Baha’i International Community In Global Governance

Within a proposed theoretical framework of Religion and Global Governance, taking Baha’i International Community (BIC) as an example, this paper explores the relevance of Baha’i religious concepts, culture, governance model and social practice to global governance. Based on in-depth research and analyses on such issues as the governance structure of the worldwide Baha’i Community, BIC’s interactive approach to NGO coalitions at the UN, Baha’i perspective on development and UN reforms, the paper holds that religion, particularly the Baha’i Faith, may play a more prominent role in global affairs in the future.The paper discovers that the governance model of the worldwide Baha’i Community, which combines basic principles of modern democracy and distinct Baha’i religious culture, provides a working mechanism for governing the affairs of a global community, therefore could become a source of learning for devising a future structure of global governance.BIC’s advocacy at the UN is characterized by its appeal for world peace, its concern over multiple issues ranging from human rights, women’s advancement to social and sustainable development, its emphasis on the importance of recognizing the spiritual nature of man, as well as unity and consensus building to deal with the challenges of our globalized world. Based on such strengths, BIC has been playing an outstanding role in the UN public policy process during the1990s.Through applying Baha’i system of consultation to operational mechanisms of NGO coalitions to which it belongs, as well as providing various resources and services needed for their smooth functioning, BIC often acts as an effective coordinator and facilitator for consensus-building among civil society organizations at the UN. These roles that BIC plays are conducive to the synthesis of political energy of civil society and the effectiveness of civil society’s participation in the UN process. As a model of best practice in civil society cooperation, Baha’i facilitated consensus building could be a positive influence in shaping the way nations and government interact in our interdependent world.In the field of International Development, BIC proposes an alternative development model to the prevalent materialistic development paradigm. The Baha’i concept of development is based on Baha’i teachings about a future world civilization as well as the social and economic development practice of the worldwide Baha’i Community. It seeks to establish a pattern in which spiritual development facilitates material progress through fully exploiting the knowledge and insights contained in both science and religion. By engaging in World Faith Development Dialogue, participating in international development research projects, and organizing sustained discussions about the role of science and religion in development, the Baha’i Faith has begun to shape the international discourse on development.Drawing from Baha’i scriptural writings on the nature and features of a new world order, BIC has openly and consistently proclaimed that UN reform should be guided by a vision of world government. This projection of the UN reform direction resonates with the general trend toward an ever more interdependent world and the apparent need for creating a more effective global governance structure. A number of Baha’i proposals have either been implemented by the UN, or incorporated into official UN reform programs, while the bulk of its reform suggestions are found to be in consonance with other prominent reform proposals from civil society. Given the stated Baha’i mission in assisting the governments and peoples of the world establish a future world federation, it is likely that the interaction between the Baha’i world community and the United Nations will be more frequent and intense in the future.