top of page

I hope my grandkids listen in disbelief about my tales of the past

Anonymous

March 19, 2025

I hope my grandkids listen in disbelief about my tales of the past

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

I woke up this morning and stepped outside, breathing in the fresh air—cleaner than it had been in decades. I walked to the neighborhood market, where fresh affordable produce from local farms was abundantly available thanks to Europe’s 2030 policy on increasing subsidies for farmers so they get a fair price and not have to pass the increase on to the consumer

My grand children played nearby with their pals from all different backgrounds, chatting effortlessly in multiple languages thanks to the continued EU Education Initiatives that make multilingual learning and culture projects free and accessible, fostering deeper understanding across nations.

I meet my elderly parents for coffee, they are both in their 80s and in good health thanks to the eu wide shared health system that meant they could go to Europe for treatment and not sit for years on eating lists in ireland. They pay for their coffees using Universal Living Credit—a system introduced in 2041 to ensure financial stability for all citizens.

We talk about life in general and about the news story of the day which is the anniversary of the day in 2026 that the EU finally stood up to Trump and Netanyahu, leading to a free Palestine and the downfall of the trump administration and his eventual incarceration.

My three adult children join us for lunch as they are on a day off thanks to the EU four-day workweek policy. They talk excitedly about their plans for their new homes which they can easily afford because of house price control policies and decent salaries. I tell them horror stories about rent prices and homeless rates when they were babies, they don’t believe me.

When I returned home that evening, me and my husband make plans for a trip to our second home in Spain later in the month. Later that evening our Ukrainian neighbors and fellow EU citizens stop by for a visit. I’m glad that in 2050, Europe isn’t just a continent; it’s a home for all.

related stories

hallo
Futur régulé
In the future, we would be assisted by artificial intelligence, but not replaced by it. We would work in harmony with it. We'd have good salaries, and new technologies would enable us to travel fast without polluting as much as an airplane. We'd be able to visit the world, guilt-free and without destroying the planet. Every culture would have its place and be free. Wars would no longer exist. A universal law, or at least a legal text, would define rights, duties and punishable crimes for the whole world. These laws would be voted on universally by all the world's citizens. Voting would become compulsory, in the form of monthly questionnaires for which we would be given time to make individual decisions. This time could also be paid for, to ensure that every citizen of the world is involved in global and local decision-making. It would also be permissible to have laws adapted locally, and to move to the area where the law suits us. This zone would be managed independently, and the laws applying to it would apply only in that zone. Prisons would also be better managed. Prisons are places of punishment, not relaxation. There would be many more of them, to have more room for all types of crime (perhaps zoned by crime) so that justice could be properly and fully applied. As for healthcare, a great deal of investment would be made in research into as yet unknown treatments, enabling us to cure more and more illnesses.
hallo
United in Diversity
In 2040, I would like to see a future where cultural diversity and inclusion are at the heart of every community in Europe. Imagine cities where people from all backgrounds, languages, and traditions come together to share ideas, collaborate, and celebrate their differences. Schools would teach multiple languages from an early age, not only to help communication but to promote understanding of different cultures. Technology would make it easier for people to connect across borders, creating virtual cultural exchange programs where students and professionals could collaborate on projects.
hallo
Vivre en harmonie
It's 2040 and I'm 81 years old. My life has been full of sorrow but also joy. 2025 conflicts of all kinds in the 4 corners of the planet, violence, climate change ...... Happily, in a burst of intelligence and love, human beings have understood that the most important thing in LIFE is LOVE and EMPATHY. We live in a peaceful world where everyone is paid fairly, resources are preserved but above all distributed equally No conflict, no hatred, no discrimination, we live in PEACE and HARMONY. Science has made enormous progress and most diseases have been eradicated. I'm happy to see my children and grandchildren living in this new world!
hallo
Un monde bienveillant
It's 2040, and 10 years ago, elected representatives finally became aware of the problems that human beings bring to the planet. Everyone has worked, and continues to work, to make our presence less harmful to the planet, its flora and fauna and, by extension, to future generations. Another point of awareness reached: intolerance and discrimination. From now on, malicious acts based on discrimination of gender, sexual orientation, skin color, religion, culture or any other kind will be severely punished. Of course, this would not have been possible without an enormous overhaul of an inefficient and corrupt judicial system. We now have a world that wants to be fair, although there's still progress to be made, but the will is there whereas it wasn't 20 years ago. It's a world that has become predominantly benevolent and that has regained, and above all restored, hope in the future.
Join #OurFutures now!

The future is shaped by our ideas and our actions today. Tell us about your visions of the future and help us create a futures narrative aimed at inspiring citizens, policy-makers and foresight experts alike!

OURfutures.png

The European Commission support does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained.

ERA_logo.jpg

We support the European Research Area aimed at creating a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology in the EU.

©OurFutures 2025, All rights reserved.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
bottom of page