In Conversation: Podcast explores the BIC’s contributions to the discourse on global governance

BIC representatives explore the discourse on global governance, highlighting principles of oneness, consultation, and service ahead of UN Summit of the Future.

Subscribe to the BWNS podcast for additional audio content.

RSS  |  Spotify  |  Apple Podcasts  |  SoundCloud  |  Tunein  |  iHeart  |  Stitcher

BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — In the latest Bahá’í World News Service podcast episode, two representatives of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC)’s New York Office, Bani Dugal and Liliane Nkunzimana, discussed the BIC’s contributions to the discourse on global governance ahead of the UN Summit of the Future.

The representatives explored how Bahá’í principles—such as the oneness of humanity and consultation—offer insights on governance and examined challenges and opportunities in reforming existing global institutions to address contemporary world issues.

Ms. Dugal, drawing on nearly 30 years of experience with the BIC, reflected on the evolution of the discourse on global governance at the UN over the past decades.

The conversation explored the importance of including diverse generational voices in global governance discussions. Ms. Nkunzimana highlighted recent UN efforts to increase youth engagement, such as creating a UN Youth Office, as “one of those small steps forward” in recognizing the value of youth perspectives in global affairs.

“Young people today are facing a reality that is very difficult,” she explained. However, she added that youth are increasingly eager to contribute meaningfully to discussions about humanity’s shared future, bringing fresh perspectives.

Drawing on Bahá’í community-building experiences, Ms. Nkunzimana emphasized how youth often serve as catalysts for change: “It is the young people who are at the forefront, and they are in many ways like the glue of the community. They bring together the younger ones, they bring together the older members of the community and are the driving force for social betterment.”

The conversation highlighted how efforts at the grassroots and broader initiatives within the global Bahá’í community are motivated by a spirit of service to humanity—a concept central to the BIC’s contributions to the discourse on global governance.

Ms. Dugal noted that this concept encourages a kind of leadership and participation that is inspired by contributing to the common good rather than personal gain or power. She elaborated on how the Bahá’í administrative system is centered on “serving the community. It is not about having power and leading in that way.”

Essential to this approach, Ms. Dugal explained, is the Bahá’í principle of consultation—an approach to collective decision-making that fosters harmony and participation. She explained that in consultation, participants set aside “their own preconceived notions... and allow for a meaningful discussion where everyone offers their views. ... Then out of that comes a decision which everyone agrees with.”

The discussion in this podcast builds on the ongoing efforts of the BIC to contribute to the discourse on global governance, including ideas highlighted in its statement “A Governance Befitting: Humanity and the Path Toward a Just Global Order.”