The world is battling the COVID-19 global health emergency, and its social and economic ramifications. It is also racing against the clock to avoid the environmental crisis around the corner. The pandemic has shown us the importance of being prepared when hit. It has also shown us that postponing bold decisions can have huge costs. The health crisis has also brought to light the inequalities and fragility of our societies. At the beginning of the crisis, 40% of households in the developed countries were three months away from poverty. The situation in the most developing nations is even more dire. Children and vulnerable youth are the ones who often draw the shortest straw. Poverty and income inequality can limit severely the chance to emerge stronger in the post-COVID world.