Wilmette Institute

In this episode of the Wilmette Institute’s Changing Course Labcast, we explore what it means to see learning as a mode of operation—not simply as something that happens in classrooms, but as a way of navigating life itself. Host Emily Chou sits down with Gelareh Eslami —curriculum development specialist and educator—to reflect on how transformative learning reshapes the way we approach relationsh...

In this episode of the Wilmette Institute’s Changing Course Labcast, we explore multiple ways of knowing and being through a thoughtful and reflective conversation. Host Emily Chou sits down with Julia Berger —curriculum development specialist, educator, and researcher—to reflect on transformative education, relational learning, and research as a sacred act. Together, they discuss how knowledge ca...

In this episode of the Wilmette Institute Podcast Series, we explore the relationship between Oneness and Justice through a rich and reflective conversation. Host Emily Cho sits down with Chloé Greene —liberation historian, cultural worker, and “love sower”—to reflect on love as an active practice that can transform how we relate to one another and build more just communities. Together, they discu...

In the first episode of the Wilmette Institute Podcast Series, host Emily Chou sits down with educator Nika Esmailizadeh to explore the meaning of universal participation in education and community life. What does it truly mean to create spaces where every voice matters? How can teachers cultivate classrooms in which students are not passive recipients of knowledge, but active contributors to lear...

This webinar will offer insights into evolving efforts to address racial inequality in the US, comparing sixty years ago (during the Civil Rights era) to the present day. Dr. Thomas, who has written about her family’s lived experiences during the civil rights era, established an academic career based on training urban planners who were socially aware and capable of supporting community development...

A conversation with Dr. Richard Thomas on his recently published book chapter “How the Bahá’í Teachings on Racial Unity Influenced My Academic Focus on Race Relations in the United States.” The Bahá’í Faith and African American Studies: Perspectives on Racial Justice , edited by Loni Bramson and Layli Maparyan – Contributions by Layli Maparyan; Richard Hollinger; June Thomas; Richard W. Thomas; Lo...

From the 1800s through the 1950s, North Nashville’s 37208 zip code flourished as a vibrant Black community. Despite systemic segregation and redlining, residents established institutions, including schools, businesses, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and a lively entertainment scene that attracted renowned Black artists. In the 1960s, federal and local policies resulted in th...

From the 1800s through the 1950s, North Nashville’s 37208 zip code flourished as a vibrant Black community. Despite systemic segregation and redlining, residents established institutions, including schools, businesses, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and a lively entertainment scene that attracted renowned Black artists. In the 1960s, federal and local policies resulted in th...

Dr. Derik Smith will present ideas that are fundamental to the conceptual framework for social transformation. The talk is organized around the themes of History, Human Nature, and Power. Smith demonstrates how Bahá’í approaches to these subjects open important territory in the studying and teaching of social transformation and peacebuilding.

In a world with increasing conflict, apathy and hopelessness, how can we move beyond polarization to solve urgent challenges like human suffering, environmental degradation, and animal cruelty? This webinar explores a practical “solutionary” framework for bridging divides and creating positive social change. Based on Zoe Weil’s work as a humane educator, participants will explore the solutionary m...

The African American and Indigenous communities of the United States are forged by historical sufferings that go back to the founding of this country. However, these communities have also offered a framework for racial unity that for far too long has been ignored, forgotten, or erased to our own detriment. Greater examination of the historical collaboration and innate spiritual power that exists w...

The three panelists recently completed the “Human Prosperity and Sustainable Development” course offered in the Wilmette Institute’s Social Transformation Certificate program. By interviewing each other and engaging in dialogue, the three will reflect on their learning from this course and how they connect their learning to the Bahá’í Framework for Action. WI Chief Academic Officer Justin Scoggin...

Ron Lapitan and Nasim Mansuri explore the learnings gained over five years from facilitating a Bahá’í-inspired writing workshop for teens, The Young Writers’ Endeavor. Through this experience of how literature can be used to build Bahá’í identity while accompanying other writers and observing how our creative lives and service can bleed into one another, they will explore these glimpses of the “ne...

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring esteemed academics as they delve into the realms of Social Transformation through the art of writing. Discover how your voice can contribute to the discourses of society and become a powerful catalyst for change. This webinar will enable you to understand how the language we use in our writing is critical to the process of positive social change—whethe...

In its message of 28 November 2023 to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice painted an enriching view of the first century of the Formative Age and provides a blueprint for advancing the unification of all of the peoples of the earth. From the striking statement, “That time has now come,” confidence and clarity can emerge about how to make a unique Bahá’í contribution to the era...

One of the core elements of social transformation involves a closer examination of the family, which the Universal House of Justice describes as “that vital institution which is the basic unit of society.” This webinar seeks to explore the complex relationships between parents and children. The family is the first communal unit/space where we have to coexist as one. Some themes explored in this we...

The Ras͟hḥ-i-ʻAmá is likely the first emanation from the Supreme Pen after the Maid of Heaven vested Baha’u’llah with his revelation in the Siyah-Chal. It has taken 165 years for this text to be translated into English and published in an official English translation. In his masterwork,  The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh , Adib Taherzadeh suggests the 20-couplet poem might well prove untranslatable. J...

The recent popularity of chatGPT and its seemingly amazing conversational capabilities has rapidly moved the subject of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the forefront of public discourse in many societies. While many famous thinkers have warned of the dangers of AI, numerous universities and companies are racing to develop software applications and hardware platforms to advance the frontiers of aut...

Throughout His ministry, The Báb wrote many epistles addressed to theologians and seminary students. Among the writings of The Báb, there are two works known as the “Kitábu’l-‘Ulamá” or the “Epistle to the ‘Ulamá”, one which was revealed shortly after His return from the Arabian Peninsula to Iran and is the subject of this presentation. This work, like many other epistles from the early period of...

Join us for a series of dynamic presentations by authors whose work takes us through the history of the Qiblih, encounters with Bahá’u’lláh and the Holy Family, and the life of a Hand of the Cause. Participants are invited to learn about these fascinating histories, and to reflect deeply on their significance and applicability to our present-day lives and the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Gisu Moha...

Join us for a series of dynamic presentations by authors whose work takes us through the history of the Qiblih, encounters with Bahá’u’lláh and the Holy Family, and the life of a Hand of the Cause. Participants are invited to learn about these fascinating histories, and to reflect deeply on their significance and applicability to our present-day lives and the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Historian...

Join us for a series of dynamic presentations by authors whose work takes us through the history of the Qiblih, encounters with Bahá’u’lláh and the Holy Family, and the life of a Hand of the Cause. Participants are invited to learn about these fascinating histories, and to reflect deeply on their significance and applicability to our present-day lives and the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Speakers...

The second panel in this 2-part webinar series focuses on different issues within the domains of natural and social sciences. It is based on the articles by the participants, including “How Can We All Get Along?—A Bahá’í Perspective on Globalization” by Harold Rosen, “Plato, Modern Physics, and Bahá’u’lláh” by Vahid Ranjbar and “Iterative Theology: Progressive Revelation as the String Theory of Re...

“In the history of the Bahá’í Faith, Russia played a remarkable role. In 1852, the Russian government, the only one in the world, petitioned for the release of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Faith, when he was imprisoned on false charges, and offered him asylum. In the 1880s, a Russian court recognized for the first time in history the independent character of the Bahá’í Faith and championed the...

The first panel in this 2-part webinar series is devoted to Bahá’í approaches to various aspects of globalization as discussed in the articles “Globalization — The Tangible Expression of Humanity’s Journey Towards Unity” by Sovaida Ma’ani Ewing; “Building a Just and Sustainable Global Food System: Some Guiding Principles” by Paul Hanley; and “Globalization Requires a Bahá’í Foundation” by Hooshman...