The Global Working Group (GWG), which brings together representatives of Federations in the diaspora, met in Hongkong on 15-16 December, 2017. As per tradition, the meeting was presided by the host Federation Chair, this year being Neville Shroff. The meeting coincided with the AGM of the WZCC which was also graciously hosted by Hongkong. The GWG regretted the absence of any BPP representative though Farokh Rustomji from FPZAI participated.

The GWG discussions took on from the previous meeting in December 2015 at Udvada which preceded the landmark 1st Iranshah Udvada Utsav (IUU), which the GWG deemed as a great success, with congratulations tendered to the Organising Team led by Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor. The GWG looks forward to the next IUU scheduled for 23 and 24 December, 2017. Dinshaw Tamboly briefed the GWG about preparations and the progress in the regeneration of Udvada, with help from the dynamic Central Minister Smriti Irani. GWG welcomed the proposal to establish a museum in Udvada as a milestone towards regeneration. Meher Bhesania was delegated with developing this idea, based on suggestions received from the Prime Minister himself and Mrs Irani. There was a suggestion to examine if the museum could be established in Mumbai instead but the balance of logic was in favour of Udvada – considering the cost of land in Mumbai. The Museum Project will be developed in conjunction with Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor and Dinshaw Tamboly, with the technical expertise of Dr, Shernaz Cama, Pheroza Godrej and Firoza Mistree.

A proposal to enable overseas Anjumans and Donors to donate in each case One Year’s supply of Kathi to Agiaries that require such assistance was also taken up. The GWG received an update on preparations for the 11th World Congress to be hosted in Perth, Australia – from Firoz Pestonji and Jimmy Medhora on behalf of the Organising Committee. Details will be released in due course by the organisers. Committees have been appointed to handle the 11th WZC Awards programme as also to select the venue for the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress.

The GWG has decided that Yazdi Tantra will expand the portal Zoroastrians.net to disseminate information on demographics, opportunities, activities and related developments worldwide, and the Regional Federations will publicize this portal to their memberships, to ensure a single window of information.

It was mooted that GWG should appoint an administrator to oversee progress on its decisions and be a central point for communications. Initially Neville Shroff of Hongkong was requested to take up this assignment, subject to the agreement of the Hongkong Board.

The GWG also initiated sub-committees along with individuals who will be responsible for the same, including ‘Women’ (Behroze Daruwalla and Katayun Kapadia); ‘Youth’ (Arzan Wadia); ‘Resettlement and Information’ (each region to appoint one coordinator and report the name within the next 30 days); ‘Art  & Culture’ (Meher Bhesania); and ‘Education’ (Farokh Rustomji). For ‘Entrepreneurship’, WZCC was the choice of right forum. Several members and well-wishers have continued this dialogue and will be taking forward initiatives to change the mindset of Zoroastrian youth and more importantly, their parents, towards the concept of Risk Taking.

The GWG reiterated the view that it was most important for leaders, and in particular, elected officers from the diaspora to network as these associations serve immensely to improve relations and tackle problems. Neville Shroff and his team were thanked for their hospitality and for hosting these twin events with warmth and professionalism.