Have you ever imagined such a world? A world where a girl from a village in Africa has the same opportunities as a child genius from Silicon Valley. It may seem impossible, but we are already on the threshold of that change. What is the current state of the world we live in? According to a 2022 report, the bottom 50% of the global population owns more wealth than the top 1%. Even more shocking is the fact that the wealth of the ten richest people in the world is greater than that of 40% of the global population combined. But there is hope. Innovative policies are being implemented around the world to address this inequality. Now, let’s imagine together what the future looks like when these policies are realized. In 2030, a historic decision is made: the launch of a global basic income program. This program aims to provide every adult in the world with a basic income of $100 per month. Does that sound impossible?

하지만 이미 비슷한 실험들이 세계 곳곳에서 진행되고 있습니다. 케냐의 사례를 살펴볼까요? 미국의 비영리 단체 길더라 크리는 2016년부터 케냐의 시골 마을에서 기본 소득 실험을 진행했습니다. 이 실험에서 마을 주민들은 12년 동안 매달 22달러를 받았습니다. 결과는 어땠을까요? 놀랍게도 이 작은 금액이 마을 전체를 변화시켰습니다. 주민들의 생활 상태가 개선되었고, 아이들의 학업 성취도가 향상되었습니다. 더 놀라운 것은 경제 활동이 활성화되었다는 점입니다. 많은 주민들이 이 돈으로 씨앗을 사거나 작은 사업을 시작했고, 마을 전체의 소득이 증가했습니다. 유니 글로벌 기본 소득 프로그램이 시연된다면 어떤 일이 벌어질까요? 세계 은행의 한 연구원은 이렇게 전망합니다. 글로벌 기본 소득은 극빈층을 없애는 데 결정적인 역할을 할 것입니다.

It is expected that economic growth in developing countries will be promoted. When basic living standards are guaranteed, people can invest in better education and health, which will lead to an improvement in overall national productivity in the long run. By 2025, the OECD is pushing for greater changes beyond the agreement on a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. The new limitation is to raise the global minimum corporate tax rate to 20% and to apply this to all UN member countries. What changes will occur if this policy is implemented? The biggest change will be the decline of tax havens. Tax havens like the Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands will no longer be attractive places for multinational corporations. In fact, signs of change are already visible. Following the global minimum corporate tax agreement among tax countries in 2021, Ireland decided to raise its corporate tax rate from 12.5% to 15%, abandoning the low corporate tax rate policy it had maintained for decades.

How will the new international tax system affect multinational corporations and the economies of various countries? Let's hear an analysis from an economist. In the short term, the profitability of multinational corporations may decline somewhat. However, in the long term, a fairer competitive environment will be created. Small and medium-sized enterprises will also be able to compete on equal terms with large corporations. The tax revenues of each government will significantly increase, leading to better public services and the development of social infrastructure. In 2028, UNESCO will announce a global education equality initiative. The goal of this program is to provide quality education to all children worldwide by 2040. How is this possible? The key is the use of technology. UNESCO will collaborate with the world's leading IT companies to develop high-quality online education platforms. These platforms will be accessible for free from anywhere in the world, and AI...

Technology is being utilized to provide customized learning through games. A similar revolution is already taking place in India. Since its establishment in 2011, the Indian education startup Byju's has completely transformed the Indian education market. Through the Byju's app, students in rural areas of India can access top-quality lectures. What does the success of Byju's indicate? A professor of education at Bangalore University states that the Byju's case demonstrates that technology can bridge the educational gap. If UNESCO's initiatives succeed, children around the world will have equal educational opportunities, regardless of their backgrounds. This will reduce the technological gap between countries and become a new driving force for global economic growth. In 2020, the International Labour Organization announced new international labor standards. These standards are...

Our goal is to ensure a living wage, a safe working environment, and adequate rest time for all workers around the world. Is this an impossible dream? No, it is not. Change has already begun. Let's take a look at the garment industry in Bangladesh. Since the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, the garment industry in Bangladesh has undergone significant changes. In response to international pressure and consumer demands, many global fashion brands have invested in improving labor conditions in Bangladeshi factories. As a result, safety issues have been addressed in over 3,000 factories since 2013, and workers' wages have significantly increased. What impact will these changes have on the global economy? Let's hear an analysis from a labor economist. The rise in labor standards may lead to increased production costs in the short term. However, in the long term, it will result in improved productivity and increased purchasing power for workers, contributing to overall economic growth.

will promote this. In addition, companies will no longer have to race to the bottom, allowing them to focus on true innovation and efficiency improvements. Innovative attempts to alleviate inequality are being made around the world. Of course, these changes will not happen overnight. There will be many challenges and obstacles, but if we work together, we can create a more just and equitable world. What kind of world do you dream of? What do you think an ideal global economic system looks like? The year 2030 will announce the Global Technology Equality Initiative. The core of this program is to transfer advanced technologies from developed countries to developing countries for free. Does that seem impossible? However, there are already similar examples. Have you heard of Rwanda's drone delivery system? In 2016, the Rwandan government...

We are building the world's first national-scale drone delivery system in collaboration with startups. This system will quickly deliver emergency medical supplies to remote villages. The Minister of Health in Rwanda stated, Thanks to drone technology, we are able to overcome geographical limitations and provide better healthcare services to our citizens. This is an innovation that goes beyond mere technology transfer; it saves lives. 

What impact will the technology gap have on developing countries? An economist from the World Bank predicts that the technology gap will enable leapfrog development in developing countries, similar to how some African nations have skipped the landline era and entered the mobile age directly. This could accelerate economic growth and significantly reduce global inequality. In 2035, leaders from around the world will gather to sign the Global Green New Deal agreement.

The agreement aims for global carbon neutrality by 2050 and possesses strong binding power that far exceeds the Paris Agreement. Is this an impossible dream? No, it is not. Countries like Costa Rica are already setting a precedent. As of 2021, Costa Rica produces 99% of its electricity from renewable energy. This is a result of abolishing its army in 1948 and investing that budget into education and environmental protection. Former President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, states, Our greatest weapon is nature. By protecting and utilizing it, we have achieved economic and social development. What impact will the global Green New Deal have on the world economy? A researcher from the International Labour Organization projects that the transition to a green economy is expected to create 24 million new jobs worldwide by 2030. Of course, there will also be job losses in industries such as fossil fuels.

However, overall, there will be an increase in employment, leading to safer and healthier jobs. In 2032, the IMF and the World Bank will carry out a massive structural overhaul. The voice of developing countries will be significantly strengthened, and new financial support programs for debt relief and sustainable development will be introduced. The necessity for these changes has already been demonstrated in several cases. Think of the Greek debt crisis: in the early 2010s, Greece fell into an economic crisis due to massive debt. At that time, the IMF's demands for austerity policies were criticized for worsening the Greek economy. However, in 2020, the IMF adopted a new approach towards Greece, significantly extending the debt ceiling and supporting policies that promote economic growth. As a result, the Greek economy began to show signs of gradual recovery. What impact will such reforms in the financial system have? One economist explains it this way.

This will provide developing countries with opportunities to move away from debt and add sustainable development. In the long term, this will enhance the stability of the global economy and promote prosperity for all nations. In 2040, the UN Security Council will undergo a groundbreaking reform, increasing the number of permanent members and abolishing the veto power. In the same year, the G10 will expand to G30, allowing more developing countries to participate. What impact will these changes have? An international political scientist predicts that this means decision-making in the international community will become more democratic and inclusive. As the voices of developing countries grow louder, a more balanced approach to global issues will become possible. This will increase the stability of international relations and promote economic cooperation. By 2045, a new national development indicator called the Global Wellbeing Index will replace GDP. This index will consider not only economic performance but also

It evaluates various aspects such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and the happiness of the people. There is already a country that has made similar attempts: Bhutan. Since the 1970s, Bhutan has been using the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index. GNH comprehensively assesses not only economic development but also cultural preservation, environmental protection, and good governance. Bhutan's former Prime Minister, Jigme Thinley, stated, GNH makes us think about the true meaning of development. Thanks to it, we have been able to find a balance between economic growth, the happiness of the people, and nature conservation. What changes will the introduction of a new indicator bring? An economist predicts that this will significantly alter the direction of national policies, shifting the focus from mere economic growth to the actual improvement of people's quality of life. As the criteria for evaluating countries in the international community change, a more sustainable and inclusive development model will spread.

The world is moving towards a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive direction. Of course, these changes do not happen overnight. There will be many challenges and difficulties, but if we work together, we can create a better world. How will our society change when global inequality is addressed? The impact will be much broader and deeper than we can imagine. 

First, significant changes in international migration patterns are expected. Currently, many people are migrating from poorer countries to wealthier ones in search of better economic opportunities. However, when rural inequality is resolved, these patterns will change significantly. An expert from a developing country predicts that economic reasons for forced migration will decrease substantially. Instead, there will be an increase in free movement based on individual preferences and abilities. This will promote the global circulation of talent and enhance cultural exchange.

The increase in cultural exchange will actively foster global citizenship. As our understanding of different cultures deepens, we will feel a stronger sense of identity as global citizens. A sociology professor at Harvard University states that the growth of global citizenship will play a significant role in reducing conflicts between nations and promoting peace. When we stop distinguishing between us and them and start viewing ourselves as one, the list of wars and conflicts will disappear. However, this change will not occur smoothly. We still face many challenges and tasks ahead. The greatest challenge will be the conflicts of interest between nations. For instance, during the process of introducing a global minimum corporate tax, we have already witnessed backlash from some countries. To address this, a more inclusive and democratic international organization is needed, as previously mentioned, such as the United Nations.

The restructuring of security assurance and zero can be part of the answer. Another challenge is the practical difficulties in implementing global policies. Since the situations and influences of each country differ, even the same policy may have different effects in different nations. A policy expert from the World Bank suggests that a tailored approach is necessary for the implementation of global policies. Flexible application and gradual execution, considering each country's circumstances, will be important. Lastly, we must prepare for new forms of inequality and the potential for backlash. For instance, the digital divide caused by technological advancement could lead to new inequalities. A noted futurist has stated that we must always maintain a vigilant eye and establish systems that can identify and respond to new forms of inequality early on. To achieve this, collaboration among civil society, government, and businesses is essential in addressing global inequality.

Building a monitoring network can also be a good method. What do experts think about these changes? Let's hear the opinions of experts from various fields. Professor Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in Economics, predicts that the new global economic order will be restructured around inclusive growth. This will not simply be about increasing the pie, but rather about paying more attention to how that pie is shared. UN Secretary-General António Guterres states, We are entering an era of Global Governance 2.0. This will lead to a more democratic, transparent, and effective international cooperation system. Through this, we will be better equipped to respond to global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and pandemics. A sociology professor from Harvard University states that addressing global inequality is not just a simple task.

economic changes will fundamentally alter our social structure and values. We will move towards a more collaborative and empathetic society. At the center of these changes are us, the citizens. As global citizens, what role should we play? 

First, we need to pay more attention to global issues. It is important to learn about global problems by following news from around the world. Second, we need to change our consumption habits. By engaging in ethical consumption and purchasing fair trade products, we can contribute to alleviating global inequality. Third, participating in civic movements and international NGO activities is also a good way to make a difference. Through these actions, we can convey our voices to policymakers. Lastly, participating in elections is crucial. Supporting and voting for politicians who care about global issues can be the start of change. 

Change has already begun. We are now at the threshold of a new era.

We are moving towards a global order. This journey may not be easy, but if we work together, we can certainly create a better world. I would like to conclude this piece by quoting Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela: It always seems impossible until it's done. It always appears impossible, but once we achieve it, that perception changes. Let us together turn this seemingly impossible change into reality. Next time, we will specifically explore how these global changes will impact your daily life. How will our work life, education, and leisure change? What will an ordinary citizen's day look like?

세계 경제의 대변혁? 불평등의 종말? 새로운 글로벌 질서

세계 경제의 대변혁? 불평등의 종말? 새로운 글로벌 질서