"The torch hath been passed to a new generation, for the times they are changing!"

(From the Changing Times 2005 anthem)

Before leaving for her winter break, a young student of the Townshend International School in Hluboka, Czech Republic; could not imagine that her quiet residential high school would, within days, host a reception area with a money exchange booth; a bookshop, a popular coffee shop, snack kiosks on all floors; and an assembly that room would become a conference room (with a stage and high-tech multimedia system) that would play host to 250 youth from around the world.

Our special guests proved that times are indeed changing! Bringing their expertise from diverse professional, ethnic and religious backgrounds, our speakers demonstrated a profound unity of vision, not only in the subject matter of their lectures, but also in the deep bonds of respect and friendship they forged amongst themselves, and with the participants.

Mr. Jack Mc Cants enriched the program with his stories of service of more than 10 Hands of the Cause of God - no one was left without a tear in their eyes. He then lovingly informed the participants of their mission for the coming years. His generation had served in the four corners of the world, tirelessly supporting the needs of the Faith; now they needed to pass the torch to the young - A new generation of youth that would have to provide the saints, heroes, martyrs and administrators of future years.

Dr. Michael Penn turned out to be the professor that all students dream of having. His magnetic personality, insights, wisdom and musical contributions enraptured the entire audience.

From the corporate world came three exemplary executives, Mr. Enrico Giraudi, Mr. Lawrence Miller and Mr. Giuseppe Robiati, who each, in their own way, bring ethics and values to the cut throat world of business. Dr. Elena Mustakova demonstrated herself as a model academic, with challenging theories that have great practical application in daily life. Mr. Neissan Besharati and Mr. Hooman Katirai, two young speakers also delivered workshops no less interesting than those of long established professionals.

No mission seemed impossible for the four teams that entered the Changing Times arena on games night, displaying their energy, creativity and teamwork to solve the challenges prepared for them. After such a display of enthusiasm, we are relieved by the thought that most of that energy is going to be channeled into service for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

The artistic highlight of our program was "The Passing of exquisite music", an audio-visual theatrical experience on the life of Hand of the Cause, Martha Root, staged by actress Mrs. Sarah Perceval, who, in the words of Dr. Penn delivered "one of the best performances on any stage" he has seen in his lifetime.

A festival of magic, music and video, and some moments of silence, marked the celebrations of the last night of the program. This year, we learned that the speakers and workshops were not the only “Italian American business” going on. (please refer to this years video)

There was no break after the evening programs, which were immediately followed by an exciting array of events … devoted to creativity, meeting old friends and making new ones: A Jazz concert followed by a jam session, a karaoke corner, ping-pong and backgammon tournaments, and the perennial Cabana coffee shop, which every year proves itself as serious competition for Starbucks.

Though it is thought of as a European forum, it is indeed a world gathering, with countries such as Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, The Bahamas, Canada, Brazil and the USA being represented.

The participants combined energy and maturity with world-awareness, and a strong Baha’i vision, thereby created an atmosphere of contagious enthusiasm, and demonstrating that they are ready and willing to carry the torch into the future...