Students:2010/2011 student case studies

Foreword

General thesis, based on readings about the New Zealand case (and related resources) could be following: globalization is a process related to certain power games and strong (economical) interests - it creates specific "magnetic field" in which it is easy to become a winner AND/OR looser. But there are possibilities to oppose its logic and protect certain values... What are these possibilities? Are they accessible on global level or could be generated rather from local resources? Where are resources of (local) pride, responsibility, thoughtfulness?

This thesis works in relation to natural resources - and what else? Culture? Social (community) sphere? Everything that is traditional? .... And do we really need all this old-fashioned stuff?

Exemplary case study

Jana Dlouhá, Andrew Barton: New Zealand 2010: Mining in Schedule 4 Conflict

New Zealand is a country with image of 100 % purity and economically depending on landscape-driven tourism. Nevertheless, it also has rich raw materials throughout its area and so plans for rapid development especially of the mining industry were discussed in 2010. The government has launched a proposal for so called Stocktake = review of the areas potentially rich in minerals for their further exploitation. After gathering more information, process of consultations between citizens, mining investors and government began – the question under concern was whether mineral estates should be considered for exploitation if they affect highly protected land (Schedule 4). After six week consultation process, submissions made by citizens and civic organizations were carefully analyzed and data obtained transparently published. The result of consultations was that the Government had to drop the plans for mineral exploration or extraction in the protected areas. Many excellent experiences from the consultation process and analysis of its results could be tracked from this case study.

Caroline Reibe

Globalization under the focus of economy – considering their effects on and consequences for money, work and production

Abstract to my final version of my case study: “The little Price” of the textile discounter KiK – consequences for labour conditions at textile factories in Bangladesh

This case study deals with the consequences of globalisation on the textile industry in low wage countries like Bangladesh. As an example I concentrate on the German garment discounter KiK and its supplier factories in Bangladesh. My focus lies especially on the labour conditions of the Bangladeshi workers and the existing code of conduct that was installed to guarantee good labour conditions. I explain how such a conduct should be implemented and present a schedule of a typical inspection. In addition I like to give an insight-view into the economic methods of discounter. This point includes the questions “how they can offer such cheap prices?” and “who in the end has to suffer for that?”.

Wolfgang Mularzyk

The local impacts of global data streams

My friendships, my studies and nearly my whole entity are linked with global network connections between countries, corporations and solitary citizens.

As time goes by, things changes more rapidly as in the past. The world we live in and the way we look on it has being modified. This process is going on, faster and faster, come what may. When I think of the old adage "Haste makes waste", I regard this development with mixed feelings. Cos I have decided to study information technology some years ago, my personal and commercial thoughts are always focused on the enormous dynamic expansion of global data streams.

The following case study should give a deep view into environmental impacts of the internet, the phenomenon of "Everyware" and the influence of highly available information of all aspects of life.

Frank Bröhan

Emission Trading Scheme: a way to reduce the climate change and the effects of the global warming?

My paragraph

Sarah de Pasqualin

The global vs. local space for gender inequality

Jan Jelínek

Changing people's relationship to their environment

The case study focuses on people's relationship to their local environment in the early 21st century and compares it with the time half of the 20th century. Since that time relationship of people to place where they live and their way of life greatly transformed. For a better description of these changes, this case study directs on the area of Beskydy.

The human relationship to the environment, the landscape or area in which they reside, can be seen as natural. View where human being is connected with home or earth-connected is in our minds very well rooted. As well as we feel that in developed countries that no longer apply. The case study describes the current situation in the Beskydy with emphasis on their change linked to globalisation. Besides it briefly directs on the regions in Austria and Spain where a similar situation already occurred. People are as well as wild animals or different types of trees closely linked to the country where they live. Linkages to the living environment can be very considerable for humans and consciousness that this applies to each is of great significance. Therefore, this case study particularly focuses on how are people and the environment where they live affected by this change.

Petr Gut

Paragraph

The impact of multinational corporations, global trade and extreme weather in West Africa

Zuzana Cabejšková

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