About us

 

Our Vision

All human beings “have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization,” according to the sacred scriptures of the Baha'i Faith.

The notion that every nation, community, and person has a part to play in building a peaceful and prosperous global society is central to the work of the Baha'i International Community’s offices.
 
Our efforts seek to reflect this vision and are informed by a number of related convictions:
  • That humanity is in the midst of an ongoing process of spiritual, moral, social, and scientific development.
  • That it stands today at the threshold of a new stage of global connection and interdependence.
  • That the hallmark of this stage will be growing awareness of the oneness of humankind—a principle that will come to infuse all facets of organized life.

 

Who We Are

The Baha'i International Community represents the worldwide Baha'i community, whose members come from every national, ethnic, religious, cultural, and socio-economic background, representing a cross-section of humanity.

Active in various global fora, the Baha’i International Community maintains United Nations offices in New York and Geneva, as well as regional offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, and Jakarta. The Baha’i International Community registered with the UN as an NGO in 1948 and currently has  consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and United Nations Department of Global Communication (DGC). The Baha’i International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners.
Viewing global advancement primarily through the lens of capacity building, we seek the empowerment of increasingly larger segments of humanity to work effectively toward the spiritual and material betterment of all. Toward this end, we offer insights from the Baha’i teachings and the experience of the worldwide Baha’i community in trying to put those insights into practice in support of efforts to address global challenges.

 

Our Approach

The work of our offices can be broadly described in terms of contributing to policy discourses at the international level. This involves collaborating with individuals, groups, and organizations in a variety of social spaces where thought, public opinion, and policy take form and evolve. Our aim is to contribute to the collective shaping of attitudes needed to advance global prosperity and justice.

Collaboration and collective inquiry are therefore vital to our efforts. Co-organizing events, drafting text together, and participating in committees are forms such partnership can take. Yet equally important to us is exploring questions and challenges with others.
How, for example, can broad segments of humanity more meaningfully contribute to the construction of flourishing societies? How will relationships between individuals, communities, and institutions need to be reimagined to more effectively contribute to social progress? How can global efforts be infused with a compelling vision of human prosperity that gives rise to a sense of common purpose?

By fostering such conversations, our offices hope to help generate knowledge and new perspectives on global challenges. But we also seek to contribute at the level of culture and process. Practicing collaborative decision-making; shaping efforts around a process of action, consultation, and reflection; functioning in a mode of learning; building unity while valuing diversity—these are some of the operating principles of our work.

 

Representatives to the United Nations
and Regional Organizations

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Cecilia Schirmeister

Representative
United Nations Office, New York

Cecilia Schirmeister is a Representative of the Baha'i International Community’s UN Office in New York. Her areas of work include youth, human development, and climate change. Cecilia’s background spans project management, public affairs, and communications work related to development at both the international and grassroots levels. Most recently, she managed the implementation of the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program - Procurement and Supply Management project in Asia and Africa. Prior to that, she spent several years analyzing data and learnings generated at the grassroot and institutional levels in countries across the world related to building the capacity to contribute to the well-being of society. Her past research studies supranational response capacity to cross-national challenges amidst the limitations of an us vs. them-bound system, and explores the normative potential of centering the well-being of humanity in migration policy. Cecilia holds a Bachelors in Political Science with a focus on international relations and a Bachelors in French and Francophone Studies.

Bani Dugal

Principal Representative
United Nations, New York
Bio info.

Bani Dugal

Principal Representative
United Nations, New York

Bani Dugal is the Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the UN. As part of the community of international NGOs at the UN since 1994, she is currently serving on the Steering Committee of the NGO Working Group on the Security Council. She has served as President of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, as co-facilitator of the NGO Working Group on UN Access, co-facilitator of the GEAR campaign (Gender Equality Architecture Reform), Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, and Chair of the Global Forum of the NGO Committee on UNICEF and member of the Steering Committee of the NGO Committee on UNICEF’s Working Group on Girls, Convenor of the NGO Committee on UNIFEM and Convenor of the Advocates for African Food Security.

Ms. Dugal holds a Masters degree (LL.M) in Environmental Law from Pace University School of Law, New York and a law degree (LL.B) from the University of Delhi, India. She has authored published articles, statements, and papers. Prior to relocating to the U.S. in 1988, she practiced law before the Supreme Court of India.

Among the many high-level events in which she was speaker or participated in another capacity, are: World Bank Faith Initiative (2015), UN Women Intergenerational Dialogue Day at the 59th CSW/Beijing+20 (2015), the World Economic Forum (2015, 2005), Ministerial Level panel on The Civil Society and the Education on Human Rights as a tool for promoting religious tolerance (2012), the International Inter-religious Conference on Faith in Human Rights in The Hague (2008), and the Conference commemorating the UN Declaration on Religious Tolerance and Non-Discrimination (2006), the Conference on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace – hosted by the Tripartite Forum comprised of 17 Member States, the World Bank, UNESCO, the UN DESA and the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations (2005).

Simin Fahandej

Representative
United Nations, Geneva
Bio. infos. 
 

Rachel Bayani

Representative
Brussels Office
Bio info.

Rachel Bayani

Representative
Brussels Office

Rachel Bayani is Representative of the Baha'i International Community’s Regional Office in Brussels, having joined the office in 2013. Since 2004, Ms. Bayani has worked as a justice and home affairs counselor for the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the European Union, dealing mainly with asylum and migration issues. Prior to that, she served in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and with the peacekeeping mission there. Ms. Bayani has also served with the EU’s police mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina and with the UN good offices mission in Cyprus, dealing with legal affairs. A citizen of Luxembourg, Ms. Bayani holds a law degree from the University of Sorbonne in Paris and a Master’s in international law from Cambridge University.


Solomon Belay

Representative
Addis Ababa Office
Bio info.

Solomon Belay

Representative
Addis Ababa

Solomon Belay Faris  is the Representative of the Baha’i International Community’s Regional Office in Addis Ababa, having joined the Office in 2016. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Solomon works in the areas of curriculum studies and teacher development, comparative education and international development, spirituality, indigenous knowledge and science education. He has been a long time professor of education in Jimma and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia where he is still teaching graduate courses on curriculum and philosophy of science education. He works with Center for International Reproductive Health Training of the University of Michigan to improve medical education in Ethiopia. Solomon has a PhD in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) of the University of Toronto."

Desytia Nawris

Representative
Jakarta Office
Bio info.

Desytia Nawris

Representative
Jakarta Office

Desytia Nawris is a Representative of the Bahá’í International Community’s Regional Office in Jakarta to inter-governmental associations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as various governmental agencies, civil society organizations and research institutes in the region. Based in Jakarta, she actively participates in various regional fora and spaces, seeking to collaborate with individuals and groups concerned with the well being of Southeast Asia, so that the Office may contribute more in responding to the need which is faced by the community. She hopes to contribute to regional spaces for consultation to discuss how to meet the challenges of the region. Ms. Desytia was representative of the National External Affairs Office of Baha’is in Indonesia from 2015 to 2017. Prior to that, she served for 8 years as a facilitator and coordinator of educational programs at the community level.

Hatem El-Hady

Representative
Cairo Office
Bio info. 

Hatem El-Hady

Representative
Cairo Office

Hatem El-Hady joined the Baha’i International Community in 2022 and serves as a Representative for the Arab region. He has been active on a range of issues in the country of his birth, Egypt, since 2011, and between 2011-2014 he served on an Egyptian Baha’i delegation that contributed to the drafting of a new national constitution. Baha’i principles, concepts and experiences were offered to wide-ranging public discourses, during this period, regarding Egypt’s future direction and the need to foster societal unity. Hatem, worked as consultant for the Aspen Institute and has leads its values-based leadership Fellowship Program for the Middle East between 2017-2023. Past positions include leadership roles at the UK’s University College of Estate Management and worldwide senior governance, strategic, operations roles for Microsoft in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Greater China.

Simin Fahandej

Representative
United Nations, Geneva

Simin Fahandej is a Representative of the Bahá’í International Community’s United Nations Office in Geneva, having joined the Office in 2011. Her work focuses primarily on human rights, peace and security and migration. Ms. Fahandej has served as a Baha'i International Community delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Sustainable Development and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. She has also been involved with the Major Group for Children and Youth, including as editor-in-chief for the 7th Annual Youth Assembly at the UN. Ms. Fahandej has conducted research consultancies for various organizations such as Amnesty International, Nobel Women Initiative and Centre for Defenders of Human Rights. Prior to joining the Bahá’í International Community, Ms. Fahandej worked as a journalist, at various news outlets, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Ms. Fahandej holds a combined Honors degree in Journalism and Political Science from the University of King’s College in Canada and a Master's degree in International Law from SOAS in the United Kingdom.

Daniel Perell

Representative
United Nations, New York
Bio. info.

Daniel Perell

Representative
United Nations, New York

Daniel Perell joined the Baha'i International Community’s United Nations Office as a Representative in 2011. His areas of work include social and sustainable development, climate change and the environment, global citizenship, human rights, and the role of religion in society. He is formerly a Global Organizing Partner of the NGO Major Group and Chair of the NGO Committee for Social Development. In 2010, Mr. Perell received a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and an MA in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and was admitted to the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Perell has worked with the International Service for Human Rights in Geneva, the UN in Aceh, Indonesia and other organizations in the Marshall Islands and Chile.

Liliane Nkunzimana

Representative
United Nations Office, New York
Bio info.

Liliane Nkunzimana

Representative
United Nations Office, New York

Liliane Nkunzimana is a Representative of the Baha'i International Community’s UN Office in New York. Her areas of work include gender equality and peace. Liliane has a background researching and writing issues related to diversity and inclusion. Most recently, she served as Secretary of the NGO Committee on Social Development. Liliane has also served as a community organizer engaging youth and their families in educational programs designed to build their capacity to contribute to the well-being of their societies. She has worked on government-funded development projects as well as public affairs in the private sector. Liliane holds a Masters in Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor of Social Science specializing in African Studies with a minor in Political Science.

Saba Haddad

Representative
United Nations Office, Genva
Bio info. 

Saba Haddad

Representative
United Nations Office, Geneva
Bio info.

Saba Haddad

Representative
United Nations Office, Geneva

Saba Haddad is a Representative of the Bahá’í International Community’s United Nations Office in Geneva. Her work focuses primarily on human rights. Dr. Haddad has for almost two decades coordinated educational projects aimed at the empowerment of youth and migrants in different parts of the world, including in Iraq, India, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. She also led the Youth Interfaith dialog pre-summit in 2014 and worked as a trainer at the Barli Institute for the Development of Rural Women in India to build capacity in youth to become agents of transformation in their villages in areas such as hygiene, energy, recycling and education. Dr Haddad holds a Bachelor in Biotechnology from the Al-Mustansiriyah University in Baghdad, a Masters in Biotechnology from the Justus Liebig University Giessen, and a PhD with distinction in Natural Sciences from the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. She has worked as a researcher since 2005 in various institutes including, the Department of Biochemistry at the National University of Ireland, the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Justus-Liebig University of Gießen, and at the Medizinische Hochschule in Hannover. Most recently she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sheffield Medical School, UK. Dr. Haddad has published her medical research in the Oxford Academic European Heart Journal.

Cecilia Schirmeister

Representative
United Nations Office, New York
Bio info. 

 

History

From the earliest days of the Baha’i Faith in the mid-1800s, Baha’is have contributed to processes of global governance. With the founding of the League of Nations, Baha'is began to establish more formal relations with international organizations.Over the past 70 years, Baha’is have supported and contributed to UN efforts in the areas of social and sustainable development, gender equality, human rights, and UN reform, among others. The Baha’i International Community is also coming to play a more active part in discussions at the regional level and, to this end, has established offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, and Jakarta.

“The human race, as a distinct, organic unit, has passed through evolutionary stages analogous to the stages of infancy and childhood in the lives of its individual members, and is now in the culminating period of its turbulent adolescence approaching its long-awaited coming of age.”

—The Promise of World Peace

Timeline

2012

  • Special Report on The Baha'is of Semnan

    Special Report on The Baha'is of Semnan

    New York—29 Oct 2012—This report highlights the effect on one community of the Iranian...
  • Members of the Baha'i International Community’s delegation to Rio+20

    Re-dedication of "Peace Monument"

    Rio de Janeiro—19 Jun 2012—Over 100 people gathered to mark the re-dedication of the “Peace Monument,” which contains soil brought from nearly 150 countries and is a symbolic...

2011

  • Baha'i Faith Presentation to UN

    4 Nov 2011—The Baha'i International Community was invited to give a presentation on the Baha'i Faith as part of the UN Department of Public Information Faith Series. This is the first...
  • Inciting Hatred Report

    21 Oct 2011—Launch of Inciting Hatred: Iran's media...

2010

  • Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR)

    New York—2 Jul 2010—On 2 July 2010, the UN General Assembly voted unanimously to create UN Women, a  new entity merging the four UN offices focusing on gender equality: the UN...
  • Education and training of girls and women explored during the commission on the status of women

    New York—7 Mar 2010—The theme of this year's Commission was access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of...
  • Panel: Social Development and Freedom of Religion and Belief

    5 Feb 2010—The Baha'i International Community hosted a panel discussion on February 5th. The event was cosponsored by the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and the NGO...
  • Civil Society Forum, Copenhagen +15: Achieving a Society for All

    Copenhagen, Denmark—3 Feb 2010—The Forum is an annual one-day event to facilitate NGOs input to the Commission. Ms. Naylor moderated the first session, which included presentations...

2009

  • Bangkok Regional Climate Change Conference

    29 Oct 2009—The Bahá'í International Community received an invitation from the Global Gender & Climate Alliance to send a delegate (from the South) to the U.N. Climate Change Seminar...
  • Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen

    30 Mar 2009—Ms. Tahirih Naylor led a 21-member delegation to this landmark Climate Change Conference where world leaders endeavoured to articulate a binding climate change framework to...
  • Seven-Year Plan for Generational Change

    London, England—18 Feb 2009—A new initiative of the UN Development Programme and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation launched at Windsor Castle afforded the Baha'i...

2008

  • Chairs the NGO Committee for Social Development

    1 Apr 2008—Ms Tahirih Naylor served as Chair of the NGO Committee for Social Development in New York.
  • CSD virtual dialogue

    1 Mar 2008—Launches a virtual dialogue for first time and organizes the highest attended learning center during the CSD.
  • Elected President of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion, Conscience and Belief

    1 Jan 2008—Baha'i International Community Representative, Diane Ala'i, was elected that year to serve as President of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion, Conscience and Belief in...

2007

  • Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change

    1 Sep 2007—During the Commission on Sustainable Development, the Bahá'í International Community organized a side event entitled "The Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change," which featured...
  • Chairs the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion, Conscience and Belief and co-chairs the Working Group on Girls

    1 Mar 2007—Once again, the BIC served as chair of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion, Conscience and Belief. The BIC was recognized for its leadership on the Working Group in the...
  • Opens office in Brussels

    Brussels—1 Jan 2007—Opens office in Brussels

2006

  • Beyond Legal Reforms: Culture and Capacity in the Eradication of Violence Against Women and Girls

    1 Apr 2006—The Baha'i International Community released a statement titled "...
  • Chaired the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion, Conscience and Belief and was the Vice-President of the NGO Committee Against Racism and Racial Discrimination

    Geneva—1 Mar 2006—In Geneva, the BIC was chair of the NGO - Committee on Freedom of Religion, Conscience and Belief, as well as served as the Vice-President of the NGO Committee...

2005

  • 60th anniversary of the UN

    1 Oct 2005—The Search for Values in the Age of Transition was written on the occasion of the...
  • Chairs the NGO Committee on the Status of Women

    New York—1 Aug 2005—As Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Ms Dugal facilitated and organized the participation of over 2,700 civil society representatives from nearly...
  • Participate in Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum

    Davos, Switzerland—1 Apr 2005—Ms. Bani Dugal, Principal Representative to the U.N., was invited to participate in this high-level forum as a representative of the Bahá'í Community in...
  • Conference on Gender Mainstreaming and the Millennium Development Goals

    1 Mar 2005—Baha'i International Community Representative addresses the Conference on Gender Mainstreaming and the Millennium Development Goals, co-sponsored by the Pakistani Prime...

2004

  • UN Conference on Interfaith Cooperation and Peace

    1 Mar 2004—UN Conference on Interfaith Cooperation and Peace

2003

  • Co-sponsor regional conference in india on education.

    1 Dec 2003—BIC co-sponsors regional conference in India on Education: The Right of Every Girl and Boy, with UNICEF, UNESCO, and major international non-governmental organizations....
  • Chair of NGO Committee on the Status of Women

    1 Mar 2003—Ms Bani Dugal, the Principal Representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations, was elected by acclamation to chair the NGO Committee on the Status of...
  • World Summit on the Information Society

    Geneva—19 Jan 2003—Held in Geneva, the World Summit on the Information Society gave the Baha'i International Community an opportunity to assemble a delegation of Internet and...

2002

  • World Summit on Sustainable Development

    19 Mar 2002—Representatives of the worldwide Baha'i community were active in virtually all venues of the Johannesburg Summit, from the inter-governmental sessions at Sandton Center to...

2001

  • Baha'i International Community staff photo

    14 Feb 2001—New York staff of the Baha'i International Community United Nations Office, taken 14 February 2001.
  • Sustainable Development: the Spiritual Dimension

    1 Feb 2001—The Bahá'í­ International Community submitted a statement to the First Session of the Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on Sustainable Development titled: ...
  • World conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in durban

    Durban, South Africa—27 Jan 2001—The BIC was one of nearly two thousand NGOs present at the NGO Forum of the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,...
  • Submits HIV/AIDS statement to UN General Assembly

    1 Jan 2001—During the special session of the General Assembly on the HIV./AIDS pandemic held in June, the Baha'i International Community circulated a written statement entitled...

2000

  • Co-hosts a program regarding the promotion of rights of AIDS orphans

    New York—1 Dec 2000—At the request of the African Action on AIDS, the Baha'i International Community co-hosted a program in its offices in New York entitled Celebrating Human Rights...
  • Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders

    19 Mar 2000—The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders took place in August in New York. Baha'i International Community (BIC) representative Mr. Techeste Ahderom...
  • NGO Millennium Forum

    1 Jan 2000—Baha'i International Community Representative, Techeste Ahderom, (seen in center with red tie) served as co-chair of the NGO Millennium Forum was immersed throughout 1999-2000...

1999

  • Chaired five NGO committees and task forces

    1 Dec 1999—The Baha'i International Community chaired five NGO committees and task forces both in New York and in Geneva. These included: the NGO Committees on Human Rights, on UNIFEM, and...
  • Valuing Spirituality in Development

    1 Jun 1999—During the World Faiths Development Dialogue continuation in Johannesburg, the Baha'i International Community presented a statement...

1998

  • 42nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

    1 Mar 1998—During the 42nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March, the Baha'i International Community presented its statement...
  • 30 national Baha'i offices and committees established to promote advancement of women

    1 Feb 1998—The Baha'i International Community assisted with the establishment of over 30 national Baha'i offices and committees to promote the advancement of women.
  • World Faiths and Development Dialogue

    1 Jan 1998—The Baha'i International Community contributed to World Faiths and Development Dialogue event which brought together spiritual leaders from nine major religions and traditional...

1997

  • UN Decade for Human Rights Education

    Geneva—1 Jan 1997—The Baha'i International Community presented its statement United Nations...

1996

  • Launch of official website

    1 Aug 1996—The Baha'i International Community launched its first web site in 1996. The site contained exclusively Baha'i International Community statements. Before the World Wide Web,...
  • Representative attended world food summit in Rome

    Rome—1 Jul 1996—The Office of the Environment represented the BIC (as it did for Habitat II) at the World Food Summit in 1996 as well as the parallel NGO Forum. The Summit was an...
  • Habitat II

    3 Jun 1996—The Baha'i International Community participated in the World Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul, Turkey; the Turkish Bahá'í community sponsored a campaign...

1995

  • 51st session of the un human rights commission

    1 Dec 1995—Submitted in January, Promoting Religious Tolerance addressed an individuals basic human...
  • 50th anniversary of UN

    1 Jun 1995—Turning Point for All Nations was published for the UN 50th anniversary...
  • UN International Conference on Women in Beijing

    1 Mar 1995—Over 500 Bahá'ís (including 50 youth) representing more than 50 countries participate in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China; BIC serves on the Global NGO...
  • World Summit for Social Development

    1 Jan 1995—The Baha'i International Community participated in the World Summit for Social Development and released the statement...

1994

  • World Forestry Charter Gathering

    1 Dec 1994—The World Forestry Charter Gatherings were revived in 1989 by the Baha'i International Community to commemorate St. Barbe Bakers' birth and to honor fellow Baha'is commitments...
  • UN international Conference on Population and Development

    1 Mar 1994—UN international Conference on Population and Development

1993

  • UN World Conference on Human Rights

    1 Jun 1993—The Baha'i International Community was actively involved in a number of different conferences and preparatory meetings for the event, including a meeting on the Role of NGOs in...

1992

  • Staff photo

    1 Apr 1992—Staff photo
  • Earth Summit

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—1 Mar 1992—
    The community's role was significant in several ways:
    • In the preparatory meetings to UNCED, there was...

1991

  • Joined the Internet

    1 May 1991—Early 1991 was the start of the Baha'i International Community's inclusion on the Internet. The BIC was teh second commercial account on the first ISP operating in New York City...
  • Pacific region office established.

    Suva, Fiji—1 Apr 1991—A BIC office for the Pacific Region established in Suva, Fiji
  • World Women's Congress for a Healthy Planet

    1 Mar 1991—At this event, the Baha'i International Community made available the statement...
  • Chair NGO Committee on the Status of Women

    1 Jan 1991—Chair NGO Committee on the Status of Women

1990

  • Education for All

    1 Jan 1990—The Baha'i International Community published and distributed a Survey of Baha'i Education Programmes and contributed four papers to the round-table discussions; and the BIC...

1989

  • Granted Special Consultative Status UN Development Fund for Women

    1 Mar 1989—Granted Special Consultative Status UN Development Fund for Women

1988

  • Fourth regional south pacific committee conference of pacific women.

    Suva, Fiji—1 Mar 1988—The BIC was represented at participates at the Fourth Regional South Pacific Committee Conference of Pacific Women held in Suva, Fiji.
  • Advocates African Food Security

    1 Feb 1988—The Baha'i International Community began serving as convenor of Advocates for African Food Security: Lessening the Burden of Women. The advocates strove to raise awareness of...
  • Elected secretary of CONGO

    Congo—1 Jan 1988—Elected secretary of the board of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO) in consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

1987

  • International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

    17 Jun 1987—The statement on drug abuse put together pertinent Baha'i Writings...
  • Peace Messenger

    1 Jun 1987—The Baha'i International Community and five of its affiliates (i.e., National Spiritual Assemblies of Brazil, Australia, Belgium, Lesotho and Kenya) were designated by the UN...

1986

  • Establishes working relations with World Health Organization

    1 Mar 1986—The Baha'i International Community become an active member of the NGO Primary Health Care Group, attended WHO and World Health Assembly annual sessions and participated actively...

1985

  • The Promise of World Peace cover

    Peace Statement

    1 Jun 1985—In preparation for the International Year of Peace (1986), the governing body of the Baha'i Faith releases a statement,  "...
  • World conference on the Decade for Women

    Nairobi, Kenya—1 Apr 1985—A 10-member Baha'i International Community delegation attended the World Conference on the Decade for Women held in Nairobi, Kenya. They presented a report...

1984

  • Special representative appointed by the Commission on Human Rights to study and report on situation in Iran

    1 Dec 1984—Special representative appointed by the Commission on Human Rights to study and report on situation in Iran.
  • Refugee desk established

    1 Sep 1984— The Baha'i International Community established a Refugee Desk to coordinate relations with the Office of the High Commissioner and to assist Iranian Baha'i refugees seeking...
  • 32 Baha'is condemned to death in Iran

    1 May 1984—Thirty-two Baha'is were condemned to death in Iran due to their religious belief. The Baha'i International Community sought the assistance of the UN Special Rapporteur on...
  • HRC appoints a Special Rapporteur

    1 Jan 1984—The Human Rights Commission adopted a resolution 1984/54, in which it expressed its deep concern for the Baha'i minority in Iran and appointed a Special Rapporteur to assess the...

1983

  • Concerns for the rights of indigenous peoples expressed

    1 Jan 1983—Concerns for the rights of indigenous peoples expressed

1982

  • Biennial sessions of the committee on crime prevention and control

    1 Mar 1982—At the session of the Committee, the BIC representative made a statement on Summary or Arbitrary Executions, providing documentation from the recent Baha'i experience in Iran...

1981

  • First appeal to the commission on human rights to address the situation of the baha'i community in iran

    1 Dec 1981—BIC makes its first appeal to the Commission on Human Rights to address the situation of the Baha'i community in Iran and releases a publication, The Baha'i's in Iran A Report...
  • Chair the NGO Committee on UNICEF

    1 Mar 1981—Mr. Victor de Araujo served as Chairman of the NGO Committee on UNICEF.
  • Geneva branch office established

    Geneva, Switzerland—1 Jan 1981—Establishment of the Baha'i International Community (BIC) office in Geneva, Switzerland.

1980

  • Begins an ongoing appeal to end Persecution of Baha'i's in Iran

    1 Dec 1980—On that year, there are records of at least 5 Baha'i's killed, 1 arrested and 1 dismissed from the army based on their religious beliefs in Iran.
  • Endorses convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women

    1 Sep 1980—Endorses convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women
  • Second World Conference on Women

    1 Jun 1980—Representatives of the Baha'i International Community participate in the Second World Conference of Women in Copenhagen, Denmark and its preparatory conferences in Paris, New...

1979

  • Science and Technology for Development

    New York—12 Jun 1979—"The Human Factor in Science and Technology for Development", New York, 12 June 1979.  From left to right: Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard, Alternative...

1978

  • Participate in the world conference to combat racism and racial discrimination

    1 Mar 1978—BIC sends delegation of African, European, and Asian backgrounds to participate in the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.

1977

  • Staff photo

    New York—1 Dec 1977—New York staff of the Baha'i International Community UN Office, taken in 1977.
  • Global cooperation and the environment presented to the ngo session

    1 Mar 1977—This paper stated that more human beings should come to realize and think deeply about the fact that man is deeply organic with the world and that his inner life and his...

1976

  • CSW in Geneva

    Geneva—1 Sep 1976—Commission on the Status of Women, Geneva, September, 1976
  • International Baha'i conference in Paris

    Paris, France—1 Jun 1976— Message from UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim to the International Baha'i Conference in Paris: Non-governmental organizations such as yours, by dealing...
  • UNICEF Consultative Status

    8 Mar 1976—UNICEF Consultative Status

1975

  • International Women's Year

    1 Mar 1975—The Baha'i International Community conducted a survey on the status of women in Baha'i communities worldwide. The results of the survey, based on replies from 81 national...

1974

  • Appoints representative in Nairobi

    1 Dec 1974—Appoints representative in Nairobi
  • UNEP affiliation

    18 Apr 1974—UNEP affiliation

1973

  • Divine law: source of human rights

    18 Mar 1973— On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Baha'i International Community prepared and distributed a brochure entitled...

1972

  • Co-sponsors a statement to the Commission on the Status of Women supporting

    1 Mar 1972— BIC co-sponsors a statement to the Commission on the Status of Women supporting the proclamation of 1975 as "International Womens Year".

1971

  • International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination

    18 Aug 1971—The Baha'i International Community was represented at the seminars for member-states in observance of the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial...
  • Representation to the UN in Geneva

    Geneva—18 Apr 1971—The BIC appoints a representative to the UN in Geneva.

1970

  • ECOSOC Consultative Status granted

    27 May 1970—The Baha'i International Community obtained Consultative Status, Category II, with the Economic and Social Council on May 27th.
  • Elected to Executive Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations

    18 Mar 1970—Baha'i International Community Representative, Victor de Araujo, was elected to the Executive Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations. The photo above was...

1965

  • New York Office Established

    18 Mar 1965—New York Office Established

1963

  • King of Morocco exonerates Baha'is

    18 Mar 1963—King of Morocco exonerates 14 Moroccan Baha'is after 20 months in prison.

1962

  • Morocco sentences Baha'is to death

    18 Mar 1962—Death sentences were imposed on three Baha'i's, five were sentenced to life imprisonment and one to fifteen year sentence. The Baha'i International Community sought the...

1959

  • Genocide Convention

    10 Apr 1959—Ambassador Ratnakirti Gunewardene receives the representatives of the Baha'i International Community on the occasion of presenting the Baha'i endorsement of the Genocide...

1957

  • UN Secretary-General U Thant informed on the situation of the Baha'is in Morocco

    18 Mar 1957—A telegram was sent to the Secretary General, urging him to explore the recent Moroccan Government's court case against the 14 Baha'is in that country....

1956

  • UN Social Commission refers case of the persecution of Baha'is in Iran to the sub-committee on Prevention and Protection of Minorities

    18 Mar 1956—Dr. Jose Vicente Trujillo, delegate from Ecuador and Chair of the Social Commission opened the Session stating: ...In regard to prevention of discrimination against religious...

1955

  • Proposals for charter revision

    18 Nov 1955—In anticipation of the UN Charter Revision Conference, the Baha'i International Community submitted a ...
  • UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold meets with Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs

    18 Apr 1955—After a sudden and violent storm of persecutions against the Baha'i's in Iran broke loose, the Baha'i International Community delegates presented their case and the Secretary-...

1951

  • Regional Conference of the UN -Instanbul

    9 Apr 1951—Regional Conference of the UN Non-Governmental Organizations, Yildiz Palace, Istanbul, April 9-13, 1951.

1949

  • Lake Success

    18 Mar 1949—Lake Success

1948

  • First participation in an international UN conference

    Geneva—18 Jun 1948— First participation in an international UN conference. The conference took place in Geneva.
  • Establishment of Baha'i International Community

    18 Apr 1948—Nine National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i's of the world were recognized collectively as an International NGO under the title Baha'i International Community for the...

1947

  • The UN Palestine Committee seeks input of Baha'i's on future of mandated territory.

    18 Oct 1947—On July Shoghi Effendi (Head of the Baha'is at the time) received a letter from the Committee requesting a statement on the relationship the Baha'i Faith has with Palestine and...
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights

    18 Jun 1947—Contribute to preparatory work of the Human Rights Commission for Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • Baha'is of US and Canada recognized

    18 May 1947—UN Office of Public Information recognizes United States and Canadian Baha'i communities as a national NGO with observer status.

1945

  • Baha'i representatives present at the founding of the UN

    24 Oct 1945—Baha'i representatives present at the founding of the UN

1933

  • League of Nations Plan for the House of Baha'u'llah

    18 Mar 1933—After five years of deliberations and intervention from the League of Nations, the Iraqi government decided to protect the house as part of an urban improvement plan. The...

1930

  • International Baha'i Bureau registered as an International Working Unit

    18 Mar 1930—The International Baha'i Bureau was registered as an International Working Unit by the League of Nations.

1929

  • International Baha'i Bureau

    18 Mar 1929—International Baha'i Bureau was recognized by the League of Nations

1928

  • House of Baha'u'llah seized

    18 Mar 1928—This is the house Baha'u'llah occupied while being exiled from Iran between 1852 and 1863 and which Baha'is now consider a Holy Site. On September 11th 1928, the NSA of the...