In different countries and cultures, people demand a fairer and more sustainable world for post lockdown recovery. A survey conducted in seven countries by the British company A Bird's Eye View reveals common differences and expectations. Respondents from Italy, France, England, Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Nigeria believe that the Coronavirus pandemic can be an opportunity to transform society, the environment and the economy for the better. The study reveals the desire for a fairer and more sustainable world. Almost three quarters of the people (71%) interviewed in the seven countries believe that the "new normal" will definitely change society. Almost nine out of ten (85%) believe that the crisis is "accelerating" changes that should have occurred in any case. Only 25% expect the "old normal" to return. The results of A Bird's Eye View research reveal an amazing spirit of hope in different cultures, countries, economies and societies. Despite fears of financial difficulties, there is a strong sense of solidarity, more than two out of three people interviewed (72%) said they felt positive for the future. In all the countries surveyed, more than nine out of ten said that the recovery should take into account environmental and social as well as economic issues.
People all over the world united on the big issues that matter
Social change is a top priority, 82% say that social problems have grown in importance since the Coronavirus pandemic. More than two out of five (43%) say that social inequality matters to them. Over half of people (52%) want better access to healthcare, reaching 69% in developing countries.
In developed countries, equity is a critical problem. Almost half (47%) want the government to provide fairer wages and better working conditions for teachers, health workers and other roles in essential sectors. Globally, 48% turn to large companies to improve wages and working conditions and 37% ask to improve the distribution of wealth in society. The economy remains high on the agenda. Over half (56%) of people say they are concerned about meeting financial commitments and 54% fear unemployment.
In the developed world, more than two out of five people (45%) want governments to support the recovery of small and medium-sized businesses. A further 49% want investments in transformative sectors such as energy and the low carbon economy. In developing countries, where many workers are part of the informal economy, half (53%) require companies to create safer and more inclusive jobs. Believing in the power and importance of technology, two thirds (65%) expect technology to accelerate changes in the way we live, work and socialize. In developing countries, where infrastructure is lacking, almost half (48%) want the government to improve access to technology and provide national virtual services such as telemedicine and schooling.
People want the government and the community to work together to drive the recovery
A large burden of expectation is for national governments: in almost all countries examined it is the national government that is under observation, above the local government, the NGOs, international organizations, businesses and financial institutions, which are seen as critics of the post-pandemic recovery.
Four out of five people (79%) believe that the community plays an important role in conducting post-Coronavirus recovery. Two out of five (43%) believe that the company will become less individualistic due to Coronavirus and more than half (58%) say they value collaboration with family, friends, communities and colleagues more. Political leaders and regional institutions have a significant role to play, 77% expect local government to take the lead in the recovery.
The environment is a priority
Over two thirds (69%) say that environmental issues have become more important since the start of the pandemic. Well over half of people say that climate change of pollution (62%) (59%) and the scarcity of natural resources (58%) are important problems that affect their daily lives. Almost half of people (46%) expect environmental protection to have a higher priority while we plan for recovery and there are strong expectations from businesses to drive change, 61% want businesses to improve their impact environmental and social.
Italy calls for a green revolution
In Italy over two thirds of people (69%) believe that environmental issues have become more important since Coronavirus struck, 63% are affected by climate change, 57% by pollution. Almost half of Italians (44%) want the government to encourage investment in transformative sectors such as energy and low-carbon technology, and two out of five (41%) believe it is important that the government focus on reconstruction of national infrastructures for recovery and the future.
Italians are ready to make changes to their lifestyle to support a green recovery, more than half (56%) say they will give the environment more priority, a greater proportion than any country interviewed.
The differences between countries highlighted by the study show that the broad global demand for social, environmental and economic change finds different expression in different countries and cultures.
Italy requires an infrastructure revolution . More than two thirds of respondents (69%) believe that environmental issues have become more important since the beginning of the coronavirus, 63% are concerned about climate change and 57% about pollution. Almost half of Italians (44%) want the government to invest in sectors such as energy and low-carbon technologies, 56% say that they will give more importance to the environment.
France is a world leader in placing the environment at the center of its recovery . Almost two thirds (61%) of people in France have invited the government to invest in the low-carbon economy and 90% ask businesses to act on their environmental and social impact.
The UK wants a fairer deal for workers . More than half (52%) want the government to improve wages and working conditions for teachers and health workers, 60% want large companies to offer fairer wages and working conditions and 70% want them to improve their wages and conditions. environmental and social impact.
Peru calls for big improvements in health care and education , 77% of people support an improvement in universal health care, almost 1.5 times the global average. A further 55% investment in healthcare infrastructure, more than any other country. Peru is also the country most likely to require investment in education (50%).
Chile requires a solution to social inequality . Almost two thirds (60%) say that social inequality is a priority issue and they want national and regional government and the community to come together to address it. Over half (58%) believe that society will become less individualistic and more community oriented. Over two thirds expect companies to offer fairer wages and working conditions and 53% want them to improve the distribution of wealth in society.
Indonesia is focused on supporting its informal economy and wants national, regional and local governments to work together to find solutions. Nearly two thirds (60%) want the government to prioritize support for small and medium-sized businesses and 56% ask the government to build a stronger social safety net. Well over half (59%) of Indonesians want companies to create safer and more inclusive workplaces.
Nigeria wants better health care for everyone. People are concerned about the safety of their family (63%), the threat of disease (74%) and equal access to health care (54). Well over two thirds (71%) want the government to improve the provision of universal health care and 53% require better health infrastructure.