The most important worldwide goal of the 21st century should be universal education; that is, by the year 2099, every child, no matter where, should have access to free, state-sponsored education for 12 years. In committing themselves to the 100-year goal, each nation should keep in mind these 5 important facts: (1) within a nation with sufficient means, the goal can be achieved, and it has already been achieved in some nations; (2) achievement of the goal is a direct cause of the wealth of the nations that have achieved it; (3) the wealth of those nations is a direct cause of the prosperity of the more important of their citizens; (4) all the peoples of the world can take pride in the contributions to worldwide learning that have been made by their ancestors; and (5) outside direction of the effort to achieve educational goals in a nation is futile. Using the framework of the report of the International Commission on Education for the Twenty-First Century (Delors Report), specific ideas for achieving this goal under various political systems and throughout the lifespan can be determined. Five Web sites relating to the Delors Report are appended. (KC/CG)