Given that the Earth's resources are finite, humankind needs to start thinking about a second home. In the near future, Mars would seem to be our only other option.
Just as the original race to be first to the moon spawned a multitude of scientific discoveries and pushed technology forward, so too would a new mission to Mars.
The global economy could be lifted by such an effort and costs could be shared among all of the participating nations.
An international effort coordinated by NASA seems to be the way to go.
Just as President Kennedy's generation dared to dream, today's world needs the same opportunity.