The Integrity of the Development Process

As the Bahá'í community has spread throughout the globe its activities have taken on many different dimensions: involvement with other organizations concerned with the promotion of international peace and interfaith understanding; diplomatic work at the national and international levels defending persecuted Bahá'í communities in certain regions of the world; and general initiatives addressing the areas of moral development, human rights, the status of women, and social and economic advancement.

In Kenya, a Bahá'í immunization program has focused on the training of individuals in rural communities.

In all of its undertakings in the field of social action, the Bahá'í community has diligently labored to share its principles and beliefs in an open and dignified manner. As a demonstration of its integrity, Bahá'í social and economic projects are not used as an inducement to conversion. Development initiatives are pursued by Bahá'í communities as a response to their own needs and desire to better their material and spiritual well-being, as well as their aspirations to be of service to the broader community in which they live. Social and economic development is regarded as an important area of activity in and of itself. Bahá'í development activities draw their inspiration and direction from a spiritually centered value system, but these activities are not used as a vehicle for religious propagation. Since the benefits of Bahá'í development initiatives are designed to extend to all members of a community and not just Bahá'ís, funds from private, national, or international agencies are sometimes accepted for such projects. However, no external funds are accepted for activities that are strictly religious in character or for other endeavors that relate to the internal development of the Bahá'í community.