Writings, statements addressing some of the most urgent themes of our time

 

 

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~bahai/docs.htm

 

Browse through our selection of writings, compilations, and statements from the Bahá'í International Community addressing some of the most urgent themes of our time. Visit the Statement Library of the Bahá'í International Community for a complete range of documents on numerous themes; or visit Bahá'í Topics - An information resource presenting topics on the Bahá'í Faith: Central Figures, spiritual truths, sacred writings, the Bahá'í Global Community, social action, & more.
The Bahá'í Writings on . . . .
			Agriculture and Rural Life / Education / Equality of men and women / Health, Healing & Nutrition / Human Rights / Music / Peace / Science and Technology / Women / Youth
Bahá'í Statements - "To the Peoples of the World..."
			Bahá'u'lláh - A Statement that marks the centenary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh. His vision of humanity as one people and of the earth as a common homeland, dismissed out of hand by the world leaders to whom it was first enunciated over a hundred years ago, has today become the focus of human hope. The Bahá'í International Community, Office of Public Information, New York. May 29, 1992.
			Promise of World Peace, The - Released in October 1985, on the eve of the United Nations International Year of Peace, this statement of the Universal House of Justice , the international governing council of the Bahá'í Faith and its international community, was addressed "To the Peoples of the World." Presented to over 160 heads of state and government over the past 10 years, it outlines the major prerequisites for, as well as the obstacles working against, the establishment of world peace. The Universal House of Justice, 1995.
			Prosperity of Humankind - A statement prepared by the Bahá'í International Community Office of Public Information, Haifa, first distributed at the United Nations World Summit on Social Development, Copenhagen, Denmark. Haifa , Israel, March 03, 1995.
			To the World's Religious Leaders - Letter to the World's Religious Leaders that calls for the world's religious leaders to take on the task of identifying "core values that are common to all religious and spiritual traditions. The Universal House of Justice, April 2002.
			Turning Point for All Nations - This statement, which calls on world leaders to take bold new steps to strengthen the United Nations' capacity for global coordination to meet the challenges of the post-Cold War world, was issued on the 50th anniversary of the UN and urges leaders to convene a world summit on global governance before the end of the century.
			Unity of the Human Race - In 1936, on the eve of the second World War, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, Shoghi Effendi, wrote a letter to the Bahá'ís of the Western world in which he outlined the Bahá'í perspective on the establishment of a future global commonwealth. This visionary document, which reiterates and develops Bahá'u'lláh's teachings about the next stage in the development of human civilization, still reads as though it were composed yesterday.
			Who is Writing the Future? - This statement of the Bahá'í International Community's Office of Public Information examines the events of the twentieth century in the light of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings and relates these developments to the challenges facing humanity at century's end. The Bahá'í International Community, February 1999.
The Bahá'í International Community - Supporting the United Nations
The Bahá'í International Community has sought to support the work of the United Nations by emphasizing the importance of the UN in promoting global cooperation and understanding; advancing its universal goals, objectives and programs; and demonstrating its immediate relevance to the peoples and nations of the world. Below is a sample of themes addressed to the United Nations and other international organizations. Visit The Bahá'í International Community - Statement Library for a complete list of documents.
		Advancement of Women (External Links)
			Approaching Men to Improve Lives for Women - June 1993.
			Greatness Which Might Be Theirs, The: Religions as an Agent for Promoting the Advancement of Women at all Levels - Janet A. Khan, Beijing, China. August - September, 1995.
			Women and Men in Partnership - Vienna, Austria. March, 1993.
			Women and the Peace Process - Written statement to the 37th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Vienna, Austria. March 15, 1993.
		Agriculture and Farming
			Importance of Agriculture, The - " The fundamental basis of community is agriculture, tillage of the soil. - 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 1912." - One Country Newsletter, The Bahá'í International Community, Volume 8, Issue 2, July-September 1996.
		Environment and Development
			Earth Charter - Suggestions for the proposed "Earth Charter," originally presented by the Bahá'í International Community to the Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and reprinted for distribution at UNCED. Geneva, Switzerland, April 05, 1991.
			Moral Leadership - "Values, Institutions, and Leadership for a Sustainable Future: Towards a Framework for Developing Moral Leadership," - A reflection document sponsored by The Bahá'í International Community at the '92 Global Forum (in conjunction with the Earth Summit), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. June 1992.
			Valuing Spirituality in Development - A concept paper presented to the "World Faiths and Development Dialogue," hosted by the President of the World Bank and the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, London, England. February 18-19, 1998.
			World Citizenship: A Global Ethic for Sustainable Development - A statement to the 4th Pacific Islands Leaders Conference. Nui, Tahiti, June 24 - 26 , 1993.
		Human Rights
			Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Bahá'í International Community's Statement on the Freedom of Religion or Belief. October 2005.
			Promoting Religious Tolerance - United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, Switzerland. January 10, 1995.
			Protection of Minorities - Written statement presented to the 55th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, Switzerland. March 22 - April 30, 1999.
		Education
			Educating Girls and Women - Statement to the 39th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. New York, U.S.A. March 15 - April 04, 1995.
			Education for Peace and Unity - Statement to the International Symposium on Education for International Understanding and Peace. Barcelona, Spain. July 7-12, 1986.
		Youth
			Preparation for Life in Peace: The Role of Youth - Statement to the International Year of Peace Seminar for the Asia, Pacific and Western Asia Regions. Bangkok, Thailand, May 20-24, 1985.
			International Youth Year - Report on Bahá'í International Community activities in support of the United Nations International Youth Year. June 03, 1986.
			Role of Youth in Human Rights - Commission on Human Rights, Agenda item 15: The role of youth in the promotion and protection of human rights. Geneva, Switzerland, February/March, 1985.