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ONE

April—June 1992

COUNTRY

Vol. 4, Issue 2 Newsletter otthe Baha’i International Community

“lec cart}! is but (HZL‘ counting and mankind it; £iti:£715”— Baha’u’llah

In the United States, the Baha’i community is promoting a new vision of race unity.

Men and women from 170 nations have

registered for the 1992 Baha’i World Congress.

In New York, NGOs gather to plan for the upcoming Fourth World Conference on Women.

Review: Emmymce: Dimensions Ufa New World Order details how humani’q’ might make the transition to a global society.

More than 3,000 people from 165 countries visited the Holy Land in May to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passing of Bahé‘u’lléh. At 2:00 am. on 29 May, the exact time of His death, participants visited the Shrine of Bahé'u'lléh in a two-hour long candlelit ceremony near Acre, Israel.

The Legacy of Rio: A New Global Vision

The Earth Summit and the Global Forum Chart a new course for humanity; themes of oneness,

grassroots action and spirituality emerge

RIO DE JANEIRO — By any account, the Earth Summit and its companion conference, the ’92 Global Forum, were history—making events.

The mere fact that over 100 heads of state, more than ever before, gathered to discuss global concerns with the depth and complexity of environment and development issues is a milestone for humanity. The parallel gathering of some 20,000 representatives from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) was likewise unprecedented, not only for its num- bers but for its diversity.

There were concrete accomplishments. Government delegations t0 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), as the Earth Summit was formally known, agreed on two major treaties aimed at slowing global warming and preserving the earth’s biological diversity.

Governments also adopted the principles of “Agenda 21,” an 800-page, 121-chapter, action-plan to guide the world community into the 21st cen- tury, and agreed to create a United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.

Nongovernmental organizations at the Global Forum, too, can point to (Continued on page 10)

[Page 2]is published quarterly by the Office of Public information of the Baha’i International Community, an international non-governmental organization which encom— passes and represents the worldwide membership of the Baha’i Faith.

For more information on the stories in this newsletter, or any aspect of the Baha'i internationaiCommunity and its work, please contact:

ONE COUNTRY

Office of Public information Baha’i international Community ~ Suite 120 866 United Nations Plaza New York, New York 10017 U.S.A.

Executive Editor: Douglas Martin

Editor: Brad Pokorny

Associate Editors:

Andrew Bromfield (Moscow) Christine SamandarLHakim (Paris)

Rosalie Tran (Hong Kong) Guilda Walker (London)

Contributing Editor: Arman Danesh

Production Assistant: Veronica Shoffstali

Subscriptioninquiriesshouid be directed to the above address. All material is copyrighted by the Baha'i international Community and subject to all applicable international copyright laws. Stories from this newsletter may be re—pubiished by any organization provided that they are attributed as follows: “Reprinted from ONE COUNTRY, the newsletter of the Bahé’i International Community."

© 1992 by The Bahé’i international Community

ISSN 1018—9300

Printed on recycled paper®

ONE COUNTRY / April—Iune 1992

The Most Vital Challenge

The follawz'ng statement was read at the plenary 0fthe UnitedNations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio dejanez'ro 0n 4jzme 1992 byMs. Han ju Kim-Farley, a Bahd’ilntematz‘onal Com- munity representative. It was (me ofjust thirteen statements read by representatives

of nongovernmental organizations at UNCED.

Beyond such technical and political questions as what limits should be placed on greenhouse gases, how can sustain- able development be promoted, and Who will pay for it all, the fundamental question facing the United Nations Conference on E n V i r o n - ment and D e V e l 0 p- m e n t (UNCED) is this: Can humanity, with its entrenched patterns of conflict, self-interest, and short- sighted behavior, commit itself to enlight- ened cooperation and long-range planning on a global scale?

The UNCED process has highlighted both the complexity and the interdepen— dence of the problems facing humanity. None of these problems — the debilitating inequities of development, the apocalyptic threats of atmospheric warming and ozone depletion, the oppression of women, the negleetofchildren and marginalized peoples, to name but a few — can be realistically addressed without considering all the oth- ers. None can be fully addressed Without a magnitude of cooperation and coordination at all levels that far surpasses anything in humanity’s collective experience.

The potential for such cooperation is, however, undermined by the general de basement of human character. Although not commonly discussed in relation to the Challenges ofenvironmentand development, there are current in the world cettain trends — including the widespread lack of moral discipline, the glorification of greed and material accumulation, the increasing break- down of family and community, the rise of lawlessness and disorder, the ascendancy of racism and bigotry, and the priority given

Perspective

to national interests over the welfare ofhuman- ity— all ofwhich destroy confidence and trust, the foundations of collaboration.

The reversal 0fthese destructive trends is essential to the establishment of unity and cooperation. This reversalwill require adeeper understanding of human nature. For, although economics, politics, sociology and science of- fer important tools for addressing the interde- pendent crises facing humanity, a true resolu- tion of the dangerous state of affairs in the world can only be realized when the spin'tual dimension of human nature is taken into ac- count and the human heart is transformed.

Although there are mystical aspects that are not easily explained, the spiritual dimen- sion of human nature can be understood, in practical terms, as the source of qualities that transcend narrow self—interest. Such qualities include love, compassion, forbearance, trust- worthiness, courage, humility, cooperation and willingness to sacrifice for the common good — qualities of an enlightened citizenry, able to construct a unified world Civilization.

The profound and far-reaching changes, the unity and unprecedented cooperation re- quired to reorient the world toward an envi-

The spiritual dimension of human nature can be understood as the source of qualities that transcend narrow self-interest. Such qualities include love, compassion, forbearance, trustworthiness, courage, humility, cooperation and willingness to sacrifice for the common good.

ronmentally sustainable and just future, will only be possible by touching the human spirit, by appealing to those universal values which alone can empower individuals and peoples to act in accordance with the long—term interests of the planet and humanity as a whole. Once tapped, this powerful and dynamic source of individual and collective motivation Will re- lease such a profound and salutary spirit among

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ONE COUNTRY /April-Iune 1992

the peoples of the earth that no power will be able to resist its unifying force.

The fundamental spiritual truth of our age is the oneness of humanity. Universal acceptance of this principle — with its im- plications for social and economic justice,

/

universal participation in non-adversarial decision-making, peace and collective se— curity, equality of the sexes, and universal education —— will make possible the reorga- nization and administration of the world as one country, the home of humankindfl

Baha’i Institute for Rural Women in India receives UNEP Global 500 Award

RIO DE JANEIRO —— The Bahé’i Voca- tional Institute for Rural Women, a non- profit educational project in Indore, India, was among 74 individuals and institutions honored with a “Global 500” Award by the United Nations Environment Programme GJNEP) in ceremonies here on 5 June.

“Since 1987, the Bahé’i Vocational In- stitute for Rural Women has conducted three environmental programs to educate Villagers on the prevention and eradication of Guinea worms caused by contaminated water in 302 villages in central India,” said the citation on UNEP’s Roll of Honor for Environmental Achievement.

“The Programs: Education and Train- ing, Awareness, and Mobilizing and Moti- vatin g Health F unctionaries, were designed around the Indian Government’s work re- lated to drinking—water management and other issues to ensure adequate drinking water to 51 problem districts in India,” the citation continued. “When the program began 752 people were infected and 211,813 were at risk. Today, the district is com-

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pletely free of Guinea worms.”

Since 1987, the Globa1500 Award has been presented each year by UNEP to “pay tribute to individuals and organizations whose everyday actions and leadership in the front lines of the environmental agenda push forward the urgent goal of safeguard- ing the planet and building sustainable de— velopment,” according to a UNEP news release on the Award.

Other Global 500 laureates include Chico Mendes of Brazil; former US. Presi- dent J immy Carter; and distinguished ma- rine explorer J acques—Yves Cousteau.

The Bahé’i Vocational Institute for Rural Women is sponsored and operated by the Baha’i Community of India, which has more than 2 million members. The Institute works to provide a wide range of educational ser- vices to rural women in remote parts of Madhya Pradesh State.

In addition to basic environmental edu- cation, the Institute offers young village women basic vocational, literacy, hygiene and moral trainingfl

Photo below: Dignitaries at a banquet in Georgetown, Guyana, held on 19 June in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahé’u'lléh, included the President and Prime Minister of Guyana. Pictured, left to right are: Mr. Francis Nnebe, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme; His Excellency Hugh Desmond Hoyte, President of Guyana; Techeste Ahderom, representative of the Bahé’i International Community; and the Honorable Hamilton Green, Prime Minister.

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ONE COUNTRY / April—Iunc 1992

Against the tide, Bahé’is in the United States promote a

Weekly inter—cultural meetings have been a regular part of the activities at the Los Angeles Baha’i Center long before the April riots in that city.

new Vision of race unity

\\

Jaisauo law

At the national and local levels in the United States, Baha’i communities have embarked on a series of projects to offer a model for racial integration

WILME’ITE, Illinois, USA — Increasingly concerned about the resurgent polariza- tion of American society along racial lines, the Baha’i community of the United States has embarked on a widespread effort to promote a new vision of racial harmony.

The effort, which builds on years of quiet activity, is distinguished by its empha- sis 0n genuine integration, as opposed to the often superficial mixing of whites and blacks that is now the norm in American public life.

The goal is to offer a model of interra- cial unity where blacks and whites freely and willingly associate at all levels, not only at work and in schools, but also in their worship, their recreation and their personal relationships.

“We have as a nation ofboth whites and blacks become so fixated on racial conflict that we have completely overlooked the

“We have as a nation of both whites and blacks become so fixated on racial conflict that we have completely overlooked the examination of how unity is achieved.”

— Robert Henderson

examination of how unity is achieved,” said Robert Henderson, Secretary—General of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is 0f the United States, which is the national governing body for the Baha’is 0f the US. “How is unity started? How is it maintained? What is the language of unity? It is on this point that the Baha’is are making a signifi- cant contribution.”

To promote this Vision at the national level, the National SpiritualAssembly, which has its headquarters in this Chicago sub- urb, has undertaken a series of projects, including:

0The writing and distribution of a 12- page statement, entitled “The Vision ofRace Unity: America’s Most Challenging Issue.”

0The co-sponsorship of a project to identify successful models of unity among various racial, ethnic, and religious groups in the greater Chicago area.

OThe sponsorship of a series of confer- ences and meetings on race relations, in- cluding a “Vision of Race Unity” conference at the Carter Center in Atlanta in April.

Most recently, the National Spiritual Assembly wrote and published an open letter to US. President George Bush. The

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ONE COUNTRY /Aprilalunc 1992

letter, which was published in major news- papers, called for a “supreme effort” on the part of public and private institutions, schools, the media, businesses, and indi- viduals to strive for the “eradication of all forms of prejudice, hatred, and injustice” and to work towards the “peace and unity of all peoples, races and creeds.”

Equally significant have been the ef- forts of local Baha’i communities, which have undertaken a wide range of activities aimed at promoting race unity.

These activities include everything from sponsoring talks and panel discussions to local theatrical productions that promote in— tercultural fellowship; from the holding of simple “race unity” picnics, which aim at creating a pleasant and non-threatening at- mosphere for racial mixing, to the sponsor- ship of intensive “dialogue” sessions where individuals can share their deepest feelings about racism. (See page 7.)

“There are literally hundreds of examples of local initiatives by Baha‘is,” said Dr. Henderson. “And what is perhaps more im- portant, in virtually all of these projects, Baha’is have been reaching out to others, to social action groups, to churches, to schools and city governments. It is a movement, without any doubt, to mobilize American society at large to move towards race unity."

Most of these activities started well be- fore the Los Angeles riots in April, which

stirred a major re—examination of race rela- tions by the US. news media. Indeed, the promotion ofunity and harmonybetween the races has been a special concern of the Baha’i community of the US. since the 19205, when it sponsored a series of “Race Amity” confer- ences around the country.

The level of activity has surged in re- cent years, however, as the US. Baha’i community has matured and become in- creasingly concerned about negative trends in society.

“In society at large, circumstances have deteriorated to a critical point," said Dr. Henderson. ”There is no leadership. The Baha’is have felt the need to assert in a loud, clear voice the idea of the oneness of hu- manity and to promote our cherished prin- ciple of race unity.”

There are about 110,000 Baha’is in the United States, and they reside in more than 5,000 localities. About 30 percent of the US. Baha’i community are African-Americans. The community also includes a substantial number of Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanic-Americans, as well as more than 10,000 Iranians who fled religious persecu- tion in Iran during the 19805.

There is a high degree of genuine ra— cial integration within the community, both at the highest levels of leadership and at the grassroots. Since 1969, at least one—third of the individuals elected each year to the US.

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At a Baha’i-sponsored "Race Unity Day" march in Mango, Florida, members of both the Ku Klux Klan (shown right) and the Pan»African Inter-National Movement came to . protest the Baha'i vision of racial unity. Nevertheless, more than 1,000 people of many races and ethnic backgrounds participated in the June 14 event.

Activities include everything from talks and panel discussions to local theatrical productions that promote inter- cultural fellowship; from the holding of simple “race unity” picnics to the sponsorship of intensive “dialogue” sessions where individuals can share their deepest feelings about racism.

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Robert Henderson, Secretary—

General of the Baha |

Community of the United States of America.

The Baha'i Community of the United States has a long history of racial integration and unity. In the 19205, Baha’is sponsored a series of "Race Amity" conferences around the country. About 1,200 people attended one such conference held in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1921.

ONE COUNTRY / ApriI-Iunc 1992

NationalSpiritualAssembly have been from racial or ethnic minority groups.

The composition of local-level Baha’i governing bodies, known as Local Spiritual Assemblies, also reflects the diversity of the Baha’i population at large. These bod- ies are also elected each year.

This level of integration has not gone unnoticed by outsiders. Following the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in At- lanta in 1991, where Baha’is were highly visible participants, Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King observed: “I noticed today in the parade that the Baha’i commu- nity was represented very well, both nation- ally and internationally. They’re always a multi-racial group and I think that is the way Dr. King would want us to live — as broth- ers and sisters.”

By example, Baha’is hope to show that unity among such diverse racial and ethnic groups in America is achievable.

“The Baha’i community has accumu- lated more than a century of experience at creating models of unity that transcend race, culture, nationality, class, and the dif- ferences of sex and religion, providing empirical evidence that humanity in all its diversity can live as a unified global soci- ety,” according to the “Vision of Race Unity” statement, which was issued by the N a- tional Spiritual Assembly in June 1991. “Baha’is see unity as the law of life; conse- quently all prejudices are perceived as dis- eases that threaten life.”

To further identify successful models

of unity, the National Spiritual Assembly and the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago recently surveyed more than 60 institutions and organizations in the greater Chicago area in an effort to find examples of interracial harmony.

The results of the project were pre- sented in April at a conference at the Carter Center in Atlanta. A similar search for mod- els of unity is being undertaken in that city.

“In doing the survey, we found that there are a large number of successfully integrated communities,” said Robert Stock— man, director of research at the Baha’i Na- tional Center. “In terms of the qualities that these communities have, there is much that we can learn.”

At the local level, Baha’is have shown creativity in attempting to promote this vi- sion of racial unity.

last year in New York City, for ex- ample, a group of Baha’i youth produced a play, entitled “Don’t Look the Other Way,” which featured themes promoting race unity, environmental conservation, and peace. In Conway, South Carolina, 9-year- old Anisa Kintz helped to organize “Calling All Colors,” a conference on racial har- mony for children. She was commended by the South Carolina state legislature for her effort.

Baha’i communities around the coun- try have also won increasing recognition for “Race Unity Day,” which was estab- lished by the Baha’is of the United States in 1957. Observed each year in June, Race Unity Day this year was marked by hun- dreds of marches, conferences and picnics.

These efforts have drawn notice, not only from those who applaud them, but from factions opposed to the deep integra— tion and unity proposed by Baha’is. Several times in recent years, Baha’i-sponsored Race Unity Day gatherings have drawn protests from the Ku Klux Klan, the infamous white supremacist organization known by its white hooded robes and burning crosses.

The emphasis of Baha’i communities on race unity stems from the Faith’s most basic teachings, which proclaim the one— ness of humanity, and which outline spe- cific actions to promote race unity. In Baha’i elections, for example, minorities are to be preferred in the event of a tie vote. And interracial marriage is not only permissible, it is encouraged G

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[Page 7]ONE COUNTRY /ApriHune 1992

Institutes for the Healing of

Racism break new ground

HOUSTON, Texas, USA — Some of the best examples of how Baha’is in the United States are striving to promote race unity at the grassroots can be found in a relatively new and fast—growing effort to establish in— tensive local anti—racism workshops.

These workshops, such as the one es- tablished here three years ago, combine tech- niques from group therapy and from Baha’i consultation to establish a sincere dialogue between individuals from all races in a frank but loving atmosphere where racist barriers can be overcome and dismantled.

Known as “Institutes for the Healing of Racism,” the workshops are beginning to win high praise from participants for their effectiveness at helping individuals on both sides of the color line overcome the effects of life in a society that is marked by much racial tension.

“After my first session, Iwent up to the convenor, and I said, ‘This program ought to be on national television, so that people can sit in their homes and find healing,’ ” said Carolyn Forché, a specialist on multi- cultural education and African-American heritage who recently attended a work— shop series in Houston. “That is how pow- erful the Institute is.”

More than 100 such Institutes have been established in cities throughout the country, said Nathan Rutstein, who is one of the origi-

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nators of the effort. He said the concept arose, somewhat spontaneously, about three years ago in several cities, including Hous- ton, and has since spread rapidly through the network of local Baha’i communities.

“It’s a grassroots movement that was created by Baha’is,” said Mr. Rutstein, who has written more than 10 books, including To Be One, a powerful account of his personal struggle with racism. “As Baha’is, we real- ized that we are all members of the same human family, and that racism is a disease and a wound, an aberration of nature.”

Although founded by Baha‘is, the Insti- tutes are not religious organizations, said Mr. Rutstein and others.

“We are entirely separate from the Baha’i Faith itself, and we are not here to promote the Baha‘i Faith,” said Linda Assaf, one of the founders of the Houston Institute. “We are here to deal with the issue of racism.”

The Institutes do, however, use Baha’i principles in their approach. The principles of Baha’i consultation, a method of non- adversarial decision-making that is both open and unifying, for example, plays an important role in the guidelines for discus- sion at an Institute.

“We also stress the importance of un- derstanding and internalizing the reality of the oneness of humankind,” said Mr. Rutstein. “And this is a central teaching of

The process of personal dialogue at the Institute for the Healing of Racism in Houston has lead to close friendships among participants. Left to right are Candy Clements, Cherry Steinwender, and Lisa Brehm.

Combining techniques of group therapy and principles of Bahé’i consultation, local anti-racism workshops are effective at overcoming barriers.

[Page 8]

“The part that works is that it provides a safe atmosphere, where people can respect each other

and form bonds.” — Pamela Williams

the Baha’i Faith."

Although the Institutes vary somewhat, depending on local situations and needs, the essential goal is to establish a genuine and heartfelt dialogue between individuals of all racial backgrounds.

“We start with information giving," said Ms. Assaf of Houston, where each work- shop series is held weekly for nine consecu— tive weeks. “We talk about race relations in US. history, focusing on how racism has basically permeated our society.

“The idea is not only to educate, but to build a framework of trust and a sense of community among the participants,” Ms. Assaf said.

In the next phase, participants are en- couraged to share their own experiences. At this point, said Ms. Assaf, principles of Baha’i consultation are introduced. They emphasize the frank and open expression of opinions and ideas without making accu— sations or laying blame; they underscore the importance of diversity in creating a genuine understanding.

‘The part that works is that it provides a safe atmosphere, where people can re- spect each other and form bonds," said Pamela Williams, a human resources spe- cialist at a major utility company in Houston who has been involved in the Institute for

Participants at a recent meeting of the Memphis Institute for the Healing of Racism. The

ONE COUNTRY / Aprilelunc 1992

about three years.

“Minorities find out that they do have friends in the dominant culture," Ms. Wil- liams said. “And they find out that there are people, who once they have the correct information, can learn to think before they act and speak.”

Ms. Williams, who is not a Baha’i, has studied similar kinds of race relations and sensitivity training workshops in her pro- fession.

“I think the Institute for the Healing of Racism has one of the best approaches that I have seen,” she said. “It allows people to say whatever they really think."

Arun Gandhi, who has participated in an Institute in Memphis, Tennessee, like- wise believes that the openness of the method is an important strength.

“The approach is one that I find very interesting and encouraging," said Mr. Gandhi, who is the grandson of Mohandas K. Ghandi and the founder of the M. K. Gandhi Institute for the Study of Non-Vio- lence in Memphis. “1 have always felt that a dialogue between people is the best way to resolve many of the conflicts that exist, and the Institute is a very good forum for dia- logue. I think it has great potential for bringing people together and opening hearts.” (3

hfi 3E t

Institute, like others around the United States, was established by Bahé'is but is not a

Baha'i institution.

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[Page 9]ONE COUNTRY /April-Iunc 1992

More than 25,000 registered for World Congress in New York

Baha’is from 170 countries will come in November; a world community will have its largest and most diverse gathering ever

NEW YORK —- More than 25,000 Baha‘is from 170 countries have registered to at- tend the 1992 Baha’i World Congress, en- suring that the November celebration in New York will be the largest and most diverse gathering of Baha‘is ever.

The size and diversity of the Congress pose many special logistical challenges, said Carol Yetkin, who has been involved in planning the Congress since J anuary 1986.

“I expect the number to rise to 28,000, 29,000 or 30,000 before registration closes,” said Ms. Yetkin, the logistics coordinator for the Congress, which will be held at the Jacob J avits Convention Center. “But per- haps more impressive is the number of countries. We have Baha‘is coming from virtually every corner of the world.

“We have people coming who have never been outside of their own countries, or who have never experienced a major urban center like New York," she said. “So

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we have had to plan very carefully, to en- sure that the Congress is a special experi- ence for everyone.”

Ms. Yetkin said, for example, that Con- gress planners have already reserved more than 4,200 hotel rooms at over 40 hotels in New York and New Jersey. Because of the diversity of the gathering, many special arrangements have been made with the hotels. At many hotels, for example, rooms have been set aside for prayer and medita- tion. “Bahé’is pray every day, and need to have an opportunity to do so," said Yetkin.

More than 200 buses have also been reserved to meet travellers at the airport and to shuttle them back and forth between the hotels and the J acob Javits Convention Center, where the Congress will be held.

More than 2,000 volunteers will be en- listed to help run the Congress; an esti- mated 450 guides will be neededjust to help seat Congress attendees each day in the 410,000 square foot auditorium at the J avits Center during the four-day meeting.

Scheduled from 23-26 November, the Congress program will focus on the life and person of Baha’u‘llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, who passed away 100 years ago. It will be one of the main events of the 1992 Baha’i Holy Year. 0

The Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan will be the site for the 1992 Baha'i World Congress.

Arrangements have been made to set aside special rooms for prayer and meditation at many of the more than 40 hotels being utilized for the Congress.

[Page 10]“Now that the East—West conflict is over, all efforts must be directed even more vigorously to the relationship between North and South and to the cooperation of the world as a

whole.” —— H.E. Ruud F.M. Lubbers, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held about 20 kilometers outside of Rio de Janeiro itself, in a modern conference center known as RioCentro. Representatives of more than 1,400 NGOs were accredited to attend.

ONE COUNTRY / April-June 1992

(Continued from page 1)

many achievements. They succeeded in negotiating several alternative treaties and adopted an Earth Charter—a declaration of principles on environment and develop- ment. The cross—sector and cross—border networking among various groups was ex- tensive, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

There is disagreement, of course, over the scope of these achievements. Many ob servers felt that governments could have done more.

There are accomplishments, however, which have not received widespread atten- tion. Although largely overlooked by the media, there were several important sub themes that emerged in Rio—subthemes which reflect some of the most powerful undercurrents at the two conferences. Much was said, for example, about humanity’s com- mon destiny and essential oneness.

Warren Lindner, co-coordinator 0f the ’92 Global Forum, put it succinctly when he referred to a quote from Baha’u’llah in- scribed on a “peace monument,” which was dedicated in Rio on the last day of the Summit. [See story page 12]

“The ’92 Global Forum and the Earth Summit were not really about environment and development,” said Mr. Lindner. “What they were really about was proving the point made on the monument. The fact that ‘the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.’”

Many saw this theme as essential to the promotion of sustainable development. “Rio

and Brazil have become milestones 0n the path of men to one world,” said H.E. Ruud F.M. Lubbers, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands in his speech to world leaders at the Earth Summit. “Now that the East— West conflict is over, all efforts must be directed even more vigorously to the rela— tionship between North and South and to the cooperation of the world as a whole.”

“Let it be a sacred duty, in the knowl- edge that we all belong to one mankind and that no person and no nation can enjoy lasting peace and well-being unless they act as members of the human family with re- spect for the integrity of Creation and in harmony amongst ourselves,” Mr. Lubbers added. “This requires new forms of coop eration and global partnership.”

This theme of interdependence also emerged in interviews. “Before UNCED, there were different sectors—wildlife, for- ests, trade,” said Mr. Raymond Kwerepe, delegate from Botswana. “Now we are trying to integrate them. We are dealing with the global village—South, North, East and West. That is the real theme of this conference.”

A Greater Role for NGOs

It also became clear during the Earth Summit that governments have developed a new respect for the expertise and capacities of non—govemmental organizations. Many government delegations to UNCED included representatives of NGOs. As well, more than 3,000 NGO representatives were accredited to UNCED itself— not to mention the more than 20,000 who came to the Global Forum.

“This is really one of the first ideas to

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[Page 11]ONE COUNTRY /AprilAIL1nc 1992

have come out of this conference, that we need to cooperate more with NGOs,” said Mme. Lansiri Nana Haidara, a member of the Mali delegation to UNCED. “NGOs are re- ally the ones that work with the people at the basic level. And the governments recognize that they have to work with NGOs."

Representatives from NGOs agreed. "That is one of the areas of achievement of this conference,” said Sir Shridath Ramphal, president of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). “UNCED was different from other UN conferences. The diplomatic closed- door style was opened up. The entire pro- cess was opened up.

“This could be the beginning of a glo- bal dialogue at the level of the social part- ners, rather than at the level of the interna- tional bureaucrats,” Sir Shridath contin- ued. "This world needs this.”

A Spiritual Gathering

From the beginning, the UNCED pro- cess drew intense interest from the world’s religious communities, and the twin con- ferences in Rio reflected in many ways the recognition that the spiritual dimension of life cannot be overlooked in any approach to environment and development issues.

In numerous workshops and symposia at the Global Forum, this point of View was emphasized. An all-night prayer vigil, held on 6 J une to coincide with World Environ- ment Day, was among the best—attended events of the Forum, drawng more than 16,000 participants.

“People who stayed all night were re- ally touched by the wonderful sense of cooperation and the intermingling of differ-

l’agc l l

ent faiths," said Nancy Moshe, coordinator of the International Coordinating Commit- tee on Religion and the Earth.

The role of spirituality in changing hu- man attitudes, then, clearly emerged as an- other important subtheme.

“What happened outside the Earth Summit, at events like the Global Forum, was in some ways even more significant than the Summit itself, in that the spiritual viewpoint has been brought out in many discussions," said Dr. Narendra Jain, former Ambassador from India to the United N ations and a representative of the International Mahavir J ain Mission.

Many observers believe that UNCED’s most enduring legacy will stem from the promotion of new values and attitudes, which were promulgated worldwide not only by the media who covered the Rio conferences but also by representatives of governments and organizations as they re- turned home with new ideas.

“The Earth Summit and the Global Forum represented a discernible shift in conceptualizing the interrelated problems of environment and development," said Lawrence Arturo, director of the Baha’i International Community Office of the En- vironment. “A new global vision can be seen emerging from this process. The need for the unity of the peoples and nations of the world has begun to be discussed by governments, NGOs and others. Many now see this as the foundation for the cre- ation of a sustainable future. Ultimately, this will prove to be Rio’s most significant contribution to world civilization." 0

Many members of government delegations to UNCED — including some heads of state — also visited the ’92 Global Forum, a parallel conference for NGOs. Shown at left is Prime Minister John Major of the United Kingdom during a visit to the Global Forum. He received a folder of information on Baha’i development projects.

“What happened outside the Earth Summit, at events like the Global Forum, was in some ways even more significant than the Summit itself, in that the spiritual viewpoint has been brought out in many

discussions.” — Dr. Narendra Jain

[Page 12]As a lasting symbol of the Earth Summit and the ’92 Global Forum, the Baha'i international Community and the Baha'i Community of Brazil erected this striking hourglass-shaped peace monument, into which has been deposited soil from many nations. The monument, which was designed by the renowned Brazilian sculptor Siron Franco, stands near the entrance to the Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro.

ONE COUNTRY / April-June 1992

Baha’i contributions to Rio: a monument for peace, a book of Children’s art, a cultural series, and. ..

From the Earth Summit plenary t0 the tents of the Global Forum, Baha’i participation in Rio de Janeiro was substantial

RIO DE JANEIRO —A hundred years ago, when European delegations visited Ethio- pia, the Emperor entertained them and showered them with presents. Before the foreigners departed, however, he decreed the European’s feet be washed, lest they carry out of the country any of Ethiopia’s sacred soil.

Not any more. In a colorful closing ceremony intended to symbolize the new spirit of global cooperation inspired by the Earth Summit, samples of soil from Ethio- pia and more than 40 other nations were deposited together in a distinctive hour—

glass—shaped “peace monument” con- structed in Rio at the initiative of the Baha’i International Community.

The project was designed to reflect the reality of human interdependence, and its symbolism was not lost on participants.

“In the past, we did not allow anyone to take our soil out of the country willingly,” said Zegeye Asfaw, Ethiopia’s Minister ongricul— ture, Environment and Development, in a press conference before the ceremony. “But our determination is to see a peaceful and prosperous earth, and that is why we have delivered our soil to the peace monument.”

The peace monument project, which received widespread media attention in Bra— zil and internationally, was one of several discrete contributions of the Baha’i Interna- tional Community and its national affiliates to the meetings on environment and develop ment in Rio. Other Baha’i-sponsored events

Page 12

[Page 13]ONE COUNTRY /April~]une 1992

——___————_——

and activities in Rio included:

0 The preparation and production of a book of artwork and essays by children from around the world about the need for greater environmental protection and for peace. This book, entitled Tomorrow Be- longs to the Children, will ultimately be presented to representatives of all of the governments that participated in the Earth Summit.

0 A day-long symposium, held at the ’92 Global Forum, on “Values and Institu- tions for a Sustainable and Ever—Advancing World Civilization."

0 The responsibility for organizing a series of evening music and cultural pro- grams for the ’92 Global Forum. The “Evening Series in the Park” took place every night during the Global Forum in the Flamengo Park Amphitheater.

0 The delivery of a statement to gov- ernment delegations at the UNCED ple- nary by the Baha’i International Commu- nity about the need for greater interna- tional cooperation and the importance of spiritual principles in bringing about the attitudinal changes necessary to promote sustainable development. [See page 2.]

The Peace Monument

More than 400 people attended the

inauguration for the Peace Monument on

14 June, which was listed among the clos- ing ceremonies of UNCED and the ’92 Glo- bal Forum. There were more than 30 repre- sentatives from the media and at least seven representatives from government delega- tions to UNCED.

A line of children dressed in the cos- tumes of many countries passed from hand to hand the soil of 42 nations for deposit into the five—meter concrete and ceramic monu- ment, which was designed by and built under the supervision of the renowned Bra- zilian artist and sculptor, Siron Franco. It is composed of two pyramids, one inverted on top of the other, creating an hourglass shape intended to symbolize the fact that time is running out for humanity unless it unites in a new spirit of global cooperation.

Many of the soil samples were taken from sacred or historic sites. Soil from Ice- land, for example, was taken from that country’s most sacred and historic spot, the site of the first parliament, Which was founded 1 100 years ago. Soil from India was taken from Shakti Sthal, the site of the monument to the late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, who was the only head of state to attend the 1972 Stockholm Confer- ence on the Environment.

Etched in four languages on the four sides of the upper pyramid is a quote from

w, --

Page 13

E

2H1”

Above: The cover of Tomorrow Belongs to the Children, which collected artwork on sustainable development themes from children from all over the world. Left: A drawing by Rodrigo Ribeiro Camilo da Silva, a 13-year—old student at the School of the Nations in Brasilia, Brazil, is among the works published in Tomorrow Belongs to the Children. It reflects his concerns about the world's environmental situation.

[Page 14]Kevin Locke, a Lakota of the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota, U.S.A., and his daughter Waniya performed the traditional Lakota hoop dance on the final evening of the “Evening Series in the Park" series at the '92 Global Forum. The series was organized by the Baha’i International Community. The Lockes are Bahé’is.

ONE COUNTRY /AprilA]une 1992

Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, who wrote more than a century ago: “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” The quotation is displayed in En- glish, Portuguese, Chinese and Terena, an indigenous language of Brazil.

On the lower half of the structure the words “world peace” have been engraved in more than 3513nguages. Aglass strip at the monument’s midpoint displays multi—col— ored soils taken from the contributing na- tions.

Constructed near the Santos Dumont Airport, just north of Flamengo Park and the site of the ’92 Global Forum, the monu- ment will stand as a lasting symbol of the Earth Summit and the Global Forum.

The Children’s Book

The book, Tomorrow Belongs to the Children: Contribution to Earth Summit ’92, brought together the concerns of children from more than 25 countries and offers an inspiring glimpse of what the world could be like if the peoples and nations of the world can learn to cooperate in building an environmentally sustainable future.

Produced by the Baha’i International

Community, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Associacao Masrour pelo Bem—Estar e Educagao da Familia (ASMA), the book has contributions from children of virtually every religious and cultural background.

The book was officially released at the Global Forum on 12 June. For the first edition of the 78-page book, 15,000 copies were printed. Half have been donated to UNICEF in support of children’s environ- mental programs. The remaining copies are being distributed to nongovernmental organizations, government delegations and heads of state.

“The artwork and essays in this book poignantly reflect the heartfelt concerns of the world’s children as they face a world threatened by the potential of environmen- tal degradation, uneven development, and continued political conflict in which the future seems so uncertain,” said Roberto Eghrari, the Secretary—General of the Baha’i Community of Brazil, which also assisted in the book’s preparation and publication.

The 80 selections of artwork and es- says in the book were done by elementary school children in 26 countries. They were chosen from thousands of submissions.

Other Contributions

The “Evening Series in the Park,” nightly musical and cultural performances during the Global Forum, was organized by the Baha’i International Community, which provided a full—time staff person in the G10- bal Forum office. The Series, in many ways, became the heart and soul of the Global Forum, a time and place where diverse people could come together without any particular agenda.

The intention of the Evening Series was, in the words of the Forum organizers, “to reflect the cultural diversity of the Hu- man Family with different musical genres from around the world.”

Between 2,000 and 4,000 people gath- ered each night to see these shows. On 13 J une, the final night of the Evening Series, six acts featuring Baha’i performers were presented as 3 “Unity Show."

Baha’is were also active in many of the conferences and events that took place in the Global Forum. Baha’i representatives contributed to the drafting of several of the NGO Treaties which were produced at the Forum.@

Page 14

[Page 15]

ONE COUNTRY /April-Iune 1992

NGOS lay plans for 1995 World

Conference on Women in China

NEWYORK— Representatives from more than 50 international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) met in June for the first in a series of consultations on the upcoming United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, which is now sched- uled to be held in Beijing, China, in 1995. Similar meetings are also being held in Geneva and Vienna.

Aimed at starting a worldwide process of developing strategies for NGOs in rela- tion to the Conference, and specifically to help plan a parallel conference for NGOs, the New York meeting on 25 June was primarily a brainstorming session.

“One of the ideas we came up with, and that we hope will happen, is for there to be a worldwide Day for Women during the Conference,” said Mary S. Power, chair of the New York NGO Committee on the Status of Women and a representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations.

The Fourth World Conference on Women, to be held from 4-15 September 1995, will have as its subtitle “Action for Equality, Development and Peace.” The Conference is expected to focus on these topics and on action to overcome the slow pace of progress in the advancement of women, measured by the “Forward-Look- ing Strategies” as adopted at the 1985 World Conference on Women in Nairobi.

As at previous Conferences on Women, a parallel NGO meeting will be held. Plan- ning for the “NGO Forum ’95” is being undertaken under the auspices of a plan- ning committee, composed presently of more than 50 international NGOs, estab- lished by the Conference of NGOs in Con- sultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (CONGO). A small steer- ing committee has been established to co- ordinate the process of drawing in NGO input from around the world. (See photo.)

“The Forum itself will be structured to permit the widest possible exchange of ideas, programs, resources and perspec- tives,” said Ms. Power. “The Chinese Gov- ernment has agreed that the Forum will be open to all who are concerned with the

Page 15

status of women, whether women, men, members of NGOs, development special- ists, the media or Conference delegates.” e

Review: Emergence

(Continued from back page)

creation of a new woild order must of ne- cessity come as an apocalyptic break with the past, or whether means can be found to smooth the transition.

The other essays are equally engaging as they contrast various approaches to the new world order with the Baha’i Vision of the future. Holly Hanson’s essay on devel- opment contrasts the ideologies of capital- ism and Marxism with the Baha’i view; Charles Lerche examines human nature itself, addressing whether aggressive be- havior is inherent; and Brian Lepard dis- cusses how to build on present interna- tional institutions, like the United Nations.

For anyone concerned With humanity’s transition to a new type of global society, Emergence is a must read book. Although it dwells extensively on the Baha’i View of this process, the careful comparison with other theories and systems makes it an important volume for evaluating the various models by which humanity might move into the future. 0

Members of the Chinese delegation to the 36th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women met in Vienna in March with members of the NGO Steering Committee on the Fourth World Conference on Women to discuss plans for a parallel NGO meeting. Pictured, left to right, are: Chen Shiqiu, member of the Chinese delegation; Irene Hoskins, chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Geneva; Wang Shuxian, head of the Chinese delegation; Ellen Kimmel— McDonnell, chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Vienna; Marlene Parenzan, coordinator, NGO Forum '95; Chen Yongling, member Chinese delegation; and Mary Power, chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York.

[Page 16]A model

for global Change

Emergence:

Dimensions of a New

World Order

Edited by Charles Lerche

Baha’i Publishing Trust

London: 1991

ONE COUNTRY / April-Iunc 1992

Although much has been said in recent years about the coming of a “New World Order,” there has been little discussion about exactly how the transition to a new global society might occur.

Many proponents of global change, for example, talk about the need for a wide- spread change in attitudes and values. Yet there have been few explorations of how such new values might be promulgated, or even exactly what those values should be.

The essays in Emergence: Dimensions of a New World Order offer an enormous service by examining, from six different perspectives, various models for world or- der and transformation — and then con- t r a s t i n g them with the Baha‘i vision for the future.

In his introduction, for example, editor Charles Lerche, a professor of international relations with the Boston University Over- seas Program in Europe, notes that there are three principal approaches to the sub- ject of world order: 1) a “conservative out- look” that views contemporary global politi- cal and economic systems as sufficient now and for the future; 2) a “reformist attitude” that promotes modifications in world politi— cal and economic institutions to address our most acute problems; and, 3) a “commitment to the need for global transformation” based on new social values and institutions.

Of these approaches, Dr. Lerche writes, the Baha’i approach falls into the last cat- egory — and goes beyond. “The Baha’i view brings a unique perspective to bear on the problem of world order,” he writes. It in- volves “a profound reorientation in the inner life and the outlook of the individual.” T0 Baha’is, he says, “the emergence of a new world order represents the ‘coming of age’ of the human race as well as the fulfillment of past and present eschatological hopes."

The essays, written by six different people who are all Baha’is, then proceed to explore the issue of world order from six areas of specialization: international orga- nization, development, environment, politi- cal theory, sociology (addressing the ques- tion of human nature), and world order models (probing into the scholarly theories of this emerging field).

Perhaps the most compelling essay is

the book’s first one, written by Loni Bramson—Lerche, a religious historian. En- titled “An Analysis of the Baha’i World Or- der Model,” she addresses squarely the question which so many other proponents of a new world order have only touched on: how will the transition from the old to the new order be accomplished?

Ms. Bramson—Lerche considers first the theories of various academic specialists, from Richard Falk to J ohan Galtung, who have considered world order issues. She then proceeds to detail how Baha’is under- stand the historic processes now re—shap— ing the world’s political, economic and so- cial landscape.

In her view, most theorists have ne- glected the role of spirituality in the transi- tion process. On this point, she offers the worldwide Baha'i community as a model for change. “Baha’is believe that in order to establish a new set of values it is necessary for all people to have a renewed sense of spirituality,” she writes.

EMERGENCE

Dimensions ofa Ne“) World Order

Edited by Charles Lerche

Ms. Bramson-Ierche then describes exactly how Baha’is see the transition to a new world order. Her analysis is especially interesting because of her exploration of issues that are rarely discussed outside the Baha’i community, such as whether the

(Continued on page 15)

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