US economic competitiveness and spirituality

Religion and financial prosperity should not be in conflict. Here's one example.

One of the core beliefs of the Baha'i faith is this:

• spiritual solutions to economic problems and the removal of economic barriers and restrictions.

One of the meanings of this concept is "sustainable development."

Though the term "sustainable development" is relatively recent, Baha'is have always supported the concept. Sustainable development has been described as "development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."

A group which converts thinking to action is the Baha'i Business Forum of the Americas (BBFA), which believes in thinking "Beyon the Bottom LIne: a New Vision of Human Prosperity"

That's the theme of the Fourth Annual Baha'i Business Forum of the Americas (BBFA) Conference, held Feb. 17-19, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, Va. The conference [was] open to both Baha´i and non-Baha'i business leaders.

Programs at the conference are divided into Sharing the Wealth, Human Beings as Assets, Ethics and Leadership. Seminars include "Spirituality Inspired Corporate Citizenship: Can you be true to yourself while also serving corporate stakeholders' best interests?", "People Make the Difference: Energy and Competence in the Workplace", "Ethics and the New Spirit of Transformation in Personal and Professional Life" and "Good to Glorious: How Baha'i Principles Make Leaders and Companies Successful."

The BBFA is a non-profit organization dedicated to applying Baha'i; principles in business, economics and management. Members believe that business has social and economic responsibility for carrying forward an ever-advancing civilization and that business should:

• Justly serve the legitimate interests of its stakeholders.
• Strive to apply principles of consultation, fairness and honesty in its deliberations.
• Demonstrate the principles of the oneness of humanity and the equality of men and women in all interactions with its stakeholders.
• Follow the maxim that whatever matters to humans, trust is the atmosphere in which it thrives.
• Have a role in moderating the extremes of wealth and poverty.

technorati tags:honesty, innovation, virtues, economics, competitiveness, trade