How business and professional ethics impacts lives

An expanding group of individuals in Perth, Western Australia, are exploring how issues related to business and professional ethics have an impact on their personal lives, their professional lives and the broader community.  

Exploring how to navigate and find coherence in all aspects of their lives including family, community and career, these individuals are meeting on a regular basis as they delve into how to apply the teachings of the Baha’i Faith to their workplaces and professions. 

Participant Neda Meshgin, who is also a practice principal and doctor in Canning Vale, Perth, says it is helpful to have a dedicated space to explore these concepts. 

She says the grassroots initiative was modelled after an international Bahai-inspired organisation called Ethical Business Building the Future which is now in its 35^th year. 

“The local chapter here in Perth will evolve slowly and grow organically, already attracting many Baha’is and their friends and colleagues who are keen to explore further about professional ethics and business,” Neda says.  

In May 2025, some members of the newly-formed local chapter joined several hundred participants in Istanbul from all over the world including Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, UK, the USA, DRC (Congo), and Australia to explore topics including leading in complexity and ethical decision making. 

The group has met three times since the start of the year, with workshops exploring topics of ‘Coherence’ and ‘Psychological Safety in the Workplace’ and one lunch gathering featuring conversations about aligning work and personal values together.

After a recent lunch, one participant shared how the space reminded them that their actions needed to always align with their values, not only when people were watching.

“It emphasises that even everyday choices like what to buy, how we treat a colleague, how we run a business – have lasting consequences and are part of a broader moral responsibility.”

The initiative is one example of how Baha’is around the world are engaging in social action and the discourses of society in order to contribute towards the spiritual, material and intellectual advancement of their communities. 

“The possibilities are exciting as it can be a space to evolve into providing mentorship, collaboration, and personal development for participants. Let’s see what the future brings!” Neda says. 

To learn more, feel free to contact the secretary of the group, Marjan, on 0433 399 648.