49th ABS Annual Conference: Full Schedule

9:00am MDT

The Power of Speech and the Role of the Humanities in Contemporary Discourse

Saturday August 2, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am MDT

In a letter dated 29 December 1988, the Universal House of Justice calls for “a new birth of expression” where “exercise of freedom of speech must necessarily be disciplined by a profound appreciation of both the positive and negative dimensions of freedom, on the one hand, and of speech on the other.” The breakout session proposes to share insights identified by a Reading Group on the power of speech and the role of the Humanities in contributing to the intellectual life of the Baha’i community and the emergence of a renewed intellectual discourse in human society.

Speakers

Pierre-Yves Mocquais

PhD (Western), Franco-Canadian Studies - Professor Emeritus (University of Alberta and University of Calgary) – Former Dean of Humanities (University of Calgary) – Former Dean, Faculté Saint-Jean (University of Alberta) – Officer in the Ordre des Palmes académiques - Member... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
TBA

Arts & Humanities, Breakout

10:30am MDT

An Exploration of the Profound Influence of Music on Society and the Human Soul

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT

TBA

This session will explore the relationship between music, well-being and societal advancement. The influence of music will be examined from the perspective of the Bahá’í writings and academic literature. Musical excerpts with a positive impact will be shared from a variety of genres including country, hip-hop, and classical, helping to shed light on the questions under consideration. Through guided discussion, participants are invited to, together, gain a deeper understanding of the concepts presented and to reflect practically on how music with a positive effect can be increasingly created and shared.

Speakers

Melody Mazloom

Melody Mazloom is from Toronto, Canada. She began her study of music as a child and has been part of multiple musical groups. She also has experience and interest in fields such as alternative education, process efficiency, systems thinking, and theatre.

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
TBA

Arts & Humanities, Breakout

10:30am MDT

The Limits of Our Words, The Limits of Our World: How Expanding Our Emotional Language Transforms Human Connection

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT

TBA

Language is more than a tool for communication—it shapes our very perception of reality. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and the Bahá’í principle of the power of words, this presentation explores how our emotional vocabulary influences our ability to connect, resolve conflict, and cultivate unity. Just as the Bahá’í Writings emphasize the transformative power of speech, expanding our emotional language refines our capacity for consultation, empathy, and detachment from ego in discourse. This talk challenges us to move beyond the limits of our learned communication habits and embrace the spiritual potential of words that uplift, clarify, and unify.

Speakers

Parham Holakouee

Parham Holakouee is a professor at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. He received his BA and MBA at UCLA, JD from Columbia Law School, MS from UC Berkeley, and is completing his PhD at UC Berkeley in Spring 2025. He has created educational curricula... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
TBA

Arts & Humanities, Breakout

2:00pm MDT

Art and Community

Saturday August 2, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

TBA

Enhancing community through the power of the arts is encouraged in the Ridvan Message of 2023. Visual artists Garry Berteig and Lorenzo Dupuis offer a collaborative audio/visual presentation to assist individuals and communities explore this directive. They have noted that communities create art and in turn art creates communities. As a result of this reciprocity, both art and community share the ingredients of love, purpose, guiding principles, humility, integration, and diminished hierarchy. These are essential in both and are working templates for one another.

Speakers

Garry Berteig

Visual artist, producer of video documentaries. Retired after two decades from Post secondary Fine Arts instruction, exhibitions and community development agencies for the arts. Currently established a large scale painting studio near Saskatoon, operating as a case study for developing... Read More →

Lorenzo Dupuis

Lorenzo Dupuis lives and works in Saskatoon. His formal studies in Art took place at the University of Saskatchewan. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1975, and a Masters Of Fine Arts Degree in 1995. Lorenzo’s work has been recognized in a variety of ways. He has received... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
TBA

Arts & Humanities, Breakout

3:30pm MDT

Building Vibrant Communities through Art

Saturday August 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:45pm MDT

TBA

Building Vibrant Communities Through Art is an experiential workshop grounded in Bahá’í principles of collaboration, connection, and consultation. Participants will engage in reflective practices, dynamic art-making, and meaningful dialogue to explore how creative processes can inspire community-building efforts. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, attendees will generate insights and practical tools to foster unity, strengthen connections, and nurture vibrant, spiritually grounded communities. This interactive session invites participants of all artistic abilities to experience the transformative power of the arts in creating spaces for collective growth and learning.

Speakers

Ania Telfer

Ania Telfer is an intuitive, multi-disciplinary artist and experiential arts therapist. A third culture kid with roots in Poland and raised in Toronto, she has lived and studied globally. Ania combines creativity, spirituality, and neuroscience to guide individuals and communities... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:45pm MDT
TBA

Arts & Humanities, Breakout