Use of Images to Understand Global Problems or Conflicts

Use of Images to Understand Global Problems or Conflicts Name Institutional Affiliation Use of Images to Understand Global Problems or Conflicts Introduction Over the years, the world has experienced several global problems. These problems have been experienced in most parts of the world and have affected a big number of people. Such problems include climate change due to global warming, high unemployment rates, food insecurity and hunger, war, terror, health issues and gender inequality. However, most people in different parts of the world do not seem to know these challenges and for the few who know them, they do not totally understand their causes, implications and how they can be resolved (Nicholas, 2012). There are different ways through which people try to understand these global problems. Such include seminars, books, journal articles and art, which includes images. Art, and most especially images have been used in many cases to help people understand the global problems and their extent. Since most people are unaware of the global problems and conflicts, images have been used often to explain (Scholz, 2011). These images are then used in books, journals and during presentations regarding the global problems. They are mostly used because they are catchy, attractive and very easy to understand. Importance of Using Images to Understand Global Problems or Conflict One importance of using images to explain and understand global problems is to raise awareness about the different global problems (Learning, 2012). One problem that was established earlier is that most people are ignorant of the global problems. With images, people are able to understand the problems. Images include graphs, maps, drawings, or photographs that represent the happenings in different parts of the world and they are instrumental to people understanding the different global problems. Images are easy to understand; unlike lectures and seminars, images are mostly self-explanatory (Scholarly Editions, 2012). For example, if one were to see a graph of the unemployment rates in the country, he/she would understand that there are high rates of unemployment. Images are catchy and attractive and hence most people would be drawn to viewing the images and hence understand them. Images about global problems also invoke empathy among people. Empathy is the ability of one to understand and share in the feelings of others. In most cases, global problems affect a part of the world’s population (Jackson, 1985), while there are others who are not affected. For example with the global problem of food insecurity, most people in Africa die of hunger while other people in other parts of the world do not experience the same problem (Kappas, 2012). By using images such as photographs, the people who have not been affected by the problem would understand the problem, and even want to help those who are faced by the problem. When people take actions to help solve a global issue, the world becomes a better place for a diverse and globali...