29 Av, 5766

Dear Friends,

I am writing to let you know that in accordance with The Knesset Law, my term in office as Commissioner for Future Generations will come to an end on November 28th, 2006.

I would like to express to you my deepest appreciation − friends of the Commission in Israel and overseas – for your help in building this institution that is so vitally important for us all, for our children and for future generations. Thank you for all your cooperation and support and for believing that we can instill the recognition of the need for long-term thinking in order to ensure a better future for the State of Israel.

We need to remember that we must always think ahead and that we often find ourselves paying heavily today for the lack of vision and the lack of strategic thinking in the past.

Ever since its establishment, The Commission for Future Generations has endeavored to exert influence on legislation and on the decision-makers in many areas. As a professional, neutral and non-political entity, the Commission has been able to follow a just and impartial path and to present the Knesset with opinions and influence founded on future-based thinking wherever deemed necessary.

It has been both an honour and a pleasure for me to serve the State of Israel in this position and I hope we will have opportunities to cooperate and work together in the future.

Day will come when our children and future generations will appreciate our caring for them.

With my heartfelt appreciation,

Judge (ret.) Shlomo Shoham

Commissioner for Future Generations