GLOBAL Issues Vocabulary
a challenge = a problem or difficulty to be faced
Sentence- This is a challenge which I and my colleague John Davis have already taken up.
economic or political instability = a rapid, unmanaged change in a country’s economy or political situation
Sentence- Perhaps his demise through age, ill-health or death might usher in an era of political instability.
social unrest = riots, protests or fighting by the public against each other or the government.
Sentence- In their existing forms, reforms looked likely to lead to social unrest and further disturbances.
an issue = a topic, subject or question that must be considered
Sentence- Your kind cooperation on this issue is greatly appreciated.
pressing matters = urgent, important issues
Sentence- In any case he had more pressing matters to worry about.
joblessness = a synonym for ‘unemployment’
Sentence- For those who are in poverty as a result of joblessness, there are social programs available that provide a minimum standard of living.
economic prospects = the future possibilities for a national economy
Sentence- Over a span of just three years, the new government has transformed the country’s economic prospects.
social mobility = the ability of people to progress in terms of salary, lifestyle and social status .
Sentence- Sport constituted an avenue of social mobility for any slave willing and capable enough to pit his sporting skills against another.
the private sector = private businesses, as opposed to ‘the public sector’ meaning state- owned or controlled services.
Sentence- The private sector, for example, was central to the approach, and improving the city’s image was seen as vital.
demographics = the changes in society in terms of age, income, numbers, origins and location in a country
Sentence- The problem is not a function of demographics but of rapid development coupled with a lagging education system.
longevity = the tendency to have a long life expectancy
Sentence- In fact, a Longevity magazine survey finds some things actually get better with age.
to migrate = to move permanently between countries
Sentence- Now that you are planning to migrate to Canada, you must try your best to used to chillness.
‘brain drain’ = the tendency for intelligent or successful workers to migrate out of a country (usually expressed in quotes ‘’)
Sentence- Currently, brain drain increasing especially in traditional state – owned mechanical enterprise.
existential threats = a threat to existence or life
Sentence- The economy of my country faces an existential threat from collapsing oil revenues.
an outbreak = the start of a widespread problem such as disease or conflict .
–Sentence- The recent outbreak of violence was foreshadowed by isolated incidents in the city earlier this year.
civil war = war between people inside a country.
Sentence- The country was sliding into a state of virtual civil war.
livelihood = the way a person makes a living.
Sentence- The result of the enclosures was that many countrymen lost their only livelihood.
developed countries = countries considered to have advanced economies, industries and social infrastructure
Sentence- One may argue that the developed countries often retain the ownership of new technologies and thus control them.
developing countries = countries not generally considered to be fully developed.
Sentence- In a number of developing countries, war has been an additional impediment to progress.
