global issues research project

8 Global Issue Topics for Essays and Research Papers

10 Global Issue Topics for Essays and Research

• Water Contamination and Shortage:  2.1 billion people in countries undergoing urbanization have inaccessibility to clean drinking water as a result of pollution, poverty and poor management of resources. Water resources are depleted by agriculture and industry energy production. To put into perspective, agriculture accounts for 70 percent of the reduction of water around the world, with 75 percent of a given countries’ water used for this purpose and depleted by contamination . Fortunately, there has been a recent increase in efforts to develop technology to combat contamination and reduce the rate of water depletion.
• The Relationship between Education and Child Labor:  Despite a surge in funding for some countries and increasing attention through social media, education continues to be a luxury around the globe. Reasons include gender preferences and poverty, and child labor — the use of children in industry. According to UNICEF, 150 million children participate in laborious activities dangerous to their health. As one can imagine, this work hinders a child’s ability to fully invest in education. Therefore it’s most challenging to bring education to sub-Saharan Africa, where the rates of children enrolled in primary education continue to stagger. In addition, fewer students successfully complete secondary education here.
• Violence:  Violence is a global issue that exists in all shapes and sizes. Violence can be done towards a particular group like women or LGBTQ+ members, or it is an act that can be a result of a mentally disturbed mind. There is also violence in response to economic stress. All these varying forms of violence lead to attention on the safety and prevention of such acts. However, there isn’t much consideration on how an everyday person can help. In discussions about violence, the biggest questions to answer are: How is this violence used? How is it achieved/accessed? Does the media have a role? How much is the foundation for a particular act of violence is personal? What is the overall goal?
• Poverty:  In 2015, the International Poverty Line was set to $1.90. This number means that a person is living in extreme poverty if they live below this line. According to this set line, more than 1.3 billion people are living in this extreme worldwide. This fact suggests that 1.3 billion people have difficulty obtaining food and shelter, regardless of the availability of homeless shelters and organizations . Current questions or topics to explore in an essay or research would be the cause of variation in wages on the international level, and the nature and initiatives that can be taken to solve this global issue at large.
• Inequality:  On a global scale, the focus on inequality tends to be in terms of the distribution of wealth. According to a Global Wealth Report, 44 percent of global net worth is held by only 0.7 percent of adults. This suggests that there is a significant division between economic classes around the world. Recently, research has shown the effects that this economic divide has on communities particularly in health, social relationships, development and stability . For example, in a society where there’s a large gap between the rich and the poor, life expectancy tends to be shorter and mental illness and obesity rates are 2 to 4 times higher. In terms of social relationships, inequality on a larger level introduces more violence and crime.
• Terrorism:  Terrorism like the bombing incidents of the last few years continue to claim the lives of innocents. It is a threat to the peace, security and stability of the world, so terrorism prevention methods have been implemented to illustrate what is wrong and should be/could be done to uphold justice . However, the basis of the threats, mindsets and the successes/failures of response efforts still need to be evaluated.
• Child Marriages:  Child marriages are defined as the union between one or two individuals under the age of 18. One in five girls are married before the age of 18, and child marriages prevent children from becoming educated, can lead to severe health consequences and increased risk of violence. Legislation and programs were established in order to educate and employ children in these situations as child marriages do not have enough awareness on individual involvement or emphasis on the common causes for these marriages.
• Food:  Poverty, economic inequality and water contamination mean inability to produce sufficient amounts of food to sustain a population. This can, in turn, lead to poorer health and decreased energy to carry out physical and mental functions, leading to more poverty. By 2050, the world would need to find food for approximately nine billion people as cost of production for food will rise in response to the increased amount of individuals. Thus, the United Nations established programs to ensure food security and technology companies make efforts to reduce food production costs.

The Role of Essays and Research

There has been increasing progress towards solving the global issues; however, for some, this progress is too slow due to lack of understanding of preventative methods, diffusion of responsibility and unanswered questions. These global issue topics for essays and research papers can be used as a starting point to give more insight to others into the issues and how to get involved.

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• A Research Guide
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35 Global Issues Research Paper Topics for Students

Read also: Research writing process: peculiarities and techniques.

35 Global Issues Topics for an A+ Grade

• The presidency of Trump and its impact on world politics
• Kidnapping and human trafficking: will it increase afterthe legalization of prostitution worldwide?
• The Doomsday Clock: its meaning and importance
• The global warming: what are its advantages and disadvantages?
• What the first piloted flight to Marswill change?
• Does violence at the border between USA and Mexico have global consequences?
• Holy wars: isthere any risk of them now?
• The raise of China: what are the possibilities for the country in the next ten years?
• Digital piracy as global phenomenon
• The global hunger: what can be done to eliminate it?
• The pollution problem: who or what contributes the most?
• Social media and their global influence
• Global flashmobs: what can they change?
• The phenomenon of petitions
• The overpopulation of the Earth: are there humane ways to prevent it?
• Shall we fight extinction of every endangered specie, or let the nature decide?
• Deforestation and its global impact
• The global impact of the third world countries
• The consequences of Brexit
• Space missions as a global uniting factor
• The secret societies: are they a real force?
• The Third World War: is the danger real?
• Mother Teresa and her influence on the world
• Gender problems worldwide
• Shall class segregation be eliminated completely?
• Ethnic conflicts: is there a global solution?
• Is the universal religion possible?
• The global poverty: what can be done?
• Recycling: what can we do on global scale?
• Are caste systems a global or a local problem?
• Does the power over the globe now belongs to corporations, not to the governments?
• Civil wars: are they internal affairs or the symptoms of global events?
• How do closed countries like People’s Republic of Korea influence the world?
• Humanitarian aid: how to help without harm?
• Is the world ready for global catastrophes?

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14 innovative projects helping to save the planet and make the world a better place

UpLink helps communities across the world face the threats of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Image:  Unsplash/Noah Buscher

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.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:.

• Digital crowdsourcing platform UpLink was created to address the world’s most pressing problems.
• The initiative seeks sustainable solutions to tackle issues such as climate change and social injustice.
• Projects are also aimed at tackling the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic.

The importance of sustainable solutions came to the fore in 2020 as communities across the world faced the threats of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Digital crowdsourcing platform UpLink was created to address such challenges and help speed up the delivery of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Unveiled at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2020, the platform - launched with founding partners Deloitte and Salesforce - connects the next generation of change-makers and social entrepreneurs to networks of contacts with the resources, expertise and experience to help bring about change.

Since its launch, UpLink has surfaced the best entrepreneurial solutions through competitions such as its Ocean Solutions Sprint , Trillion Trees Challenge , COVID-19 Social Justice Challenge and COVID Challenges . Here are some of the most innovative.

Have you read?

3 innovations leading the fight to save our forests, these 15 innovations are helping us fight covid-19 and its aftermath, 4 ideas that could make our response to covid-19 more equal.

Ocean Solutions Sprint

Cubex Global

Oman-based Cubex Global aims to cut global shipping emissions by enabling businesses to easily buy and sell unused container space on existing cargo routes. The company claims that its blockchain-based marketplace could help reduce emissions from shipping vessels by up to 20% and recover about $25 billion in lost freight revenue each year.

Waste management service RecyGlo works with businesses in Myanmar and Malaysia to recycle and process material in a safe and non-hazardous manner, helping to avoid mismanaged plastic being dumped in the region’s rivers and ending up in the ocean. The Yangon-based company manages 500 tonnes of waste and saves 1,470 tonnes of CO2 each month .

Scottish biotech start-up Oceanium uses sustainably-farmed seaweed to create food and nutrition products and compostable biopackaging. It believes that a sustainable seaweed farming industry can help mitigate the effects of climate change and create jobs.

COVID Challenge

Intelehealth

Developed at Johns Hopkins University, Intelehealth is a telemedicine platform that connects patients and frontline health workers with remote doctors to deliver primary care services at a distance in countries such as India.

UpLink is a digital platform to crowdsource innovations in an effort to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

It is an open platform designed to engage anyone who wants to offer a contribution for the global public good. The core objective is to link up the best innovators to networks of decision-makers, who can implement the change needed for the next decade. As a global platform, UpLink serves to aggregate and guide ideas and impactful activities, and make connections to scale-up impact.

Hosted by the World Economic Forum, UpLink is being designed and developed in collaboration with Salesforce, Deloitte and LinkedIn.

Emergency services app Flare provides next-generation 911 for those who do not have access to help in case of an emergency. In Kenya, its ‘Uber for ambulances’ platform has reduced response times by 87% and helped save 2,500 lives since its 2017 launch.

Carbon Health

Tech-enabled primary care provider Carbon Health aims to improve access to world-class healthcare. In the US, it established pop-up COVID clinics in 30 cities, with doctors available on video call, and has so far tested more than 500,000 people .

Desolenator

Desolenator’s solar-powered water purification systems help remote communities produce clean drinking water, without the need for filters, chemicals or external energy sources. This helps them build water resilience in the face of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic .

Trillion Trees Challenge

Borneo Nature Foundation

For over a decade, Borneo Nature Foundation has developed planting methods to reforest degraded deep peatland, which is an important carbon store, key to local economies and home to populations of orangutans. It has planted more than 30,000 seedlings , and established community seedling nurseries in villages near Borneo’s remaining tropical rainforests.

Reforestum and Ecosphere+

Spain-based CO2 offsetting service Reforestum teamed up with UK climate solutions company Ecosphere+ to enable individuals and businesses to finance forest conservation and restoration by offsetting their carbon footprint.

Inga Foundation

Slash-and-burn farming is the only source of income for millions of farmers but it’s devastating the world’s rainforests. This is something that the UK-based Inga Foundation wants to counter through its Inga Alley farming method, which helps farmers build long-term food security on one plot of land.

Social Justice Challenge

Global platform citiesRise seeks to transform mental health policy and practice for young people across the world through its Mental Health and Friendly Cities framework – something that is only likely to become even more relevant in the COVID-19 era.

Philippines-based telerehabilitation platform TheraWee aims to improve access to rehabilitation services for children with difficulties by connecting their parents with individuals, groups and communities that can offer them support.

Noora Health

US start-up Noora Health provides families with medical skills training to help look after their loved ones, both in health facilities and at home. Its Care Companion Program has already reached more than 1 million relatives in India and Bangladesh .

Family Mask’s #PPEforAll

Global Citizen Capital and its company Family Mask’s #PPEforAll initiative was set up to boost access to affordable personal protective equipment (PPE) as the pandemic hit. By July 2020, more than 1 million masks had been distributed to elderly people across the world.

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Research on global issues

Oxford has a strong commitment to research on topics related to globalisation and global challenges. Oxford staff and student researchers address many of the major challenges that face our society, from language conservation to new vaccines, ageing to obesity, new energy sources to biodiversity. They use innovative research techniques and modern technology, both to examine problems of the modern world and to understand better the ancient world.

Global challenges

Oxford Martin School: A unique, interdisciplinary research community of over 300 scholars working to address the most pressing global challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. From the governance of geoengineering and the possibilities of quantum physics, to the future of food and the implications of our ageing population, the Martin School supports over 30 individual research teams from across the University of Oxford to consider some of the biggest questions that concern our future.

Global governance

Centre for International Studies : Serves as a focal point for advanced research in International Relations at Oxford, whose Department of Politics & International Relations is ranked among the world’s finest. Current research programmes include Cyber Studies, Intractable Conflict, Power and Region in a Multipolar Order, and the Political Economy of Financial Markets, among others.

Global Economic Governance Programme : Fosters research and debate into how global markets and institutions can better serve the needs of people in developing countries. Their flagship project focuses on Global Banking Standards, and current research themes include aid, trade, finance, intellectual property, institutions and investment.

Global health

Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health : A collection of research groups focused on infectious diseases and who are permanently based in Africa and Asia, as well as within Oxford. Our research in tropical medicine ranges from clinical studies to behavioural sciences, with capacity building integral to all of our activities.

Clinical Trial Service Unit : The unit's work chiefly involves studies of the causes and treatment of both infectious and chronic diseases (such as cancer, heart attack or stroke).  Much of the research is carried out overseas, in collaboration with local partners.

The Nuffield Department of Population Health (NDPH ): An internationally recognised centre of excellence specialising in areas of population health that are of increasing importance in the 21st century, from health economics to bioethics to the societal costs of cancer. Over 500 staff from a number of world leading research groups work with the NDPH.

Demographics

MigrationOxford : Oxford is a world-leader in terms of innovative research into the causes and effects of all kinds of migration, forced and voluntary. The MigrationOxford initiative has been developed to signpost, highlight and bring together the numerous academics conducting research and teaching on migration within the University of Oxford, including the International Migration Institute, the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, and the Refugee Studies Centre.

The Oxford Institute of Population Ageing : A multi-disciplinary group focused on understanding the economic, social, political, and other implications of population change.

The developing world

Department of International Development : The centre at Oxford for teaching and research on international development, the understanding of change and inequality in developing countries, and the interaction of these countries with the rest of the world.

School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies: The School is devoted to research and graduate teaching in academic disciplines which attempt to understand the complexity and the interrelatedness of society through anthropology, economics, politics, history, sociology and culture. Members include the African Studies Centre, Contemporary China Studies, the Latin American Centre  (including the Brazilian Studies Programme), the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, Russian and East European Studies, and South Asian Studies.

The digital world

Oxford Internet Institute : A leading academic centre for the study of the societal implications of the Internet.

Oxford e-Research Centre : A multidisciplinary applied research department which works with research units across the university to enable the use and development of innovative computational and information technology in multidisciplinary collaborations.

Energy and the environment

Environmental Change Institute : Oxford's interdisciplinary institute for research on the complex processes of global environmental change, the exploration of sustainable solutions, and the promotion of change for the better through partnership and education.

Global history

Oxford Centre for Global History : Promotes the study of Global History and facilitates the research of those who are keen to develop a global history dimension in their work.

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Using multiple disciplines and perspectives to study today's global issues.

Interdisciplinary and Global Studies (Id-Global) is an ensemble of research projects designed to inform scholars and educators interested in preparing youth to understand pressing global issues of our times through interdisciplinary work and to participate in these issues as responsible global citizens.

The Id-Global Project seeks to:

1) Understand and foster quality interdisciplinary research and education among scholars, teachers and youth,

2) Understand and nurture the development of global competence among leaders, teachers and youth, and

3) Create fertile environments for dialog about the purpose of education in the twenty first century and the responsibilities of professionals in our field.

We understand that the most pressing issues of our times, from climate change to mass migration, from global health to the digital revolution, cannot be fully addressed through a single disciplinary or cultural perspective. We must bring together insights from the natural and social sciences, the arts, engineering and the humanities to produce explanations, create products, ask new questions, and find solutions to these contemporary issues. We see the purpose of education as nurturing individual human potential and promoting societal growth and well-being. We contribute to these aims by conducting basic research, developing usable frameworks, and creating practical tools that educators can use to inform their work.  

Educating Global Citizens through a US and China Lens

Veronica Boix Mansilla

Devon Wilson

Flossie Chua

Related resources.

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Global issues research

Our interdisciplinary research projects draw on the expertise of members of Jesus College, the University of Cambridge and the wider global research community.

Current research projects

Acting on climate change.

This research project explores the opportunities and challenges of tackling climate change through practical initiatives including emerging technologies, financing mechanisms, and carbon markets. Our focus is on how the targets agreed at the COP meetings can be achieved in practice.

This research was supported by the first of our Global issues dialogues on the climate change topic, co-chaired by Lord Adair Turner, Chairman Energy Transitions Commission and Former Chairman of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change, that brought together a diverse group of experts to examine the potential of green hydrogen, advanced battery technology, the next generation of offshore wind, and synthetic biology. Our results to date are presented in the report Acting on Climate Change: Technology and Financing Options .

Global digital governance

This research project explores the need for improved global governance arrangements for the information and communications technology industries and seeks to develop options for new approaches to global cooperation in digital governance. As part of this research we have collected ideas and viewpoints from over thirty experts drawn from academia, business, governments, and international organisations in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Lead contributors include Professor Rui Aguiar of Universitário de Santiago Portugal, Professor Mischa Dohler (then of Kings College London and now with Ericsson USA), Professor Dimitra Simeonidou of University of Bristol, and Professor Rahim Tafazolli, Regius Professor, University of Surrey.

Our results to date are presented in:

• The Dynamics and Direction of Global Digital Governance , A.Cainey, 2022.
• From 5G to 6G Governance , M.Dohler and D.Simeonidou, 2022.
• Global Digital Governance , M.Dohler, 2022.
• Digital Industry Governance and 5G , Tafazolli, 2021.

Multilateral Solutions for Global Governance of the Information and Communications Technology Industry , 2020.

Data ethics and multinational technology companies

This research project explores how executives and employees at technology companies, policymakers, lawyers, and tech entrepreneurs should think about the issues of data ethics that are arising from their increasingly global activities. Our first results are presented in this Data Ethics discussion paper .

Previous research projects

China’s digital transformation.

This research project sought to gain a better understanding of the digital transformation underway in China and the implications for its economy, culture and society.

Conducted in partnership with the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College , the project focused on the antecedents of digital innovation and the rise of the digital economy in China and the implications for the global competitiveness of Chinese companies. 

Our results are presented in the Ivey business journal . 

Other previous projects researched the evolution of globalisation and recent pressures for de-globalisation, economic de-coupling and re-shoring and well as the internationalisation of companies headquartered in emerging economies, including China.

Publications

The Centre is committed to promoting dialogue through the dissemination of its research and the results of its activities to a wide audience.

Recent published works

• “De-Globalisation and Decoupling: Post-COVID-19 Myths versus Realities”, Management and Organization Review, 2021, doi: 10.1017/mor.2020.80 P.J. Williamson.
• “Responses to global financial standards in emerging markets: Regulatory neoliberalism and the Basel II Capital Accord” International Journal of Finance and Economics, 2021 https://doi.org/10.102/ijfe.2554 F.H. Alvi & P.J. WIlliamson.
• "MNE liability of foreignness versus local firm-specific advantages: The case of the Chinese management software industry." International Business Review, 2020, 29(1): 1-10. F. Wan, P.J. Williamson and N.R. Pandit.
• "Rivalry between emerging-market MNEs and developed-country MNEs: Capability holes and the race to the future." Business Horizons, 2019, 62: 157-169. R. Ramamurti & P.J. Williamson.
• "How Real are the Opportunities for Multinationals in China?" The Oxford Handbook of Management in Emerging Markets, 2018 P.J. Williamson and F. Wan.
• "The role of suppliers in enabling differing innovation strategies of competing multinationals from emerging and advanced economies: German and Chinese automotive firms compared." Technovation, 2018, 70–71: 46-58. P. Hertenstein and P.J. Williamson.
• "Emerging market multinationals and the concept of ownership advantages", International Journal of Emerging Markets, 2018, 13(3): 557-567. P.J. Williamson and F. Wan.
• "An alternative benchmark for the validity of China’s GDP growth statistics", Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, 2018, 16(2): 171-191. P.J. Williamson, S. Hoenderop and J. Hoenderop.
• "Building and Leveraging Dynamic Capabilities: Insights from Accelerated Innovation in China", Global Strategy Journal, 6(3), 2016, pp. 197–210. P.J. Williamson.

If you would like to be involved in any aspect of the Global Issues Dialogue Centre 's work, please contact the Chair, Professor Peter Williamson , or the Deputy Director, Liying Guo . 

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As the world’s only truly universal global organization, the United Nations has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone.

To its initial goals of safeguarding peace, protecting human rights, establishing the framework for international justice and promoting economic and social progress, in the seven decades since its creation the United Nations has added on new challenges, such as AIDS, big data and climate change.

While conflict resolution and peacekeeping continue to be among its most visible efforts, the UN, along with its specialized agencies, is also engaged in a wide array of activities to improve people’s lives around the world – from disaster relief, through education and advancement of women, to peaceful uses of atomic energy.

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The UN system plays a crucial role in coordinating assistance of all kinds — to help Africa help itself.  From promoting the development of democratic institutions, to the establishment of peace between warring nations, the UN is present on the ground supporting economic and social development and the promotion and protection of human rights.

The world’s population is ageing: virtually every country in the world is experiencing growth in the number and proportion of older persons in their population. The number of older persons, those aged 60 years or over, has increased substantially in recent years in most countries and regions, and that growth is projected to accelerate in the coming decades.

HIV infections have been reduced by 59% since the peak in 1995, (by 58% among children since 2010) and AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 69% since the peak in 2004 and by 51% since 2010. Globally 46% of all new HIV infections were among women and girls in 2022. The UN family has been in the vanguard of this progress.

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More than 30 countries worldwide are operating 413 nuclear reactors for electricity generation and 58 new nuclear plants are under construction. By the end of 2022, 12 countries relied on nuclear energy to supply at least one-quarter of their total electricity.

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Since the birth of the United Nations, the goals of multilateral disarmament and arms limitation have been central to the Organization’s efforts to maintain international peace and security.

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The world is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger by 2030. The food security and nutritional status of the most vulnerable population groups is likely to deteriorate further due to the health and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.

The United Nations, since its inception, has been actively involved in promoting and protecting good health worldwide. Leading that effort within the UN system is the World Health Organization (WHO), whose constitution came into force on 7 April 1948.

Promoting respect for human rights is a core purpose of the United Nations and defines its identity as an organization for people around the world. Member States have mandated the Secretary-General and the UN System to help them achieve the standards set out in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights .

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The UN continues to promote justice and international law across its three pillars of work: international peace and security, economic and social progress and development, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

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Since the earliest times, humanity has been on the move. Today, more people than ever before live in a country other than the one in which they were born.

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Life itself arose from the oceans. The ocean is vast, some 72 per cent of the earth's surface. Not only has the oceans always been a prime source of nourishment for the life it helped generate, but from earliest recorded history it has served for trade and commerce, adventure and discovery.

Saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war was the main motivation for creating the United Nations, whose founders lived through the devastation of two world wars.

In 1950, five years after the founding of the United Nations, world population was estimated at around 2.6 billion people. It reached 5 billion in 1987 and 6 in 1999. In October 2011, the global population was estimated to be 7 billion.

There were 110 million people forcibly displaced world-wide at the end of June 2023. Among those were 36.4 million refugees, (30.5 million refugees under UNHCR's mandate, and 5.94 million Palestine refugees under UNRWA's mandate). ;

Fresh water sustains human life and is vital for human health. There is enough fresh water for everyone on Earth. However, due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, millions of people (most of them children) die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.

As youth are increasingly demanding more just, equitable and progressive opportunities and solutions in their societies, the need to address the multifaceted challenges faced by young people (such as access to education, health, employment and gender equality) have become more pressing than ever.

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115 Global Issues Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best global issues topic ideas & essay examples, ✍️ global issues essay topics for college, 📌 good essay topics on global issues, 💡 interesting topics to write about global issues, ❓ global issues questions.

• Water Scarcity as a Global Issue: Causes and Solutions Common causes of water scarcity include overpopulation e in regions that have limited water resources, global warming, destruction of water catchment areas by human activities, and pollution of water sources.
• Gender Inequality as a Global Issue This essay will examine some of the causes that affect the gap in the treatment of men and women, and its ramifications, particularly regarding developing countries. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Illiteracy as a Global Issue The cost and access to opportunities to gain an education is also a major cause of illiteracy in the developed economies, where members of the lower class are subjected to high costs of living; thus, […]
• Tuberculosis as a Global Health Issue Over the years, the bacteria strain that causes tuberculosis has developed a lot of resistance mainly as a result of a lack of compliance to treatment on the part of the patient.
• Reflection on Global Issues: Globalization of the Environment The global conflicts, managing the post-pandemic world, and the need to navigate the social injustices to ensure equality for all are among the most pressing ones.
• Anthropology in Solving Global Social Issues Artists were moving in the same direction, which excluded the possibility to understand and assess other examples of the art of other nations.
• The Great Global Warming Swindle: Different Views on the Issue According to the film, the main aim of the scientific organizations is to get funding for the research of this problem and attract additional attention to global warming, while in reality, the climate is changing […]
• Global Issues: Addressing an Aging Population An important issue that is currently facing the world community is aging due to the increasing number of older people. Migration leaves the countries in which people are moving with a significant number of older […]
• Global Health Issue of Malaria It can be explained due to the higher density of the population in those areas and the low socioeconomic status of most people.
• Global Health Issues Affecting International Community The HIV and tuberculosis pandemics have caused and will continue to present considerable challenges to emerging nations’ public health care systems, especially in the hardest-hit nations.
• Global Inequality Issues in Modern Society It was evident during the times of colonization when foreign entities tried to impose their sociopolitical and economic institutions on the developing nations.
• Global Issues, Climate Justice, and Human Overpopulation On the one hand, globalization has many positive aspects: the mutual enrichment of the world community, the exchange of best practices, and the availability of goods.
• Sustainability as an Urgent Global Issue Therefore, this shows the importance of integrating technology with other multidisciplinary teams to achieve quick and sustainable designs that can help in solving the urgent global issue.
• Global Issues, Common Good, and Individualism In such a case, the cohesion and commitment of each individual to shared goals and interests seem to solve the mentioned problems.
• Global Issues: Politics, Economics, and Culture by R.Payne The next chapter 14 reveals the issue of cultural homogenization and hybridization due to globalization. From the perspective of the biblical worldview, it largely determines the principles of the world.
• Global Ecological Issues of Covid-19 Pandemic The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is due to the removal of cars on the streets, which account for about 23% of total CO2 emissions.
• Environmental and Global Health Issues: Measles Measles is among the most contagious disease in the world and is highly frequent and densely distributed in poor developing nations of Africa and Asia.
• Solving Global Issues May Not Be as Easy as It Seems The main point of the essay is to demonstrate how the inaction of those with power and money in the face of human suffering is purely immoral.
• Global Health Issue: The Coronavirus Disease Families have suffered unparalleled grief, anxiety, and distress from the increasing fatality, massive job losses, lockdowns, and movement restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.
• WHO and Its Impact on Global Health Issues The issues which are the center of attention of the World Health Organization are: Women’s Health Health In Africa Eradication of communicable diseases Dr Margaret Chan, the Director-General of World Health Organization said;”I want my […]
• Examination of a Global Population Issue of Russia The country is one of the richest in the world. The country also has the largest forest cover in the world, and the largest fresh water lake.
• Global Health Concerns Overview Title Report 1. Japan nuke risks are minimal The World Health Organization has sent alerts to global health experts to travel to Japan to prevent health hazards caused by radiation. WHO reported the health risks arising from the incident is very low and the current radiation level has no great risk on public health. In […]
• Global Issues Action Plan in the U.S. While drawbacks are the possibility of losing power that other states can use to influence the United States and the lack of protection from emerging military organizations and countries, such as China and Iran, that […]
• Global Health Issue Analysis: HIV – A Relatively New Disease Rapid detection and treatment are crucial to limit the spread of HIV and limit the patient’s effects. As the frequency and intensity of symptoms vary from person to person, testing is the only clear way […]
• Race as a Global Issue in the 1920s The main intention of prohibiting immigrants from entering the country was to block the Germans whom the Americans saw as a threat to their country.
• Global Digital Divide as a Social Issue That is, if societies around the globe are able to bridge the gap between those who have and those who do not in relation to information technology, then the development problems would be minimized at […]
• Global Issue: WWF on Bio-Refineries NGO’s and private communities provide most of the funds, along with the government, for the development of these integrated bio-refineries. Integrated bio-refineries come with the promise of a better lifestyle and enhanced working conditions for […]
• Global Warming Issues Review and Environmental Sustainability Whether it is the melt down of Arctic ice, the damage of the Ozone layer, extra pollution in developing countries; all sums up to one thing in common and that is global warming.
• Modern Global Issues: Drinking Water Shortage The situation is closely linked with the lack of water, and the offered technology to cope with this problem. This is the only way to use naturally filtered and sprang water.
• How Has Globalization Impacted on Issues of Human Rights? William Adler closely examines the disrupted lives of the three women who occupy an assembly-line job as the job and its company moves from New Jersey to rural Mississippi and to Matamoros, Mexico, across the […]
• Global Health Issue in the “Mother Teresa” Movie The movie is devoted to her immense donation to the universal HIV/AIDS struggle in India, but along with the help to HIV infected people, she made the greatest ever contribution to the matters of peace […]
• Malnutrition in Children as a Global Health Issue The peculiarity of this initiative is not to support children and control their feeding processes but prevent pediatric malnutrition even before a child is born.
• Adolescent Pregnancy as a Global Issue The wider the information system is, the more effective methods of solving problems related to the health of pregnant teens are.
• The Doha Round Effectiveness in Solving Global Issues Except for the Dispute Settlement Understanding actions, the attendees of the conference agreed that the outcome of all negotiations was to be done as a single undertaking.
• Cultural Competence in Action: Solutions to Global Health Issues In this paper, the analysis of several case studies about cultural competence will be discussed to clarify how to achieve positive results and reduce the wasting of resources. In the second case, certain attention is […]
• Polar Transformations as a Global Warming Issue Changes in vegetation due to global warming will be varying as the regions are covered with three main vegetation types: polar desert, boreal forest, and the tundra.
• Project Cost Management’s Global Issues and Challenges The results suggest the lack of identity for the profession on the global scale due to the lack of consensus regarding the common descriptor, the scarcity of common standards, terminology, and bodies of knowledge, and […]
• Project Cost Management: Global Issues and Challenges The information revealed by the author is likely to be beneficial for those individuals who are occupied in various fields but provide cost management services in the framework of the global construction industry.
• Natural Disasters and Global Social Issues The hurricane led to a major shift in the social arrangement of the populations in the worst affected areas. This led to a significant loss of jobs in the affected areas.
• Childhood Obesity in Developing Countries – A Global Health Issue Childhood Obesity and the Globe As mentioned earlier, according to the data of WHO, the number of obese children in the world today is more than 42 million, and the vast majority of them are […]
• Differing Views on Global Warming Issues It is crucial to bring on board the views of those who view global warming as a myth that need not to be addressed.
• Ethics-Related Global Workplace Issues Child labor also exposes the children to activities that are illegal. Forced labor is a form of slavery and should not be practiced anywhere in the world.
• Examination of a Global Population Issue Economic Issues The economy of South Africa is one of the fastest developing economies in the world. Being the only African country which is a member of the G-20, this country has been seen to […]
• Homelessness as a Global Social Issue In the US, homelessness is on the increase because of economic melt- down and foreclosures. Moreover, differences in perception of homelessness by liberal and conservative on homeless have increased homelessness in the US.
• Global Population Issues and Population in the UAE The natural resources will face exhaustion due to the great pressure of the population. Consequently, the governments of these countries will be forced to take measures to drive the fertility rates up to cover up […]
• Global Issues for Global Citizens: An Introduction to Key Development Challenges
• Are Gender Rights and Gender Discrimination Global Issues
• Global Issues Regarding the Container Shipping
• Analysis of the Global Issues in Business
• Global Issues, Local Solutions: Rethinking Wealth and Health
• Climate Change and Pollution Are Serious Global Issues
• Compounded Global Issues: Terrorism, Nuclear Proliferation, and Climate Change
• Global Issues: Obesity, Inactivity, and Water-Crisis
• Environment-Related Global Issues: Global and Regional Conventions
• How Global Issues Are Resolved With the Scopes of Many Disciplines
• Explaining the Global Issues of Environment and Health
• Global Crimes Cause Global Issues That Affect the National
• The Alarming and Troublesome Global Warming Issue
• Analyzing How Global Issues Affect Tourism
• The Link Between Global Issues and Change in Human Resource Management
• The Relations Between the Global Issues and Institutions
• Global Issues Surrounding the Millennium Development Goals
• Analyzing Human Trafficking as a Global Issue
• Global Warming: An Issue That Is Man-Made?
• Immigration and Migration Described as the Global Issues
• Analyzing Global Issues That Effect Everyone
• Environmental Issues: Chevron’s Contribution to Global Warming
• Global Issues We Are Facing Today
• Cigarette Smoking Relation to Global Issues of the Future
• Six Global Issues Associated With E-Commerce
• Global Issues: The Link Between Water Shortage and Child Mortality
• Analysis of the Innovation and Global Issues in Social Sciences
• The Relationships Between Internet, Computers, and Global Issues
• Global Issues Within the First Civilizations
• Legal and Global Issues Focused On Treating Undocumented Immigrants
• Analysis of the Poor News Coverage and Public Opinion on Global Issues
• Depicting Social and Global Issues and Trends in Adult Education
• The Global Issues Depicted in “Home”, a Documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
• Teaching for Sustainable Development Through Ethical Global Issues Pedagogy
• Terrorism and the Military: Global Issues of Today
• The Concept, Content, and Nature of Contemporary Global Issues
• The Gay Marriage Debate: Contemporary Global Issues
• The Analysis of the Global Issues and Threats of Nuclear Weapons
• Overview of the Significant Global Issues of Nowadays
• The Part of the U.S. and India in Global Issues On Women
• Are Gender Rights and Gender Discrimination Global Issues?
• What Are the Global Issues in Business?
• Are Climate Change and Pollution Serious Global Issues?
• Are Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation Global Issues?
• What Is the Role of Third World Countries in Global Environmental Issues?
• How Are Global Issues Solved With the Help of Many Disciplines?
• What Are the Social and Global Issues and Trends in Adult Education?
• What Institutions Can Solve Global Issues?
• What Are the Global Issues of Immigration and Migration?
• Do Global Issues Have Local Solutions?
• How Global Is the Issue of Obesity?
• What Are the Global Issues Related to Container Transportation?
• Is Child Mortality a Global Issue?
• What Are the Global Issues Associated With the Millennium Development Goals?
• What Were the Global Issues of the First Civilizations?
• What Global Issues Is Humanity Currently Facing?
• What Are the Global Issues Related to Human Resource Management?
• What Does Smoking Have to Do With Global Issues of the Future?
• How Do Global Issues Affect Individual States?
• What Is Public Opinion About Global Issues?
• What Are the Concepts, Meaning and Nature of Modern Global Issues?
• Gay Marriage: Is It a Modern Global Issue?
• What Are the US and India Global Issues Affecting Women?
• Global Issues: How to Fight Addiction to Video Games?
• What Are the Global Health Issues?
• Is Organized Crime a Global Issue in the World?
• How Can National Governments Solve the Global Issue of Climate Change?
• What Are Starbucks Global Issues?
• Why Is Global Cooperation Important to Address the Global Issues of Postharvest Losses?
• Is It Possible to Solve the Global Issue of PTSD?
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Current Events Global Issues World or Human Geography Capstone Research Project

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Description

Culminate your Human Geography, Current Events, or Contemporary World Issues course with this highly scaffolded project that lets your students research and argue for the most urgent issues of the 21st century!

It's two projects in one! Students can either:

• Design a one-pager poster , creating a visual learning tool for others
• Construct an in-depth research essay , diving into the roots of the issue and thoroughly dissecting possible solutions

Everything is included, from brainstorming to final edit, with embedded scaffolded supports, like:

• Research & essay outline graphic organizers
• Step-by-step project check-off coversheets
• Annotated sample essay and project
• 10 how-to skill reference sheet
• Editable Google docs of all student material

Click VIEW PREVIEW to see more!

Greatness is deeply exploring a pressing issue to be part of its solution.

There are so many equally urgent global issues of the 21st century, from population growth (and decline!) to persistent extreme poverty and humanitarian struggles to climate change. It can feel simply too overwhelming.

Guide students in selecting one specific global issue and deep-diving into its history, severity, and possible solutions as they answer the question, " What is the global priority of the 21st century?"

You will set each of your students up for success in this 2-option, low-prep project , regardless of ability, with all the highly scaffolded graphic organizers, skill sheets, and supports included at each step.

Depending on the project you select, this can be down well in 1-3 weeks.

Included in this complete 2-option Contemporary Global Issues research project:

Teacher Materials

• 3-Page Teacher Overview, with learning outcomes and daily lesson plans
• Links to editable Google Doc files of all student materials
• Differentiation ideas to scaffold and support all your students

Student Materials

• 2 Project Check-Off sheets with step-by-step tasks for each the one-pager poster and the essay projects
• Find and Narrow Issue worksheet to browse broad categories of global issues and narrow down to one specific project topic, with links to pre-vetting, high-quality "starter" sources
• Research Plan form to provide brainstorming to keywords use and evidence to find
• Research Home Base form to organize and record research findings
• Source Analysis form to challenge students to assess sources deeply
• Essay Outline form to organize research into a cohesive and well-built argument before writing the essay
• Essay & One-Pager Poster Rubrics to research, informative (poster), and argumentative writing (essay) standards, with self-assessment & reflection questions
• Annotated Sample Essay & Poster to model skills and end-products
• How-To Skill Reference Handouts including Annotating a Text, Analyzing Sources, Finding Sources, Creating a Works Cited, Annotating a Citation, Deciding a Precise Position, Creating a Thesis, and Using Supporting Evidence

Standards Supported While standards vary, this project supports the following from various states:

• Plans, organizes, and completes a research project on a contemporary global challenge that answers a real-world question
• Summarizes, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of valid primary and secondary sources
• Synthesizes and organizes evidence and counterarguments while conducting research
• Identifies a social studies problem, gathers and considers solutions' advantages and disadvantages, and chooses the best one
• Argues a precise and knowledgeable claim, using supporting evidence and addressing counterclaims
• Creates a presentation of social studies information using effective communication, including proper grammar and conventions, proper citations, and methods to avoid plagiarism

Tips from My Classroom

I use this to meet state and district requirements that students conduct a thesis-driven research paper.

We dedicate the last three weeks of our Global Issues course to this research project.

Providing so much scaffolding with the included handouts, tools, and sources makes it easy to differentiate to all ability levels and students , without lessening the challenge!

Like this project? Grab the rest of the course!

Global Issues is a semester-long current events, human geography, and environmental science all-in-one course that will create global citizens out of your students

• World Population, Demographics, & Poverty Unit: explore worldwide population numbers, extreme poverty, and demographics
• Growth, Globalization, & Natural Resources Unit: explore the growth and shrinking of our global population, connectivity, and resources
• Sustainability & Consumption of Water, Energy, & Garbage Unit: explore the ever-increasing water, fossil fuel, and garbage footprints

Or check out these Human Geography stand-alone units !

These units can be easily integrated into your Current Events, Human Geography, or Environmental Science course (more units coming!)

• Population Growth: a 3-week unit exploring what the simultaneous global problem of explosive population growth as well as alarming decline
• Globalization: a 4-week unit exploring the exponential growth of trade, technology, and travel that has created unbelievable global economic and cultural change
• Water Supply & Pollution: a 3-week unit exploring our finite freshwater supply and the human rights, pollution, and conservation issues that need urgent solutions
• Fossil Fuels & Alternatives: a 3-week unit exploring our addiction to oil, the harsh impact it is having on our air pollution and greenhouse gas levels, and the urgent need to switch to clean renewable energy sources
• Plastic & Garbage : a 3-week unit exploring the modern invention of garbage, landfills, and single-use disposables, the effects it is having on our oceans, and how a zero-waste lifestyle can be possible
• Global Priorities Research Project : a 2-option, 2-3 week capstone research project where students complete either a one-pager or research essay on the global issue they find most pressing

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Top 20 Current Global Issues We Must Address

What are the most pressing issues in the world today? What will demand the most attention in the next 5, 10, and 20+ years? In this article, which frequently refers to the World Economic Forum’s 17th Edition of the Global Risks Report, we’ll highlight 20 current global issues we must address, including issues related to climate change, COVID-19, social rights, and more. While it’s hardly a comprehensive discussion, it’s a solid introduction to the kinds of concerns facing our world today.

#1. Poverty

In fall 2022, the World Bank will update the International Poverty Line from $1.90 to $2.15. This means anyone living on less than $2.15 is in “extreme poverty.” Why the change? Increases in the costs of food, clothing, and shelter between 2011-2017 make the “real value of $2.15 in 2017 prices equal to $1.90 in 2011 prices. As for the World Bank’s goal to reduce extreme poverty to 3% or less by 2030, the pandemic has made it even harder. Extreme poverty isn’t the only poverty we have to contend with. 62% of the global population lives on less than $10/day. While there’s been progress over the years, the end of poverty is still far off.

Learn more about tackling poverty with an online course: Poverty & Population: How Demographics Shape Policy (Columbia University)

#2. Climate change

The IPCC released its sixth report in 2022. In its summary for policy-makers, the report’s authors outlined a series of near-term, mid-term, and long-term risks. If global warming reaches 1.5°C in the near term (2021-2040), it would cause “unavoidable increases in multiple climate hazards,” as well as “multiple risks to ecosystems and humans.” In the long term, climate change will present major health issues, premature deaths, risks to cities and settlements , and other dangers. Mitigation is desperately needed – and fast. Because of climate change ’s connection to other issues on this list, it’s one of the most serious challenges facing humanity.

Learn more about climate change with an online course: Science and Engineering of Climate Change (EDHEC Business School)

#3. Food insecurity

According to the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises , which is produced by the Global Network against Food Crises, the number of people in crisis or worse is the highest it’s been in the six years since the report has existed. Close to 193 million people were experiencing acute food insecurity in 2021, which is an increase of almost 40 million since 2020. This represents a staggering 80% increase since 2016. Causes include “economic shocks,” like an increase in global food prices. Domestic food price inflation in low-income countries also rose a lot. “Weather-related disasters” are also a big driver. For 15.7 million people in 15 countries, it was the primary driver of acute food insecurity.

Learn more about food insecurity with an online course: Feeding the World (University of Pennsylvania)

#4. Refugee rights

According to UNHCR, the war in Ukraine sparked the fastest-growing refugee crisis since WWII. Almost 6 million (as of May 10, 2022) people have fled. The UNCHR’s Refugee Brief , which compiles the week’s biggest refugee stories, has recently described situations in places like Somalia, where thousands of people were displaced due to severe drought. Between January and mid-April, more than 36,000 refugees from Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso arrived in Niger. These are only a few examples of the refugee crises, which endangers already marginalized groups – like women and children – and puts them at an increased risk of trafficking , violence, and death.

Learn more about refugee rights with an online course: Refugees in the 21st Century (University of London)

#5. COVID-19

The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2022. It will continue to be a major issue for the world. The WEF’s Global Risks Report 2022 discusses COVID’s effects at length , including major economic recovery disparities and social erosion. According to a January 2022 article from NPR , there are also issues with vaccinations as many countries continue to have trouble getting doses. Distribution, vaccine hesitancy, healthcare systems, and other problems also factor into low vaccination rates. While we may never know the exact impact, the WHO estimates that between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021, there were around 14.9 million excess deaths linked to COVID-19.

Learn more about the impact of COVID-19 with an online course: Life After COVID-19: Get Ready for our Post-Pandemic Future (Institute for the Future)

#6. Future pandemic preparation and response

COVID-19 taught the world the importance of prepardeness. In a Harvard blog , Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, outlined the lessons the world should take to heart. The first: science has to guide policy. The politicization of the pandemic led to a lot of unnecessary damage. Another lesson is that science must pair with equity or it can actually make inequalities worse. This is obvious when looking at how low-income countries struggled to get the vaccines while wealthier countries stocked up. More resilient healthcare systems are also a must, as well as more coherent, global plans on how to respond. The world must also invest in research on contagious diseases, zoonotic diseases, the effectiveness of outbreak responses, and more.

Learn more about future pandemic response with an online course: Pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response (Politecnico di Milano)

#7. Healthcare

The healthcare industry has experienced major shifts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the World Economic Forum, there’s been new investments and innovations, especially from the technology and telehealth sectors. In 2021, $44 billion was spent on health innovation. The world will be seeing the effects of these innovations for years to come, though equity will no doubt be a major issue. In places like the United States, the pandemic also reaffirmed how broken healthcare systems can be. In an MIT News blog , Andrea Campbell, a professor of political science, says the pandemic revealed a “dire need” for investments in public-health infrastructure, as well as a need to expand healthcare access and insurance coverage.

Learn more about health inequity issues with an online course: Addressing Racial Health Inequity in Healthcare (University of Michigan)

#8. Mental health

Globally, almost 1 billion people have some form of mental disorder. The pandemic made the world’s mental health worse. According to a scientific brief from the WHO , there’s been a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide. Causes include social isolation, fear of sickness, grief, and financial anxieties. Health workers were also severely impacted, as well as young women and girls. The brief also highlights how the pandemic disrupted many mental health services, including services for substance abuse. Countries need to ensure access to mental health services as part of their COVID-19 recovery plans and beyond. It’s an economic decision, as well. The Lancet states that anxiety and depression alone cost the global economy around $1 trillion a year.

Learn more about mental health with an online course: The Science of Well-Being (Yale University)

#9. Disability rights

According to the WHO , over 1 billion people have some form of disability. Half can’t afford healthcare. They’re also more likely to live in poverty than those without a disability, have poorer health outcomes, and have less access to work and education opportunities. Human Rights Watch lists other discriminations disabled people face, such as an increased risk of violence. There’s been progress regarding disability rights, but many countries lack strong protections. The world still has a long way to go to ensure equality for those with disabilities.

Learn more about disability rights with an online courses: Disability Awareness and Support (University of Pittsburgh)

#10. LGBTQ+ rights

Members of the LGBTQ+ community face discrimination in many forms. According to Amnesty International , discrimination can target sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics. Even in more progressive countries like the United States, people face violence and discrimination. According to the Human Rights Campaign, more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were proposed in 2022. At least a dozen states are considering legislation that forbids schools from discussing or using a curriculum that covers sexual orientation and gender identity. Considering the United States’ influence in the world, this attack on LGBTQ+ rights will likely have consequences that need to be addressed.

Learn more about LGBTQ+ issues with an online courses .

#11. Reproductive justice

Reproductive justice – which encompasses more than just abortion rights – is threatened by legislation, lack of funding, lack of education, and restricted healthcare access. In most places, wealth is a big determinant of whether a person can access reproductive services. It’s better in some places than others, but as we’ve seen with other issues on this list, even “progressive” countries like the United States are experiencing major shifts. In June 2022, the Supreme Court is expected to overrule Roe v. Wade , a milestone court case that protected a pregnant woman’s right to abortion. The impact would be immediate and will likely influence other countries.

Learn more about reproductive justice and women’s rights: International Women’s Health and Human Rights (Stanford University)

#12. Children’s rights

Children are a very vulnerable group. In 2019, around 5.2 million children under five from mostly preventable and treatable causes. 2.4 million were newborns under 28 days old. Leading causes include preterm birth complications, pneumonia, and malaria. According to UNICEF, the climate crisis also represents a severe threat to kids. Around 1 billion kids live in “extremely high-risk countries” that are hit by the worst effects of climate change. 920 kids have trouble accessing clean water and 600 million are exposed to vector-borne diseases like malaria. Child labor also remains an issue. At the beginning of 2020, around 160 million were forced into labor while COVID-19 put 9 million more kids at risk. That’s almost 1 in 10 children globally. Almost half are in dangerous environments. As is often the case, the other issues on this list – climate change, poverty, COVID, gender equality, etc – factor into children’s rights.

Learn more about children’s rights: Children’s Human Rights – An Interdisciplinary Introduction (University of Geneva)

#13. Gender equality

Global gender equality has gradually improved over the years, but data from the 2021 Global Gender Report shows that the end of the global gender gap is still 135 years away. The pandemic played a huge role in reversing positive trends as women were hit harder financially. According to Oxfam , women experienced a 5% job loss while men experienced 3.9%. That means women lost about $800 million in 2020. This is a low estimate since it doesn’t count the informal economy, which includes millions of women. Women are also more likely to live in poverty, more affected by gender-based violence, and more affected by climate change.

Learn more about gender equality: Gender Analytics: Gender Equity through Inclusive Design (University of Toronto)

#14. Cybersecurity

The WEF’s Global Risks Report 2022 (page 9) listed cybersecurity vulnerabilities as a concern. The reason is rapid digitalization, which was triggered in part by COVID-19. Many “advanced economies” are now at a higher risk for cyberattacks. GRPS respondents identified cybersecurity failure as a critical short-term risk. In 2020, malware and ransomware attacks went up by 358% and 435%. There are a few reasons for this, including better (and easier) attack methods and poor governance. Cyberattacks have a swath of serious consequences and erode public trust. As countries become more dependent on digitalization, their cybersecurity needs to keep up.

Learn more about cybersecurity: IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate (IBM)

#15. Disinformation

Rapid digitalization comes with many issues, including the lightning-fast spread of disinformation. The WEF report describes deepfakes, an accessible AI technology, and its potential to sway elections and other political outcomes. Disinformation doesn’t need to be sophisticated to be successful, however. Through social media posts and videos, twelve anti-vax activists were responsible for almost ⅔ of all anti-vaccine content on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Their content flooded the internet with the type of harmful, fear-mongering disinformation that played a significant role in vaccine hesitancy and political radicalization. Because disinformation travels faster online than the truth, it’s a global issue that should be addressed.

Learn more about tackling disinformation: Communicating Trustworthy Information in the Digital World (University of Rotterdam)

#16. Freedom of the press

According to the Varieties of Democracy Institute (as reported in The Economist ), about 85% of people live in a country where press freedom has gone down in the past 5 years. After peaking at .65 in the early 2000s and 2011, the global average dropped to .49 in 2021. Major countries like China, India, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey saw significant declines. Journalists and news organizations face threats like violence, imprisonment, lack of funding, and coordinated online attacks and harassment. A free press is essential to a functioning democracy. Without press freedom, all human rights are at risk.

Learn more about freedom of expression: Human Rights for Open Societies (Utrecht University)

#17. Debt crises

In the WEF Global Risks Report (page 7), respondents named debt crises as one of the most pressing issues over the next decade, though respondents believe they will become most serious in just 3-5 years. COVID-19 is a big reason why. Government stimulus was necessary, but many countries are now left with debt burdens. For corporate and public finances in large economies, debt burdens can lead to defaults, bankruptcies, insolvency, and more. This is a far-reaching issue as it affects budgets for areas like healthcare and green energy.

Learn more about the debt: Finance for everyone – Debt (McMaster University)

#18. Corruption

Corruption encompasses a host of actions such as bribery, election manipulation, fraud, and state capture. The World Bank Group names corruption as a barrier to ending extreme poverty and “boosting shared prosperity” for the poorest populations. When it comes to addressing poverty, climate change, healthcare, gender equality, and more, corruption gets in the way. Because corruption is a global problem, global solutions are necessary. Reform, better accountability systems, and open processes will all help.

Learn more about tackling corruption: What is Corruption: Anti-Corruption and Compliance (University of Pennsylvania)

#19. Authoritarianism

According to Freedom House, global democracy is eroding. That includes countries with long-established democracies. In their 2022 report, the organization reveals that global freedom has been declining for the past 16 years. 60 countries faced declines in the last year. Only 25 saw improvements. Only 20% of the global population lives in Free countries. China, Russia, and other authoritarian countries have gained more power in the international system, while countries with established democracies – like the United States – are losing their freedoms. What can be done? Freedom House says success “requires a bold, sustained response that establishes support for democracy and countering authoritarianism.” Governments and citizens engage and stand for democracy.

Learn more about tackling authoritarianism: Citizenship and the Rule of Law (University of London)

#20. Global cooperation

Addressing the issues in this article is not an easy task. True progress is only possible through global cooperation, a fact which is woven through the WEF report. Everything from addressing cybersecurity threats to humanitarian emergencies to protecting democracy depends on strong cooperation between countries. As the report says in its preface: “Restoring trust and fostering cooperation within and between countries will be crucial to addressing these challenges and preventing the world from drifting further apart.” The challenges threatening global cooperation are just as clear as the need, however, which makes it one of the most serious issues of the day.

Learn more about global cooperation: Global Diplomacy: the United Nations in the World

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Regions & Countries

Key Findings From the Global Religious Futures Project

The Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project seeks to understand religious change and its impact on societies around the world. Since 2006, it has included three main lines of research:

• Surveys in more than 95 countries (and 130 languages) asking nearly 200,000 people about their religious identities, beliefs and practices  
• Demographic studies that use censuses and other data sources to estimate the size of religious groups, project how fast they are growing or shrinking, and analyze mechanisms of religious change
• Annual tracking of restrictions on religion in 198 countries and territories

Pew Research Center – a nonprofit, nonpartisan fact tank – conducts these studies and makes them freely available to the public. The Center does not promote any religious or spiritual beliefs (or nonbelief).

The Global Religious Futures (GRF) project is jointly funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and The John Templeton Foundation. Here are some big-picture findings from the GRF, together with context from other Pew Research Center studies.

People are becoming less religious in the U.S. and many other countries

The U.S. public seems to be growing less religious, at least by conventional measures. The percentage of American adults who identify as  Christian has been declining  each year, while the share who do not identify with any religion has been rising rapidly. (Members of non-Christian religions, such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, to name just a few, make up a smaller share of Americans.)

This pattern began a few decades ago, and it is  projected to continue  into the foreseeable future. Moreover, affiliation – whether people say they belong to a religion – is not the only indicator that is dropping. Religious observance also has fallen in surveys asking U.S. adults  how often they attend religious services ,  how frequently they pray , and  how important they consider religion  to be in their lives.

The United States is far from alone in this way.  Western Europeans  are generally  less religious than Americans , having started along a similar path a few decades earlier. And the same secularizing trends are found in other economically advanced countries, as indicated by recent census data from  Australia  and  New Zealand .

Population growth is faster in highly religious countries

At the same time, large parts of the world now have low birth rates. This includes not only Western Europe and North America, but also China, where a majority of the world’s religiously unaffiliated population lives (and where the government imposed a “one-child policy” from 1980 until 2016).

Meanwhile, some highly religious regions are experiencing rapid population growth. In Africa and the Middle East, for example, the average woman has more children than in Europe, North America or East Asia – and much larger shares of the population, both young and old, in these parts of the world say religion is  very  important to them.

Vast majority of world’s population is projected to have a religion

Differing fertility rates and other demographic data are factored into our  population growth projections  for the world’s major religious groups, which forecast that the percentage of the global population that is religiously unaffiliated  will shrink in the decades ahead  – in contrast with the trend seen in the U.S. and Western Europe.

The projections anticipate that the vast majority of the world’s people will continue to identify with a religion, including about six-in-ten who will be either Christian (31%) or Muslim (30%) in 2050. Just 13% are projected to have no religion.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the fastest population growth. Its high birth rates are a major contributor to the increasing size of the world’s Christian and Muslim populations. In coming decades, Muslims are expected to grow  faster than any other major religious group , rivaling or surpassing Christians as the world’s largest religious group  before the end of this century .

Meanwhile, rapid population growth in Africa – along with much slower growth or even declines in Europe and North America – will  shift the geographic center of Christianity . By 2060, more than four-in-ten of the world’s Christians are projected to live in sub-Saharan Africa, while fewer than a quarter will live in Europe and North America combined, if current trends continue.

We are tracking these trends and working to produce new estimates of the religious composition of countries around the world as new data comes in, although the latest round of censuses and some key surveys have been delayed in many countries by the COVID-19 pandemic .

Interactive: Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2050

Is religion gaining or losing influence? Depends where you are

A  2018 Pew Research Center survey  asked people in 27 countries whether they think religion plays a more or less important role in their nation than it did 20 years earlier. In most countries surveyed – including the U.S. – more people said the role of religion has  decreased  than said it had increased. But there were plenty of exceptions, including such countries as Indonesia, Kenya, Brazil and Israel, where the balance of public opinion was that religion’s role in their societies had  increased  in recent decades.

Religion also appears to have made a partial resurgence in the former Soviet Union, where it was long repressed under communist rule. The share of people identifying as Christians rose rapidly in several former Soviet republics after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. In Vladimir Putin’s Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church has returned to political prominence, becoming an  important element of national identity  for many citizens there.

China is another country where communist politics led to repression of religion and where it remains difficult to obtain reliable measures of religious activity. Pew Research Center has been  tracking restrictions on religion  around the world for more than a decade, and China’s government has consistently ranked among the most restrictive, alongside Egypt, Iran and other countries.

Trends in religious freedom

Overall, government restrictions on religion have been rising globally. As of 2020, 57 countries now have “very high” levels of government restrictions on religion, up from 40 in 2007, the baseline year of the study. These restrictions can take many forms, including efforts by governments to ban particular faiths, prohibit conversions, limit preaching or give preferential treatment to certain religious groups.

More than 80 countries  have either an official state religion or a clearly favored religion. And among the 43 countries with state religions, a majority – 27 (or 63%) – are Islamic, including a broad swath of countries stretching across North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, from Morocco to Pakistan.

For many people in these countries, religion can’t be separated from the power of the state. In a series of surveys conducted from 2008 to 2012, nearly all Muslims in Afghanistan (99%), nine-in-ten in Iraq (91%) and large majorities elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and South Asia said Shariah – Islamic law – should be the  official law of the land  in their country. (The survey found much lower support for religious law among Muslims in the post-Soviet republics of Central Asia and in the Balkans.)

On the other hand, Muslims around the world don’t necessarily agree on what Shariah means in practice. Some say Shariah should be open to multiple interpretations. Many  favor applying it in matters of family law, such as divorces and inheritances, but not in criminal cases. And even among Muslims supporting Shariah, majorities in many countries say it should apply only to Muslims, not to people of other faiths – although some of those countries enforce laws against  blasphemy and apostasy  (the act of leaving one’s religion), limiting possibilities for secularization or religious change within their borders.

Religion’s role as a uniter and divider

The decline of religion in the West has caused people to ask: Is this a good thing or a bad thing for individuals and society?

There is no easy answer. Our research has found elements of religion that could be considered both positive and negative. Of course, religion brings  meaning and purpose  to many people’s lives – even in highly secular Western Europe, a median of 39%  say that religion does this  – while also providing solace in times of grief and  moral guidance  when making difficult decisions.

In addition, people who are active in religious congregations tend to be happier and more civically engaged than either religiously unaffiliated adults or inactive members of religious groups, according to a 2019 Center analysis of survey data  from the United States and more than two dozen other countries.

This sense of community may be what many people imagine when they think of organized religion: About half of Americans (52%) say religion mostly brings people together, while just one-in-five say it mostly pushes people apart. And people around the world, in many different religious groups, generally express pride in being a member of their group.

But there is also evidence of the divisive power of religion, and not just in  U.S. politics . In India – the world’s largest democracy, which the United Nations projects will surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023 – people of all major faiths see religious tolerance as a core national value, according to a survey we conducted of nearly 30,000 Indians in 2019-2020. But most Indians also say it is important to stop interreligious marriages, and many say they would not accept a person of another faith as a neighbor, making religion a key  dividing line between groups  in Indian society, the survey found.

In  Israel , there are deep divisions not only between Jews and Palestinians, but also within the Jewish majority. Israeli Jews disagree sharply about the role of religion in national life. In our 2014-2015 survey of Israel, 93% of secular Jews in Israel said they would be uncomfortable with the prospect of their child marrying a Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jew, while 95% of the ultra-Orthodox said the same about their child marrying a secular Jew.

Western Europe also provides a striking example of the connection between religious identity and social divides: Christians as a whole in the region tend to express higher levels of nationalist, anti-immigrant and anti-religious minority sentiment than their religiously unaffiliated neighbors. This is  not  to say that most Christians in Europe oppose immigration or want to keep Muslims and Jews out of their neighborhoods. But Christian identity, on its own, is associated with higher levels of nationalism and negative views of religious minorities and immigrants, as we found in a 2017 survey across 15 countries in Western Europe .

Does economic prosperity bring secularization?

Around the world, there is a clear correlation between higher economic advancement and lower religious commitment – using several different measures of both concepts. For instance, in countries with higher gross domestic products per capita (a rough measure of economic prosperity), people tend to be less likely to pray, or to say that a person must believe in God to be moral and have good values.

This raises the question: Is the whole world headed in the same direction? If humanity continues to advance scientifically, technologically and economically, is it only a matter of time before religion fades away? Karl Marx famously thought so , and some theorists still do. But Pew Research Center’s global surveys and demographic studies have revealed a more complicated picture.

On the one hand, as previously noted, the fastest-growing countries tend to be highly religious, while those with shrinking populations tend to be less religious. This suggests that, at least for a time, the share of the world’s population that is religious may rise, not fall.

On the other hand, in many countries around the world, younger people are less religious than older people. (Of more than 100 countries surveyed , there are 46 in which people ages 18 to 39 consider religion less important than those 40 and older. In 58 countries, there is no statistically significant difference between age groups. There are just two countries – Georgia and Ghana – where younger people consider religion more important than older people do.) Of course, this could be because human beings tend to become more religious as they age. But it’s also exactly the pattern one would expect to see if many countries are gradually becoming more secular, generation by generation.

Religion’s intersections with gender and education

Our studies also find that, on average,  women are notably more religious than men  in the United States and many other countries, particularly in places with Christian majorities. But it’s far from a universal pattern. Men display higher levels of religious commitment than women in some countries and religious groups, and in other contexts, there are few, if any, gender differences.

The relationship between education and religion is also more complex than it might seem on the surface. In the United States, people with college and post-graduate degrees tend to be less religious than those with only a high school education. But highly educated Christians are just as religious, on average, as less educated Christians, and they are more likely to say they are weekly churchgoers.

Globally, our studies show that some world religions lag considerably behind others in terms of  average education levels , as well as that Muslim and Hindu women tend to have fewer years of schooling than men in those same religious groups. But there are strong signs of progress across the board: All major faiths have made gains in average years of schooling, and the  gender gaps  have started to narrow.

More global studies are in the works. After completing a massive survey on religion across India – including relations among Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians in that country – the Global Religious Futures project is turning toward Southeast Asia and East Asia. In the past, some countries in those regions have ranked low on measures of religion that originally were developed for Western countries and Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Islam and Christianity). But new measures, designed specifically for East Asian populations, will seek to dig deeper into the role of religion in daily life in the region.

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About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Global Atlanta

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Global Issues, Local Solutions: Research Collaborative Awards $80K to Six Projects

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The Atlanta Global Research & Education Collaborative (AGREC), launched in 2020 and housed within the Atlanta Global Studies Center (AGSC) , has awarded $80,000 to support this year’s crop of six “Global at Home” research projects emanating from greater Atlanta universities.

AGREC supports initiatives led by multi-institutional teams working with community partners to address a wide range of global issues. The goal is to create meaningful collaborations, breaking down barriers between institutions and empowering students to put research into action in their communities, for the good of the world.

Each AGREC application team must include faculty co-investigators from at least two of seven participating universities, a list that this year includes Clark Atlanta University , the second HBCU to join the consortium following Spelman College ’s addition in 2020. Faculty from non-AGREC universities in greater Atlanta can be brought on to participate in AGREC-funded projects, which must be completed in close collaboration with a community partner, such as a nonprofit, local company or governmental entity.

This year’s projects have prominently featured the theme of cultural adaptation in better addressing issues of public health, focusing on topics such as mental health among Ethiopian and Eritrean communities, tackling diabetes with the city’s refugee and migrant residents, the role of AI in addressing global health inequities and helping South Asian survivors of intimate partner violence. [See the full project list below.]

Integrating indigenous knowledge into the Spanish-language science curriculum and building leadership in sustainable development through equitable community partnerships are also highlights among this year’s projects.

“Through meaningful collaborations, the innovative projects supported by the AGREC network are transforming the academic environment of Atlanta, as they give impulse to new questions and new solutions based on the shared set of values that come from our commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez , co-director of the Atlanta Global Studies Center and associate professor of Spanish at Georgia Institute of Technology . 

Since its 2020 launch, AGREC has supported 32 collaborative, interdisciplinary research and education projects with a focus on community engagement and global issues, issuing a cumulative $340,000 in funding in four years.

Last year, Delta Air Lines also granted the AGREC consortium $51,000 to put toward various free passport initiatives that have emerged at Georgia State University, Emory University and other schools to help students overcome the first hurdle to international travel and study.

Call for Proposals

As it announces awardees, AGREC is also issuing a new call for proposals for the 2024-25 grant cycle. Multi-institutional teams may apply for $5,000-$20,000 in funding.

With Clark Atlanta’s inclusion, partner institutions now include:

• AGSC , a consortium of Georgia Tech and Georgia State University
• Emory University’s Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives
• Agnes Scott College’s SUMMIT Center for Global Learning and Leadership Development
• Spelman College’s Gordon Zeto Center for Global Education
• Kennesaw State University Global Education
• Clark Atlanta University’s Office of International Programs .

AGREC welcomes more colleges and universities to join the initiative, particularly Atlanta’s HBCUs and minority-serving institutions.

Taiesha Smith , senior program manager in the Office of the Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research at Georgia Tech, sees this as a key priority.

“We are engaged in capacity-building efforts with HBCUs that support areas such as sustainability, energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biomedical science and climate. The efforts of AGREC align well with GT’s principles of diversity, collaboration, and innovation,” Dr. Smith said.

For its part, Clark Atlanta sees AGREC as helping build on its social-justice tradition and expand innovative thinking among its students and faculty, says Letoya Starr Irving, director of international programs.

“We strongly believe that this partnership will assist our faculty members to achieve CAU’s vision by providing them with the resources they need to conduct innovative academic programs, conduct research that stimulates thinking, engage in creative activities and enhance their overall student experience.”

To learn more, read the full CfP, or attend a virtual info session, please visit the website, https://atlantaglobalstudies.gatech.edu/AGREC#call .

See Funded Projects From 2023-24

This project will build a user-driven information database to address the information and service needs of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) within Southeast Asian communities in metropolitan Atlanta. A mobile application will be adapted for use among IPV survivors in collaboration with Raksha, Inc, a Georgia-based non-profit organization serving the South Asian community, utilizing AI and large language models to facilitate broader adoption, streamline the process of connecting users with service providers, and aid in identifying service gaps.

This study will integrate an Indigenous or Native science curriculum, aligned with academic and intercultural goals, into Atlanta’s K-12 dual language immersion (DLI) programs, to address the lack of science curriculum in partner languages in elementary and middle DLI schools. A recurring APS science summer course will create exemplar instructional materials. Pilot data from summer program classrooms will inform a future proposal to develop a nationally available high school environmental science course.

This project will develop, implement, and test the efficacy of an adapted diabetes self-management community outreach worker program for refugees in Clarkston, GA, where members of the Burmese community suffer diabetes at a drastically disproportionate rate.  Once trained, community health workers will continue to assist patients at the Ethne and Grace Village health clinics, providing a sustainable program long-term. The research component of the program will provide critical preliminary information to inform scale-up of the program to other refugee groups and a larger subsequent study will aim to demonstrate the long-term cost-effectiveness of the program for refugee populations across the United States.

This project aims to increase mental health awareness among Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in Atlanta by providing culturally tailored educational resources and community trainings. Culturally relevant themes identified through previously conducted focus groups and interviews with adolescents, young adults, parents and community leaders will be incorporated into educational materials and trainings to improve health communication in these communities by targeting the stigmatizing norms that inhibit mental health.

New funding for continuing projects:

The program gathers students from U.S., Canadian, and European Universities and invites them to think globally about local issues by participating in a simulation. In 2023-2024, students will focus on “AI, Climate Resilience and Health Disparities on a Global Stage” and replicate an international meeting of the Global Partnership on AI, occupying all the participants’ roles. At a time when the (real) GPAI is promoted by the Hiroshima G7 as one of the two international organizations missioned to help the globe with AI governance, this exercise can both engage students in a real-time activity at the center of AI governance and increase AI education and engagement in Atlanta communities.

This project serves as the primary youth (ages 17-29) engagement program for RCE Greater Atlanta, providing seven-month leadership and professional development experiences to 15-20 students enrolled in higher education institutions, using the UN SDGs as a framework for project-based learning focused on local sustainability challenges both on campus in local Atlanta communities.  

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Trevor Williams Managing Editor

As managing editor of Global Atlanta, Trevor has spent 15+ years reporting on Atlanta’s ties with the world. An avid traveler, he has undertaken trips to 30+ countries to uncover stories on the perils... More by Trevor Williams

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School of Planning and Public Affairs

Sppa students win grand prize in ui 2024 global health case competition.

We are proud to announce that our students have received first place and the grand prize in the 2024 Global Health Case Competition for their project, “Improving Sustainability Outcomes in Homa Bay, Kenya.” In addition to receiving the first place monetary awards, they were selected by Dave Okech Okech , CEO of a Kenyan nonprofit, AquaRech Ltd, to implement a portion or all of their plan in that country! The competition is offered through the UI Institute of Public Health Research and Policy.

Their team included three School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) masters students, Farnaz Fatahi Moghadam, Jovana Kolasinac, and Sanzida Rahman Setu, plus UI students Joe Maxwell (undergraduate in political science with an urban planning minor) and Sanya Sami (graduate student in public health). They competed against eight other teams representing a total of nine colleges to capture the win.

The aim of the contest is to train “the next generation of leaders through a unique competition experience built upon a real‐world challenge.” This year’s global health case study was “Sustainable Communities and Nutrition Concerns in Homa Bay, Kenya.” There were numerous aspects the students had to consider, including declining supply of fish as a primary protein source, supply chain issues, cultural implications, food insecurity, health concerns, and climate change. Additionally, they had to take into account complicating factors that were present, such as gender-based issues, economic and environmental impacts, and strategic alliance for policy implications to ensure the sustainability of their proposal. The team spent two months working on their project, incorporating many aspects of urban planning from their graduate classes.

The students’ winning proposal is available for viewing .  

International Geoscience Programme announces funding for 25 research projects this year

Gathered for a closed session between 10 and 11 March, the six-member IGCP Council assessed the progress of the 43 projects that ran during 2023, with input from the IGCP Scientific Board and UNESCO Secretariat. These projects have a special focus on geosciences for society and climate change mitigation, such as via renewable energy sources like geothermal.  

The IGCP Council also decided to support another eight projects without funding. This means that 33 IGCP projects remain active in 2024.  

The projects are financed jointly by UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).  

The IGCP council also decided to maximize the programme’s impact by revising the procedure for submissions. Moving forward, projects will be co-developed by solicited researchers and the Council. Over the next four years, the focus will be on Africa. The programme will be seeking partnerships with academic institutions and the private sector to facilitate this research. 

Of note is the new Geoscience Ecosystem (GECO) project which aims to develop an innovative collaborative ecosystem for geoscience. It is comprised of a platform designed to facilitate the analysis and integration of geological data and information from various sources, including from published literature and open-source databases. Its overall purpose will be to support sustainable management of natural resources and mitigate geological hazards. The platform will utilise advanced cloud technology and draw upon the geoscience expertise of Eni, the Italian energy company. At this initial stage of the project, the focus will be on sites located within the East African Rift, given its exceptional geological diversity and potential for geothermal energy production. 

Highlights from ongoing research projects in 2023

IGCP project 769: Energy Transition Centre for Masters’ Training

This project launched a new Geoscience Ambassador of the Year award in partnership with the GeoNetZero Centre for Doctoral Training. The award acknowledges the profound significance of early-career Earth scientists and their potential for inspiring the next generation. The expert selection panel received many strong applicants from around the world and selected the following nominees:  

Geoscience Ambassador of the Year: 

• Gyslaine Mansilla, Chile 

Honourable mentions: 

• George Rwegoshora Kato, United Republic of Tanzania 
• Halleluya Ekandjo, Namibia 
• Dainty Rabang, Philippines  

IGCP 767: Environmental Dynamics of Western Rwanda 

Team members of this project , are conducting a comprehensive study of the Mount Nyiragongo region in Rwanda. They seek to understand the potential health risks to inhabitants of this region, particularly regarding underground magma propagation, passive degassing of the volcano, the impacts of volcanic ash soils, and toxic hydrogen sulfide reservoirs in Lake Kivu. Work carried out as part of this project includes surveys of local community health near sites of volcanic outgassing, soil mapping surveys, and numerical modeling to understand the main factors controlling magma propagation. 

Key figures

In accordance with UNESCO priority on gender equality and Africa, the International Geoscience Council has been prioritizing projects led by female and early career scientists from developing nations since 2015. In 2023, the IGCP projects were led by 45% female leaders, and 11.4% African leaders (from 17 countries), out of 272 project leaders, compared to 19% and 10.7% in 2015, respectively. 

The number of countries involved in the International Geoscience Programme in 2023 - more than 30 African countries were active.

The number of project leaders in 2023. More than 30 were from Africa, and 45% were female.

The number of participants in International Geoscience Programme activities in 2023. More than 50% were from developing countries and more than 40% were youth.

UNESCO Global Geoparks Information Session

Attendees of the Open Session were invited to attend an information session on the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept and procedures. In 2023, UNESCO received 18 applications for new UNESCO Global Geoparks to be evaluated in 2024 and one request for size modification of <10%. These applications will undergo a three month 'intergovernmental check,' followed by evaluation by geoscience and geopark experts.

Gary Lee is a geologist at the Pacific Community, based in Fiji. In the following video, he explains the ongoing efforts towards establishing the first UNESCO Global Geopark within the Pacific region. Watch the recording now.

William Kimosop is the Chief County Warden for Baringo County in Kenya. Here, he shares his perspectives on the potential of the UNESCO Global Geopark in Africa. Watch the recording now. 

Open calls for application

Applications were called for new IGCP Council members during the session. The Council consists of six ordinary members, each possessing the right to vote, who are appointed by mutual agreement of the Director-General of UNESCO and the President of the IUGS.

Other ongoing calls for application include the UNESCO Global Geopark Council, Evaluators Roster, hosting the 12th International Conference, and the Mentorship Exchange Programme.

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• Natural sciences
• Programme implementation
• International Geoscience and Geoparks programme (IGGP)
• International Geoscience Programme (IGCP)
• Region: Global
• SDG: SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
• See more add

This article is related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals .

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