If one disease can provide wisdom beyond our comprehension of how fragile, interconnected and precious life is, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic offers a plethora of lessons on a personal, regional and planetary level.
Crises like COVID-19 show the urgency to promote necessary transformations for our society to survive in the 21st century. It can be a good reminder that in any breakdown, there is always a chance for breakthrough.
We turned to three of our 2019 Young Champions to gain some of their personal reflections as they navigate all the highs and lows 2020 has brought their way.
Here’s what they had to say.
Amidst the acute sense of loss, anxiety and insecurity COVID-19 has brought on all fronts, do you feel that it has any silver linings to offer? What have you experienced that you would consider a positive aspect in this shift from life as usual?
Louise Mabulo: On a community level, I feel as though being in enhanced community quarantine has allowed us to look inward and start valuing ingredients and materials produced locally, by our own neighbours and friends. Life has reverted to a certain way, where we appreciate each other much more, albeit from a distance, and we start to appreciate the small things we take for granted on a daily basis. It has forced us to slow down and reassess our priorities and what we truly value.
Marianna Muntianu: Coronavirus is showing us that we really can unite our actions to solve global problems and do it quite quickly in spite of many obstacles and in the face of economic difficulties. The lockdowns we see around the world are forcing us to slow down, take stock and start thinking about our future – what kind of world do we want to see in a decade, or even earlier? Read more…
