2022 an interesting year - What I have been up to
This is the sixth book that the Friends of Governance for Sustainable Development has published, and its chapters are based on some of the presentations made at the three workshops hosted by the Friends group in 2021. In 2021, during the second year of the pandemic, the Friends group convened UN officials, experts, and representatives from governments worldwide at three participatory workshops on relevant governance issues.
The workshops were organized in partnership with the UN-DESA Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development and focused on providing open space for Member States to discuss issues they would be addressing in 2021 and 2022.
Having the opportunity to hear what experts think is useful for governments dealing with these pressing issues.
We hope this publication will serve as useful input for the ongoing discussions about the institutional architecture for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Authors include Zak Bleicher, Albert Butare, Ph.D., Damaris Carnal, Felix Dodds, Tim Grabiel, Oli Henman, Sara Hamouda, Jessica Lobo, Asio Priscilla Margery, Ana Paula Fava de Moraes, Ambassador Franz Xaver Perrez, Sami Pirkkala, and Lea Ranalder.
Today more than ever, when the world is beset by environmental, social, healthcare and economic challenges, we need courage in our politics, both nationally and globally. This book tells the stories, some for the first time, of twelve individuals who made heroic contributions to protecting our planet through ground-breaking international treaties.
Can individuals change the world? Today, when impersonal forces and new technologies seem to be directing our lives and even our entire planet in ways we cannot control, this question feels more relevant than ever before. This book argues that we can all make a difference. It tells inspiring stories of individuals who have had a global impact that is beyond dispute, as well as others who have brought about change that is understated or hard to measure, where the scale of the impact will only become clear in years to come. While some are scientists, others are politicians, diplomats, activists, and even businesspeople. However, they all share the qualities of perseverance, patience, a willingness to innovate or try new approaches, and the endurance to continue over years, even decades, to pursue their goal. Drawing on interviews and the inside stories of those involved, each chapter follows one or more of these heroic individuals,
The book was launched at the UN Bookshop you can watch it here.
I did an interview with Bill Miller on Global Connections TV and can be seen here.
In October 2021 I brought out Tomorrow's People and New Technology: Changing How We Live Our Lives with Carolina Duque Chopitea and Ranger Ruffins.
As we witness a series of social, political, cultural, and economic changes/disruptions this book examines the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the way emerging technologies are impacting our lives and changing society.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is characterised by the emergence of new technologies that are blurring the boundaries between the physical, the digital, and the biological worlds. This book allows readers to explore how these technologies will impact peoples’ lives by 2030. It helps readers to not only better understand the use and implications of emerging technologies, but also to imagine how their individual life will be shaped by them. The book provides an opportunity to see the great potential but also the threats and challenges presented by the emerging technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, posing questions for the reader to think about what future they want. Emerging technologies, such as robotics, artificial intelligence, big data and analytics, cloud computing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, the Internet of Things, fifth-generation wireless technologies (5G), and fully autonomous vehicles, among others, will have a significant impact on every aspect of our lives, as such this book looks at their potential impact in the entire spectrum of daily life, including home life, travel, education and work, health, entertainment and social life.
Providing an indication of what the world might look like in 2030, this book is essential reading for students, scholars, professionals, and policymakers interested in the nexus between emerging technologies and sustainable development, politics and society, and global governance.
I did an interview with Bill Miller on Global Connections TV in April 2022 which you can watch here.
ARTICLES
I had the pleasure of writing with Chris Spence five Inter Press Service articles this year. You can revisit them here.
- June 30th - Who Should Be the Next UN Climate Change Head? | Inter Press Service
- September 13th - What Must COP27 Deliver?
- October 18th - Are Climate Summits a Waste of Time?
- November 3rd - Why Greta Thunberg Is Wrong to Boycott COP27
- November 24th - Was COP27 a Success or a Failure?
To help those that have never been to a Sharm WEl-Sheikh Climate Summit I with Chris Spence did a power point and a webinar that you can watch to understand the process. Although the venue will change for COP28 the material may still be useful for those considering attending. We covered: History of climate change; How the UNFCCC prepares; Case study of a campaign; Why and how stakeholders engage at the UNFCCC; COP 27 – What does it look like? COP 27 – What are the issues? Outstanding issues from Glasgow
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