In 2006, Barack Obama published his famous book ‘The Audacity of Hope’, in which he recounted his political journey to the US Senate.
The book carried a core message: hope has the power to push individuals toward their goals, building on the idea of shared interests within society. He wrote, “We have a stake in one another... what binds us together is greater than what drives us apart. Though we may not be able to solve every problem, we can do something meaningful.”
This message captures the essence of hope — its ability to offer solutions to personal and collective challenges. It is the belief in ourselves and those around us, and the courage to act, that builds a better future. Hope is the path to change, pushing us to work toward our goals despite obstacles.
At its heart, hope is an attempt to improve reality — a belief that tomorrow can be better. It drives action, making those who hold onto it more resilient and determined.
A hopeful person understands the value of the future and works towards it without being discouraged by naysayers or difficult circumstances. Hope helps people build bridges toward opportunities ahead.
Recognising the importance of hope, Unesco declared July 12 the International Day of Hope, calling it “a global necessity in turbulent times.” With the world facing growing uncertainty — political, economic, environmental, and social — there is a need to highlight hope as a moral, psychological, and developmental force.
This day is a celebration of the human value of hope and its role in strengthening mental health, mutual respect, social stability, and sustainable development.
As Unesco describes it, the day is not just symbolic — it is “a global call to action.” It encourages countries to raise awareness about the importance of hope, create environments where it can thrive, and launch media and cultural campaigns that promote values like tolerance, reconciliation, optimism, cooperation, empathy, and adaptability.
Celebrating hope is about recognising the power of transformation. Societies trapped in pessimism cannot build civilisations or make developmental progress. It is through hope that the wheels of progress turn. It gives people the will to act, to innovate, and to change their lives and their communities. No society can reach its goals without the efforts of its people, and that effort is driven by creativity and resilience in the face of challenges.
Hope strengthens psychological well-being, balancing motivation and forward-thinking. It creates a healthy environment for innovation and productivity.
Good mental health supports physical well-being, and both are nurtured by hope. It brings inner peace and the psychological balance needed for progress and creativity.
Because hope underpins sustainable community development, it fuels ambition, effort, commitment, and optimism. It boosts confidence, dialogue, and social cohesion.
When a supportive environment is available, hope can take root and flourish. Celebrating this day during the summer break provides an opportunity to encourage leisure, family bonding, and motivation through trips and shared experiences.
Governorates, especially Dhofar, play an important role in this. Through festivals, cultural and sporting events, and local tourism opportunities rooted in natural beauty and heritage, these governorates can promote family travel and create spaces that inspire happiness, satisfaction, and hope. This, in turn, supports productivity and community contribution.
Expanding recreational opportunities in the hotter summer months can be done with the help of modern technology and the use of indoor spaces. Summer centres in various wilayats have grown in popularity, offering educational and entertainment activities that boost mental health and build social ties.
As we mark the International Day of Hope, we are reminded that hope must become a foundation in our daily lives and in our communities. We must raise awareness of its role in building bridges of understanding, cooperation, and shared purpose. Supporting hope means creating the right conditions for it to grow — through events and programmes that promote inclusion, communication, flexibility, and motivation.
The summer break is the perfect chance to offer such activities — family gatherings, cultural events, and social engagements that help build trust in the community, encourage shared values, and promote volunteering. Hope is more than a feeling; it is a trait that drives sustainable progress and meaningful participation.
Translated by Badr al Dhafri
The original version of this article was published in Arabic in the print edition of the Oman newspaper on July 13
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