UNU Update
The newsletter of United Nations University and its
network of research and training centres and programmes
 

Issue 15: March - April 2002

Citizens of  U.S., India now cite terrorism
as #1 national and international problem

The leadership survey was
conducted soon after the 
World Trade Center attack.

Citizens of the U.S. and India now rank terrorism as the most pressing problem of our time, according to a new survey by the United Nations University Leadership Academy (UNU/LA).

The UNU / LA Global Leadership Survey, conducted by the Gallup Organization in September and October, found terrorism top ranked among national and global concerns in both countries.  One in three Americans and 17 percent of Indians saw terrorism as the top national problem while 26 percent of Americans and 44 percent of Indians saw terrorism as the top global problem.

Among Americans, the five top ranked national problems were terrorism, war,
personal safety, poverty and the economy. In India the five top ranked national problems were terrorism, unemployment, poverty, over-population, and the economy.

The survey reflects the impact of the September 11 assaults on New York and Washington D.C. but not the December 13 storming of India's Parliament. Citizens in both nations credited world leaders for their efforts against terrorism and avoiding nuclear conflict.  But on the issues of 'basic human needs' such as food and water, housing and health, they were not satisfied. 

The U.S. and India results represent a test run for the UNU / LA Global Leadership Survey (GLS), an effort to elicit opinion worldwide about the nature of global problems early in the 21st century and the success with
which humanity, through its global and national leadership, is addressing them. The goal is to ascertain the views of citizens and opinion-shapers around the world on:

  • the impact of global problems on the individual and how (s)he feels about life;

  • the extent to which 'global leadership' is understood and legitimized;

  • the extent to which individual leaders are seen to exhibit 'global leadership'; and

  • the extent to which these perceptions differ between generations.

The sample size in each country: 1,000 citizens and 40 opinion-makers.  The top 10 findings from the preliminary survey are appended.

The survey found attributes such as strength of purpose, and even vision, are important but rank behind the simple quality of honesty and integrity.

Dr. Kennedy Graham, Director of the UNU Leadership Academy, said the findings "make it clear that the 'invisible' virtues are what the people of the world want in their leadership on global issues".

For a copy of the preliminary findings: UNU / LA, PO Box 13236, Amman 11942, Jordan.


The top 10 findings of the 2001 Global Leadership Survey:

  1. The most powerful and the second most populous countries of the world share the perception that terrorism is the main global problem of our time, and the main problem attending their nation.

  2. Longer-term environmental problems such as global warming rank below the more immediate threats of national and personal security.

  3. Corruption is also a major global problem, and both Americans and Indians agree that 'honesty' and 'integrity' are the chief characteristics demanded of future leadership.

  4. While the cardinal 'national values' of Americans and Indians are quite different and distinctive, opinion tends to merge together when it comes to perceptions of prescribed 'global values'.

  5. When it comes to identifying 'global leaders', both societies tend to perceive matters through nationalistic lenses.

  6. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is recognised by both Americans and Indians as one of the top five 'global leaders'.  But while a plurality of Indians see him as speaking for humanity, most Americans reject this.

  7. Most Americans and Indians rated as only 'fair' the efforts of the global leadership in combating the longer-term problems of 'basic human needs' and environmental problems.  A higher rating was accorded them for their efforts at combating terrorism and nuclear conflict.

  8. Despite the myriad of global problems surrounding them, both Americans and Indians are generally satisfied with their lot and optimistic about their future.

  9. A small majority of Americans and Indians thought that the future generation of leaders would do a better job at tackling global problems.

  10. Nearly two-thirds of Americans see themselves individually as leaders while only one-quarter of Indians do. 

HOME

Copyright © 2002  United Nations University. All rights reserved.