President Chen Shui-bian has dedicated a personal letter to the school children studying at the Karkur Elementary School in Israel, assisting them to hit the Guinness World Record for the "biggest book."
The Department of Public Affairs under the Office of the President said on February 17 that the sixth graders at the Karkur Elementary School wrote a letter to President Chen last December, saying they were currently collecting the world leaders' letters. These letters, according to the Department of Public Affairs, will be compiled as the hugest book in the world and submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who, on behalf of all the children in the world, will present the book to the Guinness World Record to ratify. The purpose of the project is to awaken global awareness and concern about children's issues.
The president has delightedly dedicated his contribution to the students at the Karkur Elementary School, recognizing their enthusiasm and concern about public affairs. He expressed his wishes in the letter, "Let us pray that the world will no longer see war, diseases, poverty, violence and abuse, and that children won't suffer anymore. Let's also pray for a really peaceful world where all people have pure hearts as children like you do."
"You have shown a great deal of humanity," the president also showed his sincerest respect to the Karkur students and shared his philosophy with them that "Love is beyond borders."
The full text of the President's letter is as follows:
Dear Children,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas with me in the letter you sent in December 2005. I am most pleased to learn that there are children around the world, like yourselves, who are seeking ways to give of themselves and help others. You have shown a great deal of humanity, and the world is fortunate to have people like you in it.
We live in a global village where language is no longer a barrier, nor geographical distance an issue. Under the same sky, we strive alongside one another, weaving dreams for ourselves and for future generations. We are all partners in building a better world. As long as we are willing to care for and give to others, we can always make a difference in the world.
I hope that you will continue to build upon your "Karkur" spirit to spread service and compassion to every corner of the world. I believe that your efforts will encourage other people to devote themselves enthusiastically to working together to establish a better and more harmonious society.
Mother Teresa once said that as long as we all choose love as an undertaking and carry it out in our daily lives, the world will be at peace. Let us pray that the world will no longer see war, disease, poverty, violence and abuse, and that children won't suffer anymore. Let's also pray for a really peaceful world where all people have pure hearts as children like you do.
Chen Shui-bian