"Can you distil the essence of a country into just 100 words? We think so. 'Quarks, Elephants & Pierogi: Poland in 100 Word' will make you fall in love with a country with one of the most unusual histories out there. It'll also show you how languages intersect and whole cultures arise, and make you realise just how interwoven our world is. Along the way, you'll find out why quarks are made from curd cheese, learn what elephants have to do with a Central European country, and discover how pierogi saved an entire town. Plus, you'll get to enjoy 100 illustrations by Polish graphic designer Magda Burdzyńska"--Back cover.
"The Congo Basin in Central Africa harbors approximately one quarter of the world's rainforests. Second in size only to that of the Amazon, the heart of this rainforest is populated by communities whose lives are vastly different from much of the rest of the world. This stunning photo series is part of the Tales of Us project, which sets out to demonstrate that the powerful but fragile ecosystems and the mythologies of the peoples who call them home are inextricably linked. In this book, local Congolese living in the Mbomo District staged and enacted the oral history of the Congo for fine art photographer Pieter Henket under the canopy of the ancient rainforest from which these stories sprang." --Page 4 of cover.
In this original and illuminating book, Denise A. Spellberg reveals a little-known but crucial dimension of the story of American religious freedom—a drama in which Islam played a surprising role. In 1765, eleven years before composing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson bought a Qur’an. This marked only the beginning of his lifelong interest in Islam, and he would go on to acquire numerous books on Middle Eastern languages, history, and travel, taking extensive notes on Islam as it relates to English common law. Jefferson sought to understand Islam notwithstanding his personal disdain for the faith, a sentiment prevalent among his Protestant contemporaries in England and America. But unlike most of them, by 1776 Jefferson could imagine Muslims as future citizens of his new country. Based on groundbreaking research, Spellberg compellingly recounts how a handful of the Founders, Jefferson foremost among them, drew upon Enlightenment ideas about the toleration of Muslims (then deemed the ultimate outsiders in Western society) to fashion out of what had been a purely speculative debate a practical foundation for governance in America. In this way, Muslims, who were not even known to exist in the colonies, became the imaginary outer limit for an unprecedented, uniquely American religious pluralism that would also encompass the actual despised minorities of Jews and Catholics. The rancorous public dispute concerning the inclusion of Muslims, for which principle Jefferson’s political foes would vilify him to the end of his life, thus became decisive in the Founders’ ultimate judgment not to establish a Protestant nation, as they might well have done. As popular suspicions about Islam persist and the numbers of American Muslim citizenry grow into the millions, Spellberg’s revelatory understanding of this radical notion of the Founders is more urgent than ever. Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an is a timely look at the ideals that existed at our country’s creation, and their fundamental implications for our present and future.
When Expo 2019 Beijing came to a close on October 9, 2019, it was hailed one of the most successful expos in history. Adopting ‘Live Green, Live Better’ as its theme, the International Horticultural Exhibition Beijing revolved around a philosophy of horticulture as central to helping humanity rediscover the principles of ecological civilization. With environmentalism at its heart, the event aimed to highlight the need for unity among the global community in tackling climate-related issues, and the wider challenges facing humanity. Beijing’s expo welcomed more than nine million visitors over the course of six months. In that time, rich dialogue took place between millions of attendees, more than 110 participating countries and international organizations, and around 2,000 VIP visiting groups. The exhibition’s influence was felt far beyond Beijing, with two billion online visitors. Setting the standard for future expos, Beijing Expo offers valuable lessons as Dubai puts the final touches to Expo 2020. This paper offers a detailed analysis of the many months of preparation and planning that went into Expo 2019 Beijing, exploring its guiding principles and the key factors in its success, such as a scientific approach to its design and robust organizational practices. The paper also considers the overall impact of Beijing expo, as both a model for others to follow and an inspirational example of a major event that was able to galvanize the international community behind an important cause.
2020—the turn of decade, the intended year of Expo, and the eve of the UAE's 50th anniversary—is indeed an opportune time. Even as shockwaves from a truly unexpected disruption, known colloquially as coronavirus and officially COVID-19, resonate around the world, Dubai's diversification as well as its orientation toward innovation will undoubtedly help the Emirate lead the way through a challenging time.The Business Year's country-specific publications, sometimes featuring over 150 face-to-face interviews, are among the most comprehensive annual economic publications available internationally. This 244-page publication covers green economy, banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, industry, telecoms and IT, transport and logistics, maritime, real estate, construction, health, education, and tourism.
The Dubai property market has come a long way since it opened up to foreign buyers in 2002. Buying Property in Dubai is the first guide of its kind and covers the city's evolving property market in detail. From the pitfalls to procedures, to organising finance and finding the right development, the book is thoroughly researched and up-to-date. Buying Property in Dubai appeals to anyone with an interest in purchasing, investing or speculating in property in this fascinating city.Global property investor interest soared following Dubai's winning bid to host the World Expo 2020. This guide will help you understand the market.
This book can be used to teach public policy and help international industry leaders and academics understand the context of UAE and the role it plays in the global arena. This project is a series by the Academy of International Business - MENA chapter, supported by the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, Dubai.
In many respects 2014 marked the transition from strong recovery to promising growth for Dubai. With many exciting projects in the pipeline, not least the hosting of Expo 2020, the emirate is continuing to build on its reputation as a dynamic and international centre for business. Already a regional and global centre for business and finance, Dubai’s reputation has been bolstered by the MSCI’s decision to upgrade the UAE from frontier to emerging market status in 2014, while the emirate’s successful Expo 2020 bid is expected to generate myriad opportunities for private investors across a range of sectors. Construction is thriving once again, driven in large part by strong retail sector growth, with various projects, including plans for the world’s largest mall, indicating that the sector will maintain its position as the emirate’s biggest GDP contributor moving forward. The transport and logistics framework is set for major expansion in the coming years as well, furthering cementing the emirate’s status as a leading transport and logistics hub not just regionally, but globally too. The continued development of Dubai’s retail and hospitality offerings, alongside the upgrades to its airports, should help to ensure robust growth in visitor numbers from both the region and further afield.
This book focuses on understanding biomimetic architecture and its role as a sustainable design tool. It presents the role of biomimicry in mitigation and adaptation to climate change and examines how biomimetic architecture can provide healthy solutions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in buildings and cities. Coverage includes global examples of biomimetic approaches and buildings, an evaluation of the performance of biomimicry applications in architecture to illustrate best practices, and an exploration of how nature can offer inspiration in building design to conserve resources and save energy use as well as curb carbon emissions – a reaffirmed goal of COP 26 and an outcome of Glasgow Climate Pact. Finally, the book presents guidelines to enhance urban areas and healthier spaces in buildings to meet COVID-19 social distance regulations and beyond. Examines global applications of biomimicry in architecture; Highlights the importance of biomimicry in driving livability in cities and buildings; Explores the role of biomimetic architecture in mitigating climate change. “The line of argument developed is highly relevant to the present, in addition to being original and pertinent to research on urban regeneration, especially in regard to the exploration of the use of biomimicry architecture in response to changing urban demands.” —Alessandra Battisti, Ph.D., Professor of Architecture, University of Rome La Sapienza-
