2022 was a year of resilience, hope, growth, and learning, for us at Omidyar Network, and in the world more broadly.
We peeked our head out from under the Covid covers as the pandemic eased and reminded ourselves of the value of human connection. We experienced great triumphs, from the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court to an historic surge in worker organizing.
Eight people joined our staff and we released two Points of View: Trustworthy Messaging Platforms and our Vision to Advance a Responsible Technology Future.
For all these positive advances, there has been real cause for concern as the world continues to confront significant issues. We bore witness to a major war returning to Europe, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Iranian government is continuing its crackdown on legitimate protest. Tension is rising between the US and China. Climate change continues to threaten our future. And inflation has taken a toll on our wallets.
But for all these successes and setbacks, we remain optimistic about the future. We chart our path forward, course correct as needed, and stay steadfast to our mission. As the year closes, we reflect on the year that was and look forward to 2023, together.
Number of Covid cases exceeded 300 million worldwide; number of vaccinations administered worldwide exceeds 10 billion
Microsoft announced its intent to purchase Activision Blizzard, the largest acquisition of a tech company in company history
Beijing hosted Winter Olympics
Russia launched full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the second part of its Sixth Assessment Report, concluding many impacts are on the verge of becoming irreversible.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the second part of its Sixth Assessment Report, concluding many impacts are on the verge of becoming irreversible.
White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment recommended agencies develop job quality metrics to assess the effectiveness of programs aimed at advancing job quality.
Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson nominated to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice in the 230 year history of the Supreme Court.
White House conducted briefing on Tik Tok content for creatorsWhite House conducted briefing on Tik Tok content for creators.
US House passed CROWN Act that would ban race-based hair discrimination.
Amazon warehouse workers voted to form a union in Staten Island, becoming Amazon’s first unionized workplace.
The Datasphere Initiative launched with a mission to responsibly unlock the value of data for all, establishing a UK/EU platform for dialogue, forum for intelligence, and lab for innovation in a fairer data economy.
First monkeypox virus case reported in London.
US House of Representatives voted to allow congressional staff to unionize.
Omidyar Network partner, Massachusetts Is Not for Sale, succeeded in its efforts to defeat a ballot initiative spearheaded by gig companies like Uber, Doordash, and Lyft that would have excluded hundreds of thousands of people working in the gig economy from basic rights and protections of employment.
Supreme Court ruled on Dobbs vs Jackson, effectively overturning Roe vs Wade
- Omidyar Network partner GenZ for Change launched the S.A.F.E.R initiative to extend and fund abortion access as well as spam anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers and anti-abortion tiplines
Italy elected most right-wing government since 1945
Britney Griner released from Russian prison.
Argentina wins the World Cup
January 6 committee holds its last hearing and releases final report
As we go into 2023, we look to the new year with hope. Instead of making a resolution that 80% of us are bound to give up by mid-February, we have been inspired by the idea of choosing one word to guide us.
Our word: Curiosity.
We are going into 2023 with wonder, seeking new ideas and perspectives, learning from our successes and our failures, and adapting to meet the challenges we know that are ahead. We hope you will join us.
