Baha’i studies internet conference set for July 24-Aug. 8

The Association for Baha’i Studies-North America (ABS) has opened registration for a virtual conference spanning three weekends, from July 24 through Aug. 8. The full program is to be announced on the ABS Facebook event page and its Instagram page.

With the theme “Beyond Critique to Constructive Engagement,” this online gathering is offered in place of the association’s in-person Annual Conference, which was suspended this year due to concerns connected with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration on the ABS website is on a pay-what-you-wish basis, “to facilitate participation during these uncertain times,” the association announced this week. Participants may also register by calling the ABS office in Ottawa, Ontario (613-233-1903 ext. 2), weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Finishing touches are being put on a conference program that will include:

• keynote presentations,
• workshops focused on the study of Baha’i guidance related to participation in discourses,
• roundtable conversations followed by discussion,
• book launches,
• creative devotions,
• a film festival and more.

“Participants in the ABS seminars and reading groups will share exciting new developments in how we have come together to build our capacity to contribute a Baha’i perspective to discourses in professional and academic fields,” a statement from the Association notes.