The document discusses global issues from the perspective of imagining the world as a village of 100 people. Some key facts presented include: - 61 people would be from Asia, 13 from Africa, 12 from Europe, 8 from South America, 5 from North America, and 1 from Oceania. - 50 people would suffer from malnutrition, 20 would be undernourished, and 1 would be dying of starvation. - 33 would be Christian, 18 Muslim, 16 Hindu, 6 Buddhist, and 1 Jewish. The document encourages thinking about global problems like overpopulation and calls for developing a greater sense of universal responsibility to meet the challenges of our times.

1. village
THE GLOBAL
THINKING ABOUT GLOBAL ISSUES THROUGH NUMBERS
K. Ondrik - 2010

2. “ ...we find that the world has grown smaller
and the world's people have become almost
one community. Political and military
alliances have created large multinational
groups, industry and international trade
have produced a global economy, and
worldwide-communications are eliminating
ancient barriers of distance, language and
race. We are also being drawn together by
the grave problems we face: overpopulation,
dwindling natural resources, and an
environmental crisis that threatens our air,
water, and trees, along with the vast
number of beautiful life forms that are the
very foundation of existence on this small
planet we share.
I believe that to meet the challenge of our
times, human beings will have to develop a
greater sense of universal responsibility.
Each of us must learn to work not just for
his or her own self, family or nation, but for
the benefit of all mankind. Universal
responsibility is the real key to human
survival. It is the best foundation for world
peace, the equitable use of natural
resources, and through concern for future
generations, the proper care of the
environment.”
Dalai Lama

3. As of July 1, 2007, the world’s population
was about 6 billion, 600 million -
that’s 6 600 000 000.
If we were to imagine the world
as a village of just 100 people
(each person represents 66 million people - 66 000 000)
what would the community
look like ?

4. If the World were 100 People
21 speak a Chinese dialect
9 speak English
9 speak Hindi
61 from Asia 7 speak Spanish
13 from Africa
4 speak Arabic
12 from Europe
4 speak Bengali
8 from South America & Caribbean
3 speak Portuguese
5 from Canada & the United States
3 speak Russian
1 from Oceania
9 are children under 5
equally
9 are between 5 and 9
18 are between 10 and 19
17 are in their 20’s
15 are in their 30’s
12 are in their 40’s 50 would suffer from malnutrition
9 are in their 50’s 20 would be undernourished
6 are in their 60’s 1 would be dying of starvation
4 are in their 70’s 15 would be overweight
1 is over 79
On average, 1 person dies & 3 babies are 75 people would have some supply of
born every year. food and a place to shelter them from the
wind and the rain, but 25 would not.
33 would be Christian
18 would be Muslim
16 would be Hindu
6 would be Buddhist Sources: The Global Citizen, May 31, 1990, Donella H. Meadows, Hebei
1 would be Jewish University 2001, Zero Population Growth Seattle, Unheard Voices: Celebrating
Cultures from the Developing World, Returning Peace Corps Volunteers of
11 would believe in other religions Madison Wisconsin, 1992
15 would be non-religious

11. MATH CHALLENGE
“Roots creep
underground
everywhere &
make a firm foundation.
Shoots seem very weak,
but to reach the light,
they can break open
brick walls.
Imagine
that the brick walls
are all the problems
we have inflicted
on our planet.
Hundreds of thousands
of roots & shoots,
hundreds of thousands
of young people
around the world,
can break through
these walls.
We CAN
change the world.”
Jane Goodall
Page 11

12. village
THE GLOBAL
challenge
The Guidelines :
1. Choose a partner or trio to work with (think complementary gifts/talents as
well as how well you can problem solve together)
2.Choose one statistic (a piece of information or data that can be represented as a
number) from the global village that interests you
3.Think about how you could represent that statistic in a visually
engaging way (think 3-D, you may NOT do a poster ... sorry already done !)
4.Create a visual of the global village statistic you have chosen.
5. Use this rubric to guide your work:
4 3 2 1
Visual shows much Visual shows care, Visual shows some Visual shows little
care, thoughtfulness & thoughtfulness & an care, thoughtfulness & care, thoughtfulness &
is polished. effort to polish. is finished. is not finished yet.
Visual connects village Visual connects village Visual makes some Visual does not
statistic in a very statistic with some connection with the connect to the village
meaningful & engaging meaning & is engaging. village statistic & at statistic yet & could be
way. times is engaging. engaging if it was
finished !
Time was totally used Time was mostly used Time was mostly not Time was not used
wisely. wisely. used wisely. wisely.