Just days ago, Mark Zuckerberg opened his personal world for all to see with a heart-felt blog about the trials of he and his wife in trying to have a child. Now, Mark and Priscilla Chan are new parents (a daughter, Max) – and they are sharing the gift with all of us with an emphasis on the future.

He’s backing his dream by promising to commit 99 percent of a $45 billion fortune to giving, to developing, to creating. Like Bill and Melinda Gates and other tech billionaires, the Zuckerbergs realize there is much more to life than “things.”

Zuckerberg, one of the world’s richest people and certainly among the most blessed, wrote in a Facebook post (of course) on Monday that has a new mission: Building a better world for future generations through wealth he’s accumulated.

Talk about paying it forward. What an example he sets – for all of us.

“This mission – advancing human potential and promoting equality – will require a new approach for all working towards these goals,” he wrote.

“We must make long term investments over 25, 50 or even 100 years. The greatest challenges require very long time horizons and cannot be solved by short term thinking.

“We must engage directly with the people we serve. We can’t empower people if we don’t understand the needs and desires of their communities.

“We must build technology to make change. Many institutions invest money in these challenges, but most progress comes from productivity gains through innovation.

“We must participate in policy and advocacy to shape debates. Many institutions are unwilling to do this, but progress must be supported by movements to be sustainable.”We must back the strongest and most independent leaders in each field. Partnering with experts is more effective for the mission than trying to lead efforts ourselves.

“We must take risks today to learn lessons for tomorrow. We’re early in our learning and many things we try won’t work, but we’ll listen and learn and keep improving.”

Zuckerberg spells out his thinking in detail in “A letter to our daughter: that begins:

“Dear Max,

“Your mother and I don’t yet have the words to describe the hope you give us for the future. Your new life is full of promise, and we hope you will be happy and healthy so you can explore it fully. You’ve already given us a reason to reflect on the world we hope you live in.

“Like all parents, we want you to grow up in a world better than ours today.”

You should read his letter. Every word.

You – and me – need to resolve what WE can do to help build a better world for our children (and grandchildren for those “seniors” like yours truly).

We may not be billionaires. But we can contribute.

“While headlines often focus on what’s wrong, in many ways the world is getting better. Health is improving. Poverty is shrinking. Knowledge is growing. People are connecting. Technological progress in every field means your life should be dramatically better than ours today,” Zuckerberg wrote.

“We will do our part to make this happen, not only because we love you, but also because we have a moral responsibility to all children in the next generation.

“We believe all lives have equal value, and that includes the many more people who will live in future generations than live today. Our society has an obligation to invest now to improve the lives of all those coming into this world, not just those already here.

“But right now, we don’t always collectively direct our resources at the biggest opportunities and problems your generation will face.”

Some of his goals include:

  • Our hopes for your generation focus on two ideas: advancing human potential and promoting equality.
  • Advancing human potential is about pushing the boundaries on how great a human life can be.
  • Can you learn and experience 100 times more than we do today?
  • Can our generation cure disease so you live much longer and healthier lives?
  • Can we connect the world so you have access to every idea, person and opportunity?
  • Can we harness more clean energy so you can invent things we can’t conceive of today while protecting the environment?
  • Can we cultivate entrepreneurship so you can build any business and solve any challenge to grow peace and prosperity?
  • Promoting equality is about making sure everyone has access to these opportunities — regardless of the nation, families or circumstances they are born into.
  • Our society must do this not only for justice or charity, but for the greatness of human progress.

And he asks some very pertinent questions:

Can our generation eliminate poverty and hunger?

  • Can we provide everyone with basic healthcare?
  • Can we build inclusive and welcoming communities?
  • Can we nurture peaceful and understanding relationships between people of all nations?
  • Can we truly empower everyone — women, children, underrepresented minorities, immigrants and the unconnected?

He’s positive about achieveing those goals, too.

“If our generation makes the right investments, the answer to each of these questions can be yes — and hopefully within your lifetime.”

Zuckerberg speaks to more than his generation, however.

He speaks to us all.

You can read Zuckerberg’s full letter at:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-zuckerberg/a-letter-to-our-daughter/10153375081581634