Professional Documents
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A Country Won
A Country Won
A Country Won
Problems must
be addressed from the grassroots in order to progress. This is why driving progress by solving
local community problems is important for every nation. Learn how the members and leaders
could solve pressing issues in their local area.
Although problems may differ per area, there are common issues that may guide both leaders and
members. To find the leading problems in most areas, read on.
The top problems in the country based on PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. second quarter poll for 2021
include: economy at 60%, COVID-19 vaccine at 51% and jobs at 42%. These pressing matters
are then followed by education, corruption, poverty, and crime with around 24% to 13%.
Economy
Health
People feel the effects of COVID-19. As of July 2022, around 3.74 million confirmed cases were
reported since its onset. Aside from the usual health symptoms that this virus has given, it also
paved the way to other concerns, such as mental health issues.
Jobs
Many jobs have been lost due to the health crises. If not, some people have taken low-paying
jobs just to gain income to support their needs. Based on a recent survey, “the number of
unemployed persons in May 2022 was estimated at 2.93 million.” Loss of income could further
lead to other local area concerns such as crime.
Leaders must spearhead projects that would spur progress in each area. They must be able to see
the root cause of major concerns and propose laws and actions that would address the said pain
points, instead of mere stopgap solutions. People should be involved in this approach.
Illiteracy
One of the most important factors in success is education. Teaching basic knowledge, such as
reading and writing, would develop vital skills. These skills will be useful for each one and help
them contribute to the community. People will be able to find jobs or start businesses.
There are many issues when it comes to the Philippines’ education system. Knowing where we
can help is the first step.
Aside from a sound mind, a healthy body is also crucial to uplift the quality of people. Hence,
health education is vital in building a better society. Healthier citizens work and interact with
others better. This applies when there’s a pandemic.
Political action pertains to the process of pushing state and private firms to address a certain
issue. For instance, the call for leaders to help lessen water pollution through laws and local
support constitutes as political action. This also aims to spark creative tension among public and
private groups to solve a certain issue.
Direct action, on the other hand, involves a more straightforward approach in solving a local
problem. This may include adding cycling paths and green spaces in local areas to support green
movements.
Child Labor, Climate Change, Food & Hunger, Global Poverty, Inequality, Terrorism
Today, people are starting to become active participants in the fight against global issues and as a
result, progress is being made. However, there are still individuals unaware of pressing issues
around them. One way of bringing these people up-to-date would be through the use of essays or
research. Here are 10 global issue topics for essays and research papers.
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.
One of the top global issues today is the continent of Africa. Africa needs support both
economically and socially in order to develop and protect human rights, as well as build solid
governments and better the lives of the people living there. African countries also need support
to promote democratic institutions in order for there to be peace among the nations.
AIDS is another top global issue in the world today. Although new HIV infections have
decreased significantly, the global response to HIV/AIDS has to continue to be powerful in order
to wipe out the epidemic completely.
The rights of children are another top global issue throughout many different countries. Millions
of children do not have access to education, health or protection. Every country should be
expanding the opportunities for children and allowing them to exercise the rights that all humans
should be allowed.
Climate change is a significant issue that shifts weather patterns. This causes a threat to food
production, rising sea levels and many more negative impacts on nature. Climate change is a
global issue that directly affects not only humans throughout the world, but animals and the
ecosystem itself.
Food insecurity is one of the biggest global issues the world is facing right now. About 795
million people in the world were malnourished between 2014 and 2016. Hunger is known to be
the number one risk to human health worldwide, even greater than disease.
Another global issue is inadequate access to clean water and the lack of sanitation and hygiene
that goes along with it. This is typically due to bad economics and infrastructure, and often leads
to deaths, especially in children, caused by diseases that are spread by unsanitary water.
There are many more problems that the world is facing today, but these are the biggest global
issues that the world needs to address now. Some of the issues listed affect not only the human
race but animals and nature as well. From diseases to government, the world is facing global
issues together every day.
1. Climate Change
The global temperatures are rising, and are estimated to increase from 2.6 degrees Celsius to
4.8 degrees Celsius by 2100. This would cause more severe weather, crises with food and
resources and the spread of diseases. The reduction of greenhouse emissions and the spreading
of education on the importance of going green can help make a big difference. Lobbying
governments and discussing policies to reduce carbon emissions and encouraging reforestation
is an effective way of making progress with climate change.
2. Pollution
Pollution is one of the most difficult global issues to combat, as the umbrella term refers to
ocean litter, pesticides and fertilizers, air, light and noise pollution. Clean water is essential for
humans and animals, but more than one billion people don’t have access to clean water due to
pollution from toxic substances, sewage or industrial waste. It is of the utmost importance that
people all over the world begin working to minimize the various types of pollution, in order to
better the health of the planet and all those living on it.
3. Violence
Violence can be found in the social, cultural and economic aspects of the world. Whether it is
conflict that has broken out in a city, hatred targeted at a certain group of people or sexual
harassment occurring on the street, violence is a preventable problem that has been an issue for
longer than necessary. With continued work on behalf of the governments of all nations, as well
as the individual citizens, the issue can be addressed and reduced.
4. Security and Well Being
The U.N. is a perfect example of preventing the lack of security and well being that is a serious
global issue. Through its efforts with regional organizations and representatives that are skilled
in security, the U.N. is working toward increasing the well being of people throughout the world.
5. Lack of Education
More than 72 million children throughout the globe that are of the age to be in primary
education are not enrolled in school. This can be attributed to inequality and marginalization as
well as poverty. Fortunately, there are many organizations that work directly with the issue of
education in providing the proper tools and resources to aid schools.
6. Unemployment
Without the necessary education and skills for employment, many people, particularly 15- to 24-
year olds, struggle to find jobs and create a proper living for themselves and their families. This
leads to a lack of necessary resources, such as enough food, clothing, transportation and proper
living conditions. Fortunately, there are organizations throughout the world teaching people in
need the skills for jobs and interviewing, helping to lift people from the vicious cycle of poverty.
7. Government Corruption
Corruption is a major cause of poverty considering how it affects the poor the most, eroding
political and economic development, democracy and more. Corruption can be detrimental to
the safety and well being of citizens living within the corrupted vicinity, and can cause an
increase in violence and physical threats without as much regulation in the government.
8. Malnourishment & Hunger
Currently there are 795 million people who do not have enough to eat. Long-term success to
ending world hunger starts with ending poverty. With fighting poverty through proper training
for employment, education and the teaching of cooking and gardening skills, people who are
suffering will be more likely to get jobs, earn enough money to buy food and even learn how to
make their own food to save money.
9. Substance Abuse
The United Nations reports that, by the beginning of the 21st century, an estimated 185 million
people over the age of 15 were consuming drugs globally. The drugs most commonly used are
marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, amphetamine stimulants, opiates and volatile solvents. Different
classes of people, both poor and rich, partake in substance abuse, and it is a persistent issue
throughout the world. Petitions and projects are in progress to end the global issue of substance
abuse.
10. Terrorism
Terrorism is an issue throughout the world that causes fear and insecurity, violence and death.
Across the globe, terrorists attack innocent people, often without warning. This makes civilians
feel defenseless in their everyday lives. Making national security a higher priority is key in
combating terrorism, as well as promoting justice in wrongdoings to illustrate the enforcement
of the law and the serious punishments for terror crimes.
GLOBAL ISSUES
As if 2020 and 2021 weren’t unpredictable and challenging enough, there is no doubt that 2022
will be another year of tests: from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to worsening climate
impacts, devastating humanitarian crises, and the continued unraveling of hard-won gains on
everything from curbing poverty to closing the gender divide. The coming year will also test our
commitment and resolve in our ability to galvanize and build trust within and across
communities to address the multitude of challenges that demand we work together.
2022 must be the year that we close the massive gaps in the global pandemic response and meet
the global target of getting 70% of people in every country vaccinated by midyear. Without
meeting this goal, we are resigning ourselves to a vicious cycle. To meet this target, we need to
tackle the vexing persistence of vaccine inequality head-on. While 66% of people in high-income
countries had had at least one dose in arms as of Dec. 15, only 9% in low-income countries had.
Marshaling high-level leadership of this response will be paramount.
This pandemic has also cast the importance of people-centric health systems into sharp relief,
which will be an increasingly important topic of focus as the world community looks ahead to
the High-level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage in 2023. So, too, will be strengthening
collective capacities on prevention, preparedness, and response to future health threats through
new financing instruments, surveillance and detection, and new partnerships to battle dis- and
misinformation, for example. On financing, there will be several replenishments and financing
needs for the world to contend with, including for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Malaria, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative (GPEI). More broadly, and looking ahead to building deeper and sustained
reforms, countries have agreed to start negotiations on a new agreement on pandemic prevention,
preparedness, and response that will begin in earnest in 2022.
"Government leaders this year talked about the need to tackle this pandemic and be better
prepared for the next one, but continue to not put in the commensurate political and financing
muscle to ensure it."
Kate Dodson
A devastating number of people have slid back into poverty, reversing gains that had been made
over the past decade. It is projected that between 100 million and 150 million individuals were
pushed back into extreme poverty in 2021 as a result of the compounding effects of COVID-19.
Many of these people live in fragile, conflict-prone, climate-risk environments, making the
nature of the challenge even harder. Countries that are bearing the greatest burdens and setbacks
are those least able to respond due to limited domestic resources and high debt burdens.
While the SDGs provide a framework for action, much more is needed to rally global political
commitment, accelerate sustainable financing, and ensure that we are living true to the promise
of leaving no one behind. On extreme poverty, January kicks off with a conference dedicated to
helping Least Developed Countries deliver on the SDGs and will be an important agenda-setting
moment for the year to come. This comes shortly after countries came together in December to
replenish the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank fund aimed at
helping the poorest countries.
2022 also marks the halfway point to the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs. That means the
way forward requires tapping into and working with the best of what different actors have to
offer, from local governments to CEOs, universities, and community foundations. It also requires
a better understanding of how to achieve global transformations needed to meet the SDGs. Over
the next year, a group of scientists appointed by the UN Secretary-General will prepare the next
Global Sustainable Development Report, due to be released in 2023, which will help ground
approaches in scientific evidence.
"2022 also marks the halfway point to the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs. That means the
way forward requires tapping into and working with the best of what different actors have to
offer, from local governments to CEOs, universities, and community foundations."
Kaysie Brown
There, certain progress was made. Many countries raised their ambitions. New pledges and
multistakeholder coalitions were forged to address methane gas pollution, deforestation, coal
financing, and shipping, among other issues. The U.S. and China put aside their differences and
agreed to boost cooperation around combating climate change in the years ahead. Private sector
actors and the investor community continued to make bold commitments to reach net-zero,
balancing off new greenhouse gas emissions with an equivalent amount of emissions removed
from the atmosphere. And evidence demonstrates that the ambition and action we need to avert a
climate catastrophe is starting to build.
But we are nowhere near where we need to be to meet the promise of the Paris Agreement.
Commitments made at COP26 were decidedly incremental, and glaring gaps were revealed
around financing, support for those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and the
overall level of ambition and urgency that the nature of the crisis demands.
2022 will be a year to keep laser focus on building greater ambition and accountability. It will
face some serious headwinds. Carbon emissions rebounded in 2021, despite a slowing economy
amid an unrelenting pandemic. Extreme weather events accelerated, and biodiversity loss is
taking place at alarming speed. 2022 may see record-setting global demand for coal and with that
record-high greenhouse gas emissions, as well as woefully insufficient green COVID-19
recovery policies and programs to ensure a more sustainable and equitable future.
Turning promises into action necessitates clear and usable accountability mechanisms that can
stand the test of time, and learning from and building off good models and practices. For
example, certain companies have been increasingly outpacing governments when it comes to
setting and implementing policies to advance gender equality. From standardizing equal pay,
offering paid parental leave, and advancing women’s leadership, the business community is
making strides for women in the workplace.
But this also demands dedicating resources and attention to critical areas of focus. On this, the
WithHer Fund — a funding vehicle created by The Spotlight Initiative and UN Foundation — is
worth watching. By walking the talk with its funding criteria and principles rooted in feminist
grantmaking, this new fund will provide resources directly to grassroots women’s organizations
around the world fighting gender-based violence (GBV) in their local communities, especially as
they navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"For decades, tireless and tested activists have shown us that we must back strong, independent,
women’s rights movements to eliminate violence against girls and women. Now, the broader
funding and advocacy community is beginning to invest in these."
In Afghanistan alone, approximately 5 million more people will require assistance than in 2021.
Likewise, the growing conflict in Ethiopia is expected to place an additional 5 million people in
need of assistance. This correlates with increased funding requirements at a time when the
financing gaps around humanitarian assistance are widening. If trends continue, the scale of the
response will fall far short of the need.
The crises and conflicts that are a significant driver of humanitarian need cannot be kept neatly
inside national borders, making a central purpose of the founding of the UN — to prevent
conflict — harder than ever. This demands greater global cooperation to better understand and
resolve conflicts and to reduce suffering of civilians who increasingly find themselves in the
crosshairs. Thankfully, research shows that investments in prevention and peacekeeping not only
work, but pay dividends.
2022 will be an important year for the UN and the wider global community to rally resources and
policies around reducing insecurity and halting the disturbing trends around hunger and conflict.
Peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, the Congo, the Central African Republic, and Mali will
continue to dominate attention, and uncertainty around Afghanistan and Ethiopia will remain top
of mind. The UN will also be engaged in numerous discussions aimed at responding to current
and future needs. A high-level meeting on sustainable financing for peacebuilding will take
place, identifying new approaches and methods to ensure that these critical tools and instruments
have the requisite funding. The Secretary-General will provide a report on future directions for
peace operations transitions. And the UN will continue to develop new approaches around issues
such as the role of digital technologies in peacekeeping as well as climate and security.
We have our work cut out for us: sharpened geopolitical divisions, accelerating climate risks,
unrelenting domestic demands, and the real prospect of a two-track COVID-19 recovery
ushering in a two-track world.
Yet we also see space for finding common ground in some areas, including on major global
threats of our time like COVID-19 and the climate crisis. Of course, distrust is on the rise as well
as the battle over values and norms, but failure to deliver will only further feed disillusionment.
Heading into another year of the pandemic, it can seem difficult to see the light at the end of the
tunnel. But 2022 offers important opportunities to ensure that we make real progress in achieving
a more equitable, prosperous, healthier world. Will we take them?
Commander in Chief - President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr