The Middle- East and the U.S - Research Paper Example

The Middle- East and the U.S: A hunt for noble outlook  Introduction:  Development is the continuous amelioration or augmentation through a series of dynamic changes. It is the way of expansion of any particular project or area by enhancing the quality. One way of development is the community development.   Meaning:  By community development we mean a development with a planned arbitration that provides the communities greater command over the circumstances that influence their lives. This does not provide remedies and solutions to all types of problems that are associated with the local associations but it boosts up one’s mind to face the worse situations and to embark upon with the cases (Community Development, n.d.).Community development is involved with the local associations rather than individuals or families. The community sector comprises of a wide variety of local organizations that represent communities at local zone. This development procedure needs much skill and unless the communities are co-operating, they cannot be helped out. Community development has to be judged from two perspectives- one is the level of performance of the communities at the grass root level and other is how the institutions are catering to the needs of the local organizations. It is a collective process by which the members get together and solve out any problems. Irrespective of the size of the community the ideal community development should be long- term undertaking, very meticulously planned, all-encompassing and impartial, comprehensive and accommodated into a bigger framework, acknowledged and approved by the community members, beneficial to the community as a whole and rooted with experience which can bring out best possible situation. Community development not only includes financial resources but also other resources like natural, infrastructural and human resources. A community development can occur only when a challenge comes up and it shows positive response to it, community members unite themselves to form a power and benefit themselves, there is an urge to create strong ground, and when the change in this dynamic world is accepted by the community members. As community development is activating, it is better to chalk out a plan to provide conveyance and adapt to the changes which comes out of it. For building support, the first approach needs to be creating awareness among people and make them understand the basic requirements of the community and how it will be a boon to the commons. Committing to any long- term procedure is not an easy method, general people may find confusing about the concept of community development thus, the need for the first approach is required. A question arises who should be involved in this procedure. The persons who share their perceptions and assets are to be the part of community development. The process can be viewed from a broader perspective whether it is environmental, social or economic concerns. It should be ensured that all the cultures, traditions and interests are respected to promote harmony among the society members. Not all the plans require formal set-up. Many positive responses have been achieved through provisional processes. On the other hand, it has been noticed that many promising projects have failed due to poor strategy or no plan. The plans of the projects vary from situation to situation depending on the framework of the process and the resources involved into the project. Hence, development process can be made successful only if there is a common perception and a common objective (The Community Development handbook, n.d.).    The Middle- East and the U.S: A hunt for novel outlook    Now we will discuss the issues relating to the Middle- East Countries and how the community development of those countries is vital for a developed country like U.SA. The Middle-East countries are those countries which stretch over south-western Asia to North- Eastern Africa. The lists of Middle-East countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (List of Middle East Countries, n.d.). The Middle East has been the arena of catastrophic events in recent years which accommodates three wars since 1980. These wars were Iran-Iraq war which started in the year 1980 and lasted till 1988; the Israeli aggression towards Lebanon in the year 1982 and United States declared war against Iraq in the year 1991. These wars not only had a tremendous adverse impact on Iran, Iraq and Lebanon but also it ensured involvement of United States with these three countries. The region provides the most vital source of the world’s supply of energy but this region has been the most crucial area in the history of the world. Due to various causes whether it has been geographical, political, ethical, historical, ideological, economic or diplomatic, the entanglement of U.S. is a point of discussion. The U.S. economy is directly or indirectly affected by the economic crisis arising out of this region. In recent times the sensitive relationship between U.S. and Middle- East have been mirrored by means of many events like U.S. attack in Persian Gulf,  Iran-Contra incident, hijackings, bombing of US. On Libya, etc. Still the U.S. considers these countries to be the symbol of racism, brutalism and despotism. In context of education only few people are blessed with formal education and others are deprived of basic education of history, geography and culture. In early 1970s U.S. economy had the command over its military and used it to dominate the other nations. The prevailing conservativeness of the U.S. economy needs to be ruled out and they should also learn to respect to cultures of other nations and also adopt the viewpoints of other nations. Thus extra effort is required from U.S. government’s side to promote global education and advance negotiations and analyze disputes and try to resolve them. The existing interim between Middle East analysis and foreign policy procedures must be linked by increasing communication between the two. The education in these countries needs to be revamped to express cultural diversities and mutual understanding as well as development in global economy. However, there is always a huge void between the proclamation and genuine policy. As for instance the U.S. had made contradictory judgment regarding the Arab- Israeli conflict. Hegemony in this region remains the essence of the Western dominion the Middle- East. The Persian Gulf crisis and the alliance of the Soviet Union with the United States against Iraq changed the acumen of the Americans towards the Soviet partially. The Persian Gulf crisis did not generate any meaningful and eternal commotion in the oil markets although Iraq and Kuwait had stopped its production of oil. U.S. interference in the Persian Gulf crisis had lead to an increment in the price of oil. The United States led aggressive war against Iraq which destroyed Iraq completely. U.S. Middle East policy had also many other illusions like ignorance of economic, cultural diversity. The dispute between Palestine and Israel in regard to land and water has been the core area of collision since times immemorial. Procurement and command over the resources is crucial for accomplishing Palestinian autonomy and for abiding and maintaining harmony with Israel. Palestinians met with the abduction and devastation of land, water resources and properties, the amplification of roadways and habitation and Israel independently continued to outline its borders (Amirahmadi, 1993).    The Initiatives and the Programs Undertaken:  There are much advancement taken by various organizations and institutions. One such organization is HANDS. Founded in 1989, it is one of the U.S. charitable institutions which cover the gap between the residents of Egypt and the U.S. It also believes in bringing socio- economic stability in the Egyptian countries. They help to actualize an environment where democratic morals and beliefs can prosper and those exposed to extremist doctrine find amicable and fruitful methods of chasing their ambitions of life. The query commences that why it is necessary to focus on the development of Egypt. Egypt is considered to be one of the largest countries in the Middle East; however, it had to suffer many socio- economic issues. One of the largest and the most influential countries in the Middle East, Egypt faces numerous social and economic challenges to advance and ensure for a bright future (HANDS along the Nile Development Services, n.d.) The communities need to be authorized to handle their own issues through forming associations and make correct decisions by self- reliance. Simultaneously, the United States need to cultivate healthy relationships with the Middle East. Engrossing with the community leaders of Egypt is necessary for both our countries to understand each other. HANDS looks for building partnerships between U.S. and Egypt people to amplify intercultural comprehension and to bolster Egyptians in their attempt to elevate the quality of life in their land for all the individuals. The HANDS program on “Insight Trip” has acquainted the U.S. and the other tourists to the history of Egyptian civilization and also the culture and heritage and the people of Egypt. A program named “American- Egyptian Dialogue” have been established to agglomerate the leaders of both the communities to analyze different visions, discuss and share the common points and adopt the distinctive and admiring views of other culture. In addition to this, HANDS also endeavor educational opportunities for the organizations wanting them to know more about the Egyptian culture. It also enables the Americans to “touch” the country by allowing them to purchase the handicrafts made by women through the project of Association of the Protection of the Environment. These sales of handicrafts are a part of daily activity in United States. HANDS also facilitate in building up community developments between America and Egypt (Overview of Our Work, n.d.).  The programs which have been launched by HANDS are:- 1. Village Partnerships is a program with which HANDS has been engaged for eight years. It is a program started to strive against the child labour in Salam city, Cairo. This program is initiated to provide better future for the rural and the urban slum dwellers in context of health, shelter, basic amenities, education and a better environment to live in. In association with Egyptian partner institution, CEOSS, HANDS has attempted to fight against child labour. In the under developed area in Cairo, about 5000 manufacturing plant have been set up to employ nearly 20,000 children providing them a hazardous working environment plus the children are mistreated by their employees and their opportunities to learn are narrowed down. This project focuses on improving the quality of life of these children by means of several program like re- enrollment in school, classes for children who are unable to come down to school, ensuring health services and checkups, etc. (Village Partnership: Combating Child Labor in Salam City, Cairo, n.d.). 2. Medical Mission program has been set up in 2007 in collaboration with CEOSS. The objective was to organize new joint ventures between these two countries’ medical authorities in order to achieve a better health care in far- flung areas of Egypt. Some other projects are like Community Eye Care Center in Minia, Upper Egypt, Center for Geriatric Services, Cairo, Center for Hope and a Cure, Alexandria, Cairo Presbyterian Medical Center, The American Hospital of Tanta, and Green Pastures Society Medical Center (Health care, n.d.) 3. Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE): literacy and job-skills training center for women, Cairo is a program to preserve the environment as well as this program ensures betterment of the people who works and stays in the dump areas known as “Garbage Cities” which is a source of their livelihood. This program proposes free educational training for the females of these families who are engaged in income generation. The other social service program includes Fairhaven School for the Handicapped, Alexandria, Lillian Trasher Orphanage, Assiut, Think and Do Micro Credit Loan Program, Village of Hope Center for the Mentally Challenged, Alexandria, and Fagalla Community Outreach (Programs in Egypt Social Services, n.d.). 4. The Forum for Intercultural Dialogue (FID), started in 1992 by the Coptic (Evangelical) Presbyterian Organization for Social Services is a resolution program which is supported by HANDS. This program facilitates in advocating democracy, scientific thinking to foster economic development which will bring in modernization in the society of Egypt (Conflict Resolution and Prevention, n.d.). 5. Some other spiritual development programs have been brought into light such as Retreat/Conference Centers: Beit El Salaam, The New Minia Development Project, Kasr El Dobarah, The Khasha’a Project; Church Renovation Projects; Christian Leadership Development: Evangelical (Presbyterian) Theological Seminary in Cairo, Synod of the Nile High School Youth Committee (Spiritual Development, n.d.). The Grassroots International, the international organization dealing with the human rights and development, sustained community-based affiliations by providing them with vital labor and forwarding rights to land, food and water through their joint ventures with the associations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories which comprises of the West bank, the Gaza strip and the East Jerusalem. It tries to help out Palestine in their struggle for freedom and justice with peaceful cooperation. Positive acclamation has been shown by the partners of Grassroots International during the crisis and they use various measures like urban horticulture in the refugee camps of the Gaza strip, stop the non-violent disapproval of the Wall Campaign against the Separation Wall, acclaiming the deserving projects of the Union of Agricultural Committee. Medical belongings are supplied to the Palestinian Medical relief Society in the times of crisis. They have common objective of safeguarding the rights of Palestinians and ensuring liberty and justice within the global surrounding. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) looks after the rights, the breach and also preserve. One of the instances is that the fishermen of Gaza Strip had been permitted fishing to the fishing spots of Mediterranean. The Union of Agricultural Work Committee is entitled to help the Palestinian peasants particularly the women to maintain their cultivable land and increase the women participation rate and economically enhance the community life. Though agriculture has been the keystone of the economy of Palestine, the farmers incur losses by decrease in their income and consumption. This economic downfall compels the Palestinian families to depend upon the international food alleviation. The Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) has initiated a program to acquire food for undernourished people from the Palestinian peasants so as to afford the farmers with the basic income. The Palestinian citizens of Israel always face huge problems in obtaining the minority rights and having the complete citizenship regardless of the discrimination. The Ahali Center for Community Development in Nazareth is responsible for training 21 women's groups to generate self-earnings through projects and institutions and also upholds the interests of Arab peasants in Israel. A well balanced U.S. policy is required to strengthen the Palestinian rights. The regard for these interests will help U.S. to effectuate the backbone in the Middle East (Middle East, n.d.). The program of the Grassroots International with joint venture with Palestine and Israel includes: 1. Ahali Centre for Community Development. 2. Gaza Community Mental Health Program (GCMHP). 3. Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC). 4. Palestinian Centre for Human rights (PCHR). 5. Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS). 6. Rural Women’s Development Society (RWDS). 7. Stop the Wall Campaign 8. Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC).    Corollary:   Thus building up new relationships with the country of Egypt is very crucial for United States in order to promote peace and economic development for both the countries as a whole. Through these varied programs, one can foresee the Middle East nations to prosper in the coming years and get out of the agitated situations.          References: 1. American-Egyptian Dialogue (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/program/AED.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 2. Amirahmadi, H (1993). The United States and the Middle East: A Search for New Perspectives, SUNY Press, US 3. Community Development (n.d.). available at: http://maaori.com/develop/commwhat.html (Accessed on June 6, 2009) 4. Conflict Resolution and Prevention (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/program/ConflictResolutionandPrevention.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 5. HANDS along the Nile Development Services (n.d.), available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/aboutus/index.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 6. Health care (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/program/HealthCare.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 7. History (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/aboutus/MissionandHistory.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 8. Insight Trips (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at:  http://www.handsalongthenile.org/program/InsightTrips.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 9. List of Middle East Countries (n.d.). The University of Edinburgh  Scholarships and student Finance Office, available at: http://www.scholarships.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/internat/middle_east.htm (Accessed on June 6, 2009) 10. Middle East (n.d.). Grassroots International, available at: http://www.grassrootsonline.org/where-we-work/middle-east (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 11. Overview of Our Work (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/aboutus/OverviewofOurWork.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 12. Programs in Egypt Social Services (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/program/SocialServices.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 13. Spiritual Development (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/program/SpiritualDevelopmentReligious.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) 14. The Community Development handbook. A tool to build community capacity (n.d.) available at: http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/MP33-13-1999E.pdf (Accessed on June 6, 2009) 15. Village Partnership: Combating Child Labor in Salam City, Cairo (n.d.). HANDS along the Nile Development Services, available at: http://www.handsalongthenile.org/program/VillagePartners.htm (Accessed on June 8, 2009) Read More