The task of creating a global development strategy that will accelerate
humanity's coming-of-age constitutes a challenge to reshape fundamentally
all the institutions of society. The protagonists to whom the challenge
addresses itself are all of the inhabitants of the planet: the generality
of humankind, members of governing institutions at all levels, persons
serving in agencies of international coordination, scientists and social
thinkers, all those endowed with artistic talents or with access to the
media of communication, and leaders of nongovernmental organizations. The
response called for must base itself on an unconditioned recognition of
the oneness of humankind, a commitment to the establishment of justice as
the organizing principle of society, and a determination to exploit to
their utmost the possibilities that a systematic dialogue between the
scientific and religious genius of the race can bring to the building of
human capacity. The enterprise requires a radical rethinking of most of
the concepts and assumptions currently governing social and economic life.
It must be wedded, as well, to a conviction that, however long the process
and whatever setbacks may be encountered, the governance of human affairs
can be conducted along lines that serve humanity's real needs.
Only if humanity's collective childhood has indeed come to an end and the
age of its adulthood is dawning does such a prospect represent more than
another utopian mirage. To imagine that an effort of the magnitude
envisioned here can be summoned up by despondent and mutually antagonistic
peoples and nations runs counter to the whole of received wisdom. Only if,
as Baha'u'llah asserts to be the case, the course of social evolution has
arrived at one of those decisive turning points through which all of the
phenomena of existence are impelled suddenly forward into new stages of
their development, can such a possibility be conceived. A profound
conviction that just so great a transformation in human consciousness is
underway has inspired the views set forth in this statement. To all who
recognize in it familiar promptings from within their own hearts,
Baha'u'llah's words bring assurance that God has, in this matchless day,
endowed humanity with spiritual resources fully equal to the challenge:
O ye that inhabit the heavens and the earth! There hath appeared what hath
never previously appeared.
This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out
upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into
all created things.
The turmoil now convulsing human affairs is unprecedented, and many of its
consequences enormously destructive. Dangers unimagined in all history
gather around a distracted humanity. The greatest error that the world's
leadership could make at this juncture, however, would be to allow the
crisis to cast doubt on the ultimate outcome of the process that is
occurring. A world is passing away and a new one is struggling to be born.
The habits, attitudes, and institutions that have accumulated over the
centuries are being subjected to tests that are as necessary to human
development as they are inescapable. What is required of the peoples of
the world is a measure of faith and resolve to match the enormous energies
with which the Creator of all things has endowed this spiritual springtime
of the race. "Be united in counsel," is Baha'u'llah's appeal, be one in
thought. Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than
its yesterday. Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the
pageantry of wealth and riches. Take heed that your words be purged from
idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from
craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives
in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavors be
spent in promoting your personal interest. Be generous in your days of
plenty, and be patient in the hour of loss. Adversity is followed by
success and rejoicings follow woe. Guard against idleness and sloth, and
cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether
high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among men or plant
thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts.