Ad astra per aspera
Ikea has been described as the "Teflon multinational" because of its unshakably positive image. But a new book by a former top executive paints a damning picture of corporate practices at the Swedish furniture giant. The author claims the company is run like a sect, complete with spies, lies and rampant racism. The founder of Ikea, the international Swedish home furnishing chain, is one of the richest men in the world. Yet Ingvar Kamprad is widely considered to be something of an average guy who lives a modest life. He's just like his furniture; simple, honest and a little wooden. Anecdotes that support that image abound. The Swede from Smaland reportedly still has a 30-year-old "Klippan" sofa in his living room, along with another early classic developed by the furniture giant, the "Billy" bookshelf. These sorts of stories not only illustrate Kamprad's modesty, they also testify to the long-lasting quality of his modestly-priced furniture.
Ikea has been described as the "Teflon multinational" because of its unshakably positive image. But a new book by a former top executive paints a damning picture of corporate practices at the Swedish furniture giant. The author claims the company is run like a sect, complete with spies, lies and rampant racism.
The founder of Ikea, the international Swedish home furnishing chain, is one of the richest men in the world. Yet Ingvar Kamprad is widely considered to be something of an average guy who lives a modest life. He's just like his furniture; simple, honest and a little wooden.
Anecdotes that support that image abound. The Swede from Smaland reportedly still has a 30-year-old "Klippan" sofa in his living room, along with another early classic developed by the furniture giant, the "Billy" bookshelf. These sorts of stories not only illustrate Kamprad's modesty, they also testify to the long-lasting quality of his modestly-priced furniture.
you are the media you consume.
Dutch Youth and Family Minister André Rouvoet wants a culture change on the work floor to make it more acceptable for fathers to take paternity leave. At the moment it is considered normal for mothers to work less, but fathers hardly ever work one day less after a child is born. Freedom to choose The minister has called for research into the reasons why men do not take up paternity leave. He believes the freedom to choose for fathers is limited by fixed perceptions. For instance many men believe they have less chances of promotion if they work part- time. They are also discouraged from using the facilities open to them. According to the minister "A modern labour market means that families should be able to decide for themselves how they want to combine their professional and private lives."
Dutch Youth and Family Minister André Rouvoet wants a culture change on the work floor to make it more acceptable for fathers to take paternity leave.
At the moment it is considered normal for mothers to work less, but fathers hardly ever work one day less after a child is born.
Freedom to choose The minister has called for research into the reasons why men do not take up paternity leave. He believes the freedom to choose for fathers is limited by fixed perceptions. For instance many men believe they have less chances of promotion if they work part- time. They are also discouraged from using the facilities open to them. According to the minister "A modern labour market means that families should be able to decide for themselves how they want to combine their professional and private lives."
CAPE TOWN, Nov 11 (IPS) - The Anti-Homosexuality Bill under consideration in Uganda was sparked by a conference in Kampala earlier this year at which fundamentalist Christians from the U.S. identified homosexuality as a threat to "family values".The draconian law will institute the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" and criminalise human rights work. Christopher Senyonjo, a retired Anglican bishop from Uganda, and Reverend Jide Macauley, from Nigeria's House of Rainbow church, told IPS that a conference took place on March 5-7 this year, arranged by Stephen Langa, the director of a Ugandan fundamentalist Christian grouping called Family Life Network (FLN). The FLN invited speakers attached to U.S.-based religious and "educational" organisations that propagate the idea that homosexuality is an "illness" that can be "cured". Changing values The speakers were Don Schmierer, a board member at Exodus International; Scott Lively, president of Abiding Truth Ministries and author of a book that equates Nazism and homosexuality; and Caleb Lee Brundidge who works at the International Healing Foundation which ostensibly "cures" homosexuals. "They told us all things are going wrong because the family is being neglected. Not having more children is one of the things that they said are going wrong. Homosexuality is a way of stopping us from having more children," said Senyonjo.
It is a subject that would make most governments blush, but officials in the Spanish region of Extremadura have launched a major programme to encourage what could be described as a more hands-on approach to sexuality.The region's socialist government has launched a €14,000 (£12,600) campaign aimed at teaching young people how best to set about "sexual self-exploration and the discovery of self-pleasure" - or to put it less delicately: masturbation.
It is a subject that would make most governments blush, but officials in the Spanish region of Extremadura have launched a major programme to encourage what could be described as a more hands-on approach to sexuality.
The region's socialist government has launched a €14,000 (£12,600) campaign aimed at teaching young people how best to set about "sexual self-exploration and the discovery of self-pleasure" - or to put it less delicately: masturbation.
