by Bradford K. Smith, vice president

As the 20th century draws to a close, we must redouble our commitment to the fundamental ideals of peace and social justice. Having survived two world wars and a cold war, we still face more than 30 armed conflicts around the globe. While many of the poor have seen their living standards improve, they have also witnessed a dramatic widening in the gap separating them from the wealthy. Growing interdependence has made some economies more prosperous and others more vulnerable as vast fortunes are shuttled across the globe with a few computer keystrokes. People, civic organizations, businesses and governments everywhere are often unsure about their rights and responsibilities in a rapidly changing world.