New Approaches to Old Problems

According to the most recent count, Bahá'í communities operate more than 1,300 local development projects around the world. These efforts range from simple literacy centers to reforestation efforts, from health clinics to environmental research centers. The largest share of these projects is in the developing world.

What sets the Bahá'í approach apart is its integration of the distinctive spiritual, social and administrative principles outlined a century ago by Bahá'u'lláh. In each separate sphere covered by these principles--whether in terms of spiritual understanding, social ideals, or administrative procedure--the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh offer fresh approaches and insights.
 

The Bread and Peace theater troupe, which is sponsored by the Bahá'í radio station in Puna, Peru, uses traditional costumes and characters to present information on health and hygiene. The troupe is shown performing El Returno del Robachicos (The Return of the Báby-snatchers), a play designed to educate mothers about simple infant health care measures.       At the Bahá'í Vocational Institute for Rural Women in Indore, India, young women from rennote villages learn not only sewing and other marketable skills, but also how to read and write.

When taken as an integrated whole, the impact is multiplied: Bahá'ís believe that the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh provide a set of comprehensive tools for the type of collective social action necessary for humanity to survive and prosper in this new age. The spiritual teachings of Bahá'u'lláh emphasize self-reliance and self-sufficiency, and they promote a holistic and world-embracing approach in understanding social problems and their underlying causes. Perhaps more important, Bahá'u'lláh's teachings connect with the deepest elements of human nature elements which are inherently spiritual--and in doing so tap into the motivational powers of the human spirit. The social teachings of Bahá'u'lláh provide a standard for progressive action and moral conduct that is not only consistent with the highest ideals of modern society, but conforms to its innermost aspirations. They are the embodiment of justice, and have direct and practical applications in efforts to solve social problems. For example, efforts to alleviate poverty cannot be divorced from activities that promote full equality for women. The vast majority of the world's poor are women and children. In many developing countries, especially in Africa, women farmers grow much of the food. Bahá'ís believe that efforts to ensure food security in these regions depend largely on improvements to the status of women. Issues of development and environment are equally dependent on finding solutions to problems of racism, under-education, and religious strife. The administrative order created by Bahá'u'lláh, likewise, represents a new approach to social action. The structure of the worldwide network of local, national and international Bahá'í governing councils suggests a new model for decentralized administration. This is especially true for local Spiritual Assemblies, which can be seen as grassroots level decision-making agencies capable of understanding and acting on development choices. Further, the procedures of consultation, as practiced by Bahá'ís, can be applied in a wide variety of other settings to stimulate cooperation and social development.