AssociationforBahStudiesNorthAmerica 34thAnnualConference

RethinkingHumanNature 1215August2010 HyattRegencyVancouver Vancouver,BritishColumbia,Canada Thursday...................................................................... 3 Friday......................................................................... 4 Saturday...................................................................... 6 Sunday........................................................................ 9 Abstractsandbiographicalnotes..................................................10 Artistsperforming.......................................................... ....31

ImportantInformation ConferenceBadgeYourconferencebadgeisyourticketofadmissiontoallsessions.Youmust wearittoattendconferencesessions.Thesecuritypersonnelwillnotallowadmittancetoanyone withoutabadge. SecurityThehost/hostessvolunteersattheconferencearetheretoassistyou.Pleasefollowtheir instructionsatalltimes.Theycanbeidentifiedbyredribbonsontheirbadges. PromptnessThescheduleofsessionsisveryfull.Togiveequaltimetothespeakers,thesessions mustbeginontime.Werequestyourcooperationinarrivingpromptly. CellPhonesTheringingofmobiletelephonesintheaudienceisverydisruptivetoapresentation. Pleaseturnoffyourcellphoneorputitinsilentmodewhileyouareintheconferencesessions. TheChildrensandJuniorYouthProgramTheChildrensProgram,forages5to15,isbeingheld intheCavendish,TennysonandDoverroomsontheFourthFloor.Parentsmaydropoff childrenattheirprogram15minutesbeforetheadultsessionstartingtime.Parentsareaskedto pickuptheirchildrenpromptlyatthecloseofeachsessionandforthelunchbreaks.(Mealsare notincludedinthechildrensprogram,howeversnackswillbeserved.)Thetimesfor Children/JuniorYouthsessionsare Thursday,12August 10:00a.m.5:00p.m. Friday,13August 9:00a.m.5:30p.m. Saturday,14August 10:00a.m.5:30p.m. Sunday,15August 10:00a.m.12:30p.m.

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TheprogramofchildrensactivitiesisavailableattheConferenceRegistrationTable.Parentsare requiredtosignaMedicalInformationandEmergencyHealthCareReleaseformandreturnitto theChildrensProgramcoordinators. TheConferenceBookstoreisoperatedbyBahDistributionServiceCanada.Thebookstoreis locatedintheBalmoralroomontheConventionLevel(ThirdFloor)andoffersawideselection ofbooksandmaterials,includingbooksandCDsbyauthorsandartistspresentingatthe conference,andBahjewellery.Hoursofoperationare Thursday,12August 2:00p.m.7:00p.m. Friday,13August 9:00a.m.7:00p.m. Saturday,14August 9:00a.m.7:00p.m. Sunday,15August 9:00a.m.2:00p.m. EvaluationFormsTheABSExecutiveCommitteeasksforyourassistanceandcooperationin fillingouttheconferenceevaluationformsprovidedinyourconferencekit.Yourfeedbackisvery valuabletousinourcontinuingeffortstoimprovetheConference. AudioRecordingsConferenceplenarysessionswillberecordedandwillbeavailablefor purchaseonaudioCD.Anorderformisincludedinyourconferencekitandadditionalformsare availableattheConferenceInformationDesk.Pleasefillouttheformwithyourcreditcard numberandtheCDswillbemailedtoyouaftertheconference. LostandFoundLostandfoundarticlesshouldbereportedtotheConferenceRegistrationTable. Afterthecloseoftheconference,anyitemsnotpickedupwillbeturnedovertothehotel. PrayerRoomTheLordByronroomontheFourthFloorhasbeensetasideforprayerand meditationfromThursdaytoSaturday,8:00a.m.10:00p.m. EveningArtsAftertheFridayandSaturdayeveningprogrammetherewillbeanextendedarts programmeheldintheBallroomwhereconferenceattendeescansocializeandenjoylisteningto livemusicuntilmidnight.Performingartistsattheconferenceareencouragedtosignupto performattheseevents.AsignupsheetwillbeavailableneartheConferenceRegistrationTable. SpecialInterestGroups(SIGs):GeneralInformationSession,Friday12:302:00p.m. InformationtableswillbesetupinEnglishBayonthe34thFloor.Conferenceparticipantsare invitedtovisitthetables,discusstheworkofspecialinterestgroupswiththeircoordinatorsand otherinterestedpeople,andexploreopportunitiesforcollaborationandnetworking. SpecialInterestGroups:SpecificMeetings Seeseparatesheetinconferencepackage.

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Thursday,12August2010

10:00a.m.5:00p.m.SpecialSimultaneousSessions GeorgiaB 10:0012:00 Usingthe2010RidvnMessagetoInitiateConversationsonHumanNature Facilitator:HOLLYHANSON PlazaC 10:0012:00 FacultyandStudentWorkshop:ScholarshipintheContextofthePlansI, ExploringScholarship Convener:PIERREYVESMOCQUAIS,AcademicDirector,AssociationforBahStudies 12:002:00 LunchBreak GeorgiaB 2:003:30 BehaviouralEconomics,SpiritualReality,andtheRevolutionwithinEconomicThought (interactiveworkshop) NAVAASHRAF 3:455:00 BeautyandPerfectionintheWorkoftheBelovedGuardianFARIBORZSAHBA GeorgiaA 3:455:00 TowardaSacredEcologyofHumanNature(seminar)JOHNTHELENSTEERE PlazaC 2:005:00 Faculty/StudentWorkshopProgram:ScholarshipintheContextofthePlansII, DevelopingParticipationinPrevalentSocialDiscoursesonCampus Convener:PIERREYVESMOCQUAIS,AcademicDirector,AssociationforBahStudies 5:007:00 DinnerBreak

ThursdayEvening RegencyBallroom 7:00

PlenarySession Chair:MARTHASCHWEITZ Devotions OfficialConferenceWelcomeRepresentativesoftheNationalSpiritualAssembliesofthe UnitedStatesandCanada TheDualCharacterofHumanRealityHOOPERDUNBAR

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Friday,13August2010RegencyBallroom 9:00 PlenarySession Chair:DELORIABIGHORN Devotions ManyGenerousHands LEE BROWN, CHIEF DOUGLAS WHITE III KWULASULTUN, JACQUELINE LEFT HAND BULL This panelofIndigenousleadersandscholarswillshareperspectivesandinsightsonthe challengesandopportunitiesofcreatingsocial,cultural,andspiritualreconciliation 12:002:00 LunchBreak

2:005:30p.m.SimultaneousBreakoutSessions PlazaA 3:154:15 4:305:30 Cypress Poster 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 PlazaA 2:003:00 Grouse 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 5:30

ArtsI ConvenerandChair:ANNEPERRY CreatingSociallyConscientious,PersonallyMeaningfulVideoGamesDEIRDRAKIAI BachtoBahaMelodiesforPeacefulLivingFRANCESCASAWYER Communications Convener:AMROLLAHHEMMAT,Chair:DEBORAHVANCE 9PPlanning:AModelforPublicConsultationMARCELLALAFEVER(posterviewingand discussionwithpresenterduringbreaksandat5:30) FromArmanshahrtoRuhi:RethinkingHumanNatureandUtopiainIranPEJMANMOSLEH ThePhilosophersStone:IntegratingArts,fromFantasytoRealityFARSHIDSAMANDARI MaximumMedium:WhataBollywoodSoapOperaCanTeachUsaboutCommunication, Change,andSocialActionNAYSANSAHBA Education Conveners:KAMILLABAHBAHANIandMARIEGERVAIS;Chair:KAMILLABAHBAHANI InfluencingtheLatinAmericanDiscourseonHumanPotentialforSocioculturalChange PETERC.NEWTONEVANS GenderandEqualityStudies ConvenerandChair:LIZABETHWRIGHT TheChangingImageofWomanCAMILLEN.KHODADAD RethinkingWomansNature:WhatDotheWritingsTellUs?DEBORAHVANCE HumanNature?TowardsaGenderedUnderstandingofBahIdealsSELENACROSSON SpecialPresentationontheCommissionontheStatusofWomenLIZABETHWRIGHT

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PlazaB 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 Oxford 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 Stanley 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 GeorgiaB 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 PlazaC 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 GeorgiaA 2:003:00 3:154:15 4:305:30 Regency Ballroom 2:004:00

InternationalAffairsI Convener:JULIABERGER;Chair:TBA TrusteesoftheMerciful:FromRepresentativestoFiduciariesMARTHAL.SCHWEITZ FromNationalismandWorldCitizenshiptoHumanNature:Sociohistoricaland BahApproaches,aComparativeStudyNADIARIAZATI GlobalizationandHumanNatureGREGORYC.DAHL PeaceandConflictStudiesI ConvenerandChair:TRIPBARTHEL WritingNewCulturalStoriesPREMAPERUMALandDAVIDHUNT PeacekeepingandNationBuildinginthe21stCentury:ASurveyofDevelopingPracticesin theDevelopingWorldOMIDTOWNSEND FramingConsultation:FromConflicttoCollaborationTRIPBARTHEL PhilosophyI ConvenerandChair:IANKLUGE AlanGewirthsPrincipleofGenericConsistencyandHumanNaturePINKIANAND RationalProofsoftheExistenceoftheSoulRICHARDN.DODGE BlochsPhilosophyofHope,theBahWritingsandHumanNatureIANKLUGE PsychologyandSociologyI Convener:PROGRAMMECHAIRS,Chair:MARYK.RADPOUR CreatingSocialSpaceforDiscourse:AnAlternativetoCuttingRemarks MARYAMVAHEDIPARSA EncouragingSexualWellnessforthisGenerationandtheNextKELLYMONJAZEB RethinkingSameSexAttractionandGeneralPrinciplesofHowtoOvercomeIt LYNNESCHREIBER ScienceandReligion Convener:STEPHENFRIBERGandRONSHIGETA,Chair:COUROSHMEHANIAN TheScientificMaterialisticViewofHumanNatureandSpiritualReality ABDULMISSAGHGHADIRIAN AristotletoEinstein:RevolutionsinPhysicsandReligionLAHEEBQUDDUSI WebTrends:VectorsforParticipationintheDiscoursesofSociety DAVIDHUNT,CHADJONESandDANJONES StudyofReligionI Convener:ANNEPEARSON;Chair:HAROLDROSEN FindingFredMortensen:ConfirmationsandTransformationonthePathofServicetotheCause BRIANGUEQUIERRE HumanNatureandWorldReligion:ABahinspiredPhilosophicalAnthropology HAROLDROSEN FromtheLucidtotheWondrousScript:TheOriginsandtheEvolutionofBah CalligraphyandSacredScriptSHAHROKHMONJAZEB PersianLanguageSession Convenor:ABSEXECUTIVECOMMITTEE,Chair:FARIBORZSAHBA ThePatternofFutureWorldCivilizationintheKitbiAqdasSHAPOURRASSEKH

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5:307:30

DinnerBreak

FridayEveningAugust13,2010 RegencyBallroom 7:30 ArtsforTransformationI MasterofCeremonies:ANNEPERRY ERICHARPER,devotionalsong KURTandLESLIEASPLUND,playwrights,scenefromAPerfectEnglishGentleman PerformedbyELHAMSIMMONSandSEANOWENROBERTS FARSHIDSAMANDARI,piano JASONCOHEN,vocalandguitarsongs HEATHERCARDINandJAMESWEST,poetrymedley NANCYACKERMAN,piano ERICHARPER,vocalandguitarsong MJCYR,vocalandguitarsongs DAVARIABSTRAKT,electropopandhiphop MOCARLSON,hiphop RegencyBallroom 9:30 ArtsforTransformationII,eveningprogramme ThelateeveningArtsprogrammeisoneofmanyoptionsopentotheconferenceparticipants,and featuresplannedandopenmiccontributions. MasterofCeremonies:MJCYR LIVEPERFORMANCES and FilmLookingforTruthANDREWNEWALL

Saturday,August14,2010 RegencyBallroom 10:00 PlenarySession Chair:SUSANNETAMAS Devotions FromHatredtoHumanity:TheBahsandIransComingofAgePAYAMAKHAVAN 11:00 AdvancingaDiscourseonHumanNature:InterdisciplinaryPerspectives MICHAELKARLBERG,POUYAEHSANI,HOLLYHANSON,MARYK.RADPOUR,RYANSIEGEL 12:302:45 Lunchbreak 6

EnglishBay 1:152:30

ConsultativeSessionontheVisionandActivitiesoftheAssociationforBahStudies NorthAmerica AllareinvitedtoanopenconsultationchairedbytheABSExecutiveCommittee.Howcan ABSmosteffectively,inthewordsoftheUniversalHouseofJustice,stimulatescholarly studyoftheFaithanditsteachings,promoteasoundunderstandingoftheCauseinacademic circlesanddemonstrateitsrelevancetothestudyofsocialissues?Thisyearssessionwill includeaspecialfocusonexpandingtheworkoftheAssociationtoothervenues,including, whereappropriate,permanentandregionalschools. Grabyourlunchandcomereflecton learningtodate,consultabouthowyouwouldliketoseeABSdevelop,andsuggestinitiatives youmighttaketohelpmakethispossible.

2:455:30p.m. SimultaneousBreakoutSessions GeorgiaB 4:005:30 PlazaA 2:453:45 4:005:30 Cypress 2:453:45 GeorgiaA 4:005:30 Cypress 4:005:00 Grouse 2:453:45 GeorgiaB 2:453:45 7

AdvancingaDiscourseonHumanNature ConvenerandChair:MICHAELKARLBERG RoundtableDiscussionFollowingupontheMorningPlenaryPanel AdvancingaDiscourseonHumanNature ArtsII ConvenerandChair:ANNEPERRY TheNatureandCharacteroftheArtistJALALIYYIHQUINNandLESLIEASPLUND AnExtraordinaryJourney:ApplyingBahHistoricalScholarshiptotheCreativeArtof PlaywritingKURTASPLUNDandLESLIEASPLUND BahHistoryandBiography ConvenerandChair:SUSANMANECK Maryam,theCrimsonLeafGLORIAYAZDANI BahMedicalAssociationofCanada Convener:PAYAMSAZEGAR BahMedicalAssociationofCanadaNetworkingMeeting BioethicsandHealthSciences ConvenerandChair:BETHBOWEN RecognizingaCompetentPhysician:ScienceandPseudoscienceinCyberspace SANDRAJ.BEAN Business,EthicsandManagementScience ConvenerandChair:NOUSHARAM MoneyandBling:ABahPerspectiveonWealthPAYAMSHODJAI InternationalAffairsII Convener:TBA WhatCanJustifyDutiesofGlobalEconomicJustice?IndividualResponsibility,Human Consciousness,andtheOnenessofHumankindSHAHRZADSABET

Oxford 2:453:45 4:005:30 Grouse 4:005:00 Stanley 2:453:45 PlazaC 2:453:45 4:005:30 PlazaB 2:453:45 4:005:30 GeorgiaA 2:453:45 Stanley 4:005:30 Regency Ballroom 2:453:45 4:005:30 5:307:30

NaturalandBuiltEnvironment ConvenerandChair:JOHNTHELENSTEERE TheBahHolyShrines:WorldHeritageSitesJOHNMACLEOD EvaluatingEmergentInnovativeSolutions:TestingaFrameworkofActionforSustainable SocialandEconomicDevelopmentPETERT.BRUSS PeaceandConflictStudiesII ConvenorandChair:TRIPBARTHEL ReconcilingAConflictofVisionsJAMESWEST PhilosophyII ConvenerandChair:IANKLUGE AbdulBahsPhilosophicalAnthropologyMIKHAILSERGEEV PsychologyandSociologyII Convener:PROGRAMMECHAIRS,Chair:MARYK.RADPOUR PositivePsychotherapyandBahTeachingsTHEOA.COPE TheMissingCurriculum:EducatingforaNewConceptionofHumanNature LARRYMCCULLOUGHandMARYK.RADPOUR RaceUnityandInterculturalIssues Convener:PROGRAMMECHAIRS,Chair:NAZANINZARGARPOUR;CHELSEAHORTON FloweringoftheHumanSpirit:TeachingandLearningwithStudentsatHampton UniversityANNER.BRENEMAN Declaration,Prophecy,andProgressiveRevelation:IndigenousBahIntersections LINDACOVEY,CHELSEAHORTONandLEEBROWN StudyofReligionII Convener:ANNEPEARSON;Chair:HAROLDROSEN SeparatingLightfromDarkWADEFRANSSON SpecialSessiononUniversityCourses Convener:ABSEXECUTIVECOMMITTEE,Chair:PIERREYVESMOCQUAIS FosteringtheCreationandDeliveryofCoursesontheBahFaithatUniversitiesandColleges PIERREYVESMOCQUAIS,VALERIEJ.DAVIS,HAROLDROSEN,andROBERTSTOCKMAN PersianLanguageSession Convener:ABSEXECUTIVECOMMITTEE,Chair:FARIBORZSAFAI Bah:FaithorReligion?HOUSHMANDFATHEAZAM TheBbsDoctrinesonHumanNatureNOSRATOLLAHMOHAMMADHOSSEINI

DinnerBreak

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SaturdayEvening,August14,2010 RegencyBallroom 7:30 PlenarySession Chair:JUDYFILSON Devotions HUAYIPRODUCTION,CHINESECHOIR

The28thHasanM.BalyuziMemorialLectureDestinyandFreedomintheBahWritings JULIOSAVI

RegencyBallroom 9:30 ArtsforTransformationIIIEveningProgram MasterofCeremonies:ERICHARPER ThelateeveningArtsprogrammeisoneofmanyoptionsopentotheconferenceparticipants,and featuresplannedandopenmiccontributions. HUAYIPRODUCTION,CHINESEDANCERS and otherLIVEPERFORMANCES

Sunday,August15,2010 RegencyBallroom 10:00 PlenarySession Chair:GORDONNAYLOR Devotions

AnIrrepressibleMovement:EvolvingIdentityandConsciousnessALISONMILSTON, ContinentalBoardofCounsellorsfortheAmericas

YoungScholarsPanel:PerspectivesfromYoungScholars MARIAMUTITU(coordinator),PAYAMSAZEGAR,TAMARAMARTELLA,SHINYUCHANG,and ALANCUNDALL ClosingmusicalpresentationBAHIYYIHPETERS,FARSHIDSAMANDARI Closingremarks:AssociationforBahStudiesExecutiveCommittee

12:30

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Abstracts and Autobiographical NotesPayamAkhavanFromHatredtoHumanity:TheBahsandIransComingofAge ThehistoricalpersecutionandforeseeableemancipationofIranianBahsisapowerfulillustrationof nationalidentitytransformingfromhatredtohumanrights.Theideologicalconstructionswhichjustify violencehavelittletodowithreligionortheology.Rather,theyaredeliberatehatemongeringagainst imaginedenemieswhichjustifiesauthoritarianpower.Iransyouthfuldemocraticmovement,both religiousandsecular,hasnowrealizedthatequalrightsforBahsisalitmustestforallcitizensrights. ViolenceagainsttheBahotherisincreasinglyviewedasviolenceagainsttheIranianself demonstratingthatanewidentitybuiltondiversityandjusticeisavitalnecessityforbothvictimsand perpetrators. PAYAMAKHAVANisProfessorofInternationalLawatMcGillUniversity.HereceivedhisPhDfrom HarvardandwasformerlySeniorFellowatYaleLawSchool.HeservedasUnitedNationswarcrimes prosecutoratTheHagueandcounselbeforetheWorldCourt.HeisCoFounderoftheIranHumanRights DocumentationCentre. PinkiAnandAlanGewirthsPrincipleofGenericConsistencyandHumanNature ReasonorFaith?Couldadeeperunderstandingofhumannaturereconcilethisperennialandever evolvingdebate?ThepresenterwilldiscussAlanGewirthshighlycontestedPrincipleofGeneric Consistencyasuprememoralprinciplewhich,basedonreason,challengestheGoldenRuleandargue thatbyunderstandinghumannature,asexplainedinreligiouswritings,anagent(individual)can overcometheconflictbetweenreasonandfaith. PINKIANAND,Hons.BA(PoliticalScience),MA(PublicPolicyandAdministration),MACandidate(Public Ethics),isapolicyanalystattheTreasuryBoardSecretariatofCanada.Heracademicinterestsinclude MiddleEastPolicy,SocialPolicy,andReligiousStudies. NavaAshrafBehaviouralEconomics,SpiritualReality,andtheRevolutionwithinEconomicThought (interactiveworkshop) NAVAASHRAF,PhDEconomics(Harvard),BAEconomicsandInternationalRelations(Stanford),is AssociateProfessoratHarvardBusinessSchool.Herresearchcombinespsychologyandeconomics,inlab andfieldexperiments,totestinsightsfrombehaviouraleconomicsinthecontextofdevelopmentprojects. HerresearchispublishedinleadingjournalsincludingtheAmericanEconomicReview.

KurtAsplundandLeslieAsplundAnExtraordinaryJourney:ApplyingBahHistoricalScholarship totheCreativeArtofPlaywriting KurtandLeslieAsplundofferaworkshopdesignedtostimulatecollaborationsbetweenBahhistorians andartists.Theywilldiscusshowtheirplay,APerfectEnglishGentleman,evolvedoutofKurts researchintotheearlyhistoryoftheFaith,andwilldescribeprinciplesofplaywritingthatarecriticalto thesuccessfulcreationofapolishedwork.Participantswillbeinvitedtoreadaloudselectedscenesthat10

illustrateapplicationoftheseconcepts.Itishopedthattheworkshopwillmoveartistsandhistoriansto worktogethertofulfilinsomemeasureShoghiEffendisvisionabouttheFaithspreadinglikewildfire. KURTASPLUND,playwrightandamateurhistorian,hasabachelorsdegreeinEnvironmentalScienceanda mastersinHumanBehavior/SystemsCounseling,andusesthesedegreestoinformhisart.Overaperiod of18yearshehasassembledaBahlibrarythatincludesearlysourcespreviouslyunknowntotheBah community. LESLIEASPLUND,PhD,anAssistantDirectorinfilmforyearsbeforebecomingapsychotherapist,is returningtoherrootsinthearts.Sheandherhusband,Kurt,haveformedatheatricalwritingdirecting producingteamcommittedtobringingthespiritandteachingsoftheFaithtohumanitythroughthe performingarts. LeslieAsplundTheNatureandCharacteroftheArtist(seeQuinnforabstract) LESLIEAPSLUNDSeeaboveforbiography. TripBarthelFramingConsultation:FromConflicttoCollaboration Bahsuseconsultationasaspiritualandpracticaldecisionmakingprocesstodiscerntruthandtake action.Bahconsultationoffersaprocessmodelthataddressesbothourspiritualandrationalnatures throughaframeworkofprinciplesandpracticalguidelines.Throughinteractiveparticipationthissession willexplorehowtheprinciplesofconsultationallowthepartiestomovefromconflicttocollaboration. Theseprinciplesincludeindividualinvestigation,truth,detachment,minorityviews,spiritualprinciples andunity.Consultationinthissessionwillbepresentedinrelationtobrainfunction,learningtheory, communication,conflictresolution,processdesign,problemsolvinganddecisionmaking. TRIPBARTHELwastheFounderandExecutiveDirector(19992009)oftheNeighborhoodMediationCenter inReno,Nevada.Tripenjoysconductingimaginativeandinteractiveteachingandtrainingexperiencesat conferences,schoolsandaroundtheworld.HecurrentlyteachesinShanghai,China. SandraJ.BeanRecognizingaCompetentPhysician:ScienceandPseudoscienceinCyberspace Todaysbettereducatedmedicalcareconsumersincreasinglyseekhealthinformationandguidancefrom theInternet.Inthewelterofonlineadviceavailable,howcanwebestapplytheBahprincipleof independentinvestigationofthetruth?WearefortunateasBahsinunderstandingthatonewingof realityisscienceandscienceandbeliefbothinformourinquiryanddecisions.Asanexampleofthe difficultyinfindingfactualinformation,25currentwebsiteswereexaminedforcontentanddesign attributes.Thispresentationexaminesthesewebsitesinthelightofscienceandpseudosciencetowardthe goaloffollowingcompetentmedicaladvice. SANDRAJ.BEAN,MPH,doctoralstudentinpublichealthatOregonStateUniversity,researchesvaccine oppositionanditseffectonthepublicshealth.SandralivedandworkedasaBahpioneerinAsiaand, afterreturningtotheUS,workedfortheUSCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. 11

AnneR.BrenemanFloweringoftheHumanSpirit:TeachingandLearningwithStudentsatHampton University ThevisionofanewraceofmenisoneofthethemesofAbdulBahstalksgivenduringHistravelstothe West.Thethemeofthisconferencechallengesthecurrentsocialconstructionofreality,whichparticularly intheWesternworldhasbecomedominatedbyassumptionsofrationalityasthepreferredstateofbeing, ifnotthenorm.Butisthisgenerationbuyingintothisparadigm?Referringtovarioussocialtheoriesand thevoicesofyouthwriters,Iwillshowhowtodaysyoutharebeingpreparedtobecomethepioneersof tomorrowsworld. ANNER.BRENEMANisanAssociateProfessorofSociologyatHamptonUniversity,wheresheteachesthe SociologyofReligionandSocialTheory,amongothercourses.She,withRebeccaMbuh,coauthored WomenintheNewMillennium:AGlobalRevolution(2006).Sheisalsotheauthorofthreechildrensbooks. LeeBrown,ChiefDouglasWhiteIIIKwulasultun,andJacquelineLeftHandBullManyGenerous Hands ThisplenarypanelofIndigenousleadersandscholarswillshareperspectivesandinsightsonthe challengesandopportunitiesofcreatingsocial,cultural,andspiritualreconciliation.Thepanelisexpected toincludediscussionofIndigenousperspectivesonthespiritualandmaterialdimensionsofexistenceand theirrelationship,thechallengesofsocialandculturalreconciliationandtherolesofindividualsand communitiesinthoseprocesses,andthechallengesandopportunitiesforFaithcommunities,suchasthe BahFaith,toplayapositiveroleinprocessesofreconciliation.Followingthepanelpresentationsthere willbeamoderateddialogueamongstthepanellists. LeeBrownDeclaration,Prophecy,andProgressiveRevelation:IndigenousBahIntersections (breakoutpanel,seeHortonforpaneldescription) ThispresentationwillexploreanAboriginalorientationtocurrenteventsthroughtheNativeProphecies oftheThreeGreatShakingsandpresenttheconceptofprogressiverevelation.ThentheGreatLawof Peacewillbepresentedwithanexplorationofthethreeprimaryprinciplesarisingfromthelaw.The KitbiAqdaswillthenbebrieflypresentedwithanexplorationofthetwelveprinciplesthatarisefrom thegreatlawforthisday.Inconclusion,similaritiesbetweenbothstatementsoflawwillbeexploredin relationtotheconceptofprogressiverevelation. LEEBROWN,PhD,isDirectoroftheUBCInstituteofAboriginalHealthandformerCoordinatorofthe IndigenousDoctoralPrograminEducationalStudies,andcoauthorofTheSacredTree.Histheoryof holisticemotionaleducationandhealthispredicateduponsixprinciplesofemotionalcompetencyandhis researchispublishedinseveralacademicjournals. PeterT.BrussEvaluatingEmergentInnovativeSolutions:TestingaFrameworkofActionfor SustainableSocialandEconomicDevelopment Enablingruralinhabitantstoexploresustainableentrepreneurialsolutionstolocalenvironmental/energy concernsrequiresareevaluationofourcomplexsocialrealities.Thismustconsidertheinfluenceofa spiritualrealityuponthesoulscreativewillanditsabilitytoempowerbehaviouralchange.Buildinga sustainable,adaptiveandresilientcivilizationnecessitatesintegratingspiritualvaluesvirtuesintothe12

fabricofmaterialprogress.Suchkeyingredientsservetoreinforce/guidepositiveemergenthuman behaviour,decisionmakingandcapacitybuildingoutofwhichmoreecologicallybalancedcommunities canevolve.ThisworkshopwillpresentaPhDproposaltoidentifysuchinnovationindevelopment practice,discusstheseinterwovenissuesandwillincludeacollaborativegroupexercise. PETERBRUSS,BSAgriculture,UtahState:MSEconomicDevelopment,UniversityofLondon;MBA, InternationalManagement,Thunderbird,Arizona,iscurrentlypursuingaPhDinHumanDimensionsto EcologyatColoradoStateUniversity.HehaslivedandworkedinEurope,AfricaandtheMiddleEastand ismarriedwithtwoboysinhighschool. ShinYuChangYoungScholarsPanel(seeMariaMutituforpaneldescription) SHINYUCHANGiscompletingamastersofartsinCounsellingPsychologyatUniversityofVictoria. DrawingfromtheBahWritingsandmulticulturalvalues,sheseekstounderstandhowbeliefsabout humannatureinfluencesonesownagingprocess.Shehopestoincorporateherfindingsintoherfuture counsellingpractice. TheoA.CopePositivePsychotherapyandBahTeachings PositivePsychotherapy,foundedbyDr.NossratPeseschkian,aPersianBah,assumesthefunctional capacitiesoftheunconscioustobebasiccapacities.Thebasiccapacitiesarethecapacitiestoloveandto know.Buildingonanarticlepublishedinthe2009JournalofReligionandHealth,thistalkwilldevelopthe notionoftheunconsciousbybrieflypresentingitshistoricaluse,itscurrentacceptanceinpsychology andpsychotherapyanditsuseinPositivePsychotherapy.Thetalkwillfocusonthedevelopmentof psychosocialcapacitiesbaseduponthebasiccapacitiesandtheirfunctionandapplicationfor psychospiritualhealthandpsychologicaltherapy. THEOCOPEreceivedhisPhDinAppliedPsychology,iscurrentlylecturinginPsychology,Social Psychology,andOrganizationalBehaviourandisViceDirectoroftheStudentCounsellingCentreat DongbeiUniversityofFinanceandEconomicsinDalian.HehastaughtinChinafor11years,andisa certifiedconsultantinPositivePsychotherapy. LindaCoveyDeclaration,Prophecy,andProgressiveRevelation:IndigenousBahIntersections (breakoutpanel,seeHortonforpaneldescription) ThispresentationwillexplorehistoricDinBahconversionexperiencesinArizona.Itwillconsider,in particular,twoancientprophecies,thereturnoftheWarriorTwinsandtheUnityChantthatforetellsthe comingofachieffromtheeastwithtwelvefeathers.DinBahsbelievethattheTwinMessengersofthe FaitharethereturnoftheirWarriorTwinsandthatthechiefwithtwelvefeathersisBahullh.Covey willalsoarguethattheDinshistoryoflossanddeprivationprovidedfertilegroundforconversion,and thattheteachingsoftheBahFaithprovidedmuchneededautonomyandempowerment. LINDAS.COVEYholdsdegreesinreligiousstudiesandpsychologyanddoctoralworkinclinical psychology.ShecurrentlyteachesatMissouriStateUniversitysCollegeofInternationalBusinessat LiaoningNormalUniversity,Dalian,China.SheisaBahofmanyyearsandactivelypractisesher Cherokee/SouthernCheyenneheritage.13

SelenaCrossonHumanNature?TowardsaGenderedUnderstandingofBahIdeals

Bahsarechallengedtoimplementnewparadigmsofhumannaturecontainedintheirsacredwritings thatenvisionunity,peacefulnessandcooperation.Thispaperexploresthefashioningofnewmodelsfor BahwomenthatembraceequalitybutretainfemininevirtuesandforBahmenthatdonotglorify egoism,aggressiveselfinterestorwar.Syncretismandsynthesis,aswellasadistinctiveBahethos,are evidentinthesenewparadigms,reflectingtheintersectionsbetweengender,cultureandreligion.

SELENACROSSONisnearingcompletionofaPhDinHistoryattheUniversityofSaskatchewanandisa sessionalinstructorinCanadianandWomensHistory.HerdissertationisprovisionallytitledMay Maxwell,theNewWorldOrderandInterwarFeminism:TransformativeIdentity,Gender&Globalismin theEarlyTwentiethCentury. AlanCundallYoungScholarsPanel(seeMariaMutituforpaneldescription) ALANCUNDALLisastudentofelementaryeducationattheUniversityofVictoria,BritishColumbiawitha specialinterestinholisticandsituatedapproachestoeducation.HisparticipationinvariousBah communitybuildingandeducationalinitiativesatbothformalinstitutionalandgrassrootslevelshasalso shapedhisoutlookinthisendeavour. GregoryC.DahlGlobalizationandHumanNature Globalizationisoftenconceptualizedintermsof(a)simpleEcon.101principlessuchascomparative advantage,(b)theadvanceoftechnologiesthateffectivelyreducedistancesandovercometraditional barriers,(c)politicalandeconomicpowerstructuresandexploitation,and/or(d)lossofcultureand identity.However,noneofthesementalframeworksadequatelyexplainwhatweactuallyobserve happeningintheworldnorprovideagoodbasisforpolicy.AmoreusefulmentalframeworkistheBah insightthatitisinhumannaturetobeinterestedinourfellowhumanbeings,resultinginagrowing awarenessoftheonenessofmankind.

GREGORY DAHL studied economics at Harvard and pursued a 27-year career with the International Monetary Fund, including several overseas postings. He lives in Bulgaria and serves on the National Spiritual Assembly there. He is the author of One World, One People: How Globalization is Shaping Our Future. (See www.gregorydahl.net)

ValerieJ.DavisFosteringtheCreationandDeliveryofCoursesontheBahFaithatUniversities andColleges(seeMocquaisforpaneldescription) VALERIEJ.DAVIS,PhDHumanandOrganizationDevelopment,isarespectedconsultantwhospecializes inworkingwithseniorlevelexecutivesandsupportingchangethroughleadershipdevelopmentand executivecoaching.Aquartercenturyofexecutiveexperienceinglobalorganizationshasinfluencedher perspectiveonleadershipchallenges. 14

RichardN.DodgeRationalProofsoftheExistenceoftheSoul Anaprioriargumentisgivenfortheexistenceandeternalnatureofthesoul.Theexistenceofthesoulis provedbythepowersofabstractthoughtthroughwhichweareconnectedtorealmsofperfection.Worlds ofperfectionaredistinguishedfromthephysicaluniversebecauseitisinaconstantstateofcombination andrecombination,andthecontingencyoftimeandplace.Geometricfigures,asanexample,areshownto beapartfromthephysicaluniverse.Thenatureofthevirtues,WritingsofAbdulBah,andthewritings oftheancientphilosophersarealsodiscussed. RICHARDDODGEholdsadoctorateingeographyfromtheUniversityofDenverandhastaughtatlevels frommiddleschooltoUniversity.HelivesinDouglas,ArizonaandisontheBoardofDesertRoseBah Institute.HisinterestsincludeUnitedNationsreform,planetaryproblems,philosophy,andBahhistory. HooperDunbarTheDualCharacterofHumanReality Thispresentationwilloutlinevariousconsiderationscentraltounderstandingtheessentialnatureof humankind.Itwillexplorethedistinctionsbetweenhumannatureandtheloweranimalrealmaswellas theimplicationsofpropheticRevelationforhumantransformation,offeringavisionoftruehumannature andanewraceofmen. HOOPERDUNBARwasalongtimeBahpioneer,educator,translatorandpublisherinLatinAmerica.An accomplishedpainterandpublishedauthor,hehasservedatalllevelsofBahadministration.He recentlyretiredfromtheUniversalHouseofJustice,after37yearsattheBahWorldCentreinHaifa, Israel. PouyaEhsaniAdvancingaDiscourseonHumanNature:InterdisciplinaryPerspectives (seeKarlbergforpaneldescription) POUYAEHSANIiscompletingaPhDinHealthBehaviourandHealthEducationattheUniversityof Michigan.Hisresearchfocusesonthephysiologicalandsociologicalbasisforriskbehaviours.He previouslyworkedasayouthhealtheducatorandapublichealthpractitionerinAustralia,Asia,Europe andtheUnitedStates. HoushmandFatheazamBah:FaithorReligion?(PersianLanguageSession) HOUSHMANDFATHEAZAMisfromaBahfamilywhosehistorydatestotheBbera.HepioneeredtoIraq in1942thenstudiedliteratureinTehran.HepioneeredtoIndiain1952servingasNationalSpiritual Assemblysecretaryfrom1955untilelectedtotheUniversalHouseofJusticein1963whereheserveduntil 2003.Hehaspublishedseveralarticlesandavolumeofpoems. WadeFranssonSeparatingLightfromDark TheBookofCertitudeexemplifiestheneedtocarefullyanalyzetheWordofGod,particularlytheQurn. InJudeoChristianbasedsocieties,sciencecanoftenunderminefaithintheWordofGod,whichisperfect, whilescientificunderstandingcanbeincompleteorimmature.Thispresentationcomparesthecreation15

storyoftheBiblewithnewscientificevidence,highlightingapathofdefenceofimportantspiritual groundversesseculararguments.ImprovedunderstandinginthisarenacanassistBahsintheWestto moreeffectivelyreachthoseofaChristianorJewishbackground. WADEFRANSSONaBahsince2007,holdsadegreeinBiblicalTheology,withemphasisontheintegration oftheOldandNewCovenants,andChristasfulfilmentandcontinuationofMoses.Hehasdelivered hundredsoflecturesinNorthAmerica,WesternandEasternEurope,SouthAfrica,Thailand,andIndia. AbdulMissaghGhadirianTheScientificMaterialistViewofHumanNatureandSpiritualReality Agrowingnumberofresearchpublicationssuggestaneurobiologicalbasistoreligiousexperiencesand humanreality.Usingareductionisticapproach,someauthorstheorizethatcomplexmetaphysical experiencessuchasreligionandspiritualityareproductsoftheevolutionaryadaptationofthehuman brain.Religionisperceivedasageneticallyinheritedinstinctwhileconsciousnessandmindareviewed astheresultofbraincellactivity.Giventhecomplexityofthemindbrainrelationship,claimingthatthe productionofabstractandnonmaterialphenomenalikereligionandsoularetheresultofbrainactivities defieslogic.SuchmaterialisticassumptionswillbediscussedfromaBahperspective. ABDULMISSAGHGHADIRIAN,Professor,McGillUniversity,FacultyofMedicine,istheauthorofextensive publicationsincludingresearcharticlesandseveralbooks,themostrecentofwhichareCreativeDimensions ofSufferingandMaterialismMoralandSocialConsequences.Hisrecentteachingandresearchworkshave beenonscienceandspirituality. BrianGuequierreFindingFredMortensen:ConfirmationsandTransformationonthePathofService totheCause AbdulBahshoweredloveonanearlyAmericanBah,Mr.FredMortensen,adelinquentandfugitive wholearnedabouttheFaithfromhislawyerandlaterrodetherailsacrossthecountytomeettheMaster. ThepresenterwillexploreparallelexperiencesandaspecialaffinityforMr.Mortensen,whileexamining theempiricallessonsthatcanbelearnedfromobservingpersonaltransformationthroughBahullh whatinspiresit,whatinhibitsit,andhowcanBahcommunitiescultivateitasweseektoadvancenew modelsofhumannatureandraiseupanewraceofmen. BRIANGUEQUIERREisaconsumerprotectionattorneyinAustin,Texas,wherehereceivedhisJDinLaw andBAinLiteraturefromUT,andliveswithhisbeautifulwifeandchildren.Anavidsurfer,waterman, andnaturalist,hehasbeenapioneerandtravelteacherthroughoutpartsofAfrica,Europe,andthe Americas. HollyHansonUsingthe2010RidvnMessagetoInitiateConversationsonHumanNature HollyHansonAdvancingaDiscourseonHumanNature:InterdisciplinaryPerspectives (seeKarlbergforpaneldescription) HOLLYHANSONassociateprofessorofhistory,MountHolyokeCollege,haswrittenonbothAfrican historyandBahperspectivesonsocialchange.SheiscompletingabookonKampala,tracingthe16

transformationofpoliticalaccountabilityover200years,andcontemplatingcollaborativeresearchonthe historyofEastAfricanfoodsecurity. ChelseaHorton,LindaCovey,andLeeBrownDeclaration,Prophecy,andProgressiveRevelation: IndigenousBahIntersections Thispanelexploresquestionsofdeclaration,prophecy,andprogressiverevelationastheyrelateto IndigenousBahsinNorthAmericapast,present,andfuture. ChelseaHortonspresentationwillconsidersimilarquestionsacrossabroadergeography,exploringhow andwhyIndigenouspeoplefromurbanandreservesettingsinNorthAmericabecameBahsinthe secondhalfofthetwentiethcentury.Drawingonoralhistories,shewilldiscussdeclarationsexperienced andarticulatedthroughidiomsofdreams,visions,prophecy,andprogressiverevelation.Placingthis processofbecominginthecontextofsettlercolonialism,Hortonwillfurtheroutlineasearchforunityand socialandspiritualbelongingandreflectonchallengesencounteredinattemptstobuildunityindiversity ontheground. CHELSEAHORTONisaPhDcandidateinHistoryattheUniversityofBritishColumbia.Shehastaughtin theHistoryandWomensStudiesdepartmentsatUBCandplanstodefendherdissertation,AllisOne: BecomingIndigenousandBahinGlobalNorthAmerica,in2011. DavidHuntWritingNewCulturalStories(seePerumalfordescription) DAVIDHUNTisasawebdesignerusingDrupal,apopularcontentmanagementsystem,focusingonsocial networkingfunctionalityandusersubmittedcontent.Heisalsoacontemporaryfolkmusicianwhose musicisinspiredbytheBahWritingsandtheexperiencesofhisphysicalandspiritualreality. DavidHunt,ChadJones,andDanJonesWebTrends:VectorsforParticipationintheDiscourses ofSociety InJuly2009,searchenginesservedover113billionrequests,almost17foreverypersonontheplanet.A statisticalanalysisofthecontentofthesesearchesprovidesimportantinsightsintotheconfluenceof interestandknowledgeamongthegeneralpublicabouttopicsthatshapeourunderstandingofhuman naturepeace,religion,gender,justice,death,racism,etc.Throughsearchcontentanalysis,this presentationwillexplorethescopeandlanguageofrelevantpublicdiscourses,exposetheconspicuous lackofBahparticipationinthem,andsuggestavenuesandmeansforstatisticallymeaningfulBah participationinthediscoursesofsocietyonline. DAVIDHUNTSeeaboveforbiography. CHADJONES,creatorofthepopularresearchprogramsOceanandSifter,hasbeenstretchingthelimitsof Bahtechnologyeffortsformanyyears.Henowdesignswebapplicationsfocusedoneducationand socialnetworkingfromhishomenearSacramento,California. DANJONEShasbeenworkingintechnologyandsoftwaredevelopmentforover15years.Henowdesigns DrupalandWordpresswebapplicationsfromhishomeinOceanside,California.17

MichaelKarlberg,PouyaEhsani,HollyHanson,MaryK.Radpour,andRyanSiegelAdvancinga DiscourseonHumanNature:InterdisciplinaryPerspectives Thispanelexploresconceptionsofhumannatureacrossdiverseacademicdisciplines,discussestheir socialimplications,andcorrelatesthemwithinsightsdrawnfromtheBahwritingsandtheexperience oftheBahcommunity.Thepanelsgoalistocontributetotheemergenceofamorecoherent interdisciplinarydiscourseonhumannaturethatharmonizesthebestcontemporaryinsightsfromscience andreligion.Toaccomplishthis,eachpanellistwillofferbriefreflectionsoncurrentsofthoughtregarding humannaturewithintheirowndisciplines.Theseinitialreflectionswillbefollowedbyamoderatedpanel discussion. MichaelKarlberg(facilitator)RoundtableDiscussionFollowinguponPlenaryPanelAdvancinga DiscourseonHumanNature This90minuteroundtablediscussionwillexpandtheconversationbegunintheplenarypaneltitled AdvancingaDiscourseonHumanNature.Itwillbeorganizedasafishbowlwithaboutadozen interdisciplinaryspeakersconductinga60minuteconversationinthecentralcircle,whilealarger audiencelistensonfromconcentricringsofthecircle.Inthelast30minutes,commentsandquestionswill betakenfromthelargeraudienceaswell. MICHAELKARLBERGisanassociateprofessorofCommunicationatWesternWashingtonUniversity.His scholarshipfocusesonthecultureofcontestandtheassumptionsregardinghumannatureandthe socialorderthatinformit.ThesethemesareexploredinhisbookBeyondtheCultureofContestandin variousjournalarticles. CamilleN.KhodadadTheChangingImageofWoman Nomemberofthehumanfamilyhasbeenmoreconstrainedbythelimitedviewofhernaturethan woman.Deemedweak,unstable,andinferiorinintelligence,awomansrolewastobesupportive.With theindustrialrevolution,womengainedentrytotheworkplace.Changessincehavebeenrapid.After recallingtheimagethatcircumscribedherfreedom,thisworkshopwillsurveytheriseofwoman beginningwiththeunveilingofwomenspotentialsetinmotionbytheBahrevelation.Whatwilla worldinwhichtrueequalityofwomenandmenobtainslooklike?Necessarymeasureswillbesuggested; imagineeringencouraged. CAMILLEKHODADADJD,haspractisedintheareaofemploymentlawforthelast19years.Sheiscurrently headoftheemploymentlawdepartmentofHall,Prangle,SchoonveldinChicago.PriortojoiningHPS, CamillewasapartnerintheemploymentlawdepartmentofLord,Bissell&Brook. DeirdraKiaiCreatingSociallyConscientious,PersonallyMeaningfulVideoGames Thoughvideogamesareprimarilyknownforconflictresolutionviacombatandcompetition,the landscapeofthiscomparativelynewartformisslowlychangingtoaccommodategreaternumbersof gamesrelyingoncooperationandprosocialbehaviourinkeepingwiththeprinciplesoftheBahFaith. Thispresentationwillexploreoneparticularapproachtocreatingsuchgames:specifically,thatoffocusing ontellinganinteractivestory,ofrepresentingauthentichumanrelationships,andofframingproblemsas choicesratherthansimplychallenges.18

DEIRDRAKIAIhasbeendesigning,writing,andprogrammingintelligentandunusualvideogamessince shewasateenager.SheisarecentgraduateoftheUniversityofBritishColumbiascomputerscience programandiscurrentlyemployedatHotheadGamesinVancouver. IanKlugeBlochsPhilosophyofHope,theBahWritingsandHumanNature ErnstBlochsphilosophyofhopepresentsanewphilosophyofhumannaturewhichcomplementsthe BahWritingsandallowsourunderstandingoftheWritingstogrowintonewdirectionsandtoreach newaudiences. IANKLUGEisapoet,playwrightandindependentphilosophyscholar.Hehaspublishednumerousarticles onthephilosophicalaspectsoftheBahWritings,aswellastwobooksabouttheAmericanphilosophical poet,ConradAiken. MarcellaLaFever9PPlanning:AModelforPublicConsultation 9PPlanningisaholisticmodelforensuringthatallculturalgroupsinanygivencommunityhavethe opportunitytobeheardduringpublicdecisionmakingprocesses.Eachofthe9Psissupportedby guidancefromtheBahwritingsandwasdevelopedthroughresearchthatcentredonthedevelopment ofrelationshipsasthefocalpointofpublicconsultation.The9Pprocesscanbeusedasbothanevaluation andaplanningtoolforcommunitydevelopment,especiallywherethereisatraditionallymarginalized groupwithinthecommunity. MARCELLALAFEVER(UniversityofNewMexico,2005)isafacultymemberattheUniversityoftheFraser ValleyinAbbotsford,BritishColumbia.Herresearchinvestigatestheroleofcommunicationinincreasing theparticipationofmarginalizedculturalgroupsincommunitydevelopmentplanning. JacquelineLeftHandBullManyGenerousHands(seeBrownforpaneldescription) JACQUELINELEFTHANDBULLisamemberoftheRosebudSiouxTribe(SicanguLakota),andChairofthe NationalSpiritualAssemblyoftheBahsoftheUnitedStates. JohnMacLeodTheBahHolyShrines:WorldHeritageSites CreatedbyUNESCOin1972toprotecttheplanetsmostcherishednaturalandmanmadeplaces,the WorldHeritageProgramdesignatedthetwoprincipalsitesofBahpilgrimageforinclusiononthe WorldHeritageListin2008.Thepaperexaminestheconceptsofworldheritage,culturallandscapes, pilgrimageandoutstandinguniversalvalue,andhowtheywereappliedtotheBahHolyPlaces.It tracestheprocessofdesignatingtheseWorldHeritageSites,fromthestateofIsraelsinitialproposalto theirofficialrecognition,andunderlinestheexemplarylongtermmanagementplanforthesites. JOHNMACLEODisanassociateprofessoratUniversitdeMontralwherehecurrentlyservesasdirectorof theSchoolofLandscapeArchitecture.A1970sgraduateofEnvironmentalStudiesandLandscape ArchitecturefromtheUniversityofManitoba,hehastravelledwidelyresearchinganddesigningplaces dedicatedtoworldpeace.19

TamaraMartellaYoungScholarsPanel(seeMariaMutituforpaneldescription) TAMARAMARTELLA,VancouverIslandbasedvocalist,musician,educatorandpainter,hasrecordedinrap, rock,gospel,bluesandjazzgenres.Aclassicallytrainedflautist(VictoriaConservatoryofMusic)shehasa DiplomainJazzStudies(VancouverIslandUniversity)andhasprovidedacommunitychildrensband programtoschoolsforthepastfiveyears. LarryMcCulloughandMaryK.RadpourTheMissingCurriculum:EducatingforaNewConception ofHumanNature Thereisgrowingrecognitionthatthereisanewsetofcoreskillsrequiredformaturefunctioning.These skillsincludecapacitiesforemotional,social,moralandspiritualintelligence.Thisworkshopputsfortha modelofhumannaturethatplacestheseskillsatthecoreofdevelopment.Italsopresentsaproven processforauthenticselfdiscoveryandaproposalforatrainingcurriculumbasedonthisprocess.Mary K.RadpourandLarryMcCulloughdrawontheircollectiveprofessionalexperienceindiversefieldsas wellastheirexperienceworkingwithBahpersonaldevelopmentprojectstosharepracticalapplications ofthisprocess. LARRYMCCULLOUGH,EdD,hasover30yearsexperienceintraininganddevelopmentforlargecorporations andorganizations.HeisExecutiveDirectorofPinetreeInstitute,Eliot,Maine,whichexploresintegratingthe artswithpersonalandsocialdevelopment.Hehasworkedover20yearswithBNASAA,aBahsupport groupaddressingdifficultpersonaldevelopmentissues. AlisonMilstonAnIrrepressibleMovement:EvolvingIdentityandConsciousness Aswestudyandinternalizethe2010RidvnMessageoftheUniversalHouseofJustice,itiscompellingto reflectuponthesignificanceofitsimplicationsinshapingindividualandcollectiveconsciousness.Howdo weseeourselvesandourworkcontributingtoaglobalprocessoftransformationincommunitiesand individuals?HowisourunderstandingofwhatitmeanstoidentifyasamemberoftheBahcommunity evolvinginrelationtoourcurrenteffortstoadvancematerialandspiritualprogress? ALISONMILSTONcurrentlyservesasamemberoftheContinentalBoardofCounsellorsfortheAmericas. PierreYvesMocquaisFaculty/StudentWorkshop:ScholarshipintheContextofthePlans ThisdaylongprogramoffersaforumtolearnandconsultaboutaspectsofBahscholarshipandservice mostrelevanttofacultyandstudents,andanopportunitytodevisestrategiesforpossibleimplementation oncampuses.Inthemorning,interactiveworkshopsarededicatedtolearningabouttherelationship betweenscholarshipandtheCovenant,thenatureoflearning,andtheplaceofscholarshipinthe processesofgrowthandcoreactivities.Intheafternoon,participantswillworkinsmallgroupstodevise strategiestoenhancetheroleofcampusgroupsandhelpthembecomeforumstobeginlearningabout participationintheprevalentdiscoursesofsociety. PierreYvesMocquais,ValerieJ.Davis,HaroldRosen,RobertStockmanFosteringtheCreationand DeliveryofCoursesontheBahFaithatUniversitiesandColleges 20

In1974,theUniversalHouseofJusticecalledontheCanadianBahcommunitytocultivate opportunitiesforformalpresentations,coursesandlectureshipsontheBahFaithinCanadian universitiesandotherinstitutionsofhigherlearning.Panellistswillsharetheirexperiences,addressing challengesandopportunitiesofstartup;content,methodology,andlessonslearned;andwillproposenew approacheswhichconsiderthenewguidanceregardingparticipationintheprevalentdiscoursesof society.Thefocusofdiscussionwillbeonenhancingandsystematizingthedevelopmentofsuchcourses tosupporttheabovemandate,nowextendedtotheAssociationforBahStudiesforNorthAmerica. PIERREYVESMOCQUAIS,PhD,isFullProfessorintheDepartmentofFrench,ItalianandSpanishFacultyof HumanitiesoftheUniversityofCalgary.AuthororcoauthoroffivebooksandChevalierdanslOrdredes PalmesAcadmiques,heiscurrentlytheAcademicDirectoroftheAssociationforBahStudies. NosratollahMohammadhosseiniTheBbsDoctrinesonHumanNature NOSRATOLLAHMOHAMMADHOSSEINI,DoctorofLaw(Tehran),hastaughtcoursesonBahtopicsaswell asoncriminologyandlawinbothCanadaandinIran.HehaspublishedmanyarticlesinPersianBah journals,andauthoredsevenmajorworksinPersiansuchastheLife,WorkandPoetryofTahirihanda ConcordancetotheKitbiAqdas. KellyMonjazebEncouragingSexualWellnessforthisGenerationandtheNext Theproblemsresultingfromthemisuseandabuseoftheseximpulseareoneofthemostpervasive social/spiritualillsafflictingindividualsandsocietytoday.Thecurrentsyndicatemodelcreatesshame andisdetrimentaltostablefamilylife.Thispresentationwilladdresstheurgentandcriticalneedfor creatingdialogueaboutissuesrelatedtocurrentsexualnormsandthecollectivevisionrequiredtocreatea healthierandmoreenlightenedcivilization. KELLYMONJAZEB(kelly@betterfamilylife.ca),BachelorofSocialWork,UniversityofVictoria,hasbeena partoftheBahcommunityfor16years.Kellycurrentlyofferseducationalprogramstohelpstrengthen marriageandfamilylife.Herareasofspecialinterestandtrainingincludemoraleducation,addictions, womensissuesandhumansexuality. ShahrokhMonjazebFromtheLucidtotheWondrousScript:TheOriginsandtheEvolutionofBah CalligraphyandSacredScript Thispresentationwillshow,throughtheuseofrarephotosandartisticimages,theoriginand developmentofBahDesignCalligraphyandIlluminationfromthetimeoftheBbuptothepresent day. SHAHROKHMONJAZEBhasbeenapresenterattheABSannualconferencesince1991.Heisthecofounder ofTheFurtanAcademyfortheStudyofBahHistoryandSacredTextandistheauthorofamonograph onBahullhentitledBahullh:ABriefSurveyofHisLifeandWorks. 21

PejmanMoslehFromArmanshahrtoRuhi:RethinkingHumanNatureandUtopiainIran Relegatedtodistanttimeandspace,armanshahrorutopiainIraniandiscourseshascapturedthe imaginationofmany:fromalFarabitoFarrokhzad,fromnineteenthcenturyreformiststotwentyfirst centurymahdists.Itscitizensrangefromthedocilelygoodnaturedtopassivebenefactorsofajust monarchoramilitantmessiah.EmergingvoicesfromIran,however,areincreasinglyselfempoweredbut nonviolent,allinclusiveandcooperative,atthegrassrootsandwithasizablefemalecomponent.Fortheir fellowcitizens,Bahs,whetherinplaygroundsorprisoncells,translatewhathathbeenwritteninto realityandaction,andexemplifyhowthebettermentoftheworldiswithinonesreach. PEJMANMOSLEHworksinthehightechsector.HestudiedsciencesandEnglishliterature. MariaMutitu(coordinator),PayamSazegar,TamaraMartella,ShinYuChang,andAlanCundall YoungScholarsPanel Thispanelwillexploreconceptsofhumannaturethroughvariousacademicdisciplines,includingbutnot limitedtoEducation,Medicine,Psychology,andtheArts.Thepanellistswill,throughacombinationof theirresearchandfieldpractice,relatethesocialimplicationsofcertainaspectsofthesedisciplinesand howtheBahWritingsfurtherinformtheirpractices,understandingofhumannature,andsocietyin general.Thepanellistsintendtoofferaninteractivemediumthroughwhichboththeyandtheconference participantscanfurtheradvancethisdialogueonhowBahscholarshipcancontributetotheemergence ofanewconsensusregardinghumannature. MARIAMUTITUisamemberoftheVictoriaBahCommunityandtheUniversityofVictoriaFacultyof Education.HerteachingandresearchstrivetoincorporatetheBahWritingsandencompasscurriculum andinstruction,especiallycreatingholisticworkingandlearningspacesthatareculturally,ethnically, linguistically,intellectually,psychologically,spiritually,andphysicallyinclusive. PeterC.NewtonEvansInfluencingtheLatinAmericanDiscourseonHumanPotentialfor SocioculturalChange FeedbackfromparticipantsinNrUniversitysMoralLeadershipprogramshowedthattheassumption thathumansareincorrigiblyselfishandaggressiveiscommonamonguniversitystudentsandstaffin LatinAmerica,andthatthisburdenspotentialagentsofchangewiththeparalyzingcontradiction identifiedinThePromiseofWorldPeace.Seekingtoaddressthischallenge,foroveradecadefriends havebeencompilingargumentssupportingandrefutingthatassumption,postingtheminSpanishonthe Internet,andspeakingonthematuniversitiesandorganizations.Theenthusiasticresponsesreceived suggestthatthisregionisripeforachangeofperceptionandapproach. PETERC.NEWTONEVANShasamastersinEducationfromUCDavisandpostgraduatestudiesinSocial DevelopmentandAnthropology.HehastaughtatvariousuniversitiesathisEcuadorpioneerpost, throughbothformalcoursesandinformalseminars,andhasservedontheAuxiliaryBoardandthe NationalSpiritualAssembly. 22

MaryamVahediParsaCreatingSocialSpaceforDiscourse:AnAlternativetoCuttingRemarks Setinanadversarialarena,thecomplexandmultifacetednatureofthepracticeofFemaleGenitalCutting hasbeenreducedtosimplepolarizedpositionsthatarefurtheramplifiedandexaggeratedbyour commercialmedia.Inanattempttomoveawayfromthehostileandaggressivenatureofdebate,several informalgroupswereformedandthepracticediscussed.Whatthisresearchoffersaslearningisthat creatingasocialspacefordiscourseaimedatreflectingonthecomplexityofouractualsocialrelations, valuesandbeliefscontributestoanunderstandingofourinterconnectedness. MARYAMVAHEDIPARSAcurrentlylivesinGoma,DemocraticRepublicofCongo,wheresheteaches Englishlanguage,historyandliteratureattheUniversitLibredesPaysdesGrandsLacs,andtheInstitut SuprieurdePdagogie. PremaPerumalandDavidHuntWritingNewCulturalStories Theculturalstoriesandthehistoriesthatourelderstellusandwesharewithourownchildrenhavea profoundinfluenceonthenatureofthecommunitieswearebuilding.Fairytalesandnurseryrhymes inculcateacynicalperceptionofhumannature;romanticizedstoriesoftenbanishthewickedtohellfire andtheherotoheaven.Aswelearntounveilourtrueheritageashumans,wearerewritingthebedtime storiesforfuturegenerations.Whataretheculturalnarrativesemergingfromthebodyofexperienceofthe Bahcommunity,thatwillengendertheconstructionofamorepeacefulcivilization? PREMAPERUMALresidesinOregon,whereshehasthebountyoflearningtosupportthespiritual empowermentofjunioryouth.Herservicehasinspiredhertofocusontheeducationofchildrenand youth.SheiscurrentlyagraduatestudentinConflictandDisputeResolutionattheUniversityofOregon. LaheebQuddusiAristotletoEinstein:RevolutionsinPhysicsandReligion PhilosophersandphysicistsfromAristotletoEinsteinlabouredceaselesslytoexplainthemotionofstars andplanets.Manywerebelittled,manyweresatisfiedwitholdmethods,andmanyignoredtheclearsigns andobservationsofamoreuniversaltheory.Acasestudyintothescienceandhistoryofcelestialmotion revealsimportantparallelstoreligioustruth.Thispresentation,morespecifically,willcorrelatethe observationsthathelpeddeterminetheearthsmotiontoBahullhsclaimasaManifestationofGod. LAHEEBQUDDUSIrecentlygraduatedwithaBScfromtheUniversityofAlbertaandservedontheCampus AssociationforBahStudiesforthelastfewyears.Aftertakingacourseaboutthenatureoftheuniverse andthehistoryofphysics,hewascompelledtocorrelatehisfindingstoBahullhsRevelation. JalaliyyihQuinnandLeslieAsplundTheNatureandCharacteroftheArtist Istheartistconstructeddifferentlyinhis/hermindandperceptionsoastorendertheartisticbeing fundamentallydifferentfromothers?Whatinhumannaturemakesapersoncreative?Howistheartist affectedbytheteachingofBahullh?Whataretheimplicationsofthestatement:everysoulits particularaspiration?Dr.LeslieAsplundwillinterviewartistJalaliyyihQuinnabouttheseconceptsand howtheartistcanparticipateincreatingpeace,andteachingtheBahFaith.Slidesofvariousartimages willbepresentedtoillustrateconcepts.23

JALALIYYIHQUINN,MFAColorado,hasheldsoloexhibitionsandtaughtintheUS,China,andLiberia during19yearsofpioneering.Herpaintingsworktoimagetherelationshipbetweenscienceandthe Bahwritingsandinvitecontemplation.ShereceivedseveralawardsinChina,andnowlivesin Colorado.Herpaintingsareatwww.jalaliyyihquinn.com. MaryK.RadpourTheMissingCurriculum:EducatingforaNewConceptionofHumanNature(see McCulloughforworkshopdescription) MaryK.RadpourAdvancingaDiscourseonHumanNature:InterdisciplinaryPerspectives(see Karlbergforpaneldescription) MARYK.RADPOURisaclinicalsocialworkerandadjunctprofessorofpsychologyattheUniversityof Tennessee.SheisoneofthefoundersoftheAuthenticityProject,whichprovidestraininginmoraldecision making,builtupontheexplicationofBahethicsinDr.WilliamHatchersbookLove,PowerandJustice. ShapourRassekhThePatternofFutureWorldCivilizationintheKitbiAqdas(PersianLanguage Session) SHAPOURRASSEKH,PhD,Sociology,wasaprofessorattheUniversityofTehran,andIranianSecretaryof StateforEconomicandSocialPlanning.HehasbeenaconsultanttoUNESCO,theIIEPandIBEformany yearsandistheauthorofnumerousstudieswrittenfortheseorganizations. NadiaRiazatiFromNationalismandWorldCitizenshiptoHumanNature:Sociohistoricaland BahApproaches,aComparativeStudy WithacomparativestudyofsociohistoricalandBahperspectivesonnationalismandworldcitizenship inthenineteenthandtwentiethcentury,thispaperarguesforthecentralityoftheconceptofHuman Naturetoanyoftheseperspectives.Furthermore,itdiscussesamodelofdynamicprocessofrecognition ofhumannatureinasociohistoricalcontextandrevealsthefactthatthescientificdisciplineshavenot acknowledgeditsentiredimensionyet.Thisemphasizesthecrucialroleofthereligionstoimpelhumanity towardtherecognitionofitsspiritualpotential,bothattheleveloftheindividualandthesocial. NADIARIAZATIhasbeenlivingintheUSfortwoyears.SheisaPhDstudentinSociology,participatedin Bahmediaprogramsandwillattendthesecondglobalissuesconferencetotalkontheeffectofthenon recognitionoftheBahminorityinIranandtheconstructionoftheiridentity. HaroldRosenFosteringtheCreationandDeliveryofCoursesontheBahFaithatUniversitiesand Colleges(seeMocquaisforpaneldescription) HaroldRosenHumanNatureandWorldReligion:ABahinspiredPhilosophicalAnthropology Howdorevealersdepicthumannature?Acompositepictureemergesfromstudyingmajorscriptures. Situateddramaticallybetweennaturalandspiritualrealmshigherthanearth,lowerthanheavenwe aregivenuniquecapacitiesandchoices.Insightsfromclassicalhumanism,philosophicalanthropology andvirtuetheoryenrichthisview.Themesofcreativefreedom,sociabilityandselftranscendenceinthese24

fieldsofferpositivealternativestosecularity.Thispresentationoffersacoherentaccountoffourlevelsof realitynatural,human,spiritual,divinewhileaccentinghumancapacitiesofwilling,lovingand learning.Bahteachingsareshowntointegratescripturalandphilosophicalsources. HAROLDROSEN(www.interfaitheducation.org)isacommunityinterfaitheducatorintheVancouver,BC areawithmastersdegreesinreligion,philosophyandeducation. ShahrzadSabetWhatCanJustifyDutiesofGlobalEconomicJustice?IndividualResponsibility, HumanConsciousness,andtheOnenessofHumankind Startingwiththepremisethathumanrightstoglobaleconomicjusticeexist,Iask:whoisresponsiblefor deliveringontheserightsand,morecentrally,whyshouldsuchfarreachingresponsibilitiesbeassumed? Inotherwords,whatjustificatoryprinciple(s)cangroundthedutiesengenderedbyglobaleconomic humanrights?Iarguethattheonlytypesofjustificationwhichcanwithstandrigorouslogicaland empiricalscrutinyarethosethataregroundedintherecognitionofourcommonhumanity.Myargument impliesthatthereorientationofhumanconsciousnessaroundtheprincipleoftheonenessofhumankindis anessentialprerequisiteforsustainableactiontowardseconomicjustice. SHAHRZADSABETisaPhDcandidateintheDepartmentofGovernmentatHarvardUniversity.She receivedherMPhilinPoliticalTheoryfromOxfordUniversityasaCommonwealthScholar,andherBAin EconomicsandPoliticalSciencefromMcGill.Hercurrentresearchinvestigatesthenonmaterialsourcesof individualattitudestowardseconomicglobalization. FariborzSahbaBeautyandPerfectionintheWorkoftheBelovedGuardian FARIBORZSAHBA,MAIBC,isrecognisedworldwideforhisarchitecturalwork.TheBahHouseofWorship inIndiaisoneofthemostvisitedbuildingsintheworldandhisdesignfortheTerracesoftheShrineofthe Bbisaworldheritagesite.MrSahbawasalsotheprojectmanageroftheBahWorldCentreMount Carmel,projects. NaysanSahbaMaximumMedium:WhataBollywoodSoapOperaCanTeachUsaboutCommunication, Change,andSocialAction OneofIndiasmostwidelywatchedtelevisionsoapoperasisbusypromotingtheknowledge,attitudes, practices,andbehavioursthatcanenhanceandevensavethelivesofchildren,youth,andwomen.This casestudypresentshow,why,andwithwhatresultsanexperiencebased,Bahinspiredperspectiveon theroleofentertainmenteducationandbehaviourchangecommunicationindevelopmentandsocial transformation. NAYSANSAHBAistheChiefofCommunication,Advocacy,Participation,andPartnershipsatUNICEF Mozambique.Hehasworkedinternationallyinthefieldofcommunicationfordevelopment,includingon anumberofBahandBahinspiredinitiatives. 25

FarshidSamandariThePhilosophersStone:IntegratingArts,fromFantasytoReality ThespiritualmaturationbroughtbytheadventoftheAncientBeautyhasdrasticallychangedcultural needsandexpectations,refinedculturalawareness,replacedprejudicewithpluralismand multiculturalism,enrichedthearts,andrevivedartforms.Inthispaper,IwillreviewsomerelatedBah Writings,thenexaminetheintegrationofartsinhumanaffairswithinsomecontemporarycommunities. Finally,Iwillproposeablueprintpracticalapproach,whichmayadvancethestatusquotowardsanideal integrationofthearts,whichaccordswiththespiritualrecipelatentintheWritingsandalignswiththe currentpluralistculturalmilieu. FARSHIDSAMANDARIsmusicreflectsinterestincontemporaryclassicalvocabulary,spectralanalysis,and extendedtechniques.Moreoverfaithinunityindiversity,hasledhimtointegratedifferentethnicmusic. HismusichasbeenperformedinternationallyandhadreceivedvariousawardsincludingVNM06for ApogeeandCUMS09forotherhalffromoperaSunarcanuS. JulioSaviDestinyandFreedomintheBahWritings Toknowtheboundariesofonesdestinyandfreedom,especiallyhowthelattercanbebestused,aretwo verycommonaspirations.Thispapercommentsuponrelevant,mainlyofficiallytranslatedWritings,some untranslatedTablets,andafewtalksbyAbdulBahandinterpretationsbyShoghiEffendi.Human destinyisamystery;onlythetrueseekercanobtaininsightintoit.Lifeitselfwillassisthim.Humanbeings arefree,yettheirlivesareregulatedbybothirrevocableandrevocabledecreesofGod.Amanbestuseshis freedomifheunderstandsGodswillandmakesadisciplinedefforttofulfilitinhisdailylife,with radiantacquiescence. JULIOSAVIreceivedaclassicaleducation,studiedmedicineinBolognaandFlorence,andpractises gynaecologyinBologna.HeparticipatedinthetranslationofmostofthemajorBahtextsintoItalian, andresearchesandpublishesonscripture,spirituality,interreligiousdialogue,andpoetry.Heiscurrently secretaryoftheItalianNationalSpiritualAssembly. FrancescaSawyerBachtoBahaMelodiesforPeacefulLiving BachtoBahaisanArtsPresentationdevelopedbyFrancescaSawyeradaptingBahPrayerstothemusicof JohannSebastianBach.HerprogramincludesprayersofTheBb,BahullhandAbdulBahwhichshe melodiouslychantstoherownrecordedmusic,andinteractivediscussionofparticipantsmusical experiences.ItisFrancescasbeliefthattheintonationofprayersthroughoutonesdaykeepsstressaway andassistsindividualstohaveapeacefulnature.TheseprayershavebeenenjoyedatBahdevotionalsand fundraisers,churches,schoolsandnursinghomes. FRANCESCASAWYERwontwoAwardsofExcellenceandtwoCertificatesofMeritfromcompetitionsheld bytheReligionCommunicatorsCouncil,anationalinterfaithorganizationforherBachtoBahawork. PayamSazegarYoungScholarsPanel(SeeMariaMutitufordetails) PayamSazegarNetworkingMeetingTheBahMedicalAssociationofCanada(BMAC) 26

BMACwasfoundedin1992asacommitteeoftheNationalSpiritualAssemblyoftheBahsofCanada.In thissession,wewillshareanoverviewofthehistoryandaccomplishmentsofBMACandhavemembers shareprojectstheyreinvolvedwith.CurrentactivitiesofBMACincludethedevelopmentofcurriculum onmedicalethicsandspiritualdeterminantsofhealth,aswellaspositionstatementsonthediseasesof materialism,violenceandprejudiceandtheirrelationtohealth.BMAChaslocalchaptersandseeks interestedphysiciansandalliedhealthprofessionals(orthoseintraining)whoarekeentoparticipatein suchendeavours. PAYAMSAZEGARisamemberofBMACExecutiveCommitteeandclinicalfacultyintheDepartmentof FamilyPracticeattheUniversityofBritishColumbia.HecurrentlyworksinVancouverasacommunity familyphysicianwithafocusonAboriginalhealth,marginalizedpopulations,addictionsmedicineand correctionalhealthcare. LynneSchreiberRethinkingSameSexAttractionandGeneralPrinciplesofHowtoOvercomeIt Thefactthatsomepeopleexperiencesamesexattractionasunwantedandtakemeasurestoovercomeit remainssomewhathiddenfromsociety,includingmuchofthementalhealthprofession.Sheddinglight onthisprocessmaybeencouragingnewstothosewhostrugglewithsuchattraction.Understandingthe complexfactorsthatcommonlyshapesamesexattractionunlocksthepossibilitytoconceptualizeanew frameworkforgrowth. LYNNESCHREIBERsexpertisecomesnotthroughacademicstudyorprofessionalyearsofservice,but through20yearsofstruggleandspiritualtransformation.Thepresenterhasalsogainedmuchlearning throughextensivestudyoftheBahguidance,Christianmaterialsandcuttingedgeresearchon overcomingsamesexattractions. MarthaL.SchweitzTrusteesoftheMerciful:FromRepresentativestoFiduciaries WhenBahsengageinpublicdiscourse,howdowetalkaboutthesystemofelectedBahinstitutions? Itisademocracyexcept...?HowdowerelateBahteachingstotheprimarycontemporarycriteriafor goodgovernance:transparency,accountability,andprotectionofhumanrights?Bahullhcallsthose electedtoHisinstitutionstrusteesoftheMerciful.Atrusteeowesthehighestdegreeoffiduciaryduty knowntothelaw.IsthepatternofBahgovernancesimilartoalegaltrust?Whataretheimplicationsfor therelationshipbetweenelectorsandelected?CanthisanalogyhelpBahscontributetodialogueon advancingdemocraticgovernance? MARTHASCHWEITZisalawyerwhohaspractisedinternationalbusinesslawinChicagoandtaught internationalpubliclaw,humanrights,andinternationalorganizationsattheUniversityofOregonSchool ofLawandinJapan.Herfocusofresearchandseveralpublicationsistheroleofcivilsocietyinglobal governance. RyanSiegelAdvancingaDiscourseonHuman:InterdisciplinaryPerspectivesNature (seeKarlbergforpaneldescription) RYANSIEGELiscompletingaPhDinAppliedEconomicsatOregonStateUniversity.Ryanhasconcerns aboutthedisciplinesconceptionsofvalue,socialorganization,andhumannature,andheseeksto27

understandhowaconceptionofhumannaturebasedoninsightsfromscienceandreligionfosters individualandsocialadvancement. MikhailSergeevAbdulBahsPhilosophicalAnthropology MypaperwillfocusonAbdulBahsviewsonhumannatureinthecontextofvarioustraditionsof philosophicalanthropology.InmypresentationIwillattemptatacomprehensivereconstructionof AbdulBahsanthropologicalviewsthatarescatteredthroughoutmanyofhiswritingsandutterances.I willfocusonthedistinctionthatismadeinAbdulBahswritingsbetweenspiritandmatterasitrelates tothequestionofhumannature.Iwillalsotouchuponseveralofthetopicsthataredirectlyconnected withhisphilosophicalanthropologyimmortalityofthespirit,reincarnationandresurrectionaswellas humanevolutionandafterlife. MIKHAILSERGEEVholdshisdoctorateinreligiousstudiesfromTempleUniversity.Heteachescoursesin philosophyandreligionattheUniversityoftheArtsinPhiladelphia.HeistheauthoroftwobooksThe ProjectoftheEnlightenment:EssaysonReligion,PhilosophyandArtandSophiologyinRussianOrthodoxy. PayamShodjaiMoneyandBling:ABahPerspectiveonWealth Therecentfinancialcrisisbroughtintosharpfocustheeconomicprinciplesgoverningthemostpowerful nationsoftheworld.Whileitiscommonforextremeviewsandcountermeasurestoresultfromsuch severeacrisis,theBahperspectiveoncapitalism,wealthandcompetitionisrefreshinglybalanced.This sessionwillexploreBahprinciplesoneconomicsandwealth,frombothasocietalandindividual viewpoint.Whetheryouarelookingtoattainuntowealthorwonderinghowtoexpendallthatbling,you willwalkawaywithasolidunderstandingofwhattheBahWritingssayonthetopicofwealth. PAYAMSHODJAIhostsastudyclassinNewYorkCityonthetopicofwealthbasedonresearchconducted whileservingintheComptrollersDepartmentoftheBahWorldCentre.HecurrentlyworksatGoogle asaproductmanager,andholdsaBScfromMcGillandanMBAfromHarvard. JohnThelenSteereTowardaSacredEcologyofHumanNature(seminar) ThepresenterwillreflectonthemeaningofBahpracticeandscripturerelativetocultivatingParadisein thepresentmomentthroughanincreasingfocusonperformingsacred,consciousactions.Hewillexplore waysthatBahcovenantisseekingtorestorehumanitytoanexperienceofsacredspaceandtimein livingthroughmetaphorsofnatureinthesacredwritings;focusingontheUnityofbeing/mankind/God; performingactsofservice;esteemingbeautyatitssource;andseeinglifeasaspiritualjourneyaswiththe PilgrimagetotheHolyLand.Thepresenterwillthenopenadialogueonparticipantsexperience.

JOHNTHELENSTEERE,BAHarvardCollege,jointmastersinCityPlanningandLandscapeArchitecture, UCBerkeley,isanenvironmentalplannerandactivistservingonseveralnonprofitboards.Heisco authorofRestoringtheEstuaryandnumerousarticlesondeepecology.HeCoordinatestheNaturaland BuiltEnvironmentspecialinterestgroup.

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RobertStockmanFosteringtheCreationandDeliveryofCoursesontheBahFaithatUniversities andColleges(seeMocquaisfordetails) ROBERTH.STOCKMANreceivedhisdoctorateinthehistoryofreligionintheUnitedStatesfromHarvard Universityin1990.HeisaninstructorofreligiousstudiesatDePaulUniversity,Chicago,whereheteaches worldreligions,andisDirectoroftheWilmetteInstituteinWilmette,IL. OmidTownsendPeacekeepingandNationBuildinginthe21stCentury:ASurveyofDeveloping PracticesintheDevelopingWorld. Terrorism,insurgencies,andnonstateactorsarebecomingthereasonscountriesareworkingclosely together.Theeraofsupremacyisfadingandthefutureofeachcountryisincreasinglydependentonthe securityandstabilityofall.Currentleadershaveprovidedamplecommentaryonthisassertion.Abdul Bahstatesthat,Truecivilizationwillunfurlitsbannerinthemidmostheartoftheworldwhenevera certainnumberofitsdistinguishedandhighmindedsovereignstheshiningexemplarsofdevotionand determinationshall,forthegoodandhappinessofallmankind,arise,withfirmresolveandclearvision, toestablishtheCauseofUniversalPeace. OMIDTOWNSENDisagraduatestudentatGeorgetownUniversityandworkswiththeInstituteforthe StudyofWar.HeisacadetintheUnitedStatesArmyandwillcommissionin2011assecondlieutenant. DeborahVanceRethinkingWomansNature:WhatDotheWritingsTellUs? Researchshowsthattwophenomenadefinepeoplesexperiencesthroughoutcultures:thatallsocieties perceivethesexesasdifferent,andthatmendominate.Iarguethatwomenstilldefinethemselvesusing maleperspectives.Howcanwomenescapedominanceanddefinethemselvesintheirownterms?Further, ifeverythinginthematerialworldhasitscounterpartinthespiritualworld,mustweapprehendphysical distinctionsinordertounderstandspiritualdistinctions?Usingasymbolicinteractionistframeworkwhich holdsthathumanscreatemeaningcollectivelythroughexchangingsymbols,thissessionexploresthe Writings,ourexperiencesandsocialworldstoconsultaboutwomankindstruenature. DEBORAHCLARKVANCE,PhD,isAssociateProfessorandChairoftheCommunicationDepartmentat McDanielCollegeinMarylandwheresheteachescoursesonculture,media,andqualitativeresearch procedures.In1970shediscoveredfeminismthenbecameaBah,andpioneeredtoItalyin1971. JamesWestReconcilingAConflictofVisions Philosophereconomist,ThomasSowell,inhisclassicbook,AConflictofVisions,proposesthatmankindhas conflictingvisionsofhumannature,splittingthepopulationintocampsofconservativesandliberals. Heepitomizesthestruggleasoneofmansactuallimitations(thetragicvision)andhisperfectible inclinations(theutopianvision).Thisconflictofvisionsgeneratesmuchsocialstressaseachsidestridently advancesradicallydifferentpublicpolicychoices.TheBahteachingsoffernewandrelevant perspectivesonhumannature.Thispaperwillexploretheseseeminglyirreconcilablevisionsalongwith thetranscendingvisionofhumannatureofferedintheBahteachings. 29

JAMESWEST,PhD,isProfessorandChairofEconomicsatMoravianCollegeinBethlehem,Pennsylvania. HeworkedinIndiaattheNewEraSchool,wasaFulbrightScholarinSlovakiaandteachesandwriteson globaleconomicdevelopment,Alsoapoet,herecentlypublishedabookentitled,Wayward:SelectedPoems. ChiefDouglasWhiteIIIKwulasultunManyGenerousHands(seeBrownforpaneldescription) CHIEFDOUGLASWHITEIIIKWULASULTUNistheChiefoftheSnuneymuxwFirstNation,memberofthe PoliticalExecutiveoftheFirstNationsSummit,andmemberoftheFirstNationsLeadershipCouncil.Heis alsoapractisinglawyer,andfrequentlectureratuniversitiesandlawschoolsincludingonthetopicof Indigenouslawsandreconciliation. GloriaYazdaniMaryam,theCrimsonLeaf Apoetessofatenderheart,whohelpednurseBahullhbacktohealthafterHisreleasefromtheSiyah Chal,MaryamscharacterandlifestillremainsomewhatobscureeventhoughBahullhsTablets addressedtoherhaveshoweredherwithloftyappellations.Thispaperattemptstobringtolightsome aspectsofMaryamslife,includingherrelationshiptoBahullhasatrustedconfidantandanardent admirerinthefaceofsevereharassmentbyrelativeswhoweremostlyfierceenemiesofBahullh.The paperalsoattemptstoexplorethedepthofherdevotionbyexaminingsomeofherpoetry. GLORIAYAZDANIisprojectcoordinatorforBoraniGlobalEducation,anonprofitassociationthatfacilitates universityenrolmentfortheunderrepresented.Sheisalsoaperformingartistwithvariedscholarly interests.Shecontributesarticlestointernationalpanelsandjournals,hopingtohelpfosterunderstanding betweenIslamicnationsandtheWesternworld. 30

ArtistsPerforming DAVARIABSTRAKT(VarghaDavari)(http://davariabstrakt.com)Difficulttocategorize,easytolistento,and impossibletoputdown,thisLAperformersinfluencesrangefromMozarttoMusetoMichaelJackson. Outcome:eclectictrackswithanR&Bflowandsomegreatclassicalguitartwists,agatewayintoamyriad ofculturalinfluences. NANCYACKERMANisalinguistandmusician.Withspecialinterestsincomparativephonologyand womenstudies,shehasperformedwidelyinfolkandclassicalcirclesintheUS,Russia,andCanada.From herhomeinToronto,shenowmanagesanindependenteditingcompany,AmadeaEditing,namedafter thesisterofMozart(http://www.amadeaediting.com/index.htm) KURTASPLUND(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=143826632295012&ref=search),playwrightand amateurhistorian,hasabachelorsdegreeinEnvironmentalScienceandamastersinHuman Behavior/SystemsCounseling,andusesthesedegreestoinformhisart.Overaperiodof18yearshehas assembledaBahlibrarythatincludesearlysourcespreviouslyunknowntotheBahcommunity.

LESLIEASPLUND,Ph.D.(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=143826632295012&ref=search),isa psychotherapist/performingartistwithalonghistoryofserviceinthepromotionanddevelopmentofthe arts.SheproducedartsprogrammingfortheSEDconferences,the2002BahFestivaloftheArtsinNYC, andwasDirectoroftheGwenWakelingEndowmentfortheArts. JASONCOHENisanindependentsinger/songwriter/recordingartistbasedinVancouver,BC.Hislatest album,TheLongRoadHomeisnowavailableonitunes(http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/thelongroad home/id379850338). HEATHERCARDIN(www.heatherpoet.blogspot.com;www.heathercardinbookwoman.blogspot.com)haspublished threebooksandhasanotherforthcoming,alongwithseveralpoemsinliterarymagazines.Shehastaught fortwodecadesinanumberoflocales,includingattheMaxwellInternationalBahSchool.Sheandher husbandBernienowliveinSaskatchewanandvisittheirthreegrownchildren. MOCARLTON(www.mocarlton.com;facebook.com/mocarltonmusic) isanupcoming,youngBahartist equippedwithanenergeticliveshowandanambitious,poetic,andsociallyconsciousviewthatcomes acrossinhislyrics.Ahumorousanddelightfullytalentedartist,hepresentshiphopwithanew consciousness. MJCYR(www.myspace.com/mjcyr)Attheageofeight,MJCyroncearguedwithherfatherthatNewKids ontheBlockwerebiggerthantheBeatles.Shessmartenedupsincethen... ERICHARPER(www.ericharpermusic.com)Haveyoueverlookedatapaintingandfeltitinyourblood? Heardasongthattranscendedallandetcheditselfontoyoursoul?ThatisEricHarper.Notsomucha musicianasanexperience.Hisvoiceishispaintbrushandyourhearthispalette. HUAYIPRODUCTION(www.vdcmpro.blogspot.com)isdedicatedtoproducingconcerts,musicCDs,andmusic festivals.Itprovidestrainingprogramsandopportunitiesforperformingandworkingwithprofessional musicproductionandhasitsownChinesebasedchoralprogram.Thechoir,madeupof50Chinese enthusiastsfromallwalksisoflife,rehearsesregularly,mainlyinChinese. 31

ANDREWNEWELLhasdirectedandwrittenseveralshortfilmsandthefeaturelengthdramaLookingfor Truth.HeservedasanAssociateProfessorofFilmProductionattheWatkinsCollegeofArt&Design/Film fornineyears.HecurrentlyteachesdigitalfilmmakingatEagleartsAcademyonVancouverIsland,British Columbia.

BAHIYYIHPETERS(www.bahiyyih.com)isaVancouverbasedsingerandsongwriterwithacleanandsoulful voicethattouchestheheart.Hermusicalcareerhasspannedoveradecade.Herlatestsoloalbum,TakeMe Home(2009)isabeautifulcollectionoforiginalcompositionsusingtheBahsacredwritings.

SEANOWENROBERTSisaprofessionalactorwithextensivecreditsintelevisionandfilm,including22 episodesascomputerspecialistRileyJenseninPainkillerJane,aSCIFIChanneloriginalseries.Heis currentlyindevelopment,asbothwriterandactor,fortwonewseries. FARSHIDSAMANDARI(www.farshidsamandari.com)currentlypursuesstudiestowardsaPhDincomposition. Hismusicreflectshisinterestincontemporaryclassicalvocabularyspectralanalysisandtheintegration ofdiverseculturalmusic.HehastaughtinvariousschoolsincludingtheBahInstituteforHigher EducationandcollaboratedwithavarietyofensemblesincludingtheVancouverSymphony. ELHAMSIMMONS,wasactiveintheatreinhighschoolandwithanexperientialtheatretroupeincollege. SheisgratefultoBahullhforthegiftofthearts.ElhamlivesinSeattlewhereshehasapracticeasa holistichealthcoach. JAMESWESTisaprofessorandChairoftheEconomicsDepartmentatMoravianCollegeinBethlehem, Pennsylvania,aswellasbeingapoet.BeginninghiswritingasaneditorofGlory,the BahyouthmagazineofIndia,Jimhasrecentlypublishedabook,entitled,Wayward:SelectedPoems.

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ConferenceOrganization ConferenceTaskForce LisaDufraimont,MehranKiai,KimNaqvi,ParvinRowhani ArtsTaskForce GeoffCohen,JaromeMatthew,SusanMillar,AnnePerry Children/JuniorYouthProgram CarolineKhazei,YasBahji,KeyvanKhadem Hospitality AflatoonKhoshkhassal Logistics ArdeshirTaghvaee Photography TobinSmith ProgrammeChairs LisaDufraimont,KimNaqvi Printing ShahramTaghvai,AlliancePrinting Registration NilufarGordon,AtusaPartovi Security/Ushers FarhadGoldan StageManager SusanMillar TechnicalDirector GeoffCohen Volunteers TabasomEblaghie TheABSExecutiveCommitteeextendsitsdeepappreciationtoallthosewhohaveassistedinthe preparationandrunningofthisconference.Ourheartfeltthanksarealsoduetothemanyvolunteerswho contributedtheirserviceandhaveworkedsohardtomakethisconferenceasuccess. WithspecialthankstotheSpiritualAssemblyoftheBahsofVancouver,BC TheAssociationforBahStudiesthanksTomLeeMusicdonatingtherentalofaYamahaGrandPianofortheconference. TomLeeMusichasbeenhelpingnotforprofitorganizationsandbringingmusicmakingtotheGreaterVancouverand VancouverIslandcommunitiessince1969.

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