It is fundamentally unethical to attain prosperity at the expense of future generations, by abusing natural resources, leaving a heritage in the form of hazardous waste and enormous debts. The most important factor responsible for the deterioration of our environment is lack of ethics that can be universally observed.

Given that it is human nature to be arrogant and egoistic, it is necessary to establish a well-defined framework in conformity with fundamental ethics. The common ethical codes of major religions and the conscience of civil society emanating from belief in a supreme order could be integrated into global ethics. The lofty efforts in this direction, contributing to the coexistence of different cultures and civilizations, are keenly needed to avoid the clash of cultures and civilizations that will become possible if the struggle for material wealth spreads world-wide.

Under such circumstances, the world needs a new civilization based upon solidarity, ethics and spiritual values, respecting the environment as much as the interests of future generations. Such a new civilization necessitates a new economics that goes beyond economy covering cultures, civilizations, ecology, human dignity, and other unquantifiable human values. Science and technology should be guided by a moral direction that defines a clear notion of good and bad. We should know that it is sensibility and compassion, not intelligence and reason that can provide us with such a direction.

The world deplores the lack of leadership that truly assumes the responsibility of securing the future of humanity by remedying the above-mentioned crisis of the present civilization.

The 20th century was the century of human rights and freedom. The 21st century should be a century of human responsibility and duties. With this in mind, civil society, in closer cooperation with government, should play a greater role to safeguard the future of the world. Heavy responsibility rests with the industrialized nations in the creation of a new civilization.