PREFACE: AMBITION IN TROUBLED TIMES

I want to address our current reality and share how it makes me feel: the persistent drought, the war in Ukraine, the shift from latent to very visible tensions between rulers worldwide, extremely high energy prices, the rapid and real pressure on our income and well-being, the threat of poverty, the polarised debate, the pressure on the health care and educational sector, etc. These topics have been discussed during many a meal with friends and family. But I notice a growing discomfort, in myself too: do I still enjoy these warm summer days the same way as I used to?

Yet I see a hopeful change: young people are joining civil society organisations and action groups to make their voices heard. Employees are taking to the streets to demand fair wages and address unfair systems. This powerful voice and commitment are a source of hope. It gives me energy to get involved.

I am happy to convert that energy in concrete targets in my own area of work: this new edition of Never Work Alone bears witness to our increased ambition. It is with pride that we present this multilingual magazine with which we address employees from various language groups. More than ever, we seek to connect with their topics and issues. In the printed version of Never Work Alone, you will find extensive articles in one language, supplemented with a summary in the other two. Online at www.nwa-magazine.be you will find all articles in French, English and Dutch.

Ambition gives new energy. Our team of employees has been reconfigured and the cooperation across the linguistic border is enriching. There are new projects in the pipeline. We are putting current and future work-related issues on the agenda. We are supporting as many staff representatives as possible who, together with knowledge workers and managers, make their issues visible in the social dialogue.

You can now also find us on LinkedIn. This allows us to expand our online network of knowledge workers and employees in managerial positions, albeit only in Dutch for now. Come and see us there. Or join us in a dialogue about topics that are close to your heart.

Be inspired by role models such as our staff representatives in companies and organisations, etc. Make yourself visible and invite your colleagues to do the same: listening, speaking and handling. Your input and sense of dialogue is invaluable to help give direction in turbulent times. So we can continue to enjoy warm summers.

Never Work Alone 2022 | Author: Sandra Vercammen | Image: Dries Luyten