At the time of my grandparents, life was kind of a struggle. It often meant working 9 hours per day and six days a week to ensure a better future to the children. Last year my grandfather gave me my grandmother’s engagement ring and he told me he saved up money for one year and paid in instalments to get it. That old fashioned jewel was a source of pride and happiness for him and not only a sentimental object. Our society teaches us to disvalue old objects and to buy new ones. In my future society I wish that, for example, fixing electronics that don’t work or offering (and not just buying) a second-hand product become a new norm. Unfortunately, today, you would more likely pay a new low-quality t-shit 3 euro than ask to a seamstress to fix an old one with the risk of spending more money and time. Buying “new” costs less than fixing the “old” but “you have to be rich to buy cheap products” said Joseph (another grandfather) because cheap products deteriorate faster over time. However, the reality is more complex than that and I question the way in which we value objects in general. Nowadays we are constantly bombarded by commercial advertisements that make people buy more than they need, the cheapest they find or the fancier they can. They make them wishing to buy objects that will end up in a trash or in a basement within the year, to buy products that they cannot afford to portray another image of themselves, to buy cheap low-quality products that hide big ecological and social impacts. In 2040 I see people living with less and giving more importance not only to second hand products but also to the relationship with the other and to the relationship with themselves. I see a Europe that disincentives product advertisements in favour of the promotion of “human services” that help us enhancing our mental and physical wellbeing. We will watch massive public campaigns on the TV channels, on social medias and on the street promoting the benefits of an healthy diet or the importance of being in a good physical shape for diseases prevention and slowing the aging. Psychological support will be free and encouraged not only to overcome personal traumas but also to achieve mindfulness. In 2040 I wish that all the consumers will be able to make more informed choices. Policies will promote not only the consumption of local products but will impose that prices take into account the indirect negative externalities (technical externalities). Consumerism will no longer jeopardise our long-term interests and the satisfaction of our self-actualization needs. I think that in 2040 we will still live in a wealthier society than the one of our grandparents but if we want to live in a happier and more altruistic society, Europe should strongly encourage a new type of consumption.

When you sit in a café in the sun, people talk. The cell phones are gone. You look into each other's eyes and take an interest in each other. Respects differences, sexuality, skin tones and attitudes. They no longer judge each other. There is peace and quiet in the world. No one feels superior to anyone else. The focus is on the contact, interaction and respect between people. There is peace and no stress.

You have invented a technology that effectively breaks down CO2 from the atmosphere and you are back to a world without climate change. The gardens are healthy with beautiful coral reefs and full of fish. In the North there is winter with long periods of snow. Farther south in Europe there are rarer forest fires and normal amounts of rain that give good breeding. There are no climate refugees. They appreciate nature more and seek it out often. Animal welfare is also an important focus area and you eat less meat. Smartphones and computers are used less often, and you are less accessible by phone/mail both privately and at work.

Philosophy/powerstructors/values/all of the above

Always very connected. A detached house that is enough for itself. Photovoltaic panel, water recycling. Have warm in winter and cool in summer. Naturally I have a greenhouse that allows me to eat fruits and vegetables that I produce myself. There will also be cameras for my safety. I would very much like to see other propulsion modes for my vehicle develop, with solar panels to charge my car.

In 2040, the world looked very different than it did twenty years ago. Poland has become a peaceful, safe and united country around common values. The streets were clean, the cities well organized, and people lived in harmony, valuing their traditions and culture. There was an atmosphere of tranquility in the towns, with children playing in the backyards without fear, the elderly walking in the parks, and the neighbours knowing each other and helping each other in their daily lives. Local communities thrived and small family businesses thrived, supported by modern technologies and a conscious approach to the economy. There were no problems with crime or riots. The authorities have made sure that the country develops in a sustainable and safe way. Young people had good prospects – they could educate themselves at a high level, develop their passions and be sure that they would find a decent job. Thanks to a wise economic policy, Poland became self-sufficient – agriculture flourished, domestic companies produced modern technologies, and people enjoyed stability and prosperity. Society was united, proud of its history and ready to build the future in accordance with its own values. In the evening, sitting on the terrace of his house, John looked at the quiet streets and felt gratitude. He knew that his children were growing up in a world where they could feel safe, respect their roots and build a better future for generations to come.

I think children and young people should guide every decision about the future

A better future... We drive electric cars, and electricity to them is provided by wind and nuclear power plants. Non-organic plastic replaced glass, in a garbage incineration plant with efficient filters made waste pits finally unnecessary. The air in Polish cities is suitable for breathing even in winter, and in summer we are not afraid of drought and lack of water. And instead of arming, we spend money on health protection and equal opportunities for children and adolescents. All this may be possible, but I'll put it between the fairy tales...

Au réveil, les machines préparent le petit déjeuner que j'ai l'habitude de prendre (café, pain grillé et un fruit). Mes vêtements sont prêts et se mettent automatiquement sur moi. Je prends des transports en commun qui vont vite, vole et permettent d'arriver rapidement sur son lieu de travail. Ce n'est pas très durable mais c'est pratique. Le vélo est devenu une activité en perte de vitesse car c'est moins rapide. La société va toujours plus vite. Tout est informatisé et ne permet pas d'avoir trop d'interaction sociale et c'est un bat qui blesse. Pour la vie de famille, cela reste tous ensemble dans la même maison mais cela ne permet pas vraiment de se croire en famille car chacun est plus isolé devant un appareil électrique qui occupe son temps libre

in 2040 I will be 72 and my children 32 and 31 - I hope I have grandchildren and that they live near. I hope my kids are settled workign and have decent places to live. air and watr are clean. i hope that the weather has settled and the enviroment stabalised - but I doudt it and I think my children will be facing more extreme weather. AI will impact their jobs but not to the extent the pessimists worry. I will be retired - but only just as I enjoy work, i will have a rich cultureal and social life and wont be worrying about caring for othes (those years are behind me). I might need to help my kids finaically just as my parents helped me - but they do ok.

I would like to see a future where there has been a major change for the benefit of the environment and the future of the planet. Solar, wind and hydropower have replaced fossil energy sources. Buildings, houses, etc. are equipped to be self-sufficient both in terms of energy and, for example, basic raw materials such as potatoes and the like. Public transport has switched entirely to electric vehicles and there are incredible high-speed trains that can compete with flights between major cities.

There is no more war in Europe. The states have agreed well and respect each other and the borders. All European countries are in the European Union and manage it jointly and consensually. There are no political or economic dependencies on other states. This is where agreements come in. Poverty and homelessness are exceptional. Anyone can call for help. Migration is not a negative issue because people and their workforce are welcome. However, people who have become criminals are expelled and must return to their home country. Climate change continues to be a big issue, but work is underway around the world to make a difference. Resources are protected and protected. Recycling is normal.