Proclamation of the Bahá'í Youth Movement

Participants of the International Bahá'í Youth Congress in Vancouver, Canada
July 2000

At the third of a series of hemispheric Congresses in the year 2000 called for by the Bahá'í youth in the Americas, the participants of the Bahá'í youth movement gathered in Vancouver, Canada, proclaim the following:

We are a movement of dedicated youth inspired by the Teachings of Bahá'u'llah¹, with a united vision and committed to transforming our lives, our communities, and the world.

We are committed to serving humanity and to promoting a new set of universal values for an emerging global community that recognizes the nobility and oneness of the human family, that replaces despair with hope, conquers hate with love, and brings order to chaos.

For us, the current global crisis represents a new opportunity to create something that is better than what exists, something that will guarantee a unified, peaceful and secure world. This movement, open to all, and that strives for excellence and spiritual development, has as its essential components a spiritual discipline and a relevant and distinctive discourse that frames the design and execution of service projects that respond to the needs and challenges of creating a world commonwealth based on principles of love and justice.

During the Congress, we received a message from the Universal House of Justice² that cites 'Abdu'l-Baha³ who "summed up in a few intensely poignant words both the crisis He saw engulfing humankind and the sole means of deliverance:

"Today the world of humanity is walking in darkness because it is out of touch with the world of God. That is why we do not see the signs of God in the hearts of men.... When a divine spiritual illumination becomes manifest in the world of humanity, when divine instruction and guidance appear, then enlightenment follows, a new spirit is realized within, a new power descends, and a new life is given."

In its message the Universal House of Justice contextualizes and orients us in the achievement of our purpose, a few paragraphs of which we feel should be shared with the youth of the world:

Like the rest of the world, Canadian society stands in urgent need of moral transformation. Such transformation, as amply evidenced by decades of contentious history, cannot be achieved through political passion, the conflict of vested interests, or technical recipes.

What is called for is a spiritual revival, as a prerequisite to the successful application of political, economic and technological instruments. But there is a need for a catalyst. Be assured that, in spite of your small numbers, you are the channels through which such a catalyst can be provided.

Be not dismayed if your endeavours are dismissed as utopian by the voices that would oppose any suggestion of fundamental change. Trust in the capacity of this generation to disentangle itself from the embroilments of a divided world. To discharge your responsibilities, you will have to show forth courage, the courage of those who cling to standards of rectitude, who champion the cause of justice, whose lives are characterized by purity of thought and action, and whose purpose is directed by love and indomitable faith.

These words of the Universal House of Justice inspire us with the firm conviction that youth, both individually and collectively, have been endowed with the capacity to respond fully to this challenging appeal. We, the participants of the Bahá'í youth movement, invite with joy and urgency our generation throughout the world to unite with us to champion the cause of justice.

Signed,
Participants of the International Bahá'í Youth Congress in Vancouver, Canada
July 2000