Complex Global Issues Explored in the World Brain Trust’s Annual Reports

By Oksana Myshlovska, Associate Director, Global Agenda Councils, World Economic Forum

In today’s complex and interconnected world, policy-makers have to be conscious of the unexpected externalities of their decisions.

The Network of Global Agenda Councils, launched by the World Economic Forum three years ago, comprises more than 1,000 thought leaders who meet at least four times a year – three times in virtual meetings and once during the annual Summit on the Global Agenda in the United Arab Emirates, arguably the biggest intellectual brainstorming in the world.

Members of the Network represent all regions of the world and come from business, government, civil society and academia. Each Council deliberates on the most important issues in their area of expertise in interaction with other Councils, and proposes the most compelling recommendations to the global community.

More than 70 reports were produced by issue-, region- and industry-focused Councils at the end of this year of work. They address issues that are currently on the global agenda: sovereign debt (which is projected to increase from 70% to 100% of GDP for the G20 countries by 2012), cybersecurity, migration and youth unemployment.

Most importantly, leveraging the interactive nature of the Network, the reports explore the interlinkages among various issues that will have major impact in the future. One is the food-water-energy nexus. Rising demand for food and energy will influence human health and environment through pressure on land, water and other natural resources. Another includes interconnections between urbanization, climate change, energy and food security.

Other issues highlighted by the Network include the health of oceans, all-encompassing implications of population growth and urbanization, reform of governments, the enormous shadow economy and new types of diseases. The facts are staggering: 85% of the world’s fisheries are fished at or above their biological limits; the population will increase by 3 billion by 2050, mainly in Asia and Africa, with the urban population reaching 66%; and depression will be the main cause of ill health and premature death by 2030.

Some concrete proposals by the Councils on these issues include the creation of an Ocean Health Index, which will be a historical first global measurement of the oceans’ capacity to provide long-term benefits for human well-being and the introduction of flatter, agile, streamlined and tech-enabled (FAST) government. With increasing fresh water scarcity, trade has been identified as a tool for more efficient use of water across borders. Among responses, innovation and new technologies also occupy a central place. For example, a mutual aid framework has been proposed to improve the resiliency of the Internet.

The reports are a good read not only for policy-makers, but also for responsible global citizens who aspire to improve their understanding of complex global issues and act to create a better future for their children.