10/11/2024
SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE
Charting a path toward peace grounded in a shared identity
BIC NEW YORK— The United Nations recently concluded its landmark Summit of the Future, a gathering called for by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to address pressing global challenges and chart a course toward a more peaceful and sustainable world. This high-level event was preceded by two days of civil society engagement known as “Action Days,” both integral parts of a broader effort to strengthen international cooperation and build consensus on current and emerging global issues.
The contribution of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) to the Action Days, held at the UN headquarters, was substantial and varied. The BIC organized or co-sponsored fourteen official side events, collaborated with numerous government Missions to the UN and UN agencies; BIC representatives presented at or moderated a dozen events held by other organizations.
In all these activities, the BIC focused on the need to place humanity’s interdependence at the heart of global governance systems.
Throughout its participation in the Action Days and related events, the BIC explored a central question: What kind of future does humanity envision for itself, and what steps must we take to bring that future into being? The BIC emphasized that achieving lasting peace requires a fundamental shift in humanity’s consciousness—one that recognizes the essential oneness of the human family.
This recognition of humanity’s shared identity, the BIC suggested, has far-reaching implications for the way humanity approaches global governance and international relations.
Daniel Perell, representative of the BIC New York Office, elaborated on the concept of shared identity at a BIC event, stating: “Humanity’s interdependence requires that historically bounded identities—whether defined by nation, religion, or race—give way to an overarching recognition of our shared humanity as our primary identity. We can ask ourselves ‘What would our policies and systems look like if they truly embraced this interdependence?’”
Mr. Perell further explained how recognizing our shared humanity calls for a reimagining of global governance, grounded in principles such as justice and unity. “A new approach must emerge,” he emphasized, “one where the dignity of every individual can find full expression, and the potential of all people can be realized.”
Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy at the UN, acknowledged the significance of these efforts in his opening remarks at a BIC-hosted forum: “I think there’s no better place to start the Action Days and then the Summit of the Future than here. The people, the organizations, and those who have accompanied you have been so instrumental, so inspirational in moving this process forward.”
