At the end of the historic ecological conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, politicians addressed us, a group of religious leaders, amongst them the Dalai Lama, with an astounding plea: "continue to press us, inspire us, to take measures which will often contravene national interests but are necessary to safeguard the healthy environment beyond borders".

These words have only gained significance since. We know that we have to act as responsible world citizens, far beyond our national barriers, in order to assure the future of our children's children until the seventh generation. And we, spiritual and religious leaders have to be courageous in giving the example. We, the human kind are one body; when part of the body aches because of hunger, AIDS, oppression, the rest of the body feels the pain. We have to pray, inspire day and night so that nations will give 0.7 % of their national budget to developing countries. How many countries are not yet prepared to fulfil this basic agreed duty, including the United States with only 0.2%? It is our spiritual responsibility even in times of the threat of war. We have to reach the goals set by the UN, universal education for all, fresh healthy water, the stopping of the aids epidemic, at least halving the level of poverty, and all by the year 2015!

I believe our different spiritual traditions demand from us an extra taxation, even no more then 0.1 %, to fulfil this duty at least in material way. And there is more. We have to respect all human beings and the God given fabric of life, the trans boundary waters, the air, the earth, the animals.

My dear friend, our great master and pioneer who has invited us to bundle our energy together, our spiritual force, gives leadership to this endeavour of true co-existence with humans and nature and thus with the Divine. Judaism joins these efforts and contributes its greatest gift of experience, hope. Despite all oppression we have never given up our hope in the coming of the messianic age, in the dignity of the human being, in reaching the time of shalom, of peace, of wholeness. Yes, we will speed its coming by striving with all our hearts and minds towards the creation of a decent society in which no one will be degraded.

Yes we will, shalom.