Moral Kaman, 47
Company employee (Bangladeshi)
The economy is bad everywhere, so I'd like to see that rebuilt — and for everyone to be living more peacefully and getting along.

Jill Fleming, 63
Retired public servant (Australian)
No more disasters would be a great start. Last year seemed to be the year of the natural disaster, so I'd like to move past all that.

Maiko Otani, 30
Sales assistant (Japanese)
I'm just hoping for a good year where we can put the past 12 months behind us.

Jeffrey Barry, 60+
English teacher (American)
Tranquility, stability, recovery. The U.S. has brought most of their troubles on themselves, so they really need to look at that as well.

Teruko Kozu, 32
Executive assistant (Japanese)
Love and peace. And smiles! If everyone is smiling then everything will be good!

Ray Wills, 33
Retailer (Australian)
A better year than 2011! To simply put things back together again — and a little more calmness than last year would be good.