International Teaching Centre, Haifa

The International Teaching Centre (ITC) is a Baháʼí organization situated in the Baháʼí World Centre in Haifa. Its main duties include stimulating and coordinating the Continental Board of Counselors, as well as assisting the Universal House of Justice in matters related to the teaching and protection of the faith. The ITC also acts as a liaison between the Continental Boards of Counselors and the Universal House of Justice, coordinating and directing their activities.

The Universal House of Justice established the International Teaching Centre in 1973. Originally, the ITC consisted of the 17 Hands of the Cause of God still living at that time, in addition to three Counsellor members. The number of Counsellor members increased to four in 1979, seven in 1983, and finally to the current nine in 1988. The Universal House of Justice appoints Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre to five-year terms that begin shortly after the International Convention and the election of the Universal House of Justice.

The International Teaching Centre is the fourth building of the Arc Complex and uses classic architecture to integrate the building into the World Center context and surrounding gardens. The structure encompasses a 400-seat auditorium, meeting and conference rooms, a cafeteria, and parking that covers 18,700 square meters (201,284 square feet) over nine levels.

To respect the beauty of the gardens and create an appropriate scale, only four of the nine stories are visible from the outside. The auditorium is a critical function of the International Teaching Centre, and the design principle for this hall was to have a large space for good acoustic performances and lectures. The use of natural stone and maple paneling creates harmony throughout the multiple-level seating, enhancing the sense of scale.