Concrete and Barbed Wire: June 2008

Monday, June 23, 2008

Lots of "Goals and Objectives"

I'm starting a series of posts (mostly rants - here is the first) about the English language (which I will never master) which I call The Queen's English. I would like to share this snippet from a long submission I have to edit:

[SWOT means "Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats". DC means "Development Coordinator".]

"The DC facilitated the social protection sector consultation meeting, the objective of the meeting was analyzing the SWOT and to set the Goals and objectives of the sector for the next five years. After the SWOT analysis, the techniques for setting the goal and objective were explained for the participants and the participants had a group discussion on setting goals and objectives for the next five years. As a result the goal for the social protection sector identified by the participants. And was an acceptable achievement to the participants.

The DC facilitated the agriculture and rural development sector consultation meeting, the objective was analyzing the SWOT of the sector and setting up Goals and objectives of the sector for the next five years. The SWOT analysis carried out and for the each component of the analysis. After the SWOT analysis the techniques for setting the goal and objective explained for the participants and participants have been divided in to two groups and they discussed on goals for the next five years. As a result the goal for the agriculture and rural development sector was identified by the participants and agreed."

Yikes. Dealing with stuff like this is what I seem to have to do most of the time, while I'd rather be DOING stuff... (like setting goals and objectives).

Friday, June 13, 2008

Ferarri Festival in Ottawa

Here are some pictures from a very pleasant evening with friends near and at the Ferrari Festival, part of the current Italian Week festivities here in Ottawa. (Yes, I'm in Ottawa.)