Dear Members,
Like astronauts returning to earth, we navigate our return to normal life. We went into lockdowns with anxiety. Now as we emerge, we experience “Re-entry Anxiety”. We brace ourselves for the splashdown into the sea of humanity. The sounds and sensations, the crowded streets and malls, the hustle and bustle of normal life seem abnormal.
But just as we adjusted to the stillness of the pandemic, we will adjust to the buzz of normal life, once again greeting family and friends, shopping, travelling, telling stories and relishing dinners cooked by other people. It is in our DNA to adapt in order to survive. With time and without endless virus variants, this pandemic will become a memory of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as we remember whom we lost, how we ached, why we survived, what we gained, when we understood…what really makes us happy, how little we actually need.
This year too, we conducted an electronic AGM as physical meetings were not allowed. Thank you for your support and especially your vote. Your vote matters. It strengthens our organisation. The Board, Executive Committee, Newsletter, Activities and Office teams handled the pandemic disruption with determination and flexibility. When life returns to normal, there will be new programmes to look forward to, starting with our Ambassadors’ Roundtable, at Arendalsuka, Norway’s ‘must-experience’ and biggest ‘festival of democracy’ during calendar week 33. So, if you can, please visit beautiful Arendal with family and friends.
IF stands on the foundation built by the volunteer spirit of past and current members. Thank you for your contribution and your presence that makes International Forum the colourful mosaic it is.
Have a lovely summer!
Anita Pratap
President