7. Participating in Social
Action
is a prominent feature of a
life dedicated to the
service of the entire
human race.
8. Social action includes a spectrum of activity ranging from short-
term informal efforts by individuals or small groups of friends…
… to complex programs of social and economic development
carried out by Bahá’í-inspired organizations.
9. Social Action & Public Discourse
Every human being, whether or not they are followers
of Bahá'u'lláh, can take inspiration from His teachings.
Indeed, the future world civilization will not be built
through the efforts of Bahá’ís alone.
10. Effective social action
It requires awareness of existing social
conditions and a vision that animates
and focuses our action
12. Whatever the scope and scale, the purpose of all social action
is to apply the teachings of the Faith to improve
the spiritual and material life of the population.
13. Four Core Activities
Study
Circles Study
Circles Devotional
Gatherings
Devotional
Junior Youth Gatherings
Groups
.. . bricks in
the
Junior Youth foundation of
Groups Children’s
Classes
Children’s
a global
Classes civilization.
14. Learning in Action
Action Reflection Consultation Planning
Bahá'ís will be challenged to use the systematic approaches
they have developed so far, to respond to
the material and spiritual issues facing their communities.
15. Social change is not a project that one group of people
carries out for the benefit of another.
Although goods and services may be provided,
the primary goal is to build capacity in the local population,
enabling them to participate in creating a better world.
16. Efforts generally
begin on a small scale,
perhaps with a few friends
concerned
with a specific social
or economic need.
Consultation at Feast
allows the community
to express its
collective views.
17. Effective social action also serves to enrich
participation in the discourses of society.
Public discourse can include:
Introducing Bahá’í ideas into everyday conversation
Meaningful dialog with local civic groups
Writing articles and attending gatherings
on themes of social concern
18. Steps involved
Identify an Opportunity to serve
Consult among friends/NDF/JYEP
Initiate Project
Develop a Proposal/Plan
Get Local Involvement
Monitor/Evaluate results
Sustain- Sustain - Sustain
21. Justin Churchman
Justin Churchman is helping change lives in Juarez, Mexico,
one house at a time.
Through Casas por Cristo, he was able to accomplish a
remarkable goal: building 18 homes for people by his 18th
birthday.
24. Babar Ali's day (West Bengal) starts early. He
wakes, pitches in with the household chores, then
jumps on an auto-rickshaw which takes him part of
the 10km (six mile) ride to the Raj Govinda school.
The last couple of kilometres he has to walk.
