College of Health Science

School of Pharmacy

Global Trends: Individual Assignment

Done by: Yusra Werake

ID Number: Ugr/1320/14

Submitted to: Dr. Andargachew

Submission Date: June 15, 2025

In the 21st century, the world faces a range of significant and interconnected global

challenges that transcend national borders and require collective international

responses. These challenges affect security, the environment, socio-economic

conditions, and culture, shaping the international order and the daily lives of

millions of people worldwide.

One of the foremost concerns is global security, with terrorism being a prominent

threat. Terrorism today is characterized by its international reach, ideological

motivations, and capacity to disrupt societies. Unlike traditional wars between

states, terrorism often targets civilians to create fear and influence political

decisions. This new form of violence is hard to combat because terrorist networks

operate across borders, often blending into civilian populations, and can adapt

quickly. The global response has involved military actions, intelligence sharing,

and international cooperation, but challenges remain, including balancing security

with human rights and addressing the root causes of terrorism such as political

oppression, social marginalization, and economic disparity.

Alongside security threats, environmental problems have emerged as some of the

most urgent global issues. Environmental degradation, including pollution,

deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and especially climate change, poses severe

risks to sustainable development and human well-being. Unlike many problems of

country can affect air quality, water sources, and ecosystems far away. This

transboundary nature means national policies alone cannot solve these problems,

necessitating international agreements and cooperation.

Since the 1970s, the number of international environmental agreements has

increased substantially, signaling recognition of these global challenges. However,

the effectiveness of these agreements is debated. The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in

the late 1990s, was a landmark treaty that set binding targets for reducing

greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its ambitions, many developed countries failed

to meet their goals, some withdrawing altogether. Moreover, some countries

achieved targets by relocating polluting industries to developing nations, which

often have less stringent regulations, thus shifting rather than reducing emissions

globally. This “offshoring” effect undermines the environmental objectives of the

Protocol.

Climate change continues to intensify, with vulnerable regions and populations—

especially in developing countries—suffering disproportionately despite having

contributed least to the problem. Global efforts to mitigate climate change remain

insufficient, as evidenced by international negotiations such as the 2012 Doha

conference, which extended Kyoto’s commitments but faced challenges in securing

widespread participation and compliance. The post-2020 global climate regime is

climate action.

Beyond environmental and security concerns, socio-economic issues such as

global inequality and poverty remain deeply entrenched. Economic inequality

refers to the uneven distribution of wealth and income between and within

countries. While some inequality can motivate innovation and growth, excessive

disparities can undermine social cohesion and political stability. Over recent

decades, globalization has contributed to a widening gap between the rich and the

poor, both internationally and within countries. The global financial crisis of 2008

highlighted these inequalities sharply, as wealth concentrated among the top

percentiles while millions lost jobs and homes.

Persistent inequality restricts access to education, healthcare, and political

participation for disadvantaged groups, thereby perpetuating cycles of poverty. It

also weakens institutions and governance, as economic elites often resist reforms

that could redistribute resources or empower the poor. Globally, inequality affects

not only economic development but also international relations, potentially driving

protectionism, conflict, and instability.

Migration and refugee crises have also become major global challenges. Increased

international migration and the rising numbers of refugees, asylum seekers, and

internally displaced people reflect a combination of factors: population growth,

transportation and communication technologies have made it easier for people to

seek better opportunities abroad, while also raising awareness of global conditions.

Historically, migration was less politicized, but in recent decades, concerns over

unemployment, social services, and national identity have fueled anti-immigrant

sentiments, especially in developed countries. Right-wing political movements in

several European countries have exploited these concerns, blaming migrants for

economic and social problems, which risks increasing xenophobia and social

tensions. Migration challenges traditional notions of sovereignty, as states find it

harder to control borders and manage transnational communities. The phenomenon

underscores the complex interdependence of modern world politics and highlights

the need for cooperative international solutions.

Cultural issues are another significant dimension of global affairs. The rapid spread

of information technologies, media, and global markets has accelerated cultural

globalization—the increasing flow of ideas, goods, and images worldwide. This

process often leads to cultural homogenization, where local traditions and

identities may be overshadowed by dominant global cultures, particularly Western

consumer culture. The concept of “McDonaldization” illustrates how global

commercial practices can dominate diverse cultural landscapes, leading to the

standardization of consumption patterns and lifestyles.

reinterpret foreign influences in a process called indigenization, blending global

and local elements uniquely. Despite this, cultural differences remain potent

sources of identity and conflict. Ethnocentrism, the belief in the superiority of

one's own culture, often leads to negative stereotypes and discrimination against

others.

Samuel P. Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” theory offers one perspective on

global cultural conflicts, arguing that future conflicts will primarily arise from

cultural and civilizational differences rather than ideological or economic

divisions. He identifies eight major civilizations—Western, Confucian, Japanese,

Islamic, Hindu, Slavic-Orthodox, Latin American, and African—predicting

tensions along their fault lines. While debated, this theory highlights how cultural

and religious identities can fuel nationalism, ethnic conflicts, and international

wars.

These major contemporary global issues—security threats like terrorism,

environmental crises such as climate change, socio-economic inequalities and

migration challenges, and cultural clashes—are deeply interconnected. For

example, poverty and inequality can exacerbate political instability and fuel

extremist ideologies, while environmental degradation can displace populations

and strain resources, intensifying conflicts. The complexity and interdependence of

cooperation, respect for human rights, and sustainable development principles.