Social Welfare System in Hong Kong Free Essays

Question 1: Identify one type of the social welfare, discuss its services of Hong Kong and a)explain its values, rationales and objectives; b)ways of service delivery; c)discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the service and d)make suggestions to improve the services in future. CSSA—AN INTRODUCTION The comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme (CSSA) is surely one of the most influential social welfare in Hong Kong, in terms of money and beneficiary. In the fiscal year of 2010 alone, 19 billion was spent on CSSA, which increased noticeably by 40% as compared with the expenditure ten years ago. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Welfare System in Hong Kong or any similar topic only for you Order Now As at the end of 2009, total number of CSSA cases amounted to 289 139, representing an increase of 25. 3% over 1999. CSSA accounted for 8. 6% of government recurrent expenditure, compared with 7. 5% in 2000. During 1999 to 2009, the average growth in total number of cases per annum was 2. 3%. In fact, the growth rate of CSSA cases is expected to accelerate because the growth of elderly population will peak in 2016-2026. In other words, the problem is not coming yet. But it will within 10 years. In view of the potential alarming situation, there is an urgent need to investigate the effectiveness of the scheme. This essay will give a brief review of the captioned scheme as well as to discuss possible ways to improve the services in the future, making the most effective use of government resources. CSSA—ITS VALUES, RATIONALES AND OBJECTIVES The CSSA Scheme was introduced in 1993, replacing the former Public Assistance Scheme, and evolved over the past 20 years into the current complex system. It is designed to provide a safety net for individuals or families who cannot support themselves financially for various reasons such as old age, disability, illness, unemployment and low earnings. The CSSA Scheme provides financial assistance to bring the income of such individuals or families up to a prescribed level to meet their basic needs. All CSSA recipients are entitled to free medical treatment at public hospitals or clinics. It is administered by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and is non-contributory but means-tested. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for assistance, the applicant must satisfy the residence requirements, that is, to have resided in Hong Kong continuously for at least one year before the date of application and be a Hong Kong resident for seven years. Yet, exception can be granted for discretion. They must also pass both the income and assets tests. To pass the income test means the applicant’s total assessable monthly household income is insufficient to meet their total monthly needs as recognized under the Scheme. To pass the asset test means the total value of the capital assets held by the applicant is below the prescribed limit. If the applicant lives with other family members, the application shall be made on a household basis. On top of the basic subsistence support, there is a number of supplements, like disability, old age, community living, single parent, transport supplement, which is too excessive to mention here. A person can make an application directly to a social security field unit, or by referral to the Social Welfare Department by another government department or a non-governmental organization. Upon receipt of an application, staff of the SWD will conduct investigation and verification of the applicant’s circumstances. It is usually completed in a month and is very convenient. CSSA—ITS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Generally speaking CSSA has been quite effective in providing a safety nets towards the needy, whether the amount of grants is sufficient or not is subject to argument, one has to acknowledge the fact that there is no major starvation/freezing death caused by poverty in recent years. The general living conditions and nutrition’s of the poor improved, compared many years ago. In the past, social welfare is just a feeding station, or remedy measures after the problems exist, CSSA, with its recent reform of adding more and more subsidies like disabilities, elderly, transport supplement†¦etc, is a rather complicated cash transfer framework, which definitely, effectively created a safety net and contributed a part of improving peoples’ living standard. It seems that CSSA was able to fulfill the very basic philosophy of social security policy and social policy in general terms, which is residual or remedial. CSSA is somewhat a passive scheme as a rescue if the applicant himself, or his family failed to help. It is remedial because it functions only if you fall and will not prevent you from falling. This is of no doubt that CSSA can solve immediate issues, but not the root of it. In fact there are changes that CSSA can make to help better cope with this problem. Moreover, there is room of improvement of the efficiency of the scheme, as it has become more and more complex that something can be done to make it more efficient as a safety net. And as progress, it is vital that we look at the possible policy that can be adjusted to better cope with the situation as things do change over time. One of the major characteristics of CSSA is that it is a means tested scheme. In a nutshell, as long as the applicant meets the requirements, the applicants are entitled to get the benefits, as a matter of right. What they do is to assess the quantitative elements of the applicants, such as how many assets they have, how much they earn per month, the severity of his sickness, and treat them as fair as possible, without looking at their background, their ability, the reason they apply for the scheme. As a government servant, I comprehend the difficulty to do so because their job is to do assessment on the financial criteria. But CSSA is not just simple financial assistance, ideally speaking. When the unemployed come for assistance, their problem is not just short of money for assistance, they are unable or not willing to find jobs which they do not like or do not match their skills or think the wage is too low for him. Recent news reporting a postgraduate graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong is an example. CSSA applicants have problems besides financing. I dare say a considerably proportion of staff running the program are not equipped with the skills that can deal with the key issue, thus missed the chance of preliminary investigation of the candidate while looking at the documents and data before the grant. However, CSSA is far from sufficient to provide something constructive, to help the recipients for taking constructive acts to participate in society. Right now we see that, the community is increasingly dependent, which is harmful. The CSSA should abandon the passive strategy of simply looking at needs and handing out cash. This can be done by demanding the recipients to take steps to help themselves as a prerequisite to receive the payments. It has in fact already been adopted and have a positive result. With the introduction of the intensified Support for Self-reliance Scheme measures in June 2003, there was a rapid deceleration in the rate of increase in unemployment cases during June to September 2003, the number of cases also started to decline as from October 2003 to October 2008. But the unemployment case started to rise since 2009, and almost reached the level of 1999, which is the year of financial crisis. As a suggestion, the said scheme can add community service work as a component of the criteria of getting subsistence, such as to clean toilets in governmental departments, of some minimum hours per month as a way to encourage them to contribute to the society. Back to the postgraduate in CU as an example, of course he will get something better than looking after elderly as a job! Even if he cannot do so what he has done will be beneficial to the society. Moreover, the scheme is becoming more complicated as more and more supplement and discretionary items have been added. It is no longer a system that is administratively simple or efficient. The lack of training of the said officials and the complexity the system deter the efficiency of the officials to tackle the applicants specific needs, rather in a degree enhanced their reliability on CSSA. Alternative of solving the problems, despite of training workers, is to tidy up the current structure of the administration, such as diving the recipients into categories, with their own eligibility criteria, referrals, conditions of assistance and kinds of help to offer. Bureau working on this will be, despite more systematic, will have a much more clear idea of how to help the applicant and in turn, the applicant received a better idea of their benefit and get better helped. For instance the financial needs of the elderly should be considered with their health care. They may, because worrying insufficient money to pay their health care, save the already little grants received from CSSA, sacrificing their living quality. There seems little cooperation with the Social Welfare department with relevant charity organizations. The same applies to other groups, like, for single parents family, which they save the CSSA for family services. I have already made the point through the above that CSSA, generally speaking is effective and have done a good job in providing a safety net to Hong Kong, by a one-way handout of cash. But it can, in fact, requiring the recipients to contribute back to the society by adding a component of voluntary services element into the scheme. This, on one hand can screen out people who do not really need CSSA, thus focusing to the resources and attention to those desperately in need. And on the other hand to help those screened out forcing them getting back to the mainstream. And as mentioned about, the efficiency of the CSSA system can be more efficient by adopting a categorical approach, better matching the skills of staff working therein and the background of recipients. In a nutshell, CSSA do create some sort of dependency because, looking at the amount of CSSA cases and the economy of Hong Kong it is not very much correlated. That suggests that the determining factor for the number of people on welfare is, maybe the welfare system itself. Therefore it is very critical for the government to formulate its social welfare policy so that the policy will not create dependency by itself, better organizing structure of manpower, so the budget can save a few billion and most importantly, better matching of resources and helping those really in need. (1719 words) Reference: 1. Research and Statistics Section, Social Welfare Department, Statistics on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, 1999 to 2009 2. Social Welfare Department, A Guide to Comprehensive Social Security Assistance How to cite Social Welfare System in Hong Kong, Essay examples

Continued Silence EP by Imagine Dragons free essay sample

The booming, detonating lead track, â€Å"Radioactive,† comes to represent everything from Imagine Dragons’ Continued Silence EP. Released in 2012 after a string of earlier works, the EP carves into the soul with a heavy rock attitude, and like the cover art, breathes life into the fictional, twilighting ruins of the future. Each song feels all-encompassing, whole, and never fails to hit the right note, filled with as much action as soul. While grand, the music also forges a deeply personal connection. â€Å"On Top of the World,† the rousing, feel-good anthem for the masses, breathes like a ray of sun, while the more complex â€Å"Round and Round† spins around a hollow core. A mix of milky, electric/acoustic guitar and pounding drums, it moves in the same direction as its story. From neverending joy to grief, there’s something very human about the energy that pours from the EP, as if the music celebrates more than individual thoughts and dreams: instead, what it means to be young and hopeful. We will write a custom essay sample on Continued Silence EP by Imagine Dragons or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page That doesn’t mean the EP doesn’t have its fill of sadness. In fact, loneliness is in the middle of the centrifuge, fueling the apocalyptic breakdown of â€Å"Radioactive,† a sci-fi era tribute to dystopia and devastation, where amid the explosions, the lonely sits untouched. The other EP’s heavyweight, â€Å"Demons,† is only wiser, sadder, and as grippingly honest. A startlingly beautiful ballad, the song is illuminated with twinkling lights, and vocals layered in divinity. Every word matters, where the song pulls away the grief, the guilt, leaving you born anew. Lead singer Dan Reynolds’ sharp, hotblooded lyrics guide each song, and at the heart of everything, an insistent, active rock beat. The knee-slapping, hand-clapping, folksy sweet â€Å"It’s Time† features Reynolds’ ernest voice, as it feels like things are changing, forming something greater and new. While on the other hand, the final track â€Å"My Fault† begins underwater. A knocking sound is first heard like a child at the door; as the song progresses, every trouble is left with open arms, and all things come full circle. It’s a cycle, a journey, that brings dawn to the dusk. The silence has been broken.

Why You Should become a vegetarian an Example by

Why You Should become a vegetarian There are several reasons why you should become a vegetarian. Basically, it is because of health reasons and the other reason entails that of animal rights. Please allow me to reintroduce and reiterate some of them to you: Need essay sample on "Why You Should become a vegetarian" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed First of all, to lead a vegetarian lifestyle is to take in greater amounts of Vitamin E (Leitzmann, 2005). Vitamin E or Tocopherol in turn is extremely beneficial because it helps prevent heart disease (Gandelman, 2006). Explaining further, it has the capacity to guard the body from oxidation or cell damage (Gandelman, 2006). Thus, it follows that Atherosclerosis may then be prevented if the body takes in Vitamin E as well (Gandelman, 2006). Atherosclerosis is a condition wherein the arteries hardens and narrows which eventually leads to heart disease and stroke (Gandelman, 2006). On a final note and summarily, Vitamin E then plays a large role in the prevention of heart disease (Gandelman, 2006). Second, to lead a vegetarian lifestyle is to take in low amount (if not none at all) of saturated fat and cholesterol (Leitzmann, 2005). LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol is lower because vegetarian diets have lower saturated fat content as well (Brown, 2006). This in turn is exceedingly beneficial in the deterrence and even management of medical conditions including the following cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal disease and dementia, as well as diverticular disease, gallstones and rheumatoid arthritis (Leitzmann, 2005). Third, to lead a vegetarian lifestyle reduces the risk of acquiring a coronary heart disease vegetarian diets have larger amounts of high-fiber fruits and vegetables, thus more antioxidants are taken in fighting off the toxins in the body (Brown, 2006). Fourth, clotting factors are lessened because vegetarian diets have larger amounts of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals (Brown, 2006). Fifth, blood pressure is surely lower because vegetarian diets have lower salt content (Brown, 2006). Sixth, diabetes is less likely to occur because vegetarian diets have more complex carbohydrates and fewer simple sugars (Brown, 2006). Seventh, the risk of cancer, specifically of the colon cancer, may be significantly reduced(Brown, 2006). Breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer of the kidney may also be avoided through a vegetarian diet (Brown, 2006). Eighth, since a vegetarian diet is said to have: 1) less protein; 2) lower cholesterol; 3) lower saturated fat; 4) lower total fat; 5) more carbohydrates; 6) more fiber; 7) more minerals; 8) more vitamins, it is very advantageous and beneficial because of the possibility of the following: 1) less hypertension; 2) more endurance; 3) longevity; 4) lesser possibility of acquiring obesity; 5) less possibility of having osteoporosis, bowel disease, cancer, as well as heart disease (Brown, 2006). Last but not least, it is beneficial to lead a vegetarian diet so that we no longer have to violate any of the rights of the animals. Leading a vegetarian lifestyle is an excellent way of living the good life then. References Brown, C. (2006). Vegetarian vs. Meat Diet. Gandelman, G. (2006). Vitamin E and Heart Disease. Leitzmann, C. (2005). Vegetarian Diets: What are the Advantages? Forum of Nutrition, 57, 147 56.

Animal and Human Research Ethics Paper

Animal and Human Research Ethics Paper Free Online Research Papers In any aspect of life, the well being of oneself comes before any other considerations. With in mind, medicine has a very similar view. The health and prosperity of the human race comes before any other considerations. This brings about the grounds for the practice of nonhuman animal testing. With this, professional and ethical issues are raised and must be explored in order for a conclusive answer to be given. The statement that â€Å"animals have rights† is one that very few people will disagree with. There are those, however, who see animal cruelty as a form of entertainment. The ethical question then arises asks whether the â€Å"cruelty† against an animal can be benefited for humans or should humans benefit from themselves. It is evident that the human race is at the pinnacle of creation as they have achieved progressive heights that cannot be matched by any other species. Unfortunately, animal research has been a fundamental part of their continued progress. Since Aristotle, animals have been used utilized for the benefit of humans. The question of why this has occurred for some time is because they had no other alternative than direct human testing. Man has come a long way and must find seek other testing techniques that are advanced in order to eliminate this harmful practice. One possibility is from Professor Joordens in which he indicates that humans should test on humans who have the desired disease. This would bring about greater thought as experiments would encompass a greater meaning to them. Medical research done on humans is a delicate process. There are many skeptics who believe that human testing should be prohibited as human life is considered more valuable than the life of animals. From a biological standpoint, it is said that all life is stemmed from a common ancestor. What then is the difference between the experiments of a human and an animal as treating animals differently would make them subhuman – no rights, feeling of pleasure and pain. (You may want to rephrase this sentence) This subhuman difference causes negative effects as some drugs that are safe on animals may potentially not be safe on humans and vice versa. Thus, it is apparent that testing on animals is erratic which is why promotion of human testing should be carried out. Furthermore, animals have rights! Every day, laboratory animals are exploited and are enduring suffer for the benefit of testing and research. How is it that a person can be charged for neglecting and not feeding their pet while companies can torture and kill millions of animals every year and no consequence is donned upon them? Thus, animals are deprived of their dignity. When a human imposes its life on an animal, they have taken over that life have become its jury, judge and executioner. Animals have no say which is why human testing should be implemented. Humans voluntarily submit to an experiment with the acknowledgment that something potentially can go wrong. According to Professor Joordens’, his opinion piece says that human based exponents are much more accurate even though progress may slow down. It occurs as scientists will spend more time planning the experiment through as they are dealing with a human. The speed of progress is only relative as it is compared to the past. Over time, man will become accustomed to it and will find the true benefit of human rather than animal testing. Consequently, animal research is an immoral practice that must be reduced and abolished whenever possible. The cruelty performed among animals may be beneficial but it is certainly not ethical. The development to the extensive application of substitutes to animal experimentation will persistently gain momentum as people become more aware about the problem. However, for now, all one can do is try to reduce the number of animals harmed. Research Papers on Animal and Human Research Ethics PaperGenetic EngineeringStandardized TestingResearch Process Part OneInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThe Spring and AutumnCapital PunishmentArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Effects of Television Violence on ChildrenPETSTEL analysis of IndiaOpen Architechture a white paper

Scope - Definition for the Java Term

Scope - Definition for the Java Term Scope refers to the lifetime and accessibility of a variable. How large the scope is depends on where a variable is declared. For example, if a variable is declared at the top of a class then it will accessible to all of the class methods. If it’s declared in a method then it can only be used in that method. For more information, have a look at the Understanding Variable Scope and Using Modifiers With Variables. Examples: For example, the scope of the variableNUMBER_OF_HOURS_IN_A_DAY is the whole class. Whereas the scope of NUMBER_OF_DAYS_IN_A_WEEK is just the calculateHoursInWeeks method: public class AllAboutHours{ private final int NUMBER_OF_HOURS_IN_A_DAY 24; public int calculateHoursInDays(int days) { return days * NUMBER_OF_HOURS_IN_A_DAY; } public int calculateHoursInWeeks(int weeks) { final int NUMBER_OF_DAYS_IN_A_WEEK 7; return weeks * NUMBER_OF_DAYS_IN_A_WEEK * NUMBER_OF_HOURS_IN_A_DAY; }}

Analyzing Financial Statements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analyzing Financial Statements - Essay Example The graph shows a stronger relationship between Lowe’s and the S&P 500 index; which is also supported by a positive beta equivalent to 1. This beta of the company suggests that the company swings almost equal with the market variations as is supported by the above graph. It implies a volatility and risk that is equivalent to the market, as clearly seen in the graph. The graph also shows the up market leads to similar increase in company price while a down market leads to similar decrease in price. The company provides almost an equivalent return to the market. Observing the five year trend of the two, I think the beta of the company has precisely estimated near to 1. The lines of two are almost on top of one another. The graph shows a very positive relationship between Joy and the S&P 500 index; which is also supported by a positive beta greater than 2. This beta of the company suggests that the company swings almost double to the market variations as is supported by the above graph. It implies a higher volatility and a higher risk, as clearly seen in the graph, as compared to the market. As seen in the trend graphs, the company returns are almost the double-be it an up market or a down market. Observing the five year trend of the two, I think the beta of the company has precisely estimated greater than 2. The lines of two companies show similar jumps seen by a higher beta companies. The report shows the returns of the returns of the three companies-Hershey, Lowe’s and Joy Global based on the beta represented on the money msn. The calculated company returns and the represented beta are then compared with the five year stock price trend graphs compared to S&P 500 Index. The trends effusively support the calculated returns and deviations. A company with beta less than 1 has less volatility and lesser returns as compared to market. A company with beta equivalent to 1 has volatility and returns equal to the market. A company with

Artificial Intelligence Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Artificial Intelligence - Assignment Example Alternatively, the simulated mind could be assumed to reside in a computer or connected to a robot or a biological body, replacing its brain. The following paragraphs will discuss various characteristics of this concept: A human brain consists of about 100 billion nerve cells called neurons, each individually linked to other neurons by way of connection called axons and dendrites. The signals of these connections are transmitted by the release and detection of chemicals known as neurotransmitters. This is established by neuroscience that the human mind is an information processing network with the help of neurons (Kurzweil, 2000). Neuroscientists have also stated that essential functions performed by the mind, such as learning, memorizing, and consciousness, are due to purely physical and electrochemical processes in the brain which are governed by applicable laws. If the information and processes of the mind can be separated from the biological body, then there will be no individual limits and lifespan of that body. Other than that information within a brain could be partly or wholly copied or transferred to one or more other subjects, which includes digital storage or another brain, thereby minimizing or eliminating mortality risk (Tonnoni & Koch, 2008). A computer-based intelligence program could potentially think much faster than a human. Human neurons transfer’s electrochemical signals with a maximum speed of about 150 meters per second, whereas the speed of light is about 300 million meters per second, it is about two million times faster. Also, neurons can generate a maximum of about 200 to 1000 "spikes" per second, whereas the number of signals per second in modern computer chips is about 3 GHz (Matthew, 2005). This is almost two million times greater and expected to increase by at least a factor of 100. In theory it could run about 1 million times faster than a real brain, experiencing about a year of subjective time in only 31 seconds of real