In October 1985 the global Bahá’í community’s  world  governing council, the Universal House of Justice, issued a ground-breaking document, The Promise of World Peace, addressed ‘To the Peoples of the World’. It sets out principles and processes which can lead to a peaceful world.

Since 1985, conditions in the world have changed immensely. After a period during which universal peace seemed to be within grasp, new challenges have emerged and intensified. On 18th January 2019 the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter to the Bahá'ís of the world, reviewing the progress of the world towards lasting universal peace since 1985. Today, many of the dominant currents in societies everywhere are pushing people apart, not drawing them together. And yet, the candle hope of global peace remains alight in the hearts of many. The message of The Promise of World Peace is still valid: ‘World peace is not only possible but inevitable.’

We will study and reflect upon the Universal House of Justice’s 18th January 2019 message to the Bahá'ís of the World, alongside The Promise of World Peace and a number of other important sources.

The aim of the course is to help us to build our capacity to engage in public discourses and social action—in other words, our transformation as individuals and as members of communities and institutions. "…these are the surest ways you can hasten the fulfillment of the promise of world peace."