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
Et maintenant, en 2040.
hallo
An idealistic European future
Europe will have learnt from its past mistakes in terms of security and defence and economy. It will no longer be seen as a side partner with no real power when it comes to wars at its borders. It will be equipped and able to deter foreign threats, both military and online. While having strong foreign partnerships, it will no longer rely on third countries to provide it with rare materials, energy or manufacture critical products. It will have understood that companies are critical to its social welfare and adapted its regulations to European companies' needs. Energy and life costs will no longer be an issue for Europeans as there will have been investments in new nuclear technologies, incentives given to companies to produce in Europe in a simplified regulatory framework, taxation, social and labour costs will be harmonised and education will be again a strong pillar of the society.
hallo
What a relief we have left behind in the 1920s with all that succession of intertwined crises that seemed impossible to resolve! What a relief that we no longer have to think about whether democracy is in danger or live in the permanent uncertainty of whether there will be a reactionary retreat from everything that cost us so much to win! Just as we were finally aware of the physical limits of the planet and the doughnut economy succeeded capitalism, we were also aware of the limits of our democracies with mass debates that prevented (at last!) cruel authoritarian demagogues who did not believe in the values of democracy from seizing power again. I don't know how we could live with this permanent anguish... . No more gerontocracies, no more idycracies, no more techno-auritarism, no more perpetuation in power. AI is no longer a private business of billionaires who (finally!) were forced to distribute 90% of their fortune, as had already happened in the 50s of the last century. It has put itself only at the service of solving the great problems of the world. What a relief too that money no longer moves the world! All this was possible because the Constitution of the Land of Ferrajoli was approved and launched in 2030, the Magna Carta that protected all our global problems. The nature of which we are a part and without which we cannot live is especially protected. The Constitution provides a framework for everything to be solved diplomatically. Since its approval, the wars have ended and the genocidal people of the past have been severely judged. Yesterday we celebrated the feast of #Nevermore. If I have to describe what life is like now, the word that comes out is calm. Without constant threats to our safety and well-being, day-to-day life is placid.
hallo
A world of citizens
Strenghtened EU-level, even global, governance mechanisms. Human-centered technology Limits to accumulation and consumption, especially for the super rich Vibrant ecosystem for new businesses Private initiative, public Administrations, and non-profits working side by side on big societal and environmental issues A post-growth economy based on sufficiency High quality of democracy High citizen participation
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