December 5 is International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, as established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1985. Observance of this day is aimed at heightening the awareness of the significant contribution volunteers make to improving the human condition, inspiring others to arise and serve in a volunteer capacity, selflessly and often sacrificially, at home and further afield.

Bahá’ís around the world are involved in development activities, heeding these words of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of their Faith: "All men have been called into being for the betterment of the world. It behoveth every soul to arise and serve his brethren for the sake of God." As such, spirituality is seen to be an essential ingredient in development work. Read about social and economic development from a Bahá’í perspective.

Weighty related documents still of merit today include

• the Bahá’í International Community concept paper entitled "Valuing Spirituality in Development" dating from 1998 that starts with an outline of a Bahá’í perspective on development and considers, as stated in the abstract, five spiritual principles crucial to development
• a statement by the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information entitled "The Prosperity of Humankind" that was released in 1995