49th ABS Annual Conference

This panel, marking the 100th anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, examines the evolution of Bahá'í administration and governance. The session will reflect on the historical development of the Bahá’í Faith in North America, focusing on early efforts to establish the first Bahá'í Temple in the Western world, the challenges of gender and racial equality, and the formation of the joint NSA before it evolved into two distinct bodies for the U.S. and Canada. Panellists will explore the evolution of the Bahá'í administrative system, the strengthening of its distinguishing features of consultation, equality and unity, and how it operates today as a model of systematic learning, standing in stark contrast to systems of governance prevalent in wider society. The session will consider how insights from the Bahá'í administrative experience, both in the U.S. and Canada, can advance contributions to academic and professional discourses.