About Brunei Darussalam

Location
Brunei Darussalam is situated on the north-west of

the island of Borneo, between east longitudes 114 degrees 04´ and 11 degrees 23´ and north latitudes of 4 degrees 00´ and 5 degrees 05´. It has a total area of 5,765-sq. km. with a coastline of about 161-km along the South China Sea. It is bounded on the North by the South China Sea and on all the other sides by Malaysian State of Sarawak.

Physical Features
The land surface is developed on bedrock of tertiary age

comprising of sandstone, shale and clays. The terrain in the western

part of Brunei Darussalam is predominantly hilly lowland below 91 metres, but rising in the hinterland to about 300 metres. The eastern part of the state consists predominantly of rugged mountain terrain, rising 1,850 metres above sea level at Bukit Pagon. The coast has a wide, tidal and swampy plain.


Climate
Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate characterized by a uniform high temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall. Temperatures range from 23 - 32 Degree Celsius, while rainfall varies from 2,500 mm annually on the coast to 7,500 mm in the interior. There is no distinct wet season.


Capital and Town
Brunei Darussalam is divided into four districts namely Brunei/Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong. Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei Darussalam with an area of about 16 sq. km. And a population of about 46 thousands (1991 census) including Kampong Ayer (Water Village). It is located in the Brunei/Muara District, and is the Centre of government and business activities.

Other towns are Muara, about 41 km to the north east of Bandar Seri Begawan where the chief port is located, Seria which is the seat of oil and gas industry, and Kuala Belait, Pekan Tutong and Bangar which are the administrative centres of Belait, Tutong and Temburong Districts respectively.

Brunei as a popular tourist destination

Brunei Darussalam's vision is to promote the country as a unique tourist destination and gateway to tourism excellence in South East Asia. The objectives are to create international awareness of Brunei Darussalam as a holiday destination; to maximise earings of foreign exchange and make tourism as one of the main contributor to GDP. In addition, it will create employment opportunities.The country offers a wide variety of attractive places to be visited and experienced. The rainforest and National Parks are rich in flora and fauna. Its most magnificent mosques, water village (traditional and historic houses on stilts), rich culture and Jerudong Theme Park are among the uniqueness of Brunei Darussalam.The government is now actively promoting tourism as an important part of its economic diversification. It would like to see a target of 1 million-visitor arrival by the year 2000. From January to August 1999, the statistic recorded 405,532 visitors visited Brunei Darussalam

Some of popular place to visit in Brunei

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

With its soaring minarets and golden dome, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is an oasis of tranquility within the bustle of downtown Bandar. Completed in 1958, it is built of Italian marble, gold mosaic and English stained glass, but with craftsmanship that reflects classical Islamic architecture.Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien is regarded as the architect of modern Brunei. It was he who steered the nation safety through the turbulent years following WWII, establishing the foundation for the nation's independence and sovereignty.

The Istana Nurul Iman and Taman Persiaran Damuan

The largest residential palace in the world, the Istana Nurul Iman is the home of His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah and the site of his Prime Ministerial offices. Built on a leafy, riverside sprawl of hills, the Istana boasts golden domes and vaulted roofs which echo Islamic and Malay architectural influences.One good place to view the Istana, especially at night, is from Persiaran Damuan, the palm-tree studded park that ambles along the river bank on Jalan Tutong. A popular early evening venue for joggers and strollers, the Damuan features paved walkways, outdoor sculptures by ASEAN artists on the theme of Unity and Diversity, and al-fresco dining at night.

Tamu Kianggeh

Tamu means market and Bandar's tamu is on the banks of the Kianggeh River. Here is where you will find a variety of local produce. Among the items you may find are medicinal herbs and local delicacies. Handicraft shoppers may find good bargains here. Good buys include tudung dulang (decorative food cover), pemarang (machet-like knife) and local foods like kueh cincin and jala.Tamu Kianggeh is open from early morning until late evening. Other tamu and night food stalls of interest are located in Gadong and opposite Terrace Hotel.

The Royal Regalia Building

Situated at the heart of Bandar, the Royal Regalia Building and its unique collection of royal Bruneian artefacts was established to commemorate the 1992 Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's accession to the throne.The ceremonial regalia on display includes the royal chariot, gold and silver ceremonial armoury, the traditional jewel encrusted coronation crowns and a replica of the throne used by His Majesty on state occasions. An exhibition documenting the history of Brunei's constitution may also be inspected.

The Billionth Barrel Monument

Commissioned by Brunei Shell Petroleum and designed by a local architect the Billionth Barrel Monument commemorates the production of the billionth barrel of oil by the Seria oilfield. It is locate close to the seawall, near the site of "S-1", the first well dug almost 70 years ago.The approach to the monument is through an arched entrance and a row of trees on either side. The arches serve to remind visitors that Brunei is an Islamic country and the floor is tiled in an Islamic pattern.The monument is a mere five-minute drive from the Seria town centre.

Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park

The Park is about 80km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Established by Brunei Shell Petroleum to commemorate the occasion of His Majesty's Silver Jubilee year as Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park was officially declared open by the monarch in 1992.The park's blue-water lagoon and recreational facilities ensure its popularity as a family destination.

Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park

The Park is about 80km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Established by Brunei Shell Petroleum to commemorate the occasion of His Majesty's Silver Jubilee year as Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Anduki Jubilee Recreational Park was officially declared open by the monarch in 1992.The park's blue-water lagoon and recreational facilities ensure its popularity as a family destination.

Luagan Lalak Recreational Park /Wong Kadier Waterfall

Some 25km beyong Sungai Liang Forest Recreation Park on the road to Labi, the Luagan Lalak Recreation Park covers some 270ha within the Labi Hills Forest Reserve. Luagan Lalak Recreation Park is important as the location of a rare alluvial freshwater swamp, or empran. During rainy periods, the entrapped water level rises, filling the area like a lake. In drier spells, the waters recede quickly, and the valley flourishes with sedge-predominantly the Lepironia species.Apart from shelters and footpaths for exploration, a 200 metre wooden walkway meanders along the lake area.The 45 minute jungle trek to Wong Kadir Waterfall, is half the fun of visiting this picturesque spot. The walk crosses several steep ridges en route to the falls where relief awaits in an enclave of shady unspoilt jungle and pure, cool river water.

The Labi Longhouses

Further down the Labi Road, past Kampung Labi itself, the forest gives way to several exapmles of a form of dwelling unique to the island of Borneo - the Iban longhouse. Literally a village under one roof, a long house consits of a single shed-like structure divided along its length into separate family lodgings, each of which is accessed via a communal area running the length of the building. This communal area is the venue of the village population's social and daily indoor work activities.The nearest longhouse to the town of Labi is Rampayoh Longhouse which is divided into 16 lodgings. Others include Mendaram Besar Longhouse, Mendaram several trails head off into the jungle along this stretch of the road. They are clearly marked and signposted, and direct hikers thourgh tracts of primary rainforest to various waterfalls and elevated viewing areas. The walks are relatively undemanding and guides are not necessary but for safety reasons, local advice should be sought.

Merimbun Heritage Park

Birdwatchers, botanists and nature lovers will appreciate the jungle tracks and the peaceful ambience surrounding Brunei's largest lake, Tasek Merimbun.Sponsored by HSBC, and administered by the Brunei Museum, the Park aims to provide a safe haven for protected wildlife to breed, preserve flora and fauna and to provide a base for scientific research and study.The small island in the centre of this unusual S-shaped body of water can be reached via a wooden walkway. Here, picnic pavilion facilities fashioned from logs enhance the enjoyment of this restful spot. Chalet facilities for researchers are available nearby.

Seri Kenangan Beach

Pantai Seri Kenangan - literally, the "unforgettable beach" - is in Kuala Tutong. A popular recreation area just a five minute drive from Tutong, the beach's appeal is the magical effect created by a narrow spit of land that separates the mirror-smooth Tutong River from the broad, ruffled waters of the South China Sea. Chalets, restaurants, huts, a playground and food stalls are also available.

Tamu Tutong Kampung Serambagun

Just one km from Tutong's town centre, this large, colourful open tamu offers produce from the inland forest, and vendors travel to the market as much to purchase supplies as to sell their own wares. It is open everyday.

Ulu Temburong National Park

Ulu Temburong National Park occupies approximately 50,000ha of the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve. The park's locality and steep, swampy terrain have limited human impact on the area and helped preserve its rich biodiversity.Established forest trails through the park include 7km of wooden walkways which protect ground vegetation and help prevent erosion. A canopy walkway affords visitors an opportunity to observe the rainforest's surprisingly diverse treetop ecosystems.In addition, a series of treehouses some 20m above the ground, and linked by hanging bridges, provides excellent observation points.Ulu Temburong Park Headquarters Information Centre, including staff quarters and a surau (prayer hall), is located at the confluence of the Temburong and Belalong Rivers. Access to the park is by temuai or longboat, and visitor accommodation within the park consists of some seven guest houses and three well-equipped campsites.

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM AS A POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION.

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM ; THE KINGDOM OF UNEXPECTED TREASURE.

Brunei Darussalam, officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea it is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, and in fact it is separated into two parts by Limbang, which is part of sarawak.

The climate in Brunei is equatorial tropical, with high temperatures, high humidity, sunshine and heavy rainfall throughout the year.

TRANSPORTATION : Brunei is accessible via sea and land travel. The main highway running across Brunei is the Pan Borneo Highway, which is a joint project with Malaysia. Besides the Pan Borneo Highway, Brunei can be accessed by air through Brunei International Airport. Royal Brunei is the main airline company in Brunei

CENTER OF ATTRACTION :Brunei is well known of its water village and also its tropical rainforest.Tourists can also find or try some weird things that can only be found in Brunei.

tourist can visit some interesting places such as :

THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST.

THE WATER VILLAGE

THE UNIQUE CAPITAL TOWN.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOSQUE IN TE WORLD
(JAME' ASREE MOSQUE)

OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIN MOSQUE

THE NURUL IMAN PALACE

SERI KENANGAN BEACH

and many more intresting places.

BRUNEI OFFERS SOME ALSO SATISFYING HOTEL SUCH AS :

THE EMPIRE HOTEL

ABDUL RAZAK HOTEL

THE BRUNEI HOTEL

and many more.

Brunei as a popular tourist destination

Yes, there are many reasons why Brunei can be a tourist destination. This is because Brunei is a very unique and diversify country.

THE PLACES:

At Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan is the centre of Brunei’s commerce, finance and government. In many ways, it is also the heart of Brunei’s cultural landscape, housing some of the nation’s most revered landmarks. The city’s breathtaking Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a stunning tribute to the nation’s deep-rooted faith, while the truly Bruneian Kampong Ayer water village offers a glimpse of the nation’s quaint Asian charm.

Beneath Bandar Seri Begawan’s lavish adornments, gold towers, sparkling fountains and colourful mosaic tiles, lies a city steeped in quiet respect, grounded in Islamic tradition, and exuding a sense of peace that makes it one of Asia’s most distinctive capital cities.

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien's mosque

At Bandar-Muara

Atmosphere during any celebrations.

Though small in size, Brunei-Muara is of great importance to the nation as the district housing Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. As such, it is usually the first stop of any visitor to Brunei — and one of the most memorable. Outside the capital lie some of the nation’s most world-renowned attractions.

The golden spires adorning Istana Nurul Iman, home of the nation’s revered monarch, His Majesty The Sultan, form a striking backdrop for a spectacular Bruneian sunset. The lavish residence has achieved legendary status as the largest palace in the world and features a unique blend of contemporary and traditional Islamic architecture. But there is nothing traditional — or expected — about Brunei Muara’s other famous attraction, Jerudong Park Playground, the state-of-the-art amusement park that was once the playground of royalty.

At Tutong

Tutong is abundant in natural beauty, from the white sands and rocky outcroppings of Pantai Seri Kenangan beach all the way inland to the scenic and somewhat mysterious feel of Tasek Merimbun, a serpentine lake surrounded by swamps and 15th century burial grounds. But the true draw of Tutong is its people. Local colour abounds at the Ruma Budaya cultural village, showcasing the five ethnic Bornean groups that make up the district’s diverse population.

The Pantai Seri Kenangan Beach

At Belait

To see where it all began, visit the town of Seria to see rows of the affectionately-named “nodding donkeys” which pump the lifeblood of Brunei’s economy from the oil-rich earth of Belait. Seria’s Oil & Gas Discovery Centre provides an up-close view of the inner workings of the nation’s main industry, and the visually striking Billionth Barrel Monument immortalizes the industry’s accomplishments through contemporary architectural forms.

At Temburong

The call of a proboscis monkey. The thrill of a speedboat cutting through jungle waters. Unspoiled. Untamed. Unbelievable.
Early European explorers told tales of the exotic wonders found on the island of Borneo. Rare orchids with blooms as large as dinner plates. Elusive monkeys with long, curved noses. Rivers that snake through uncharted forests. And green, verdant shades never before seen. This is Temburong, and all it beholds the adventurous traveller today.
Temburong is a living tribute to Brunei’s dedication to preserving one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. The Ulu Temburong National Park offers visitors a peek at a world untouched by man, from above or below the forest canopy. The simple culture of the Bornean longhouse community can also be seen — a complete and unforgettable Borneo experience.

The Ulu Temburong Rainforest

THE FOODS:

Epicures will enjoy the vast array of cuisine that Brunei offers, ranging from home-cooked local specialties to the finest of international cuisines.One will find that Bruneian fare generally exudes a unique flavour of cultural fusion due to the influence of the various nations that have left their mark on Brunei’s culture. Arab, Indian and Chinese traders, European explorers and, of course, Malay and indigenous Bornean peoples have each introduced their own cooking styles and ingredients, adding to the masterful fusion that makes Brunei’s cuisine memorable.

THE EVENTS:

This is one of the most important events in the national calendar, with activities and festivities held nationwide, beginning with a mass prayer throughout the country. On this occasion, His Majesty the Sultan delivers a royal address, followed by an inauguration ceremony held at the Istana Nurul Iman palace. The event is also marked with gatherings at the four districts where His Majesty meets with his subjects.
Venue: Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien

The effects on children when both parents work

Working parents often command considerable respect from their children, because they demonstrate the worthy characteristics of industriousness, social compatibility, self reliance, maturity, intelligence and responsibility. Because children identify with their parents, the feedback from such positive influences tends to be positive as well because many of these positive characteristics are imparted upon them.

A child who observes the competent coping abilities of a working parent learns in turn, how to cope with life’s problems. At first this may translate into an improved sense of self-reliance and independence for the child as well as an improvement in the ability to be socially compatible. As the child grows, it can further render a child more emotionally mature and hence more competent in dealing with responsibility and task completion such as is needed for school work and extra curricular activities.

A study by Hoffman in 1974 corroborates these observations and therefore one can conclude that, in general, the working parent provides a very positive role model for the child in a family where both parents are employed. (Hoffman 18) Attitudes of working parents pertaining to achievement, responsibility and independence affect both male and female offspring. There seems to be more beneficial effects felt by daughters of working women than by sons; however, this neither implies nor concludes that males do not receive some positive effects due to maternal employment. (Spitz 606) Hoffman has concluded that daughters of employed mothers tend to be more independent.

Further studies have demonstrated that a mother’s employment status and occupation tends to be a good predictor of the outcome of the working mother’s daughter, since daughters tend to follow in their mother’s footsteps. Typically, working mothers held higher educational aspirations for their children and furthermore, most daughters tend to achieve higher grades in school. (Spitz 606) It is also important to note that both male and female children acquire more egalitarian sex role attitudes when both parents work. Boys with working mothers showed better social and personal skills than boys of non-working mothers. On a negative note, middle-class boys tend to do worse in school when their mothers worked.

One can conclude that males may be negatively affected when their mothers work, but males and, to a greater degree, females are affected in many positive ways with regards to achievement in independence and responsibility. Adequate child care is a necessity for parents who both work. It is often complicated to balance both the parent’s and child’s needs when using child care. However, it may be possible to satisfy the demands of both if forethought and prudence are applied. Many cultures worldwide realize that a child’s nurturing can be acquired from a variety of sources including both adults and older children. Children can be as comfortable with grandparents, neighbors, professional child care attendants, and babysitters as they are with their own mothers. In fact, a variety of sources for nurturing not only provide the child with a variety of role models, such as in the case of grandparents, but it also provides them the ability to compare these role models and to choose the appropriate characteristics which they will adopt as their own.

Working parents are in a good position to prepare their children for that type of lifestyle. Healthy family dynamics including team work, sharing, and responsibility, are more easily adopted when they are already familiar. As far as quality of parenting, it has been observed that women who are highly satisfied with their roles whether they work or not, display higher levels of warmth and acceptance than do dissatisfied mothers and these positive feelings are reflected in their ! relationships with their siblings.

Finally, when considering quantity of time spent on parenting when both parents work, it has been concluded by Hoffman in 1974 that there is no consistent evidence of deprivation felt by children of employed mother’s. In fact, mothers who were better educated and employed outside the home spent more time with their children even at the expense of their own leisure and sleep time. (Hoffman 76) Hoffman also proposes that the time spent on employment simply substitutes for time previously spent on needless or less important household tasks which can be performed by others or not at all. Researchers question the validity of measuring the number of hours a mother spends with her children. Hoffman found that while working mothers spent less time with their children , the time spent with them was more likely to be in direct contact with them. Mothers who are at home full time spend only 5% of their time in direct in! teraction with their children. (Hoffman 75) Employed mothers spend about the same time reading to, playing with and otherwise paying attention to their children as do mothers who stay at home. (Hoffman 76) Because society has changed, the family’s function within society has changed as well. Parental roles have been modified to meet these changes. Today, the family’s most important task is to provide emotional security in a vast and impersonal world.

It Supersized me in 30 days!!!

Supersize Me is a documentary movie that focuses on the hazard of fast food consuming that has caused obesity a global 'issue'. Fast foods are regularly served by Mc Donald, KFC, Burger King, Ayamku and Jollibee. These companies are generally blamed by the public for the cause of high obesity. In this documentary, Spurlock, the 'hero', performs a 30 day trial experiment which he is to eat McD meals daily. He is monitored by specialists and doctors to analysis his body and to check whether fast foods are the major factor leading to obesity and health problems. At the end of the day, the result of the experiment shows that FAST FOODS do cause a lot of harm to our health care!! It causes liver failure and other serious faliures. Spurlock also experiences dysfunctional sex acivity with his girlfriends and this is such a such BIG catastrophe for Spurlock. It took 8 weeks to recover his body to the normal level he had before and it is an experience that Spurlock does not want to experience anymore.

THE CITIZEN's HEALTH.

It is both the government and the citizens responsibility to take care on their health.

"SUPERSIZE ME"

What happens when you eat McDonald's for thirty days, three meals a day, super-sized when asked, widely sampling selections from the entire menu from Big Macs meals to yogurt parfaits, salads and fish filets? With a team of highly qualified doctors monitoring his health every step of the way, director Morgan Spurlock answers this question: your body falls apart.
Spurlock also has the perfect narrative hook: himself. Following in the tradition of Michael Moore, Spurlock is the narrative hero of his own film – and this is just fine. An articulate speaker, he is also a compassionate listener and a wonderful guide.

Over the course of his experiment, Spurlock gained eighteen pounds, became depressed and withdrawn, suffered from severe headaches, mood swings and disturbing chest palpitations. All of these shocking changes take place on camera. After thirty days, he goes into liver failure.

we also learned that fast food is not good for our health where it could lead to experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and liver damage.

"Supersize Me"

The movie "Supersize Me" was directed by Morgan Spurlockto look at obesity in America and one of its sources - fast food corporations. He subjected himself to a diet based only in McDonald's fast food three times a day for thirty days and without working out to find out wether fast food is one of the reason why the people bacame obese.

What I've learned from the movie is that nothing good came out from being an obese person. According to the results taken from Mr.Spurlock body, After thirty days, he gained 24.5 lb (11.1 kg), a 13% body mass increase, and his Body Mass Index rose from 23.2 (within the 'healthy' range of 19-25) to 27 ('overweight'). He also experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and liver damage. It took Mr.Spurlock fourteen months to lose the weight he gained.

Do you think the government or state should take more responsibility on their citizens' health?

The government should take more responsibility on their citizens' health by reveling the truth about the food that we eat (ie the food that contains too much fats and calories) so that the people would think twice before eating it. But then again, even the people nowadays know about the consequences but they ignored the warnings. Why? because of addiction. People get used to eating this kinds of food and ignore the consequences. Moreover, we do not have the power to stop the people from buying these foods because its their money and its their right to buy whatever they like.

what have you learned from the movie "supersize me"?

The movie "SUPERSIZE ME" films about the unhealthy eating lifestyle of the americans. This films shows that unhealthy eating process can fasten the worse4 health problem. This is shown in the movie where Spurlock has a difficulty of breathing, he is weak, lazy, his sexual life becomes in active and his face is dull with depression most of the time . This is all because of the he ate a varied diet.

But the most important part s where Spurlock gained almost 10 pounds (4.5kg). This really shows that we can earn easy but unhealthy weight by rapidly eating the fast foods. One of the Doctor also said that Spurlock become a fast food addicts.

All three doctors in the movie are surprised at the degree of deterioration in Spurlock's health. One of them states that the irreversible damage done to his liver could cause a heart attack even if he lost all the weight gained during the experiment.

Therefore, the movie overall show that we do not only supply our stomach with unhealty food but we also supply our body with some major problems that might cause DEATH!!!

" SUPERsize Me "

What I have learned from the movie "Supersize Me"?

• I think its a real look on the eating habits of some people and awakening our minds about eating on fastfood. But of course you have to use your own judgement about this, and for me, the moral lesson of the story is watch what you eat and eat moderately. And of course do some exercising.




• Morgan spurlock put his health on the line to show the world just how bad mcdonalds 'food' really is. And he showed us! he went from healthy and fit to FAT and SICK in 30 days! this is a brave, brave man - i mean 30 days of nothing but mcdonalds? he deserved the sundance award for putting himself through this cruel and unusual punishment for the benefit of millions of unsuspecting mcdonalds patrons! the moral of the movie - DO NOT EAT AT MCDONALDS OR YOU WILL GET SICK AND FAT!




• We gain weight easily and body mass index (BMI) increased.




• Mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and liver damage.




• Feeling of depression and headaches which are relieved by a McDonald's meal = ADDICTION.

Do you think the government or state should take more responsibility on their citizens' health?

I think that citizens and the government should take responsibility for mortgage, food crisis. It is too bad that it seems sometimes these days that is only when survival is threatened are we willing to respond to the human need of others. It’s amazing that so many people are indifferent to the number of people being turned out of their homes in the current mortgage crisis. There are people opposed to the government assisting these victims. If, on the other hand, a natural disaster had caused these folks to lose their homes, the same hard-hearted people would move like gang busters to try to save them. The idea seems to be that these mortgagees wound up in this situation through their own bad judgement. Of course, they would have everyone believe those of us not caught up in the problem have never made mistakes or gotten ourselves in trouble.
I am certain there were many people who, in their anxiety to own their own home, failed to read the fine print but I’m equally sure that some mortgage lenders and realtors intended to mislead their clients just to make more money. But the fact that the government failed to protect people from unfair business practices is our fault because we are the government. As citizens, we don’t get to pick and choose the roles we want to play in governing. If we’re going to reap the benefits of citizenship, then we have to bear the responsibilities.
The mortgage crisis is driving the economy, so many of us are suffering because of the irresponsible acts of a few. Experts can argue all day about whether or not we’re in a recession, but times are hard for some people.
I disagree with those who are trying to compare these times to the days of the Great Depression. The situation may be similar but we are not the same kind of people we were then. In those days we felt that we were all in it together because we were concerned about the plight of the country. Today the CEOs and other folks living on the high end are totally unaffected. Gas and food prices mean nothing to them.
I would hope that before long some of our political leaders would get concerned with the way our food is being processed. The recent scandal in the beef market where sick cows were allowed to get into the food supply is just one example of the kind of scary things we read about in our newspapers. Every day some of us see chickens being trucked to food processors that appear to not be in the best of health. But what can we citizens do about it?
For a civilized society we seem to be notoriously indifferent to what is being fed to us and our children. We don’t care that the water we drink is contaminated. Since we claim to be the best country in the world, do you really think other countries should become like us? Are we the example of what a civilized society should be?
I don’t know how many times I have heard that the Food and Drug Administration is understaffed and unable to test our food supply. My question is, what is being done to remedy the situation? Or better still does anybody have plans to do anything about it.

Think of ways in which the state/government can do to promote health of the citizen?

Prerequisites for health
The fundamental conditions and resources for health are peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice and equity. Improvement in health requires a secure foundation in these basic prerequisites.

Advocate
Good health is a major resource for social, economic and personal development and an important dimension of quality of life. Political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioural and biological factors can all favour health or be harmful to it. Health promotion action aims at making these conditions favourable through advocacy for health.

Enable
Health promotion focuses on achieving equity in health. Health promotion action aims at reducing differences in current health status and ensuring equal opportunities and resources to enable all people to achieve their fullest health potential. This includes a secure foundation in a supportive environment, access to information, life skills and opportunities for making healthy choices. People cannot achieve their fullest health potential unless they are able to take control of those things which determine their health. This must apply equally to women and men.

Mediate
The prerequisites and prospects for health cannot be ensured by the health sector alone. More importantly, health promotion demands coordinated action by all concerned: by governments, by health and other social and economic sectors, by non-governmental and voluntary organizations, by local authorities, by industry and by the media. People in all walks of life are involved as individuals, families and communities. Professional and social groups and health personnel have a major responsibility to mediate between differing interests in society for the pursuit of health.

Health promotion strategies and programmes should be adapted to the local needs and possibilities of individual countries and regions to take into account differing social, cultural and economic systems.
Health Promotion Action Means:
Build healthy public policy
Health promotion goes beyond health care. It puts health on the agenda of policy-makers in all sectors and at all levels, directing them to be aware of the health consequences of their decisions and to accept their responsibilities for health.

Health promotion policy combines diverse but complementary approaches including legislation, fiscal measures, taxation and organizational change. It is coordinated action that leads to health, income and social policies that foster greater equity. Joint action contributes to ensuring safer and healthier goods and services, healthier public services, and cleaner, more enjoyable environments.

Health promotion policy requires the identification of obstacles to the adoption of healthy public policies in non-health sectors, and ways of removing them. The aim must be to make the healthier choice the easier choice for policy-makers as well.

Create supportive environments
Societies are complex and interrelated. Health cannot be separated from other goals. The inextricable links between people and their environment constitute the basis for a socioecological approach to health. The overall guiding principle for the world, nations, regions and communities alike is the need to encourage reciprocal maintenance - to take care of each other, our communities and our natural environment. The conservation of natural resources throughout the world should be emphasized as a global responsibility.
Changing patterns of life, work and leisure have a significant impact on health. Work and leisure should be a source of health for people. The way society organizes work should help create a healthy society. Health promotion generates living and working conditions that are safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable.

Systematic assessment of the health impact of a rapidly changing environment - particularly in areas of technology, work, energy production and urbanization is essential and must be followed by action to ensure positive benefit to the health of the public. The protection of the natural and built environments and the conservation of natural resources must be addressed in any health promotion strategy.

Strengthen community action
Health promotion works through concrete and effective community action in setting priorities, making decisions, planning strategies and implementing them to achieve better health. At the heart of this process is the empowerment of communities, their ownership and control of their own endeavours and destinies.

Community development draws on existing human and material resources in the community to enhance self-help and social support, and to develop flexible systems for strengthening public participation and direction of health matters. This requires full and continuous access to information, learning opportunities for health, as well as funding support.

Develop personal skills
Health promotion supports personal and social development through providing information, education for health and enhancing life skills. By so doing, it increases the options available to people to exercise more control over their own health and over their environments, and to make choices conducive to health.

Enabling people to learn throughout life, to prepare themselves for all of its stages and to cope with chronic illness and injuries is essential. This has to be facilitated in school, home, work and community settings. Action is required through educational, professional, commercial and voluntary bodies, and within the institutions themselves.

Reorient health services
The responsibility for health promotion in health services is shared among individuals, community groups, health professionals, health service institutions and governments. They must work together towards a health care system which contributes to the pursuit of health.
The role of the health sector must move increasingly in a health promotion direction, beyond its responsibility for providing clinical and curative services. Health services need to embrace an expanded mandate which is sensitive and respects cultural needs. This mandate should support the needs of individuals and communities for a healthier life, and open channels between the health sector and broader social, political, economic and physical environmental components.
Reorienting health services also requires stronger attention to health research as well as changes in professional education and training. This must lead to a change of attitude and organization of health services, which refocuses on the total needs of the individual as a whole person.