Ethnic Diversity And Cultural Factors - 1751 Words

Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Factors Due to its violent history, Cambodia has a unique blend of ethnicities. The majority of the population is Khmer, with minorities such as Vietnamese, Cham, and Chinese, with Vietnamese being the largest. Many Khmer from south Vietnam, called Khmer Kraom, which includes young men who come as Buddhist monks. The Cham, who are predominantly Muslim, usually live in riverfront communities, and live off of fishing, small businesses, and livestock. The Chinese population generally have a better relation with the other cultures in Cambodia, with much more intermarriage between them and Khmer and Vietnamese. Other culture in Cambodia have historically clashed, with the Cham and Khmer having religious†¦show more content†¦However, CEDAW has failed to protect women, due to Cambodia’s weak legal system. As a result, most women remain unprotected and vulnerable (Galabru, 2004). Domestic violence is one of the greatest forms of violence against women in Cambodia. 17% of married women, ages 15-49, have reported their husbands physically and sexually abusing them. Even more shocking, one fourth of these women do not think they are abused, revealing Cambodian women’s lack of knowledge of basic human rights. Research shows that lack of education and alcohol increase women’s risk of be abused. Also, women who came of age during the Khmer Rouge period are subject to significantly higher rates of domestic abuse, relieving how violence in society affects violence at home. Cambodia’s traditional culture does not help women who are victims of domestic abuse. Violence and rape are considered an issue between the husband and wife that does not concern law officials. Children are also victims of abuse, due to traditional Asian households. Extended families tend to live together, so children can be abused not just by their parent, but also by an uncle , cousin, or grandparent. Because of this, civil rights organizations in Cambodia pressure the NA to widen the definition of â€Å"victims† to include others just as relatives, not just wives (Galabru, 2004). Rape is also prevalent in Cambodia, yet like most crimes, it is under reported. Child

Student Independence and Peer to Peer Learning- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about the Student Independence and Peer to Peer Learning. Answer: Introduction: Learning is the art of acquiring knowledge either by study, experience or teaching, the process of learning however is continuous, which is influenced by several parameters, both external and internal. However the learning process is never same for all. Different people have different learning capacities, while few may find learning process easier on their own, few might be in need of some additional effort. One of the most abundantly utilized mediator techniques in learning process is peer assisted learning, a recent contemporary addition to the world of learning and teaching (Sams Bergmann, 2013). Elaborating more, a peer can be identified as the individual, who holds the similar academic rank, and peer assisted learning or PAL is the concept of involving the assistance and cooperation of the peers in the learning process of an individual. Now it has to be mentioned in this context that peer assisted learning cannot be categorized as a singular undifferentiated learning strategy. On the contrary, the concept of peer to peer learning encompasses a broad range of tools and methods, making it a more or less multidimensional learning strategy. According to the research study conducted in university of Ulster, there are 10 different modes of peer to peer learning (Riese, Samara Lillejord, 2012). This assignment will attempt to explore four different methods of peer to peer learning and how they can be integrated to ensure maximum student independence and autonomy. Method 1: The first method that will be discussed here is the traditional proctor model of peer assisted learning. Despite being a traditional model of learning this style takes into consideration diverse contemporary teaching method and styles. According to Li Lam, 2013, this mode of peer to peer learning is characterized by the incorporation of an educational setting where the senior students are entasked with the responsibility of tutoring or teaching the junior students utilizing much more application based and innovative learning techniques than what the usual classroom learning design employs. The authors have indicated that teaching or tutoring is a domain where experience and knowledge, both play a significant role, a single misconception or flawed understanding in the tutor may be passed on to the students that he or she is tutoring hence, and the gap in knowledge is passed on rather than being addressed and eradicated. Hence it can be said that in this model the responsibility of tu toring is given to a senior student who is ought to have a better understanding and conceptual clarity regarding the subject rather than the new learners, and hence this model can be considered much more suited and beneficial for the best of interest of the new learners. Another school of thought regarding the employment of traditional proctor model in per to peer learning setting acknowledges a different ideology within the same model (Kearney, 2013). According to this new ideology, the students from similar learning capacity or similar modules cooperate in a partnership in the learning cells assigned by the senior tutor, and the partners of the same team help each other equally in the learning process. Now it has been argued that team learning environment grouping learners with similar capacity makes the learning process much easier for both of them and along with that introduces the additional element of mutual support, which in turn facilitates the learning process further altho ugh one drawback if this integration can be the slow paced learning process and lack of constructive competitiveness. This method can be best utilized to group two individual in the similar learnng curve with a senior tutor. Method 2: The second method of introducing peer assisted learning illustrates the last discussed integration method with more impact on eliminating the concept of senior tutoring. This method of peer to peer learning is also known as cooperative learning, the main principle behind this integrative ideology is to establish and facilitate positive interdependence and autonomy in the students utilizing cooperation and mutual learning experiences. In this approach earners are grouped on the basis of shared learning outcomes, and the process guides the involved individuals in a mutually beneficial interactive process guiding the entire learning process. The main difference between the proctor method and cooperative learning method is the fact that in thus method no senior tutor is assigned to a group, and the group of 6 to 7 learners with similar learning outcomes are guided by the teachers themselves (Jimenez et al., 2012). According to Kearney, 2013, this mode of peer assisted learning brings abo ut the best invested efforts for the sake of student autonomy, where the students participate equally with simultaneous interaction, synergy, and values to facilitate mutually beneficial learning process, fortifying the strength of each other and camouflaging the flaws, enabling the learners within a peer group to depend on their own abilities and understanding to bridge the gaps left behind in their learning process without having to depend on the assistance of the tutor, in turn employing best student independence. However a second school of thought regarding this context is the competence threat that can be a potential challenge when integrating cooperative learning method, however according to a few authors the best method to implement this method so that competence threat is eliminated and best outcome is achieved can be by incorporating the jigsaw method of informational independence while forming the groups (Jimenez et al., 2012). Method 3: The third method of peer to peer learning is another derivation from the proctor model, however this method emphasizes on the idea of peer monitoring rather than group studying activity. The method of peer monitoring is another very popular peer assisted learning method, which is characterized by the specific role taking as monitor by an experienced learner belong to the same curriculum. In this method of learning the peer monitor is chosen on the basis of understanding, performance and conceptual clarity among a group of learners belonging to a same or similar modules (Burke Sass, 2013). Unlike the proctor model, there are no internal groups or teams formed in this scenario, and with the lack of sub-grouping, each and every individual gets the equal opportunity to learn. In case of peer tutoring or mentoring the most of focus is bestowed on the curriculum development module contents helping and monitoring the students to understand their curriculum and learn the contents rather tha n memorizing it. according to Boud, 2012, the best method to implement this technique will depend on deciphering and optimally utilizing the speciality level of the tutoring while assigning him or her a team of learners, where some tutoring modes scaffold interactive learning with structured material to facilitate better understanding, and many of the authors believe this specialized mode of peer tutoring is potentially more beneficial for bringing forth the concepts of student autonomy than the generic peer tutoring. Method 4: The last method of peer to peer learning is the one that has attracted the most of the controversial arguments and has the minimal documented proof of the positive results. It has to be understood in this context that the responsibility of the peer mentor or tutor is to guide, assist and motivate the learners to attempt for learning activities and efforts that they have otherwise not opted for on their own. Hence, it is of great importance for the peer tutor to be experienced with exceptional leadership skills and cooperative and motivating understanding. This method of peer to peer learning represents the concept of spontaneous tutoring where untrained individuals with lacking experience and knowledge providing random training and tutoring sessions to the learners. According to the authors, this method is unwarranted and more or less unproductive as it does not abide by the standard norms of peer tutoring. In most cases, spontaneous tutoring behaviour can inevitably lead to incomple te learning process with frequent gaps that are left uncorrected (Boud, 2012). Hence it neither facilitates the concept of shared learning nor educational autonomy in the students or learners, nor can be considered counter-productive to the establishment of educational autonomy in the students, which is the primary outcome of the peer to peer learning programs. However, one beneficial result of this learning method can be the fact that this spontaneous training does not require meticulous preplanning and setting organization, and the learners can get their doubts cleared much sooner than any other peer assisted learning method. However, as opined by the authors, the best method to utilize this method is to take acute attention to ensure that spontaneous training is only employed to clear small doubts or confusions and is not trusted as a mainstream peer learning technique among the learners (Boud, 2013). Conclusion: On a concluding note, it can be said that there are a number of different tutoring techniques within the concept of peer to peer learning style, and each technique has its own sets of benefits and pitfalls. However the correct integration technique that will be able to yield the best results will entirely depend on the individual characteristics of the learner population and the learning environment setting. It has to be understood that, the process of acquiring knowledge is different for each and every individual; hence there cannot a single standardized protocol that will be able to achieve every learning goal in different learner setting. Rather, if the peer assisted learning technique is chosen on the basis of the learning capacity of the learners and the environment, it will be able to extract the optimal results out of peer to peer learning philosophy. References: Boud, D. (2013). Enhancing learning through self-assessment. Routledge. Boud, D. (Ed.). (2012).Developing student autonomy in learning. Routledge. Burke, M. A., Sass, T. R. (2013). Classroom peer effects and student achievement. Journal of Labor Economics, 31(1), 51-82. Jimenez, B. A., Browder, D. M., Spooner, F., Dibiase, W. (2012). Inclusive inquiry science using peer-mediated embedded instruction for students with moderate intellectual disability. Exceptional Children, 78(3), 301-317. Kearney, S. (2013). Improving engagement: the use of Authentic self-and peer-assessment for learningto enhance the student learning experience. Assessment Evaluation in Higher Education, 38(7), 875-891. Li, M. P., Lam, B. H. (2013). Cooperative learning. The Active Classroom, The Hong Kong Institude of Education. Riese, H., Samara, A., Lillejord, S. (2012). Peer relations in peer learning.International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education,25(5), 601-624. Sams, A., Bergmann, J. (2013). Flip your students' learning. Educational leadership, 70(6), 16-20.

Besieged by Climate Control free essay sample

In Mann’s article, â€Å"Besieged by Climate Deniers: A Scientist Decides to Fight Back† greenhouse gases are destroying layers of the earth’s ozone or atmosphere, which is the result of burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, oil. Research done by Mann and other climate scientific points out that there is a serious threat to our planet as a result of the overuse of fossil fuels and the sharply rising levels of the gases as we continue to burn more and more fossil fuels. According to Michael Mann, he and other scientist over the past decades have become the victims of retaliations by certain special interest groups, politicians, industries or ideologues who vehemently disagree with their climate change research and are trying to discredit or diminish the findings of their research. Understandably, their critics are unhappy with their research or findings. Subsequently, they are repeatedly ridiculed and accused of overstating or exaggerate the facts of their research regarding the effects of greenhouse emissions by their critics. We will write a custom essay sample on Besieged by Climate Control or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Consequently, their advocacies are on the defense or attack because their research it does not agree or fall in line with their policy, beliefs or goals with respect to their position on the use of fossil fuels, despite the reality, the facts or the quality of their research and findings. Therefore, the fossil fuel industry and its advocates are displeased with the unflattering research results of climate scientists, like Mann, which finds the use of oil, coal, and natural gas to be the major contributors of climate change and global warming. Mann states that their research is like significant pieces of a larger puzzle which they continue to fill in. When it is eventually completed it will give a true picture of the effect of global warming. It will point out the negative fallout or significant increases in adverse activities such as heat waves, rises in the earth’s sea level, disappearing shorelines, floods, availability of food resources and fresh water supplies, all resulting, if we continue to burn fossil fuels. Subsequently, the disbelievers or those who potentially stand to be effected and lose the most by the research done by climate control scientist’s, are out to destroy credibility or effectively diminish their reputations and findings by challenging the validity of their research that support global warming as a result of the overuse and abuse of fossil fuels that Mann points out to be the culprits of greenhouse gases and confirms the benefits in the decreased use of fossil fuels. Scientist like Mann and their adversaries or political foes want to dismantle the research and other significant research. The dismantling or attacks were initially prompted by the hockey stick papers, research studies done and supported by numerous scientists that contain graphs that demonstrate the rapid and steady spikes or increases of the earth’s temperature and global warming over the past 1,000 years. To disband this theory or the validity of the hockey stick papers, their critics want to treat such research or research that involve the hockey stick theory, like a house of cards, which if one falls down the rest will weaken and topple. Their adversaries hope antics like these, according to Mann will question or attempt to destroy their integrity or the integrity of their research. In his article, Mann refers to this as the â€Å"Serengeti strategy† where they look for what they perceive to be the weakest animal in the herd and then attack or pounce upon that one. Opposition, such as Joe Barton a Republican U. S. Representative from Texas, James Inhofe a Republican Senator from Oklahoma along with Virginia Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli are all a part of the opposition determined to dismantle the research of global warming or under mind the credibility of the research and scientists like Mann. In his article Mann points out the motives of each. According to Mann, Joe Barton is one of the biggest receivers of fossil fuel funding in the House of Representatives. In his efforts to discredit the work of the supporters of global warming, Barton sent Mann and his colleagues letters demanding that they expose their professional and personal lives to scrutiny through an investigation committee involving Barton. Additionally, Joe Barton hired a statistician from George Mason University to disprove their research which was validated by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). James Inhofe, Barton’s ally, in synchrony, went even further to dispute their research or claims. According to Mann, Inhofe deliberately issued false claims or reports disputing their work or research. Inhofe went so far as to publish a book trying to dispel their research and the theories of global warming. In his book Inhofe tries to convenience readers that there is a conspiracy taking place amongst scientist like Mann behind and their global warming and climate change research. Inhofe expressed a desire to gain control of the Senate Committee and if he does, because of his beliefs and persistence involving global warming, would like to investigate Mann and 16 others scientist. It is his hope and effort to expose what he believes to be the truth or a conspiracy by the scientist as the results of an investigation or as outlined in his book. To further refute the research and intrude upon privacy of scientists like Mann, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli tried to subpoena the personal correspondence of Mann and many other scientists during Mann’s time at the University of Virginia. Cuccinelli efforts failed before the Virginia Supreme Court. The witch hunt, as termed by Mann, cost an estimated $600,000 in private funds defending the personal rights or privacy of climate scientists. Additionally, other groups and individuals have gone so far as to use multiple methods of intimidations or scare tactics such as threatening e-mails, which include anonymous death threats, along with threats through the U. S. ail that included a powdery substance like Anthrax, identified later by the FBI as a hoax and leaving the carcasses of animals, such as a rat, on the doorstep of one of one of his fellow scientist or colleagues, all in an effort to scare or discourage the scientists like Mann. However, because of the serious, potentially deadly consequences of and their position and concern for the negative effects of greenhouse gases and subsequent global warming, scientists like Mann are breaking their silence. Michael man and other scientist are making it publicly known that greenhouse emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels pose a serious threat to the delicate balance to our world’s ecological system. Scientist like himself are making a concerted effort to inform the public about the realities of climate change and global warming related to and occurring because of the negative and subsequent effects of greenhouse emissions. Unfortunately, the attacks and investigations taking place are because of the efforts of these scientists to expose the truth about the subsequent, detrimental effects effects of CO2/greenhouse gases. Tired of the persistent attacks and ridicule, personally and against their position and research on global warming, scientists, like Michael Mann, are deciding to fight back with the help of and through advocates and scientists like U. S. Representative Sherwood Boehlert, a Republican from New York, is helping climate scientist fight back. Additionally, scientist like Barton are being aided by such groups as Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Individuals like, Scott Mandia, a meteorology professor at the State University of New York. Their efforts and contributions have helped to concentrate the support and defend the climate scientists who have become the victims of these retaliatory efforts and attacks and support their position on global warming. Mandia, part of a group called the Climate Science Rapid Response Team (CSRRT) is helping to connect benefactors with scientists to assist in their plight by virtue of a defense fund, which helps pay for the legal fees for those scientist who are being attacked and are stuck with mounting legal fees, as a result of their situation or who may require legal advice assistance in order to defend themselves or fight back. In addition to Mandia, John Abraham, a physics professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, along with others, also help form a part of the rapid response team, which connects journalists with scientists to assist in their plight and spreading the news. Reasonably, scientist/climate scientists are only focused on the importance of their research and doing their jobs as it relates to their research. Subsequently, for the most part many scientists are not focused on or educated enough in such matters to eloquently take on the responsibility or sufficiently battle the sea of media and politicians/policymakers and manipulated investigations. Therefore, they need help in these areas and fortunately, help is being offered and given to those who need it through private individuals and organizations such as NCS and the CSRRT so that they are better able to bounce back and defend themselves from such retaliation. In Mann’s article, he admits that for more than a decade he has been the victim and the repeated target of attacks and threats by political interests groups who feel threatened by his and other scientific research on greenhouse gases and global warming. However, he is concerned, a top the obvious, about the negative feedback this can create with the false accusations and retaliatory conduct of such demigods, which can cause a back flash of fear, discouraging young or future or aspiring scientists and researchers from entering this area of research or science, which is deemed off limits because of the ridicule and attacks against scientist like himself. According to Mann the seeming baseless assaults on scientists have no use in our society or in a good democracy. His view is that an intelligent conversation can be had by all discussing, analyzing and understanding the scientific facts for the solutions or minimally the consequences of global warming. Finally, Mann states that though any relevant factors such as economics, policy and fairness need to be included in the equations but ethics must be a part of the equation as well as it affects our future and our children, and their children and our grandchildren existence and survival on the planet. Reference Mann, M. E. (2012, April 12). Besieged by climate deniers, a scientist decides to fight back. Yale Environment 360: Opinion, Analysis, Reporting Debate. Retrieved from http://e360. yale. edu/feature/climate_scientist_michael_mann_fights_back_skeptics/2516/#. T4bO2MVsVyg. twitter

Jack London Love of Life Essays

Jack London Love of Life Essays Jack London Love of Life Essay Jack London Love of Life Essay Essay Topic: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Genealogic Classification and typology of languages. 2. Language as a Social Phenomenon. Definition of Language. Functions of the Language. 3. Languages as a Systemic System . Language Levels and Components. The History of the English Language 1. Theories of Language Evolution. Periodization of English and Main Events in the History of English 2. Common LinguisticFeatures of Ancient and Modern Germanic Languages 3. Grammatical andLexical Peculiarities of Old English 4. Main Features ofMiddle English: Phonetics, Grammar, Vocabulary 5.The Characteristicsof Early Modern English. The Process of Language Standardization 6. Development ofWiring in the history of the English language The EnglishLiterature 1. Old EnglishLiterature / Epic, Lyric, Historical works/ 2. Middle EnglishLiterature /G. Chaucer, WLangland, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight/ 3. The Main Periods inthe Literary Activity of William Shakespeare 4. The Romantic Subjectin Lord Byrons Poetry 5. The Victorian Age inEnglish Lite rature. 6. English Prose of theXXth Century The English Lexicology 1.Word Building Processes Based on Addition and Contraction 2. Peculiarities of American and British English 3. Criteria of Classification of the Phraseological Units 4. Synonymy, Antonymy and Homonymy 5. The Development of English and American Lexicography 6. Variants and Dialects of the English language 7. The Etymology of the English Word Stock 8. The Theory of the Word. Lexical Meaning and Semantic Structure of English Words. The English Stylistics 1. Functional Styles of the English Language 2. Phono-Graphical Expressive Means. 3.Lexical Stylistic Devices / Metaphor, Metonymy, Irony, Zeugma, Pun, Epithet, / 4. Lexical stylistic Devices /Oxymoron, Simile, Periphrases, Hyperbole, Repetition, Understatement/ 5. Syntactical Stylistic Devices /Stylistics Inversion, Detached Constructions, Parallel Construction, Chiasmus, Suspense, Climax, Antithesis/ 6. Stylistic Classification of the English Vocabulary Theory and Pr actice of Translation 1. Speak on the Scienceof translating. 2. Types ofTranslations. 3. Levels ofEquivalence of Translation. 4. Lexical Aspects ofTranslation 5.Machine Translationand its Perspectives 6. Handling AttributiveGroups 7. Translation ofPhraseological Units 8. Handling Equivalentand Equivalent-Lacking Forms and Structures 9. Translation of ModalForms 10. Direct and IndirectTranslating Procedures 11. Intercultural andInterlingual Translation 12. FundamentalParameters of Translational Competences 13. Pragmatics ofTranslation 14. Stylistic Aspects ofTranslation 15. Lexical and GrammarDifficulties in Translation 16. Types ofTransformations in the Process of Translation /lexical, grammatical, syntactic, miscellaneous types/ 17.AntonymousTranslation. Compensation in Translation. Other Translation Problems. Traductology 1. ProfessionalTranslation as an Act of Communication. The Role of a Translator. 2. Different Approachesto Translation. Four Schools of Translation. 3. Different Aspects ofTranslation Activity. Translation and Cultural Equation. 4. Components of Actsof Communication / aims, intentions, content, package / 5. Fidelity as aPhenomenon in Translation. Verbalizing a Simple Idea. 6. Principles of Fidelity/ primary and secondary information/ 7.Differences betweenInterpretation and Translation 8. KnowledgeAcquisition in Written and Oral Translation 9. Meanings of Words. Aspects of Synonyms* Translation 10. Translation and Style. Pragmatics of the Text 11. Translation of Terms and Professionalisms 12. Semantic Engineering and Levels of Translators Approximation 13. The Nature ofLiterature and Informative Text Translation. The Genres of Literary works 14. The Subdivisions ofInformative Translation /scientific and technical texts, publicistic texts,official documents etc/

Teaching and learning strategies integration Research Paper

Teaching and learning strategies integration - Research Paper Example These strategies are classified under two categories: (1) Activity Based Strategies and (2) Cooperative Based Strategies. Furthermore, the last few sections of the paper will give an overview of the different learning style theories discussed by Jonnassen & Gabrowski (1993). This research hopes to gather information that will be instrumental for curriculum design and lesson delivery at USASMA. Field Trips/ Staff rides. One of the methods used to develop leadership among military officers involves visiting a historical site and applying the theoretical understanding of the technical lessons in class. The process is able to link a historical event, preliminary studies and actual terrain so students can construct battle analysis. â€Å"Revisiting battlefields in a thoughtful and structured way helps connect today’s officers to military history† (Stofft, 1998, p. 16). Prior to the trip, participants are given all the necessary information through lectures and classroom discussions. This is the preliminary study phase. In the field study phase, the participants relive what took place by following the course of action based on what they have learned. At certain points, selected individuals may be asked to play out some roles. The last phase is the integration phase where the facilitator contextualizes the battlefield at the present day issues and problems. Everyday, at least one staff ride is taking place signifying its importance as a teaching technique. Staff rides place the participants in the shoes of the decision makers in the past so they learn from historical data and use it as a guide for future reference. It is also considered as a legitimate preparatory training experience in national defense. Commanders who have undergone staff ride trainings reiterate the value of military history â€Å"in supplementing current doctrinal, operational, and technical

The Kansas City Gun Experiment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Kansas City Gun Experiment - Essay Example Experiments are not the only research designs used to conduct research. There are other types of data-gathering strategies that can be used such as surveys, case studies, participant observation and unobtrusive measures. The most common type of unobtrusive measure is the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) where existing data collected and maintained by the FBI is used. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is a part of UCR. This experiment undertaken by the Kansas City Police Department was based on the theory that gun seizures and gun crime are inversely proportional. According to this theory gun seizures increase with the decrease of gun crimes. In order to test this theory and to reduce gun crime in Kansas City the Police Department used the quasi experimental design. It ordered extra patrol attention on gun crime â€Å"hot spots†. They conducted a target beat for 29 weeks. Specific and varied techniques were used by officers to detect guns, illegal weapon owners and high-risk youths. In order to protect civil liberties all searches and frisks conducted had to conform to legal guidelines. All arrests made for carrying illegal weapons had to be approved by a supervisory detective. A University of Maryland evaluator accompanied the officers when they went out to gather information. The data gathered was then analyzed. It was found that gun seizures in the target area increased by more than 65 percent and gun crimes declined by 49 percent whereas there was no significant change in areas not covered by the experiment. There was also a significant drop in homicides in target areas. The experiment also proved that the police can implement a program to increase seizures of illegal guns and that the productivity of Police officers increased when they were given the opportunity to focus only on gun detection in crime hot spots without being duty-bound to answer service calls. This program was

Special interest tourism

Special interest tourism Abstract Tourism is included in the most dynamic and propulsive activities, with complex and multiple effects. It supplies tourism with strong driving force in wide range of activities and includes it more and more into priorities of economic development of numerous receptive countries and their particular parts. Wealth, preservation and appeal of natural resources, large number of traditional agricultural households, gradual increase in domestic population living standard, as well as increasing interest of international market for performances of special interest tourism, make solid framework for development of this branch of tourism in Serbia, where required conditions exist. The development of other, accompanying activities is emphasized also in order to enrich the content that this particular branch of tourism has to offer. The intention of the authors in this paper is to, whit particular retrospective on conditions in Croatia and Serbia, answer to some developmental questions of tourism progress, depending on natural, economic and social facts, recognition of geographic aspects of terrain and determination by human factor in enhancing special interest tourism with all of its following content, through its work and activities. Key words: special interest tourism, comparative analysis, market, accommodation capacities, education. Introduction Based on key factors of success analysis, apparent is that both destinations have relatively good potential for developmental and international commercialization of tourism product. The fact is, that this product is based on preserved natural resources, to the larges extent, which both countries are abundant with, which enables them to define, develop and supply international market with attractive product palette of special tourism services. Natural and economic resources of special interest tourism in Istrian Regoin and Kolubara District Istrian Region by its geographic and natural landmarks has significant advantage, amongst others, in development of special interest tourism. This is justified by numerous data that evidence Istrian precedence in degree of quality supply, as well as the visit, when it comes to tourism in general. To comprehend completely essential vantages for tourism development of special interest places, parallel review of basic characteristics of each region is given, Istrian Region and Kolubara District, that also disposes with numerous natural attributes and potential possibilities. Additional assurance of special interest tourism prosperity on both locations, what can be seen from previous table is attractive relief that includes water areas, mountains, numerous gouges, caves and other. Segments of product Starting with a fact that special interest product is compounded of large number of market niches, the easiest way to segregate it is following: Mild or soft activities that include camping, hiking, bike riding, rafting, 44 driving, in-nature activities, horse riding, fishing, etc. Some of these activities, for example animal chase are being largely commercialized in Istria and Serbia, while some are being included in maps and catalogues of specialized operators, more in Istria then in Kolubara District. It is good to keep in mind that particular niches of special interest products, can represent an included part of product group Mountains and Lakes as additional activities while vacationing. Rich offer of activities represents a base for development of these products throughout the year, not only during high season. Rough or hard activities, that refer to canoeing or kayaking down river streams, exploring canyons, caves, mountain biking, cross country skiing, alpinism, free climbing, paragliding, jeep safari and similar. All of these activities, can in long-term, be presented as independent product on the market, particularly because their organization and popularization need more investment in promotion, standard formation and similar. Cultural resources activities, gastro interests, monastery tours, places of importance heritage tours, archeological journeys and similar. Market special interest products ought to be introduced to domestic market, as well as to foreign emissive markets of special interest like Germany, Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Italy etc. Competitive strategy of special interest tourism development in Serbia Taking into consideration complexity of the product, it is hard to determine unique developmental strategy. Each creative and professional destination, with its management on behalf, will determine its own competitive strategy. Regarding that Serbia is taking smaller steps in tourism supply and in its representation on foreign markets, in comparison to Istria, it must specially focus on these production segments which accompanied with reasonable prices and low costs make its biggest potential. On the other hand, Serbia must directly approach communication among its strategic benefits in special interest product, even more because of the fact that these products development and their international popularization do not require large financial investment. Although the special interest product is of mostly seasonal character, vast resource base provides Serbia with possibility of organizing activities in this domain, throughout the year. Aiming for faster popularization of special interest product, needed is to stimulate development of destination management companies, who have programs for preparation and development of different product segments. Special interest product are usually promoted by specialized brochures of foreign tour-operators, presentations on specialized fairs and especially by direct marketing and internet. To enhance international promotion of this product in Serbia, special internet platform should be established, connected to powerful international internet providers. Accommodation facilities are essential and characteristic features of tourism area, which implies that their space and quality in significant part determine range of tourism circulation; their types, forms and quality directly affect types and forms of tourism and therefore tourisms economy effects. In continental Istria possibilities of hotel, camp, private accommodation and family agricultural households prevail. In Kolubara District domestic country tourism is developed, which could contribute to tourism development of that particular part of Serbia in total, but its still being conducted slowly and poorly organized. Models of development Considering special interest product as mainly reposing on natural resources preservation, both in Istrian Region and Kolubara District, there is a big chance for this product to develop, define itself and offer itself to international market. Special interest product can in medium term develop on low cost strategy, with small investments and reasonable prices, considering wealth of resources. In medium and long term, Serbia must raise general competitiveness level in field of infrastructure development, particularly road accessibility, which open numerous opportunities for special interests products development, what characterizes majority of even vaguely developed tourist countries. Besides, both regions have traditional and cultural heritage and conditions that facilitates them to attract tourists interest, what enables tourists to, while on vacation, use their leisure time to get to know the people and surroundings, where they temporarily reside in (to see the museums, galleries, special collections and similar). Cultural manifestations also have strong ability to attract tourists, supplying with enrichment of contents, higher value to an area or a place and enable higher cost budget. Naturally, high emphasis is put on distinguished conditions for rural tourism development in agro-tourism oasis of Istria and Kolubara. Global market potential of special interest product significantly overcomes possibilities of Serbia and Istria to develop and popularize this product, exceptionally in short and medium term. Therefore, intensifying global communication of this product by mediation with present global internet portals is of great importance. Simultaneously, creation of sales orientated internet portal and other common steps of advanced popularization with preceding unification of special interest product leading organizations. Conclusion Development and popularization of special interests do not require high investment. Therefore, the emphasis is on management of activities that are much less favored in Istrian Region and Kolubara District. Following this context, developmental model of this product should be based on following activities: Location of coordination responsibility for development and popularization of special interest product, especially because of large number of small individual organizations activities (for example fishing and animal chase) lacking in joint effort for serious popularization, on behalf of the region or whole country. Identification and creation of unique data base of activity organizations and special interest supply. Creation of greatest worlds tour-operators data base in field of special interests. Support and financial stimulation for private personae when forming new companies for destination management. Additional regulation of activities description for these companies, that make the most important link in chain of product value. Drawing initiative for general preservation and sustainable development of mountains, rivers and lakes, together with successive formation of infrastructure favorable for special interests development. Program of incorporation of specialized and scientific workers and education of tourist guides for various cultural and scientific contents in field of this product. Formation of special quality systems in field of special interest products. Seminary organization by qualified companies in all tourism clusters. Organization of special tours for those engaged in this field. Support of specialized magazines and publication launching in this field. Educational program for specialized guides Consumer protection program and other competitiveness programs in general. References DFV, Nachhaltige Entwicklung: Tourismus und Umwelt, 2008 Hamovic, V. „Quality of service and consumer protection in tourism, Besjeda, Banja Luka,RS, 2004 Horner, S., Swarbrook, J. International cases in tourism management, Elsevier, London, England, 2004 htt://www.wttc.org/reports/wttc99ver1.3doc Kripendorf, J. „Traveling Mankind, Zavod za istraÃ…Â ¾ivanje trÃ…Â ¾iÃ… ¡ta, Zagreb, Croatia, 1986 Ph. Kotler, Keller K. 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This article represents a part of the Project no. 149007 D research results Multifunctional Agriculture and Rural Development Aimed at EU Integration of Serbia, financed by the Serbian Ministry of Science and and project Competitiveness and Comparative sustainable rural development of Istra and Kolubara region, within the program of scientific-technical cooperation of R.Serbia and R.Croatia. Both projects are financed by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia.