Practically on our doorstep, Russia is bombarding the people of Ukraine in a brutal war. The suffering in the Middle East is leaving nobody cold. The climate crisis is showing its many faces – heavy rain and flooding in southern Germany, dangerous heatwaves in southern Europe as well as Saudi Arabia and the US. Worldwide, one record temperature is following another. The world has become small, and today our lives are affected by what happens even thousands of kilometres away in the Indo-Pacific.

Talking to members of the public, I regularly hear questions like: How can we live in security and peace in Europe while Putin’s regime continues its rampage? What can we do to end the war in the Middle East? How can we curb the climate crisis? Not to mention: How can Made in Germany remain an engine of success for the twenty-first century if we don’t have the skilled workers we need? What will happen to our society if far-right forces, hatred and enmity become socially acceptable again?

Over the coming days, I want to talk to people in different parts of Germany about their worries and fears, as well as their visions, their ideas for how we can tackle things and face up to the challenges of this time together. Because it is people who together make our country strong.

And one thing is clear – putting our heads in the sand will not bring us a single millimetre further. Pessimism is not the answer. Only by working to build our future boldly, creatively and above all together can we as a country and a society emerge from this age of global transformation stronger and more resilient. We can then boost our economy with new global partnerships and with sharp minds from around the world. We can then become a hub for the international energy transition and a driving force for sustainability, efficiency and innovation. And we can then face up – here and elsewhere – to those who believe the world is an à la carte menu that they can pick and choose from. We can work together within the European Union and the international community to counter those who believe that the law of the strong trumps the strength of the law. We must ensure we are armed and equipped for the age that lies ahead of us. Together, we are.