The Year in Review: A Celebration of the Positive
As we come to the end of another year, it's a good time to reflect on the events and experiences that have shaped our lives over the past 12 months. From personal achievements and milestones to global events and trends, there's a lot to look back on. In this year-end recollection, we take a closer look at some of the good moments of the year. Here are just a few of the many breakthroughs and achievements that stand out and give us hope for the future:
Global poverty reaches an all-time low
Over the last decades, there have been coordinated efforts that are helping to create a more equitable and prosperous world for all. Many governments, philanthropists, and humanitarian organisations have made significant investments in programmes aimed at reducing inequality and improving the lives of people in developing countries. These efforts are starting to bear fruit, with evidence showing that poverty rates are falling in many parts of the world. In fact, by the end of 2022, the number of people living in poverty will have reached an all-time low globally, with many countries achieving impressive reductions in their poverty rates. This is due in part to economic growth and development, as well as targeted efforts to improve access to education, healthcare, and other essential services for the poorest members of society.
Source: Worldbank
Medicine: From breakthroughs to triumphs
In the realm of medicine, 2022 brought exciting news for patients and healthcare providers alike. Researchers made significant progress in developing new treatments for a wide range of diseases, from cancer to Alzheimer's. In addition, there were breakthroughs in the fields of genomics and precision medicine, which are helping to tailor treatments to the unique needs of individual patients.
Especially with Alzheimer, after years of neuroscience study, recent findings indicate that 2022 may prove to be a defining year for Dementia treatment. Last October, the scientists evaluating the exploratory Alzheimer's medicine lecanemab made headlines when trial findings indicated that the treatment met its objectives, making it one of the first dementia treatments to yield favourable outcomes.
This discovery can have a tremendous impact on patients suffering from dementia and their families. It is worth noting that, according to the WHO, currently more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year.
Source: BBC
Education: Limitless opportunities through Technology & Innovation
In 2022, technological progress was significant, enabling innovation to thrive in a number of areas. Artificial intelligence continued to advance, with breakthroughs in machine learning and natural language processing enabling new applications especially in education. Online learning platforms saw significant improvements, with new tools and techniques enabling more personalized and effective instruction. The use of gamification and other engaging techniques helped make learning more engaging for students of all ages and across all countries. An example of a breakthrough AI application is ChatGPT, a new cutting-edge A.I. chatbot that was recently released for testing by the San Francisco based company Open AI. ChatGPT is claimed to be the “Google of the future,” as it has developed into the smartest chatbox ever. In the first five days of open testing, more than a million people signed up to try it.
In our view, access to knowledge and education is a major catalyst for progress, and the plethora of innovative tools in the realm of education enable progress on more equal terms around the world.
Sources: NYTimes,Economic Times
ENERGY: the silver lining of nuclear fusion
Environmental damage and climate change have become imminent threats for the whole globe. Developed and developing countries, are looking into alternative sources of energy, as a means to mitigate this threat to our future.
After more than fifty years of study into nuclear fusion, scientists have revealed that a significant advancement has been made that may open the way for an abundance of clean energy in the future.
A significant accomplishment known as ignition or energy gain was reported by Researchers at the US National Ignition Facility in California, accomplished ignition, that is an energy gain through nuclear fusion. They stated fusion tests had released more energy than had been put in by the lab's gigantic, high-powered lasers.
This accomplishment may prove to be one of the year’s most encouraging developments as it can revolutionize energy production and turn green energy into reality.
Sources: ABC News, The Guardian
Entrepreneurship, nurtured by young businesses
Startups have evolved into important change agents in entrepreneurial life, making a significant impact on the broader economy. They play a key role in fostering innovation and boosting economic and digital competitiveness. They provide accessibility to goods and solutions while substantially boosting employment. Young businesses contribute around 20% of employment on average across OECD nations across years, but most importantly, they generate over half of new jobs.
In 2022, the European startup sector has been flourishing, with the highest-ever total equity value of more than $3 trillion. The UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and France currently account for roughly two-thirds of the continent's top 1,000 startups and scaleups.
Young businesses give us hope because they shake up the modus operandi of corporations, challenging them to become more agile, they disrupt sectors & industries through their innovation, they democratize the process of economic growth and open up opportunities for young professionals, offering them a more creative and inclusive professional environment to work in.
Source: The Next Web
Some would argue that 2022 was a year full of hardships for mankind. The war in Ukraine, geopolitical conflicts, and the energy crisis are only some examples of the challenges we faced. However, as showcased above, 2022 has also been a year of great progress and achievement. We choose to celebrate the bright side and emphasize the year’s most notable and uplifting developments. Whether you're an executive, a teacher, a healthcare provider, or anyone else working to make the world a better place, there's plenty to be excited about. Here's to a bright and promising future for us all! Happy Holidays!
