Tonga - Over 300 become Baha'is in Dr Muhajir Teaching
Project
Brasil - Meeting on Global Governance
Brasil - Training for street children in Belo Horizonte
Albania - Family Life Conference
Chile - Nur Baha'i School leads the way
Guam - Results of Storm
United Nations - Iran condemned in General Assembly
United States - Baha'is elect Regional Councils
Taiwan - Baha'is at Religious Exhibition
Greece - Public performance of Dance Workshop in Neapoli
United States: NSA responds to Iranian President's interview
United States - Secretary of State refers to persecution of Baha'is
Encyclopedia Britannica Year-Book statistics for
the Baha'i Faith
Mexico - Youth Dance Workshop Tour
Albania - Opening of New National Baha'i Centre
United States - Baha'i Development Agency wins Award
United Kingdom - Dialogue on "World Faiths and
Development"
Tonga - Over 300 become Baha'is in Dr Muhajir Teaching Project
In response to the Four Year Plan Goal of the Universal House of Justice for a significant
advance in the process of entry by troops, the Tongan National Convention called for an
ambitious target to be set: 500 new Baha'is before next Ridvan (April 1998)
At its very first meeting the National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga
devised a teaching plan to meet this goal: the Dr Muhajir Teaching Project, named after
the Hand of the Cause of God and using his methods. This teaching project was to be very
different from previous campaigns. Rather than focusing on goal areas and villages with
weak Baha'i communities, the Dr Muhajir Project concentrated on strong Baha'i communities.
The project began in June and by the end of November, eight communities on four islands
had taken part. In every community, members of the National Spiritual Assembly, the
Auxillary Board, and the Area Teaching Committee consulted with the local Baha'is about
the practical details of the project. One point discussed at the initial meeting is
arranging a courtesy call to the local noble.
Each project follows the same pattern: a public meeting at the beginning; followed by
firesides every night for a week; a second public meeting in the middle of the project;
another week of firesides and then a final public meeting. Each day Baha'is try to meet
people in the village to invite them to the evening meetings.
Each project begins with a public meeting. The public meetings generally open with
singing. After the talk at the public meeting, the audience breaks up into small groups,
each comprising both Baha'is and non-Baha'is. There is now an intense discussion about the
Baha'i Faith.
The firesides have a different pattern. The men usually gather together for a traditional
meeting over kava, while the women will have separate meetings at the homes of one of the
Baha'is. The youth play an active role in the Dr Muhajir Project, helping with teaching
during the day and with music and dance at the evening meetings.
In addition to the Dr Muhajir project, a separate "fireside campaign" was held
throughout the country between the Birth of the Bab on 20th October and the
Birth of Baha'u'llah on 12th November. Firesides were held in most communities
every night during this period.
So far the Dr Muhajir project has been a huge success and over 300 new Baha'is have been
enrolled.
A reception was held on 25 November at the National Baha'i Centre in
Brasilia on the subject of global governance. Among the 21 persons attending were the
Vice-Governor of the Federal District (Brasilia), Mrs Arlete Sampaio, two federal
congressman, Eduardo Jorge and Luiz Gushiken, the president of the Academy of Letters of
the Federal District, heads of departments and professors from the National University of
Brasilia (UnB). During the reception, the congressmen related briefly their participation
in the seminar on a New World Order held in the Landegg Academy in Switzerland. Topics
such as "the rescue of citizenship", "the promotion of human rights"
and "an education for world citizenship " were also widely discussed.
From Brazilian Baha'i News Agency: http://www.wl.com.br/bahai
Translation Hooman Momen
Brasil - Training for street children in Belo Horizonte
In Belo Horizonte (Matto Grosso province), a private initiative by a
Baha'i has led to the possibility of establishing an agreement with SESC (an
apprenticeship scheme run by the federation of employers in commerce) with a view to
giving professional training opportunities to dozens of street children. The director of
the Brisa Institute has negotiated successfully with SESC for the Ruhi Institute training
program to be given to these children. Thus 50 abandonned children, both boys and girls,
will receive spiritual, moral and professional training.
From Brazilian Baha'i News Agency: http://www.wl.com.br/bahai
Translation Hooman Momen
Albania - Family Life Conference
In the centrally located Historical Museum of Tirana a Family Life
Conference was organized by the National Baha'i Women's Committee of Albania with the
support of the Auxiliary Board between the 5th and
7th of December 1997 organized around the theme "A Healthy Family for a Healthy
Society". Approximately 200 participants, half men, half women, half Baha'is, half
not, many from NGOs, many from the districts of Albnaia appreciated the high level
workshops and talks offered by both Baha'i and non-Baha'i speakers.
Dr. Maurice Esmiol, a Baha'i psychiatrist from France deeply interested in the development
of the innate character of man discussed the topic "Coping with Stress". Mrs.
Rose Marie Sabet, a Baha'i psychoanalyst from Switzerland knowledgeable in communication
skills provided insight into helping children deal with the trauma of violence, both in
the family and in society in general.
Jean-Marc Lepain banking specialist, Baha'i scholar and pioneer in
Albania shared insightful views on marriage today. Dr. Anesti Kondili, head of cardiology
in Albania explained the dangers of stress and smoking. Lidra Remacka, a non-Baha'i
specialist in conflict resolution provided techniques for putting into practice this
important skill. Milena Mihajlovic offered a workshop based on her practical experience
working with battered women in Switzerland and the concept of a violence free family.
Martha Otto, a German pioneer to Albania inspired participants through her encouragement
workshop. Jutta Strieth, Auxiliary Board member from Greece charted a clear, practical
course for building a family based not on the old authoritarian model of relationships but
on a unity based model. During her keynote address concluding the conference she spoke
about the qualities of a creative person and about inspiring each one to put into practice
the ideas and skills learned during the conference. Margarita Xhepa, a nationally known
actress from Albania, who embraced the Baha'i Faith during the first Baha'i Women's
Conference in 1994 and who just had won the first prize for her role in the recent film
called "Miro Pafshim" (Good Bye) during the film festival in Thessaloniki/Greece
(15th -30th November), recited Hidden Words from Baha'u'llah and Albanian poems about the
family.
The conference culminated in the final evening of artistic
performances. The audience of about 175 men, women and youth delighted first in the music
of an Albanian band, then the recital of poems and finally, as the highlight of the
evening, the amazing first performance of an Albanian Dance Workshop called "Light of
Unity".
Seventeen year old Neissan Besherati from Sardinia, a former student from Townshend
International School and member of the successful "Ablaze" Dance Workshop in
Greece, arrived in Tirana in September to teach Albanian youth dances which they already
had seen and started to learn when the Diversity Dance Theater from Germany came to
Albania in February 1997. After just two and a half months of hard work, these poised and
confident Albanian youth announced each dance with quotations from Baha'u'llah and
enchanted the audience with their grace, talent, energy, spirit and message of hope for
the world.
Report from P and J Strieth
On December 4th, 1997 the Chilean Ministry of Education organized a day long event for the
school directors in the southern Santiago area. The morning was dedicated to a talk and
consultation on affection in schools. The whole afternoon was dedicated to the Nur School,
so that we could present the uniqueness of our school to 80 directors. We were asked to
emphasize our achievements with its innovative applications, such as consultative decision
making in our school administration and our distinctive characteristics as a Baha'i
School.
Recently, while writing up the school's vision, - an official from the Ministry of
Education, read: "will become a model for Chilean education, a source of
transformation of both our students and the society." Very simply, she corrected us:
"It's not in the future - you are doing it now! Correct your verb tenses!"
December 1996 found the Nur School in a situation of near panic. We had to build a
completely new school, and funds were not available. We had lots of moral support but no
money. Then between December 96 and July 97 friends from all over the world contributed
enough funds to get the Architectural plans completed and approved by the Municipality.
And the Ministry of Education decreed a prolongation of the deadline for the new building!
We now have until March 1999 to build our new building. At present the school is operated
at a slightly reduced size.
Sent by Larry Curtis and Janet Alexander, Chile
Guam - Results of Storm
Guam has been devastated by typhoon Paka which over the island for many hours on 16
December, accompanied by winds of 237 miles per hour. It caused massive destruction and
disruption, leaving thousands homeless, many structures totally destroyed, almost every
structure damaged, and complete island-wide power outage which could last up to three
months. Two local Baha'i Center's lost portions of their roofs, and sustained much
significant damage. National Office and Baha'i School unable to function without power and
water. No Baha'i injuries, but the community is stunned and in temporary disarray.
Telephones and postal mail still functioning and some folks able to access email if they
work at businesses with generators.
Sent by Tom Howe, Mariana Islands
United Nations - Iran condemned in General Assembly
On Friday 12 December, the United Nations General Assembly called on Iran to stop
executions for nonviolent crimes and establish human rights for women and minority
religions such as the Baha'is. The vote was 74 to 32 with 56 nations abstaining on a
resolution sponsored mainly by Western nations.
The resolution said Iran had committed ``grave breaches of human rights'' against the
Baha'is and other minority religions whose active members have been jailed, condemned to
death or had their property confiscated.
This endorsed a report from special investigator Maurice Danby
Copithorne, a Canadian, who said human rights improvements in Iran over the past year were
imperceptible.
Copithorne's October report said executions doubled from 1995 to 1996 but he gave no
figures. In 1997, he said 137 people were executed between January and September, an
indication the rate may double in 1997 also.
President Mohammad Khatami's election last May has been viewed as a mandate to ease social
restrictions imposed by his predecessors and Copithorne praised his public speeches. But
he said so far the pace of change has been ``so modest as to represent little substantive
improvement.''
The response of the Iranian government was reported in the English-language daily Tehran
Times: ``Foreign Ministry spokesman Mahmoud Mohammadi said...that international
cooperation for improvement of human rights should be free from any ideological conflicts,
unreliable information and exaggeration''.
"He expressed regret that biased reports are used as the basis of the decisions taken
by the U.N. General Assembly, saying that the authors of the human rights resolutions bear
a grudge against the Islamic countries and Islam.''
"(Mohammadi) made it clear that such a vicious and unrealistic report would not leave
even the least effect on Iran's determination to further improve the most basic spiritual
and material needs of human beings,'' the newspaper said. ``On the contrary (it) would
harm the spirit of cooperation with and trust in the U.N. rapporteurs,'' it added.
On 12 December, Baha'is throughout the United States held elections to
create four Regional Councils; one each for the Western States, the Central States, the
North-Eastern States and the Southern States. These four Councils correspond to the four
regions of the United States to whom `Abdu'l-Baha sent the Tablets of the Divine Plan. Thus the United States
became the latest in a series of countries that have added a further layer to the Baha'i
administration under the direction of the Universal House of Justice.
For a description of one election meeting see:
http://www.greenbelt.com/news/97/12/10.htm
Report from Heather Elizabeth Peterson
Taiwan - Baha'is at Religious Exhibition
The government of the Republic of China (ROC) has recently arranged an exhibition of the
religions represented in Taiwan and the Baha'i community was one of the 32 religions which
participated in this event. The Exhibition took place from 19 - 21st December, attracting
the media and at least 60,000 visitors.
Appropriately it was held in the Ta An Park, which means the large and peaceful park and
it was gratifying to see the religious groups working in harmony. Bordering the Park is
the major boulevarde of Hsin Shen South Road and the Baha'i booth to be alongside the
traffic lights. Our banners were arranged in such a way that curious drivers could read
them while waiting for the lights to change.
One banner highlighted the Hidden Words "...with fire we test the gold..." and
"Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart..." The other banner was the clear and
emphatic quote from Abdu'l-Baha who said that when there's equality of men and women, war
will cease.
About 1,500 people stopped to talk to the Baha'is and Baha'is were interviewed by both the
newspapers and cable TV news companies. Perhaps the most spectacular part was when the TV
news referred to the Statement on Baha'u'llah -- the screen was filled with deep blue and
Baha'u'llah's name in both Chinese and English, surrounded by the burst of rays emanating
in gold.
Sixty Baha'is from around Taiwan assisted in the Exhibition, including National Spiritual
Assembly members and Auxilliary Board Members. The Ocean Waves Dance Group performed to a
crowd of about 300 people and a Starlight Picnic was held after the performance to thank
all the friends who came to help and support.
This event was the first for Taiwan and was indeed successful - exceeding the expectations
of the organisers.
Report by Aaron Blomeley
ABLAZE 2 the dance workshop consisting of four Townshend International
School students and three guest dancers from Albania and Germany toured Greece through
Christmas Holidays. Everyone assured the group that it is a bad time and nothing much can
be done. Here is just one example of one performance.
For the first time a Vice-Mayor (Mr. Oreopoulos) of a large district in Thessaloniki
(Neapoli) addressed 250 youth to welcome the "ABLAZE 2" dance workshop. So also
did, with enthusiasm, did the secretary (Ms Maria Datseri) of the Organisation "New
Generation" an institution for the welfare of youth. The atmosphere was filled with
happiness and admiration for the dancers.
There was a strong sound system, an inviting amphitheater with lots of light, and
comfortable chairs from where everybody had a great view. It was the first time that the
audience was mainly students of the same age as the dancers. This crowd warmed up to be a
cheering fan club, asking autographs from the members and trying to hold them back after
the show. Even the dancers gave their very best through the intensive applause and
whistling which filled the air. After the performance the Vice-mayor offered to organize
another evening on 7 January which unfortunately is not possible. Most members will have
left until then to spend at least 3 days with their parents before school starts again.
The secretary of "New Generation" proposed to sponsor the dance workshop to come
back in springtime. And today a national newspaper "Adesmevtos" published a
whole page which pictures from "Townshend International School". The title
"Kids are dancing and singing for peace". Much of the success of this event was
due to the efforts of Nada Rohani, a Baha'i student in Thessaloniki, who was responsible
for the public relations.
Reported by P & J Strieth
Following a widely-reported interview given by President Khatami of
Iran on CNN, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States addressed
the following open letter to President Khatami:
The following letter appeared in the New York Times on Saturday, January 17, 1998, on the
op-ed page 25.
________________________________________
A RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT KHATAMI TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
January 13, 1998
His Excellency President Mohammad Khatami
Islamic Republic of Iran
Tehran, Iran
Your Excellency,
We, the American Baha'is, residing in more than seven thousand
cities and towns across the United States and representing all races, cultures and ethnic
origins in our nation, have listened with great interest to your words addressed to the
American people, of which we are an organic part.
Your message prompts us to address you directly, because of your expressed dedication to
the principles of freedom, justice and the rule of law - principles which, as you noted,
are cherished by the American people.
We who enjoy such freedoms hope that our co-religionists in Iran, who have been
deprived of them, will be granted their full rights as law-abiding citizens of your
nation.
We are particularly encouraged by your assertion "that religion and liberty
are consistent and compatible." As you said, "Human experience has taught us
that prosperous life should hinge on three pillars: religiosity, liberty and
justice." These, you concluded, "are the assets and aspirations of the Islamic
Revolution as it enters the twenty-first century."
Are the Baha'is of Iran - your nation's largest religious
minority - included in these aspirations?
Your explicitly stated determination to fulfill the provisions of the Iranian Constitution
and to establish the rule of law gives us hope that the freedom of the Baha'i community in
Iran openly to practice its religion will be guaranteed.
May we not expect, in the light of your commitment to human dignity and freedom, that the
United Nations General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/52/142), which calls for the
emancipation of the Baha'i community of Iran, will now be implemented?
Respectfully yours,
THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES
Robert Calvin Henderson
Secretary
United States - Secretary of State refers to
persecution of Baha'is
Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright said on 23 January in Washington that the public
response to Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba illustrated a deep human longing to worship
and she strongly endorsed calls for an intensified U.S. focus on religious freedom
worldwide. She was speaking at a news conference called to discuss a new report by the
government's Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad, established a year ago and
composed of leading scholars on religion. This committee has found that followers of all
major religions -- Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'is and others -- are
``discriminated against, harassed, detained, tortured and killed.''
The report, by the Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad,
criticized Iran for allegedly trying to eliminate the Baha'i faith and harassing and
persecuting Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian communities. It faulted Moscow for a law
denying legal rights based on how long a religion has had a presence in Russia.
The panel urged the United States to do more to promote religious freedom worldwide,
including making it a criteria for arms sales, aid and granting asylum to refugees. It
said President Clinton should deliver a major speech on the importance of religious
freedom and give the issue ''enhanced importance'' in foreign policy decision making.
Albright enthusiastically embraced the panel's work. She said she would immediately comply
with a key suggestion by naming a new senior level coordinator to focus on advancing
religious freedom worldwide.
"I consider the promotion of religious freedom to be an integral
component of U.S. foreign policy to be pursued not in isolation, but as part of our
efforts to increase the respect for human rights around the world,'' she said.
The Encyclopedia Britannica Year-Book for 1997 has produced the following statistics for
the Baha'i Faith:
Africa 1,923,000
Asia 3,230,000
Europe 95,000
Latin America 722,000
North America 357,000
Oceania 77,000
Total for World 6,404,000
Countries in which there is a Baha'i community 210
Mexico - Youth Dance Workshop Tour
About a year ago a group of 12 young travel teachers --- ages 12 to 21, and two
adults, all from Austin, Texas, made a Baha'i travel teaching trip to both the Huasteca
Potosina and to Monterrey. They joined forces with the "Continuous Campaign for the
Spiritual Transformation of the Huasteca Potosina" and with the Furutan Project in
Monterrey. Their efforts brought in about 25 new Baha'is, proclaiming the Faith in
Universities, high schools and city parks to hundreds. It was the first time a youth
workshop had shared their magic in Monterrey and in the small mountain villages that they
visited.
More recently, during the Thanksgiving break, a group of 12
travel teachers, also mostly youth, from Austin, Dallas. Houston, San Antonio, Edinburg,
Hidalgo and College Station, returned to Monterrey to give further impetus to the Furutan
Project. They concentrated their efforts on University campuses, leading 11 youth to
embrace the Cause.
Still filled with the excitement of their November teaching efforts, eight youth, all from
the Austin area, traveled south to the Huasteca Potosina for eight days of teaching in the
mountains among the Nahuatl and the Huasteco Indians. They welcomed 50 new Baha'is from 6
localities. Though barely speaking Spanish themselves, the youth, assisted with the State
Convention to elect delegates to the National Convention at the end of April. They
participated in the deepening of the local Baha'is, added joy and energy to the children's
classes, and, finally, helped to organize and carry out the election of the first Local
Spiritual Assembly of a town which had been raised to Assembly status through their
dedicated efforts. A heartily welcomed confirmation came to the team when two of its
members, who had come along originally for the adventure and change of scenery that a trip
to the mountains would mean, were swept up with the spirit of loving service, and formally
declared themselves Baha'is on the last night they were up on the mountainside.
Report from Mike N Mabel
Albania - Opening of New National
Baha'i Centre
At eleven o'clock on January 10, 1998, the new National center of the Albanian Baha'i
Community was inaugurated in the presence of 150 people.
The new building had been under construction for 4 years, rising majestically in the heart
of Tirana. It is still receiving the finishing touches. All yellow and white, it was
restored, incorporating the original facade in Italian style dating from the thirties. In
addition to the two main stories the structure has a basement and a third floor. The
graceful balcony, supported by two pillars, and large windows providing natural light add
a sense of fragility to the architecturally imposing structure. The beautiful building is
undeniably alluring. Very proud of their center, the Albanian Baha'is have decorated it
like a beautiful bride on the day of her wedding. An abundance of green plants embellish
the entrance, while fragrant narcissus decorating the interior add to the festive
atmosphere. A gold-trimmed book displayed tastefully in a corner prepares the visitor for
things to come. The large ceremonial hall, diffused with light, decorated with colorful
carpets provides a remarkably elegant scene, while a large portrait of 'Abdu'l-Baha hung
so that His sweet and penetrating gaze can embrace the entire room. He must certainly have
shared the joy of the Albanian Baha'is.
Arriving early for the occasion, they came from Pogradec, Starov, Tirana, Berat, Durres,
and many other places. Almost all Albania was represented. The special guests, Baha'is and
non-Baha'is, were seated in the front rows, including various officials. The hall was
filled to overflowing. Finally, when everyone had found a place, the ceremony could
commence. A reverent silence filled the hall, as though all felt deeply the solemnity of
this day.
The representative of the Albanian National Spiritual Assembly opened the ceremony with a
moving speech, explaining the significance of such an event for the Baha'is and the
functional importance of their Center.
A dream of the early Albanian Bah's, before World War II, the most eminent of whom, Refo
Capari, is now fulfilled in this Center.
Their historic efforts, as well as those of the Albanian
believers and pioneers since the opening of the country in 1991, are crowned with victory
through this Center.
With more than fourteen thousand people having recognized Bah'u'llah in this country, the
opening of an official Center could only be a matter of time. The building is not just for
the Baha'is but also for all Albanians, whatever their religion, as peace, unity, and love
are the values most cherished by the Baha'is. An orchestra of young violinists from the
Tirana School of Fine Arts rejoiced the hearts of the audience, followed by prayers and
Holy Texts recited by some eminent Albanian Baha'is.
Some official representatives of the government, the Ministries
of Agriculture, Education, and Culture, and from embassies were welcomed, and some were
invited to address the audience. Then the touching message of 'Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khnum
sent for the occasion was read. It was an expression of love for the Albanian Baha'is,
sent by this great lady, who a few years ago had marked a brick of the building with her
signature during the ground-breaking ceremony. Baha'i friends from other countries such as
Belgium, Malta, Austria, Dubai, and, of course, Italy also came to celebrate. Messages and
telegrams received from National Spiritual Assemblies all over the world were read on this
joyous occasion, among them messages from Alaska, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bielorus, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Ghana, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Holland, Hungary, South Leeward Islands, Italy,
Kazakistan, Kuwait, Macau, Moldavia, Portugal, Rumania, Sicily, Spain, United Kingdom,
United States, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. Individual Baha'is from many other countries
shared with the community their messages of love as well.
The speech by the member of the Continental Board of Counsellors Sohrab Youssefian was the
highlight of the beautiful ceremony. He spoke of the Albanian youth, of the efforts of all
the Bah's and the love he felt for all, and said that the Center is the home of all
Baha'is and non-Baha'is as it must become the place where one breathes love and
brotherhood. After these touching words, the orchestra closed the ceremony with a lively
and joyous piece by Mozart that seemed to celebrate a victory, the victory of the Albanian
Baha'is. And as the unique moment had to be captured for history, an official photograph
of the gathering was taken with the beautiful yellow and white National Center in the
background. A reception with delicious refreshments provided the participants with the
opportunity to meet each other and exchange their impressions.
The newly inaugurated National Center marks a new epoch in the history of the Faith of
Baha'u'llah in Albania. The Baha'is and their friends came together again later that
afternoon to enjoy the artistic program offered by two Albanian groups. The first group
called "The Advent of Divine Justice" from Starov delighted the audience with a
number of Hidden Words which they had put to both original music and typical folk melodies
of their region of Albania. Next, the recently formed "Light of Unity" Dance
Workshop amazed the audience with their well executed and moving dances against drugs,
prejudice, for compassion and equality. During the reception that followed, the band from
Starov started to play traditional wedding songs and soon lines of dancers snaked through
the large room hand in hand, dancing out their joy of being together on this glorious
occasion.
Based on a report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'is of Albania
President Clinton announced Mottahedeh Development Services to
receive a Martin Luther King Day of Service Grant
ATLANTA, GA - January 2, 1998 - President Clinton announced that Mottahedeh Development
Services is one of only a small number of organizations to receive a 1998 Martin Luther
King Day of Service grant. Over 400 organizations applied for the grants made by the
Corporation for National Service. Grants were awarded to organizations that showed
exceptional ability to implement service activities that honor Dr. King's legacy of
bringing people together to solve community problems. Mottahedeh Development Services
(MDS) will initiate a service project titled "Generation 21 - Raising Socially and
Economically Successful Families."
MDS will launch the project with a dinner and an evening program
for participants at the Baha'i Family Unity Institute located at 2370 Wesley Chapel Road
in Decatur on Monday, January 19, 1998.
The primary goal of the project is to assist refugee/immigrant
women in developing the survival skills needed to build self-esteem and improve the
quality of life for themselves and their families. "The root cause of poverty, crime,
violence, racism and environmental problems are all the same: the absence of unity,"
said Carole Miller, Director of MDS. "Unity of self, family and community must be
taught and developed," Miller continued. "Understanding the value of being
connected with others and having close human bonds creates self-esteem and personal
well-being. This in turn enables the individual to pursue the unity of family and to value
this essential building block of community life."
"Generation 21 - Raising Socially and Economically Successful Families" is
organized into three distinct activities. A general assembly geared to foreign exchange
students will be the first activity. This session will focus on societal responsibility,
problem solving and job search skills such as resume writing and interviewing. Later,
students will demonstrate some of what they have learned by volunteering at a homeless
shelter. The second activity consists of six weekly workshops for refugee/immigrant women.
These workshops will focus participants' attention on an approach to acquiring healthy
values that will have a positive impact on the family and the community. The third
activity includes personal visits to the participants' homes. These one-on-one counseling
sessions will impart information about accessing health and educational resources,
transportation, babysitting, and medical care.
Working closely with the King Commission for four years, the Corporation for National
Service has spearheaded efforts to fulfill the King Holiday and Service Act of 1994. This
Act seeks to transform the observance of King's birthday into a day of service that
reflects his life and teaching.
"On Monday, January 19, 1998, Americans across the country
will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King," said Harris Wofford, CEO
of the Corporation for National Service. He continued, "As they have for thirteen
years, students will stay home from school and many adults will not go to work. But while
they are not working or studying, what can they do to really commemorate the day? King
answered that question with a challenge:
'Life's persistent and most urgent question is: What are you
doing for others?' "
Coretta Scott King, Chairperson of the King Commission, said "The greatest birthday
gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated
the Holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others. Remember,
it's not a day off -- it's a day on!"
Report from Baxter Huston
Submitted by Crispin Pemberton-Piggott
LONDON (19 February 1998) - Dr George Carey, the Archbishop of
Canterbury, and Mr James D Wolfensohn, the President of the World Bank, hosted a Dialogue
on "World Faiths and Development" at Lambeth Palace, London (the official
residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury), on 18-19 February 1998.
Representatives of the Baha'i Faith, along with leaders from eight other major world
religions, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Taoism
met yesterday and today at Lambeth Palace with officials from The World Bank to discuss
how faith groups and the Bank can better work together to tackle issues of global poverty
and economic underdevelopment.
For their part in this ground-breaking meeting, the Baha'i
representatives said that spiritual values must be placed at the center of efforts to
promote social and economic development.
"Spiritual principles direct attention to the fundamental
nature of human existence and thus provide an enormous motivational power for change and
advancement," said Kiser Barnes, head of the Baha'i delegation to the event, which
was called simply "World Faiths and Development Dialogue" and was sponsored by
The World Bank and the Church of England.
"And those specific spiritual principles, such as the oneness of humanity and the
equality of women and men, which are universal in nature and can be concretely expressed
in development endeavors, have a special potential to create a new framework for
development," continued Mr. Barnes, who holds the title of International Counsellor
in the Baha'i Faith. Also representing the Baha'i community at the Dialogue was Lawrence
Arturo, Director of the Baha'i International Office of the Environment in New York City
and Baha'i Representative to the United Nations on environmental and development issues.
Mr. Barnes said the outcome was precedent-setting in terms of new collaborative
initiatives that have been forged between the world's religions and the Bank. "One of
the features of this particular time in history is the degree to which the world's great
religions are cooperating and recognizing their fundamental unity," said Mr. Barnes.
"And this meeting marks a significant further advancement in that process, in that
the world's religions are working directly with another major world institution, The World
Bank, to discuss how they can work together to facilitate the advancement of human
affairs."
In specific terms, Baha'i representatives at the gathering suggested that certain key
spiritual values - such as "unity in diversity," "equity and justice,"
"equality of the sexes," and "trustworthiness" - could be used as the
basis for developing a series of "development indicators" by which humanity's
progress towards a truly prosperous and unified global civilization might be better
gauged.
Two papers presented by Baha'i representatives to the Dialogue elaborated on these ideas.
One paper, entitled "Valuing Spirituality in Development" proposed that certain
spiritual principles are needed to provide a unified vision of development. "In our
increasingly interdependent world, development efforts must be guided by a vision of the
type of world community we wish to create and be animated by a set of universal
values," said the paper. The paper also outlined how such principles could be
incorporated into educational programs and efforts to increase development participation
at the local level.
A second paper, entitled "The Prosperity of Humankind," outlined a broader
vision of how spiritual principles might form the underpinnings of a broad-based program
of world development, such that a new level of "global prosperity" that
encompasses both material and spiritual well-being for all of humanity, without
distinction, might be achieved.
Further information, including the opening and closing statements, press release, agenda,
and list of attendees with biographical details, is available on the following Web sites:
The World Bank:
http://www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/faithsdialogue/
Archbishop of Canterbury:
http://www.church-of-england.org/main/lambeth/abchome.htm
(click on "speeches")
Reports by Gregory C. Dahl and Brad Pokorny
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