Dear Montessorians,

The time has come again to exchange gifts and wishes among friends, neighbours and fellow humans. This is also the time to make decisions for ourselves: how are we going to make this world better in 2006?

Let me join all of you in wishing the best for the children. For our children who are so fortunate to grow in a Montessori environment.  I wish every one of them to make the best of this privilege. For all the children of the world, particularly those living in areas affected by poverty, disasters and conflicts, I wish to have more opportunities to become themselves and fulfil their potential.

For all the Montessorians, I wish that our concern for children will become the guide of our actions. The coming year will see us mobilised to prepare the celebration of the centenary of the Casa dei Bambini. My wish is that we use that renewed energy not to congratulate ourselves but to accept the new challenge of the next century, which is the challenge of preparing new generations of children to face the obstacles of a difficult world. My wish is that we use the opportunity to work for the unity of the movement, a unity that would increase our influence and allow us to become the effective agents of change that we all dream to become.

We are living through difficult times but exciting opportunities.

With my very best personal wishes to you all and your families.

André Roberfroid