Special News--March 2021Global Trends
Perspectives and Priorities from the Sectors
Image courtesy and ©2016 ENODWhat a Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong (spoken introduction and music video)---------- In this Update we focus on global trends and issues, sharing examples of perspectives and priorities from various sectors. We encourage you to go over the trends and discuss them with colleagues. How can they inform your work? What other important trends do you see happening, including positive ones?! What implications are there also for your life and lifestyle?
Keep in mind that when we talk about trends we are not simply talking about statistics but about major issues affecting real people on our beleaguered planet. It helps us to think of people and places we know and love, as a way to link with the trends in a more personal and practical way.
We also continue to include Perspectives and Resources for Covid Care (click on previous link to access). These materials have been compiled over the past year to support you, others in your life, and your work. We also acknowledge that there are of course many views about this pandemic including how best to manage it and future pandemics via science, policy, and public cooperation.
Warm greetings,
Kelly and Michèle
MCAresources@gmail.com
--Share your comments and resources on our MCA Facebook page
--Forward to your colleagues and networks (link to sign up is at the end).
Featured Resources
Global Trends
Perspectives and Priorities from the Sectors
Image courtesy and © 2018 ENOD
"To put it simply, the state of the planet is broken."
UN Secretary General António Guterres, 2 December 2020
----------
Ten Priorities for 2021. UN Secretary General António Guterres, UN General Assembly (28 January 2021). “…Excellencies, 2020 brought us tragedy and peril. 2021 must be the year to change gear and put the world on track. We need to move from death to health; from disaster to reconstruction; from despair to hope; from business as usual to transformation. The Sustainable Development Goals are more important now than ever. Now is the time to secure the well-being of people, economies, societies and our planet. It is possible. So we must make it happen. Together.” In addition to the text linked above, you can also watch the video HERE.
Here is a list of the 10 priorities presented by Guterres, summarized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
--Respond to COVID-19
--Start an inclusive and sustainable economic recovery
--Make peace with nature
--Tackle poverty and inequality
--Reverse the assault on human rights
--Gender equality, the greatest human rights challenge
--Heal geopolitical rifts
--Reverse the erosion of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime
--Seize the opportunities of digital technologies while protecting against their growing dangers
--Launch a reset for the 21st century
Image source: UN Department of Global Communications
The World in 2021: Ten Trends to Watch in the Coming Year. The Economist (November 2020). “The coming year promises to be particularly unpredictable, given the interactions between the pandemic, an uneven economic recovery and fractious geopolitics. This annual [issue] will, we hope, help you improve your odds as you navigate the risks and opportunities ahead. And it’s not all doom and gloom. Our special section, “Aftershocks”, considers some of the lessons, and chances for positive change, that have emerged from the crisis.” Each of the 10 trends summarized is linked to an article in this special issue (a subscription is required to read beyond the first two paragraphs of each article).
Ten Humanitarian Crises and Trends to Watch in 2021. The New Humanitarian (January 2021). “Our aim is to offer a forward-looking view of current and emerging issues that are likely to drive new humanitarian needs. While we point to some geographically specific crises, we also look at cross-cutting trends, from growing food insecurity to faltering peace deals. This list is informed by our reporting from humanitarian hotspots around the globe — more than 70 countries in 2020 — and our editors’ research and discussions with analysts, aid workers, and those affected by conflict and disasters. Here’s why the crises and trends listed below (in random order, as this is not a ranked list) have our attention — and should demand yours.” See also the crowd-sourced list of 10 humanitarian trends for 2021.
2020 Year in Review: The Impact of COVID-19 in 12 Charts, World Bank (6 languages). “This time last year, concepts such as “lockdowns,” “mask mandates” and “social distancing” were unknown to most of us. Today they are part of our everyday language as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all aspects of our lives. Through the following 12 charts and graphics, we try to quantify and provide an overview of our colleagues’ research in the face of a truly unprecedented crisis.” Focus is on the economic-human impacts.
Ten Global Health Trends to Track in 2021. World Health Organization (December 2020). “2020 was a devastating year for global health. A previously unknown virus raced around the world, rapidly emerging as one of its top killers, laying bare the inadequacies of health systems. Today, health services in all regions are struggling to both tackle COVID-19, and provide people with vital care….So in 2021, countries around the world will need to continue battle COVID-19 (albeit with the knowledge that effective tools are evolving). They will need to move swiftly to repair and reinforce their health systems so they can deliver these tools, and to address the key societal and environmental issues that result in some sections of the population suffering so much more than others….we will support them in building strong health systems and healthy populations. Here are 10 ways we will do this:”
World Report 2021. Human Rights Watch (December 2020).“This 31st annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide in 2020. It reflects extensive investigative work that Human Rights Watch staff conducted during the year, often in close partnership with domestic human rights activists.” It begins with an op-ed on “Redeeming a US Role in Human Rights”—note that we do not agree with all the assertions in this op-ed.
UN S-G Guterres Address, 22 February 2021 at the opening of UN Human Rights Council: “Human rights are our bloodline; they connect us to one another, as equals. Human rights are our lifeline; they are the pathway to resolving tensions and forging lasting peace. And, human rights are on the frontline; they are the building blocks of a world of dignity and opportunity for all – and they are under fire every day.”
Photography 4 Humanity. Human Rights Exhibit, UN (2021)
State of the Planet: Our Suicidal War on Nature. Global Integration Update (January 2021). “In this Update we feature the recent Special Address by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the State of the Planet (part one). We use this 28 minute video as a point of departure to overview and probe the ongoing climate-environment concerns and crises, actions and debates. This is the "must" review resource--things we all need to know--in the Update. And then as you have time and interest, part two encourages us to go deeper, presenting several resources related to climate and the environment for perspectives and insights.” Note: The Report below was just released and includes a synthesis of scientific evidence and suggestions for action.
Making Peace with Nature: A Scientific Blueprint to Tackle the Climate, Biodiversity, and Pollution Emergencies (February 2020). UN Environment Programme. Links to the Executive Summary, Key Messages, and the full Report are in the link above. Overview-promo video HERE (2 minutes). Summary:
"--Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution add up to three self-inflicted planetary crises that are closely interconnected and put the well-being of current and future generations at unacceptable risk.
--Ambitious and coordinated action by governments, businesses and people around the world can prevent and reverse the worst impacts of environmental decline by rapidly transforming key systems including energy, water and food so that our use of the land and oceans becomes sustainable.
--Transforming social and economic systems means improving our relationship with nature, understanding its value and putting that value at the heart of our decision making.” (excerpts from Key Messages)
UN News: Global Perspective—Human Stories. Peace and Security Section. Current and past brief reports on events and situations relating to peace/security around the world. With links to audios for News in Brief, interviews, and podcasts. See also the Global Peace Index 2020, Institute for Economics and Peace. Executive Summary on pages 2-4.
Image courtesy and ©2021 JMLOD
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole (music video)
