In Conversation: Podcast explores BIC’s contributions to the discourse on societal harmony

BIC representatives discuss how spiritual principles and a conception of human nature rooted in the nobility of human beings can guide efforts to foster societal harmony.

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BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — In the latest Bahá’í World News Service podcast episode, representatives of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) from offices in Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, and New York explored approaches to building societal harmony amid contemporary challenges.

The representatives examined how foundational principles found in the Bahá’í teachings—particularly an understanding of the essential oneness of humanity and the inherent nobility of every person—can illuminate paths toward greater unity among diverse populations while fostering their collective spiritual and material advancement.

“We have to be able to see every single human being as noble,” said Simin Fahandej of the BIC’s Geneva Office. “Every single person that was created on this earth was created noble and was created to help advance a civilization that is both spiritually and materially prosperous.”

Rachel Bayani of the Brussels Office highlighted the importance of seeing every member of society as a protagonist in its advancement, including those who have newly arrived in a country. “Rather than putting people into something existing,” she explained, “we can learn together about what it means to build a new society.”

This perspective was echoed by Saleem Vaillancourt, from the BIC New York Office, who noted: “We are not just hoping for multiculturalism, ... we are trying to learn from each other and build something new.”

The conversation explored how harmony among populations can be strengthened through social spaces dedicated to consultation—a Bahá’í principle that enables diverse groups to share insights, understand different perspectives, and collectively discover paths forward and build consensus.

Hatem El-Hady from the Cairo Office described how the principle of consultation is being explored in various contexts across the Arab region, including through traditional gathering places known as majalis. “People come together and explore topics related to social cohesion to explore what is the role of spiritual education in fostering a sense of coexistence within a society,” he said.

The podcast episode is part of the “In Conversation” series that explores experiences from Bahá’í efforts worldwide to contribute to social progress, from the grassroots to the international level.