What kinds of activities are Bahá’ís involved in for the benefit of others?

The life of a Bahá'í is dedicated to personal and social transformation. Bahá'u'lláh explained that transformation is the true purpose of religion, and He described the personal and social processes as essentially interactive and complementary. Consequently, Bahá'ís are committed to building the capacity of individuals and to learning, through community-based efforts, how better to effect change and improve society. The empowerment of individuals and the fostering of their initiative are thus basic elements of social and economic development processes in fields such as education, agriculture, and health improvement. These efforts are animated by Bahá’u’lláh’s call for the unity of humankind, the fundamental objectives of which include eliminating racial and other forms of prejudice, promulgating the equality of the sexes, adopting a universal standard of human rights, ensuring education for all, recognizing the harmony between religion and science, choosing an international auxiliary language, and establishing a world government. Bahá’ís join others in such endeavors, creating and cooperating with relevant nongovernmental organizations, including at the United Nations where the Bahá’í International Community is an active nongovernmental organization.

Links

• A New Framework for Social and Economic Development

  Bahá’í development projects are a global enterprise where Bahá'ís act locally to learn to translate Bahá'u'lláh’s teachings into action to resolve problems. More >

• Social and Economic Development

  "All human beings," Bahá'u'lláh states, have been "created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization." The creation of a peaceful global society that fosters both individual and collective well-being is at the heart of the Bahá'í vision of the future. More >

• Collaborative Study for Individual and Social Transformation

  At the heart of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh is the force of transformation, both of the individual and of society. The transformation of the individual is not an isolated process, not ascetic nor centered wholly on one’s self-fulfillment. More >

• Devotional Gatherings for Inspiration and Renewal

  Inspiration, rejuvenation, motivation, purpose, meaning—all are essential ingredients to one’s sense that his or her life is on track, is worth living. More >

• Moral and Spiritual Education for the Next Generation

  The Bahá’í writings attach great importance to the periods of childhood and youth, providing clear guidance to parents and communities to raise children in a nurturing and unambiguous environment. More >