The crisis in the Middle East is an intractable conflict, a source of suffering and strife for millions of people. Could the crisis pave the way for greater regional cohesion and a path for peace over the longer term? And is part of the solution the empowerment of its women?

What are some of the factors that have led to a renewed arms race, after the hopeful days at the end of the Cold War? What are the chances of a fair settlement in the Ukraine war and will China play an increasingly constructive role on security matters in coming years?

What is the impact of individuals upon history and is it true that our past is largely reflected in the biographies of (mostly) great men? And what lessons can we learn from the good uses and misuses of power for human welfare?

Earth system trends drawn from science-based targets for nature suggest we are very close to multiple tipping points which, if realized, will deeply destabilize the planet and provoke needless human suffering. Time is short; we need to act now.

Global financial crises often reflect moral and ethical failures. We need to rethink the foundations of our current approaches to economics, so that the economy does not become a force for social dysfunction and is instead a source of prosperity for all.

COVID-19 exposed the vulnerabilities of our global health systems in a fully interconnected world with a single global economy. We need to prepare for the next global pandemic, building on science and a renewed understanding of global solidarity.

Can the 2024 UN Summit of the Future be a catalyst for much needed changes to our global governance architecture? How can we shift from reaffirmations of existing principles to tangible reforms on the ground?

Our perverse and wasteful economy is no longer serving the needs of humanity. We need to proactively and urgently rethink the foundations of our economic system so that it creates security and stability for all, not a privileged few.

Renewed tensions between the global powers highlight the dangers of global war at a time when the international arms control architecture has unraveled. We must not lose hope; there is a path to end wars and unite the world.

Managing the transition to a renewable energy global economy is a complex undertaking that will require the sharing of knowledge, imaginative schemes to raise resources to finance it, and a new ethos of international cooperation.

We face a future fraught with existential risks. Future generations deserve a rekindling of the enthusiasm for institutional innovations that we last saw at the end of World War II. From climate change to disarmament, the agenda is urgent, and we cannot fail to act.

Democratic legitimacy is a core pillar of good governance. Moving toward the establishment of a global parliament, even if initially with largely advisory powers, would be a powerful innovation to our flawed international governance architecture.

There are multiple sources of risk to our future, from accelerating climate change, to renewed arms races and an unsteady nuclear order, to unresolved poverty and inequality problems. But we must not despair: these challenges are amenable to creative solutions.

How can an enhanced recognition of the interconnectedness of science and religion contribute to helping us understand how to better govern our increasingly interdependent global community of nations?

Latin America is by far the most violent continent in the world. Transnational organized crime, weak rule of law and the highest levels of inequality on the planet are the culprits. A Criminal Court against Transnational Organized Crime could be part of the solution.