Believe in possible.

Act. Boldly.

Live with courage.

Ignite Hope is a belief.

Ignite Hope is the belief in possible; the conviction that a compassionate, forgiving, and loving world is attainable; and that from the spark of hope within us, we — ordinary people — can actually help bring it about.

How do we know? We know because despite the tragedy and despair we see around us, hope is never extinguished. Grounded in faith, hope is positive and energetic. It is a mindset that compels us to change the way we think and believe about what is possible. And those possibilities are being made real today, right now, in every corner of the planet.

We see it in the Middle East, where people are standing up against oppressive political structures, and for independence, pluralism, and tolerance. We see it in the big city, where a young woman purchases needed supplies for a neighborhood shelter, and expects nothing — not even thanks — in return.

Hope is in the heart of the office worker, who shows simple respect to a colleague, or in the heart of the passerby, who stops to give directions to a stranger. And hope is in the eyes of the man in the hospital bed, who gains strength knowing that people are there to care for and comfort those who are ill or dying.

In the end, how can we not believe in what's possible? How can we not choose to ignite hope?

The Declaration for Hope

Hope is the belief in possible. It is the fundamental energy that drives our vision of a better future — a world governed by grace, compassion, forgiveness, and love. From the smallest and most personal of actions to the largest and most sweeping social changes, hope is how we move forward.

In a world that is excessively polarized, and often cruel to those with little means to help themselves, the need for hope has never been greater. In this world, it is imperative that we change the current climate of selfishness, blame, and meanspiritedness in both our public and our private lives. We need to reflect anew on the teachings of our various religious and secular traditions and then act together to help remake our world — here and now — into a true community that is more fair, caring, and, peaceable for all.

Because hope transcends nationalities, religions, and moral and ethical systems, we call upon all people of conscience and good will to seize every opportunity to treat others with kindness and respect, to rise above cynicism, and to act for justice. Where we see suffering, let us alleviate it; where we see fear, let us reassure and comfort; where we see ignorance, let us teach; where we see loneliness, let us befriend; where we see despair, let us inspire; where we see indifference, let us take action.

Together, through the choices we make and do not make, and our service and work in the causes that are important to us, we can move in sometimes small but significant ways toward creating the world "as it should be." This is the vision for how we relate to one another and to our environment that is the goal of moral people everywhere.