Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)

In the latest podcast episode from the Bahá’í World News Service, Mina Yazdani—a professor of history at Eastern Kentucky University in the United States—explored the profound contribution of the Bahá’í community in Iran to their society. Dr. Yazdani shared some accounts of these contributions in several areas, including health, agriculture, and education. She explained how the Bahá’ís of Iran, de...

A new podcast episode of the Bahá’í World News Service explores the rich discussion and collaborative spirit that characterized the recent 48th annual conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies (ABS) in North America. The conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia, brought together nearly 2,000 participants from diverse fields of study to explore the application of Bahá’í teachings to contemporary...

In the latest Bahá’í World News Service podcast episode, two representatives of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC)’s New York Office, Bani Dugal and Liliane Nkunzimana, discussed the BIC’s contributions to the discourse on global governance ahead of the UN Summit of the Future.

In the latest podcast episode of the Bahá’í World News Service, we are transported to the dedication of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Papua New Guinea, hearing firsthand accounts from three participants of the historic occasion. Full story on: news.bahai.org/story/1743/

In this podcast episode from the Bahá’í World News Service, we hear from Townshend Lihanda, member of the Board of Counsellors in Africa, sharing accounts of individual and collective transformation in Kenya inspired by Bahá’í moral and spiritual education programs. Mr. Lihanda discusses the profound changes occurring within communities where these programs are offered. He highlights how these ini...

Amid increasing challenges and conflict in the world, a growing recognition is emerging of the interdependence of nations. This vital insight is addressed by the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) in international forums, where its contributions highlight that at a fundamental level, humanity is one. In the latest podcast episode of the Bahá’í World News Service, representatives from the BIC’s A...

This podcast episode from the Bahá’í World News Service explores how worship and service to humanity—two foundational aspects of living a spiritual life—mutually reinforce one another, paving the way to building more peaceful and harmonious communities. Guests of the podcast were among the participants of a recent consultation held at the Bahá’í World Centre that explored how Bahá’í Houses of Wors...

This podcast episode from the Bahá’í World News Service explores the history and evolution of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) over several decades, as well as its present work and contributions to discourses about the future and wellbeing of humanity. Guests of the episode include representatives of some of the BIC’s offices, including in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, and New York...

This podcast episode from the Bahá’í World News Service explores the initiatives of the Association for Bahá’í Studies (ABS) in North America that aim to enrich the intellectual life of communities. Selvi Adaikkallam Zabihi, Michael Karlberg, Malik Nash, and Negin Toosi join the News Service from the United States to discuss the ABS’s unique approach to inquiry within the sciences and humanities.

During a recent visit to the Bahá’í World Centre, members of Bahá’í communities from various countries joined in conversation with the News Service to explore insights about fostering a pattern of vibrant community life. Guests of the episode included Jorge Guerreiro from Brazil, Nazneen Rowhani from India, Confucius Ikoirere from Papua New Guinea, Rey Elmo from Philippines, and Maria Simbowe from...

During a recent visit to the Bahá’í World Centre, Bhavna Anbarasan, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Asia, spoke with the Bahá’í World News Service about how Bahá’í community-building endeavors in the villages of Bihar, India, are giving rise to a new culture of equality. Mrs. Anbarasan explained that the movement toward greater equality in Bihar has gained momentum as growing nu...

How do we ensure that our values, our aspirations, and our needs are integrated into the design, development, and use of technology? This was among the questions explored by Matt Weinberg, a technologist from the United States, in this podcast episode recorded during a recent gathering at the Bahá’í World Centre on the development of communities. Full story: news.bahai.org/story/1705/

In this podcast episode from the News Service, we hear from Kessia Ruh, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, sharing stories about some of the efforts of the Bahá’ís of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to contribute to the wellbeing of their society. Mrs. Ruh’s accounts highlight a key principle at the core of Bahá’í social action initiatives: faith in the ability of a population...

A new podcast episode from the News Service explores how the Preparation for Social Action (PSA) program, a Bahá’í-inspired educational endeavor, is raising capacity in people to apply scientific knowledge together with spiritual principles for the development of their communities. In this episode, Elisa Cooper, who works closely with a network of Bahá’í-inspired organizations around the world, jo...

In the latest podcast episode from the News Service, a group of young people serving at the Bahá’í World Centre explore the impact of Bahá’í Houses of Worship on community life, sharing their experiences of living near a Bahá’í temple in their local communities. In this episode we hear from Deeba Behrouzi from Canada, Leili Zapata Caldas from Colombia, Pacifique Lolonga from the Democratic Republi...

During recent consultations at the Bahá’í World Centre on the development of Bahá’í communities, a few attendees who work closely with the Bahá’í Houses of Worship in Uganda and Kenya sat down with the News Service for a podcast episode to explore insights about how these temples are enriching community life. The podcast features Samuel Mwangi, an Auxiliary Board member from Kenya; Patricia Senoga...

In the latest podcast episode from the News Service, two representatives of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) discuss contributions of Bahá’í communities in the Arab region to the discourse on coexistence—a topic that has come to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years. Saba Haddad and Hatem El-Hady, representatives of the Geneva and Cairo Offices of the BIC respectively, expl...

In this podcast episode, Leslie Stewart, Executive Director of FUNDAEC, sat with the News Service to discuss insights about some of that organization’s initiatives, particularly focusing on the areas of agriculture, food production, and distribution. Ms. Stewart provided a glimpse into ways that the Bahá’í principles of the harmony of science and religion, the oneness of humanity, and selfless ser...

The latest podcast episode features Counsellors exploring the impact of educational initiatives in Bahá’í communities across the world. To watch the podcast visit: https://youtu.be/mEzWRHLpD1o

In this episode, Counsellors discuss efforts in communities around the world to foster a culture of equality among women and men. To watch the podcast visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w8dB2o4DuY

Counsellors explore the ways youth engaged in Bahá’í educational initiatives are contributing to social transformation in their communities. To watch the podcast visit: https://youtu.be/5oNESSsc_bc

The centenary of the first race amity conference held by the American Bahá’í community was marked by a three-day symposium exploring racial unity and social change. Read more at https://news.bahai.org/story/1514/

Australian Bahá’ís launch publication on social cohesion after two years of conversations among officials, academics, social actors, and people throughout the country.

An interview with representatives of a community in Uganda explores how collective prayer is influencing society at large. Read more at news.bahai.org/story/1344/.

The latest Baha’i World News Service podcast episode features insights emerging from some of the Baha’i Temples around the world. Read more at news.bahai.org/story/1339/. Part one of their discussion can be heard here: news.bahai.org/story/1334/