ABSTRACT
The past century has not been one in which mankind can take great pride. Two world wars of enormous ferocity and unprecedented destruction have scarred the planet, and the cruelty and ignorance displayed in more regional skirmishes sometimes tempt us to question whether humanity has learned anything of value in the past 5,000 years. But perhaps that is a harsh judgement on a century that has also brought remarkable progress in science and technology and has created the vision, or the illusion, of a superior quality of life for a greater number of people. Vision or illusion will depend on the way in which men and women of perception and imagination can understand and use the ideas, tools and techniques now available to them for the greater good of all. The conditions exist to make great strides forward in the perennial battle against ignorance and prejudice. But for this to happen the next century must be the ‘learning century’, 100 years of the realizing of innate human potential. An alternative scenario, in which the powerful new technologies start to control us, or are used by the few to control the many, is not an acceptable option.
