By Laury Echavarria
The concept of “Global challenges” often appears straightforward as challenges affecting the entire world. However, it encompasses a complex amalgamate of themes.
The OU academic Nicola Yeates have linked Global challenges to the rise of globalization and multiculturalism in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. The introduction of smartphones with integrated cameras, initiated a transformative period, reaching over 6.5 billion smartphones used worldwide.
To comprehend global challenges better, they are divided into The Global North and The Global South. This division highlights inequalities and brings attention to issues such as climate change, legacies of colonialism and the impact of digital technology with the ubiquitous smartphone.
Climate Change, Legacies of Colonialism, and Digital Technology are intrinsically interwoven in a battle for social justice and inequalities between these two halves of the world. While the smartphones play a pivotal role in the battle for justice, power, and knowledge.
Climate Change, involves the exploitation of natural and human resources. For instance, global south countries like Congo or Ghana, rich in Cobalt, Lithium and Bauxite, are exploited by global North countries, prolonging the legacies of colonialism and contributing to the Clima Crisis.
In India, activists and farmers have used smartphones and social media to protest against the detrimental effects of climate change. Extinction Rebellion in the Global North have harnessed smartphones and social media to address climate change.
In response to legacies of colonialism and slavery, inspirational figures like Martin Luther King, and Mahatma Gandhi have influenced movements against inequalities and human rights. The Black Lives Matter movement emerged as an outburst of courage and frustration due to prolonged repression. Social media played a crucial role in spreading these movements and empowering individuals.
However, digital technology soon turned into a double edged sword. The benefits of technology soon raised concerns about digital surveillance and privacy violations. The battle for privacy has become another global challenge as governments and tech giants utilize technology to control or sell personal information.
