"lighten and uplift
them, so that they may soar on the wings of the Divine verses"
-Baha'u'llah
News
Inspiring
youth to assist humanity
HLUBOKA,
Czech Republic, 25 February 2004 (BWNS)--
A six-day gathering to inspire Baha'i youth to
make their contribution to the welfare of
humanity attracted participants from more than
30 countries.
The
world's suffering was a "call to
action," a keynote speaker told
participants at the "Changing Times"
seminar, which was held at the Townshend
International School here from 26 December 2003
to 1 January 2004.
"Today
we are witnessing the disintegration of
international order," said Robert
Henderson, the secretary-general of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United
States.
Youth in unity...some of the participants at
the seminar.
"Sovereign
states are unable to stop the spread of terrorism and
war, to stabilize the world economy or to alleviate the
sufferings of millions," said Dr. Henderson,
drawing on analysis by Shoghi Effendi and messages from
the Universal House of Justice.
Baha'i
youth, he said, should strive to become examples of the
transforming power of Baha'u'llah.
They should
"elevate the atmosphere" in which they live,
face challenges with confidence and become the
embodiment of excellence in their personal lives,
academic training, professions, and spiritual qualities.
The
atmosphere of the seminar was characterized by the joy
and camaraderie of the some 220 participants. In
addition to the many European Baha'is, attendees came
from places as far away as Canada, the United States,
Australia, and New Zealand.
The
program also featured a talk by Hamid Peseschkian,
a psychiatrist who spoke on marriage preparation,
and Lesley Taherzadeh, who addressed aspects of
Baha'i history.
Ms.
Taherzadeh spoke about the heroes and heroines of
the Faith -- and she offered a moving tribute to
her late husband, Adib Taherzadeh, a renowned
Baha'i author who served on the Universal House of
Justice.
Ardawan
Lalui, the project director of the Townshend
School, spoke about applying Baha'i principles to
the workplace.
Topics
by other speakers included the importance of
ethics in business and the equality of men and
women.
Discussing the finer points...keynote speaker
Robert Henderson (center) with some seminar
participants.
Workshops
aimed at inspiring the youth to incorporate Baha'i
principles into their lives included a focus on two
current themes in Baha'i activities worldwide -- the
arts in Baha'i community life (led by Inder Manocha),
and the importance of devotional meetings (led by
Katrina Modabber).
Both of
those workshop topics were illustrated in the program
itself. Among the artistic performances were those by
international prize-winning violinists Martha and Vahid
Khadem-Missagh, who performed with their father, Bijan,
at the official opening of the Terraces of the Shrine of
the Bab in Haifa in May 2001.
Making a point...a workshop in action.
Stand-up
comedian Inder Manocha, who performed at the
"Best of the Edinburgh Festival
Showcase" and has appeared on BBC programs,
provided an evening of comedy.
A
devotional meeting, in which music and the arts
provided an uplifting atmosphere, was one of the
highlights of the seminar.
The
seminar was dedicated to two much beloved Baha'is
who passed away in 2003 -- the Hand of the Cause
of God Ali-Akbar Furutan, and former member of the
Universal House of Justice David Hofman.
The Changing Times seminar, organized by European
Baha'i youth, was first held in 2002 and is
scheduled to become an annual event.
