50th ABS Annual Conference: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

9:00am EDT

Mind-Body Interaction in Developmental Psychology

Saturday August 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Developmental psychology lacks clear definitions of mind, spirit, and soul, leaving their relation to the body fragmented. While secular psychology examines cognition, meaning‑making, and moral development, materialist frameworks focus on measurable processes and offer little account of subjective or spiritual experience. This project traces the historical evolution of mind–body constructs in developmental theories, comparing with Bahá’í dual‑aspect teachings, and models how mind and spirit interact with the body. It proposes a framework in which the mind is both embodied and spiritually oriented, strengthening conceptual and measurement clarity

Speakers

Nadia Khalili

Nadia Khalili is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from McGill University, where her work examined Theory of Mind, empathy, spirituality, and prosocial development. She has taught widely, led cross‑cultural... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
210

Psychology, Breakout

10:30am EDT

Justice and Reciprocity as key principles of Parenting in a Baha’i Family: Integrating Psychological Science and Moral Education with Baha’i Teachings

LIMITED

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

210

Limited Capacity seats available

The message dated 19 March 2025 from the Universal House of Justice offers a vital framework for understanding the Baha’i perspective of family life. Notably, the House highlighted that “sound relationships that are to bind members of a Baha’i family are based on justice and reciprocity.” This session explores how these principles frame parenting and family dynamics, bridging Baha’i teaching with psychological science and moral education. We will discuss how this informs our conception of the “family” and parenting practices. Together, we will discuss how these insights can enrich our conversations with others about spiritual education.

Speakers

Hoda Ghadirian

Hoda Ghadirian is a high school educator with over 20 years of experience teaching science, math and ethics. Throughout her career, she has been involved in the collaborative development of curricula focused on social justice, ethics, and global citizenship, as well as in enhancing... Read More →

Victoria Talwar

Dr. Victoria Talwar is a Professor, Canada Research Chair (I), and Director of the Gold Centre for Early Childhood Development at McGill University. Her research is in the area of developmental psychology with an emphasis on social-cognitive development and moral development.

Saturday August 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
210

Psychology, Breakout

2:00pm EDT

Fostering Resilience: Psychological, Social and Spiritual Implications

LIMITED

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

215

Limited Capacity seats available

The concept of resilience has emerged as a way of characterizing improvement in individual psychological function and health. Resilience can be expanded to include the spiritual and social aspects of the individual and the community in which they serve. Groups such as nuclei of Baha'i activity, children's classes and the institute program strengthen not only the individuals involved but the social network surrounding them. This process is generational, advancing the society-building power of the teachings of Baha'u'llah. Resilience provides a useful model for understanding and a potential means of measuring outcomes of programs of growth.

Speakers

Louis Soucy

With a background in Psychology, Psychiatry and Medicine my interest in resilience stems from extensive clinical work over forty years in practice. I have lectured at ABS in the past, and have an academic appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa, providing... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
215

Psychology, Breakout

3:30pm EDT

Depression: A Hunger for Spiritual Awakening

LIMITED

Saturday August 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:45pm EDT

215

Limited Capacity seats available

The number of people experiencing emotional health challenges is increasing alarmingly. The point of view that religion and spirituality are just a crutch is outdated. Depression is in fact a call for spiritual awakening; the point of pain being the portal of entry to connect with our higher self. This session will introduce the science of neuropsychoimmunoendocrinology and mind/body practices -- one of these being the Inner Peace method, which we will introduce and demonstrate. This method uses guided imagery, breathing, and tapping alongside the Hidden Words, the Seven Valleys, Some Answered Questions and the short obligatory prayer as the foundation.

Speakers

Keyhan Ighanian

Keyhan Ighanian is a Norway-based psychotherapist, educator and author with over 30 years of experience in counselling, education, and group learning. His work is informed by a Bahá’í understanding of knowledge as a means of service, and by the principle that personal transformation... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:45pm EDT
215

Psychology, Breakout

50th ABS Annual Conference

9:00am EDT

Nadia Khalili

10:30am EDT

Hoda Ghadirian

Victoria Talwar

2:00pm EDT

Louis Soucy

3:30pm EDT

Keyhan Ighanian

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