The central theme of Baha'u'llah's message is that humanity is a single race and that the day has come for its unification into a global society. "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens," wrote Baha'u'llah. As the process of global integration intensifies, the traditional barriers of race, class, creed and nation are breaking down. This process will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization.

Baha'i communities around the world work to advance the processes leading to world peace, particularly in the areas of human rights, the advancement of women, moral education and sustainable development, by working with their governments, the United Nations, national and international non-governmental organizations, and other international agencies. They also operate more than one thousand grassroots social and economic development projects and work to develop their own unique pattern of community life.

In all their individual and community activities Baha'is are enjoined to uphold high standards of honesty, trustworthiness, compassion, and justice; and to be loyal and law-abiding citizens of the countries where they reside. While Baha'is abstain from any involvement in partisan politics, they may accept non-partisan government posts or appointments and may vote in civil elections as long as they are not required to declare a party affiliation.