We are approaching the turn of the century, a point that will be marked by two processes: the establishment of the Lesser Peace in the world at large, and entry by troops into the Bahá'í community. The Lesser Peace is solely a political peace. Like a lifeless body, it requires the spirit of unity to be breathed into it, which can only be achieved successfully by the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Therefore the urgency we are faced with is great; both in assisting to usher in the Lesser Peace, and more importantly, in acquainting humanity with the principles of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh in order to hasten the establishment of the Most Great Peace.

The process of entry by troops will be assisted by attracting people of capacity to the Faith "including persons of accomplishment and prominence in the various fields of human endeavour". The Universal House of Justice "cautions that failure to achieve this end [reaching people of capacity] will result in the Faith's not being able "adequately to meet the challenges being thrust upon it" (Promoting Entry by Troops, p.13).

As students at university, we have a unique opportunity of reaching large numbers of both present and future leaders of thought. We have direct interaction with academics, some of whom are of world renown. Some of our fellow students at university will in future be the leaders of the country and leaders of thought in various fields.

"The Bahá'í students are indeed in an excellent position to impart the fundamental verities of the Faith to their fellow students, and even further abroad, for undergraduates are expected to discuss with each other all the grave problems of the day, and the way is open for Bahá'ís to acquaint many of the future leaders of mankind with the history, tenets, and society-building power of the Faith." (From a letter dated 11 January 1981 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'í Society of Edinburgh University)

"As to teaching work in colleges and universities, this is very important, for students as a whole are open-minded and little influenced by tradition. They would easily enter the Cause if the subject is properly presented and their intellect and sentiments properly satisfied. This, however, should be attempted only by persons who have had university training and are, therefore, acquainted with the mind of the intelligent and educated youth." (From a letter dated 3 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

Another unique opportunity that presents itself to students at university is in the field of Bahá'í studies. On 3 July 1949, the Guardian wrote to an individual believer:

"It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated Bahá'í scholarship in order to attract such men as you are contacting. The world has - at least the thinking world - caught up by now with all the great and universal principles enunciated by Bahá'u'lláh over 70 years ago, and so of course it does not sound new to them. But we know that the deeper teachings, the capacity of His projected world order to re-create society, are new and dynamic. It is these we must learn to present intelligently and enticingly to such men!"

Yet again, as students at university we are ideally placed to carry out this task. Whatever the difference between the spirit of Bahá'í scholarship and general academic scholarship, the academic skills acquired at university, and the resources available to students at university, such as library and computing facilities, are all of great utility in conducting Bahá'í studies.

Student Societies have made a major contribution to the activities of many local and national Bahá'í communities around the world. The potential of such Societies is becoming increasingly apparent and opportunities are daily multiplying. The experience and ideas of successful student Bahá'í Societies needs to be shared. Many opportunities exist within and between national Bahá'í communities for such networking.