Crossing Borders

BLOG - Crossing Borders

As you have come to expect from me, I like to share my reflections at the end of the year. The hectic rhythm of everyday life is working towards a peak before Christmas, as if the end of the world is near. Like we're pulling off the motorway for a short refuelling or (increasingly) a longer charging break. After which, with a full tank or recharged battery, we merge back into the new year towards the rush-hour lane on our way to new success or failure (or bad luck). During a charging break, it also helps to take a moment to adjust the navigation: where are we coming from and where are we going?

Over the past few years, I have repeatedly referred to the election of the 'Word of the Year', as this is simply a convenient stepping-stone for the 'Story of Year 20XX'. The winner of 2022 has meanwhile been announced, but my word is without a doubt the word BORDER.

'THE BORDER' is the biggest common denominator of the past year. Because it is both literally and figuratively a demarcation we can bump into or pass through.

Between territories and spheres of influence

Wikipedia distinguishes natural borders where seas, rivers or mountains make passage difficult. But there are also borders between states that are defined by treaties. There are administrative borders, between states, provinces or municipalities. Or borders between different language areas. Differences of opinion can arise over the framing of geographical areas on the map. The most poignant recent example of this is Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February last. 

Between reality and delusion

So the Border also has a metaphorical meaning: the distinction between reality and delusion. A boundary that has been increasingly blurred by individualism, social media, conspiracy theories or falsification of history. And which subsequently also provides states with a justification to impose their will and truth on neighbours. Recently, however, there have also been signs of a returning need for more reality and interpretation. The 'military operation', despite the aggressor's propaganda, has also been exposed domestically as a brutal and horrifying 'war'. The conspiracy thinkers are on their toes with the Pandemic's extinction. The 'alternative reality' of Brexit and stolen elections seems to have reached a limit. 

Between past and present

The past year has also been much about transgressive behaviour, where lines were crossed in sports, entertainment, media, government and business. Here, it is mostly about creating an inclusive, diverse, fair and safe environment in modern societies. And we are not only talking about shifts in norms and values and the way we treat each other, but also about today's glasses with which we (re)view developments from the past, or vice versa. And on the basis of which we measure each other, embrace, exclude and/or require each other to adapt. The boundary between past and present is blurring but the contrast between 'North' and 'South' is growing, as we have recently seen in Qatar and Egypt.

Limits to Growth

And that brings us to the most immovable boundary. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Club of Rome's report 'Limits to Growth - a global challenge'. Since that year, 1972, the world's population has more than doubled to 8 billion people, and we see that we are running up against the limits of what Mother Earth can handle. This year, even before the end of July, WE as 8 billion consumed the resources that 'SHE' had made available to us for the whole year. SHE is feeling warmer and warmer. The Pandemic over the past 2-3 years made us aware that climate change is a ‘Pandemic in Slow Motion'. After COP 27 and under the influence of the energy crisis, the sense of urgency and optimism about the Paris Agreement has taken a hit, but the current situation can also prompt the acceleration of innovations and the energy transition.

Boundless cooperation: Partnership for the Goals

But as turbulent as 2022 and the preceding years may have been, there are also bright spots. After Brexit and Covid19, the European Union has so far remained united, also in the Ukraine crisis. After World War II and the fall of the Wall, the community of states has gradually put aside its internal borders and disputes and proved its added value in the recent crisis years. By working together on common goals, it sets an example worldwide with joint laws and regulations in the fields of economy and market, products and services, competition, environment and circularity, mobility, etc.

At the sectoral level too, trade associations within Europe cooperate without boundaries. Members join hands to work together on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Something that is classified within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals under SDG 17: 'Partnerships for the Goals'.

A great ambition to which we as Lejeune are happy to contribute, in our quest to support associations to make the transition from sustainable thinking to ACTING.

I wish you happy holidays and a successful 2023!

On behalf of all employees of Lejeune Association Management

Jules Lejeune,
Managing Director