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Volume 4 Issue 3 - July-Sept, 1992

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ONE

July—September 1992

”‘3 COUNTRY

Vol. 4, Issue 3 Newsletter of the Baha’i International Community

“The earth 1': [mt one country, and mankind its citizens”— Baha’u’llah

In Swaziland, an emphasis on partnership proves key in the development of pre-school education.

In London, the British Museum opens an historic

I’/

first exhibition of Baha 1

manuscripts.

In China, production begins on an earth-fn'endly solar

radio that could reduce demand for batteries.

Preview: Musical events at

the Baha’i World Congress will feature music from the

global Village by world renowned performers.

A Spiritual Journey

Begins in Manhattan

The gathering of 30,000 Baha’is from all over the world for the 1992 Baha’i World Congress Will be a

microcosm of human diversity and a model of unity

NEW YORK — Although this great North American city is renowned for many things, little in its reputation would seem to make it a place to start a spiritual journey. For such endeavors, one thinks of cities like J erusalem, Mecca, Rome, or Benares.

Yet come the last week in November, NewYork City will be the spiritual destination for an estimated 30,000 Baha’is from around the world—the largest and most diverse such assemblage of Baha’is ever.

Their purpose, in simple terms, will be to embark on a collective experience which aims both to celebrate and comprehend the achieve— ments of the worldwide Baha’i community in the 100 years since the passing of its Founder, Baha’u’llah.

Scheduled to be held at the J acob K Javits Convention Center from November 23 to 26, the 1992 Baha’i World Congress will also offer a unique window on the character and scope of the rapidly emerging Baha’i community.

Individuals from more than 170 countries have registered to attend, a reﬂection of the fact that the Baha’i Faith is today the second-most wide- spread independent religion. Baha’is come from virtually every ethnic and religious background, and from every nationality and social class.

“What it really is, in my view, is a collective expression on the part of all

(Continued on page 4)

ln 0 servance of the 1992-1993 Baha’i Holy Year, Brazil's Federal Chamber of

Deputies held on 28 May a two-hour solemn session commemorating the 100th anniversary of the passing of Bahé‘u’lléh.

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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 ofthe Baha’i Faith.

For more information on the stories in this newsletter, or any aspect of the Baha'i International Community 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: Dougtas Martin

Editor: Brad Pokorny

Associate Editors:

Andrew Bromfieid (Moscow) Christine Samandari-Hakim (Paris)

Rosalie Tran (Hong Kong) Guiida Walker (London)

Contributing Editor: Arman Danesh

Production Assistant: Veronica Shoffstali

Subscription inquiries should 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-published by any organization provided that they are attributed as follows: “Reprinted from ONE COUNTRY. the newsletter of the Baha’i international Community."

ISSN 1018-9300

Printed on recycled paper ®

ONE COUNTRY / Iuly-Septcmber 1992

The Congress and the Covenant

The 1992 Baha'i World Congress could be compared to a rite of passage for the worldwide Baha’i community.

As our lead story indicates, it will be the largest and most diverse gathering of Baha’is ever, bringing upwards of 30,000 people from 170 countries to New York City for a four—day celebration of the community’s dramatic achievements over the last century.

These achievements include the community’s impressive expansion. The number of Baha’is has grown from about 400,000 in 1963, at the time of the last Baha’i World Congress, to more than five million today. More remarkable, perhaps, is the

degree to which the

Baha’icom— munity has lived up to its ideal of globalism: the Faith is today the second-most widespread independent reli— gion, surpassed only by Christianity in the number of countries where significant com- munities have been established.*

The community can also rightfully cel- ebrate its achievements in the field of social action and development. Its national—levei governing councils, of which there are cur— rently 165, sponsor many efforts to promote peace, human rights, the advancement of women and sustainable development. For example, national and local Baha’i commu- nities operate more than 1,300 social, eco nomic and/or education development projects. While many of these are small in scale, their distinctive approach to grass roots involvement puts them on the cutting edge of development work.

Yet of all of its achievements, the most significant is the one that lies at the heart of the Congress’s celebration: the community’s success at maintaining its essential unity in the 100 years since its Founder, Baha'u’llah, passed away.

Perspective

According to the 1992 Britannica Book of

the Year, the Baha’i Faith is estabiished in 205 countries and dependent territories; Christianity in 254 countries and territories. The third—most widespread religion is islam, in 172 countries and territories.

This is no small achievement. Through- out religious history, the years immediately following the departure of a Prophet have been the most tumultuous. Disagreements over the succession of leadership have almost invariably led to a splinterng 0f the followers. Early splits in both Christianity and Islam, for example, foreshadowed the multiple divisions seen in these religions today.

Religions are not the only movements that have fallen prey to this seemingly invet— erate tendency to fracture. Important social and political movements have likewise suf- fered the setbacks of subdivision after the passing of their founders. The followers of both Marx and Gandhi—to cite two dispar- ate movements as examples—have been enervated by factionalism.

The Baha’i community, however, has now remained unified for more than a cen- tury—a feature made more remarkable by the tremendous diversity of its member- ship. Further, its unity encompasses a com- mitment to a broad range of progressive principles, such as promoting the advance- ment of women, working to eliminate racial discrimination and seeking to establish eco- nomic justice—principles that are by no means uncontroversial.

In a world torn by continuing wars over ethnic and/ or religious backgrounds, this distinctive unity in diversity is worth a care- ful examination.

Baha’is believe that the distinctive unity of their Faith stems from a promise from God to humanity that assures His continu— ing guidance after the passing of Baha’u’llah. This promise is referred to as the Covenant.

The idea of a covenant between man and God is, of course, familiar to the follow— ers of many religions. Many Jews under- stand that God entered into a covenant with their forbearers, promising to guide them as long as they obeyed His laws. ~Christians, too, understand that Jesus entered into a new covenant with His followers.

For Baha’is, the Covenant of Baha’u’llah is both a renewal of the promise of divine guidance and a specific outline for how to ensure its continuance. In specific terms, Baha’is understand the Covenant to be syn- onymous with the line of succession de

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[Page 3]ONE COUNTRY /Iuly-Septembcr 1992

scribed in Bahé’u’llah’s will.

Baha’u’llah promised that as long as His followers remain faithful to that line, they can be assured of God’s continuing guidance. That line ﬂows first through two hereditary leaders: from Baha’u’llah to His son, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and then from ‘Abdu’l- Baha to his grandson, Shoghi Effendi. Through their efforts, the ground was laid for the emergence in April 1963 of the democratically elected Universal House of J ustice conceived by Baha’u’llah.

This belief, that God has provided the means for continuing guidance, stands at the foundation of the unity of the worldwide Baha’i community.

The distinguishing feature of this age is that, for the first time in history, the entire human race is consciously involved, however dimly, in the awareness of its own oneness and of the earth as a single home- land. This awakening opens the way to a new relationship between God and human- kind. J ust as the growing realization of our oneness must, in the end, demolish all concepts of racial or national superiority, so it will also ultimately dissolve the asser- tion that the world’s religions are somehow fundamentally different. From the ideal of the oneness of humanity will emerge rec- ognition of the oneness of religion.

Once this realization is reached, hu- manity will find itself capable of a new level

of cooperation and empowerment. The building of a global civilization then be- comes possible.

The mission of the Baha’i community over the last 100 years has been to demon- strate the efficacy of the Covenant of Bahé’u'llah in healing the ills that divide the human race—to demonstrate that unity in diversity is possible.

Because it is framed in religious termi- nology, the idea of a Covenant for modern times is no doubt difficult for those who believe that religion can only play a subsid- iary role in a technological society. There are many who may reject such a concept automatically.

But the facts speak for themselves. The worldwide Baha’i community may well be the most diverse organized body of people on the planet. Its membership mir- rors the diversity of humankind itself. The community is also one of the most unified organizations. In this combination of ex- tremes it is distinctive—if not unique.

The community’s successful realization of unity in diversity lies at the heart of the celebration at the 1992 Baha’i World Con- gress. The realization of this ideal speaks not only of the community’s greatest ac- complishment—it also offers a glimpse of the future. For, in the end, what other path is open to the world at large?

Let the celebrations begin. 9

1 500

1 200

900

600

300

The worldwide Baha’i community may well be the most diverse organized body of people on the planet. Its membership mirrors the diversity of humankind itself. The community is also one of the most unified organizations. In this combination of extremes it is distinctive—if not unique.

In recent years, local and national Bahé‘i communities have launched an increasing number of small-scale development projects. The chart below shows the number and type of Baha'i- sponsored projects year—by— year. The number dropped in 1988 when a number of prototype literacy projects in India were ended.

1, 1» SCHOOLS

1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991

- RADIO STATIONS [:] HEALTH CARE

- OTHER ACTIVITIES - LITERACY PROGRAMS

EDUCATION

- OTHER ACTIV.

COMMUNITY .YOUTH ACTIV. DEVELOPMENT |:| WOMEN'S ACTlV. - AGRICULTURAL ACTIV.

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[Page 4]“In the context of the current conditions in the world—a world which is very confused about how it can address problems which are international and global in scope—this gathering becomes very significant.”

—Alex Frame

Shown at right is a scale model of the main stage, as designed for the 1992 Baha'i World Congress by John Kavelin. To be set up in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, the design features four large television screens and an extensive system of bleachers for the 400—member Congress Choir. Although the Javits Center is the largest such facility in New York, the estimated 30,000 Congress attendees will be split into two sessions of 15,000 each—in order to accommodate the entire gathering.

ONE COUNTRY / IulySeptcmber 1992

A Spiritual Journey in Manhattan

(Continued from page one)

of the Baha’is in the world—because Baha’is will be involved on other continents Via a satellite broadcast—of our belief in the one- ness of humanity,” said Alex Frame, an executive With the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation who is also a Baha’i and a member of the program planning commit- tee for the Congress.

“It will be some 30,000 people getting together in a spirit of unity and harmony to acknowledge the significance ofBaha’u’llah and His teachings, and what that means to the world. When you look at that in the context of the current conditions in the world—a world which is very confused about how it can address problems which are international and global in scope—this gathering becomes very significant,” said Mr. Frame.

The four—day program of the Congress will feature music, talks, and prayers, along with dramatic and audio-visual presenta- tions in a format and sequence designed primarily for a Baha’i audience.

At the same time, however, program

planners believe that certain features of the Congress will be of interest to outsiders.

“In some ways, the World Congress represents a public statement of the Baha’i community as a mainstream religion,” said Hugh Locke, another member of the pro- gram committee. “It will give a comprehen- sive overview of the workings of the com- munity in a way that has never been at- tempted before. It will show that the com- munity has become a global phenomenon.

“At the same time, it will display the Faith as a unifying force," said Mr. Locke. “This will be apparent in the diversity of the participants—and in the degree to which they are drawn from all walks of life. What will set the Congress apart from other reli- gious gatherings is the extent to which it is made up of people from a grassroots level. It is a religious coming together on a huge scale, significant also in that it is a gathering entirely of lay people—because there is no clergy in the Baha’i Fait

Complicated Logistics

The logistics of planning for a gather- ing of 30,000 people from all corners of the planet has proved to be a huge task, said Congress planners. "There is no compari- son to other conferences,” said Bea Polan, a consultant who has assisted the Baha’i

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lllllllllfii

iii 3 3 I I

community in planning the Congress. “It is totally different in content, in the message, and in its diversity.”

F inding an indoor meeting place that could accommodate that many people in New York was among the first challenges. Congress planners found that only theJavits Center, which is used principally for large trade shows, had enough enclosed ﬂoor space in one room to accommodate the expected numbers of Congress participants. Even then, planners have split the plenary meetings into identical morning and after— noon sessions—simply because 15,000 people is the most that the Center can accommodate in one room at one time.

Congress planners have also booked more than 5,300 rooms in over 30 hotels in the New York metropolitan area. An esti- mated 3,000 volunteers will be needed to provide services ranging from registration to security.

The diversity of the participants, as well. has posed special Challenges. “We have people coming from all over the world—and a very high percentage have never travelled outside of their own coun- tries,” said Gry Kvalheim, a logistics coor- dinator for the Congress. “Many are com- ing from small villages, and have never been to a large city like New York. So one of our main challenges has been to ensure that these people have a positive experi- ence in New York.”

To this end, arrangements have been

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made to provide door—to-door transporta- tion for those participants who request it. Buses will meet them at the airport, bring them with their luggage to their hotel, and then be available again to take them to the Javits Center.

“The idea is that from the time people leave their homes through the Congress itself, they will have experienced ajourney that is not only physical, but also spiritual," said Ms. Kvalheim. “We are very conscious that this is a special experience for Baha’is. So we have tried everything possible to make it special."

Organizers said, for example, that ar- rangements have also been made in many hotels to set aside special rooms for prayer and meditation.

Why New York?

The 1992 Baha’i World Congress is the second such gathering for the worldwide Baha’i community. Its first World Congress was held in London in 1963. The primary purpose of that gathering was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of Baha'u’llah’s mission.

The 1992 Congress will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah. The Covenant, as understood by Baha’is, is Baha’u’llah's establishment of the central authority in the affairs of the Faith that assures its continuing unity and guidance.

When Baha’u'llah passed away in 1892, He had named His son, ‘Abdu’l—Baha as His succesr

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in downtown New York City will be the site for plenary sessions of the 1992 Baha'i World Congress.

[Page 6]How to receive the worldwide satellite broadcast of the Congress

On 26 November, a special four- hour program on the 1992 Bahé’i World Congress will be broadcast worldwide via satel- lite. To be aired from 13:00 to 17:00 hours GMT, the broad- cast will reviewthe proceedings of the first three days of the Congress and then show ele- ments of the Congress program on its final day, including an address bythe Universal House of Justice, the supreme govern— ing council of the Baha‘i world.

For individuals and organiza- tions with access to satellite receiving facilities, the broad- cast will be accessible on the following satellites and chan— nels:

- For the United States and most of Canada: KU BAND, 88$ 6, Transponder 8.

0 For Europe: AOR Primary, Channel 2.

- For the Pacific Rim: POR Pri- mary, Channel 1.

o For lndia and much of Asia: |0R, Channel 1.

0 For South and Central America: Panamsat. (Channel to be announced.)

An hour—long test broadcast will commence at 12:00 hours GMT.

|____________

ONE COUNTRY / Iuly—Scptembcr 1992

{Continued from previous page)

sor.And itwas in NewYork, in 1912, that ‘Abdu’l— Baha made an explicit proclamation toWestem Baha’is of His station as successor.

“Historically speaking, the early West- ern believers knew that ‘Abdu’l—Baha was the successor to Baha’u’llah,” said Eliza- beth Martin, who is producing a film on ‘Abdu’l-Baha for the Congress. “But New York is the only place in the Western world where He openly and publicly declared His station. Accordingly, it is for Bahé’is the City of the Covenant, a city of great signifi- cance.”

Beyond its significance as the site of that announcement, New York represents a spiritual center for Baha’is because of its great diversity, and of the hopes it has represented for people around the world.

“When the son of Baha’u’llah visited North America in 1912, he landed in New York,” said Mr. Frame. “And NewYork was a place where, in very tangible terms, a new kind of unity was beginning to take shape— a unity reﬂecting the hopes of diverse peoples, who had come to America from all over the world, to help make a new civiliza- tion. Baha’is see this kind of unity as essen- tial for the future of humanity.”

The Program

The actual program of the Congress has been more than three years in the planning. It will feature a mix of music, talks, audio—visual presentations, and drama to convey its main points.

“In simple terms, it is designed to be a spiritual journey,” said Mr. Frame. “It be- gins on the first day with the recognition of Baha’u’llah as the Promise of all the Ages. On the second day it explores the role of ‘Abdu’l—Baha as the Center of Baha’u’llah’s covenant. On the third day, it reviews the global accomplishments that the unity of the Baha’is of the world has made possible. And on the fourth day, it asks the question: ‘Where are we going from here?’, examin- ing the next stage in the F aith’s mission.”

At all four plenary sessions, a 400—mem— ber choir will be featured. Like the Con- gress itself, the choir will attempt to show- case the diversity of humanity. Members will assemble from at least 36 countries, having prepared and rehearsed for their performances by singing along with tape- recorded songs prepared especially for the

Congress. [See page 7.]

On the final day of the Congress, a spe— cial four-hour program will be broadcast worldwide via satellite. The broadcast will feature recorded proceedings from the first three days of the Congress as well as a live transmission of the final plenary session.

Several national Baha’i communities around the world are organizing regional one—day satellite conferences to receive the broadcast. Such conferences have been organized in nine cities: Buenos Aires, Sydney, New Delhi, Nairobi, Panama City, Bucharest, Moscow, Singapore, and Apia, Western Samoa. Individuals with satellite receiving facilities can also receive the broadcasts on their own [See box at left]

BAHAi WORLD

CONGRESS NEW YORK 1992

Beyond planned elements of the pro- gram, the simple fact of gathering so many people from so many different countries and cultures is expected to have a moving effect on participants, said Congress plan- ners.

“The diversity of the Congress will bring home to participants the principle of the oneness of humanity,” said Mr. Locke. “When they come to the Congress, the Baha’is will see the reality of the principle to which they dedicate their lives.” 0

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[Page 7]()NE COUNTRY /Iuly—September 1992

»

How do you create a choir With global sound? Use a tape recorder. (But not like you may think.)

NASHVILLE, Tenn, USA — Choirs and religious gatherings seem to go to- gether like hand and glove—and the 1992 Baha’i World Congress is no exception.

Choral music will be an element of each day’s program at the Congress.

The final experience, however, is likely to be anything but traditional.

In the first place, a 400voice Baha’i World Congress Choir is very large—as such choirs go. “The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is about 320 voices,” said Tom Price, choral director for the Congress. “And it is considered a very big choir. So you can see by comparison that the World Congress Choir is quite an undertaking.”

Then there is the fact that the Choir will have its first rehearsal together just three days before the Congress—a move necessi- tated by the choir’s intemational diversity. Members are coming from more than 36 countn'es to perform at the Congress. “It has got to be one of the most diverse musical ensembles ever heard,” said Mr. Price.

To assemble a choir from so many nations was a major logistical task.

“That is perhaps the most interesting aspect of what we are doing,” said Con- gress Music Director Jack Lenz, who is also composing the greater part of the music. “It has all been done through the mails, using audio tapes. We auditioned

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members of the choir by having them send in audio tapes. ”

Mr. Price said over 1,200 people ini- tially inquired about singing in the choir, and 500 audition tapes were reviewed. More recently, the 400 singers who were selected have been sent tape recordings of the mu— sic that will be performed at the Congress.

“All of the music is being recorded onto separate tapes for each part—soprano, alto, tenor and bass,” said Mr. Price. “People will learn them at home. Three days before the Congress, everyone will come together and we will have final rehearsals.

“This has been the only way we could create a Choir with voices that truly come from all parts of the world,” said Mr. Price.

That sense of globalism will be mir- rored in the Choir’s music program. Almost all of the songs are written especially for the Congress, and an effort has been made to incorporate musical features from diverse international styles.

“We will have soloists singing in Per- sian, Arabic and Chinese, among other lan- guages” said Mr. Lenz. “And there will be songs done in the musical traditions of West Africa, American Gospel, India, and Latin America. Most religious choral music in the past has been done in the Western tradition. The music will reﬂect the diver- sity of the worldwide Baha’i community.” 3

Many members of the House of Worship Choir, left, which sings regularly in the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, USA., will perform as members of the World Congress Choir.

The World Congress Choir will have its first rehearsal together just three days before the Congress—a move necessitated by the choir’s international diversity. Members are coming from more than 36 countries, making it among the most diverse ensembles even

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Teacher Sallinah Makhanye conducts her preschool class on a nature walk around the grounds of the Hlatikulu Bahé’i Pre—School.

ONE COUNTRY / Iuly-Scptcmbcr 1992

In Swazanild, partnership proves

Vital to pre—school education

HLATIKULU, Swaziland —— Sallinah Makhanye points to a large tree on the grounds of the Hlatikulu Bahé’i Pre-school. Twenty or so young students gather around in a circle and listen.

“Now friends," she says, pointing up and spreading out her arms, “this tree has the big limbs. They all seem like arms. What are they called?”

“Branches,” say several children.

She points to the trunk. “Now what is the name of this part of the tree?" she asks.

“The stem,” says one precocious young charge.

“Yes,” says Ms. Makhanye, who is head teacher at the school. “Let’s all say ‘stem."’

“Stem!” comes back as a shout.

“And how does a tree eat?” Ms. Makhanye asks.

“When the water comes down,” says a little boy.

“Yes,” she answers. “When the water comes down.”

The lesson plan is simple, but the con- cepts will stay for a lifetime.

"The years three, four and five—they are among the most formative, important years in a child’s development,” said Dr. Ben Dlamini, head of educational testing in the Swaziland Ministry of Education. “So pre- school is a critical part of a child’s education."

Unfortunately, governments do not al- ways possess the resources to develop and operate a complete pre—school education program. Accordingly, that role often falls to non-govemmental organizations.

In this tiny kingdom in southern Africa, the Baha’i community has been especially successful in filling that role. By drawing on the skills of trained educators within its ranks, a steady base of committed volun- teers, and its own ethic for cooperation and collaboration, the Bahé’i’ community has over the last decade established itself as a important player in pre-school education in Swaziland. The community has so far:

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0 established three urban pre—school centers and three village—level pre-school programs, which together serve the country’s four major regions;

0 assisted in the creation of a colmtry— wide, in—service training program for pre— school teachers, which the community it- self continues to administer and operate in collaboration with the Ministry of Educa- tion; and,

0 worked with the Ministry of Educa- tion to create a national pre—school curricu- lum guide that more closely meets the needs of Swaziland and its people.

Theme of Partnership

Perhaps more significantly, the experi- ence of the Baha’i community, which has 7500 members nationwide, points to the importance of partnership in any education program or project.

“As an NGO, we provide the facilities, using our Baha’i centers as school houses,” said Dr. Irma Allen, a member of the na- tional child education committee of the Baha’i community of Swaziland. “We also provide trained manpower. And we provide the coordination.

“The government provides the pre- school inspectors, follow—up inspections of the schools, and certification. And a North- ern donor agency, the Bernard Van Leer Foundation of the Netherlands provides an additional cushion of funding and consider- able technical help.

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“The ultimate result of this partner- ship,” said Dr. Allen, “is that we get high quality teacher training and schools for very little cost.”

Swaziland’s Director of Education, Mr. S.N. Simelane, agreed with Dr. Allen’s as- sessment, saying that the concept of part- nership between NGOs and government was critical to the development ofpre-school education in Swaziland.

“Preschool is very important,” he said. “The fact that we are not providing teachers or building classrooms does not mean it isn’t important. We just don’t have the resources.”

The Baha’i community, Mr. Simelane added, has been especially active in pre— school education. “The Baha’i people who work with us help us a great deal,” he said. “Whenever there are problems, they come together and help us solve them.”

He noted that the spirit ofvolunteerism and public service seemed to be a key rea- son for the community’s success in the field. “Sometimes you wonder why people are investing their time—because we don’t pay them,” he said.

A Changing Swazi Society

The Baha’i community became in- volved in pre-school education about a de- cade ago in response to the rapid changes in Swazi society and the emergence of a clear-cut need.

“In Swaziland today, a lot more women are starting to work,” said Dr. Allen. “80

Students at the Pigs Peak Baha’i Pre—School gather for games. The school is conducted in the Pigs Peak Baha'i Center, shown in the background.

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Students at the Pigs Peak Baha’i Pre-School say a prayer together as morning class begins.

ONE COUNTRY / Iuly-September 1992

there is a need for pre—school, because mothers are not able to spend the time at home with their children.”

Pre-school education is also important as Swaziland attempts to compete in an increasingly interdependent world. “The pre—school serves a developmental process which children don’t always get here be— fore they go to school,” said Frances Fletcher, another member of the Baha’i education committee. “The children of Swaziland don’t always have access to books or toys or other stimuli that help to develop their curiosity.”

Centers Already in Place

”lhecommunityrealizedthatthree Baha’i centers it had already built in Swaziland’s major cities could serve a double duty.

Today, schools established in the Baha’i centersianabane,Piggs Peakand Hlatikulu serve about60 students in each locality.Three village-level preschools are also operated by Baha’i communities at the local level, in Motjane, Mnicini, and Mphetseni, serving an additional 60 students. Each of the schools is self—supporting, financed through modest tu- ition charges.

“There are three other pre—schools in town,” said Glory Kunene, the assistant supervisor at the Piggs Peak Baha’i Pre- School. “We are the cheapest, although we don’t cook and provide food. But the par- ents are eager to send their children here. We receive about 20 more applications each year than we are able to take.”

Y

The centers are also used for the na- tional in—service training program for pre- school teachers, which the Baha’i commu— nity coordinates. Funding and expertise from the Bernard Van Leer Foundation, funneled through the government also con- tributes to the success of this program.

Only Training Program

“At the present time, we are the only group training pre—school teachers in Swaziland,” said Ms. Fletcher, who coordi- nates the program.

Those enrolled are appreciative. “My supervisor was very pleased with the train- ing,” said Nicholine Mbokazi, a 28-year—old woman who works at a Catholic-run pre- school in Hlatikulu. “I am more sure ofwhat I am doing because of the training.”

The program, which is operated in close partnership with the government’s pre— school inspection program, provides six weeks of training for each teacher each year, leading to a pre—school teacher’s cer- tificate in three years. By December 1992, the program will have graduated more than 160 students.

The training program also serves an important development objective by creat- ing more opportunities for women.

“I was an orderly for three years at the Hlatikulu hospital, and I had no chance to go back to school, so this has been very good to me,” said Eleanor Dlamini, who is now em- ployed as a teacher at the Hlatikulu Baha’i PreSchool. The only cost for her training was about US$8.00 for books and papers.

The training program makes use of a national curriculum thatwas developed with the assistance of the Baha’i community. The curriculum emphasizes activities that are more appropriate to Swaziland, such as using local materials as teaching aids and incorporating specific elements of Swazi culture. “To make paint brushes, for ex- ample, we suggestusing feathers; for braid- ing, we suggest grass,” said Dr. Allen. “We also suggest to schools that they have moth- ers come in and tell traditional stories.”

Without the program, there would be no way to train and certify pre-schools teach- ers in Swaziland. “They have really helped us to get started around the country,” said Mrs. Beauty K. qumalo, the national pre school inspector for the Ministry of Educa- tion. “The Baha’i approach to training is very good.” G

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[Page 11]ONE COUNTRY /Iuiy-Scptember 1992

Madame RUhiyyih Rabbéni, left, the only remaining member of the family of Bahé’u'lléh, and HRH Princess Helen of Romania inspect historic early Bahé’i manuscripts which went on display in a special exhibition at the British Museum in

September.

Early Baha’i manuscripts go on exhibition at the British Museum

LONDON — In a special exhibition that opened in mid-September, the British Museum has put on display a number of authentic Baha’imanuscripts—the firsttime such artefacts have been publicly exhib— ited at a major international museum.

The exhibition features at least two manuscripts in the handwriting 0f Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith. The exhibition is being held in conjunction With the 1992-1993 Baha’i Holy Year, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the passing of Baha’u’llah.

“This is the first time that the British Museum has put on a show of Baha’i manu- scripts,” said Dr. Sheila Canby, the Assis- tant Keeper of the Department of Oriental Antiquities 0f the Museum, which is spon- soring the exhibition. “It is a small exhibi-

tion, but it is of exquisite quality.” I September Opening

Anumber ofprominent people attended the formal opening of the exhibition on 15 September, including Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, the only remaining member of the family of Baha’u’llah, and HRH Princess Helen of Romania, representing the Euro- pean Royal Household. Also in attendance were seven ambassadors and representa- tives of the British Foreign Office.

“We are especially pleased that these manuscripts, which for us are priceless

beyond comparison, could be displayed at this time,” said the Hon. Barney Leith, who represented the Baha’i community of the United Kingdom at the opening.

“This year is a Holy Year for the Baha’i world, in observance of the 100th anniver- sary of the passing of Baha’u’llah,” Mr. Leith added. “His writings are recognized as the Word of God by more than five million Baha’is around the world. So it is gratifying to Baha’is here in the United Kingdom that the British Museum should be the first major secular institution to display original Baha’i manuscripts.”@

UN Sub—commission /3/

condemns Baha 1 persecutlons in Iran

GENEVA — The United Nations Sub- Commission on the Prevention of Discrimi- nation and Protection of Minorities has con- demned the Government of Iran for “continu- ing grave violations of human rights,” taking particular note of the continuing persecution of the Baha’i community in Iran.

In a resolution passed on 27August 1992 by 18 to 3, the SubCommission called on Iran to comply with international human rights standards. It also condemned awide range of recent human rights violationsﬂ

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[Page 12]The Vanguardia SR—2 solar- powered radio features a large solar panel and special circuitry that enables it to operate in relatively low levels of light, such as a gasoline lantern.

ONE COUNTRY / Iuly-Septcmber 1992

Promoting Earth-Friendly Radio Receivers

Newly developed, a super—sensitive, solar—powered radio offers a “green” solution to the proliferation of batteries

CHENGDU, China— Most of the work— ers at the Chengdu TV and Electrical Cor- poration here in this central Chinese city ride to work each day on bicycles, which have been long recognized as among the most efficient and environmentally sound means of transportation.

Those same workers are now engaged in a new venture at green technology: the mass production of an inexpensive and effi- cient solar—powered radio.

T h e project, un- dertaken in collaboration with a private f o u n d a ti o n led by Baha’is, seeks to promote the use of the radios as both an aid to village-level development and a solution to the pollution problems that come with batteries.

“For the so—Called First World, the is- sue here is environmental impact,” said Dr, K. Dean Stephens, who developed special circuitry that he says allows the radio to be more efficient than any solar-powered con-

Appropriate

Technology

sumer radio yet produced. “Batteries in their manufacture require about 80 times the energy they store. And, after they are thrown away, they continue to pollute, con- taminating the ground for years with heavy metals.”

“What we are trying to do is pioneer a technology that is going to be more earth friendly,” said Dr. Stephens, who is also director of the Vanguard Trust, a not—for— profit foundation that is coordinating and promoting the project.

“With regard to the developing world, the main point is that the cost of batteries ends up being far greater than the cost of a radio, and they are a great drain on the income of many villagers,” Dr. Stephens added.

“We have calculated that in a country like Tanzania, for example, about 10 per- cent of a worker’s salary would go to buying radio batteries if he replaces them every month. So the difference in using a solar radio is quite remarkable.”

Although small solar powered radios have been produced before, Dr. Stephens

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[Page 13]ONE COUNTRY /]uly—Scptcmbcr 1992

said, none has risen above novelty status because they were either too expensive or worked only under ideal conditions, such as in bright sunlight.

“This radio has totally redesigned cir- cuitry that enables it to play even in ambi- ent light — sitting beside a Window 01' even next to a gasoline lantern at night,” said Dr. Stephens. “In the past, you had to practi- cally bake solar radios in the sun to get them to work.”

Trial Production Run

Dr. Stephens also said the radio is much less expensive than previously pro- duced solar radios. low cost is achieved both by the radio's efficient design and the decision to produce it in China, where labor costs are low. The first radios, made in a trial production run of 100 units, are being sold for US$25.00. Later, as production runs grow larger, they should sell for less.

“Ultimately, the cost will be about $17.00 apiece,” said Dr. Stephens. “That turns out to be the price of just the solar panel anywhere else.”

This combination of high efficiency and low cost has drawn considerable inter- est among a number of radio broadcasting companies and development agencies. Both the British Broadcasting Corporation and Danish national radio corporation (Danicom) are evaluating preliminary mod- els of the radio, Dr. Stephens said.

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Several international development agencies, as well, have ordered radios for testing and trials.

“The concept I think is quite wonder- ful,” said J udy Brace, the vice president for development information services at the Academy for Educational Development in Washington, DC. “The whole problem of having to replace batteries in a developing country is very difficult. So Vanguard’s ef- forts are certainly commendable.”

Ms. Brace said she had ordered one radio to try it out and that, if it passes field trials, it could be of great value to some of the radio projects her organization is in- volved in. “We could certainly see a market for this,” she said.

The first production models of the ra- dio, named the Vanguardia SR—2, use a se- ries of crystalline silicon solar cells, con- nected in a panel on the back of the radio, as the primary power source. The radio is capable only of medium wave (AM) band reception. Offering PM or shortwave bands would unnecessarily drive the price up, Dr. Stephens said. “We are planning future, multiband models for other markets,” he added.

The radio is also fairly large for a mod- ern portable radio, standing 15 cm high by 28 cm wide by 6.5 cm deep. “It’s meant to be a table radio,” said Dr. Stephens, “some- thing that can sit on somebody’s table or by

Photo courtesy the Vanguard Trust

On the production line at the Chengdu TV and Electrical Corporation in Chengdu, China.

[Page 14]

On a recent visit to Beijing, Dr. K. Dean Stephens, right, conferred with Professor He Dazhong, director of the Chinese Broadcasting Technology Society, left, about the Vanguardia SR-2 solar-powered radio. Shown at center is Yue Tao, a senior engineer with the Society and a member of the Vanguard Trust’s international board of advisors.

Photo courtesy the Vanguard Tr t

ONE COUNTRY / Iuly-Scptcmber 1992

———_————————

the window and provide sound for an entire household. And, the four-inch speaker and relatively large solar panel on the back also dictate its size.”

Innovative Circuit Design

The new circuitry designed by Dr. Stephens can drive that speaker on just 1/ 25th of a watt. “That is about ten times the efficiency of most radios,” said Dr. Stephens, whose credentials as an electronics pioneer include responsibility for the design of an ultracompact color television camera for the Apollo space missions to the moon.

Dr. Stephens believes it is important that China is involved in the production of this radio. “The Chengdu TV and Electrical group has been extremely ﬂexible in work- ing out the final details of the design and manufacturing,” said Dr. Stephens. “I am very happy with our relationship — and can say that they are extremely interested in the principles of the Trust.”

The first production run, completed in May, was just 100 units. "This run was a test for us,” said Dr. Stephens. ”The next step will be either a thousand or ten thousand. Our hope is to interest a philanthropic individual or a development agency to invest in purchas- ing or underwriting such an order, so that we can then make the radio widely available.”

The production of solar—powered ra- dios is a key plank in the Trust’s overall effort to promote village-level radio. The Trust was created to develop and promote useful and appropriate technologies for the developing world, and one of its major themes has been to create affordable tech- nology for village—level radio systems.

A Village Radio System

“There have been successful experi- ments at creating Village radio systems, and there is a good deal of interest in them among development specialists,” said Dr. Stephens. “The idea is to set up a miniature radio station that will allow avillage to serve itself with local broadcasts.

“Put in other words, village radio is a tool for villages. It is a tool for consultation. It is a tool for the preservation of various traditions and cultural expressions. And, in an era when information is power, village radio is also a form of grassroots empower- ment. It puts information directly into the hands of the people,” Dr. Stephens said.

TheVanguardTrustrecentlypublished a small booklet entitled “Village Radio Owner’s Manual,” which outlines both the technology and the organization that can be used to establish a village radio station. And the Trust has experimented exten- sively with a small-scale solar system de— signed by Dr. Stephens, using it to provide light and refn‘geration at a Baha’i training center in Puerto Rico.

A newsletter, Vanguardia, reports on the Trust’s activities four times ayear, offer- ing easily accessible information about such technologies.

Both the Trust and the newsletter take their name from a passage in the Baha’i writings that urges Baha’is to be in the “vanguard” of scientific achievement, said Prof. Kenneth Kalantar, a Vanguard board member who lives in Puerto Rico.

“Our particular interest is to assist in the development of technologies for the developing world,” said Prof. Kalantar, who is an associate professor of chemistry at the Inter American University in San German, Puerto Rico. “But although the Trust was founded by Baha’is and is operated on Baha’i principles, membership is open to anyone who has similar goals.” He said the Trust currently has a small but widespread mem- bership of people concerned with issues of appropriate technology. Q

——____—————————

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[Page 15]ONE COUNTRY /Iuly-Septembcr 1992

Thlrd nternational Dialogue focuses on justice in a global society

WIENACHT, Switzerland — Can there be justice without morality? Is there an inter- national standard of justice all humanity can agree on? What is environmental justice?

Such were among the questions dis- cussed at the Third International Dialogue on the Transition to a Global Society, a con- ference held annually here at the Landegg Academy to explore how humanity can best manage the transition to an interdependent world society.

The theme of this year’s dialogue, held 8 12 September, was “The Transition to a J ust Society.” Participants included a diverse mix of international jurists, representatives of United Nations agencies and non—govern- mental organizations, and prominent aca- demics and thinkers. They ranged from US. Supreme Court J ustice Anthony Kennedy to Pjeter Arbnori, president of the Albanian Parliament, and Lily Boeykens, president of the International Council of Women.

More than 80 people from 20 countn'es participated in the four—day event, which was designated as a satellite conference to the “United Nations World Conference on Hu- man Rights,” scheduled for next June in Vienna. The Dialogue was held under the auspices of Mr. Antoine Blanca, under secre- tary general ofthe U.N.; Dr. Federico Mayor, director general of UNESCO; and Mrs. Catherine Lalumiere, secretary general of the Council of Europe.

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“Although we deliberately chose not to make recommendations, we did discover a great deal of common ground,” said Judge J ames N elson, a retired California statejudge who served as rapporteur general of the meeting. “For one thing, we agreed that the basis for a just global society must be, of course, the rule of law. The rule of law em- braces every aspect of life, from the environ- ment to due process.”

J udge Nelson said other points of agree— ment in defining a just future society were freedom of thought, expression and action; economic justice; racial justice; equality of men and women; and environmental justice.

“There were some differences of opinion about the equality of men and women that need further exploration, but nobody was at odds with the need for freedom of expres- sion,” J udge Nelson said.

“Freedom ofspeech is exactlywhatkeeps democracy alive,” said J usfice Kennedy dur- ing his presentation. He noted that the US. Supreme Court, in the face of almost unani- mous outcry, recently upheld the acquittal of a man who had publicly burned the American ﬂag as a protest against the government.

Rgahunandan S. Pathak, former chief justice of India, spoke about sustainable de velopment, saying it is the moral duty of developed countries to allowdeveloping coun- tries access to modern environmentallycom— patjble technology. 0

United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, left, and Dr. Helvi Sipila, former United Nations Under Secretary General for Human Rights, were both participants in the Third International Dialogue on the Transition to a Global Society, held at the Landegg Academy. The Academy operates under the auspices of the Swiss Bahé’i Community.

“We agreed that the basis for a just global society must be, of course, the rule of law. The rule of law embraces every aspect of life, from the environment to

due process.” — Judge James Nelson

[Page 16]In Sync With the

Drumbeat

0f the Global Village

The 1992 Babe”) ’1’ World Congress: Auxiliary musical events

New York City

22-26 November 1992

Zhu Ming Ying, one of the most popular singers in China, is among the artists scheduled to perform in conjunction with the 1992 Baha'i World Congress. Ms. Zhu is shown in her apartment with her gold record, one of the first given to an artist in China.

ONE COUNTRY / Iuly-Scptembcr 1992

Some 30,000 Baha’is from around the world are coming to New York in November and they are bringing with them their music.

Baha’i performers—and a few who are not Baha’is —will be featured in more than 20 auxiliary concerts and musical events during the 1992 Baha’i World Congress.

It promises to be an expression of world music like never heard before in a single city over such a short span of time.

There will be concerts by headline names like Dizzy Gillespie, Zhu Ming Ying, and the rock duo Seals and Crofts. And there will also be performances by lesser- k n o w n B a h a ’ 1’ groups and individuals w h 0 s e m u s i c a 1 styles also reﬂect the special traditions of their regions or countries.

Scheduled to perform, for example, are the Dreamtime Aboriginal Theater from Australia; ElViento Canta, a Latin American group that has toured extensively in the former Communist world; Vasili Botozatu, director of the Romanian Folklore Orchestra; and Kevin Locke, whose performances of the Lakota Hoop Dance have won him international renown.

The first major event in conjunction with the Congress will be a classical music concert at Carnegie Hall. Scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on 22 November, the event is to feature pianists Eugene Istomin and Byron Janis and opera stars Benita Valente and Tatiana Troyanos.

Preview

“All of these people are very famous in the classical world,” said Peter Gravina, who is producing the concert. “And, although they are not Baha’is, they are donating their performances as a contribution to the cause of peace, which is really what the Baha’i cause is all about.” Also featured will be the Cleveland Quartet with David Shifrin as soloist, Mr. Gravina said.

The concert is entitled simply the “World Congress Concert.” Baha’i artists Norman Bailey, a well-known baritone from London, and20yearbldValiPhillips,whoistheconcert master for the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and one of America’s most promising young Violinists, will also perform.

J azzman Dizzy Gillespie, who is a Baha’i, will be among the featured performers in a jazz concert at Carnegie Hall scheduled for 25 November at 8:00 pm. Also scheduled to perform that evening will be J ames Moody, Doc Holliday, the Nicholas Brothers and the Mike Longo Tn'o.

Zhu Ming Ying, who is among the most popular singers in China, is scheduled to perform at the Baha‘i Variety Concert on 23 November at 8:00 pm. in the New York Hilton, alongwith country singer Dan Seals, folk singer Nancy Ward, Russian baritone Renat Ibragamov, and Persian singer Narges Nouhnejad. All are Baha’is.

“There is certainly a wealth of musical talent in the Baha’i community, and the World Congresswillshowcase that,”sadeack Lenz, musical director for the Congress. “Between the Congressitselfandthe eveningprograms, this will be the most diverse gathering of Baha‘i musicians ever.” 0

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