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Nigeria is poised towards effective environmental policy

In 1987, toxic waste was unlawfully dumped in Delta State Nigeria through the local Koko seaport. The culprit was an Italian businessman, Gianfrance Raffaelli who had imported them under the false pretence that they were industrial materials.
Immediate public outcry motivated the military government to evacuate the toxic waste from the area. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency was decreed in 1988 to look into the managing and regulation of harmful waste, and it has later been repealed and replaced with a more effective and environmentally oriented National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency(NESREA) in 2007.
NESREA is poised towards conserving the environment through a process of sustainable development. Its aims are natural resources and soil conservation,water resources managment to control shortages, land degradation and pollution, and to protect Nigeria's wildlife from deforestation as a result of timber felling and accidental fires. while its institutional and legal framework exist, NESREA is faced with the problems of not having adequate baseline of information and data, and the necessary manpower to undertake its mandate.

Out and about

by KC Bosco

With the fall semester in full swing, there’s also plenty going outside the classroom with which to engage the gray matter, plus loads of ways to keep in shape and just chill out. When it comes to the arts, there’s never a dull moment. Here are the highlights of some upcoming events, places to go, and also what to do in Budapest this autumn. Remember, always have your student ID card with you as it saves some cash.

Lovers of live performances should head for the The Palace of Arts for classical music, opera, jazz, which also excels in fine arts. There are reductions for students who just need to present his/her student ID and be at the concert venue or event one hour before the commencement time. You can get more information by contacting The Palace of Arts: www.mupa.hu/eng or e-mail: info@mupa.hu.

On October 10th at Hole Club, the WAMP Sunday Art Market will be showcasing contemporary Hungarian design from jewelry to textiles and ceramics. This marks a great opportunity for students to buy truly Hungarian design stuff for very reasonable prices. You can window shop if you want, there’s no harm in that. For further information log-on to www.wamp.hu.

The Hungarian National Gallery at the Buda Palace has an impressive collection all the way from the medieval and renaissance stone carvings to 20^th century works. There is an exhibition currently going on there (until February 2011) entitled “The collection within The Collection”. It is about illustration and advertising design as shown in a collection of prints and drawings, which deals with print making and drawings associated with the art of printing in early 20^th century Hungary with works from famous artists like Mihaly Biro, Sandor Bortnyik, and Zsuzsa Beck.

If you are a movie fan, then get on board the movie train at Palace Cinemas. They have the latest films from Hollywood and the rest of the world. Most of the movies are translated into Hungarian but you can find the latest English movies at Mom Park on the Buda side and Westend City Center on the Pest side. There are discounts for students. Do not miss the controversial new movie about the founding of Facebook called “The social network”. So, get your cold drinks and popcorn ready, it is going to be a long ride. For information regarding the latest movies log-on to www.palacecinemas.hu/eng.

There’s a great variety of recreation for students available in Budapest, especially at weekends. Skateboarding, roller-skating, playing tennis, football and bowling are just for starters. There’s are nice bowling alleys at the Mammut Plaza on the 2nd floor; and the Strike Bowling Club at Budafoki ut 111-113. One can also carefully skateboard at the picturesque Heroes Square and around the City Park, or go to Gorzenal: at III Arpad fejedelem utca 46. Tennis lovers can choose from countless good quality tennis courts in Budapest, while the game can be played all through the year. In the summer a court can cost just HUF 2000 to rent per hour, while in the winter it is somewhat more expensive.

Szabó Ervin Könyvtár

by Chaili Beite

Can’t concentrate at home? Is your roommate too noisy? Do you need books for further reference? These are some of the problems that college students encounter when they try to work at home. It may seem difficult to find a library that is: near the college campus; rich in resource books in Hungarian, English and other languages; and one where you can also study for free. The Szabó Ervin Könyvtár, which is Budapest’s central and largest library, more than satisfies all these requirements, plus it’s a stunning setting that’s rich in history and a real architectural beauty.  

The Szabó Ervin Könyvtár has on its shelves 800,000 children’s and adult books, more than 1,000 foreign and Hungarian magazines and newspapers, and 40,000 audiovisual and digital documents. The seven floor library is also divided into different sections. On each floor there are books, books, DVDs, and CD in different languages. Each floor has also got a different layout and structure.

On the ground floor the collection of videos and DVDs (films), CD-ROMs for language learning, encyclopedias, and popular science material are to be found. You can also find various music CDs, novels in various categories, the latest handbooks or references on law and business. The buffet is at the entrance of the library should you get hungry from all that reading and studying.

The children’s section is on the first floor. On the second floor there are a wide range of books about different subjects from general subjects, to natural science and history. On each subject there is also a subdivision such as social science, pedagogy in general education, history of pedagogy, and higher education. There is also an Internet room where you can use word, excel and surf the internet for a charge.

The reading room of literature and linguistics is located on the third floor. This is also where you can discover books about literature and the history of literature, as well as the latest dictionaries. The library also offers several literary works on CD and video recordings of theatre performances.

The general reading room is on the fourth floor for those who want to use the encyclopedia, reference sources and handbooks, biographies, as well as materials for history. There are also over 200 Hungarian and foreign periodical publications, weekly and daily papers which also extend to the fifth floor. English, and other foreign language books are mixed in with Hungarian books.

The 106 year old building designed by Count Frigyes Wenckheim was once called the Wenckheim palace, now the building is known as the Central Library of Budapest and Szabó Ervin Könyvtár. The historic details of the building may be hard to describe with words , but on the fourth floor there are still remains of the old palace rooms. Now they are called reading rooms, although the walls are still in their original ornate form.

Taking public transport to the library is also very easy. From Keleti you can catch the 7 bus or take the metro to Astoria or Kálvin tér. From Astoria you can jump on the 47 or 49 tram to Kálvin tér from there you can walk to the library.

Budapest Central Library, 1088 Budapest, Szabó Ervin tér 1, Tel: 411-5000, www.fszek.hu

Szimpla still Open!

Vlada Sahovic feels our drinking rights impinged with the enforced early closing of one of Budapest’s fave nighspots, but wonders is it really a bad thing?

           In September one of our basic rights was taken away from us. We were forbidden to drink the fruits of the almighty Dionysus beyond midnight. We were to drink no more at our favorite spot... that is until one morning we arose from our slumber to the clear and loud voice of a generation, posted via that all encompassing network of the internet, which told us: “We Are Still Open!”

However, on reflection, after much ruckus surfaced in relation to Szimpla Kert’s new closing hours of midnight, we can’t really argue that it is too much of a shame and scandal in all objectiveness. We can understand the neighbors, who work all those draining early morning shifts, not wanting to listen to drunk foreigners screaming in the middle of the night. We can understand the local municipality trying to assist those people. We can also understand the management of Szimpla being pissed off because their earnings will be substantially decreased.

But there are other things that are less understandable in the whole situation.

Seeing as there are so many places in the wider center of Budapest where one can have fun and get intoxicated well into the early morning hours, why would limiting Szimpla Kert be such a dreadful thing?

First of all, Szimpla is often the host of multicultural, syncretic manifestations which, in light of the current world trends can be said to be an important factor for the social-cultural fabric of a nation. Szimpla tries to host and promote multicultural mixing and to serve as grounds for experimental modern art. Its decor hints at this. It also holds such happenings as board-game tournaments and second-hand sales. So what does this have to do with staying open and causing noise after midnight?

              Well, the sad state of affairs is the following: it is the current trend among the younger members of our society to stay out real late, even unfashionably late. Hence, places like Szimpla Kert earn most of their profits after the midnight hour. This is not a justification, just the bare state of affairs. An institution like of Szimpla cannot manage to host music and visual art performances, nor can they run a profitable business in the end, if they do not work the “rush hour”. That is perhaps why people protested.

Well, the sad state of affairs is the following: it is the current trend among the younger members of our society to stay out real late, even unfashionably late. Hence, places like Szimpla Kert earn most of their profits after the midnight hour. This is not a justification, just the bare state of affairs.

An institution like of Szimpla cannot manage to host music and visual art performances, nor can they run a profitable business in the end, if they do not work the “rush hour”. That is perhaps why people protested.

On Wednesday the 13th of September a small crowd gathered in front of the Erzsebetváros Municipal building to protest the new restrictions imposed upon Szimpla. Even a politician, called Gusztav Kecskés, running in the local elections came there to show his support for the youngsters. The group of thirty or so relatively tranquil people stood in front of the building and yelled out slogans and obscenities at the representatives of the municipality, who were probably sitting rather calmly in their chairs, unobstructed by the apparent murmur outside, which was in all likelihood blocked out by the sound of automobiles and public transportation). So as the thirty or so people disbanded after a mere 40 minutes or so of occasional shouting at closed doors, one could not but stay disillusioned and in thought.

Although there still seems to be a will for some sort of concrete, non-conformist action from today’s youth, it always seems to be connected either to some new forms of conceptual/consumer art, partying, fascistic socio-nationalist protests and plain vandalism, rights to freely express yourself and once more, the right to party. Although Szimpla Kert is dear to us all there might be other more pressing issues around. So as politicians spend their time buying popularity votes and young people continue protesting for their right to party, I wonder: what was Hungary’s GDP last year and how many Roma are hampered by domestic cultural views? Never mind: “One White Russian please!”

http://www.szimpla.hu/index3.htm

An Interview with Professor Cristina M. Kiss

by Cynthia Nwaiwu

It was a delight spending time with an economics as well as ESL professor who also has the capability of occupying the position of a course advisor. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that professor Kiss is very energetic and has the high teaching qualities because she happens to teach in another school outside McDaniel College. Kind-hearted and strict she would describe herself, and it seems there are a whole lot of interesting things we don’t know about her. What else could she possibly tell us? Let’s see!
M: Please, kindly give a brief description of yourself
CMK: I come from the sunny side of the world, the Philippines. I got my undergraduate degree in economics, magna cum laude, from the University of the Philippines, where I also did my graduate studies in economics. After short stints at a research institute and a private bank, I joined the Department of Economic Research of the Central Bank of the Philippines. The pivotal point in my life was when I attended an IMF training course in Washington, D.C. An economist from Hungary also happened to be there, and he could somehow later convince me to change my surname and make Hungary my home.
In terms of character, I’d say that I’m both outgoing and reflective. I like being with people but I also love silence and reflection. I believe in always trying to do one’s best: seize the day, bloom where you are planted.
M: What is it like to teach three courses and still be a course advisor?
CMK: I guess all these tasks and roles call for a desire to help the students develop their potential, and make choices compatible with their goals. And I do care about the students, so it all just flows from there
M: Can you say that upon waking up in the morning, you have a great desire to get into the classroom? Has teaching been that fulfilling in your life? CMK: Well, I am indeed very passionate about teaching. I find it a very rewarding job. But equations, graphs or neologisms are not exactly the first things that I think about when I wake up in the morning. Maybe, after a good cup of coffee. (Laughs).
M: What do you do to motivate your students to study and get really involved in your course work?
CMK: First of all, I believe that every student is different, that every student has potential, and it is the teacher’s job to unlock that potential, to draw out that capability to do better. That’s what education means: educate, to draw, lead out. And to be able to do that, the teacher has to create the proper environment, to provide the right inputs – in just the right measure, to encourage, to challenge. I do give a lot of thought to each lesson. I try to anticipate when the students might need to understand the concepts better, to analyze, and work them out on their own. I also encourage questions. Overall, the twin recipes of rigor and kindness seem to have produced quite good results.
M: How do you think higher education has changed since you have been teaching? Why do you think it has changed?
CMK: I’ve not really been teaching for that long to discern any major changes in higher education here. But I’d say, and this about education in general, an important ongoing change would be the ever-increasing availability of online resources, which I consider to be both a boon and a bane. A boon because the internet has really opened up a whole new world of learning opportunities for students, and teachers as well. A bane because the deluge of ‘data-on-demand’ can also somehow drown concentration, conscientiousness and creativity.
M: Hypothetically, if you could travel in time to teach - long ago, or the recent past, or the future - which of them would you choose? Why this choice?
CMK: I would love to go back the time of Socrates, the age of bare-knuckled quest for truth and enlightenment. But then, I would most certainly, and happily, be a student rather than a teacher. (Smiles)
M: Besides being an excellent professor, what else do you consider yourself to be an expert at, moderately good at, a total mess at?
CMK: Thanks. People say I’m quite good at organizing. I like looking at the big picture, as well as ironing out the details, and then putting everything together. It seems I had the knack for this early on. As a high school sophomore, I organized a field trip for the entire bunch. I guess I’m moderately good at cooking, and decidedly miserable at winter sports. Nem olyan szeretem a hideget! (Laughs)
M: During your vacations, do you completely put away the books and take a breathing space from the whole education business?
CMK: Well, I normally don’t fill my valise with Macro, Micro or TOEFL textbooks. (Laughs) But I do make sure there’s a book or two in my traveling bag – historical, inspirational or fiction plus the latest issue of The Economist. So it may be said that I don’t leave teaching-related stuff behind altogether when I go on holiday. Education is an ongoing process, for teachers too.
M: How do you think your career as being a college professor has/will influence(d) your children educationally.
CMK: I guess every new mother becomes, or is re-born as, a teacher. So, my profession wouldn’t change the equation that much, I think, when the time comes. My Mom isn’t a teacher by profession, but how she has taught us about life!

Students and Alumni Get Together

by Cynthia Nwaiwu

Every spring and fall, students from over twenty countries attend McDaniel College Budapest to pursue a courses in different areas of interest. This diversity brings into existence a unique and fascinating relationship among students, making the school a better place to learn. When high school seniors visit McDaniel College Budapest, they are hoping to make the right decision that could change their lives. All these things were taken into consideration, and the need to invite the alumni back became obvious. A dialogue with a graduate provides the opportunity to ask questions from someone who has been there, had experience and is now working towards his or her goal.
The get-together which took place in room 220, on 18th March, 2010, at 5:45pm involving five alumni, and undergraduates and a faculty member. The alumni were: Orsolya Bader, class of 2009, Peter Gazda, (2008), Andre Butler-Payette (2009), Dadvey Zargaran (2008) and Estefania Luraschi (2009). A lot were discussed during this Open Forum. A political science major, Orsolya Bader, who is still on the go and engaged in job hunts, and keeping her options open, happily shared her thoughts and recommended Geneva to political science major students who would later want to do internships or work in this field. She said, ‘‘Geneva is a good place for you.’’ Andre Butler-Payette supported her idea as he had an internship at the Human Rights Council Geneva, and has also worked for the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees. He commended McDaniel College Budapest for making his courses interactive, creating friendships and close bonds that still exist after college.
Dadvey Zargaran, now married, encourages students not to give up in whatever difficulty they may face in their studies.
Peter Gazda, who was already in law school before graduating, views life to be more much difficult outside of college due to competition. ‘‘I am happy I got a great theoretical background in political science, which is a good basis that I can rely on’’, he said.
Estefania Luraschi is currently working in a chemical company as an account receivable collector. She is also looking forward to graduate school and tells students who are interested in going to graduate school to start searching early. She wished she had known more about graduate schools before graduating.
Most of all, the Alumni appreciate the great amount of information and experience the got from McDaniel College Budapest’s professors. Dadvey Zargaran noted: ‘‘I learnt good things from them.’’
The forum ended with Dr. Mathew Adamson’s request from the Alumni to help in listing the do’s and don’t that new students should know about Hungary. The list ranged from learning about Hungarian national holidays and culture, to understanding the social norms of European university students. It was fun to see former classmates reunite. Refreshments weren’t an exception, as we popped champagne and ate sandwiches. How else could we have enjoyed this reunion?