The Book of Ideas

              CHAPTER SIX

MESSAGES FROM LEADERS PAST AND PRESENT
Become acquainted with our Leaders through these thoughts which they have written for our W.I. Book of Ideas. "In this present day world, physical distances are getting less and less. With the progress of science, we are moving faster than light and sound. Has physical closeness brought us nearer together? If it had, there would not be so much mistrust and prejudice amongst us. The root of all prejudice is ignorance, and the existence of prejudice shows that we have not been able to remove ignorance about others from our minds and that our knowledge about others is skin deep only. We give more importance to outward things-the color of the skin or the country one belongs to, rather than the human being-the inner self. Thousand of years ago, the sages of the Upanishad said, "Know thyself, for only then can you know others." If we do, then we can establish that harmony in our dealings with the outside world. We have first to kindle the spark within and then, only then, shall we find the spirit of peace and harmony in the outside world. "There is a saying, "I saw something on the side of a mountain, I thought it was a beast. It came closer, I saw it was a man. He came to me, I saw it was my brother." "The aim of an organization like the Associated Country Women of the World is in tune with such thought. The A.C.W.W. has tried to bring "the distant near and make a brother of the stranger." In all its Regional and International Conferences and through all its projects for awards of scholarships and exchange workers, A.C.W.W. aims to promote better understanding and build bridges of friendship among rural women and homemakers all over the world. "We, in different lands, are lighting Lamps of Friendship. They may not be dazzling, but will, we hope, show the way to the future generation. "
AROTI DUTT, A.C.W.W. President 1965-68 Past Area Vice-President for Asia.

From Georda Van Beekhoff, vans Selms, President A.C.W.W. 1963-1965 "Our organization, the A.C.W.W., in existence three decades, has, as a mature, efficient organization should, changed with the times. In the pioneering days, Mrs. Watt and her friends cherished the dream of creating a permanent link between country women and homemaker societies, and of establishing helpful relations between nations, by promoting International understanding and goodwill in the world. This has stood, however great

the changes.

"The themes of the Triennial Conferences tell the story. In those depression years:-'Food in the Country Home,' 'Vitamins in the Daily Meals' and still vital to women all over the world. Then a new theme, 'Rural Welfare' with windows opening more and more on the world and a great change in subjects under discussion. We have 'How can a Country Woman as an individual and a society member, take a more active part in International Work?' and 'What lies ahead for A.C.W.W. and the Affiliated 22

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