Survey: Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing Required to Shape Global Future

Survey: Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing Required to Shape Global Future

Oluchi Chibuzor
A new survey has revealed that Nigerians believe collaboration and knowledge sharing are key tools to creating a better world future.

Commissioned by Expo 2020 Dubai, and conducted by YouGov, the “Global Optimism Outlook Survey,” tracked people’s priorities for the future, looking at sustainability, economic growth, technology, travel, and more.

According to the report, more than 20,000 people across 23 countries were surveyed, broken down by geographic region, gender, employment, marital status, and income.

Despite the breadth of diversity, it appeared the majority of the world is closely aligned when it comes to the key issues facing the planet’s future.

According to the results, 80 per cent of Nigerians believed knowledge gathering, learning and access to education would be effective at unlocking opportunities in the future, followed by access to resources (77 per cent), and collaboration across national borders and cultures (76 per cent).

On nationwide economic development, 46 per cent and 45 per cent of respondents stated that access to education and knowledge were encouraging Nigeria’s growth.
The survey also revealed that 96 per cent believed that greater collaboration and communication between individuals and communities could help in shaping a better future.

“Technology consistently appeared as having a role to play in future development and collaboration, with respondents saying they believe tech advancements will continue to build communities (96 per cent) and connect people globally (95 per cent).

“Trade was also ranked highly among respondents. Seventy-four per cent said they would like to experience free trade for all, while 93 per cent said they were optimistic about the future of global trade.
“Seventy-seven per cent of Nigerian business owners and entrepreneurs between the ages of 30-39 proved to be the most optimistic.

“This income and age group are keen to drive the country’s sustainable sector in line with growing the economy, and believe this can be achieved if businesses across countries are allowed to trade freely,” the report explained.
When asked about what they would most like to experience in the year 2050, sustainability was top for the Nigerians surveyed.
According to the report, 71 per cent cited carbon-free travel and universal clean energy transportation, followed by sustainable infrastructure and architecture (68 per cent).

Tech featured again, with 74 per cent, 61 per cent and 63 per cent saying they would like to experience high-tech solutions, cloud computing, big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and e-commerce respectively.

Commenting on the report, UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, Reem Al Hashimy said: “In just over a year, Dubai and the UAE will be bringing the world together for the World Expo, in a spirit of collaboration, and creating an open global dialogue that allows us to look towards the future with renewed optimism.

“We developed the Global Optimism Outlook Survey to help us understand what the citizens of the world believe will shape a better future.

“People from around the world have spoken, and we are listening. The results show that we are more connected than we may believe.

“That dialogue, communication and collaboration are essential, and that we are united in our desire to create a happier, more inclusive, cleaner planet.
“Whether you’re sitting in South America, China, or here in the UAE, we’re connected in our passions for a better future” she added.

On a global level, the results highlighted nine in 10 respondents to have believed that individuals and communities could shape the future through greater knowledge-sharing, communication, and collaboration.

Knowledge-sharing, learning, and greater access to education also stood out as dominant themes across all regions: Middle East (55 per cent), Western and Eastern Europe (61 per cent), Asia (61 per cent), North America (63 per cent), South America (68 per cent), and Africa (72 per cent).

“Overall, South America (74 per cent) is the most optimistic region, followed by Africa (64 per cent), the Middle East (60 per cent), Asia (57 per cent), North America (50 per cent) and West/East Europe (50 per cent),” it stated.

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