WORLD NEWS

Bahá’í International News Service

Extracts from reports received at the Bahá’í World Centre

KAZAKHSTAN

Friends from six countries attend ZIPOPO “Happy Hippo Show”

Twenty-eight friends from six countries attended a ZIPOPO course held at Novaya Era Institute in Almaty in December. The training was conducted by a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Russia, who founded the ZIPOPO programme of moral education and spiritual development.

ZIPOPO is an acronym suggested by the Russian translation of the Academy of Positive Behaviour, which Mr Fattahov started in 1994.  The main feature of the programme is “The Happy Hippo Show”. Each episode of this participatory drama focuses on a specific theme, such as honesty, the equality of men and women, or abstinence from alcoholic beverages. The show begins with an introduction to the topic, then actors perform a skit which demonstrates a problematic scenario. At a critical point, when a moral decision has to be made, the actors stop and consult with the audience about how they should behave in this situation. An expert in the field, usually a Bahá’í, takes part in the discussion. After consultation, the actors play out one of the solutions to the dilemma suggested by the audience.

“The Happy Hippo Show” has proven to be a very successful way of conducting public discussions of moral problems with solutions based on Bahá’í prin-ciples. The friends in Almaty learned aspects of being managers and organizers of the show, writing scripts, serving as hosts, acting in dramatic roles, directing the dramas, and conducting the process of consultation.

If you would like information and travel advice on visiting China please contact Mark Habibi,  Tel: 01273 597367,  e-mail: mhabibi@hotmail.com

UNITED STATES

WLGI Radio Bahá’í Celebrates First Fifteen Years of Operation

On 18th December, the staff at WLGI Radio in South Carolina celebrated the station’s first 15 years of operation. During the festivities, they remembered that the first words ever broadcast on the station were those of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, who said, during a test made on 23rd May 1984:  “This is WLGI, Radio Bahá’í 90.0 FM, Hemingway, South Carolina - the voice of the Louis Gregory Institute. With love goes involvement. Bravo!”

The station has come a long way since that historic day. Lots of good times and many, many struggles. But it is still there, broadcasting love and unity for 15 hours each and every day. The audience has grown from just a handful in 1984 to the thousands that listen regularly today - folks known as “the Radio Bahá’í family”.

EUROPEAN PUBLIC INFORMATION BULLETIN

Extracts from April 2000. Published by the Office of Public Information, Bahá’í International Community - Paris

EBBF active in Switzerland

A Bahá’í was recently invited to take part in a seminar on “Responsibility of Trans-national Corporations in Matters of Human Rights”, organised by the Human Rights Movement of Switzerland (MERS). European Bahá’í Business Forum materials were handed out and displayed there.

The seminar was well attended, but failed to attract the attention of Swiss-based multinational corporations, and most attendees represented academia or non-governmental organisations. Among the speakers at the event were philosopher, Urs Marti, of Bern University who concluded the meeting by suggesting the world needed a constitution and federal government capable of enforcing global law, or instruments capable of implementing global norms. Silvia Danailov, a Swiss law expert who also deals with the rights of the Bahá’ís in Iran, tried to illustrate how corporations could be liable under international law.

Bahá’ís advise on creating multi-cultural school in Italy

The Bahá’í contribution to an Italian government project on creating a multicultural school is being presented to teachers, schools and on the Internet. Involvement took place after the Education Ministry asked the Italian Bahá’í community, together with other associations and public enterprises, to prepare research on multicultural schools.

The proposal, “The earth is but one country: A Bahá’í project for a multicultural school Training and advice for teachers”, included all levels of schooling, from maternal to high school. All the project proposals were presented at a national conference organised by the Ministry of Public Education, shown to teachers and school deans, and as a result of the conference, all projects have been inserted on a CD-ROM being distributed to all Italian schools.

A new website: http://www.educational.rai.it/corsiformazione/intercultura  has been set-up based on the CD-ROM, allowing for on-going updates and a forum for different opinions. The National Spiritual Assembly has been informed by the Education Ministry that a distance training course on multicultural schools will be broadcast on RAI Educational (Radio Televisione Italiana) on RAI 3 SAT each Friday as of  March 2000. The series will be aired twice.

Stories from Pioneer Post

These extracts from “letters home” to the Committee for Pioneering and Travel Teaching give us a glimpse into some of the lives of the stalwart souls who are sharing the Bahá’í Faith overseas - our UK pioneers -

Banani International School, ZAMBIA

Stella Herbert

One of the UK’s newest pioneers, Stella pioneered to Zambia in November 1999, having previously spent several years working for the Bahá’í National Sub Office in Kent.

We had our memorial meeting for Rúhíyyih Khánum on 24th January. On a hot and humid afternoon about seventy of us gathered at the Bahá’í Institute building situated in this beautiful spot about 60km from the nearest town. The Institute itself is surrounded by lovely gardens with flamboyant trees and bougainvillea in an oasis of green grass and trees under a cloudless blue sky. The Bahá’í community consists of those members of staff and pupils of Banani School who are Bahá’ís including our English friends - David and Manijeh Smith, Simin and Bruce Liggitt, Marguerite Sabour and Nazar Adeeb, as well as a few Canadians, Americans, many Zambians, two Ugandans and a couple recently arrived from Malawi. We were also joined by a group of Zambians who come to the Institute to deepen and translate Bahá’í literature into local languages to take back into their communities, and about eight Bahá’í youth recently arrived for an orientation course prior to beginning their year of service and two Americans visiting the country as part of the Black Men’s gathering.

The fragrance of the thirty bunches of roses bought from a nearby farm which distils the petals for export, assailed our nostrils as we entered the room to the muted sound of a choir chanting the greatest name. We sat, facing a large picture of a smiling Amatu’l-Bahá, framed by roses and candles and listened, enthralled, to the message from the Universal House of Justice, beautiful prayers and readings, and extracts from beloved Amatu’l-Bahá’s own book and poems, interspersed with the wonderful harmony of Africa songs sung by the Zambian people.

At some point during the meeting the thunder clouds gathered, the rising wind provided a welcome breeze, and the flickering candles illumined the darkening room. The final prayer was read above the sound of thunder and as the meeting closed the heavens opened to provide a much needed deluge to refresh the dry earth.

The whole event was dignified, devotional, warm and loving. I’m sure it cheered the hearts of the beloved Guardian and Amatu’l-Bahá, who both so loved the indigenous African peoples, and, for myself, there is no place on earth I’d rather be.

 BOTSWANA

Derakhshandi family 

Long-time pioneers in Southern Africa, Massoud and Mojgan and their children Saba and Nava, moved to Botswana a little over a year ago from Swaziland.

We were participants, along with about 427 other Bahá’ís and their friends from 17 countries, in the Namibia Bahá’ís International Summer School. It was spiritually uplifting for all of us. Each morning the sessions would start with devotional prayers said in almost 14 different languages.

The guest speaker for the official-opening of the school was the Official Speaker of the Parliament of Namibia. Referring to many of the Bahá’ís as his friends, he said that he considered himself as an undeclared-Bahá’í. He praised Bahá’ís for what they were doing, not only in Namibia, but globally, and encouraged them to continue their efforts for the betterment of the future. His wife and children are active Bahá’ís in Namibia. The Parliament of the country have decreed 21st March as Independence day for Namibia. So every year at Naw Rúz the population of Namibia has its National holiday.  Additional news is that Bahá’í Holy Days are now officially being printed in the official calendars of Namibia and South-Africa.

Banani Primary School, Zambia seeks Head Teacher from July 2000

Position: Head Teacher for a one-classroom multi-age Bahá’í primary school with 12 students ranging from grades 1-7. Our goal is to provide quality spiritual and academic education to the children of Foundation staff and surrounding community. 3-year commitment, teaching experience with variety of ages preferred.  Apply to: Executive Director, William M Masetlha Foundation, PO Box 50467 RW Lusaka, Zambia e-mail: mailto:pollock@zamnet.zm

 

In Cape Verde, youth and adults in Relva, on Fogo Island, during an institute study circle formed to learn from Book 1 of the materials developed by the Ruhi Institute. This photo was taken during a teaching project held on the Island in October.

 Welcome to NEW ERA HIGH SCHOOL - INDIA       

Parents wishing to give a Bahá’í-oriented school experience to their children, with many educational, sports and cultural learning activities, are welcome to contact us. Established 55 years ago, New Era offers opportunities for wholesome all-round development. Nearly 700 students from 25 countries  and a very capable staff all help to make a happy family atmosphere. New Era High School follows the CBSE (Central Board) syllabus and also offers “O” Levels (GCE London).

For more information please contact: The Principal, New Era High School, Panchgani,  Maharashtra - 412 805 INDIA  Tel: 91 2168 40246,  Fax: 91 2168 40272   e-mail: mailto:newera@nehsindia.org Web Site: http://www.nehsindia.org/Alumni e-mail: mailto:alumni@nehsindia.org

 

In Korea, the Bahá’í booth at the Seoul International Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations, held from 10-16th October, attracted hundreds of visitors. The display of Bahá’í literature included material sent by National Assemblies from around the world.

 

STAMPS

Postage stamp donations have raised over £7,700 for the Bahá'í International Fund. Keep sending them - new, old or unused to: Jon Atkinson, 12 Boythorpe Crescent, Boythorpe, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 2NX Tel: 01246 211753 Donations need to be receipted, so please include sender's name & address (preferably on a SAE).  Save them!  Send them!