The life of a Bahá'í is dedicated to personal and social transformation.  Bahá'u'lláh explained that transformation is the true purpose of religion, and He described the personal and social processes as essentially interactive and complementary.  All human beings, Bahá'u'lláh states, have been "created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization."  The creation of a peaceful global society that fosters both individual and collective well-being is at the heart of the Bahá'í vision of the future.  Within the framework of a growing community concerned with moral and spiritual transformation, social and economic development, is one expression of the Bahá'í commitment to realizing this vision.

Fundamental to Bahá’í belief is the conviction that every person, every people, every nation has a part in building a peaceful and prosperous global society.  Bahá’u’lláh stressed that, “And the honor and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good. Is any larger bounty conceivable than this, that an individual, looking within himself, should find that by the confirming grace of God he has become the cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete delight..?”

In this regard, Bahá’ís are committed to building the capacity of individuals, and to learning, through community-based efforts how to better effect change and improve society.  The empowerment of individuals and the fostering of their initiative are thus basic elements of social and economic development processes in fields such as education, agriculture, environment and health improvement.  These efforts are animated by Bahá’u’lláh’s call for the unity of humankind, the fundamental objectives of which include eliminating racial and other forms of prejudice, promulgating the equality of the sexes, adopting a universal standard of human rights, ensuring education for all, recognizing the harmony between religion and science, choosing an international auxiliary language, and establishing a world government.  It is a pattern of life that Bahá’í communities in every locality will demonstrate.