On 18 November 2002, a Bahá'í delegation joined with leaders of nine other faith communities to celebrate the significant role that religions can play in caring for the environment. The event, entitled "Our Place in Creation", was held in honour of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II at London's historic Banqueting House in Whitehall.

Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, were shown presentations about a series of environmental projects, as well as enjoying an artistic programme given by  representatives of each religion. For its presentation, the Bahá'í International Community presented the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women based in Indore, India. The Institute gives indigenous women training in literacy, agriculture, health, income-generation, and environmental conservation.

As the Baha'i contribution to the artistic programme, Mrs Shiva Ashrafi Cooper chanted one of the sacred verses of Baha'u'llah. Her chant was followed by performances by members of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mongolian National Song and Dance Ensemble and the London Adventist Chorale.

The gathering, organized by ARC - the Alliance on Religion and Conservation, explored how religions understand the place of humanity in creation. "We desperately need the conviction of religious belief to guide us in the way we live on, and use, the planet," said HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. "We have got to learn to balance the economic and scientific realities against the religious demands for responsibility and consideration for the created world. It is not going to be easy, but I am sure that belief and conviction are very powerful motives to care for our planet with all its diversity."

The Baha'i International Community has been a member of the Alliance on Religion and Conservation since it was founded in 1995 at a summit meeting at Windsor Castle hosted by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

BWNS