In the early 2000s, Future Generations began a documentary audio project called Voices of Future Generations. The idea was to create a radio program by children, for adults. “Children endure the most difficult circumstances with joy, creativity, and hope,” read the promotional brochure. “Through their stories, children open our eyes to the smallest details, help us understand the diversity of culture and the wonders of nature, and help us solve problems by looking toward the future. Adults need to hear children tell stories of how they see the world. Unlike the news that focuses attention on the present or the past, the stories of children point listeners to the future and help to restore hope in a rapidly changing and unstable world that looms with big questions.”

The radio program never materialized, but Future Generations staff did record nine children from seven different countries, talking about things that were happening in their lives – everything from fishing to terminal illness. Most of these children would be in their twenties by now, but the importance of listening to their voices is timeless.

Over the course of the next few months, Future Generations will make these three-minute recordings available here, beginning with a young girl in Vancouver talking about helping to take care of her family while her mother is in a hospital seeking treatment for cancer.