Contemporary Issues (Kontemporaryong Isyu) – Concept Note #1

A set of 25 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to contemporary issues, their types, examples, media sources, and analytical skills.

Contemporary Issue

A current event or problem that affects people’s lives and provokes public debate or concern.

Issue

A situation, problem, or topic under discussion that causes worry and needs a solution.

Social Contemporary Issue

A present-day problem that greatly impacts social institutions such as family, church, school, government, and economy.

Health Contemporary Issue

A current matter related to health that can benefit or harm society, e.g., COVID-19, malnutrition.

Environmental Contemporary Issue

A modern concern involving the environment, resource use, or natural hazards like floods and typhoons.

Trade Contemporary Issue

A contemporary problem linked to globalization, business, or economics, including free trade and online shopping.

Racism

The belief that racial differences determine traits and physical appearance, leading to discrimination.

Terrorism

Deliberate use of violence or intimidation by a group or state to achieve political or criminal goals.

Malnutrition

A bodily condition caused by vitamin deficiency or improper food choices.

Globalization

Cooperation among nations that allows products and services to move freely across borders.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of climate patterns due to rising greenhouse gases that warm the planet.

Print Media

Traditional published information sources such as comics, magazines, and newspapers.

Visual Media

Platforms that convey information through images or video, e.g., news broadcasts, films, documentaries.

Online Media

Internet-based information sources including social media, blogs, and websites.

Same-Sex Marriage

A legal union between partners of the same gender; cited as a social contemporary issue.

Drug Addiction

Dependence on illegal or prescription substances; listed as a health contemporary issue.

Global Warming

General rise in Earth’s average temperature, often discussed alongside climate change.

Import/Export

Buying goods from abroad and selling domestic goods overseas; a trade contemporary issue.

Free Trade

International commerce conducted without restrictive tariffs, quotas, or barriers.

El Niño

Warming of Pacific Ocean waters that disrupts global weather patterns; an environmental issue.

La Niña

Cooling of Pacific Ocean waters causing weather effects opposite to El Niño.

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease that triggered a global pandemic; example of a health contemporary issue.

Greenhouse Gases

Atmospheric gases such as CO₂ that trap heat and contribute to climate change.

Information Sources

Channels like radio, television, internet, and print used to learn about contemporary issues.

Fact vs Opinion

The skill of distinguishing evidence-based statements from personal views when studying an issue.