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"There can be no better platform than the Global Working Group (GWG) and the Global Council of Zoroastrians Trust (GCZT)… to support the community… to promote a better life for others, to establish a base for exchange,” said GWG  non-executive chair Neville Shroff of Hong Kong when addressing nearly 30 world leaders from the community who had joined the Zoom call to attend the 14th annual meeting of GWG on February 11, 2023. "This is an important body. We need to leverage on this congregation... It is imperative to create prosperity for the community... Sustainability is very important,” he emphasized, alluding to the work in store for the recently registered GCZT. The cosmopolitan Trust has been established to help channelize funds from overseas Zoroastrian associations and others towards worthy causes in India.
For those in India, the over three-and-a-half-hour meeting started at 6.30 p.m. but for some overseas representatives like Tehmasp Mistry of New Zealand the call commenced at 2 a.m! The other organizations from different time zones to be represented at the meeting were the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), North American Mobeds Council, World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), plus representatives from Australia, Singapore, Dubai.
At the deliberations moderated by Dorab Mistry, past president of ZTFE, the participants were given an opportunity to present the highlights of their regional reports, and the members of different standing committees reported on the progress they had made. Maximum time though was spent on sharing the accomplishments of the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) held in New York in 2022 and preparations for the 13th to be held in Singapore in 2026, the unexpected buoyancy to enroll for the 8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress (WZYC) in London this July, and the absence of a detailed program on the WZCC conclave also planned in July in London.

Trust the Trust
The registration of GCZT will provide "the framework to support” the activities of GWG in its endeavors to "give back to society in the fields of education, professional development and welfare, cultivate a sense of responsibility within the community,” said Shroff. Confident that it will provide "a unique experience for the community,” he expected it to "rejuvenate, invigorate, be inclusive, ambitious and action-oriented. There is no hidden agenda. There should be no mistrust,” Shroff sought to reassure lay members of the community who were questioning the need for this Trust. "We can unleash the full potential of GWG only if the community is united. Global unity and harmony will be our strength,” he added.
Burjor Antia, the prime mover and temporary chairman of the newly formed Trust that was finally registered in Bombay on November 14, 2022, nearly two years after the application was made, stated, "In my tenure of 60 years of practice, I have dealt with several challenging matters and have successfully handled the same by adopting legal strategy, research in law and citing relevant judgments. However in this matter I realized that there was some invisible force that was blocking the registration of the trust and my legal acumen was being tested.” He mentioned how advocate Khushru Zaiwala’s objections before the Assistant Charity Commissioner had to be patiently rebutted to earn the certificate of registration.
Currently there are four trustees — Antia, Sam Balsara, chairman and managing director of Madison World, with Yazdi Tantra, chairman of The Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Limited, and Meher Bhesania, chair of the 9th WZC in Dubai — tasked with promoting the GCZT vision "to nurture a caring, compassionate, harmonious, observant, esteemed and prosperous Parsi/Iranian Zoroastrian worldwide community without borders.” The number of trustees will be gradually increased to 15 by periodically adding the names of two overseas trustees and two Indian trustees. As envisaged, the GCZT comprises two arms — the first constituting a board of trustees who are heads of major regions plus other eminent members of the global community; the second being the GWG comprising regional representatives of participating regions.
At the first GCZT board meeting held on December 30, 2022 it was agreed that the donation of Rs 1,35,00,000 (USD 162,930) made by the settlors — Antia, Dinshaw Tamboly of the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust and Kersy Bhesania of Dubai — will be deposited in The Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Limited.
"This is a milestone event for our global community. Let us cherish it and let us celebrate it,” commented FEZANA founder president Rohinton Rivetna reminding those present of the GCZT mission "to come together and work together for the Parsi/Iranian Zoroastrian worldwide community without borders.”
A new website is being planned for GCZT as also a stylized logo. Offering glimpses of the proposed website, Meher Bhesania stated, "We will do our best to make it a state-of-the-art website… showcasing our art and culture… the projects and rich heritage of the community.” She appealed to the global representatives to send interesting stories or images, testimonials and profiles of leading members of the community. Balsara referred to their efforts to create a stylized logo to depict the world body with a caring hand rather than a straightjacketed logo which most community associations adopt incorporating the asho farohar. While the logo is yet a work in progress, many like WZCC president Capt Percy Master, FEZANA president Arzan Wadia, The Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India joint honorary secretary Viraf Mehta and even Shroff felt it was essential to incorporate a Zoroastrian motif. Clarified Meher Bhesania: "This is a public trust; not only for the Zoroastrian community.”

Congress creases
"In the last 35-40 years, no Congress has made a loss,” stated Wadia, co-chair of the 12WZC enumerating on their plans to use the $ 340,000 (Rs 2,81,71,482) profits generated by the Congress for different community projects. The Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York’s share of profits amounting to one million dollars (Rs 8,28,73,500) will be used for the upkeep of their Darbe Mehr. From the FEZANA share, a scholarship will be set up in North America to assist one student there. The Youth Endowment fund at FEZANA should reach a six-digit number by the end of the year.
Since GWG is considered "the keeper of congresses,” Wadia recommended that hosts of future congresses be provided seed money to jumpstart the initial preparations. "It is basically a loan to keep passing forward to future hosts. If hosts say they do not require the assistance, the funds could be retained by GWG. If the hosts are not able to return the seed money, the GWG will need to raise funds again,” he stated.
As compared to the 12WZC total income of nearly USD 1.3 million (Rs 10,77,14,490), the expenditure was around USD 950,000 (Rs 7,87,29,825), co-chair Astad Clubwala, provided a summary. The major heads that generated income were registration that brought in a revenue of USD 520,000 (Rs 4,30,85,796); sponsorships, USD 492,000 (Rs 4,07,73,762); brochure advertisements USD 90,000 (Rs 74,57,153); donations USD 55,000 (Rs 45,57,152). The supplementary fund-raising efforts generated an additional USD 47,000 (Rs 38,94,293). Among the expenses, the largest spend was on hotel, USD 718,000 (Rs 5,94,91,541) of which the food and beverage bill was USD 660,000 (Rs 54,68,582). Further, USD 88,000 (Rs 72,91,442) was spent on audiovisual recording, photography and web; USD 45,000 (Rs 37,29,307) on logistics and operations; and USD 40,000 on entertainment (Rs 33,14,292).
That the Congress was able to make a handsome profit, Clubwala attributed to several factors, "the number one reason undoubtedly being the champion fundraiser Edul Daver and his team.” The other reasons were the "excellent rapport with Hilton Hotel, creation of new registration categories, restricting of expenses by the committee co-chairs, global community support through generous contributions and participation.”
For the 13WZC, president of the Parsi Zoroastrian Association of Singapore  Homiyar Vasania reported that they have started preparations "very enthusiastically.” A team of nearly 12 of them from Singapore attended the 12WZC in New York to learn and observe the events. They have formed committees whose heads have been tasked to reach out to past Congress organizers for their experience. The process started in October/November last year and they realize that they have a lot more to do. Encouraged Dorab Mistry, "Every region cuts the coat according to the cloth available. Don’t let the Congress in North America daunt you.” When he advised that it was time for Singapore to name a Congress chair, Vasania responded that "while the committee heads have been decided, we have not named the top of the pyramid. We are trying not to get too hierarchical” although well aware that staring at them is a "big, hairy, audacious goal (BHAG).”
Shroff assured him that "GWG will support you; have regular meetings with you.” He further congratulated Wadia and Clubwala for a stupendous 12WZC that earned exceptional revenue and for specifying the major heads of income and expenses so that "future congresses could reap similar rewards.” He felt USD 20,000 (Rs 16,57,146) as seed money for Singapore would be significant. He further recommended that future congresses could give a percentage of their profits towards the GWG corpus and the GWG could then allocate the funds as required or retain some in an emergency fund.

Response
Within seven hours of the registrations opening for the 8WZYC in London, all 455 seats had been secured by the delegates leaving the organizers in a quandary as to how they could accommodate some more through an equitable allotment, mentioned Youth Congress co-chair Sheherezad Kapadia. With 500 on their waiting list, none on the organizing team "could have predicted this.” In the meantime they have reached out to speakers and will include within their scope topics like mental health, commerce, religious education and entertainment.
Commented Dorab Mistry, "There is a huge surge of interest that we need to leverage.” He believed this unprecedented enthusiasm has arisen as the youth have been "starved of travel (during the pandemic) and social media played a huge role in firing up the youth. The WZYC organizing committee is dominated by young ladies who work very well with the ZTFE.” In hindsight the organizers feel "maybe we underpriced the registration fees.” Since it would be impossible to change the hotel Radisson Blu that they had booked two years in advance after negotiating the rates, they are considering booking a second hall at the hotel where live streaming could be arranged for around 120 additional delegates.
If 80% of the youth who have registered are from North America will the Congress serve a purpose? wondered Mehta. When the 13WZC was hosted in Bombay, weren’t 60-70% from Bombay? counter questioned Dorab Mistry. "Our catchment area is 6,000 (the estimated strength of Zoroastrians in Europe). London has always been more open, international and welcoming. North America is a dream catchment area (with a guesstimated 25,000 Zarathushtis residing there).” In fact London agreed to host the Congress "only because of support from FEZANA,” continued Dorab Mistry. To dispel the false notion that North American delegates have "hogged” the Congress, Wadia sought to assure all that "there is no secret source or collusion with ZTFE!” For the future though he felt 15 seats be assigned to countries with smaller pockets and if these are not filled three months prior to the Congress they may be filled by other regions.
Tehmasp Mistry pointed out that those who had shown a pre-registration interest expected they would be offered seats first. Maintained Dorab Mistry, the pre-registration when 380 showed an interest was only undertaken as a market research exercise; nothing was promised. Besides, only two associations have helped ZTFE: FEZANA that allocated USD 50,000 (Rs 41,42,865) to support their youth attending the Congress, and Hong Kong. "We had sent out appeals but no funds came. Next week you will be receiving letters seeking sponsorship!” Dorab Mistry forewarned the GWG delegates.
"As of now no one from Hong Kong is represented at the (Youth) Congress,” regretted Shroff who felt that the GWG needs to review its Congress guidelines. Repeatedly voiced fears that under-representation from other areas would then defeat the concept of a world congress were allayed by Dorab Mistry: "There will be more international delegates at this Congress than at any other youth congress. It will be most diverse and geographically balanced,” he assured. Australia and New Zealand each have over 30 representatives, 11 are coming from Singapore and four from the United Arab Emirates, reported Kapadia after checking their records. As compared to their demographies, India and Iran are under-represented. "Unfortunately they are not well organized in these areas and not conscious of time (limitations),” observed Dorab Mistry. He was not in favor of allocating seats because he felt it may politicize the issue when already he gets an email every day asking him to use his influence to secure a seat. "The children of a former president of ZTFE are on the waiting list,” he told the GWG delegates. Since the Congress had maintained they would assign seats on first come, first served basis he was inclined to offer seats to those who have narrowly missed the first allocations. He accepted though that since payments were only accepted by international credit cards, a facility not all Indians/Iranians may enjoy, the organizers may consider marginally favoring these regions for additional allocations.
Dorab Mistry was strongly in favor of youth congresses being held every two years. He felt the views of the youth should be taken into consideration. "Young Zoroastrians do a lot of market research. They want fellowship/camaraderie. They don’t want to listen to lectures.” Since Bombay was being considered as a possible host for the next youth congress, Mehta felt that "two years might be cutting it too close.” Concurred Shroff, "Three years may be more manageable and practical.”
Wadia opined that by organizing a youth congress every two years "we would be doing the regular adult congresses a disservice.” At Perth, there were less than 400 who showed up for the 11WZC. At the 12WZC in New York, one-third of the 1,200 registered delegates were youth and events for the youngsters were planned by them. Since the North American youth congresses had been discontinued for over a decade, he felt reviving them might help resolve the problem since they would be open to youth from anywhere in the world. In the past, 10% of attendees at the North American youth congresses have been from outside North America.

London conclave
As part of the report on the WZCC activities, Javid Canteenwala of London gave an overview of the conclave planned there from July 26 to 29 this year. He mentioned that its theme is "Inspiring conversations in inspiring locations.” Since the program as announced on their website listed a visit to the House of Lords, the Tower  of London and possibly Lords Cricket Grounds with a cruise down the River Thames, Farrokh Mistree of USA commented, "I am not interested in sightseeing. The program needs substance. What are you going to provide to social and intellectual entrepreneurs?” Concurred Shroff, "It does comes across more as a tourist kind of attraction than a chamber of commerce event. We are targeting the wrong audience.” Wadia pointed out that the same information shared by Canteenwala had been conveyed by the UK chapter chair Shernaz Engineer a month ago at the WZCC annual general meeting (see "Energizing entrepreneurship,” pg 20). If the program is announced it would help the members to decide. "It takes 12 weeks to get a UK visa.” Daver suggested the early bird offer be kept open until the program is announced on the website. Meher Bhesania felt that looking at the website, prospective delegates "do not know which hotel to book. Will there be a dedicated bus service” to facilitate commute between locations?
Responding to the criticisms, Dorab Mistry noted, "It is very unfair to downgrade it as a tourism exercise. People didn’t go to New York to listen to Justice Rohinton Nariman speak on the (Bombay High Court) Davar-Beaman judgment (of 1908)… You may not be a cricket fan but it’s an area of interest to many. There are enough people waiting to visit the House of Lords and be received by Lord Karan Bilimoria…We have done our research.” Seeing the programs organized at earlier WZCC conclaves, "we will improvise with similar new ideas. The speakers have not been announced because there is a scramble from people to get on the agenda.” The organizers have not felt the need for a dedicated bus service as all the accessible places of interest are within easy commuting distance. With 80 people having already availed of the early bird registration offer, he was confident the conclave in London would offer opportunities for "interaction, camaraderie and good sightseeing.”

The report of the meeting will continue in a forthcoming issue of Parsiana.