The last 20+ months have been a series of challenges stemming from a worldwide pandemic that’s pushed economic uncertainty, political divineness, inequity, childcare and workplace dynamics, and democratic ideals into the forefront of the news cycle. As we head into 2022, there’s an air of unpredictability but we’re looking forward to some level of optimism.
- Will COVID-19 become an endemic that will be fully manageable?
- Will climate change become a national security priority globally?
- Will western democratic ideals continue to supersede other forms of governance?
- Will the worldwide global supply chain issue become a thing of the past?
- Will inflation continue to increase affecting consumer pricing?
- Will digital currency be the way of the future?
- Will institutions organizations like the United Nations and the World Health Organization be important in this post-COVID environment?
- Will the way we work change globally as remote working becomes part of a hybrid employment model?
The Economist’s “The World Ahead” series is an annual publication that shares a futuristic outlook of what’s likely to occur in the coming year. Tom Standage, the Editor of “The World Ahead 2022” will offer informed predictions, comprehensive analysis from foreign policy and current event experts, summary of the global economic outlook, and critical insight into issues that will be major touch points in the new year.
Program Information:
Date:
Wednesday, January 19
2:00 – 3:00 EST (via Zoom)
Cost: Free for WACC Members | Free for Students, Teachers, and UNC Charlotte Students, Faculty, and Staff | $12 for non members
For non-online payments: Please call 704-687-7762 or mail your check to “World Affairs Council of Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223)
Biography:
Tom Standage is Deputy Editor of The Economist and editor of its future-gazing annual, The World Ahead. He joined The Economist as science correspondent in 1998 and was subsequently appointed technology editor, business editor and digital editor. He is the author of seven history books, including “Writing on the Wall” (2013), “The Victorian Internet” (1998) and the New York Times bestsellers “A History of the World in 6 Glasses” (2005) and “An Edible History of Humanity” (2009). His latest book, “A Brief History of Motion”, was published in 2021. Tom studied engineering and computer science at Oxford University and has written for other publications including the New York Times, the Guardian and Wired, taking a particular interest in technology’s social and historical impact.