APHumanGeography

Happy Holidays, APHUG.   Do you think Santa uses GPS?

This conflict connects to territorial conflicts among religious groups because it talks about how various countries are starting to persecute Atheists and target them with hate campaigns. Why have countries started to bring up the past of Religious prosecution if it destroyed so many lives in events like The Holocaust?

This is different from the religious conflicts we discussed in class because the conflict between Palestine and Israel is mainly over the land, whereas this example of persecution is a result of the concept of atheism. In addition, Saudi Arabia, one of the countries mentioned in the article, is almost all Muslim and religious freedom is virtually nonexistent. Of course a country like this one will not tolerate atheists as other religions and freedoms are also extremely restricted.

The killing of the Jewish rabbis during prayer adds into the mix of the Isreali-Palestinian conflict over what is considered the Holy Land and has inspired even more Jews to take action against the Palestinians. Is there a possibility for peace between these two peoples, or will they remain at odds with each other forever?

The killing of the Jewish rabbis during prayer adds into the mix of the Isreali-Palestinian conflict over what is considered the Holy Land and has inspired even more Jews to take action against the Palestinians. Is there a possibility for peace between these two peoples, or will they remain at odds with each other forever?

Territorial conflicts arose between the Burmese and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) because the Burmese want the KIA's land which is abundant in resources such as timber and hydropower. Is it possible for there to be peace between the two groups after all the violence and fighting that took place?

After reading your article, it doesn't seem like there will be peace between the two groups anytime soon. The Burmese are determined to steal the KIA's land, and it doesn't sound like the KIA is going to give up very easily in protecting their territory. As long as the Burmese continue to want the KIA's land and resources, then violence and wars are going to keep breaking out until one of them succeeds in stealing or protecting their territory.

I agree, I do not see peace between the two groups happening soon. The Burmese won't give up until they get the KIA's land, but the KIA will most definitely put up a fight. In my opinion, the Burmese don't have any right to the land. The KIA own it and therefore they should not have to share their resources.

Areas of high religiosity, generally will not accept gay marriage which creates controversy in state governments. Why don't states legalize same sex marriage even if some people say it isn't right even when the pope himself supports the proposition? In my opinion it is an American citizen's right to be able to marry whomever he or she pleases.

If the Supreme Court ruled it legal then why are these other states still against it. Even if some states are very religious, it shouldn't be that big of a deal since, as Alec said, the pope supports it.

**Correction: The Pope does not support homosexual marriage. If he did, what sort of diffusion would that display?

This article is an example of territorial conflicts and religion, because the Russians believe the reason they are fighting is for religious purposes, and that their war in Ukraine is a holy war. How do the Ukrainians view the conflict and it's involvement in religion?

Ukraine has been part of Russia several times and has fought for their freedom from Russia in several wars. Currently, they have only been independent since 1991.

Adam brings up a good point, the history of the Ukraine and Russian conflict must be deeply rooted in historical conflict over the centuries. It would be neat to dig into the history, particularly how the ethnicity differs between the two countries.

From our class discussion today regarding De Blij's text. Are corrupt countries most likely poor? 

Happy Hearts Fund is active in 9 countries and has rebuilt 113 schools that were damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. This helps country's development and increases their GDP by providing job opportunities through construction projects, and improves the HDI by giving access to education with schools.

Heifer International is a charity organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world by providing crops, livestock, and training to struggling communities. The livestock, crops, and training Heifer International provides creates a sustainable source of food and income. This improves the GDP and the general health of a region, leading to an increased HDI.

I think Water.org is one of the most beneficial charities there are today. It provides a very basic need to many countries that don't have it; clean water. This organization helps to build sustainable wells that they help to maintain. "Safe water transforms lives. For more than twenty years, Water.org has pioneered safe water and sanitation solutions that give women hope, children health and communities a future" This helps improve the CDR of underdeveloped countries, hence improving the HDI of the countries aided.

Iris Global is an organization that helps people living in poverty in several countries in southern Africa. This charity improves the quality of life for many people living in Africa by providing disaster relief, starting farms in villages, helping people gain access to clean water, and much more. This charity helps with the development of several countries in Africa by reducing the levels of poverty seen there. Decreasing the amount of poverty in a country will boost its HDI since people not living in poverty can better the economy of the country they are living in by focusing on working instead of just barely surviving.

Project Sunlight is a growing movement of people who believe in the power of taking action. Whether it's viewing and sharing with friends an inspiring film, boosting the self-esteem of young women, making a donation to a food bank, Project Sunlight thinks that every single action can make a real difference.

Engineers Without Borders (USA) is a humanitarian organization that designs and builds engineering projects in developing regions. By implementing sustainable projects in impoverished areas, Engineers Without Borders (USA) are improving the standard of living in developing areas. The organization focuses primarily on improving seven essentials in a community: water supply, sanitation, civil works, structures, energy, agriculture and information systems. Working domestically and internationally, Engineers Without Borders (USA) is improving the quality of life and HDI in numerous areas.

Doctors Without Borders provides medical care to people in countries that need it, such as countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a humanitarian organization that does not discriminate against people when treating them, and saves lives threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. By providing medical care to people, they can have a longer and healthier life.This increases development by bettering the health of the country, which leads to more productivity, causing economic growth and better overall conditions in the country. Doctors Without Borders has a positive impact on a country and its HDI.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital strives to find cures for cancer and life threatening diseases like cancer. The part about St. Jude that is different from most charities is that they conduct their program on the donations they receive so that families don't have to worry about medical bills for their child. This charity could help raise a countries HDI because it allows children to have a longer and healthier life. This in turn allows them to have the access to knowledge through schooling which can help them contribute to their countries economy, also raising the HDI level of that country.

As the first Millennium Development Goal, world hunger is a huge obstacle that intervenes with development. If a charity, like The Hunger Project, could increase a country's income and therefore reduce hunger, it could lead to other advancements in education and health care. What I really like about this organization is that it teaches the people how to improve their own development instead of just giving them money and creating an undependable reliance to organizations like this.