Saving Careers from Automation, ASEAN and US-China Tensions, and More

December 11, 2021

Man and robotic machine work together inside industrial building.

Workers must use their newfound leverage to protect their careers from automation

There is a surge of worker power across various industries in the United States, but ironically, workers’ newfound leverage may accelerate an impending threat to their jobs: automation. Given that the current moment of worker leverage will be fleeting, Kristen Broady, Anthony Barr, and Colleen Dougherty argue that now is the time for workers to ensure long-term job security.

ASEAN running out of time to recast role as buffer in great power competition

“ASEAN no longer enjoys the luxury of time in establishing itself as an effective geostrategic buffer. Its traditional approach that tends to start with low-hanging fruit to build trust among regional players is no longer adequate in the face of rapid developments.” Shuxian Luo explains how U.S.-China tensions impact the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Listen: 10 commitments to save democracy

On the latest episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Norman Eisen and Susan Corke discuss what it will take to revive democracies around the world after several rough years of backsliding. Also on this episode, Sarah Binder offers her views on the challenges that are piling up in Congress.

Listen to the podcast

Driving progress on the SDGs

In 2015, member states of the United Nations adopted the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to address critical global issues, including poverty, hunger, gender equality, climate change, and beyond. To help leaders and stakeholders achieve this ambitious agenda, our Center for Sustainable Development is delivering innovative and actionable strategies.

Here are a few ways to learn more about their work:

✅ Sign up for the Sustainable Development Bulletin. Stay up-to-date on expert research and commentary from the center with this periodic newsletter. You can read the first edition here and complete this form to get the next newsletter in your inbox.

🎧 Listen to the 17 Rooms podcast. On this new podcast series from Brookings and The Rockefeller Foundation, learn about a powerful technique being used to drive progress on the SDGs and hear directly from the people involved.

📖 Get a new book. In "Breakthrough," 15 distinguished international experts examine how technology will affect the human condition and natural world within the next 10 years. Their insights provide a valuable look at how technology can be harnessed to achieve the SDGs.

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