My World - My Future
Essay by Ali Alparslan Belen

Essay Writing Competition 2025
Category: 12-15 years
- Commendation -

Senior category: Commendation

My World My Future - Essay by Ali Alparslan Belen

My World - My Future

My name is Ali, and I don’t believe the future is something far away, waiting for us. The future is something we build every single day with our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Every small step we take is like planting a seed that grows into tomorrow. That is why I imagine the world I want to live in and think about how I can help create it.

In my world, the greatest power is kindness. It may sound simple, but I believe it is true. Holding the door for someone, explaining a difficult math problem to my friends, or sharing my sandwich with a friend who forgot their lunch all these acts may look small, but they make a big difference. These small acts of kindness create a chain reaction: one smile leads to another, and suddenly the whole space feels brighter.

For me, peace is not only the absence of war; it is the presence of respect, understanding, and hope. My dream is a future where every child, no matter where they are born, has equal access to education. Education is not just about memorizing facts; it is about opening doors, building bridges, and giving children the tools to shape their own futures. A pencil in a child’s hand or a computer connected to the internet can be stronger than any weapon. Weapons destroy, but education builds.

If I could change the world, I would begin with small but meaningful steps. I would protect nature by planting trees and reducing waste. I would encourage schools to organize cultural exchange days so that children could discover new traditions and learn to celebrate differences. I would also create projects that inspire acts of kindness.

Imagine if every child did just one kind deed a day millions of small actions would join together to form a giant wave of peace.

One of my greatest inspirations is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. He deeply believed in the power of youth and the importance of education. He once said, "Peace at home, peace in the world." This reminds me that real peace must begin close to us in our families, in our schools, and in our neighborhoods before it can spread to nations. Atatürk showed that true leadership is not only solving today’s problems but also preparing a brighter tomorrow for the next generations. His vision teaches me to trust myself and to take responsibility for the future. Sometimes I imagine the kind of leader I want to be. I do not want to build walls between people; I want to build bridges. I want children from different countries to work on projects together through technology, art, or science.

This way, everyone can see that differences are not threats, but treasures. For example, a child in Turkey could work with a child in Japan on a science project about climate change. A child in Brazil could share their music with a child from my neighborhood. Even though we live far apart, we would discover that our hopes for peace and happiness are the same.

Technology excites me because it gives young people opportunities to connect in ways that were impossible before. With online platforms, we can share stories, solve problems together, and form international teams. But technology must be used wisely. It should not divide us or fill our minds with hate; it should be a tool to spread knowledge, kindness, and understanding. Of course, the future will not always be easy. We will face challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. Yet I believe that if we prepare with education, courage, and compassion, we can overcome them. Every generation has its difficulties, but it also has its strengths. Our strength is that we are more connected to one another than ever before.

In my daily life, I try to live by the values I want to see in the future. I show respect to my teachers, listen to my family, and try to be fair to my friends. Sometimes I fail, but I remind myself: the future is not built in a single day. It is built step by step. Even when I make mistakes, I can learn and try again. In conclusion, my world today may seem small, but my dreams are big.

My future depends on the choices I make now: choosing kindness over selfishness, respect over ignorance, and hope over fear. If every child makes the same choice, peace will not just be a dream it will become real. And when I remember Atatürk’s words "Peace at home, peace in the world" I truly believe that this vision can come true if we believe in it and work for it.

In the Age category 12 - 15 years, Ali Alparslan's essay is inspiring and thoughtful! Thank you for sharing such a hopeful and practical vision for peace and positive change! Well done! Congratulations again!

Ali Alparslan is 12 years old and attends Izmit Science and Art Centre/ Turkey. English as second language. Turkish as first language