Geneva, Ferney MUN
ACROSS THE WORLD, RESPONDENTS OF ALL ORIGINS, GENDERS AND AGE GROUPS ARE REMARKABLY UNIFIED IN THEIR FEARS AND HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
INTRODUCTION TO THE UN75 INITIATIVE
In January 2020, the United Nations launched a global consultation to mark its 75th anniversary. Through surveys and dialogues, people from across the world were asked about their hopes and fears for the future, their priorities for international cooperation and for the United Nations.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world faced diminishing global cooperation against a backdrop of rising global challenges: the climate crisis and threats of nuclear weapons; changes in our populations and in the digital sphere; growing geopolitical tensions and new forms and patterns of violence; and deepening inequalities with growing social unrest.
The Secretary-General saw UN75 as an opportunity for the UN to listen to the people it serves. Amid the pandemic, the initiative increased efforts to reach people online, by promoting a one-minute survey and encouraging online dialogues. It also placed greater emphasis on reaching those without internet access.
As of September 2020, more than a million people across the world had responded to the UN75 survey. 50,000 in 50 countries took part in independent polling by Edelman Intelligence or the Pew Research Center. Artificial intelligence analysis of social and traditional media was conducted in 70 countries, along with academic and policy research mappings in all regions.
This report presents the analysis of all five data streams including more than 800,000 UN75 survey responses and 412 dialogue summaries collected between 2 January and 1 September 2020.
View the breakdown of UN75 survey respondents by region, gender, age and education.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world faced diminishing global cooperation against a backdrop of rising global challenges: the climate crisis and threats of nuclear weapons; changes in our populations and in the digital sphere; growing geopolitical tensions and new forms and patterns of violence; and deepening inequalities with growing social unrest.
The Secretary-General saw UN75 as an opportunity for the UN to listen to the people it serves. Amid the pandemic, the initiative increased efforts to reach people online, by promoting a one-minute survey and encouraging online dialogues. It also placed greater emphasis on reaching those without internet access.
As of September 2020, more than a million people across the world had responded to the UN75 survey. 50,000 in 50 countries took part in independent polling by Edelman Intelligence or the Pew Research Center. Artificial intelligence analysis of social and traditional media was conducted in 70 countries, along with academic and policy research mappings in all regions.
This report presents the analysis of all five data streams including more than 800,000 UN75 survey responses and 412 dialogue summaries collected between 2 January and 1 September 2020.
View the breakdown of UN75 survey respondents by region, gender, age and education.
Learn More
THE FUTURE WE WANT
THE UNITED NATIONS WE NEED
Update on the Work of the Office on the Commemoration of the UN’s 75th Anniversary.
September 2020
In this 75th anniversary year, I want to provide as many people as possible the chance to have a conversation with the United Nations. to share their hopes and fears.
To learn from their experiences. To spark ideas for building the future we want and the United Nations we need.
Together, we need to listen. and together, we need to act.
To learn from their experiences. To spark ideas for building the future we want and the United Nations we need.
Together, we need to listen. and together, we need to act.
SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
22 January 2020
Uzbekistan, UNDP Uzbekistan
Key Finding
1
The immediate demand for post-COVID-19 recovery is improved access to basic services.
Cameroon, UN Cameroon
Key Finding
2
The second priority for COVID-19 recovery is international solidarity and increased support to those hard hit.
Kyrgyz Republic, UN Kyrgyz Republic
Key Finding
3
Respondents are hopeful about health improving, as well as education and women’s rights.
Cameroon, UN Cameroon
Key Finding
4
Looking to the future: the overwhelming concern is the climate crisis and our natural environment.
Vietnam, UN Vietnam
Key Finding
5
Other major priorities for the future: human rights, settling conflicts, tackling poverty and reducing corruption.
Suriname, UN Suriname
Key Finding
6
The young and those in developing countries are more optimistic about the future.
New York, UN Photo
Key Finding
7
87% of people believe global cooperation is vital to address global challenges.
Bolivia, UN Bolivia
Key Finding
8
6/10 respondents believe the UN has made the world a better place, though many see it as remote from their lives.
Switzerland, World Economic Forum
Key Finding
9
Dialogue participants called for the UN to be more inclusive of the diversity of actors in the 21st century.
United Arab Emirates, Natalia Mroz
Key Finding
10
Dialogue participants also called for the UN to innovate, with stronger leadership and consistently exercising its moral authority.
