Lesson 6.1

Explore 1

To what extent has globalization positively or negatively impacted the well-being of children?

How is the well-being of an individual impacted by globalization? The increased connections in a globalizing world have implications on the sustainability and prosperity of our world. We can already observe changes in migration, technology, agriculture, pandemics, and natural resources as a result of increased global contact. How do these changes affect the well-being of individuals and communities, especially children and youth? Prepare for a discussion on this inquiry by completing the assigned readings. well-being: the condition of being healthy, happy, or prosperous implication: a potential that the presence of one condition will lead to the presence of another condition migration: the movement of individuals or groups from one place to another

These are required readings to support Explore 1.

• Read pages 319 to 326 in Perspectives on Globalization to review understandings about quality of life.

• Read pages 354 to 358 in Perspectives on Globalization for an introduction to these changes and to examine how technology and migration in a globalizing world affect people.

• Read pages 362 to 366 in Perspectives on Globalization about the globalization and the politics of food.

• Read pages 367 to 369 in Perspectives on Globalization about pandemics in a globalizing world.

• Read pages 370 to 373 in Perspectives on Globalization about globalization and natural resources.
  
  
• Read pages 338 to 345 in Perspectives on Globalization about the global challenges and opportunities for children and youth.

The impacts of globalization are often measured in the amount of prosperity a country has. The sustainability of a country is often connected to the land and environment. Children and youth are neglected resources in many countries. The United Nations has identified children as a valuable resource and that children need to be sustained along with the land and natural resources of this planet.

The relationship between globalization and the well-being of children is intertwined. Children in many developing and less-developed countries are the workers that labour to globalize their country. These children have yet to experience the benefits of globalization. For many global citizens there is a responsibility to act on behalf of all children and stop the damage of globalization to their well-being or to use it to improve that well-being.

Going Beyond

UNICEF has created a collection of videos and podcasts on issues related to children. These videos are available on the UNICEF website. This non-governmental organization also offers video-on-demand available free through iTunes.

UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund): an organization established in 1946

Explore the causes of the issues and the role UNICEF has taken on these global issues.