Dear all,

I hope you and your families are all safe and healthy in what’s been an unprecedented few weeks for everyone, everywhere, as the world continues to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Uncertainty requires that we all adapt to new ways of living and working, particularly in the wake of daily developments in what is a rapidly evolving situation. There’s no doubt the pandemic has shaken the globe, likely with lasting implications for the way we live our lives, how we do business, how we communicate with one another, and how we consume everyday goods and services. It’s both scary and uncertain – but we are all in this together, and we will get through it, together. 

I very much expect we all know someone being impacted by this crisis, as well as feeling it ourselves, both personally and professionally. I want to reassure you that at Forum for the Future, the health of our international team and the communities they operate in are of utmost importance to us. Together, we are continuing our work to create a more sustainable future, which includes helping our partners to navigate rapidly changing circumstances.

The majority of our staff are now working from home, following government advice and using the vast array of communications technology now available to minimise disruption. With most – if not all - our meetings and workshops moving online, we remain very much open for business.

The climate emergency remains very real and our programmes and partnerships remain focused on continuing to drive change. At Forum, we pride ourselves on embracing complexity and working with ambiguity and in the coming weeks, we will share with you some thoughts, resources and guidance to help you at this difficult time. 

We are also continuing to learn from this dramatic and sudden event about the ways in which the global response to COVID-19 could better equip us to address critical sustainability challenges. 

Will this turbulence catalyse a much-needed reboot of our global financial systems? Can the shift in social norms - from more home working and less travel to a stronger appreciation of social responsibility support sustainability efforts? Can our experiences through COVID-19 strengthen our resilience and leave us better able to cope with uncertainty? My thoughts on these positives are available online.  

The central link between COVID-19 and climate is our humanity. Right now, I am anxious and unsettled – but innovation, compassion and perseverance are prevailing. I am confident we will navigate this turbulence to emerge stronger. 

Stay hopeful, healthy and resilient.

Sally

Dr Sally Uren OBE

Chief Executive

Forum for the Future