FECAVA Newsletter 🎄 Merry Everything and Happy Always

Dear FECAVA Members, our Colleagues across the World and dear Friends,

The past year has been anything but ordinary. The unnerving combination of war, inflation, energy scarcity, and climate change wasn’t what anyone expected as life was just beginning to move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been a tough year, both personally and for global professional development. As we turn a new corner, we will stay reminded of this year’s pivotal moments and their lessons for a long time.

But 2022. has also proven to be a year of resilience. I hope we will continue looking for a lens on the images that will help bring our insights to life and how to embrace it positively. Even if it is only a flower blooming on a leafless branch or a few bright colors on a dark background, I wish these images paint a vivid picture of a world on the path toward sustainable and inclusive growth.

Prioritising mental health and well-being for everyone within our profession stays imperative. In 2022, alarming news headlines, everyday professional challenges, and a global economic crisis affected people's mental well-being worldwide. We should not forget that hope springs eternal. A renewed focus on self-care and mental health can lead to a brighter, more fruitful outcome.

Frequently, we should ask ourselves - are we searching the right talent pools? FECAVA strengthened connections with new generation of our younger colleagues and veterinary students. We are learning a lot and we understand that implementing new ways to attract and retain talent is a necessity.

We continue to embrace the diversity of our profession. Members of our FECAVA community highlighted the many lessons learned—the resilience, preparation, and adaptable leadership—needed to secure a healthier global future. With an eye toward the future, the time will come to breathe a collective, liberating sigh of relief.

How can individuals use their influence for positive change?
Being a force for good is not just about funding but also about creating a framework for action and impact. The commitment is an ongoing journey. Like waves in an ocean, deciding to be a force for good can have ripple effects on others. FECAVA proved that by helping those who needed it most in 2022. Even in the most dysfunctional times and places, progress is being made. Things are getting better, even if you sometimes have to squint to see it. And as we continued to extract the possible from the impossible, this year taught us, above all, that our voices—no matter how big or small—can change the world.

All of this was possible only with the continuous support of each of you, wherever you are based in this world. FECAVA sincerely Thank you!

Huge thank you goes to all colleagues in our working groups and project committees who are our constant inspiration and FECAVA's powerful engine.

On behalf of the entire FECAVA board and FECAVA Council, we wish you and your families a Happy festive season and good health in the hope for a peaceful 2023!

Denis Novak
FECAVA President

P.S. To cap the year, we ask you to send us one good-news story that we might have missed within our profession or wider. We will be happy to share it across FECAVA media channels.