European digital sovereignity

Anonymous

April 26, 2023

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In 2040, Europeans have achieved digital sovereignity - all important digital services like search, cloud storage, messengers, social networks, video conferencing, etc. are offered from European data centers, adhering European privacy laws. This has happened after the EU decided to create a European foundation to fund free and open source software (FOSS). The foundation reached out to the European open source community, offering to host the two most-used FOSS packages in each category, plus supporting key members of the open source community (but participation in the development of this software was limited to European citizens). As a reaction to this offer, FOSS has taken a great leap and the European software has taken the lead in the world of FOSS. In addition to the services itself, supporting infrastructure such as encryption and authentication and auditing, is available as European FOSS to every citizen.

For example, every citizen receives European-verified certificates for encryption of emails, messages, or storage, for free. It's European infrastructure, paid by general taxes, like streets and education. Non-European citizens may buy access to this infrastructure.

In this future, Europeans may reap the benefits of computers and internet without being tracked and their data being sold by companies for company profits. Instead, the privacy of the individual person takes priority over profits.

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Esseri umani prima di tutto

People will work to live and not live to work. Work weeks will be a maximum of five days. Cities will stop being productive machines, and will become the space in which a cohesive society can be expressed. Social cohesion will again allow children to grow up together with their peers, in safe and available places throughout the territory. Neighborhoods will allow soft mobility and there will be a return to having at most one car per household. Secular third places will once again exist for teens and adults, who will not necessarily have to spend money to have reception.

"A Sustainable, Connected, and Thriving Europe"

In 2040, I imagine a Europe that has fully embraced sustainability, innovation, and community-driven progress. Climate change is no longer an existential threat but a challenge we have successfully tackled through renewable energy, circular economies, and nature-conscious urban development. Transportation is powered entirely by clean energy—public transit is seamless, fast, and accessible, reducing the need for private cars. Cities are green, with vertical forests, smart energy-efficient buildings, and abundant public spaces for people to connect. Rural areas are thriving, thanks to advanced digital infrastructure that allows remote work, telemedicine, and sustainable agriculture. Education has evolved beyond traditional models, incorporating personalized learning, real-world problem-solving, and emotional intelligence training. AI and technology serve as tools for empowerment rather than replacement, supporting individuals in their creativity, critical thinking, and well-being. Most importantly, communities are stronger than ever. Technology connects people rather than isolates them, fostering local engagement and global collaboration. Policies prioritize well-being over economic growth alone, ensuring a fair and inclusive society where no one is left behind. This is the Europe I hope for—one where sustainability, innovation, and human connection shape a thriving and balanced future for all.

Nov sistem za novo in boljše skupno življenje

Humans are animal beings, striving to survive. We want the best for ourselves, but we are bound by socio-demographics. We want to help each other but are constrained by the current political-economic system. In the future, I would like us to be able to transcend the system we are caught up in and to free ourselves from the animal instinct that makes us egocentric. I want and hope that we can realistically care for the well-being of the environment in which we live, that we can help each other, that we can use our knowledge and technology to improve our health and to benefit each other in every way.

Optimisme

A better future would be one in which we stop fighting or getting worked up over things that aren't important, and wars of "religion" no longer exist. We'd take care of the earth and stop polluting it. On a more personal note, my daughters would have finished their studies and have a job in which they're fulfilled, they'd have a family life that they want and that they don't feel "trapped" in. In short, they'd be happy to discover the world without fear of their fellow man or of a natural disaster, and they'd travel to discover a world unpolluted by mass tourism. I'd be close to retirement, so I hope I'd still be able to enjoy my family and the free time I'd have. And everyone would be in good health.

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European digital sovereignity

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