Is the Asian century upon us?

An Asia producing more than half of global GDP? Three billion Asians considered part of the "rich world" by 2050? A dream or plausible reality?

It could happen if the region's economy keeps growing at its current rate and if new Asian generations grab the baton and run with it.

That baton, however, could be a very slippery one. There are several daunting multigenerational challenges and risks that must be overcome along the way.