Why are you doing this?
I have been going back and forth between Iran and the US since I was seven. Since that time, I felt not only a sense of responsibility, but also a strong desire to educate people about what was happening on the other side of the world. After college, and after many years of going back and forth between Iran and the United States, I moved to Iran. I decided to stay and worked on international business affairs with two companies. I tried to help local companies enter global markets, and grew frustrated with all the untapped educational resources from all around the world. Over seventy percent of the population of Iran is under the age of 30. There are so many young minds putting together conferences, seminars, workshops—in private and university settings—all seeking help, guidance, and support with their profession. How do I enter global markets? How can I export? What do I need to know about international law? What is finance? Who can I speak to about this? There were too many needs, not filled, too many resources, unnoticed, and far too many missed connections between professionals from Iran with one another, and with people around the world.
In Iran, many opportunities have arisen to share and exchange ideas regarding the developments, tools, and technologies provided by the Internet. I sense a thirst for knowledge and education in the air. I hope that this work will create new opportunities for growth and understanding between cultures. When we choose to find common ground rather than focusing on our differences, there is a potential for people to learn so much from each other. There is much room for collaboration between Iranians and Americans, and people from all around the world to reconcile their differences. Through education and knowledge sharing we can begin to establish new lines of communication and what may lead to life-long lasting relationships.