What are wicked problems?

I was browsing the Connected Educator site and happened across a book entitled Key Competencies for the Future written by a group of teachers from New Zealand.

The term "wicked problems" is the term that students work to learn more about, explore, and put forth a solution using these key competencies.

I wondered what wicked problems are: http://www.vln.school.nz/discussion/view/892422

I also wanted to take a look at this phrase in other places:

Source, Wikipedia

This is a site with the name Wicked Problems

Wicked Problems

Article from Harvard Business Review on Wicked Problems

Wicked Problems HBR

The Millenium Project's 15 Identified Global Challenges

15 Global Challenges

This begs the question.  Is the education we are providing to students here in the US adequate preparation for future generations to solve these wicked problems/global challenges?

Does the CC strategically position our students to tackle these issues?