Over the past 18 months, the world has changed dramatically. The transformations and adaptations in the face of the pandemic have been numerous and have shown us the urgency to speak to each other, to understand each other. Ironically, while COVID-19 has digitally brought people together, it has also exposed what divides us.
During this period, we have seen as never before the importance of being collectively united in the face of such adversity. This ordeal has indirectly united all countries and all continents behind a common cause: to fight against the pandemic. Paradoxically, we have seen divisions appear. The search for a culprit, a target towards which to direct our discontent. This is where the ravages of ignorance have done their work. Prejudices in one have taken root in the mind of the other, and in particular through the digital voice, these resentments have exploded, often by hateful remarks and pointed towards what we do not know. The other, the stranger, the one who is different from us.
It is known: we are afraid of what we do not know, and this fear affects confidence, yet the cement of any society. Confidence brings people together, it helps fuel debates without getting out of hand. Without this trust, mistrust takes over and quickly feeds on the worst doubts and prejudices. In the absence of sufficient knowledge, we drink without knowing too much, often false information available. And as such, social networks are full of everything, the true and the false, the best and the worst.
Fortunately, societies are built on what unites their citizens. Everyone contributes to the development of society, enriches it with their individuality and specificity and adds an additional shade to our culture. And the closer we get to each other, the more we observe each other’s concerns and aspirations, the more we find an incalculable sum of commonalities and common values.
However, although this observation seems obvious, it must be repeated publicly. Because we know, sometimes, some prefer to insist on what differentiates us rather than what brings us together.
So, it should be remembered: it is the multiplication of our knowledge, our experiences and our know-how that allows our company to develop and deploy. Equity, diversity and inclusion are the backdrop for any open society. And the main secret of this recipe is communication.
As players in economic life, we consider it our duty to get our hands dirty, and to highlight the importance of living together. The economic world does not only have qualities, but it has this virtue which tends to bring together. The best way to increase our prosperity is by talking to each other, by exchanging, and by reducing social inequalities and by offering equal opportunities to as many people as possible.
For example, the labor shortage that affects all sectors of activity would be partly alleviated if we finally gave an equal opportunity to all those who are currently far from the labor market. Think of members of the LGBTQ + community, cultural communities as well as Indigenous communities, seniors, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, and many others. This is one of the short-term solutions of opening up to “the other”.
You have to add up everyone’s contribution and leave no one behind. In doing so, we multiply our chances to grow, prosper, and avoid divisions. It is characteristic of living together and we are committed to working even more actively to promote it.
* Co-signers: Thierry arnaud, president of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Quebec; Hector Giraldo, Director General of the Quebec and Latin America Chamber of Commerce (QUÉtAL); Caroline codsi, president and founder of Gouvernance au feminin; Daniele Henkel, businesswoman and business owner Danièle Henkel; Patrick Desmarais, President of the Fondation Émergence; Jenny Ouellette, president and co-founder of BonBoss; Martin Duchaîne, director of Défi Montréal; Severine Labelle, CEO of Evol; Gwenaelle Thibaut, President of Ensemble Inc .; Winston Chan, member of the board of directors of the Canadian National Coalition to Combat Anti-Asian Racism and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec
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