AGENDA 21: AN OVERVIEW
Bah�'� Information Office
Summary of the plain language version of the Earth Summit's Agenda 21 Plan. (12 pages)
AGENDA 21 AND THE BAH�'� COMMUNITY
Arthur Dahl (United Nations Environment Programme)
Summarises the visions and limitations of Agenda 21 (2 pages)
WHAT IS AGENDA 21?
Bah�'� Information Office
A brief and simple outline of the Agenda 21 process, suitable for friends, colleagues and organisations. (2 pages)
YOUR PART IN AGENDA 21 - HOW AND WHY
Bah�'� Information Office
A simple guide to participating in the process being facilitated by local authorities and a brief description of how this relates to the principles of Bahá'u'll�h and the goals of the Three Year Plan. (6 pages)
GLOBAL VISION - LOCAL ACTION
Christine Herbert for BIO
A handout prepared for widening visions on some elements of Agenda 21 and sustainable development, for mixed educational classes. Comprises quotations from the Bah�'� Writings, Brundtland Commission and Agenda 21 on issues such as the links between the environment and the human heart, society and the individual, unanimity, peace, world embracing vision, etc. Useful for stimulating thoughts and discussions on some of the issues of Agenda 21 for newcomers to the process or for friends preparing their own talks and classes. (6 pages)
WORLD CITIZENSHIP: A GLOBAL ETHIC FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Bah�'� International Community.
Addresses the motivation and commitment essential for implementing Agenda 21, by putting forward 'world citizenship' as a concept that can be included in educational, media and public relations programmes. (10 page document)
RESPONSE TO MANCHESTER LOCAL AGENDA 21
Manchester Bah�'� Agenda 21 group and BIO.
An initial consultative document presented by the Bah�'�s of Manchester to the City Council's Agenda 21 group, responding to specific questions they had asked. An example of some responses that Bah�'� communities at a similar stage in the process could consider while formulating their own local plans. Includes suggestions that can be supported from the national level and through local networking. (6 pages)
QUESTIONS ON CONSULTATION
John Wade for B.I.O.
Replies to certain Manchester City Council questions on how they could engage people on the ground without preaching, and make the consultative process participative across all boundaries. Includes quotations from the Bah�'� Writings and suggestions to include. A useful document for communities answering these questions for themselves or responding to local Agenda 21 officers and groups. (3 pages)
ETHICS AND AGENDA 21: A Bah�'� perspective on the implementation of Agenda 21.
Peter Adriance, Bah�'� Office of External Affairs, United States.
Describes the link between global transformation and spiritual principles including the oneness of humankind, abandonment of prejudice of every kind, and universal education. Portrays Indore Institute for Rural Women, which won the Global 500 Award in 1992, as an example in action. (2 pages)
THE AGENDA 21 RAP
written by Des Kay of the Green Roadshow
A modern version of a traditional sung poem - a must for every summer school, conference and children's class.
MAJOR ELEMENTS OF AGENDA 21
Philip Hainsworth for Stance Department, NSA of the Bah�'�s of the UK.
Looks at the background to Agenda 21 and the importance of missing elements such as the oneness of humankind, establishing a universal framework and the spiritual dimensions, as well as addressing important issues such as consultation not confrontation and deep ecology. Also stresses the importance of non governmental organisations and local authorities in the process.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - A BAH�'� PERSPECTIVE
Michael Richards, natural resources economist, Overseas Development Institute.
A wide ranging discussion paper on environmental and economic aspects of Agenda 21, including some concepts from the Prosperity of Humankind statement. Stresses the interdependence of the problems and their solutions, and the need to apply spiritual principles to vision and action. (5 pages)
BAH�'� INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Trifold leaflets and submissions to the Earth (Rio) Summit process
EARTH CHARTER
Stresses the need for a globally accepted vision for the future based on unity and willing co-operation, and briefly describes some important elements; unity in diversity, equality and consultation for consensus building; the connections between humankind and the world of nature; environment and consumption problems as symptoms of a sickness of the human spirit; the role of religions in addressing spiritual elements; the need for a federal system.
WOMEN AND MEN: PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHY PLANET
Links society's search for balance, peace and harmony, reflected in the earth as a single organic, interdependent and unified system, with the role of women in peace, policy making and implementation in a new model of co-operation.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT
The oneness of humanity and qualities of the human spirit essential to a sustainable future - love, compassion, forbearance, trustworthiness, courage, humility, co-operation and willingness to sacrifice for the common good.
INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
World federal system, representative world parliament and world tribunal as a logical and essential prescription for solving the dangers facing the planet. Makes it clear that long term solutions will require a new and comprehensive vision of a global society supported by new values.
VALUES, INSTITUTIONS AND LEADERSHIP FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Eloy Anello from a symposium sponsored by the Bah�'� International Community
Includes a list of capabilities for leadership which would revolutionise current leadership roles, and which are applicable to all consultative groups. (4 pages)
Statements and Papers
Relevant to Agenda 21 and Social Development
and "The Prosperity of Humankind"
available from the Bah�'� Information Office
AGENDA 21 AND THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, COPENHAGEN
Bah�'� Information Office Describes the interconnection of Agenda 21, the Social Summit and the Prosperity of Humankind, and the role of the Bah�'�s in promoting consultation on global prosperity. (A4 Sheet)
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS STRATEGY AND MEMORANDUM
Universal House of Justice, 10 October 1994
This document outlines to all National Assemblies the external affairs strategy for the global Bah�'� community, including the extended role of the Bah�'� International Community. Bah�'�s are called upon to lend spiritual impetus and moral leadership to the impetus towards the Lesser Peace, to engage like-minded non-Bah�'�s in our activities and to influence the processes towards World Peace. Their efforts should be co-ordinated around the themes of human rights, the status of women, global prosperity, and moral development as well as responding to important opportunities as they evolve. (4 pages)
THE WORLD SOCIAL SUMMIT
Bah�'� International Community
Extracts from the key documents which aimed at improving social integration, providing full productive employment, and eradicating poverty. Other themes include the equality and equity of women and men in partnership, grass roots participation in decision making, overcoming prejudice, and human rights and responsibilities. (7 pages)
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS INITIATIVES
Bah�'� International Community and BIO
Suggestions and reflections on applying spiritual principles to social development and addressing the opportunities of increasing dialogue on the sustainable future of humankind. (4 pages)
REPORT ON BAH�'� PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Extracts from the Bah�'� International Community report on the unifying and highly visible presence of the Bah�'�s, the presentation of "Prosperity of Humankind", Bah�'� sponsored workshops and cultural events. (See also Youth at The World Summit) (3 pages)
THE WORLD SOCIAL SUMMIT: A PERSONAL VIEW
Les Gornall, UK Bah�'� delegate.
Conveys the excitement and importance of the Summit, and includes the story of Bah�'� involvement in the journey of the gavel from the leaders to the people, one of the most reported events of the Summit. (4 pages)
UNITY AND CONSULTATION: FOUNDATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah�'�s of the United States.
Beginning from the startling changes that are profoundly altering the character of society, the National Spiritual Assembly promotes the need for unprecedented consultation, co-operation and creativity in providing organically interdependent solutions. The need for personal and collective development and growth, including the spiritual dimensions of human existence, the oneness of humanity, the concept of unity, the process and principles of consultation in decision making, and the Bah�'� administrative system as a model are all described here. (A3 leaflet)
SOME THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Useful quotations from "Canadian Choices for Transitions to Sustainability" including "The most difficult aspect so far has been getting people to feel excited, instead of threatened, by change."
CREATING VIOLENCE-FREE FAMILIES BIC/UNIFEM/UNICEF Statement
This summary report of a symposium held in New York in May 1994, puts domestic violence firmly into the structures and attitudes of society, and relates it to a model for addressing global problems. Family violence is a human development, human rights issue, of which the social and economic costs are incalculable. It must be addressed by the world community, be a subject of international attention and legislation, be a subject of further research, receiving more services, with NGOs, the media and educational systems having a role in addressing the problem at both grassroots and global levels. A subject addressed directly in Agenda 21. (A3 leaflet)
BAH�'� INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS TO THE SOCIAL SUMMIT PROCESS
(A4sheets unless otherwise stated)
A GLOBAL STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The importance of embracing the concept of the oneness of humanity, education and training programmes in a global strategy for an interdependent world. (A3 leaflet)
THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Religion as a primary force for social progress and the spiritual principles at the heart of religion which are foundations of progressive civilisation.
TOWARD A DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
The link between material and spiritual nature and the progress which need to be included in development planning.
THE ROLE OF EDUCATION, MEDIA AND THE ARTS IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Concepts which need to be included in educational programmes, including unity in diversity, appreciation for the richness of the world's cultural, religious and social systems, the ethic of service to humanity, and raising consciousness of these important principles through the media and the arts.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EXTREME POVERTY
The increasing disparity between rich and poor must be solved through the application of spiritual principles founded on the unshakeable conviction of the oneness of humankind.
THE ELIMINATION OF INTOLERANCE AND DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RELIGION OR BELIEF
Presents the Bah�'� view of the essential unity of the world's religions and addresses prejudice and the importance of education in eliminating intolerance.
THE INDIVISIBILITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
The foundation of human rights is the right of the individual to develop his or her capacity and to investigate reality. The right "to know and to worship God" is the basis of all the world's religions.
UNITY AND CONSULTATION: FOUNDATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah�'�s of the United States Beginning from the startling changes that are profoundly changing the character of society, the National Spiritual Assembly promotes the need for an unprecedented degree of consultation, co-operation and creativity in providing lasting solutions. Sets out the need for personal and collective development and growth, including the spiritual dimensions of human existence, the oneness of humanity, the concept of true unity, the
principles and process of consultation, in decision making, and the Bah�'� administrative system as a model. (A3 leaflet)
See also Women and Youth in Development, and papers relating to the "Prosperity of Humankind" and "Turning Point for All Nations"
Please send a large stamped, self addressed A4 envelope with your requests to
Bah�'� Information Office
27 Rutland Gate
London SW7 1PD.
Telephone 0170-584-2566, fax 0171-584-9402.
For more information or queries on the Agenda 21 - Sustainable Development Project, telephone 01874 625156.
E-Mail opi@bahai.org.uk
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Web Page originally by Graham Sorenson; used and reworked with permission.
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