W1: "The World I Want to Live In" (Supports SDG 16)

 

The world I want to live in is one where peace isn’t just a dream or a slogan, but a natural way of life. It’s a world where everyone, regardless of race, gender, background, or belief, is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. In this world, justice isn’t something you fight for, it’s something you feel in every interaction, every institution, and every space you enter. It’s a world shaped by strong values. such as empathy, honesty, cooperation, and accountability. And more than laws or rules, it’s the shared understanding between people that drives harmony, an unspoken agreement that no one gets left behind, that everyone deserves a voice, and that differences make us unique and special.

In this imagined world, cities are designed with inclusion in mind. Open parks where children of all abilities play together, community halls buzzing with dialogue, art, and storytelling from cultures across the globe. There are no high fences or guarded gates, because there’s nothing to fear as crime is nearly nonexistent, not because of strict punishment, but because the conditions that cause crime, poverty, discrimination, alienation, all have been addressed at the root. Every person feels they belong, that their life matters.

The homes here are warm not just in temperature, but in spirit. Neighbors greet each other by name, help each other with groceries, and care for each other’s children. Schools are nurturing environments where bullying is actively prevented, and students are encouraged to stand up for each other. Teachers are not just educators, but role models in kindness, listening closely to their students’ needs and making sure every voice is heard. Justice systems work not with cold detachment but with compassion, prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, truth over power, and healing over revenge.

To capture what I see in my mind, I’ve created an illustration of this city: tall buildings powered by clean energy, surrounded by gardens on rooftops and walkways filled with laughter and music. A schoolyard shows children in wheelchairs playing tag with those who can run, teachers smiling beside them. In the distance, a court where a community gathers not to punish, but to resolve, to listen, to restore balance. These aren’t utopian fantasies—they’re visual reminders of what’s possible when we lead with heart and vision.

This world matters to me deeply because I’ve seen what happens when peace and justice are missing. Growing up, I witnessed friends being bullied in school simply for being different. I saw how people with less money or fewer connections were treated unfairly. I’ve read about communities torn apart by violence, about children living in fear, about voices being silenced. These moments weren’t just news stories or passing memories—they shaped my values. They made me realize that silence is dangerous, and fairness is something we must all stand up for.

But as beautiful as this world sounds, I can’t ignore the truth: it doesn’t fully exist yet. What stops it from becoming a reality? Sometimes, it’s greed; when those in power value profit over people. Sometimes, it’s ignorance; when people don’t understand those who are different from them, and instead fear them. Often, it’s systems; broken ones that keep injustice alive because change threatens the status quo. Corruption, discrimination, inequality; they don’t vanish just because we wish them away. They demand effort, courage, and action.

Despite the challenges, I believe the world I want to live in can be built, with one conversation, one policy, one act of kindness at a time. It starts with listening to each other, standing up for the vulnerable, and making sure our institutions truly serve the people. It continues with raising children to value empathy over ego, and choosing leaders who believe in unity, not division.

Because the truth is, peace isn’t something that just happens. It’s something we create. And I want to be part of building that world—brick by brick, word by word, heart by heart.

United Nations. (n.d.). Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions. 
https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal16

https://www.seaart.ai/