Blasting Past Boundaries

A perfect example of globalized cooperation: a Soyuz rocket before takeoff to the International Space Station (ISS). © NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

The program is now open to trainees, interns and young entrepreneurs, so that 10 million young Europeans have pursued part of their higher and continuing educations in other EU countries so far. International partnerships between cities are also creating spaces for exchanges and becoming more popular. Cities had formed about 20,000 of the partnerships by 2018. In any case, the EU highlights the kind of benefits that multinational collaboration can bring. What began with economic and political cooperation by six countries in the 1950s has now expanded to 27 member-states. There have been no armed conflicts among them for 70 years. It has been the kind of peaceful era that had not been seen for centuries. Differences are resolved at the negotiating table.

Managing Globalization

Organizations such as the OECD also stand for global dialogue. Founded in 1961, its membership includes 30 countries that fund it. The goal: To increase growth and prosperity, fight poverty and manage globalization. It conducts studies and consults with governments, revealing shortcomings and pointing out solutions. The OECD has several thousand employees, many working abroad at its headquarters in Paris and in liaison offices in Europe, Asia and the Americas. This makes them a reflection of a global reality: Around 40 million people from OECD countries work abroad at another member-state. One of the most innovative locations in the world – Silicon Valley – is a true melting pot. While 14 percent of the population as a whole in the United States was born abroad, the figure is nearly triple that in Silicon Valley. Mathematicians and computer experts are especially in demand. A full 65 percent of them come from abroad, as do 63 percent of the Valley’s engineers. World metropolises such as London, New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Shanghai all attract top minds from around the world as well. For many people, it’s normal to have a job abroad. And some choose a very special one. If everything goes as planned, one Japanese, two Russians and four Americans ought to be circling the globe on board the ISS right now.