Shiraz Plans for 2017 Islamic Youth Capital

As part of the programs organized in Shiraz, capital of Fars Province, for 2017, the year when the city enjoys the status of Islamic Youth Capital, the first Young Iranian Leaders’ Camp is to be organized by the end of the summer in September 2017.

The camp will seek to empower youth NGOs through education and training to enhance capacity building and improve their participation in important social activities.

During the third meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 2016 in Istanbul, Shiraz along with Putrajaya in Malaysia and Fez in Morocco was selected as the OIC Youth Capitals.

“Currently 1,300 young Iranians are active at the Youth Organization Headquarters across the country and participate in decision-making along with provincial and national authorities,” said Mohammad Reza Rostami, deputy minister for youth affairs at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

A conference on the role of the youth in the resistance economy has been scheduled for January and would be attended by the First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri and NGOs. Resistance economy is a set of principles outlined by the Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei aimed at bolstering domestic production and cutting dependence on oil revenues.

“The status as the youth capital is a great opportunity for non-governmental organizations to present their schemes and plans to other Islamic countries,” Rostami said.

Heidar Ali Kamyab Kalantari, director general of Fars Province Sports and Youth Department referred to the title as an opportunity which can contribute to the city’s cultural growth and “the country’s soft diplomacy.”

“Besides the cultural advantages, it can help unlock the potentials of the Iranian youth and introduce the nation’s rich culture to the Islamic world.”

The status will also help boost tourism by promoting the city’s historical, natural and religious attractions, he said, calling for cooperation from all sectors. The Sports and Youth Department and Shiraz Municipality and city council will play a primary role, but the collaboration of NGOs is equally important.