By René Wadlow

There is a tale of a Rabbi who enters into a discussion with his students about the night. He asks them, “When can one know that the night has ended and the day has begun?”. One student suggests, “When you can tell the difference between a sheep and a dog.” Another student suggests, “When you can see the difference between an olive tree and a fig tree”. “No”, replies the Rabbi, “It is the moment when you can look at a face never seen before and recognize the stranger as a brother or sister. Until that moment, no matter how bright the day, it is still night.”

In much of the world, it is still night. In 2026, the greatest challenge facing the world society is to release the enormous financial, technical, and human resources still used for military and narrow nationalist goals for ecologically-sound development. These resources will be provided only as more persons develop a profound sense of responsibility for the fate of the planet and for the well-being of the entire human family. We seek to develop a sustainable and just world. If we work together, 2026 can be a strong light for the world.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.