Positive News for 2024 plus Bridging Art, Finance, and Social Impact, 05/01/2024

RTL Today - The Lisa Burke Show

Sasha, Steve and Lisa delve into a positive look towards 2024. Plus Catherine Wurth tells us about a competition for Social Entrepreneurs. And Patrizia Luchetta talks about an upcoming Art Endeavour.
And Patrizia Luchetta talks about an upcoming Art Endeavour.
As we step into the new year, Sasha Kehoe and Steve Miller chat about some positive news ahead for Luxembourg and more globally.
As we step into the new year, Sasha Kehoe and Steve Miller chat about some positive news ahead for Luxembourg and more globally.
1. New Government and Promised Tax Cuts
Luxembourg welcomes a new government bringing with it promises of major tax cuts. The economy is also set to recover somewhat in 2024.
2. Salary and Pension Increases
The latest predictions indicate that salaries and pensions are set to increase by 2.5%, providing a boost to the standard of living for many residents.
3. Cross-Border Work Agreements with Germany
Recent agreements between Germany and Luxembourg extend the flexibility for German workers. From January 1st, German workers can now work from home for 34 days a year, compared to the previous allowance of 19 days.
4. Tram Expansion to National Stadium
Luxembourg's tram network is set to expand, reaching the National Stadium. Luxtram expects the completion of the southern section in 2024, with the final five stops along the Bonnevoie-Cloche d'Or stretch becoming operational throughout the year.
5. Sporting and Cultural Highlights
Luxembourgers have a lot to look forward to in 2024, with potential participation in the final round of the European Football Championship in Germany and representation at the Olympic Games in Paris.
And, after a 30-year hiatus, Luxembourg proudly makes its comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest, with the representative to be revealed on January 27.
6. Super Election Year
2024 will be a super election year: almost half of the world's population live in countries where elections will be held. A new president will be elected in around 30 countries and the composition of parliament in around 20 others.
Luxembourg is braced for a super election year with social elections in May and a new European Parliament election in June.
In the USA - will Trump be back?
Russia - the opposition seems eliminated.
India: Prime Minister Modi is the favourite
European elections: a test for the right-wing populists
Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg: AfD are currently ahead in the polls
Will Mexico have its first female president?
Iran will host its first election after mass protests, although many believe it won’t be democratic.
A UK election is also set for October it seems. Will Labour win?
To continue the positive theme, there are more women in national parliaments. Women occupy 27% of seats, double the number of 1990.
7. EU expansion?
EU membership talks are set for Ukraine and Moldova. And the EU will be more accessible as better train links are opened up across the continent.
8. Positive Global Trends
There are some uplifting global trends including:
Lives are getting longer again (after a pandemic hiatus) with 73 the mean age now.
World GDP per capita continues to rise: it’s now $17,500 (2022) compared to $10,000 in 1997.
World inequality, although still acute, has lessened. 10% of people with the highest income have 55% of the total wealth. This is less than in 2000.
9. Medical Successes
Malaria vaccines have arrived and already impacted positively infant mortality. Dementia cases have decreased by 30% in 15 years.
New brain implants gave a voice to people who cannot speak through measuring the brain’s electrical signals and use AI to distinguish the patterns associated with each phoneme.
Anti-obesity drugs made headlines with Ozempic and Wegovy which regulate satiety and achieve dramatic weight loss. They have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure and stroke.
HIV drugs have prevented 21 million deaths since 1996.
There are fewer suicides in the world. The suicide rate per 100,000 people has dropped 35% in 25 years.
10. A few final positives
University students have doubled in 20 years. Some 39% of boys and 45% of girls of study age are enrolled in tertiary education.
New emojis were released, including Sasha’s favourite - the jellyfish, and the shaking head.
Generative artificial intelligence continues its amazing advances and will continue to be a story throughout 2024.
Solar energy is growing exponentially. The world has doubled installed capacity in four years.
We discovered that chatting makes us happy. If we rate our happiness as a 6 out of 10, after chatting with a friendly stranger, that number rises to 7.
And the ozone layer will completely recover. Thirty-five years ago, the Montreal Protocol decreed the elimination of 96 chemical substances (aerosols and refrigerants) that were opening a hole in the barrier that protects us from ultraviolet radiation. It was a brilliant success.
ESG in Action
Catherine Wurth, the Head of Sustainability at BGL BNP Paribas since 2021, shares her insights into the significance of social entrepreneurship for banks and introduces the Act for Impact initiative.
Catherine Wurth brings a wealth of experience in sustainable finance, microfinance, and social entrepreneurship. Having lived and worked in Paris, London, and Berlin, her global perspective informs her commitment to driving positive change. As a board member of Microlux, a Luxembourg microfinance institution, Catherine actively contributes to the sector's growth and impact.
Act for Impact: A Holistic Approach to Social Entrepreneurship
Launched in 2019, Act For Impact is a pioneering initiative that goes beyond traditional banking services. Social enterprises receive specialized support from advisors with relevant training and expertise from the BNP Paribas Group in Luxembourg. Moreover, Act For Impact provides free access to facilities in Kirchberg for events, meetings, and workshops, fostering a collaborative environment for social entrepreneurs to thrive.
MyComForImpact: Amplifying Social Impact through Communication
My Com For Impact is a competition in partnership with the communication agency Mikado. Open to all Luxembourgish social enterprises, this competition offers a unique opportunity for the winner to design a tailored communication/marketing campaign, accelerating their positive impact by gaining visibility.
Catherine explains:
"Social enterprises offer innovative solutions to solve social and environmental problems. In Luxembourg and beyond, the will to change consumption is present, but often these solutions are not well known. That's why we thought, here we can have an impact as a bank, offer our expertise together with Mikado, share the winners with our communities, employees, clients, etc”
To be eligible to apply you need to be in existence for at least one year, have a strong social and environmental impact, and a steady growth in budget / turnover. The competition deadline is January 21st, with the award event scheduled for March 19th. The winner will receive substantial support, including a marketing and communication campaign, personalised coaching, and support from both BGL BNP Paribas and Mikado.
Art Meets Activism: The ART of CHANGE Project
Patrizia Luchetta, working with a range of artists is about to embark on an art-meets-ESG project, "The ART of CHANGE – creatives (on the) move.” She is joined in the studio by videographer Sobhan Naderi, founder of Naderi Production, and visual artist Mia Kinsch.
The idea is to develop five documentaries in five different cities, showcasing women artists using their craft to raise awareness of the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
Patrizia Luchetta, co-founded Charlotte in Red, a platform which amplifies the voices of female artists who use their creative work to support and raise awareness about the UN’s Agenda 2030.
Initiating Dialogue through Art and Corporate Collaboration
The heart of the project lies in initiating a dialogue between artists and the corporate world. Each city will host a round-table discussion between artists and business.
Mia Kinsch talks about how she uses art to elaborate on her experience of being a woman, trying to use art to bring that understanding to the world at large.
The documentary production will be handled by Naderi Production, and is a non-profit initiative, with fundraising efforts underway for the first Luxembourg-based documentary, serving as a pilot for the series.
Connect with the Guests:
Catherine Wurth: LinkedIn
My Com For Impact | BGL BNP Paribas
Mia Kinsch: Website
Patrizia Luchetta: LinkedIn, Charlotte in Red
Sobhan Naderi: As we step into the new year, Sasha Kehoe and Steve Miller chat about some positive news ahead for Luxembourg and more globally.
1. New Government and Promised Tax Cuts
Luxembourg welcomes a new government bringing with it promises of major tax cuts. The economy is also set to recover somewhat in 2024.
2. Salary and Pension Increases
The latest predictions indicate that salaries and pensions are set to increase by 2.5%, providing a boost to the standard of living for many residents.
3. Cross-Border Work Agreements with Germany
Recent agreements between Germany and Luxembourg extend the flexibility for German workers. From January 1st, German workers can now work from home for 34 days a year, compared to the previous allowance of 19 days.
4. Tram Expansion to National Stadium
Luxembourg's tram network is set to expand, reaching the National Stadium. Luxtram expects the completion of the southern section in 2024, with the final five stops along the Bonnevoie-Cloche d'Or stretch becoming operational throughout the year.
5. Super Election Year
Luxembourg is braced for a super election year with social elections in May and a new European Parliament election in June.
6. Sporting and Cultural Highlights
Luxembourgers have a lot to look forward to in 2024, with potential participation in the final round of the European Football Championship in Germany and representation at the Olympic Games in Paris.
And, after a 30-year hiatus, Luxembourg proudly makes its comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest, with the representative to be revealed on January 27.
7. Super Election Year
2024 will be a super election year: almost half of the world's population live in countries where elections will be held. A new president will be elected in around 30 countries and the composition of parliament in around 20 others.
In the USA - will Trump be back?
Russia - the opposition seems eliminated.
India: Prime Minister Modi is the favourite
European elections: a test for the right-wing populists
Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg: AfD are currently ahead in the polls
Will Mexico have its first female president?
Iran will host its first election after mass protests, although many believe it won’t be democratic.
A UK election is also set for October it seems. Will Labour win?
To continue the positive theme, there are more women in national parliaments. Women occupy 27% of seats, double the number of 1990.
8. EU expansion?
EU membership talks are set for Ukraine and Moldova. And the EU will be more accessible as better train links are opened up across the continent.
9. Positive Global Trends
There are some uplifting global trends including:
Lives are getting longer again (after a pandemic hiatus) with 73 the mean age now.
World GDP per capita continues to rise: it’s now $17,500 (2022) compared to $10,000 in 1997.
World inequality, although still acute, has lessened. 10% of people with the highest income have 55% of the total wealth. This is less than in 2000.
10. Medical Successes
Malaria vaccines have arrived and already impacted positively infant mortality. Dementia cases have decreased by 30% in 15 years.
New brain implants gave a voice to people who cannot speak through measuring the brain’s electrical signals and use AI to distinguish the patterns associated with each phoneme.
Anti-obesity drugs made headlines with Ozempic and Wegovy which regulate satiety and achieve dramatic weight loss. They have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure and stroke.
HIV drugs have prevented 21 million deaths since 1996.
There are fewer suicides in the world. The suicide rate per 100,000 people has dropped 35% in 25 years.
10. A few final positives
University students have doubled in 20 years. Some 39% of boys and 45% of girls of study age are enrolled in tertiary education.
New emojis were released, including Sasha’s favourite - the jellyfish, and the shaking head.
Generative artificial intelligence continues its amazing advances and will continue to be a story throughout 2024.
Solar energy is growing exponentially. The world has doubled installed capacity in four years.
We discovered that chatting makes us happy. If we rate our happiness as a 6 out of 10, after chatting with a friendly stranger, that number rises to 7.
And the ozone layer will completely recover. Thirty-five years ago, the Montreal Protocol decreed the elimination of 96 chemical substances (aerosols and refrigerants) that were opening a hole in the barrier that protects us from ultraviolet radiation. It was a brilliant success.
ESG in Action
Catherine Wurth, the Head of Sustainability at BGL BNP Paribas since 2021, shares her insights into the significance of social entrepreneurship for banks and introduces the Act for Impact initiative.
Catherine Wurth brings a wealth of experience in sustainable finance, microfinance, and social entrepreneurship. Having lived and worked in Paris, London, and Berlin, her global perspective informs her commitment to driving positive change. As a board member of Microlux, a Luxembourg microfinance institution, Catherine actively contributes to the sector's growth and impact.
Act for Impact: A Holistic Approach to Social Entrepreneurship
Launched in 2019, Act For Impact is a pioneering initiative that goes beyond traditional banking services. Social enterprises receive specialized support from advisors with relevant training and expertise from the BNP Paribas Group in Luxembourg. Moreover, Act For Impact provides free access to facilities in Kirchberg for events, meetings, and workshops, fostering a collaborative environment for social entrepreneurs to thrive.
MyComForImpact: Amplifying Social Impact through Communication
My Com For Impact is a competition in partnership with the communication agency Mikado. Open to all Luxembourgish social enterprises, this competition offers a unique opportunity for the winner to design a tailored communication/marketing campaign, accelerating their positive impact by gaining visibility.
Catherine explains:
"Social enterprises offer innovative solutions to solve social and environmental problems. In Luxembourg and beyond, the will to change consumption is present, but often these solutions are not well known. That's why we thought, here we can have an impact as a bank, offer our expertise together with Mikado, share the winners with our communities, employees, clients, etc”
To be eligible to apply you need to be in existence for at least one year, have a strong social and environmental impact, and a steady growth in budget / turnover. The competition deadline is January 21st, with the award event scheduled for March 19th. The winner will receive substantial support, including a marketing and communication campaign, personalised coaching, and support from both BGL BNP Paribas and Mikado.
Art Meets Activism: The ART of CHANGE Project
Patrizia Luchetta, working with a range of artists is about to embark on an art-meets-ESG project, "The ART of CHANGE – creatives (on the) move.” She is joined in the studio by videographer Sobhan Naderi, founder of Naderi Production, and visual artist Mia Kinsch.
The idea is to develop five documentaries in five different cities, showcasing women artists using their craft to raise awareness of the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
Patrizia Luchetta, co-founded Charlotte in Red, a platform which amplifies the voices of female artists who use their creative work to support and raise awareness about the UN’s Agenda 2030.
Initiating Dialogue through Art and Corporate Collaboration
The heart of the project lies in initiating a dialogue between artists and the corporate world. Each city will host a round-table discussion between artists and business.
Mia Kinsch talks about how she uses art to elaborate on her experience of being a woman, trying to use art to bring that understanding to the world at large.
The documentary production will be handled by Naderi Production, and is a non-profit initiative, with fundraising efforts underway for the first Luxembourg-based documentary, serving as a pilot for the series.
Connect with the Guests:
Catherine Wurth: LinkedIn
My Com For Impact | BGL BNP Paribas
Mia Kinsch: Website
Patrizia Luchetta: LinkedIn, Charlotte in Red
Sobhan Naderi: As we step into the new year, Sasha Kehoe and Steve Miller chat about some positive news ahead for Luxembourg and more globally.
1. New Government and Promised Tax Cuts
Luxembourg welcomes a new government bringing with it promises of major tax cuts. The economy is also set to recover somewhat in 2024.
2. Salary and Pension Increases
The latest predictions indicate that salaries and pensions are set to increase by 2.5%, providing a boost to the standard of living for many residents.
3. Cross-Border Work Agreements with Germany
Recent agreements between Germany and Luxembourg extend the flexibility for German workers. From January 1st, German workers can now work from home for 34 days a year, compared to the previous allowance of 19 days.
4. Tram Expansion to National Stadium
Luxembourg's tram network is set to expand, reaching the National Stadium. Luxtram expects the completion of the southern section in 2024, with the final five stops along the Bonnevoie-Cloche d'Or stretch becoming operational throughout the year.
5. Super Election Year
Luxembourg is braced for a super election year with social elections in May and a new European Parliament election in June.
6. Sporting and Cultural Highlights
Luxembourgers have a lot to look forward to in 2024, with potential participation in the final round of the European Football Championship in Germany and representation at the Olympic Games in Paris.
And, after a 30-year hiatus, Luxembourg proudly makes its comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest, with the representative to be revealed on January 27.
7. Super Election Year
2024 will be a super election year: almost half of the world's population live in countries where elections will be held. A new president will be elected in around 30 countries and the composition of parliament in around 20 others.
In the USA - will Trump be back?
Russia - the opposition seems eliminated.
India: Prime Minister Modi is the favourite
European elections: a test for the right-wing populists
Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg: AfD are currently ahead in the polls
Will Mexico have its first female president?
Iran will host its first election after mass protests, although many believe it won’t be democratic.
A UK election is also set for October it seems. Will Labour win?
To continue the positive theme, there are more women in national parliaments. Women occupy 27% of seats, double the number of 1990.
8. EU expansion?
EU membership talks are set for Ukraine and Moldova. And the EU will be more accessible as better train links are opened up across the continent.
9. Positive Global Trends
There are some uplifting global trends including:
Lives are getting longer again (after a pandemic hiatus) with 73 the mean age now.
World GDP per capita continues to rise: it’s now $17,500 (2022) compared to $10,000 in 1997.
World inequality, although still acute, has lessened. 10% of people with the highest income have 55% of the total wealth. This is less than in 2000.
10. Medical Successes
Malaria vaccines have arrived and already impacted positively infant mortality. Dementia cases have decreased by 30% in 15 years.
New brain implants gave a voice to people who cannot speak through measuring the brain’s electrical signals and use AI to distinguish the patterns associated with each phoneme.
Anti-obesity drugs made headlines with Ozempic and Wegovy which regulate satiety and achieve dramatic weight loss. They have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure and stroke.
HIV drugs have prevented 21 million deaths since 1996.
There are fewer suicides in the world. The suicide rate per 100,000 people has dropped 35% in 25 years.
10. A few final positives
University students have doubled in 20 years. Some 39% of boys and 45% of girls of study age are enrolled in tertiary education.
New emojis were released, including Sasha’s favourite - the jellyfish, and the shaking head.
Generative artificial intelligence continues its amazing advances and will continue to be a story throughout 2024.
Solar energy is growing exponentially. The world has doubled installed capacity in four years.
We discovered that chatting makes us happy. If we rate our happiness as a 6 out of 10, after chatting with a friendly stranger, that number rises to 7.
And the ozone layer will completely recover. Thirty-five years ago, the Montreal Protocol decreed the elimination of 96 chemical substances (aerosols and refrigerants) that were opening a hole in the barrier that protects us from ultraviolet radiation. It was a brilliant success.
ESG in Action
Catherine Wurth, the Head of Sustainability at BGL BNP Paribas since 2021, shares her insights into the significance of social entrepreneurship for banks and introduces the Act for Impact initiative.
Catherine Wurth brings a wealth of experience in sustainable finance, microfinance, and social entrepreneurship. Having lived and worked in Paris, London, and Berlin, her global perspective informs her commitment to driving positive change. As a board member of Microlux, a Luxembourg microfinance institution, Catherine actively contributes to the sector's growth and impact.
Act for Impact: A Holistic Approach to Social Entrepreneurship
Launched in 2019, Act For Impact is a pioneering initiative that goes beyond traditional banking services. Social enterprises receive specialized support from advisors with relevant training and expertise from the BNP Paribas Group in Luxembourg. Moreover, Act For Impact provides free access to facilities in Kirchberg for events, meetings, and workshops, fostering a collaborative environment for social entrepreneurs to thrive.
MyComForImpact: Amplifying Social Impact through Communication
https://www.bgl.lu/en/csr/civic-responsibility/my-com-for-impact.html
My Com For Impact is a competition in partnership with the communication agency Mikado. Open to all Luxembourgish social enterprises, this competition offers a unique opportunity for the winner to design a tailored communication/marketing campaign, accelerating their positive impact by gaining visibility.
Catherine explains:
"Social enterprises offer innovative solutions to solve social and environmental problems. In Luxembourg and beyond, the will to change consumption is present, but often these solutions are not well known. That's why we thought, here we can have an impact as a bank, offer our expertise together with Mikado, share the winners with our communities, employees, clients, etc”
To be eligible to apply you need to be in existence for at least one year, have a strong social and environmental impact, and a steady growth in budget / turnover. The competition deadline is January 21st, with the award event scheduled for March 19th. The winner will receive substantial support, including a marketing and communication campaign, personalised coaching, and support from both BGL BNP Paribas and Mikado.
Art Meets Activism: The ART of CHANGE Project
Patrizia Luchetta, working with a range of artists is about to embark on an art-meets-ESG project, "The ART of CHANGE – creatives (on the) move.” She is joined in the studio by videographer Sobhan Naderi, founder of Naderi Production, and visual artist Mia Kinsch.
The idea is to develop five documentaries in five different cities, showcasing women artists using their craft to raise awareness of the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
Patrizia Luchetta, co-founded Charlotte in Red, a platform which amplifies the voices of female artists who use their creative work to support and raise awareness about the UN’s Agenda 2030.
Initiating Dialogue through Art and Corporate Collaboration
The heart of the project lies in initiating a dialogue between artists and the corporate world. Each city will host a round-table discussion between artists and business.
Mia Kinsch talks about how she uses art to elaborate on her experience of being a woman, trying to use art to bring that understanding to the world at large.
The documentary production will be handled by Naderi Production, and is a non-profit initiative, with fundraising efforts underway for the first Luxembourg-based documentary, serving as a pilot for the series.
Connect with the Guests:
Catherine Wurth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-wurth-91a84049/
My Com For Impact | BGL BNP Paribas https://www.bgl.lu/en/csr/civic-responsibility/my-com-for-impact.html
Patrizia Luchetta: https://www.charlotteinred.com/
Mia Kinsch: https://www.miakinsch.com/
Sobhan Naderi: https://naderiproduction.com/about-naderi-productions/