Embodying the Spirit of the Dragon

By Siddharth ChatterjeeBEIJING, Feb 8 2024 (IPS) The Year of the Dragon is upon us. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for this Lunar New Year, “The dragon symbolizes energy, wisdom, protection and good luck. We need these qualities to rise to today’s global challenges.” Indeed, we do. Just consider some of the challenges from the past year. The persistent drag of COVID-19. Sluggish economies. The hottest year on record. Climate disasters, one after the other. A rising tide of fake news, fake images, and hate speech. Risks posed by the malicious use of AI, which grows in sophistication by the day. Conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere, leaving millions highly vulnerable, and sending shock waves all over the world. Stalled global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s to-do list for peace and prosperity. This means that more people will remain without water, electricity, education for their children, or food for their families. Around the world, people feel despondency and despair. If ever we needed the spirit of the Dragon, it is now. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly, writes a message of blessing at the National Children’s Center in Beijing. Credit: China National Children’s Center The Lunar New Year is a perfect occasion to return to the source of our strength. All around the country, people will clean their homes and decorate them in red. There will be fireworks, feasts, family ga...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Armed Conflicts Asia-Pacific Climate Change Economy & Trade Education Energy Environment Financial Crisis Food and Agriculture Global Headlines Health Peace Sustainable Development Goals TerraViva United Nations IPS UN Bureau Source Type: news