Invitation to State of the World Forum

Dear Mr. Meisen,

It is my personal honor to invite you to participate in an historic and timely endeavor, the State of the World Forum, to be held in San Francisco September 27 - October 1, 1995.

As we leave the Cold War behind and enter a new century, we face many complex problems whose solution will require not only physical and financial resources but as importantly a renewed sense of leadership and global vision. Now is the time to constructively envision the next phase of human development.

I am joined in convening this multi-year initiative by Co-Chairs: President Askar Akaev, President Oscar Arias, Secretary James A. Baker, III, Prime Minister Tansu Çiller, Prim Minister Ruud Lubbers, Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu, Prim Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, Secretary George Shultz, Mr. Maurice Strong, Mr. Ted Turner and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

We are inviting individuals whose expertise and concern enable them to critically analyze and constructively shape the issues central to the future of our planet. Those invited include: senior statespeople, current political leaders, business executives, scientists, spiritual leaders, community activists, intellectuals, artists and youth.

I believe you would make an important and valuable contribution to this international endeavor, and I invite you to join with us at the launching of this substantive process.

Please allow me to present as a gift the enclosed selection of my personal reflections on humanity's future, which I hope will prove useful as you review the materials and consider  your personal participation.

I look forward to meeting and working with you at the opening of this initiative in San Francisco.

Sincerely,

Mikhail S. Gorbachev