June and September
Perspectives on Development
Dr Eyford recalls visits that he made to countries such as Cuba, China and Ecuador where he learned how to address the problems of life by consulting with the communities involved. From that he found specialists to provide expertise and technological support. He recalled that ‘Abdu’l-Baha had advised the Baha'is to share their learnings with others. We have amassed a great deal of knowledge and know-how about developing commerce but we don’t know how to transfer learnings from one community to another.
Methodologies and Development Strategies
Mr. Arbab quotes the Ridvan 1983 message of the House: “The growing maturity of a world-wide religious community which all these processes indicate is further evidenced in the reaching out, by a number of national communities, to the social and economic life of their countries, exemplified by the founding of tutorial schools, the inception of radio stations, the pursuit of rural development programs and the operation of medical and agricultural schemes.
Development and the Baha’i International Community
Dr. Victor Arujo begins by reciting a poem he wrote titled: “Indivisible From Us”. He recommends two UNICEF (“United Nations Children’s Fund”) publications related to child education. He recites part of the report he got from the Social and Economic Development Office at the Bahá’í World Centre. Reading from the report he cites the countries in which the various Bahá’í tutorial schools for children exist. He describes how Bahá’í programs are beginning to “tie in” with various UNICEF initiatives. He then described a few countries in which programs are underway.
The Spirit of Service
Dr. Mcullough reminds us that when we begin our day there is no one there to give us specific direction. As Bahá’ís we work from a set of general principles. Eileen Norman once remarked that we are advised in the Writings to keep ourselves spotless but no where in the Writings is there a recipe given for soap. He suggests that we follow three general goals: 1) Fruitfulness (not in the economic sense of productivity, but of being of service to others); 2) Self-direction.
Baha’i Development Projects in Action
Dr. Allen focuses on the letter of the Universal House of Justice of 20 October 1983 whose title is: “Social and Economic Development—New Field of Bahá’í Service”.