NextGenNow

The answer to Mirza’s fears is already being vouchsafed by a youth group that is responding to its coming future responsibilities with increased emphasis on networking and involvement with social issues.

Founded by Armaity Homavazir, Jim Engineer, Mantreh Atashband, Farah Minwalla and Nikan Khatibi, as notes the FEZANA Journal, NextGenNow has already hosted two North American conferences and claims to have successfully attracted more than 500 Zarathushti young professionals, students, community leaders and elders, primarily in North America. Formalizing NextGenNow’s organizational infrastructure and launching an aggressive social media campaign on Facebook and LinkedIn are priorities, as notes its website www. nextgennow.org

"The mission of NextGenNow is to strengthen and unify Zarathushti communities worldwide through leadership development, inter-generational dialog and action-oriented initiatives. Next­Gen­Now serves as an incubator for innovative ideas... Our hope in the present is to deliver for the future; to mobilize a new generation of Zara­thushti bridge builders interested in paving a pathway for more sustainable and resilient Zara­thushti communities in the years and decades ahead... We invite you to explore the site and get involved — there is no greater time to make a difference than the present,” notes the website.

Claiming to be a "confluence of many ideas, dynamics and drivers,” the NextGenNow website states, "Never has the North American Zarathushti landscape had a greater need for new ideas, fresh thinking, broad but targeted initiatives, and meaningful change. The absence of NextGenNow risks stagnancy, and religious illiteracy. NextGenNow provides a voice and forum to foster collaboration, partnership and goodwill among next generation Zarathushtis in search of a more harmonious, inclusive and tolerant world.”

Following the second conference, "Your Future in Your Hands,” held in August 2008 on the campus of George Mason University in suburban Washington, DC, a broad consensus was reached to increasingly work at the grassroots level and work one-on-one with next generation Zarathushtis to share the organization’s mission, cause and purpose. Using 21st century technology, a multi-city Chat Series is bringing together next generation Zarathushtis for social and professional networking, leadership development, dialog on local and global issues, and to help codify attitudes, trends, perceptions and goals.

Its three-fold goals include galvanizing young Zarathushti leaders in the 18-45 year age group, traditionally the community’s young professionals, teachers, college students and community leaders who possess or desire an active leadership role in advancing and sustaining North American Zarathushti communities.

To build a stimulating and dynamic environment filled with social interaction, insightful dialog and a focus on implementing action-oriented initiatives is their second aim. The ultimate goal is to "build a framework for long-term leadership and idea development among next generation Zarathushtis to sustain and strengthen our communities for the long term.”

To that end, the chat series prods for answers to questions which focus on grassroots and local issues as well as on North American and global issues:

Do you consider yourself involved in local activities, decision-making and programing?

If not, why not? What can your association do to encourage you to become more active?

How does the programing at your local association relate to you and your life?

What are the top challenges facing your community?

Who are your role models? Any within the community?

How do you see yourself playing a larger role in the future of your community?

You’ve been elected president of your community, what three changes would you make?

Are you concerned about the survival of our religion in North America?

What three barriers potentially threaten the Zarathushti community in North America?

How do we sustain our North American community, given a declining worldwide population (just under 150,000) and infant deaths due to our shrinking gene pool?

You’ve been elected president of FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America). What three changes would you make?

In the FEZANA Journal (Fall, 2008) the organization describes itself as "a collaborative, non-confrontational movement towards a united future in ideology and action. NextGenNow is agnostic to traditional geographic boundaries, cultural schisms, and issues that divide rather than unite. NextGenNow will succeed because its cause is greater than the self-interest of those leading.” Youths wanting to start out in similar ways in their home towns are invited to contact the organization for guidance and support.