49th ABS Annual Conference: Full Schedule

9:00am MDT

From Fragmentation to Cohesion: Regenerating Society Through Social Capital

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

Social capital is posited as a critical resource within the "social commons," with a role in fostering trust, cooperation, and societal resilience. Drawing from the Bahá'í Faith's principles of unity and the oneness of humankind, it highlights how Bahá'í community-building efforts—through transformation of individuals, communities, and institutions—can regenerate social capital. The Bahá'í framework offers unique insights into restoring trust and cohesion by addressing systemic inequities and promoting collective well-being. Through the lens of Social Affinity Flow Theory (SAFT), this talk connects spiritual and material dimensions of social capital to sustainable development and governance.

Speakers

Christopher Gourdine

Dr. Gourdine currently serves as Asst. Dean at the School of Business and Technology at Maryville University. He has taught numerous courses within management and is an Air Force veteran. He has been a member of the Baha’i Faith since 1996, has served in numerous roles and now... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Glen 203 South building - 2nd level

Community, Breakout

10:30am MDT

Building Future Ready Lawyers: A Bahá’í-Inspired Vision for Transforming Legal Education

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

Glen 203

This presentation explores how the principles of unity, consultation, and justice can transform legal education to prepare lawyers for the challenges of a rapidly evolving society. Drawing on insights from the Bahá’í Revelation, as well as contemporary discourses on ethics, AI, and cultural competence, the presentation proposes an innovative framework for equipping future lawyers with skills essential to both material and spiritual progress. By bridging professional training with the moral and intellectual imperatives of the Faith, this work contributes to the wider discourse on justice, equity, and the role of lawyers as changemakers.

Speakers

Nishat Ruiter

Nishat Ruiter, General Counsel at TED Conferences for 9 years, integrates creativity and practicality to uphold TED’s mission of fostering transformative ideas. Guided by a Bahá’í-inspired commitment to justice and unity, she promotes equity and community building through initiatives... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Glen 203 South building - 2nd level

Law, Breakout

2:00pm MDT

Emergence of Post-growth Economy and Social Justice: Implications on Consumption and Production in the Bahá’í Writings

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

Glen 203

The unfolding of Khazzoom-Brooke’s Postulate that as we innovate to optimize efficient uses of resources, consumption rebounded at higher rates ; forces of production increase to generate more growth is finally on collision course with planetary boundaries & ever declining social justice. We examine (a) sources & persistence of poverty despite economic growth, where the wealthiest 5 individuals now have more wealth than the bottom 1/2 of world population. (b) the impact of this unfettered growth on climate change in face of planetary boundaries, and (c) how certain principles of the Bahai Faith provide a new global construct to address this outcome.

Speakers

Rama Ayman

Rama Ayman, a Baha'i living in Luxembourg, is CEO of MMG Capital investing and advising on minerals and technologies needed for transition to green energy since 2015. Formerly, Rama was global partner and global head of metals and mining at KPMG, Managing Director of Hatch CF, Corporate... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Glen 203 South building - 2nd level

Economics, Breakout

3:30pm MDT

Economic Justice as a Means Toward Race Unity: Case Studies

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

Glen 203

In 2017 the Universal House of Justice offered a seminal letter that raised the principle of economic justice more prominently in our collective consciousness. Juxtaposing economic justice with America’s race unity challenge creates a fascinating opportunity to examine both principles. Various sincere experiments have attempted to reduce wealth inequity post-the U.S. Civil War. This presentation will consider prominent examples, and their efficacy in mitigating structural and generational poverty. The cases will be viewed critically through the Faith’s view of societal prosperity. Finally, we will examine the Institution of Huquq’u’llah’s role in providing an economic justice framework.

Speakers

Shamim Maani

Shamim Maani’s education and professional experience have focused on financial markets and economics. He began his career at Lehman Brothers in New York and he served 3 years in the Baha’i World Center Treasury office in Haifa. He currently oversees Product and Technology Change... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:45pm MDT
Glen 203 South building - 2nd level

Economics, Breakout