In my motherland, the rate is 10,10% and in my adoption country it is 9%, they are very close which I suspected.  I do not know what the job market looks like in France nowadays but I hear it is like everywhere else, it is tough to find anything. About Sweden’s job market, I can talk a little more however. As I said, there are jobs, I saw them on the employment agency website (arbetsförmedligen). Companies are looking for personnel, yet they are very demanding. So much so that I do wonder if they want to find anyone for the positions they offer. One example comes to mind: I had found, what I thought to be a great ad for a regular office job, so I read through. I could have been good there if it had been nearer, it was reasonably demanding, but at the end it said “no smokers”. There is always one little thing that prevents a person to apply. Other jobs are so demanding, that for a second you are ashamed not to be all that they want you to be. But if you are, then there is always the argument of the lack of experience.

To employers in general, leastways those who are looking for new staff.
Do you really know what you are looking for when you put so many adjectives that should qualify a candidate? Why do you not take the risk, even with the actual economical crisis, to let candidates prove with acts, and not diplomas or references, what they can do? Or is it that you just have a quota to fill of job ads to post on the unemployment agency’s board?
There are so many qualified people out there who might not have all the personal qualities required, but who could do such tremendous work.

Another aspect is this: if the jobs out there do not find the right staff for lack of qualification, why not make it easier for people to get it? That is the kind of investment municipalities need to prioritise. There are simple solutions at hand that need obviously the right decisions to be made. We all had enough of “those in charge” (and you all know who you are) shaking their heads in front of the bad figures, and catastrophic economy. We had enough hearing them talking about it and hear what they cannot do to help. I say to them: find out what you can do, do it and then talk about it!

I am unregistered-unemployed (so I am not included in the rates) French citizen, living in Sweden where the unemployment rate reached 9% in February 2010 as I previously said. I am sending resumes and letters, maybe not every day but often. I study Swedish, Small Business and a couple of other things. I have a study allowance of 88 SEK per month (9.10€ or 12.17$ or 7.9£), because I have to pay back the extra money I was not supposed to get. Of course I am pissed off now and then… BUT… I know where I am going and it feels good. I have a wonderful husband and a family that I cherish. I am convinced deep inside that everything will be fine as long as I do not give up. But it is not about me, is it? I am one of the luckiest, yet all the others like me who struggle every day. Do they all have my luck? When are they going to get the help and attention they need?

There is no money, I know! We all do… what on Earth are you then doing with the money you get from the tax payers? and do not say healthcare, because it is becoming a big joke!

Now, I am getting carried away. All I wanted to say was that there are plenty of jobs, plenty of qualified unemployed people, plenty of others not so qualified… with all that, why cannot the governments/companies improve the situation? We are waiting!

Unfortunatelly this comic book is not yet available in English…

• The downside to “virtual” networking:

Internet Social Networks (ISN) are crowded with sexual predators… hmm! It is probably right, but so is the real world! Virtual Networks are nothing but a reflection of our Society. Why kind of control do people have in the real world that they do not have in a “virtual” society… the only thing I can think of is that it is very easy to lie about who one really is in a virtual world, that would be the danger. Common sense tells one to trust others even more seldom in a virtual platform… that would be what parents should teach their children very early, it’s actually their job to protect them and that is one way. Not that easy? Well, nobody said it was easy to be a parent!
Okay, let us leave that aspect aside as it is another debate. ISN bring people in a more isolated settlement even though one could have hundreds of “friends” from all over the world. Networking through Internet is keeping people more apart than ever. It is like my husband says: “what is wrong with just picking up the phone?” Obviously nothing is wrong with that, however would it make any difference if Internet had never become what it is today? Would people stay in touch with one another the way they used to? I would not be so sure.

“Virtual” Social Networks are but a tool for people to communicate beyond frontiers. It is a tool to keep in touch, to spread information…  The dangers of it, or rather the danger, is to forget what it really is: just a tool!

• The upside to “virtual” networking:

As a tool, it is user friendly and people tend to choose it over phoning or writing letters because it is cheap, even free (if one does not consider the cost of an Internet connection). In the actual economical situation the world finds itself, nothing is better than saving money any way one can (even though it is but an illusion). No matter… that kind of networking works really good with patience and luck. I do believe that luck is a big factor. Of course, it depends on the reason one is actually networking. Getting a musical band better known, or a book, or anything that needs people to exist, then “virtual” social networks are a blast! One just needs one person whose network (amount of connection) is larger than ones; a person that likes ones art/product and communicates about it, for one to finally get the attention needed/deserved. It is not necessarily to sell that one needs such attention, not at first… it is to get the sense of purpose in what one is doing. Then the business part kicks in and it is an entire other story (which I am not interested in for this piece).

Humanly speaking, why does one want to leave a mark such as art? why one wishes to be noticed? After all, we are all going to die at some point, so why? why does one think that future generations ought to know one were here? Is it pride? what is it?
Again, this is another debate, but what I wrote above just made me think of these questions some of you could even ask: why are you writing? why do you need to have a blog? why do you think people care about what you think? I would say, just because ! (even though it is no answer).

Anyway, back to “Virtual” Social Networks… As long as one does not forget what they are: just a tool, one is safe. Common sense is the best way to keep ones head cool and keep ones feet on the ground. Responsibility is also an important notion: for parents, users, and networks owners… Just do not forget that “Virtual” Social Networks are nothing more than a copy of the world we live in, but they are not life. Whatever bad happens because of a virtual interaction, people do the deeds not the tool! When good things happen, it is still people who make them happen, not the tool! But when there is bad then it is the tools fault… when there is good, one praises the tool…
Finally, I need to add, risking repeating myself: having friends is good; to meet them, chat with them, have fun with them, interact for real with them, is what counts and makes life wonderful. “Virtual” is a tool, nothing more. PEOPLE are what matters!

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ preamble, paragraph two, states that “Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people”. Thus, I chose to write about article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a writer, it touches me more or less directly. As a thinker and reader, I react very violently to articles underlining the violation of freedom of opinion and expression in the world.

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

The European Convention about this article was ratified in 1952 in Sweden. Since 1992, one of the four ground rules defining Sweden’s democracy regards the freedom of opinion and expression. In a country where such freedom exists, one can wonder if there are limits to it and who enforces them.

In 1999, the freedom of opinion was pushed to the extreme, when Nazis acted on their beliefs and thereby violating at least the three first articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Sixty two Swedish Nazis were arrested and judged consequently for having applied to the letter their right to the freedom of opinion, yet going against all other aspects of Human Rights. As a result, Sweden’s population lived in a fearful state. Ultimately, Sweden’s four biggest newspapers reacted together for the first time and published the photos and names of the criminals as well as a full documentary on the events, therefore refusing to give in into fear. As I understand it, the newspapers acted as the voice of the Swedes and enforced the limits to the freedom of opinion. However, I cannot help wondering why one has to wait until the damage is done to see that Human Rights are respected. Where does one draw the line and who does it?

When it comes to Internet and article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one can organize it in three categories. The first one, to which Sweden belongs, is self-censure. Is it really so or is it only a theory? The second one is called strong censure and Belarus is one of the many states that enforce it. The third one is total censure where Burma, for instance, (now called the Republic of Myanmar), has the monopole over the Internet. Indeed, anyone who possesses a computer must register themselves to the authorities.

The freedom of opinion and expression is inexistent in Burma, yet the country is part of the United Nations since 1948. It is probably the worst country when it comes to the respect of Human Rights and is considered the poorest country in the world according to “Human Rights Watch”. 2007 seven students “pro-democracy” were arrested and sentenced to harsh prison penalties for printing and distributing a poem called “Daung Man” that expressed opinions in favour of democracy in Burma, related “Reporter without borders”. As of today, I have not been able to find that particular text anywhere, nor have I found any new information about the condition of the students. All I found was a poem, with the same title “Daung Man”, published on a blog called “Burma Digest” and dedicated to the seven students. I wonder: what does it mean to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights if a state like Burma does not enforce it but rather goes entirely against it?

Between limitless rights to freedom of expression and opinion, and a total prohibition of such freedom, it is difficult to understand all the ramifications that article 19 explores. A total freedom shows that the worst in human nature surfaces therefore provoking the best in human nature to react. Unfortunately, the best does not show unless the worst has acted. I believe that in a world where so many differences of culture exist, as well as so many different people, power always overrules Human Kind’s good intentions. I am not saying that the Human Rights are obsolete, but rather that as long as power is more important than people, the Declaration of Human Rights is a very utopian theory that society cannot be without.

Sources:

• § Internet The United Nations: http://www.un.org
• § Internet: Blog Burma Digest, a magazine specializing in Human Rights Affairs in Burma: http://burmadigest.wordpress.com
• § Internet: Reporter without borders, http://www.rsf.org (2006.04.04 ”seven students arrested for publishing a poem”)
• § Swedish Newspaper: Expressen from november 30th 1999 ”Idag jobbar vi tillsammans: Avslöjade 62 svenska nazister och medlemmar i Hells Angels som hotar rättvisan”.
• § Swedish Newspaper: Aftonbladet (20000117, ”Alla får inte surfa” – journalist: Erik Bergin)
• § Book: ”De Mänskliga Rättigheterna” by Lars Ronnäs, 1995
• § Book: ”Mänskliga Rättigheter. En Introduktion” by David I. Fisher
• § Book: ”Vad är mänskliga rättigheter” by Hans Ingvar Roth, 2007.

Under hösten sol
Vinden lugnar sig.
Det står vatten still:
Då får man
Ett berg till.

Kan du höra
Tystnanden?
Kan du höra den
Som låter högt och mjuk.

Varma gula
Och kalla blåa
Blandar i solen
Tills man känner höst
Och glömmer kölden.

Kan du känna
Hur skönt det är?
Kan du känna
Hur glädjande det blev?

En höst i Sverige…

© Claire Perez Ekman