I have spent my life advocating for workers’ rights, fair wages, and a just transition – a framework designed to ensure that as economies shift (particularly in response to climate change and technological advancements) workers and communities are not left behind. As the former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation and the former President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, I have seen firsthand how collective action can drive meaningful change; and since 2017, I have been a member of The B Team. Through these experiences, I have come to believe that in times of uncertainty, the greatest source of resilience is not found in institutions or policies alone, but in the power and the solidarity of community.

This past week alone, we have witnessed markets rattled by sweeping tariffs and trade tensions, adding yet another layer of stress to already vulnerable economic systems. Around the world, workers are contending with increasingly precarious reality: exploitation, diminishing rights, and economic uncertainty that leave many struggling to secure justice. Rising inflation, climate change, and growing inequality have left most people understandably shaky and frightened about the future. Short-term policy decisions only amplify that fear. Governments and global frameworks must be part of the solution but at present, they seem unable – or unwilling – to ameliorate the many issues that are sowing deep divisions within countries and between them.

There is a tendency to talk about these problems and, sometimes, to even idolize them, but I fear that fixating on what’s flawed won’t move us any closer to progress. Instead, I would urge us to find solace and strength in communities, nationally and internationally. And to consider that when we renounce the tendency to turn inward and instead deliberately convene and collaborate, we realize that we have more in common than we might have perceived. This doesn’t mean that people won’t have differences but, rather, that their differences won’t destroy our democratic strengths.

Strength in numbers

When people come together, they create community and become united in a sense of trust that allows them to confront and even conquer the most formidable challenges. We saw this in early March when Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought severe weather to a significant swath of Australia’s northern coastline. As schools and shops shuttered, public transportation was suspended, and event sites were transformed into sandbag stations, people engaged in powerful acts of collective care that demonstrated their solidarity and humanity.

Community groups and nonprofits distributed warm meals. Neighbors helped clean up debris and fallen trees that littered roads and humbled homes. Day centres pivoted and became round-the-clock shelters to provide homeless people with safe places to sleep. Volunteers from opposing political parties even put rivalries aside, creating a bipartisan Brisbane sand army that worked harmoniously to distribute life-saving supplies. And as 450,000 homes lost power, electrical vehicle owners realized they had a secret weapon in their car’s batteries, which could be used to power everything from baby monitors to laptops. Some even registered with “The Chargers,” a People First program that connects EV owners with areas affected by natural disasters.

Moving forward

To be clear, Alfred was a crisis. People could have succumbed to fear and finger pointing. Instead, Australians took action and came together to contain and minimize the damage. They chose resilience, shared responsibility, and role modeling. Equally important, they showed the world that communities have tremendous power and strength – even and perhaps especially – when faced with formidable challenges and obstacles.

Few know these lessons as well as my fellow B Team members. As a diverse group – civil society leaders, philanthropic founders, impact investors, and CEOs – committed to ensuring that business is a force for good and one that demonstrates – through actions, advocacy, and accountability – that profit does not have to come at the expense of people and the planet. My role has always been to insist that workers are paid fair wages; push back against price inflation; or that vital public services should not be privatized but equally that together we can build inclusive, more equitable and sustainable economies.

It is time for us to do more. In a moment of intense anxiety, we must model the resilience and responsibility that was shown during Cyclone Alfred. This means that leaders from around the world must come together and commit to a common set of values, aspirations, and actions. We need to demonstrate that even when there is minimal cooperation amongst governments – and toxic, internecine fighting – we are a united force for just and prosperous transitions.

Sharan Burrow is the Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD) and a B Team Leader. Learn more about Sharan.

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