“Out of the Worst and Into the Future: How to Make 2021 Better Than 2020

It’s been an incredibly difficult 2021 so far. From job losses to political unrest, the world has been turned upside down for billions of people. But there’s a glimmer of hope – the worst month of the year, January, is now behind us! While the year may still be rough, there are plenty of things that we can all be looking forward to in the months ahead. With the right combination of policy initiatives, long-term changes, and a little bit of luck, 2021 could be a year of real progress and prosperity. First and foremost, governments around the world must prioritize job creation. Although economic recovery is on the horizon, it won’t happen overnight. Governments must come up with plans to incentivize businesses to hire more people, provide financial assistance (from unemployment benefits to tax incentives) and create job training and retraining programs to help those who were laid off transition into a new position. Second, governments must make serious investments in infrastructure. Modernizing roads, bridges, ports, railways, and airports is key in providing a strong foundation for long-term economic growth. This could include introducing more efficient, green technologies as well as faster, more reliable internet connectivity — something that’s become more vital than ever given the pandemic’s reliance on remote work. Thirdly, governments must address long-term socio-economic issues like poverty and inequality. From providing free education and affordable healthcare to investing in disadvantaged communities and promoting fair wages, doing so will help tackle social injustices and create a more peaceful, just society for all. Finally, governments must do their part in tackling climate change. This could involve investing in renewable energy sources, green infrastructure, and renewable energy incentives, as well as helping fund research and development for climate-mitigating technologies and strategies. The clock is ticking and there are plenty of items on the agenda. But with focused efforts and a little bit of luck, 2021 could be a year of real progress and prosperity for the world. Here’s to better times ahead. It’s been an incredibly difficult 2021 so far. From job losses to political unrest, the world has been turned upside down for billions of people. But there’s a glimmer of hope – the worst month of the year, January, is now behind us! While the year may still be rough, there are plenty of things that we can all be looking forward to in the months ahead. With the right combination of policy initiatives, long-term changes, and a little bit of luck, 2021 could be a year of real progress and prosperity. First and foremost, governments around the world must prioritize job creation. Although economic recovery is on the horizon, it won’t happen overnight. Governments must come up with plans to incentivize businesses to hire more people, provide financial assistance (from unemployment benefits to tax incentives) and create job training and retraining programs to help those who were laid off transition into a new position. Second, governments must make serious investments in infrastructure. Modernizing roads, bridges, ports, railways, and airports is key in providing a strong foundation for long-term economic growth. This could include introducing more efficient, green technologies as well as faster, more reliable internet connectivity — something that’s become more vital than ever given the pandemic’s reliance on remote work. Thirdly, governments must address long-term socio-economic issues like poverty and inequality. From providing free education and affordable healthcare to investing in disadvantaged communities and promoting fair wages, doing so will help tackle social injustices and create a more peaceful, just society for all. Finally, governments must do their part in tackling climate change. This could involve investing in renewable energy sources, green infrastructure, and renewable energy incentives, as well as helping fund research and development for climate-mitigating technologies and strategies. The clock is ticking and there are plenty of items on the agenda. But with focused efforts and a little bit of luck, 2021 could be a year of real progress and prosperity for the world. Here’s to better times ahead.