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
Szkoła przyszłości
By 2040, the school will be student-friendly. It will teach you how to acquire and verify information, not just how to reproduce it. Children will use new technologies in a wise and sensible way thanks to the fact that there will be a modern education system. A system that will not be based only on assessments that are not an objective evaluation of knowledge. A system that will educate children in areas that are close to their time. I hope for an education system that will teach young people how to distinguish real information from fakenews.
hallo
Moderní digitální věk
I would like even more advanced modern technologies, such as self-driving cars, to be all the more digital and modern. I would certainly like much more modern buildings here in Prague, a lot of skyscrapers and modern glazed buildings, more large shopping centers, etc. I would very much like to see more American fast foods in the Czech Republic, to significantly expand the number of Subway branches, to have Dunkin Donuts, Arbys, Baskin Robins, Little Ceasars, Dennys and many other brands from the USA come here. Walmart would be great.
hallo
Čistý svět
It's an ordinary morning in 2040. The sun is shining through the window of my apartment and the city is slowly coming to life behind it. Outside, there is a quiet electric tram that connects neighborhoods without the need for cars. Transport has changed significantly over the last 20 years – combustion engines are a thing of the past, streets are quieter and cleaner. I read a little news at breakfast. Most people today work from home for at least part of the week, which has helped reduce stress and congestion. But I am looking forward to the office – work is different than before, more collaborative and less routine. On the way, I stop at a small bakery where the clerk serves me fresh bread wrapped in reusable packaging. Waste is no longer carried here – most shops have switched to a circular economy where materials are put back into circulation. In the evening I walk through the park, which used to be a parking lot. Cities have adapted to climate change, more trees have been planted, and every piece of free space serves people. Life in 2050 is not perfect, but in many ways it is better – slower, more sustainable and focused on quality instead of quantity.
hallo
Красивото Европейско бъдеще.
I imagine the future as a green nature.Everything around us to be in green huge trees.To have a lot of green meadows full of flowers.To have a lot animals in the forests and mountains and no endangered species.Do not exterminate the animals and destroy nature.Cottages to accept tourists , who enjoy the landscapes and do not pollute around.Eco paths ,which lead to beautiful places.Almost all people to sport in the forests ,on the eco paths.I imagine there are many roads that can be nicely asphalted, so that you can quickly and conveniently reach the beautiful places .Balkan ,sea , sights, monuments in different places.All buildings to be renovated,to look completely different from today.To be able to travel in Europe in a very affordable way without borders, checks and barriers.Everyone can afford to visit all places in the country and Europe without problems.The policy of each country to coincide with the policy of all European countries, so that there can be understanding and everything can be right.Let there be no wars that make people fear and worry about their future.I imagine wages to be much better, so that people can afford all these things and not worry that they will not be able to have everything they want.And finally to summarize, I want a single Europe accessible to all and beauty corresponding to our continent.
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