Reports

New Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community appointed

New Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community appointed

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The Bahá’í International Community (BIC) has announced the appointment of Rachel Bayani as its new Principal Representative to the United Nations, following the retirement of Bani Dugal, who had served in this capacity since 2003.

With United Nations (UN) offices in New York and Geneva and regional offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, and Jakarta, the BIC represents the global Bahá’í community at the international level, contributing to prevalent discourses essential to the future and wellbeing of humanity.

Bahá’í International Community’s Brussels Office 2025 Year in Review

Bahá’í International Community’s Brussels Office 2025 Year in Review

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In 2025, our work continued to focus on nurturing collective and meaningful conversations at a time when Europe and the world are navigating increasingly complex and interconnected challenges. We sought to work with others to create spaces for joint dialogue to enhance collaboration, build a shared vision infused with hope, and encourage reflection on and exploration of the foundational principles required to address the many challenges we face.

Contributing to an Ever-Advancing Civilization: The Baha'i International Community and the United Nations

Contributing to an Ever-Advancing Civilization: The Baha'i International Community and the United Nations

Third Nishan Forum on World Civilizations. Shandong University

Jinan, China—22 May 2014

The Baha’i International Community is an international non-governmental organization that has been active at the United Nations and other international fora for over 60 years. The Baha’i community’s association with the United Nations dates back to the League of Nations and has its roots in the global vision that animates the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Baha’is understand the progress of humanity as a global enterprise whose purpose is to bring prosperity to all peoples, an enterprise that must pursue its aim in the context of an emerging world civilization.

“All human beings,” wrote Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, “have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.” Thus, every person, every community and every nation have been vested with an obligation to play their part in building a peaceful and prosperous global society. The goals and aspirations of the UN Charter, so timelessly articulated by its authors including the eminent Chinese scholar and diplomat Cheng Peng Chun, boldly reaffirmed humanity’s faith in the dignity of every human being and in the equal rights of women and men, and those of nations large and small. It further committed to international cooperation to promote the social progress of all people. 

The United Nations has a long history of engagement with organizations of civil society. Today, nearly 4000 non-governmental organizations are formally associated with the United Nations through its Economic and Social Council—they represent the concerns and voices of a veritable cross section of humanity as well as perspectives drawn from various faiths and belief systems. This association continues to inform and shape the discussions and discourse within the UN community. In recent years, for example, various UN agencies have begun to reflect more consciously and systematically on their relationships with faith-based organizations, recognizing the many contributions of such organizations in various fields of endeavor as well as the defining role that values, ethics and beliefs play in the lives of people around the world.

From the moment of its accreditation, the Baha’i International Community began to play an energetic role in United Nations’ affairs. “Be anxiously concerned,” wrote Bahá’u’lláh, “with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.” Throughout its nearly 70 years of association with the United Nations, the Baha’i International Community, often working in collaboration with UN agencies and other NGOs, has worked in many different areas in the fields of social and sustainable development including in particular, the equality of women and men, the protection of the girl child, the protection of vulnerable and marginalized populations, and the advancement of a culture of discourse and collective deliberation, among others. At the world conferences of the 1990s, Baha’is actively contributed their vision and experience—at the World Conference on Education for All (Thailand), the World Summit for Children (New York), the UN Conference on the Environment (Rio de Janeiro), the International Conference on Population (Cairo), the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen) and the particularly vibrant Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Guiding these contributions has been a steady effort to apply intelligently and thoughtfully ethical and moral principles to the resolution of global challenges, and a steady striving for coherence between the material and moral dimensions of human life. 

It is important to note that these contributions and ideas are more than theory or aspiration. While they are guided by the Writings of the Baha’i Faith, they are equally informed by and intimately linked with the efforts of countless individuals and communities around the world working towards this vision of ethical and material advancement. We believe that every member of the human family, has not only the right to benefit from a prosperous civilization but an obligation to contribute towards its construction. In this area, close parallels can be seen with the Confucian ethic of responsibility and principles central to it, such as the idea that human beings exist in a web of relationships and not simply as isolated individuals, that social well-being requires trust and reciprocity and not merely a balance of adversarial relationships, and that human beings’ own flourishing requires them to exert themselves for the betterment of others.

As a global community, then, Baha’is are consciously striving to learn how populations of every kind and background can develop the capacity to take charge of their material, intellectual, social and moral development. In this way, human progress becomes increasingly representative of the aspirations and talents of mankind as a whole, and less a process carried out by one group on behalf of another.

Local efforts to improve the well-being of individual neighborhoods, villages and communities carried out by Baha’is and their like-minded collaborators provide key grounding and insight for the Baha’i International Community’s work at the United Nations. Such efforts involve constant effort to understand and translate moral principles of the Baha’i Faith into concrete action. The aim is not indoctrination, rather the raising up of individuals and communities capable of generating and applying new knowledge—as equal participants contributing to the building of a new civilization. It involves patience, understanding, flexibility, wisdom and humility as individuals and communities encounter and work through the deep-rooted and challenging issues before them. Let us take the example of corruption afflicting efforts at just and effective governance and administration at all levels. Not only does corruption dampen economic growth and reduce the utility of government services, it is antithetical to social well-being; it breeds distrust, resentment and hostility; it undermines solidarity and collective action.  How can this be addressed? How can the roots of corruption be reduced?  How can the capacity for moral behavior be developed in individuals, communities and the social and governing institutions of society?

One approach being pursued by Baha’is and their like-minded collaborators in this regard is classes for the moral and spiritual education of young people. These classes seek to equip children with the moral framework needed to navigate the many ethical choices they will face in life. The classes also aim to develop in youth a strong sense of purpose and instill in them the ideals needed to support a healthy and prosperous society. The curriculum seeks to help young people realize and develop their spiritual capacities, such as capacities of the intellect and of rational thought, the capacity to love, and the capacity to initiate and sustain action for the betterment of society, to name a few. These classes are initiated and led by local residents working with young people in their own neighborhood or village, thereby strengthening social bonds and ties of association at the local level. Such community based-efforts are the practical expressions of moral and spiritual principles, which bear on human interactions and collective life at all levels of society. Inevitably, efforts to express moral principles in a social context will raise further questions for communities: What, for example, is the optimal relationship between relatively informal community-based children’s classes and government-sponsored education systems? How are ethical and moral convictions about personal conduct and conscience operationalized in complex systems and bureaucracies? Raising and exploring such questions with others—questions arising from practice—represents another facet of the Baha’i International Community’s participation in the prevalent discourses on human progress and prosperity.  

The Baha’i International Community contributes to discourses at the international level both in terms of the ideas and perspectives that it puts forward and in terms of its efforts to advance a more constructive culture of discourse and deliberation.  By discourse I am referring to the expression of our attitudes, values, and understanding of ourselves and our material, social, and spiritual reality; I am referring to the manner in which we organize our knowledge and ideas; indeed, I am referring to a crucial means by which culture is shaped and developed. As we meet here near the birthplace of Confucius, it is fitting to quote briefly from the Analects:

“A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success.”  — Confucius, Analects, Book XIII, Chapter 3, verses 4-7 

Confucius believed that social disorder stemmed from the failure to perceive, to understand and deal with reality. The Baha’i International Community views the principles of the Baha’i Faith as essential resources for understanding and dealing with the challenges facing communities around the world. Similarly, it sees the efforts of communities trying to operationalize those principles in local settings as important models which can be explored and assessed by all. We see ourselves as part of a discourse among the community of nations and we seek to contribute to this discourse by offering new ways of approaching familiar problems, by re-framing the way that certain problems are understood, be identifying assumptions and mental models underlying the understanding of reality and by drawing on insights from the fields of science as well as religion. We do so in a mode of learning, knowing that no one can lay claim to perfect understanding or complete knowledge. Through practice and through discourse, our understanding advances and is continually refined.

Yet it is not only the content of the discourse that matters, it is also the culture and spirit in which it unfolds. We have observed over the years of engaging with the United Nations community a culture of discourse often characterized by adversarial and positional debates, which are not conducive to meaningful collaboration. Recognizing the importance of process, our Office has sought to foster new modes constructive inquiry and of patterns of interaction which allow the insights and perspectives of participants to emerge and contribute to the generation of new knowledge. To offer a concrete example, over the past several years the UN community has been working to create a new framework for global development—a framework to succeed the Millennium Development Goals. In light of the complexity of the issues involved in such an undertaking and the diversity of participants in this conversation, we sought to create a neutral and informal space a to facilitate a conversation in which the UN community—its agencies, Member States, and NGOs—could freely explore and deliberate about development issues of common concern. 

I hope that through this brief presentation about the Baha’i International Community I have been able to convey the Baha’i perspective that the betterment of humanity is indeed a global enterprise and one which will require the participation of the masses of humanity rather than a small group of actors working on behalf of the disenfranchised. “Every nation and every group,” the international governing body of the Baha’i Faith recently wrote, “indeed, every individual will, to a greater or lesser degree, contribute to the emergence of the world civilization towards which humanity is irresistibly moving.”

The work of the Baha’i International Community can be understood as seeking to facilitate, at the international level and particularly within the context of the UN, an ongoing conversation about the requirements of a world civilization progressing in all aspects of its individual and collective life. This is a conversation that rightfully belongs to all of humanity, and the Baha’i International Community is working to bring ever-growing numbers within its fold.

Baha'i International Community’s Quadrennial Report (2006-2009)

Baha'i International Community’s Quadrennial Report (2006-2009)

For submission to the United Nations Economic and Social Council

New York—1 June 2010

Field 1 Organization’s name, geographical coverage

The Baha'i International Community is an international non-governmental organization in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Baha'i International Community has more than five million members worldwide, residing in virtually every country and territory around the world, in well over 100,000 localities. In thousands of these, patterns of Baha'i community life have evolved to a degree that allows for the annual election of a local council to effectively administer affairs at that level. At the national level, there are currently 186 affiliates, including in the following:

Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,

El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua,

Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,

Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.

Australasia: Australia, Fiji Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Europe: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Field 2 Aims and purposes of the organization and its course of action

The Baha'i International Community seeks to contribute to the processes of advancing human civilization by bringing the principles of the Baha'i Faith and the insight and experience of its worldwide membership to bear on the issues under consideration by the United Nations. Among the principles shaping our contributions and working methods at the United Nations are: the oneness of humanity; the elimination of all forms of prejudice; the equality of men and women; the nobility of the human being; the elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty; universal education; freedom of conscience; an ethic of sustainability; harmony of science and religion; unity in diversity; and consultation (processes of collective deliberation and decision-making).

The Baha'i International Community pursues its vision through collaboration with United Nations agencies and its functional commissions; participation in United Nations fora; oral and written interventions addressing issues of concern to the United Nations and to the worldwide Baha'i community; its participation in NGO committees in an executive or membership capacity; and its support of the United Nations and NGO community through the provision of conference meeting facilities in our New York Office.

At this time, the work of the Baha'i International Community focuses on the protection and promotion of human rights; the advancement of equality between women and men; as well as sustainable development.

Several elements have assisted in the development of our work at the United Nations: the expansion of our conference facilities and meeting space (which support over 200 meetings and 6000 guests annually); the creation of a new website in 2006 (www.bic.org) which provides up-to-date information about our work as well as other resources to the United Nations and NGO community; the development of an internship program (20 interns/year), which assist with carrying out our mandate; and the continued publication of the ‘One Country’ newsletter of the Baha'i International Community, which reaches over 40,000 readers, around the world.

Field 3 Any change that may have had a significant impact

None.

Field 4 Your contribution to the work of the UN

Since 2006, our representatives have played a leadership role in the United Nations Gender Equality Architecture Reform Group, which has advocated for a unified gender entity. Each year, our representatives, as Chair/ Past Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, have facilitated the participation of hundreds of NGOs at the Commission and have organized the annual NGO orientation—bringing women’s voices to bear on the issues at the Commission. We submitted statements to the 50th, 51st, 52nd and 53rd Sessions of the Commission. Since 2006, our Office has co-organized over 50 side events with various agencies including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with member states. Our representatives have been invited speakers on panels regarding the girl child, media, transnational justice, violence against women and have been invited to consult with members states as well as United Nations agencies. Our representatives are members of 7 NGO Committees working on gender equality.

As Chair of the NGO Committee for Social Development, our organization has worked with the United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development and Members of the Bureau of the Commission for Social Development. Our Office has invited Baha'is with specialized knowledge and representatives of Baha'i development organizations to share their experiences at Sessions of the Commission. We submitted statements to the Commission about our organization’s work on the eradication of poverty, social integration, employment and decent work and co-organized many side events during Commission sessions. We have become a leading voice on the ethical dimensions of climate change: we have organized 3 panel presentations on this theme during the Sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD); led two well-attended Learning Center Workshops on capabilities for sustainable rural development and ethical dimensions of climate change. Our organization was an official observer at the 2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference (Poland) and, in 2009, led a 21-member delegation to the Climate Change Conference (Denmark), where we organized 3 side events and spoke at two press conferences. Our organization serves on the Executive Committee of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development as well as 3 other NGO committees working in sustainable development.

Our representatives participated actively in discussions to strengthen the Human Rights Council and contributed to the articulation of substantive and operations dimensions of the Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. Representatives attended every session of the the Council between 2006-2009, organizing side events, submitting statements on: the situation of the Baha'i communities in Iran and Egypt, the eradication of violence against women, defamation of religion and freedom of religion or belief; and taking part in interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur. Our representatives were co-signatories to 21 NGO statements advocating for and proposing concrete measure to strengthen human rights machinery. Our office organized a seminar for over 30 participants—representing United Nations agencies, Mission and NGOs—to explore themes of human rights and responsibilities; Responsibility to Protect; and the freedom of religion or belief. Our representatives serve as Chair of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Geneva and New York); are members of the executive committee of the NGO Committee on Human Rights and are members of 5 other human rights committees. Our representatives were actively involved in preparations for the 2009 Durban Review Conference and submitted a statement on the eradication of racism. In the context of the work of the Human Rights Council, our representatives spoke on 5 United Nations- and NGO-organized panels on various themes related to the promotion of human rights.

Field 5 Your participation in the fora of the UN

From 2006-2009, our representatives attended over 300 United Nations-sponsored meetings and contributed 25 statements and position papers, including over 20 joint statements. Our representatives attended all 11 sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Representatives delivered statements on the situation of Baha'is in Iran at the 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th sessions. Representatives took part in the UPR Working Group in Geneva (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th sessions) and the Council Advisory Committee in Geneva (1st, 2nd, 3rd sessions). Representatives took part in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sessions of the Preparatory Committee meetings for the Durban Review Conference; all intercessional meetings; and the Durban Review Conference (20-24 April 2009, South Africa), where we presented a statement on racial prejudice. Our article, “Freedom to believe: A defining freedom of our time,” was published in the United Nations Chronicle (Volume XLIII, Nr. 3).

Representatives participated in the 50th, 51st, 52nd and 53rd Sessions of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. As Chair/past Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, we facilitated the engagement of hundreds of NGOs; played a leading role in organizing the United Nations Orientation Day for NGOs on behalf of the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW). Our organization submitted statements to the Commission: ‘Beyond Legal Reforms: Culture and Capacity in the Eradication of Violence Against Women,’ (2007); ‘Transforming Values to Empower the Girl Child’ (E/CN.6/2007/NGO/15); ‘Mobilizing Institutional, Legal and Cultural Resources to Achieve Gender Equality’ (E/CN.6/2008/NGO/3); ‘Striving Towards Justice: Transforming the Dynamics of Human Interaction’ (2009). Over 20 Baha'i delegates from 10 countries attended the Commission every year. We co-organized nearly 40 side-events during the Commission. Representatives attended the 41st and 42nd Sessions of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

Representatives participated in the 44th, 45th, 46th and 47th Sessions of the Commission for Social Development. We submitted statements to the Commission: ‘A New Framework for Global Prosperity’ (2006); ‘Full Employment and Decent Work’ (2008); ‘Reclaiming Freedom of Conscience, Religion or Belief to Promote Social Integration’ (E/CN.5/2009/NGO/3). Our representative was a member of the organizing Task Force (2008) of the Civil Society Forum and served as Forum moderator (2009). Our Office co-organized several side events during the Commission and, in 2008 and 2009, co-hosted a dinner reception for members of the Commission Bureau.

Representatives took part in the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th Sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Commission’s publication (Outreach) published our article, ‘Summoning the Will for Sustainable Development.’ 2007: Our representatives organized a panel titled, ‘The Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change,’ (30 April 2007, New York), attended by over 100 people. 2008: Our Office offered a workshop through the Commission’s Learning Center titled, ‘SAT: A Model for Building Capabilities for Sustainable Development.’ (8 May 2008, New York), with over 90 people attending. Our organization submitted a statement to the Commission titled, ‘Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the Challenge of Climate Change.’ (2008). Our organization was an official observer at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poland (1-12 December). 2009: Our office offered a workshop through the Learning Center titled, ‘Climate Ethics: Implications for the CSD-17 Thematic Cluster’ (4 May 2009, New York), which drew over 75 people. Our organization was selected as an Organizing Partner of both the ‘Women’ and ‘Children and Youth Caucuses.’ Our representative led a 21-member delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Denmark (7-11 December 2009). Our organization became a partner in the UNDP-Alliance of Religions and Conservation Seven-Year Plan of Generational Change.

Field 6 Your cooperation with UN Bodies

Each year, our representative (as Chair/Past Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women), conducted on behalf of the Division for the Advancement of Women, an orientation for NGOs at the Commission on the Status of Women. Our Office has collaborated with UNICEF and UNIFEM in organizing briefings and events throughout Sessions of the Commission. Our representatives have played a pivotal role in the Gender Equality Architecture Reform Group, leading planning, strategy and advocacy efforts. Our representative participated in a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General (along with other NGOs) regarding the United Nations gender architecture. Our organization joined other NGOs in submitting recommendations to the United Nations Coherence Panel, all of which were reflected in the Panel’s report to the Secretary-General (“Delivering as One,” 9 November 2006).

On many occasions, our Representatives were invited to consult with government representatives and United Nations officials (e.g. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Secretary of the Human Rights Council) regarding matters pertaining to the protection of human rights and the right to freedom of religion or belief. Our representatives issued 21 joint statements providing an assessment and recommendations regarding the working methods and function of the the Council as well as its UPR mechanism; and read 18 statements at Council sessions. They have also issued joint statements in support of the mandate and work of the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion or belief. Our organization submitted information about the situation of Baha'is in Iran to the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of religion or belief; on the right to education; on torture; on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; on racism; on the independence of judges and lawyers; on freedom of opinion and expression; and the Independent Expert on Minority Issues. In 2007, in response to a call from the OHCHR for stakeholder feedback on its ‘Draft Guiding Principles on Poverty and Human Rights,’ we held consultations in six countries and submitted participants’ feedback in a statement to the OHCHR. Our representatives worked with United Nations entities to manage NGO participation at the Durban Review Conference.

As Chair of the NGO Committee on Social Development (elected in 2009), our representative met with members of the Bureau of the Commission for Social Development to foster collaboration between civil society and members of the Commission. Since 2008, our organization has helped to organize the annual Civil Society Forum—convened by the NGO Committee on Social Development and the Department for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). In 2009, our representative served as moderator of the Forum. Our representatives have also engaged closely with the Commission on Sustainable Development: working closely with the ‘Children and Youth’ and ‘Women’ Major Groups (in 2009, our organization was selected as Organizing Partner of these groups); in 2009, our youth delegate delivered the Children and Youth Major Group oral statement at the opening session of the Commission; in 2008 and 2009 our organization presented a 3-hour Learning Center Workshop on the themes of “Climate Ethics” and “Capabilities for Sustainable Development” respectively. Our representative attended the Expert Group Meeting on “Promoting Social Integration,” organized by DESA (8-10 July, Helsinki, Finland.) Our representatives participated in the launch of the Seven-Year Plan of Generational Change, an initiative of UNDP and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation. Our organization jointly sponsored 9 panels with, among others, the Permanent Missions of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and of Tuvalu, the Values Caucus, the Interfaith Partnership for the Environment, during the Commission on Social and Sustainable Development.

Our organization sent: $10,000 to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for relief in Myanmar (2008) and $10,000 to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund for flood relief in the Philippines (2009). Our Office made available its meeting and conference facilities to UNDP, DESA, UNIFEM, UNICEF and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations free of charge.

Field 7 Initiatives in support of the MDGs

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Target 1: Halve the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day. ACTIONS: Public launch of Baha'i International Community’s statement, “Eradicating Poverty: Moving Forward as One” (New York, 14 February 2008). Country consultations to gather feedback to the OHCHR’s ‘Draft Guiding Principles on Poverty and Human Rights.’ (January – June 2007)=6. Target 2: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. ACTIONS: Submitted statement on “Full Employment and Decent Work” to the 46th Session of the Commission for Social Development. Rural youth served by the FUNDAEC (‘The Foundation for the Application and Teaching of the Sciences’) educational programs (Colombia)=70,000.

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education. Target 1: Ensure that children everywhere will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. ACTIONS: Youth served by empowerment program (Mongolian Development Center)=1,300. Primary school students assisted by rural education programs (Ghana)=16,000. Rural children provided with accredited nursery, kindergarten and primary education (Thailand)=700. Central African Republic: teachers trained=100; school established=24; children served=1,200. Students served by ‘Golden Way’ program for moral education (Republic of Tatarstan)=2,500. Individuals participating in literacy projects (Uganda)=6,000.

Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women. Target 1: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education. ACTIONS: Children (ages 11-14) attending youth empowerment classes (Barli Development Institute (BDI), India) = 134. Individuals in parenting classes (Barli Development Institute, India) = 583. Number of national Baha'i offices advocating and working for the advancement of women=70.

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality. Target 1: Reduce by two thirds the under-five mortality rate. ACTIONS: Baha'i community of Zambia organized clinics, medical and dental camps, as well as primary health care and health education. The health education training programs build local capacity by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to be Family and Community Health Educators. Educators focus on issues such as women’s health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, disabilities and alcohol and drugs. Persons served by primary health education program (Zambia)=1,600 (since 1998).

Goal 5: Improve maternal health. Target 2: Achieve universal access to reproductive health.

Persons served by primary health education program (Zambia)=1,600. Women attending pre-and post-natal classes (Women and Child Center, Murdogri, India)=489.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Target 1: Have halted and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and Target 3: Have halted and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases. ACTIONS: Individuals participating in HIV/AIDS Education (Barli Development Institute, India)=2,426. Individuals participating in literacy projects that also focus on health (Uganda)=6,000. Residents assisted by village medical post in Karkar, Papua New Guinea=3,500.

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability. Target 1: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources. ACTIONS: Persons attending CSD Learning Center Workshops: “Exploring Capabilities for Sustainable Rural Development” (2008)=100: “The Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change” (2009)=90. Delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (7-11 December 2009)=21. Baha'i delegates from Thailand and Brazil attended the Bangkok Regional Climate Change Conference (29 September 2009). Organizations endorsing our 2009 “Appeal to World Leaders on the Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change”=30. Target 2: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss. ACTIONS: Became a partner in a UNDP-Alliance of Religions and Conservation initiative, “Seven-Year Plan of Generational Change” for combating climate change (2008).

Que es la Comunidad Internacional Baha'i?

Que es la Comunidad Internacional Baha'i?

—15 February 2008

La Comunidad Internacional Baha'i (BIC) es una organización internacional no gubernamental con afiliados en 180 países y territorios, que juntos representan sobre 5 millones de miembros de la Fe de Baha'i. Como organización internacional no gubernamental, BIC obra recíprocamente y coopera con las Naciones Unidas, sus agencias especializadas, con gobiernos, así como con las organizaciones inter-gubernamentales y no gubernamentales. BIC intenta promover y aplicar los principios - derivados de las enseñanzas de la Fe Baha'i - que contribuyen a la resolución de los actuales desafíos que enfrenta la humanidad y al desarrollo de una civilización unida, pacífica, justa, y sostenible. Actualmente, el trabajo de BIC se centra en la promoción de un estándar universal para los derechos humanos, el adelanto de las mujeres, y la promoción de medios justos y equitativos para la prosperidad global.

BIC tiene oficinas en las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York, Ginebra, y Bruselas; representaciones en la Unión Europea y a las Comisiones regionales de las Naciones Unidas basadas en Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Nairobi, Roma, Santiago, y Viena. Una oficina de Información Pública, situada en el centro mundial Baha'i en Haifa, Israel, disemina la información sobre la Fe Baha'i alrededor del mundo y publica un boletín de noticias trimestral, ONE COUNTRY.

 

BIC Document: #08-0215s

Quadrennial Report to the United Nations Economic and Social Council

Quadrennial Report to the United Nations Economic and Social Council

New York—1 December 2005

Introduction.

The Baha'i International Community is an international non-governmental organization with affiliates[1] in over 180 countries and territories, which together represent over 5 million members of the Baha'i Faith. As an international NGO, the Baha'i International Community interacts and cooperates with the United Nations, its specialized agencies, with governments, as well as with inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations. The Community seeks to promote and apply principles – derived from the teachings of the Baha'i Faith – which contribute to the resolution of current day challenges facing humanity and the development of a united, peaceful, just, and sustainable civilization. At this time, the work of the Community focuses on the promotion of a universal standard for human rights, the advancement of women, and the promotion of just and equitable means of global prosperity.

Summary of Activities Supporting the Work of the UN.

The Baha'i International Community monitored all routine and special sessions of the General Assembly, and annual sessions of ECOSOC, its commissions, sub-commissions, committees, and working groups, contributing as appropriate. Commissions attended included those on Human Rights (and its sub-commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights), the Status of Women, Social Development, Sustainable Development, as well as regional commissions. The Community also participated in the UN Forum on Indigenous Issues, the UN Special Session on Children, the World Assembly on Ageing, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the World Summit on the Information Society, the Global Forum on Internet Governance, the General Assembly World Summit, and the International Criminal Court Assembly of States Parties, among others.

Leading up to the General Assembly’s World Summit, the Baha'i International Community closely followed negotiations and recommendations concerning UN reform, making submissions to the Commissions and UN offices as appropriate. BIC representatives were chosen by UN organizers from among many NGOs to participate in two pioneer events leading up to the World Summit: the UN Conference on Interfaith Cooperation and Peace and the General Assembly’s interactive hearings. Special contributions in areas of interest are highlighted below.

From January 2002 to December 2005, representatives of the Baha'i International Community attended over 300 UN-sponsored meetings, contributing 29 statements and position papers, including 6 joint statements. (See Annexes I and II for complete lists of meetings and statements. Statements can be accessed at http://www.bic.org/.

Advancement of Women.

As Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, the Baha'i International Community played a pivotal role in facilitating and organizing the participation of over 2,500 civil society representatives from nearly 600 NGOs at both the 48th and 49th sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women. The Community’s representatives also chaired the Commission on the Status of Women International Planning Group. The Baha'i International Community’s Principal Representative addressed the International Conference on Gender Mainstreaming (co-sponsored by the Office of the Pakistani Prime Minister) and spoke on a UN High-Level Panel marking UN efforts to promote gender equality. The Community offered a statement on the Role of Men and Boys in achieving gender equality.

Human Rights.

The Baha'i International Community took an active role in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. Leading up to this anniversary, the Community issued a statement stressing the importance of religious freedom, titled Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was followed by a BIC-hosted Symposium with expert speakers to discuss the status of this right under international law.  BIC served as Co-Chair of the Faith and Ethics Network for the International Criminal Court, representing the Network at meetings with the International Criminal Court and UN officials.

The Community actively followed the work of the Human Rights Commission, meeting with special mechanisms on a regular basis and making statements pertaining to issues under consideration by the Commission. Representatives closely monitored the negotiations concerning the mandate of the proposed Human Rights Council and submitted recommendations for strengthening the human rights work of the UN.

Development and Global Prosperity.

In keeping with its goal of promoting just and equitable means of global prosperity, the Baha'i International Community closely monitored debates and proposals for UN reform. Commenting on the Secretary General’s report, “In Larger Freedom,” the Community put forth concrete recommendations for strengthening the UN’s work in the area of human rights, gender, and development. On the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, the Community released a major statement, titled The Search for Values in an Age of Transition, in which it set out further recommendations for improving UN work in areas of collective security, development, human rights, and the promotion of democracy.

NGO Community Work.

As an active participant in UN/NGO activities, Baha'i International Community representatives served as officers on over 10 NGO committees, most notably as Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (one of the largest NGO Committees), Chair of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Co-Chair of the Faith and Ethics Network for the International Criminal Court, Vice-President of the NGO Committee Against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Secretary of the NGO Committee for Social Development, and Convener of Advocates for African Food Security.

Information Activities.

ONE COUNTRY is the quarterly newsletter of the Baha'i International Community. Each 16-page issue contains several in-depth feature stories on the United Nations, noteworthy social and economic development projects, environmental efforts or educational programs, along with an editorial that addresses world problems from a Baha'i point of view. It is published in English, French, Chinese, Russian, German and Spanish, and is currently mailed to more than 30,000 readers in more than 170 countries. The newsletter has included articles on the Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Social Development, the General Assembly’s Interactive Hearings, the UN Conference on Interfaith Cooperation and Peace, as well as features about UN reform.

ANNEX I

Baha'i International Community

Participation[2] at Sessions, Conferences and other Meetings

held by or related to the United Nations system

2002 - 2005

UN General Assembly

2002

Special Session on Children, 8-10 May 2002

Second Ad Hoc Committee for the Negotiation of a Convention Against Corruption,
Vienna, 17-28 June 2002

57th Session, New York, October-November 2002

Third Committee, New York, September - November 2002

2003

58th Session, New York, September-November 2003

Third Committee, New York, October-November 2003

2004    

59th Session, New York, October-November 2004

Third Committee, New York, October-November 2004

2005   

60th Session, World Summit, New York, September-December 2005

Third Committee, New York, October -November 2005

Informal Interactive hearings with non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector, New York, June 2005

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

2002 ECOSOC, New York, July 2002

2003 ECOSOC, Geneva, July 2003

2004 ECOSOC, New York, July 2004

2005 ECOSOC, New York, July 2005

UN Commission on Human Rights

2002

58th Session, Geneva, 18 March - 26 April 2002

2003

59th Session, Geneva, 17 March - 25 April 2003

Working Group for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances, Geneva,
6-17 January 2003

Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Geneva, 20-31 January 2003

Open-ended Working Group on the right to development, Geneva, 3-14 February 2003

2004

60th Session, Geneva, 15 March - 23 April 2004

Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Geneva, 26 January - 6 February 2004

Inter-Sessional Open Ended Working Group mandated to elaborate a draft legally binding normative instrument for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances, Geneva,
4-8 October 2004

2005

61st Session, Geneva, 14 March - 22 April 2005

UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

2002

54th Session, Geneva, 29 July - 16 August 2002

Working Group on Minorities, Geneva, 27-31 May 2002

2003

55th Session, Geneva, 28 July - 15 August 2003

Working Group of independent experts on people of African descent, Geneva,
3-7 February 2003

Working Group on Minorities, Geneva, 12-16 May 2003

2004

56th Session, Geneva, 26 July - 13 August 2004

Working Group on Minorities, Geneva, 1-5 March 2004

2005

57th Session, Geneva, 25 July - 12 August 2005

Working Group on Minorities, Geneva, 30 May – 3 June 2005

UN Commission on the Status of Women

2002

46th Session, New York, 4-15 March 2002

2003

47th Session, New York, 3-14 March 2003

NGO Consultation in preparation for the CSW, New York, 2 March 2003

Ending Violence Against Women, Panel co-sponsored with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, New York, 4 March 2003

Women, Religion and HIV/AIDS, Panel co-sponsored with World Council on Religions for Peace, New York, 6 March 2003

You Can’t Beat a Woman – High and low tech ways to prevent violence against women, Panel co-sponsored with other non-governmental organizations at the UN, New York,
5 March 2003

2004

48th Session, New York, 1 -12 March 2004

NGO Consultation in preparation for the CSW, New York, March 2004

The Role of Men and Boys in the Advancement of Women – from Myth to Reality, Workshop, New York, March 2004

1325 On Trial: A tribunal investigating the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 highlighting the role of men, Workshop co-sponsored with the Women’s National Commission of the United Kingdom, New York, March 2004

Pure, A One-Woman Play about Tahirih to celebrate International Women’s Day, New York, March 2004

2005

49th Session, New York, 27 February - 11 March 2005

NGO Consultation in preparation for the CSW, New York, March 2005

UN Commission for Social Development

2002

40th Session, New York, 11-27 February 2002

2004

42nd Session, New York, 4-13 February 2004

2005

43rd Session, New York, 8-18 February 2005

Civil Society Forum, Why Copenhagen Matters to the MDGs, co-sponsored with Division for Social Policy, DESA and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, New York, February 2005

Participation Works: International Success Stories in the Fight Against Poverty, Workshop, co-sponsored with International ATD Fourth World Movement, New York, February 2005

UN Commission on Sustainable Development

2002

10th Session, New York, 30 April - 2 May 2002

2004

12th Session, New York, 19 April - 30 May 2004

Reception for the UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development, co-sponsored with UNESCO, New York, 26 April 2004

2005

13th Session, New York, 11-22 April 2005

The Role of Faith Communities in Education for Sustainable Development: Water, Sanitation and Human Settlements, Workshop, New York, April 2005

Engaging Faith Communities in the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, Workshop, New York, April 2005

Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean

2004

30th Session, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 28 June - 2 July 2004

Partnerships for a New Era: Achieving the Millennium Development Goals, Seminar, Santiago, Chile, 1-4 June 2003

UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

 

2004

60th Session, Shanghai, China, 22-28 April 2004

Thematic Working Group on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 June 2004

UN Treaty Monitoring Bodies

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women – Sessions

2002

New York, 14 January - 1 February 2002

New York, 3-21 June 2002

Exceptional Session, New York, 5-23 August 2002

2003

New York, 30 June - 18 July 2003

2004

New York, 6-23 July 2004

Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights– Sessions

2002

Geneva

Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – Sessions

2002

Geneva

2004

Geneva

2005

Geneva

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) – Sessions

2003

Geneva

Human Rights Committee – Sessions

2002

Geneva

2004

Geneva

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)

2002

Executive Board meeting, New York, 3-7 June 2002

2003

Executive Board meeting, New York, 2-6 June 2003

Second Regular Session of the Executive Board, New York, 15-19 September 2003

UNHCHR (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)

Ninth Annual Meeting of Special Procedures, Geneva, 26 June 2002

Tenth Annual Meeting of Special Procedures, Geneva, 23-27 June 2003

Eleventh Annual Meeting of Special Procedures, Geneva, 21-25 June 2004

Twelfth Annual Meeting of Special Procedures, Geneva, 21-25 June 2005

UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

2002

Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme (Excom), 53rd session,
Geneva, 30 September - 4 October 2002

Pre-Executive Committee Meeting with NGOs sponsored by UNHCR, Geneva,
25-27 September 2002

2003

Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme (Excom), 54th session,
Geneva, 29 September - 3 October 2003

World Bank

Faith and Development Leaders Gathering: World Faiths Development Dialogue, Dublin, Ireland, 30 January - 1 February 2005

UN Conferences, Summits, Ministerial Meetings, Seminars and Related Events

2002

Stocktaking After Durban, event sponsored by OHCHR, Geneva, 22 March 2002

Combating Racism and Promoting Women’s Human Rights, event sponsored by OHCHR, Geneva, 10 April 2002

Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid, Spain, 8-12 April 2002

World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August -
 4 September 2002

55th Annual UN-DPI-NGO Conference, New York, 9-11 September 2002

Seminar of Experts – African region, sponsored by OHCHR Anti-Discrimination Unit, Nairobi, Kenya, 16-18 September 2002

Briefing for Follow up to Special Session of the UN GA (UNGASS) and a World Fit for Children (WFFC), sponsored by UNICEF, Geneva, 1 October 2002

NGO-UNICEF Meeting for Western Europe, Geneva, 28-29 October 2002

Accelerating Progress on Girls’ Education, event sponsored by UNICEF, New York, 31 October 2002

2003

World Summit on the Information Society, PrepCom III, Geneva, 15-26 September 2003

World Summit on the Information Society, PrepCom IV, Geneva, 10-14 November 2003

World Summit on the Information Society, Phase I, Geneva, 8-12 December 2003

Implementation of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, event sponsored by OHCHR and UNESCO, Paris, 19-20 February 2003

The Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality, sponsored by the UN Division for the Advancement of Women, ILO and UNAIDS, Brasilia, Brazil, 21-24 October 2003

Education: The Right of Every Girl and Boy, co-sponsored by UNICEF and UNESCO, New Delhi, India, 2003

2004

Global Forum on Internet Governance, New York, 25-26 March 2004

Women, Democracy and Islam, Presentation by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Shirin Ebadi, sponsored by UNDP, New York, 2 June 2004

57th Annual UN Department of Public Information NGO Conference, Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society Takes Action, New York, 8-10 September 2004

Panel: Getting to Yes for the MDGs – How good are your global communication skills?  Co-sponsored with WFUNA and the Universal Esperanto Association, New York, 10 September 2004

International Forum on Social Development: Equity, Inequalities, and Interdependence, New York, 5-6 October 2004

High-Level Commemorative Roundtable for the 25th Anniversary of the adoption of CEDAW by the UN General Assembly, New York, 13 October 2004

2005

In preparation for the General Assembly World Summit, New York (in September 2005):

Speaker, Civil Society Hearings, “Strengthening the United Nations”, June 2005

Speaker, Civil Society Hearings, “Freedom to Live in Dignity”, June 2005

World Summit on the Information Society, PrepCom 2, Geneva, 17-25 February 2005

World Summit on the Information Society, PrepCom 3, Geneva, 18-27 September 2005

World Summit on the Information Society Phase II, Tunis, Tunisia, 16 - 18 November 2005

Third Forum on Human Development, Cultural identity, democracy and global equality, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France and the United Nations Development Programme, Paris, France, January 2005

UN Commemoration of 30 Years of United Nations Efforts to Promote Gender Equality, New York, 4 March 2005

Conference on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, New York, 22 June 2005

United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee Session, South Africa, 10-17 July 2005

International Criminal Court Assembly of State Parties, 4th Session, The Hague, Netherlands, 28 November - 3 December 2005

Consultative  Meetings prior to the Establishment of the Human Rights Council 

2005   

The UN Reform Process, sponsored by the EU Commissioner for External Relations, New York, 14 September 2005

Third Assembly for Human Rights, Geneva, 10 October 2005

Informal Meetings of the Taskforce on the Human Rights Council, New York, November 2005

Informal Consultations of the Commission on Human Rights with the General Assembly President, Geneva, 22 November 2005

Francophone Seminar on the Human Rights Council, Geneva, 25-26 November 2005

The Status of the Human Rights Council, Panel Discussion organized by the UNHCHR, New York, 6 December 2005

Transforming the Commission on Human Rights into the Human Rights Council, sponsored by the UN Association of the United States, New York, 8 December 2005

NGO and Government Sponsored Events on UN Themes

2002

Regional Seminar – Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, Cultural Diversity and Universality of Human Rights, Rabat, Morocco, 9-12 May 2002

Panel Discussion with Board Members of the Center for Studies of the Holocaust and of Religious Minorities of Norway, New York, 30 May 2002

NGO Forum for the ECOSOC High Level Segment, New York, 14 June 2002

World Civil Society Forum, Geneva, 14-19 July 2002

First Social Forum, Geneva, 25-26 July 2002

Senior-level NGO Consultation on Follow-up to the UN Special Session on Children, sponsored by UNICEF, New York, 25-26 July 2002

Conference: Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders, Geneva,
7-9 October 2002

Conference: The Role of Religion and Belief in a Democratic Society, Azerbaijan, 10-11 October 2002

Conference: Civil Society and the Democratization of Global Governance, sponsored by Montreal International Forum, Montreal, Canada, 13-16 October 2002

Dialogue of Cultures and Culture of Peace, sponsored by the Swiss Government and the African Academy for Peace, Geneva, 5 November 2002

2003

UN NGO/DPI Briefing, 15 May 2003

Conference: Clash or Consensus? Gender and Human Security in a Globalized World, Women’s Learning Partnership and Global Fund for Women, John Hopkins University (SAIS), Washington DC, 8-9 October 2003

Discussion with Yakin Ertürk, Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, New York, 14 November 2003

Special Tea in honor of the two Grantees of UNIFEM’s Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence Against Women, 21 November 2003

2004

Parliament of World Religions, Barcelona, Spain 4-11 July 2004

Breakfast Roundtable on Gender Mainstreaming sponsored by the Canadian Mission, New York, 8 July 2004

World Social Forum, Geneva, 22-23 July 2004

Conference: Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Human Rights and Religious Freedom, Brussels, Belgium 5-8 August 2004

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Panel Discussion co-sponsored by the International ATD Fourth World Movement and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York, 14 October 2004

Conference: “Women Defending Peace”, Geneva, 22-24 November 2004

2005

Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, 26-30 January 2004

Development Conference on Socio-Economic Policies for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals, New York, 14-15 March 2005

International Conference on Gender Mainstreaming and the Millennium Development Goals, Islamabad, Pakistan, 28-30 March 2005

Asian-African Workshop on the Role of Women and Youth, Asian-African Summit, Jakarta,

Indonesia, 19 April 2005

Conference on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, New York, 22 June 2005

Luncheon for the Third Committee Delegates to the UN General Assembly, New York, 23 June 2005

Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Consultation on Violence Against Children, Cairo, Egypt, 27-29 June 2005

Conference: Global Conference from Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging Partnerships to Prevent Violent Conflict and Build Peace, Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, New York, 19-21 July 2005

Third Social Forum – Poverty and Economic Growth: Challenges to Human Rights, Geneva, 21-22 July 2005

Reception in honor of Ms. Ruth Bamela Engo-Tjega, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa and the Least Developed Countries, New York,
27 September 2005

Symposium:  Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, New York, 25 October 2005

ANNEX II

Baha'i International Community

Statements to United Nations Conferences, Commissions

Related Consultative Gatherings

2002 - 2005

1. Written statements by the Baha'i International Community

2002

Religion and Development at the Crossroads: Convergence or Divergence? Statement prepared for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August – 4 September 2002

For the Betterment of the World, a written statement for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August – 4 September 2002

Maintaining a Political Momentum for the Children’s Agenda, statement presented to the Senior-level NGO Consultation on Follow-up to the UN Special Session on Children, sponsored by UNICEF, New York, 25-26 July 2002

Protection of Minorities, a written statement addressing agenda item 17 of the 54th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 16 March – 24 April 1998 [E/CN.4/1998/NGO/14]

2003

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 17 March – 25 April 2003

Statement on Religious Tolerance, statement to the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 17 March – 25 April 2003

2004

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 15 March – 23 April 2004

Overcoming Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in Public Institutions: A Baha'i Perspective, statement to the 42nd Commission on Social Development, New York, 4-13 February 2004

The Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality, statement to the 48th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, New York, 1-12 March 2004 [E/CN.6/2004/NGO/1]

2005

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Geneva, Switzerland, 10-18 January 2005

Baha'i International Community Response to the Secretary General’s Report, ‘In Larger Freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all’, statement to UN-NGLS, New York, 20 April 2005

Freedom to Believe: Baha'i International Community’s Response to the United Nations Development Programme 2005 Human Development Report, submitted to UNDP, New York, 30 April 2005

Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, New York, 6 October 2005

The Search for Values in the Age of Transition, statement on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, New York, 21 September 2005

A New Framework for Global Prosperity, statement submitted to the 44th session of the Commission for Social Development, New York, 8 November 2005, [E/CN.5 /2006/NGO/4]

2. Oral statements by the Baha'i International Community

2002

The Situation of the Baha'is in the Islamic Republic of Iran, statement to the 58th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 18 March – 26 April 2002

The Situation of the Baha'i Community in Egypt, statement to the 58th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 18 March – 26 April 2002

Statement on Minorities, presented to the 54th session of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Geneva, 29 July – 16 August 2002

Statement on Minorities, presented to the 8th session of the Working Group on Minorities, Geneva, 27-31 May 2002

2003

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights; Geneva, 17 March – 25 April 2003

Situation of the Baha'is in Egypt, statement to the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 17 March – 25 April 2003

2004

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 15 March – 23 April 2004

Situation of the Baha'is in Egypt, statement to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 15 March – 23 April 2004

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the 56th session of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Geneva, 26 July – 13 August 2004

Intervention about the link between humanity’s coming of age and globalization, statement to the International Forum on Social Development: Equity, Inequalities, and Interdependence, New York, 5 October 2004

2005

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 14 March – 22 April 2005

Situation of the Baha'is in Egypt, statement to the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 14 March – 22 April 2005

Situation of the Baha'is in Iran, statement to the 57th session of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Geneva, 25 July – 12 August 2005

Situation of the Baha'is in Egypt, statement to the 57th session of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Geneva, 25 July - 12 August 2005

Commemoration of 30 Years of United Nations Efforts to Promote Gender Equality – Observance of International Women’s Day, New York, 8 March 2005

3. Joint statements either written or signed by the Baha'i International Community

2002

Oral joint statement of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, presented to the First Session of the 2002 UNICEF Executive Board, New York, 3 June 2002

2003

Joint statement of the NGO Committee on UNIFEM, presented to the 47th Commission on the Status of Women, New York, 3-14 March 2003

Joint letter of disappointment at the Commission’s failure to reach agreed conclusions from number of NGOs on the NGO Committee on UNIFEM and the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, to the Commission on the Status of Women, New York, 3-14 March 2003

2004

Oral Statement on behalf of the World Summit on the Information Society Ethics and Values Caucus, to the Global Forum on Internet Governance, New York, 25 March 2004

Joint statement of the NGO Committee on UNIFEM, to the 30th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, New York, 6-23 July 2004 [E/CN.6/2004/NGO/6 and E/CN.6/2004/NGO/32]

2005

Joint statement of the WSIS Ethics and Values Caucus, On behalf of Values and Ethics Caucus – Statement and Proposals for Subcommittee A Working Group, to PrepCom III of the World Summit on Information Society, Geneva, 18-27 September 2005

Annex III

Baha'i International Community

Membership

2002 - 2005

The Baha'i International Community, with international headquarters in Haifa, Israel, has over 5 million members in approximately 8,900 organized local communities in 235 countries and territories.  They are organized as 178 national (or regional) affiliates. Affiliates as of December 2005 are as follows:

Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Sao Tomé-Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Europe: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

America: Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Pacific: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Mariana Islands, Marshall Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Asia: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen Republic.

[1] These affiliates are democratically elected nine-member councils called “National Spiritual Assemblies” that guide the affairs of the Baha'i community in their respective region.

[2] Participation as observer unless otherwise noted.

Quadrennial Report to the UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) 1998-2001

Quadrennial Report to the UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) 1998-2001

Quadrennial Report to the UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) 1998-2001

New York—1 June 2002

Introduction. The Bahá'í­ International Community, with over five million members, approximately 17,000 local communities and 182 national and regional communities worldwide is committed to peace and engaged in a wide range of activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, fostering grassroots participation in sustainable development initiatives, advancing the status of women, educating children, and promoting and protecting human rights. Its affiliates support the goals of the UN Charter and celebrate UN decades, years and days. The Community maintains offices and paid full-time staff at the UN in New York and Geneva. Volunteer Bahá'í­ representatives serve at ECA in Addis Ababa, at ECLAC in Santiago, and at ESCAP in Bangkok; and at UN offices in Nairobi, Rome and Vienna.

Summary of Activities Supporting the Work of the UN. The Community monitored all routine and special sessions of the UN General Assembly, and annual sessions of ECOSOC, its commissions, sub-commissions, committees, and working groups, contributing as appropriate. Commissions monitored included those on Human Rights (with its Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights), the Status of Women, Sustainable Development, Human Settlements, Crime Prevention, and Social Development, as well as regional commissions in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Community also participated in meetings sponsored by ILO, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNHCHR, UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank. From January 1998 to December 2001, the Community attended over 170 UN-sponsored meetings, contributing approximately 40 statements and position papers, including 11 joint statements. (See Annexes for complete lists of meetings and statements. Statements can be accessed at http://www.bic-un.bahai.org.) Special contributions in areas of interest are highlighted below.

Advancement of Women. The Community was instrumental in bringing girls to address the 1998 preparatory committee for the UN Special Session "Women 2000." It cosponsored activities with the Division for the Advancement of Women at the Commission for the Advancement of Women and with UNIFEM at meetings of the Committee monitoring implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). At the Special Session on HIV/AIDS, it distributed a statement on the role of gender equality in dealing with HIV/AIDS. Other statements during this period addressed women's health, the effect of racism on women, creating an empowering environment for girls, educating girls, institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women, and support for UNIFEM. The Community has encouraged affiliates to establish Offices for the Advancement of Women to help implement the Declaration and Plan of Action from the Fourth World Conference on Women. Approximately 60 such offices have been established. It also convened the Advocates for African Food Security: Lessening the Burden for African Women Farmers, a coalition of NGOs and intergovernmental agencies.

Environment, Development, & Global Prosperity. The Community participated actively in all sessions of the World Faiths Development Dialogue sponsored by the World Bank and the Archbishop of Canterbury. It served on the Steering Group for the Dialogue, commented on the Bank's World Development Report 2000/2001, offered a statement on participation, and major position papers on Valuing Spirituality in Development, and Religious Values and the Measurement of Poverty and Prosperity. It participated in the 3rd and 4th World Youth Forums, serving on the Planning Bureaus for both. The Community has sought to involve national affiliates in the implementation of Agenda 21 and has launched a global campaign in support of the UN Decade for Human Rights Education, distributing a Human Rights Education resource manual and CD-ROM in 5 languages and training representatives of 99 national Bahá'í­ communities.

Human Rights. The Community participated in the World Conference Against Racism, its preparatory process, and NGO activities, serving as one of 12 NGOs on the NGO Coordinating Committee for the Conference and NGO Forum. The Community offered a statement to the conference on the oneness of humanity and distributed a booklet documenting the Bahá'í­ community's efforts toward race unity. Written and oral statements called for an end to racism and torture and advocated the protection of minorities, the right to education, the right to development, the rights of the child, freedom of religion, and religious tolerance. Documents were also submitted to the Commission's country and thematic rapporteurs. The Community also monitored Sub-Commission Working groups on indigenous populations and minorities, and Commission working groups on defending human rights, and making the Commission more effective. At UN Headquarters the Community co-sponsored a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1998.

NGO Community Work. An active participant in UN/NGO activities, the Community co-chaired the Millennium Forum in May 2000 and addressed the Millennium Summit on behalf of those participating in the Millennium Forum. In New York it chaired NGO committees on human rights, freedom of religion or belief, UNICEF, and UNIFEM. It chaired task forces on UN Reform, Increasing Access to the UN, National Machineries for the Advancement of Women, and Restructuring the NGO Committee on UNICEF, and co-chaired the Global Forum of the NGO Committee on UNICEF. In Geneva it served as Chair of the Sub-group on literacy and media for the NGO Group for the Rights of the Child, and as Vice Chair of the Sub-Committee on Racism for the NGO Committee on Human Rights. It also served in Geneva as Secretary of the Board of CONGO (Conference of NGOs in Consultative Status), the NGO committee on the Status of Women, its Working Group on girls, and the coordinating Committee of the NGO Forum for Health.

Information Activities. ONE COUNTRY, the Community's newsletter (copies attached), is published quarterly in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and German. The English edition alone reaches some 35,000 readers in more than 200 countries and territories. ONE COUNTRY has reported on such major meetings as the World Conference Against Racism; the Millennium Summit, the Millennium Forum; Copenhagen + 5, Beijing + 5 and the World Faiths Development Dialogue. It has highlighted spiritually-based social and economic development efforts and addressed in its book reviews and editorials such issues as women's equality, globalization, world government, religious tolerance and sustainable development.

Submitted by Bani Dugal Gujral, Principal Representative
Bahá'í­ International Community

 

Annex I

Participation as Observer at Conferences and Other Meetings Sponsored by the United Nations System 1998-2001

UN General Assembly

1998 -- Special Session devoted to the Fight Against the Illicit Production, Sale, Demand, Trafficking and Distribution of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, New York, June 1998

1998 -- 53rd session, New York, October-November 1998

1999 -- 54th session, New York, October-November 1999

2000 -- Special Session, "Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the 21st Century, " New York, 5-9 June 2000

 

  • Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) serving as the 3rd Prepcom for UN GA special session "Women 2000," NYC 3-17 March 2000

2000 -- Special Session, "World Summit for Social Development and Beyond," (WSSD +5), Geneva, 26-30 June 2000

 

  • Second session of the Preparatory Committee for the Special Session of the General Assembly, WSSD +5, NYC, 3-14 April 2000
  • Informal Consultations of the Preparatory Committee for the Special Session of the General Assembly (WSSD +5), Inter-session, 17-23 May 2000Millennium Forum and Millennium Summit Follow-up, Annual DPI Meeting for NGOs, NYC 10 May 2001

2000 -- 55th session, New York, September-November 2000

 

  • Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, New York, October-November 2000

2000 -- Millennium Summit, New York, 6-8 September 2000

 

  • We the Peoples: Millennium Forum, New York, 22-26 May 2000.
  • Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, New York, 28-31 August 2000

2001 -- Special Session on HIV/AIDS, NY, 25-27 June 2001

 

  • First Round, Open-Ended Informal Consultations for the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, NYC, 26 February-2 March 2001
  • Second Round, Open-Ended Informal Consultations for the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, NYC, 21-25 May 2001

2001 -- 56th session, October-November 2001

 

  • Third Committee of the General Assembly, NY - 8 October-28 November

2001 -- Special Session on Children (scheduled for September but postponed until May 2002)

 

  • First Preparatory Committee, NYC, 30 May-2 June 2000
  • Second Preparatory Committee, NYC, 29 January-2February 2001
  • NGO Consultation for the 2nd PrepCom, NYC, 28 January 2001
  • Third Preparatory Committee, NYC 11-15 June 2001
  • NGO Consultation Day for 3rd PrepCom, NYC, 10 June 2001

 

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

1998 -- ECOSOC, Geneva, July 1998

1999 -- ECOSOC, Geneva, 5-30 July 1999

2000 -- ECOSOC, Geneva, June-July 2000

2001 -- ECOSOC, NYC, 2001

2001 -- ECOSOC & NGO Forum, Geneva, 2-31 July 2001

UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

1998 -- 7th session, Vienna, Austria, April 1998

1999 -- 2nd session, Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of a Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, Vienna, March 1999.

UN Commission on Human Rights

1998 -- 54th session, Geneva, 16 March - 24 April 1998.

 

  • 13th session of the CHR Human Rights Defenders Working Group (Working Group on the Drafting of a Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms), Geneva, 23 February 1998.

1999 -- 55th session, Geneva, 22 March - 30 April 1999.

 

  • Inter-sessional open ended Working Group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 28 September - 1 October 1999.
  • Inter-sessional open ended Working Group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 6-10 December 1999.

2000 -- 56th session, Geneva, March-April 2000

 

  • Informal day of consultations, 56th session, Geneva, 15 September 2000

2001 -- 57th session, Geneva, 19 March-27 April 2001

 

  • Informal day of consultations, 57th session, Geneva, 25 September 2001

 

Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

1998 -- 50th session, Geneva, 3-28 August 1998

 

  • 4th session, Working Group on Minorities, Geneva 25-29 May 1999.

1999 -- 51st session, Geneva, August 1999

 

  • 5th session, Working Group on Minorities, Geneva 25-31 May 1999.

2000 -- 52nd session, Geneva, 31 July - 18 August 2000

 

  • Working group on Indigenous Populations, Genvea, 24-28 July 2000

2001 -- 53rd session, Geneva, 30 July - 17 August 2001

 

  • Working Group on Minorities, Geneva, 14-18 May 2001
  • Working Group on Indigenous Populations, 23-27 July 2001

 

UN Commission on the Status of Women

1998 -- 42nd session, NYC, 2-13 March 1998

 

1999 -- 43rd session, NYC, 1-19 March 1999

 

  • NGO Consultation in preparation for the CSW, NYC, 28 February 1999
  • "Building National Machinery for the Advancement of Women: the Role of Civil Society," Panel co-sponsored with the Division for the Advancement of Women, 3 March 1999

2000 -- 44th session, NYC, 28 Feb-17 March 2000

 

  • NGO Consultation in preparation for the CSW, NY Feb 2000

2001 -- 45th session, NYC 6-16 March 2001

 

  • NGO Consultation in preparation for the CSW, NYC, 5 March 2001

 

UN Commission for Social Development

1998 -- 36th session, NYC, 10-20 February 1998

1999 -- 37th session, NYC, 9-19 February 1999

2000 -- 38th session, NYC, 8-17 February 2000

2001 -- 39th session, NYC, 13-23 February 2001

UN Commission on Sustainable Development

1998 -- 5th intersessional, NYC, 23 Feb - 6 March 1998

1998 -- 6th session, NYC, 20 April - 1 May 1998

1999 -- 7th session, NYC, 19-30 April 1999

2000 -- 8th session, NYC, 24 April - 5 May 2000

2001 -- 9th intersessional, NYC, 16-27 April 2001

2001 -- 9th intersessional Ad Hoc Working Groups, NYC, 6-16 March 2001

2001 -- 10th session, acting as the First Preparatory Committee for the Summit on Sustainable Development, NYC, 30 April- 2 May 2001

UN Economic Commission for Europe

1999 -- Regional Hearings for the Millennium Assembly, Geneva, 7-8 July 1999

UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

1998 -- 27th session, Aruba, May 1998

1999 -- 28th session,

UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

1999 -- 55th Session, Bangkok, Thailand, 22-28 April 1999

 

  • High level meeting to review implementation in Asia and the Pacific of the Beijing Platform for Action, Bangkok, 26-29 October 1999.

 

UN Human Rights Committees

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

1998 -- 18th session, NY, 19 January-6 February 1998

1998 -- 19th session, NY, 22 June-2 July 1998

1999 -- 20th session, NY, 18 January - 5 February 1999

1999 -- 21st session, NY, 7-25 June 1999

2000 -- 22nd session, NY 17 Jan - 4 Feb 2000

2000 -- 23rd session, NY, June 2000

2001 -- 24th session, NY, 15 Jan-2 Feb 2001

2001 -- 25th session, NY, 2-20 July 2001

Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights

 

  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

 

Committee on the Rights of the Child

 

  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

 

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

 

  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

 

Human Rights Committee

 

  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

 

ILO (International Labour Organization)

2001 -- 89th session, Geneva, 5-21 June 2001

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)

1998 -- Executive Board meeting, NYC, 1-5 June 1998

1999 -- Executive Board meeting, NYC, 19-22 & 25 January 1999

1999 -- Executive Board meeting, NYC, 7-11 June 1999

2000 -- Executive Board meeting, NYC,

2001 -- Executive Board meeting, NYC, 4-8 June 2001

2001 -- Executive Board, second session, NYC, 10-14 December 2001

UNHCHR (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)

1998 -- Meeting concerning the Basic Principles on Reparation and other Standards before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Sponsored by the International Commission of Jurists, Geneva, 20 March 1998.

1998 -- Fifth Meeting of Special Rapporteurs/Representatives/Experts and Chairpersons of Working Groups of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 28 May 1998

1998 -- Enriching the Universality of Human Rights: Islamic Perspective on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A seminar of experts, Geneva, 9-10 November 1998.

1999 -- Draft Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparations for Victims of Violations of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, sponsored by the International Commission of Jurists, Geneva, 27 May 1999.

1999 -- Sixth Meeting of Special Rapporteurs / Representatives / Experts and Chairpersons of Working Groups of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 31 May-3 June 1999.

1999 -- Eleventh meeting of the Chairpersons of the Human Rights Treaty Bodies, Geneva, 31 May-4 June 1999.

1999 -- Workshop on The Draft Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Geneva, 26 February 1999.

1999 -- Draft Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparations for Victims of Violations of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Geneva, 27 May 1999

1999 -- Sixth Meeting of Special Rapporteurs/Representatives/Experts and Chairpersons of Working Groups of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 31 May - 3 June 1999

1999 -- Eleventh meeting of the Chairpersons of the Human Rights Treaty Bodies, Geneva, 31 May-4 June, 1999.

2000 -- Inter-sessional open ended Working Group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 19 January 2000.

2000 -- Inter-sessional open ended Working Group on enhancing the effectiveness of the Mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 7-11 February 2000

2000 -- Expert seminar on remedies available to the victims of acts of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and on good national practices in this field, Geneva, 16-18 February 2000

2000 -- Meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies, 12th session, Geneva, 5-8 June 2000

2001 -- Expert Seminar on Human Rights and extreme poverty, Geneva, 7-9 Feb. 2001

2001 -- Expert workshop on Justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights, Geneva, 5-6 Feb 2001

2001 -- Annual meeting of Special Rapporteurs, Geneva, 20 June 2001

UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

1998 -- 49th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme (Excom), Geneva, 5 October 1998

1998 -- Pre-Executive Committee Meeting with NGOs (Pre-Excom), Geneva, 30 August - 2 September 1998

1999 -- 50th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme (Excom), Geneva, 4-8 October 1999

1999 -- Pre-Executive Committee Meeting with NGOs (Pre-Excom), Geneva, 29 September - 1 October 1999.

2000 -- Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme (Excom), Geneva, 2-6 October 2000

2000 -- Pre-Executive Committee Meeting with NGOs (Pre-Excom), Geneva, 27-29 September 2000

2001 -- Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme (Excom), 52nd session, Geneva, 1-5 October 2001

2001 -- Pre-Executive Committee Meeting with NGOs (Pre-Excom), sponsored by UNHCR, Geneva, 24-26 September 2001

World Bank

1998 -- World Faiths Development Dialogue, sponsored with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Palace, London, England, 18-19 February 1998.

1998 -- World Bank Conference on Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development, Washington, D.C., 28-29 September 1998

1998 -- World Faiths Development Dialogue meeting with World Bank Officials, Rome, Italy, 6-7 December 1998.

1999 -- World Faiths Development Dialogue, Johannesburg, South Africa, January 1999

1999 -- "Values, Norms and Poverty" - A Consultation with Civil Society on Poverty and Development, World Development Report, workshop, Johannesburg, South Africa, 12-14 January 1999.

1999 -- World Faiths Development Dialogue Conference in Washington, DC (Lambeth II), 11-12 November 1999.

2000 -- Steering Group Meeting of the World Faiths Development Dialogue, Washington, D.C., 17 April 2000

2000 -- World Bank briefing on the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF), NYC, 18 July 2000

WHO (World Health Organization)

1998 -- 51st World Health Assembly, Geneva, May 1998

1999 -- 52nd World Health Assembly, Geneva, May 1999

2000 -- 53rd World Health Assembly, Geneva, May 2000

2000 -- UNICEF/WHO (World Health Organization) Joint Committee on Health Policy, 2000

2000 -- WHO Women's Health and Development Unit

2001 -- 54th World Health Assembly, Geneva, May 2001

UN Conferences, Summits, Ministerial Meetings and Seminars

1998 -- "African Women and Economic Development: Investing in Our Future," sponsored by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28 April-1 May 1998

1998 -- "Educating Girls: A Development Imperative," International Conference on Girl's Education sponsored by UNICEF, USAID, & the Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, D.C., 6-8 May 1998.

1998 -- UN Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, Rome Italy, 15 June-17 July 1998

1998 -- World Youth Forum of the United Nations System, Third Biennial session, Braga, Portugal, 2-7 August 1998.

1998 -- World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, First Session, Lisbon, Portugal, 8-12 August 1998

 

  • Consultations in Preparation for the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, 2nd session, NYC 4-6 February 1998
  • International Youth NGO Meeting, NYC 7-8 February 1998.
  • Consultations in Preparation for the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, 3rd Session, NYC, 24-26 June 1998

1998 -- "National Machineries for Gender Equality," Expert Group meeting sponsored by UN Division for the Advancement of Women & ECLAC, Santiago, Chile, 31 August - 4 September 1998

1998 -- "Women and Health - Mainstreaming the Gender Perspective into the Health Sector," Expert Group meeting sponsored by the UN Division for the Advancement of Women and WHO, Tunis, Tunisia, 28 September-2 October 1998

1999 -- Millenium Young People's Congress, sponsored by UNEP, UNESCO, Peace Child International, & the State of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, 25-29 October 1999.

2000 -- UNED Forum International Advisory Board, sponsored by the United Nations Environment and Development Forum, initial meeting, New York, 28 April 2000

2001 -- Global Movement for Children: The Role of Religions (an inter-religious consultation) sponsored by UNICEF and WCRP (World Conference on Religion and Peace), New York, 24-26 April 2001

2001 -- International Environmental Architecture for Sustainable Development: The Role of UNEP, sponsored by UNED Forum, LEAD International, World Federalist Movement, World Humanity Action Trust and hosted by BIC UNO, NY, 1 May 2001

2001 -- Third International Conference on the Least Developed Countries, sponsored by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the European Union, Brussels, May 2001

 

  • Preparatory Committee Second Session, NYC, 5-9 February 2001
  • Preparatory Committee Third Session, NYC, 2-6 April 2001

2001 -- World Youth Forum of the United Nations System, Fourth Session, Dakar, Senegal, 6-10 August 2001

 

  • International Youth NGO Consultation, NYC, 6-7 February 1999
  • Planning meeting of the Fourth World Youth Forum, NYC, 14-15 October 1999

2001 -- World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (WCAR), Durban, SA, 31 August-7 September 2001

 

  • First Preparatory Committee, World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Geneva, 1-5 May 2000.
  • Expert Seminar for Africa - World Conference Against Racism, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 4-6 October 2000
  • Regional Preparatory Meeting for Europe - World Conference Against Racism, Strasbourg, France, 9-13 October 2000
  • Expert Seminar for Latin America -World Conference Against Racism, Santiago, Chile, 25-27 October 2000.
  • Regional Preparatory meeting for the Americas -- and its NGO Forum - World Conference Against Racism, Santiago, Chile, 3-7 December 2000
  • NGO Regional Preparatory Meeting for Africa, Botswana, 8-12 January 2001
  • Informal Consultations on the WCAR, Geneva 15-16 January 2001
  • Regional Preparatory Meeting for Africa & its NGO Forum, Dakar, Senegal, 29 January-2 February 2001
  • NGO Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Americas, Ecuador, 13-17 February 2001
  • Asian Regional Preparatory Meeting & its NGO Forum, Iran, 18-21 February 2001 (BIC delegation denied visas)
  • Open-ended Working Group for the WCAR, Geneva, 6-9 March 2001
  • Inter-sessional open-ended working group on the WCAR, Geneva, 7-11 May 2001
  • Second Session of the Preparatory Committee, Geneva, 21 May - 1 June 2001
  • Third session of the Preparatory Committee, Geneva, 30 July - 10 August 2001
  • Youth Summit - WCAR, Durban, South Africa, 26-27 August 2001
  • NGO Forum - WCAR, Durban, South Africa, 28 August - 1 September 2001
  • Panel on Religious Intolerance, organized by BIC with 3 other NGOs, keynote speaker Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Mr. Abdelfattah Amor

2001 -- International Consultative Conference on School Education in Relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-discrimination, Madrid, 23-25 November 2001

2001 -- Ministerial meeting of State parties to the 1951 convention and/or its 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, sponsored by UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) & Mission of Switzerland, Geneva, 12-13 December 2001

 

  • Preparatory Session for the Ministerial meeting of State Parties to the 1951 convention and/or its 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, Geneva, 20-21 September 2001

2001 -- International Conference on Financing for Development (upcoming),

 

  • Preparatory Committee Second Substantive Session, 13-23 January 2001, NYC

2001 -- World Summit on Sustainable Development (upcoming),

 

  • Tenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, acting as the First Preparatory Committee for the Summit, NY, 30 April- 2 May 2001

 

NGO Conferences on UN Themes

1998 -- CONGO Africa Consultation, sponsored by CONGO Secretariat, Geneva, 13 January 1998.

1998 -- CONGO Africa Consultation, sponsored by CONGO Secretariat, Geneva, 6 February 1998.

1998 -- Beijing Seminar on the Follow-up Action to the Fourth World Conference on Women, sponsored by the All-China Women's Federation, Beijing, China, 18-22 June 1998

1998 -- The Oslo Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, sponsored by the Co-operation Council of Faith and Lifestance Societies, Olso, Norway, 11-15 August 1998.

1998 -- Forum 98: 50 years after the Declaration of Human Rights, Geneva, 28-30 August 1998.

1998 -- Food Security as a Human Right, sponsored by Advocates for African Food Security, BIC Office, NY, 15 September 1998

1998 -- Which Way for Women and Development? Debating Concepts, Strategies and Directions for the 21st Century, sponsored by CUNY Grad School and University Center, Borough of Manhattan Community College, NY 15-17 October 1998

1998 -- Universality of Human Rights: The Evidence, sponsored by the Special Committee of NGOs on Human Rights, Geneva, 30 November - 1 December 1998

1999 -- Human Values - a living reality: In the Light of Human Rights, sponsored by the Human Values Caucus, Geneva, 18 March 1999.

1999 -- World Conference on Religion and Peace, Seventh World Assembly, Amman, Jordan, 22-29 November 1999.

1999 -- Globalisation and Iran: Promoting Universal Human Values, sponsored by the Human Values Caucus, Geneva, 30 June 1999.

1999 -- NGOs for Women 2000: A Panel Discussion-Beijing +5: Setting Targets, NYC, 22 November 1999.

2000 -- "Women's Right to Education: Building Global Leadership for the 21st Century," workshop cosponsored by the Association of International Educators, 2000

2000 -- Seminar on Social Development, sponsored by ICSW and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, UNICEF House, NY 7 February 2000

2000 -- Official Launch of the Earth Charter, sponsored by the Earth Charter Commission, The Peace Palace, The Hague, The Netherlands, 29 June 2000

2001 -- Seminar on Social Development, sponsored by ICSW & the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, UNICEF House, NY, 11 February 2001

 

Annex II

Bahá'í­ International Community Statements to United Nations Conferences, Commissions, & Related Consultative Gatherings 1998-2001

1. Written Statements by the Bahá'í­ International Community

Protection of Minorities, a written statement addressing agenda item 17 of the 54th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 16 March - 24 April 1998. [E/CN.4/1998/NGO/14]

Current Situation of the Bahá'í­s in Iran, statement to the 54th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 16 March - 24 April 1998. [E/CN.4/1998/NGO/13]

Rights of the Child, statement to the 54th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, 16 March - 24 April 1998. [E/CN.4/1998/NGO/15]

Current Situation of the Bahá'í­s in Iran, statement to the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, March 22 to April 30, 1998. [E/CN.4/1999/NGO/12]

Protection of Minorities, statement to the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, March 22 to April 30, 1998. [E/CN.4/1999/NGO/14]

The Bahá'í­ Institute of Higher Education: A Creative and Peaceful Response to Religious Persecution in Iran, statement to the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, March 22 to April 30, 1998. [E/CN.4/1999/NGO/13]

Women and Health, statement to the 43rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. New York, 1-19 March 1999. [E/CN.6/1999/NGO/4]

The right to education, statement to the 56th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, 20 January 2000. [UN document #E/CN.4/2000/NGO/13]

Gender and all forms of discrimination, in particular racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, statement submitted to the 45th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. New York, 6-16 March 2001. [E/CN.6/2001/NGO/7]

One Human Race, statement submitted to the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. Durban, South Africa, 31 August - 7 September 2001. [A/CONF.189/10/Add.2]

2. Oral Statements by the Bahá'í­ International Community

Creating an enabling environment for empowering girls, statement to the 42nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. New York, 2-13 March, 1998.

The situation of the Bahá'í­s in Iran, statement to the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, 7 April 1999.

Situation of the Bahá'í­ Community in the Islamic Republic of Iran, statement to the 56th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, 20 March - 28 April 2000.

The Situation of the Bahá'í­ Community in Egypt, statement to the 52nd session of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Geneva, 31 July -18 August 2000.

Situation of the Bahá'í­s in Iran, statement to the 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights; Geneva, 29 March 2001.

Situation of the Bahá'í­s in Egypt, statement to the 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, 4 April 2001 Sustainable Development: The Spiritual Dimension, statement to the 1st session of the Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. New York, 30 April -2 May, 2001.

3. Joint Statements Either Writtenor Signed by the Bahá'í­ International Community

The Situation of the family, a joint written statement signed by 8 NGOs and submitted by the Bahá'í­ International Community to the 36th session of the UN Commission on Social Development. New York, 1-20 February 1998. [E/CN.5/1998/NGO/8]

Right to Development, joint oral statement to the 54th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 24 March 1998.

Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women, joint oral statement by the NGO Committee on the Status of Women's Task Force on Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women to the 43rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. New York, 1-19 March 1999.

Media and the Rights of the Child, a joint oral statement signed by 18 NGOs and presented by the Bahá'í­ International Community to the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Geneva, 15 April 1999.

UNIFEM's efforts "to turn resolutions into realities," a joint written statement of the NGO Committee on UNIFEM, submitted to the 44th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. New York, 1-19 March. [E/CN.6/2000/NGO/4]

Girls: the women of tomorrow, joint written statement circulated at the 44th session of the Commission on the Status of Women under agenda item 3: follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women. New York, 28 February -2 March 2000. [#E/CN.6/2000/NGO/7]

We the Peoples Millennium Forum Declaration and Agenda for Action: Strengthening the United Nations for the 21st Century, a joint statement produced by the Millennium Forum, New York, 22 - 26 May 2000.

Commitment to Global Peace, a joint declaration of those gathered at the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, New York, August 28-31, 2000.

In support of UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women), a joint written statement presented to the 45th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. New York, 6-16 march 2001. [E/CN.6/2001/NGO/1]

Proposed language for the Draft Programme of Action of the WCAR, a joint proposal submitted to the Working Group for the Draft Programme of Action of the WCAR by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and signed by the Bahá'í­ International Community and 4 other NGOs. Durban, South Africa, 3 September 2001.

Joint NGO Proposal on follow-up language, WCAR Program of Action, para. 230, signed by the Bahá'í­ International Community and 6 other NGOs. Durban, South Africa.

4. Other Bahá'í­ International Community Contributions to UN-Sponsored Meetings

Participation, a statement read at the World Faiths Development Dialogue, hosted by the President of the World Bank and the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, London, England, 18-19 February 1998.

Valuing Spirituality in Development: Initial Considerations Regarding the Creation of Spiritually Based Indicators for Development, published version of a paper presented to the meeting of religions and the World Bank. Lambeth Palace, London, 18 - 19 February 1998

Religious Values and the Measurement of Poverty and Prosperity, a paper prepared for "Values, Norms and Poverty: A Consultation on the World Development Report 2000." Workshop co-sponsored by the World Bank, the World Faiths Development Dialogue, Cornell University, the MacArthur Foundation, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the Swiss Development Corporation. Johannesburg, South Africa, 12-14 January 1999

The Role of Religion in Establishing Peace, an oral statement to the Millennium World Peace Summit. New York, August 28-31, 2000

Message of the Millennium Forum Declaration, oral statement to the Millennium Summit by the Co-Chair of the Millennium Forum. New York, 8 September 2000.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a statement submitted in response to a request from Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights for a possible publication by the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders the World Summit on the Elimination of Racism. Submitted 21 March 2001

Overcoming Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in Public Institutions: A Bahá'í­ Perspective, a paper prepared at the request of the US Government and presented at the Global Forum on Fighting Corruption II. The Hague, Netherlands, 28-31 May 2001.

HIV/AIDS & Gender Equality: Transforming Attitudes and Behaviors, a statement prepared for distribution at the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS. New York, NY, June 25-27, 2001.

One Same Substance: Building a Global Culture of Racial Unity: The worldwide Bahá'í­ community's record of example and action, a booklet prepared for the UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. Durban, South Africa, 31 August - 7 September 2001.

Belief and Tolerance:"Lights Amidst the Darkness," a statement presented both in writing and orally to the International Consultative Conference on School Education in relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-discrimination. Madrid, Spain, 23-25 November 2001.

 

Annex III

Bahá'í­ International Community Membership 1998-2001

The Bahá'í­ International Community, with international headquarters in Haifa, Isreal, has over 5 million members in approximately 17,000 organized local communities in 235 countries and territories. They are organized as 182 national (or regional) affiliates (associations). Affiliates as of December 2001 are as follows:

  • Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Repbulic, Chad, Congo Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Sao Tomé-Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
  • Europe: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
  • America: Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.
  • Pacific: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Mariana Islands, Marshall Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
  • Asia: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen Republic.

 

Communauté internationale baha'ie: une coopération ancienne et active avec l'ONU

Communauté internationale baha'ie: une coopération ancienne et active avec l'ONU

—6 June 2000

La Communauté internationale baha'ie est une organisation non gouvernementale (ONG) qui englobe et représente les membres de la foi baha'ie à travers le monde, soit plus de 5 millions d'hommes et de femmes issus de plus de 2100 groupes ethniques, de presque toutes les nationalités, les couches sociales et les classes professionnelles. Au total, 235 pays et territoires dans le monde abritent d'importantes communautés baha'ies, dont 182 sous la forme de groupements affiliés à l'échelon national (ou régional), eux-mêmes composés de plus de 12 500 communautés locales organisées. En tant que ONG à l'ONU, la Communauté internationale baha'ie est une association de conseils d'administration démocratiquement élus, appelés les Assemblées spirituelles nationales.

La Communauté internationale baha'ie a une longue histoire de participation active dans les organisations internationales. Déjà en 1926, un Bureau international baha'i fut créé au siège de la Société des Nations à Genève pour coordonner la participation des baha'is aux activités de celle-ci. En 1945, les baha'is étaient présents à San Francisco pour la signature de la Charte de l'ONU. En 1948, la Communauté internationale baha'ie fut accréditée auprès des Nations Unies en qualité d'organisation non gouvernementale (ONG) et en 1970, elle se voit accorder le statut consultatif (maintenant connu sous le nom de statut "spécial") auprès du Conseil économique et social (ECOSOC). Elle obtint par la suite le statut consultatif auprès de l'UNICEF en 1976, et en 1989 auprès du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la condition féminine (UNIFEM). Elle établit également en 1989 des relations de travail avec l'OMS (Organisation mondiale de la Santé). Au fil des ans, elle a aussi étroitement collaboré avec le PNUE (Programme des Nations Unies pour l'environnement), le Haut Commissariat aux droits de l'homme des Nations Unies, l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'éducation, la science et la culture (UNESCO) et le programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD).

La Communauté internationale baha'ie dispose de bureaux auprès des Nations Unies à New York et à Genève, ainsi que des représentations auprès des commissions régionales et autres organismes des Nations Unies, à Addis Abeba, Bangkok, Nairobi, Rome, Santiago et Vienne. Ces dernières années, elle a créé deux nouveaux bureaux au sein de son bureau auprès des Nations Unies, l'un pour l'environnement et l'autre pour la promotion de la condition féminine.

Son bureau d'information, dont le siège se trouve au Centre mondial baha'i à Haïfa, dispose d'une délégation à Paris. Il est chargé de diffuser des informations sur la foi baha'ie à travers le monde, et publie un bulletin trimestriel, ONE COUNTRY. Ce bulletin est distribué en anglais, français, chinois, russe, espagnol et allemand dans plus de 170 pays. ONE COUNTRY couvre l'actualité qui a trait aux projets de développement économique et social, des relations avec le système des Nations Unies, et  de sujets d'intérêt mondial pour les décideurs.

OBJECTIFS ET ACTIVITÉS

Les activités menées par les communautés baha'ies à travers le monde visent les objectifs humanitaires, sociaux et économiques inscrits dans la Charte de l'ONU. Elles consistent notamment, à encourager la participation publique aux initiatives de développement durable, à promouvoir la condition féminine, à valoriser l'éducation des enfants, à lutter contre l'abus de drogues, à combattre le racisme et à promouvoir l'éducation aux droits de l'homme. Plus de 1600 projets sont ainsi en cours dans le monde, dont environ 300 écoles qui sont gérées par des baha'is, qui leurs appartiennent  et au moins 400 établissements de soutien scolaire dans les villages.

En ce qui concerne le bureau de la Communauté internationale baha'ie auprès des Nations Unies, il coopère avec les organismes de l'ONU en sa qualité d'ONG, par le partage de ses expériences et par sa participation régulière à leurs sessions, notamment celles de la Commission des droits de l'homme, de la Commission pour la condition féminine, la Commission sur le développement social et de la Commission pour le développement durable. Comme en témoigne son rapport quadriennal le plus récent à l'ECOSOC, la Communauté internationale baha'ie a participé à approximativement 150 réunions parrainées par les Nations Unies, entre janvier 1994 et décembre 1997, offrant ainsi plus de 80 déclarations sur un large éventail de thèmes.

En collaboration avec un certain nombre de ses affiliés nationaux, le bureau de la Communauté internationale baha'ie auprès de l'ONU a pleinement participé à la récente série de conférences mondiales de l'ONU sur les questions pressantes de la planète ainsi qu'aux activités parallèles des ONG. Les baha'is ont ainsi pris part au Sommet mondial pour les enfants de 1990, au Sommet mondial sur l'environnement et le développement à Rio de Janeiro en 1992 (Sommet de la terre), à la Conférence mondiale des droits de l'homme à Vienne en 1993, à la Conférence relative aux petits États insulaires à la Barbade en 1994, à la Conférence mondiale sur la population et le développement au Caire en 1994, au Sommet mondial sur le développement social en 1995 à Copenhague, à la Conférence mondiale sur la femme à Beijing en 1995, à la Conférence mondiale sur les établissements humains à Istanbul en 1996 (Habitat II) et enfin à la Conférence sur l'alimentation dans le monde à Rome en 1996. Les forums d'ONG qui se sont tenus en parallèle, ont également attiré une participation baha'ie enthousiaste et nombreuse de tous les coins de la planète.

Dans ses rapports avec les Nations Unies, la Communauté internationale baha'ie s'efforce de promouvoir des principes qu'elle estime essentiels à l'instauration d'une paix durable:

  • L'unité de l'humanité: la reconnaissance de cette unité constitue le fondement de la paix, de la justice et de l'ordre dans le monde. Elle implique la nécessité d'un changement organique dans la structure de la société.
  • L'égalité de l'homme et de la femme: l'émancipation de la femme est une condition sine qua non de la paix. En réalité, ce n'est que lorsque les femmes seront acceptées en tant que partenaires à part entière des hommes dans tous les domaines d'action que le climat psychologique et moral nécessaire à l'émergence d'une paix internationale sera créé.
  • Un modèle universel pour les droits de l'homme: Droits et responsabilités sont indissociables. Si l'on veut établir la paix, le progrès social et la prospérité économique, les droits de l'homme doivent être reconnus et protégés au niveau local, national, et international. En outre, il est nécessaire d'apprendre aux individus à reconnaître et à respecter tant leurs propres droits que ceux d'autrui.
  • Justice et coopération économique: la perspective de la prospérité au sens le plus complet du terme, autrement dit la prise de conscience par tous les habitants de la planète des possibilités de bien-être spirituel et matériel qui leur sont offertes, contribuera à galvaniser la volonté collective de renverser ces obstacles à la paix que constituent entre autres, les disparités démesurées entre riches et pauvres.
  • L'éducation universelle: l'ignorance étant la cause principale de la décadence des peuples et la perpétuation des préjugés, aucune nation ne saurait réussir sans assurer l'éducation de tous ses citoyens, hommes et femmes. L'éducation devrait promouvoir l'unité essentielle entre la science et la religion.
  • La nécessité d'une langue auxiliaire universelle: plus le monde devient interdépendant, plus la nécessité d'une langue et d'une écriture auxiliaires uniques et universellement acceptées se fait sentir. Il convient d'en adopter une et de l'enseigner dans les écoles du monde entier, parallèlement à la langue nationale. Cette langue auxiliaire universelle devrait améliorer la communication entre nations, réduire les coûts administratifs, et favoriser l'unité entre les peuples et les nations.

 

BIC Document #00-0606F

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