A psychologist in defining youth mainly considers indicators of psychological development and emergence of specific behaviors following adolescence, this comment also applies to a physiologist who cares about the physiological growth of people. If we investigate the scientific studies related to youth conducted from the second half of the 20^th century onwards we will observe several trends related to this issue.

            In recent years due to the concerns and attention of most of the societies on developmental social issue, the mostly discussed agenda have been related to social and population studies.

            The social trends are observed in cultural studies related to the young and population studies results can be found in developmental management and programming  which arein pursuit of statistical findings.

            Based on these in different countries young and youth have been defined in diverse ways by organizations of juvenile programing. As is defining youth period in different ranges of age. For example in Iran youth is defined between ages of 14 to 29, in Austria between 15 to 25, in Malaysia under 40 and in Thailand ages between 0 to 30. In all the average definition put forth by different countries is between 15 to 25. Also in international organizations there are different definitions of youth. For instance UNESCO which is a sub-branch of United Nations in its definition of youth proposed the ages between 15 to 40 which was internationally approved. While the information department of UN and other UN organizations and offices have accepted the definition proposed by the UN youth department which is located in the department of social and economicaffairs: meaning ages between 15 to 29.

            In a study conducted by UN which was entitled "world status of youth in 1990s" youth is defined as " the period of accepting newer duties, difficulties and responsibilities  and adolescence is considered as a transitory period in which an individual  is not accepted as a child by the society, but can thrive in social, educational and family domains. In some developed countries the word "youth" can connote social and economic meanings thus the definition of youth as an individual between the ages of 15 to 24 can be deemed as a proper definition for all the young and statistical analyses of different age groups.

            The most important issue from a social perspective in this discussion is the fact that "a young is the most important section of a society". An active, ambitious and enabled part of society that can be the wings of success and improvement of a society. A society can be called advanced and developed which accepts this undeniable principle and creates specific evident programs for these future makers.

            The small but prestigious, precious and honorable society of Zoroastrians of Iran is not an exception of this rule and has always praised its juveniles for successful achievements.The youth who will be briefly introduced here regarding their high capacities and capabilities. We will also investigate the achievements of the young society of Zoroastrians of Iran in scientific, cultural, athletic, economic, entrepreneurship and social domains.

The Scientific Achievements of the Young Zoroastrians of Iran

University entrance exams are among the most breath taking and toughest scientific competitions in Iran, which require an incessant 3 or 4 -year studying of course books to achieve success. The participants in the Bachelor's nation-wide entrance exam are over 1 million in number, whose admission to university is determined in a 4-hour examination. Regardless of this most of the Iranian young Zoroastrians are among the university-educated people. Also the shining scores and eye-catching ranks of our students among other local counterparts have been outstanding and being among the first top ten ranks is considered so a normal issue by Iranian Zoroastrians that otherwise it would be considered as unsuccessfulness, while it is possible to continue education in the best Iranian universities on being among the first 1000 scores.

            Another point is the increasing number of our young students in postgraduate courses. Fortunately we see the top ten scores in postgraduate exams annually gleaned by Zoroastrians.

            But this is not the last but the least of the scientific honors of our young student. As well as showing their brightness in university entrance exams and postgraduate studies, they have been able to glitter in domains of invention, innovation and technology. The evidence is the outstanding ranks of our juveniles in international and nation-wide scientific conferences like the International Conference of Inventions of Youth in Geneva and Kharazmi conference in Iran.

The Cultural Achievements of the Young Iranian Zoroastrians

The Zoroastrian society, especially its youth have left a very shining trace of them in domains of culture and arts. Having a large number of people in different fields is our evidence.

            Beginning with music, we can witness a great number of Zoroastrian musicians active in classical and pop music. Those artists have accumulated their knowledge and expertise professionally and have made them prominent in Iran. Fortunately with having different art groups bonded in different cities, we can see their brilliant performances and talents. Even in recent years several albums have been launched by Zoroastrian singers.

            Also in cinema and theatre Iranian young Zoroastrians have acted marvelously, gaining the first rank in International Student Puppet Theatre Festival by one of the young Zoroastrians is our evidence. Also is the same is with another young Zoroastrian who has been acting as the main role in many TV comedy serials and has brought about merriness for the viewers. Also our other talented juveniles who are active in such domains like reciting Shah-Nameh in many rituals and religious festivals for the purpose of extending the culture of Iran, the Ahura Endowed Country.

            In the field of photography, also recently young Zoroastrian photographers have covered many of the Zoroastrian feasts and festivals and have released them in various ways. They have been granted precious awards, too.

            In painting, graphics and sculpture, Iranian Zoroastrians have also a lot to present. Our young artists have set up famous galleries and professional festivals. We can also enumerate many authors and poets, indeed,

            The Athletic Achievements of Iranian Young Zoroastrians

Basketball, volleyball, chess, badminton, swimming, cricket and archery are among the athletic fields which have seen the brilliance of young Zoroastrians in top national teams and levels in recent years. The presence of Zoroastrians in World Students Basketball Competitions, the young adult's national team in fields of basketball and volleyball, the badminton young national team, the chess young adults and adult's national teams and the cricket national team of Iran is only part of the honors of young Zoroastrians which reveals a good indicator of the efficacy of our youth.

The Entrepreneurship and Economic Achievements of Iranian Young Zoroastrians

            Entrepreneurship is probably the most demanding aspect of an individual. Risk taking and application of ideas which are at high stakes levels and finally succeeding cannot be deemed an easy job. Although we are still weak in such domains and are in need of more training, fortunately our youth have been shining in this field. Examples are founding of internet and ICT centers and becoming the typical insurance company nation-wide.  Our youth have proved to be prepared with their ingenuity.

            The Social Achievements of Young Zoroastrians

            The social achievements of the young Zoroastrians are the best indicators of the achievements of this future-maker generation.

            One of the reasons of success of young Zoroastrians is the activity of Zoroastrian organizations in different domains and interestingly most of these activities are handled by our youth themselves. The young who have elected to be active socially and try to have their roles in growth of the society.  Meanwhile some of the Zoroastrian associations are totally run by the youth and no one interferes in their affairs and it is interesting to know that one of the most active, democratic, purposeful but meantime the least fundedZoroastrian organizations is among these organizations belonging to the youth.

            Zoroastrian Students Association as a highly prestigious organization is one of these organizations, which is totally run democratically and is home to many active committees and councils and executes many different programs across the country.

            Jaanbaakhtegan (Iran's Martyred) Cup

 One of the greatest programs of the Iranian Zoroastrians society is Jaanbaakhtegan Cup which aggregates people from across the country as well as foreign countries. This program is held in commemoration of the highly adored martyrs of Ahura-endowed Iran. The martyrs who pledged their allegiances to the motto of " May I be sacrificed for the loss of Iran".  This cup is carried out in 9 athletic fields with the presence of more than 700 sportsmen and women. These competitions as well as the other ones play a significant role in flourishing the aptitude of the youth. People from across the globe are most welcome to participate in these competitions.

            Manthra Gathering

            Manthra should be called the only religious program of the Zoroastrians in the world. In Iran this program is acknowledged as one of the most significant religious rituals. In this specific program the youth scientifically research onto Avesta and Gatha, and also learn Dindabeera and Avesta recitation correctly. It seems to be more appropriate to extend this program towards globalization with the aid of all Zoroastrian organizations and associations of the world.

            Expedition

One of the most influential programs of the Zoroastrian society is ‘expedition'. This program was initiated in execution of one of the sections of the treaty of the WZC held 40 years ago in Iran. An expedition which lasts for eight days whose aim is to help young Zoroastrians to be more cognizant of their capabilities, learn collaborative working, gain confidence and be proud of their Zoroastrians.

            Music Fiesta

            This fiesta annually aggregates all musicians of the Zoroastrian society together. Their aim is to reveal their improvements in this field to the Zoroastrian audience, and also acknowledge the recent practitioners of this art. This is the inception of an unremitting path and is a very powerful stimulus for practitioners of the field.

            Scientific Symposium

            Part of the glittering of high school and university students is due to the scientific symposium, which is held annually in February (Bahman month). This year, for the sixth consecutive year, the scientific seminars of this symposium are to be managed. The scientific papers, inventions and innovations of the students will be presented. Recently industrialists have also been invited to participate in this symposium.

These 5 programs are part of the attempts of the Zoroastrian Students Association. Aswell as ZSA there is another youth-affiliated organization in Yazd, namely Yaneshvaran Association which is home to Yazdi youth and conducts several programs and activities. Despite all the difficulties, these programs are of utmost quality.

On the other hand, many of the Iranian ZoroastrianAnjumans hold cultural, athletic and juvenile commissions. These art places for the participation of a large number of youth and attempt to enhance the status of Iranian Zoroastrians society. I hereby acknowledge those mentors who allow participation of the youth.

Deductions

            Fortunately with the correct conceptions now present in Zoroastrian organizations which are the results of experience and with the perseverance of the Zoroastrian youth, we witness the formation of a more religious-affiliated, powerful and developed generation which has potential to be highly reputed in different domains in the world society of Zoroastrians.

On the other hand, we witness newer strides in the Zoroastrian society. Confiding youth has increased. We see them now responsible in positions of organizations which formerly seemed to be far-fetched for the young generation. Organizations are trying to use experts in different domains. Those experts who are mostly young and handle their expertise to enhance their society.

It is hoped that by more heeding these elite, experts and future-makers, we provide the groundwork for development of social skills.

"EydoonBaad, EydoonTarajBaad"

(May it be so, indeed)  

Translation by Mehraban Hamavandi

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Comment:
Code:*