MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Bahá’í Office of External Affairs has been contributing to a series of discussion forums with diverse voices from government, academia, faith communities, and civil society to explore how recognizing the spiritual nature of human beings can help address the roots of violence and strengthen social cohesion.

“We need to find different ways of relating to each other that do not feed into cycles of violence,” said Carlos Ceballos, head of the Theology Department at La Salle University and a participant in a recent discussion forum organized by the Office of External Affairs.

Over the past two years, these forums have created opportunities for social actors to examine how the application of spiritual principles—such as the equality of women and men, justice, and the oneness of humanity—at the neighborhood level can create environments where constructive patterns of interaction replace those that perpetuate conflict.

These discussions are enriched by insights emerging from Bahá’í moral and spiritual education programs, where young people throughout Mexico are discovering their capacity to contribute to social transformation by serving their families and neighbors.

“What we’re seeing at the grassroots level,” explains Oscar Covarrubias of the Office of External Affairs, “is that when young people recognize their own spiritual nature and capacity to serve others, they become protagonists for positive change in their communities.”

The spirit of service being cultivated among youth and its power to transform neighborhoods has drawn the attention of social actors seeking fresh perspectives on violence prevention.

Since 2023, these discussions have grown to include a widening circle of government officials and other social actors exploring these themes.

A key takeaway from these discussions has been how young people are developing their capacities for meaningful relationships and constructive dialogue with their families and peers through their participation in Bahá’í moral educational programs that combine spiritual development with service to the community.

The importance of nurturing these capacities, particularly for constructive interaction and communication, was highlighted by Angello Baños, sociologist and workshop facilitator at the General Directorate for Well-being and Social Cohesion. “Our ability to see, our voice, and our words have been taken from us. When communication is absent, interpretation occurs, and misinterpretation generates violence. That is why maintaining a connection with our children and friends is so crucial,” he stated.

Arturo Serrano, another member of the Office of External Affairs, observed how these connections among family members and neighbors strengthen as a spirit of service to humanity grows in a neighborhood.

“When young people engage in service to others, they begin to see themselves differently,” Mr. Serrano added. He explained that each act of service, no matter how small, helps the youth recognize their own nobility and capacity to contribute to society. Their growing sense of purpose, combined with the bonds they form through serving together, creates a natural resilience against the harmful forces they encounter daily.

Dr. Ceballos emphasized this idea, saying, “How do you fight a fire? One way is to enter it and try to extinguish it; another is to remove what fuels it.”

He added: “Work in neighborhoods transforms people over the long term, creating a sense of community. We must strengthen the communal sense, the social fabric, and it is much easier to do that locally on the basis of shared moral and spiritual principles.”

Jimena Esquivel, Director of the Tolerance and Religious Freedom at the General Directorate of Religious Affairs added, “Building peace is a long-term endeavor. It requires us to make the effort to place ourselves in one another’s shoes, to listen, and to feel from others’ perspective.”

Looking ahead, the Office of External Affairs plans to continue these conversations, addressing specific social issues such as violence against women and children. The aim is to expand the reach of these conversations while maintaining the intimate nature of discussions that allow for meaningful exploration of spiritual solutions to social challenges.