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ONE

Iune—August 1989 Volume 1

“The earth is but one country and mankind it: citizem”- Bahé’u’lléh

by oxen, opens new horizons to India’s Villages with a unique mix of high and low technologies.

E6

The Sacred Literature Trust will bring together the world’s scriptures in an ambitious new interfaith publishing venture.

1 2

A global perspective on drug and alcohol abuse: an interview with

Dr. A. M. Ghadirian, psychiatrist and author.

”V

L

The threat of modernism: a review of Ervin Laszlo’s

new book, The Inner Limits ofMankind.

”‘3 COUNTRY

Issue 3 Newsletter of the Bahé’i International Community

This thatched roof waiting room was erected by an indigenous health worker in a village near Sarh, Chad. Although simple, it reflects a significant advance for the village, which would otherwise be without on—site medical assistance entirely, and represents the kind of initiative seen when villagers are themselves trained to provide primary health care.

Simple methods, simple training are keys to primary health care in Villages

Building networks of indigenous workers in remote areas can have a powerful 1mpaet

SARH, Chad—Leftunattended, common diarrhea can kill amalnourished infant in less than eight hours.

The treatment itself is simple: administer a mixture of sugar, salt and water — along with basic instructions about infant care and hygiene.

But delivering such simple forms of first aid to resource-poor villagers — like those who inhabit this remote part of southern Chad — remains a difficult challenge around the world, even for sophisticated international aid agencies. The roads that weave from village to village here are little more than beaten dirt tracks, and during the rainy season even those trails become all but impassable. Nor can the economic base support doctors or nurses.

According to health and development specialists, one means of answer- ing basic health needs in remote and underdeveloped areas is the training and support of indigenous primary health care workers. Although armed with the simplest of techniques and often semi-literate, such workers, be- cause they serve their own villages, can have a powerful impact.

(Continued on page 8)

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. ,worldwidae' membership“ of the Bahé”

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For more enformatton on any

of the Baha'i international?

Community and its work please contact:

Douglas Martin Hugh Locke

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provided that they are attributed as follows: ?Reprinted’ frem ONE

ONE COUNTRY / Iunc-August 1989

A Global Framework for the Environment

After years of slumber, the world seems at last awakening to the magnitude of the problems facing the global environment. The seriousness of interest is welcome.

In the general discussion about how to solve this crisis, however, the crucial ele- ment often remains missing. That element is the global framework necessary to pro- tect the environment.

The most pressing environmental prob- lems are international in nature. Whether the issue is ocean pollution, the over-pro— duction of “greenhouse” gases, the extinc- tion of species, or deforestation, the prob- lem pays no respect to national bounda- ries. Of n e c e s - - sity. any ' Cl'SpCCthC real solu— tion must involve transnational cooperation.

Yet, environmentalists and policy-mak- ers are wary of addressing the larger issue of world order and global unity. Although there is talk of “coordinated" efforts, or of taking a “global view,” few proposals for preserving the environment consider the necessity of seriously revising the world’s political charter.

Careful reflection on the scope and na- ture of the threats to the planet’s environ- ment, however, make clear that global action of just such magnitude is required.

What is more, the causes of the various environmental threats are complex, with aspects that are social, technological, po- litical, cultural and even spiritual. Con- sider two examples:

Rainforests supply much of the world’s oxygen and contain a storehouse of plant and animal species. They are being rapidly destroyed, however, by agents ranging from acid rain to impoverished families seeking open farm land.

Any attempt to preserve the rainforests, then, must address issues ranging from industrial policy to the disparities between the rich and the poor. Ultimately, efforts to achieve universal literacy will be as impor— tant as creating conservation districts.

Likewise, limiting the use of fossil fuels will require campaigns of consumer edu- cation. The implementation of new tech-

nologies must be done on a global scale. New outlooks and lifestyles are essential.

The current focus on the environment has aroused a flood of idealism and commitment in many countries. This body of opinion can only grow larger and more urgent, as the magnitude of the dangers threatening our children’s future become daily clearer. If provided with avision and direction, it repre- sents an unprecedented resource for signifi- cant socialchange.Thisis the realchallenge to the environmental movement.

More than 100 years ago, Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, called for the establishment of a new world order. Built around the idea of a commonwealth of na- tions, with an international parliament and executive to carry out its will, this new politi- cal order would serve to embrace and unite all humanity and to promote the flowering of an “ever—advancing civilization.”

environmental crisis,“

Such a new order must of necessity be based on principles of economic justice, racial equality, equal rights for men and women, and universal education.

”The well—being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established,” Baha’u’llah wrote. ”The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”

More than any trend in recent times, the growing environmental crisis has pointed to the truth and depth of these words.

Although the idea of a commonwealth of nations has been widely discussed in this century as a means to world peace, the growing recognition that environmental degradation could prove as devastating as world war should cause enlightened men and women everywhere to enlarge the con- cept of collective security to encompass the environmental crisis. 5

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[Page 3]ONE COUNTRY / Iunc-August 1989

ehto ‘ Paul Slaughte Since 1984, Bahé‘is have initiated conservation projects in more than 20 countries. They range from tree p|anting, like this effort near Panohgani, Maharashtra, India, pictured above,

to the manufacture of fuel—efficient stoves, from environmental education classes to international collaboration with organizations like the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature).

New Conservation Initiative Planned

NEW YORK — The Bahé’i International Community will launch a major new envi- ronmental initiative this fall, aimed at fur- thering the Bahé’i world’s commitment to “the preservation of the ecological balance of the world.”

Full details on the initiative, including its name, will be released in October at a lunch- eon in London commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Richard St. Barbe Baker, 3 Bahé’i who was intema- tionally known for his far—seeing work in reforestation and conservation.

The director for the project, Lawrence Arturo, a 31-year-old development commu- nications specialist from Australia, will coor- dinate the initiative from the Bahé’i Interna- tional Community’s New York Office.

Mr. Arturo said the initial focus of the proj- ect will be on tree planting. Already, he said, Bahé’i communities are engaged in tree planting projects in more than 20 countries. The new initiative will build on that work and encourage wider collaboration with other non-governmental organizations in- terested in environmental conservation.

“The project promises to be one of the

largest environmental campaigns ever un- dertaken by a religious community,” Mr. Arturo said, “We hope to stimulate locally based conservation activities not only in many of the 125,00010calBahé’1’communi- ties in the world, but in other communities as well, through collaboration with other agencies and organizations.”

Mr. Arturo said that the New York office will help coordinate international activi- ties, and act as a catalyst in stimulating conservation activities at the local level. Such work will include the dissemination of technical and project information and the development of a database of case studies and field examples.

“It is not intended to direct projects or to become a kind of top—down development agency,” Mr. Arturo said. “We expect the local projects to take many different forms, from shelter-belt tree plantings by youth, to educational fairs, agro-forestry projects, urban greening projects, the inclusion of conservation education modules in cer- tain Bahé’i schools, and the broadcast of programs with conservation content on Bahé‘i radio stations.” 0

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“...the emphasis is on educational tapes that promote literacy, personal hygiene, and simple health measures.”

ONE COUNTRY / Iune»August 1989

“Peace Chariot,” pulled by bullocks, opens new horizons to India’s Villages

Mobile Video unit uses high and low technologies to

spread development message

U’I'I‘AR PRADESH, India — Pulled by two stately bullocks, the contrivance looks from a distance like an old-fashioned ice wagon, or perhaps an imaginative new European camping trailer.

The lettering on the side, in both Hindi and English, proclaims the arrival of some- thing else: the vehicle is a “Shanti Rath” or, in English, “Peace Chariot.”

Despite that lofty-sounding name, the wagon has a very down-to-earth purpose. Currently making its way among the vil— lages of this remote state in northern India, the Peace Chariot seeks, through a unique combination of high and low technologies, to bring key messages about literacy, hygiene, reforestation and social organiza- tion to a population that is for the most part cut off from modern life.

The cart, with metal walls and rubber tires, contains an assemblage of television sets, avideo player and an electrical genera- tor that permits the showing of develop- ment—oriented videotapes —— regardless of the location or the availability of power.

And despite the apparent mismatch of technologies, the use of oxen as the motive power plays a key role in the vehicle’s mis- sion, according to Stephen Waite, head of the Department of Social and Economic Development and Education for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India, the governing council for India’s 1.9 million Baha’is, which operates the project.

“Prime time in the village is in the eve- ning, between 7 and 11 p.m.,” Mr. Waite said. “A bullock cart cannot move very fast. This, in turn, ensures that the video pro- grams will be available when the villagers are.

“Because if we had chosen a motor ve- hicle,” Mr. Waite added, “the driver who- runs it would expect to be back home in his own bed in the evening.”

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[Page 5]ONE COUNTRY / Iune»August I989

Other important concessions to the cul- tural and social life of the people of Uttar Pradesh have been made. The cart, which is set up in the village center for up to a week at a time, has two television screens — one on each side of the vehicle.

“If you had just one screen, women would lose out,” Mr. Waite said. “They would be forced to watch from the rooftops or some— where.” In this part of India, he explained,

women and men do not assemble together in groups. “Having two screens allows the men to view the video from one side, while the women are able to view it from the other.”

The video program continues to evolve. Currently, the emphasis is on educational tapes that promote literacy, personal hy- giene, and simple health care measures.

An eight—hour, government—produced program on literacy, directed primarily toward women and in the Hindi language, has been featured recently on the chariot. A Hindi-language version of the WHO (W orld Health Organization) film entitled “Health for All by the Year 2000” has also been shown.

“The WHO film focuses on basic health issues that people in the villages need to be aware of,” Waite said. Other govemment- 0r internationally produced films on various development issues, ranging from refores- tation to hygiene, are also being acquired.

The idea is to build a very flexible pro- gram. During the day, for example, the bullock cart can be used by the village school to show educational programs to the chil- dren. Special groups, such as farmers, might also be invited for an hour—long agricultural

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extension program. Then, in the evening, programs ofgeneral interest can be shown.

Because many of the people in the area are newly declared Baha'is, educational programs on the principles and teachings of the Baha’i Faith are also shown. A film on the award-winning Baha’i House of Worship in New Delhi has been featured recently, for example.

The vehicle is operated under the over- all direction of Mr. H.V. Singh, who also designed and had it built. He is well-known in the area, having descended from the local rajahs.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India views the Peace Chariot as a prototype, and hopes to construct more bullock carts for the area. With more than 250,000 Baha’is in Uttar Pradesh, mostly in a region encompassing about 900 vil- lages in the districts of Etawah, Kanpur and Furukabad, their need for information cannot be met by itinerant teachers alone.

Mr. Waite said the first Peace Chariot cost about 60,000 rupees — about US$ 4,000. “We hope to get that cost down to about 45,000 rupees, or about USS 3,000,” he said. The average audience is several hundred. In some villages, more than 500 have turned out for the evening program.

The program is reported to be a great success. Large numbers of people have been reached with important information at a low cost. For people with little educa- tion and limited exposure to television, this project opens limitless new horizons.@

AFGHANIST / ' 1’ I

The “Peace Chariot," pictured left, uses two bullocks for its motive power, and carries a tape player, two television sets and an electrical generator. Thus equipped, it is used to bring development videotapes to villagers in the Uttar Pradesh region of India, near Kanpur, shown in the map below.

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ONE COUNTRY / Iunc-August 1989

Ambitious New Interfaith Publishing Venture Launched

Sacred Literature Trust will bring together the scriptures 0f the world’s religions.

NEW YORK — When representatives of some of the world’s major faiths sat down together three years ago in Assisi, Italy, to discuss how religion relates to environ- mental conservation, they hit an unfore- seen snag: the sacred texts they hoped to discuss were sometimes not available in well-known languages.

While the spirits were willing, it seems, the translations were sometimes weak.

In an effort to remedy this problem, an ambitious and ground-breaking new inter- faith venture has been launched: the Sacred Literature Trust (SLT).

Announced by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the United Nations on May 22, the Trust is bringing together, for the first time, scholars and literary figures from the world’s major religious communities in an effort to produce new English translations of the world’s key sacred texts.

“It is the largest interfaith publishing venture ever undertaken,” said Kerry Brown, an executive officer of the Trust, which is based in Manchester, England. ”The whole fabric of the spiritual heritage of the world will be made available in English through the series.”

So far, the Trust has received commit- ments of support and involvement from representatives of eight of the world’s major religions — Buddhism, Christianity, Hin- duism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism, and the Baha’i Faith. Representatives of regional belief systems and indigenous peoples will also collaborate with the Trust to bring to print heretofore untranslated or unpublished sacred writings and oral tra- ditions.

The effort is further distinguished by its emphasis on having individuals from each

faith community oversee the translation of their own sacred texts — instead of relying on outside scholars for translation.

“There have been multi-faith publishing projects done by one faith or one culture,” said Brown, but there has never been a “publishing venture that attempts to work with the scholars from the different faiths themselves.”

For its contribution, the Baha’i Interna— tional Community is preparing a major new English-language compilation drawn from the sacred writings of the Baha'i Faith. The compilation will include some texts trans— lated into English for the first time.

The first volume of this compilation is planned for publication in 1992, to coincide with the centenary of the passing of Baha’u’llah, the F ounder of the Baha’i Faith, who wrote in Arabic and Persian.

“The promise of this new publishing ini- tiative goes far beyond simply re-translating and re—printing the world’s great religious writings, which is nevertheless a major event in itself,” said Douglas Martin, director general of the Office of Public Information of the Baha’i International Community.

“Owing to the depth and breadth of its involvement with the diversity of the world’s faith communities, we believe that the Sacred Literature Trust represents a major step towards religious understanding and toler- ance.”

Among the projects undertaken by other faiths are an approved English translation of the Qur’an, a first-ever translation of the Greek Orthodox Bible and the translation of rare or largely unknown J ewish texts.

“At the present time, for example, we’re working with our J ewish literary editor on a translation of the Sha’are Oah, which means The Gates of Illumination’,” Ms. Brown said. “This is a primary source for cabalistic thought. It is unknown in the West and has never before been translated.”

Ms. Brown said that the agreements had been reached with publishing giant Harper and Row of San Franciso to publish, market and distribute the books. The first books

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[Page 7]ONE COUNTRY / Iunc-August 1989

United Nations Secretary General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, left, meets with H.R.H. The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, before announcing the Sacred Literature Trust at the UN. on May 22. In the background, left, is a calligraphic scroll commemorating the Trust‘s formation. The scroll features the symbols of the eight major world religions. Those symbols are shown along the sides of these two pages. The scroll was presented to Mr. de Cuéllar by the Prince. In return, Mr. de Cuéllar presented the Prince with a bound copy of the UN. Charter.

will be ready in about 1992, she added.

“The goal is to produce books that will be very readable, and that will also be accurate as to the cultural and religious thought of the original — a translation that would be considered true by the followers of that Faith,” Ms. Brown said.

The idea for the SLT grew out of the meeting in Assisi, when the Network on Conservation and Religion was founded. That Network, organized by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), aims to bring forth the ethical and spiritual teach- ings from the world’s faiths as they relate to nature and conservation.

The purpose of the Network is for the faiths to talk to each other, as well as to their own followers, about the sacred teachings as they relate to the environment,” Ms. Brown said. Finding that the translations of the sacred texts were were often of poor quality or nonexistent, the Sacred Litera— ture Trust emerged as a solution in “sort of a chain reaction,” she said.

HRH Prince Philip, in his role as President of the WWF, lent his name and reputation to the Trust by agreeing to launch it at the

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United Nations —— his first press confer- ence there. His remarks indicate the hopes he has for the project.

“I believe that there is a very real possi- bility that the Sacred Literature Trust will make a significant contribution to inter- faith dialogue and, hopefully, to a better understanding between followers of the different religions and beliefs,” Prince Philip said on May 22.

The Prince noted that it was appropriate that the Trust should be announced at the UN. “This building symbolizes the yeam- ing of all people of goodwill for a more peaceful and cooperative world. This can only be achieved when the great political and religious movements learn to be more tolerant and understanding of each other.”

In addition to the Prince, a number of world figures have confirmed their sup port, including Mr. Edgar Bronfman, presi- dent of the World J ewish Congress; Brit- ish Poet Laureate Ted Hughes; His Excel- lency Dr. Karan Singh, India‘s Ambassa- dor to the United States; and Madame Riihiyyih Rabbani, a leading dignitary of the Baha’i Faith. 0

The symbols of the eight major world religions, as used in a calligraphic scroll commemorating the launch of the Sacred Literature Trust, are shown on the sides of these two pages. They are, running top to bottom down page six: Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism; and top to bottom down this page: Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Taoism.

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Primary health

care in Villages

Training networks of indigenous health care workers can have a powerful

impact

ONE COUNTRY / Iunc—August 1989

A community health worker training session, held last December at the Menu Baha’i Institute in Western Province, Kenya. Dr. Ethel Martens, who conducted the session, is standing, center. The Kenyan program, like most other Baha’i health care worker training projects, has

experienced a relatively low drop—out rate.

(Continued from front page)

Here in southern Chad, and in more than a dozen other sites throughout Africa and Asia, projects to train primary health care workers at the village level are a spe- cial focus of Baha’i communities. And, because of the strong organization inher- ent in local Baha’i councils, an emphasis on self—sufficiency, and a heartfelt commit- ment that drives individuals to make un— usual sacrifices, these projects are emerg- ing as models for the kind of sustainable, grassroots health care projects that are increasingly called for by development specialists.

The project in southern Chad was started by Elyce and Naim Nasseri, who moved from the United States in the early 1970s. After the civil war broke out, they volun- teered to assist refugee organizations to distribute food and medicine. Because of the relatively large number of indigenous Baha’is among the population in surround- ing villages, that community emerged as an important link to the grassroots level, which made the Nasseri’s work especially effective.

As stability returned to the region, the couple began focusing on primary health care. “We were here and they needed help,” said Elyce, who has given birth to and raised two sons here. “And this work was the best thing we thought we could do.”

In a collaboration with the Red Crescent Society, which provides training and some materials, the Nasseris and local Baha’i councils have trained indigenous primary health care workers in more than 60 neigh- boring villages. Two full—time paramedical supervisors travel from village to village on small motorized bicycles to coordinate and re—supply the local workers.

The effort provides an example of what can be done with limited resources when the workers are motivated and well-organ- ized. In one village, for example, a local health worker had painstakingly erected a waiting room, made of branches and thatch, to shield his patients from the sun. He had also carefully constructed a pit latrine as a

demonstration project for his village.

His entire medical kit comprised a small box, where he kept a register of his patients, a few tools, like a scissors, and basic medica- tions — including the sugar and salt solu- (Continued next page)

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[Page 9]ONE COUNTRY / Iune-August 1989

(Continued from previous page) tion used to combat infantile diarrhea, and chloroquine for malaria.

He donated his time freely, charging only about 10 cents per visit, to pay for fresh medicines and bandages. On this basis, and with the support of local Baha’i councils, the project is nearly self-sufficient.

“The Bahé’is have their finger on the right target,” said Dr. A1 Henn, health program di— rector of the Harvard Institute for Intema- tional Development in Massachusetts, USA, referring to the emphasis on sustainability, grassroots support and the empowerment of local people — which he said is a general trend in successful health projects. “Baha’is really have focused on ‘Small is Beautiful’ and on getting things done with a minimum of resources,” he added.

Worldwide, Bahé’is currently operate more than 70 locally based health care proj- ects. More than a dozen of these focus on the training of village health care workers like the Sarh Primary Health Care Project. Such efforts are ongoing in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Paki- stan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“The training of community health work- ers is akey element of primary health care in general,” said Dr. Ethel Martens of Canada, a health consultant to the Baha’i Interna- tional Community who has conducted nu- merous classes to train health workers in Africa and Asia and who holds advanced degrees in social preventive medicine and public health.

Baha’i-run programs, Dr. Martens added, have been especially successful at retaining workers. “In some African countries, the drop-out rate in govemment—run programs is anywhere from 40 to 70 percent,” said Dr. Martens. “In Baha’i projects, the compa- rable rate over two years has been from two

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to five percent. In one project in Kenya, for example, two out of 40 workers dropped out. In Zambia, one is inactive out of 19.”

That success is attributed to three fac- tors: better training, strong local support from the Baha’i administrative structure, and a commitment that stems from spiri- tual conviction.

“One important difference in Baha’i proj- ects has been the use of participatory, workshoobased training methods,” Dr. Martens said. “These training methods are oriented toward problem-solving and involve more than just sitting in a class- room and receiving information. As such, they have been quite successful."

Workers also get strong support from local Baha’i councils. Called local spiritual assemblies, these councils are elected each year by the adult Bahé’is in a given village, town or city. With a broad mandate to oversee both the spiritual and material well-being of the local population, they function as an important link with the vil- lage population at large.

“A third reason, I believe, for our suc- cesses is the focus on service to mankind,” Dr. Martens said. “We do not pay our workers. But there is a spiritual element that keeps our workers going. It can make a big difference.” 0

—Reporting in Chad by M om; Grieser. M5. Griexer i: an international health consult- ant and director 0fu development commu- nication support projectfunded by US AID (Agencyfbr International Development).

The city of Sarh, located in southern Chad, serves as a base for the Sarh Primary Health Care project, a network of more than 60 indigenous village health care workers. The project serves as a mode! for the kind of sustainable, grassroots-oriented project that is increasingly called for by development specialists.

[Page 10]

The Bread and Peace threatre troupe, sponsored by Radio Bahé’i in Puno. Peru, is shown performing El Returno del Robachicos (“The Return of the Baby—snatchers"), a play that uses traditional costumes and characters to present basic infant health care information.

()NE COUNTRY / Iune-August 1989

International Collaboration Plays a Key Role in Global Health Activities

WHO’S global strategy, “Health for All by the Year 2000,” is a goal for

Bahé’i communities

GENEVA—Although regional and village health care efforts like the Sarh Primary Health Care project in Chad [see cover stony] have emerged very much from activ- ity at the grassroots, Bahé’l involvement at the national and international level in pri— mary health care is also unfolding rapidly.

In March, for example, the Bahé’i Inter- national Community entered into a formal workin g relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the next two years, various forms of collaboration will be explored, including co—sponsorship of a public health association in Burkina F 350, the publication of WHO technical papers in Bahé’i publications, and a general effort among Bahé’i communities to promote WHO’S “Health for All” strategy.

Within this larger overall collaboration, the Bahé’i International Community has

also joined with some 70 other medical and children’s organizations as partners in the “Facts for Life” venture currently being launched by UNICEF, WHO, and UNESCO. The project focuses on the distribution of a simple, easy-to-understand booklet that presents basic information about child health care, including the importance of breast— feeding, immunization, home hygiene and the treatment of diarrhea.

Through a network of health, education and/or development projects in 41 target countries, participating national Baha'i communities will distribute these booklets and encourage their use in women‘s groups, Bahé’i schools, youth activities. adult liter- acy programs and regional conferences.

“WHO’S global strategy for ‘Health for All by the Year 2000' is very much a part of the goal of our communities around the world," said Giovanni Ballerio. a Bahé'i lntemational Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

“The growing involvement of our commu- nities at the grassroots level in health-re- lated projects exemplifies this, as does the

(Continued next page)

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[Page 11]ONE COUNTRY / Iune-August 1989

WWF Official Visits Bahé’i World Center

HAIFA— Frank Schmidt, assistant director general of the World Wide Fund for Nature - International (WWF), visited the Bahé’i World Center for three days in J uly to con- sult about Bahé’i participation in WWF’s Network on Conservation and Religion. Mr. Schmidt, who oversees WWF’s col- laboration with the Network, discussed various ongoing and planned environmental

initiatives with Bahé’i officials. For their part as a member of the Network, Bahé’is have launched an environmental educa- tion campaign at schools and institutes, published a statement on the connection between Bahé’i sacred writings and na- ture, and assisted in the launching of ”The Arts for Nature,” an effort to draw artists into the conservation movement. 9

International Collaboration in Health

(Continued from previous page)

work of our international community, which participates in the ‘Facts for Life’ program. Bahé’is have participated for many years in the United Nations system, also, at intema— tional conferences on health.”

A range of health education projects are operated by national Bahé’i communities. Radio stations in Africa and South America regularly broadcast health care information. A station in Bolivia, Radio Bahé’i Caracolla, transmits health education programs, like the UNICEF-produced “Revolution in In- fant Health," and has helped to establish 35 local listening centers for the discussion of these programs.

In Peru, a travelling theatre troupe, spon- sored in part by the Bahé’i radio station in

Puno, performed a specially written play that dramatizes how simple measures like immunization and oral rehydration can save infants from “the baby—snatcher.” The production was filmed by UNICEF for use in other health promotion efforts. Radio Bahé’i in Liberia participated in the pro- duction of a program on health care, broad— cast in five languages.

Information about health care issues is also distributed through the Bahé’i Inter- national Health Agency (BIHA), estab- lished in 1982 by health care professionals in North America. Its membership has since expanded to include doctors, nurses and health care workers around the world. The BIHA publishes a quarterly bulletin and sponsors an annual conference. Q

Page 1 1

For the sixth year, the Bahé’i Publishing Trust of Argentina participated in an annual book fair in Buenos Aires. An estimated 1,000,000 people visited the fair last April.

[Page 12]ONE COUNTRY / Iune-August I989

Preventing Drug

and Alcohol Abuse: A Global View

An Interview With

Dr. A. M. Ghadirian

Last spring, Dr. Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadz'rian toured seven Latin American countries to meet with government and health oficials on the theme of “The Prevention 0fSubstance Abuse: 0 Global Vision. ”A professor ofpsychiatty atMcGill University in Montreal, Dr. Ghadz'n'an has worked extensively with adolescents in drug abuse prevention programs in Canada. Dr. Ghadz'rian is also a founding member of the Bahd’z’ International Health Agency and a consultant to the Bahd’z’ International Community on issues ofalcoholism and drug abuse prevention. Over the last decade, he has participated in several major United Nations- sponsored international conferences on substance abuse and given numerous seminars on dmgand alcohol abuseprevention in Europe and theAmericas. He is the authorof“In Search of Nirvana: A New Perspective on Alcohol and Drug Dependency” (George Ronald, Oxford,

second edition, 1989).

ONE C OUNTRYinterviewed Dr. Ghadin'an abouthis visit to Latin America and his views

on the prevention of substance abuse.

Question: Obviously, the drug problem is becoming a national crisis in North Ameri- can and European countries. Did you find similar problems in Central and South America?

Dr. Ghadirian: In the countries I visited, which included Belize, Costa Rica, Vene- zuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, I did find an increasing concern over drug and alcohol problems. Drug traffic from South American coun- tries such as Bolivia and Colombia pass through many of these countries on their way to North America.

When I was in Suriname, for example, a private airplane landed and more than 100 kilograms of cocaine were siezed, the larg- est seizure ever there. This was quite sur- prising to many officials. They didn’t think they had a drug problem to that extent.

Because oftransient drug traffickinglike this, more and more young people are be- ginning to be affected. In some countries, also, they grow marijuana. So access and availability play a role. Drug abuse is not yet as bad as in North America and Europe, but it is on the rise.

Question: Are governments responding to these problems? Dr. Ghadirian: Yes. The officials I met,

including the Prime Minister of Guyana and the President oan'nidad and Tobago, were all very much concerned. The ministers of health and education in Suriname told me that the government is going to implement an educational program in the secondary school curriculum for the prevention of drug

abuse. Its goal is to educate the children about the adverse effects of illicit drugs on the mind. There are many misconceptions about drugs among the youth. They don’t

know all the facts. Educational systems should give them the facts and a vision to prevent drug abuse. (Continued next page)

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[Page 13]ONE COUNTRY / Iune-August 1989

(Continued from previous page)

Question: To what do you attribute the rise in substance abuse, both in the countries you recently visited and worldwide? Dr. Ghadirian: Drug availability and per- sonal attitude towards alcohol and drug use play a major role. Among other contributing factors are the breakdown in family life and social isolation. Loneliness, particularly among women, peer pressure among youth and problems of boredom and unemploy- ment are other psychosocial factors. The stress of rapid changes occurring in our modern world and the pressure of competi- tive urban life may encourage individual search for instant satisfaction through drugs. In the wider sense, and as a global prob- lem, I feel that the underlying concept of human happiness needs to be re—examined. In many countries, happiness is perceived as a commodity. People believe that you can buy it or find it through material means. Drugs and alcohol are understood as providing this kind of happiness. And as humanity as a whole becomes more dis— tressed and discouraged at the problems and stresses it faces, this kind of happiness becomes attractive.

Question: In your view, then, the issue of alcohol and drug abuse cannot be separated from the larger problems and stresses in society?

Dr. Ghadirian: In a broad sense, no. The

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world is in a state of transition from a tradi- tional wayof life to a new way of life. The problems of addiction, drug abuse, vio- lence, moral decadence and conflict are symptoms of a world in transition. Old values and order are breaking down. As a result, many people become uncertain and insecure, and drugs provide what appears

to be an easy means of alleVIating these in- securities.

To give some examples, we see crises everywhere — crisis in education, crisis in politics, crisis in law and ethics and crisis in religion. We see similar crises in medi- cine, psychology and economics, all of which deeply affect human relationships.

In a Baha’i perspective, all of these crises are part of a natural evolutionary process, which will lead to a new world civilization, based on the oneness of humanity, and full

Dr. A.M. Ghadirian, left, meets with Dr. H. Alimohamed, the Minister of Health in Suriname as part of a seven-nation tour to promote substance abuse prevention.

[Page 14]

Preventing

Drug and Alcohol Abuse:

An Interview With

Dr. A. M. Ghadirian

“...the human being is essentially a noble being, a being that has both material and spiritual aspirations, a being that must have a sense of purpose in life. If human beings are not allowed to fulfill these aspirations, they will search for other routes to happiness — like drugs and alcohol.”

ONE COUNTRY / Iunc-August 1989

(Continued from previous page)

planetary interdependence. But these new ways of thinking tend to shake up the old system, which causes a lot of tension in society.

If people don’t have a clear view of the spiritual meaning of this transition, of where the world is heading, then they are caught by these stresses and anxieties. But if they do feel that a new civilization, a new system of values, and a new world order will re- place the outdated and decadent past tradi- tional system, which is falling apart every- where, then that understanding gives a new meaning to world affairs which will result in a sense of assurance and freedom from the need to escape into substance abuse.

Question: What does all this mean for treating drug and alcohol abuse?

Dr. Ghadirian: It means we need to take a multi-dimensional approach which oper- ates at several levels of human society: the individual level, the family level, the socie- tal level, and the global level.

On the individual level, we have to have a clear perception and understanding of human values and the nature of a human being.

We need to understand that the human being is essentially a noble being, a being that has both material and spiritual aspira- tions, 3 being that must have a sense of purpose in life. If human beings are not allowed to fulfill these aspirations, they will search for other routes to happiness — like drugs and alcohol.

The spiritual perspective of life gives greater tolerance in this search for fulfill- ment. This fact has been proved over and over around the world, Within many reli- gious traditions. People who have a mean- ingful perspective of life are able to tolerate stresses more easily than those who are obsessed with the material side of their needs and immediate gratification.

Question: What about the family level?

Dr. Ghadirian: I believe that family plays a crucial role in drug prevention. Today in many parts of the world both parents work and there is no extended family to attend to the children. As a result, children grow up without adequate affectional contact and communication with their parents. Some-

times drugs become an attractive means to fill this vacuum. Children need to learn from their parents what to expect from life. Par— ents should set an example for their chil- dren. Moreover, when a family is united and together, that unity brings a sense of secu- rity to the members of the family. In my contact with people, I noted that very often one of the reasons parents fail to convince their children to avoid drugs is because they themselves drink alcohol or use drugs.

Question: And the societal level?

Dr. Ghadirian: At the societal level, we should make our society or community a caring and healing community, in which individuals would be allowed to relate in peaceful and non—competitive ways.

Substance abuse prevention programs should focus on strengthening the individ- ual’s sense of self-worth and dignity. Educa- tion should go beyond its current emphasis on material success; programs should be added that help individuals to discover a new meaning in life.

We have reached such a level of techno- logical advancement that many of our de sires can be instantly satisfied. Encouraged by publicity in the media, many have come to believe that all our needs should be immediately gratified. As an instrument of society, the media should refrain from such encouragement.

Question: What can Baha’is add to the discussion about substance abuse? Dr. Ghadirian: Our principle of abstinence from alcohol and non—prescribed drugs is a major tool for the prevention of substance abuse. The Baha’i community serves as a model, showing that it is possible to be moderate in an achievement—oriented soci- ety, and that it is possible to be happy with- out the satisfaction derived from drugs. On a practical level Baha’is are seeking to promote social and economic justice. Women and youth, for example, sometimes turn to drugs because they cannot accept the inequalities and discrimination in soci- ety. Through various social and economic development projects, Baha’is are attempt- ing to address these injustices. The point is that our approach to fighting substance abuse must operate on many levels taking into consideration all aspects of human reality. 9

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[Page 15]ONE COUNTRY / Iune—August 1989

Reviewzls Modern Thinking Humanity’s Greatest Threat?

(Continued from back page)

of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The transition to a global society is inevi- table, Dr. Laszlo believes, barring cata- strophic war or environmental breakdown. Such a shift from the modern age to the global age is predicted, he writes, by recent advances in scientific and evolutionary the— ory — and, he adds, by the 19th century writings of the Baha’i Faith.

In the scientific realm, advances in sys- tems theory indicate the potential for a great and perhaps sudden transformation to a global society. Systems theory describes how non-linear change occurs in complex, “open” systems. It applies to dynamic sys- tems of all types — physical, chemical, bio— logical, and even social — and can be used to show how sudden changes lead to higher levels of complexity. Laszlo believes that systems theory, applied to history, provides a new tool for the analysis of human society.

Dr. Laszlo, although not himself an adher- ent of any religious faith, then adds: “Al- though the scientific concept [of systems theory and social change] has been discov- ered only recently, remarkably enough, its main outlines have been anticipated in the nineteenth century by a Persian prophet whose influence is only now beginning to be felt on the world.”

He further explains that more than a hundred years ago, Bahé’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, “proclaimed that the oneness of mankind will be achieved in evolutionary stages” — stages that started with the birth of the family, expanded to the tribal unit, continued with the advent of city- states and then expanded to the present—day foundation of independent sovereign nations. Dr. Laszlo writes:

“The next stage in this social evolution, Baha’u’llah taught, is the organization of human society as a planetary civilization which will be characterized by the emer- gence of a world community, the conscious- ness of world citizenship and the founding of a world civilization and culture which

Page 15

would allow for infinite diversity in the characteristics of its components.”

This vision, he says, and the scientific insights of systems and evolutionary the- ory, “suggests that if the historical process continues to unfold without major catas- trophes, it will bring about a globally inte- grated social, cultural and technological system.”

Such a system, Dr. Laszlo says, would “operate on multiple levels of organiza- tion, ranging from the grassroots level of villages, farming communities and urban neighborhoods, through levels of town- ships, districts, provinces, national and federated states... all the way to the global level.”

Information would flow freely both ver— tically and horizontally at each level, as would energy, material and people. “In a society indicated by the evolutionary per- spective, the utilization of energies avail— able in the environment will be increased, though not in gross terms,” he adds, de- scribing how increased efficiencies in the use of excess heat and waste products will mean that more is done with less.

“Differentiation with integration would be the hallmark of future society,” he concludes, a trend that would produce unity with diversity in all areas and on all levels. Centralization and homogenization, tendencies currently prevalent, will trans- form into “decentralization with coordina- tion, and mutual solidarity with respect for differences.”

Anyone who is concerned about the future will find this book of great interest. Dr. laszlo’s vision for a new planetary civi- lization is concrete, addresses today’s most pressing concerns and is firmly rooted in the latest theories about social evolution.

Ultimately, however, the book’s strength lies in its potential to inspire readers to cast off the “inner limits” imposed by outmoded traditions, values and cultural ideals, and to work actively towards building the kind of global society outlined here. In this con- text, the book deserves a wide audience. 0

...systems theory, applied to history, provides a new tool for the analysis of human society...“remad(ably enough, its main outlines have been anticipated in the nineteenth century by a Persian prophet whose influence is only now beginning to be felt on the world. ”

[Page 16]Is Modern Thinking Humanity’s

Greatest Threat?

ThehmerUmHs of Mankind —— Heretica/ Reflecflons on Today’s Values, Culture and Poflflcs

By Ervin Laszlo

Oneworld Publications

London

ONE COUNTRY / Iunc-August 1989

The critical global problems in these final decades of the 20th century are often seen in terms of physical limits. In this view, the energy crisis stems from limited fuel sources, environmental problems and world hunger occur because of limited natural resources, and overpopulation and national security conflicts result from lim— ited land area.

In his latest book, noted philosopher and scientist Ervin laszlo argues that such “outer” lim- its to hu- man prog- ress are of little conse— quence when compared with the “inner” limits imposed by outmoded psychologi- cal, cultural and political ways of thinking.

Indeed, the book’s title, The InnerLz'mits of Mankind: Heretical Reflections on To— day’s Values, Culture and Politics, effec- tively sums up the bold theme and icono- clastic nature of this new work, which deserves a place on the bookshelf of any- one genuinely concerned with the deep and severe problems that afflict humanity.

Dr. Laszlo begins his analysis of the “world problematique” by listing ideas that epitomize modern thinking. The list in- cludes the notion that science can solve all problems and that efficiency can be equated with maximum productivity. Nationalism and the commonly held belief that some one system of economic and social organi- zation is superior to all others are also addressed.

Taken together, Dr. Laszlo says, these and other ideas define the modern age. They also represent, he adds, the greatest threat to humanity’s continued advance- ment — and perhaps to its very survival. He writes:

“After some five centuries of history — and many notable accomplishments in science, medicine, industry, agriculture, and communications — the modern age is now on the way out. Its achievements need to be preserved and furthered, but they must be framed in a new social, economic, political, and cultural context, since the traditional values and aims of modernism are beginning to backfire."

Modernism, he continues, has given mankind a higher material standard of living but has also triggered the popula-

tion explosion. It has vastly increased the demand for the benefits of modernism, but has proved unable to provide them. It has given humanity more power over nature than previously thought possible, but at great expense to the environment. It has also, he notes, brought the prospect for nuclear self-destruction.

If humanity is to survive and advance, modernism must give way to a new “global age,” Dr. Laszlo believes, an age where the dominant worldview will focus on patterns of thought and culture that are global in nature. The emphasis would be on interde- pendence and diversity — and not on any single system of politics or culture. Further, he suggests, humanity should draw on the timerproven values and ideals found in the world’s great religions for their moral and ethical guidance.

Dr. Laszlo, it should be noted, is well

Ervin Laszlo

Limits of

Mankind

Heretlcal Reflections

on Yoday's

fl

Values Culture and

Politics

qualified to make such predictions. A member of the prestigious Club of Rome and the International Academy of the Phi- losophy of Science, Dr. Laszlo serves on the board of numerous journals and scientific and futures research bodies. The author of some 50 books and more than 250 articles, he currently serves as Rector of the Vienna Academy for the Study of the Future and is the science advisor to the Director General

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