Speakers at a Baha’i summer school in Western Australia emphasised the need to tackle the core problems of today’s society rather than focusing on the symptoms alone.
The speakers urged holistic solutions based on the principle of the oneness of humanity, a pivotal teaching of the Baha’i Faith.
More than 220 participants attended the school, held at historic Fairbridge Village south of Perth from 27-30 December 2007.
Among those present were people who are not Baha’is, reflecting the inclusive nature of Baha’i activities and teachings.
Many of their children attended the programs for children and junior youth, which integrated drama and music with the overall theme of the summer school.
Baha’i summer schools are a regular event in Australia and others were held in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Another summer school will be held in Tasmania next month.
Participants at the WA summer school explored the application of Baha’i principles to social issues of the day based on the theme Foundations of World Unity, the title of a compilation of addresses and writings by Abdu’l-Baha.
Topics of the talks included The Promise of World Peace (Miguel Gill), The Freedom to Believe (Padma Wong), Reflections: The Path Ahead (Duane Varan), Sustainable Development and the Environment (Andrew Blake), The Prosperity of Humankind (Bayan Meshgin) and Educating Tomorrow’s World Citizens (Fiona McDonald).
“Many of the presentations included artistic expression,” said one of the organisers, Duane Varan.
“Shameem Taheri-Lee and Kia Munuchehri, for example, integrated skits of a visit to a doctor’s office to highlight how existing approaches to problems have misdiagnosed the disease, which is disunity,” Dr Varan said.
“All speakers based their presentations on Baha’i Writings with many drawing on social research,” he said.
Jenny and Misagh Habibi employed research findings using MRI brain-scan technology to illustrate how even simple efforts to cross cultural bridges can help combat prejudice, he said.
Special guests were Louetta Farrar and George Karko from Toowoomba, who performed a unity concert, gave a plenary session (Resisting Popular Culture) and presented a drama workshop.