I agree with Mr Lyon (Should we all join the protesters?, Soapbox, April 4) that all generations long for a better world, not just the young.

We can all dream, but turning dreams into reality is the hard part – and however we despise politicians, it is only by engaging in the political process that we can really bring about change. “What is important in life” may seem self-evident to him, but we all have different ideas on how to interpret this sentiment.

Here are some of my views:

1 Changing times. The last time there was such disparity between economic and political power the dislocation led to the First World War. This time there will be much suffering by many for months to come (my husband has already lost his job), but at least lives will not be lost. We need to ease the pain suffered by the casualties, often those at the bottom of the social scale.

2 A willingness to explore new ideas of running businesses/creating houses/improving transport links with sustainability in mind. The Archbishop of Canterbury said in the Minster recently that if we don’t take action now then we’re guilty of colluding in the destruction of man’s habitat.

3 Some redistribution of wealth from the fabulously wealthy to the underprivileged both nationally and internationally. A world at peace must be based on justice – conflicting parties must seek common ground and this often requires a third party to mediate a new understanding. So many lives will be lost in Afghanistan and Pakistan if serious attention is not given to the crisis in the Middle East.

The journey to the new world will be dangerous and fraught with difficulties – are we all on board?

Linda Maggs, Church Lane, Dunnington, York.