HAPPY NATIONAL DAY SEYCHELLES

I would like to extend to the President, Government and people of Seychelles warmest congratulations on another National Day.
Internally, Seychelles is going through some difficult times – particularly at the political level where there is a need to converge towards unity under the philosophy of Seychelles First and National Reconciliation. But Seychelles is also a part of the global village of today, and in this connection, we cannot afford over-looking at some of the great challenges facing humanity – the problem of rising population … and rising expectation …. global increase in poverty … widening gap between the poor and wealthy ….. over exploitation of natural resources … loss of biodiversity … looming shortages of food, energy and water … hardening of racial and religious prejudice ….. increasing pollution of the soil, water, oceans, atmosphere … accelerating climate change … systematic inequalities ….. moral and humanitarian double standards within politics and business … increasing resentment; despair, hatred and violence …
Against the background of this sad and unhappy scenario, the Seychelles Review is determined to play a positive role in the facing of these challenges with honour and dignity. At this time, I believe it is important for us, now and again, to remind ourselves of certain words of wisdom expressed by some of the great thinkers of the world
“There’s one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come” – Victor Hugo
“It is the duty of us all to leave behind a better world” – Chris Rose, Founder of One Giant Step
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” – Martin Luther King
“One cannot solve the problem with the same kind of thinking that gave rise to that problem” – Albert Einstein
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future” – Franklin Roosevelt
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” – Ralf Waldo Emerson
“This is not environmental philanthropy; it is sound business which balances business needs with ecological and social concerns” – Bill Ford, Chairman Ford Motor Co.
“I’ve always thought that a big laugh is really a loud noise from the soul saying ‘ain’t that the truth” – Quincy Jones
“The future is already here it is just distributed unevenly” – Paul Saffo, Institute for the Future
“Whatever you can do or dream you can do begin it, boldness has genius, power and magic in it” – Goethe
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Lao-Tse
Before concluding, I would like to express the hope that this National Day issue of the Seychelles Review will provide much room for positive thinking about our future.  Finally, let me avail of this opportunity to thank everybody who has supported this issue in one way or another not forgetting the Editor and staff of the Seychelles Review and the management and staff of Colour Print Co. (Pty) Ltd.
James R. Mancham
Publisher - Seychelles Review