The 8WZYC Marketing Subcommittee’s main role will be to host fundraisers, social events and spread the word of our congress through social media and other channels to encourage a large number of participants from around the globe. Our social media pages will soon be launching to spread information for the upcoming Congress so stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled! However, our role will extend far beyond simply posting. We plan on organising plenty of social events and fundraisers: these will be held virtually for now, to encourage the global Zoroastrian community and get them excited for London 2023! Meet the members of our team…
ARIANA DOOMASIA
My name is Ariana, and I am the leader of the marketing subcommittee. Currently, I am in my final year studying English at Cambridge, focusing on my exams and graduating this summer. Ever since I heard the next Congress would be held in London, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to get more involved with my community and make a lasting impact. For me, the marketing side seemed ideal for engaging with other Zoroastrians across the world, allowing for lots of creativity as well as fun. The main priority for our subcommittee, is to spread information and build excitement in the run up to our 2023 Congress. It has been a pleasure to bond with the wonderful members of my team so far and to hear everyone’s ideas for launching our marketing campaign. Watch this space!
DELSHAD FOROUHAR
My name is Delshad and I graduated from The University of Sheffield in Architecture, and I am now working as a Part I Architectural Assistant back home in Suffolk. Growing up I was surrounded with the Zoroastrian culture, my grandfather being Mobed Ardeshir Forouhar, a very important role model to me and the London Zoroastrian community. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, it felt it was the right time to really learn more about who I am, where I’m from and to help others. Joining the marketing team has allowed me to meet amazing new people, and to join with others creating ways to share our culture with the rest of the world. We hope to bring young Zoroastrians together in fun collaborative ways, and can’t wait to share our events and more information about the Congress! See you soon in 2023!
ARSHAN DADREWALLA
I’m Arshan and I am currently in my final year of studying Medicine at King’s College London. Having been part of the Northwest Zoroastrian Community in the UK and later on with the Young Zoroastrians in London, I have developed a strong sense of community within our religion whilst meeting fellow young Zoroastrians. Having never attended a congress before, I was excited to meet and join my subcommittee team to help develop and plan elements of the congress which I hope shall be a huge success in bringing Zoroastrians together, all whilst having a great time!
XERXES PANTHAKEE
My name is Xerxes, and I am one of the co-vice Chair’s helping to organise the 8WYZC and attaché to the marketing committee. By trade I graduated as a Chemical Engineer, however now I am working as a Technical Business Analyst for a mid-sized bank in London. I have been a part of the Zoroastrian community here in London for as long as I can remember, but in recent years I decided to take a more active role in helping to grow and bonding with our youth community here in London. That being said, I have never been to a congress before, but am really excited to help organise what I, along with my fellow committee members, envision to be an unforgettable experience.
ARMAN BHAGWAGER
I’m Arman from Nagpur, India and have recently completed my masters from National University of Ireland, Galway where I am currently based. I now work as a sales rep in a tech start-up. From attending prayer classes and doing dance practice in the Nagpur Parsi dharamshala as a child to going to various youth events, the Zoroastrian culture has played a huge part in my life, giving me a sense of community and direction. Being a part of the 8WZYC organising committee has given me a great opportunity to make some amazing Parsi friends in this part of the world. We hope to bring young Zoroastrians from around the world to come together to celebrate their religion, learn and collaborate.
DALIR YAZDANI
I am Dalir from Poland but with Persian roots and also having lived in South Africa, Greece and more. I came to the UK a few years ago in order to pursue a university degree and graduated less than a year ago. As my family worked for the embassy, we always moved a lot so I never really had the opportunity to be part of a specific Zoroastrian community, although I still had the chance to dwell on theological and historical texts as I come from a priestly family. Through participating in this congress, I hope I can change that, I hope to be able to experience the more social aspect of what it means to be a Zoroastrian and get connected with like-minded young Zoroastrians who also have one thing on their mind… how to serve the Zoroastrian community better by bringing everybody closer! It’s an honour to be part of the team and I only hope that’s just the beginning!
SHAZNEEN MUNSHI
My name is Shazneen Munshi and I work as a Policy and Communications Adviser to the CEO and Chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service. As the youngest member on the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) Managing Committee, I have been running our monthly Extra Young Zoroastrian (XYZ) Fun Club religious education classes for children for the past seven years. My main passion in life is making a positive difference to our treasured Zoroastrian community by engaging and bringing together our youth. I am very excited to work together with our lovely team to promote what will be an amazing event, where we will create strong lasting global friendships, nurture worldwide communal initiatives and build on the future of our religion!
JESSICA MISTRY
My name is Jess and I graduated in Law and after a few years’ experience I decided to transition into the world of Human Resources. I have always considered myself extremely fortunate to have been surrounded by our Zoroastrian roots and culture whilst growing up and visiting India during summer holidays and day trips to Udvada are some of my most fond memories whilst growing up. I was keen to volunteers after hearing that the Congress will be taking place so close to home. Whilst today, this has given us the opportunity of bringing together Zoroastrians from all over the world, it has also given me the opportunity to grow and connect with my fellow Zoroastrians, whom I am so thankful to have met. Although I have never been to a Congress before, I look forward to the next two years of preparing, welcoming and meeting you all at our 8th World Zoroastrian Congress!