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Message from the World President By Aroti Dutt :gxcerpts from the ACWW President’s Address on Taking Office, Dublin 1965 sociated Country Women of the World is like reaching the top of a mountain. When a mountaineer reaches the summit, he :as no pride in his mind; he feels humble vccause then he realizes how insignificant he --. compared to the greatness of the mountain. at is A.C.W.W. with its great work spread all ver the world. I feel humble and thank each the of you for giving me this great opporâ€" unity of serving this wonderful international vrganization as your President. Through the years, A.C.W.W. has truly beâ€" ome the voice of rural women at an inter- national level. It is overwhelming to think hat each one of you represents here today lLlnCll'edS or thousands of rural women of your ountry. As leaders of such a vital force your esponsibility is great. We should realize that : is not enough to give only material help, :holarship, finance or knowhow knowledge 0 our women. Our work must be inspired o‘ something more fundamental, and we hould be able to give a part of ourselves in Mr work. The late President Woodrow Wilson -f the U.S.A. has said, “If we can harness the -1ora1 conscience of the world, we shall have l force greater than armies.” I ask you, who lse can harness that moral conscience of the rorld better than women? We as homemakers rare to set the standard which future genera- ions will be able to follow. We hope to create 1 world of peace and understanding and carry so our ceaseless war until we reach our goal against the common enemies of humanityâ€" :gnorance, Illiteracy, Poverty and Disease, as nentioned by U Thant, Secretary General of :he United Nations. The world consciousness, which makes us realize the essential oneness of mankind. strives for a union of hearts on a personâ€"to-person oasis. It does not mean interference with Others’ ways of life, thoughts and beliefs. It only means an attempt to understand the other Person's point of view with regard to the basic tacts of life, and to tolerate and respect as far 'TO BECOME the President of the As- WINTER I966 Aroti Dutt, President, Associated Country Woman of the World. as pOSsible. True internationalism means knowledge of other people. their ways of life. traditions, culture and civilization. Modern life has shown that no one can live in isolation. and countries at different levels of progress. economic or otherwise, have much to learn from each other. The future plans of A.C.W.W. are broadly based on this knowledge. "Working Together" has been the theme of our conference, and these two weeks we have learned much from each other. Let this be the beginning of a long chapter of co-operation in our work and in our thoughts. Speaking of working together, I remember those lines. "The human heart is all I need. for I have found God ever there. Love is the one sufficient Creed. Comradeship the purest prayer.“ The A.C.W.W. has always put the emphasis on welfare of home and family. so with your consent I would like to make some personal remarks. I owe very much to my husband and to his family tradition of social work, and to my seventeen-year-old son. It has been possible to work for A.C.W.W. with their con- stant support and encouragement. In the days to come let us hope that we shall come to see more clearly not that which divides but that which unites us, and let us pray for a world in which we can live in sympathy with others and plan for the future with confidence. May God bless you all and your work. 15