Thabo Mbeki
Deputy President, Republic of South Africa

"I would like to make bold to say that the next century will face a process of the reformation of governance driven by the pull of two seemingly contending forces at either end of a magnet - the one being the globalization of governance and the other, the devolution of power to the citizen."

Mikhail Gorbachev
President, Soviet Union (1985-1991); Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1990

"During the years since its inception, the State of the World Forum has come a long way. It has created a large network of activists, many of whom I call my friends. Working together and interacting with them is a thought-provoking experience that enriches one's mind, a practical study in achieving unity in diversity. In our globalizing and increasingly interconnected world, we must learn to listen to and hear each other, to assure that change, which is inevitable, works for the benefit of all. Our meetings in San Francisco and follow-up activities are part of this quest."

Rigoberta Menchú Tum
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1992

"This is the first such conference, the first State of the World Forum. This means that each time, more and more people will be able to come together and meet again. The indigenous people of America, the indigenous people of the world are alive and very willing to participate and to try share whatever knowledge we have and to share our experiences."

Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan
Sufi Master

"It is an achievement of great skill to collate the wisdom, know-how, culture, and even emotional attainments of so many creative minds and personalities within the constraints imposed in our day and age; to leave our increasingly demanding daily occupations and upgrade our knowledge; share as we resonate with kindred beings by the sortilege of affinity; and regale at a pool of bountiful resources oriented towards a new vision for the Millennium."

Margaret Thatcher
Prime Minister, United Kingdom (1979-1990)

"I think we are prepared for anything that lies ahead. We came out of the Cold War into a much better world. Into a world with many more democracies. This is not only better for individuals, it's better for peace."

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