Christmas should be a time without worry, without fear. Nearly 100 years have passed since the First World War ended, yet global peace is still far from reality. Devastating terrorist attacks continue to take place and leave me wondering: what is the future for my generation?
As a young person, I have to admit that I am very concerned by all that is happening. All-out wars between countries are still fought on a daily basis, but it's the unprovoked attacks on innocent people that really worry me. The lives of many people have already been lost, and what for? Nothing is ever permanently resolved, the only outcome is that more people die and their broken families are left behind.
Terrorists take it upon themselves to carry out the most horrific actions based on their beliefs. They aim to terrorise fear into each and every one of us. People shouldn't have to live in fear of just going about their daily business. An unlucky few do pay the ultimate price: victims to being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
What will be left for us as young people? It is likely that many countries will unite to fight ISIS, but in just a matter of years could we be looking at another full blown world war? Britain has recently announced that we will be carrying out air strikes on Syria, but in my opinion this doesn't really make us any better than the terrorists as many innocent Syrians will die in the process. To me this only makes the situation ten times worse.
Is there a way to combat terrorism? In all honesty I don't know the answer to that. We just have to have faith somehow in the people who hold power that they will sort this mess out one way or another, hopefully without too many casualties in the process.
I refuse as a young person to be given a world damaged beyond repair in which fighting is an everyday occurrence. Our ancestors fought the same battles, but here we are again. We deserve the right to a bright future filled with happiness and joy.
This is our world; we will not let terrorists take it from us.
Aaron Cahill, 16, Attleborough
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