Social Action

All human beings, Baha'u'llah 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 Baha'i vision of the future. Within the framework of a growing community concerned with moral and spiritual transformation, social and economic development is one expression of the Baha'i commitment to realizing this vision.

Baha'i efforts in the field of social and economic development generally take the form of grassroots initiatives carried out by small groups of individuals in the towns and villages in which they reside. As these initiatives evolve, some grow into more substantial programmes with permanent administrative structures. Yet very few can be compared with the kind of complex development projects promoted and funded by government agencies and large multilateral organisations.

The distinguishing features of the Baha'i approach to development is the principles and processes being employed by Baha'i communities around the world rather than the number or size of projects. In a very real sense, social and economic development activities are an expression of faith in action. Consequently, Baha'i development initiatives are designed to engage and benefit all the members of a community and not just Baha'is.

At the heart of all Baha'i development undertakings is the recognition of a deep and inseparable connection between the practical and spiritual aspects of daily life. Creating a desire for social change and instilling confidence that it can be achieved must ultimately come from an awakening of the human spirit. While pragmatic approaches to problem solving play a key role in development initiatives, tapping the spiritual roots of human motivation provides the essential impulse that ensures genuine social advancement.

Individual and community development, Baha'is believe, require both the "light" of spiritual awareness and the "lamp" of material resources. Material advancement is not viewed as an end in itself, but rather as a vehicle for moral, spiritual, and social progress. Meaningful social change does not simply result from the acquisition of technical skills, but more importantly from the development of qualities and attitudes that foster cooperative and creative patterns of human interaction.

India hosts a number of Baha'i-inspired socio economic projects such as BARLI Development Institute for Rural Women (Indore), New Era Teacher Training Centre & New Era School (Panchgani), Rabbani School (Gwalior), Foundation for Advancement of Science (Lucknow), Sikkim Baha'i Schools (Sikkim) and a host of privately owned Baha'i-inspired schools in different cities and villages of India. These schools serve to the educational needs of all children from different background and walks of life. City Montessori Schools in Lucknow which have been mentioned in the Guiness book of World Records for having the largest number of children, Little Angels School in Gwalior, Rabbani School in Gwalior, Mona School in Satara, etc.