 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
STATISTICS
General Statistics
Worldwide Bahá’í population More than 5 million Countries/dependent territories Where 190 countries/ the Bahá’í Faith is established 45 territories Continental Counsellors 81 Auxiliary Board members serving 990 throughout the world
National/Regional Spiritual Assemblies 174 Local Spiritual Assemblies 17,148 Localities Where Bahá’ís reside 121 ,058 Tribes, races and ethnic groups 2 112 represented in the Bahá’í community ’ Languages into Which Bahá’u’lláh’s 802 writings have been translated
Bahá’í Publishing Trusts 30
All statistics as Qf May 1995
317
T 1E Bahá’í WORLD
Geographic distribution of Local Spiritual Assemblies by continent
Africa 4828
Alnericas 4515 Europe 950
Australasia 901
Asia 5954:
Growth in the number of localities Where Bahá’ís reside
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
19'54 19'60 19'65 19'70 1975 1580 19'85 1690 1995
O wfi§§
318
[Page 319]
STATISTICS
Growth in the number of National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies
160 /
140 /
120 /
/
1923 1 933 1943 1953 1963 1973 1983 1993
Social and Economic Development
Bahá’í' development activities are initiated either by Bahd ’z' administrative institutions or by individuals or groups afbelievers. T ogether, these activities contribute to a global process of learning about a Bahd ’z' approach to social and economic development. T hey presently fall into three general categories.
Grassroots Activity
Most Bahá’í social and economic development effofis are attempts by Bahá’ís in villages and towns around the world to address the problems and challenges faced by their localities through the application of spiritual principles enshrined in the Bahá’í Teachings. They may begin in the Bahá’í community or as suppmt of Bahá’ís for the development initiatives of other organizations, but all extend their benefits to the well-being of the society as a Whole. It is estimated that in 1995—96 there were some 1,350 such activities of varying duration and levels of complexity Which addressed a Wide range of issues including education, the environment, agriculture, health, the advancement of women, and the elimination of prejudice.
319
[Page 320]
T fig BAHM WORLD
Sustained Independent Projects
A second level of Bahá’í social and economic development activities is represented by the work of about 270 ongoing projects. The vast majority are schools, including preprimary, pfimary, secondary, and post secondary educational institutions. They also include small hospitals, dispensaries and clinics, vocational training centers, and radio stations. Some address such specific concerns as race unity, equality between women and men, microenterprise, immunization and primary health care, literacy, and tree—planting.
Organizations with Integrated Action
Some Bahá’í development efforts have achieved the stature of development organizations With relatively complex programatic structures and significant Spheres of influence. These organizations, 34 in number and located in all continents of the globe, systematically train human resources and manage a number of lines of action to address problems of local communities and regions in a coordinated, interdisciplinary manner.
320
