Government Grants for All

Child Labour Widespread in Asian Cotton Fields

Forced labour and other human rights abuses are common in the cotton fields of central Asia, according to findings published by the International Crisis Group.

In its report entitled The Curse of Cotton: Central Asia’s Destructive Monoculture, the NGO described the inhumane conditions experienced by child workers in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

“The cotton industry in these countries contributes to political repression, economic stagnation, widespread poverty and environmental degradation,” says the thinktank.

In Uzbekistan schoolchildren are routinely forced to work for up to two months in cotton fields, the report says, while child labour is still widespread in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The research goes on to highlight the fact that central Asian cotton is traded internationally by leading US and European corporations, while western banks finance its production. The final product often ends up in well-known clothes outlets across the west.

Companies named in the report include the US commodities giant Cargill, which is involved in sourcing cotton from middlemen in the region.

A spokesman for Cargill is recently reported as saying that if there is child labour in their supply chain, it is because families in developing countries need help in the fields. Other companies involved in the industry include US-based Dunavant Cotton, ECOM USA and Paul Reinhart, a Swiss firm.

Many western cotton companies claim they have little influence on governments to improve labour standards in those countries.

“Short of boycotting the country there is not much we can do,” says Thomas Reinhart, a director of Paul Reinhart.

Cargill Cotton, based in London, Liverpool and the US, is currently the largest company sourcing cotton from central Asia and shows no signs of trying to improve labour conditions in its supply chain. The company ‘s corporate citizenship report from 2004 failed to mention supplier auditing or child labour policies, but focuses instead on selected, positive “case studies” of the company’s impact on society.

Francis De Rosa, a spokesperson for Cargill, says that representatives are currently in Uzbekistan and “will take this opportunity to discuss issues raised in the report with local authorities and selling organisations”.

The ICG report, outlines the role of US retailers in influencing a change in company labour policies. The US remains the biggest market for textile manufacturers in the region which depend on the flow of cheap cotton.

“Major buyers should conduct their own investigation into the realities of their supply chain and seek to improve the terms of trade for farmers,” the report says.

It also suggests that corporations should consider working with NGOs and funding the distribution of information to farmers and workers outlining their employment rights. Such partnerships are increasingly common in other industries. For example, in both Nigeria and Venezuela, the Norwegian oil giant Statoil funds an NGO which trains judges in human rights issues.

In India, attention was focused on child labour eradication within the cottonseed industry in 2003 after multinational companies – including Monsanto – formed a joint child labour monitoring effort in collaboration with local NGOs.

Hans Bederski of the charity Save the Children works in Kyrgyzstan on child labour issues. He says that across the region companies buying cotton should take firm action to ensure that they are buying from farmers who do not employ children.

He says the cotton companies could also help children to catch up on missed education by “supporting accelerated learning courses” when they are not working.

The ICG report also claims that poverty is deepening and with it a “sense of hopelessness, especially among young people” across the region. This social and political discontent, it says, threatens to undermine stability and provides fertile ground for recruitment into extremist groups.

Islamists already have a foothold across central Asia. The ramifications of a poor response to this latest report by companies, NGOs and governments may be a great deal worse than just more working children.

Tags: Asian, Child, Cotton, Fields, Labour, Widespread

Fashion Design Education? 6 Asian Countries to Consider

Choosing a country as a fashion design student is like choosing the perfect backdrop for your portfolio. Surrounding yourself in a country’s heritage and culture will not only influence your educational and well-being; it also has the potential to determine the quality of your design portfolio. Studying in the right country for you can build a strong portfolio that will increase your chances of getting a job as a fashion designer.

If you want to soak in high street fashion and learn Asian languages, go to:

South Korea (Seoul)
Go to Seoul if you want South Korea’s popular, stylish influence in your portfolio. Tuning into Korean TV programs on a weekend will be enough to give you inspiration. Their fashionable entertainment scene has earned the country millions of fans world-wide. With most of their fashion design schools carrying out their programs in Korean, you will need to prove your proficiency with your KLPT results (a Korean Language Proficiency Test which evaluates Korean language proficiency delivered by the Korean Language Society).

Japan (Tokyo)
Tokyo is recognized for setting global trends; it paved the way for world-famous designers like Kenzo and Issey Miyake, graduates from Bunka Fashion College. It is also the second most expensive country to live in according to Mercer’s 2010 survey. Studying here will cost more than studying in UK or America. Most fashion schools carry out their courses in Japanese, so be prepared to sit for a proficiency test like JLPT (a standardized criterion-referenced test to evaluate and certify the Japanese language proficiency of non-native speakers).

If you prefer to practice Fashion in English, go to:

Australia (Sydney)
To experience being a part of Australia’s fashion scene, you can sign up for internships in fashion like in ACP magazines during your study breaks. It is a company that publishes popular women’s lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazines. Titles you might be familiar with include: CLEO, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s BAZAAR.

Singapore
Picking and polishing your English skills while you are in Singapore is highly possible. As a world class commercial city, Singapore is a cultural melting pot where you can meet Asians of other races and improve on your English as you speak with them. Fashion in Singapore is imported mainly from neighboring Asian countries and also carries multiple luxury labels from the west.

If you are looking for adventure, go to:

Thailand (Bangkok)
Bangkok is a budding fashion city that has yet to reach global acclaim. But the talents of local designers shine through their street stores, usually managed by young entrepreneurs. Craft materials are affordable – which is great news for budding designers. If you are willing to learn Thai, you can pick up a lot of pointers from the locals.

China
While studying here, you can consider sourcing for tailors and suppliers for your future boutique. Production here is one of the cheapest in the world, which will give you a lot of room for affordable practice on choice fabrics. Despite public distrust on China-made goods and designer fakes, the country is still capable of producing quality material.

At the end of the day, the best country for you to further your studies in depends on how you want to develop your portfolio.

Tags: Asian, Consider, Countries, Design, Education, Fashion

Fashion Design Education? 6 Asian Countries to Consider

Choosing a country as a fashion design student is like choosing the perfect backdrop for your portfolio. Surrounding yourself in a country’s heritage and culture will not only influence your educational and well-being; it also has the potential to determine the quality of your design portfolio. Studying in the right country for you can build a strong portfolio that will increase your chances of getting a job as a fashion designer.

If you want to soak in high street fashion and learn Asian languages, go to:

South Korea (Seoul)
Go to Seoul if you want South Korea’s popular, stylish influence in your portfolio. Tuning into Korean TV programs on a weekend will be enough to give you inspiration. Their fashionable entertainment scene has earned the country millions of fans world-wide. With most of their fashion design schools carrying out their programs in Korean, you will need to prove your proficiency with your KLPT results (a Korean Language Proficiency Test which evaluates Korean language proficiency delivered by the Korean Language Society).

Japan (Tokyo)
Tokyo is recognized for setting global trends; it paved the way for world-famous designers like Kenzo and Issey Miyake, graduates from Bunka Fashion College. It is also the second most expensive country to live in according to Mercer’s 2010 survey. Studying here will cost more than studying in UK or America. Most fashion schools carry out their courses in Japanese, so be prepared to sit for a proficiency test like JLPT (a standardized criterion-referenced test to evaluate and certify the Japanese language proficiency of non-native speakers).

If you prefer to practice Fashion in English, go to:

Australia (Sydney)
To experience being a part of Australia’s fashion scene, you can sign up for internships in fashion like in ACP magazines during your study breaks. It is a company that publishes popular women’s lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazines. Titles you might be familiar with include: CLEO, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s BAZAAR.

Singapore
Picking and polishing your English skills while you are in Singapore is highly possible. As a world class commercial city, Singapore is a cultural melting pot where you can meet Asians of other races and improve on your English as you speak with them. Fashion in Singapore is imported mainly from neighboring Asian countries and also carries multiple luxury labels from the west.

If you are looking for adventure, go to:

Thailand (Bangkok)
Bangkok is a budding fashion city that has yet to reach global acclaim. But the talents of local designers shine through their street stores, usually managed by young entrepreneurs. Craft materials are affordable – which is great news for budding designers. If you are willing to learn Thai, you can pick up a lot of pointers from the locals.

China
While studying here, you can consider sourcing for tailors and suppliers for your future boutique. Production here is one of the cheapest in the world, which will give you a lot of room for affordable practice on choice fabrics. Despite public distrust on China-made goods and designer fakes, the country is still capable of producing quality material.

At the end of the day, the best country for you to further your studies in depends on how you want to develop your portfolio.

Tags: Asian, Consider, Countries, Design, Education, Fashion

Debunking the Myth of Asian Minority Eligibility to Avail Government Grants

United States of America is the land of the free, home of the brave and likewise, allows anyone to be successful regardless of race. This is a bold statement to write, but admit it that this is true. Although President Obama has stringent measures for illegal migrants in the country, but grants are also available for legal residents.

Government grants aimed at debt relief is also open to legal residents whose race is not a factor. Asians are probably the largest population of minorities in the country. This includes Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino and other nationalities from the Asian region. Collectively they constitute Asian minorities.

They also have their own organizations according to nationality, this makes them clustered more. Small groups like this have also led to set up non-profit organizations aimed to help their kind. Like any non-profit organization, the purpose is to provide assistance to be needy but exclusive to their kind.

This type of engagement is also supported by the government. The organization knows better the culture of their race, so they how and what to service to deliver. And this is where the government has a chance to extend financial assistance though indirectly to Asian minorities.

The non-profit organizations by Asian minorities will be the one eligible for free money from the government grants aimed at debt relief. In turn, they will use such money to provide services to fellow Asians, which is in line to the purpose of the organization. Wide range of services may be offered, especially those that help in job placement and economic recovery.

Asian minorities may also avail individual grants under the same program. Access to study grants, free trainings, business venture assistance and debt counseling, may be availed by them too. Although individual grants have certain limitations, but they have a wide range of programs to choose.

Through this government program, it’s apparent that no one is really behind to fend for themselves amidst this economic crisis. So the earlier statement which comes as bold to declare can now be said to be true. Government grants aimed at debt relief is really for everyone.

***Update***
I have done a bit of research for you. These Government Grant Experts can help you get the grants you deserve by helping you get out of debt fast. You can find out if you qualify for a Government Grant for free!

Tags: Asian, Avail, Debunking, Eligibility, Government, Grants, Minority, myth

Debunking the Myth of Asian Minority Eligibility to Avail Government Grants

United States of America is the land of the free, home of the brave and likewise, allows anyone to be successful regardless of race. This is a bold statement to write, but admit it that this is true. Although President Obama has stringent measures for illegal migrants in the country, but grants are also available for legal residents.

Government grants aimed at debt relief is also open to legal residents whose race is not a factor. Asians are probably the largest population of minorities in the country. This includes Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino and other nationalities from the Asian region. Collectively they constitute Asian minorities.

They also have their own organizations according to nationality, this makes them clustered more. Small groups like this have also led to set up non-profit organizations aimed to help their kind. Like any non-profit organization, the purpose is to provide assistance to be needy but exclusive to their kind.

This type of engagement is also supported by the government. The organization knows better the culture of their race, so they how and what to service to deliver. And this is where the government has a chance to extend financial assistance though indirectly to Asian minorities.

The non-profit organizations by Asian minorities will be the one eligible for free money from the government grants aimed at debt relief. In turn, they will use such money to provide services to fellow Asians, which is in line to the purpose of the organization. Wide range of services may be offered, especially those that help in job placement and economic recovery.

Asian minorities may also avail individual grants under the same program. Access to study grants, free trainings, business venture assistance and debt counseling, may be availed by them too. Although individual grants have certain limitations, but they have a wide range of programs to choose.

Through this government program, it’s apparent that no one is really behind to fend for themselves amidst this economic crisis. So the earlier statement which comes as bold to declare can now be said to be true. Government grants aimed at debt relief is really for everyone.

***Update***
I have done a bit of research for you. These Government Grant Experts can help you get the grants you deserve by helping you get out of debt fast. You can find out if you qualify for a Government Grant for free!

Tags: Asian, Avail, Debunking, Eligibility, Government, Grants, Minority, myth

Debunking the Myth of Asian Minority Eligibility to Avail Government Grants

United States of America is the land of the free, home of the brave and likewise, allows anyone to be successful regardless of race. This is a bold statement to write, but admit it that this is true. Although President Obama has stringent measures for illegal migrants in the country, but grants are also available for legal residents.

Government grants aimed at debt relief is also open to legal residents whose race is not a factor. Asians are probably the largest population of minorities in the country. This includes Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino and other nationalities from the Asian region. Collectively they constitute Asian minorities.

They also have their own organizations according to nationality, this makes them clustered more. Small groups like this have also led to set up non-profit organizations aimed to help their kind. Like any non-profit organization, the purpose is to provide assistance to be needy but exclusive to their kind.

This type of engagement is also supported by the government. The organization knows better the culture of their race, so they how and what to service to deliver. And this is where the government has a chance to extend financial assistance though indirectly to Asian minorities.

The non-profit organizations by Asian minorities will be the one eligible for free money from the government grants aimed at debt relief. In turn, they will use such money to provide services to fellow Asians, which is in line to the purpose of the organization. Wide range of services may be offered, especially those that help in job placement and economic recovery.

Asian minorities may also avail individual grants under the same program. Access to study grants, free trainings, business venture assistance and debt counseling, may be availed by them too. Although individual grants have certain limitations, but they have a wide range of programs to choose.

Through this government program, it’s apparent that no one is really behind to fend for themselves amidst this economic crisis. So the earlier statement which comes as bold to declare can now be said to be true. Government grants aimed at debt relief is really for everyone.

***Update***
I have done a bit of research for you. These Government Grant Experts can help you get the grants you deserve by helping you get out of debt fast. You can find out if you qualify for a Government Grant for free!

Tags: Asian, Avail, Debunking, Eligibility, Government, Grants, Minority, myth

Debunking the Myth of Asian Minority Eligibility to Avail Government Grants

United States of America is the land of the free, home of the brave and likewise, allows anyone to be successful regardless of race. This is a bold statement to write, but admit it that this is true. Although President Obama has stringent measures for illegal migrants in the country, but grants are also available for legal residents.

Government grants aimed at debt relief is also open to legal residents whose race is not a factor. Asians are probably the largest population of minorities in the country. This includes Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino and other nationalities from the Asian region. Collectively they constitute Asian minorities.

They also have their own organizations according to nationality, this makes them clustered more. Small groups like this have also led to set up non-profit organizations aimed to help their kind. Like any non-profit organization, the purpose is to provide assistance to be needy but exclusive to their kind.

This type of engagement is also supported by the government. The organization knows better the culture of their race, so they how and what to service to deliver. And this is where the government has a chance to extend financial assistance though indirectly to Asian minorities.

The non-profit organizations by Asian minorities will be the one eligible for free money from the government grants aimed at debt relief. In turn, they will use such money to provide services to fellow Asians, which is in line to the purpose of the organization. Wide range of services may be offered, especially those that help in job placement and economic recovery.

Asian minorities may also avail individual grants under the same program. Access to study grants, free trainings, business venture assistance and debt counseling, may be availed by them too. Although individual grants have certain limitations, but they have a wide range of programs to choose.

Through this government program, it’s apparent that no one is really behind to fend for themselves amidst this economic crisis. So the earlier statement which comes as bold to declare can now be said to be true. Government grants aimed at debt relief is really for everyone.

***Update***
I have done a bit of research for you. These Government Grant Experts can help you get the grants you deserve by helping you get out of debt fast. You can find out if you qualify for a Government Grant for free!

Tags: Asian, Avail, Debunking, Eligibility, Government, Grants, Minority, myth

Scholarships for Dads Program for the Asian Minority Men

Many of the legal residents of this country are Asians; the reasons for being here are usually because of work. Unfortunately there also Asians living adjacent in which their educational qualification doesn’t fit to the American job market. What they don’t’ know is that they too have access to scholarship programs. In case of Asian fathers, they can avail of the scholarship for the dad program to pursue an education.

This opportunity to go back to school is also open to them. Race is not an issue as long as they are legal residents. They only need to be a father to be eligible whether single or married. Such opportunity is so easy to avail, for any program of studies they desire. What’s important is it would help them achieve financial stability after getting the right education for the right job.

There are many husbands of Asian nurses that are currently under-employed, since they were brought here through their wife visa. And these are the very fathers that need this program. Although some of them are already educated from their country of origin, but perhaps it doesn’t suit here. For instance, if he’s been an engineer before, in the U.S., he is not.

However, he can pursue an engineering education that sorts of credit his previous degree taken at this country. And after awhile graduate and takes an exam to practice engineering in one of the states of this country. All these will be realized if he avails of the scholarships for the dad program.

He should take advantage of this offering, because the parameter on eligibility is still lenient. These men should make use the time they’re here, by making themselves useful to a field they can excel. Going back to school under the American educational system could just open more doors for them.

It’s no use of wasting their time under-employed when they have knowledge and skills to boast. The right credential can be corrected by simply availing of the scholarship for the dad program. There’s nothing to lose here, because it’s free, and they are not tied to any return service. After finishing school, they can simply move on with their lives, find that job that compensates for their educational attainment.

**Update**

Did you know you can get a $10,000 scholarship for Dads just for registering? Apply right now for free at: Scholarships for Dads.

Tags: Asian, Dads, Minority, Program, Scholarships