"One of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance. For the community needs financier, farmer, merchant and laborer just as an army must be composed of commander, officers and privates. All cannot be commanders; all cannot be officers or privates. Each in his station in the social fabric must be competent—each in his function according to ability but with justness of opportunity for all."
Abdu'l-Baha "The Promulgation of Universal Peace"
"Bahá’u’lláh has revealed principles and laws which will accomplish the adjustment of varying human capacities. He has said that whatsoever is possible of accomplishment in human government will be effected through these principles. When the laws He has instituted are carried out, there will be no millionaires possible in the community and likewise no extremely poor. This will be effected and regulated by adjusting the different degrees of human capacity. The fundamental basis of the community is agriculture, tillage of the soil. All must be producers. Each person in the community whose need is equal to his individual producing capacity shall be exempt from taxation. But if his income is greater than his needs, he must pay a tax until an adjustment is effected. That is to say, a man’s capacity for production and his needs will be equalized and reconciled through taxation. If his production exceeds, he will pay a tax; if his necessities exceed his production, he shall receive an amount sufficient to equalize or adjust. Therefore, taxation will be proportionate to capacity and production, and there will be no poor in the community."
Abdu'l-Baha "The Promulgation of Universal Peace"
The majority of the world's population lives in dire poverty and misery. This imbalance exists both within nations and between nations. Moreover, the gap that separates rich and poor continues to widen, which indicates that existing economic systems are incapable of restoring a just balance.
All degrees of income should be established within absolute limits. There must be, on the one hand, a minimum income level that meets the basic needs for human well-being and of which all are assured. If, for whatever reason (incapacity or other misfortune), individuals are unable to meet their essential needs, they would be assisted by community institutions. On the other hand, there should be an absolute maximum income level that would prevent extreme accumulations of wealth.
The Bahá'í teachings envision that economic justice and prosperity will come about only when the essential connection between the spiritual and practical aspects of life is recognized.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Abolishing the Extremes of Poverty and Wealth
Monday, October 13, 2008
An International Art Competition for children to design a UN stamp on the theme ”We can end poverty” - "مسابقة عالمية "بامكاننا معنا القضاء على الفقر
"Always engaging, often skillful beyond expectation and sometimes revealing of a national style or tradition, the artwork embodies the hopes and dreams of the world’s children for the eradication of poverty."
Teresa Fasolino, Illustrator, judge for the Competition
The International Children’s Art Competition was organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Public Information and the United Nations Postal Administration to commemorate the INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY and the first UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY. The children were to design a United Nations stamp on the theme “WE CAN END POVERTY.”
Over 12,000 children from all over the world participated in the Competition. Through their artwork, the children demonstrated enormous creativity, skills, thoughtfulness and concern for the poor. They show us that poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon and a variety of actions can lead to its eradication.
Trying to depict the theme of the Competition “We can end poverty” the majority of children tell us that the richer countries and individuals should help those in need. They depict solidarity, cooperation and fairness as key values indispensable for ending poverty. Many children point to the existence of inequality and divisions in the world and suggest greater sharing and unity. Many give emphasis to the importance of love and compassion. Numerous entries depict the significance of education for poverty eradication. Children from developing countries often show the importance of small-scale farming for self-sufficiency. Many children think that employment, urbanization and the promotion of technology can help end poverty. A number of children, in particular children from countries in conflict, stress that the world needs peace and security to end poverty.
In children’s words:
"People are poor not because they are lazy, but because of war, famine, natural disasters…What they hope for is actually very simple: good harvest, peace, education, technology and health. That’s all they ask so why don’t we help them?" Au Yeung Ching, age 15, China
“Nobody should be imprisoned by poverty and violence. Education and reaching out to each other is the ladder to step out of poverty and into peace and a bright future.” Sonja Mohr, age 15, Namibia
“Find work – give work – work together to end poverty” Mariyam Azka Hassan, age 6, USA
“We can end poverty by developing our talents.” Dimas Ananda, age 9, Indonesia
“We can end poverty if our grown-ups stop spending money for arms and bombs…” Bahtiyar Aliyev, age 9, Azerbaijan
“Educating women is the best way to prevent poverty” Iaasha Siraj, age 8, Maldives
For more details and to see the 6 Winning Stamp Designs and others, log to:
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S ART COMPETITION
