'...a unique, profound and daring case for why real development cannot be a unilateral endeavour. The unconventional conclusion that yet may ring so familiar to those who are sincerely engaged in the pursuit of people's well-being is that we all live in an underdeveloped world and that development can only be fostered when all parties are allowed and welcomed to contribute to the well-being of everyone else.' Greg Mortenson, Founder, Central Asia Institute, USA 'The book approaches the subject of development from a perspective that has been almost absent from the development debate: its philosophical foundations and the normative value of its arguments and counter-arguments. It goes beyond the current state of the discussion and presents an all-embracing alternative that confers meaning to development, carried within a spirit of cooperation and inclusiveness. This alternative aims towards the construction of a peaceful world. This is a highly useful book for scholarly discussions and even more so for development agents working in the so called developing countries.' Leonardo Boff, Rio de Janeiro University, Brazil 'It is time for action. Martha Jalali demonstrates that development means all the diverse people - until the limit of unicity - working together, inspired by the universal principles. We have a common destiny, a unique human family and a unique Mother Earth. Each human being is able to create, to invent. That is our hope. But now it is urgent to act. Socially, environmentally and ethically, we cannot be guided anymore by the most powerful and rich. We, the peoples..., as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, must resolve not to remain silent. In the dawn of a new century and millennium, the time for a new commencement has arrived.' Federico Mayor, Fundación Cultura de Paz, Spain