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“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens” – Bahá’u’lláh INSIDE In Vanuatu, a proving ground for Newsletter of the Bahá’í International Community coconut oil as an alternative fuel April-June 2003 Volume 15, Issue 1 Entrepreneur Tony Deamer shows that pure coconut oil can be used as an alternative to petroleum in automotive diesel engines. The result is an environmentally friendly fuel that might also help the local economy. 2 Perspective: The Ethics of Globalization: a Bahá’í Perspective. 4 In Chicago, a Temple is celebrated for its architectural innovation and spiritual impact. 8 Tony Deamer in his garage with a rally car he has converted to run on coconut oil. ORT VILA, Vanuatu — Rounding a corner and heading up a steep hill outside the At local, national, and Pcapital city of this lush South Pacific island nation, Tony Deamer stomped on the gas international levels, pedal of his Range Rover — but didn’t downshift. Bahá’ís elect leadership With nary a sputter or a cough, the vehicle — modified to run on coconut oil instead of councils worldwide. diesel fuel — took the incline in stride. “Coconut oil is a bit more torquey, because it burns slower,” said Mr. Deamer, a 52- year-old Australian-born motor mechanic. “Normally, I’d have to shift down into first here, but with coconut oil, I can keep it in second gear.” Spending time with Mr. Deamer is an extended lesson in the benefits of coconut oil 16 over petroleum. Among the other advantages: it doesn’t make black smoke, it is less costly (at least in the South Pacific), it has the potential to stimulate employment among local Review: Overcoming coconut growers, and, perhaps most importantly for the world at large, it is an environ- mentally friendly fuel. Violence against And, by the way, cars burning it can be fun to drive. Women and Girls — In what could prove to be a boon for both the environment and cash-strapped South Michael Penn and Pacific islands, Mr. Deamer has succeeded in proving that automotive diesel engines, with Rahel Nardos survey a very little modification, can run safely on coconut oil. The discovery has huge potential for global problem. Coconut, continued on page 10 PERSPECTIVE is published quarterly by the Office of Public Information of the Bahá’í International Community, an international non-governmental organiza- tion which encompasses and The Ethics of Globalization: represents the worldwide membership of the Bahá’í Faith. A Bahá’í Perspective For more information on the stories in this newsletter, or [Editor’s note: The following is adapted from kind, the world’s major religions — West- any aspect of the Bahá’í a speech by Professor Suheil Bushrui, presented ern Christianity, Orthodoxy, Hinduism, Bud- International Community and on 11 June 2003 in Brussels, in honor of the dhism, Islam, Confucianism, Taoism, Juda- its work, please contact: opening of a display at the European Parlia- ism — also share key values in common. If ment. [See page 14.] Prof. Bushrui holds the humans are ever to develop a universal civi- ONE COUNTRY Bahá’í International Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the Center lization, it will emerge gradually through the Community - Suite 120 for International Development and Conflict exploration and expansion of these com- 866 United Nations Plaza Management, University of Maryland. The monalities.” New York, New York 10017 entire speech can be read at http:// Recognizing 125 years ago humanity’s U.S.A. www.onecountry.org/e151/global_ethics.htm] acute need for spiritual and religious recon- E-mail: [email protected] ciliation, Bahá’u’lláh touched in his writings http://www.onecountry.org ebates on globalization, especially in upon the conditions essential to the creation Dpolicy-making circles, are often shaped of a universal civilization and the establish- Executive Editor: by purely national interests, whether social, ment of a system of world governance. He Ann Boyles economic, or political. But such interests are emphasized the necessity of creating a uni- Editor: parochial, whereas, if the phenomenon of versal global consciousness, a new spiritual Brad Pokorny globalization were to be carefully examined, awareness, and a new sense of responsibility. it would be found to affect far more than the “O well-beloved ones!” Bahá’u’lláh Associate Editors: narrow range of concerns and issues to which wrote. “The tabernacle of unity hath been Galina Tumurova (Moscow) it is customarily restricted, so that discus- raised; regard ye not one another as strang- Christine Samandari-Hakim (Paris) sions of the subject would properly be broad- ers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the Kong Siew Huat (Macau) ened to take into account the cultural and leaves of one branch. We cherish the hope Guilda Walker (London) spiritual dimensions. that the light of justice may shine upon the While enormous possibilities are asso- world and sanctify it from tyranny.” Editorial Assistant: ciated with the phenomenon of globaliza- For the Bahá’í international community, Veronica Shoffstall tion, these potentialities must not blind us globalization is a vision of world unity in so Design: to the grave problems it entails. Only deep and broad a sense as to embrace every Mann & Mann through concerted action by the world com- aspect of human life. Such a vision of plan- munity can there be any hope of tackling etary unity and integration, however, bears Subscription inquiries and finally eradicating such menaces as in- no relation to the often bland, faceless, and should be directed to the above address. All material ternational terrorism, the proliferation of amoral global marketplace that we see op- is copyrighted by the Bahá’í deadly weapons, illegal drug trafficking, or- erating today. Instead, it recognizes and cel- International Community ganized crime, the spread of disease, and ebrates the rich diversity of creeds and cul- and subject to all applicable environmental degradation. tures while at the same time affirming the international copyright laws. Perhaps foremost, all responsible parties fundamental oneness of the human race. Stories from this newsletter may be republished by any and bodies in today’s world are compelled The Bahá’í approach to globalization can be organization provided that to seek some means of global conflict reso- summed up as a commitment to the con- they are attributed as lution and arbitration. Specifically, the ques- cept of “unity in diversity” and what this follows: “Reprinted from tion must be addressed: “How are we to avoid practically entails in the life of the individual ONE COUNTRY, the a disastrous and unwinnable ‘clash of civili- and society alike. newsletter of the Bahá’í International Community.” zations?’” The author of that controversial A diverse world affords the optimal con- thesis has himself suggested an answer. In ditions for all to realize their highest poten- © 2003 by The Bahá’í his 1996 book The Clash of Civilizations and tial through independent intellectual, spiri- International Community the Remaking of World Order, Professor tual, or aesthetic endeavor. With the one- Samuel Huntington included this generally ness of humanity accorded pride of place in ISSN 1018-9300 neglected conclusion: human consciousness, its very diversity be- Printed on recycled paper “…as many have pointed out, whatever comes rather a safeguard against tyranny the degree to which they divided human- than a cause of bitter conflict and division. 2 ONE COUNTRY / April-June 2003 The multicultural approach offers a to design in consequence a single global sys- sound alternative to the paradigm of global- tem of governance based upon universal ization which seems predominant today. values. From these could then be fashioned Since the end of the Cold War over a decade a comprehensive global ethic and a shared ago, the proponents of globalization have global “human rights and responsibilities enthusiastically acclaimed the transforma- constitution.” tive potential of markets and market mecha- Instead of retreating from globalization, nisms as a kind of universal panacea for all developing countries and ethnic communi- the world’s ills. Undoubtedly, markets do ties are summoned to shape the process by perform certain functions very efficiently: themselves actively participating in it; the over time, they have emerged as useful in- world must not indeed be deprived of the struments for the allocation of goods and distinctive and invaluable contribution that services, and, to a certain degree, have suc- all societies, without exception, have within ceeded also in connecting and integrating their power to make by sharing with others the peoples of the world. Yet, are not other their highest and most noble values. economic models also possible — models A globalization informed rather by the that should serve to release and develop timeless wisdom of the prophets and sages human potential, whilst drawing upon those than the arbitrary exigencies of the global innate human impulses towards fairness and mart must of necessity be set upon a firm compassion? foundation of interfaith and intercultural All too often, dialogues on globalization cooperation, and be characterized by an Cultural relativism are thwarted by appeals to “cultural relativ- amicable and open dialogue between the is a political ism.” In theory, cultural relativism is the divers creeds and cultures of the world. stratagem rooted notion that certain social, economic, cul- For Bahá’ís, the principle of unity is the in the false tural, and political practices are intrinsic to bedrock of all religious faith; but in the social particular groups, and that the peremptory sphere, the establishment of a universal stan- premise that the imposition of alien and artificial standards dard of justice is of preeminent concern, for member societies is an unwarrantable infringement. Yet such justice is the essential foundation of unity, and of today’s world protests are often but attempts to shirk the without unity there can be no peace.