BRASÍLIA, Brazil — When diverse social actors—from judges to religious leaders, government officials to grassroots organizations—bring their unique perspectives yet engage beyond their institutional viewpoints in genuine dialogue, a profound realization emerges: the path to societal transformation lies not in isolated efforts but in collectively exploring the very foundations of justice itself.

This is the experience unfolding in discussion forums through “Building a Perspective for a Fairer Society,” an initiative of the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs of Brazil in collaboration with the International University of Peripheries (Uniperiferias) and supported by Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship.

“The pursuit of justice seems to be a theme that unites a large number of the organizations in Brazil. Many of them understand their work in light of their contributions to establishing a fairer society,” explained Luiza Cavalcanti, member of the Office of External Affairs, in a conversation with the News Service.

Launched in 2024, these discussions have engaged over 200 participants from academia, civil society, and faith communities in Brasília, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo.

Looking beyond fragmentation

While numerous initiatives in Brazil are working toward social justice—addressing issues such as poverty reduction, women’s rights, racial equality, and environmental protection—these efforts often operate in isolation, even when they share common aims, says the Office of External Affairs.

Mrs. Cavalcanti noted this fragmentation as a significant obstacle to meaningful progress. “Despite this shared commitment, the dynamics of interaction between different efforts can hinder collective learning. The lessons produced in the context of a specific agenda rarely extend to other struggles, causing the broader issue to remain fragmented and superficial.”

The idea that social transformation requires more coherent collective action lies at the heart of the Office’s initiative. While organizations often recognize this need intellectually, traditional structures of engagement frequently reinforce division rather than harmony.

“Even within the context of the same agenda, a competitive logic seems to prevail, revealing a relationship with power as something to be ‘captured’ or ‘protected,’” Mrs. Cavalcanti noted.

The initiative has responded to this challenge by encouraging a fundamentally different conception of power—not as a finite resource, but as a capacity for collective transformation that grows through service, humility, and unified action.

“Organizations working for the same cause often compete for space, prominence, agendas, and resources,” she continued, “creating an environment of distrust, lack of dialogue, and little collaboration.”

Yet the remarkable response to the initiative reveals a profound idea: when given the right environment, these same organizations eagerly embrace opportunities for genuine collaboration.

The thoughtfully structured forums have created an environment where participants can step away from the patterns of thought shaped by their institutional roles, allowing them to engage with ideas more freely and reconnect with the deeper purpose that originally inspired their work.

“What specifically changes in my work is a greater clarity about the need to create spaces for dialogue and cooperation,” observed Felipe Moulin, Director of the International University of the Peripheries, in his comments to the News Service. “This not only enables common aims but also allows us to speak the same language, adopt shared strategies, and support each other to achieve effective gains in rights.”

The project has structured its explorations around four fundamental themes: the promotion of human dignity, the significance of social participation, the deconstruction of a culture of violence, and the building of a culture of peace, with each theme explored through monthly gatherings.

Enriching collective understanding

The approach of this project has fostered a rich understanding of common concepts among participants, allowing them to build relationships that rise above the competitive dynamics that can sometimes characterize interactions between organizations working toward social justice.

Central to the effort has been the recognition that genuine social transformation demands a deeper exploration of underlying values and beliefs that either foster or hinder justice and peace. Participants have highlighted that addressing structural injustices—such as inequality, racism, and gender-based violence—requires cultivating values and principles, including cooperation, equality of women and men, mutual care, and unity in diversity.

Among the insightful reflections emerging from the forums is the idea that peace must be understood not merely as the absence of violence, but as a dynamic and multifaceted process. “The absence of violence does not equate to peace, much like the absence of disease is not the same as health,” states a concept note prepared for the forums by the Office of External Affairs. Peace, therefore, must be actively constructed through interactions guided by justice, cooperation, and oneness, among other principles.

Discussions further examined how prevalent societal values—such as excessive consumption, self-gratification, and competition—can perpetuate divisions and hinder genuine collective progress. This critical examination of values led participants to reconsider prevalent ideas that shape social relationships, particularly the nature of power itself.

Participants have also explored how human dignity extends beyond individual rights to encompass collective responsibility and interconnectedness.

“True dignity cannot be fully realized in isolation,” one concept note elaborates, “but through meaningful participation in the community, where each individual contributes to and benefits from the collective well-being.”

A common understanding arising among participants has been that fostering a culture of peace and justice involves a shift not only in policies and societal structures but fundamentally in how individuals, institutions, and communities conceive their relationships and roles in society.

Nurturing hope through dialogue

Attendees have highlighted how the project has fostered hope by creating spaces for meaningful dialogue.

In her comments to the News Service, Hildete Souza, Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking in the State of Bahia, stated: “The project enabled the construction of a perspective on justice based on valuing diversity. Everyone sat in the same circle, regardless of any differences. Throughout the process, we prioritized a dialogue rooted in equality and respect, which has helped us grow as individuals, as a community, as institutions, and as a society.”

Tadeu Ferreet, an academic and psychoanalyst, emphasized how sharing experiences has generated greater optimism: “Hope was strongly manifested in the exchange of experiences and the personal stories that were shared. As each participant recounted successful initiatives in their localities, it became evident that change is already happening in different neighborhoods, cities, and states across the country.”

Looking ahead

As the project enters its second phase, the focus is shifting from conceptual exploration to practical application. The Bahá’í Office of External Affairs now aims to identify concrete experiences that translate these foundational principles into action.

Reflecting on the year-long initiative, Mrs. Cavalcanti observed: “What we have discovered is that beneath the various forms of social justice work lies a yearning for unity of vision and purpose among a broad base of social actors. Our conversations have shown that when people collectively reflect on concepts like human dignity and meaningful participation, they learn from one another—and this transforms how they engage in their work.”

She added: “In the coming months, we will examine how fundamental principles, when more deeply understood, can lead to concrete changes in communities—how they reshape relationships, inform decision-making processes, and inspire collaborative action.”

Through this ongoing process of reflection and action, the project is working to create what Ogan Elias Conceição, professor, and coordinating member of CONIRB (an interfaith council), described as “a reformulation of concepts that will bring us the possibility of a more harmonious life, where justice—and consequently, human dignity—is a shared common good.”