3. What Is a Global Issue?
Affects a large number of
people across national
boundaries. e.g. poverty,
climate change
Beyond the capability of
any one nation to resolve.
e.g. migration, financial
stability, forests, water
Is of significant concern to
all or most of the countries.
e.g. communicable
diseases, conflicts
Requires a global
regulatory approach to
resolve. e.g. trade,
corruption, IPR
CARLONARBS 3
4. Global
Economy:
Poverty, Trade, Inequality,
Migration, Financial stability,
Debt, Aid*
Global Environment
and natural
resources
Water, Forests,
Energy, Fisheries,
Climate change*
Global human
development
Education, Health,
Nutrition, Infectious
Diseases.
KEY GLOBAL ISSUES
CARLONARBS 4
Global Governance:
Conflicts, corruption, UN system, Global
compacts, International Financial Institutions
5. A Four Point Framework for Understanding Global Issues
Anatomy: Nature of the issue and what makes
it a global issue.
(China has invaded a foreign territory)
Dynamics: What forces are shaping the issue
and their likely future trend.
(Deployment of warships to the disputed
territory, printing of map in passports)
Actions: What is being done to address the
issue ? By whom? What more can/should be
done?
(RP has elevated the issue to the UNCLOS)
Consequences: What are the likely
consequences of inaction or inadequate
actions?
(Without action, the other stronger countries
can bully its way to RP sovereignty)
CARLONARBS 5
6. • Demographic Transition
• Global Income Growth and
Equity ( social justice)
• Scientific and
Technological Innovation
• Increasing
Interconnectedness and
Interdependence
• Global governance and
influence of civil society
• Security and social
cohesion
FORCES UNDERLYING GLOBAL ISSUES
CARLONARBS 6
7. Why Care about Global Issues?
Economic
Consequences
Social Consequences
Security Consequences
Health Consequences
Environmental
Consequences
---and are often
interrelated and
compounding.
CARLONARBS 7
8. • Failures of group decision
making
• “Tragedy of commons”
• “Public goods” nature of
many global issues
WHAT MAKES GLOBAL ISSUES DIFFICULT TO
RESOLVE?
CARLONARBS 8
9. • International conventions,
treaties and laws
• Intergovernmental
conference and
declarations
• G8, G-20, G-77 and other
similar groupings
• Global partnerships of
governments, private
sector, civil society
organizations and
multilateral institutions
CURRENT MECHANISMS TO ADDRESS
GLOBAL ISSUES
CARLONARBS 9
10. • Countries
• UN system
• International Financial
Institutions
• International NGOs
• Transnational corporations
• Foundations
• You i.e. global citizens
WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS INVOLVED IN
GLOBAL ISSUES ?
CARLONARBS 10
11. • Learn about the
issue
• Get familiar with nature
and the dynamics of the
issue
• Find out the actors and
their actions (e.g.
advocacy groups)
• Get involved!
• Use your representation and
voting rights
• Support companies that
demonstrate social and
environmental responsiveness
• Develop support, talk to your
family & friends
• Make donations to support
issues you care about
WHAT CAN WE DO AS INDIVIDUALS?
CARLONARBS 11
