top of page

My struggle

Anonymous

March 19, 2025

My struggle

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

The world as it is now is better technologically, socially, medically and economically than it was a hundred years ago. But what we have imagined our contemporary world to be is far from what we are all currently experiencing. The future right now seems quite uncertain. In times where people witness on their mobile devices and in real time the destruction of nature, the pollution of our seas, skies and lands, the mass murders of children, women and animals all over the world, yet remain unperturbed, it's quite hard to imagine something can change.
Do we have to be completely and utterly shaken by all these events in order to wake up?
Do we have to be the ones filming atrocities to act? And how much more suffering do we have to witness to stop prioritising costs over lives, profits over well-being?
It can be so tiring and discouraging. Let's take a look at a few examples.

Every few years, there would be democratic protests in Eastern Europe. We fight against corruption, against malignant influence, against malpractices in various sectors and institutions. We fight for democratic values - rule of law, equality, education, safety for everyone and especially the vulnerable groups, liberty. And we always look to the EU, to Europe, to Western Europe. And we would politely ask Europe to hear us out, to listen, to show support. Only to be presented as corrupt, hostile and backward-thinking in the next annual summary. Because an MP would pick up on our movements just to further their own career or an agenda. In reality and unlike most people in the West, Eastern Europeans know and remember all too well the price of not upholding democratic order. We know it, we feel it, we remember it. We are no longer at the periphery of Europe, we are Europe. And it's disheartening when we see that when the much-needed help arrives, it tends to team up with the same corrupt interests we've been trying to deroot for decades. And one of the issues we notice here is inequality, Eastern Europeans are often seen as a cliche, as those that little to nothing depends on. But we are witnessing a shift in history right here, right now. Doing right by the East is a prospect for redemption. Having equal access to political, financial and economic opportunities will drive Europe forward and stabilise its positions.

A crucial point in covering safe environment for the current and future generations is environmental sustainability. There is a severe danger of extinction of plant and animal species and we must act now by initiating and maintaining practices that will help conserve nature, maintain biodiversity and diminish the consequences of industrialisation, pollution and energy consumption.

End to poverty and wars. Conflicts and wars lead to poverty, dicplacement of vulnerable groups, destruction of infrastructure, further pollution of the already endangered environment. Wars do not have place in a civilised world that aims to progress.

Animal safety. Even now we learn of thousands of animals being mistreated or subjected to cruelty. Whether it is in farms, homes and labs, financial gains should never be put before the well-being of animals.

Gender equality. Men and women should be presented with equal access to political, financial, health, education, social, and economic opportunities.

Acess to medical care for everyone.

Innovations that enhance environmental sustainability.

There are certainly a lot more aspects that we need to highlight and there is definitely work done on many of them, however, as we witness the changing world around us, it is just not enough and it might seem a little too late.

But isn't it darkest just before dawn?

related stories

hallo
Wereldtentoonstelling 2040
Feb 24, 2040, the World Expo will kick off in Brussels, the heart of Europe. The past 15 years have seen an economic upheaval thanks in part to good, innovative and sustainable EU policies. The EU now has the largest economy in the world, no longer the U.S. Policies in the later 1920s in the U.S. caused a lot of big companies to go belly up. European companies empowered by EU policies grew as a result and became market leaders in many sectors. With that, this World's Fair as has never been seen before! Among others: the first portable quantum computer on the go, a nuclear fusion reactor small and powerful enough to power a city, autonomous air cabs running on hydrogen, plastic-eating bacteria and much more!
hallo
Futuro rosa
The best future should be, as they say, "pink." Everything should be almost perfect. Work for all, respect and love. Respect for nature and animals. Helping people in need. Politicians who do our interests so we can live with dignity and not thieves. This should be the future I look forward to.
hallo
Glädjebesked
Climate scientists agree that with effective joint action, the world's nations have succeeded in curbing carbon emissions. The melting of the ice in the polar regions will be halted. The result has been achieved by negotiating global war bans and focusing instead on developing efficient ways of using the Earth's resources for human survival.
hallo
Zrównoważone miasta przyszłości
In 2040, cities are green, smart and attuned to people, not cars. Streets are full of trees and air-purifying plants, and the roofs of buildings are covered with gardens and vertical farms that produce local food. Energy comes entirely from renewable sources, and transportation is electric, autonomous and shared. Thanks to advanced urban technology, the cities are resident-friendly - they have plenty of space for pedestrians, and AI systems take care of efficient traffic and resource management. There are no traffic jams or smog, and everyone can get where they want quickly using environmentally friendly transportation. People work less, as artificial intelligence and automation have taken over many monotonous tasks. Society has focused on quality of life, education, mental health and human relationships. Shorter work weeks prevail, and more time is spent developing passions and building communities. Education is accessible to all, and learning is based on hands-on experience and creative thinking. Technology serves people, not the other way around - instead of being addictive, it helps balance digital and real life. It's a world where man and nature coexist, instead of fighting for space. A world where progress means a better quality of life for everyone, not just the few.
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!

Our-futures-banner-coloured_v3.jpg

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