# Relativism and the Baha'i Writings *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Ian Kluge, Relativism and the Baha'i Writings, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > Association for Bahá’í Studies–North America > 31st Annual Conference > “Scholarship and Community Building” > 16–19 August 2007 > Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre > Mississauga, Ontario, Canada > > Thursday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 > Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 > Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 8 > Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 11 > Abstracts and biographical notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 > Artists performing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 > > Important Information > > Conference Badge. Your conference badge is your “ticket of admission” to all sessions. You must wear it > to attend conference sessions. The security personnel will not allow admittance to anyone without a badge. > > Security. The security personnel are there to assist you. Please follow their instructions at all times. They > can be identified by red ribbons on their badges. > > Promptness. The schedule of sessions is very full. To give equal time to the speakers, the sessions must > begin on time. We request your cooperation in arriving promptly. > > Cell Phones. The ringing of mobile telephones in the audience is very disruptive to a presentation. Please > turn off your cell phone or put it in “silent” mode while you are in the conference sessions. > > The Children’s and Junior Youth Program. (Children must be preregistered to attend.) The > Children’s Program, for ages 5 to 15, is being held in the Featherstone and Wentworth rooms in the > North Tower (Lower Level). For pre-youth in the Indian Trail room (Lower Lobby Level) from Friday > onwards and in Bridgewater (North Tower/Main Floor) on Thursday. Parents may drop off children at > their program 15 minutes before the adult session starting time. Parents are asked to pick up their children > promptly at the close of each session and for the lunch breaks. (Meals are not included in the children’s > program.) The times for Children/Junior Youth sessions are > > Thursday 16 August 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. > Friday 17 August 9:00 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. > Saturday 18 August 9:00 a.m.– 6:30 p.m. > Sunday, 19 August 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. > > The program of children’s activities is available at the Conference Registration Table. Parents are required > to sign a Medical Information and Emergency Health Care Release form and return it to the Children’s > Program coordinators. > > The Conference Bookstore is operated by the Bahá’í Distribution Service in Canada. The bookstore is > located in the Britannia room and offers a wide selection of books and materials, including books and CDs > by authors and artists presenting at the conference, and Bahá’í jewellery. Hours of operation are > > Thursday 16 August 2:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. > Friday 17 August 9:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m. > Saturday 18 August 9:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m. > Sunday, 19 August 9:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. > > Evaluation Forms. The ABS Executive Committee asks for your assistance and cooperation in filling out > the conference evaluation forms provided in your conference kit. We will be having a draw and will pick > out 5 names from the box for each one to receive a one year free membership in the Association. Just > fill out the bottom portion of the form, tear off and place it the box provided at the Conference > Registration Table. Your feedback is very valuable to us in our continuing efforts to improve the > Conference. > > Membership. In support of the Association’s membership drive, we ask you to encourage your friends and > Spiritual Assemblies to join the Association. Please use the membership form enclosed in your conference > kit. More forms are available at the Conference Information Table. > > Audio Recordings. Conference plenary sessions will be recorded and will be available for purchase on > audio CD. An order form is included in your conference kit and additional forms are available at the > Conference Information Desk. Please fill out the form with your credit card number and the CDs will be > mailed to you after the conference. > > Lost and Found. Lost and found articles should be reported to the Conference Registration Table. After the > close of the conference, any items not picked up will be turned over to the hotel. > > Prayer Room. The Silverthorn Room, on the North Tower-Main floor of the hotel, has been set aside for > prayer and meditation from Thursday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. > > SPECIAL FEATURES AT THE CONFERENCE THIS YEAR > > Evening Coffeehouse. After each evening’s program there will be a coffeehouse held in the Hazel > McCallion Ballroom where conference attendees can socialize and enjoy listening to live music until > midnight. Performing artists at the conference are encouraged to sign up to perform at these events. A sign-up > sheet will be available near the Conference Registration Table. > > Networking Lunches— Check the information board for time, topics, and locations. > > Thursday, 16 August 2007 > > 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Simultaneous Sessions > > Special Development Program for Faculty and Students > Streetsville Joint Session for Faculty and Students > Convener: Association for Bahá’í Studies Executive Committee > Chair: MICHAEL KARLBERG > 10:00 Devotions > Welcome and Opening Remarks MICHAEL KARLBERG > Introduction DAN SCOTT, Member, Continental Board of Counsellors for the > Americas > 11:00 Introduction to and Consultation on Scholarship, Service, and Social Action > Workbook > > Indian Trail Faculty Development Session > Chair: MICHAEL KARLBERG > 11:30 - 12:30 Introduction of participants and consultation > > 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch Break > > 2:00 Consultative Forum > > 3:30 Break > > Springfield Student Development Session > Chair: ROSHAN DANESH > > 11:30 - 12:30 Small Group Sessions with Workbook > > 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch Break > > 2:00 - 3:30 Introductions and Consultation > > 3:30 Break > > Streetsville Joint Session for Faculty and Students > Chair: MICHAEL KARLBERG > 3:45 Panel Presentations of simultaneous sessions, followed by discussion > > DAN SCOTT Summary Remarks > MICHAEL KARLBERG Closing Remarks > > 5:00 Dinner Break > > Special Session for In-Depth Study of the Theme > Hazel McCallion Ballroom > Convener: ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE > Chair: KIM NAQVI > 10:00 Devotions > Welcome KIM NAQVI > Introductory Remarks ANN BOYLES, Member, Continental Board of Counsellors > for the Americas > 10:15 The History and Role of Scholarship in the Iranian Bahá’í Community > MINA YAZDANI > 11:00 Steering a Course Beyond Rugged Individualism: A Workshop HOLLY HANSON > > 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch Break > > Simultaneous Breakout Sessions on Scholarship and Community-Building > > Hazel McCallion Ballroom AB > 2:00 - 3:15 The Philosopher in the Bahá’í Community IAN KLUGE > 3:30 - 4:45 Scholarship and Covenant in the Bahá’í Community > ABDU’L-MISSAGH GHADIRIAN > > Hazel McCallion Ballroom CD > 2:00 - 3:15 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Leadership: The Spiritually Learned KURT HEIN (paper > presentation and discussion moderated by HOLLY HANSON) > 3:30 - 4:45 Toward the Unity of Science and Religion: A Personal Journey STEPHEN FRIBERG > > 5:00 Dinner Break > > Thursday Evening > Graydon Ballroom > 7:30 Plenary Session > Chair: MARTHA SCHWEITZ > > Devotions > > Official Conference Welcome > > The Generation of Knowledge and the Advancement of Civilization > HALEH ARBAB > > 8:30 Break > > Hazel McCallion Ballroom > 9:00 Coffee House > Friday, 17 August 2007 > > Graydon Ballroom > 9:00 Plenary Session > Chair: ANDY TAMAS > > Devotions > > Coping with the Challenges of Globalization AUGUSTO LOPEZ-CLAROS > > Musical interlude > > Scholarship and Community-Building DEBORAH VAN DEN HOONAARD (chair), > CHERYL FENNELL, MARIE GERVAIS, LISA-JO VAN DEN SCOTT, and ÉLIZABETH > WRIGHT > > 12:00 Lunch Break > > 2:00 - 5:30 p.m. Simultaneous Breakout Sessions > > Proudfoot Hollow Architecture and the Built Environment > Convener: DOUGLAS RAYNOR (acting convener, programme chairs) > 3:15 - 4:15 The Ringstone Symbol: Concept for a Bahá’í Centre SAMAN AHMADI > 4:30 - 5:30 Passion as an Engine to Creation NOUSHIN EHSAN > > Great White Pines Arts I > Convener: ANNE GORDON PERRY > 2:00 - 2:30 Creative Devotions > 2:30 - 3:30 Reflection on History Through the Arts with a Special Focus on Drama > GLORIA SHAHZADEH > 3:45 - 4:15 The Matrix: Themes of After-Life LAHEEB QUDDUSI > > Springfield Bahá’í History and Biography > Convener: SUSAN MANECK > 2:00 - 3:00 Abiding Faith: The Toronto Bahá’í Community from 1919 to 1938 > MARLENE MACKE > 3:15 - 4:15 A Century of Progress Toward Community Building in Topeka, Kansas: > Some Observations about Researching a Community DUANE L. HERRMANN > > Comfort Mill Bahá’í Language Educators > Convener: JOY ALLCHIN and DARA SHAW > 2:00 - 2:30 Community Building through the Virtual University (paper presentation) > JEFF WILLIAMS > 2:30 - 3:00 Five Research Based Issues in International Distance Education and their > Application to Teaching EFL MARK H. ROSSMAN > 3:15 - 3:45 Online Oral English: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Teaching Language > Skills Using “1 to 1” Voice over Internet (Skype) JAMES COBURN > 4:00 - 5:30 Session on Volunteering and Bahá’í Language Educators Special Interest > Group Business Meeting > > Hazel McCallion Business Ethics and Management Science > Ballroom A Convener: NOUSHA ETEMAD > 3:15 - 4:15 Capitalism and Community: The New Reality that Unites Wealth, Social > and Spiritual Development LAWRENCE M. MILLER > 4:30 - 5:30 Shadow Boxing - Developing Ethical Organisations GORDON J. KERR > 5:30 - 6:30 Business Ethics and Management Science Special Interest Group > Business Meeting > > Streetsville Gender Equality Studies I > Convener: ÉLIZABETH WRIGHT > 2:00 - 2:30 The 2007 UN Commission on the Status of Women: Elimination of All > Forms of Discrimination and Violence against the Girl Child > ÉLIZABETH WRIGHT > 2:30 - 3:00 Missing Daughters in Québec: A Silent Form of Gender Inequity > NATHALIE AUGER > 3:15 - 4:15 Closing the Gender Gap AUGUSTO LOPEZ-CLAROS > 4:30 - 5:30 Literacy and Community-Building in Africa GERALDINE GRABER > 5:30 - 6:00 Gender Equality Studies Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > Hazel McCallion Intercultural Issues/Indigenous Studies > Ballroom D Convener: PROGRAMME CHAIR > 4:00 - 4:30 Literary Voices in First Nation Francophone Literature (some portions will > be in French) MARYANNE DEWOLF > 4:30 - 5:30 Concepts of Oppression in Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings > MARIE GERVAIS and TIM HEINS > > Springfield Law and Governance > Convener: NEYSAN MAHBOUBI (acting convener, programme chairs) > 4:30 - 5:30 How Bahá’í Voters Should Vote ARASH ABIZADEH > > Hazel McCallion Marriage and Family I > Ballroom A Convener: HEATHER CARDIN (acting convener, programme chairs) > 2:00 - 3:00 The Status and Attitudes of Singles in the North American Bahá’í > Community KAMILLA BAHBAHANI > > Hazel McCallion Peace and Conflict Studies > Ballroom B Convener: KIMBERLY SYPHRETT (chair, HOSSAIN DANESH) > 2:00 - 2:30 Bahá’í Consultation: Toward a New Paradigm of Power HELEN CHENG > 2:30 - 3:30 Myers-Briggs Personality Typology and Religious Prejudice: Preserving > Unity and Analyzing Conflict in Progressive Revelation JOHN RICHARD DAVIDSON > 3:45 - 5:15 Unique Dimensions of the Bahá’í Concept of Peace HOSSAIN DANESH > 5:30 - 6:30 Peace and Conflict Studies Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > Hazel McCallion Psychology > Ballroom C Convener: ELENA MUSTAKOVA-POSSARDT (acting convener, JASON IGHANI) > 2:00 - 3:00 The Heart and the Art of Community Building: A View of Recent > Psychological Research Relating to Community Development A. JANE FAILY > 3:15 - 4:15 The “Breakthrough” Moment in Psychotherapy, Is It Really a Moment of > > Spiritual Transformation? PATRICIA ROMANO MCGRAW > 4:30 - 5:00 Religion and Psychology: Combining Potent Forces KAREN P. WILLIAMS > 5:00 - 6:00 Psychology Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > William Lyon Scholarship and Bahá’í External Affairs Work > MacKenzie Convener: JEFFREY HUFFINES (acting Convener, JULIA BERGER) > 2:00 - 3:00 Evolving Relationships: Communities of Scholars and External Affairs Work > GERALD FILSON > 3:15 - 4:45 The Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations: From Principles > to Problem Solving JULIA BERGER and TAHIRIH NAYLOR > > Hazel McCallion Science and Religion I – General > Ballroom D Convener: STEPHEN FRIBERG > 2:00 - 2:30 The Role of Intuition and Logic in Science Research AMANDA HENCK and > FRANK FAHDAD FANI > 2:30 - 3:00 The Role of Science in an Ideal Community TIMOTHY KRAFT > 3:15 - 3:45 Mind and Matter: Why Both Are Necessary to Explain the Universe STEPHEN R. > FRIBERG > > Proudfoot Hollow Science and Religion II - Engineering > Conveners: SABA MAHANIAN and FARJAM MAJD > 2:00 - 2:30 Manifestations of Unity in Order and Chaos: Correlating System > Engineering with Bahá’í Principles SABA MAHANIAN and FARJAM MAJD > 2:30 - 3:00 The Shrine of the Báb: Bahá’í Identity through Architecture FARIS BADI’I > > Credit Valley Study of Religion I > Convener: PETER TERRY (chair, PAULA DREWEK and DONNA PICKEL) > 2:00 - 3:00 The Greatest Pilgrimage: The Bahá’í as Hospital Chaplain PATRICK MARSHALL > 3:15 - 4:15 The Long Obligatory Prayer and Mirror Neurons, A Recent Finding in > Neuroscience KEYVAN GEULA > 4:30 - 5:00 The Miracle of Suffering ROBERT MICHELL > 5:00 - 5:30 Divine English: The Guardian and the King James Bible GEZA FARKAS > > 5:30 - 7:30 Supper Break > > Friday Arts Evening > Graydon Ballroom > > 7:30 Plenary Session > Presentation of the Association for Bahá’í Studies Award of Excellence to > TODD LAWSON > Special Award Presentation > > Arts Gala > > M.C., GLORIA SHAHZADEH > Why Art at ABS? > Bring Chocolate: Remembering Roger White ANNE GORDON PERRY > Songs inspired by the Bahá’í Writings SUSAN LEWIS WRIGHT & FRIENDS > “The Sword Is Pen”: A Tribute in poetry and prose to Shoghi Effendi on > the 50th Anniversary of his Passing. ROBERT MICHELL AND ANNE GORDON PERRY > Uplifting the Souls: Original jazz arrangements SHIRLENE ZARINTAJ BROWN - > accompanied by JOHN EBATA > Music about heroes and heroines from the early history of the Bahá’í Faith > SMITH & DRAGOMAN > > Hazel McCallion Ballroom > 9:30 Coffee House > > Saturday August 18, 2007 > Graydon Ballroom > 9:00 Plenary Session > Chair: CHESHMAK FARHOUMAND-SIMS > > The Garments of Learning and Knowledge: Reflections on the Protection > and Refinement of the Human Spirit MICHAEL L. PENN > > Musical Interlude > > The Up Side of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity and the Renewal of Civilization > THOMAS HOMER-DIXON > > 11:30 Lunch Break > > Great White Pines Annual General Meeting of the Association for Bahá’í Studies– > North America > > 12:45 - 2:15 All are invited to attend, to meet the Executive Committee, and to consult > about the activities and future directions of the Association > > 2:30 - 6:30 p.m. Simultaneous Breakout Sessions > > Great White Pines Arts II > > Convener: ANNE GORDON PERRY > 2:30 - 3:30 Yours, Roger: Letters to and from Roger White ANNE GORDON PERRY > 3:45 - 4:15 Undiscovered Geniuses: Can a Song Build a Community? MARTIN KERR > 4:30 - 6:00 Artist of Service: Appreciated, Integrated, and Supported JEAN TSCHOHL QUINN > > Springfield Bahá’í History and Biography II > Convener: SUSAN MANECK > 2:30 - 3:00 Anti-Bahá’í Polemics and Historiography MINA YAZDANI > 3:00 - 3:30 The Báb’s Encounter with the Promised Qa’im OMID GHAEMMAGHAMI > 3:45 - 4:45 The Dasatir and the Tabernacle of Unity SUSAN MANECK > 5:00 - 6:00 Bahá’í History and Biography Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > Streetsville Bioethics and Health Sciences > Convener: ELIZABETH BOWEN > 2:30 - 3:00 Exploring the Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Addressing HIV/AIDS > ASHLEY ROBERTS > 3:00 - 4:00 A Novel Approach to Depression PHILIP SQUIRES > 4:15 - 5:15 Health, Healing, Personal Responsibility and the Bahá’í Faith LISA MOLIN > 5:30 - 6:30 Can Science Unravel the Mystery of Prayer’s Effect in Medicine? > ABDU’L-MISSAGH GHADIRIAN > 6:30 - 7:30 Bioethics and Health Sciences Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > William Lyon Communication > MacKenzie Convener: Programme Chairs > 2:30 - 3:00 The Press as a Consultative Public Forum MICHAEL KARLBERG > 3:00 - 4:00 Sanctifying the Hearts for His Descent: Communion with God as an > Ontological Condition of Community JASON COMBS > 4:15 - 5:45 For a Postcolonial and Post-Diasporic World: The Progressive yet Ancient > Heuristic of the Conversive SUSAN BRILL DE RAMIREZ > > Comfort Mill Ecology and Sustainable Development > Convener: PAUL HANLEY > 2:30 - 3:30 A New Model of Human-Nature Relationships PAUL HANLEY > 3:45 - 4:45 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the Environmentalist SAMUEL BENOIT > 5:00 - 6:00 Ecology and Sustainable Development Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > Hazel McCallion Education > Ballroom A Conveners: KAMILLA BAHBAHANI and MARIE GERVAIS > 2:30 - 3:30 Games and Activities for Developing Vibrant Bahá’í Communities > KATHY MADJIDI > 3:45 - 4:45 Changing Worldviews and Paradigm Shifts in the 20th Century in > Disciplines of Scientific Inquiry: Impact on Scholarship and Community Building > PATTABI S. RAMAN > 5:00 - 6:30 Approaching Spiritual Education within the Context of Secular Institutions > MARIE GERVAIS, STEPHANIE AFAGANIS, LOIE GERVAIS and EMILY HERMAN > 6:30 - 7:30 Education Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > Hazel McCallion External Affairs Information Session > > Ballroom C Open Discussion on Faculty and Student Initiatives to Address the Denial of > 6:00 - 6:30 Post Secondary Education to the Bahá’ís of Iran > EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY OF CANADA > > Hazel McCallion Gender Equality Studies II > Ballroom C Convener: ÉLIZABETH WRIGHT > 2:30 - 3:30 Faith and Football: Junior Youth Study Circles in Kenyan Slums > CLARE JAMAL O’BRIEN > 3:45 - 5:15 New Perspectives on Gender and the Bahá’í Revelation JOELL ANN VANDERWAGEN > > Hazel McCallion Marriage II > Ballroom B Searching for Methods to Strengthen Bahá’í Marriage > 4:15 - 6:00 DANIEL LORD, KEYVAN GEULA, and RON SHIGETA > > Proudfoot Hollow Philosophy > Convener: IAN KLUGE > 2:30 - 3:30 Dialectics, Materialism and Religion: Bahá’í Faith and the Advancement of > Civilization ARVIND AULUCK-WILSON > 3:45 - 4:45 Relativism and the Bahá’í Writings IAN KLUGE > 5:00 - 6:00 A Chalice of Pure Light: A Vision of Divine Symmetry in the Sacred > Reality of Creation BONITA MILBY > 6:00 - 7:00 Philosophy Special Interest Group Business Meeting > > Hazel McCallion Science and Religion III – Neuroscience > Ballroom B Convener: SAMIR KOIRALA > 2:30 - 4:00 Autism and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Scientific and Spiritual > Challenges of Mis-Wired Minds SAMIR KOIRALA, FARANEH VARGHA-KHADEM > (paper read by Samir Koirala) and DAVID WELLMAN > > Credit Valley Science and Religion IV: Information Technology and Society > Convener: MITRA SOLOMON > 2:30 - 4:00 Bahainine Project: Bahá’í Inspired Blogs, Podcasts, and Videos > MITRA SOLOMON, KEVIN TROTTER, and DAVID DIEHL > 4:15 - 5:15 Planet Bahá’í: Reflections on an Online Community DALE E. LEHMAN and > KATHLEEN KETTLER LEHMAN > 5:30 - 6:00 Developing WikiText Books on Bahá’í Topics RODNEY H. CLARKEN > > Hazel McCallion Study of Religion II > Ballroom D Convener: PETER TERRY (chairs, PAULA DREWEK and DONNA PICKEL) > 2:30 - 3:30 The Concept of Civilization in Bahá’í Writings and Cyclical Theory of > Pitirim A. Sorokin BEHROOZ SABET > 3:45 - 4:45 Memory of the Future: A New Form of Use of Persecution Memory and Its > Relationship to the Resolution of Conflicts (question and answer session > will be in both French and English) JOUBIN ESLAHPAZIR > 5:00 - 5:30 Why Become a Bahá’í Scholar? ALEXANDER KOLODNER, SHIRIN MAJIDI, > TALEL AISSI, and MUNIB LOHRASBI > 5:30 - 6:30 “An Excellent and Priceless Heritage”: The Scholarship of Bahá’u’lláh’s > Life and His Revelation SHAHROKH MONJAZEB > > Mullet Creek Special Open Session for Potential Contributors to Journal of Bahá’í Studies > 5:00 - 6:00 Convener: ROSHAN DANESH > > 6:30 - 8:00 Dinner Break > > Saturday Evening > Graydon Ballroom > 8:00 Plenary Session > > The 25th Hasan M. Balyuzi Memorial Lecture > > Musical Performance > Emerging From Obscurity: The Journey of Sociology in the Bahá’í Community > WILL VAN DEN HOONAARD > > Hazel McCallion Ballroom > 9:30 Coffee House > > Sunday August 19, 2007 > 9:00 Plenary Session > > Devotions > > An Interview with Ross Woodman, ROSS WOODMAN and ANN BOYLES > > Young Scholars Panel LISA DUFRAIMONT (chair) > Scholarship and Social Justice: The Bahá’í International Community > TAHIRIH NAYLOR > Ethical Questions and Answers in Epigenetics LAYLA PARKER-KATIRAEE > The Spiritual in the Material: Studying Society as a Bahá’í NADIM SOBHANI > > Closing Remarks > 12:15 Closing Musical Presentation > > Abstracts and Autobiographical Notes > Arash Abizadeh •How Baha'i Voters Should Vote > > There are four distinct types of criteria that voters should consider when voting in Bahá’í elections: criteria > 1) concerning the qualifications of individual assembly members, 2) concerning the collective makeup of > the assembly as a whole, 3) concerning changes in the individual makeup of the assembly, and 4) > concerning changes in the collective makeup of the assembly over time. > > ARASH ABIZADEH teaches political philosophy at McGill. He received his MPhil from Oxford as a Rhodes > Scholar and Ph.D. from Harvard. His publications appear in journals including Philosophical Studies, > Review of Metaphysics, Journal of Political Philosophy, and Political Theory. > > Saman Ahmadi • The Ringstone Symbol: Concept for a Bahá’í Centre > > The Bahá’í Centre is the first Bahá’í City; it is where Bahá’ís gather – for prayer, for consultation, for > fellowship and for learning. It is the Seat of the Spiritual Assembly, the embryonic Haziratu’l-Quds, the > Sacred Fold – but is this Institution currently seen and treated as a Sacred space? This paper will present a > general introduction to Architecture, suggest ideas on what makes a space Sacred, and discuss a > hypothetical scheme for a Bahá’í Centre in Houston, Texas, based on the Ringstone Symbol. > > SAMAN AHMADI received his Bachelors in Civil Engineering and his Masters in Environmental Engineering > from Texas A&M University. He completed his Master of Architecture degree at the University of Houston > and currently works for the firm of Kendall/Heaton Associates. > > Stephanie Afaganis • Approaching Spiritual Education within the Context of Secular Institutions > (Panel, see Gervais for abstract) > > STEPHANIE AFAGANIS is a fourth year student of the Bachelor of Secondary Education at the University of > Alberta. She enjoys studying world history and languages, specifically French and Spanish. Stephanie > works part time as a legal assistant and currently serves as area coordinator for children’s classes in > Edmonton. > > Talel Aissi • Why become a Bahá’í Scholar? (See Kolodner for abstract) > > TALEL AISSI is a High School junior and Eagle Scout. He is a regular volunteer for a local food bank and > soup kitchen, teaches a weekly children’s “Virtues Class,” and will be volunteering as a youth conflict > resolution mediator. He is planning on pursuing a degree in Business and Finance. > > Haleh Arbab • The Generation of Knowledge and the Advancement of Civilization > > Bahá'ís engage in the generation and application of knowledge, a pursuit that grows in vigour and scope as > the community’s resources multiply. Knowledge generation occurs at different levels and degrees of > formality. A culture of learning and attendant structures is promoted for community expansion and > consolidation; Bahá'í-inspired organizations combine advances in diverse fields with insights from the > Writings to empower people to become protagonists of material and spiritual progress; and individual > > Bahá'ís participate in structured academic research in disciplines crucial to advancing civilization. > Understanding how these efforts reinforce one another in a coherent process is one challenge of Bahá'í > scholarly activity. > > HALEH ARBAB, Doctor of Education and Development, University of Massachusetts, worked with the > Foundation for the Application and Teaching of the Sciences (FUNDAEC), was Rector of Centro > Universitario de Bienestar Rural, a Colombian university, and is currently Director of the Institute for > Studies in Global Prosperity in Haifa, Israel. > > Nathalie Auger • Missing Daughters in Québec: A Silent Form of Gender Inequity > > Gender inequality is increasingly taking on new forms. Recently, a preference for male infants has > manifested itself as an increase in male relative to female births, particularly in East Asian nations. This > increase in male births has been attributed to selective abortion of female fetuses during pregnancy. While > sex selection is known to occur in developing nations, we do not know whether this silent form of gender > inequality might be occurring in nations such as Canada. Our objective is to determine whether the ratio of > male to female births varies in Canada based on a mother’s ethnicity. > > NATHALIE AUGER is a community medicine physician with a specialization in epidemiology and > biostatistics. She is involved in population health surveillance in Québec, and pays particular attention to > social determinants of health in relation to newborn health. > > Arvind Auluck-Wilson • Dialectics, Materialism and Religion: Bahá’í Faith and the Advancement of > Civilization > > This presentation seeks to demonstrate how the Bahá’í Writings conceptualize the phenomenon of religion > as dialectical in its essence, its historical manifestation and its impact on humanity in all its dimensions. It > explains how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá resolves the long standing philosophical dichotomy between materialism and > idealism using the schematic of the spirit. It further explores the practical implications of this unifying > world-view by exposing a dynamic of the advancement of civilization through combined spiritual and > material processes. This model of advancement is then validated using the global historical events and > trends witnessed in modern times and currently under way. > > ARVIND AULUCK-WILSON has been a Bahá’í since 1979. Originally from India, he has lived in the US for > 17 years with his wife and daughter. He trained as a physicist at the Indian Institutes of Technology in > Mumbai and Kharagpur, and is a consultant in holistic health, sustainable development and appropriate > technologies. > > Faris Badi’i • Shrine of the Báb: Bahá’í Identity through Architecture > > Shoghi Effendi’s passion in creating a Bahá’í identity through an architectural design that would recount > the story of the Báb for generations to come is discussed. Intrinsic characteristics of each of the five > sections of the shrine, and the four parts of the superstructure are examined. The selection of colours, the > symbolism of eight pointed stars alluding to Qur’anic prophecies, the involvement of the institution of the > Hands of the Cause, the fundamental respect for that which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had accomplished to the point of > not moving a single stone, are intrinsic to the Shrine’s meaning and it’s purpose. > > FARIS BADI’I, Ph.D. was born in Iran. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Southern > Methodist University of Texas. He has wide-ranging interests including science, business, education, > religion, and history. > > Kamilla Bahbahani • The Status and Attitudes of Singles in the North American Bahá’í Community > > This paper presents preliminary research results on unmarried Bahá’ís in the US and Canadian communities > based on data collected in spring 2007. An online survey instrument was validated through expert review for > content and construct validity, and pilot testing with singles. The survey items covered general > characteristics of the responding singles; beliefs and expectations about being single and married; past > relationship experiences; perceived obstacles to marriage; courtship behaviours; and experiences with > parental consent. Conclusions cover the characteristics of these Bahá’í singles with recommendations for > meeting their needs. > > KAMILLA BAHBAHANI works as a research assistant and independent writer in the areas of education, > environmental issues and qualitative research. She completed her Ph.D. in Education in 2004 at Old > Dominion University. > > Samuel Benoit • ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Environmentalist > > Multiple environmental crises has brought about a re-evaluation of every aspect of society, including > religion and its figures. This presentation will review a comparison study of the teachings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá > to a number of philosophies in contemporary environmental ethics by a process of labelling, where some of > the labels or terms such as ecofeminist, scientist, vegetarian and environmentalist that are prominent in > contemporary environmental ethics will be explained and applied to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Cosmology and the > dialog between religion and the environmental movement will also be discussed. > > SAMUEL BENOIT, a 22 year old Environmental Studies student from Chelsea, Quebec, chaired Carleton > University’s ABS from 2005 to 2007, worked at the Olinga Foundation in Ghana, the School of the Nations > in Macau and Santitham Vidhayakhom School in Thailand, and the Bahá’í National Centre of Canada. > > Julia Berger and Tahirih Naylor • The Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations: From > Principles to Problem Solving > > This presentation will give an overview of the representational, thematic, and research work of the Bahá’í > International Community’s United Nations Office. Participants will be asked to examine their area of > scholarship in light of pressing global issues and consider how their areas of interest and expertise may > contribute to the Office’s policy recommendations and to external affairs work at the national and > international levels. > > JULIA BERGER is the Senior Researcher and Writer at the Bahá’í International Community’s United Nations > Office in New York. Prior to this, she was a Research Associate at Harvard’s Program on Religion and > Public Life. She holds a Master’s degree in Comparative International Development. > > Ann Boyles • An Interview with Ross Woodman (see Woodman for abstract) > > ANN BOYLES has a Ph.D. in modern American poetry, teaches part-time at the University of Prince Edward > Island, and writes poetry, short fiction, drama, and nonfiction. She serves as member of the Continental > Board of Counsellors for the Americas. > > Susan Brill de Ramirez • For a Postcolonial and Post-Diasporic World: The Progressive yet Ancient > Heuristic of the Conversive > > Bahá’í scripture advocates a progressive yet ancient heuristic that is fundamentally rooted in interpersonal > communications that are intersubjective and conversive and whose explicit purpose is the strengthening of > “the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men.” Coming into global community is now far > from a luxury or choice but a crucial necessity for the well-being of all. Language is an essential means for > the coming together of peoples (in families, communities, tribes, nations, regions, and globally), but such > communications must needs take the form of conversive relations centred in heartfelt, spiritualized > interpersonal interactions. > > SUSAN BRILL DE RAMIREZ, Professor of English at Bradley University, teaches literary criticism and theory, > environmental literatures, Native American literatures, and folklore. Widely published, she recently > completed Native American Life History Narratives: Colonial & Postcolonial Navajo Ethnography. > > Helen Cheng • Bahá’í Consultation: Toward a New Paradigm of Power > > One common critique against voluntary decision making processes such as mediation or negotiation is that > these processes tend to serve the interest of the more powerful and work to perpetuate existing social > inequalities. Bahá’í consultation is a decision making process which Bahá’u’lláh urged his followers to > engage in when dealing with all matters. How does Bahá’í consultation compare with other voluntary > processes? Does it offer any response to the concern of power imbalance articulated by the critics of those > processes? > > HELEN CHENG practices law in Toronto. She obtained her LL.B. from the University of Victoria and > completed her LL.M. from Harvard Law School. She is also the mother of two young children. > > Rodney H. Clarken • Developing WikiText Books on Bahá’í Topics > > Almost everyone is aware of the influence of Wikipedia. A relatively new technology started in 2005, > WikiTextbooks offer further opportunities to develop, expand and share Bahá’í scholarship. A > WikiTextbook can be used as a resource for encouraging research and collaboration among Bahá’ís > throughout the world. Though anyone can contribute to a WikiTextbook, some editorial control could be > held by a party. This session would explore the value and logistics of creating various WikiTextbooks on > topics related to the Bahá’í Faith. Maybe some first attempts could be launched from the attendees. > > RODNEY CLARKEN, www-instruct.nmu.edu/~rclarken, is Director, School of Education, Northern Michigan > University, has his Ph.D. in Administration and Supervision; MA in General/Experimental Psychology; MST > in Elementary Education and taught and lived in Africa, Asia, America, Caribbean and Europe on all levels and > in diverse settings. > > James Coburn • Online Oral English: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Teaching Language > Skills Using “1 to 1” Voice over Internet (Skype) > > This presentation is based on semi-structured interviews with conversation teachers on the EFL programme. > A short summary of the circumstances of the conversations will be followed by a brief description of the > teachers’ backgrounds and education. The main focus will be on comparing and analysing the results with > reference to 1) how and when correction and feedback is provided, 2) how skype “chat” is used, 3) how non- > comprehension is dealt with, 4) how new vocabulary is introduced, 5) how critical thinking is stimulated, and > 6) differences noted between Skype and face to face teaching. > > JAMES COBURN spent 25 years in UK, and 25 in Norway, has a BSc in Management (Warwick), PGCE, > three years of English/TEFL courses, and is presently doing a TEFL Masters. He has ten years experience > teaching high school English, including management of International student exchange projects. > > Jason Combs • Sanctifying the Hearts for His Descent: Communion with God as an Ontological > Condition of Community > > This presentation explores communion with God as a requisite condition in the development of community. > Definitions of community current in academe tend not to consider reliance upon God as a foundation for > community. This presentation offers insights regarding community in which communion with God is > understood as its most basic ground. It examines the role of the heart in establishing communion and > concrete practices that prepare one’s heart for entering that communion. Such insights suggest an alternate > view of human relationships as greater or lesser reflections of the Unity of God. > > JASON COMBS, Ph.D., lives with his wife Laura and six children in Dayton, Ohio, USA, where he works as a > lecturer at the University of Dayton. His academic interests focus on consultation as a paradigmatic form of > communication and building spiritual community in institutions and relationships. > > Hossain Danesh • Unique Dimensions of the Bahá’í Concept of Peace > > This presentation/workshop explores the Bahá’í Peace Program and its twin fundamental features – the > Bahá’í Peace concept and the peace-based foundations of the Bahá’í community. The specific role of > individual Bahá’ís in peace-building, as outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, will be also explored. > > HOSSAIN DANESH is the Founder and President of the International Education for Peace Institute, retired > professor of Psychiatry (University of Ottawa) and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Landegg > International University), and author of many articles and 11 books in his fields of specialization. > > John Richard Davidson • Myers-Briggs Personality Typology and Religious Prejudice: Preserving > Unity and Analyzing Conflict in Progressive Revelation > > Examples among Occidental and Oriental religions will be viewed through the lens of personality. People > differ according to their preferred energy source, information input, decision-making strategy, and > management of their environment. Dispensations have favoured one type only to exclude another and open > the door for schism. Manifestations of God are perfectly balanced with every type actualized. False > prophets and their followers are characterized by rigidity and limitation. Conflict resolution can be realized > and unity preserved by providing for personality preferences and development. > > JOHN RICHARD DAVIDSON is working toward a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature at > Central Michigan University. He plans to specialize in the Romantic Era and American Transcendentalism > as well as religions and mythology in literature. John works at the University’s Writing Centre as a > consultant. > > David Diehl • Bahainine Project: Bahá’í Inspired Blogs, Podcasts, and Videos (see Solomon for > abstract) > > DAVID DIEHL is a doctoral student at Stanford University studying, among other things, social networks. > He lives in San Francisco, California. > > MaryAnne DeWolf • Literary Voices in First Nation Francophone Literature (some portions will be in > French) > > ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us that “through the Divine teachings [the original inhabitants of America] will become > so enlightened that the whole earth will be illumined.” These words have inspired much interest in First > Nation cultures, and for me, a particular fascination with First Nation Francophone literature, now the focus > of my graduate research. This paper will discuss some exciting parallels between the Bahá’í teachings and > one particularly salient thematic philosophy – variously described as the “Sacred Circle of Life”, “circular > perception”, “organicist principles”, or “cosmocentricity” – as revealed in the poetic texts of Eleonore > Sioui. > > MARYANNE DEWOLF, is doctoral candidate in French literature at University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her > dissertation topic reflects her passions for First Nations cultures, arising from twelve years in the Canadian > Northwest Territories, and for French literature. She has a son in undergraduate studies, and another > starting graduate work. > > Lisa Dufraimont (chair) Tahirih Naylor, Layla Parker-Katiraee, Nadim Sobhani • Young Scholars > Panel (see Naylor, Parker-Katiraee, and Sobhani for individual abstracts) > > LISA DUFRAIMONT is Assistant Professor at Queen’s University, Faculty of Law, where she teaches > criminal law and evidence. She holds a doctorate in law from Yale University. Before studying at Yale, > Lisa completed law school at the University of Toronto and served as law clerk to the Ontario Court of > Appeal. > > Noushin Ehsan • Passion as an Engine to Creation > > The focus of this talk is the phenomena that have channelled the passions of architects to creations that > have uplifted the human spirit. The passion which is imbued in an everlasting edifice is not inherent in its > physical form. It is intrinsic in the context of belief, culture, and lifestyle of its creator. The purpose arising > from concise efforts to serve humanity and preserve cultural values are tools for the creation of those > soulful designs. Spirituality of an individual can transform the negative and violent side of passion to the > creative side, acting as the force for the design of an inspiring edifice. > > NOUSHIN EHSAN, AIA, is the president of Accessible Architecture and serves national and international > clients on “Second Opinion in Design”. She lectures on “The Spirit of Space” in universities and > > conferences. She was professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute > and Northeast London Polytechnic. > > Joubin Eslahpazir • Memory of the Future: A New Form of Use of Persecution Memory and Its > Relationship to the Resolution of Conflicts (question and answer session will be in both French and > English) > > The memory and awareness of persecutions of their co-religionists in Iran is a special type hitherto unseen > in the history of religions. In effect, the co-existence of private and public space and understanding their > role in accomplishing mankind’s final destiny permits Bahá’ís to leap over two dangers facing persecuted > communities: a retrograde memory centred on itself and the building of an insular communatarism. Thus, > Bahá’ís have created a new form of memory which can be called Memory of the Future, which can serve as > a model for conflict resolution at all levels of modern society. > > JOUBIN ESLAHPAZIR is a scholar, primarily in Bahá’í studies, who is currently pursuing a doctorate degree > at the Centre d’Anthropologie Religieuse Européenne. His main interest is the reactions of the Bahá’ís to > persecution in Iran and their consequences. He is currently living in Montreal. > > External Affairs Department, Bahá’í Community of Canada • Open Discussion on Faculty and Student > Initiatives to Address the Denial of Post Secondary Education to the Bahá’ís of Iran > > This open session is designed to provide the latest update and to go over the essential features of the > campaign to publicize the denial of education to Bahá’í students in Iran, and to answer any questions. It > also will allow reports on any new achievements in raising awareness of the unacceptable human rights > violations visited upon Bahá’í university students in Iran. All are welcome, and special information will be > provided for both Canadian and US students. > > A. Jane Faily • The Heart and the Art of Community Building: A View of Recent Psychological > Research Relating to Community Development > > The work of Daniel Siegel, MD, and Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D., which demonstrate how individuals can > build healing communities, will be described. Recent findings in neurophysiology and interpersonal > communications models will be examined. Their application to building Bahá’í community life will be > examined. The role of the Bahá’í scholar in bringing relevant knowledge from his/her domain of expertise to > the community will be considered. > > A. JANE FAILY, BA University of Michigan, Cours de la civilization Francaise Sorbonne, MAT Harvard > University; MA, Atlanta University; Ph.D., University of Georgia; Assistant Clinical Professor, University > of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Senior Psychologist Royal Ottawa Hospital; Psychotherapist, Cobb > Mental Health Center Georgia; has been a Bahá’í since childhood. > > Frank Fahdad Fani • The Role of Intuition and Logic in Science Research (see Henck for abstract) > > FRANK FAHDAD FANI recently completed a BS in Physics from the University of Washington. His academic > interests are in the field of renewable energy, which led to an interest in the study of thin films and other > phenomena at scales less than a micron. > > Geza Farkas • Divine English: The Guardian and the King James Bible > > This session explores the drama of the production of the King James Bible, and its relation to and > ramifications upon both consultation and the Bahá’í Writings in English, including a look at the translation > policies and procedures of the Translation Department at the Bahá’í World Centre, its criteria and methods, > as well as the Beloved Guardian’s impeccable English and his relationship to the style and mode of the > King James version. This exposition will include a liberal sprinkling of examples, anecdotes, linguistic > comparisons and conundrums. > > GEZA FARKAS is a musician, teacher, and author from the Toronto area who has recently moved to Chicago. > He is experienced as a Ruhi tutor, and speaker at firesides, public talks, media interviews and was secretary > for the Markham, Ontario Spiritual Assembly. He has a lifelong love of language and world scripture. > > Cheryl Fennell • Scholarship and Community-Building (plenary panel, see Deborah van den Hoonaard > for abstract) > > CHERYL FENNELL is from northern Canada. She is a Policy Advisor specializing in aboriginal self > government. Her MA in Conflict Analysis and Management focussed on collaborative mechanisms in tri- > party organizations. An Auxiliary Board Member until 2006, she is now a Huqúq’u’lláh representative and > is working on a film about Greenland. > > Gerald Filson • Evolving Relationships: Communities of Scholars and External Affairs Work > > As an individual initiative, scholarship can work together, for mutual advantage, with the institutions’ > external affairs programs. The latter aim to influence government policy, leaders of thought, civil society > and business. Helpful Bahá’í scholarship will require systematic and coherent efforts, correlated with other > contemporary research programs. Examples include 1) research on the core activities related to policy > research on social cohesion, social capital and well-being, 2) Bahá’í research programs on moral > development correlated with ongoing work in this area, and 3) contemporary work on justice and the > liberal/pluralism debate correlated with Bahá’í concepts. > > GERALD FILSON, Ph.D., is Director of External Affairs, Bahá’í Community of Canada, taught school in > Quebec, college in Ontario, did research for TVOntario, produced the Bahá’í program on VisionTV, > chaired VisionTV’s Mosaic Program Group, chaired Canada’s Network on International Human Rights, > and is the current Chair of the Couchiching Conference. > > Stephen Friberg • Toward the Unity of Science and Religion: A Personal Journey (Thursday > Programme) > > When I was a little boy, I believed in science. But as I grew up, I realized that science failed to capture the > reality I experienced – my mind, other people, the interrelatedness of things, and purpose and reason. But > still, I believed first and foremost in science. When I embraced the Bahá'í Faith as an adult, I had to validate > my faith in God in light of my belief in science. I briefly describe how I did so, outlining and simplifying > the argument and engaging participants in discussion about spiritual and scientific search as both a social > and individual process. > > Stephen Friberg • Mind and Matter: Why Both Are Necessary to Explain the Universe > > Which is first, mind or matter? Many say that matter is first. Science, they say, shows mind to have evolved > from matter. Not so, say others. God created the universe and all that is in it, including matter. And God is > best understood as mind. To resolve this and other clashes between science and religion, we propose that > mind and matter both be taken as fundamental, an idea grounded in the Bahá’í Writings. We use this > proposal to formulate a proof for the existence of God. > > STEPHEN FRIBERG has done pioneering experiments in quantum mechanics and photonics. A Bahá’í since > 1973, he pioneered in Japan and helped start ABS Japan. He lives in Mountain View, CA and serves on the > ABS California Area Committee and the ABS Science and Religion SIG. > > Loie Gervais • Approaching Spiritual Education within the Context of Secular Institutions (see Marie > Gervais for abstract) > > LOIE GERVAIS is a recent high school graduate where she completed the final three of her eight years in the > International Baccalaureate program. She is travelling to the Czech Republic in August for a year of service > in Brno. Loie enjoys writing, music and art and hopes to pursue a career in journalism. > > Marie Gervais • Scholarship and Community-Building (plenary panel, see Deborah van den Hoonaard > for abstract) > > Marie Gervais, Stephanie Afaganis, Loie Gervais and Emily Herman • Approaching Spiritual > Education within the Context of Secular Institutions > > In this panel presentation, three educators at different stages of their profession will speak to spaces in > secular contexts where spiritual education can be prominent. Stephanie Afaganis, an undergraduate student > in Education, will address issues of student motivation, Loie Gervais and Emily Herman will speak to the > spiritual framework of the International Baccalaureate program, and Marie Gervais will address issues of > spiritual mentorship for student teachers, in-service teachers, university colleagues and graduate students. > All three themes will use quotes and insights from the Bahá’í Writings as well as recent pertinent research > from secular academic sources. > > Marie Gervais and Tim Heins • Concepts of Oppression in Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings > > The theme of oppression is a continuous thread in both Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings. In this > presentation, themes on this subject that identify Bahá’í positions on individual and societal oppressions > will be outlined. Following will be a Bahá’í contribution to social theory’s understanding of the roles of > structure and agency in society via analysis of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings on oppression. > > MARIE GERVAIS received her Doctorate in Secondary Education at the University of Alberta, Canada, > focusing on minority teacher cultural identity and practice. She works as Educational Coordinator for the > Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations, and is a practising visual artist, choir and theatre director and > writer. > > Keyvan Geula • Searching for Methods to Strengthen Bahá’í Marriage (see Lord for abstract) > > Keyvan Geula • The Long Obligatory Prayer and Mirror Neurons, A Recent Finding in > Neuroscience > > Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, includes prayers in various categories that are unprecedented in previous > religions, both in volume and in variety of purpose and character. The Bahá’í Sacred Writings are a unique > instrument rich in metaphors and imageries training the believer’s mind as how to commune with one’s > Creator in a befitting and spiritual manner and thereby elevating human perception and character. Recent > discoveries in neuroscience about mirror neurons and metaphors plus the presenters clinical observations > are used to explore the transforming powers of regular and daily recital of the Bahá’í obligatory prayers. A > 15 minute documentary on mirror neurons is included. > > KEYVAN GEULA, MFT, is a listed Marriage, Family, and Child Counsellor in private practice, specializing > in the application of integration of psychotherapy and spirituality from a Bahá’í Perspective. She is the > founder and president of Centre for Global Integrated Education. She serves on South Western Regional > Bahá’í Council. > > Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian • Scholarship and Covenant in the Bahá’í Community (special Thursday > programme) > > In the Bahá’í Revelation, scholarship and Covenant are interrelated. Knowledge should be a path to > demonstrate the truth of the Revelation and service to humanity. Bahá’í scholarship is characterized with > knowledge as well as virtues: humility, steadfastness, tolerance, sincerity, defence of the Cause. Acquisition of > knowledge combined with ambition for power leads to self-centeredness, egotism and feelings of superiority. > How does egotism align itself with knowledge and eclipse the true self? How can we develop an attitude of > humility in our pursuit of academic excellence? > > Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian • Can Science Unravel the Mystery of Prayer’s Effect in Medicine? > > There has been a growing volume of research literature concerning the effect of spirituality and prayer on > health and healing. While some research findings suggest beneficial effects of prayer on illness, these > results are contradicted by other studies. While researchers focus on alternatives to medical models of > treatment, the applied methodology is flawed by a materialistic concept of investigation. There is no > consensus over the definition of spirituality or the nature, origin and frequency of prayer. Often prayer is > viewed as another form of relaxation and not as the language of the soul longing to commune with God. > > ABDU’L-MISSAGH GHADIRIAN, Professor, McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Emeritus Physician, > McGill University Health Centre, teaches spirituality and ethics in medicine and his research is well > published in Bahá’í and scientific journals. He is on the Board of Trustees of Huqúq’u’lláh, and currently > researches the application of Bahá’í principles to current issues. > > Omid Ghaemmaghami • The Báb’s Encounter with the Promised Qá’im > > This presentation will look closely at an episode recounted in one of the Báb’s lengthiest Qur’an > commentaries, the Tafsir Surat al-Kawthar. In this narrative, the Báb describes a brief encounter He > experienced in the city of Mecca with a comely and radiant youth whose face was “as luminous as the > moon.” In recounting this captivating story, the Báb states that the youth He encountered near the Ka’bih > may have been the Hidden Imam. The current study will present a preliminary translation and gloss of the > entire narrative and its implications. > > OMID GHAEMMAGHAMI is currently a second year doctoral student at the University of Toronto in the > Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. His research interests include topics in Shí’ih > Messianism, Imamology and Arabic language pedagogy. > > Geraldine Graber • Literacy and Community-Building in Africa > > From its beginning in 2002, NGO Willing Hearts International Society Canada (WHISCA) has adopted a > family of seven orphans and offered 60 scholarships in Chad, Cameroon, and Haiti. Its village school, once > held under the trees, enjoys the reputation of being the first village school in the canton to be housed in a > building and the first to offer literacy and trade training to women as part of its education programme. A > ten-minute DVD clip, “Under the Bushy Trees”, illustrates some of the work. Discussion will focus on > solutions to the problems of funding, management, and empowerment of the village women. > > GERALDINE GRABER pioneered to Africa after retirement from Eastern WA University’s Education > Department. A former nun, Geraldine fulfilled her dream of serving humanity by founding an NGO > dedicated to assisting orphans, disadvantaged youth, and women, which resulted in a community school in > Manda. > > Paul Hanley • A New Model of Human-Nature Relationships > A new model for understanding the human-nature relationship is key to the transformation of human behaviour > with regard to the environment. This presentation presents a model based on the Bahá’í writings, those of other > faiths, and secular perspectives. In this model, nature is encompassed by the human reality, in contrast to the > dominant and competing views that man is entitled to control nature or that man is merely one species > encompassed by the natural world. The presentation will show how this new model would support a > sustainable, just, and peaceful civilization. > > PAUL HANLEY is a writer by profession, and specializes in research and writing on agriculture, > environment and science for lay audiences. He has published a number of books including Earthcare - > Ecological Agriculture in Saskatchewan and The Spirit of Agriculture. > > Holly Hanson • Steering a Course Beyond Rugged Individualism: A Workshop (Thursday programme) > > Using the quotations from the conference theme statement, and some others, we will set up our problem: > what is the new course in social evolution that Bahá’í community creates? What would its characteristics > be? How is it different? Why do we need it? What are the consequences of this difference? What facilitates > the creation of this new kind of community? What impedes it? These questions will be addressed through > study of the quotations, small group discussion, and a final interactive session. > > HOLLY HANSON is associate professor of history and teaches African History at Mount Holyoke College in > South Hadley Massachusetts. The author of books and articles on both African history and Bahá’í > perspectives on social change, she is currently researching the social history of economic exchange in > Kampala, Uganda. > > Kurt Hein • ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Leadership: the Spiritually Learned > > Contemporary leadership is often defined in material terms, such as individual economic and political > power, which don’t easily accommodate spiritual concepts. Perhaps nowhere are the Bahá’í concepts of > leadership more clearly articulated than in Secret of Divine Civilization. In it, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá extols > Europe’s material progress and decries the insularity of Persia’s leaders, but also strongly condemns > European civilization. One reason people experience oppression, injustice and suffering, He states, is lack > of those spiritual virtues acquired through religious faith and education. Primary responsibility for saving > people from extinction therefore falls upon “the learned”, whom he proceeds to define by spiritual > attributes. > > KURT HEIN worked as a consultant, professor, and contractor in 25 countries, for Bahá’í institutions in the > US, Ecuador, and Canada, and as consultant for the Office of Social and Economic Development at the > Bahá’í World Centre. He is married to Delane Hein, has two children devoted to the Faith, and three > grandchildren. > > Tim Heins • Concepts of Oppression in Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings (see Marie Gervais > for abstract) > > TIM HEINS spent twenty years in a cross-cultural context in Aboriginal communities of the Canadian Arctic. > He served as a General Manager of community-cooperatives, Economic Development Officer and > Executive Director of an Aboriginal Land Claim organization. He presently works in client/Aboriginal > community relations in the oil and gas services industry. > > Amanda Henck and Frank Fahdad Fani • The Role of Intuition and Logic in Science Research > > When science is taught in schools, the scientific method and logical, rational thought are emphasized as the > basis for acquiring scientific knowledge. The role of intuition and relational thinking are generally > overlooked or brushed aside as being unimportant to the process of studying science. Although scientists > are shy about admitting the role of intuition in their research, some have acknowledged its importance and > how it can be developed. We will discuss the role of intuition and reason in science research and explore > the relationships among intuition, reason, and our spiritual nature. > > AMANDA HENCK, a Ph.D. student studying erosion in SW China, is interested in the relationship between > tectonics and erosion on a geologic time scale as well as human impacts on erosion. She is also part of an > interdisciplinary, international graduate program working on environmental issues around the world. > > Emily Herman • Approaching Spiritual Education within the Context of Secular Institutions (see > Marie Gervais for abstract) > > EMILY HERMAN is a new Bahá’í, and recent high school graduate with both honours and an International > Baccalaureate diploma. She plans to study Immunology and Infection at the University of Alberta before > attending law school. She enjoys reading, travelling, playing the piano, attending plays and operas, skiing, > and swimming. > > Duane L. Herrmann • A Century of Progress Toward Community Building in Topeka, Kansas: > Some Observations about Researching a Community > > The history of a Bahá’í community can be hidden in many unlikely places. This paper explores some of those > found in the process of researching and writing By Thy Strengthening Grace: One Hundred Years of the > Bahá’í Faith in Topeka (1906-2006). This may be the first century-long history of a local Bahá’í community > in the west. Many surprises were found about the individual believers and their lives that may have been > known at the time, but were never written down. This presentation will explore some of them and the process > of finding them. What can be assembled, re-created or concluded from the evidences left behind? That is one > challenge of the historian. > > DUANE HERRMANN has degrees in History and Education and has been researching the Bahá’í history of > Kansas and Topeka since 1974. Results of this research has appeared in various publications in the U.S., > Australia, India, New Zealand, and Switzerland. He has four children and three grandchildren, all active > Bahá’ís. > > Thomas Homer-Dixon •The Up Side of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity and the Renewal of > Civilization > > The converging stresses of energy scarcity, economic inequality, rapid and diverging demographic change, > environmental damage, and climate change are multiplied by rising connectivity and speed and the ability of > small groups to cause great disruption. Together, these stresses and their multipliers greatly increase the risk > of “synchronous failure”, a cascading collapse of systems vital to our well-being. After considering a general > theory of the growth, breakdown, and renewal of societies, I propose that, if people are well-prepared, they > may be able to exploit less severe types of breakdown to open up extraordinary opportunities for creative, > bold social reform. > > THOMAS HOMER-DIXON is George Ignatieff Chair of Peace and Conflict Studies, Trudeau Centre for Peace > and Conflict Studies, University of Toronto, and received his Ph.D. in international relations and defence > and arms control from MIT. His previous books include The Ingenuity Gap and Environment, Scarcity, and > Violence. > > Michael Karlberg • The Press as a Consultative Public Forum > > The press has evolved into a discursive battlefield, with public discourse transformed into a war of words > and images. News outlets capitalize on the spectacle while citizens grow more divided and cynical. Against > this backdrop, Bahá’ís have been summoned, by the Universal House of Justice, to implement a model of > journalistic practice rooted in the principles and objectives of consultation. The purpose of this paper is to > explore salient features of this model and then situate it within the broader literature on press theory in > order to discuss its implications for community building. > > MICHAEL KARLBERG is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Western Washington > University. He has published numerous articles in the field of peace and conflict studies, as well as a book > entitled Beyond the Culture of Contest (George Ronald, 2004). > > Gordon J. Kerr • Shadow Boxing - Developing Ethical Organisations > > This workshop/discussion focuses on the importance of developing organisations, especially Bahá’í > inspired ones such as schools and non-governmental organisations, which facilitate and promote ethical > behaviour and practice. The discussion will include issues of management style, employee relations, > organisational change and culture, marketing and communications. > > GORDON J. KERR is originally from UK, and worked as manager and chief editor of the Bahá’í Publishing > Trust (UK) for 19 years. His academic background is in Social Sciences and communications philosophy. > He trained in international marketing and currently teaches Business Ethics and communication at the > University of Macau. > > Martin Kerr • Undiscovered Geniuses: Can a Song Build a Community? > > Martin will share two of his most popular songs, explaining the social and philosophical ideas behind them. > He will demonstrate how his approach to song writing and performance encourages listeners to challenge > their assumptions, to seek out hidden talents in themselves and in their neighbours. Finally, in the belief that > singing together builds unity and hope like no other activity, he will teach the audience to sing a new Bahá’í > gospel song, set to the words of ‘Abdul-Bahá. > > MARTIN KERR is a singer and songwriter of acoustic rock and folk songs. His innovative, touching and > occasionally laugh-out-loud lyrics are inspired by his travels to 30 countries (and counting) and his belief in > the Bahá’í Faith. He has made six albums, including sacred music and songs for children. > > Kathleen Kettler Lehman • Planet Bahá’í: Reflections on an Online Community (see Lehman for > abstract) > > KATHLEEN KETTLER LEHMAN has a background in library sciences and retail book sales. She is co- > publisher of Planet Bahá’í (http://www.planetbahai.org) and co-author of Spiritual Telemetry: Readings > from the First Five Years of Planet Bahá’í. Her interests include textile arts and historical research. > > Ian Kluge • The Philosopher in the Bahá’í Community (special Thursday session) > > Philosophers can make five contributions to the Bahá’í community. They can use their knowledge and > skills to help others develop their own understanding of the Writings, can help with understanding those > Writings of a technical philosophic nature, encourage growth in intellectual capacity, help others in > explication of the Writings and apologetics, and help understanding of oneness of mankind by fostering > rational inter-faith dialogue. To make these contributions, the philosopher will need guidance from “the > spirit of faith” as well as a “kindly tongue.” > > Ian Kluge • Relativism and the Bahá’í Writings > > According to Shoghi Effendi, the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith “revolve around the fundamental principle > that religious truth is not absolute but relative.” (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 58) This paper provides > the necessary conceptual tools for Bahá’ís to clarify their understanding of relativism and the Writings, and > argues that any description of the Writings as relativist must be carefully nuanced and precisely qualified. It > explores several kinds of relativism and relates them to Bahá’í authors as well as to various modern and > postmodern philosophers. > > IAN KLUGE is poet, playwright and philosophical scholar who lives with his wife, Kirsti in Prince George, > B.C. He has published numerous philosophical studies of the Bahá’í Faith as well as the philosophical poet > Conrad Aiken. He presents frequently at Irfan Colloquia. > > Samir Koirala, Faraneh Vargha-Khadem and Dave Wellman • Autism and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum > Disorders: Scientific and Spiritual Challenges of Mis-Wired Minds > > The developing brain is an instrument of vast potential but also a vulnerable one. In this session we will > discuss disorders caused by problems in brain wiring. In “Autism – A New Epidemic?” The panel > considers our communities’ alarming surge in autism. What are the causes? What is different about autistic > brains? What about the spiritual dimensions of this condition? In “The Cruelest Legacy: Fetal Alcohol > Spectrum Disorder” the science and the human costs of alcohol use’s devastating damage to the developing > brains of fetuses is explored. > > SAMIR KOIRALA, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist at the Children’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School. > Originally from Nepal, he did his Ph.D. research on nerve regeneration at USC in Los Angeles. His current > research is identifying new genes that control the process of brain development. > > Alexander Kolodner, Shirin Majidi, Talel Aissi and Munib Lohrasbi • Why Become a Bahá’í Scholar > > Why would a teenager want to become a Bahá’í scholar? Although many people our age say religion is a > boring topic, for people who are not “cool,” we are four high school students who see great purpose to our > lives through studying the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Our knowledge of the past and its potential to change > the future has led us to share our stories in the hopes of inspiring others to join our study. Our diverse > ethnic and religious backgrounds, Swiss, Algerian, Persian, English and Russian; Judaism, Christianity and > Islam, provide a variety of different perspectives. > > ALEX KOLODNER is fifteen years old and teaches weekly virtues classes to neighbourhood children. After > receiving Mediation training this summer he will become the youngest mediator in Howard County, > Maryland. He studies Arabic at the local college and is ranked third in the State for BCFL Debate. > > Timothy Kraft • The Role of Science in an Ideal Community > > Communities now struggle to understand what is theory and what is truth as different groups attempt use > science to dictate our diets and medicines, our environment and social order. The question is how has this > occurred and what should be the appropriate relationship of science to the community. This will present a > sociological model that defines appropriate relationship of arts, science, religion and politics to the > community. This will also give a perspective to understanding the appropriate role of science and scientist > within the community. > > TIMOTHY KRAFT currently is Director of Technology for Business Development at Yahoo! Inc. in > Sunnyvale, CA. He holds an advanced degree in Astrophysics from the University of Arizona and BS > degree in Physics and Mathematics from Alma College. He lives with his wife Kathy in Del Mar, CA. > > Dale E. Lehman and Kathleen Kettler Lehman • Planet Bahá’í: Reflections on an Online Community > > Now in its eighth year, Planet Bahá’í has 100 active forum members and 1,000 newsletter subscribers, and its > articles have been widely reprinted both electronically and in print. The full extent of its community cannot > be accurately estimated, but it displays great diversity in age, race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religious > background, interests, and personality. In this presentation, Planet Bahá’í’s owners offer insights on building > and managing a diverse online community. We also share thoughts from Planet Bahá’í members on its value > > to their lives and to the Bahá’í community at large, and consider the implications for the future of online > communities. > > DALE E. LEHMAN is a software developer with 27 years experience in financial, government, and health > care. He is co-publisher of Planet Bahá’í (http://www.planetbahai.org) and co-author of Spiritual > Telemetry: Readings from the First Five Years of Planet Bahá’í. He serves on the ABS Science and > Religion special interest group’s web-site committee. > > Munib Lohrasbi • Why Become a Bahá’í Scholar (see Kolodner for abstract) > > MUNIB LOHRASBI is a 14 year old freshman in Ellicott City, Maryland where he is an active participant in > the Bahá’í community. He likes sports and plays football for his school. When he was four, his family > moved to Haifa to serve the Universal House of Justice for five years. > > Augusto Lopez-Claros • Closing the Gender Gap > > No contemporary society has managed to achieve full gender equality, a concept not synonymous with > women, and not a zero-sum game implying loss for men, but a socio-cultural variable referring to a state of > human development where being born female or male does not determine one’s rights, or opportunities. > However, the cause of gender equality has fared much better in some societies. What do recently published > data say about the progress in closing the gender gap and, from a Bahá’í perspective, what are the > ingredients that will be necessary to bring this noble ideal into concrete reality? > > Augusto Lopez-Claros • Coping with the Challenges of Globalization > > Increasingly, the focus of the debate on the benefits and costs of globalization is centred on finding > efficient ways to better “manage” it. What does this mean in practice? What are the respective roles in this > process of government, business, civil society and world institutions? To what extent are the potential gains > of globalization being hampered by the absence of a suitable international institutional framework that will > help mitigate its undesirable features? These issues will be discussed using many practical examples and > against the background of the Bahá’í writings on global governance and the emergence of global > institutions. > > AUGUSTO LOPEZ-CLAROS, Ph.D. Duke University, was Chief Economist at the World Economic Forum in > Switzerland from 2004-2007, and edited its Global Competitiveness Report. He was previously an > Executive Director with Lehman Brothers, London and is currently a Geneva-based international > consultant in economic, financial and development issues. > > Daniel Lord, Keyvan Geula and Ron Shigeta • Searching for Methods to Strengthen Bahá’í > Marriage > > This panel brings together for the first time Bahá’ís in North America conducting programs on Bahá’í > marriage. Panel members will describe their programs, demonstrate a skill acquired by participants, and explain > why it is a form of Bahá’í scholarship, how it contributes to Bahá’í community development, and what lessons > are being learned. Programs differ in emphasis, with one focussed on developing behaviour patterns for > avoiding marital conflict; one on communication skills and character; one on the Bahá’í laws and a new order > in relationships; and one on the Bahá’í principles of equality and consultation. Each is offered in a spirit of > humble service. > DANIEL B. LORD, Ph.D. is assistant psychology at University of Alaska Southeast, Sitka campus, as well as > an attorney with the public defender agency in Kenai, Alaska. He holds graduate degrees in education and > psychology from Michigan, and law degrees from Iowa. > > Marlene Macke • Abiding Faith: The Toronto Bahá’í Community from 1919 to 1938 > > The founding of the Toronto Bahá’í community stretches over a nineteen year period. This paper addresses > three aspects of its development: the critical role played by American believers such as Martha Root and > Agnes Alexander in bringing the Faith to Toronto; Dr. Albert Durrant Watson’s involvement with > spiritualism; and the surge in momentum once the Seven Year Plan gave the Bahá’ís the specific goal of > electing a local Assembly. Archival material written between 1919 and 1938 uncovers these stories and > more. > > MARLENE MACKE has moved from a career in business consulting to working in theatre and writing. Her > biography, Take My Love to the Friends: The Story of Laura R. Davis, will be published in 2007. > > Kathy Madjidi • Games and Activities for Developing Vibrant Bahá’í Communities > > This interactive “playshop” will help participants learn how to think and act creatively in building vibrant > Bahá’í activities and community life. We will focus on skill-building, drawing on games, community > development activities, the arts, and Indigenous traditions that could enhance and enrich our community > life. We will also consider the Bahá’í Writings and community development literature, which challenge us > to think about how to intentionally build a new, model community. Come prepared to share, dialogue, > interact, and have lots of fun! > > KATHY MADJIDI, Ph.D. student in Comparative, International, and Development Education at the Ontario > Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, has over 10 years experience in > international community development, focussed on international youth leadership in Latin America and the > Caribbean and Indigenous ways of knowing and learning. > > Shirin Majidi • Why become a Bahá’í Scholar? (See Kolodner for abstract) > > SHIRIN MAJIDI is a sophomore at Catonsville High School in Baltimore. Both of her parents are Iranian > Bahá’ís and she has been raised as a Bahá’í. In addition to participating in Bahá’í youth activities, Shirin > enjoys playing violin, spending time with her family and working hard in school. > > Saba Mahanian and Farjam Majd • Manifestations of Unity in Order and Chaos: Correlating > System Engineering with Bahá’í Principles > > Unity, as taught in the Bahá’í Faith, is a universal framework for both the study of complexity as well as a > framework for its orderly implementation and management. The Bahá’í teachings on conceptual and > practical implementation of unity can be correlated with general findings of complex systems. > > SABA MAHANIAN obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and has been a > practicing engineer for 26 years. He particularly enjoys history and Philosophy of Religion and Science. > > Farjam Majd • Manifestations of Unity in Order and Chaos: Correlating System Engineering with > Bahá’í Principles (see Mahanian for abstract) > > FARJAM MAJD is an attorney in the area of intellectual property. Prior to that, Farjam was a professional > engineer for 19 years in the fields of Electrical, Mechanical and Software Engineering at Intel, Microsoft > and Sequent Computers. > > Susan Maneck • The Dasatir and the Tabernacle of Unity > > This presentation will examine the correspondence between Bahá’u’lláh and Manakji Limji Hataria as > found in the Tabernacle of Unity. It is the thesis of this presentation that Manakji’s questions were largely > formulated, not against the background of mainstream Zoroastrian beliefs, but that of a peculiar school of > Zoroastrianism founded by Azar Kaivan which was heavily influenced by Ishraqi philosophy. > Notwithstanding the rather peculiar background to Manakji’s questions, Bahá’u’lláh is able to utilize them > to articulate some of the more universal aspects to his religion. > > SUSAN MANECK is an Associate Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy at Jackson State > University. She has numerous publication on both Zoroastrianism and the Bahá’í Faith. > > Patrick Marshall • The Greatest Pilgrimage: The Bahá’í as Hospital Chaplain > > The Universal House of Justice has recently approved Bahá’ís to undertake spiritual care in hospitals as > long as this does not involve religious duties typically assigned to clergy. The presenter will propose a > Bahá’í framework for spiritual care within the hospital setting, and present his own experiences in the field > and those leading to develop a career in this domain. I will affirm that the care of the spirit is in keeping > with certain principles of the Bahá’í Faith and that these principles inform the practitioner of a universality > of spiritual life. > > PATRICK MARSHALL is a career counsellor and recently entered a Chaplaincy internship. Warmly received > as a Bahá’í, he is required by the Association of Pastoral Care Practitioners to further his knowledge of the > Faith in order to inform his perspective and practice in spiritual care. > > Patricia Romano McGraw • The “Breakthrough” Moment in Psychotherapy, Is It Really a Moment > of Spiritual Transformation? > > Facing one’s personal truth is traditionally understood as a key to psychological health. It is also the > foundation of spiritual advancement. The presenter will offer a number of psychotherapeutic case studies in > which the “breakthrough” occurred by directing the therapeutic work to a spiritual dimension. > > PATRICIA ROMANO MCGRAW is a forensic psychologist in private practice in Baltimore, author of It’s Not > Your Fault: How Healing Relationships Change Your Brain and Can Help You Overcome a Painful Past, > and Seeking the Wisdom of the Heart: Reflections on Seven Stages of Spiritual Development. > > Robert Michell • The Miracle of Suffering > > The old dichotomy of good versus evil (with resultant suffering) which for so long has dominated Western > thought has been recast by Bahá’u’lláh. Suffering, in whichever form it appears, self-willed or God-given, > is there for our spiritual training. It is absolutely indispensable for the education of souls. It is a sign of > immaturity in those who seek to avoid it, whereas it is the hallmark of spiritual maturity in those who > embrace it. To all sojourners aboard the coach called “the Lyrical Ride of Reason”, we are bound for the > mystical land of suffering. > > ROBERT MICHELL is a poet-philosopher-teacher based in Montreal. His passions, besides his lovely wife > and four exuberant boys, is writing lyrical-profound, and quixotic poetry, exploring the interface between > Complexity Theory and the Bahá’í teachings, and deep-dish apple pie. > > Bonita M. Milby • A Chalice of Pure Light: A Vision of Divine Symmetry in the Sacred Reality of > Creation > > The three aspects of solar emanation and specular reflection belong to a physical geometric continuum that > is both directional and symmetrical. We can use these aspects to visualize a divine geometric continuum. > Three different, symmetrical perspectives are explored: the criteria for Truth identified by J. A. McLean in > Dimensions of Spirituality, the onenesses revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the Valley of Unity, and two examples > of natural specular reflection. The physical qualities of natural mirror surfaces can help us to identify the > spiritual qualities associated with divine revelation and our nearness to God. > > BONITA MILBY’s presentation reflects her life-long interest in metaphysics and religion. As a member of the > Stillwater, Oklahoma, Bahá’í Community, she serves on the Spiritual Assembly and as Ruhi facilitator. A > former fourth-grade teacher and English lecturer, she is currently employed as an office assistant at > Oklahoma State University. > > Lawrence M. Miller • Capitalism and Community: The New Reality that Unites Wealth, Social and > Spiritual Development > > The form of capitalism practiced throughout the world is in transformation, as suggested in the teachings of > the Bahá’í Faith. The reality of commerce today is that financial capital, once dominant, is becoming > secondary to social, spiritual, human and process or technology capital. The five forms of capital required > and created by enterprise today will be presented, along with a new model of wealth, more consistent with > current day reality and with the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. > > LAWRENCE MILLER has been a Bahá’í since 1968 and in management consulting for over 30 years. He has > written seven books on management and leadership including the recent Competing in the New Capitalism > and Spiritual Enterprise: Building Your Business in the Spirit of Service forthcoming in February with > George Ronald. > > Lisa Molin • Health, Healing, Personal Responsibility and the Bahá’í Faith > > This presentation attempts to examine current medical problems and trends in Western society as it relates > to an ever pervading lack of personal responsibility. It examines how these attitudes affect the individual > and ultimately society as a whole. These attitudes are then contrasted with an ever increasing interest in > spiritual healing and its effects on physical health with supporting evidence from the medical literature. > Finally, these examples are examined in light of the Bahá’í Writings on health and healing, personal > responsibility, trust, and ultimately one’s relationship with God. > > LISA MOLIN, M.D. Practices Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in San Luis Obispo, CA. She has > pioneered in West Africa, served at the Bahá’í World Centre, currently travels abroad to treat children with > cleft lips and palates, recently started lecturing on the Bahá’í Faith at California Polytechnic University, > and enjoys outdoor activities. > > Shahrokh Monjazeb • “An Excellent and Priceless Heritage”: The Scholarship of Bahá’u’lláh’s Life > and His Revelation > > The presentation will examine and attempt to define the role of a “Bahá’u’lláh-scholar” as a defender, > educator and promoter of Bahá’u’lláh and His Writing both within the Bahá’í community and the outside > world. It will also provide a retrospective look at a select group of such scholars from the time of > Bahá’u’lláh to the present day. > > SHAHROKH MONJAZEB has been a presenter at the ABS Conference for over fifteen years. His writings and > presentations focus primarily on Bahá’í Sacred Text and their literary and historical significance in the > context of socio-spiritual conditions of human society. > > Tahirih Naylor • The Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations: From Principles to > Problem Solving (see Berger for abstract) > > Tahirih Naylor • Scholarship and Social Justice: The Bahá’í International Community, (panelist, > Young Scholars Panel) > > This presentation will explore the coordinated external affairs work of the Bahá’í community at the local, > national and international levels. The characteristics necessary for such coherence of action will be > examined. Specific examples of the Bahá’í International Community’s active participation in the areas of > human rights and global prosperity through its work with civil society, governments, and the United > Nations will be presented. The efforts of Bahá’ís in these areas provides an example of a principle based > community building process which is both locally rooted and world-embracing. > > TAHIRIH NAYLOR is a Bahá’í International Community representative to the United Nations and was > previously an external affairs representative in the Office of Governmental Relations for the Bahá’í > Community of Canada. She holds a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, and has served on > volunteer projects in over twenty-five countries. > > Clare Jamal O’Brien • Faith and Football: Junior Youth Study Circles in Kenyan Slums > > Faced with the appalling socio-economic conditions in Nairobi slums this research looks at the > effectiveness of Bahá'í inspired curricula, Breezes of Confirmation, in effecting the behaviour of female > junior youth in football teams. Football offers them socio-economic support as well as enhanced social > capital. This paper will discuss the use of a “Study Circle football” in improving acts of service rendered by > the participants. It will also explore possible effects of the intervention on mental health outcomes such as > anxiety, depression and high risk sexual behaviour. > > CLARE JAMAL O’BRIEN was raised in Alaska, pioneered to Africa at 17 where she became the first > foreigner at Tuamiani University in Semtema, Tanzania, completed an MSc in African Studies at Oxford > University. She is now is working on her Ph.D., testing the social effectiveness of a Bahá’í inspired > curriculum. > Layla Parker-Katiraee • Ethical Questions and Answers in Epigenetics, (panelist, Young Scholar > Panel) > > Genomic imprinting is a biological phenomenon which causes the expression of genes from only one > parental chromosome. Imprinted genes underlie various developmental disorders, stressing the importance > of their characterization and study. However, the field is fraught with social and ethical implications, as > diverse as the collection of early embryonic human specimens and the possibility of parthenogenetic > humans (an individual with no father). Here, I explore difficulties and answers found in genomic > imprinting, as well as personal challenges that I have encountered in my studies. > > LAYLA PARKER-KATIRAEE is completing a doctoral degree in Medical Genetics & Microbiology at the > University of Toronto. Her thesis investigates the unequal expression of genes on human chromosome 7. > She is currently living in Toronto with her husband of four years and hopes to obtain a post-doctoral degree > in England. > > Michael L. Penn • The Garments of Learning and Knowledge: Reflections on the Protection and > Refinement of the Human Spirit > > A Bahá’í-inspired approach to social and economic development seeks to extend the reach and application > of spiritual learning and knowledge. In these remarks we suggest that if this effort is to meet with success it > must not only be promoted in villages, cities and towns, but must be embraced by significant numbers of > students and scholars at institutions of higher learning. We thus invite reflection on why current academic > trends render this a particularly propitious time to share with colleagues and students the garments of > spiritual learning and knowledge and to promote a consciousness of that which is sacred. > > MICHAEL L. PENN, Ph.D.(Michael.Penn at fandm.edu), is associate professor of psychology at Franklin and > Marshall College. His publications include works in adolescent psychopathology, the relationship between > culture and psychopathology, and the epidemiology of gender-based violence. He is the author of > Overcoming Violence against Women and Girls (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003). > > Anne Gordon Perry • Yours, Roger: Letters to and from Roger White > > Canadian poet Roger White distinguished himself by writing poetry reflecting the history, themes, and > early believers of the Bahá’í Faith. But he was also “muse” to creative artists in several genres, many of > whom wrote to him from various parts of the world. This presentation highlights some of the facets of > Roger’s life and influence and draws from examples of the vast correspondence he maintained. > > ANNE GORDON PERRY, Ph.D. Aesthetic Studies, teaches English and Humanities at the Art Institute of > Dallas, is co-organizer of the Arts special interest group, edits its journal, ORISON. Her dissertation was > on the intersection of art and religion, and she is working on a book about poet Roger White. > > Laheeb Quddusi • The Matrix: Themes of After-Life > > The Matrix film trilogy is introduced with an overview of its religious allusions and references, and the > term “matrix” explored from the perspective of the film, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings, and general language. > Themes of embryonic life, the womb, imprisonment and self-imprisonment, and reincarnation are explored > from various perspectives. > > LAHEEB QUDDUSI is pioneering in a small town outside of Edmonton with his family while attending > university. Currently, he is finishing his second year of biological sciences. Serving on CABS has provided > the means to elevate academic discourse, although he finds it a challenge to correlate the sciences to the > Writings. > > Jean Tschohl Quinn • The Artist of Service: Appreciated, Integrated, and Supported > > Being an artist in the Bahá’í community that is appreciated, integrated, and supported is a goal which needs > to be more reachable. Here are practical tips on what the artist can do and what the community must do, all > based on reassuring guidance from Bahá’í Scripture. Jean Tschohl Quinn provides a multimedia > presentation regarding the fun and excitement of overcoming the lumps and bumps along the road to > serving the Bahá’u’lláh as an artist through technology, song, storytelling, and audience participation. > > JEAN TSCHOHL QUINN, mathematician by degree, musician by choice, mom by ... (well you know how > someone becomes a mom), prefers to serve the world as an artist, although she wears many hats as most > people do. She combines comedy and musicianship to serve the Bahá’í community and teach spiritual > concepts. > > Pattabi S. Raman • Changing Worldviews and Paradigm Shifts in the 20th Century in Disciplines of > Scientific Inquiry: Impact on Scholarship and Community Building > > The Century of Light has seen an irreversible shift in contemporary metaphysical and scientific thinking, > presenting a new worldview. This has in turn ushered a new epistemology, stimulating new knowledge, > new models of sharing and practising that knowledge. The presentation will provide a succinct review of > the salient aspects in the shift of traditionally held paradigms in four major disciplines of inquiry: > metaphysics, psychology, healing arts, and education. A discussion will follow of the myriad implications > of this shift on the respective professional practices, their effects on community building and in charting a > new course in social responsibility. > > PATTABI S. RAMAN, Ph.D., EdD. a native of India, has post-graduate training and professional preparation > in two fields, medicinal chemistry and education. Currently he holds senior faculty positions at Capella > University, in their human services division, and at Antioch University Seattle, as its program director in > special education. > > Ashley Roberts • Exploring the Role of Faith-based Organizations in Addressing HIV/AIDS > There is great variety in approaches to HIV prevention in adolescents. The organizations that are creating > and implementing interventions include faith-based communities, governmental agencies, non- > governmental organizations, etc. Some argue that interventions initiated by faith-based communities > generally achieve better outcomes when compared to non-faith based initiatives. In the course of this > workshop, I plan to further explore this argument by first discussing issues around the evaluation of the > effectiveness HIV prevention programs; second, examining and comparing the outcomes of faith-based and > non-faith based interventions published in the literature; and third, exploring possible explanations for the > differences in outcomes. > > ASHLEY ROBERTS, BA in History, University of British Columbia; Master’s of Education, Harvard > University; a Doctor of Medicine (MD), McMaster University, has her diploma in Tropical Medicine from > the Gorgas Institute and is finishing her fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of > Toronto. > Mark H. Rossman • Five Research Based Issues in International Distance Education and their > Application to Teaching EFL > > As Guest Faculty at the University of Salzburg for three months, the author co-facilitated the International > Distance Education Faculty Forum (IDEFF), an asynchronous discussion learning network of 68 faculty > members experienced in distance education delivery methods from 17 universities in 13 countries. A > content analysis of the IDEFF yielded five main issues, 1) faculty power and stature, 2) faculty > participation in online courses, 3) barriers to implementing distance education, 4) motivating learners in > online classes, and 5) impact of distance education on global access to education. These issues and their > relevance to teaching EFL is presented. > > MARK H. ROSSMAN is Professor Emeritus at Capella University. He has authored, co-authored or produced > nine books, and many chapters, articles, evaluative reports, and media publications. His areas of interest > are: adult learning and program development, post-secondary education, distance learning and education, > and international education. > > Behrooz Sabet • The Concept of Civilization in Bahá’í Writings and Cyclical Theory of Pitirim A. > Sorokin > > This presentation has two purposes: the first is to examine the dynamics of civilization as they are unravelled in > the Bahá’í Writings, the second is to compare Bahá’í perspectives with the prodigious works of the renowned > social scientist Pitirim Alexandrovich Sorokin. The critical consideration of this presentation is to argue that > Bahá’í perspectives combine Sorokin’s cyclical theory with progressive evolutionary views of civilization. > Bahá’í Writings point to the reality of recurrent rhythms in civilizations. They also characterize a spiral curve > of ordered patterns of evolution. > > BEHROOZ SABET EdD 1987, has studied philosophy and economics, been a university professor, > international lecturer and education consultant, written extensively on educational, philosophical, and > social themes, worked with Iranian Bahá’í higher education initiatives, and has contributed to Payam-e- > Doost radio for four years. He was Academic Dean of Landegg International University. > > Gloria Shahzadeh • Reflection on History through the Arts with a Special Focus on Drama > > This presentation examines drama and its place in history, the terminologies associated with this art form, > and its role as an expressive form of reflecting on a community’s history and identity. Certain rites and > rituals associated with various cultures and religions are explored to demonstrate the use of dramatic art > forms by members of clergy to teach or deepen their congregations. A comparison is then made to the > Bahá’í Faith and the absence of clergy and sermons therein; and how then this art form could help bring the > spirit of the Holy Writings and details of historical events to life! > > GLORIA SHAHZADEH lives in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) with her family. She has an extensive > background in dance and theatre and has produced, directed, and acted in more than fifteen full-length > plays at the Bahá’í World Centre (1990 - 1999). > > Ron Shigeta • Searching for Methods to Strengthen Bahá’í Marriage (see Lord for abstract) > > RON SHIGETA is a chemist, structural biologist, and biotechnologist. He is researching the marriage > curriculum of the Marriage Transformation Project and presents workshops on marriage-related topics. > Nadim Sobhani •The Spiritual in the Material: Studying Society as a Bahá’í (panellist, Young > Scholars Panel) > > When studying society and the ills found within it, the average undergraduate student in North America is > faced with a multitude of intellectual tensions, where an indiscriminating academic institution will no doubt > challenge the very core of their belief system. This presentation will explore the relatively nascent fields of > Equity Studies and Social Justice, as well as some of the opportunities and challenges I have experienced as > a Bahá’í in these fields. Further discussions will revolve around the benefits of a Bahá’í Youth Year of > Service as well as thoughts on the role of a university student in the core activities. > > NADIM SOBHANI is an undergraduate student in the Department of Equity Studies at the University of > Toronto. Nadim hopes to pursue a career in the field of public health, with special emphasis on studying the > social determinants of health and the barriers that prevent equal access to health care. > > Mitra Solomon, Kevin Trotter and David Diehl • Bahainine Project: Bahá’í Inspired Blogs, Podcasts, > and Videos > > Bahainine project is aggregating Bahá’í user generated content across the globe. Its goal is to increase > awareness of the Bahá’í blogs and to facilitate creation and discovery of Bahá’í inspired user generated > content. This presentation is an overview of our efforts and findings. We also cover what is social > networking, give a strong picture of how the web can help with community building, how to start your own > blog with helpful guidelines and learnings on the factors and steps that contribute to a successful blog and > content, some web2.0 concepts and principals and guidelines on blogging, podcasting, social networking, > etc. > > MITRA SOLOMON is a Bahá’í and a high tech professional, delivering technology at the world’s largest > internet companies for the last 12 years. Most recently, she led the development and launch of the new > search advertising platform for Yahoo. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. > > Philip Squires • A Novel Approach to Depression > > Starting with the DSM-IV definition of depression, a developmental model for determining the purpose of > life is used to look at childhood depression in a new way, which leads to effective intervention. The > conclusions will be related to the Bahá’í Faith and the core activities. Using the work of late Dr. William > Hatcher, it takes secular insights and marries them with spiritual concepts of reality, spirituality and > religion. Its focus audience is medical students, but is useful for all. There are model dependant suggestions > for raising children and for our education system. > > PHILIP SQUIRES has been a general paediatrician for 30 years, is board certified in the US and Canada, and > is a clinical teacher and Associate Professor at the University of Western Ontario. He has a diploma in > tropical medicine, worked five years in Africa, and is currently interested in behavioural problems in > children. > > Kevin Trotter • Bahainine Project: Bahá’í Inspired Blogs, Podcasts, and Videos (see Solomon for > abstract) > > KEVIN TROTTER is a software developer mainly focussed on the development of web applications and is > currently employed by Oracle Corporation. He currently lives in Burlingame, CA. > Deborah van den Hoonaard (chair), Cheryl Fennell, Marie Gervais, Lisa-Jo van den Scott, and > Élizabeth Wright • Scholarship and Community-Building (plenary panel) > > This session addresses how different people and groups understand and define scholarship and the role it > plays in community development processes, and in particular in relation to the Bahá’í community. The > focus is on how research can educate us about how different people and groups experience community life, > in particular in the Bahá’í community, and how we can use what we learn to improve our understanding > and success at implementing the Bahá’í teachings. Panellists will address the theme both generally and in > the context of different communities and populations, including French Canadian/Quebecois, Aboriginal, > and Inuit communities and by gender and age. > > DEBORAH VAN DEN HOONAARD holds a Canada Research Chair at St. Thomas University, New Brunswick. > Her work is in developing qualitative analysis methods, which she also applies to understand what it means > to be a member of a marginal population, specifically older widows and widowers, and immigrants of non- > European descent. > > Will van den Hoonaard • Emerging From Obscurity: The Journey of Sociology in the Bahá’í > Community > > I try to exercise the “sociological imagination” where I connect my personal scholarly journey to the larger > social and historical forces that have shaped Bahá’í scholarship and the Bahá’í community. Sociology and > the Bahá’í Faith share important principles and both critically challenge widely-held beliefs. Yet there is > wall of relative silence separating them. Recent developments in both the Bahá’í community and sociology > have made the wall more permeable, but what about the Bahá’í scholars themselves? How has the Bahá’í > Faith shaped their approach to sociology? The answer has surprised me as I discovered that their Bahá’í > contributions to sociology are less explicit than implicit. > > WILL VAN DEN HOONAARD, Ph.D., Sociology, researches qualitative and ethnographic research, research > ethics, the Bahá’í community of Canada, and the world of mapmakers. His books include The Origins of > the Bahá’í Community of Canada, 1898-1948, and The Equality of Women and Men: The Experience of the > Bahá’í Community of Canada. > > Lisa-Jo van den Scott • Scholarship and Community-Building (plenary panel, see Deborah van den > Hoonaard for abstract) > > LISA-JO VAN DEN SCOTT obtained her Masters in Ancient Greek in Newfoundland where she served as > Assistant for Young Bahá’í Academics. For the past three years she has served as a pioneer in Arviat, > Nunavut where she maintains a regional newsletter and developed an after school program for pre-youth > girls. > > Joell Ann Vanderwagen • New Perspectives on Gender and the Bahá’í Revelation > > Providing a new philosophical framework for gender issues, this workshop will contrast old Western > classical notions of masculine and feminine as dualities on a vertical scale (strong-weak), with the Bahá’í > understanding of them as polarities, groups of complementary, positive qualities on a horizontal scale > (strong-gentle). We will re-examine the old notion of spirit as male and matter as female (duality), looking > instead at abstract (scripture) and concrete (personal experience) as two modes in which the Divine Spirit > relates to us. > JOELL ANN VANDERWAGEN had a spiritual experience shortly after becoming a Bahá’í in 1995, which > focussed her attention on gender issues. She has a BA in Philosophy and Literature and a Master of Science > in Urban Planning and has worked as a teacher, mother, planning consultant, and writer. > > Faraneh Vargha-Khadem • Autism and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Scientific and Spiritual > Challenges of Mis-Wired Minds (see Koirala for abstract) > > FARANEH VARGHA-KHADEM, Ph.D. is Head of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at University > College London. Her groundbreaking research has explored the cognitive deficits of brain-injured children > as well as the development of language and memory. She is the recipient of prestigious research awards. > > Dave Wellman • Autism and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Scientific and Spiritual Challenges > of Mis-Wired Minds (see Koirala for abstract) > > DAVE WELLMAN is retired from high school science teaching in rural Alaska. Reflection on evocative > implications of the principle of the harmony of science and religion has been inspired by the Bahá’í > Writings, the concept of scientific integrity, and encounters with young minds. > > Jeff Williams • Community Building through the Virtual University > > This presentation examines how a virtual university can assist in global community building. Focus is > given to the de-centralized global infrastructure and the efforts towards building a global community > between the instructors and administrators, among the students and between the students and staff. > Additional information is presented on the type of instruction and tools. The university utilizes the Moodle > platform and Skype for conversation classes. There is also an emphasis on education as a means for service > to humanity and each unit focuses on such topics as virtue development, global issues, the importance of art > and the sciences. > > JEFF WILLIAMS has a Ph.D. in literature from Texas Tech University and Masters degrees from Northern > Arizona University. He presents conference papers on technology/education and popular culture, publishes > articles on popular culture and teaches Semantics and Literature at the National University of La Rioja. > > Karen P. Williams • Religion and Psychology: Combining Potent Forces > Religion and psychology have traditionally been depicted as antithetical forces whose goals are similar, but > whose strategies and underlying philosophies are inimical to each other. This presentation explores the > commonalities between the two forces, and suggests that the combi-nation of the two forces is a potent > formula for healing and establishing direction in one’s life. > > KAREN WILLIAMS, Ph.D. , is a licensed bilingual psychologist living and practising in California. She is > currently employed in a public health clinic as well as in a private practice office, which allows her a > breadth of experience which enhance her Bahá’í lifestyle. > > Ross Woodman and Ann Boyles • An Interview with Ross Woodman > Ross Woodman and Ann Boyles explore the intricacies of addressing Bahá’í ideas in academic scholarship > in Woodman’s upcoming book Revelation and Knowledge, and reflect on his life of long-time service to > the university Bahá’í communities. > > ROSS WOODMAN, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Western Ontario, served on the first Canadian > National Spiritual Assembly elected in 1948. His works include Sanity, Madness, Transformation: The > Role of the Psyche in Romanticism, The Apocalyptic Vision in the Poetry of Shelley, and numerous articles > on the English Romantics, religion, poetry, and modern art. > > Élizabeth Wright • Scholarship and Community-Building (plenary panel, see Deborah van den > Hoonaard for abstract) > > Élizabeth Wright • The 2007 UN Commission on the Status of Women: “Elimination of All Forms of > Discrimination and Violence against the Girl Child” > > ÉLIZABETH WRIGHT, MA Sociology, Université Laval, researches gender studies, specifically men and > masculinities and the social and family impact of changing parental functions. She is Director of the Bahá’í > Community of Canada’s Office for the Advancement of Women, and president elect of the Canadian > Research Institute for the Advancement of Women. > > Mina Yazdani • Anti-Bahá’í Polemics and Historiography > > This presentation examines anti-Bahá’í polemics produced as works of historiography in twentieth century > Iran. It advances the thesis that anti-Bahá’í polemics have constructed a version of Bahá’í history that, > while not only radically different from the Bahá’í narrative, has 1) been exploited in the service of > justifying the ongoing persecution of Iranian Bahá’ís; 2) penetrated Iranian popular culture; and 3) been > uncritically arrogated by the Iranian intellectual elite as the “real” image of Iran’s largest religious > minority. Taking up the depiction of three prominent individuals in scholarly and Bahá’í works as case > studies, we juxtapose this with their portrayal in anti-Bahá’í polemical works. > > Mina Yazdani • The History and Role of Scholarship in the Iranian Bahá’í Community (special > Thursday session) > > This presentation will provide a historical survey of the role of Bahá’í scholars in Iran from the time of > Bahá’u’lláh to the present day. It will explore the ways in which Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá drew on > Bahá’í scholars in community building, and will briefly investigate the services offered to the Cause of > God by such prominent scholars as Abu’l-Fadá’il Gulpaygáni, Nabíl-Akbar, Fádil-i Mázandarání, Abdu’l- > Hamíd Ishráqkhávarí, ‘Azizu’lláh Sulaymání, ‘Alí Murád Davúdí and their spiritual heirs in contemporary > Iran. The relationship between these scholars, the Bahá’í community, and the Institutions of the Cause will > also be addressed. > > MINA YAZDANI is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto Department of Near and Middle Eastern > Civilizations. Her recent publications include the monograph, Iran at the Time of the Qájár Dynasty: A > Perspective from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings, and articles in Khushihá’í az Kharman-i Adab va Hunar and > Payám-i Bahá’í. > > Artists Performing > SHIRLENE ZARIN-TAJ BROWN started out her career as first lady radio announcer for Radio Bahá’í, WLGI > for 10 years. She later continued her aspirations in studying and obtaining her B.A. in music performance, > all the while traveling the world over and becoming of her own as a professional singer/entertainer in the > artistry of jazz. > > JOHN EBATA’s talents run deep in the music world as musician, song writer, arranger, producer and > recording engineer. Award winning pianist-keyboardist, his discography includes recordings > with renowned Bahá'í artists and much sought after accompanist to singer-songwriters including Buffy > Sainte Marie and Morris Albert. He currently resides in King City Canada working from his home studio > and as a sales-management consultant. > > ROBERT MICHELL is a poet-writer-teacher based in Montreal. His interests are in the confluence between > mysticism and science, a new model of spirituality, and writing poetry that combines craftsmanship and > accessibly. > > ANNE PERRY is a writer, teacher and performer. who has presented numerous times in various formats at > past conferences. Her dramatic presentations of Sarah Farmer are well known and well-received. > > SMITH & DRAGOMAN - The music of Smith & Dragoman is inspired by the incredible stories of the early > history of the Bahá’í Faith; stories of heroes and heroines from mid 19th century Persia who chose to lead a > life in accordance with their Beliefs. They have released two CDs, Open the Gates and Under the Lote- > Tree and are currently in production working on their first live concert DVD release. > www.smithanddragoman.com > > SUSAN LEWIS WRIGHT is a professional singer-songwriter, classical and jazz musician, speaker and author; > chair—Global Visions Arts Alliance; producer—Women of One World show. PR, advertising marketing, > journalism professional, former National Information officer for the U.S. N.S.A. Three albums: Down In > Mexico, Bird and Days of Beauty. Song, “Calling All Colors” was sung on program with President Clinton. > > Conference Organization > > Conference Task Force Roshan Danesh, Mehran Kiai, Kim Naqvi, Parvin Rowhani > Conference Coordinator Parvin Rowhani > Arts Program John Ebata and Viktoria Yazdani > Children’s and Junior Youth Program Brenda Alizadeh and Ted Draack > Devotions Anne Perry > Hospitality Ramin Modir > Logistics Tymon Hsieh > Photography Vic Voytek > Program Kim Naqvi and Roshan Danesh > Public Relations/Publicity Ashkan Vahman > Registration Nilufar Gordon, Solange Jabbary > > Security/Ushers Afshin Modir > Stage Decoration Houmed Arjomand > Stage Manager Jolene Nichols > Technical Director Geoff Cohen > Treasurer Mehran Kiai > Volunteers Ramzi Shams > > The ABS Executive Committee extends its deep appreciation to all those who have assisted in the preparation and > running of this conference. Our heartfelt thanks are also due to the many volunteers who contributed their service > and have worked so hard to make this conference a success. > > With special thanks to The Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Mississauga and Toronto > > — *Relativism and the Baha'i Writings (Used by permission of the curator)*