Answers were as diverse as the nations they came from when Epoch Times reporters, from Turkey to Italy, asked locals, "What gives you hope?"
Kevin Hawkins, 50, Photographer
I'd say young people everywhere in all cultures, and maybe what's going to happen in the future with the whole world coming together in one place at some point. That gives me a lot of hope. Because I guess these days there's so much we have in common with the Internet, communication, and globalization. You know, so many people in different cultures are waking up to their own leadership and learning to do it themselves, rather than relying on the way that it's been for hundreds of years, and having their leaders do everything. So I guess that's going to be a big movement over the next 50 to 100 years. Young people taking charge.
Francesco Fratta, 45, Metal Mechanic (railway construction)
Having money is a big motivation in my life but having my family well and in pace is what gives me hope. For me, it is enough for my family to be good. In my life that is important. They give me hope.
Aycan Kimyon, 33, Coffee Shop Manager
As long as I can breath and stand on my own feet, I will never lose my hope….
Edwin Lentze, 47, High School Teacher
The power of a person gives me hope. Some people just have so much power. When you have a positive view on things, I know for sure that things will turn out good. Sometimes there are problems, but I know that people with positive attitudes will look for answers. My pupils show me that. Like one, Kalai, she believes in what she can. She has a powerful presence. That gives the feeling that you are not alone, but there is someone who is helping to think about things. As a teacher, my pupils and I motivate each other.
Fabiana Cardoso Almeida, 29, Nurse
What gives me hope is knowing that tomorrow will be a new day and I'll have a new chance to correct my mistakes and do better.
Sicuro Romina, 30, Architect
Faith in God and the desire for a better world is what gives me hope. For sure, it seems to be a utopia but I believe that this will happen. This hope gives me strength to go forward in this difficult world, where all are attached to the concept of "beauty" at any cost, without human values and good principles. I hope that one day all this may change and each of us will be free to be himself, without social and racial differences.
Sue Imlach, 53, Property Management
I don’t know. I suppose not much at present, maybe only that my daughter’s turning 21 this week, and that I’ve got a job, which a lot of people don’t at the moment. I’ve got a lot of friends and family. As far as economics go, I think it’s all a bit scary.
Manfred Kretschmer, 70, Retired Electrician
It gives me hope that the Green Party gets more votes and therefore more influence. A lot of people rail on them and their ideas to save resources of energy such as fuel and so on. But when the big bang comes in ten years, because we are running out of energy, all of them will say "God, we should have listened to them." Forget all the other big parties, they will not change anything, they are good at talking only.
Nikolaos Ksenogiannis, 76, Retired Chief Engineer
Seeing my children settled and successful.
Linnea Astrom, 31, Activities Developer
When there are great positive changes happening in the world. And when people are protesting against something like the presidential elections in Iran. When one believes in changes although the chances for change is small, that one does it anyway, and has the courage to do so.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week, when Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: "What advice would you like to give the leader of your country?"
