Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the city planning approaches in Amsterdam and the United States.

From the Paper
"In this paper I will discuss city planning in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in an historical and cross-cultural context. For those of us who have certain unconscious assumptions about what cities are and can be biased on our acquaintance with our own urban areas, studying urban planning trends in Europe and elsewhere can be a revelation. In a nutshell, the dominant influence on American city planning (or lack thereof) has been the automobile. It matters that our cities are primarily auto storage depots, observes James Howard..."

Tags:city, planning, Amsterdam, Holland

Abstract
This fourth year undergraduate environmental studies paper discusses sustainable development in Amsterdam.

From the Paper
"Sustainable development has become one of the most prevalent concepts in environmental policy planning. The original concept was conceived in a report by the World Commission on Environment and Development. The report defines sustainable development as, "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own" (WCED 1987: 43). This relatively simple concept has become one of the most important concepts in environmental policy. Almost every non-government organization (NGO), governmental organization, academic and extra-governmental organization uses the term sustainable development in their policy statements."

Tags:sustainable, development, amsterdam

Abstract
This paper discusses the European Union, an organization of European countries dedicated to increasing economic integration and strengthening cooperation among its members.

Tags:treaty, amsterdam

Abstract
In this article the writer describes two different cities. the writer compares and contrasts the two cities of Sydney, Australia and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The writer discusses characteristics of each place and in particular, notes the casual style of the Australians and the sophistication of Amsterdam.

From the Paper
"Sydney, Australia is a very laid-back city in every way. The accent is on casual with shorts and shirt-sleeves everywhere. Even the doctors making their rounds in the hospitals wear shorts. On the beaches its speedos and string bikinis. Casual dining is most popular, but there are more formal dining places if one prefers. The favorite drink is beer consumed in enormous quantities by almost everyone of drinking age. Pubs are open at ... "

Tags:Sydney, Amsterdam

Abstract
The paper describes the reasons for the attraction of young British people to Amsterdam where sex and drugs are freely available.The paper concludes that it is undoubtedly apparent that the underlying factor that appears to provoke young British tourists visiting Amsterdam are directly related to the flourishing array of sex and drugs found throughout the city. The paper includes several different graphs, charts, and tables.

Outline:
Introduction
Amsterdam; Characteristics Set Apart
Drug Use
Drug-Use Deaths in Amsterdam
Sex, British and Amsterdam
Perceptions toward British Tourists
Questionnaires
Argument
Research Methods
Data Analysis
Charts and Graphs
Results
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Be it true that the lure of sex and drugs is what entices the young individuals of British descent to visit Amsterdam; concern may lay heavy in the dangers exposed to those who are predominantly young and engage in these common practices throughout the Dutch city. In any instance of drug use or sexual behavior, there are indefinite susceptibilities to the transmission of diseases. As HIV and AIDS are among the most dangerous for anyone to contract, the spreading of such diseases must be considered as highly potential threats to these tourists."

Tags:sex, drugs, red-light', district, sex-tourism, industry

Abstract
The paper summarizes the Schuurman et al.'s research study "The Outcome of Anxiety Disorders in Older People at 6-year Follow-up Results from Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam" that was an examination of the long-term consequences of late-life anxiety disorders and patient's utilization of mental health care services. The paper offers a brief description of the abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion and Schuurman et al.'s conclusions. The paper also includes the main points of the study and then concludes with this author's personal reactions to the research findings.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Brief Description of the Abstract
Brief Description of the Introduction
Brief Description of Method
Brief Description of Results
Brief Description of Discussion
Brief Description of Conclusion
Personal Reactions to the Study

From the Paper
"The objective of Schuurman et al.'s (2005) study was an examination of the long-term consequences of late-life anxiety disorders and patient's utilization of mental health care services. To address these areas, the researchers interviewed a group of subjects, over the age of 55, that had an anxiety disorder, identified in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. The rate of persistence and prognostic factors for persistence of anxiety were established, at a 6-year follow up study. It was discovered that patients with a high incidence of neuroticism were at a greater risk of anxiety persistence, despite efforts to enhance appropriate referral of older adults suffering from anxiety."

Tags:neuroticism, depression, remission

Abstract
This paper explains that the careful planning, which goes into the strategic plan, is based on numbers and statistics and does not allow room for external and internal environmental factors, such as competition and fluctuations in the growth of the businesses for which Randstad North America provides staffing. The author points that an alternative to the present process may be to hold strategic planning meetings more than once a year to gain more control over the day-to-day happenings in the North American division and to give Randstad Holdings an opportunity to implement the practices that have been successful in the European growth. The paper suggests that another alternative to the process may be to split the two divisions completely, similar to the policy practiced by Robert Half, which would eliminate the cultural problems that exist in the company.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Background and History of Randstad/ Randstad North America
Current Strategic Planning and Management Process
Key Issues in the Strategic Planning and Management Process
Probable Causes of the Issues
Possible Alternatives to Solve the Issues Including Advantages and Disadvantages
Solution and Development of Plan of Action
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The managing directors provide the initial research about a markets potential and initial research into what organizations are in an area to support Randstad. The marketing team then does demographic research and forecasting into the growth potential of the companies Randstad intends to recruit in a particular area, again to answer the question can we sustain an office in this area? Is the staffing demand going to grow with these companies? The district manager is expected to meet the expected growth expectations laid out by corporate. The district manager has an opportunity to provide input into the plan by researching the area and providing information on the environmental factors, competition, regional concerns and economics. The district manager is in the environment while corporate is not; so corporate relies on the district managers to report what is going on in the external environment."

Tags:robert, alternatives, growth, culture, research

Abstract
This paper discusses the different political, religious, social, economic and philosophic reasons for Spinoza's excommunication from the Jewish community on July 27,1656. It explores the origins of the phrase "harem" or ban which had power during medieval times to transform a deviant or defiant member of the community into a social pariah to be shunned and excluded. It examines Spinoza's apparent indifference towards the traditional community and how his failure to respond in the normal way of repenting and returning to the synagogue shows his complete and total break with the Jewish community.

From the Paper
"The leaders of the community may have also wanted to send a message to their Dutch neighbors that the Jewish community did not have an affinity or would not harbor any Cartesians. The conflict over Descartes philosophy was rampant in Dutch universities and had spread throughout the land. (Nadler, 150-151) "The excommunication of an apparent "Cartesian" by the ma'amad" could have been a signal to the authorities that subversive philosophy was no more tolerated in the Talmud Torah synagogue than it was in the province of Holland at large." (Nadler 152-153) However, these political and economic arguments are both weak considering that many of the other excommunicants were banned under political and economic considerations as well, and they did not receive the harsh treatment nor the vicious herem formula received by Spinoza."

Tags:synagogue, pariah

From the Paper
"Why MNEs Locate in Particular Cities: An Analysis Based On The Advantages To MNEs of the Relevant Characteristics of Nine European Cities
Introduction
This research examines the motivations of multinational enterprises (MNEs) to locate subsidiaries in particular global cities. The nine European cities that provide the basis for this examination are as follow: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Berlin, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; Budapest, Hungary; London, United Kingdom; Munich, Germany; Paris, France; Prague, Czech Republic; and Vienna, Austria.


A widely accepted premise is that firms expand to foreign markets in order to exploit the monopoly they possess over rent-yielding advantages such as economies of scale, and..."

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that France will take the presidency of the European Union (EU) from July to December 2008. Priorities during this period include a "common pact on immigration and asylum" , which aims towards a greater harmonisation in these fields, but which does not mention enforcing a better respect of human rights. The writer points out that this issue triggers questions about the role of the EU as a global player in the field of human rights. Indeed, asylum - which refers to the protection granted by a foreign country to a person persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in its own country - is per se linked to human rights. However, current EU policies tend to criminalize migrants trying to enter and settle in "Fortress Europe", disregarding their reasons for migrating. The writer discusses that a new trend has recently been development in the management of asylum procedures: third countries have been listed as "safe", which implicitly means that they should not produce refugees and therefore that nationals of such countries who would yet claim asylum might not been "genuine" refugees. One can then wonder why the EU implements such a principle and what are the consequences on the new asylum procedures, as far as human rights are concerned. In this essay, the writer focuses on the implementation of the principle of "safe third countries" in the EU and the criticisms it raises.

Outline:
INTRODUCTION
I. CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAFE THIRD COUNTRY PRINCIPLE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON COMMON ASYLUM POLICIES AT EU LEVEL
1. International Legislation
2. EU Legislation
Before the Amsterdam Treaty (1999)
The Amsterdam Treaty
The Tampere Treaty and its Aftermath
The Hague Program (2004)
B. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE NOTION OF SAFE THIRD COUNTRIES
1. Justification of the Principle of "safe third country"
2. European Vision of Safe Third Countries
Uses of Safe Third Country Principle in Europe
II. CRITIC OF THE SAFE THIRD COUNTRY PRINCIPLE
A. LEGALITY OF SAFE THIRD COUNTRY LISTS
1. Human Rights Issues in "safe" Third Countries
2. A Breach in the Geneva Convention?
B. NEGATIVE IMPACTS AND COUNTER-ACTIONS TAKEN BY NGOS TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS PRINCIPLE
1. Consequences of the Implementation of Safe Third Countries Principle
In the "Old Europe": Decreasing Rates of Asylum Claims in France
A New Burden for Bordering Countries of the EU and EU's Neighbours
2. Counter-strike of NGOS: Case Forum Refugies vs. OFPRA
CONCLUSION
Bibliography

From the Paper
"To deal with asylum, it is necessary to remind some basic points of the Convention. Firstly, according to the 1951 Geneva Convention, to be granted refugee status, an asylum seek must lodge his/her claim in the State s/he wants to be recognize by, that is to say, s/he must have physical access to the territory of this State to start a procedure in which the validity of his/her claims can be assessed. Secondly, it is up to each State party to the convention to interpret the convention at its own discrepancy. Some States can be criticized for rejecting many asylum claims but that does not prove in itself a violation of the Convention, but rather a very strict interpretation. Thirdly, we need to remind ourselves that returning to their country of origin rejected asylum seekers and generally all irregular migrants not in need of protection is a difficult challenge. The procedures of detention, deportation and readmission have not been addressed by the 1951 Convention. Such measures depend on national or EU rules, but still should comply with international human rights standards. Both the overstaying and the removal of rejected asylum seekers create problems in terms of credibility and integrity of asylum systems. This is part of a wider debate on the balance of international cooperation and solidarity and control of migration fluxes."

Tags:states, rights, global, refugees