Every individual is a member of the human family and makes a contribution to the life of society. The individual takes initiative, seizes opportunities, forms friendships and builds relationships, joins with others in common service, and acts on decisions.

“And the honour and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The Secret of Divine Civilization

In order to act effectively during the present period of transition in human history, individuals must, above all, be imbued with a strong sense of purpose that impels them both to pursue their own spiritual and intellectual growth and to contribute to the transformation of society. These are fundamentally inseparable dimensions of a single process, for the standards and behaviours of individuals shape their environment and, in turn, are moulded by social structures and processes. More

Human beings were not created to live alone but, rather, to belong to communities. Collaboration with others is vital to our well-being and progress. “Some animals are isolated and lead a separate existence away from their kind,” said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “But this is impossible for man. In his life and being cooperation and association are essential. Through association and meeting we find happiness and development, individual and collective.” The Promulgation of Universal Peace

Communities can, of course, emerge out of various kinds of association, for example, the inhabitants of a village or neighbourhood, the followers of a religion, those associated with the life of an educational establishment, or the members of a profession. More

For society to function at a higher level than that of a mere assemblage of individuals, institutions are required to give structure to its collective endeavours, to promote unity of vision and action among its members, to allocate resources equitably, and in general to administer its affairs. Parliaments, courts, universities, artistic establishments, and non-governmental organizations are among the many institutions that play an important part in shaping the life of communities throughout the world.

As humanity approaches its collective maturity, the need for a new understanding of the relationships between the individual, the community, and the institutions of society becomes ever more pressing. The interdependence of these three protagonists in the advancement of civilization has to be recognized and old paradigms of conflict in which, for example, institutions demand submission while individuals clamour for freedom, need to be replaced with more profound conceptions of the complementary roles to be played by each in building a better world. More