by WZYLF | Apr 11, 2018 | Press
In March 2018, a group of spirited, young Parsi and Iranian Zoroastrians, from different corners of the world came together under one roof – the Asha Center; with one aim – to collectively understand and address the issues plaguing the Zoroastrian community worldwide, and to take on active leadership positions to work towards resolving these – all under the aegis of the ‘World Zoroastrian Young Leaders Forum’ (WZYLF). Kicking off its very first chapter, the WZYLF was held in Gloucester, UK, from 16th to 25th March, 2018. Parsi Times is delighted to share with our readers the grand, successful outcome of this fabulous and much needed youth-initiative, which was spearheaded by the founder of the Asha Center, author extraordinaire and human rights campaigner – Zerbanoo Gifford; co-planned and perfectly coordinated by Sanaya Master, with inputs from WZYLF participant, Arashasp Shroff.
Article in the Parsi Times by WZYLF Forum Participant and Parsi Times Reporter Arashasp Shroff
Founded on the Zoroastrian principles of environmental and social sustainability, The Asha Centre is a haven of serenity that aims at delivering transformative education “to bring about lasting inner, social and environmental change.” In short, the perfect pedestal to host the nineteen excited participants who came in from India, Australia, Canada, Pakistan, the US, New Zealand and the UK, thanks to the gracious invitation from its founder, Zerbanoo Gifford, to engage in discussions and deliberate about Community issues like faith, religion and the role that the youth can play as the leaders of tomorrow. Organized excellently by New Zealand’s Sanaya Master, the Forum was mentored by Zerbanoo Gifford, and led by instructors Mark Gifford – an Interfaith Minister who has closely and extensively studied Zoroastrianism; and Adrian Lochner – actor, director and specialist in conflict resolution. (more…)
by WZYLF | Apr 6, 2018 | Press
What happens when 4 Dasturjis, 2 architects, 2 therapists, 2 Lawyers, an advertising exec, an entrepreneur, a paramedic, a filmmaker, a sommelier, a colonel in the US army, a political consultant, a yoga instructor…. all walk into the Forest of Dean in England?
A social movement finds its wings!
Article by Narges Kakalia
In March 2018, a group of young Parsi and Iranian Zoroastrians from India, Pakistan, Canada, the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand gathered for ten days at the inaugural World Zoroastrian Youth Leadership Forum at the beautiful Asha Center in England. They came at the generous invitation of Zerbanoo Gifford, who founded the Asha Center, a beautiful, serene retreat space in Gloucestershire, that delivers transformative education “to bring about lasting inner, social and environmental change.” The Asha Centre was founded on Zoroastrian-inspired principles of environmental and social sustainability. The Forum was organized by Asha Center intern Sanaya Master of New Zealand, who helped run the Forum. The participants had all been identified as people who play leadership roles in their local communities.
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by WZYLF | Apr 6, 2018 | Press
The ASHA Centre in Gloucester United Kingdom welcomed 19 young Zoroastrians from all over the world for a 10 day leadership forum starting from Friday March 16th to 25th 2018. Mentored and conceptualized by our dear friend Zerbanoo Gifford, and led by Mark Gifford and Adrian Lochner, the 10 day event bring Zoroastrian young leaders from Zarathushti diasporas all over the world to meet, interact, discuss and deliberate in issues revolving around the community, faith, religion and the role that the youth can play in taking the torch forward in the years to come.
The first of its kind ever, this Forum came about as an idea during Zerbanoo Gifford and Farida Master’s book tour in the summer of 2017 in United States. Sanaya Master a young Zarathushti leader interning at the ASHA Centre took this up as a project and helped facilitate the entire event, from inviting participants to arranging the program and a myriad other activites that goes into getting these 19 participants from India, Pakistan, USA, Canada, United Kingdon, Australia and New Zealand. During the 10 days, the participants will have opportunities to travel around Gloucester, including trips to Oxford University and over the border into Wales.
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