Since the oldest records, people have travelled from one place to another in order to discover new lands, search for food and better place to live or escape from their cultural or natural limitations. For many of us this is a normal matter of things and a chance for a better future. On the other hand, there are those who find emigration a problem, even a threat. How should we perceive it, as an opportunity or benefits? Or maybe a significant problem and issue? And the most difficult: why do people even start to emigrate from their countries? After considering the matter for some time, I will try to answer some key questions.

There are two methods to handle an issue of emigration. First of all, note that there are many people seeing emigration as a bad thing, and that we should minimize it instead of thinking how to use it for our common benefit. We should learn from Canada, Australia or the USA, and try to attract the most talented and qualified immigrants. But in the eyes of skilled immigrants, our Europe, will not be an attractive place without the newcomers feeling absolutely comfortable and welcomed. They should have a full access to education, entertainment, the labor market and have a possibility to establish their own companies. Advantages of setting up activities in Europe should be easy accessible. When immigrants settle down in Europe, they should have the same social rights as the local people. Moreover we should definitely eliminate any form of discrimination against them and their families. Maybe it is not as big as it used to be several decades ago, but it still exists. I think that the best way is working in local communities. It would improve the relations between people, when they learn about each other. I believe that Europe may look like this in 2030. This is how I imagine the future of emigration.

However, to be honest, I like way better the other method. Think of, our continent as a place with countries so properly growing up, that nobody, has to emigrate anywhere. Just like Martin Luther King Junior had a dream about equal chances and opportunities for everyone, so do I have a dream, but about Europe that I can be proud of. Europe free of hatred, prejudice and bias. Europe where my children stay in their country, living with dignity, and becoming old without regretting anything.

So, why do people leave their homelands? There are a lot of reasons. Low earnings, high taxes, bad politics or even mean people. Only because there is a bad situation, does not mean you have to run away from your problem. It is called cowardice. Everyone sometimes thinks that grass is greener somewhere else, but instead of looking for it, why do not you make it greener where you are? Problems are there to be solved.

Some people emigrate because they are ashamed of their nationality. I’m asking why? My late grandfather said something I will always keep in mind – “It doesn’t matter where you’ve been born. It is what you do with your gift of life determines who you are”. And it is the truth. All is up to you.

If we want a better times to come, we have to start making changes and changes are made when people work together. Nobody is going to make it for us. If there is no job, maybe we should organize some fundraising for workplaces. Or make some website which will make people start taking up challenges. There are lots of ideas. The best of them were completed with help of European Union funds. Read some newspaper or watch the Television, there are many ideas accomplished because of Union help, concept and work of normal people.

I wonder what keeps us from acting. Is it fear? Or maybe lack of self – confidence. There is nothing to lose, but much to gain, so I do not understand it. Sitting, and doing nothing is worse than making mistakes, because from mistakes, we can draw conclusions.

Now Europe is going through hard times. There are financial crisis, overpopulation in some countries, and high unemployment, especially among the youth unemployment in others. But if we want to see improvement in 2030, we have to start working now. It will not be easy, but easy tasks are worth nothing. Just like Tupac Shakur said – “I know it seems hard sometimes, but remember one thing… There’s a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep your head up, and handle it”. And I believe in it, because only weak back down. And we are not weak… Are we?