Deborah Sampson Accomplishments

Danes happy together

On 14 September, Joseph Stiglitz presented "Report on the measurement of economic performance and social progress" to his partner, Nicolas Sarkozy. Objective of the exercise (for the G20 of Pittsburgh): enabling nations and international organizations to take greater account of human and social dimensions in the assessment of economies. Very good. A bit silly, when Similarly, from the French president bling bling.

therefore Focus on humans. Focus on, as Justin would say, "true values". This time, recent academic studies, ranking countries according to their degree of happiness of their people were taken out of drawers. World Magazine leaned way, September 19th, the Danish world champions of happiness.

First observation: there are well-is it a surprise? - A correlation between material well-being and happiness. The four countries with the most people happy, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and Iceland-have thriving economies (for Iceland, things are a bit spoiled since) and are respectively 9 ^th , 6 ^th , 20 ^th and 10 ^th ranking GNP / capita.

But the correlation Wealth / Happiness is not perfect. Bahamians, the Bhutanese and the Costa Ricans, ranked 5 ^th , 8 ^th and 13 ^th in the hit parade of happiness, seem not to "live evil" their relative poverty. Conversely, the strongest economies do not necessarily reflect the conditions of happiness: see Germany, France and Japan, ranked 90 ^th .

A multiplicity of factors explain the gap in a report, no doubt, very complex. One of these factors is particularly highlighted by Laurent Carpentier's World : social cohesion, the feeling, more or less strong, belonging to the nation. Amusing to note in this regard that all countries experiencing high ratting happiness kind of isolation: islands or peninsulas, a country nestled in the mountains, isolated countries institutionally.

The Danes therefore the happiest: strong welfare state and economy, security and respect, esteem, and most importantly, the fact of living among compatriots. The thesis of this couple listened, former minister and influential columnist, is explicit: "The happy Danes, a cohesion issue." Cohesion valuable fortunately preserved by a massive reduction of immigration flows, which became unbearable during the 90s (sic). It feels good because it is between us, we share the same values (resic). Henrik Dahl, a sociologist more critical, saying the same thing in reverse: "I'm afraid it's the old version-that of mechanical solidarity that is not beyond the realm of similar people-which prevails here. The Danes are a tribe. "

Denmark, Switzerland, Austria ... with their own cities and pretty, their green building advanced security into their streets, their efficient public transport, ... right-thinking societies, where difference is tolerated tip lips; countries said nationalism where good electoral results of populist and extreme right reflect a tendency to isolationism.

People so happy.

Disturbing.

Etiquette Congratulate Baby

Javaux not Jannin

I hate when politicians take stage, simply because I do not like politics show.

Jean-Michel Javaux, the charismatic co-president of Ecolo, just posted a video simulating a kidnapping. He does know, on Facebook and Twitter: A teaser for the benefit of a rock band friend, a wink, to take the tenth degree, no doubt. The problem the fact is that, as shown by misadventure Hortefeux, only counts the first degree.

Any removal is traumatic for the victim, his relatives, witnesses. I read this was the story of Clara Rojas, former inmate of the FARC. This weekend, De Morgen recounted sequestration by Taliban by Stephen Farrell, a journalist from NYT. Similar situations, less spectacular, less dramatic, occur every day and cause the same type of suffering.

Simulate "to laugh", hostage taking, gives an impression of lightness, lack of empathy. And from a policy, it's embarrassing.

Some may laugh at everything (Jannin, Kroll, ...) it is accepted because they represent only themselves. Then, casually, they respect the limits they set themselves.

Jean-Michel Javaux represents its voters his commune, more broadly, with colleagues chairmen of other political parties, the French electorate as a whole. What views and positions are decided is not a problem. By cons, his "doings" must be consensual, not offend any sensibility, precisely because it seeks to cover everyone.

Eric Fottorino, director of the World concluded his editorial this weekend in these terms: "Brice Hortefeux has forgotten that a minister must represent at each instant the values of the Republic. And measuring each word that may contain disrespect, violence and humiliation. " Relatively speaking, the board seems relevant here too.

can be in politics, with a certain detachment and a certain humor. See our first (now, not the last!). Not necessary to do so-and undesirable-indeed stepping on the policy stage show.

Stylist Blogger Templates

Another street is possible, Mr. Speaker.

In recent weeks, residents and pedestrians from the street from Flanders to Brussels found Jeroen Peters, squatter's No. 100. The opinions posted on the window of the building of the eighteenth century Property neglected by CPAS for ten years, telling his story. The video "The delicate balance" posted on www.vimeo.com can find out more.

Initially an occupation "without right or title" but by dint of hard work and investment, Peters opened an original space, "T'Evenwicht / The Balance" , art gallery like no other meeting place open to neighbors and the needy. Some artists display; homeless live there. Openings and social meal after another.

But now, "T'Evenwicht / The Balance" is not in the plans of the CPAS, whose president Yvan Mayeur (PS), announced that the squatter and his guests should vacate to make way for a commercial ground floor and housing, after a demolition / reconstruction. An expulsion decision is rendered. The district takes action in favor of maintaining the balance.

is where we are today.

My question: a dynamic and flexible administration is possible?

The institutional logic would like this: democratic bodies anticipate and plan, individual decisions arising from this general framework as is needed, no question of departing from it. Exit therefore Jeroen.

A teleological approach - which focuses on the purpose-consider the issue from another angle. We know that the best social symbioses are of spontaneous origin. The best urban planners and sociologists have good planning and harmonious social mix, their plans are not enough. Put more simply: how planners do not dream of seeing emerge in their ideal city art gallery with a social, open to its urban environment? The kind of companies that can not be decreed, that social workers can not invent, but which arise from a competition happy circumstances, a magical personality, history, motivation, strength and meeting with a place, at one point.

course, the project is outside the conventional patterns and administrative evaluation of its social contribution is not something easy (it can also be said for conventional initiatives). But again, the public interest must also be able to gauge outside the usual measuring instruments.

My purpose here is not to say "Jeroen must remain" but to ask the question: Is the CPAS can actually measure the contribution to the city and its inhabitants spontaneous social that place? Can he, on the basis of this assessment, differ-if-track purely administrative leaving the initiative to deploy and inventing a framing device appropriate? The question is obviously more general public management dynamic is possible? Are the authorities able to make room for voluntary initiatives, adding value to society, when they emerge?

Yvan Mayeur, president of the CPAS and Socialist member of Parliament, recently took over its account, with Jean Cornil, the slogan "another world is possible", he added later: "We must dare to challenge production patterns that threaten the quality of life. "

could start here and now, simply.