The World I Want to Live In - No One Left Behind

The World I Want to Live In - No One Left Behind

 

When I envision the world I want to be a part of, I have a simple phrase in mind  no one left behind. I want a world where everyone has the chance to be peace, regardless of race, gender, nationality, past/current situation, disability or level of wealth. A world where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated, defended and systematically built around. 

An inclusive world would be one where kindness and respect is the norm. I can envision walking down the street and seeing people acknowledge each other with a warm smile, seeing trust and friendship over division and hate, and not judging people based on their clothing, their speech, or their beliefs. Our differences would be viewed as respective strengths and not treated as weaknesses.

I envision a world where justice would be served by strong, transparent institutions governmental, educational and legal. Protecting vulnerable populations, while access to justice wouldn’t be dependent on wealth, fame, or power. Regardless of whether you are rich or poor, famous, or not, everyone would have an equal right to justice. There would be very little corruption, and fairness will dictate decisions.

The classroom I envision is one where every student has the same opportunity to learn, regardless of whether they live in a town or a city. Children and youth with disabilities would be included and heard, and not hidden away. Girls everywhere would have access to education. Schools and education systems would focus on a holistic view of education, not primarily on exams, and teach empathy, cooperation, and problem solving, developing leadership skills that foster compassion and fairness.

I also imagine that online spaces would be different. Today’s social media promotes hate and division. In the world I want to envision, social media would be first and foremost a space for connections and learning. People would use their social media to spread kindness, empower unheard voices, and educate people. Social media would be a force for inclusion, not harm.

This dream matters to me because I have seen too many people bullied, neglected, or simply not given a chance because they were seen as different. Telling stories of refugees being turned away and people being judged by their clothes are far too common. It frustrates me to confront these realities and sheds light on why I am also energized by the belief that a better, more just world is somehow possible.

A key challenge associated with this vision is systematic inequality. All around the world, some people are privileged from the moment they are born while others are poor and discriminated against from birth. This gap creates cyclical injustice as marginalized families are unable to access education, health care, or even safety for their families. These barriers are not only personal, but are structural. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, to create fairer systems so that everyone has everything equally.

So, what is preventing this other world from becoming real? One of the most significant barriers is fear - fear of other people who look, act, or think differently. This fear then often becomes hate, and hate can become division or even violence. Secondly, empathy is absent. There are many circumstances in which people may be too busy or disconnected to understand or care about others' struggles. Finally, weak institutions and corruption make it possible for injustice to exist without consequence. All of these factors hinder our ability to create a truly peaceful and inclusive world.

But I'm still optimistic. I believe that small actions move the needle. Speaking when others are silenced or treated unfairly, giving money to organizations that aim for justice, giving of time to volunteer, or being the ear for someone else's experience these all very small actions count. Change happens when we care. 

The world I want to live in is not free of flaws but possible. If all of us stand together with fairness, kindness and courage, we can build communities without limits.