The key to our economic success and future is job creation. Political parties and governments have differing views, but they are in fundamental agreement that a healthy economy, with good jobs and good paychecks, is necessary to support what any government needs or wants to do.
Never has there been a greater need for those who create jobs to make their voices heard on what’s required to preserve the jobs we have and to increase their number. Ports sit at the heart of this equation for hundreds of thousands of jobs: those in the supply chain, and those that depend on efficient supply chains to move goods to market.
The future will offer increasing global shocks and uncertainty wherever those jobs are and for the people they touch. We need to develop the policies, programs and mechanisms that allow us to adapt to regional, national and global change, because things change quickly. In a flash, global shocks and economic developments that bring change and volatility can come at us faster than we could have imagined, faster than the capacity and adaptability of some to face it head-on.
We need to be bold and fearless in taking on issues and forging linkages that preference or easy practice have put off in the past. We can move to a true triple-bottom-line involving the economy, the environment and the services that sustain our society. But it will take all of us to drive a collaborative effort and to ensure that we provide the leadership and the will to turn that collaboration into the action and the results needed to meet these challenges.
In recent years, there have been some spectacular failures of leadership and institutions. Some have lost hope as a result, and others are cynical. But leadership and action can trump fear and cynicism.
We need to make the changes required to face a future of increasing global shocks and uncertainty with confidence and advancement on our strengths.
People want to work. Let’s do what’s required so they can. That’s a future worthy of our effort.