Seminars strengthen commitment to service to humanity
A group of young people gained new insights and greater confidence and resolve to work for the betterment of humanity, after participating in the recent seminar of the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP).
The ISGP seminars for university students, held in New Zealand every December, are focused on exploring how science and religion can be drawn on to achieve positive and enduring change for the betterment of the world.
The seminars provide a space in which young people can come together, study materials, reflect, and consult on the conceptual framework that informs the way they think about important aspects of their own lives and the life of society and that guides the action they take to contribute to the betterment of the world. Over four years of attendance, participants explore concepts such as the harmony between science and religion, coherence, education, culture, and the framework for action guiding the worldwide Bahá’í community.
The 2019 seminar—held from 7 to 17 December at the Waihi Academy—was the eighth time the seminars have been offered in New Zealand. A group of 45 young people from around the country came together, and all four years of the programme were offered. A few reflections from the participants give some insight into their experience:
[It] helped me see that participating in discourses is the privilege and duty of every Bahá’í, to share our ideals and the principles of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as the experiences gained by the Bahá’í community. It helped me to see that advancing in your chosen field and sharing and disseminating Bahá’í learnings is also a form of service and contributes to the work of expansion.
The knowledge gained will help me to talk to my friends about deeper topics and have more meaningful conversations. … I feel more encouraged to talk to more people about concepts that I’m interested in, like harmony between science and religion.
I understand more the importance of the core activities and how they are contributing towards the global plans. I also have a deeper appreciation for the messages of the Universal House of Justice and feel more eager to read them. Properly understanding the Plans has given me a sense of urgency and desire to serve. I want to be more involved in my community and am more eager to start a junior youth group and teach my peers. From what we studied I feel like I am much more capable of talking to my peers about the concepts and giving a clear description of how the core activities are working towards a larger goal.
After spending time here immersing myself in the Writings/principles of the Faith and through many an insightful/inspiring conversation with friends, I feel a lot more clear and confident/hopeful on how I should balance the activities of my life while keeping a humble posture of learning. I’ve been given a new confidence and conviction that through deepening, through seeking support of the friends on my path of service, and through the power of prayer I can gradually become more spiritually/materially transformed.
The Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP) was created in 1999 at the mandate of the Universal House of Justice as an educational and research organisation. At the heart of the Institute’s work is an exploration of how science and religion are conceived of as two complementary systems of knowledge and practice.
Featured photo: The participants in New Zealand’s eighth ISGP seminar (2019).
