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Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential

The Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (EWPHP)[1] is a research work published by the Union of International Associations (UIA). It is available online since 2000,[2] and was previously available as a CD-ROM and as a three-volume book.[3]

Author

Editorial team

English

Humankind problems and solutions

Encyclopedia

Union of International Associations

1976–present

Belgium

Print from 1976 to 1995, CD-ROM in 1995, online since 2000

The EWPHP began under the direction of Anthony Judge in 1972 and eventually came to comprise more than 100,000 entries and 700,000 links, as well as hundreds of pages of introductory notes and commentaries on problems, strategies, values, concepts of human development, and various intellectual resources.

The 1st edition, initiated in 1972 and published in 1976, has one volume entitled Yearbook of World Problems and Human Potential, comprising thirteen sections, several of which have not appeared in subsequent editions.[18]

[11]

The 2nd edition, initiated in 1983 and published in 1986, was titled Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential. It is still a single volume (published as volume 4 of the ), but with different sections due to the variegated types of paper used in printing the edition.[19] The book is equivalent to several normal volumes. According to Edward Cornish of The Futurist, one such book is equivalent to 40 or 50 normal-sized books.[20]

Yearbook of International Organizations

The 3rd edition, initiated in 1988 and published in 1991, has two volumes: World Problems (vol. 1), and Human Potential (vol. 2).

The 4th edition, initiated in 1992 and again in 1994–1995, has three volumes: World Problems (vol. 1), Human Potential – Transformation and Values (vol.2), Actions – Strategies – Solutions (vol. 3). A CD-ROM version, Encyclopedia Plus, is also published.

The online edition was initiated in 1997 and completed in 2000.[22]

[21]

Critical reception[edit]

There have been several reviews of the EWPHP.[23] One of the criticisms came from the American Library Association in 1987: "The board considers the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential a problematic monument to idiosyncrasy, confusion, and obfuscation that certainly is not worth purchasing at any price."[24] Similarly, The Guardian was critical in a review article published in 1992. The Wall Street Journal published a review of the EWPHP initiative in December 2012.[25]

Decision making

Environmental issue

Global governance

Policy

Political issue

Problem solving

Public policy

Social issue

Wicked problem

Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (main database)

Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (editing platform)

Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (project information)

Ecolynx - A short movie exemplifying the use of the EWPHP

a Wall Street Journal article, 11 December 2012.

Encyclopedia of World Problems Has a Big One of Its Own