21^st July, 2023 marked the commencement of the eighth chapter of the week-long, World Zoroastrian Youth Congress, which is being held at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow, United Kingdom. Hosted by the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), under the leadership of President, Malcolm Deboo, along with ZTFE’s dynamic youth committee – ‘Young Zoroastrians’, the 8WZYC brings together over 500 Zoroastrian youth, between 18 and 37 year of age, from across 15 countries for this exciting 5-day Congress. The Congress, supported by title Sponsor – Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and the Serum Institute of India, returns to London after 26 years, when ZTFE hosted the 2^nd World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in 1997.

From 21^st – 26^th July, 2023, over fifty eminent speakers and panellists will present and discuss a variety of relevant topics. Delegates will also explore a range of themes which are linked to the values of diversity, inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability. These will reflect both – the pressing challenges impacting our world today and the ethos of the organizers of the 8WZYC, which kicks off a once in a generation convergence of Zoroastrian events in London.

Youth were encouraged to participate in this Congress by regional associations like FEZANA and New Zealand, which also offered financial incentives, while their enterprising counterparts from Toronto and Auckland organised fundraising drives to help with costs to attend the Congress.

The 8WZYC will provide a platform for young dynamic Zoroastrians from across the world, to voice their views as well as engage with each other and unite to put forth a strong future for our community. The 8WZYC Co-Chairs – Sheherazad F. Kapadia, Sanaya Khambatta-Heerjee, alongside the team, including Zamyad Meherji, have worked diligently and with great commitment to ensure that 8WZYC is yet another runaway success.

In addition to the formal events, there’s ample entertainment and social events planned at the Congress, including a fancy Gala at the Guildhall, that facilitates non-Congress attendees to meet up with the youth attending the Congress. The 8WZYC will be followed by the WZCC Global Conclave – making it a weeklong extravaganza of the vibrant Zoroastrian spirit!

While the previous 7^th World Zoroastrian Congress was held in Los Angeles in 2019, the next 9^th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress will be held in Mumbai, in 2027.