Can we be proud of the state of our world and global developments in 2017? Quite some reactions are most likely to be a shaking of the head, a frown, or a throwing up of hands in frustration. “2017 was probably the very best year in the long history of humanity” are the contradictory words of Nicholas Kristof, op-ed columnist at the New York Times.
In the light of rising security concerns connected to the risk of a nuclear war with North Korea, soaring issues of inequality, endless and unsolved debates on refugees and immigrants, warfare in Yemen and Syria, unbearable situations in Myanmar and Bangladesh, unresolved global challenges such as climate change, droughts and famines, despair about the state of Mother Earth in 2017 seems appropriate.
We cannot swipe these issues off the table. Nonetheless, let us be reminded of these facts too: “A smaller share of the world’s people were hungry, impoverished or illiterate than at any time before. A smaller proportion of children died than ever before.” Diseases and ailments were successfully reduced or even eliminated. The world is experiencing much important progress. And the belief in this exact progress shall empower us to act on the threats and challenges faced.
Action and attitudes count
Frustration will get us nowhere. At WECONNEX, we believe that we bear a responsibility to carry progress forward and to create lasting change and a positive impact. We want to contribute to making 2018 even better than 2017. And we want to live and spread this spirit.
This is why we address rural base of the pyramid markets. To reach those communities most in need and lacking opportunities. This is also why we strive for a triple bottom line impact, combining an economic approach, in the form of generating fair profits to ensure the financial sustainability of our projects, with environmental and social considerations throughout our concept. And it is why we stand up for empowerment, inclusivity and close collaboration with the local population.
Why we advocate for a positive view of things
Global progress is unstoppable, and the world is on a constant mission towards improvement – one graspable example is the quest to reach the SDGs by 2030.
“Every day, the number of people around the world living in extreme poverty goes down by 217’000 […]. Every day, 325’000 more people gain access to electricity. And 300’000 more gain access to clean drinking water.” These are the words of Nicholas Kristof and the calculations of Max Roser, an economist at Oxford University.
WECONNEX and the NEXUS Centers are contributing to this exact development. We are a tiny but proud part of this transformational change. And that is something to celebrate.
Chances are high that a year from now we can offer similar good news about 2018. Once in a while why not take a step back from all the things going wrong and focus on what is going right.
Share your view with us on this topic, we are curious to hear your opinion!
Source: nexus ch
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