Stirrings of Baha'i social and economic development efforts in Australia

Engaging in social and economic development

Baha’i efforts in Australia in the field of social and economic development comprise a spectrum of activities, and to a large extent, reflect the degree to which the process of community building set in motion by the Baha’i community has taken root in various localities.

The vast majority of efforts are simple grassroots endeavours of limited duration, such as community clean-ups, visits to the sick, and neighbourhood campaigns to raise awareness of important issues. Some efforts evolve into projects of a more sustained nature, such as community gardens, parenting courses and tutorial assistance. In a couple of instances, projects have developed further and taken the form of non-profit, nongovernmental organizations.

These efforts seek to promote the social and material well-being of people of all walks of life, whatever their beliefs or background. They represent the efforts of individuals, groups, and Baha’i governing councils to apply spiritual principles the achievement of material and social progress.

Central to the hundreds of efforts undertaken in Australia each year, is a process of learning through an ongoing process of study, consultation, action, and reflection on action at the grassroots, among a growing number of like-minded people who share a vision of collective transformation and recognize the contribution they can make to the betterment of society.