BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — Amid increasing challenges and conflict in the world, a growing recognition is emerging of the interdependence of nations. This vital insight is addressed by the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) in international forums, where its contributions highlight that at a fundamental level, humanity is one.

In the latest podcast episode of the Bahá’í World News Service, representatives from the BIC’s Addis Ababa and Brussels Offices explore the implications of this interdependence within the context of the African Union (AU)–European Union (EU) partnership which recognizes that the two continents are intertwined socially and economically.

The discussion explores how the progress, prosperity, and well-being of one continent are inextricably linked to the welfare of the other. It highlights, for example, European agricultural policies that not only shape the economies of the European Union’s member states, but also affect rural livelihoods across Africa.

Rachel Bayani of the Brussels Office emphasizes a crucial principle that is central to this discussion: “the inherent nobility of each human being.” This idea, explains Mrs. Bayani, suggests that every person has the capacity to generate knowledge, which has profound implications for relationships among the two continents.

Rather than viewing knowledge as a commodity to be transferred from one place to another, this perspective sees every community as capable of contributing both to its own development and to a shared and growing body of knowledge.

Solomon Belay of the Addis Ababa Office elaborates on this idea by highlighting the principle of consultation as essential for fostering more harmonious and equitable relationships within and between societies. Mr. Belay emphasizes that by embracing consultation, individuals, communities, and institutions can “take actions that enable them to become agents of their own transformation.”