The third edition of the World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum (WZYLF) brought together 16 promising young Zarathushti leaders from across the world at the renowned ASHA Centre in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, from May 19 to 26, 2026. The immersive eight-day forum aimed to nurture leadership, strengthen global connections and inspire collaborative thinking among the next generation of community leaders.

The brainchild of Sanaya Master, the WZYLF has steadily evolved into an important international platform for young Zarathushtis. Participants this year represented India, Pakistan, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore, creating a truly global environment for learning, dialogue and cultural exchange.

Hosted at the ASHA Centre, founded by celebrated author, human rights advocate and community leader Zerbanoo Gifford, the forum offered participants an opportunity to live, learn and work together while exploring ideas that could positively impact the future of the worldwide Zarathushti community. The centre, located in the picturesque Forest of Dean, is internationally recognised for its focus on youth empowerment, sustainability and intercultural understanding.

The forum featured an impressive line-up of speakers, mentors and facilitators from diverse professional backgrounds. Arzan Sam Wadia, Past President of FEZANA and an alumnus of the inaugural WZYLF in 2018, conducted sessions on leadership and community engagement alongside Sanaya Master. Participants also benefited from workshops led by theatre practitioner Yasmin Sidhwa, scholar Dr. Arash Zeini and philanthropist Shiruy Billimoria, who explored topics ranging from creative communication and public engagement to Zoroastrian ethics and philanthropy.

Entrepreneurial insights were shared by renowned caterer Tanaz Godiwalla, who spoke about resilience, business leadership and preserving cultural heritage. The programme also included visits to Oxford, interactions with Professor Yuhan Vevaina, and excursions to Gloucester Cathedral.

Throughout the week, participants worked collaboratively on a range of innovative projects aimed at strengthening the global Zarathushti community. Their proposals focused on areas such as youth engagement, education, philanthropy, networking and leadership development. Key initiatives included preserving the endangered Zoroastrian Dari language, creating a global directory of Zoroastrian institutions, supporting small businesses through an international platform, developing interactive tools to teach Zoroastrian stories to children, establishing support networks for personal challenges, and connecting community members with medical professionals worldwide.

A significant spiritual highlight of the week was the traditional Jashan ceremony conducted with the participation of local Mobeds, offering participants an opportunity to connect with their religious heritage while reflecting on their future responsibilities as community leaders.

The forum concluded with a closing ceremony and bonfire gathering, celebrating the friendships, ideas and collaborations formed during the week. The 3^rd WZYLF once again demonstrated the strength of global Zarathushti youth engagement and reinforced the importance of investing in future leadership for the continued growth and vitality of the community.

[Courtesy: parsikhabar.net]