"…we have decided to set up the World Centre Endowment Fund, for the preservation, upkeep, and security of the edifices and precincts of the Spiritual and Administrative Centres of the Faith — activities that currently form so large a part of the responsibilities of the Bahá'í International Fund. This decision follows the example of Shoghi Effendi, who during his ministry dedicated the income from lands in the environs of the Jordan Valley for the upkeep of the Holy Shrines." • The Universal House of Justice, 2001 Nov 12, International Endowment Fund

The International Archives Building was reopened for visits by pilgrims after a three-year programme for its restoration and improvement. The exterior stonework was repaired. The foundations of the building have been waterproofed, and the entire structure made earthquake resistant through incorporation within it of a reinforced concrete and steel frame, not visible to visitors, extending from the foundations to the roof level.

Interior improvements included installation of an attractive granite floor at the main level; use of high-quality display cabinets similar to the original cabinets, designed to ensure preservation of the objects on display far into the future; development of basement facilities for receiving pilgrims; provision of means for persons with a physical disability to have access to the building; and installation of complete environmental, safety, and security systems.

Progress was made with the restoration of the edifice of the Shrine of the Báb. A comprehensive programme for the structural reinforcement of the original building and the superstructure for earthquake resistance was nearing completion. Restoration and repair work to the exterior stonework and the ornamental metal balustrades was ongoing. Work was advancing on the preparation for use by pilgrims and other visitors of the three rooms on the southern side of the Shrine, and arrangements were being made for restoration of the dome and replacement of its golden tiles to recover the original lustre. Installation of a new electrical and environmental control system was in progress.

In the Akka work was continuing in both the Riḍván Garden and the newly acquired land surrounding the resting-place of Bahá'u'lláh, the Qiblih of the Bahá'í world. [15 December 2009]

The Resolution formally acknowledged the changing nature of warfare, in which civilians are increasingly targeted, and women continue to be excluded from participation in peace processes. It specifically addressed how women and girls are disproportionally impacted by violent conflict and war and recognized the critical role that women can and were playing in peacebuilding efforts. UNSCR 1325 affirmed that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.

1) Peace, security and disarmament;

2) Eradication of poverty, including debt cancellation and social development;

3) Human rights;

4) Sustainable development and environment;

5) Facing the challenges of globalization: achieving equity, justice and diversity; and,

6) Strengthening and democratizing the United Nations and international organizations.

The Bahá'í International Community as an NGO representing a cross-section of humankind acted as a unifying agent in major discussions. Our principal representative at the United Nations, Techeste Ahderrom, was appointed to cochair a committee of non-governmental organizations. Lawrence Arturo and Diane 'Alá'í represented the Bahá'í International Community. [BW00-01p87-89, Letter from the Universal House of Justice dated 24 September 2000]

The release of the film Arising to Serve.

This film is a unique historical and inspirational record of those precious moments when the participants gathered to share what they had learned in their community-building activities, to plan for the work ahead and to celebrate their achievements, arising to serve their fellow citizens of the world.

• Available online at Bahá'í Library.

• Available online at Bahá'í Library.

See Bahá'í Teachings Org for an essay called A Spiritual Wayfarer's Guide.

See Bahá'í Teachings for more contributions by Joseph Roy Sheppherd.

Part I: Selected Messages of the Universal House of Justice. (26 December 1995 to Ridván 2006)

Part II: Global Plans: Fundamental Concepts

Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops
Two Essential Movements
Learning in Action
Learning to Be Systematic
Learning to Maintain Focus
Learning to Develop Human Resources for Expansion and Consolidation
Learning to Open Aspects of Bahá’í Community Life to Others
Learning to Reach Receptive Populations
Learning to Exercise Disciplined Initiative and to Participate in Collective Action
Learning to Administer Growth
Learning to Plan and to Mobilize

Training Institutes, a document prepared for and approved by the Universal House of Justice, April 1998
Training Institutes and Systematic Growth, a document prepared by the International Teaching Centre, February 2000
Building Momentum: A Coherent Approach to Growth, a document prepared by the International Teaching Centre, April 2003
Impact of Growth on Administration Processes, a document prepared by the International Teaching Centre, July 2005

Lights Of The Spirit is a groundbreaking work that uncovers a piece of history that until now has gone unwritten-the role played by Black people in the emergence of the Bahá'í Faith in North America. Drawing on a wide range of sources including personal essays, letters, and journals, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some extraordinary individuals who devoted themselves to a common cause and made outstanding contributions toward building a unified society.

This book presents a look at the history of early Iranian Bahá'ís who recognized the promised Messiah and the resulting effects on their lives—including severe hardships and stunning achievements. The gradual emergence of a Bahá'í identity among believers of Jewish background is explained. It shows the organic growth of faith and identity—a process that all new adherents to the Faith undergo.

He became a Bahá’í in 1946 and soon after was appointed to the National Youth Committee in Germany. In 1948, he married Gerda Hafimann and they had six children together. He was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and served as a member of that body from 1957 to 1959, when he left Germany to live and teach the Bahá’í Faith in Afiica during the Ten Year Crusade. The family settled in Southwest Africa (later Namibia) in the capital of Windhoek and remained there until 1967 before moving to Leuderitz and later Tsumeb. Mr. Aiff had a variety of jobs in Namibia, working as a commercial salesman, manager of general stores, school administrator, and manager of arts and crafts centres. For seven years he and his wife had served as caretakers of the German national center, and they performed the same duty at the national center in Windhoek during their residence in that city. Mr. Aiff served on the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Afnca in 1973—74 and was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Namibia upon its formation in 1981. He was a member of that National Spiritual Assembly from 1981 until 1984 and in 1985. In 1986 he was appointed to the Auxiliary Board, serving that institution until 1996. In its message after his death, the Universal House Of Justice wrote that his persistent activities in Africa would “serve as shining examples of devotion for generations to come.” [BW29 p267]

She learned of the Faith from Richard St Barbe Baker, Hasan Balyuzi and Dorothy Ferraby and became a believer after two years.

She first pioneered to St Ives, UK in 1945, along with Kathleen Brown and Jessica Young she was the first to pioneer in the British Isles in the Six Year Plan.

She served on the Spiritual Assembly of London and in 1948 moved to Dublin where she was a member of the first Local spiritual assembly and served as the secretary to George Townshend. Ursula served as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles from 1945 until 1951. In 1949 she moved to Belfast where she met Mihdi Samandari whom she married in 1951.

In 1953 she and Dr. Mihdi Samandari moved to Nairobi, Kenya, and about a year later in November of 1953, they re-located to Mogadishu, Somalia where they stayed until 1971. [KoB49-50; BWNS 230]

Ursula served on the Regional Spiritual Assembly of North East Africa from 1961 until 1970. At the request of the Universal House of Justice, they had pioneered to Cameroon where she was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly in 1972. She served from 1972 until 1986 with a short interruption of service. Mihdi served on the Continental Board of Copunsellors in the 1970s. [BWNS230, BW'03-'04pg237; UK Bahá'í Journal Vol 20 No 3 Sep/Oct 2003]

Dr Kelly, an Oxford-educated microbiologist, had spent the majority of his career as a consultant to the MoD and other government departments and agencies, advising them on his area of expertise - arms control. He had been scientific adviser to the Proliferation and Arms Control secretariat for more than three years and, following the first Gulf War, he had worked as a weapons inspector in Iraq between 1991 and 1998. He became the senior adviser on biological warfare for the UN in Iraq in 1994, holding the post until 1999.

Dr Kelly apparently committed suicide after being named as the source of a BBC report suggesting that intelligence on Iraq's weapons was "transformed" on the orders of Downing Street shortly before its publication. Such was the conclusion of a controversial inquiry conducted by Lord Hutton. [The Hutton Report] [BBC News 27 January 2004; BBC News 2 September 2003; BBC News 30 October 2003; BBC News 13 May 2004]

Holding a musical concert outdoors was not like doing it with the natural acoustics of a hall. To counter wind noise, wind socks had to be fitted on all the microphones on all of the instruments of the orchestra and then reverberation and other effects added on a mixing console. [BWNS118; BWNS120]

"The Centre for the Study of the Texts . . . will be the seat of an institution of Bahá'í scholars, the efflorescence of the present Research Department of the World Centre, which will assist the Universal House of Justice in consulting the Sacred Writings, and will prepare translations of and commentaries on the authoritative texts of the Faith." [AWH p52]

"The building was completed and occupied in 1999. It now houses the Research Department, and is the temporary home of the International Bahá'í Library and other offices." [Visiting Bahá'í Holy Places p. 35; BW99-00p38-39]

• The text of Mr. Ahderom's speech can be found on the BIC's website and at BW00-01p243-247.
• Millennium Declaration (in all UN working languages)
• The Millennium Development Goals are to: (1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; (2) achieve universal primary education; (3) promote gender equality and empower women; (4) reduce child mortality; (5) improve maternal health; (6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; (7) ensure environmental sustainability; and (8) develop a global partnership for development.
• UN website.

"The Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated 20 October 2008, announced the convocation of a series of 41 regional conferences over a four-month period. The letter – which marked the midway point of a five-year effort to expand activities at the grassroots level – indicated that the purpose of the conferences is to celebrate achievements during the first half of the Five Year Plan and to deliberate on the next phase." [Bahá'í Community News]

Dr. Mohajer was born in Tehran, Iran, where he received his elementary school education. He then went with his family to India where he received a degree in homoeopathic medicine in 1984. After several years work in his medical clinic, Dr. Mohajer completed a master's degree in psychology.
In 1966, his interest in the field of education led him to establish a Baha'i-inspired institution, the Foundation for the Advancement of Science.
He was appointed as an Auxiliary Board member in 1986, serving until he was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia in 1991. He was called to serve as a member of the International Teaching Centre in 1998 and was reappointed in 2003.

Mr. Lample, an author and educator, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., USA. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and a Master of Science from the National University in San Diego, Calif. In the early 1990s he served on the National Teaching Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
In 1994 he moved to the Baha'i World Centre to serve as coordinator of the Office of Social and Economic Development. He was appointed to the International Teaching Centre in 2003.

The other members of the Universal House of Justice are Dr. Farzam Arbab, Kiser Barnes, Hooper Dunbar, Hartmut Grossmann, Dr. Firaydoun Javaheri, Dr. Peter Khan, and Glenford Mitchell. [BWNS358; Bahá'í Canada Vol 17 No 11 April 2005 p4]

In 1990 there were only 70 Bahá'í in Hungary. At the time of the opening of the new national centre there were more than 1,200 spread among some 65 localities. More than two-thirds of the membership are members of the Roma people. [BWNS187]

In a letter to an individual dated 23 February 2000 the Universal House of Justice described these three laws as "a matter of conscience" in that they are not enforceable as are the laws of marriage. They also point out that, unlike most laws, "genuine ignorance of a law is acceptable as an excuse for not adhering to it'.

Egyptian security services have exploited the decree to orchestrate six major crackdowns on the Bahá'í community , in 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972,1985 and 2001. The authorities arrested a total of 236 Egyptian Bahá'ís in these crackdowns, on grounds that they had violated the decree or on charges of "contempt of religion" On the few occasions on which arrests were followed by prosecutions, none of the defendants were ever found guilty of violating Law 263/1960 or any other law." from "IV. Egypt's Baha'is and the Policy of Erasure" in Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom by Human Rights Watch.

See also: Bahá'í Centres of Learning in Australia.