The impact levels of new and emerging macro trends are defined as emerging (likely to drive business needs in the future — keep watching), through maturing, to burning (you cannot afford to ignore — already driving new business needs).

The international agenda is being shaped by issues such as responses to the economic crisis and global warming that can only be addressed by a multilateral approach. The new global landscape is not stable; risks, such as nationalism and protectionism, are rising.

This is also leading to increased government activism. Governments are taking a new look at the balance between the state and the market, as well as a regulation versus laissez faire attitude. Further regulation, however, will almost certainly be brought in.

Transparency of government is important for gaining trust as the citizen is empowered in a world where people expect service-orientated government, focused on their needs.

Ensuring future social security and services are affordable is still on the agenda. This is even more true in the light of the fact that governments are having to pay for stimulus packages to the economy and therefore having to shoulder increasing budget deficits. The reaction to this is an increasing tendency towards cost reduction, and the result will inevitably be lean government. Sustainability, or Green politics, has again risen on the political agenda, driven by the global economic downturn. Green initiatives – such as carbon footprint reduction and energy saving – are now being linked with plans to combat the downturn.

Internet identity theft continues to rise as well as the use of the Internet as a channel for organised crime.

Web 2.0 principals are giving ePolitics more traction. Large numbers are willing and be able to register their opinions almost instantaneously with very little effort.