Message from AMI's President

6 January 2002

Ninety-five years ago today the Casa dei Bambini opened its doors in San Lorenzo. It would seem an auspicious day to gather one’s stray thoughts into a cogent vision for 2002, the first of the five years that will bring us to the Centenary of the Montessori Movement. In preparation for the second century of our work, it might be propitious to formulate a five-year plan, based on those objectives stated under Article 4 of the AMI Articles of Association that are not explicitly implemented, i.e. a., b., d., e., and f.

Art. 4: The Association aims to accomplish the objectives referred to in Article 3 by all lawful means and in particular by:

furthering study, application and propagation of the Montessori ideas and principles for education and human development.
the propagation of knowledge and understanding of the conditions necessary for the full development of the human being from conception to maturity both at home and in society.
by accrediting centres where people may be trained according to the principles and practices of education as envisaged by Dr. Maria Montessori.
helping to create a climate of opinion and opportunities for the full development of the potential of all young people so that humanity may work in harmony for a higher and more peaceful civilisation.
promoting general recognition of the child's fundamental rights as envisaged by Dr. Maria Montessori irrespective of racial, religious, political or social environment.
co-operating with other bodies and organisations which promote the development of education, human rights and peace.
As at present the only one actively accomplished is objective c., namely, accrediting centres where people may be trained according to the principles and practices of education as envisaged by Dr. Maria Montessori, which among the five remaining should then be considered first?

Last year humanity was shocked into the fierce awareness that unless the many groups that pursue the greater good of our evolving species work in concert, their laudable and diligent efforts will be meaningless. So, perhaps, it would be wise to look at objective f. for the coming year: co-operating with other bodies and organisations which promote the development of education, human rights and peace.

Recently, travelling eastward on a highway, there appeared in silhouette against the sunrise a row of many windmills, set out along a hilltop ridge, their long and elegant blades turning all at the same speed, yet asynchronous. Silent windmills, peaceful in the early morning light, accumulating clean energy from a source unending. Once past the ridge, looking back, there were the windmills, angelic in their pulchritude, tranquil and deliberate, white against the dark sky of the west.

It is in our nature to seek symbols. The windmills, set between the shadows of the night and the gentle clarity of the dawn, appeared as a utopian portrayal of complicity among the diverse bodies and organisations which promote the development of education, human rights and peace, inspirited by the source unending that are the children.

Throughout 2002, may cheer, tenacity and concord prevail as we endeavour to implement objective f.

Renilde Montessori