The international community is trying to figure out what it — the world — wants to do next to make the world a better place. Social media like Twitter offers a look at what people, at least those who use Twitter, want.
The United Nations’ very cool project Global Pulse has analyzed keywords and ‘sentiments’ used by people who are talking on Twitter about what to to do after 2015 when we reach the finish line for the Millennium Development Goals, eight goals staked out in 2000 to set global priorities aimed at reducing poverty and improving health.
In general, Twitter says most folks want better local schools, a better internet connection and jobs. But go to the site and run the data for a sense of how the priorities differ between countries. Kenya’s top priority (again, according to Twitter alone) is better roads. Bangladesh’s top priority is freedom from discrimination and political freedom.