The conclusion of the New Shape Prize competition was held in Stockholm between 27-29 May.
The New Shape Prize is the world’s largest competition in the social sciences, seeking original proposals for new decision-making structures that could galvanize effective international action to tackle global catastrophic risks.
Day 0
Day 0 was also recorded by Utbildningsradion Samtiden, the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company, and the transmission is available on this link.
New Shape Prize finalist presentations, part 1.
New Shape Prize finalist presentations, part 2.
Michael Møller, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, gave some remarks at the New Shape Forum.
Day 1
Johan Rockström; Professor of Environmental Sciences at Stockholm University, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, board member of the Global Challenges Foundation, gave an overview of the research on the global catastrophic risks that have emerged in the last fifty years with the geological epoch anthropocene. He explained that human impact that exceeds the planetary boundaries causes climate change, and stressed that the world needs a governance model for global catastrophic risks, that is seen as practically feasible, legitimate and scalable.
The work groups discussed three broad categories of governance models: new models for global decision-making, reform existing models of global decision-making, and global governance beyond traditional political systems and mechanisms. The purpose was to discuss and further develop the final contributions as well as collaborate on models that address the challenges of global governance.
Day 2
Margot Wallström, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and former board member of the Global Challenges Foundation, gave a speech at the on the need for international cooperation regarding Agenda 2030. The Foreign Minister stressed that national and global issues can not be separated, this in order to involve more participants and social forces on sustainability issues. She saw four challenges: social issues becoming increasingly complex, while at the same time the need for long-term planning increases, the emergence of new world powers, the pressure that democratic values are exposed to from authoritarian forces and the need to master the rapid innovations in artificial intelligence and IT security. In order to meet these challenges, the world community needs to be strengthened to make everyone understand their personal responsibility. Margot Wallström wished the contestants of the Global Challenges Prize 2017: A New Shape the best of luck.
“Reforms of the United Nations are needed for successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the UN’s capacity to deliver coherently and effectively at country level and predictable and flexible funding on the UN development system is key to a UN fit to support UN member states to deliver on the agenda – Margot Wallström.”
The work groups continued their efforts on global governance models during the day.
Laszlo Szombatfalvy, founder and chairman of the Global Challenges Foundation, together with the final jury at the New Shape Forum’s gala dinner. From left to right Jacques Marcovitch, Wanjira Mathai, Reshma Anand, Jury Chairman Maria Ivanova, Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Anote Tong and Folke Tersman. Susan Avery is missing from the picture.
Award ceremony of the New Shape Prize and gala dinner speeches
Laszlo Szombatfalvy was given a standing ovation by those convened at the New Shape Forum.
All photos by Omar Ali.
