"Collective resolve" needed to overcome great generational challenges

Friday 01 January 2021

The same resolve and innovation people have found in the fight against the pandemic can be harnessed to overcome the world's "other great generational challenges", the Lt-Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder has said, in an "optimistic" look ahead to what the New Year has to offer.

"As the Christmas festivities recede, you (like me) are probably wondering what new twists and turns the next twelve months may bring. Given all that has happened since this time last year, we might all be forgiven for being rather gloomy at the prospects. But to the contrary, and somewhat against my own expectations, I actually find myself feeling rather more optimistic.

Why is this? Well, first of all the pandemic has, without doubt, been a huge struggle for everyone. But it has also been a story of great achievement, not least the amazing feat of developing and producing not just one but, seemingly, multiple effective vaccines in record breaking time.  These accomplishments show, yet again, the wonders human innovation can achieve when our backs are genuinely ‘against the wall’.  

Secondly, the Covid virus has also, I hope, re-taught us a little humility in the face of nature.  It has perhaps reminded us that we assume the natural world will always treat us benignly at our peril.

Third, given predictions even a few weeks ago, the recently-announced Brexit trade and cooperation agreement should be a tonic for us all. There is now every prospect of an enduring and stable relationship with our neighbours on both sides of the Channel upon which the Bailiwick can build its future prosperity. 

Pictured: His Excellency regards the trade deal between the UK and EU as "cooperation agreement" that should provide the platform for a stable future relationship. 

Fourthly, I am encouraged to see growing signs, in this deal and other indicators from around the world, an increasing sense of rejection of the rhetoric of confrontation, division and blame, in favour of co-operation, compromise, and inclusion.

Together, these thoughts do indeed lift my sense of optimism not least because, even when the pandemic is finally behind us, the ‘really big’ issues (i.e. climate change, dwindling resources, and global poverty) will still be there; and no less pressing.

Maybe the experiences of the past year will reinvigorate our collective resolve to face up to them with renewed confidence; and maybe they can rekindle a belief that, creatively and collaboratively pursued, the same innovation that has led the fight against Covid can equally be harnessed to overcome these other great generational challenges. After this difficult year, I am increasingly sanguine that they can.

Finally, and on a slightly different tack, I am delighted that the New Year affords us the opportunity to acknowledge, through the award of the MBE, three more outstanding individuals who have each played a major role in the Bailiwick’s pandemic response; Deputy Heidi Soulsby, Dr Sue Fleming, and Mrs Nicola Harrison, as well as Mr Ronald Cairnduff, awarded a BEM for his longstanding contribution to Alderney’s community.  My sincere thanks and congratulations to them all.

I wish you a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year."