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Every morning, our one and only sun rises above the horizon, and although its warmth and light will reach each of us at a different hour, the same day will begin for every citizen of the world. This reality unites us all.
Upon waking, each man, woman and child will share with millions of others the hope of living through this day in dignity and with all the due respect for his or her rights. If they knew those with whom they share this planet, they would realize that most people pursue the same dream. They would learn that they are united in their daily chores, such as in feeding, caring and educating their children, or repairing the roof before the rainy season, sowing the fields and gardens, harvesting the fruits of their labour, repaying debts and providing shelter. However, in order to become aware of that which unites us, access to global information should be made a basic human right, not a privilege. The discovery of the daily activities of people like ourselves, and the sharing of the extraordinary diversity of living conditions and cultures throughout the world will contribute to the development of a global consciousness, an essential component of the emergence of a more peaceful world. Yet it is within the family, the microcosm of our society, that are bred the feelings that give rise to hatred, violence and war. But at the same time, it is also within the family that peace on earth will arise. As such, the family has the unique and important responsibility to teach and to promote understanding and tolerance. Today, with the survival of the Earth and of mankind at stake, the family has the obligation to participate in the awakening of the world citizen. To be a citizen of the world is to be proud and respectful of all forms of life. It is a state of being that gives greater meaning to the little tasks that we perform daily in our homes and communities. It teaches us that we are both "great" and "small", that we are part of the history of the universe and of this planet, just as we belong to our community and family. The main purpose of the Families of the World Company is to ensure that every person will have access to the information and knowledge that will enable us to better understand those with whom we share this planet, and thus participate in the development of a global consciousness. "Presenting Humanity to Humanity", I invite you all to share this wonderful human adventure. Hélène Tremblay author The Families of the World Collection www.fdmfow.org |