A panel discussion on 13 September will look at the situation of the Bahá’ís of Iran and how a climate of propaganda, disinformation, and hatred can be addressed effectively.
All in Public Affairs
Countering hate speech against the friends in Iran
State-sponsored hate speech and disinformation against the Bahá'í community in Iran is on the rise. This article explains how the friends in Aotearoa can assist in combating the problem.
Race unity work brings Queen’s Birthday honour
Mrs Beverly (Bev) Watson has received recognition in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours, primarily for her many years of service to the cause of race unity in her work for the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs.
Muslim leaders and government officials denounce Iran's persecution of Bahá'ís
Muslim communities, government officials, and parliamentarians worldwide have joined a growing outcry at the unjust confiscation of properties owned by Bahá'ís in the farming village of Ivel, north Iran.
Let’s talk about becoming better together
The New Zealand Religious Diversity Centre is hosting an online panel discussion series that offers interfaith perspectives on current issues. In the first session the panelists will explore new ways of being and doing after our pandemic lockdown.
Speakers hold fast to their vision of race unity
Extraordinary circumstances forced the Race Unity Speech Awards to go online this year. Participants responded with resolute hopes for the future of Aotearoa.
Race Unity Award speeches to be live-streamed 11-17 May
In the week from 11-17 May, Race Unity Speech Award semi-finalists and finalists are set to share their insights and demonstrate their eloquence to an appreciative online audience.
Speakers explore significance of the bicentenary
Listen to captivating speeches by Dame Robin White and Member of Parliament Priyanca Radhakrishnan at the national bicentenary celebration in Wellington.
Youth Diversity Forum welcomes Bahá’í input
80 diverse youth leaders from around the country gathered together to consult about the future of race relations in Aotearoa.
Video captures vibrant spirit of national bicentenary event
This video presents highlights of the bicentenary event held at Parliament Buildings on 22 October.
The Báb is honoured at Parliament Buildings
A national celebration event for the bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb occurred with great success on the evening of 22 October.
Prime Minister invites insights from race unity speakers
Gisborne Race Unity Speech Award participants joined other youth and two local Baha’is in a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recently.
BWNS: Encouraged by Prime Minister Ardern, New Zealand’s youth press to end racism
For nearly two decades, New Zealand’s Baha’is have been promoting a discourse on race unity through an annual process that brings together high school students from across the country.
Message from New Zealand Prime Minister for the Race Unity Speech Awards and Hui
Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: "Following the tragic events in Christchurch, this year's Race Unity Speech Awards and Hui hold even greater significance. We need to think deeply and carefully about our country's rich and precious diversity, and what we need to do to remain an inclusive, multicultural country. ... I wish you all the best for this year's Race Unity Speech Awards and Hui, and I am sure the event will inspire thoughtful, open and positive discussion."
Wellington Race Unity Hui and Speech Awards
The Wellington Race Unity Hui brought together high school students, young professionals, university students and youth representatives of multicultural councils to discuss how we can build race unity in Aotearoa.
Race Unity Hui and Speech Awards
The annual Race Unity Speech Awards were initiated by the New Zealand Bahá’í Community in 2001 in support of Race Relations Day (21 March). The speech topic this year is “Speaking for Justice, Working for Unity”. At the national level, a Race Unity Hui is being run in conjunction with the National Finals of the Speech Awards on 11 May 2019 in Auckland.
A Talk by Dr Augusto Lopez-Claros on the Extremes of Wealth and Poverty
Dr Lopez-Claros covers a number of the specific solutions that were proposed by `Abdu'l-Bahá as he was travelling through the West and how the discourse on wealth and inequality has evolved over the last century.
Symposium on the topic of 'Faith and Society'
The Office of Public Affairs was invited to contribute to a symposium at Waikato University on the topic of 'Faith and Society'. Aidan MacLeod gave the talk, which was focused on sharing reflections on the role of religion in society.
Persecution of the Bahá’í communities in Iran and Yemen
The persecution of the Bahá’í communities in both Iran and Yemen has increased over the past few months.
Race Unity Speech Awards shield presentation
The top award for the 2018 Race Unity Speech Awards was presented to Hena Dugh, a year 13 student at Hastings Girls’ High School. It was a wonderful and uplifting occasion.