Children and junior youth program offered during the symposium.

• PARENTS

• CHILDREN'S CLASS TEACHERS

• JUNIOR YOUTH ANIMATORS

• LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

• INTERESTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS

The spiritual education of children and junior youth is a matter of critical importance to the Baha'i community. This year's symposium will focus on the role of the family.

The family is the social space within which the individual is prepared to confront the challenges of life. It is the place where one learns to love, to be tolerant, and to act with justice. It is also the place where the positive values that are to guide us throughout our lives are largely formed, and the space that determines the degree to which we can establish healthy relationships with others. But unfortunately, it is also in the family we can receive the most harmful influences - the tendency to be unjust, to act violently, to suppress tender feelings, to be fearful, to be prejudiced, to dominate others, and to be a self-centred individualist. These habits, once formed, are taken from the family into every instance of social interaction, become obstacles to progress, and gradually tear apart the very fabric of society.

Like all other institutions of society in this age of transition, the institution of the family is in crisis. We need to formulate a new conception of family that will help humanity in its transition from childhood to adulthood.

To do this we need to engage in a discourse on education. It is hoped that the symposium will create a space to share certain concepts, best practices, and for the friends and institutions to raise questions. Program includes: talk and presentation with Counsellor Dan Scott, reflection on learning and a question and answer period.

Saturday 30 May 2009
Toronto Baha'i Centre, 288 Bloor St. West, Toronto, M5S 1V8
8:30 am to 6:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you on the 30th

To send completed forms or request a registration form by email: regional.symposium@gmail.com