In 2040, medicine is technologically advanced, pollution is greatly reduced. There are no limits and barriers, all men are equal, whether black or white. Women have the same rights and possibilities as men. Respect for every living being prevails.

The world has turned to peace. The military and secret services have been abolished. There is no NATO or any other military alliance. Terrorism has been overcome by just political solutions, not by police violence. It was regulated that all nations have a good livelihood. This also brought migration to Europe and the USA to a standstill. The EU still exists, but is much more democratically structured and leaves a lot of decision-making freedom to the member states. Microplastics, glyphosate and all other toxic substances have been banned. Animal exploitation has been abolished due to inhumanity. People now only use their opportunities for constructive projects.

Like chameleons, the homes of 2050 will often change appearance, both aesthetically and functionally (part of the home can become immersive at any time, for example). Our relationship with storage will also be different, as we will no longer see our stocks. They will be managed by robots in dedicated airlocks. Connected mirrors will save an incredible amount of time in preparation. There's also a major change concerning water: it will have completely disappeared from the rooms of the house, except as a beverage. As a result, we'll have done away with most of today's household appliances (clothes will be washed automatically, showers will be forced-air showers...). Our homes will no longer be just living spaces. They will serve as data collectors, which they will send to various universal AIs. However, the primary function of the home will remain as a space for families to share experiences and as a breathing space for its inhabitants.

It's early morning in the year 2040 and the chip implanted in my brain wakes me up at the appointed time. I wash up and have breakfast before taking the bus to work. There is no more private transport. Instead, I hear birds singing and see butterflies flying from flower to flower. It's hard to believe that my grandparents destroyed the environment with so much energy 20 years ago. As if they wanted to rob their children of their future. I am glad that everything turned out differently. Back then, far-right forces took over the government in many countries. After they left behind a shambles and also abolished democracies, they were sent packing by popular uprisings around the world. This was followed by an era of peace and freedom. An intact environment is now important to us, we have learned this lesson. And this era is still going on. Hopefully the old days will never, ever return.

By 2040, a wave of nationalism will have invaded France and Europe. Countries will become sovereign over their territory, allowing them to reduce violence and growing insecurity in cities and suburbs. The French state will control the borders, fluctuating immigration and prioritizing the so-called French population, by expelling people with OQTF status. The state will cut costs by abolishing the aberration of mutual state aid. France will once again become a country imposing its laws and dictating rules on the continent with its European partners. Unfortunately, social inequalities will increase, due to high inflation, energy prices and the mismanagement of the various governments in power.

Now, in 2040, I'm enjoying the sweetness of life in my senior residence. I'm 80 years old, and despite my various pathologies, medical progress has enabled me to be a "healthy patient"... 15 years ago, people of goodwill from all countries and religions decided to join forces against a common enemy: global warming. Humanity, united at last, turned its back on murderous, sterile wars. Since then, technical, ecological and medical progress has been phenomenal. This will allow me to live well for another few decades.

I would like to see sustainability goals actually implemented and put into practice. Seeing people come together and have discussions instead of screaming over each other. Communities coming together and sharing the burden of responsibility of a nation and governments that actually uphold their promises and run in more efficient manner. I don’t dream of huge developments or loud changes but instead, a calm world where everyone can finally relax.

People have finally managed to put aside their own selfishness and have realized that a society and a better world can only function together. Mobility is becoming public, free and reliably available to everyone. People have realized that no one has to live in abundance and that no one needs to live in poverty. Every life is secured in a humane way and everyone can live their lives as they wish without having to fear for their existence. The rich 1% have realized that it makes no sense to hoard money and voluntarily make it available to society. No one is disadvantaged because of the attributes of their birth.

2050. Sunrise over Rome's Old Town paints the sky a soft orange colour. The city wakes quietly, but already the whisper of electric vehicles and the light gust of wind carrying the salt of the Mediterranean can be heard. Europe has changed dramatically in the last 25 years. The climate crisis has forced countries to focus on renewable energy, and cities have become greener, with polluting cars virtually disappearing from the streets, replaced by autonomous electric cars and bicycles. Food production has also changed: vertical farms have solved product shortages and lab-grown meat has become a common choice. Today, my plans include a quick trip to Paris on the hyper-trains that now connect all Europe's major cities. The journey will take just an hour - time for a cup of coffee and a short chat with friends via hologram. Life has become more convenient, but have people become happier? That's what we're still looking for.

We've done it: the energy on our planet comes exclusively from renewable sources. We use wind, water and the sun, but also nuclear fusion without risk and without emissions. People have enjoyed an energy boost and there is no more war on earth. All people have equal rights - men, women and everyone else.

The medical-social professions are not remunerated at a level commensurate with their contribution to society. In the future, all professions that bring a real benefit to people and society will be valued and paid much more than those that only have a market value. A footballer, especially a professional one, an actor, an influencer, a TV presenter etc. will earn a decent living, but much less than an educator, a nurse, a doctor, a home help. Mutual aid, solidarity, compassion and empathy will be taught from an early age to ensure that tomorrow's societies are harmonious, fair and equitable. Work will be more remunerative than capitalization. All forms of life will be respected and preserved as far as possible.

I hope that, despite all the obstacles, Europe will grow even closer together in order to overcome global challenges. Many of these challenges can only be mastered if not only purely national interests are represented, but if Europe approaches things with common goals. Defense, securing energy supplies, more social justice. I also hope that Europe manages to fight back against populism and falsehoods.