thought leadership by Armand Arton Founder and President Arton Capital
THE NEW NORMAL LIFE AFTER THE PANDEMIC A new era of interconnectedness, adaptability and belonging he aftershock of the Covid-19 pandemic has provoked a wakeup call to humanity, triggering a much-needed reflection on what it means to be human. As a global citizen, I have had the pleasure of travelling extensively and discovering the fabric that connects people of all nations living on this planet. This has also generated a great sense of responsibility within me; both for our planet, and for one another. In the face of this epidemic, many have started to realize the significance that globalisation plays in our daily lives. The interaction and the collaboration of people, companies, organisations, and governments are crucial in developing sustainable and universal systems moving forward. WE ARE CONNECTED Although globalisation has helped generate incredible societal diversity, raised millions out of poverty, stimulated economies and innovation, it was clearly moving much faster than societies and institutions can adapt to. Now, governments are prompted to reprioritise their resources and productivity to consider the interest of more than just their own population. This is especially true for global citizens who are embedded with the social conscience to see the world in its entirety as their home. Global citizens have been at the forefront of redefining a new era of citizenship and establishing a bond between person and nation. As demonstrated by the virus— which has unbiasedly infected over two million people worldwide— we are part of one and the same species. Our identities and lifestyles are no longer dictated by where we are born, but rather where we choose to expand our potential and contribute our assets. And this has challenged the status quo of citizenship. Caribbean islands have been at the forefront of championing the value of this newfound era of global citizenship. The concept of Citizenship by Investment (CIP) originated in the Caribbean and has since been adopted across the globe. The CIP industry itself attracts over US$ 20 billion a year in foreign direct investments. Every year, new countries are drawn to the sustainable benefits offered by the industry, boosting tourism, infrastructure, employment, and the overall economy. From a
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THE CITIZEN
