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Baháʼí News – The latest podcast episode from the Brussels Office of the Baháʼí International Community sheds light on profound insights into the conditions that enable youth to realize their full potential and contribute effectively to society’s progress. The report focuses on the importance of society’s perception of youth and their pivotal role as pioneers of change, and how community-building efforts can enhance their capacities to create a positive impact.
Empowering Youth: Insights from the Brussels Office of the Baháʼí International Community
Rachel Bayani and Alessandro Benedetti, representatives of the Brussels Office of the Baháʼí International Community (BIC), discuss the conditions that allow the capacities of youth to flourish for meaningful contribution to society.
Society’s View of Youth and Their Pivotal Role
Among these essential conditions, society’s perception of youth stands out. Ms. Bayani recalls, reflecting on a recent gathering during European Youth Week, an insightful observation from a youth participant: “The ability of young people to contribute to social progress is directly related to how society perceives them. If youth are not viewed as capable protagonists, it significantly hampers their sense of agency.” This point indicates that a positive and supportive societal view towards youth is the primary catalyst for unleashing their energies.
Youth as Pioneers of Change and Cultural Connectors
Podcast participants note how experience gained through Baháʼí community-building initiatives across Europe illustrates that both young people and their communities flourish when youth are recognized as capable agents of change.
Ms. Bayani explains that youth often become “connectors” among diverse groups, successfully bridging cultural divides by navigating between their families’ traditions and the broader realities of their local communities. She adds that youth understand both the country in which they live and their own cultural heritage. She states: “They are uniquely positioned to help communities read their social reality together and collectively identify paths forward.” This role highlights their ability to reconcile their multiple identities to serve society.
The Role of Youth in Education and Shaping Future Generations
Mr. Benedetti adds that youth also play a crucial cross-generational role—especially in education—in many places around the world. He notes: “Youth take responsibility for the spiritual and intellectual education of younger generations, setting a new standard and fostering the emergence of a culture rooted in collective learning.” This contribution is not limited to knowledge transfer, but also includes building fundamental values and principles.
He further describes Baháʼí educational endeavors that equip youth to critically evaluate assumptions within their fields of study. Recalling his own university experience, he reflects on how economic theories can portray humans as largely self-interested, and invites listeners to envision an alternative: “What if we imagined human nature endowed with generosity?” He observes that such a perspective could profoundly reshape approaches to many fields of study, opening new horizons for developmental thinking.
Challenging Passivity and Consumerism, and Self-Empowerment
The discussion acknowledges that youth confront immense societal pressures promoting passivity and consumerism. Ms. Bayani emphasizes that reclaiming agency involves a deliberate effort to break down complex societal challenges into manageable steps: “Simply being able to dismantle overwhelming challenges into actionable steps and discussing these with peers… is itself an empowering act.” This reflects the importance of breaking down psychological barriers that might prevent youth from seeing their ability to make a difference.
This podcast episode is part of the “In Conversation” series exploring Baháʼí efforts worldwide to contribute to social progress, from the grassroots to the international level.
About the Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith is an independent world religion with unique teachings, founded in the mid-19th century by Baháʼu’lláh in Iran. It is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, with followers from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds in over 200 countries and territories.
Core Principles of the Baháʼí Faith:
- Oneness of God: Baháʼís believe in one indescribable God, the Creator of the universe and the source of all creation.
- Oneness of Religions: Baháʼís believe that all major revealed religions are from a single divine source, and that Messengers and Prophets (such as Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ, Muhammad, and Baháʼu’lláh) are successive manifestations of God’s will, sending guidance appropriate for the needs of the age in which they appeared. The Baháʼí Faith does not abolish previous religions but considers them chapters in one continuous divine book.
- Oneness of Humankind: This is the central principle of Baháʼí teachings. Baháʼís believe that all humanity is one family, and the time has come to eliminate all forms of prejudice (racial, religious, gender, class) and build a world of peace, justice, and equality.
- Equality of Men and Women: Full equality between genders is considered a fundamental principle and an indispensable condition for the progress of human civilization.
- Universal Compulsory Education: The Baháʼí Faith believes that education is the key to the progress of individuals and societies, and promotes universal education for all.
- Harmony of Science and Religion: Baháʼís believe that science and religion are not contradictory but are two wings upon which humanity soars to truth. One must support the other.
- Need for a Universal Auxiliary Language: To enhance understanding and communication among peoples.
- Solution to Global Economic Problems: Through the application of principles of justice and cooperation.
- Establishment of a World Tribunal: To resolve disputes between nations.
- Rejection of All Forms of Fanaticism.
- Necessity of Abandoning All Types of Preconceived Ideas.
- Necessity of Living in Peace and Harmony.
Baháʼís focus heavily on building local and global communities through spiritual and moral education, participation in civic life, and working to serve humanity……More
Author:
Lina Rammy
Journalist and Translator
ABN Baháʼí News
Contact: lina.rame@abnnews.net
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