Hernan Cortes de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marques del Valle de Oaxaca (Spanish pronunciation: [?r?nan kor?t?s]; 1485December 2, 1547) was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the King of Castile, in the early 16th century. Cortes was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers that began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.
Born in Medellin, Extremadura, Spain, to a family of lesser nobility, Cortes chose to pursue a livelihood in the New World. He went to Hispaniola and later to Cuba, where he received an encomienda and, for a short time, became alcalde (magistrate) of the second Spanish town founded on the island. In 1519, he was elected captain of the third expedition to the mainland, an expedition which he partly funded. His enmity with the governor of Cuba, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar, resulted in the later recalling the expedition at the last moment, an order which Cortes ignored. Arriving on the continent, Cortes executed a successful strategy of allying with some indigenous peoples against others. He also used a native woman, Dona Marina, as interpreter; she would later bear Cortes a son. When the Governor of Cuba sent emissaries to arrest Cortes, he fought them and won, using the extra troops as reinforcements. Cortes wrote letters directly to the king asking to be acknowledged for his successes instead of punished for mutiny. After he overthrew the Aztec empire, Cortes was awarded the title of Marques del Valle de Oaxaca, while the more prestigious title of Viceroy was given to a high-ranking nobleman, Antonio de Mendoza. Cortes returned to Spain in 1541 where he died peacefully but embittered.
Because of the controversial undertakings of Cortes and the scarcity of reliable sources of information about him, it has become difficult to ert anything definitive about his personality and motivations. Early lionizing of the conquistadors did not encourage deep examination of Cortes. Later reconsideration of the conquistadors’ character in the context of modern anti-colonial sentiment and greatly expanded concern for human rights, as typified by the Black Legend, also did little to expand our understanding of Cortes as an individual. As a result of these historical trends, descriptions of Cortes tend to be simplistic, and either ing or idealizing.
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“We must understand what the disaster is. A huge wave is not the disaster. The disaster is human. People who lost their family, that’s the disaster. Somebody lost his livelihood; somebody lost his home; that’s the disaster. Somebody doesn’t have something to eat tonight; that’s the disaster. So, this disaster is not just on the physical plane. A human being’s suffering is hugely within himself, more than outside. A few packets of food may arrive, and he may get to eat; however, the new conditions – that he has to sit on the street side and eat, not in his home, and that his family has disappeared – that is the real disaster, the human part of it.” – Sadhguru
Tsunami Relief & Rehabilitation
Isha Foundation which already operated centers in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu was quick in its response to the unprecedented and catastrophic death and destruction caused by the tsunami on 26th December, 2004. In coastal areas of Chidambaram and Cuddalore and the devastated villages in Vellankovil and Nagapattanam, thousands of Isha volunteers from all walks of life tirelessly operated relief camps from the very first day, offering food, shelter, quality medical istance and psychological relief to the victims. Specially designed Isha Yoga classes were also conducted to help those affected cope with the disaster, through physically and psychologically strengthening tools.
Personally participating in the relief and rehabilitation programs, Sadhguru made several visits to the affected areas — closely directing and overseeing the process. Eight Mobile Health Clinics complete with their medical teams, supplies and thousands of volunteers were immediately moved from their project sites to the coast and put at the disposal of the district administration.
Subsequently, in close working with the district administration, Isha Foundation adopted four villages in Cuddalore district and completed a model rehabilitation program that was highly acclaimed by the beneficiary communities and the state administration alike. In addition, Mobile Health Clinics were permanently dedicated to implementing the project Action for Rural Rejuvenation in 60 coastal villages.
Isha Foundation delivered its first permanent house to the victims within 30 days of the disaster. The novel housing design developed promptly by Sadhguru himself, was certified as fire, earthquake, cyclone and tsunami proof by various institutions. Further, a boat manufacturing facility was set up on the premises of Isha Yoga Center to respond to the urgent need for fishing boats (the sole livelihood provider of coastal villagers). Volunteer engineers and professionals isted to restore livelihoods lost through the calamity.
A massive tree planting program and creation of a green belt through Project Green Hands was also undertaken and is ongoing in coastal villages affected by the tsunami.
For in-depth information about Isha Foundation’s Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation operations please visit
www.ruralrejuvention.org/relief.
http://www.ishafoundation.org/Disaster-Response/Tsunami-Relief-&-Rehabilitation.isa
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Enkaramatani is a Maasai statement meaning “Mother Shephard” The video was shot in Isinya, Kajiado District in Kenya. The film is about the role of Maasai women in Cattle keeping and their sentiments to all the Maasai women in keeping livestock production. The challenges they face as women and what are the alternatives of livelihood there is in the quest for survival.
The film was produced by Isinya Community Knowledge Centre, a network of Arid Lands Information Network supported by the FInnish Embassy
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Lloyd Timberlake, Director of Special Projects for GrupoNueva S.A. and Peter Woicke, Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) give their views on whether sustainable livelihoods business can be profitable.
http://www.wbcsd.org
More info about the WBCSD’s Development Focus Area: http://www.wbcsd.org/includes/getTarget.asp?type=p&id=Njc&doOpen=1&ClickMenu=LeftMenu
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An immediate programme to develop the North within 180 days will be launched with the involvement of all Ministries.
A special meeting of the Presidential Task Force appointed by the President for the resettlement of Northern civilians of Social Welfare villages in their places of origin was held this afternoon. Secretaries of all Ministries participated in this meeting at the Presidential Secretariat. The participants took cognizance of the infrastructure and livelihood development of these civilians. A notable feature was the separate discussions held in this respect. Giving views at this meeting, Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapakse underscored the need for the implementation of this development programme without harming the sovereignty of the country and without being subjugated by external influence.
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For Chew Mei Fun, economics is more than an academic language for talking about economies and markets.
In this video, the industrious Mei Fun give examples how, basic economics sense has been translated into positive actions to empower livelihood and quality of life in Petaling Jaya Utara since she was first elected as an MP in 1999.
Chew Mei Fun asks for your vote of confidence to allow her to continue working for you as your Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara.
source: http://mylivingwall.com
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a leisurely countryside drive in the Philippines
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Services and involvement to the Country.
1) Support or Engage in Community Cleanliness Drive.
2) Support Crime Prevention, emergency, livelihood and health volunteer Programs
3) Help and Support Community/Civic/Social Services and Projects.
4) Respect elders in the Community.
5) Guide youths in the Community.
6) Obey and Respect the law of the land.
7) Help the poor, needy and homeless in the Community.
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Niamh Garvey of Trocaire speaks about climate change and livelihoods.
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about livelihood program with colayco foundation Inc.
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