Global+Trends+to+Follow+Over+the+Next+25+Years

// What are the major global trends that are likely to have a significant impact on the lives of people during the next 25 years? //

I think that over the next 25 years several global trends are likely to occur that will have an impact on our lives. Homelessness will receive new global attention, and more creative solutions will evolve to decrease the earth’s pollution, and technology will surge. The number of homeless and pollution are two areas of concern for students from Hawaii and Turkey (involved in GLIP).

Citizens in our global community are making an effort to help the homeless more now then ever before. This is a result of the many individuals who are frustrated by the fact that wealthy countries lend resources to help other countries when in need, yet cannot help their own people by providing them with homes and/or a descent living. “ The problem of homelessness is not a problem that can be solved quickly, if at all. We must make political changes through Government at home and abroad, if we are to tackle the problem head on.” [] Two students in our group from Hawaii stated that the homeless population was a problem where they lived. I believe that over the next 25 years we will see a global approach to helping homeless people find a better life for themselves. An increase in awareness at the state and federal level, jobs, and special programs designed to meet the needs of the homeless population will aid this cause.

I also believe that over the next 25 years countries will alter their ways of dealing with pollution. Health issues and environmental concerns that have been brought on by pollution are becoming a global concern. “According to UN researchers, one-third of diseases worldwide are caused by drinking unsanitary water, eating tainted food or breathing polluted air.” [] Russia suffers from the residual effects of environmental disasters that happened years ago. [|http://countrystudies.us/russia/25.htmhttp://countrystudies.us/russia/25.htmhttp://countrystudies.us/russia/25.htm] In Turkey, economic growth is causing environmental pollution of a different kind. The increase of vessels used to import more oil needed to meet the needs of the growing population cause a strain on the water life. [] And China is combating air pollution that is a problem in over half of its countries. [] “Global warming” got our attention. As a result technology has been created to diminish the amount of pollution released, but it is not enough. Over the next 25 years we will see the trend of a growing number of people choosing methods to prevent pollution rather then ignore it. Regulations will become more strenuous to discourage and cease pollution.

I believe that technology’s surge will impact the global community positively and negatively over the next 25 years. Technology will aid economic growth by making communication and networking easier among companies and business ventures. Information and ideas will be easily shared and transparency will put everyone on an even playing field. Technology will aid students’ correspondence and learning with those in other countries. This new relationship in the global community will cause our world to feel smaller and make it easier to solve global problems together. However great technology makes our lives over the next 25 years, I agree with Parker et al. in that there will be an increase in the lose of privacy. Information about individuals will be acquired more easily. Also, a larger gap will form between socioeconomic classes. By advancing technology there is a risk for those who struggle to keep up with the latest technological trends, financially or intellectually, to fall further behind. A portion of the population will be partially cut of from one of the world’s main means of communication.

// What will be the characteristics required of individuals in order to cope with and manage these trends? //

Individuals that are able to cope with and manage these trends need to be self-motivated researchers, technologically savvy, globally aware, accepting of new ideas and different perspectives, commiserative, and a team player.

// How might these characteristics be developed? What approach, strategies, or innovations, might best implement these characteristics? //

Characteristics are developed through various life experiences. Researcher, technologically savvy, and global awareness are gained through experiences at work, education, and activities that evolve from the personal drive to learn more. The experience of helping others and volunteer work lead individuals to become more accepting of new ideas and different perspectives, commiserative, and a team player. These human qualities are necessary to obtain before attempts are made to address global trends in the future.