“among all the possible choices, i decided that the most serious and universal problem is the growing chasm between the richest and poorest people on earth. citizens of the ten wealthiest countries are now 75 times richer than those who live in the ten poorest ones, and the separation is increasing every year, not only between nations but also within them. the results of this disparity are root causes of most of the world’s unresolved problems, including starvation, illiteracy, environmental degradation, violent conflict and unnecessary illnesses that range from guinea worm to hiv/aids. tragically, in the industrialized world there is a terrible absence of understanding or concern about those who are enduring lives of despair and hopelessness. we have not yet made the commitment to share with others an appreciable part of our excessive wealth. this is a necessary and potentially rewarding burden that we should all be willing to assume."