top of page

Top down versus bottom up reconciliation.

Anonymous

April 26, 2023

Top down versus bottom up reconciliation.

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

I choose to speak about a happy 2040 and not about the one I fear. If we have progressed on a path of sustainable development, it is due to far better connections between top down and bottom up processes. So far, these connections are very scarce. Decision makers at the international levels are not aware of the most pressing challenges at the local levels and vice-versa. This creates at all levels the wrong perceptions linked to "complotism" in general. The main cause of this dialogues de sourds between local and global levels of policy-making is the hierarchy between economic, social and environmental goals, actors and processes. The borders between economics, social sciences and environmental sciences and the lack of transdisciplinary culture are largely responsible for this lack of mutual understanding and consideration. My hope is that in 2040 the borders between these political and scientific silos will be replaced by an overall focus on the difference between bottom up (cacophony of actors) and top down (hierarchy of institutions with economic ones at the top) actions and the elaboration of instruments which are needed to interconnect them.

related stories

hallo
Sme generácia, ktorá prestala myslieť na seba.
In 2040, people are not starving, there is a lack of finance, and the food in the shops is not like that of millionaires. Children play in parks, they don't deal with phones, wifi or social networks. Old people walk happily in the streets because they know the state is not robbing them of their pensions. Cancer will disappear from the world, a cure has been found. Humanity is building again but not for the benefit of itself but for the benefit of the earth. A million eco-friendly stations are built. Electricity in houses is free because the largest solar field has been built. Warehouses have been abolished. Waste has been separated and reused. We live in a year when the best breathing is outdoors. When the sun does not cause allergies. When natural disasters have ceased. There is no tornado, there is no flood. And the economy is thriving, we have plenty of water and plenty of sunshine. Every year it gets better and better. We don't have sun scorched fields and we don't have swamps from soils. We are a generation that has stopped thinking about ourselves, we are a generation that has started thinking about the land. We are the best thing since 1900. Maybe that kind of simple thinking has helped us. When we connected the past with the future, so that life would be in symbiosis. So that we could give and take without minus losses. And that's how I would end it. It's a better future not only for people but for the earth.
hallo
Užívať si dôchodok, vnúčatá
A life of peace, without much influence of AI and robots.a life with grandchildren and not being alone. To have good health and not to be dependent on other people's help.To travel and explore Slovakia and the world in my free time. To see how my children are doing in their personal and procedural life.not to have turmoil and wars in Europe.not to exaggerate life Slovakia will still be a part of advanced Europe.
hallo
Nove Slovensko s lepšim porstredim
For the future of our country I wish the political situation to improve. That everyone should have equal rights without exception of gender orientation or other opinion. Today's situation is very poor in this respect and I therefore wish it to improve. I also wish that our government would be more concerned about people and less concerned about itself. I wish that nature continues to grow and that global warming does not get worse. The financial situation of our country is not so bad, but I wish that some jobs or teachers and others would get higher salaries. On the whole, as long as I try and work on our country and do not give up, I think we could look forward to a better future. Because I, too, as a young woman, want a good future for my future children.
hallo
Budoucnost
I would like there to be world peace, even though I know that in this short time it will not happen and that there would be a better environment for all as people there animals. I want everybody to have a good time and nobody to feel bad. That there be great technological advances and that the government reveal government secrets.
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