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				Rafael C. Lopa Building the Future today "What are the decisions and concrete measures we should take now in order to ensure the future we desire? The question is more than philosophical. In the light of the state of our world today, it is truly a practical and urgent concern. Humanity is currently caught in a race on for more and more progress, more and more technology to get somewhere fast. Where that is, is not exactly clear. And what we want to achieve when we get there is even more vague. Where do we really want technology to take us? The picture becomes even more absurd when you look at the unequal pace of development in the different regions of the world. While the North revels in the easy availability of the most modern means of communication known to man, many parts of the world don't even have telephones or electricity. Somewhere along the line, people have been forgotten. I therefore believe that we must create innovative measures in making access to all this technology more democratic and universal. But still, even when information technology finds the most efficient way of providing access to information, the next question that needs to be asked is, for what? I find that the most important decisions we must make today to ensure the kind of future we hope to have is whether or not this race should continue at its present reckless pace. The fundamental truth that every individual matters, and that the good of society is every person's responsibility, is what has been taken for granted in the mad rush towards the future. We could look on helplessly and allow technology to dictate its rules and values on us and our children. Or we could be pro-active and give our children the values and priorities not only to survive the relentless onslaught of progress and development, but recognize the good in it and harness this for the betterment of mankind."
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