We recently organised a free event for young people with activist and campaigner, Rob Hopkins, also of transition town fame and the author of many books, including the inspirational ‘How to Fall in Love with the Future‘. (You can read our review of the book here.) Held in Ashburton Arts Centre, which Andy Williamson generously allowed us to use without charge, it was an opportunity for young people under 25 and eligible to vote by July 2029 to explore and articulate their hopes and dreams for the future of the planet, society and democracy.
The final task at the end of the two hour session asked the participants, whose ages ranged from 8 (big sister was attending) to 17, to free their minds to envision the changes they longed for…to answer the ‘what if…’ question, without which so little would ever change, be invented or developed.
Here are their ‘what ifs’. I hope you agree with me that they are moving and inspirational in all sorts of ways. Actually, I find myself getting very emotional reading them. So many of them should not be dreams or fantasies. They should be realities. Right now.
WHAT IF?
- Nature had the right to vote
- Everyone could imagine a greener future
- Business put planet over profit
- More community action and involvement – e.g. planting trees/food
- International organisations (IMF, World Bank etc) worked for the poor
- Young men felt part of the solution
- The world went vegan
- Energy was all local and free
- Public transport was better
- All transport was electric or human or animal-powered
- We had a blueprint/plan to follow to help the Earth
- Everyone voted for green policies
- We all shopped secondhand
- We had seaweed farms
- There were more animals in the world
- Playgrounds did not have any concrete
- All playgrounds were green
- Signing petitions worked
- Religion was personal, not organised
- There was no need for money
- Better political education
- Boycotting companies [more of…and effective]
- The world was more accessible [to differently-abled]
- Every child was given the ability to dream big
- Kids were in charge
- Aliens took over…
Do, please, do the task yourselves, on your own or with friends or family. Once we start to crystallise some of the aspects of life we long to change, we start to fight for that change, because we have given ourselves a glimpse of a future in which it happens.
A big thank you to Rob for his time and energy.
