Certainly, we have vital work ahead of us. The threat is such, and this is echoed by many of our contributors in this edition, that if we get it wrong or act too late we may not be given the luxury of hindsight or reflection.
Charities and wider civil society can play a vital role addressing the sense of powerlessness and bewilderment many people feel about a world which can seem to be spinning out of control.
Because if we don’t make a start in addressing this, others will – and in fact, already have.
The far-right, and their sinister, mega-wealthy, elite backers are creating a political project on the back of despair.
Communities that have been failed by government cuts, low pay, homelessness and poverty are now being turned against each other. But those problems have been created by choices made by ministers, not migrants.
An alternative, better future is possible – one rooted in unity, solidarity and inclusion. It’s time to start spreading a different message, one grounded in positivity, about the kind of country we want to be.
That is why TFN and SCVO has been backing the Scotland Demands Better march and rally.
More than 240 groups have joined up to back the campaign, which recognises how people have been failed, but which also cuts across despair by pointing to the transformative solutions that are within our grasp.
This is an important moment – a rare, cross-sector show of unity. Let’s all make it a success which can be built upon.
The stakes, as we see on pages 16 to 24 could not be higher.
Also in this month’s edition, Niall Christie looks at the frontline reality for humanitarian aid workers, two years into the genocide in Gaza. It’s on pages 8 to 14 and I commend it
to you.
This magazine was put together just as a ceasefire was announced. Any cessation in the bloodshed is welcome – let’s hope it lasts and is meaningful. But a ceasefire is not the same as peace.
It is, though, hopefully a beginning – and the words you can read in this month’s magazine have a relevance which goes beyond this current ceasefire deal.
Graham Martin is editor of TFN.
