Second International Convention
The Second International Convention held to elect the Universal House of Justice was held from April 21st to 24th 1968.
Summary[edit]
Seven hundred and twenty-nine delegates from eighty-one Assemblies were eligible to serve as delegates and cast a vote for the House, and one third was able to attend. The delegates were invited to come to the Holy Land up to three days prior to April 21 to visit the Shrines prior to the Convention and consult with other delegates.
Rúhíyyih Khánum opened the Convention on April 21, welcoming the delegates. At the opening session the purpose of the Convention was explained to be to elect the Universal House of Justice, to bring new information on the scope of the Bahá'í Faith to the House and to the communities around the world, and to create new dedication and inspiration. The ballots were cast on the morning of the first day, and in the afternoon the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh was visited.
The remainder of the Convention consisted of half-day sessions in Beit Harofe consisting of discussions on topics relevant to the Faith and Nine Year Plan selected by the House, each chaired by a different Hand of the Cause. The topics of discussion for the second and third day of the Convention were the emergence of the Faith from obscurity and the building of a Bahá'í society, with subjects discussed being the forces of light and darkness, community life, the rising generation and entry by troops. Sessions where related countries delegates discussed issues were held in the evenings.
Dr. Ugo Giachery closed the Convention with a presentation on the World Centre including a slide show showing the construction work on the Bahá'í properties over the five years since the First International Convention.
Election Results[edit]
- Hugh Chance
- Hushmand Fatheazam
- Amoz Gibson
- David Hofman
- Borrah Kavelin
- Alí Nakhjavání
- David Ruhe
- Ian Semple
- Charles Wolcott
Outgoing Members[edit]
References[edit]
- Bahá'í News, No. 447, pp 2-3
