The global economic crisis, extreme weather, and the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, are among the happenings to be remembered. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Lima to Manhattan discovered when they asked locals: “What will 2010 be remembered for?”
Daily Milena Sepúlveda, 33, Psychologist
For me, the year 2010 will mainly be remembered for the weather variations that continue to intensify and that have left thousands of people without homes and without belongings. This seems to be a new warning reminding us that how we care for our planet is important. [The planet is] something to be nurtured and this should begin with each one of us, at home. And on a larger scale, foreign powers should make a commitment and show evidence of acts that actually stop and diminish damage [to the earth].
Dalila Floriano Zavaleta, 41, Administrator
I will primarily remember this year 2010 that is ending because Mario Vargas Llosa, the famous Peruvian writer, was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. Also, this year will be remembered for the global economic crisis.
Francisco Fanlo Blasco, 36, Security Guard
The global economic crisis with the side effect of several banks needing to be rescued by national governments. The world football [soccer] championship that was organized by South Africa and that Spain won against all odds. The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese citizen who has been incarcerated for 11 years just for asking for more liberty under the Chinese communist dictatorship. There was some reaction from the international community on his behalf; sadly though, economic interests continue to dominate bilateral relationships. The football match that Barcelona won by 5–0 against Real Madrid on Nov. 29.
Isabel Navarro Ubal, 40, Secretary
Chile will be remembered for its bicentennial, for the strong earthquake and tsunami of Feb. 27—the earthquake registered as the fifth largest in the history of the world. For the 33 miners rescued in October and the tragic fire that took the lives of 81 people in the San Miguel prison in Santiago in December. But mainly, it will be remembered for the presidential elections where Sebastian Piñera, a right wing president, was elected ending a period of 20 years of leftist regimes. … It is part of our life, what brings us the opportunity of learning and becoming better persons.
Andy Page, 55, Helicopter Pilot
In the eastern part of Australia 2010 will be remembered for wet weather, the breaking of the drought basically, the breaking of the 10-year drought. It’s gone from being drought-stricken to the total opposite now. The country is flooded, and everyone is a bit sick of rain, instead of seeing no rain.
Jocelyn Strutt, 34, Unemployed Fashion Designer
For me, it’s going to be unemployment [and] definitely, the uncertainty of our troops. I think people really wanted Obama to succeed and there are people who are disappointed. There was this idea that there would be some big unveiling of this new lifestyle for everyone. It didn’t happen. There are those who are realists, and then there are those who are idealists.
Angelica Carlsson, 18, Locksmith
In Sweden, I would say the general election where the far-right Sweden Democrats gained parliamentary representation. That was quite a commotion. Globally, I think the escalation of violence in the Mexican drug wars will be remembered, and of course, the terrible situation with the earthquake in Haiti.
Jana Rostasova, 39, Architect on maternity leave
This year fulfilled our expectations, as on Jan. 23, our girl with a shining smile was born. The happiest was her 9-year older brother. So after nine years, a star has fallen again to us.
Emlyn Hughes, 31, Web Developer
Probably the end of the recession for New Zealand. They’re over the initial fears, and it’s played out for a few years now. And a few things have happened and companies have closed down and made redundancies. It feels like there’s a bit more confidence returning. We were a little bit unaffected in that a lot of the clients were from overseas. We might have even been seen as a cheaper alternative so for us it wasn’t too bad; we’ve grown through that.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What is your favorite/special food for this time of year?”
