- 1921-00-00 — The years 1921 to 1936 were labelled by the Guardian as a "Period of Preparation" during which there were no concerted plans of action assigned to national communities.
"Its initiation, (The Tablets of the Divine Plan) officially and on a vast scale, had, for well nigh twenty years, been held in abeyance, while the processes of a slowly emerging administrative Order, were, under the unerring guidance of Providence, creating and perfecting the agencies for its efficient and systematic prosecution." [WOB78] - 1925-12-00 —
A Plan of Unified Action to Spread the Bahá'í Cause Throughout the United States and Canada January 1, 1926-December 31, 1928 was formulated by The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada in response to Shoghi Effendi's message to the annual National Convention. [BA86-89]
- It can be found at [Plan] The goals were (1) to unify the American Bahá'í community's efforts, (2) to increase the number of Bahá'ís, (3) to "penetrate the consciousness of the public with the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh", and (4) to raise $400,000 so that the construction of the first unit of the Temple's superstructure could begin. [SBBR14p160, BFA1p110]
- This was the first of two Plans developed by the North American National Assembly in the years from 1926 to 1934 the second being "A New Plan of Unified Action To complete the Bahá'í Temple and promote the Cause in America (1931-1934)". [SBBR14p155-197]
- The article referenced above found in Bahá'ís in the West SBBR vol 14 titled The Plans of Unified Action: A Survey by Loni Bramson, can also be found on Bahá'í-Library.com.
- The above two plans were the first to have the expansion and development of the Bahá'í community as a primary goal and it is likely that they provided the model for other plans organized by Shoghi Effendi and other National Assemblies. [SBBR14p155]
- The first Plan of Unified Action indicates the ascendancy of those Bahá'ís who supported a centralizing authority over those who wanted a more amorphous system or no organization at all.[BiW177-8]
- For an essay on this subject see "Some Aspects of the Establishment of the Guardianship" by Dr Loni Bramson-Lerche in SBBR5p253-293
- During the years of these two plans the National Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada developed practices commonly used in subsequent plans, organized propagation, a central budget and the modern form of the Nineteen Day Feast. [SBBR14p160]
- 1937-04-21 —
The First Seven Year Plan (1937-1944) was launched in North America. [BBD180; BBRSM158; BW7:17–18; MA9, 11-12, 87]
- The Guardian's Seven Year Plan for the American Bahá'ís
- For the role of individuals, local spiritual assemblies and the National Spiritual Assembly see MA11–12.
- The Plan called for:
- the completion of the exterior of the Wilmette Temple. BW7:17–18; PP385]
- the establishment of a local spiritual assembly in each state and province of the United States and Canada. [PP385]
- the establishment of a centre in each of the republics of Latin America. [PP385; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement)p2]
This date, the inception of the First Seven Year Plan of the North American Bahá'í community, marked the opening of the First Epoch of the Divine Plan. This epoch concluded with the successful completion of the Ten Year Crusade in 1963. [Epochs of the Formative Age by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice]
- 1938-04-21 —
The National Spiritual Assembly of India, (Pakistan) and Burma launched a Six Year Plan, the Indian Six Year Plan (1938-1944). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
- Although the plan was not initiated by Shoghi Effendi, it received his commendation and encouragement. Lack of funds prevented the plan from being implemented until 1940. [DND70-71, 96-97, 100-101; SBBH2:160]
- 1944-04-21 —
The Bahá'ís of the British Isles launched a Six Year Plan, the British Six Year Plan (1944-1950). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]
- The homefront goals were to:
- To raise to nineteen the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies
- To double the membership of the community
- To settle pioneers in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire
- 1946-04-21 —
India and Burma launched a Four and One-Half Year Plan, Indian 4½ Year Plan. (1946-1951) [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BW11p32; DND141-143; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
- The goals were:
- To increase the number of Local Assemblies from 21 to 63
- To give special attention to areas marked by sharp cultural and political divisions
As the plan unfolded, the National Assembly added the following additional goals:
- To publish the Esslemont book - 'Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era' in eighteen new languages
- To acquire a National Hazíratu'l-Quds in New Delhi
- To carry the Bahá'í message to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand
- 1946-04-21 —
The Second Seven Year Plan of the United States and Canada (1946-1953) was launched. [BBR180; BBRSM158, 185; MA87-89, MA89]
- For details of the plan see BW16:81–2.
Objectives:
- Consolidate victories won;
- Complete
interior ornamentation;
- Form 3 NSAs
in Canada, Central and South America;
- Support spread of Faith into Europe;
- Supplemental goals to support Africa. [The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement)p2]
- This marked the end of the First Epoch and the beginning of the Second Epoch of the Formative Age. [CB316; CF5–6]
- The Second Epoch was marked by the global spread of the Faith and concluded with the election of the Universal House of Justice.
- 1946-10-11 —
The Bahá'ís of Iran launched a Forty-five Month Plan, the Persian 45 Month Plan ( 11 October 1946 to 9 July 1950, The Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb). Every province had specific assignments. [BBRSM158; CB316]
The objectives of the plan included;
1. Consolidation of all local Bahá'í communities.
2. Reestablishment of 62 dissolved Assemblies. (93 LSAs formed)
3. Formation of 22 groups. (37 established)
4. Creation of 13 new centres. (24 localities established)
5. Development of Assemblies from groups in three adjoining countries, namely in Kabul, Afghanistan, Mecca, Arabia and Bahrein Island, Persian Gulf.
6. The formation of groups in four localities on the Arabian Peninsula.
7. The sending pioneers to India and 'Iráq to assist in the formation of new groups.
The Bahá'ís of Tehran were called upon to send out 50 families into the pioneer field. (160 arose) Every individual Bahá'í was included in the operation of the Plan-as a volunteer, by deputizing a pioneer, by contributing funds, by circuit teaching or by providing hospitality to students whose parents had become pioneers. [BW4p34-35; BW11p34-36]
- Concurrent with the Forty-Five Month Plan the Bahá'ís of Iran made a concerted effort to remove Bahá'í women from the traditional shackles of a lack of education and an inability to participate in public affairs. Women's conferences were held, educational opportunities were created, equality of opportunity, right and privilege was declared to be an essential. [BW11p36].
- 1946-10-11 — The Persian Women's Four Year Plan (1946-1950) was launched. Some goals were to:
-Hold literacy classes for girls and adult women
-Hold regional conventions semi-annually for Bahá'í women
-Hold a national convention annually with the participation of representatives of regional committees
-Issue a periodical covering topics of both Bahá'í and general history, science, literature, health, hygiene, housekeeping and care of children
- 1947-00-00 — The Australian-New Zealand teaching plan, the Australian Six Year Plan (1947–53), comprising internal goals only, was launched. [BBRSM158; LGANZ97; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
The homefront goals were:
- To establish two new Spiritual Assemblies in Australia
- To establish nineteen groups in Australasia - 1947-04-21 — The Bahá'ís of Iraq launched a Three Year Plan (1947-1950). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158]
The goals were:
-To increase the number of Bahá'í centres
-To complete the construction of the National Hazíratu'l-Quds
-To raise contributions to support the National Fund
-To establish ten new Local Assemblies
-To encourage Bahá'í communities in the south of the country
- 1947-04-21 — The National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand launched a Six Year Plan (1947-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]
- 1948-04-21 — The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Egypt and Sudan launched a Five Year Plan (1948-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
Some goals were:
- To raise to nine the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies
- To raise to thirty-three the number of localities where Bahá'ís reside
- To send pioneers to Tunisia, Algeria and Libya
- To acquire property for a Bahá'í school
- To issue a Bahá'í magazine
- To consolidate the community in Ethiopia
- 1948-04-21 — The Germano-Austrian teaching plan, the German Five Year Plan(1948–53), comprising of internal goals only, was launched. [BBRSM158; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
Some goals were:
- To double the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies from fourteen to twenty-eight, increasing the Bahá'í membership in each community
- To raise the number of localities in Germany and Austria where Bahá'ís reside
- To deepen the understanding of the friends in the operation of the Administrative Order
- To encourage deeper study of the teachings
- To construct the National Hazíratu'l-Quds in Frankfurt
- To enrich Bahá'í literature with two publications by March 1949, fifteen by March 1950, six by March 1951 and nine by 1952
- 1948-04-21 — The newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada launched a Five Year Plan (1948-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158; Letter from Shoghi Effendi dated 14 April. 1948]
Some objectives were;
- To incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly
- To establish national endowments
- To increase to thirty the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies
- To increase to one hundred the number of localities where Bahá'ís reside
- To form a group in Newfoundland
- To form a group in Greenland
- To enroll (Eskimos) Inuit and (Native Indians) First Nations in the Faith
- 1950-04-21 —
Shoghi Effendi announced the Africa Campaign (1951-1953) in a cable to the British National Convention. [BW12:52; UD245–6]
- The British community was to lead the campaign supported by the Bahá'ís of the United States and Egypt. Shoghi Effendi expanded the plan to include the
cooperation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Persia and of India, who were to provide additional pioneers. The Plan was not scheduled to start until Ridván 1950 but the British Bahá'í community as soon as possible after the Plan was announced. [UD245]
- The object was to open the Faith to three countries, Gold Coast, Tanganyika and Uganda. Shoghi Effendi termed it "the first International collaboration plan in Bahá'í history. (CG157, 159]
- For the objectives of the campaign see UD245–6.
- For the importance of the enterprise see UD260–3.
- The plan was to be launched after a year's respite but the British Bahá'ís begin to implement the plan immediately. [CB317]
- At the time of the Campaign there was "...since the days of the Blessed Beauty and up to the early 1950s, the activities of the friends in Africa had produced the formation of one National Spiritual Assembly with its seat in Cairo, Egypt, the opening of 12 countries to the light of the Faith, and some 50 localities established throughout its vast lands. It was at such a time that the beloved Guardian ushered in the first African Teaching Plan" [Message from the Universal House of Justice To the Friends gathered at the Bahá'í International Conference at Lagos dated
19 August, 1982
; The UK Bahá'í Journal/History]
- The first to arise for the Campaign was Claire Gung who departed from England on the Warwick Castle on the 3rd of January, 1951 bound for Tanganyika. [CG13, 26]
- Others who pioneered were: Philip Hainsworth, Uganda, June 1951;
Hasan and Isobel Sabri, Tanganyika, July 1951; and
Ted Cardell, Kenya, October 1951.
- For additional information see The Baha'i Faith in Africa: Establishing a New Religious Movement, 1952–1962 by Anthony Lee.
- 1950-07-00 — The British Six Year Plan was successfully completed. [BW11:25; MBW4]
- 1951-04-21 —
The Bahá'ís of the British Isles launched a Two Year Plan (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]
Some goals were:
- To strengthen the nineteen Spiritual Assemblies already established in the British Isles
- To form nuclei in three dependencies of the British Crown in East or West Africa
- To translate, publish and disseminate Bahá'í literature in three additional African languages
- Note that the British community was concentrating on homefront goals and playing a leading role in the African Campaign coordinated with five other National Spiritual Assemblies. [The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
- 1951-04-21 — The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, Pakistan and Burma launched the Indian Nineteen Month Plan (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158; DND148–50]
Some goals were:
- To offer Rs 2,500,000 to the Shrine of the Báb Fund
- To enrich Bahá'í literature in local languages
- To send pioneers to Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Vietnam, Zanzibar and Madagascar
- To increase the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
- To enhance the status of the Bahá'í New Era School in Panchgani
- 1951-04-21 —
Several National Spiritual Assemblies-Britain, Egypt, India, Iran and the United States, joined forces in their first collaborative teaching effort called the Africa Campaign (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158, MBW135-140]
- See also UD261 for the significance of the Africa Campaign.
- See Bahá'í Communities by Country:
Research Notes by Graham Hassall for further details of the Plan.
- 1951-04-21 — The National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pakistan and Burma launched a Nineteen Month Teaching Plan (1951-1953). The Plan included both homefront and international goals. [DND149-154; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
- 1952-04-21 — The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Central America launched a One Year Plan (1952-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
Shoghi Effendi provided the following advice for the aims of the Central American Assembly:
-To establish harmony, love and understanding among the Bahá'ís
-To promote the teaching work
-To win support for the National Bahá'í Fund
-To assure publication of Bahá'í literature in well-translated Spanish editions in cooperation with the National Spiritual Assembly of South America. [BW12p68-69; Shoghi Effendi: Author of Teaching Plans ]
- 1952-10-08 —
Shoghi Effendi announced his decision to launch 'the fate-laden, soul-stirring, decade-long world-embracing Spiritual Crusade' in the coming year. [BW12:253–5; MBW40-41; StS42]
- For the objectives of the Crusade see BW12:256–14.
- Among the goals to be achieved was the construction of the International Bahá'í Archives building. [BBD22; DH168; MBW43]
"the first of the major edifices destined to constitute the seat of the World Bahá'í Administrative Centre to be established on Mount Carmel". [PP264]
- See The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical and Comparative (PDF) compiled by Shoghi Effendi.
- See map of the Ten Year Crusade.
- 1953-04-20 —
The Second Seven Year Plan ended with 2,425 localities, 611 local spiritual assemblies, 100 countries, islands and dependencies opened to the Faith. There were 12 national assemblies to this date; [UC43]
Accomplishments:
- NSAs in Canada, Central and South America;
- Assisted the systematic spread of Faith in Europe, incl.
forming 10 LSAs in goal cities;
- Interior ornamentation
complete;
- Supported the building of the Shrine of the
Báb;
- Expansion and more LSAs on homefront. [The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
- From 1921 to this time the Faith had expanded to 128 countries and territories, 15 during the time of Baha'u'llah, 20 during the time of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and an additional 58 under the stewardship of the Guardian. [Patheos website]
- 1953-04-21 —
The Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963) was launched. See MBW151-156, MBW151.
The four primary goals of the plan were outlined as follows:
-the development of institutions at the World Centre
-consolidation of the twelve countries where the Faith was well established
-consolidation of all other territories already open
-the opening of the remaining "chief virgin territories" around the globe (131)
For the objectives of the Crusade see BW12:256–14.
Among the goals to be achieved was the construction of the International Bahá'í Archives building. [BBD22; DH168; MBW43]
"the first of the major edifices destined to constitute the seat of the World Bahá'í Administrative Centre to be established on Mount Carmel". [PP264]
To those Bahá'ís who arose to open new territories to the Faith during the Ten Year Crusade, the title 'Knight of Bahá'u'lláh' was given. On 27 May 1992, the Roll of Honour containing the names of all the Knights of Bahá'u'lláh was deposited beneath the entrance door to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh.
"…Sometimes people strive all their lives to render outstanding service. Here is the time and opportunity to render historic services; in fact, the most unique in history, aiding in the fulfillment of Daniel's Prophecies of the Last Day, and the 1335 days, when men are to be blessed by the Glory of the Lord, covering the entire globe—which is the real goal of the Ten Year Crusade. [DG54-55]
A map of goals for the Ten Year World Crusade by Shoghi Effendi can be found in Bahá'í World, Vol. 12 (April 1950-1954). Electronic versions, in both medium and large format can be found here.
The achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah's Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.
- See The Journal of Bahá'í Studies Vol 14, no. 3-4, 2004 for the essay The Ten Year Crusade by Ali Nakhjavani.
- See CBN No 66 July 1956 in a message dated the 13 of May 1956 Leroy Ioas, (unsure if it was sent on behalf of the Guardian or from the International Bahá'í Council, probably the former), Mr Ioas outlined the three phases of the Crusade; First Phase: open virgin territories, Second Phase: 1. widespread dispersal, 2. settlement in new areas, 3. formation of Local Assemblies and National Assemblies, 4. incorporate Local Assemblies. Third Phase: (open on 21 April 1956, the formation of National Assemblies, with their own Haziratu'l-Quds, have their own endowments and to be incorporated.
- See The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical and Comparative (PDF) compiled by Shoghi Effendi.
- For a graphic representation of the goals of the Ten Year Crusade see Objectives and Tasks of Ten-Year Spiritual Global Crusade of the Bahá'í World Faith by Shoghi Effendi
compiled by Beatrice Ashton published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 12 (April 1950-19540).
- Map of Goals for the Ten Year World Crusade by Shoghi Effendi published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 12 (April 1950-1954) Wilmette, IL: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1956.
- Progress Bahá'í World Crusade 1953-1958 was the map that Shoghi Effendi finished on the night of his passing.
- At the start of the Ten Year Crusade the only sovereign countries in Africa were Egypt and Ethiopia, the remainder were still under the yoke of colonialism.
- Many who arose as pioneers to the African continent came from Iran, the United States,
the United Kingdom, and India. In Southern Africa
alone, 27 pioneers arrived in the first year of the Crusade. Among them were Melvin and Helen Hope in Angola; Fred and Beth Laws in Lesotho; Enayat Sohaili and
'Izzat Zahrai in Mozambique; Mehranguiz Munsiff in Madagascar; Ottilie Rhein in Mauritius; Lowell and
Edith Johnson, William, Marguerite and Michael Sears and Harry and Bahíyyih Ford in South Africa; Claire
Gung in Southern Rhodesia; and Ted Cardell in South West Africa. In the whole of Africa, 58 of the international pioneers
opened new territories and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p3]
- 1957-04-21 — The launch of the Northeast Asia Six Year Plan (1957-1963)
The Regional Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia had an area of jurisdiction embracing Japan, Korea, Formosa, Macao, Hong Kong, Hainan Island, and Sakhalin Island. [JTA80-86]
- 1963-00-00 — 1963 - 1963 was a Year of Preparation and a time to consolidate the victories of the Ten Year Crusade. [Mess63-86pxli]
- 1963-04-20 —
The Ten Year Crusade was successfully completed. The achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah's Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.
- For a summary of achievements during the Crusade see BW13:459–60.
- For countries, islands and dependencies opened to the Faith during the Crusade see BW13:461–2. (259)
- During the Ten Year Crusade the Faith had expanded to 93 more countries and major territories. bringing the total to 259. [Patheos website]
- For number of localities in which Bahá'ís reside in different parts of the world see BW13:462. (from 2,000 to more than 11,000)
- For languages into which Bahá'í literature has been translated see BW13:462–4.
- For races represented in the Bahá'í world community see BW13:464.
- For national spiritual assemblies at the end of the plan see BW13:468–9. (from 12 to 56)
- See The Bahá'í Faith: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Bahá'í Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963 compiled by the Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land.
- See also Addenda to Statistical Information Published by the Hands of the Cause of God Residing in the Holy Land in Ridván 1963. This publication shows the countries and territories opened by the Faith as well as "supplementary accomplishments".
- 1964-04-21 —
The Nine Year Plan (1964-1973) was launched. [BBRSM159; VV1; WG22–7]
- The NIne Year Plan was first mentioned by the Universal House of Justice in its message of 7 May 1963 to all National Conventions. In its message of October 1963, addressed to "The Followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the World", the Universal House of Justice first informed the friends that the new Plan would extend over a period of nine years.
- This marked the beginning of the second epoch of Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan which ended in 2021 with the close of the Fifth Five Year Plan. [AWH178; Epochs of the Formative Age by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice]
- See the letter from the Universal House of Justice addressed to all 69 national/regional assemblies with details of the plan entitled The Launching of the Nine Year Plan. [BW14:104-123]
- To see the goals of the plan sorted geographically see Goals of the Nine Year Plan.
- For a listing of collaboration projects fo the plan see Collaboration Projects of the Nine Year Plan.
- 1973-04-21 —
The Nine Year Plan was successfully completed. [BW16:131]
- For the growth of the Bahá'í Faith in this period see BW16:130.
- Also see The Nine Year Plan, 1964-1973: Statistical Report, Ridván 1973 by the Universal House of Justice.
- See as well the document entitled Analysis of the Nine Year International Teaching Plan of the Bahá'í Faith published by the Universal House of Justice in April, 1964.
- "Tribute must be paid to the host of Bahá'í
youth from many countries whose travels in
Africa hastened and ensured the success of the
Nine Year Plan in that continent, and in particular
to the international "rescue squad" of
youth from Persia, India, the Philippines,
Malaysia and other countries who in the closing
hours of the Plan sealed its triumphant conclusion
in Africa." [BW15p184]
- "The friends in several countries of Africa are
also indebted to the outstanding services of Dr.
'Aziz Navidi, an international lawyer and
Baha'i International Community Representative
for Africa, who assisted the Bahá'í communities
in these countries in obtaining official recognition and performed other valuable
services." [BW15p185-186]
- 1973-04-21 — 1973 - 1974 was a Year of Preparation. [Mess63-86pxli]
- 1974-04-21 —
The Universal House of Justice launched the Five Year Plan (1974-1979). [BBD181; BBRSM159; BW16:107; VV17]
- For the message of the Universal House of Justice setting out the broad objectives of the Plan see BW16:107; Message Naw-Rúz 1974.
- Three major objectives:
-preservation and consolidation of the victories won
-a vast and widespread expansion of the Bahá'í community
-development of the distinctive character of Bahá'í life particularly in the local communities.
- 1979-03-21 — The Universal House of Justice outlined the broad goals of the Seven Year Plan to he launched at Ridván 1979. [BW18:81–5]
- 1979-04-21 —
- 1986-04-21 —
The Seven Year Plan was successfully completed. (1979-1986) [BW19:23]- For a graph showing the growth of the Bahá'í Faith in this period see BW19:23.
- For statistics on the Bahá'í Faith at this date see BINS155:13 and BW19:61–98, 112–46.
- A series of further plans from 1964 to 1986, The Nine Year Plan (1964-19730), The Five Year Plan (1974-1979), and the Seven Year Plan (1979-1986) carried forward the process of establishing the Bahá'í Faith in every country and major territory of the world, such that, once it became possible to spread the Baha'i Faith in the former communist countries in the 1990s, this process was more or less complete. [Patheos website]
- the restoration and opening to pilgrimage of the southern wing of the House of 'Abdu'llah Pasha;
- the completion and occupation of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice;
- the approval of detailed plans for the remaining edifices around the Arc;
- the expansion of the membership and responsibilities of the International Teaching Centre and the Continental Boards of Counsellors;
- the establishment of the offices of Social and Economic Development, and of Public Information;
- the dedication of the Mother Temple of the Pacific, and dramatic progress with the building of the Temple in India;
- the expansion of the teaching work throughout the world, resulting in the formation of twenty-three new National Spiritual Assemblies, nearly 8,000 new Local Spiritual Assemblies, the opening of more than 16,000 new localities and representation within the Baha'i community of 300 new tribes;
- the issuing of 2,196 new publications, 898 of which are editions of the Holy Text and the enrichment of Baha'i literature by productions in 114 new languages; the initiation of 737 new social and economic development projects;
- the addition of three radio stations, with three more soon to be inaugurated--
these stand out as conspicuous achievements in a Plan which will be remembered as having set the seal on the third epoch of the Formative Age. [Ridván Message 1986]
- 1986-04-21 —
The Six Year Plan (1986-1992) was launched. [AWH40, 42–4; BBRSM159; VV91]
- In its message of 2 January 1986 the Universal House of Justice announced a new process whereby the national goals of the new Plan were to be largely formulated by the National Spiritual Assemblies and the Boards of Counsellors.
- See the message of the 25 February 1986 for the major objectives and national goals of the plan. [Mess63-86p717-723]
- See BW20p115 for the report on the Six Year Plan.
- 1990-00-00 — The accelerating growth of the Bahá'í communities and the drastically changing conditions in the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc impelled the Universal House of Justice to call for a subsidiary Two Year Teaching Plan to run from Riḍván 1990 to Riḍván 1992, with greatly increased goals for all these lands. [BW20p199]
- 1990-04-21 —
The launching of a subsidiary Two Year Subsidiary Plan for the former Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc countries. [Message 8 February 1990; Ridván Message 1992; BW20p195-224]. Goals were:
- attraction of numerous supporters
- great increase in the translation, publication and dissemination of Bahá'í literature
- the extension of the administrative order in the region by the erection of local and national spiritual assemblies [AWH71]
- 1990-11-12 — 12 November 1990:
To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the World
SEVEN MONTHS AFTER LAUNCHING SUPPLEMENTARY TWO YEAR PLAN REJOICE ANNOUNCE FOURTEEN LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES IN SOVIET UNION, PLUS SIX IN ROMANIA WHERE THERE ARE NOW OVER 600 BELIEVERS, AND ONE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY EACH IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY AND YUGOSLAVIA. DEVELOPMENT FAITH IN ALL THESE COUNTRIES AS WELL AS IN ALBANIA, BULGARIA, MONGOLIA AND POLAND GOING FORWARD WITH EXTRAORDINARY SPEED, FORMATION MORE LOCAL ASSEMBLIES IN PROCESS OR EXPECTED SHORTLY.
The Universal House of Justice [Mess86-01p178]
- 1992-04-20 —
The Six Year Plan was successfully completed. [BW20p115]
- For the major accomplishments of the Plan see AWH97–102, 187–8 and VV126.
- The Faith was represented in every country. 1.5 million enrolled during the Plan. [Ridván Message 1992]
- With more that 5 million people enrolled, Bahá'ís lived in 217 independent countries, territories and islands representing 2,112 tribes, minorities and ethnic groups. [Ridván Message 1992] [VV126]
- Literature was translated into 802 languages and tribal tongues. [Ridván Message 1992] [VV126]
- The proclamation of the Faith entered a new phase from the proclamation of 1967 in commemoration of Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation to the kings to the opportunities offered by the Iránian revolution in 1979 to the distribution of The Promise of World Peace.
- The dedication of the House of Worship in New Delhi.
- The emergence of the Faith from obscurity.
- The increase in the number of projects of social and economic development.
- The involvement of youth in the service to the Faith. The concept of the "year of service" was initiated.
- The advances in the consolidation of the Bahá'í administrative as marked by the improvement in internal development and the collaborative efforts of its two arms.
- The inauguration of the great building projects on Mount Carmel.
- 1992-04-21 —
The Second Holy Year commenced. [Ridván 1992; AWH40, 90, 95–6; BW92–3:20; VV127, 133]
- For the purpose of the Holy Year see AWH96–7, 107–9 and BW92–93:20, 29–30.
- For the significance of Holy Year see BW92–3:95–6, AWH107-109.
- From the Ridván Message...
The Faith of Bahá'u'lláh is represented in every country on earth. The sudden change in the political climate, no doubt by intervention of God's Major Plan, opened vast regions to the penetration of the divine teachings, primarily in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries. The opportunities created by this change made possible the settlement of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh in the last virgin territories that remained from Shoghi Effendi's Ten Year World Crusade. They also impelled the launching at Ridván 1990 of the subsidiary Two Year Plan for those regions. This supplementary Plan was a spectacular success, not only in terms of expansion in the many countries involved, but also in the diversity of the strata represented by the new believers in these countries, in the volume and variety of Bahá'í literature published and in the array of Bahá'í institutions established during that short time. The Bahá'í world was highly stimulated by these developments, and a number of countries elsewhere recorded significant successes in the teaching work… - 1993-04-21 —
The Three Year Plan (1993-1996) was launched. [VV142]
- For statistics about the Bahá'í Faith at the beginning of the Plan see BW92–93p311–314 and BW93–94p323–326.
- The objectives of the Three Year Plan. [Message 30 September 1992]
- See BW95-96p65-68 for a summary of the achievements of the Three Year Plan.
- 1995-12-26 —
Start of the Institute Process
In its message of 26 December 1995 to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors the Universal House of Justice announced that a Four Year Plan would be rolled out at Ridván.
- See as well the Ridván Message 153
As the term "institute" has assumed various uses in the Bahá'í community, a word of clarification is needed. The next four years will represent an extraordinary period in the history of our Faith, a turning point of epochal magnitude. What the friends throughout the world are now being asked to do is to commit themselves, their material resources, their abilities and their time to the development of a network of training institutes on a scale never before attempted. These centres of Bahá'í learning will have as their goal one very practical outcome, namely, the raising up of large numbers of believers who are trained to foster and facilitate the process of entry by troops with efficiency and love. - 1995-12-31 — In a message from the Universal House of Justice addressed – To the Bahá'ís of the World dated 31 December, 1995 the Four Year Plan was announced.
- 1996-04-21 —
The Four Year Plan (1996-2000) was launched with its focus on a single aim: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. This work would require the informed participation of a great many souls and in 1996, the Bahá'í world was summoned to take up the vast educational challenge this entailed. It was called to establish a network of training institutes focused on generating an increasing flow of individuals endowed with the necessary capacities to sustain the process of growth. [Ridván Message 2021]
-
See message addressed To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors dated 26 December 1995 concerning the Four Year Plan.
-
See message to the Bahá'ís of the World dated 31 December 1995 announcing the new Plan. It was announced that Training Institutes would be established and they will be charged with developing human resources. The Counsellors and the Auxiliary Board members will be intimately involved in the establishment and operation of these institutes. The two arms of the Administrative Order will collaborate in the overseeing of the budget and planning program content, developing curricula and delivering courses. Should there be a board of directors then Auxiliary Board Members may serve on these bodies.
-
The Universal House of Justice sent a Ridván message and Four Year Plan instructions to the Bahá'ís of the World and separate messages to eight regions.
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Riḍván 153 – To the Bahá'ís of the World
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in North America: Alaska, Canada, Greenland and the United States
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in Australia, the Cook Islands, the Eastern Caroline Islands, the Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, the Hawaiian Islands, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, the Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Western Caroline Islands
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in Africa
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in Western and Central Asia
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in Europe
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Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in Latin America and the Caribbean
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See The Significance of the Four Year Plan (PDF)by Andrew Alexander.
- For the definitive report see The Four Year Plan and the Twelve Month Plan, 1996-2001 Summary of Achievements prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre.
- See Training Institutes, a document prepared for and approved by the Universal House of Justice, April 1998.
- The training institutes focused on generating an increasing flow of individuals endowed with the necessary capacities to sustain the process of growth. It was recognized that certain activities were a natural response to the spiritual needs of a population. Study circles, children's classes, devotional meetings, and later junior youth groups stood out as being of central importance in this regard, and when woven together with related activities, the dynamics generated could give rise to a vibrant pattern of community life. [Ridván Message 2021]
See as well the publication The Four Year Plan: Messages of the Universal House of Justice
- 2000-04-21 —
- 2001-01-09 — In its message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counselors to launch the 1st Five Year Plan and Universal House of Justice said, "the training institute is effective not only in enhancing the powers of the individual, but also in vitalizing communities and institutions." It went on to say that "The continued development of training institutes in the diverse countries and territories of the world, then, must be a central feature of the new Plan." [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 9 January, 2001, Mess86-01p763-764]
- 2001-01-10 — The Counsellors in all continents met at the World Centre to take part in deliberations on the general features of the Five Year Plan. They were joined by the Auxiliary Board members (849 from 172 countries) who gathered from throughout the world to participate in events marking the occupation by the International Teaching Centre of its permanent seat on Mount Carmel. [From the messages from the Universal House of Justice dated the 29th of October, 2000 and the16th of January, 2001]
- 2001-04-21 —
- 2006-04 —
The Preparation for Social Action programme that was implemented at the beginning of the Five Year Plan was expanded to seven additional countries: Cambodia, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Panama, the Philippines and Vanuatu.
- Over 10,000 had participated in the programme with about 1,800 among these who had studied all of the texts available.
- In addition some 1,700 individuals serving institutions and agencies of the Fatih in 25 countries had studied a selection the the materials in a seminar setting. [5YPSumPage94-95]
- Preparation for Social Action was implemented as a course of study at the New Era High School and Senior Secondary in Panchgani.
- 2006-04-21 —
The launch of the Second Five Year Plan (2006-2011).
- For the achievements of Plan see The Five Year Plan 2006-2011; Summary of Achievements and Learning, prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre, published by the Bahá'í World Centre, September 2011.
- See Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 28 December 2005.
- See Message 12 December 2011 a letter that has been labelled Ruhi Institutes and the Five Year Plan.
- For the definitive report see The Five Year Plan, 2006-2011 Summary of Achievements (PDF) prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre.
- The core activities delineated for it were:
-Study Circles
-Children's Classes
-Devotional Gatherings
-Junior Youth Groups
-Intensive Programs of Growth in "A" Clusters
-One of the goals was the numerical goal of achieving Intensive Programmes of Growth in no less than 1,500 clusters throughout the world.
- 2011-04-21 —
The launch of the Third Five Year Plan (2011-2016).
- The main goals of the Plan were:
- To raise the number of clusters with a Programme of Growth from 1,500 to 5,000
-The institutions will mature their own dynamic process.
-The individuals will spare no effort to increase participation. Habits of thought will evolve to reduce dichotomies and learn process.
-With the maturity of the institutions, cooperation and reciprocity will increase among the three protagonists.
- will be continued expansion of the programs of intensive growth as well as material development.
- centennial of the writing of the Tablets of the Divine Plan will be commemorated.
- National Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs to be constructed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Papua New Guinea
- Local Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs planned for clusters. The first five were to be in Battambang, Cambodia; Matunda Soy, in Kenya; in Bihar Sharif, India; Norte del Cauca, in Colombia; and in Tanna, Vanuatu.
- See the message from the Universal House of Justice dated 28 December, 2010 addressed to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors. Other message are:
- 2011-04-22 —
The Preparation for Social Action programme was implemented under the Five Year Plan.
The programme drew on the learning of three decades of experience of FUNDAEC (Fundación para la Aplicación y Enseñanza de las Ciencias), in Columbia. It was an approach to social and economic development that addressed both the material and the spiritual dimensions of human existence. The programme aimed at assisting youth to understand certain concepts, learn a range of relevant facts, and acquire certain qualities, attitudes and skills that would enable them to promote the well-being of their people in fields as diverse as health, education, the environment, secondary production and community organization.
- At the beginning of the Plan, the programme was being implemented in nine countries, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Zambia and involved some 1,500 to 3,000 participants. [5YPSumPage94-95]
- For further information see video entitled 2017 Teach For All Global Conference - Grassroots Stirrings in the Preparation for Social Action Program, Colombia
- See the thesis Knowledge Sharing for Community Developement: Educational Benefits at the Community Level through Networks of Knowledge Flow and Communities of Practice by Emily Lample.
- For further information please see Uplifting Words.
- 2016-04-21 —
- 2017-05-00 — The International Teaching Centre published The Five Year Plan 2011-2016: Summary of Achievements and Learning that had been prepared under their supervision. It elaborated on the accomplishments of the Five Year Plan under the headings: Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops, Social Action, Participating in the Discourses of Society, and Developments at the Bahá'í World Centre.
- 2021-04-20 —
The end of the Five Year Plan marked the conclusion of a series of plans that began in 1996 with the Four Year Plan (1996-2000) and the call to establish a series of Training Institutes. Next came the Twelve Month Plan (2000-2001) followed by four Five Year Plans, 2001-2006,2006-2011, 2011-2016 and finally, the Fourth Five Year Plan (2016-2021). For a synopsis of the progress of the Faith during this period see the Ridván Message.
Achievements of the last Five Year Plan (2016-2021)
- Two Bicentenaries were commemorated, the anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh on the 21st and the 22nd of October in 2017 and the birth of the Báb on the 29th and 30th of October in 2019.
- The last continental House of Worship was completed in Santiago in 2016.
- Other Houses of Worship were completed, Battambang (National)(2017), Villa Rica Cauca (Local) (2018), Port Moresby(National) (2016), Matunda Soy (Local) (2019), and Tanna (Local) (2019).
- Designs for Houses of Worship in Bihar Sharif and Kinshasa were completed in 2020.
- Some 300,000 core activities were sustained, a rise from 100,000 at the beginning of the Plan. Participation had risen above 2,000,000 (3 fold).
- There were some 329 national and regional training institutes in operation.
- By this time 750,000 people had completed Book 1. The number of courses completed by individuals was at 2,000,000, a rise of over 1/3 in 5 years.
- Clusters where there were Intensive Programs of Growth was at 4,000 (hindered by the global health crisis).
- Those Clusters where the third Milestone was passed was at 200 in 40 counties at the beginning of the Plan has risen to 1,000 in 100 countries. There were over 30 clusters where the number of core activities exceeded 1,000, in places, several thousand involving the participation of more than 20,000 people in a single cluster.
- Evidence of the society-building power of the Faith was becoming more and more evident. In some instances there has been a movement of populations where age-old hostilities were being left behind. A significant advance in the process of entry by troops has been achieved.
- There has been an "undreamed capacity to learn, to grow, and to serve humanity.
This date marked the beginning of the Third Epoch of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan.
[Message 30 December 2021]
- 2021-04-21 —
The One Year Plan
At Riḍván 2021, the followers of Bahá'u'lláh will embark on a Plan lasting a single year. Brief, but pregnant with portent, this one-year endeavour will begin a new wave of Plans bearing the ark of the Cause into the third century of the Bahá'í Era. During the course of this auspicious twelve months, the Bahá'í world's commemoration of the centenary of the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá will include a special gathering at the Bahá'í World Centre to which representatives of every National Spiritual Assembly and every Regional Bahá'í Council will be invited. This, however, is to be but the first in a sequence of events that will prepare the believers for the demands of the decades to come. The following January, the elapse of one hundred years since the first public reading of the Master's Will and Testament will be the occasion for a conference in the Holy Land bringing together the Continental Boards of Counsellors and all members of the Auxiliary Boards for Protection and Propagation. The spiritual energy released at these two historic gatherings must then be carried to all the friends of God in every land in which they reside. For this purpose, a series of conferences will be convened worldwide in the months that follow, a catalyst to the multi-year endeavour that shall succeed the coming One Year Plan. [Ridván Message 2018]
Objectives
- extend the time for establishing IPGs
- consolidate the achievements of the 5 year Plan
- embrace larger numbers
- Draw on "untapped potential' to overcome any obstacles impeding growth-preparing for the demands to come.
- Year of "profound reflection on the life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the strength of the Covenant"
- Still further advances in entry by troops
- 2022-01-07 — The conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members will coincide with the lapse of one hundred years since the first public reading of the Will and Testament of the Master. [25 November 2020]
The Counsellors in all continents will be called to the Bahá'í World Centre in December 2021 to take part in deliberations on the general features of the Plan to be launched the following Riḍván. At the conclusion of that gathering, they are to be joined by members of the Auxiliary Boards for Protection and Propagation to consult on the
challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and on the decisive role that the Counsellors and their auxiliaries are to play in meeting them. [From a message from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the World dated 29 October 2020] - 2022-04-21 —
In a letter dated 25 November 2020 the Universal House of Justice announced a Nine Year Plan to begin at Ridván 2022. In the letter to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors dated 30 December 2021 the details were announced.
Objectives:
- establish programs of growth in all cluster in the world (22,000) 14,000 at some level and 11,000 intensive, with 5,000 past the third milestone.
- establish at least on Milestone Three cluster in every country and every region of the world. This "constitutes on of the Plan's chief objectives"
- deployment of teams of international and homefront pioneers.
- enrollments "wide open" involvement of families and households as larger groups embrace the pattern of Bahá'í life.
- expanding nucleus
- coordination of large numbers as more communities enter the 3rd milestone
- maturation of Bahá'í institutions
- in areas where activities reach high degree of prevalence the inhabitants now possess a substantially increased capacity to steer the course of their own development, and the institutions and agencies of the Faith there now have an expanded vision of their responsibilities.
- more efforts to support social and economic development
- participation in the discourses of society as a means of releasing what the Guardian described as "the society-building power" of the Faith.
- It will be heralded by the convocation of a series of conferences held over a span of months across the globe. [25 November 2020]
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