Global Mega-Challenges and International Collaboration in Science, Education, and Health.

Abstract

We live in an interdependent world riven by ideology, factions, and rivalries, and we face enormous challenges such as climate disruption, an aging population, and coping with the consequences of technologies such as gene editing and artificial intelligence. This paper considers global mega-challenges: huge problems that are unbounded by national borders; pose profound risk to humanity, often with unequal impact; and are complex, deeply rooted, multi-faceted, and inter-connected. After presenting seven illustrative mega-challenges, the paper introduces a "Ten-C" spectrum of relations between countries. Taking account of the philosophy of the renowned global leader in medicine Dr. Taro Takemi, the paper suggests positive ways that global collaboration in science, education, and health can lead to a more successful and resilient world.