The year 2012 will bring together geopolitical, economic, financial, democratic, scientific and artistic promises and threats.
Could I be bold and suggest some homework over the holidays: before the year 2011 is over, make a list of all improbable events and yet possible, that would positively change the course of your life, that could take place in 2012.
In this list, enter your wishes for health, work, affection, or any other, for you or for your loved ones who are dearer to you than yourself. Then narrow down the list to 10 topics; as specific as possible. Then, ask yourself what impact you could have on their realization and arrange them by ascending order of this influence. By being as honest as possible: contrary to popular belief, we are not without influence on our own health, loves, and work. Even on those of others; provided that we identify sincerely what we can do to influence our own destiny (preventive health examinations, renewed attention to others, a new training) and that of others (our political choices, in particular).
Keep this list secret and consult it regularly during the coming year. You will be surprised to see the influence it can have on your behavior.
Without giving you here my own personal list, I have also embarked upon this exercise for the planet.
Therefore here are ten events, highly unlikely, but still possible in 2012 and which would change positively the course of history, for mankind and the planet.
Of course, for each of us, a priori, not much can be done on each of them. But think it through. And you will see that there are none in which the likelihood of realization cannot be increased by your action; and in particular the priorities that each one of you, in the country of which you are a citizen, will impose on policy makers.
1. The first transplant of a liver made from the stem cells of the recipient, collected from his skin. It is possible, it will assuredly arrive in the not too distant future. Other organs will follow quickly; it will radically change life expectancy, the relationship between death and happiness.
2. The announcement in China, (under the pressure from middle classes users of social networks not controlled by policy makers, such as Weibo), of the holding in 2013 of the first free elections throughout the country.
3. The implementation in the U.S. of a program of national unity of economic and technological recovery, even before the presidential elections in November.
4. Mutual recognition of Israel and Palestine, within the borders virtually agreed at Camp David with President Clinton between Arafat and Barak, in 2000.
5. Creating a Common Market between Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and all countries that separate them geographically, making this region the main engine of global growth.
6. The reform of the International Monetary Fund increasing its capital, changing the voting rights of emerging countries, and using massively the Special Drawing Rights to finance the public debt.
7. The creation of a global minimum income above the level of the specific poverty threshold of each country, funded by a general tax on CO2 emissions and another on financial transactions, applicable to the entire planet.
8. The launch in Europe, by the European Investment Bank, of a large 20-year program of smart grid installations of 4G internet, energy and water.
9. The reform of European institutions, under the pressure of a popular petition gathering millions of signatures, with the establishment of government institutions in the eurozone, the creation of a European tax, the introduction of Eurobonds, and the purchase by a European Monetary Fund, of a minority of control in the largest banks in the eurozone.
10. In France, the unanimous decision of all political parties to consider the youth (especially those suffering of unemployment) as the raison d’etre of their actions, local and national.
All this is possible. We must give ourselves the means to implement it. Spend time in 2012, doing what is best for your loved ones and the world!