Tweet
Please forward...
Dear Friends,
In the wake of current changes in Iran’s Islamic Republic, an Iranian research, publishing and action project is being considered at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. This project will be dedicated to the research, discussion, publishing and mobilization on the topic of external relations with Iran. This is meant to influence a proper role for Iranians outside of Iran, as well as external societies and governments, for allowing an intrinsically derived (as opposed to externally imposed), democratic, humane and successful Iranian society to take place in the years to come. Topics to be researched, published and debated include:
Purpose. The purpose of this project is to increase dialogue among Iranian and non-Iranians on constructive solutions for positive change in Iran with the assumption that, external forces, including other societies and Iranians outside Iran, exert a considerable, pivotal, and sometimes destructive force in Iranian affairs and the future of Iran. This purpose is clearly fulfilled by assessing the effectiveness of solutions proposed in dominant external societies and media, assessment of the behavior and culture of Iranians outside Iran, and constructing proposals for the future. This purpose is conducted with a view on having a direct impact and direct relations inside Iran.
Method and Differences with other projects. Two main differences with other projects include 1) this project is not ideological in nature. Though one or other participant may invoke upon ideology for the sake of example and illustration, no ideology is being proposed as the all-out solution to Iranian problems, and ideological criteria for positive change are generally and explicitly avoided. This contrasts with many other Iranian societies which either take a clear ideological stance or leave the question of ideology open.
Rather, the approach taken is that the goal is first made clear: a viable, effective, humane, democratic and intrinsically derived (as opposed to colonial) future Iranian society. These goals, ofcourse, will need to be defined, and may initially have ideological connotations. For instance, the notion of “freedom” can take a both liberal and socialist definition. However, the policy of this Iranian project is to acknowledge that these ideological positions are invalid and that such concepts can be discussed objectively with reference to, among other things, logic, time, culture, social science and psychology. With these tools and others, it will be shown that ideology can be successfully avoided, which has practical implications such as avoiding political antagonism, becoming an authoritative, attractive and trustable source, and fostering objective and effective thinking for future Iranians.
2) On a related note, this society’s dedication to objective analysis and to external rather than internal forces makes it an acceptable project inside current Iran. Aside from obvious political benefits of this, it also provides a non-threatening and safe source of direct participation in Iranian politics. Perspectives on related internal Iranian issues are inevitably integrated with the issues discussed in this project, and diverse perspectives are encouraged for analysis, but the primary emphasis, assumption, and mode of analysis of the project is that external forces have thus far been destructive to Iranian society and these forces must be evaluated and changed for the future goals of Iranian society to be fulfilled
In general, this project will be inevitably unique and is the first of its kind in UBC and Vancouver. It being based in UBC and Vancouver adds to its uniqueness and potential, as the Iranian communities in these areas are both unique, largely unvoiced, likely to be enlightened and constructive, and enjoy the least social pressure from one or another social or ideological view, i.e. enjoy a maximum of diversity and freedom of speech.
Participation. Participation is in the form of research, discussion, publishing and community entrepreneurship in the pursuit of the above purposes, issues and goals. The society is primarily for Iranians as they are citizens of their homeland in question, though non-Iranians and different clubs and societies are also welcome to participate. Of primary interest is also the Vancouver Iranian community, though long-distance participants from Iran, other parts of Canada and the United Status, and elsewhere in the world are also welcome. There is no minimum time requirement for participation (it is self-paced) and entrance to the project is generally liberal. There are no educational pre-requisites and methods of research, writing and publishing are taught in the process.
Benefits. Benefits of this project already mentioned include constructive, objective and effective analysis of Iranian issues, empowerment of the Iranian community, as well as a positive instead of destructive contribution to Iran from outside of Iran. Other benefits include personal, professional and academic development; contribution to the University of British Columbia and Canada; forming a constructive relationship between Iranians and non-Iranians, as well as filling a gap of Iranian and non-Iranian interest in Iranian issues.
Contact. This project has been proposed by the Environmental Psychology Research Group of the University of British Columbia (www.enviropsych.org). If you accept the basic principles discussed above and/or are interested in participating in this project, or if you have any questions, please contact the secretary for the project Ramin at rjoubin@yahoo.com or (604)221-2639. Everyone is welcome and interested participants are needed for the development and decision-making process. Pending expressed interest, a first meeting to discuss further development of this project is to take place between January 2nd and January 6th.
Dear Friends,
In the wake of current changes in Iran’s Islamic Republic, an Iranian research, publishing and action project is being considered at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. This project will be dedicated to the research, discussion, publishing and mobilization on the topic of external relations with Iran. This is meant to influence a proper role for Iranians outside of Iran, as well as external societies and governments, for allowing an intrinsically derived (as opposed to externally imposed), democratic, humane and successful Iranian society to take place in the years to come. Topics to be researched, published and debated include:
- Duties of Iranians outside Iran for effectively helping their home country’s future
- Duties, if any, of non-Iranians for effectively helping Iran’s future
- Assessment and evaluation of interference of outside governments in Iranian affairs with regard to their respect for Iranians and their effect on positive, constructive and democratic change in Iran
- History and context of current Iran status and situation
- Iran’s international relations
- The relationship and effect of Iranians outside Iran and Iranians inside Iran
- The relationship and effect of non-Iranians and Iranians
- Other external variables that affect or disaffect constructive change in Iran
Purpose. The purpose of this project is to increase dialogue among Iranian and non-Iranians on constructive solutions for positive change in Iran with the assumption that, external forces, including other societies and Iranians outside Iran, exert a considerable, pivotal, and sometimes destructive force in Iranian affairs and the future of Iran. This purpose is clearly fulfilled by assessing the effectiveness of solutions proposed in dominant external societies and media, assessment of the behavior and culture of Iranians outside Iran, and constructing proposals for the future. This purpose is conducted with a view on having a direct impact and direct relations inside Iran.
Method and Differences with other projects. Two main differences with other projects include 1) this project is not ideological in nature. Though one or other participant may invoke upon ideology for the sake of example and illustration, no ideology is being proposed as the all-out solution to Iranian problems, and ideological criteria for positive change are generally and explicitly avoided. This contrasts with many other Iranian societies which either take a clear ideological stance or leave the question of ideology open.
Rather, the approach taken is that the goal is first made clear: a viable, effective, humane, democratic and intrinsically derived (as opposed to colonial) future Iranian society. These goals, ofcourse, will need to be defined, and may initially have ideological connotations. For instance, the notion of “freedom” can take a both liberal and socialist definition. However, the policy of this Iranian project is to acknowledge that these ideological positions are invalid and that such concepts can be discussed objectively with reference to, among other things, logic, time, culture, social science and psychology. With these tools and others, it will be shown that ideology can be successfully avoided, which has practical implications such as avoiding political antagonism, becoming an authoritative, attractive and trustable source, and fostering objective and effective thinking for future Iranians.
2) On a related note, this society’s dedication to objective analysis and to external rather than internal forces makes it an acceptable project inside current Iran. Aside from obvious political benefits of this, it also provides a non-threatening and safe source of direct participation in Iranian politics. Perspectives on related internal Iranian issues are inevitably integrated with the issues discussed in this project, and diverse perspectives are encouraged for analysis, but the primary emphasis, assumption, and mode of analysis of the project is that external forces have thus far been destructive to Iranian society and these forces must be evaluated and changed for the future goals of Iranian society to be fulfilled
In general, this project will be inevitably unique and is the first of its kind in UBC and Vancouver. It being based in UBC and Vancouver adds to its uniqueness and potential, as the Iranian communities in these areas are both unique, largely unvoiced, likely to be enlightened and constructive, and enjoy the least social pressure from one or another social or ideological view, i.e. enjoy a maximum of diversity and freedom of speech.
Participation. Participation is in the form of research, discussion, publishing and community entrepreneurship in the pursuit of the above purposes, issues and goals. The society is primarily for Iranians as they are citizens of their homeland in question, though non-Iranians and different clubs and societies are also welcome to participate. Of primary interest is also the Vancouver Iranian community, though long-distance participants from Iran, other parts of Canada and the United Status, and elsewhere in the world are also welcome. There is no minimum time requirement for participation (it is self-paced) and entrance to the project is generally liberal. There are no educational pre-requisites and methods of research, writing and publishing are taught in the process.
Benefits. Benefits of this project already mentioned include constructive, objective and effective analysis of Iranian issues, empowerment of the Iranian community, as well as a positive instead of destructive contribution to Iran from outside of Iran. Other benefits include personal, professional and academic development; contribution to the University of British Columbia and Canada; forming a constructive relationship between Iranians and non-Iranians, as well as filling a gap of Iranian and non-Iranian interest in Iranian issues.
Contact. This project has been proposed by the Environmental Psychology Research Group of the University of British Columbia (www.enviropsych.org). If you accept the basic principles discussed above and/or are interested in participating in this project, or if you have any questions, please contact the secretary for the project Ramin at rjoubin@yahoo.com or (604)221-2639. Everyone is welcome and interested participants are needed for the development and decision-making process. Pending expressed interest, a first meeting to discuss further development of this project is to take place between January 2nd and January 6th.