Basil Fernando

If the new millennium produces more wealth, it still will not be a success, as wealth will belong only to a few of the privileged class. However, if the new millennium brings an end to all forms of discrimination, it will bear more success than other times in history; even if no new wealth is created.

It will be a much better millennium if happiness, instead of wealth, is increased. But for happiness to increase there must be an end to discrimination and barbaric acts.

We wish from the depths of our hearts that in the new millennium the barbarism and humanity’s inhumanity to itself, will not repeat, as it has happened so many times in history.

We wish for a millennium devoid of discriminations whether based on caste or religion; an end to all forms of discrimination against women. We hope that children will be freed from bonded labour and sexual exploitation, and that children will be able to play and be happy thorugh the improvement of living conditions in the family and the world as a whole.

A century of concern for victims of the HIV virus and the excluded. Freedom from debt, and overall a much more healthy environment for humankind to advance confidently into the future.

(Source: Religious Perspectives on Human Rights, Volume 2, No.1)