Reports 2002

Official Report from the Changing Times Organization Team

From the 26th of December 2002 to the 1st of January 2003 around 180 participants gathered on the campus of the Townshend International School in the Czech Republic youth coming from 23 different countries and aged between 18 and 38 years.

The program offered a variety of topics relating to the life of Bahá'í youth and developments in the world at large at this time. We had the honour of hearing Prof. Suheil Bushrui from the United States speak on many subjects with humour, fervour, and wisdom some headings being Reflections on the Letter to the Religious Leaders, To Reach that which Exceeds the Grasp and The Unity of Vision and Ethic; Dr. Dorothy Marcic from the United States captured the audience with her Musical Journey of Women; Dr. Ardawan Lalui from the Czech Republic vividly presented the role of the individual in Socio-Economic Projects; Mr. Ismael Velasco from the United Kingdom introduced the topic of scholarship with competence and humility, thereby bringing it closer to our hearts; Dr. Kishan Manocha from United Kingdom shared his precious and knowledgeable insight on the Century of Light; and Mrs. Saba Khabirpour from Germany discussed with us the practical implications of the Five-Year-Plan. The offered workshops both complemented the talks and opened new fields such as Career Management Strategies, Building Sound Relationships, Attracting Divine Blessings, and The Ministry of the Custodians.

Throughout the week we were fortunate to benefit from our speakers both during and also outside of the organised program. On some evenings Mr. and Mrs. Bushrui shared their rich life experience with a group of youth that had gathered around them. This not only enhanced the atmosphere of the seminar, but resulted in a spontaneous additional talk given by the couple on 48 years of experience in married life.

Certainly of the evening programs two stand out in particular. One of these was devoted to the Beloved Hands of the Cause of God, showing the video The Lights of Fortitude, Vol. II. On another occasion Prof. Bushrui gave us a personal account of his memoirs of the Beloved Guardian, in fulfilment of a promise he had given to Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum shortly before her passing. Many youth expressed how deeply these records of the heroes and heroines of our Faith had touched and moved their hearts.

The youth that participated in the seminar brought with them not only the diversity of their cultural backgrounds, but such eagerness to learn, such warmth and love, that the atmosphere throughout those six days uplifted our spirits. We had the impression that the initiative was deeply appreciated many encouraged us to continue, looking forward to returning this coming winter. The feedback forms filled out by the participants are proving to be very helpful in the planning of the next seminar, which is the task we now set before our eyes. It is our sincere hope that the youth return from such an event even better equipped and more eager to serve the needs of the Cause.