Category Archives: News

5th Youth Assembly at the United Nations

Calling on Youth (18-26 years old) who seek future involvement with the United Nations, civil society, and ways to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

An invitation from Patrick Sciarratta …. one of FEZANA’s networking contacts from our participation at UN headquarters at the DPI/NGO  annual meeting in September 2003….

All expenses for travel, lodging and arrangements for visas shall be the responsibility of those who wish to attend.
Start preparing for the 5th Annual Youth Assembly at the UN!
 
The Youth Assembly at the United Nations is coming up in a a few short months, so make sure that you have everything arranged for your trip in order to join us.
 
Remember- the main conference starts on International Youth Day, August 12th and ends on August 14th.
Please browse the following opportunities and deadlines:

1. Make sure you visit “APPLY TODAY!” on our website to register as soon as possible as space is limited and is filling up quickly so don’t wait for the last minute! Your acceptance letter will help you with your visa arrangements and participating in discussion boards to network with other participants.

2. Good news for those not from New York:
Because of the growing interest in our affordable Accomodation Packages, we were able to prolong the application deadline  July 9! Be sure to browse these options on our website.

3.  If you intend to work on real projects and concrete ideas regarding ways to put them in action in your own country, make sure you check apply for the Leadership Seminar. This is a definitive, life changing experience you don’t want to miss! Deadline of application: July 9!
Click here for the Leadership Retreat website.
 
Culture at the YA

Youth Performance Groups (dance, choir, theatre, etc) : Promote peace through YOUR cultural offerings!

  1. If you are a performance group of 10 or more members, write to ucpeace@faf.org to apply for the possibilty to perform at the Dag Hammarskjöld Theatre Auditorium during the Youth Assembly.

  2. Make sure you book a place at Culture Night and inform us if you would like to make a 5-10 minute presentation. Delegates are encouraged to come in traditional dress to Culture Night as a display of diversity. Please write again to ucpeace@faf.org if you are planning to make a presentation so that we can schedule you in the program!
 
  3. The organizers of the International Youth Day officially invite the delegates of the Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations to join their celebration on August 12, right outside the UN. Additionally, if you would like to perform at their International Stage, please make sure you register to the Assembly and write to YaApplications@faf.org in regards to what your presentation would be about. We will send your request to the organizers and get back to you.
 
Please find all additional information here, on our website!
 
We are so looking forward to meeting all of you in August!
Best Wishes,

Friendship Ambassadors Foundation
Youth Assembly Staff

Interfaith Prayer Service

— June 9 — 6:30 pm — 
Saint Peter’s Church (54th and Lexington) 
New York City 
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Please come and join people of many traditions on the eve of the United Nations Comprehensive Review of promises made by world leaders to end AIDS.

Traditions Represented
Bahá’ísm, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikh, Unitarian Universalism, Zoroastrian

United Nations Speakers
A message from the U.N. Secretary General delivered by: Ms. Debbie Landey, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS

A Vision of Hope: Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA

Musicians
Siyaya – A powerful South African drum, dance and musical group

Children’s Theatre Company – A New York City based groups that involves low-income minority children in urgent global issues through music, dance and theatre. 
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Please arrive to the prayer service early, as the sanctuary will fill up quickly. We will begin promptly at 6:30 and end at 8:00.

A reception will directly follow the prayer service. The reception is being organized by GMHC. 
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AHURA SCHOLARSHIPS

Young Zoroastrians are invited to apply for the Ahura Scholarship for the academic year of 2008-2009.

There were five grants last year, and the Ahura Scholarship Board looks forward to receiving your applications this year.

The Ahura Scholarship mission:

“To promote leadership among young Zoroastrians in the academic, social, and political spheres.”

About the Ahura Scholarship:

This one-time grant helps finance undergraduate or graduate study by talented young Zoroastrians. Ahura Fellows receive $3,000; Ahura Strivers receive $1,000. Applicants must have been accepted to or be currently enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning. Candidates of diverse nationalities are welcomed to apply. Payment of the scholarship is dependent on receipt of a tuition statement and confirmed enrollment for the fall semester of 2008.
All completed applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2008.

For a copy of the application, please see  http://www.pzo.info

For specific questions please contact: Koorosh Vakhshoori at vak1232003@yahoo.com

NextGenNow 2008 – Your Future in Your Hands – Aug. 1 -3, GeorgeMason University, Washington, DC

Dear Zarathushti Community of North America,

The leadership team at Next Generation Now is pleased to announce that NextGenNow 2008 – Your Future in Your Hands – will be held Friday, Aug. 1 to Sunday, Aug. 3, on the beautiful campus of George Mason University in suburban Washington, D.C.

NextGenNow 2008 is the second in a continuing series of conferences aimed at stimulating and motivating the next generation of Zarathushti leadership in North America. The conference is intended for next generation leaders from all FEZANA member associations, small groups, and individual dwellings of Zarathushtis scattered throughout North
America.

Building on action initiatives developed successfully at the first NextGenNow conference last October in Chicago, NextGenNow is a highly targeted and innovative conference that fosters dialogue, understanding, perspective and motivation.

In the coming weeks, we will count on FEZANA member associations to actively carry our message to their membership. We ask all corresponding association and small group contacts to please be proactive in disseminating our announcement and message.

Our mandate – to work with you to find at least two next generation leaders from your community to attend. From college students to young professionals in their 30s and 40s, we seek Zarathushtis who have demonstrated an interest in leading on Zarathushti education, awareness, and community building in North America.

On the horizon: we will be announcing conference speakers, a new web site, registration information and deadline dates.

By leading with purpose and conviction, we will continue to mobilize and energize the next generation.

Best wishes. We look forward to making a difference!

Jim Engineer
Armaity Homavazir
Nikan Khatibi
Farah Minwalla

UPCOMING GHAMBHAR ON JUNE 1st, 2008

On Sun., June 1st – Roj Sarosh, Mah Dae, ZAGNY will hold a Ghambhar instead of the usual Barbeque, (BBQ will be held in September). The Atash-Niyaesh prayers will start at noon and will be followed by a traditional Ghambhar lunch at 12:30 pm. The Ghambhar is being sponsored by the Baria family. The Barias have expressed their wish and the ZAGNY Board has agreed, that all donations received from the attendees and $5/person collected from lunch on that day will go towards the ZAGNY Critical Assistance Fund.

 

Please join us in the ghambar celebration, support a good cause, and enjoy some tasty food as well!

 

It is imperative that we know how many people will attend the Ghambhar so that everyone is well fed and no one goes home hungry.  Please RSVP to Goolu Baria (Gnbaria@yahoo.com; Tel: 203-353-8651–after 6 pm); or Khursheed Navder (vicepresident@zagny.org) by Fri. May 23rd and let us know how many will be attending.