Search results for ""academic foundation""

The concept of corporate governance has been attracting public attention for quite some time in India. In view of the increasing realisation of the importance of Corporate Governance, Academic Foundation has brought together eight important reports on the subject and also the Sarbanes Oxley Act 2002.

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It is the people who constitute the nation rather than the enchanting scenic beauty of a vast and varied piece of land. People reflect the true character of a nation. The country is powerful, if the people are strong and dynamic; civilized, if the people are cultured and wise, and vice versa. The strength and glory of a nation depends on the sum total of the character of each individual constituting the nation.The cycle of birth, growth and finally death is common to all living beings. In this cycle, birth and death are beyond our control. But with regard to growth, by disciplined effort, we can achieve systematic development of our personality and attain fulfilment in life. We just need to learn the technique of developing our personality in a comprehensive way.A comprehensive and powerful personality comprises five important elements, i.e. physical, emotional, intellectual, moral and spiritual. All these aspects are equally important to manifest the true and complete potential of a human being.This book is a roadmap of learning the technique for transforming our personality. It helps in understanding: (a) the basic truth behind these aspects, (b) successful implementation in day-to-day life, and (c) the techniques to sustain the effects for a happy and meaningful life.

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The late eminent economist A.M. Khusro was a Professor at the Institute of Economic Growth right from its inception, and his association with the IEG continued till the end. As a token of gratitude, the members of the IEG family decided to pay an affectionate tribute to the departed colleague and teacher by bringing out a volume containing research papers pertaining to several themes that were cherished and valued by him. All the contributors to this volume have been members of IEG's faculty/alumnus and have made important contributions in the respective field during their affiliation to the IEG. The themes covered in this volume include topics on which Prof. Khusro had worked and also emerging research areas where he wished to see the involvement of IEG's faculty. The themes included in this volume cover both - established as well as new areas of research, and are presented together in six sections: Agriculture, Land Reforms and Anti-Poverty Programmes; Environment; Globalisation, Liberalisation and Trade; Macro Models and Growth; Population; and Secularism and Religion.

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There is a renewed interest in preferential trading agreements (PATs) partly to face the challenge thrown by multi-lateral trade liberalisation and partly to benefit from the gains offered by PTAs, particularly RTAs. This book discusses the debate on the impact of PTAs on trade creation and trade diversion and whether PTAs are building block or stumbling block for multi lateral trade liberalisation. While the number of PTAs have grown in the world after WTO, Asia as a continent has not seen much progress towards regional integration. The book analyses inter country, intra Asia and extra-Asia trade for each.

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This book is based on research carried out in a few villages in South India, when they were at the threshold of their economies and society being exposed to new economic order. The chief concern was to examine the impact of the economic reforms on the poor with a focus on levels and intensity of poverty, social dimensions of deprivation, food security and the role of MNCs. The research itself was carried out with the active involvement of voluntary organisations engaged in helping the poor to combat several evils including that of poverty. This volume brings together several essays by specialists such as, V.M. Rao, Thomas Paul, B.P. Vani, K. Gayithri, M. Indira, besides a co-authored essay by the late professor M.N. Srinivas.

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Biotechnology along with the other core technology viz. Information Technology, is at the heart of technology revolution in Asia. Asian countries have adopted strategies for harnessing the potential of biotechnology for their industrial Development. The areas of applications both in pharmaceutical and agriculture sector have widened, finding new vistas of economic growth. Policy challenges, however, are arising among others, concerning trade in GMOs, impact of genetic engineering on environment and human health, biosafety management, and ethical aspects that are yet to be addressed at any collective forum in Asia. One of the missing links is a dialogue between natural and social scientists so as to identify socio-economic requirements and policy priorities in the realm of biotechnology and development in the region. This book brings together perceptions on some of these issues by eminent experts from the Asian region. As a sequel to the pioneering ""Biotechnology Revolution and the Third World: Challenges and Policy Options"" (RIS 1988), this volume draws lessons from the experiences of Asian developing countries and revisits some of the concerns raised earlier.

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The Reserve Bank of India has promoted research right from the early years of its existence. Excellent research papers have been prepared by some of the outstanding economists of the Bank. Barring exceptions, the invaluable research embodied in these papers has not been 'widely' disseminated. Former Executive Director, Dr. A. Vasudevan has utilized his lifetime of experience at the central bank to painstakingly edit the present collection of research papers (organised under four sections) with a comprehensive introduction. According to Dr. Vasudevan ""The objective of the volume is not to include articles in a large number of areas but to include only those that focus on money, monetary policy and banking issues - areas in which the Reserve Bank's expertise is widely recognized.

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Includes: Blueprint for Power Sector Development in India Vision 2012 - Power for All (Ministry of Power, Government of India, August 2001); Distribution Policy Committee Report (Ministry of Power, Government of India, March 2002); Report of the Expert Group on Settlement of SEB Dues (Chairman: Montek S. Ahluwalia, May 2001); Report of the Expert Group on Restructuring of SEBs (Chairman: Montek S. Ahluwalia, July 2001); and Electricity Bill - 2001.

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The India Mosaic Searching for an Identity... is essentially a collection of writings borne out of deliberate thinking to pen down ones thoughts on the 'Idea' of India. The authors/contributors to this volume together represent a varied cross-section of India's intelligentsia. The 'Idea' of India has been interpreted by different people in different ways. Perhaps there is no single 'Idea' of India at all. Whatever be the interpretation (or interpretations) of Idea of India there is an unambiguous sense that there is an attempt to change the Idea of India...Consciously, to any Indian, the Idea of India triggers a lot of thoughts, some overwhelming feelings maybe, but far too many questions. Perhaps for most, there are not any easy answers. There is plenty of food for thought in these papers about what India stands for and about what it should stand for. The world and India are bullish about the Indian economic performance in the next 20 or even 50 years. A recent Goldman Sachs report (""Dreaming with BRICs: The Path to 2050"") is but one instance. The economy is the easy part. But India stands for much more than the overall economic performance alone. There is much in this volume for India's citizens to think about.

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A Co-Publication of Academic Foundation, New Delhi and Planning Commission, Government of India.

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Published by Academic Foundation, this document has been prepared by the State Plans Division of the Planning Commission (Government of India) in collaboration with the Human Development Resource Centre (HDRC), United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP) New Delhi. It is a compilation of successful Government initiatives from across the country. This volume contains cases under three sections: Land, Water and Livelihood; Human Development and Social Services; and, Public Interface with Government. An attempt has been made to highlight the operating mechanisms and the key strengths that have contributed towards their success. The objective of this document is to facilitate interstate comparisons and encourage the replication of these initiatives in other parts of the country. Well researched, well-designed and studded with pictures, this unique publication highlights the role of community participation, and 'self-help groups'.

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Lily is the Director of Student Activities at the University. She is single, young, energetic, exquisitely beautiful and in love with Samir - a bright and serious graduate student working for a doctoral degree in Astronomy and also the President of the Student Union. Samir is peculiarly intellectual, rational and emotional. A unique feature Lily institutes at the University is that of ""Sunday Evening Forum"" presenting cultural programs, lectures and debates on optional subjects. Professor Henry Watson, a world-renowned authority on genomics, agrees to address the Forum on the much-sensationalized issue of human genetic engineering. Some find Dr. Watson's research on human cloning anti-God and Dr. Watson is blown off in sucide bombing. The suspects are indicted and a sensational trial held. Outraged at the culture of violence Lily runs for election to the legislature vowing to have a bill passed against public sale, possession and use of all kind of firearms. Lily wins the election but big money lobby defeats her legislation. Lily resigns and embarks upon a ""Recall Campaign"" against the turncoat politicians. But then...

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The author argues, the emphasis of reforms seems to be on exhibiting the form of the textbook characteristics of a liberalised, and open economy, at the cost of the substance of development: reduce State intervention and involvement in economic activities, usher in market-driven economy, abolish all subsidies including food and interest rate subsidies to the poor, and let the poor fend for themselves and so on. In the hierarchy of priorities of contemporary Indian policy makers, for instance, privatisation has gained ascendancy over poverty reduction. Economic reforms have thus become empty rhetorics so far as the attainment of end-objectives of development is concerned. The bunch of 33 selected articles brought together in this book seeks to provide concrete evidence in support of this central theme. The discussion also sketches the broad contours of policy correctives that are needed if the substance of development is to be retained as an important ingredient in the macroeconomic policy mix.

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The World Trade and Development Report 2003 examines the trends and asymmetries in the emerging multilateral trading system from a development perspective. It also outlines an agenda for developing countries for the Cancun Ministerial and beyond to restore the development focus and - more importantly - popular confidence in the multilateral trading system. The Report argues that the trade liberalization should be seen as a 'means' and not the 'end by itself'. The 'end' beyond any doubt should be sustainable development in all parts of the world, with principles of efficiency and equity providing the basis.

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The United States' mercurial foreign policies toward the Muslim world--including actions taken against Islamic countries who have challenged the U.S.'s regional dominance and alliances with Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia--are expertly examined in this incisive treatise. Islamic revivalism, the emergence of a highly political Islamic population, the rise of terrorism, and other recent sociopolitical changes are also thoroughly discussed.

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Practically all countries of Asia have pledged at the national as well as international level to reduce the number of hungry and food insecure. A concrete step in this direction was taken in the World Food Summit in Rome, in 1996, when the nations resolved to reach the goal of food security. It was further reiterated at the Millennium Summit held in New York in 2000 where the United Nations adopted the Millennium Declaration, which contains goals and targets in important areas of human development. One of these goals is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. This particular study aimed to examine the results of the efforts to achieve food security in Asian Countries in the context of Millennium Goals. Having adopted the basic premise that factors determining food security can be best understood at the country level, the study was based on country case studies: two least developed countries (Cambodia and Nepal), two medium-income countries undergoing fast structural changes (Indonesia and Thailand), and one large and fast developing country (India).

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This book is essentially a collection of select articles by some of India's topmost economist and experts. It is supported with editorial notes and excerpts

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This volume presents the collected wisdom of a distinguished economist whose academic contributions have been enriched by his experiences in policy making.

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Dr. Rangarajan's contributions are well known and well documented in a number of publications, both Indian and international. But it has been strongly felt, particularly by his colleagues who worked closely with him, that his research contributions to various sectors of Indian economy are not available at one place. The present publication is an attempt to fill this gap and to provide easy access to some of his path-breaking articles which are frequently referred to. Dr. Rangarajan's contributions are not confined to monetary economics, as one may usually think, but they cover a wide range - agriculture, industry, planning, banking, finance, balance of payments, exchange rate policy, and international monetary system. These subjects have been covered in the 24 selected essays which have been arranged under four sections in two volumes.

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Rapid economic growth and eradication of abject poverty have been the core concerns of India's polity and government throughout the last five decades. Coordinated planning with the state playing the leading role in initiating and regulating the process of development in pursuit of these objectives has been a distinctive feature. Specific targets, perceptions of the problems involved and their solutions have been changing over time. The essays in this collection provide an overview of evolution of this process culminating in the far-reaching reorientation of strategy and policies during the nineties and a critical assessment of their rationale, implementation and impact from the political economy perspective. The essays are divided into two sections: those in the first part, mostly written in the nineties, focus on key elements of overall development strategy being pursued from the early nineties, the rationale and the thrust of the structural adjustment package soon after it was unveiled by Dr. Manmohan Singh, issues relating to subsidies and foreign direct investment and broader issues of the role of the state generally and of planning in particular in the changed context.

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Times of India poll on 7th May, 2002 showed that corruption is perceived to be the biggest problem facing the country today ""the number one problem"". ""Fifty-five years of our existence as an independent nation and 53 years of working of the Constitution, have resulted in one common experience of all Indian citizens. They cannot go to any public organisation or office today and get the services which they are supposed to get without either paying bribe or bringing influence by way of recommendations or references from VIPs,"" emphasises N. Vittal - a man who has observed, analysed and above all, boldly crusaded against corruption, calling it ""by far the biggest challenge to the growth of our society and nation."" His current outlook on corruption in India is that of a self-determined, sensitive patriot who by virtue of his position as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) had the opportunity of being able to get a panoramic view of the whole thing - only to conclude, that the problem of corruption can be tackled. Through this slim, easy-to-read book, he shares with us his thoughts, ideas, and experiences on this critical subject and his vision of ""a corruption-free India.

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Forget Classroom Learning is differentially explaining the theory of management and describes real life from the manager’s point of view. In doing this, it offers a uniquely illustrated, practical and concrete guide to conducting your business life more positively and to becoming a better manager.It was a conventional belief that one has to learn in classroom theory, to become a manager. But, the target keeps moving; events and people do not always conform long enough to be planned and controlled. The ways and means of management, therefore, involve continual experimentation with new approaches to old and new problems. Remember the maxim: “Try it, fix it, do it”.Learning by doing is the best and the only way of gaining knowledge as classroom learning is nothing but the mental exercise of established knowledge attained through practice. But over a period of time classroom learning has become the primary means of learning due to lack of proper persuasion of knowledge through practical exposure and inadequacy of appropriate knowledge of instructors because of their sole dependency on theory and text rather than practical experience. So this book will help you to get the practical exposure through learning by doing rather than classroom learning.

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Mahatma Gandhi's humane philosophy and inherent spirituality had a profound influence not only on the people of India but the freedom loving people worldwide. 11th of September 2006 marked the centenary of the Satyagraha movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa for peaceful resistance against discriminatory and unjust laws. ""Satyagraha - the firmness of the force Truth"" became a powerful mass movement of peaceful resistance and civil disobedience. Over the years, it evolved into a dynamic mass movement of effective action.Commemorating 100 years of 'Satyagraha' in a befitting manner, the Indian National Congress convened a two day international conference: ""Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment: Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century"". Over 300 international delegates from 91 countries comprising world leaders, Nobel laureates, leading peace and human rights activists and Gandhian scholars reflected on the essence and the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. The conference deliberated on subjects and issues which represent the core of Gandhian thought. The discussion touched upon a wide range of Gandhian principles and values including Mahatma Gandhi's concern for the poor and his abiding commitment to non-violence and people's empowerment. Emerging from the discussions amongst the luminaries was the collective affirmation to renew people's commitment to Mahatma's noble mission of building a world that is in peace and harmony with itself.Based on the deliberations of this conference, together with precious archival material, this volume - a book for the future - endeavours to reach out and connect the people, especially the younger generation, to the 'Gandhian way' and to carry forward his legacy into the 21st century.

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Since 1820 and till the beginning of the 21st Century, the so-called growing economic gap between the developed world and the developing countries has not changed its gloomy trend. The mentioned dismal tendency seemed to reverse only for a few years, during 1950 to 1973. In the 70s, the two oil-crises that unleashed inflation and reduced growth rates forced economic theorists and practitioners to look for a new economic policy. This economic restatement finally resulted in a shift of the pendulum, giving back the priority to the market forces, which to some extent had surrendered to the public sector since the 30s. This new economic restatement gave birth to a biased approach of the neoclassical model, which applied to international and development economics generated the so-called Washington Consensus. Against what was promised and expected, the recommended international economic policy did not ever work in the poorest countries, thus enabling the growing gap to continue. This phenomenon added to long-lasting unresolved international political problems along with the consciousness of constant neglect by the rich countries, has unleashed severe frustrations and in some cases induced the appearance of international terrorism. In our view, the policies of continuous insufficient international economic co-operation and biased trade negotiations with LDC, and the unfocused and somewhat over-done reactions to eliminate terrorism as practised in the last two years by western leadership, are doomed to fail.

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These 4 volumes collectively focus on the second phase of banking and financial sector reforms in India by presenting a series of articles authored by economic scholars and complemented by ample supporting information, such as relevant reports, official documents, and discussion papers on the subject.Read more

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Here's a single CD (compact disc) that contains full-text of a large collection of important Reports, Policy Documents, and Discussion Papers relating to various aspects of India's economy, especially: Industry, Finance, Banking, Capital Markets, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Economic Policy and Planning - as they have emerged through a whole decade of economic reforms.

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Every country needs a vision statement which stirs the imagination and motivates all segments of society to greater effort. It is an essential step in building a political consensus on a broad development strategy, which encompasses, inter-alia, the roles and responsibilities of different agents in the economy, such as the government, the private corporate sector, the small and tiny sector, people's organisations, etc. The turn of a century, and most especially the beginning of a new millennium, is an appropriate time for reflecting on the unfinished tasks and the future possibilities. In order to address these issues, among others, the Planning Commission constituted a Committee on Vision 2020 for India in June 2000 under the chairmanship of Dr. S.P. Gupta, Member, Planning Commission. This initiative brought together over 30 experts from different fields. Their deliberations, extending over a period of more than two years, has helped to throw up a range of interesting possibilities, critical issues and crucial decision-points for government and private bodies for future action. The Report of the Committee examines many important issues, but the ones that stand out most powerfully are employment and education. The document also examines issues related to population growth, food production, health, vulnerable sections of the population, transport, communication, energy self-sufficiency, water conservation and air quality, trade investment, peace, security and governance.

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Contains reports on India's tax reforms.

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Comprising contributions by internationally well-known scholars, the volume addresses important themes. Section on ""Human Development"" covers issues such as education, health and governance. Adding to the widely discussed theme nowadays is the section ""Comparison of India and China Development Paths'. In a diverse country like India, fiscal matters at state level are important and these are discussed in the section on ""Indian Fiscal Federalism"". The section on ""Employment, Poverty and Social Dimensions"" covers issues on employment, unemployment, safety nets for the poor and social dimensions of globalization. Last section deals with ""Recent issues on Agriculture"".

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India is in the midst of a retail boom. The sector witnessed significant transformation in the past decade - from small unorganised family-owned retail formats to organised retailing. Indian business houses and manufacturers are setting up retail formats while real estate companies and venture capitalist are investing in retail infrastructure. Many international brands have entered the market. With the growth in organised retailing, unorganised retailers are fast changing their business models. However, retailing is one of the few sectors where foreign direct investment (FDI) is not allowed at present. Stakeholders, trading associations, politicians, etc. have given various arguments for and against FDI in retailing. However, such arguments are largely based on perception and there has not been serious academic research in this area. To fill this lacuna, this survey-based study analyses the current retail scenario in India, investigates the growth across different segments of retailing and evaluates the likely impact of allowing FDI on various stakeholders in different retail segments. Experiences of other countries in allowing FDI and its impact are also discussed. Presently, foreign players are entering the market through different routes. The entry process and their perception about the Indian market are analysed. The study investigates the structural, regulatory, fiscal and other barriers affecting the performance of retail trade and suggests reforms for the removal of such barriers. It also provides valuable policy inputs in terms of the time-frame in and the process through which the Indian government can open up this sector to FDI so as to maximise the welfare and minimise the adjustment. It also lists the conditions that may be imposed on foreign retailers if FDI is allowed.

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A set of two volumes that together present an overview of some of the challenging issues.

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This book is an outcome of a study on bankruptcy of small businesses in India...The process of conducting the study brought forth revealing facts on the functionality of small businesses, their problems and possible solutions. Small businesses are treated as those productive activities whose stakeholders cannot access the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), post-failure. It presents the central idea which is post-bankruptcy problems faced by the entrepreneur. To this work, insights from other published work on small-scale industries (SSIs) have been studied and added to provide the reader with a holistic view about the small-scale entrepreneur and the problem of bankruptcy.

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This book should have been written years ago. It reveals a dark secret of the ideological environmental movement. The movement imposes the views of mostly wealthy, comfortable Americans and Europeans on mostly poor, desperate Africans, Asians and Latin Americans. It violates these people's most basic human rights, denying them economic opportunities, the chance for better lives, the right to rid their countries of diseases that were vanquished long ago in Europe and the United States. Even worse, in league with the European Union, United Nations and other bureaucrats, the movement stifles vigorous, responsible debate over energy, pesticides, biotechnology and trade. It prevents needy nations from using the very technologies that developed countries employed to become rich, comfortable and free of disease. And as a consequence, it sends millions of infants, children, men and women to early graves every year. The ideological environmental movement is a powerful $4-billion-a-year US industry, an $8-billion-a-year international gorilla. Many of its members are intensely eco-centric, and seem to believe that wildlife and ecological values are more important than human progress or even human life.

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Are you a college or university graduate? Do you support students looking ahead to life after graduation? Are you curious about how your alumni network can benefit your life? Does the alumni strategy in your organization need inspiration? This enlightening, original book reimagines graduates’ alumni status as a gateway to immense opportunities through professional and personal networks. To discover this alumni potential, Maria L. Gallo guides you through the four key traits of the 'Alumni Way’: reflection, curiosity, passion and generosity. With a sound academic foundation, combined with practical activities and checklists, 'The Alumni Way' is the ultimate resource for inspiring savvy, active alumni citizens of the world. The Alumni Way Workbook is also available. Visit www.thealumniway.com.

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The health of local populations depends in part upon the considerable contribution clinical academics make to research and teaching alongside their clinical practice. The UK Integrated Academic Foundation Programme offers newly qualified doctors an opportunity to explore academia as a career by developing skills in research, education or leadership/management alongside their clinical training. Being successful in applications for an academic training position, whether AFP, ACF or clinical lectureship, is about preparing and practising the right way – many candidates fail to demonstrate just how good they really are and therefore miss out. This book has been put together using insights from successful trainees and focuses on covering the skills that produce results.

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Is the Atlantic World in a state of crisis? At a time when many political observers perceive indeed a crisis in transatlantic relations, critical evaluation of past narratives and frameworks in Transatlantic Relations and Atlantic History alike become crucial. This volume provides an academic foundation to critically assess the Atlantic World and to rethink transatlantic relations in a transnational and global perspective.The TransAtlantic reconsidered brings together leading experts such as Harvard historians Charles S. Maier and Bernard Bailyn and former ERC scientific board member Nicholas Canny. All the scholars represented in this volume have helped to shape, re-shape, and challenge the narrative(s) of the Atlantic World and can thus (re-)evaluate its conceptual basis in view of historiographical developments and contemporary challenges.

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Research shows that three essentials are necessary for young children's learning: a broad palette of sensory experience; vigorous and fine movement in response to sensory input; and the opportunity to imitate what the child sees modelled in the environment. These activities are the backbone of the academic foundation that parents should look for in an early childhood program.This helpful book takes an in-depth look at Waldorf kindergartens, and what approach they offer. It includes chapters on a typical day in a kindergarten, handwork, human development through art, circle time, fairy tales, seasons and festivals, and much more. This collection of insightful articles by experienced early-childhood educators, published in cooperation with WECAN, brings both an overview and a deeper understanding of these essentials at work in the daily life of the Waldorf kindergarten.

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This book sheds new light on the future of e-governance in the European Union (EU). Drawing on the first-hand professional experience of practitioners, policymakers, and institutional stakeholders, combined with a sound academic foundation, it offers insights into successful implementation strategies and new tools necessary for efficient e-governance in the European Union.The authors present key topics, e.g. the development of e-services such as e-identity, e-health, e-democracy, as well as e-governance tools for the correct implementation of the Digital Single Market. Furthermore, they discuss the legal framework needed for the implementation of these services, such as data protection, digital competition law, as well as EU contracts in digital environments. Finally, the authors highlight efforts to include ethical standards and European values in the decision-making, while developing a vision for the future use of e-governance in the European Union. Understanding the tools and stra

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