This has been a depressing time to watch today’s “adults,” whose talent for self-

absorption and political paralysis makes it difficult to solve big problems.

But many young people haven’t yet learned to be cynical. They believe, in a wonderfully earnest way, in creating a

better world.

Rachel Beckwith

•She said she wanted to help the cancer kids (5 years old). • She asked her friends to donate $9 each to charity:water

for water projects in Africa (8 years old).

• On June 12, her ninth birthday, Rachel was able to raise only $220 (the target was of $300)

• She had a car accident on July 20. Her parents, when it was clear that Rachel would never regain consciousness,

decided to remove life support.

As I write this, more than $850,000 has been raised from all over the world,

including donations from Africans awed by a little American girl who cared about their

continent.

Yet this is a story not just of one girl, but of a generation of young people working creatively

to make this a better world.

“What has been so inspiring about Rachel is that she has taught the adults”

“Adults are humbled by the unselfishness of this little girl.”

Stephane Hessel

• was born 20 October 1917.• is a diplomat and politician.

• participated in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.

• He is a member of the French division of the International Decade for the Promotion of a

Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World.

Time for Outrage!

Hessel's booklet argues that the French need to again become outraged, as were those who participated in the Resistance

during World War II. Hessel's reasons for personal outrage include the growing gap

between the very rich and the very poor, the need to re-establish a free press, the need to protect the environment, importance of protecting the French welfare system, and the

plight of Palestinians.

He calls for peaceful and non-violent insurrection.