Social and Sustainable Development
Social and Sustainable Development
Social and Sustainable Development
Overview
The Bahá’í International Community views the purpose of development as contributing to the foundation of a new social and international order in which all peoples can advance morally, culturally, and intellectually. This kind of development involves profound changes in our values and behaviors as well as the deliberate and systematic re-creation of social structures. Throughout its 60 years at the United Nations, our Office has participated in conferences, debates, and consultations regarding social and sustainable development – often focusing on the implementation of ethical and moral considerations in development initiatives and their assessment. Today, our Representatives bring the experience of over 180 national affiliates to bear on questions of sustainable development, racism and racial discrimination, indigenous issues, freedom of religion, the eradication of poverty, governance, collective security, and UN reform.
Recent Activities
- 5 February (New York) – Ming H. Chong, a member of the Bahá'í community of Singapore and the Bahá'í International Community’s delegate to the UN Commission for Social Development, delivered an oral intervention on the processes of collective deliberation or consultation, which serve as the basis for collective decision-making in Bahá'í communities around the world (view video/read full text ).
Selected statements and contributions to the discourse on social and sustainable development
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| Tahirih Naylor presents oral statement on Social Integration. (YouTube Video) |
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| Don Brown speaking at the Ethical Dimensions panel. YouTube Video |
- Rethinking Prosperity: Forging Alternatives to a Culture of Consumerism (2010)
Commission on Sustainable Development, 18th Session - Transforming Collective Deliberation: Valuing Unity and Justice (2010)
Commission for Social Development, 48th Session - Reclaiming Freedom of Conscience, Religion or Belief to Promote Social Integration (2009)
Commission for Social Development, 47th Session - Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the challenge of climate change (2008)
Initial Considerations of the Bahá'í International Community - Eradicating Poverty: Moving Forward as One (2008)
- Full Employment and Decent Work (2008)
Commission on Social Development, 46th Session - A New Framework for Global Prosperity (2006)
Commission on Social Development, 44th Session; Review of the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty - The Search for Values in an Age of Transition (2005)
Commission for Social Development, 48th Session - The Search for Values in an Age of Transition--A Study Guide (2005)
Companion study guide to assist readers in their understanding and examination of "The Search for Values in an age of Transition" statement from the Baha’i International Community - Response to the Secretary General's Report, 'In Larger Freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all' (2005)
Statement to United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service






