WASHINGTON, D.C., -- Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) will hold an
international seminar on the reconstruction of Bam on November 12, 2005 at
Columbia University. This seminar will be the first of its kind since the 2003
earthquake that brought devastation upon the city of Bam. Hosted by Columbia
University’s Iranian Students Association (CISA), the event is by
invitation/application only, and is open to NGO leaders, leaders in the private
sector, and scholars in the field of development and civil society.
Participants will be invited from Iran, Europe, Canada and the United States
to discuss the positive role that Iranians abroad played in providing aid after
the Bam earthquake and to explore new ways that the Iranian diaspora can become
more effectively involved in Bam and other projects in Iran. Bam and Beyond will
allow participants the opportunity to discuss possibilities of creating
cooperation and partnership between NGOs in Iran and in the Iranian
diaspora.
In order to do this, Bam and Beyond will provide a review of reconstruction
efforts in Bam as well as address questions such as: Can we identify and/or
create mechanisms and structures of cooperation and coordination among Iranian
and Iranian Diaspora NGOs, the private sector and universities? Was the money
that Iranians in the diaspora raised after the Bam earthquake distributed
through the most effective and efficient channels? How was this financial
assistance used, and was it implemented successfully? Is there room for more and
better partnerships between NGOs in Iran and Iranian diaspora NGOs? How can
Iranians in the diaspora become better involved in development efforts in
Iran?
The Bam and Beyond seminar at Columbia University will be followed and
complemented by a parallel seminar in Bam, Iran in the winter of 2006.
The winter seminar in Bam will ensure that the ideas of the seminar at
Columbia University are discussed and implemented in Iran.
To find more information and attendance application forms, please visit
IAAB’s website at http://www.iranianalliances.org
or contact us at conference@iranianalliances.org
Contact: Azadeh Pourzand, PR Coordinator, Iranian Alliances Across Borders
azadeh@iranianalliances.org
