12th WZC 2022 Launches ‘Zarathushti Youth Across Borders’
The Zarathushti Youth Across Borders (ZYAB) program proposes to bring young Zarathushtis from around the world to attend the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress 2022 in New York City. The Congress will be held at the Hilton Midtown Hotel in New York City from July 1-4. ZYAB seeks to empower our youth to engage actively with the global Zarathushti community.
The program is based on the “Zoroastrian Field Students Program,” initiated at the World Zoroastrian Congress in Houston (2000). Modeled on the American Field Service program where students around the world traveled to the United States to attend a year of high school, the Zoroastrian Field Student Program brought 21 students who would not have been able to attend the World Zoroastrian Congress due to economic circumstances. The Zoroastrian Field Students Program was highly acclaimed by the first group of students who attended, and their leadership and exchanges have continued until today.
WZC 2022’s theme, “Bridging the Global Zarathushti Existence,” aims to strengthen connections, concepts, and ideas, and build bridges for the next generations, while respecting our identities and diversity. Part of the bridge involves engaging the youth whose ideas and perspectives will shape the actions of the Zarathushti community in the 21st century. WZC 2022 seeks to enable these discussions among young Zarathushtis who can represent their own regions and collaborate across borders.
Goals
The specific goals of the ZYAB program are:
Facilitate the attendance of Zarathushti youth (Ages 18-25), who live outside North America, at WZC 2022, prioritizing young Zarathushtis who would not be able to attend due to economic circumstances.
Increase the dialogue and active participation among Zarathushti youth from all over the world.
Empower Zarathushti youth to represent their regions and develop their aspirations for the future.
Implementation
The ZYAB Program will seek funding to finance the travel costs, registration, and hotel costs of the youth for the duration of the Congress, estimated at US $ 3,000 per participant. The ZYAB team will reach out through the Global Working Group (GWG) to donors in Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Middle East, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, U.K., and USA to support the funding needs of Zarathushti youth from their respective regions.
The ZYAB team is currently working with Zoroastrian Associations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC to facilitate visits with youth in these cities before or after the Congress to widen their experience and create a stronger dialogue.
Selection Process
A worldwide call for nominations of eligible candidates for the Zarathushti Youth Across Borders Program will be sent to all the Zoroastrian Associations worldwide.
Applicants will submit their applications electronically by to the Congress website. Where there are no local Associations, the Team will ensure that the application is included with the closest local association.
Local focal points for the ZYAB program, will seek and encourage candidates to apply and serve as advocates. A three-member Committee from the local Associations will submit a short list of eligible candidates based on the ranking criteria provided by the ZYAB team.
The final selection process involves the ZYAB Team approving, and ranking nominations based on a select number for each region as determined by the Executive Steering Committee (ESC) of the Congress.
Following a final review by the ZYAB team and a presentation to the ESC, a list of approximately 20-25 applicants will be confirmed by January 15, 2022.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be invited from Zarathushti candidates between the ages of 18-25 years who live outside North America and are currently enrolled in academic courses/studies at an accredited college/university.
Applicants must be involved in their local Zarathushti community activities.
Applicants must be able to travel from their home countries for the duration of the Congress and visits to the neighboring states within the USA, if this is possible.
Applicants must agree to a code of conduct during their participation and be open-minded, flexible, friendly, and ready to participate at the Congress if suggested by the Program Committee.
Applicants must be available to be interviewed online at several levels, locally, regionally, and globally during the selection processes, as required.
Applicants must be able to obtain their own visas, travel, and medical insurance, before travelling. Assistance will be requested from the local Zoroastrian Associations.
Applicants must be in overall good health, willing to share accommodations during their participation at the Congress and for the travel planned either prior or after the Congress.
COVID vaccination proof is a firm requirement. All COVID protocols, if prevalent at that time, must be adhered to.
Assessment and Impact
The goal of the program is to provide widening experiences for the Zarathushti youth and to help them set up a platform for further communication, collaboration, and leadership across borders.
The program could also provide a longstanding framework for future World Congresses or FEZANA programming.
Critical Factors for success
The program benefits from worldwide representation.
The strength of the applicant pool depends on local Associations identifying and encouraging youth participants who will benefit from this opportunity.
Donors for the program is a key component for success.
Project Coordinators
Nerina Rustomji
Behroze Clubwala
Katayun Kapadia
Contact: zyab@wzc2022.nyc
APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15, 2021
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