “measures the extent to which the distribution of income among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution” (Lao PDR). In 2012, The People’s Democratic Republic’s GINI Index coefficient stood at 36.4. In 2017, their GDP rank sat at $49.21 billion.

Current Concern

Nearly half a year after the Xe-Pian-Xe Namnoi hydropower dam in southern Laos triggered floods, locals now suffer from dengue fever and malnutrition. The Sanamxay district, Attapeu province serves as the disaster zone, where they have “reported insufficient food in the camps set up for disaster refugees, as well as shoddy handling of donated relief items and poor hygiene” (AsiaOne). In the past year, they have confirmed over 6,000 cases of dengue and double-digit deaths due to the illnesses. It is also noted that malnutrition has hit the child population in particular. “50 of the 326 infants screened in October were suffering from acute malnutrition due to insufficient food and insufficient supplies” (AsiaOne).