BIC ADDIS ABABA — As communities throughout the world celebrated the bicentenary of the birth of Baha’u’llah this month, the Baha’i International Community’s Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, co-hosted a commemorative gathering on 19 October with the national Baha’i community of Ethiopia.

The evening’s program included songs in Ethiopia’s three national languages, the screening of an excerpt from the film Light to the World, and an exhibition of artwork by children inspired by the teachings of Baha’u’llah. The event was attended by about 150 guests, including officials from the African Union, the Ethiopian government, and several UN agencies.

In his welcoming address to those present, BIC representative Solomon Belay spoke about the work of the Office in Addis Ababa.

“Collaboration and collective inquiry are vital to our efforts to explore questions and challenges with others,” he stated.

“How, for example, can broad segments of humanity more meaningfully contribute to the construction of flourishing societies?” asked Mr. Belay. “How will relationships between individuals, communities, and institutions need to be reimagined to more effectively contribute to social progress? How can global efforts be infused with a compelling vision of human prosperity that gives rise to a sense of common purpose?”

“By fostering such conversations, we hope to help generate knowledge and new perspectives on global and continental challenges. We take this particular occasion to invite everyone to join hands with us in this process of learning together how to improve the society we are living in.”