Global Issues Network

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it is the only thing that ever has".

Margaret Mead

Global Issues Network

Global Issues Network was born out of a combination of urgency and foresight for the sake of future generations and the health of the planet. In 2003, a group of teachers and administrators at the International School of Luxembourg were discussing the challenges facing youth today. It was at this time that these sam

*e educators had been audience to Jean-François Rischard’s recently published book, High Noon: Twenty Global Problems, Twenty Years to Solve Them (2002). Rischard’s book was a road map to solutions that underscored the urgency for immediate action.

Jean Francois Rischard described imminent issues such as water shortages, climate change, infectious diseases, poverty, and illiteracy, that could only be solved through global cooperation. Rischard noted that the existing institutions charged with addressing global issues, namely appointed departments of government within nation-states and international organizations, were inadequate for the task. He found that many of the bureaucratic structures that these institutions relied on consequently delayed action. This delay in action only increased the negative effects of the global issues we face, making it even more difficult to find viable solutions before it is too late. In his book, High Noon, he called for the creation of “global issues networks” that would be flexible, collaborative and super-responsive to an ever-changing world.

In 2006, 300 students from 28 schools traveled to participate in a GIN Conference in Luxembourg through the support of State Street Bank. At the inaugural international GIN Conference in Europe students met and listened intently to Mr. Rischard, heard inspiring young speakers like Ryan Hreljac, and learned about each other’s projects around the world. It must have been a success, because there’s been a GIN conference in Europe every year since. Since 2017 the GIN Conference in Luxembourg has been generously supported by the Banque de Luxembourg.

Twenty Global Issues as identified by J-F Rischard (2002)

Sharing our planet: Issues involving the global commons:

Global WarmingBiodiversity and ecosystem lossFisheries depletionDeforestationWater deficitsMaritime safety and pollution

Sharing our humanity: Issues requiring a global commitment:

Massive step-up in the fight against povertyPeacekeeping, conflict prevention, combating terrorismEducation for allGlobal infectious diseasesDigital divideNatural disaster prevention and mitigation

Sharing our rule book: Issues needing a global regulatory approach:

Reinventing taxation for the twenty-first centuryBiotechnology rulesGlobal financial architectureIllegal drugsTrade, investment, and competition rulesIntellectual property rightsE-commerce rulesInternational labour and migration rules

GIN Mission

To empower young people to collaborate locally, regionally, and globally in order to create project based sustainable solutions for our shared global issues.

To recognize and nurture youth empowerment.

GIN Vision

A world where global citizenry is championed by today’s youth.

GIN Conferences

GIN conferences are a network of local GIN change-makers working with their community to create positive change on an international, national or local scale.

GIN Conferences are student led and organized gatherings that value community building.

GIN Conferences are a network of school communities that organize regionally and internationally.

We encourage students and educators to organize in a way that is both inclusive and pragmatic. We ask students to become familiar with organizing strategies and ideologies of social movement leaders, both local and global, who have created lasting change. Students will come to see that leaders who have led successful movements, organize and partner with a true understanding of their community and community needs because it is a relationship that is founded in empathetic action, trust and respect.

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