Melbourne, AUSTRALIA – As the curtain starts to close on 2021, it is easy to view the year in a negative light.
Covid-19 is still as rampant as ever, especially with the new Omicron variant spreading.
Many underdeveloped countries are facing the brunt of it all, with vaccines in scarcity.
The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and the continuing Israel-Palestine crisis posed major threats to international peace and security in the past year.
And climate change continues to pose an issue to the entire globe.
But 2021 wasn’t a complete disappointment.
The international community united on many of the above-mentioned issues this year. We banded together to fight for equality in the Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements.
We kickstarted climate action in the COP26 summit.
The Oscars saw the most diverse year in history.
All of these things are progress – progress we have all contributed to in this very harsh year.
If you’re anything like me, 2022 is both scary and relieving.
It’s a relief that the year is a clean slate full of new opportunities to learn and grow, but it’s also fearful of what lies ahead.
The past year was a rather rude shock with a pandemic lifestyle forced onto every one of us.
I encourage us all to take the time to reflect, and to express gratitude and optimism in the face of adversity.
Amber Dwivedi is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
