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** My country for this course **** is KUWAIT.[[image:internationalteched/125px-Flag_of_Kuwait_svg.png align="right"]] **
My alternate country is PERU.

__**Class #1 Facts**__ __About Kuwait:__ Kuwait is an Arab country in Western Asia. Situated in the northeastern edge of the Arabian peninsula at the tip of the Persian Gulf, it shares borders with Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. The country covers an area of 17,820 square kilometers (6,880 square miles) and has a population of about 2.8 million. //Fun fact//: Although oil is currently the most important resource in Kuwait, pearls provided much of Kuwait's foreign income until the 1930s.

__**Class #2 Facts**__ __Language:__ Arabic is the national language, but English is widely spoken among the business classes. __History__: In the medieval times, Kuwait was under the nominal rule of the Ottoman Empire. In practice, the Kuwaitis have always maintained autonomy by playing one ruler against the other. During that era, they usually pitted the Ottomans against the Persians (now Iran). In the sixteenth century, the Portuguese established forts to protect their shipping trade routes. Two centuries later, the British supplanted the Portuguese as the dominant European power in the Gulf. The Kuwaitis then sought alliances and they decided to go with the British flag which would provide more freedom. The first treaties between Kuwait and Britain were signed in 1899. Despite its ancient history, Kuwait has been recognized as a fully independent nation only since 1961, when the British rule ended. Kuwait’s massive oil reserves were not discovered until the 1930s. However only in the 1950s did oil wealth remake Kuwait. The wealth transformed Kuwait’s economy without making any basic changes in the political structure. Following Kuwait’s independence in 1961, Iraq made territorial claims on the country. Threatened intervention by Britain kept the Iraqis from invading in the 1960s. By 1990, Britain was no longer the dominant military power in the Gulf, and Saddam Hussein convinced himself that the USA would not intervene militarily. Iraq invaded and then annexed Kuwait in 1990, the emir and his cabinet fled to Saudi Arabia. After Iraq refused to obey a UN resolution to withdraw, a coalition of many nations, led by the United States, invaded in January of 1991. The shooting war was over within a month, as Iraq forces quickly retreat from Kuwait. However, before leaving, the Iraqis set many Kuwaiti oil wells on fire. The emir returned in March of 1991; under international and domestic pressure, he allowed the national assembly to be restored. Kuwait and Iraq finally moved toward normalizing relations in 2002. But the following year, the second Gulf War broke out. Coalition forces – this time primarily belonging to the United States and the United Kingdom – Invaded and occupied Iraq. Saddam Hussein was captured, ending the military threat to Kuwait.

__**Class #3 Facts**__ 1. The greatest hazard to visitors involves vehicular accidents. 2. As a strict Islamic country, Kuwait prohibits the importation of alcohol, pork products, or pornography. Persons found in possession of these may be dealt with harshly. 3. The effects of the huge oil well fires set by the retreating Iraqi occupiers in 1991 are debated, but they certainly caused some severe air pollution. 4. Iraqis also planted millions of antipersonnel mines throughout the country. At this point, contractors have removed some 1.5 million land mines. However, many more remain, and travelers should be cautious when venturing off heavily trafficked areas. __**Class #4 Facts**__ 1. Kuwaiti men who deal with foreigners usually offer to shake hands with other men. Although Kuwaiti women do not have as much freedom as men, they make up a substantial portion of the workforce. Kuwaiti women do not traditionally shake hands with other women. As in other Islamic countries, there is no physical contact between the sexes in public. However, if Kuwaiti women offers to shake hands, do so. 2. Kuwait is the only Gulf nation with universal military conscription. The term of service is two years, or one year for persons with a university deferment. However, in practice, a large number of wealthy Kuwaitis manage to get total deferments. 3. To the surprise of many Europeans, truffles also grow certain desert environments - including Kuwait. In the past, many Kuwaitis made family outings to search for truffles. This has declined since the Iraq invasion of 1990, because thousands of antipersonnel mines were planted in the desert. __**Class #5 Facts**__ __//Fun Fact//__: Kuwaitis have a reputation for being generous, affable hosts. Once you have established a relationship with them, they will feel free to stop by your office without an appointment. You arte expected to do the same to them, even though this concept is very alien to western executives. Even if the time you stop by is very inconvenient, they will put on a smile and greet you in an unhurried fashion. __//Cultural note//__: Some foreign business meetings in the lobby of an international hotel, rather than in a Kuwaiti's office. This has several advantages. There will be fewer people wandering in and out of the meeting. Their willingness to come to you demonstrates that the Kuwaitis are truly interested. Finally, you will have access to refreshments that may br more to your taste. (the local tea and coffee served by Kuwaitis is quite strong; in a hotel, you can get a variety of drinks.)
 * Things to Know before Visiting Kuwait:[[image:internationalteched/220px-Kuwait_highway.jpg width="220" height="165" align="right"]]**
 * Tips on Doing Business in Kuwait**

__**Class Facts (Kuwait)**__ __Government__: Kuwaiti government is nominally a constitutional monarchy, headed by the Amir. The constitution was approved and implemented on November 11, 1962. Upon the development of this constitutional monarchy, Kuwait developed a National Assembly. This form of democracy was short-lived, however. In August 1976, Sheikh Sabah dissolved the assembly under the premise that legislation was being manipulated to increase private gain for officials. As a political system built on a hierarchy of clans, nepotism is rampant in the Kuwaiti government. Therefore, it is in the Amir's power to dissolve the parliament, and within two months it must be re-elected, or the previous parliament will be instituted again. __Basic Economy__: With only 5 percent of the land suitable for farming, Kuwait is dependent on international trade for the provision of most basic necessities, including food, clothing, and construction materials. However, that dependency is tempered by the fact that Kuwait is one of the largest oil producing countries in the world, an energy source upon which virtually every developed nation is dependent. Kuwait's relationship with trading partners is thus defined by the countries respective interdependence. __Major Industries__: The economy of Kuwait is dependent on the oil industry. During the war with Iraq many oil refining facilities were destroyed, but this industry remains of enormous importance to Kuwait. To protect oil interests, and to protect against larger countries taking advantage of Kuwait, the country was one of the founding members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). __Division of Labor__: The labor force includes 1.3 million people. The government and social services employ 50 percent of the labor force, businesses employ 40 percent, and the remaining 10 percent are employed in agriculture. This labor force is divided along ethnic lines, with Kuwaitis holding most of the government jobs and owning most of the businesses in the private sector. Non-Kuwaitis generally labor in various businesses and in the oil industry. __Division of Labor by Gender__: Both Kuwaiti custom and law enforce a division of labor by gender. Unlike other Arabic countries, women are involved various aspects of the labor force, but the percentage of women involved in labor outside of the home is small. Those women who are gainfully employed often work in the social services, in clerical positions, and as teachers. Few women are owners or managers of small businesses. __The Relative Status of Women and Men__: The tension between traditional Kuwaiti Islamic values and Western values is evidenced in the roles and status afforded to men and women within Kuwaiti society. Many women still go veiled and wear the traditional black, but many girls in the younger generation follow the dictates of western fashion. Female students are a majority at Kuwait University, and women are prominent in the country's commercial life and in the civil service. Women are openly agitating for the relaxation of social restrictions on females, more women's rights, and an increase in job opportunities. __Marriage__: Most marriages in Kuwait are arranged, in accordance with tradition. Intermarriage occurs within clans, but not between social classes. Women, regardless of their age, need their father's permission to marry. Also, a woman cannot marry a non-Muslim, although a man is afforded this privilege. In addition, a woman can only marry one spouse, while a man has the legal right to four wives. __Domestic Unit__: Family forms the basis of Kuwaiti society. Extended families live together, both out of necessity caused by limited housing space, and so that all family members can be involved in the socialization of future generations and maintain familial and cultural traditions. Reference: [|http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Kuwait.html#ixzz2WEE9sHg9] __Etiquette:__ Kuwaitis, like other Arab populations, have different personal boundaries than Westerners. In general, they sit, talk, and stand closer to one another. It is common for members of the same sex to touch one another during their interactions as an expression of their friendship, and men often shake hands upon greeting and departure. Socially, physical contact between men and women is not acceptable. To Kuwaitis, honor, reputation, and respect are primary concerns. //More info to come...//

** News Report #1 **:
Man get 5 years in prison for offending the king The New York times had an article on April 15, 2013 about Kuwait sentencing a prominent opposition politician to five years in prison for insulting the country’s ruler, a crime that leaders around the Persian Gulf are prosecuting with increasing frequency in an effort to stanch emboldened protest movements, or stop protests before they start. Kuwait holds a penalty of five years in prison for offending the king. Kuwait, which long had a reputation for some of the region’s most vibrant politics and civic life, has distinguished itself over the last year by prosecuting dozens of people accused of insulting the country’s emir, Sheik Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, according to human rights advocates. On Monday, Musallam el-Barrak, one of Kuwait’s most popular opposition politicians and a former member of Parliament, was sentenced to five years in prison for comments he made during a speech at a political rally in October. (KAREEM FAHIM of the New York Times on April 15, 2013) __Possible concern__: To me this shows the major political influence that each citizen of Kuwait has to follow. In workforce education, there could be laws that prohibit certain outside education or training. Link to Website: []



** News Report #2: **
// Kuwait begins crackdown on expat driving // Kuwait has begun cancelling the driving licenses of foreign students who have graduated as well as those of working housewives, tightening already strict rules for expatriates; the source on Friday cited a top official as saying. The measure was taken because the department found that expats given licenses as students have now started working, and the same for some housewives, “which amounts to an act of forgery”. An official estimated that “tens of thousands” of driving licenses will be withdrawn. //Background// Most foreigners are required to hold a university degree, earn 400 dinars ($1,400) a month and have lived legally in the emirate for at least two years before being able to drive legally. Students and housewives with children had been among those exempted from the regulations, along with engineers, judges, lawyers and journalists. (By GulfNews.com on June 14, 2013) __Possible concern__: This could be a problem for any person who goes to the country for work and tries to get a drivers license. As work force educators, we must be informed of all rules and regulations that might get your license revoked or even get you deported.

Link: []

** News Report #3: **
//Economic, social pressures behind Kuwait crackdown on foreign workers// Kuwaiti police launched a series of raids about two months ago, saying they were tracking down illegal laborers, the streets are almost empty and many small businesses have closed their doors, residents say. In the last few months, authorities have deported thousands of mainly low-paid Asian workers from the Gulf Arab state for working without the correct visa or residency papers or for repeat traffic offences, according to local media and residents. A government minister has called for a reduction in the number of "excess" foreign workers in Kuwait. The oil-rich country relies heavily on foreign workers to perform low-paying and strenuous jobs in sectors such as construction and services; foreigners make up about 69 percent of Kuwait's 3.8 million population. Pressure to limit their numbers has been growing among some Kuwaitis who argue that too many workers are a burden on the state. They say that instead of bringing in foreigners, Kuwait should be trying harder to cut unemployment among its own nationalsAccording to a taxi driver from Pakistan, ”some labor agencies in Kuwait have duped foreigners by charging them hundreds of dollars for processing a work permit and then not giving them a position, forcing them to turn to illegal jobs, he said. Foreigners helped to rebuild Kuwait after the 1990 Iraqi invasion but now feel unwelcome even if they are there legally”. (By Sylvia Westall and Ahmed Hagagy- at Reuters – on Wed Jun 12, 2013)(Found at Yahoo news)

__Possible concern__: As workforce educators, we are heavily affected by the deportation of workers, especially since foreign workers make up most of the work force. The workforce in Kuwait could suffer.

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** INSIGHT: THE PEOPLE OF KUWAIT**
__Demography__: As of 2013, Kuwait's population was estimated to be 2.7 million people, which included 1.3 million non-nationals. A variety of ethnic groups reside in this country, and only around 40 percent of the population is Kuwaiti. People from surrounding Middle Eastern nations, such as Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, constitute 35 percent of the population. After the Gulf War the entire population of Palestinians was expelled from Kuwait, because they were believed to sympathize with Iraq. In addition to these Arabian and African populations, approximately 9 percent of the population is Indian, 4 percent of the population is Iranian, and the remaining 7 percent is consists of other foreign nationals. Approximately 29 percent of the population is 14 years or under, 68 percent is between the ages of 15 and 64, and 2 percent of the population is over 65 years of age. Around 60 percent of the population is male, while 40 percent of the population is female. __Language__: Arabic is the official language, and English is widely spoken. __Identification and history__: Modern day Kuwaitis are the descendants of several nomadic tribes and clans who ultimately settled on the coast of the Arabian Gulf during the eighteenth century to avoid the persistent drought of the desert. When they arrived at the coast, the clans built forts to protect themselves from other nomadic tribes who still traversed the desert. The name Kuwait is derived from kut, an Arabic word for "fort." __Religion__: The main religion in Kuwait is Islam: approximately 85 percent of the population is Muslim. There are two main sub-sects of Islam in Kuwait, 45 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim, while 40 percent of the population is Shi'a Muslim. The remaining 15 percent of the population practices Christianity, Hinduism, Parsi, and other religions. __Early Education__: All schooling for Kuwaitis is free, and between the ages of six and fourteen, attendance is compulsory. While the government stresses the importance of education regardless of gender, most schools are segregated on the basis of gender after kindergarten. The definition of literacy used by the government is that one must be over the age of fifteen and capable of reading and writing. With this in mind, 79 percent of the population is literate, with 82 percent of men and 75 percent of women meeting these criteria. __Higher Education__: There is only one university in the country, but because of the great value placed on education, the government awards scholarships for many Kuwaitis to pursue higher education. There are also several post-secondary technical institutes. __Division of Labor__: The labor force includes 1.3 million people. The government and social services employ 50 percent of the labor force, businesses employ 40 percent, and the remaining 10 percent are employed in agriculture. This labor force is divided along ethnic lines, with Kuwaitis holding most of the government jobs and owning most of the businesses in the private sector.

** INSIGHT: HOW TO GET ALONG IN KUWAIT **
__Gestures__: The left hand is considered unclean in the Arab world. Avoid gesturing or eating with the left hand. The “thumbs-up” gesture is offensive throughout the Arab world. __Dining Etiquette:__ Kuwaitis socialize in their homes, restaurants, or international hotels. If both sexes are included, they may be entertained in separate rooms, although this is not always the case. When going to a Kuwaitis house: Show respect for the elders by greeting them first, accept any offer of food or drink, to turn down hospitality is to reject the person. If you are invited for a meal, there is often a great deal of socializing and small talk before the meal, and the evening comes to an end quickly after the meal. __Table manners__:Eat only with the right hand. Meals are generally served family-style. Guests are served first. Then the oldest, continuing in some rough approximation of age order until the youngest is served. Honored guests are often offered the most prized pieces or delicacies such as the sheep's head, be prepared. Hospitality and generosity dictate showering guests with abundance. Comment on this. . Leave some food on your plate when you have finished eating otherwise they will fill it with more. When the host stands, the meal is over. __Relationships & Communication:__ Since Kuwaitis prefer to do business with those with whom they have a personal relationship, they spend a great deal of time on the getting-to-know-you process. You must be patient since impatience is viewed as criticism of the culture. Kuwaitis judge on appearances so dress and present yourself well. They respect education, so carefully mention if you have an advanced degree, especially if it is from a prestigious university. __Business Meeting Etiquette:__ Many businessmen prefer to meet in the early evening. Do not try to schedule meetings in July and August as many Kuwaitis leave the country during the worst of the summer heat. Meetings may be interrupted if they interfere with prayer times. Meetings are generally not private unless there is a need to discuss matters confidentially. __Business Negotiating:__ Business will only be discussed once an atmosphere of trust and friendship has been established. Kuwaitis are event rather than time-driven. The event of getting together is more important than the timeliness of the meeting or the outcome. Kuwait is a hierarchical society. Many companies are structured around the family. Decisions usually come from the top after determining a consensus of the various stakeholders. Decisions are reached slowly. If you try to rush things, you will give offence and risk your business relationship. Kuwaitis are shrewd negotiators who are especially interested in price. Do not use high-pressure sales tactics. Repeating your main points indicates you are telling the truth. Problems may be discussed outside the meeting in a one-on-one situation rather than in the group meeting room. Proposals and contracts should be kept simple. Although negotiating is done in English, contracts are written in Arabic. If there is both an English and Arabic version, the Arabic will be the one followed. __Dress Etiquette__: Business attire is conservative. . Men should wear lightweight, good quality, conservative suits, at least to the initial meeting. Women should avoid giving offence and refrain from wearing revealing or tight fitting clothing. Although they do not need to wear skirts that reach the ground, skirts should cover the knee and sleeves should cover the elbow and fasten at the neck.

** Situational Ethics **
Introduction Other cultures have social customs, political systems, and values that are very different from our in the United States. Americans who don’t realize this can find participation in international business and workforce development projects distressing and difficult. Learning to accept the values and behaviors of other cultures can be stressful to new-comers to the global marketplace and workforce. Ethics and Situational Ethics __Ethics:__ How do you define “ethics”? Write a definition in your own words that reflects your feelings and attitudes about what it means to be “ethical.” __Situational Ethics:__ A new view of ethics and morality is considered by some people to be relevant and important in making “ethical” decisions in international/multicultural situations. To help you understand the concept of “situational ethics,” review the following Internet sites: [] [] [] In your own words, define or explain situational ethics: Now, consider the following situations or scenarios related to international business and training situations. Write in your responses. 1. While you are trying to gain international marketing access in another country for a product your company produces, you are asked to pay a sizeable sum of money to a government official to gain access for your company to the necessary media coverage. You are told you should place several expensive ads in the magazine owned by the brother of the official. How would you react? What would you think and feel? What cultural factors of the host country and business consequences for your company might you need to consider in deciding what to do? What would you suggest or recommend that your company do? 2. You are the president of an engineering firm. The firm is negotiating a contract in another country. The engineering firm has not previously worked in this country. A high-ranking official in this country tells you that it is an established and legal custom to give personal gifts to officials who are authorized to award contracts. This official also informs you that no further work will be awarded to your company without such gifts. However, this condition will not be included in the contract. If you do not comply, the government will also be less cooperative in the completion of the first contract. You learn that other firms have given such gifts to officials. You are also aware that if your company is cut out of the contract process, your employees’ jobs will be at risk. What would you do? Why? 3. You are asked to head a major project in a developing country that will train many native workers, create 100s of new jobs in the country, and result in generation of a great deal of income for the country. You also discover that the project raises issues of environmental consequences, health and safety concerns for workers, and child labor issues. Will you accept this international development assignment? Why or why not? //**I would not accept the development assignment, because of the environmental considerations involved. I would not want to be responsible for injuring or killing good honest workers just because it brought wealth and jobs to the country.**// After considering these scenarios, how would you explain the issue of situational ethics in international economic and educational development? What is your personal stance on this matter?
 * //To me ethics means making the “right decision”, choosing the right thing, obeying all rules, and being truthful.//**
 * //Appropriate actions and decision making based on certain circumstances or a particular situation//**
 * //I am a little torn on this one. Before learning about situational ethics I would have said no the using the brother’s magazine. However, it may be the best way for your company to get access to marketing in the host country. I would advise my company to consider what we might get in return for using the brother’s magazine. Not to mention, we are still using a legit marketing source.//**
 * //Although other firms have given such contracts, it would be hard for me to be able to provide a gift. It could get me and my firm in trouble as well. I would try to continue with the contract, unless the official denies our business. If we are then denied then we will be on our way out of there. Who knows, the official could be lying anyway.//**
 * //It's hard see the different situations that government officials from other countries can put you in. Some of these situations are good and some of them are bad. I feel that you have to consider what will get you in trouble or put your company/country in jeopardy. If it is a danger at all, you have to say no. However, sometimes it is more of a danger to say no; that is where the decision making process comes in.//**

**Kuwait Quiz**
1. Before the discovery of oil, which of the following was the most important resource in Kuwait? A. Figs B. Religious sites visited by Muslim pilgrims D. Silver E. Gold (Pearl divers provided much of Kuwait's foreign income until the Japanese began marketing cultured pearls in the 1930s.)
 * C. Pearls (correct answer)**

2. Which of the following is not true about Kuwait? A. High number of vehicle accidents B. Kuwait prohibits alcohol C. Kuwait prohibits pornography D. Kuwait prohibits pork products E. **Kuwait prohibits use of the internet (correct answer)** (Kuwaitis are usually very interested in technology. The majority of them go online regularly and invest in the latest electronic gadgets.)