Today is New Year’s eve and it’s the time of year we look back on how we’ve done, if the year that went by was good for us, for our family and our friends.
For me 2009 was a busy year, it was the year I joined WHYS and back in April got caught in Mexico City when swine flu was declared an epidemic which was an interesting time but also worrying.
We have already contacted some friends of World Have Your Say and asked them to write to us and tell us how 2009 was for them, and to tell us what expectations they have for coming year. And of course we would like to hear from all of you.
You can make this is personal or political, just post on our site or email us on worldhaveyours@bbc.co.uk . Tomorrow we will record your stories and broadcast them on the programme at 1800 GMT.
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BBC World Have Your Say 
The Good
Obama’s election signalled a promise of change that made most of the world very happy.
The Bad
Obama didn’t yet deliver on the change that he promised and largely continued the policies of the previous 60 years
The Ugly
Most Politicians and media still push an agenda of hatred and division between peoples to promote their own biases and the interests of their masters.
Hope for 2010
Blogs and individual journalism will grow to compete with mainstream media and present another opinion and viewpoint to challenge the distorted images and lies that have been intentionally forcefed to the populations for decades
Thanks to all at WHYS, the team and the contributers for making 2009 engaging!
The world that my life is part of became much worse in 2009 as much of our right to be what we are was lost to the rampaging Western model.
– Because terrorism has no frontiers and the war being waged against it has no front, we are now subject to the possibility of terrorist action and already feel the effects of the reaction.
– As our police force is Americanised and moves further away from the British form of policing that worked, the disconnect between our culture and the way the police force looks and works has seen a coincidental rise in gang related murders which pushed the death toll above five hundred in 2008 and 2009.
40 murders per 100,000 of population!! 3 in the UK and 7.5 in the US. It used to be 9.2 five years ago here. Also contributing is the forced return of many criminals from the US that were born here, went to the US with no criminal record, earned their gang stripes there and then get sent back fully loaded for crime.
– On the good side our sons and their wives are fine and much more tolerant of what is happening as it is all they know, and the grandkids continue to bring us much joy.
It’s been a worrying year; And if we do not start worrying for whatever had gone bad for us, we just don’t try and get better.
The year 2009 was a year of intense wars, especially between Israel and Hamas, the Pakistani government and the Pakistani Taliban, between Sri Lankan forces and Tamil fighters. It was a year of ongoing war in Afghanistan in which the coalition forces suffered their highest casualties in many years. Let’s not forget the other wars in Africa, especially in the DR Congo and the plight of the civilians in Darfur who are caught in the fight between the Suadnese government and the Sudan Liberation Army. The good news is the drastic reduction of violence in Iraq despite the sporadic bombings now and then.
It was also a year of worries and obsessions following the economic downturn which resulted in massive redundancies and the collapse of many financial institutions, especially in developed countries. It was a year of health scare following the spread of swine flue which has so far claimed thousands of lives.
2010 should be a year of hope as the economy of developed countries is showing a sign of recovery. This will have a good impact on developing countries that largely depend on developed countries for their economic exchanges.
As for international political problems, it’s unlikely that they can be solved all at once. They’re too complex to be solved quickly. My hope is that there should be more efforts on the part of political leaders not to make them worse.
Whatever it was, I am glad its over. Will the next one be better? Frankly I don’t think so. Ever since my birth, every year has been worse than the one before. Believe it or not.
2009 was a worrisome and turbulent year, definitely a year for changes, some good and some bad, personally, politically, and economically. The lesson I learned this year was how important independence is, and not to rely on our “trusted” institutions, they aren’t what they seem. It’s just better to see to things yourself. In a lot of ways I feel like I opened my eyes and looked around me for the first time.
2010 is going to be a year of hope for me, but then, the beginning of every year is a time of hope, isn’t it? Like the beginning of the school year with all that fresh blank paper and sharpened pencils.
2009 was not the best of years for me because for the first time in my life i see how people who for no reason are kill as a result of the boko haram crisis that engulf where i am in maiduguri. In 2009 we also face a situation where our president is out of the country with sickness for more than a month. And of course my graduation from university was delayed as a result of ASUU’s five month strike.
Economy, economy, economy…..this is the topic that touched more lives this year than any other issues. The most interesting thing was the see the developing economies take centre stage in every major discussion due to this setback.
Even though the stock market seems to be recovering scores of people are still unemployed, no raises, lost their homes in the mortgage crises, etc. We really need a PORSPEROUS new year in ’10.
Hopefully 2010 will allow everyone to get back to work!!
2009 was a nice year for me.I was only bored by the Cop15 summit which was less of a success.I look forward to a hopeful 2010 full of pomp and colour.World cup is here and we expect much more to come.
Salaam guys,
Well, for me the year 2009 has been full with achievements, little joys, disappointments, crashed dreams, and losses… In the beginning of 2009 I used to be a 5th yr. medical student, and now at the end of 2009 I am a final yr. medical student at Baghdad Medical School, I will be graduating from medical school by mid-July 2010 Inshallah, so for me academically things are thankfully moving forwards in steady steps… Personally my uncle (who used to live with us at our house and was like a father to me) had died in June 2009, in addition of course to so many other sad and crappy personal events that have successfully managed over time to bring me down and crash my heart really bad… As for what 2009 has been like for my Iraq, I’d say : Good beginning, lousy ending… Much love and blessings to all of you guys from Baghdad, the city of pain, hope, and magic tales… Yours forever, Lubna…
Politically, I try to keep in mind a Paul McCartney idea. When you take on an issue, don’t freak out. Instead, break it down into segments and go from there.
If the MSM won’t listen to you, fine. Create your own channels to get your message out.
Personally, I’m really working for a balance. It’s been rough health-wise in many ways. But the other thing is you have to protect yourself. And, you’re not responsible for what others do and say. Maybe that’s been one of the hardest things to keep in mind.
Here’s to a great 2010!
Our perspective on “good” or “bad” is based to a great extent on our expectations.
2009 was the year that showed us that we need to reconsider our expectations and really consider on a personal level what is important to us. In the West we have been enslaved (I know, it diminishes the seriousness of real slavery) to shiny wampum; we remain compliant as long as we can distract ourselves with meaningless excess, our political leaders understand and exploit that. We expect hundred-spoke gold 23″s for the Bimmer but don’t expect peace or justice. In 2010 we should let our politicians know in no uncertain terms that we will not be distracted by illusions of prosperity and that we expect them to act with honor and respect for us and that their corporate masters will not muster enough votes to keep them in office if they continue to sell us out. Happy New Year.
Well, our DOW is back up to 10500, so that’s always good. Too bad Mr Bush was in office for the years before this year.
-Anthony, LA, CA
Pakistan is having yet another bad year, more suicide bombings happened in this year i really hope and pray that this new year may bring peace, harmony, prosperity to this country, i wish people of Pakistan will show some solidarity
A slap of reality to get rid of some of the excess idealism we had was a help. Hopefully it will be at least eight years of mildly prosperous stability in economics and politics before the world gets real stupid again.
At home the traffic became a nightmare, corruption out of control as greed takes a strong hold on Tanzania and Obama rhetoric has become just that. On the plus side, good health, good rain, and the recession proving to be a welcome clean up! I am really looking forward to the new year despite a gloomy political outlook.
Let’s see…
Declared bankruptcy in August, lost my house to foreclosure in October and had my brother die right before Thanksgiving. Not the best of years, I suppose, but it could have been worse.
And next year?
Next year I expect there to be an exceptional amount of good reasons for not turning on the tv.
It is New Year’s eve.
2009 has been a relatively depressive year for many, no thanks to the financial turmoil triggered by the extravagant US.
As for me, things do not turn out that well, albeit still manageable. I take it to be yet another challenging learning experience in my near 67 years of life.
Global peace remains an elusive concept, climate change turns uglier, poor-rich gap keeps widening, but human insatiable greed does not seem to improve despite the economic thrashing.
Can 2010 be a better and brighter year? It all depends, for all the ills of human do not change overnight. Nevertheless, just hope for the best.
acording to me the last year was quite destruvtive for us,and i hope that new year will bring peace and prosperity for us.ThankS
I am happy that the year is ending. My tradition calls me to celebrate but I cannot ignore the fact that there exist caution or refrain to this elation full of ebb and flow. It is/was a year when foolish decisions were taken without much consultation; I am here talking about senseless wars, economic mismanagement and failure of leadership in all levels (copenhagen?) But what can I say finally – we managed to keep our lives on the hold despite provocative news every now and then.
As for the coming year, there will be much abundance of food and other happy go lucky materialism. However, I am doubtful that it is going to be a happier year unless we cap the freedom bottle and only open it after enough consultations. Too much freedom is going to kill this world. Alas! more Stress will be with us though personal survival skills will take us through. Move with caution and watch your back as well.
2009 was undoubtedly one of the toughest year my country has experienced. We approach 2010 with some amount of trepidation as we have a new tax package that will commence January 1, 2010. Our Govt. is in desperate need of revenue, and so we will have to pay!
But I believe once there is life there is hope, and so I chose to cling to hope that our world will become strong and better because of our experience of the last decade and 2009 in particular.
I hope that new aliances will be formed and new friendships forged.
Lets be thankful for the coming year. Lets be more helpful for the new year. Let us be more loving for the new year. That is my hope.
And let the God of hope rule in our hearts.
Taxes and fees are going up a lot in DC in 2010. It will now cost $2/hr to park your car at meters. You have to pay 5 cents tax for every bag from retailers and grocery stores.
Its only humans that make a day, month or year good or bad.
2009 has been a very sad year for me. I lost a much loved cousin in July who had become like a second sister to me. She lost a 26 year battle with a very rare skin cancer. I miss her so much. A friend died of “man flu” aged 54 leaving a lovley wife and 2 children. My “new” neighbour died very rapidly of cancer aged 45 leaving a devastated wife. I do ask why them and not me?
Good point. I support The U.K. Independence Party and we came second in The Eurpoean Elections. Seeing the faces of politicians from “the other” Parties at the count was wonderful. Of cousre it was not shouted from the hill tops as our media tends to be so biased. I still include The BBC in that comment.
Bad point. The Lisbon Treaty was forcebly ratified forcing The UK further into a Federal Europe over which we will have little say. Our sole purpose being the money they get from us.
Bad point. The little amount I have saved for my retirement has become almost worthless thanks to the greed of others.
I see 2010 going even further into a world where the rich get richer and the poor poorer with even less democracy.
Finally Lubna Peace be with You. May you at least achieve your much deserved graduation and may your country finally begin to recover.
Funnily i found 2009 a good one on a localized level. In Sept 08, i saw the writing on the wall and hunkered down and made a 12 month strategy. Consequently 2009 was my best year as a photographer ever. But it must be said, i fully lowered my expectations to ..eating sand by March 09, would be considered a success. I saw friends spend less time chasing the dollar (in absence of many) and more time with friends and family.
On a global level, we seem to continue the bungee jump into the abyss without really knowing if the elastic is attached. If it thought we had learned something that would move us forward, i would be happy but until we in the west learn to wake up and smell the roses instead of blowing through resources to make facsimiles and cooing at how perfect they look, i feel global progress remains an achingly distant concept.
For 2010, i will continue to utilize my feet and the long beach outside my office, greeting those i pass.
For me,this past year has sucked(actualy the past 2).
But that’s o.k.,next year things should get better as soon as work starts.
Or
I sign on to a horrible reality show!-Just joking.
Rob in Florida.
This year was a great exprience for me, in this year i learn alot of things.. but also i lost many people which really close to my heart.. for the next new year i just hope it’ll come with alot of happiness & success for Me and my all dear one’s… InshaAllah!
Hi! I am Pedro Aparicio in Mexico City. From my own point of view, 2009 was a bad year because of the swine flu. We were very concerned about a major outbreak. Fortunately we found out that disease is not necessarily as deadly as it first appeared, most people recover if infected.
It was shocking to hear that all schools would be closed suddenly. The first thing that came to my mind was if there was some kind of civil war, since we are dealing with a lot of issues in this country, such as drug trafficking and the cartels inflicting violence almost everywhere. I strongly believe this is one of the biggest challenges for president “Felipe Calderon”.
In general, I think our lives were definitely impacted by the swine flu. Economically speaking, we suffered from loss of tourism. Our work routine was interrupted. But everyone I know is working harder than ever to learn from this and create a better future for everyone. Despite the setbacks, I think 2010 can bring new opportunities to many of us, and I hope the Mexican government can improve their strategies to win the war against drug dealers and corruption, by investing more money in education.
It was a very good year for me, I resolved some problems that I have been thinking about for many years, in a way that I like. I guess really, my muse and I have come to a mutual agreement. Sheesh, what a mental wrestling match it has been.
So yes, a good year.
I wish the same for you all in 2010, a very good year.
2009 has been a horrible year for freedom. Thanks to ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ Tony Blah and the other traitor and sidekick , the unelected PM Gordon, our freedom was stunted by the signing of the EU Treaty………..the Magna Carta was torn up – without the pernission of the British People. Sadly a lot of them do not even realise what happened.
Merlin
BAD VERY BAD..
Happy new year you crazy cats! 🙂
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And days of old long past.
If millions can be motivated to make Rage Against the Machine the #1 Xmas single, you CAN’T tell me that other things can’t be accomplished.
Happy 2010. Where’s my pizza 😕
It was a terrible year and I don’t see 2010 getting any better. Unemployment, war, terrorism, crime. etc. I have lost hope.
Yes. Good year and bad year.
The good is that the global economic crisis has been easing much of this past year. The good is also that the US has been extricating itself from Iraq at long last, starting from removing US forces from the cities. And let’s pray that this momentum is maintained in spite of the continuing violence (which I found predictable from the start).
The bad is mission creep in Afghanistan, not to mention recent questionable activities in Yemen. The bad is also the botched election in Afghanistan, in Iran, continuing violence in Pakistan, not to mention other parts of the world that fortunately don’t affect the US as directly as Iraq and Afghanistan. The bad is also the stagnated reconstruction effort in Gaza, which can only cause conditions there to fester.
It’s also good that people the world over have gotten more realistic about Obama. Clear thinking among citizens, replacing rock star idolatry, can only be a good thing in the long run.
Other bad things have been political-correctness motivated events such as the Lisbon Treaty and the Copenhagen summit. Formulaic events, mostly for show, lots of pomp, hot air from politicians, vapid cheerleaders, and not much substance. The good thing is, nevertheless, that people the world over seem to be becoming more aware of this. Perhaps even thanks to WHYS.
Here’s to a better 2010. My one overarching hope, that I think covers a multitude of problems, is that people the world over acknowledge, and take on, more personal responsibility for their condition in life.
No year is a good year while we still have the tortured hidden away in enclaves inaccessible to anyone except the torturers. Silly question,? why do they do it?. On this lovely, lonely planet, we have conditions which none of us can even begin to imagine, & noone seems to want to do anything about it. Every nation is implicated, How many more screams, broken bones, torn hearts & bodies must be endured for our world to put itself right. We do a few things right, yes, release a hostage here & there, possibly improve a law to make life better for a lot more, viz: the introduction of a Health Service in the US, & have as a counter weight criminals like the Israeli govt. supported by more destructive aid, arms & ammunition by this same US administration. We’re scraping off the top skin of the only place we have to live, we have millions of slaves to do this, living in utter misery. No, no year can be a good year. As a species we do not deserve this beautiful planet. We are too cruel, greedy, smug, & insensitive to survive. I am grateful I have been able to see so much of it, I only wish i could live long enough to see our species improve its chances of survival, but i don’t hold out much hope. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!.
Like many times before, I sat quietly, hoping the New Year will be a better one for all.
But human beings are human beings — we never change…
2009 showed what world leaders really think about climate change. Those of us who live outside a city know how important it is. Prime ministeres and presidents would do well to live like one of their poorer citizens for a month. I liked the comment by one African leader that the Copenhagen conference would have been better sited in a desert.
I also liked the French New Year celebrations – no fireworks to add to pollution and no extravagant waste of public money going up in smoke. I love fireworks as much as anyone,. but you can’t disagree that they’re a colossal waste and a source of pollution.
Happy New Year, everyone!
well 2009 was not good for my lovely country Pakistan… as everyone knows that our country suffering from different problems at a time like terrorism… inflation and instability of institutions…. but on the other hand 2009 was good for most of the people in world…. so i can’t say that it was a bad year completely.,,,
but now 2009 over & we jumped into 2010 so let me hope and wish that the new year bring lots of peace progress * prosperity in its wake for all of us…. and give some relief to common masses…. and all the best to everyone…!!
Regards!
2009 was better than 2008 that’s for sure. The financial crisis has obviously eased tremendously. The world economy has bottomed out and we are starting to look at tentative signs of growth once more. We are seeing some signs of progress on long neglected issues here in the U.S., like healthcare and climate change. Small steps to be sure, but as we all know, children must take baby steps before learning how to walk and then run.
Economy, economy, economy…..this is the topic that touched more lives this year than any other issues. The most interesting thing was the see the developing economies take centre stage in every major discussion due to this setback.
Even though the stock market seems to be recovering scores of people are still unemployed, no raises, lost their homes in the mortgage crises, etc. We really need a PORSPEROUS new year in ‘10.
Hopefully 2010 will allow everyone to get back to work!!
Each day is a new opportunity to improve upon the day before it. So it will be a good year.
I’ve personally had quite the rocky year with my personal business, but I think globally, the economy is looking up. As long there is proper regulation with the financial industry, things should be fine.
One thing is for certain, the fat cats always have good years. Cynical? Definitely.
I think last year was quit destructive for us.
Last year will never soon forgotten as frighteningly
terrorist attacks and a general sense of insecurity
among citizens changed the face of the city in a
manner never seen before.
Every segment of socity was affected after terrorism claimed unprecedented number of lives and damanged a great deal of public propertty.I can’t hope but may be this year will bring peace and happiness for us.Thanx
This year is easily summarised by the BBC itself, if you watched the New Years eve programme “Top of the Pops” (which supposedly takes a snap-shot of the current music charts from the top 20 to the top song), it was missing any mention of the top selling Rage against the Machine hit, but showed, in full, the tragic “live” performance of the twee No2 song from Cowell’s x factor.
If you wanted an indication of what is in store for us next year you need no more than this to demonstrate we will be served the same corporate line, lies and dis-information we were in 2009.
Ironic that the “Rage” song perfectly encapsulates disenchantment with the current system, that their name proclaims their viewpoint, that they were placed in the No1 position by a popular groundswell of public action but that they can still be effectively silenced by a supposed “free” media funded by our licence fees!!!!!
2009is a very bad year in the history of pakistan.Morr than 400 hundered sucide attacks in every city of Pakistan.bit 2009 is very good year for me
i dont beleive in others,i only beleive in me and think that i can make my own fate,today every human being need a determination to move in a society because discrimination is every where like a polution.so we peaple have to be more strong and determined in every shere of life we must have to live happily in any condition not for those to whom we love but for those who love us.And i beleive that living for others is the way to live a life.
2009 is not realy good year for me and my beloved country. because our country to face terrorism. due to terrorism many people lost their lives which is very sowrrow ful for me.
May God bless our country Pakistan.Ameen
The year which has passed away was the one of the worst year in my life i’ve never been seen… So i just pray to my God that this new year ‘ll come with alot of happiness & peace for me & my country… Ameen!!
new year for me iz like a new era for me to improve ma self more
As a pakistani the year which passed by name 2009 is a very very bad year for me because i face many crucial circumstances in my country,the greatest lost of human lives and i found the instability of the institutions in pakistan,i missed very lovely faces and places in the suicide attack.
BUT
As individually myself i gain a lot in this year because round about all my aims of this period come true,i am very thankful to my GOD and very greatful to sir Imran Habib sb who stand me and make my personality,i am very happy to my 2009…………
if our inner pert is bassed on happiness thats mean we are happy and our inner part is becom sad thats mean the starting year is bad.
2009 is bad year for pakistan….. but it is still good 4 me..
neither it was bad for pakistan , nor it 3was good . . for me it was an average year !
2009 is bad 4 pakistan…. but it is still good 4 me…
As a pakistani the year which passed by name 2009 is a very very bad year for me because i face many crucial circumstances in my country,the greatest lost of human lives and i found the instability of the institutions in pakistan,i missed very lovely faces and places in the suicide attack.
BUT
As individually myself i gain a lot in this year because round about all my aims of this period come true,i am very thankful to my GOD and very greatful to sir Imran Habib sb who stand me and make my personality,i am very happy to my 2009…………
Every day is a great day. Similarly, every year is a great year for this or that reason.
Things can happen worse than what happen / happened / will happen.