This study looks at the major challenges of the future and proposes a new start based on four contracts: social, natural, cultural and ethical. Will humanity survive the coming century? Is it threatened by a demographic time-bomb? Will there be food for everybody? Will we be able to eliminate poverty? are we heading for generalized urban apartheid? Will new technologies increase the gap between the rich and the poor? Or will they open access to lifelong distance education for all? Will women conquer their legitimate place in society? How can we fight global warming and desertification? Will there be wars for water? Will we be able to harness solar energy? Will an African miracle take place? In a world of globalizing problems, what global solutions can we come up with? How can we turn a culture of violence into a culture of peace? Let us expect nothing from the 21st century: it is the 21st century which expects everything from us.