World Problems and Human Potential: outline proposal for a data collection project on world problematiqe

World Problems and Human Development
World Problems (Part I)
Part II: Human Development (Part II)
Background of Project (Annex A)
Types of Problem (Annex B)
Problem criteria (Annex C)
Layout of entries in "Yearbook of World Problems" (Annex E)
Objective: a more adequate approach to interrelated problems (Annex F)
Advantages of later use of graphics data handling technique (Annex G)

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An earlier version of this document (without Part II) was distributed by the Union of International Associations (as UAI Study Paper PROB/1R in February 1972) under the title World Problems and Human Potential: out line proposal for a data collection project on "world problems". This version, modified to include Part II: Human Development, was distributed jointly by Mankind 2000 and the Union of International Associations (Study Paper PROB/3). The Summary was however omitted from the June 1972 version. The project commenced in July 1972.

Summary

The proposed project would collect from the literature minimum adequate descriptive data and source references on, possibly, 1,500 - 5,000 "world problems" and their interrelationships.

The purpose of the project is to counteract the tendency to design programs to handle isolated problems or sets of problems, due to a simplistic conception of the extent to which problems are interrelated. In particular, the project would hope to highlight the many cross-links from the sub-sets of "natural environment" and "development" problems to psycho-social problems, which currently prevent real progress towards the solution of the more visible problems.

It is the largely ignored, behavioural and systemic problems which divert, cushion or even counteract the Impact of organized attacks on those of apparently more dramatic concern. A comprehensive mapping of the problem network would help bodies to focus and coordinate their resources more effectively - particularly with a view to locating and concentrating on those key problems requiring relatively few resources, but whose solution results directly in the elimination of many other dependent, and possibly more visible, problems.

Part I: World Problems