time when many people live with the horrors of terrorism, when some of us are running out of clean air to breath, when extraordinary wealth comes next to extreme poverty, and when human rights, while almost universally recognized, are abused daily and systematically through out the world, we gather to bring about much needed change in today's world.

Despite the geographic distances, cultural varieties, and the many different fields of study, active students from all around the world share similar experiences and face the same hurdles. In their active participation they come to face many who knowingly or unknowingly abuse human rights. The kind of people who don't know and don’t want to know how they are being destructive.

Two of the common hurdles the active student faces—no matter which part of the world he/she may be in—are people's old mentalities and the lack of communication between decision makers and the people they influence. This goes on at all levels, everywhere. Between parents and children, between education administrators and students. We see the lack of communication between governments and the general public.

As one side speaks out to express opinions, the other side would need to develop its capabilities to understand and evaluate the opinions. But the training for this development is not there.

It is very ironic that in the so-called age of communication, the gaps that come in the way of what should have been close relationships have never been wider. We're living in a time when teenagers and young people are growing more and more distant from their seniors.

In this glorious age of communication and dialogue, governments from the most democratic nations to the most authoritarian, don't give enough credit to public opinion. They go about decision making and they start wars even when their own people are all out on the streets protesting against such decisions. And these people are just ignored as if they where invisible. This level of ignorance is just unbelievable for the age of dialogue and communication. I encourage all of you students out there to unite and do something about this. I think we have the power and competence to promote communication, dialogue and transparency where ever they don't already exist. With our passion, will power, and voluntary spirit we can make this happen, because we are prepared to go to great lengths to serve our goals.

We' are the reason why the student world assembly is not a usual assembly. Because we give it liveliness and youthfulness. Into the usually measured and diplomatic discussions held in most assemblies, we'll be introducing our passions, enthusiasm, questions, fears, challenges and optimism.

You members give 'life' to the values of our Assembly and to the cause of human rights. You are the voice of students who don't get a chance to speak out. Unfortunately the principle that students should have a say in what affects them is often met with resistance from those who see it as undermining governmental authority. But if student participation is not facilitated, the consequence would only be one thing: a world of young adults who do not know how to express themselves, engage in constructive dialogue, or assume responsibility for themselves and others.

The SWA provides the means for us to participate through a wide range of activities and we can choose the most suitable form and style of participation, depending on the countries we're in, the resources we have, and the amount of freedom we enjoy.

We must bear in mind that in some social and political circumstances encouraging students to speak out may put them at risk. In a non-political organization such as this students can't be expected to play leading roles in confronting repressive public authorities.

In such cases where it is hazardous for students to speak their minds, the SWA, with its on-line creative democracy initiative has enabled students to express their views as anonymous members, safely and soundly. This way, other members, in more stable stages of action can reflect their views. This is networking and meaningful participation at its best.

After all, meaningful participation is the means by which democracy is built, and a standard against which democracy should be measured. Every culture has student heroes in its history who have changed the lives of communities and the destinies of nations. The participation of students has been and will be at the center of every success.

In the SWA we will make sure that the burden of responsibility is never too heavy on any single member's shoulders. I will do my best to assist others and I welcome and encourage the rest of you to offer me your guidance and support.

In the end I'd like to read you a little poem, written originally by a little Afgan girl, who was displaced during the Taliban- US conflict. The poem is about life:

Life is: a classroom with smiling school friends.
Sunshine. Quiet.
A street without machine guns and a field without mines
A home with a mother and father and brothers and sisters.

I wish you all success and a bright future.

Thank You for listening.

Elahe Beheshti-Tabar
Isfahan University (http://www.ui.ac.ir)
Isfahan, Iran