The Rockefeller Foundation has released the findings of a landmark global poll revealing widespread but fragile support for international cooperation. Conducted across 34 countries, the survey of 36,405 adults highlights the desire for nations to work together in addressing shared threats, despite growing nationalist rhetoric and declining development aid. Alongside these findings, the Foundation launched its new US$50 million Build the Shared Future initiative, designed to develop solutions that respond effectively to crises while fostering a healthier, more secure, and prosperous future for all.
The initiative will break down silos in the development and humanitarian sectors by bringing together global leaders to design innovative frameworks. Among them are Wally Adeyemo, tasked with building a new framework for international cooperation; Dr. Mark Dybul, leading efforts to restructure global health systems; and Dr. Simon Winter, who will reimagine humanitarian food systems. This cross-sectoral collaboration aims to transform outdated mechanisms into effective, equitable systems capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
Survey results show that people generally view global cooperation as essential for tackling key issues such as food and water security, climate change, economic development, poverty, and health. While 55% of respondents believe their countries should collaborate on global challenges even at the cost of national interests, a stronger majority (75%) say they would support cooperation if it delivers tangible results. However, trust in existing international institutions like the UN, WHO, and IMF remains relatively low, reflecting a demand for more accountable and results-driven systems.
The findings underscore a global appetite for cooperation that truly delivers, suggesting a unique opportunity to reshape international systems. The Rockefeller Foundation, with its century-long legacy in global health, food systems, and innovation, is leveraging its history of transformative impact to lead this change. By connecting local leadership with global partnerships and fostering solutions grounded in equity and innovation, the Foundation’s initiative seeks to build a modern system of cooperation that can effectively address today’s most pressing global threats.
