of humankind. The 1992
Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, the 1993
World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the 1994 International
Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, the forthcoming March
1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, to be followed in
September by the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, are
conspicuous indications of this acceleration. These events are as
capstones to the myriad activities taking place in different parts of the
world involving a wide range of nongovernmental organizations and networks
in an urgent search for values, ideas and practical measures that can
advance prospects for the peaceful development of all peoples. In this
endeavor can be discerned the gathering momentum of an emerging unity of
thought in world undertakings, the realization of which our sacred
scriptures describe as one of the lights of unity that will illumine the
path to peace. The Baha'is around the world are, of course, heartened by
such hopeful trends and will continue increasingly to lend moral and
practical support to them as opportunities allow.

In view of the intensive attention being given to the issues of social and
economic development since the Earth Summit in Brazil, we requested the
Baha'i International Community's Office of Public Information to prepare a
statement on the concept of global prosperity in the context of the Baha'i
Teachings. This statement is now ready for distribution. We are therefore
very pleased to send each of you herewith a copy of "The Prosperity of
Humankind" and to commend it to your use as you pursue activities that
enable you to interact with governments, organizations, and people
everywhere. Our confident hope is that the statement will assist you to
foster understanding of this important topic among the members of your
communities and thus vitalize their contribution to the constructive
social processes at work throughout the planet.

With loving Baha'i greetings,
[The Universal House of Justice]

Enclosure

THE PROSPERITY OF HUMANKIND

To an extent unimaginable a decade ago, the ideal of world peace is taking
on form and substance. Obstacles that long seemed immovable have collapsed
in humanity's path; apparently irreconcilable conflicts have begun to
surrender to processes of consultation and resolution; a willingness to
counter military aggression through unified international action is
e