Facing the Risks: Global Security Trends and Canada

Signal49 Research forecasts that over the next 15 years the world will grow increasingly interconnected, complex and turbulent. Globalization will create rapid and expansive shifts in the geopolitical, economic, social, environmental and biological landscape. While change, growth and integration will increase opportunities for wealth and well-being, they will also create new channels for risk and insecurity.

Canada’s prosperity and strength are linked to our openness and engagement in an increasingly interdependent world. Our growing interconnectedness will bring a healthy flow of capital, trade, people and knowledge; it will also bring conflict, violence and uncertainty.

This report outlines potential risks in three major areas—conflict risks based on violence, social and health risks, and economic and technological risks—and suggests approaches for addressing them. These approaches include allocating resources strategically, enhancing social programs that target vulnerable populations, and becoming more deeply engaged in select multilateral institutions.