Future challenges for international public policy professionals 

Discover some of the key global challenges international public policy professionals will need to address in the next few years. 

We face increasing global economic, health and political challenges as a society, especially in these uncertain times we’ve experienced in recent years.  

A global pandemic, rising costs of living and political unrest all contribute to the fact that, perhaps now more than ever, there is a greater focus on international public policy and how it can help to tackle these global challenges. 

What is international public policy? 

The study of international public policy focusses on the processes behind the decision-making and implementation of international public policies.  

It explores the development, potential and limitations of international public policy-making. This covers aspects such as issues around cooperation, the impacts of international laws and norms, and the roles of international organisations and non-state stakeholders in public policy-making.   

Although international public policy studies provide an international relations framework as a foundation, they hone in specifically on the decision-making processes of international public policies and how they can be influenced and evaluated. 

Analyse the development, possibilities and limitations of international policy-making with Queen Mary Online's International Public Policy MSc:

Future challenges in public policy 

There are many challenges in public policy in our globalised world that we face now and into the future – and a great need for public policy professionals who can effectively address these challenges. 

Some examples of future challenges in public policy include: 

• Climate change 

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest topical issues in the world today, and poses major global challenges for our society, governments, and environment worldwide. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the health impacts alone of climate change will equate to between US$2-4 billion per year by 2030. Recognising climate change as a key area requiring urgent global action, the United Nations (UN) has already set global frameworks and agreements in place to guide international progress on climate change, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. These seek to act to cut global emissions, effectively adapt to climate impacts, and finance required adjustments. 

Unless increases in CO2 emissions are curbed, climate change is expected to curb global GDP by 1.5% on average, and almost 6% in South and South-East Asia by 2060. 

• Education 

There is a greater need for innovation and investment to keep global GDP growing. Global economic growth is expected to slow from 3.6% in 2010-2020 to 2.4% in 2050-2060, and this growth is expected to be increasingly driven by innovation and investment in skills.  

For innovation and investment in skills to occur, governments around the world need to place greater emphasis on education. 

UNICEF estimated that, as a result of school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, around 24 million children were at risk of dropping out of school. This has increased the need for greater focus on and investment in education, globally. 

Public policies which include investing in education to equip youth with future-fit skills could prove vital to contributing to global economic growth.  

For adults, introducing reskilling programmes, such as digital upskilling, could help to curb unemployment and promote economic recovery. 

• Security and safety 

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns spurred some serious security and safety challenges for our society globally. Some of these included reported increases in domestic violence, looting and robberies. 

In addition to these physical security and safety threats, including other ongoing security challenges related to political events and international border management, cybercrime and scams have emerged as threats to our digital security. This adds another layer of complexity around security and safety that governments worldwide need to address. 

How can an MSc help you address these challenges in the field of international public policy? 

An MSc in international public policy will equip you with the in-depth knowledge, skills, and critical thinking you need to address current and future challenges in the field. 

It combines the specific concepts, theories, and cases around public policy with international relations studies, ensuring you gain a firm grasp of the decision-making and implementation processes behind international public policy and can confidently rise to global challenges. 

Queen Mary Online offers a flexible online MSc International Public Policy that will deepen your understanding of policy-making and global challenges in the field and empower you with the knowledge and expertise to drive change and pursue a meaningful career in public policy at international organisations such as the WHO, UN, and foreign offices.