Page 3 - Diplomatists Nov

Publisher’s Note

In times of corona, resilience gets the crown
In 2020, resilient leadership has been examined in the extreme, and the challenges continue.
Covid-19 is not the first, nor will it be the last, of high-impact, speedily spreading pandemic to cause

disruption and death on a large scale, upset economies, and roil society. Pandemics are becoming progressively
hard to contain because of a convergence of several global ecological, political, economic and social trends,
including population growth, urbanisation, economic integration, migration and climate change, experts say.
Since COVID-19 became an epidemic, the notion of resilience has been extensively discussed. It’s not
always clear what it means, though. Resilience is the ability to absorb shocks and advance performance
going forward. As a multi-level idea, resilience is assessed at the level of nations, individuals and companies.
Ordinary people around the world have shown extraordinary improvement in shaping practical, socially
and ecologically sensitive solutions to everyday needs.
Covid-19 is an extraordinary, multidimensional blow: physical, psychological, social and economic.
Its overpowering spread and the management reaction of governments across the world have been without
parallel.
Now, the thought-provoking question is what the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic is going to
look like. When the crisis wanes, will we go back to normal? Will we even want to? Or does COVID-19
provide us with an imperative learning experience?
Definitely, the pandemic unlocked hidden energy in governments. The sluggishness and indolence in

governance dissolved without any loss of time as the threat to the common man’s life and livelihood was
perilous. It led to quick decision-making, rapid re-formulation of programmes and policies to reduce the
devastation and provide relief to the susceptible population.

COVID-19 has given us a minute to pause, reflect, and reinvent our way of life. There should be no
repeat of pre-COVID times. We have no option but to adjust. We need to rearrange disparities and create
a more comprehensive society as I greatly miss people’s smiles, now concealed behind masks, and face-
to-face interaction. In these difficult times, sympathy becomes more vital than ever. Let us be more gentle

and support each other, including nature and animals, so that we will come out of this much more resilient
and considerate.
On another note, I am pleased to announce a new partnership between The Diplomatist and Indian

Economic Trade Organization. We truly believe our readers will benefit from this partnership as our models
align beautifully with a focus on providing the best of international stories. The sheer experience of creating a
niche platform from where foreign relations can be analysed for its true worth – an exercise in strengthening
the power of nations to create peace and prosperity.

Linda Brady Hawke
Publisher

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 8 • Issue 9 • November 2020, Noida • 3