Prof Irani is back and he has agreed to give a talk at the April Religion Classes on April 6, 2008. The title of the talk will be “Social Message of the Zoroastrian Manthric Prayers.”
Certain Zoroastrian prayers such as the ‘Ashem Vohu’ and the ‘Yatha Ahu Vairyo’ are considered to be manthric.

The traditional view is that these prayers have a special power beyond the meaning of the words in the prayers and even their sound alone has power. Prof. Irani has studied these prayers and will describe the social message that runs through these prayers shedding a new light on these very familiar prayers.

What is the “Youth Leadership Enhancement Program”?
The “Youth Leadership Enhancement Program” is a new initiative which aims at encouraging community leadership among 23 to 35 years old. The program is being launched to gear up for presentation at the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress to be held in Dubai in 2009.

The objective of launching this program is to build a network of enthusiastic young individuals and create a sustainable pool of next generation leaders that will benefit the community in the long run.

The youth will be mentored by eminent industrialists/entrepreneurs and receive valuable inputs/advice from them. They will be encouraged to support several community causes. What’s important is that the youth will have an opportunity to explore and experience the qualities of leadership, collaboration, entrepreneurship, creativity and community rooted ness.

The application process:

• Youth with commitment to Zoroastrian ideals and ethics, good communication, leadership & team building skills and proven excellence in his/her field of activity will be eligible to apply.
• Acceptable age group is 23 to 35 years.
• Applications will be accompanied by an essay, not exceeding 600 words, on the following topic:
• “A Worldwide Youth Leadership Enhancement Program”

Deadline
Entries must be submitted electronically to WZCYLEP@gmail.com, by 31.3.08 (date extended).

Please see the Program guidelines and Application Form for additional information.

Technology and private sector bringing solutions in financing to impoverished communities

NEW YORK, Feb 15, 2008 – In 2001, the World Bank reported more than 2 billion people lived on less than $2 per day. Why does extreme poverty of this nature still exist given over decades of immense international charitable work? The Zoroastrian delegation intends to address the crux of this question at this year’s CSW on Friday, Feb. 29, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. They will show that the key to this answer is the manner in which development work in impoverished communities has been taking place. The prevalent top-down approach of charity usually empowers the “givers,” in most cases government bodies, as opposed to the individuals in need. The panel will present an example for an alternative approach, namely micro-financing, where the power imbalance is corrected and the true work of development, that is empowering individuals to re-build their own lives and communities, can begin.

…Read the rest of this entry »»»

Hello All!!

I would like to announce an update to our website www.zathletics.com. All the events and schedules have been posted. So get ready to have a great time.

The venue will be on the University of San Diego Campus. It is centrally located beautiful campus close to all the attractions San Diego has to offer. You can visit the USD webiste to get more info www.sandiego.edu.

Remember the games will be held July 2 thru July 6. Did I mention our website? www.zathletics.com

All the best,

Kiyanosh