Back to the future

With less than 11 months to go for the start of the Fourth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in Ballarat, Australia, its secretary Shirin Mistry’s e-mail addressed to presidents of associations world wide notes, "As promised we opened registration from January 1, 2007 — and we realize that the word has gone around! But we do need you elders to prod the youth into realizing that the Early Bird Special on offer is really a great one and that they should avail of it before March 31, 2007.” The Congress chair is her son Shiraz Mistry.

Shirin Mistry: "Prod the youth”

According to their website www. 4wzyc.org the cost of the Congress for the early bird would be in the region of A$ 125 per day per registrant. Later enhancements have not been spelt out. A number of rules and regulations have been listed for the Congress duration of December 27, 2007 to January 3, 2008 to which the participant is required to sign assent. The two-page registration form is available for downloading from the website. While the theme of the Congress is "Back to the future,” the organizers have made it very plain that their accent is on ethnicity. Among the peripheral attractions are Australian wildlife and an opportunity to pan for gold. Of course Australia’s enticing beaches would be a special draw for those hailing from landlocked locations. Among the special social functions is a featured appearance by Australian singing star Farita, herself a Zoroastrian.

Although the Congress is being held not far from Melbourne, the Zoroastrian Association of Victoria (ZAV) based there has not been associated with its organization. As noted the editorial in the Association’s newsletter ZAV Rathestar (September 2006), "An event of international importance in the Zoroastrian world (is being) held in our own back yard and for reasons best known to themselves, the few individuals entrusted with the organization of this event could not see fit to involve the organization they themselves are a part of. The ZAV represents the Zoroastrians of Victoria and if the ZAV was denied any involvement in this event, it follows that so have the Zoroastrians of Victoria who make up its membership, many of whom would be classified as ‘youth.’

"At the AGM of 2004 the general body had ruled that on account of the refusal on the part of the organizers, despite repeated requests by the committee of the day, to provide any information relating to this Congress, the ZAV was left with no choice but to abandon any part it might have hoped to play in this event. Vice president of the ZAV at that time (2003-04) is the current chairperson of the 4WZYC which leads one to question, why the ZAV was bypassed by its own senior office bearer when he accepted the chairpersonship of 4WZYC?

"While the Zoroastrians of Victoria have been largely aware that their association is not involved in the organization of 4WZYC, the world at large has been under a different impression judging from the inquiries we have received and therefore it has become necessary to set the record straight. For the sake of all Zoroastrian youth, the ZAV sincerely hopes that the organizers stage a ‘best ever’ youth congress and we wish them all the best in their venture.”