W1: The World I Want to Live In

Values and Laws

If I can, I want to live in a completely peaceful world.
No war, no crime. No one needs to worry about being shot, kidnapped, or beaten on the way to school. No child will choose suicide because of school bullying.

I hope there is a "safety mechanism" for them, a hotline and an organization that truly helps, allowing children to report bullying anonymously. If parents are also the problem, separate them temporarily so the children can be protected.

But hotlines alone aren’t enough. Not every child has a phone, internet, or the freedom to call.
I imagine a more complete system, anonymous mailboxes in every school, checked by independent third-party organizations.
“Student support points” can be set up in supermarkets, libraries, or convenience stores. No name, no internet, just walk in and ask for help.
I would call this system Silent Voice, to let even the quietest cries be heard.

Figure 1: Teens thinking about whether to call the hotline (diagram).

Explore themes

I know some people become criminals because of poverty, domestic violence, or lack of love. These reasons may not be their fault. But hurting others is still their choice, and their responsibility. Once someone harms others, the road back isn’t always there.

I’ve always wondered, is it fair to offer forgiveness to someone who has taken away another’s future?

If we give second chances too easily, more innocent people may get hurt. But if we never give any second chances, then those who truly want to change may never get the chance. That’s the painful balance we must face in a just world: compassion must walk with caution.

Some people say “human nature is good”, and others believe “humans are born selfish”. I think both may be true. People have the potential for both kindness and cruelty. That’s why a just society needs not only good laws, but also strong education, guidance, and emotional support, especially for those growing up in broken environments.

Many people who harm others were once hurt themselves. But even so, we must never confuse understanding with justification. You can understand why someone did something wrong, but still hold them accountable for what they did.

I am not blindly forgiving.
Some people deserve a second chance, but others don’t. Kindness should not come at the cost of more innocent lives.

If the adults who commit crimes today are already too broken to save, then maybe it’s not too late to save who they once were. Not the criminals they’ve become, but the children they used to be before they were shaped by violence, pain, and silence.

That is why support systems like Silent Voice must begin with the young, prevention is stronger than punishment.

Why It Matters?

The world today is full of fear. In Malaysia and Southeast Asia, crimes like kidnappings and shootings are becoming common. The war between Ukraine and Russia terrifies me even more. Why must innocent people be sacrificed? Why can their lives be taken so easily? These questions make me angry and helpless.

Figure 1: Bullet holes in the window of the car driven by victim after she was shot at point-blank range (Penang, Tuesday, 01 Jul 2025)

Figure 2: In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, first responders work to extinguish a fire following a Russian attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine, Friday, July 4, 2025. 

War is never just about soldiers. The real victims are civilians: children, elders, families. They did nothing wrong, yet they are called “collateral damage.” I’ve seen too many heartbreaking photos, and sometimes I avoid the news because it hurts too much. I start to doubt if humans can ever truly learn peace.

School bullying also makes me reflect. What can a child do when even their parents scold them and teachers look away? Many children are abandoned by the very people meant to protect them.

Challenge

The peaceful world I imagine feels far away.
Greed, inequality, and indifference are everywhere. Some people hurt others out of desperation, others out of cruelty. Governments ignore justice, schools cover up truth, and many people stay silent.
Even the systems meant to protect us—laws, teachers, parents—can fail or even become part of the problem.

Technology and money are not enough. The real obstacle is human nature: fear, pride, hate, and apathy.

Even if I can’t change the world, I believe change can begin with one person.
When more people start to care, even a little, the world might become a little less cruel.

I've always thought: if given the power, I would use it to protect the people I love, even if it meant sacrificing myself. I may not always know the right words, or how to offer comfort, but I can act. Standing between others and harm, that's something I can do. As for the future, I don’t know exactly who I’ll become. But I do hope to be someone brave enough to do what’s right when it matters most.

The world I want to live in is a world where justice is never silenced, evil never wins, and kindness is never crushed.

References

Girls gain when schools hang up mobile phones. (2023, March 8). The Australian. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/special-reports/girls-gain-when-schools-hang-up-mobile-phones/news-story/1095e2fba9280ee20558d9ab067c638a

Hilmy, I. (2025, July 1). Man shot outside Penang school. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/07/01/man-shot-outside-penang-school

Russia launches largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began. (2025, July 5). KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. https://kstp.com/ap-top-news/russia-launches-largest-missile-and-drone-barrage-on-kyiv-since-war-in-ukraine-began/