I think, that many of us entered 2021 with a modest hope, that the worst was behind us, and 2020 just a year to be forgotten quickly. Still it feels as if, the dark clouds keep hanging over our heads, as we a wrapping up the year. At the beginning of 2021, we may have believed or hoped, that we could leave Covid-19 behind, but we wised up and on top we have had rising inflation, disturbances in the global supply chain and other new challenges for many businesses.

At the same time, the tone in public debate is sharpened. As communities we are increasingly polarized, divided into ’them and us’. Our trust in legislators and public servants is deteriorating, and in the heat of the Covid debate, our prime minister recently announced, that we have to ‘live with it!’, faced with criticism during an interview.

But isn’t it, exactly in front of a mountain of challenges, that we must do more than that? Isn’t it now, that we have to work together rather than point fingers of those we disagree with or accept behaviors and circumstances, that under other circumstances, we wouldn’t accept?

Anyway, in 2022 I will do my utmost to give my contribution. To bring us out of the pandemic shadow and face all the other challenges, we have to handle. Without excusing or blaming others for the result - no compromises or simply ‘living with it’.

Though, in a narrow economic context, we may not depend on each other as we did a hundred years ago, we still are interdependent, when it comes to securing a green planet and a healthy society, where people thrive and live good lives. More than ever we need to create sustainable solutions.

Best wishes for a brighter future and hope to see you in 2022!