Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has told the people of Wales that there are reasons to hope for the future of Wales as we head into 2023.
With skyrocketing prices on basic goods and interest rate rises hitting those with mortgages things are tough for many in Wales. Add that the NHS under extreme pressure, climate change and the perils of an escalating war in Ukraine and it is easy to feel a sense of despair.
In a wide ranging interview with WalesOnline Mark Drakeford said that he believes he has an "absolute responsibility" to find ways in which people can face the future. "What you cannot do is just bury your head in your hands and feel a sense of despair about things," he said. "I genuinely do believe that the fundamental things in Wales are the things that do give you that ability to feel optimistic about the future because we go on achieving so much by the way in which we mobilise collective action to solve common problems in Wales."
Going back thousands of years, the physical beauty of Wales has also been the Welsh' greatest challenge. The hills and valleys that make up our landscape ahs limited us both in terms of producing food and population. Even when great resources were found in Wales through coal, most of that wealth didn't remain in Wales. Instead it flowed down the newly built railway lines and canals and into the pockets of people beyond the borders. What did remain in Wales was long term health issues and environmental damage. But Mark Drakeford says he believes that the trends of history are about to change.
"Think of things like climate change and the need for a solution to the energy challenge of the world," he said. "Wales is hugely well-placed to be able to do that. And it's not just in prospect – we've got practical things happening now. We have companies, really important companies from around the world, coming in and opening offices in Wales because they see the contribution that Wales can make through offshore wind, onshore wind, and tidal energy. Those are things that the whole world is going to need. Some of those things are happening for the first time here in Wales and our geography, which has been against us in many ways, is suddenly on our side.
"So in some of those big challenges that we face there are genuine reasons to be optimistic here in Wales. For a very small country we do punch above our weight to use that phrase. To have had Wales on the world stage in Qatar, despite the anxieties about that context, Wales was heard about and known in five billion households around the world. We will be there in the Hockey World Cup in India in January. Our netball team will be in South Africa. Look – for a small country Wales does deliver things that gives you some sense of optimism and hope for the future."
You can view the full interview with First Minister Mark Drakeford here.
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