Bahá’í World/Volume 20/Bahá’í Scholarship

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[Page 453]

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’l ACTIVITIES 453

6. BAHA’t SCHOLARSHIP

A. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BAHA’t CHAIRS AT UNIVERSITIES

The Baha’i Chair for World Peace, University of Maryland, United States

On 12 February 1990, the Universal House of Justice wrote to the Baha’is 0f the world:

With feelings of thankfulness and joy we announce an achievement of immense importance to the accelerating progress of the Cause of Baha’u’llah. The University of Maryland and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is 0f the United States recently signed a memorandum of understanding, establishing ‘The Baha’i Chair for World Peace’ at that University’s Center for International Development and Conflict Management. The stated purpose of the Chair is ‘to conduct and publish re— search, design courses and conduct semi- nars in the field of Baha’i studies and world peace within an interdisciplinary context; to initiate public forums for dis— cussing the issues proposed in the State- ment of the Universal House of Justice entitled ‘The Promise of World Peace’; and to establish academic linkages with and provide technical assistance to Baha’i institutions in the fields of peace educa— tion and international development.

This first initiative by a well-founded, significant institution of higher learning to formulate such a serious program of Baha’i studies is a direct response to the Peace Statement, as is borne out by a let— ter addressed to us by the Director of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management in which he said: ‘With this letter I am answering on behalf of CIDCM and the University of Mary- land your call: “If the Baha’i experience can contribute in whatever measure to re- inforcing hope in the unity of the human

race, we are happy to offer it as a model for study.”

Fully cognizant of Baha’u’llah’s praise of knowledge as ‘wings to man’s life’ and 0f the importance which He assigns to its acquisition; of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s advice that we should ‘seek to impart the Mes~ sage to influential persons and become a cause of guidance to the learned and distinguished’; and 0f Shoghi Effendi’s call for a ‘resolute attempt’ to reinforce measures ‘for the establishment of closer contact with the leaders of public thought, with colleges and universities’, we hail this seminal development both as a mark of the Faith’s emergence from obscurity and as the harbinger of that day when hosts of scholars will devote their energies to the exploration, exposition and defence of the dynamic principles animating the World Order of Bahé’u’llah, thereby ful- filling the need identified by the beloved Guardian for ‘well-read and well—educated people, capable of correlating our teach- ings to the current thoughts of the leaders of society’. On that day, we shall witness an expansion and consolidation of the com— munity as has not yet been experienced.

The official signing of the memorandum took place on 26 January 1990 in the pres— ence of Dean Murray Polakoff 0f the University of Maryland, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Abdel R. Omran, Acting Director of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM), Dr. Suheil Bushrui, Director of the Baha’i Chair for World Peace, and eight members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States.

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At a luncheon hosted by the National Assembly and the Center for International Development and Conflict Management, attended by some one hundred Baha’is and their guests, Dean Polakoff explained the Vital need for the spiritual perspective that the Baha’i Chair will provide in the study of world peace and conflict resolution.

Dr. William F. Gibson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Associa- tion for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), gave a stirring keynote address relating racism and ethnic conflicts to the themes outlined in the Peace Statement. Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh followed with a thought~provoking address on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly concerning the purpose of the Chair. Professor Bushrui closed the proceedings With a tribute to Pro- fessor Edward Azar, Director of CIDCM, who first proposed the idea of the Chair.

At the time of the reception, nine roses were delivered to an ailing Dr. Azar, who was deeply grateful for them as a symbol for the establishment of the Baha’i Chair.

The Chair for Baha’i Studies, University of Indore, India

In its Ridvan message of 1990, the Universal House of Justice wrote:

Just as the community has extended its ramifications internally, it has also ex- panded its relations, influence and appeal externally in a variety of ways, some as- tonishing in their breadth and potential. A few examples will suffice: ...the National Spiritual Assembly of India announced that an agreement had been reached to establish a Chair for Baha’i Studies at the University of Indore.

The memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the Chair for Baha’i Studies at the University of Indore (later renamed Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya) had been signed on 9 April 1990 by the Vice— Chancellor of the University, Professor M.S. Sodha, and the secretaiy of the National

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Spiritual Assembly of India, Ramnik Shah.

Upon being notified of the signing, the House of Justice sent the following cable to the National Assembly of India:

CONGRATULATIONS ESTABLISHMENT CHAIR FOR BAHAT STUDIES AT UNIVERSITY INDORE. THUS A NEW STEP IS TAKEN AHVIED AT ENHANCING PRESTIGE FAITH AND RAISING CALL GOD IN ACADEMIC CIRCLES. EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO THOSE WHO LABOURED IN INDORE AND ELSEWHERE FOR SUCCESS THIS OUTSTANDING PROJECT.

1n pursuance of the agreement, permis- sion had been sought by the University from the Higher Education Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh for the establishment of the Chair. This permission was obtained on 22 January 1991.

The Chair was established to promote research and scholarship in Baha’i studies; to design and conduct courses, seminars and studies in the field of Baha’i studies and related subjects Within an interdisciphnary context and publish results and reports of such activities; and to promote intet-univer~ sity 1inkage through seminars, exchange, lectures, and so forth, with a View to promot— ing inter-faith harmony, national as W611 as international integration and world peace.

The University advertised a11 over India for candidates to fill the post of Professor of Baha’i Studies. The selection committee met on 12 April 1991 and unanimously selected Dr. Vishnudatta Nagar, then Professor Emeritus at Baba Saheb Ambedkar National Institute of Social Sciences, for the new post. This recommendation was ratified by the Executive Council, and Dr. Nagar joined the University of Indore as Professor of Baha’i Studies on 16 May 1991.

He pursued the goals of the Chair in three main ways: by starting formal courses and academic activities; undertaking research stud- ies and registering candidates for research work leading to the degree of PhD. in Baha’i Studies; and arranging group discussions and lectures among teachers on campus.

[Page 455]In January 1992, two lectures were arranged by the Chair for Bahd’z’ Studies at , . the University of Indore, India. ? Shownfi‘om left, Dr. Vishmtdatta Nagar, Dr. Falairiva T aafaki, Mr. Ramnik Shah, M. SherifRushdy, ‘ Dr. TK. Vajdz', and ’ Dr. Shirin Mahalati.

In July 1991, Dr. Nagar attended and participated in the World Order Studies Course at Landegg Academy in Switzerland, where he delivered three lectures. Through his efforts, the University of Indore agreed to start a compulsory course in World Order Studies and an optional course in Religion and Society at the Master of Philosophy

level. Students seeking the Master of Philos— 9

ophy degree would immediately be enrolled into the course upon passing their post— graduate examination.

At the end of the Six Year Plan, the courses were being finalised in consultation with Dr. Iraj Ayman of Landegg Academy in preparation for being approved by the various academic bodies of the University. A Statement of Intent was signed in October 1991 establishing “cooperative relations” be— tween Landegg Academy and the University of Indore.

In November 1991, two research assis— tants joined the Chair, their appointment provided for in the agreement with the University. Before the end of the Six Year Plan, two research candidates had been reg- istered for the degree of Ph.D. and two other applicants were being processed. The main

' purpose of the research work was to identify

the most Challenging problems facing the world and to explain how specific Baha’i principles address these problems. The

topics of the proposed dissertations were: “The Contribution of Religion in the Evolution of a Just Society”, “The Role of Religion in the Economic Transformation of Society”, “Nature of the Human Soul—~A Thematic Study of the Sacred Scriptures of Hindu and Baha’i Religions”, and “Religion and the Environment”.

Apart from individual and group discus- sions held with teachers, two lectures were arranged by the Chair on 27 January 1992. Dr. Falairiva Taafaki, a development con- sultant from the United States, spoke on “The Way Out of the Dead End: Ecologi- cally Sustainable Development”, and Mr. Sherif Rushdy spoke on “The Role of Sci- ence and Technology in the Transformation of Global Society”. These two speakers also delivered lectures at the University’s School of Advanced Liberal Studies and spoke on “The Role of Teachers and Youth in the Transformation of Society”. The lectures at both locations were well—attended and re— ceived wide coverage in the local newspapers.

The Chair’s library was started as the National Spiritual Assembly of India sent about seven hundred Baha’i books, in various installments. Some of these were contributed by Baha’i communities outside India. The books were registered and cata— logued according to the accepted principles of library science.

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B. BAHA’I’ COURSES IN UNIVERSITIES

During the Six Year Plan, a number of courses on the Baha’i Faith were approved for university credit, while other university courses on comparative religion included sections on the Teachings of Baha’u’llah. These developments signalled the growing recognition in the academic community of the importance of Baha’i studies to scholars of all backgrounds.

In 1988, the curriculum for third—year students at the University of Swaziland began to include the history, teachings, and administrative order of the Baha’i Faith. In 1991, university officials asked Baha’is to write a new curriculum on specific Baha’i subjects in relation to African customs and traditional religions.

A three—credit course on the history of the Baha’i Faith began in the fall of 1988 at the University of Hawaii, Hilo campus. Its two main texts were The Bahd’z’ Faith: the Emerging Global Religion and The Bdbz' and Bahd’z’ Religions, 1844—1944: Some West— ern Accounts.

Two courses on the Baha’i Faith and peace were conducted by one of the Baha’is of Burkina Faso at Ouagadougou University’s Higher School of Law. In 1989 the univer— sity granted permission for the National Assembly to give courses on the theme “The Programme of Baha’u’llah for Peace”.

Full credit was earned by students at Brown University in Rhode Island, U.S.A., who formed a Group Independent Study Project on the Baha’i Faith in the spring of 1987. A detailed syllabus for the semester- long course—whieh covered the history, principles, and administration of the Faith— was approved by university officials.

The Faculty of Part—time and Continuing Education at the University of Western Ontario in Canada offered a course in the spring of 1992 exploring the “new world order”. The subject was suggested by the Association for Baha’i Studies Campus Club

and topics covered included Moral Founda— tions of a New World Order, Environment: Global Directions in Education, and Racial Dimensions of a New Social Order. The description in the course catalogue read:

The phrase a “new world order”, coined by the Baha’i Faith in the 18003, articu- lates a Vision of a new, unified world order, and its premises serve as a point of departure for this series of informal lee- tures and discussions on the world as it might be.

Courses to study the Faith were also established in Brazil at the Federal Univer— sity of Santa Catarina and in Sierra Leone at Makeni Teachers’ College.

The Faith was included in quite a number of existing university courses, usually in the field of comparative religion, but also in departments of education and economics.

The head of Christian Religious Educa- tion at Shanzu Teacher Training College in Mombasa, Kenya, invited speakers from the Baha’i community to address more than 400 first—year students in February 1987. The Baha’i Faith was added to the syllabus of the College’s religious education section I as a new topic of study.

In 1989, the Department of Religious Studies of Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, implemented two new courses: Religion, Peace, and Justice, and Religion and Contemporary Social and Economic Development. The first included extensive study of the Baha’i writings related to peace and justice, and the second looked at ap— proaches to development taken by Christianity, Islam, and the Baha’i Faith. In 1991, a new faculty member joined the same university and incorporated Baha’i content into his courses on Religion and Social and Eco— nomic Development, and Research Methods.

In Malawi, the head of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Zomba

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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’T ACTIVITIES

requested information about the Baha’i F aith. When it was delivered, the Baha’is found that the Department Head was already using Bahd’u’lldh and the New Era in his classes.

Lectures on the Baha’i Faith were given as part of comparative religion courses at Bermuda College, University of the South Pacific in Fiji, Chancellor University in Malawi, and the University of Zimbabwe.

457

Students at Gweru Teacher Training Col- lege in Zimbabwe and at the Ecumenical Institute of Theological Sciences in Brazil (which offers undergraduate studies in theol— ogy for high school teachers of religion) learned about the Baha’i Faith in their courses. Baha’is in New Caledonia were invited to present the Baha’i point of View on economics to students of that subject at the University in Noumea.

C. LANDEGG ACADEMY AND INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

The Landegg Conference Centre, located in Wienacht, Switzerland, and established in 1983, continued to host youth conferences, seminars, and schools, as well as courses for both Baha’is and non—Baha’is, during the Six Year Plan.

In 1989, a new Baha’i international learn- ing institution, known as Landegg Academy, was born. It was established by the Landegg International Baha’i Foundation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland as a twin institution of the Landegg Conference Cen- tre. The Institute of International Education and Development was also established as an affiliate with the Academy to provide services to institutions, agencies, and com- munities worldwide, both Baha’i and non- Baha’i.

The mission statement adopted to guide the activities of the Academy reads:

Landegg Academy is an international learning centre dedicated to providing a stimulating environment in which students of all ages, and from all ethnic and national backgrounds, can explore the nature of the human being, the dynamics of community life, and the myriad challenges facing today’s global society. Through a variety of on— and off— campus activities and in collaboration with individuals and institutions with similar goals, Landegg Academy is com~ mitted to developing programmes that

foster those moral and spiritual qualities and related practical skills that are need— ed at this critical transitional phase in the collective life of mankind.

The Academy’s specific objectives are: to implement an holistic approach to educa- tion, integrating the spiritual, intellectual and physical development of individuals; to demonstrate and propagate the oneness of mankind; to nurture bonds of friendship among participants from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds; to cultivate respect for all peoples and all cultures; to promote the harmony of science and religion; to instil through community activity the ideal of service to mankind; and to develop, offer, and promote academic programmes for the study of the Baha’i Faith.

One of the outstanding courses offered by the Academy is the three-year Certificate Programme in World Order Studies. The Programme is designed to foster systematic Baha’i scholarship, as called for by Shoghi Effendi in a letter written on his behalf to an individual believer, dated 21 October 1943:

The Cause needs more Baha’i scholars, people Who not only are devoted to it and believe in it and are anxious to tell others about it, but also who have a deep grasp of the Teachings and their significance, and who can correlate its beliefs with the current thoughts and problems of the people of the world.

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Participants in the Certificate Programme meet at Landegg each year during the entire month of August for the purposes of orienta- tion, preparation of study schedules, and examinations. Independent study is carried out during the intervening months. The first group, which convened in August 1990, con- sisted of 28 students from eleven countries.

In addition to the World Order Studies Programme, a curriculum for junior youth was established. Called Education for Peace, it involved sixteen months of independent study.

One-week-long residential study courses were also offered in various languages dur- ing the Six Year Plan. Some were held at Landegg and some in other parts of the world, organized in cooperation with host institutions. Examples of courses offered in— clude: the Revelation of Baha’u’llah, the New World Order of Baha’u’llah, the Covenant, Baha’i Education, the Spiritual Dimensions of Health, Assembly Management, Fund Development and Management, Media Arts, and Assemblies Facing Family Problems.

International conferences held at Landegg were often co—sponsored by other interna~ tional organizations. Some were planned as periodicalIy recurring events, such as the International Dialogues on Transition to a Global Society, which were held under the auspices of the Director—General of UNESCO and the Seeretary-General 0f the Council of Europe. The first such gathering, held in September 1990, brought together eighty leaders of thought from around the world to present papers and contribute to a discussion about the changing world order.

During its first four years of operation, Landegg Academy and the Institute of Inter- national Education and Development were invited by governmental and public agencies to conduct education-related proj ects in sev— eral countries. In Albania, several national symposia on moral education were held, textbooks on the subject were revised, and a magazine for children was produced, a joint undertaking with the Albanian Ministry of Education and the Institute of Pedagogical

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Studies. In the Ukraine, assistance was given to establish the Ukrainian Institute of Spiri- tual Foundations of World Civilization. In Russia, projects were developed in coopera— tion with the International Foundation for the Survival and Development of Humanity and the Foundation for Social Innovation.

Landegg contributed to the availability of scholarly materials by publishing the pro- ceedings of various conferences, as well as guidebooks and manuals for educational ser— Vices. A total of twelve titles were produced during the Plan. Recordings of lectures and other proceedings of Landegg programmes were made available for sale through a department of Audio—Visual Services, and an inventory of more than 1,500 titles of Baha’i literature and audio—Visual produc- tions in various languages was maintained.

In addition to the Institute for Inter- national Education and Development, a number of other bodies were established as affiliates or departments of Landegg.

The Youth Centre was charged with plan— ning projects related to youth and maintaining contact with the European Baha’i Youth Council. The Centre conducted such annual events as Landegg Youth Symposia (provid— ing opportunities for youth to explore issues such as the environment and conflict resolu- tion, in consultation with adults), Forums for Young Professionals, and youth conferences.

The Department of Education and Family Life and its adjunct Documentation Centre were in charge of activities related to Baha’i education, teacher training, and Baha’i fam— ily life. The Department conducted mobile courses in various host countries, and the Documentation Centre acted as a clearing house for material on Baha’i education.

The Persian Arts and Letters Society pro— moted the Persian language, literature, and arts, with focus on the contributions of the Baha’i Faith and community to this field.

The International Society for Agriculture and Rural Development functioned as an affiliate body dedicated to services related to development at the grassroots level. '

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D. GENERAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH CONFERENCE, BUDAPEST 1987

A Baha’i delegation headed by Amatu’l- Baha Ri’ihiyyih gharmm participated in a scientific conference organized by the Inter- national Society for General Systems Research (later renamed the International Society for the Systems Sciences) and held in Budapest, Hungary, from 1 to 5 June 1987. Other members of the delegation were Mrs. Violette Nag avani and Dr. Janet Khan from the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, and Dr. Ingeborg Franken and Dr. Udo Schaefer from Germany.

Baha’i participation in the Budapest meeting was encouraged and facilitated by Dr. Ervin Laszlo, a well—known scientist and member of the Club of Rome. Dr. Laszlo invited the Baha’is to present a paper on the Baha’i Faith in the conference session arranged by his General Evolution Research Group, thereby providing a valuable opportu— nity to discuss aspects of the Baha’i teachings at an international scientific gathering.

The conference, held in a city Visited by ‘Abdu’l—Baha and much admired by Him, took place at a time When the embryonic Hungarian Baha’i community, consisting of a mere handful of devoted followers, was required to operate with extreme caution and Wisdom. Against such a background, it is interesting that the Universal House of Justice, in one of its communications, stated tha “the presence of a Baha’i delega- tion...constituted an historic step forward in the relationship of the Baha’i community with the academic world and also in its standing in the communist countries”.1

The gathering in Budapest attracted some of the foremost systems scientists from East— ern Europe and the West. They were drawn from such disciplines as mathematics, phys- ics, engineering, economics, management, and the biological and social sciences. One of the featured speakers was Professor

1 Memorandum dated 29 June 1987 to Dr. Janet Khan.

GI. Marchuk, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The purpose of the conference was to apply “systems thinking” to the problems of constancy and change confronting an increas— ingly complex world. “Systems thinking” is a way of looking at the world in terms of relationships and integration. It is used to explain processes and events in the physical, social, and‘eultural worlds. For example, a human body is a system in which all parts are related and interdependent and where the health of the part depends on the whole and Vice versa. Just as an individual is faced with the need to continue to evolve and develop while, at the same time, retaining a sense of identity, so too, the world of today is charac~ terized and challenged by the operation of the forces for constancy and Change.

Dr. Janet Khan delivered a paper entitled “The Baha’i Community as a Model for Social Change”. The presentation examined the experience of the Baha’i community as an evolving global society. Its organic nature and unique system of organization were described With special reference to the dynamic interrelations between the processes of change and constancy operating in its evolution. These processes were illustrated by reference to the relationship between the individual and the community, the flexibility and elasticity of Baha’i administrative func- tioning, the response it has made worldwide to external threat in the form of the current wave of persecution directed against its members in Tran, and the nature of the com- munity’s expansion. The paper was well received and elicited many questions about the Faith, its teachings, its relationship to science and its manner of functioning in the world. This presentation marked the first occasion, in several decades, in which the Baha’i teachings had been presented before an audience in a country such as Hungary. -

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The Hand of the Cause ofGod Amatu ’l—Bahd Rdhz’yyih @dnum and Dr. Ervin Laszlo during a television interviewfollowing the International Society for General Systems Research Conference held in Budapest, Hungary, in June I 98 7.

Dr. Ingeborg Franken, a physicist, and Dr. Udo Schaefer, a public prosecutor, participated in a workshop on peace. During the discussion periods, they had the opportu— nity to describe the elements of the Baha’i peace programme and the activities of the world—wide Baha’i community in sensitizing humankind to the need for and the inevita- bility of peace. Dr. Ingeborg Franken was subsequently invited to write a brief article on the role of consultation in promoting peace, for publication in the newsletter of the Society’s Peace Group.

At the conclusion of the conference, the Baha’i delegation met informally with several members of Dr. Laszlo’s General Evolution Research Group to discuss subjects

of mutual interest. One outcome of this meeting was that, in response to Dr. Laszlo’s request, materials on aspects of the Baha’i Faith were forwarded to all members of his Group.

The members of the Baha’i delegation were impressed that a significant number of the scientists and academics present at the conference already had some knowledge of the Faith, often as a result of the dissemina— tion of the Peace Statement. And, through their participation in this meeting the mem— bers reported having many opportunities to enhance the understanding of their fellow conferees concerning the uniqueness of the Baha’i approach to the social organization of humankind.

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461

B. THE ASSOCIATIONS FOR BAHA’i STUDIES

The Association for Baha’i Studies was founded as the Canadian Association for Studies on the Baha’i Faith in 1975 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada. It was the result of a diverse group of individuals attempting to fulfil a Five Year Plan goal “to cultivate opportuni— ties for formed presentations, courses and lectureships on the Baha’i Faith in Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning”. The Association provided a means for approaching inte11ectuals, making them aware of the Baha’i F aith and acquainting them with the academic resources available to facilitate a formal study of it.

The Association increasingly assumed a significant role in the intellectual and social life of the Baha’i community worldwide. In 1981, its name was changed to the Associa- tion for Baha’i Studies—recommended by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and approved by the Universal House of Justiee—to reflect the evolving nature of the Association’s membership and activities. With guidelines set forth by the House of Justice, affiliates were established in more than twenty countries under the auspices of the Center for Baha’i Studies, located in

T he 1989 Australian National Bahd ’1' Studies Conference ‘* was held in Adelaide from March 24 to 27. Highlights offlze Conference included a one—day symposium on the Role of Women in (m Advancing Civilization.

Ottawa, Canada, which acts as the interna— tiona1 coordinating centre

During the Six Year Plan, the primary purpose of the Association for Baha’i Studies was to stimulate, coordinate, and present original research on the Baha’i Faith. It was also engaged in developing curricula suitable for use at universities that recognized the Baha’i Faith as an important subject for research and instruction. The Association achieved these goals by holding annual meetings, international conferences, and regiona1 symposia. The Center for Baha’i Studies a1so produced a quarterly newsletter, the Bulletin, which kept mem— bers advised of the international activities of the Association. Association for Baha’i Studies—Australia The Association for Baha’i Studies in Australia was first established in June 1984, with its operating secretariat located in Perth, Western Australia. During the Six Year Plan, the Association co—ordinated and stim- ulated the activities of Baha’i Societies in universities and other institutions of higher 1earning by holding national and regional con- ferences, and distributing a quarter1ynews1etter.

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462 THE BAHA’i WORLD

With a membership of more than two hundred people, this Association increased the scope of its studies by forming new interest groups in such areas as women’s studies, hea1th, agriculture, and science and technology. These interest groups gave a greater structure and focus to Baha’i studies.

The Association’s eighth conference was held in Adelaide from 24 to 27 March 1989. For the first time, committees of the National Spiritual Assembly—the Social and Economic Development Committee and the National Children’s Education Task Forcem-were invited to present research papers on their areas of interest. The programme also included a section for the presentation of general papers, meetings for a number of special interest groups, and a one—day symposium entitled “The Role of Women in an Advancing Civiliz ‘ ion”. This symposium consisted of presentations of invited papers by Baha’i and non-Baha’i experts focusing on such topics as Women and Power, Women in the Legal Profession, and Women, Development and Peace.

From 13 to 16 April 1990, the ninth meet- ing of the national Association for Baha’i Studies was held in Perth. More than three hundred people registered for the confer- ence, including several members of the public who had heard one of the many radio announcements broadcast prior to the event. Among the high1ights of this gathering was a day—long symposium on “The Environ— ment Humanity’s Common Heritage”, which included contributions from several Baha’i environmental experts. Papers were submit- ted on The Environment—flPast, Present and Future, Environmental Damage: Reshaping International Relations, and Agriculture and the Environment. Several of the speakers were interviewed on various radio and televi- sion programmes prior to the conference, and a number of media representatives were present at the symposium. A new feature was a half—day forum held in Persian. '

Association for Baha’i Studies—Brazil One of the significant activities of the Asso- ciation for Baha’i Studies in Brazil during the Six Year Plan was the first National Peace Symposium in the Nuclear Era, held from 19 to 21 September 1986 in Goiania, Goias. This gathering was supported by hun- dreds of citizens, industrialists, artists, and top scientists from throughout the country.

The Symposium was officially inaugu— rated by the wife of the State Governor in the presence of Mr. Hushmand Fatheazam, a member of the Universal House of Justice; representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Education; and municipal authorities. The Secretary-General of the United Nations; the President of Brazil, José Samey; and various Ministers of the Government sent messages in honour of the occasion.

Approximate1y 500 people, eighty per cent of whom were not Baha’is, attended three main panel discussions on peace, led by eminent scientists and leaders of thought. The topics presented were Science for Peace; Education for Peace; and Economy and Political Science for Peace. The participants also took part in nine workshops, the out— come of Which was a document entitled Letter of Goiania that conveyed to the United Nations the results of the Symposium with recommendations toward the establishment of peace.

On the last day of the Symposium, the cornerstone for a Monument for Peace was placed. This monument was designed by Siron Franco, a we11—known Brazilian artist, and bears the quotation from Baha’u’llah that states “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens”. The cornerstone, consisting of a beautiful glass plate, was dedicated by Professor Venerando de Freitas Borges, the first mayor of Goiania. The monument will be a glass tower seven meters high, filled with artistically displayed coloured earth to be received from many countries of the world.

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T he first conference Offlze Association for Bahd ’1' Studies in East, Central and South Africa held

in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28 to

30 September 1990.

Association for Baha’i Studies—Central, South, and East Africa The activities of the Association for Baha’i Studies for Central, South, and East Africa included its first annual conference, held at the National Baha’i Center in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28 to 30 September 1990. A total of thiIty-five members attended, among whom were four Auxiliary Board members. During the gathering, seven speakers presented papers on the following topics: Baha’i Scholarship—the Master’s Style; What is a Baha’i Scholar?; Applying the Teachings to Solve Current Problems; Relat— ing Christianity, Islam, and the Baha’i Faith; How to Research the Baha’i Faith; Fostering Creative Development; and Understanding: the Greatest Gift.

Association for Baha’i Studies—Chile The Association for Baha’i Studies in Chile was established on 19 October 1985 with an initial membership of 39 individuals and two Local Spiritual Assemblies. By the end of the Six Year Plan, its membership had grown to more than sixty individuals and eight institutions. During this time, the Association organized national and regional conferences, and an annual “Essay, Music, and Art Contest”; printed Baha’i publica— tions; established a library for Baha’i studies; and formed special interest groups.

463

From 15 to 16 August 1986, the first annual Association for Baha’i Studies Con- ference was held. The conference focused on “Peace and the New World Order”, with the keynote speakers being Dr. Augusto Lopez Claros of the International Monetary Fund and Dr. Mansour Sedaghat of the University of Concepcién.

The theme of the second annual confer- ence, held from 26 to 27 September 1987, was “New Perspectives in Education”, and it featured Counsellor Farzam Arbab and a forum of Baha’i educators. More than eighty Baha’is and non-Bahé’is from five countries attended. During the same year, the Associa- tion sponsored a series of six regional Baha’i Studies Institutes, wherein members con— ducted classes, workshops, and lectures on various themes related to the Baha’i Faith.

In 1989, this Association received com- mendations from the Universal House of Justice for its fourth annual conference and for the participation of non—B aha’i leaders in its forum. This conference, held in Santiago from 30 September to 1 October, addressed “Human Development and Society”. Ap- proximately eighty people from Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, and Peru attended, including non—Baha’i experts in the field of development.

“Human Rights and Social Justice” was the theme of the fifth annual conference,

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which commenced on 25 August 1990 in Santiago. More than fifty people listened to presentations on such topics as The Baha’i Declaration of Human Rights; The Search for a Just Society; and Social Justice and Development. As well, three simultaneous workshops were held to discuss The Rights of Children; Social Justice and Community; and Youth and Justice.

Beginning in 1986, the Association spon- sored a contest which evolved into an annual “Essay, Music and Art Contest” to give individuals the opportunity to express their artistic talents within the context of the Baha’i Faith. This competition included categories for youth, university students, and adults. A magazine containing some of the essays submitted for this contest was published by the Executive Committee.

The Association also established a Library for Baha’i Studies in 1986. Located at the National Baha’i Center, it was set up to pro— vide students and researchers of the Faith with a center of information. Its collection consisted of more than 300 books and 600 periodicals in English, Persian, and Spanish. The Library’s reading room was open to members and non—members.

Special interest groups were formed to study the relationship of the Faith with specific fields and to develop a Baha’i dis- course that could deal with relevant issues in society. Groups studied such areas as the environment, communications, human rights and social justice, health, peace, economic and social development, education and culture, and women’s studies. Throughout the Six Year Plan, the Association’s representatives took part in forums organized by Baha’i and non-Bahé’i groups.

In 1990, the Association began offering a formal programme of study on the Faith. Covering various aspects of the teachings, the programme began with courses on Christianity and the Baha’i Faith; and Islam and the Baha’i Faith.

Association for Baha’i Studies—English- Speaking Europe

During the Six Year Plan, the Association for Baha’i Studies in English—Speaking Europe continued to encourage a scholarly approach to the study of the Baha’i Faith. It also promoted and encouraged research on the Faith by Baha’is and non—Baha’is in universities and other institutions of higher learning.

This Association was established in Ireland in 1984, then was transfered to the United Kingdom in 1989 after consultation between the two National Spiritual Assem— blies. An Executive Committee was formed to help the Association develop and build upon the work already done in Ireland.

Within this period, the Association held regional and national conferences; it pro— duced audio-Visual materials; and published an annual journal entitled The Bahd ’1' Studies Review. The Association was successful in encouraging the creation of campus associa~ tions at colleges and universities, and had a membership of more than two hundred people in 1991.

The first annual conference was held in Birmingham, England, in April 1990 on the theme “Community and Diversity”.

From 13 to 15 September 1991, a total of fifty Baha’is met for the second annual con- ference also held in Birmingham, England, which focused on “New Human Values for a New World Order”. A variety of presenta— tions were made on subjects such as The Path to Peaceman Introduction to the Prob- lems of Prejudice; Encouraging Sustained Participation; and The Writings of Shoghi Effendi. Workshops gave the participants an opportunity to further explore these themes.

Following Riclvan 1990, a series of regional conferences were held throughout England, Ireland, and Scotland to permit for a wide range of topics to be examined in informal settings. They also allowed for more believers to become involved with the

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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’T ACTIVITIES

Association and its activities, and resulted in local media publicity for the Faith.

The Association’s first conference held in Northern Ireland took place on 12 January 1991 in Londonderry. Talks were given on such topics as The Environment—More than Just a Bandwagon; Science and Religion; and Baha’is and the A113.

“The Bahé’i Faith and Other Religions” was the theme of the Association’s first con— ference in Scotland, held from 3 to 5 May 1991 in Edinburgh. Talks were presented on Judaism and the Baha’i Faith; Muhammad and the Qur’an: An Ovewiew; Christian and Islamic Objections to the Baha’i Faith; and The Christian—Baha’i Dialogue during ‘Abdu’l—Baha’s Visit to Edinburgh.

The Association held a conference in Bath, England, on 3 July 1991. The first of two papers presented was on The Maid of Heaven, the Image of Sophia, and the Logos. The second paper focused on the topic Thoughts on the Development of Spirituality, which looked at several ways to spirituality such as creation, suffering, education, prayer, and meditation.

Association for Bahz’l’i Studies—French- Speaking Europe Since 1984, the Association for Baha’i Stud- ies in French—speaking Europe has organized annual conferences on a variety of themes and current issues.

The Association for Bahd ’1' Studies,

F rench-Speaking . Europe, held its annual conference in 1 Luxembourg in November 1986.

T wo Government Ministers, one Mem— ber ofParliament, and the President 0fthe

T ribunal were among the participants.

465

The 1986 annual conference, held in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on 22 and 23 November, focused on “The Place and Contribution of Minorities in Society”. Approximately one hundred participants from Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, and Switzerland attended, among whom were two Government Ministers, one Member of Parliament, and a President of the Tribunal which represents the Grand Duchy to the European Commission on Human Rights. Also present were Dr. Agn‘es Ghaznavi and Mr. Louis Hénuzet, members of the Conti- nental Board of Counsellors.

The Association’s fourth annual confer— ence centered on the theme “Religious Values and Lay Va1ues: Searching for a Uni— versal Ethic”. This conference, which took place on 31 October and 1 November 1987, was organized in collaboration with the Open Facu1ty of Religions and Lay Affairs at the University of Charleroi in Belgium.

On 29 and 30 October 1988, the annual Baha’i Studies conference took place at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Par- ticipants delved into the issue of “Economy and Society: What are the Perspectives Beyond Today’s Crises?”. A presentation by a non-Baha’i university student on the system of communication in the Baha’i Faith was a noteworthy feature of the gathering.

In 1989, more than one hundred and eighty people took part in the Association’s

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sixth annual conference held at the Palais des Congrés in Paris, France, on 18 and 19 November. Speeches emphasized the theme “Freedom in History and Society”.

The seventh annual conference was held in Luxembourg under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and was inaugurated by Mr. Jacques Santer, the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy. Held on 10 and 11 No- vember 1990, the theme “The Dawning of European Unity” offered an opportunity to invite, for the first time, a sociologist from the former Soviet Union. On the whole, favourable echoes of the conference rever- berated in the press.

“Environment: a heritage for humanity” was the theme examined at the Association’s annual conference held in Lie’ge, Belgium, in 1991.

After each of the conferences, the Associ- ation for Baha’i Studies in French—speaking Europe published the proceedings of the presentations. The Association also sought to expand its publishing activities to include translations into French of previously unpublished articles by Dr. Udo Schaefer.

Association for Baha’i Studies—German- Speaking Europe

The Association for Baha’i Studies in German- speaking Europe held its second annual conference in May 1986 at the Landegg Academy in Switzerland. Representatives of

THE BAHA’t WORLD

The Association for Bahd ’1' Studies, German—Speakz‘ng Europe, held itsfifth annual conference in Hof, Austria, from 29 September to

1 October 1989.

four countries examined the theme of peace through three papers, several seminars, and art sessions. Plans to consolidate and enlarge the Association were also discussed.

A total of 54 people took part in the Asso— ciation’s fifth annual conference, held from 29 September to 1 October 1989 in Hof, Austria. Speakers from Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland focused on the central theme of the conference——“Economy: Old Dogmas, New Thinking”——with presen— tations on the paradigm shift in economics, an approach to a new theory of economics under the influence of the Baha’i Revelation, and the modern work environment.

Prominent non—Bahé’i scholars addressed the Association’s sixth annual conference, held from 12 to 14 October 1990 in Mils, Austria. The gathering’s theme~—“On the Oneness of Reality: the New Convergence of Religion and Science”—resulted in the submission of papers on such topics as reli—

' gion as the fountainhead of great cultures,

the epistemological investigations of belief and science, and the mystical dimension of human reality as contained in the Writings of Baha’u’llah.

Association for Baha’i Studies—India

The Association for Baha’i Studies in India was formed in 1983, following consultation between the National Spiritual Assemblies of India and Canada. As a result, a Management

[Page 467]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’T ACTIVITIES

Committee was appointed in New Delhi, whose function was to coordinate study~ related activities, particularly in initiating and fostering an active pursuit of Baha’i scholarship.

One of the first activities of the Associa- tion was to acquire diaries of early believers in India to stimulate a study of events and individuals connected with the early years of the Baha’i Faith in the Indian sub-continent.

During the Six Year Plan, three non- Bahé’i scholars, on their own initiative, approached the Baha’i community for study materials on the Faith for their PhD. disser— tations. This serves as an example of the growing interest in Baha’i studies stimulated by the Association.

Association for Baha’i Studies—Japan The first annual conference of the Associa~ tion for Baha’i Studies in Japan took place at the Tokyo Baha’i Center on 21 and 22 De- cember 1991, with more than fifty believers attending. Presentations were given on Learning and the Acquisition of Knowledge by Counsellor Kimiko Schwerin, and A Vision of Baha’i Scholarship by Dr. Hossain Danesh. The conference was described as “a success in motivating the friends to delve deeper into the Writings to discover the truths that will assist in advancing the Cause in Japan”.

The Association for Bahé ’1' Studies in Japan held itsfirst annual conference in T okyo from 2] to

22 December 199].

467

Association for Baha’i StudiesuMalaysia The Baha’i community of Malaysia estab- lished its nation’s Association for Baha’i Studies in 1988, thereby fulfilling one of the goals of the country’s Six Year Plan. The Association cultivated opportunities for for- mal presentation of the Baha’i F aith at universities and other institutions of higher learning. It promoted a greater study of the Faith and its application to the needs of humanity by hosting conferences, printing publications, and forming regional associa~ tions. The first Bulletin for the Association for Bahd’z’ Studies of Malaysia was pub- lished in April 1989. Association for Baha’i Studies—North America The Association for Baha’i Studies in North America continued to function as a coopera— tive effort between the National Assemblies of Alaska, Canada, and the United States. The Center for Baha’i Studies, located in Ottawa, Canada, acted as the coordinating centre for the activities of the Association in North America and its affiliates worldwide. Adjacent to the University of Ottawa, the Center enjoyed access to the university resources, which, combined with the Cen- ter’s own library, offered the facilities needed for research on the Baha’i Faith. During the Six Year Plan, the Association organized international conferences, annual

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meetings, and special seminars. It also spon— sored regional conferences throughout North America which provided opportunities for scholars to exchange ideas and present papers. Selected material from these pro— ceedings was published in The Journal of Bahd’z’ Studies, a quarterly journal, and Bahd ’1' Studies, a serial monograph. As stated earlier, the Center for Baha’i Studies pro- duced a quarterly international newsletter, the Bulletin, which kept members advised of the activities of the Association internationally. The eleventh annual conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies was held from 20 to 24 August 1986 in London, Ontario, Canada. This was the largest con- ference to date, with approximateiy two thousand adults participating. Focusing on the theme “Beyond the Quest for Peace: Creating a New World Order”, this confer~ ence was planned in response to a request by the Universal House of Justice that each national Baha’i community sponsor one maj or event to mark the United Nations International Year of Peace. Among those addressing the gathering were the Hands of the Cause of God Amatu’l—Bahé Rfihiyyih K_hénum and Dr. ‘Ali Muhammad Varqa, as well as Mr. ‘Ali Nalihjavani, a member of the Universal House of Justice. For two days preceding the main conference, eight other agencies and affiliates of the Association held their sessions. Among them were the

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THE BAHA’1 WORLD

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Baha’i International Health Agency and the Baha’i Education Institute.

From 22 to 25 October 1987, the Associa— tion held its twelfth annual conference at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America, on “Converging Realities: An International Conference on Science, the Humanities, and Religion.” Among those addressing the event were eminent Baha’i and non—Baha’i scholars, scientists, and systems theorists. Talks were delivered on such topics as The Redemption of Science, Poverty and Racism in Urban America, Convergence of Body and Sou1, and Art and Spiritual Education.

The Association for Baha’i Studies welcomed approximately 800 people to its fouiteenth annual conference held from 15 to 17 September 1989 in Irvine, California, USA. The theme of this gathering was “Full Partnership: An International Conference on the Equality of Women and Men”. Talks were presented on the roles of women and men in bringing about full partnership and on the implications of the equality principle on women. Seminars during the conference covered a wide range of topics including consultation and conflict resolution, the arts, health, agriculture, and intercultural issues.

“Models of Racial Unity” was the theme of the fifteenth annual Baha’i Studies conference, held from 9 to 11 November 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Plenary

[Page 469]INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA’T ACTIVITIES

sessions, professional interest seminars, and workshops presented nearly a century of North American Baha’i experience in the field of racial unity.

In preparation for the Holy Year, approxi— mately six hundred people spent four days in August 1991 at the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, attend— ing workshops, plenary sessions, and special presentations. The themes pursued at this gathering were the Mission of Baha’u’llah, His Covenant, the World Order, and the Baha’i community. Sessions were also held on the Kitab~i-Aqdas, the T ablets 0f the Divine Springtimes, and the Long Obliga— tory Prayer. David Hofman, former member of the Universal House of Justice, delivered the annual Hasan Balyuzi Memorial Lecture on Baha’i History. His address, entitled “Baha’u’llah: King of Glory”, reminded the audience of the vast scope of Baha’u’llah’s Mission. One of the significant events at this gathering was a memorial service for the late Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts. Prepared With the assistance of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, the pro— gramme featured readings and musical tributes, as well as a touching recollection of the late Hand by Mrs. Audrey Robarts.

The Association continued to be affiliated With campus organizations, which provided a valuable source of ideas and research. The

A Seminar on Intercultural Issues preceded the Conference offlte Association for Baha’ ’1' Studies held in Irvine, California, from 15 to I 7 September 1989.

469

campus clubs held activities that comple— mented the aims of their institutions. These groups received the Campus Association Newsletter.

One of the most exciting developments of the Association during the Plan was that on 27 July 1986, the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada cabled:

J oyfu11y announce federal incorporation

of Association for Baha’i Studies granted

July 22....

Association for Baha’i Studies—Papua New Guinea

The first Association for Baha’i Studies con- ference in Papua New Guinea was held in September 1988 at the University Baha’i Club in Port Moresby and was attended by fifteen peop1e. Among the papers presented were Traditional Education in New Hanover, The Effect of the Baha’i Faith on Medina Vi11age, and Equality of Men and Women: Traditional and Modern Concepts. A11 speak— ers were Papua New Guineans.

In May 1989, the second annual Associa— tion for Baha’i Studies conference was held at the University of Papua New Guinea. Among the twenty—five Baha’is and

non-Baha’is present was Peter Vuyiya, a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre. The three papers presented at this gathering were on the topics of The

[Page 470]

Effect of the Baha’i Faith on the Position of Women in the Mountain Brown Area of Papua New Guinea, The Coming of the Baha’i Faith to Some of the Islands of Fiji, and Women and Peace: An Anthropological Perspective.

Association for Baha’i Studies—Puerto Rico The Association for Baha’i Studies in Puerto Rico was established at the Mayaguez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico in 1987, thus helping to fulfil one of the goals of the nation’s Six Year Plan. Throughout this period, the Association held regular weekly meetings and carried out various activities.

The first endeavour undertaken by the Association was proclaiming the Baha’i Faith campus—wide. Posters, pamphlets, and specially prepared lessons on the Faith were placed in different locations around the Mayaguez campus. Thousands of one—sheet lessons on the Faith were taken by the students. This occurred during a period of several years. As a consequence of these activities, five students accepted the Baha’i Faith directly through the lessons, and two professors and three students enrolled in the Faith through personal contacts. In addition,

THE BAHA’l WORLD

The Association for Bahd ’1’ Studies, Papua New Guinea, held its second conference at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, in May 1989.

a great number of these posters were placed at the Inter-American University, in the nearby town of San German.

In addition to the weekly meetings for Baha’is and their friends, other gatherings were organized and publicized throughout the campus. The Association found that inviting professors to talk on a particular subject at meetings organized by the Associ— ation was very fruitful, for the professors would thus become acquainted with the tenets of the Faith.

Sequences of talks with common themes were organized by the Association, includ— ing a series on Peace—Economy and Peace, Technology and Peace, World Politics and Peace. These gatherings were well publi- cized and well attended. The Association held two series, four years apart, on world religions, at which professors were invited to talk about their religions.

One of the significant activities of the Association in Puerto Rico was the distribu~ tion of the Peace Message to nearly all the faculty members of the University in 1987. The Chancellor was very appreciative and shortly thereafter invited the Bahé’is to make a presentation at an ecumenical meet— ing that she organized.