Welcome to the first editon of Perspectives on Global Issues.

This publication was conceived by students of the New York University Center for Global Affairs Masters Program to provide a forum for the exchange and presentation of ideas relevant to the world at large. We decided to create an open dialogue with the Global Affairs community to engage in a virtual discussion by presenting challenging and even controversial ideas.

The theme of the first publication focuses on development in its many incarnations. There are as many visions of development as there are people in the world. For some, development focuses on markets and GDP, others envision human rights as a sine qua non of development.

Following the United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2000, which, along with several other goals, promised to halve extreme poverty, halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, and provide universal primary education by 2015; the world was buzzing with excitement about the possibility of collective efforts to attack the ills of the developing world. So where has all the excitement and energy gone?

On September 11, 2001, the focus shifted away from the developing world toward terrorism. The world’s resources and collective will were redirected to fight another enemy and, as a result, the plight of the developing world inauspiciously moved to the background. What began as a clear new path toward development and mutual responsibility has become muddied and fragmented.

In this publication, we are seeking to address some aspects of development and human progress in the current atmosphere. In his article “Mongolia at 800: Toward Enhanced U.S. and International Support,” Professor Stephen E. Noerper makes a compelling case for enhanced US and international recognition of Mongolia, a country largely forgotten by the international community whose inclusion on the world stage has the potential to have a large impact on global affairs. Wayne Burke sends a similar message in his analysis of the efforts of the One Laptop per Child organization. The project aims to enrich children by bridging the digital divide and thereby allowing them to contribute to their community‘s development. Security is an integral part of development. The Global Intelligence Network by Marta Sparago examines international intelligence sharing and proposes greater international integration and collaboration. Insecurity and conflict is a barrier to development, and greater international intelligence sharing can overcome this hurdle.

A common thread throughout the articles is the proposition that development is a complex and interdependent process, requiring an integrated and collaborative approach. These articles highlight just a few interpretations of the meaning of development.

Enjoy our first issue and we hope the publication will encourage you to submit your work and provide us with your insight as global citizens.

Leonardo de Matos

Silva Zywottek

Jennifer Cohen

Laura Grossman