Building on the expertise of its advisors, Global Challenge (“Global Utmaning”, in Swedish) delivers analysis and policy proposals as tools to address the pressing problems of our time. Our work results from the articulation of four different programmes and experiences. Co-operation and dialogue – in Sweden and overseas – are key in how we go about these issues.
Sustainable cities
“Cities are where the battle for sustainable development will be won — or lost if we fail”, said Jan Eliasson, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations as the 2030 Agenda was adopted by world leaders. As the fast-growing cities of our planet are responsible for 70 percent of the energy used and the BNP generated globally, the implementation of the sustainable development goals will be decided in urban areas. It is mostly in cities that poverty must be eradicated and SDG11 (“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”) is an essential step. The implementation of the global goals is fundamentally local.
Within the programme Sustainable cities, Global Challenge explores the social aspects of urban environments – for instance in the projects Her City and Sweden Local2030 Hub.
Equality and democracy
“Leave no one behind” is the guiding principle for Sweden’s work with the 2030 Agenda. In spite of that, social gaps are widening in Sweden – as is social, economic and political exclusion. This brings about serious consequences such as lack of social trust and increasing segregation, when it comes to access to education, healthcare and employment.
In the programme Equality and democracy, Global Challenge analyses strategies to achieve a democratic sustainable future. We do so through dialogue, capacity-building and policy development both in Sweden and overseas.
Climate and resources
The programme Clime and resources is an arena for academia, business, politics and civil society to co-operate in enabling a green shift towards a fossil-free future.
As we near the edge of a swift and extensive transformation, our political systems will be required to find ways to enable people and businesses to live in a zero-net society. Among other things, this will require active citizen participation.
In this programme, Global Challenge works with the concept “Sweden’s road to zero”, which includes the project the Climate Agenda (“Klimatagendan”), the research programme FAIRTRANS as well as Normy, an initiative highlighting normative discourses in sustainability design.
New economics
The world’s economy faces pressing challenges. Income gaps are on the increase both in Sweden and globally, putting alternative economic models in the centre of public debate. How we measure our well-being is also being reassessed by many, not the least considering that our financial growth is made at the expense of our natural resources.
When the conventional economic models we live by were created, we were fewer people living on a larger planet. We are many more now, living on a seemingly smaller planet. We are reconsidering the current economic models so that we get to continue inhabiting the Earth. The New economics programme explores models which cater for the needs of mankind without trespassing the planetary boundaries.
Our proposals are aimed at creating a more including economic paradigm, as a means to become a sustainable society. Global Challenge’s work addresses sustainable ownership and social finance mechanisms, for instance with the project Women Leaders.