Daily Frameworks for 24 September 2025

’Idál, 18 ʼIzzat (Might), 182 B.E.

Social Action: Selected Themes Pertaining to Social and Economic Development

Quotes for Reflection:

The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education. It is inconceivable that any nation should achieve prosperity and success unless this paramount, this fundamental concern is carried forward. The principal reason for the decline and fall of peoples is ignorance. Today the mass of the people are uninformed even as to ordinary affairs, how much less do they grasp the core of the important problems and complex needs of the time. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

How can nations promote the education of their peoples so they can “grasp the core of the important problems and complex needs of the time” and “achieve prosperity and success?”

Perplexity Pro Response ³

Nations can best promote education—and thus foster the capacity to address the “important problems and complex needs of the time” and achieve prosperity—by implementing a holistic, systematic, and inclusive approach to education. This requires universal access, relevance to contemporary needs, cultivation of moral qualities, and a strong emphasis on both material and spiritual development. [1]

Principles for Promoting Education

Universal and Compulsory Access
Every child, regardless of gender or background, should have access to comprehensive and compulsory education. Schools must be established everywhere, even in small villages, ensuring no one is deprived of learning. If families cannot afford it, the community must provide support. [1]

Purposeful and Relevant Curriculum
The curriculum should include both spiritual and practical knowledge—arts, sciences, agriculture, technology—so individuals can actively contribute to prosperity. Education must evolve with the needs of the age so that citizens are informed and empowered to address complex issues. [1]

Moral and Ethical Training
In addition to academic skills, students should receive moral training and develop ethical conduct. Good character is foundational; knowledge without virtue can be harmful. The goal is to prepare individuals who are just, trustworthy, and oriented toward collective well-being. [1]

Harmony of Science and Spirituality
True education harmonizes scientific advancement with spiritual and ethical values. This not only drives technological and economic progress but also ensures it serves the common good, rather than materialism or conflict. [1]

Consultation and Participation
Educational systems must foster participatory approaches, where communities, families, and institutions work together in a consultative manner. This collective endeavor helps build capacity and ensures that education responds to societal needs. [1]

Promotion of Equality and Unity
Special attention must be given to the education of girls and marginalized groups. Since mothers are the first educators, their training is crucial. Efforts to include all people, regardless of their circumstances, strengthen the fabric of society and advance the unity of mankind. [1]

Steps for Governments and Societies

• Develop policies that guarantee compulsory and universal primary education.
• Invest in teacher quality—both by academic training and by nurturing moral standards.
• Support the creation of community-based educational initiatives involving parents and local organizations.
• Update educational content regularly to keep pace with the rapidly evolving nature of contemporary challenges.
• Foster environments where learning is lifelong, interdisciplinary, and connected to real-world problem-solving.
• Encourage service, social action, and a sense of world citizenship as educational goals.
  

Central Insight

The prosperity and success of a nation depend on the enlightenment of its people. Ignorance is the chief cause of decline. Forward-looking education—grounded in both practical skills and ethical principles—unleashes creativity, social cohesion, and resilience. These attributes empower communities to master both daily affairs and the deeper, more complex issues facing humanity in each era. [1]

Citations

[1] Social Action-A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice August 2020 – Bahá’í Reference Library

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/595099598. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Secret of Divine Civilization. Translated by Marzieh Gail. 2nd Edition | Reprint. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1975, 109. https://www.bahai.org/r/034825054. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. “The Promotion of Education.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 23, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-primary-the-most-urgent-re-CzMUVvLsQ12Zw8MuTNqLTw#0. ↩