Welcome to the 7 Wonders Babel Game Rules!

This game includes two expansions: Tower of Babel and Great Projects of Babel. You have the option to play them together or separately.

The first expansion, Tower of Babel, lets you construct the legendary tower. Each tile you build will impact all players in terms of commerce, war, science, and civil affairs.

The second expansion, Great Projects of Babel, allows you to improve the area surrounding Babel. You can build a city wall, a port, or even archives. Additionally, you can raise obelisks, triumphal arches, or other impressive monuments to encircle the Tower.

Hey there! If you’re just starting out with the game, I have a suggestion for you. Play your first few games with just the Tower of Babel expansion. This way, you can get familiar with the mechanics and strategies it introduces without any distractions. Once you feel comfortable with it, try playing some games with the Great Projects of Babel expansion alone. This expansion adds even more depth and complexity to the game.

After you’ve played both expansions separately and gained some experience with them, it’s time to mix things up! You can combine these expansions with Leaders, Cities, and/or the Wonder Pack to create your own unique gameplay experience. Just imagine the possibilities and let your creativity run wild!

What’s in the Box?

Let me break it down for you. Inside this package, you’ll find a set of amazing components that make up the Babel game. Trust me, you’re going to love it!

Components

• 1 Babel board
• 24 Babel tiles
• 15 Great Project cards
• 10 Participation tokens
• 166 tokens (multiple types)
• 1 scorebook
• 1 rulebook
• 1 helpsheet

Get ready for some serious fun with these pieces. Let’s take a closer look!

Game Elements

Babel Board

The game board is a representation of the Tower of Babel. You should choose the appropriate side based on the number of players. There’s a side for games with 2, 3, or 4 players, and another side for games with 5, 6, 7, or 8 players.

Babel Tiles

The Babel tiles are pieces that represent different parts of the Tower. There are 24 tiles in total, and each one is unique.

Defeat Tokens And Military Victories

Extra tokens are included to show the effects of certain Babel tiles.

Setup

Start by placing the Babel board in the middle of the table and shuffling the Babel tiles.

Each player will receive their Wonder board and starting 3 coins. Additionally, they will be dealt 3 random Babel tiles. Any leftover tiles should be returned to the box.

1. In secret, I choose one tile from the three I have received and place it face down in front of me. Then, I pass the remaining two tiles to the player on my right.
2. Again in secret, I choose one tile from the two I have received from the player on my left. The last tile is then passed to the player on my right.
3. I take the last tile from the player on my left and add it to the two tiles I previously kept.

By the end of this phase, I have created a hand of three Babel tiles for myself. Now, Age I can begin.

An Overview of Age

The game proceeds according to the rules of the basic game. However, I now have the option to discard my chosen card in order to participate in building the Tower of Babel.

So here’s the deal: when you choose a card, you have 4 possible things you can do with it:

1. You can build a structure.
2. You can build a stage of your Wonder.
3. You can discard the card to get 3 coins.
4. You can discard the card to build a Babel tile.

If you decide to build a Babel tile, you put it near the Babel board face down and discard your card. Once all the players have finished their actions, we reveal the Babel tiles and put them on the Babel board.

But wait, there’s something you gotta know: the placement of the Babel tiles on the board happens after everything else in a turn – after all players have done their stuff like building things, getting coins, and using Wonder effects.

Where to Put the Babel Tiles

When it comes to building the Babel tower, the first tile needs to be placed in the right spot on the board. After that, each subsequent tile will go in a clockwise direction. Once all the spaces are filled, the next tiles will cover the ones already laid down, continuing in a spiral.

Just to be clear: depending on which side of the Babel board you’re using, you’ll be able to see up to three or four Babel tiles at a time.

If more than one player adds a Babel tile on the same turn, they must pay attention to the numbers on the tiles and arrange them in ascending order.

/Example: Let me give you an example. So far, there have been three Babel tiles constructed. In this turn, Dale and Brian both contribute to building Babel. What they do is they play their Babel tiles with their faces down, right next to the board. Once the turn is over, we reveal the two tiles. We start by placing tile 4, and then tile 12. Tile 4 goes on the last open space, and tile 12 covers the first tile that was played.

What happens when Babel tiles are played?

Every Babel tile comes with an effect. This effect changes the game rules for all players from the following turn until another Babel tile covers it up.

How does the game end?

When the game is over, players earn victory points based on their involvement in the Tower of Babel’s construction. Here’s how it works:

• If you’ve built 1 Babel tile, you get 2 victory points.
• If you’ve built 2 Babel tiles, you get 5 victory points.

Imagine this: you’re playing a board game, and there’s this special element called Babel tiles. These tiles have a big impact on the game and can either help you or hinder your progress. It’s fascinating how something so small can make such a difference!

So, let’s dive into the world of Babel tiles. To put it simply, Babel tiles are like little power-ups in the game. They can give you an advantage or throw you a curveball. It all depends on the tile you get and how you use it. Talk about a game-changer!

When it comes to scoring, Babel tiles are a valuable asset. Building three Babel tiles earns you a whopping 10 victory points! Just imagine the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you reach that milestone. It’s a big boost to your score and a step closer to victory.

But wait, there’s more! These victory points are special because they go directly onto your score sheet. It’s like getting a direct reward for your strategic moves and clever gameplay. It’s not every day you get such a direct payoff!

Now, let’s talk about the effects of Babel tiles. They can truly shake things up and add a new layer of complexity to the game. Some tiles might give you an advantage, like extra resources or special abilities. Others might throw a wrench in your plans, making it harder for you to achieve your goals. It’s all about adapting and making the most of the situation.

So, the next time you play a game with Babel tiles, keep these factors in mind. They can be a game-changer, giving you a strategic advantage or putting you at a disadvantage. It’s all part of the thrill and excitement of playing board games. So, embrace the challenge and make the most of those Babel tiles. Good luck and happy gaming!

(Tiles 1-6-13-16)

Hey there! Let me tell you about these awesome tiles that totally shake up the game. They make every player pay a tax to the bank. And get this – the amount of the tax is based on the current Age of the game. So, if you build a matching building, complete a Wonder stage, or use a chain, you gotta cough up the cash. Here’s how it works: during Age I, you pay 1 coin. In Age II, it’s 2 coins. And when you reach Age III, you better be ready to hand over 3 shiny coins. Yeah, it’s a bit of a bummer, but it’s all part of the strategy. You gotta stay one step ahead and plan your moves carefully. Good luck!

Hey there! I want to tell you about these two special tiles that can help you out in the game. When you’re building military buildings or advancing your Wonder, you sometimes need to spend resources. But guess what? These tiles let you ignore the resource cost for that!

Now, here’s a little tip to keep in mind. If the Wonder stage you’re working on requires coins, you still have to pay for those. The tiles only help you with the other resources. Just wanted to make sure you knew that.

In the game, I can take advantage of the buildings in my neighboring cities to build my own structures without spending anything. It’s like a chain reaction of construction!

Let me give you an example to make it clearer. Imagine I have a special tile called “Academy” that allows me to build it for free. But here’s the catch – I can only do that if one of my two neighboring cities already has a “School” in it.

When it comes to military battles, there’s something important that I want to share with you. You see, there’s a rule called taking military Defeat tokens, and I’m here to help you understand it better.

So, let’s dive in! Normally, if you’re in a situation where you have to take 1 Defeat token, the rule is modified. Instead of just taking one, you’ll actually take 2 Defeat tokens. It’s kind of like a way to make things more challenging, but don’t worry, I’ve got your back and I’m here to guide you through it.

Let me explain how the taking of military Victory tokens is changed:

Here’s what happens:

• If you have to take a 1VP token, you don’t take anything.
• If you have to take a 3VP token, you take a 1VP token instead.
• If you have to take a 5VP token, you take a 3VP token instead.

So, here’s the deal. These two tiles give you a little something extra when you do certain things in the game. Like, if you build a blue card or use a chain, you get a bonus based on what Age you’re in. It’s pretty cool. Let me break it down for you. In Age I, you get an extra coin. In Age II, it’s two coins. And in Age III, you score three coins. Not too shabby, right?

Oh, and by the way, the bank is the one giving you these coins. So you don’t have to worry about running out. Just keep building and chaining, and those bonuses will keep rolling in.

When you create a Guild (that fancy purple card), something exciting happens! You get a bonus of 5 coins. Woohoo! But where do these coins come from? They’re taken from the bank, of course. So not only do you add to your riches, but you also deplete the bank’s stockpile. It’s a win for you and a bit of a loss for the bank. How cool is that?

So here’s the deal with these four tiles. They actually change the price of stuff when you’re shopping for resources from nearby cities. It’s pretty cool, right?

Hey there! Let’s talk about these awesome rebates and increases. They are really cool and they work together with other things like the Marketplace, Trading Posts, and even the Clandestine Docks. You can get all these benefits at the same time! How amazing is that?

Now, here’s something important to keep in mind. You can buy multiple resources using these rebates, and guess what? Some of them can be absolutely free! I mean, who doesn’t love getting stuff for free, right?

But, there’s a small catch. The minimum price for these purchases is zero. Yes, you heard that right. Zero! It can never go below that, though. So, you can get some awesome stuff for free, but it can’t make you rich or anything like that. What a bummer!

You’re probably wondering about the impact of certain cards in the game. Well, some cards, like Eastern Trading Post, Western Trading Post, Marketplace, Caravansery, and Forum, don’t have any effect when this particular tile is in play. But don’t worry! You can still build these buildings or use their chains once the tile is activated.

(Tiles 17-18-21)

Hey there! Let’s talk about these amazing tiles that can make your game even more exciting. Each turn, you get the chance to grab a free resource from the ones displayed on these special tiles. How awesome is that?

Imagine having the power to choose exactly what resource you need to boost your gameplay. These tiles give you that opportunity. You can select from a variety of resources, all available to you for free. It’s like having a secret weapon in the game!

The best part is that you can use these tiles every turn. That means you have a consistent advantage over your opponents. You can strategize and plan your moves better, knowing that you have a free resource waiting for you on these fantastic tiles.

Whether you need some extra gold, a boost in energy, or maybe even a special power-up, these tiles have got you covered. They offer a range of options tailored to your needs. So, go ahead and take full advantage of the benefits they provide.

In summary, these tiles are a game-changer. They give you the opportunity to choose a free resource every turn, giving you a competitive edge over your opponents. With a variety of options available, these tiles are the secret weapon you need to take your gameplay to the next level. Best of luck in your quest for victory!

Hey there! I’ve got something important to share with you. Do you ever wonder what to do with those plain brown double or mixed cards that you just can’t find a use for? Well, I’ve got some good news for you – you’re not alone! It can be quite tricky to figure out how to make these cards work for you.

But fret not, my friend. I’m here to help you unravel the mystery of these mysterious cards. You see, the thing about these brown double or mixed cards is that they are, well, pretty much useless. They don’t serve any particular purpose, and they can be quite perplexing to deal with.

However, it’s not all bad news. In fact, I’ve come up with a clever way to transform these cards into something useful. Are you ready for it? Drum roll, please…you can regenerate them! Yes, you heard that right. You can breathe new life into these cards with just a few simple steps.

First, gather all your brown double or mixed cards and take a good look at them. What do you see? Maybe some of them have interesting patterns or textures. Or perhaps they have a charming, rustic appeal. Whatever it is, try to find something unique about each card.

Next, it’s time to get creative. Consider different ways you can use these cards to beautify your surroundings. You could turn them into unique bookmarks, create a collage with them, or even use them as quirky decoration pieces. The possibilities are endless!

Lastly, it’s time to put your plan into action. Start experimenting with your newfound ideas and see what works best for you. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules here. It’s all about embracing your creativity and making these cards truly your own.

So, the next time you find yourself puzzled by those brown double or mixed cards, remember that they don’t have to be a burden. Instead, they can be an opportunity for you to let your imagination run wild and create something special.

And if you’re up for a challenge, I encourage you to give it a try. You might just discover a hidden talent or stumble upon a brilliant idea. So go ahead, my friend, and see what magic you can create with those seemingly ordinary cards!

• But wait, there’s a catch – you can only construct these structures if the tile is active, meaning it’s usable when it’s covered by another tile.
• Now, let’s talk about the brown double cards. These cards give you two copies of a resource. We have four of these: the Sawmill, Quarry, Brickyard, and Foundry. On the other hand, the brown mixed cards offer you two different resources. There are six of these: the Tree Farm, Excavation, Clay Pit, Timber Yard, Forest Cave, and Mine.
• Lastly, we have the brown single cards. These cards generate a single resource each. We have four of these as well: the Lumber Yard, Stone Pit, Clay Pool, and Ore Vein.

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Hey there! Did you know that there are certain cards in the game that can provide you with an endless supply of resources? These cards, known as raw materials cards, are pretty special. They come in brown and can give you resources like lumber, stone, clay, and ore.

It’s important to keep in mind that the resources you get from these cards are different from the ones produced by your player boards. The resources from the player boards aren’t considered as cards and, therefore, aren’t affected by the raw materials cards.

Did you know that you can’t construct civil buildings (blue cards) or Guilds (purple cards) using resources? That’s right, it’s forbidden! They require you to pay the bank with coins equal to the number of resources needed to build them.

But here’s an important thing to know: you can still construct civil cards using chains and it won’t cost you a thing!

Let me give you an example. The Traders Guild needs 3 resources to be built, so you’ll have to pay 3 coins to the bank. On the other hand, the Pantheon costs 6 coins or can be built by chaining it to the Temple.

2 Player Games

In games with only 2 players, you’ll only have 2 Babel Tiles active at a time. At the start of the game, place a Babel tile face down to fill the third space.

Oh, and remember, the Free City doesn’t get any Babel Tiles.

Playing with Leaders and Cities

Welcome! Before we embark on our exciting game, there are a couple of important steps we need to take. First, we’ll go through the Leaders phase, where we’ll introduce our fearless leaders. Then, we’ll move on to the Preparation of Babel Tiles phase where we have the option to discard a Leaders card or a Cities card to create a Babel Tile.

Now, let me provide some extra information about a few specific Leaders cards:

• Ramses: Don’t worry about Tile 23, even if it’s in play, because the construction of Guilds will still be free with this card.
• Vitruvius: With this card, the coins you earn from Vitruvius can stack with the coins you gain from Tile 14.
• Hatshepsut: Hatshepsut’s special ability will still work even if you buy a resource for 0 coins using Babel tiles 9 and 11, or if you take advantage of buildings that offer discounts on commerce.
• Tomyris: Tomyris is a force to be reckoned with in military conflicts. Her effect will apply to all military defeat tokens you earn.

Here’s something you should know about certain Cities cards: The Secret Warehouse and Black Market cards do not consider the resources given by the Babel Tiles 17, 18, and 21.

What are Great Project Cards?

Great Project Cards are special buildings that I’m gonna tell you all about. These buildings, known as the Great Projects of Babel, are super important, and players like you are gonna try to build them. They’re really prestigious!

Each card you get has a color, a name, a cost (which is in the corner at the top left), a penalty, and a reward. These cards are really cool because they come in sets of five for each Age, so there’s a total of 15.

Participation Tokens

Let’s talk about participation tokens. These are a really interesting and important concept in today’s world. I’m sure you’re familiar with the idea of tokens, but what exactly are participation tokens and why should you care about them?

Well, participation tokens are a kind of digital asset that you can earn when you take part in certain activities or events. They can represent your engagement and involvement, and they have value because they can be exchanged for goods or services. It’s like a little reward for being active and participating in something.

But why should you care about participation tokens? Well, there are a few reasons. Firstly, participation tokens can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. When you earn a token, it’s a tangible way to show that you’ve done something and made a contribution. It’s a way to say, “Hey, look what I did!”

Participation tokens can also have practical benefits. They can be used as currency to purchase things or access certain features. For example, you might earn tokens by attending a conference, and then use those tokens to get discounted tickets to future events. Or, you might earn tokens by completing a survey, and then use those tokens to unlock premium content on a website.

In addition, participation tokens can be a way to build connections and relationships within a community. When you earn a token, you become part of a group of people who have also earned that token. It’s like being part of an exclusive club. You can bond with others over your shared accomplishments and experiences, and this can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.

Of course, it’s important to remember that participation tokens are not the be-all and end-all. They’re just one tool in a much larger ecosystem. They can be a fun and rewarding way to engage with the world, but they’re not the only way. So, while it’s great to earn and collect participation tokens, don’t forget to enjoy the other aspects of life too.

So, there you have it. Participation tokens are digital assets that you can earn by participating in activities or events. They can represent your engagement and involvement, and they have value because they can be exchanged for goods or services. They can give you a sense of accomplishment, have practical benefits, and help build connections and relationships within a community. But remember, they’re just one part of a larger picture. So go out there, earn some participation tokens, and have fun!

Did you know that there are tokens in the construction of Great Projects? These tokens represent the participation of players in these projects.

Tokens for Rewards

Hey there! Let’s talk about the awesome rewards you can earn when you successfully build something. Isn’t it exciting?

Penalty Tokens

When it comes to the penalties in this game, they come in the form of tokens. These tokens represent the different consequences that players face when the construction of a Great Project doesn’t go as planned.

Keep in mind: We have plenty of tokens ready for you, but in case we run out, we have substitutes.

Setting Up

Before you get your hand of cards each round, we start by taking a Great Project card from the current age and placing it face-up in the middle of the table. Then, we put on the Great Project card as many tokens as there are players, except for one.

For example: In a 5 player game, you’ll find 4 tokens on the card.

Understanding an Age

Starting now, when you build a building that matches the color of the active Great Project card (Brown, Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, or Purple), you can choose to help with its construction. To do this, you need to pay the participation cost, in addition to the regular cost of your building. As a reward, you get a Participation token that you place on your Wonder board.

Paying with coins: You need to pay the coins to the bank.

Paying with resources: You can produce or buy the required resources following the usual rules for construction and trade.

• If there are no Participation tokens left on the Great Project card, you won’t be able to participate during that Age.

If there aren’t enough Participation tokens for everyone playing in a turn, we take extra tokens from the reserve so that every player gets one. You can get multiple Participation tokens in an Age if you participate multiple times, but you can’t participate multiple times in the same turn. Even if you construct a building for free using chain, Olympia, Hali- carnassus, Solomon, or any other method, you still have to pay the participation cost for the Great Project.

Example:

Age I: River Port and the Forum

During Age I, I have the “River Port” Great Project card. It’s a yellow card, and it’s in play. To build the Forum, I need one Clay that I produce, and another Clay that I purchase. I decide to pay an extra coin to the bank, and I buy a Loom, which is the participation cost of the Great Project. This allows me to gain a Participation token.

End of the Age

Now, let’s talk about what happens at the end of the Age. We need to resolve the construction of the Great Project of Babel, and there are two possible situations:

A. The Great Project Is A Success

If all the players have taken the Participation tokens, then the Great Project is a success. If I participated, I will gain Reward tokens equal to the number of Participation tokens I have. However, if I didn’t participate, there are no consequences for me.

Example: By the end of Age II, Derek has 2 Participation tokens. The War Mirror card rewards him with 1 Age I military Victory token. Therefore, he receives 2 Age II military Victory tokens from the reserve.

B. The Great Project Is A Failure

If there are any remaining Participation tokens, then the Great Project fails. Anyone without a Participation token is punished! They will face the penalty indicated on the Great Project card.

Players with one or more Participation tokens don’t get penalized, but they also don’t receive any rewards.

Example: At the end of Age II, Derek has 2 Participation tokens, but he doesn’t receive anything because there are still tokens on the Archives card. On the other hand, Tom doesn’t have any tokens, so he must endure the penalty shown on the Archives card and forfeit one of his blue cards.

Can’t Pay the Penalty

If I can’t pay the penalty for a Great Project card, I’m in a bit of trouble. I have to take a Penalty token from the corresponding Age. This means I might lose up to 3 victory points! It’s not good news.

For example: Let’s say we’re at the end of Age II. The Great Project isn’t built, and I don’t have any Participation tokens. The penalty for the Great Project requires me to get rid of all my coins. But the thing is, I don’t have any coins. So, I have to take an Age I penalty token. That means I lose 2 victory points. Ouch!

Once an Age is over, I have to give back all the Participation tokens I have.

Game Over

Now, when the game ends, we need to do one more thing. We have to add up all the Babel victory or penalty points we earned during the three Ages. This will determine the final winner. So, even if I had some bad luck with penalties, there’s still a chance for me to come out on top!

Note: Let’s make things easier by adding up your Babel Victory points (positive or negative) tokens with your blue cards and your total military tokens together.

The Great Project Cards: What Do They Do?

The Downside

When you play this game, you have the power to choose which card you want to get rid of. It’s pretty simple – just pick a card that matches the color you need to discard.

When you play this game, you have to get rid of all your coins.

So, here’s the deal: I get to toss away a couple of military Victory tokens. Yup, I get to pick ’em and get rid of ’em.

When I lose in the game, I have to give up using a resource or benefit from my Wonder until the end. To show this, I take a token from the reserve and put it on my Wonder board.

But there is an exception for Manneken Pis. He doesn’t lose his starting benefit. Instead, he takes a -1VP token as a penalty.

Just a reminder, if I can’t pay the penalty for a Great Project card, I have to take a Penalty token that matches the Age. It could be -1, -2, or -3 victory points.

Now let’s talk about the rewards.

When you’re playing, you’ll need to grab some coins from the bank.

When I play the game, I get a Shield token. This cool token is really helpful because it adds to my military strength every time I have a conflict. It’s like having an extra boost when I need it most!

When you play the game, you’ll receive a Victory token from the reserve.

When you play the game, you choose a token from the reserve that matches the color of the Grand Project you want to participate in. But here’s a twist: you can also choose a token from the reserve that doesn’t match the color of the Grand Project. It’s up to you! You have the option to return the token to the reserve and still take part in the Grand Project. This freedom allows you to make strategic decisions and adapt your gameplay based on the situation.

Hey there, let me break it down for you!

So, here’s the deal: when it comes to participating in a Grand Project, there are a few things you need to know. First off, you can’t jump in on a Grand Project if they’re currently building a Wonder or recruiting a Leader. Nope, it’s just not possible at that time.

However, there’s a nifty little exception. If a Wonder or a Leader lets you construct a building, then you can totally join in on the Grand Project fun! It’s like a two-for-one deal.

If you decide to hop on board, you’ll need to grab a token from the reserve that matches the Grand Project. Now, here’s where it gets cool. You have the option to use that token to construct a Building absolutely free! It’s like getting a free pass.

Now that you’re all clued in, you can navigate the world of Grand Projects like a pro. You got this!

When you’re playing the game, you can take a token from the reserve that matches what you need. Then, you have the option to give it back to the reserve and use it to build a stage of your Wonder without spending anything.

Remember: If the Wonder stage costs any coins, you still have to pay for them.

So here’s how it works: You get to choose a token from the reserve, and this token will come in handy later. When the game is over, this token will be worth a whopping 3 points for every group of 3 different scientific symbols you’ve collected. Pretty cool, huh?

When it’s time to end the game, you can grab a token from the reserve. This token will be worth 1 victory point for each Guild that you and your neighbors have built.

When you play the game, you’ll choose a token from the reserve. This token will give you victory points at the end, based on how many stages of a Wonder you’ve built in your City.

Games for Two Players

At the start of each Age, you’ll put 2 tokens on the Great Project.

In games with only two players, the Free City can’t help with the construction of the Great Projects of Babel. But it also won’t be penalized for not participating.

The Full Game

If you’re playing with all the expansions, here’s an overview of how the game is set up:

Getting Started

• Distribute the Leaders and split them between players.
• Distribute the Babel tiles and split them between players.

Start of an Age

• Recruit Leaders for this Age.
• Set up the Great Project for this Age.
• Distribute the cards for this Age.

End of an Era

When I think about the end of something, it often brings up mixed emotions. On one hand, it can be exciting, marking the beginning of something new and promising. On the other hand, it can be bittersweet, as it means saying goodbye to what we’ve known and becoming uncertain about what the future holds.

Take the end of a great project, for example. When you reach its resolution, there’s a sense of accomplishment and pride in what you’ve achieved. But there’s also a feeling of sadness that it’s over, coupled with a touch of anxiety about what comes next. It’s like finishing a good book – you’re satisfied with how it ended, but you wish it could have gone on a little longer.

The same goes for the solution of military conflicts. In a way, it’s a relief that the fighting has stopped, and there’s hope for peace and healing. Yet, there’s also a heaviness in the air, knowing the toll it took on lives and the scars it left behind. It’s a reminder that the choices we make and the conflicts we engage in have real and lasting consequences.

So, as we find ourselves at the end of an era, it’s important to reflect on both the positives and the negatives that come with it. We can appreciate the accomplishments and growth we’ve experienced, while also acknowledging the challenges and losses we’ve faced. And as we move forward, let’s carry the lessons learned with us, so that we can create a brighter and more peaceful future.