ABSTRACT
Looking to the new century, and the world we bequeath to our children and grandchildren, there are causes for optimism but also major challenges. On the positive side, globalisation is bringing to the fore a common agenda for sustainable development, balancing economic progress with social and environmental concerns. Exciting partnerships and networks are linking North and South, and innovation is reflected in local action on Agenda 21 and fledgling political commitment at the international level. Action networks are enabled by the communications revolution which breaks down isolation and allows rapid exchanges of information and views. For example, indigenous tribes in the South American rainforest are linked via satellite to health centres and support groups all over the world. They can now campaign for their own, and the global, future. New means of communication could also support the spread of opportunities for lifelong education which can foster, in turn, a trend towards more widespread democratic freedom and personal liberty. Another positive development is triggered by the end of the Cold War -giving relief from polarised political thinking and global alliances. This creates the opportunity to rethink development processes and embed the global market economy in a social context, so that we can secure its positive benefits without so many of the negative impacts.
