The modern world is interconnected in many ways. Events that occur in one country often impact another country — maybe even one on the other side of the planet. If war breaks out in one region, people may flee to communities in other neighboring countries, creating a refugee crisis. A poor economy at home may encourage people to move to other countries in search of work. No country is excluded from the global community — many issues face both developing and developed nations.

At the same time, many new technologies have changed the way people work, live, and communicate. Information spreads across countries and continents very quickly. Some of these changes carry moral concerns, depending on how they are used. In this topic, you’ll explore some of the challenges of the modern world and see how the issues in one region can have ripple effects around the globe.

Essential Questions

• What are some challenges faced by the contemporary world?
• What new technologies have created opportunities and challenges?