Rockefeller Foundation’s New US $50 Million Initiative Finds Widespread Support for International Cooperation in Landmark 34-Country Survey

Rockefeller Foundation’s New US $50 Million Initiative Finds Widespread Support for International Cooperation in Landmark 34-Country Survey

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Rockefeller Foundation released findings of a new global poll that shows considerable, but fragile, support for international cooperation.

The Rockefeller Foundation also announced the launch of a new US $50 million Build the Shared Future initiative, in which the 112-year-old philanthropic organization aims to develop solutions that more effectively respond to crises and promote a healthier, more prosperous, and secure future for all.

At a moment of massive global disruption, including dramatic cuts to humanitarian and development work—The Rockefeller Foundation’s new survey captures how people view global cooperation and key international institutions. 36,405 adults were polled in 34 countries. This includes countries in Sub-Saharan Africa – Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa.

Kenya stands out as a global leader in support for international cooperation, with 72% of its population backing the idea. This places Kenya among the top countries globally, alongside India (81%), South Korea (73%), Nigeria (71%), and South Africa (70%). Sub-Saharan Africa overall shows strong support at 68%.

“At a moment when the world is struggling to cooperate on addressing shared threats, The Rockefeller Foundation can once again help bring people together from across the world and across political divides to test new ideas and catalyze innovative solutions that will save lives,” said Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President and CEO of the ONE Campaign and member of The Rockefeller Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

The results show that despite cuts to development aid and rising nationalist rhetoric around the world, most people still want nations to work together to take on common threats. Yet the findings also show that support for global cooperation, while real, is fragile. People back cooperation when it delivers results, though some survey respondents remain sceptical that international cooperation serves their interests. For example, 75% of people surveyed globally would support international cooperation if it is proven to effectively solve global problems and 76% would support international cooperation if it is proven to solve problems in peoples’ own countries. Today, less than half 42% of those surveyed globally, think international cooperation is in their personal interests.

“For too long, the narrative around development in Africa has been focused on aid rather than on partnership and mutual benefit. This new data confirms what we’ve always known—that Africans want a system of international cooperation that is not only effective but also equitable. Build the Shared Future provides a powerful opportunity to design and implement solutions that prioritize local leadership, leverage innovation, and build a more resilient and prosperous future for the continent,” said William Asiko, Vice President of Africa at The Rockefeller Foundation.

People around the world overwhelmingly believe that global cooperation is important to take on central global issues from jobs (90%), trade and economic development (92%), food and water security (93%), global health (91%), climate (86%) and poverty and inequality (90%). However, trust in some existing institutions that can guide or drive global cooperation is relatively lower, including for the United Nations (58%), World Health Organization (60%), the International Monetary Fund (44%), amongst others.

The Rockefeller Foundation’s Build the Shared Future initiative aims to galvanize the global community to leave behind an inadequate status quo and get smarter, more creative, and more collaborative in tackling the world’s biggest threats.

FocalData, a research technology company, was engaged to conduct the survey. Conducted between August 8 to September 10,

About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish.