A Message from the President of AMI, André Roberfroid
Dear Montessorians, Offering best wishes is traditional at this time of year. However, at this particular moment I have the rare privilege to present to you a very unique message. Not only do I have the pleasure to wish you and your loved ones, happiness, health and success for the year 2008, but to join all of you in wishing the Montessori movement a flourishing and successful new Century! A Century during which millions of children will preserve and develop their natural talents. A Century during which the rights of the child will be recognized as the standard of civilization. A Century during which the children’s innate capacity for peace will guide and influence the building of a better world society.

Some may think that this is unreasonably wishful thinking! I am deeply convinced that it is not. We all know that the children growing in a Montessori environment develop their self-confidence and therefore their ability to live a social life driven by tolerance and mutual respect. We also know that the AMI training programme produces Montessori teachers of the best possible quality.

But more importantly, the celebration of the Montessori Centenary has demonstrated that our movement is modern, vibrant, popular and respected all around the world. Everywhere we have met young Montessorians enthusiastic and eager to expand the movement. Everywhere we have been joined by parents impressed by the “Montessori miracle” happening to their children and willing to participate in its development. Everywhere we have been challenged by specialists, overwhelmed by the worldwide crisis of most education systems, and counting on us to provide a much needed hope.

Everywhere we have been approached by other Montessori groups, always showing their respect for the quality of the AMI training programme and hoping for our leadership.

The impact of the Centenary celebration goes far beyond our expectations. I want to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of AMI, our gratitude and admiration for the hundreds of Montessorians who have spent time, energy and talent to accomplish this extraordinary success. From Rome to Nara, from San Francisco to Hangzhou, from Ottawa to London, in most of the capitals of the world, the name of Maria Montessori has been celebrated. Clearly, and thanks to so many of you, our movement has been re-energized.

We must now mobilize and organize ourselves to meet the challenge. A strategic planning exercise is currently ongoing and our Executive Board will make major organizational decisions next March.

Our secretariat, in spite of the tragic loss of our friend Mary Hayes, is ready for the challenge — thanks to the commitment and loyalty of Lynne Lawrence, Barbara, Brenda, Joke, Lucie and Megan, and in the USA Virginia McHugh and her staff. But ultimately, success depends on the participation and enthusiasm of Montessorians everywhere: trainers, teachers, parents, partners of all kinds.

We count on the children, they are counting on us!

With my best personal wishes

André Roberfroid