The Prosperity of Humankind

Christopher Masembe (cmasem@unf6.cis.unf.edu)
Thu, Apr 20 1995 15:41:17 GMT

On the first day of the World Summit for Social Development in
Copenhagen, the following statement from the Baha'i International
Community was read at the Plenary Session.

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BAHA'I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Office of the Environment
866United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York NY 10017 USA
Telephone: 212-756-3S00 Fax: 212-756-3573,' 3566 '


THE PROSPERITY OF HUMANKIND

Mr Chairperson, distinguished delegates and representatives, the Baha'i
International Community welcomes the opportunity to address the Plenary of
the World Summit for Social Development on the topic of the Prosperity of
Humankind.

The task of creating a global development strategy that will promote the
spiritual and material well-being of all the planet's inhabitants
constitutes a challenge to reshape fundamentally the institutions of
society. In the crafting and implementation of such a strategy, the
following concepts are of critical importance.

- Development policy and programs must be based on an unconditioned
recognition of the oneness of humankind, a commitment to justice as the
organizing principle of society, and a determination to exploit to the
utmost the possibilities that a systematic dialogue between the scientific
and religious genius of the race can bring to the building of human
capacity.

- The development process must involve the generality of humankind,
members of governing institutions at all levels, persons serving in
agencies of international coordination, scientists and social thinkers, all
those endowed with artistic talents or with access to the media, and
leaders of non-governmental organizations.

- The establishment of full equality between women and men, in all
departments of life and at every level of society, must be a primary aim.

- While acknowledging the wide differences of individual capacity, a major
goal must be to make it possible for all of the earth's inhabitants to
approach on an equal basis the processes of science and technology.

- At the heart of development must be a consultative process in which the
individual participants strive to transcend their respective points of
view, in order to function as members of a body with its own interests and
goals.

- Spiritual issues facing humanity must be central. For the vast majority
of the world's population, the idea that human nature has a spiritual
dimension -- indeed that its fundamental identity is spiritual -- is a
truth requiring no demonstration.

- A new "work ethic," based on a spirit of service to humanity, will be
essential. To that end, training that can make it possible for the earth's
inhabitants to participate in the production of wealth must be illumined by
the spiritual insight that service to humankind is the purpose of both
individual life and social organization.

- New economic models will be required, shaped by insights that arise from
a sympathetic understanding of shared experience, from viewing human beings
in relation to others, and from a recognition of the centrality to social
well-being of the role of the family and the community.-

The principle of the oneness of humanity must be wholeheartedly embraced by
those in whose hands the responsibility for decision-making rests, and its
related tenets -including the concept of world citizenship -- must be
propagated through both educational systems and the media.

- As the integration of humanity gains momentum, those who are selected to
take collective decisions on behalf of society, will increasingly have to
see all their efforts in a global perspective. Not only at the national,
but also at the local level, the elected governors of human affairs should,
in Baha'u'llah's view, consider themselves responsible for the welfare of
all of humankind.

- It will be necessary to create laws and institutions that are universal
in both character and authority. Ultimately, the restructuring or
transformation of the United Nations system will lead to the establishment
of a world federation of nations with its own legislative, judicial and
executive bodies.

Mr Chairperson, distinguished delegates and representatives, these themes
and others relevant to a global development strategy are elaborated in the
concept paper entitled, The Prosperity of Humankind. You may have already
received this document from one of the more than 200 BahaAEis attending
these twin historic events, or you may have seen it on the document tables
throughout Bella Centre and the NGO Forum '95. We strongly urge you to
obtain a copy and to give the ideas it contains serious consideration.

Over a century ago, Baha'u'llah issued to the peoples of the world an
appeal which is of particular significance to all of us gathered here today
at the World Summit for Social Development and the NGO Forum: "Be anxiously
concerned," He urged, "with the needs of the age ye live in, and center
your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." "Be united in
counsel, be one in thought."

Thank you.