The biggest gathering of members of the Baha’i Faith in Australia since the religion was established here in 1920 will be held at the Sydney Convention Centre – Darling Harbour on 24 and 25 January 2009.
The conference will bring together some 5000 Baha’is from throughout Australia and beyond.
Spokesperson for the Australian Baha’i Community, Natalie Mobini, said the conference is intended to celebrate the achievements of the community and to mobilise participants to respond to the needs of the times.
“As environmental and economic problems mount, increasing numbers of people are searching for solutions,” Dr Mobini said.
“We have an approach to community-building that has spiritual values at its core, and we would like to make it available to everyone,” she said.
Venues worldwide
““This historic conference is one of 41 being held around the world from November last year until March this year,” Dr Mobini said.
The weekend gatherings, convened by the international governing council of the Baha’i Faith, have so far been held in such cities as Uvira (Congo), Chicago (USA), London (United Kingdom), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
Spiritual values
“The demand for educational and devotional programs based on spiritual values is rising, both in Australia and around the world,” Dr Mobini said.
“Baha’is have been running devotional meetings and participatory spiritual education programs for children and adults in Australia for many years,” she said.
“In response to the needs of the times, we want to expand these programs and make them available to everyone. This conference will help us work out how to do it.”
Download a backgrounder on the conference
Further information about the conference series is available on the web site of the Baha’i World News Service