Association for Bahá'í Studies in Southern
Africa
P.
O. Box 2142, Houghton 2041, Republic of South Africa
________________________________________________________________________
March 2nd, 2000
To: All Academic Staff
University of Botswana
Dear Professor / Lecturer
I am writing to invite you to a Seminar on the topic of “Who is Writing the Future? – Issues of the 21st Century”, on Friday 31st March 2000. The programme is attached.
The accompanying document to this letter is produced by the Bahá’í International Community, and provides “Reflections on the Twentieth Century”. We offer it to you as a gift, trusting that it will be a useful reference in your personal library.
The themes explored in this document are the basis for presentations at the Seminar. These include a keynote on the global and regional issues, creating a dialogue on the unity of religions, eliminating fanaticism, civilization as a spiritual process, service- oriented leadership, and equality of men and women. The role of the individual and practical steps for inclusive empowerment will be examined.
By way of introduction, the Association for Bahá’í Studies is an agency of volunteer academics and professionals that engage all thoughtful people in constructive consultations and study of social, developmental, ethical and spiritual issues that are of direct relevance to our communities in Southern Africa. By the unity of vision that results from such multi-disciplinary and cooperative studies, we believe that leaders of thought will influence the present and future generations for the betterment of our collective lives.
If you plan to attend the Seminar please RSVP by email to our local chapter, care of kayes@mopipi.ub.bw (or ext. 2064), before 28th March, so that the correct number of reservations for lunch etc. can be made.
With Best Regards,
Executive of the Association for Bahá’í Studies
________________________________________________________________________
The Association believes in the oneness of God, the oneness of the Foundations of all Religions, and the oneness of Humankind. It upholds the unity of Faith and reason, and the elimination of all forms of Prejudice.
Who is Writing the Future?
A Seminar on
the Issues of the 21st Century
University of Botswana
Date: 31st March 2000
Venue: Educational
Technology Building, Room 222
Time: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Programme:
8:00 Registration, Tea and Coffee
8:30 Welcome, by the sponsors ABS-SA
8:45 Opening and Introduction
9:00 Keynote address:
“Who is Writing the Future?”
Dr. Farzin Aghdasi, University of
the Witwatersrand
9:40 Unity of Religion
-Creating a
Dialogue and Eliminating Fanaticism
Prof. J. T. Walsh, University of Botswana
10:05 Civilization as a Spiritual Process
Mr. E. Makhele, North West Water
Authority, RSA
10:30 Break, Coffee and Tea
11:00 Service-Oriented Leadership
Mr. K. Pholosi, University of
Lesotho
11:25 Equality of Men and Women
Dr. Wanjiku Mwagiru, University of
Botswana
11:50 Finding Practical Means
Panel with Group Discussion
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Closure
Sponsored by the Association for Bahá’í Studies in
Southern Africa