A significant new message from the international governing body of the Bahá’í Faith, the Universal House of Justice, dated 1 March 2017, contains many perspectives relevant to the work of the International Environment Forum. The following summary and commentary extract some points that are of general relevance, apart from sections addressed specifically to the Baha’is of the world.

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UN Environment publishes a Perspectives series that presents views from Major Groups and Stakeholders of Civil Society or about issues that are relevant for them. IEF President Arthur Dahl was invited to prepare a Perspective on "Why should the UN and in particular UN Environment Engage More with Faith-based Organizations?". This has now been published as No. 23 in the series and is available at http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11822/14497 or http://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/14497/PERSPECTIVE%2023%20002.pdf, or read the text on line. PERSPECTIVES is coordinated by UN Environment’s Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch.

Baha'i Perspectives on Agriculture and Food
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The Bahá'í writings describe agriculture as a "a vital and important matter" foremost among the principles for "the advancement of mankind and the reconstruction of the world", but current agricultural policy prioritizes yield and profit over health and sustainability, the poor suffer, and climate change threatens the food supply.

The European Center for Peace and Development of the University for Peace established by the United Nations, held its 12th ECPD International Conference at the City Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, 28-29 October 2016. IEF President Arthur Dahl has collaborated with EPCD for nine years., contributing to their annual conferences in the Western Balkans.

https://twitter.com/UNEP/status/782879155125948416

Erik Solheim, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Prorogramme (UNEP), spoke on "Faith and Environment" at the Baha'i House of Worship (Lotus Temple) in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday 5 October 2016, with more than hundred people attending from the diplomatic corps, representatives of civil society groups and faith-based organizations, academics, students and journalists.

The 3rd International Symposium on Ethics of Environmental Health was held in Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic, on 28-31 August 2016, organized by International Environment Forum member Friedo Zölzer of the University of South Bohemia. More than 20 specialists in medicine, physics, toxicology, epidemiology, environmental science, technology, philosophy, ethics, law and governance from around the world shared multidisciplinary perspectives on the interface between science and ethics in managing the risks that environmental factors present for health.