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The Townsend School was founded six years ago in the Southern Bohemian town of Hluboka by pioneers who moved to the Czech Republic after the Iron Curtain came down. Hluboka is two hours drive from the beautiful city of Prague and only minutes away from the main city in the region. From small beginnings the school has grown to a stage where over fifty boarders and almost forty day pupils (mostly local Czechs) attend. Students follow the basic Czech curriculum, but in English. They cover a wide range of subjects and do well in their final exams which are recognised entry qualifications to universities around the world including those in the UK, USA, Eire, Germany and Canada.
What makes the Townsend school different from other International Schools? Firstly, at 60%, it has a high number of Baha'i students. This ensures that students live in a Baha'i environment with a strong mandate to uphold the characteristics and standards of the Baha'i Faith. For example, students attend prayers in the dormitory every evening and the Faith permeates every aspect of school life; service projects in the local community are an integrated part of the curriculum. The education the students receive is a balanced one that includes physical, intellectual and spiritual education. The success of this approach is obvious when you speak to the students. Without exception, they give you a warm smile and seem happy - such a contrast to the sullen, sad faces of so many of today's teenagers. Much of the credit in this area must go to the teachers at the school and to the dormitory parents who manage to combine love for the students with the firmness and discipline required for the smooth running of the dormitory.
What of the future of the school? Construction of a new school is soon to start on a prime site overlooking Hluboka s castle. The finished school will be for 350 pupils, and will be used for summer schools and winter schools in the holidays. We can all become involved in this project which is a "first" for the whole of Europe by doing the following:
The school would welcome applicants from students and their parents for next year from the UK/Eire. Current fees for a boarder are 16500DM per year. The school has teaching vacancies from time to time for qualified, experienced teachers. The school welcomes UK/Eire applicants for YOS. Prospective investors are invited to buy shares in the new school. We can all pray for the success of the school.
More details from: Mr Reyhani, Townsend International School, P.O.Box 99, CZ - 37341 Hluboka, Czech Republic.
The 1999 Orientation Programme which will take place in Macau, includes three Institute sessions in English and one in Chinese. It is necessary to attend the entire Institute session. For maximum benefit of the programme, friends need to schedule travel so that they will arrive one day before the beginning of the session they plan to attend and leave on the day following the end of that session.
23rd - 27th February 1999 (English)
22nd - 26th June 1999 (Chinese)
17th - 21st August 1999 (English)
14th - 18th December 1999 (English)
Please contact Helen Agahi if you would like more information. Three weeks notice must be given prior to the beginning of each session, especially if assistance is required for accommodation or other special needs.
Friends MUST consult with Helen Agahi well in advance of going to China. Helen Agahi, 291 Kimberworth Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S61 1HF e-mail: H.Agahi@shu.ac.uk
The Congress celebrating the Centenary of the Faith in France and Europe welcomed more than 2000 participants from all continents to Paris 27th - 29th November. In addition to the formal programme, other events organised during or around the weekend attracted media attention. A press conference on the Centenary was held on 17th November with seventeen journalists in attendance, including representatives of Reuters, AFP, Radio France Internationale, and major national newspapers such as Le Monde.
Many stayed after the conference itself to talk with the Baha'is present and to schedule interviews for forthcoming articles and broadcasts.
On 28th November, around 150 prominent people (including ambassadors, politicians, religious and civil dignitaries, and NGO representatives) and journalists were invited to a VIP reception during which a short film custom-made by Turning Point Productions for the Centenary was shown.
Afterwards they attended an extremely successful, sold-out public concert, "The Night of Hope", centered on the theme of Unity in Diversity. The artists - who came from Russia, Spain, United States, France, China, Austria, Canada, and Italy - were of the highest calibre, and spectators remarked that it was one of the most beautiful events they had ever attended. During the concert, the proceeds of which were donated to the charity "Les Restos du Coeur", the first annual Award of Hope was given to the international humanitarian organisation ATD Quart Monde. During November, Le Monde and La Croix carried articles on the Centenary.
There were also articles in other print media, and five national radio stations broadcast segments devoted to the anniversary (one of which was broadcast three times during the weekend of the Congress). France 3 national television, which sent a reporter and crew to the opening evening of the Congress, produced a short segment on the Centenary and the Congress for the evening news of 28th November, which was then rebroadcast by the network's international cable satellite affiliate, TV5. Many other journalists are planning to cover the Centenary in the forthcoming months, and two in-depth reports (one for a national Christian newspaper, and one for television) are anticipated.
Taken from "European Public Information Bulletin", Issue 58, December 1998, published by the Office of Public Information of the Baha'i International Community - Paris
The European Baha'i Business Forum published its annual report in September, noting that membership had continued to grow to 269 members in 47 countries. Although this spans the planet, 54% of members reside in six countries: USA, UK, France, Netherlands Germany, Switzerland. There are now 184 members on e-mail.
The EBBF Sept newsletter featured the growing involvement with AIESEC - Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales, which has greatly increased since the recognition of joint goals at Habitat II. AIESEC is the world s largest student managed, non-profit, non-political association, with a network of 750 university campus users in 85 countries, has 50,000 members, and an estimated one million alumni, many of whom are in influential positions. Their members, students of management and economics, have a mission to contribute to the development of their countries with an over-riding commitment to international understanding and co-operation. The core process for developing their members is an exchange programme and traineeships (5,000 each year). AIESEC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The European Baha'i Business Forum has produced a brief article on the EBBF-AIESEC partnership for the AIESEC anniversary magazine, which has an expected circulation of 50,000. Another active year is planned and the EBBF is optimistic that this partnership can be successful.