We recently included several winning Top Question Tuesday selections on an interactive poll. Stay tuned to this blog as we’ll be releasing the results over the next several weeks! And don’t forget to submit your own nominations for Top Question Tuesday using the box on the right of this blog.

One question asked respondents if they couldn’t live in the US or US territories anymore, which area of the world would they choose for their new home. Overall, 24% of those surveyed selected Australia/New Zealand, 19% selected Canada, 17% said Western Europe, 16% were not sure, and 9% selected the Caribbean. All other options (Central America, Mexico, South America, North Africa, Southern Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Antarctica) received less than 3% of the total.

Age, race, gender, education and whether one lived in a large city, small city, suburb or rural area had minimal impact on the region or country selected. Progressives and liberals were more likely than average to favor Canada, with 36% of progressives and 33% of liberals selecting this country. Conservatives and very conservatives were more likely than average to favor Australia/New Zealand, with 38% of conservatives and 40% of very conservatives selecting this region. This pattern was also seen with Democrats and Republicans, with 30% of Democrats selecting Canada and 36% of Republicans selecting Australia/New Zealand.

If you could no longer live in the US, where would you move and why?

Katy global issues, international education, elections, global issues, lifestyles, middle east, race, Top Question Tuesday

When presented with two statements about the function of the United Nations, “the United Nations has been reduced in its influence and is less relevant today in global matters,” and “the United Nations is needed now more than ever to represent a global perspective on issues that arise,” First Globals™ are the most likely of any generation to agree with the second statement and the least likely of any generation to agree with the first statement. Among First Globals, 57% agree that “the United Nations is needed now more than ever,” compared to 33% of the other generations. But only  34% of First Globals agree that the “United Nations has been reduced in influence and is less relevant,” compared to about 55% of the other generations. This question was asked on an interactive survey last Summer.

Do you think as First Globals grow older and move into the workforce (including the government), their belief that the UN is needed will remain? Do you think we will see the United Nations play a more active role in managing global conflicts and dealing with global issues in the future? Do you agree with the First Globals and others who say that the United Nations is needed now more than ever?

Katy Uncategorized first globals, future, Generations, global issues, international, summer, work

Former National Basketball Association star Manute Bol is $10,529 closer to realizing his dream of constructing a school in his home village, following a fund-raising event hosted by pollster John Zogby. Zogby was moved to help Manute raise awareness and bring in funding for the project after learning earlier this year about his efforts to build a reconciliation school in Turalei, Sudan.

“I am ecstatic,” said Zogby. “Manute really connected with elementary school children in the Utica public schools with a message of discipline and self-determination. At the public discussion his message was one of reconciliation. What impresses me so much is that every penny raised goes directly to build classrooms, that this school project is a major act of reconciliation between Darfuri Muslims and southern Christians, and that this message is being delivered by someone so pure of heart. There are basketball heroes and there are real heroes – people who are doing big and little things to make the lives of others better. Manute is a real hero.”

The Zogby event was designed to raise funds to construct a school in Manute’s home village, which will be a key signal of reconciliation in this war–torn country, welcoming both Darfurian and Southern Sudanese children, both Muslim and Christian. Children at the school now meet outdoors and learn to write using sticks in the dirt. Manute Bol’s fund–raising efforts nationwide are part of his efforts in partnership with Sudan Sunrise, an organization that works to help Sudan heal after years of internal conflict.

At the local fundraiser hosted by Zogby, and his wife, Kathy, guests had an opportunity to meet Manute. Following a reception with Manute, guests heard the heard him recount his life story about growing up in a village in southern Sudan until he was discovered by an American basketball talent scout.

For more information on Sudan Sunrise or to contribute to this great cause and great man, please visit http://www.sudansunrise.org/donate.shtml. Credit cards accepted.

Katy John Zogby, culture, global issues global issues, John Zogby, polls, Sudan, war, work, zogby

Is the United Nations a thing of the past or an institution of a growing importance? Some argue that its importance is rising because the world is becoming more globalized, while others say that unilateral actions by major powers have diminished its authority. Some people see the UN as a place where conflicts can be resolved peacefully while others see it as institution isolated from democratic feedback.

Our data show that there exist generational differences in these perceptions as well. Thus, when presented with two statements about the function of the United Nations, “the United Nations has been reduced in its influence and is less relevant today in global matters,” and “the United Nations is needed now more than ever to represent a global perspective on issues that arise,” First Globals™ are the most likely of any generation to agree with the second statement and the least likely of any generation to agree with the first statement. Among First Globals™, 57.4% agree that “the United Nations is needed now more than ever,” compared to 33% of the combined remaining generations. And 34.1% of First Globals™ agree that the “United Nations has been reduced in influence and is less relevant,” compared to about 55% of remaining generations.

Do you think as First Globals™ grow older and move into the workforce their belief that the UN is needed will remain? Do you think we will see the United Nations play a more active role in managing global conflicts and dealing with global issues in the future? Do you agree with the First Globals™ and others who say that the United Nations is needed now more than ever?

Zeljka future, global issues first globals, future, Generations, global issues, peace, work