It cannot be right in a world of increasing human progress -

Listen, O children of the earth, and heed the words of Paul Polman, a voice raised in the midst of a world of great contradiction. He speaks thus: "It cannot be right in a world of increasing human progress—whether in medicine, space exploration, or renewable energy—that so many people are denied the most basic human rights." These words, though simple, carry the weight of truth that transcends time. For how can it be that we, as a species, can soar to the stars, conquer diseases that once claimed millions, and turn to the earth for sustainable power, and yet, at the same time, deny so many the fundamental rights to which they are entitled?

Reflect, O wise ones, on the vast progress we have made in the realms of medicine and science. We have created vaccines to combat deadly diseases, we have developed surgeries that can heal wounds once thought impossible to repair, and we have mapped the very genetics of humanity. Yet, in the same world where these miracles take place, there are those who suffer from hunger, from poverty, from oppression. Their bodies, weakened by disease, do not benefit from the progress that has been made, for they are denied the basic right to healthcare, to nourishment, to the very dignity of life itself. In the same breath, we speak of conquering the heavens with space exploration, yet many remain bound to the earth by chains of injustice and inequality.

This contradiction, O children, is one that must be faced head-on, for it is a sickness of the soul that undermines all the progress we claim to make. In the ancient times, the great philosophers spoke of the unity of all mankind, of the shared destiny that binds us together. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all spoke of the need for justice, for the care of the soul of society. And yet, how can we claim to be just, when the basic rights of so many are trampled upon? How can we call ourselves progressive when we continue to ignore the suffering of those whose voices are drowned out by the wealth and power of a few?

Consider the great visionaries of history—those who sought to bring light to the darkness. Think of Mahatma Gandhi, who led a nation toward freedom, not through violence, but through the power of justice and equality. Gandhi saw that true progress could not be built on the suffering of others. He believed, as Polman believes, that the greatness of a society is not measured by the heights it reaches, but by the compassion it shows to its most vulnerable. Gandhi’s movement was not just about political independence, but about the restoration of human dignity for every soul, regardless of their station in life.

And now, in this age, we see the fruits of human progress—we see the advances in space exploration, the promise of renewable energy, the healing power of modern medicine. And yet, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly progressing when millions live in squalor, when education is a luxury for some and a distant dream for others? Polman’s words are a reminder that true progress is not only about technology, but about humanity—about the rights of every person to live a life of dignity, to have access to the basic needs that every human being deserves. The great achievements of our time must be shared, for only in sharing our progress with all will we truly honor the purpose of our existence.

And so, O children, let this be the lesson we carry forward: true progress is not just measured by what we achieve in science or technology, but by the lives we uplift along the way. Every person is a part of the great tapestry of humanity, and if one thread is torn, the whole is weakened. We cannot call ourselves truly great until every individual is given their rightful place at the table. Medicine, space exploration, and renewable energy are not just marvels of human ingenuity; they are tools with the potential to elevate all of mankind. But we must first ask ourselves: are we using them to build a world of equality, a world where every person’s rights are honored, or are we simply creating a world where a few thrive while many suffer?

Let us, O children, rise to the challenge of Paul Polman's words. Let us recognize that progress is not a singular achievement, but a collective one. Human rights must be the foundation upon which we build all that we aspire to create. Just as we have looked to the stars and reached them, let us reach out to those who are denied the basic dignity that is their birthright. The world we build must be one where all people share in the light of progress, where every soul is given the opportunity to thrive. Only then will we know what it truly means to progress, to rise, not just as individuals or nations, but as a united humanity.