1. 2026. Dialogues on Development: Rethinking Development for a Just and Sustainable Future. Arash Fazli, ed, Amitabh Kundu, ed. Explores development through justice, sustainability, and ethical values, integrating diverse perspectives on inequality, governance, livelihoods, ecology, technology, and knowledge. [Link to offsite document.] Books.
2. 2023-2026. BWNS Podcasts: Conversations and Insights from the Field. Bahá'í World News Service. Links to 46 interviews highlighting how Bahá’í individuals and communities worldwide apply spiritual principles to education, governance, equality, and social transformation, fostering unity and the betterment of society. Video and audio available. Audio.
3. 2023-01. Discerning a Framework for the Treatment of Animals in the Bahá'í Writings: Ethics, Ontology, and Discourse. Michael Sabet. Bahá'í exegesis can discern a framework governing the treatment of animals and our relationship to the natural world; examination of the author’s own relationship with animals; ethics of kindness and justice flow from underlying ontological principles. Articles.
4. 2022-09-13. Towards a Sustainable Food System. Bahá'í International Community. Short selection on sustainable, non-exploitative food systems that provide for the global population. BIC.
5. 2021-05-07. Paying Special Regard to Agriculture: Collective Action-Research in Africa. Sanem Kavrul. On Bahá’í-inspired agricultural social action initiatives in Africa. Includes photo gallery of development and agricultural projects. Articles.
6. 2021-02. Reflections of Our Values: Digital Technologies and a Just Transition. Bahá'í International Community. A statement to the 59th session of the Commission for Social Development on technological innovation, consultation on technological adoption, and working inclusively between communities and governments. BIC.
7. 2020/2023. Social Action. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Concepts of social and economic development in the Bahá'í teachings; material vs spiritual dimensions of existence; community issues; specific themes of education, agriculture, economics, health, arts, and technology. Compilations.
8. 2020-2026. Nuggets, The. Badi Shams. A newsletter written from a Bahá’í perspective consisting of inspiring stories, news, and history from the culture and wisdom of Canada's First Nations and all religions, contributing to making the world a better and united place. Essays.
9. 2020-04-10. Writings of the Báb, The: Notes from Talks given by Dr. Nader Saiedi. Nader Saiedi, Anonymous, comp. . Structured summarized notes from Dr. Saiedi’s 2019 talks on the Báb’s Writings, delivered at the Swedish and Norwegian Bahá'í summer school 2019, highlighting key theological concepts and themes. Includes some provisional translations quoted in the talks. Talks.
10. 2020. De l'action sociale. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Concepts de développement dans les enseignements baha'is, dimensions matérielles et dimensions spirituelles de l'existence, problèmes communautaires, thèmes spécifiques de l'éducation, de l'agriculture, de l'économie, de la santé, des arts et technologie. Compilations.
11. 2019-05. Begin with the Village: The Bahá'í Approach to Rural Development. Paul Hanley. About the focus on rural areas, the role of farmers and villages in achieving sustainable development, establishing community institutions, social action and public discourse. Articles.
12. 2019. Writings of the Báb: Lecture Series at the Norwegian Summer School. Nader Saiedi. On topics including the concept of God; Manifestations of God; Day of Resurrection, heaven and hell; the Imamate, the Hidden Imam; divine justice and free will; reason, independence; human rights, equality, women. Links to audio files, offsite. Audio.
13. 2018/2023. Economics and the Bahá'í Faith. Hooshmand Badee. On a vision of a just global economy rooted in unity, equity, justice and the oneness of humanity. Economic systems must serve the broader aim of human and societal advancement. Economics and spirituality are not enemies but partners. Books.
14. 2015/2025. Principles of Spiritual Economics: A Compilation from the Bahá'í Writings. Hooshmand Badee, comp. A book-length compilation, in 38 chapters, from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice on the relationship between economics and 33 sub-topics. Compilations-personal.
15. 2014. Text and Context in the Bahá'í Heroic Age. Nader Saiedi. A series of 12 talks by Nader Saiedi exploring Bahá'í history, key writings, and the need for scholarly study, translation, and contextual analysis of Bahá'í texts. Audio.
16. 2011-04-05. Bahá'í Settlements in the Jordan Valley, 1882-1954, The. Shay Rozen. Audio.
17. 2010-04. 'Adasiyyah: A Study in Agriculture and Rural Development. Iraj Poostchi. On the labor of farmers and sharecroppers in a Jordanian village, on land purchased by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; features of Bahá'í development in rural areas, prayer and consultation in community decision-making, conflict resolution, and self-sufficiency. Articles.
18. 2005. `Abdu'l-Baha in Abu-Sinan: September 1914. Ahang Rabbani. The story of Abdu'l-Bahá's relocating the Haifa/Akka Bahá'í community of some 140 people to a nearby Druze village to keep them safe during World War I. Articles.
19. 2005. The Spirit of Agriculture, ed. Paul Hanley: Review. Arthur Lyon Dahl. Reviews.
20. 2003/2008/2018/2023. For the Betterment of the World: The Worldwide Bahá'í Community's Approach to Social and Economic Development. Office of Social and Economic Development. Essays, photographs, and overviews of local projects around the world, illustrating how Bahá'í principles are being carried out in practice, prepared by the Office of Social and Economic Development of the Bahá'í International Community. Introductory.
21. 2003. Exposition of the Tablet of the World (Lawh-i-Dunyá), An. James B. Thomas. To fully appreciate the historical significance of the Tablet of the World, this essay first portrays the developing conditions in Persia and in the world that preceded this Tablet, then discusses its salient points. Articles.
22. 2003. Bahá'í: Religion and Diet. Paul Fieldhouse. Short overview of fasting, feast, and diet. Encyclopedia.
23. 2001. Food and Farming: Warwick Leaflets. Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. Essays.
24. 2000. Economics, Agriculture, and Related Subjects. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
25. 1998. Bahá'í Village Granary, The: Spiritual Underpinnings and Applications to North America. Peter Calkins, Benoit Girard. A village granary helps lay the systemic foundations of Bahá’u’lláh’s spiritualized new world economic order for both rural and urban society, the capstone of God’s progressive revelation of rural institutions for the sustainable use of natural resources. Articles.
26. 1998. Management of Small Rural Businesses: Some Views of the European Bahá'í Business Forum. Michel P. Zahrai. The challenge and benefits of restoring pride in rural non-farm businesses. Essays.
27. 1997. Bahá'u'lláh and Liberation Theology. Juan Cole. The idea of liberation and equality is central to Bahá'í theology; the poor in the 19th century Middle East; Bahá'u'lláh and the poor; Tablet to the Kings on wealth and peace; laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Huququ'lláh; state social welfare. Articles.
28. 1996-06. Sustainable Communities in an Integrating World. Bahá'í International Community. Concept paper prepared for the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) held in Istanbul, Turkey. BIC.
29. 1996. Taxation, Drought and the Golden Rule. Neil Podger. Agriculture is basic to human survival; the Bahá'í teachings provide a broad-based way of bringing stability and a planned continuity to the farming enterprise and the communities to which farmers belong. Essays.
30. 1996. Proselytizing, Development, and the Covenant. Universal House of Justice. Teaching vs. proselytization; applying Bahá'í social teachings without becoming ensnared in prevailing cultural mores; and the uniqueness of the Bahá'í covenant. UHJ-letters.
31. 1995. Agriculture and Rural Life. Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice. Compilations.
32. 1993/2000/2013. True Foundation of All Economics, The. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Hooshmand Badee, comp. . Book-length compilation ordered by chapters covering 26 themes on the economy, welfare, development, women's employment, work ethics, morality, agriculture, extremes of wealth and poverty, profit-sharing, health and alcohol, consultation. Compilations-personal.
33. 1991. Conservation of the Earth's Resources. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice. Compilation prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. Compilations.
34. 1990. Agriculture: A Fundamental Principle. Paul Hanley. The Bahá'í emphasis on agricultural development as a “fundamental principle” conductive to human advancement; the need to redesign food and agricultural systems, locally and internationally; wider social implications. Articles.
35. 1974. Extract from Brochure "One World, One People - A Bahá'í View". Bahá'í International Community. Short selection from a brochure presented by the Baha’i International Community to delegates attending the United Nations World Population Conference and World Food Conference in 1974. Excerpts.
36. 1968. Persia. Richard N. Frye. Excerpt from a book on the history of Iran. Includes mention of Bahá'í schools in the early twentieth century. Excerpts.
37. Bahá'í Teachings on Economics. John Ferraby . Overview of Bahá'í-inspired themes on creating a world economy, economic justice, efficient ways to industrialize society, and fair division of capital and labour. Articles.

1. 1880-00-00 — In an interview with Dr Mina Yazdani, a professor of history at Eastern Kentucky University, she spoke about the long history of service to Iran that has been rendered by the Bahá'í community specifically in the fields of health, agriculture and education. She described how Bahá’í schools first emerged in the small village of Mahfuruzak in Mazandaran, where a local religious leader who had embraced the Bahá’í Faith, along with his wife, established schools for both boys and girls. Despite facing opposition that ultimately led to his imprisonment and execution, this initiative sparked a transformative movement in education across Iran.
   For the story of Mullá ‘Alí Ján and his wife ‘Alavíyyih Khánum and their work in the village of Máhfurúzak of Mazandaran province see Bahá'í Chronicles and Alavíyyih Khánum and Mullá 'Alí by Mehraeen Mottahedin-Mavaddat and Moojan Momen.

   Their school was a precursor for the Tabbiyat School system that started in Tehran in 1898 and operated until 1934. These schools were distinctive for their approach, integrating moral and academic education while emphasizing the principle of equality between women and men. Dr. Yazdani noted various examples of how these schools were progressive in their approaches: “Physical punishment in schools… was ordinary at that time, …but Bahá’í schools did not do that. And then, co-ed schools were almost non-existent. For some time, wherever possible, they were co-ed schools.”

   ‘Abdul-Bahá was directly involved in the promotion of agricultural activity in Iran. The efforts drew inspiration from the Bahá’í teachings, which emphasize the role of the farmer as “the first active agent in human society.” He encouraged the Bahá’ís of Iran to begin cultivating tea, so that the country would not need to rely so heavily on imported tea. “He very clearly wanted the Bahá’ís of Iran to do their best for the betterment of the country in every aspect,” she noted.

   Noteworthy also are the innovative efforts of the Bahá’ís related to public health matters and hygiene initiatives. These endeavours not only attended to the immediate material needs of individuals, but introduced ideas that were novel at that time, such as installing showers in traditional Iranian bath houses. Previously, these places had been sources of infection and disease, because the water would not be changed frequently. In contrast to other bath houses, the new, clean bath houses founded by Bahá’ís were open to everyone, irrespective of denomination—an initiative that benefitted all members of society. Other examples of the provision of health services were the Sehat Hospital and the Misaghieh Hospital, both established in Tehran.

   The principle of the equality of women and men has challenged prevailing social norms. She gave an example of the capability of women in both private and public spheres. “From very early on, Bahá’ís have applied the principle of the equality of rights for men and women to their private, social, and administrative lives. The rights that women have, for example, in marriage, are all based on the equality of women and men.”

   Another contribution of the Bahá’í community was to introduce the practice of consultation and collective decision-making. In spite of the difficulties for the Bahá'ís in modern day Iran due to the relentless persecution, they continue to serve the needs of their society with constructive resilience, a term often used by the Universal House of Justice to describe stalwart spirit of the Bahá'ís of Iran in the face of the unjust situation. [BWNS1756]

2. 1990-00-26 —
   The Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan (Senate) of Taiwan co-sponsored with the National Spiritual Assembly a Bahá'í educational programme on environmental protection. [BINS218:5]
   • This was the first formal joint effort between the Bahá'ís of Taiwan and the government authorities.
3. 2024-00-00 — The publication of Adasiyyih: The Story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Model Farming Community by Paul Hanley. Published by Bahá'í Publishing in Evanston, IL.

   This book follows the story of the ‘Adasíyyih community, a farming village established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in what is now Jordan. Bahá'ís from Iran settled there and transformed a degraded parcel of land into the site of a thriving farm and prosperous community whose residents embodied the Bahá'í teachings. It was this farming village— along with several others in the region of the Galilee— that produced a surplus of crops, which enabled ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to keep famine at bay for so many people during World War I, a feat that would earn Him a knighthood from the British Empire. In time, ‘Adasíyyih would become a model village for Jordanians, and Jordan’s royalty would become frequent guests. Author Paul Hanley’ s extensive research, along with his deep interest in agricultural systems, provides a fascinating glimpse at this remarkable history and the lessons that can be applied to current agroecological efforts.

   See also interview on Bahá'í Blog.

1. 1983-11-21 —
   A brief entitled The Future of Canada: A Bahá'í Perspective was presented to The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects of Canada on behalf of the Canadian Bahá'í Community through the National Spiritual Assembly in Saskatoon. [The Future of Canada: A Bahá'í Perspective]
   • Photographs in this publication were contributed by Elizabeth Martin. [HNWE44]

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