Embracing the Second Phase of the Nine Year Plan: Reflections and Resources for the 2026 Riḍván Message

The Universal House of Justice has officially announced the global Bahá’í community’s entrance into the “second, greater phase of the Nine Year Plan”. At a time when the world is facing “swelling turmoil,” widening economic inequity, and deep social divisions, it is easy to succumb to cynicism. Yet, the 2026 Riḍván Message outlines an incredibly different trajectory—one where the community advances in unison to actively generate hope where it is needed most.

To help you and your community explore the profound insights of this message, we have put together a collection of resources.

Moving from Programs to a Way of Life A central theme of the message is the evolution of community building. For a long time, efforts were often viewed as distinct programs and projects. Now, local communities are translating direct experience into the “cultivation of an interconnected way of life” patterned on the divine teachings. This grassroots activity is distinct in its nature: it is entirely oriented towards unity and service, seamlessly shaping daily actions and aspirations to foster spiritual and material progress.

Youth Leading with Constructive Action The message shines a powerful spotlight on the youth, who are frequently operating against a backdrop of conflict, disorder, and entrenched social divisions. In environments where anger is a natural reaction, these young people are resisting the cultural impulse to simply “criticize and condemn”. Instead, they are finding highly constructive avenues to steer around imposing obstacles and do the actual, on-the-ground work of building their communities.

A Golden Example of Hope When world horizons darken, the Universal House of Justice reminds us of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s counsel to be “ever hopeful”. We are directed to look at the believers in the Cradle of the Faith as a “golden example” of a community that has sheltered the flame of hope. Despite decades of unrelenting, systemic oppression, they remain a “fount of compassion” and a steadfast beacon of resilience for their fellow citizens.

Resources to Deepen Your Study

To help you reflect on these insights and bring them into your community conversations, we have generated a few key resources you can use:

Video: The Maturation of Action: The Second Phase of the Nine Year Plan This video explores how the goals of this new phase are designed to scale up the community’s impact. It visually breaks down the shift from separate projects to an interconnected way of life, and highlights how the global community is operationalizing hope under pressure.
Podcast: Social change without politics or outrage As the message points out, the Bahá’í community’s outward engagement involves collaborating to solve problems completely “free from political ambition or self-interest”. This Audio Overview podcast dives into what it means to pursue genuine social change and uplift a society in desperate need, without getting entangled in political polarization.
Report: Study Guide: 2026 Riḍván Message For those hosting gatherings, institutional meetings, or local study sessions, this comprehensive study guide breaks down the message into its key themes. It offers targeted discussion questions and actionable takeaways to help turn the “profound, insightful conversation” of the message into on-the-ground reality.

As we step into this new phase, let us draw inspiration from these powerful words and be “swift to act and eager to learn”.