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"The destiny of our faith is secure in the hands of passionate and visionary young Zoroastrians,” reassured the organizing team of the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress (12WZC) in New York in July 2022. To ensure  the involvement of nearly 400 youth, one-third the total number of delegates, one event  each day was planned for the young adults in the 18 to 40 age group.
"The youth programing aims for participants to learn from each other, network, build rapport and encourage authentic expression,” specified the Congress brochure. Since the youth sessions coincided with other discussions, Parsiana could only cover "Leaders asking Leaders – Q&A with youth leaders from around the globe” (see "From soldiers to generals”).
Zarathushti Youth Across Borders (ZYAB) being one of the Congress projects in which the organizers, particularly Behroze Clubwala, Nerina Rustomji and Katayun Kapadia, had invested considerable time and resources to facilitate attendance by promising youth, Parsiana requested a write-up from Clubwala (see "To carry the torch forward”). The frank feedback from the ZYAB awardees with a longer statement by Behnaz Nanavatti who sent her views to Parsiana indicate that the young participants appreciated the program (see "Youth see value”). "It is our hope that this program becomes a legacy project at every future WZC,” stated Clubwala.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From soldiers to generals
The candor and confidence of the nearly one score youth leaders, mainly from North America and the UK, many of whom had participated in the World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum at Asha Centre in Gloucestershire, England, was palpable on the third day as they introduced, recognized strengths and derived inspiration from each other. They appreciated too the mentorship they received from community stalwarts. On stage were the two moderators, Benafsha Shroff and Pearl Mistry as also the four panelists Delzin Irani Banajee, Tanya Hoshi, Parshan Khosravi and Shazneen Munshi.
For Shroff who was on the 12WZC program committee and has also been involved in different projects like Agiary Connect, ZYNG (Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation), Xtremely Young Zoroastrians, "community work takes time. It is not always easy. It is almost like a second job.” A political strategist and communications specialist by profession, she mentioned that after seeking opinions, when the youth are not included in the decision making process, it is very disappointing. 
The youth should be willing "to take the first step,” stressed Mistry who "moved from DPC (Dadar Parsi Colony) to NYC (New York City) this week.” Able to "resonate with” any issue concerning women and entrepreneurship, she is an active member of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), and was on the organizing committee of 12WZC. Stressing on the importance of "addressing the age divide,” Mistry who is a director at Della Group founded by her father Jimmy Mistry in Bombay, observed that the youth "need lots of encouragement, mentoring, support.”
Youth leaders should "not be afraid to speak up when something is not right. Sometimes we get ‘yes’ people,” pointed out Shazneen Munshi who was president for five years of Young Zoroastrians in the UK and is currently the youngest elected member on the managing committee of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE). "Respecting each other’s views requires emotional intelligence; it may almost feel like you are a member of the United Nations,” said Munshi who is policy adviser to the chief executive officer and chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service.
"Youth want more visibility… Through social media and newsletters we can make the community visible online,” commented Toronto based Hoshi who is the chief social media officer for the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) and is the lead coordinator for the Zoroastrian Return to Roots (RTR) program. "Everyone does not need to be a youth leader. It is so much fun to be involved in the community. For some it may be visiting an atash kadeh, for others, attending an event,” remarked Hoshi, a filmmaker.

 

 

 

"We are independent, autonomous — of the youth, by the youth, for the youth,” stressed Banajee, referring to the emergence of ZYNG2 in 2020 as "bigger, better… We carried forward the brand but not the baggage. We raised our own funds, organized committees and events. We recognized the divide between those residing in baugs and outside; those living in Sobo (South Bombay) and the suburbs. It is the collective voice of the youth.” Having been with Tata Consultancy Services for 14 years in various leadership roles, she is keen to bring the youth closer.
"You have to go and try out. It doesn’t happen on its own… It is only through personal touch that we can bring in more youth, make it worth their time. Covid brought more youth together,” stated Khosravi who was co-chair of the Seventh World Zoroastrian Youth Congress (7WZYC) in 2019. "Every congress offers a platform to address issues. We should take advantage of it. We can’t address everything at every congress. There is need to continue to re-congregate and revitalize” the community, said the first generation Iranian refugee who views education as a tool for community empowerment.
Seven pairs of leaders, seated in different corners of the Ballroom at the New York Hilton Midtown, also participated in the leadership discussion. They included ZYNA (Zoroastrian Youth of North America) co-chair Farzeen Avari who mentioned how they had an hour long conversation with every ZYNA member to ensure they are happy to engage with the organization. When Arzan Wadia, FEZANA president and 12WZC co-chair wants to retire, "We have youth leaders ready and able to take over,” she asserted. "ZYNA helped build a foundation of trust, friendship during Covid to keep us connected, engaged and committed. We want to facilitate, build on each other’s strengths,” testified Rozmin Irani of Canada.
Sanaya Master who conceived the Youth Leaders Forum at Asha Centre stressed the importance of being "consistently active and not be afraid to take bigger challenges.” Having started the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario chat series, she mentioned, "Curiosity takes on bigger roles.” For her husband Kayrus Irani, the youngest vice president of the Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia, "Working for the community is a passion. It is relaxing... Youth need to have confidence to comment, pursue and not be shy. Don’t give up. There will be challenges. There will be people who will support you.” He tweaked the famous quote saying, "Work like a soldier so that people know you are capable of being a general.”
"Take ownership, create a new culture of leadership and move forward with the backing of FEZANA,” recommended Jamshed (Jim) Engineer. Nearing the upper age limit for youth, Mantreh Atashband advised, "We should know when to plant a seed and then sit back in the audience. We need not always be in the driver’s seat.” Admitting her feelings of insularity as a Persian Zoroastrian from San Diego, Layla Mazdyasni felt that "Parsis and Iranians should cherish their similarities and understand their differences.”
Involved with the Youth Leaders Forum through the RTR program, Ervad Sheherazad Pavri admitted that for those like him in Bombay, "there is too much of the community around me, causing our members to become lethargic.”
"It is so important to be inclusive and diverse. There are lots of women on our Congress team and we are really proud,” stated Sheherazad Kapadia, co-chair of the 8WZYC to be held in London from July 21 to 26, 2023. She and her co-chair Sanaya Khambatta gave credit to their team members who were participating in the session at the 12WZC: Zamyad Meherji, head of marketing; Darayus Bharucha who is spearheading the speakers committee; Vista Khosravi who is in charge of entertainment; Fravash Chothia who has a Power Point presentation ready for those seeking greener pastures in London. Expecting teenagers as also older youth to participate in the Congress, the all-inclusive delegate fee has been pegged at £ 550 (Rs 51,000) for five days to make it affordable and accessible for all youth.
For the youth who had bonded during the 12WZC, starting with icebreakers and games and snacks, as also discussions exploring their unique identity, the lure of London will continue to beckon.

 

 

 

 

To carry the torch forward
Particularly gratifying for the organizers was their ability to include participation from 10 young Zoroastrians in the 18 to 25 age group, living outside North America, particularly those constrained due to financial reasons.
These 10 awardees from India, Iran, Pakistan and the UK had been selected from a pool of 41 young adults who had sent their applications under the ZYAB program. Based on their academic profiles, their essays on three topics included in the application process, their involvement in local Zarathushti community activities, and their ability to share their ideas and experiences with the ZYAB team, 26 candidates had been shortlisted. The chosen candidates were expected to carry the torch forward and contribute to the growth of our religion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group dynamics of the10 students who finally arrived were outstanding with their educational profiles covering business administration, artificial intelligence, occupational psychology, data science and engineering, philosophy, pharmacy, product design, psychology and environmental studies, media studies, legislative law, and computer engineering at either the Master’s or PhD level. Since many were from Iranian families studying in the UK or Bombay, they spoke Farsi and Dari as well.
The strength of the ZYAB program was the creation of a global network of young adults promoting the concept that ‘we are all Zarathushtis;’ strengthening group dynamics and discussions so that the cooperation created multiplies. Raising the bar of their community involvement, whether by sharing and teaching the religion, or supporting each other, one of the candidates from Madras is now undertaking the GenZ survey (a global survey being led by Dr Sarah Stewart of the School of Oriental and African Studies that seeks candid views of the global Zarathushti population on the Parsi community and the religion) in the South Indian city although she was unable to get a US visa. Keeping alive the dialogs on what must be done and understood in different continents to ensure that Zoroastrianism flourishes in the years ahead and that we keep the flame alive was also discussed. To nurture them in their academic, entrepreneurial, community and career goals, their involvement was sought through the WZCC, the Zoroastrian Faculty Network, and other community organizations.
The organizers launched the ZYAB program in October 2021, building on a program run at the 7WZC in Houston in 2000. In the Covid environment during which much of the planning was taking place, obtaining funding for the Congress was a challenge. Therefore, the ZYAB team had to raise their own resources to fund this effort. They had to move into high gear in their outreach both to donors and youth at the same time, actions had to be quick, seamless and results oriented. The task was daunting, but once we had connected with the applicants and their voices buzzed in our mind, our energies were doubled. Financial support came from the ZTFE, the WZO Trust Funds of India and the Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal. What was really encouraging was to see our 40 friends, individuals and family members give us donations which helped us tremendously and made the program a success. 
By February 2022 we had a group of candidates who were motivated, excited and very enthusiastic about participating in the Congress. The greatest challenge for our candidates from India, was the slowdown in the US visa application process. We did not leave a stone unturned in reaching out to the highest level authorities in India and at the Government level to seek expedited visas for these students. There were daily highs and lows and often even tears from the candidates. Unfortunately, however, 14 youth candidates from India were unable to attend.
Our focus then turned to the 12 participants who could participate in ZYAB. Saddened as we were by the students in India who faced tremendous disappointments, we were delighted that one of our two candidates from Iran was able to procure her visa. Their determination to come bowled us over. The other candidate from Iran travelled 23 hours on a bus to Armenia first, where his visa was declined without even a review of his documents, and his second attempt in Dubai was also disappointing.
The Congress and NYC experience was primary in our planning, but we also reached out to the Zoroastrian Association of Greater Boston Area, the Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and and the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington Incorporated to host the students in these cities to broaden their experiences within the US.
The program funded, to varying degrees among the students, their travel, registration, hotel and meal costs for the Congress, all NYC sightseeing, and their train tickets to the neighboring cities. All this was beautifully handled and coordinated by Hinata Jambuserwala Mehta who managed all the operational planning for the participants, airport pickups, drop offs, NYC local sightseeing and the million nitty gritty details with Rustomji.
In the end sadly, since some got Covid, moving them into single rooms in NYC, rushing food and medical supplies to them was a challenge and Rustomji was their resident Mom as she lives in NYC. Her husband and children also came to the rescue making daily meal and pharmacy deliveries. The original plans to travel to Philadelphia and Boston were cancelled while some travelled to Washington DC.        
              Behroze Clubwala