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Bringing Light Into the World 2nd EUROPEAN VISION CONFERENCE ACUTO/ITALY, 13-16 October 2005
VISION is a European Baha’í inspired Women’s Organisation, which was founded two years ago in Florence/Italy. It followed the work of the European Task Force for Women of the Continental Board of Counsellors of the Bahá’í Faith whose main topics have delta with Seminars on Encouragement, development of one’s spiritual and mental capacities in order for women to integrate their very special capacities into all arenas of life thus, fostering an advancement of culture. The First International Seminar on Moral Leadership and the Girl-Child, as well Net-working, was in Weils, Austria in November of 2003. The First European Conference, where women from Italy, Spain, Yugoslavia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Finland, Slovenia and Lithuania participated was held in Acuto, Italy in November of 2004. Once again the Moral Leadership program was presented in an updated version and speakers from the World Centre and OPI in Paris offered excellent presentations. Participants at this 1st European Conference were encouraged to offer the same program in their home countries, incorporating the special spirit of loving unity which the Conference so wonderfully fostered. For the 2nd European Conference recently held in Acuto, Italy in October of this year, 2005, the main very important topic covered such subjects as, “Preparation for Young Mothers”, “The Girl-Child: Her Education” and a very lively and extremely well presented talk on Communication between men and women: “Why Don’t You Understand Me?”. Also there was an extremely touching video presentation concerning women in Bosnia: during and after the war. And lastly the all important Indian School Project. Preparation for Young Mothers: Included in the “Preparation for Young Mothers” programme was information on the baby and little child; how it needs the unconditional acceptance, love and nurturing of its well-balanced mother. The development of trust in a child begins in the first year and this comes into being through the qualities of trustworthiness, tranquillity, stability present in the Mother. This results not only through prayer but also through the material and spiritual presence of the father as well the society as a whole. The child develops autonomy and initiative very quickly, which should not be seen as a lack of obedience but underlines the uniqueness of each individual. Important to the child are the questions of the educator, the topics, principles, truths, etc. The goal should be to teach the child not to be closely attached to the ego, but to replace it through higher moral goals and to foster ‘dialogue’ with God. There are many books which include topics about education. The Universal House of Justice underlined in its message in the year 2000: “Independent of the level of their education, parents are in a critical position to shape the spiritual development of their children. They should not ever underestimate their capacity to mold their children’s moral character. For they exercise indispensable influence through the home environment they consciously create by their love of God….” Communications: In an Italian-feminine-dynamic way, examples have been offered about the ability to make decisions, to use the faith –be it Christian, Islam or Bahá'í – as a source of strength and with firm confidence and spiritual energy to organize one’s life. The change from theory to practice as well the diversity of different angles of vision was characteristic of this Conference. Bosnian Presentation: We were shown photos of women and girls from Sarajewo who have been asked by a lovely lady from Bosnia, what was the spiritual development that they have undergone since the war - beginning in Bosnia 1992 up until the present. Although spiritual development during times of peace seems often ‘boring’, with little notice, I heard, during personal conversations with some of the participants about private strokes of fate, which were overcome through strength in the faith and persistent power during this time! Junior Youth Presentation: Two outstanding 15years old Irish girls offered sobering statistics in a professional Power-Point-Presentation concerning Junior Youth and the world they are facing and living in today: Girls-magazines which create pressure for slimness, a longing for sexuality, a passive image of a women, which rather encourages man to become more active. Music, films television - all have the same tenor. The Media has overtaken the influence and example of parents, families and teachers in education! It became so very evident that during youth-meetings these young girls should be taught how to deal with media! The Indian School Project: VISION financially supports six children (5 girls and 1 boy – some lost their parents) to go to school in Lucknow, India. VISION does not ask for donations, but collects money through candle-light-dinners or other activities, which are offered through whole Europe during the second weekend in May each year. This programme has proved to be very successful. It made joy to learn about the different communication of men and women. It should be a goal to have family-consultation, to manage situations during crisis with integration of the various abilities of family-members. Plans have been made to teach these topics 13-15 years old girls during Junior-courses in different countries in Europe. Evenings: The evening program during the Conference included diverse artistic programs. Everybody enjoyed a professional mime from Italy with facial expression, language as well gestures; this light program was a contrast to the heavy daily program. The second evening an outstanding Albanian pianist offered a beautiful concert. Albanian, Italian rhythm as well self-composed music took us a steep leader to heaven! VISION uses all the new possibilities of communication: European-E-Mail-distribution, circular, duplication with DVD’S and so on. Whoever may be interested can contact the secretary:
Elisabeth Mühlschlegel, |
