With the dawn of
the 21st century, governments, organizations and people are
expending enormous wealth to develop communities which are socially vibrant,
and prosperous. However, because man is fundamentally a spiritual being,
constructive efforts will succeed only to the extent we link material progress
to fundamental spiritual aspirations, respond to the increasing interdependence
among the peoples and nations of the planet, and establish a framework within
which all people can become active participants in advancement of the human
civilization.
The 20th
Century, one of the most tumultuous periods in human history, has been marked
by numerous upheavals and revolutions. Some of these upheavals have been
extremely destructive, involving the death of millions, the eradication of old
lifestyle and traditions, and the collapse of time-institutions.
Other movements
and trends have been more obviously positive. Scientific discoveries and new
social insights have spurred many progressive transformations. The way has been
cleared for scaling new heights and for expanded opportunities for individual
and collective achievement.
These twin
processes of construction and disintegration are part of the Plan of God which
is shaping the destiny of the mankind, releasing its capacities and hidden
worth, and paving the way for the brilliant future of this planet. The
inevitable Plan of God is leading the human race towards ever-increasing
interdependence and integration of humanity.
This trend is
observable in wide-ranging phenomena, from the fusion of world financial
markets, which in turn reflect humanity's reliance on diverse and
interdependent sources of energy, food, raw materials, technology and
knowledge, to construction. It is
reflected in the scientific understanding of the earth's interconnected
biosphere, which has in turn given a new urgency to the need for global
coordination. It is manifest, albeit in a destructive way, in the capacities of
modern weapons systems, which have gradually increased in power to the point
where it is now possible for a handful of men to bring an end to human
civilization itself. It is the universal consciousness of this trend -- in both
its constructive and destructive expressions -- that lends such poignancy to
the familiar photograph of the earth as a swirling sphere of blue and white
against the infinite blackness of space, an image crystallizing that we are
single people, rich in diversity, living in a common homeland.
Humanity's coming of age
The human race,
as a distinct, organic unit, has passed through evolutionary stage of infancy
and childhood and is now in the culminating period of its turbulent adolescence
approaching its long-awaited coming of age. The challenges of the new century
call for
levels of
capacity far beyond anything the human race has so far been able to muster.
Reaching these levels will require an enormous expansion in access to knowledge
on the part of every individual. We today need to adopt initiatives that
release the latent power in all people to participate in this galvanizing
process of development.
Unification of
the whole of mankind is the hall-mark of the stage which human society is now
approaching. Unity of family, of tribe, of city-state, and nation has been successively
attempted and fully established. World unity is the goal towards which a
harassed humanity is striving. Over a century ago, Bahá'u'lláh taught that
there is but one God, that there is only one human race. He said that human
destiny lies not merely in the creation of a materially prosperous society, but
also in the construction of a global civilization where capacities of each
individual being is unleashed and each one is encouraged to act as a
spiritually empowered soul. Bahá'u'lláh was also among the first to invoke the
phrase 'new world order' to describe
the momentous changes in the political, social and religious life of the world.
"The
signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the
prevailing Order appeareth to be lamentably defective. Soon will the
present-day order be rolled up a new one spread out in its stead?"
Material progress must reflect spiritual principles
and priorities
Human nature is
fundamental spiritual. Communities are unlikely, therefore, to prove prosperous
and sustainable unless they take into account the spiritual dimension of human
reality and seek to foster a culture in which the moral, ethical, emotional and
intellectual development of the individual are of primary concern. It is in
such a milieu that the individual is likely to become a constructively engaged,
service-oriented citizen, working for the material and spiritual well-being of
the community, and that a common vision and a shared of purpose can be
effectively developed.
It follows that
the material aspects of community development – environmental, economic and
social policies; production, distribution, communication and transportation
systems; and political; legal and scientific processes – must be driven by
spiritual principles and priorities. Today, however, the substance and
direction of community development are largely determined by material
considerations.
Our challenge,
therefore, is to re-design and develop our communities around those universal
principles – including love, honesty, moderation, humanity, hospitality,
justice and unity – which promote social cohesion, and without which no
community, no matter how economically prosperous, intellectually endowed or
technologically advanced, can long endure.
The glorious vision
of a glorious 21st century must incorporate some of the following
ideals
Emphasizing Moral Development
The process of
integrating human beings into larger and larger groups, although influenced by
culture and geography, has been driven largely by religion, the most powerful
agent for changing human attitudes and behavior. By religion, however, we mean
the essential foundation or reality of religion, not the dogmas and blind
imitations which have gradually encrusted it and which are the cause of its decline
and effacement.
In the words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá: "Material civilization is
like the body. No mater how infinitely graceful, elegant and beautiful it may
be, it is dead. Divine civilization is like the sprit, and the body gets its
life from the sprit…. Without the sprit the world of mankind is lifeless."
The concept of
promoting specific morals or values may be controversial, especially in this
age of humanistic relativism. Nevertheless, we firmly believe there exists a
common set of values that can be found in all the religions. For example, all
great religion teaches love, brotherhood, harmony, helpfulness, humility and
service to mankind. Their languages differ but essence is the same. It is said
that there is one golden rule which is found in all the religious of the world
and makes the basis of moral education. This golden rule is: "Do not do others what you would like others to do to you".
Advancing the Status of Women
The creation of
a peaceful and prosperous world civilization -- where the powers of each
individual are unleashed -- will be impossible without the full participation
of women in every arena of human activity. It is time for the institutions of
the world, composed mainly of men, to use their influence to promote the
systematic inclusion of women, not out of condescension or presumed
self-sacrifice but as an act motivated by the belief that the contributions of
women are required for society to progress. Only as the contributions of the
women are valued will they be sought out and woven into the fabric of society.
The result will be a more peaceful, balanced just and prosperous civilization.
The obvious
biological differences between the sexes need not be a cause for inequality or
disunity. Rather, they are an aspect of complementarity. If the role of women
as mothers is properly valued, their work in nurturing and educating children
will be respected and properly rewarded. it should also be acknowledged that
the child-bearing role does not diminish one's aptitude for leadership, or undermine
one's intellectual, scientific or creative capacity. Indeed, it may be an
enhancement.
Violence against
women and girls must be eradicated. Violence has been a fact of life for many
women throughout the world, regardless of race, class, or educational
background. In many societies, traditional beliefs that women are inferior or a
burden make them easy targets of anger and frustrations. Even strong legal
remedies and enforcement mechanism will have little effect until they are
supported by a transformation in the attitude of men. Women will nit be safe
until a new social conscience takes hold, one which will make the mere
expression of condescending attitude towards women, let alone any of physical
violence, a cause for deep shame.
While the overall
goal of any society must be to educate all its members, at this stage in human
history the greatest need is to educate women and girls. For over twenty years,
studies have consistently documented that, of all possible investments,
educating women and girls pays the highest overall dividends in terms of social
development, the eradication of poverty and the advancement of community. As Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed: "The world
of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men. Not until both
wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak,
flight is impossible."
Protection of
the Family Unit
The protection
of the family and the promotion of its well-bring must become an important
concern of those who want that each member of the human society should
contribute to its growth. The family is the primary institution of society and
the principal incubator of values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. When it is
spiritually healthy, it contributes significantly to the development of happy
and responsible citizens, capable citizens of tomorrow on whom the destiny of
the new century rests.
A Just Society
The physical,
social, economic, legal and political designs of our communities must serve all
members of society, not just privilege. A truly just and equitable society will
require a citizenry which understands that the interests of the individual and
of the community are inextricably linked; that the advancement of human rights
requires full commitment to the corresponding responsibilities; and that when
women are welcomed into full partnership with men in all fields of human
endeavor, families, communities and nations will prosper and advance, their
capacities increase, their powers unleashed.
Work is Worship
Work is both a
means of livelihood for the individual and a way of contributing to the
prosperity of the community as a whole. As such, it helps give meaning to one's
life. Therefore, we must ensure that the creative energies of the individual
have a channel of useful employment in which they can be expressed. For his or
her part, the individual must assume responsibility in carrying out this trust.
Unity of Religion
"Religion,",
"is the greatest of all means for
the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all
that dwell therein." In every community, there fore, freedom of
religion must be ensured, including the right to establish centers of worship.
Places of worship provide a venue for prayer and meditation, acts of devotion
through which the individual can come closer to the Creator, thereby
strengthening his or her spiritual capacities for sacrifice and service. As
physical monuments, these buildings also often serve to express the cultural
genius of the society.
Preservation of Environment
The promotion of
beauty, whether natural or man-made, should become a guiding principle in
community planning, for beauty can touch the heart and inspire the soul to
noble sentiments and actions. Development strategies will need to incorporate
principles of environmental preservation and be responsive to the human
spirit's great need for close contact with the natural world.
Science and technology to serve humanity
The vast forces
of science and technology must be harnessed to serve the material,
intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of the entire human family. This
will require that all peoples be involved in generating scientific knowledge
and determine its applications. As participation increases, technologies which
have tended to desensitize and alienate, to make satisfying work and crafts
redundant, to destroy the environment, and to cause sickness, infirmity or
death, will, no doubt, be recognized or abandoned.
Unity in Diversity
The peoples and
nations of the planet are being drawn together as they become more and more
dependent upon one another. This growing interdependence and the intensifying
interaction among diverse peoples pose fundamental challenges to old ways of
thinking and acting. How we respond to these challenges will, to a large
degree, determine whether our communities become nurturing, cohesive and
progressive, or inhospitable, divided and unsustainable.
Unity in
diversity is at once a vision for the future and a principle to guide the world
community in its response to these challenges. Not only must this principle
come to animate relations among the nations of the planet, bur it must also be
applied within both local and national communities if they are to prosper and
endure. The unifying, salutary effects of applying this principle to the
redesign and development of communities the world over would be incalculable,
while the consequences of failing to respond appropriately to the challenges of
an ever contracting world will surly prove disastrous.
Humanity must be prepared in a more dynamic century
Obviously,
humanity must be prepared for the opportunities and responsibilities that are
emerging as a result of this growing interdependence. People need to develop
the knowledge, values, attitudes and skills necessary to participate
confidently and constructively in shaping the world community, on all levels,
so that it might reflect principles of justice, equity and unity. Education
will play an indispensable role here. It must help the individual develop a
sense of place and community – not limited to the local or national level, but
extending out to include the whole world. It should cultivate virtue as the
foundation for personal and collective well-being, and should nurture in
individuals a deep commitment to the welfare of their families, their
communities, their countries, indeed, all mankind.
Conclusion:
We are moving towards a global village
In conclusion,
people and societies that thrive and prosper in the new millennium will make
the moral, emotional and intellectual development of the individual a central
priority. They will identify all those fetters and barriers which have so far
impeded the progress of mankind and eradicate those barriers so that the full
capacity of every individual soul is unleashed to work towards global unity,
peace and prosperity. The human society of 21st century will be such
liberated and broad minded society which will guarantee freedom of religion and
encourage the establishment of places of worship. Their centers of learning
will seek to cultivate the limitless potentialities latent in human
conciousness and will pursue as a major goal the participation of all peoples
in generating and applying knowledge. Remembering at all times that the
interests of the individual and responsibilities, will foster the equality and
partnership of women and men, and will protect and nurture families. They will
promote beauty, natural and man-made, and incorporate in to their design
principle of environmental preservation and rehabilitation. Guided by the
concept of unity in diversity, they will support wide-spread participation in
the affairs in the society, and will increasingly turn to leaders who are
motivated by the desire to serve. In these communities the fruits of science
and technology will benefit the whole society, and work will be available for
all.
Peoples
and societies such as these will prove to be the pillar of a world
civilization. “people are born to carry forward an ever-advancing
civilization,” implies that every person has both the right and the
responsibilities to contribute to this historic and far – reaching, collective
enterprise whose goal is nothing less the peace, prosperity and unity of the
entire human family. Bahá’u’lláh wrote: “Let your vision be world-embracing,
rather than confined to your own selves. Do not busy yourselves in your own
concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the
fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men .
Paper Presented by
Tina Olyai
At IFCW Forum
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