What will our future be like? – wishes from two girls

 

At the 14th CSR International Forum on June 13, the children's bilingual poetry reading “What will our future be like?” touched countless participants.

Two elementary school students from Beijing described their favorite future, and also called on everyone to act, so that a better future is no longer just a slogan. The expectations of the two girls for the future not only doubled our responsibilities, but also made us more determined to forge ahead.

Today, only when we reinforce our responsibilities and move forward, in the future, the world will be full of hope and flowers.

 

What will our future be like 
 
Today, we are here
To picture our future
 
I like animals
I hope a day will come when we can live in harmony with them 
I like plants
I hope a day will come when we can always see them verdant and flourishing
 
I like the ocean
I hope a day will come when it will be clean, free of garbage and plastics
I like the sky
I hope a day will come when it isn’t covered by smog at any time
 
I like talking with others
I hope a day will come when every child will receive care and be loved
I like sharing
I hope everyone can have a better future
 
However, what we often see and hear are
Glaciers are melting due to climate change
Resources are being over-exploited
Children in poverty have less access to education and knowledge
The earth is being harmed, and what should humanity do?
 
All of this is a warning
If we don't try to change
A better future is only a slogan
 
So we call on our fellow humans-
Everyone must act
Even just doing your small part
Will make a big difference
 
Today’s efforts
Are tomorrow’s achievements
Everyone will be appreciated for the efforts they made
Including all of you here today
Thank you!
 

The two girls expressed their expectations of the future in the poem, and also conveyed the power and confidence to change the future with actions. Not only did the audience feel moved and encouraged, it also let international CSR/sustainability experts and pioneers feel the longing of Chinese children for a sustainable and better future. 

It is worth mentioning that after the Forum, we also received letters from international CSR experts to the girls. They hope this kind of communication can encourage the children to have the dream of changing the world, and also can motivate themselves and inspire everyone to act.

As the two girls expressed in the poem - if we don't try to change, the better future can only be a slogan.

“Dear Zou Siqi, we hear your message and we appreciate your good performance during the International CSR Forum. All the best.”

——Suharman Noerman, Vice Chair of ISO 26000 Stakeholders Global Network

“Dear Shine Yu, I am catching your beautiful message during the opening of International CSR Forum. Hope it change the world of sustainability. All the best.”

——Suharman Noerman, Vice Chair of ISO 26000 Stakeholders Global Network

Dear Shine,

Your message at the opening ceremony was so moving and impressive.
I would never forget it.
Also I was surprised that your English was so beautiful. 
Perfect pronunciation!
Thank you for your great contribution. 
Thank you for your strong message. 

——Masao SEKI, Steering Committee Chairman of Council for Better Corporate Citizenship

To the girls ‘What will our future be like?’
 
For: GoldenBee International CSR Forum, 13 June 2019
By: Hans Kröder, 16 June 2019
 
Dear Zou Siqi and Yu Jinyi (Shine),
 
My global sustainability experience of the past 15 years tells us that ‘every human being can change the world’: your community, your city, your country or our whole planet.

Like in my country (The Netherlands), a young boy (18 years, called Boyan Slat) decided to clean our oceans from all the plastic waste. See his initiative ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ at www.theoceancleanup.com .

When you make a connection with your heart, everything is possible: you will receive an endless energy.

I always had a dream to do something for the whole planet and all the people to create a better world.

I know that I can influence the future and I feel myself responsible for your future. I have 4 children (2 boys, 2 girls) and 8 grandchildren. You and I, we are all connected with the source of live and love. Let us combine our individual talents and create a better world. Learn from nature. Collaborate instead of competing. Sharing instead of selfishness. With respect for human rights. Preserving all material.

The future will be:

1. Challenging: however we can use and develop new methods and technologies that will:
- help to produce enough food, energy, clean water and sanitation for everyone.
- make a life time education possible for every child, man and woman.
- solve healthcare problems to provide a positive health for everyone.
- provide solutions for disabled people so they can have a good quality of life.
- give access to products and services to everyone everywhere.
- make it possible to create a circular economy, where there is no waste anymore.
- make cities safe, green and resilient with sustainable infrastructure.
- provide mobility and transport services that will be affordable for everyone.
- introduce better work-life balance with less hours working and more free time.

2. Hopeful: because frontrunners, role models – and you and I - can inspire other people to become aware of the need to save our planet and change their behaviour. It is now the time in history to make love, peace, human rights and justice the most important principles and stop conflicts, wars and fighting.

3. Divers: because our world will become a global village where:
- diversity will be seen as an enrichment for human beings to learn from each other.
- inclusive societies are an ultimate goal, so everyone can have a worthy life.  
- we will learn to think global and act local.
- no one will be left behind!

PS. Thank you very much for raising the questions: love is on your side.

——Hans Kröder, Vice Chair of ISO 26000 Stakeholders Global Network
2019.6.16