Why is the UN's human rights agenda so limited Essay - 1

Why is the UN's human rights agenda so limited - Essay Example gressive developmental cooperation, some people around the globe, especially those concerned with the human rights treaties and millennium declaration, feel that it is a betrayal of the embodied universal values. Based on items of the current human rights agenda of MDGs, the only item that tries to address sustainable development is on environmental sustainability. However, it gives a bias to two specific issues, which are water and sanitation to improve access to safe drinking water. Apparently, the item seems to focus much to the problems that many societies in the developing and emerging nations struggle with than the already developed nations. The focus of MDGs on access to clean water and sanitation is just but a narrow focus to the big question of water resources management, in a world that is struggling with environmental degradation, declining water resources affected by the climatic conditions and increased utilization of water. The truth is that even after the ‘water for life decade of action’ comes to an end, there will still remain persistent issues related to water, least to mention the challenging factors associated with the environment that affect sustainable deve lopment. It is evident that there was a narrow focus on sustainable development. According to Schaefer- Preuss, MDGs focused on â€Å"halving the proportion of people in the globe who lacked access to sustainable clean water and basic sanitation† (2014, p.1). While this is just an aspect of the complex need to sustainable development, policy makers failed to consider crucial changes a decade later. Climatic conditions, population growth, and factors of economic development like industrialization are all working to influence the global water cycle and utilization. Today, there are far worse challenges to environmental sustainability inclusive of deforestation, extractive industries that could lead to humanitarian crisis, and which serve as potential hindrances to broad sustainable

The History of Pharmacy and its effects on Western Civilization Essay

The History of Pharmacy and its effects on Western Civilization - Essay Example It is the pharmacist’s role to ensure the purity and effectiveness of drugs. At the same time, pharmacists collaborate with other health professionals in order to provide the best healthcare to afflicted patients. Right at the dawn of civilization, human began attempting to use natural substances to fight against diseases. Early medicine consisted of readily available plants and minerals. The first pharmacists were selected individuals in society known in some cultures as ‘medicine men’ or ‘healers.’ The basis of this early practice was a combination of superstitious belief and natural science. Early practitioners were sometimes referred to as ‘sorcerers’ or ‘magicians’. The English word pharmacy itself traces its etymology to the Greek word pharmakeia, which means sorcery or witchcraft. Te empirical shift in perspective came with the advent of Greek medicine. The study of the history of pharmacy is to understand the practice in its wider concept of modern society, understand its functions and its trend in the future. Mesopotamian civilizations were among the earliest producers of medicinal drugs between 3000Bc and 539BC. Medicine is this era was intertwined with religion. Sickness was considered punishment for sin. Healing, on the other hand, was considered cleansing or purification (Kremers, 1986). Medicine mainly was made from plants. An examination of clay tablets revealed the use of plant drugs and minerals. Milk, wax, honey and various fats and oils were also used for medicinal purposes. A document dated 2000BC shows a record of powdered seeds to be dissolved in beer and offered to the patient. Mythology played a huge role in this early practice. Dispensation of drugs included drug formulas and incantations involving the mention of mythical gods like ‘Ea’ and ‘Gula.’ Ninazu was considered god of the healers, and his son messenger of the gods. They were symbolized by a rod and a serpent. Kremers (1986)notes the