Archive:Wasta

2016-01-25T08:38:12Z

76.104.195.65: /* Etymology */I suggested the meaning in Hindi

{{for|the town in the United States|Wasta, South Dakota}}
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{{refimprove|date=February 2011}}
'''Wasta''' or '''wasata''' (Arabic: وَاسِطة ''wāsiṭah'') is an Arabic word that loosely translates into [[nepotism]] or '[[Wiktionary:clout#Noun|clout]]' or 'who you know'. It refers to using one’s connections and/or influence to get things done, including government transactions such as the quick renewal of a passport, waiving of traffic fines, and getting hired for or promoted in a job.

In other words, it amounts to getting something through favoritism rather than merit, or what is informally spoken of in English as "pull" from connections (the opposite of "push"). The English word [[cronyism]] overlaps in meaning but is not precisely the same. Roughly equivalent words in other languages include [[Sociolismo]] in Cuba; [[Blat (Russia)|Blat]] in Russia; [[Guanxi]] in Chinese and ''Vetternwirtschaft'' in German, ''protektzia'' in Israeli slang, ''un pituto'' in Chilean Spanish, In Brazilian-Portuguese it is referred to as "pistolão", "QI" (''Quem Indica'', or Who Indicates), or in the slang "peixada", "Pidi Padu" in [[Malayalam]].

==Etymology==
Wasta is derived from the Modern Standard [[Arabic]] word وَاسِطَة (''wāsiṭah'') which can mean ''medium, means'' but also ''personal connection used to gain something''<ref>Hans Wehr (1979), ''Arabic-English Dictionary''.</ref>In Hindi Wasta means, "Concern".

Furthermore, companies in the [[Arab world]] rarely have a 'no-[[nepotism]]' policy in place, so one can often find a workforce with friends and friends relatives who may or may not be qualified. This takes place in both the public and private sectors.

In many Arab countries, such as [[Oman]], [[Iraq]], [[Lebanon]], [[Kuwait]], [[UAE]], [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Jordan]], wasta affects hiring and promotion decisions. This is not restricted to Arab nationals but is also practised by expatriates who use their connections as wastas.

With respect to recruitment, there seems to be a movement away from this wasta, especially in the case of multinationals and professional firms. However, Wasta is still widely used in the region.

==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|Middle East}}

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
* http://www.aqoul.com/archives/2005/07/the_wonders_of.php {{dead link|date=October 2014}}
* http://everything2.com/title/Wasta

[[Category:Nepotism]]
[[Category:Arab culture]]

Archive:Science World at TELUS World of Science

2007-03-18T04:09:21Z

76.104.131.12: /* External links */

[[Image:041002223500 the bulb of science world at night.jpg|thumb|right|250px|'Science World At Night' by Ivan Lam ]]'''TELUS World of Science, Vancouver''' is a [[Science museum|science centre]] run by a non-profit organization in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. It is located at the end of [[False Creek]], and features many permanent interactive exhibits and displays, as well as areas with varying topics throughout the years.

The building's former name was '''Science World''', still the name of the organization. The building's name change to the '''[[TELUS World of Science]]''' became official on July 20, 2005 following a $9-million donation to the museum from [[TELUS]].<ref>http://www.scienceworld.ca/pdf/pressrelease/TELUS%20World%20of%20Science%20Name%20Change.pdf</ref> The official name of the science centre was subsequently changed to "TELUS World of Science", although it is still routinely referred to as "Science World" by the public.

==History==

In [[1977]], Barbara Brink ran mobile hands-on exhibits known as the ''Extended I'' around the Lower Mainland. Later, the temporary ''Arts, Sciences & Technology Centre'' opened on January 15, [[1982]] attracting over 600,000 visitors. Another 400,000 benefited from the centre’s outreach programs, which were delivered around the province.
[[Image:ScienceWorldVancouverBC.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Science World, Vancouver, B.C.]]
Following the [[Expo 86]] World’s Fair, an intensive lobbying campaign was launched to secure the landmark Expo Centre building for Science World. With much government backing, the [[geodesic dome]], designed by [[Buckminster Fuller]], was obtained from the province and a massive fund-raising campaign ensued. Donations from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, the GVRD, the private sector, foundations, and individuals contributed $19.1 million to build an addition to the Expo Centre, redesign the interior and fabricate exhibits. In [[1988]], in a four month preview, over 310,000 visitors came to see the new building. A year later, a 400 seat [[OMNIMAX]] theatre in the upper section of the dome was opened. <ref>http://www.scienceworld.ca/whats_on/omnimax_theatre/omnifacts.htm</ref>

The centre entered its first title sponsorship agreement with [[Alcan|Alcan Inc.]] in 1996, renaming its OMNIMAX Theatre the ''Alcan OMNIMAX'' Theatre. Alcan has since decided to sponsor the organization in different ways and the theatre has returned to its original name, the OMNIMAX Theatre. In January of 2005, the building was officially renamed "TELUSphere" as part of an agreement where TELUS gave a $9-million donation in return for the "naming rights" of the building. This new name proved universally unpopular. In the summer of 2005, TELUS and Science World officially changed the name of the building to the ''TELUS World of Science''. This maintained consistency with other "TELUS World of Science" centres in Calgary and Edmonton that were named in the meantime. This name change has not affected the nearby [[Main Street-Science World Station|Skytrain station]] and the general public still refers to it as Science World.

==Related links==

* [[TELUS World of Science]]
* [[TELUS World of Science, Calgary]]
* [[TELUS World of Science, Edmonton]]

==Notes==
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</div>

==External links==
* [http://www.telusworldofscience.com/vancouver/ Official Website]
* [http://www.telusworldofscience.com/ Homepage for all TELUS Worlds of Science]
* [http://www.petitiononline.com/telus04/petition.html Online petition] requesting that "Science World" remain free of corporate branding.
{{coor title d|49.273251|N|123.103767|W}}

{{Vancouver landmarks}}

[[Category:Museums in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Science museums]]
[[Category:Tourism in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Domes]]

[[de:Science World]]

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Archive:Wasta

Archive:Science World at TELUS World of Science