PERSIAN TRIBUNE Volume 2, Issue 1

www.PersianTribune.ca • Volume 2, Issue 1

How Pencils can Change Lives

Norouz

and the Next Generation The Meaning of

Art

Reaching FOR the Stars

An Interview with

Anousheh Ansari

First Iranian Woman Space Explorer

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

How the Ugly can turn good

ISSN 2291-580X

9 772291 580004

The Magnificent Amorone Wines from Italy

Members of the Ontario Liberal Caucus wish the community a

Happy Nowruz

Hon. Michael Chan Markham-Unionville 905.305.1935

Hon. Kathleen Wynne Premier of Ontario 416.325.7200

Hon. Michael Coteau Don Valley East 905.494.6856

Hon. Steven Del Duca Vaughan 905.832.6630

Hon. Mitzie Hunter Scarborough-Guildwood 416.281.2787

Hon. Dr. Helena Jaczek Oak Ridges-Markham 905.294.4931

Hon. Reza Moridi Richmond Hill 905.884.8080

Hon. David Zimmer Willowdale 416.733.7878

Dr. Cabbie

PoMPeii

suPer DuPer aliCe CooPer

Degrassi

MurDoCh Mysteries

orPhan blaCk

Vikings

guiDestones: sunflower noir

JaPanizi: going, going, gong!

roCket Monkeys

sPaCe riDers: DiVision earth

riCk MerCer rePort

OMDC SuppOrtS OntariO’S SCreen-baSeD inDuStrieS Congratulations to all Ontario’s nominees and winners of this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, including those featured above. Ontario’s creative industries produce film, television, books, magazines, interactive digital media and music that the whole world enjoys. Be part of it. OMDC.on.ca

We’ve got it going

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In this Issue Feature Story

Anousheh Ansari: Reaching for the Stars, The First Iranian Woman Space Explorer

Celebrations

Norouz and the Next Generation

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Art

The Meaning of Art...

Bed of Broken Mirrors ASAD FAULWELL DELVES INTO THE WORLD OF THE WOMEN OF THE ALGERIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

People

Person of the Month: Mr. Gholamhossein Nami Internationally Renowned Visual Artist

Community Sky’s the Limit

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York Regional Police Constable: Mina Rahravan

Society

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

How the Ugly can turn good

Opinion ADDERALL “THE STUDY DRUG"

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20 8 10 14

Wine

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David’s Wine Pick of the month: Amarone della Valpolicella

Politics

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The Political Landscape as We Move Towards a Federal Election

Food

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Rose Reisman’s Family Favourites: Fresh tuna salad niçoise

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From the Persian Kitchen: AASH-E ANAR

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Philanthropy

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30 Children, One Pencil How Pencils for Kids Became a Reality

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Building & Real Estate The Power of Green Spaces to Improve Health The Importance of a Home Inspection When Is Free NOT A Good Thing?

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Events

The 2015 Ruskoka Annual Winter Palace Ball

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Environment Speaking Truth gives youth great power

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE MAGAZINE

Letter from editor Volume 2, Issue 1

I

t is with utmost pleasure to wish everyone a Happy Spring season, especially after the long and brutal cold winter that we all just put behind us here in Canada. It was so cold that I, when talking to one of my friends in Southern California, on one of those -30 C nights, had mentioned that we were experiencing “Dr. Zhivago movie” weather in Canada. Thank God that it is getting warmer!!

For us Iranians, the first day of spring brings a New Year and “Norouz” celebrations that last thirteen days. Norouz is a time of renewal and rejoicing.

It is a time of reflection on our lives and our families. It is a time to celebrate and wish all the best for our loved ones.

Iranians have been celebrating Norouz for more than 3000 years, and even though many nations and cultures celebrate Norouz, you might say that Norouz is a significant pillar of the Iranian cultural and national Identity. So on behalf of all of my colleagues at Persian Tribune, I would like to wish you all a happy and memorable Norouz celebration and a healthy and prosperous Iranian New Year.

In this issue we have the pleasure to feature Mrs. Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian Woman Space Explorer. We get to know more about this remarkable Iranian-American woman and of how she turned her childhood dream into an out of this world reality.

You will also learn about a courageous and determined Canadian women, whom I am proud to call my friend, who’s philanthropic efforts along with a like -minded team, made a strong impact on the lives of many in Africa, and it all started with a simple pencil!

At last, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Mateus Rezvanifar to our family. He is a precious gift from God, who came to us this past Valentine’s Day. I could not help but to share this fantastic news with you all, our dear readers around the globe.

Once again, I wish you all a joyful Norouz celebration and a warm and a sincere “NOROUZ SHAAD BAAD."

Kiumars Rezvanifar Editor-In-Chief kiu@persiantribune.ca

Publisher: Persian Tribune Inc.

Editor-in-Chief: Kiumars Rezvanifar

Managing Editor: Courtney Boyden

Creative Director: Ramin Deravian

Associate Managing Editor: Teresa Tiano

Art Director: Courtney Boyden

Copy Editor: Arezou Amin Research: Artemiz Rezvanifar Senior VP Marketing Communications: Tina Rogers Sales & Marketing Director Sandra Peltier Account Executives: Arman Hedayat Nooshin Riahy David Zand Behrouz Ziaci Special Projects Jacques Reiss Social Media Manager: Bharadwaj Thirumalai Web Management: Ramin Emadi

Mr. Mateus Rezvanifar

Graphic Designers: Hoda Gharaie Mark Kowalski Shadi Raoufi Intern Rambod Pourgoshtasbi Contributing Writers: David Akhlaghi Robert Atkinson Sarvenaz Barghir Joobin Bekhrad Billy Courtice Naz Deravian Dr. M. Elmpak Charles Pachter Rambod Pourgoshtasbi Doris Pontieri Sara Rezvanifar Rose Reisman Rocco Rossi David Suzuki Justin Trudeau MP Anahita Tamaddon Anastasia Tsouroupakis Bryon Wilfert Dr. Glenn Zederayko Sahar Zomorodi

Printing: Quatro Canada

Persian Tribune magazine is published twelve times a year by Persian Tribune Inc. It is distributed free of charge in libraries, business and cultural centers in GTA. Persian Tribune magazine is an independent publication and its contents imply no endorsement of any product or service. Opinions expressed are those of the writers. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission from the publisher.

Canadian Head Office (Toronto) Persian Tribune magazine 25 Valleywood Drive, Suite 12 Markham, ON L3R 5L9 Canada

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE

Dubai Office Ms. Roya Devon royadevon@outlook.com 0097-150-734-8005

Paris Office Mme. Niloufar Manii 9, rue de Chartres 92200 Neuilly Sur Seine, FRANCE

U.S. Office (Los Angeles) Persian Tribune magazine 22726 Ventura Blvd., Suite C Woodland Hills, CA 91364, U.S.A.

Tel: (905)763-1061 Fax: (905)763-8972 Email: contact@persiantribune.ca visit us at www.issuu.com/persiantribune Printed in Canada. ISSN 2291-580X. All rights reserved.

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•Celebrations

Norouz the NextGeneration and

By: Anahita Tamaddon

T

he ancient spring festival, Norouz marks the beginning of the Persian New Year. It has been celebrated for over three thousand years, and has survived many political and religious challenges of the past. Today about 300 million people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds celebrate Norouz in the Middle East, Central and South Asia, the Black and the Caspian Sea regions, as well as the Balkans and the Caucasus. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Norouz Day in its resolution of 2010, due to an initiative by several countries that share this holidayAfghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.

The worldwide Norouz celebration takes place on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21st. The celebration begins weeks before the actual day of the New Year.

One of the most important elements of the Norouz celebration is the Haft Seen, which a decorative table is set with seven items that begin with the Persian letter ‘Seen’. Each item symbolizes an important aspect of life as follows: wheat sprouts (rebirth), sweet pudding (affluence), dried oleaster (love), garlic (medicine), apple (beauty), sumac fruit (sunrise), and vinegar (patience).

The family gathers around the Haft Seen table at the exact moment of the New Year arrival sharing their joys and hopes for the future.

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any first generation immigrants can easily recall their most dear childhood memories of the Norouz celebration. Most of the Norouz festivities such as Chahar Shanbe Suri (The Fire Jumping Traditions), Tahvil (The Exact Moment of the New Year), Sizdeh Bedar (The Last Day of Norouz) and many others symbolize and reinforce one’s bond with nature.

On average, Norouz festivities last for about two weeks. On the day of Chahar Shanbe Suri, which is the last Tuesday evening before the New Year, families and friends gather together to jump over a bonfire.

According to this tradition, illness and misfortunes of the last year burn in the fire, leaving families with health and prosperity.

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Tahvil, the exact moment of the New Year is estimated differently each year, and can take place at any time during the day or night. When the exact moment arrives, families hug, kiss, and exchange gifts, most of which consist of new clothing and bills(money) for the New Year.

A

•Celebrations

side from getting help during spring cleaning (khune tekuni, which few children are excited about), you could begin by reading your children a book about Norouz. There are at least three popular folk characters your children could enjoy and wait for. Pick the stories that will allow you to have a conversation with them about what your own Norouz celebration was like when you were a child, and what you cherish about those memories.

You could start an art project with your children to emphasize one aspect of the Norouz celebration. Creating a puppet or doll based on your favourite Norouz character will give you a chance to tell your children all about the history of that character. You could pick Haji Firuz – a traditional folk character who welcomes Norouz with songs and dances. Or you may pick Amoo Norouz, (Uncle Norouz), an older Persian character resembling Santa Claus, who brings gifts to children.

The last, most significant tradition of Norouz is Sizdeh Bedar, when families go on picnics celebrating their bond with nature by playing music, dancing, playing games, and eating Norouzi dishes.

O

ne of the most important aspects of Norouz is that it allows for anyone, regardless of their age, gender, ethnic, or religious background to celebrate their unique bond with nature. With the pace of life slowing down during Norouz, the older generation is able to share their memories and stories with their children, thereby creating new memories that continue to be passed on to future generations.

To most Persian speakers, family traditions are at the heart of the Persian New Year celebrations. Together families set up the Haft Seen display and decorate the house. Together they cook, go on picnics, and travel abroad. Norouz allows families to enter the space that is beyond time: the space of music, dance, poetry, and good food. For some, Norouz is the blossoming of the trees, for others it is jumping over the fire during the last Wednesday before the New Year. One may recall the aroma and taste of their mother’s Sabzi Polo Mahi (fish with herb rice). Another person may remember the warm family atmosphere as the guests arrive to wish the family a happy new year.

To pass this unique set of experiences on to the next generation that lives in the West is difficult. Second generation immigrants grow up in a completely different environment. Unlike the first generation, the second generation carries the cultural markers of both the Persian and Western cultures. Second generation immigrants often develop their own perception of what celebrations are and should be like very early on.

Despite that, there are different ways in which parents can honour traditions they grew up with, while creating new ones with their children. The goal is that your children create, explore, and have fun while learning about the cultural background of their parents.

Cooking together is another great way to explore your children’s artistic side. Try making Persian marzipan candy in traditional shapes as well as the ones your children come up with. Many families talk to their children about what Norouz means to them while growing Sabzeh with them. Grown from wheat, barley or lentil sprouts, Sabzeh symbolizes fertility of the land, spring, and rebirth of nature.

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ost importantly, let your children improvise and create their own traditions. Generations and their traditions change but the bond between parents and children may stay strong despite immigration. This can be achieved through beautiful celebrations and the universal values they reinforce. 

Official UN Website: http://www.un.org/en/events/nowruzday/ Anahita Tamaddon received her PhD from the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and is the author of the long awaited children’s book “The Meaning of Norouz”. Kindle edition now available on Amazon.com PERSIAN TRIBUNE

•9

•ART

The Meaning of Art… By: Doris Pontieri

Art

means many things to people, and has many definitions. Philosophy defines art as aesthetics, which covers a wide range of things including, but not limited to, how things look to us. If something is aesthetically pleasing, we think of it as being good.

But artwork can sometimes not be pleasing to the eye, and yet be extremely good. Look at some of the most important pieces of art over the ages, including depictions of death, famine, and war, that fill the most beautiful galleries and museums in the world. Not always pretty to look at, but always thought provoking.

explanations. It can take on the weight of the world and be instrumental in starting debates and controversies.

Or it can be a simple expression of how the artist feels about the colour blue. Art historians and philosophers have long had disputes about art regarding whether a particular cultural form or piece of work should be classified as art.” The definition of art is open, subjective, and most of all debatable. There is no agreement among historians and artists, which is why we’re left with so many definitions of art. We define art based on how we feel about it. One person may say it is insignif-

Many people argue that art cannot be defined. I once heard that "art is often considered the process of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses". I however believe it goes much deeper than that. Art is not merely creations of expression, including music, literature, film, sculpture, and paintings. It is also, and more importantly, an expression of the emotion and soul of the artist doing the creating.

icant because it has no place in their life, while another person may live and breathe art and in this case the significance and effect is paramount in their day to day encounters.

It is a component of culture, reflecting economic and societal aspects. Art can transmit ideas and values inherent in every culture, and carry its own 10

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

T

he definition of art continues today to stir controversy, as it is so open to multiple interpretations.

It can be taken simply to mean any human activity, or human creation, no matter what the medium or genre.

In the interesting case of one artist depending on another to complete the vision, such as the film maker who is constantly reinventing the power of visual art

•Art

and sound on the human psyche. We know that the combination of scene, and the way the music is scored around it can evoke powerful emotions such as fear, anxiety, and even love. If the music is not chosen correctly a completely different effect can take place, rendering the film makers intention non-existent. So in a collaboration of artists, both parties must understand the others vision and work as IS SOMETHING MISSING HERE??

The Concept of Art, Ever Changing.

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hilosophers and psychologists have changed the definition of art over the years, but the field of art history has developed to allow us to categorize these changes and to make sense of them in relation to our constantly changing world. We once looked at graffiti on the side of a building as garbage, yet we now see the work of the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat as brilliant and world changing. What was once categorized as the mere scribbles of a young punk, now sells for upwards of fourteen million dollars.

Through the centuries, fine art has evolved from portraits of important and influential historic figures and families to expressionism, impressionism, and pointillism among many other isms. In fact, the idea of Art remaining the same is an abomination to creation itself. We must continue to invent, recreate, and most of all accept new forms of art as it presents itself to us and forces us to re-evaluate what the definition of art actually is.

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aking the viewer away from their own personal comfort zone is the task of the artist. This can be taken

too far and be categorized as sensationalism, however if the artist is a true visionary, they will only create for the sheer beauty of art itself. The ever changing world of art is a fascinating one and a journey that can be taken by both the creator and the admirer, as long as the mind is open and accepting of these changes. ď Ž Doris Pontieri is an award winning artist and art teacher. Her work is featured in many galleries in Canada and U.S. Since being invited to exhibit at the Louvre in Paris, she has been awarded the medal for Outstanding Artwork by the Paris Society of Arts, Science and Letters, one of the oldest societies in France.

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 11

Photo of Month - Crocus -

•Photo

Photo by: Ivan Kmit

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he gentle breeze will blow anew Vitality to the barren earth.

The old will become young.

Persian lilacs will offer the white lily Their fragrant red cup.

Their narcissus will glimpse the anemone.

Because of the tyranny of separation endured The nightingale shall speed Into the rose garden bursting with song.

If I’ve left the mosque for the tavern, Don’t complain: the ceremonies stretch on far too long And time is short Heart, if you deposit today’s joy for tomorrow You may be left with nothing.

For who will guarantee it?

In the month before the fast Drink your fill of wine For this sun, too, will set In Ramazan These will be out of sight.

The rose’s beauty is very dear.

Enjoy its petals when it is here.

As soon as it comes it is gone.

Minstrel, for this feast of love sing you melody!

No more chatter of the past Nor of the future, now.

Hafez has made the journey to LIFE For you.

Bid him fond adieu for soon in death his passing he- shall be.

By Hafez (Persian Poet 1325- 1389 A.D.)

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 13

•Art

Bed of Broken Mirrors

ASAD FAULWELL DELVES INTO THE WORLD OF THE WOMEN OF THE ALGERIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE By: Joobin Bekhrad

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t Dubai’s Lawrie Shabibi gallery, Asad Faulwell showed colourful, surreal, and electrically-charged portraits of women who played an active role in the Algerian War of Independence (1954 – 1962). Faulwell explores not only the stories of these all-but-forgotten heroines, but also their complexities, the suffering and agony they must have faced as participants in a bloody civil war, and what he terms the ‘moral ambiguity’ of using violence in fighting despotism.

Can you describe the story behind Les Femmes D’Alger? As well, what does the title of the exhibition refer to?

The Les Femmes d’Alger series depicts female combatants from the Algerian War of Independence, particularly the women who took part in the Battle of Algiers. The series is intended to shed light on these women in order to both examine their lives, and to address larger issues, such as the lingering effects of colonial rule, gender inequality, and the morality (or immorality) of violent resistance. The series also has [links] to art history. [The title] refers to [Eugène] Delacroix’s [1834 painting] of the same name, and also Pablo Picasso’s interpretation of that work. While those artists depicted an Orientalist and sexualized scene of anonymous women in a harem, I wanted to make a contemporary version of those paintings based on specific women, based on research and facts. I view Delacroix’s works as a testament to the time he lived in. They are visual documentations of the colonial mindset, I wanted to upend that way of thinking.

The title of the exhibition was taken from a lyric by The Mars Volta. The lyric goes: "I saw you leave and crawl into a bed of broken windows." I liked the image of a bed 14

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

of broken windows. It goes against everything a bed should be: a place that provides rest, safety, and comfort. I saw these women and men as forever searching for peace, but being unable to find it. They were either haunted by what they had seen, what they had done, or what had been done to them. I saw their lives as a bed of broken windows. I changed the song lyric to the eventual title of the exhibition, A "Bed of Broken Mirrors", because I thought of a mirror as being something that forces self-reflection.

•Art means that I am successfully pushing back against the art world’s undercurrent of segregation. Also, although this body of work is about Algeria, I believe it is universally relatable. [Revolution] is a story that has played out all over the globe, and that continues to repeat itself today.

Can you draw any parallels between the revolutions that occurred in Iran and Algeria during the 20th century?

I think the revolutions in Iran and Algeria were very different. In Iran, [the people] were rebelling against an Iranian ruler who was tainted by corruption, whereas in Algeria, they were rebelling against a foreign occupying force that was willing to use any means of violence and suppression to maintain Algeria as a colony. The revolution in Algeria was a much longer and bloodier one, and was based on secular ideals, while in Iran, the revolution ended up morphing into a religious one.

Women in Algeria and Iran played a role in the revolutions, but were pushed out of the way once the revolution succeeded. Arguably, women in both countries have also seen their rights erode rather than increase since the revolutions.

As an Iranian-American artist, one would naturally expect you to explore subjects ‘closer to home’. Why Algeria, and in particular, a specific episode in Algerian history?

In a sense, my decision not to make works about issues that are directly Iranian or American was a conscious one.

The art world has this bizarre need to put people into neat and tidy boxes based on race, nationality, gender, and/or sexual orientation. When I look at other disciplines like writing, film, music, etc., I don’t see these restrictions. I don’t know a single human being who only has opinions or interests that pertain to his or her nationality or race. I decided I was going to make works about what interested me, regardless of geography or gender. Many people who have never met me or read my bio assume that I am an Algerian woman. I actually like that confusion. To me, it

Who exactly are the women you chose to feature, and what was the reason that you have selected them?

I have depicted less than 15 women in the series. The reason I have depicted such a small number compared to the thousands of women who actually took part in the war is that it is extremely difficult to find the names of all these women. The ones whose photos I [was] able to find tended to be those who carried out high-profile attacks, or who had high-profile trials in France. The photographs almost always came from press conferences, after the women were captured, images of them walking to court in France, or images of them after being released from prison.  Bed of Broken Mirrors, Asad Faulwell’s first solo exhibition, ran through January 12, 2014 - February 12, 2014 at the Lawrie Shabibi gallery in Dubai.

Special thanks to ReORIENT magazine for permission to reprint.

This article was edited back because of space constraints. To read article in full go to www.reorientmag.com.

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

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•Community

Sky’s the Limit

York Regional Police Constable Mina Rahravan

By: Billy Courtice

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hen Constable Mina Rahravan goes to work, she has a different view of the world than most. And it’s not just because she spends most of her working day hundreds of feet above the ground.

Rahravan, 39, patrols York Region from an altitude of 500 to 1,000 feet after becoming the first female Tactical Flight Officer for York Regional Police in 2014. Her new cruiser – a single-engine light observation helicopter named Air2 – pierces through the sky at 200 km/h, granting her a view of the region few are lucky enough to see. But Rahravan adopted a broader perspective on life decades ago, while growing up amidst the chaos of war in Tehran, Iran.

“I grew up lacking peace and freedom, and I set out to create what was lacking,” Rahravan said. After becoming a York Regional Police officer in 2009, the perpetually smiling recruit was affectionately known by her platoon mates as “Ray of Sunshine” for her unwavering positivity. That positive outlook has not come easy, despite how easy Rahravan makes it look.

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While she received her bachelor of arts degree in French translation in Tehran, she felt stifled in the troubled country. Rahravan dreamt of becoming a pilot, but was told repeatedly that her dream would never come true in Iran. From there, she embarked on careers in fitness and sales across the globe before landing in York Region seven years ago. Along her journey, Rahravan has mastered English, Spanish, and French in addition to Farsi, her native language.

“ When people have to interact with police, it’s not always a good day for them. In a diverse region like York, it’s important for police to try to have cultural understanding. ”

•Community

H

er interest in a cultural, global dialogue, and interaction with those from all walks of life have helped her excel in her first five years with the police service.

“When people have to interact with police, it’s not always a good day for them,” Rahravan explained.

“In a diverse region like York, it’s important for police to try to have cultural understanding. But I know that if they have a conflict and I don’t understand it, I can’t take it personally.”

Rahravan’s culturally-sensitive approach to policing elevated her to an esteemed appointment in June 2014 as one of four Canadian participants in a tour of the United States promoting interfaith dialogue and human rights. The three-week International Visitors’ Leadership Program, hosted by the U.S. Department of State, allowed professional leaders like Rahravan to see cultural interactions in the U.S. first-hand.

Nowruz Shaad Baad I am Honored to recognize and celebrate this beautiful tradition with you on March 21st 2015.

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he tour hit a nerve with the constable, who has experienced a plethora of cultures in her lifetime. She has made it her goal to showcase the connections York Regional Police makes with diverse communities.

“The trip was a wake-up call for me,” said Rahravan.

“I now see an opportunity to bring York Regional Police to the global stage. The sky’s the limit.”

But the sky is no limit for Rahravan, who is thriving in her new position with the Air Support Unit.

Fitness – another passion of Rahravan’s – has become key to her success in the helicopter. Because of the turbulent, thin air at low altitudes, one hour of work in Air2 is the equivalent of three hours of physical exertion on the ground.

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ahravan, who used to work in the fitness industry, made weight lifting and cardio exercise part of her daily regimen long before she joined the unit.

As a recruit, she earned the William Grant Award for physical fitness. It has paid off, as peak physical fitness is crucial to any officer looking to take to the skies. But Rahravan doesn’t go to the gym once every day. She is human, after all.

“Some days, I treat myself,” she said.

“I’ll go twice.”  York Regional Police proudly welcomes applications for available positions from members of any community. The organization is committed to ensuring police officers are reflective of the communities they serve. For more information contact the York Regional Police Uniform Recruiting Unit by telephone at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6720 or by email at recruiting@yrp.ca.

Michael Coteau MPP Don Valley East

2062 Sheppard Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M2J 5B3 T 416-494-6856 | F 416-494-9937 PERSIAN TRIBUNE

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•Philanthropy

30 Children,One Pencil How Pencils for Kids Became a Reality

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he Western African country of Niger (not to be confused with Nigeria), is one of the least developed, and poorest countries in the world. The majority of the population lives in rural areas and make their livelihood through agriculture and livestock. Farming in Niger is traditionally rain fed subsistence farming. This means that farmers depend on the one rainy season in the year, and produce crops to primarily feed their families, leaving farmers vulnerable to droughts, soil erosion, and poor crop yields. This, coupled with a literacy rate of 53% among males and 26% among females, traps the Nigeriens in a hopeless cycle of poverty. This is the fundamental problem that plagues the people of Niger. “30 students sharing one pencil” is a symptom of a greater disease. Women and girls are the most vulnerable in Nigerien society, they have the lowest literacy rate, and are among the poorest.

In 2005, Robin Mednick’s good friend and photographer, Dan Galbraith, returned from an assignment in Niger. He was distraught and troubled about the situation of poverty and hopelessness he found there and

By: Anastasia Tsouroupakis

told her about a village in Niger where “30 children were sharing one pencil”. These six words not only broke her heart, but prompted Robin into immediate action. In this moment she wasn’t looking to change the world, just the world of those thirty students.

NIGER

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obin phoned the Canadian Consulate in Niger, who then directed her to a gentleman named Amadou, the mayor of the commune of Liboré. Robin asked him to send her a list of the supplies they needed. Within a few days, armed with her wish list, she headed to her local office supply store, introduced herself to the manager and informed him that in Niger “30 children share one pencil”. The manager not only donated everything on her list, but wanted to join her cause. With her list completed, Robin contacted the president of DHL to arrange shipment of the supplies to Liboré.

For most of us this would have been the end of the story. Robin, however, understood early on that this problem was not going to go be solved with regular care packages of school supplies. The children of Liboré needed more, they needed a lasting solution. This marked the beginning of Pencils for Kids (P4K).

P4K runs a series of successful programs that address

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PERSIAN TRIBUNE

•Philanthropy this issue, and it is important to note that 95% of all donations are used to fund P4K programs . The Cooper Sewing Center is one of these initiatives, which offers a three year program which trains girls to become tailors.

When this program was started in 2009, the Center only had four manual sewing machines. Today the program boasts twenty sewing machines and operates a little store where locals can buy their supplies. Each girl pays a fee relative to her situation and in so doing each girl becomes “vested in her education”.

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he Scholarship Program for Girls is another program whose directive is to help further the education of middle and high school aged girls. These scholarships help pay for books, uniforms, food allowances, and tutoring in the hopes that these girls continue on in school. To date, thirteen girls from Liboré have gone onto university to further their education.

The Kindergarten Program is also a hugely successful P4K initiative. Often older children cannot attend school as they must stay home to babysit their younger siblings while their parents go off to work. P4K supplies the metal frames for the schools' structures, the village supplies the straw, and the government sends the teacher. Liboré has 12 kindergartens to date, the implications of which are far reaching. Children are exposed to literacy at an early age, older kids can attend school and parents can go to work to support their families, all the while instilling the value of education throughout the community as a whole.

F

armers of the Future (FOF) is among Pencils for Kids biggest and most ambitious projects. FOF embodies all of the progress made by P4K and its partners to break the cycle of poverty. The concept is both simple and revolutionary by “overcoming the most natural and man-made constraints to agricultural development", by digging wells and introducing irrigations systems, farming becomes not only a means of sustenance but a means for financial stability. At present, four schools in the village of Liboré are participants in FOF, cultivating the tracts of land beside their schools.

Mothers farm the land, and profits from the sale of the crops go back into supporting the school, sustaining the gardens, and to the women who work the land.

Unfortunately, due to growing unrest and instability in the region of Western Africa, travel to the area has become more and more treacherous. While this for many organizations would mean the halt of progress, such is not the case for P4K. Progress continues in spite of such restrictions. The infrastructure P4K and its partners have laid down, as well as the viable partnerships created with the local Nigerien Non for Profit Organization LIBO, have ensured progress does not ground to a halt because of travelling constraints.

What do the next five years hold for Pencils for Kids and the people of Liboré? When asked this question Robin Mednick succinctly replies: "I am hoping that five years from today our Farming program will be [expanded] into 15 villages or more, and that most of our other programs will be sustainable. That many more girls will have moved on to University and we will then see what the first graduates of university are up to in their own communities."

W

hatever the future holds one thing is definite: Pencils for Kids has given the people of Liboré the tools with which to build a self-sustaining community, a community in which they take pride in their successes and take ownership of their failures.

P4K is much more than just another non- forprofit organization, it is a group of caring people who have restored a community's self- worth, pride, and hope for a better future for themselves, and future generations.  For more information about Pencils For Kids, or if you would like to sponsor any of their projects, such as a school, library, kindergarten or a scholarship for a girl, please go to www.pencilsforkids.com PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 19

•Feature

Reaching for the Stars...

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE

An exclusive interview with

Anousheh Ansari

The First Iranian Woman Space Explorer

By: Courtney Boyden

•Feature Flying through space was a lifelong dream for the Iranian born Anousheh Ansari. Though she didn’t take the most direct route there, she attained something many of us dream about, but only a select few on this planet actually achieve. She is not only a pioneer in becoming the first Iranian woman private astronaut in the world, but she truly is an inspiration to all humankind. In an exclusive interview with Persian Tribune, Ms. Ansari talked about her life, achievements, and her journey through space.

Tell us a bit about your childhood, did you always want to be an astronaut?

I was born in Mashhad and when I was 4 or 5 years old we moved to Tehran. I left Iran when I was about 16 years old. I was always fascinated with the night sky.

From as far back as I can remember, probably 5 years old, I loved the stars, and it became my inspiration for wanting to know more about astronomy, and to fly to space because I thought maybe I’ll find all the answers I’m looking for up there. My career was built around my passion for the stars.

When you told your parents, you wanted to be an astronaut, do you remember what they said?

I don’t think it was an announcement that I made. I don’t think they ever believed it would come true. They thought my curiosity was interesting, and nice for a young kid to have. I was a good student so as long as I was getting good grades, they were happy There wasn’t a space program in Iran at the time, was there?

No, there were no space agencies or space programs in Iran, and at that age you don’t think about all the logical things. I watched Star Trek all the time on TV, and I figured by the time I’m older, there will actually be a Starfleet Academy and I would apply and become a science officer on the Enterprise, so that was my fantasy.

Of course, you know, things have changed a lot, but not to the degree I thought they would.

Who was your biggest influence growing up?

Albert Einstein. What fascinated me the most was wondering how someone could be sitting in a patent office, probably not a very exciting place, and looking at what people believed about the universe and how our world came about and decide “no, I don’t think that’s right”.

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 21

•Feature second choice, which became my career path. It made my dream come true at the end. But I didn’t go the path I originally thought I would.

How do you feel about being a woman pioneer?

I never look at what can I do to be first, but I think it’s positive from two aspects: one, it helps women from the Middle East. I hope I serve as an example that, no matter what she’s told, there’s no limit to what a woman should achieve or be interested in. Even in western societies, there’s still some fields women are shy about being involved in, especially in STEM fields [Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics]. I’m hoping I will serve as an example to change that.

I hope I can practice that type of imagination in my world, and always encourage it in people around me when I do talks with them.

When you came to the States, you knew a little English. What was that like for you?

Actually, I had only studied French. It was difficult. It was the first time I had left Iran, so I wasn’t familiar with any other type of culture. It was a difficult adjustment to leave all the people I was close to, then go to a place that seemed strange, and seemed massively big. It was like an alien world.

You must have learned English fast.

I arrived in April, and the day after I arrived, my aunt dropped my sister and I at school. It was very different from school in Iran. Thank God for the French teacher, she told us where to go and what to do. I took ESL classes, and during the summer I took intensive English courses at the community college, so the next school year I was able to test out of most of the classes, and graduate that year.

What was your biggest challenge?

I think, it was culturally an interesting period of time for me to adjust. There were certain things I liked about my new home, the country I knew I would probably spend the rest of my life in, and the things that I missed about Iran, trying to preserve those. It was an interesting adjustment. I had help from my aunt and uncle, and we had long talks with my about my new home and all the possibilities in front of me.

How did you form your schooling around becoming an astronaut?

Actually, I didn’t. That’s what I wanted to do, but I scored low on the SATs because I had just started learning English when I had to take it, so I thought I can study astrophysics. The only place I got accepted to was far from home, but we didn’t have any money and my mom didn't want me to go far away, so I ended up at a nearby school studying electrical engineering, my 22

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

When you first told your husband your dream of becoming an astronaut, how did he react to that?

He’s often told me I’m an alien and I’ve come from another world [laughs]. He doesn’t share my passion but he understands it, he’s always been there for me. I’m very lucky.

What kind of feedback have you gotten from Iranians inside Iran?

It’s been very positive, especially from young people in Iran. More than anything they were tired of hearing the name “Iran” associated with bad news in the press.

When I started writing the blog from space, a lot of people from Iran were following and commenting and, the comments also had people who were negative, but mostly people were excited, proud, and happy.

I think they feel you’re part of them?

And I do feel part of them. I haven’t been back to Iran which is hard, but I’m hoping soon enough I’ll visit the universities there and talk to students, which I do a lot of. I feel connected to the students, and especially women in Iran. Despite all the difficulties they sometimes face, I feel so proud of all they achieve.

They're always pushing the envelope, achieving so much. I am very proud of Iranian women inside and outside of Iran.

When you were looking back at Earth, what were your thoughts?

It’s an emotional and transformational experience. It makes you look at life differently. Everything looks so small from space, and you look at our world, and it’s nothing! It makes you feel humble and empowered at the same time. You truly become a global citizen.

Did it meet your expectations?

It exceeded my expectation, it was something I had dreamt of all my life and it was better than anything I had ever imagined.

You performed experiments while you were in space. Can you tell us a bit about that?

The experiments I did for the European Space Agency were mostly around understanding how human

•Feature You don’t like to be called a “space tourist”, what terminology do you prefer?

I use “private astronaut” or “private space explorer”.

I don’t like the word “tourist” because it undermines what you do, the same way that people don’t call people who’ve climbed Mount Everest “tourists”. I spent about a year training for this trip. It sounds like you bought your ticket, picked up your camera and got on board a rocket, took some pictures and came back.

physiology changes in space, and short and long duration exposure to the space environment and how it changes your body. Also study of microbial life forms in space, and effects of radiation on humans in space.

Personally I wanted to share the experience with people as much as possible so I had the blog, and I did a lot of calls with different schools, talked to them about what I was doing. I took a lot of videos of Earth, and daily life on the space station, and also demonstrating some laws of physics to use for educational purposes.

What were your thoughts right at takeoff and right at landing when you came back safe?

At takeoff, I had one of these moments when I looked back on my life, thinking “I can’t believe I’m sitting on top of a rocket and I’m going to be in space soon, how did I get here?”. During landing, I was very depressed. I was thinking “what am I going to do now?”. It took me a while to get over that.

What are you doing now, and what’s in the future for you?

I’m right now CEO of a tech company I started with my husband and brother in law when I launched into space. I use my experience to get students interested in STEM education, especially girls. I’m very active with an organization that supports social entrepreneurs. Then there is the “What If ” prize that I do every year with the middle school students, getting them to open up their imaginations and put them in a hypothetical situation in space, sometimes in the future, and letting them think of creative ways to solve the problem.

You also published your memoirs a few years ago, can you tell us a bit about that?

Well, 20 million people visited the blog within a few weeks after I returned so everyone kept saying “you need to write a book”, so Homer Hickam, who wrote “Rocket Boys”, had read the blogs and liked it, approached me and offered help if I ever needed it.

After a few years, I approached him and he helped me.

Thank God he did, or else I never would have finished it. I just wanted to write about the space part, and he encouraged me to make it into a memoir, and start from the beginning, which in hindsight was a great idea. But when you look at your life, there are parts you want to remember, and parts you don’t care to remember, and reliving that was not an easy experience. But I got through it, finished it, and I’m happy with the final result, and so are the readers.

Do you have any spare time?

My spare time right now is a lot of school visits, and philanthropic work, and talks I do with students. I love hiking and listening to music. I listen to music all the time, but hiking I don’t get to do as much.

Do you have a message for our readers?

I do not accept boundaries – I am always reaching out for that next frontier and I hope that I can encourage our youths around the world to do the same. 

For more information go to: http://www.anoushehansari.com

How has your space flight changed the way you look at life?

I don’t sweat the small stuff. And I do my projects as global projects. Like the What If prize, it is for students all over the world. Maybe someday we’ll find intelligent life somewhere else, then we can make it intergalactic.

I think as someone more focused on the environment, it’s a stronger realization when you see it from space, it’s the one home we have and we better take care of it or else we’re in trouble.

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 23

55 Commerce Valley Drive West, Suite 705 • Thornhill, ON L3T 7V9 • 416.238.7359 • 1.866.624.8483 • info@ctcmpao.on.ca

Ontario Court orders fake “doctors” of Chinese medicine to stop practising The Ontario Superior Court has ordered unlicensed practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine to stop practising, ruling they broke Ontario’s health laws.

The unlicensed practitioners also set up a number of organizations which they illegally held out to be provincially-mandated regulatory bodies. The only legal regulatory body in Ontario is the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario, (CTCMPAO).

The ban makes permanent an interim injunction that ordered the unlicensed practitioners to cease practising in June, 2014. In a multi-page decision released February 6th, Mr. Justice Mew wrote: “The respondents are, or have been until restrained by the interim injunction, breaking the law. They must stop doing so. Whether they like it or not, the College is carrying out a regulatory function under statutory authority. The Divisional Court has decided that the regulations which the College seeks to enforce…are constitutional.”

The ruling means that patients who choose traditional Chinese medicine have the right to be treated by only those practitioners licensed and qualified to practise the profession in Ontario.

“The ruling is clear: it means that obeying the laws that govern health professionals in Ontario is not optional. It means that professional standards and licensing rules apply to practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in Ontario, just as they apply to physicians, dentists, nurses, psychologists and all the other regulated health professions in the province”, says College Registrar Cristina De Caprio.

The colleges that govern regulated health professions have been established to ensure that properly licensed members adhere to standards of care in the interests of public safety.

“The issue here is protection of the public. We welcome the court decision against these medical ‘outlaws’, who have been brazen in falsely holding themselves out as qualified doctors of traditional Chinese medicine”, adds the Registrar, who urges members of the public to check the College’s public registry to ensure they are seeing a licensed practitioner, at http://tcmpao.asicanada.net/imis15/registry .

The individuals in question have knowingly refused to meet the standards required for Chinese medicine practitioners in Ontario, have illegally referred to themselves as “doctor” and have repeatedly ignored the law.

In addition, some of the individuals have established and are associated with various organizations that have illegally pretended to be legitimate regulators of traditional Chinese medicine, and they have established a bogus registration process that falsely purports to authorize individuals to practise traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Ontario.

“All of this is illegal, and has been declared so by the court. We will continue to seek out and prosecute, in the interests of public safety, any unqualified, unregistered individuals who refuse to obey the health laws of Ontario as they apply to traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture”, concludes De Caprio.

Contact: Tom Curry, Lenczner Slaght

416-865-3096

Read the Court's Reasons For Decision from the following link: http://goo.gl/8eZKEB

To report an illegal practitioner or to file a complaint against a registered practitioner, please call 416-238-7359 and select option 5, or by email at: complaints@ctcmpao.on.ca or by fax at: 416-214-0879

www.ctcmpao.on.ca

•Society

The Good, the Bad

By: Dr. M. Elmpak, C.Psych.

W

e all have heard the events unfolding with Jian Ghomeshi, or for that matter with Bill Cosby, or in a similar vein about workplace harassments or school bullying on sexual matters. Jian has been in the media spotlight for months for criminal charges of sexual assault of women. He is reportedly facing seven charges of sexual assault, and one charge of overcoming resistance by choking. The media portrayed a nation in shock- caught in disbelief and by surprise. Jian was the official voice of Q on CBC. Jian - the feminist, the soft and sensible one, the progressive voice of Q. Jian who cared about women and minorities. How did this happen, all of a sudden?

This is the “bad” of the story: It is said that insiders whispered for years warningly amongst themselves: Stay away from Jian, he is sexually weird with women!

It was murmured, that the people around him knew - his co-workers and superiors. But did anybody say anything aloud? Was there any action taken? Why did nothing happen for years? The few women who spoke out were silenced, and opposition to Jian’s behaviours withered away, as no one listened, and no one did much about it.

Where is the line being drawn -the line where one stops and listens or speaks up and says no? How can a

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE

woman speak up and say no, if she is not listened to, if the behaviour does not stop. Who is responsible?

The women whose voices are too low and too quiet, or the men who overpower and care too little too often?

Female complaints are still not as serious and valuable as we all desire. In the face of power, it appears that the weaker voice is silenced. Women continue to feel shame, guilt, or self-blame and do not speak out. They often instinctively fear that no-one will care, that it is their fault and that they did something wrong.

Today the public agrees unanimously: Violence against women is not acceptable! Bullying is not acceptable!

Racism is not acceptable! And yet, in the face of these politically correct opinions, how is it still possible to stay silent and not take action when violence against women occurs? How is it possible not to speak up?

A

nd all this still happens right in front of our noses in our society. In Jian’s case -how much was really cared about these women and their voices? And why should women be scared to come forward, feel shame, guilt, or self-blame? Who matters in these situations the victim, the perpetrator or neither?

And that leads into the “ugly” of the story. It appears that women not only often feel shame, guilt, and selfblame when it comes to sexual exploitations, but that indeed our society does not do much to help lift this stigma from female consciousness, and indeed even

and the Ugly!

•Society

facilitates and exploits it by just swiping them away.

It appears as if female consent carries less weight and importance, when it comes to other interests, especially interests of money and power!

an investigation? Why does workplace harassment still happen so frequently? And why do we still hear of female teenagers committing suicide because they were sexually exposed in social media?

I

But the question is also: Why do victims stay silent in shame for years? Why is self-blame and guilt so prevalent? Why do witnesses stay quiet for so long? It appears that we all are contributing to the situation: The perpetrators who bully, exploit and overpower, the victims who are silent and retract in shame and humiliation, and the witnesses who look the other way.

There are trends, unspoken truths, and ways within our institutions, the workplace, in the personal and family realm, and society at large which maintain the status quo. There still is a hidden, unspoken stereotype about the second value of women. Women are treated as such and still see themselves as such. No, it is not right, but yes, it just is.

t appears, that the values which our society endorses, or on a much smaller scale the values of Jian Ghomeshi, do not protect the sexually exploited and bullied victims. It appears that societal interests are in disregard and even disrespect of women. Did Jian truly care and get consent, as he alleges? Or did he beat, abuse, demean, and disregard the will of his female partners? In the heat of passion, his passion, did he truly have women consent before he would strike out and slap them down? Or did he just assume that what he likes is what his female partners like? Did he miss the beat- not recognizing what they want, not really caring about female feelings. Did he really ever give a damn? And how loud were the female voices?

How recognizable and strong?

And here we come to the point where the personal becomes public, and the public becomes personal: Jian Ghomeshi seems to be just a singular repetition of the general trend. No, I do not mean that the general trend is doing what he is alleged of having done to women.

No, what I am talking about is the more subtle undercurrent of our society’s treatment against women. For example, why did the CBC stay silent for such a long time? Why did the University in Carleton not demand

A

nd here comes the good: We started talking. We are debating and evaluating these societal opinions and undercurrents, in the wake of the stories of sexual harassments and exploits, drugging of women for sex, beating and gagging them up, sexually exposing young girls on social media until they commit suicide, or shaming women into silence and submission.

Maybe Jian and the like have acted as catalysts for our society to trigger more of these type of discussions and

»

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 27

•Society

» unveiling of dormant sexist opinions and beliefs. Maybe the shock and outrage can introduce some intense debates, and lead to some fundamental changes in our institutions, schools, workplace, and private life.

I

n this sense, Kathleen Wynne and her push to update the curriculum on sexual education is an important step. Children ought to be taught about healthy relationships and the meaning and importance of consent. Validating the voice of the weaker leads to a louder and stronger voice and this in turn will lead to a more balanced and reasonable voice of the strong and powerful. As with most things in life, the right balance is the best approach.

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE

P

remier Wynne’s efforts to direct the Ministry of Education to update the curriculum on sexual education across the school boards in Ontario will include elements such as healthy relationships, the meaning of consent, gender equality, and internet and social media safety which will lead to a better and more inclusive understanding of the mutual role of women and men in our society. The new curriculum will be implemented in September 2015, replacing the 1998 curriculum now in use. And truly, the ugly can always be turned into a good. 

Dr. M. Elmpak, C. Psych. ,Clinical & Rehabilitation Psychologist Professor of Psychology Director, International Student Program Adler Graduate Professional School, tel: 647-294-7510

The Power of Green Spaces to Improve Health

•Building

By: Sara Rezvanifar

I

magine being able to take a break after a long morning and eat your lunch in an outdoor space with natural vegetation? Worldwide studies have proven the ability of green spaces to improve human health and quality of life.

long-term needs of its tenants and patrons. In addition to the sustainable green spaces, an open and sun-lit commercial concourse dedicated to restaurant and retail tenants provides ample space for seating and strolling.

We are only just beginning to appreciate the tangible benefits green spaces provide, including stress reduction and promoting a work life balance. The planners of University Heights Professional Centre had this in mind when they designed the green rooftop and walkouts on the third floor of this new commercial building which will help to transform the Downsview corridor.

“North Toronto is getting a new and green and professional centre, built to Toronto Green Standard’s Tier 2 qualifications, featuring 7,100 square feet of green roof space, high reflecting materials, indigenous landscaping, energy efficient controls and low-impact mechanical features.” – Paolo Abate of Real Wealth Group Real Wealth’s vision for the project, a distinctly urban approach to function and design, meshed well with the City of Toronto’s plan to create an emerging urban area and major transportation hub.

University Heights was built to last and serve the

“We were looking to bring the most creativity to the site and a fresh look for the area. We wanted to be inspiring and ahead of that curve, and we wanted this building to really contemplate the future and lead the design and aesthetic characteristics that we think would improve the surrounding area.” – Paolo Abate of Real Wealth Group

W

atch for the new state-of-the- art, modern building that is just steps away from the new Finch West Station, in service by fall 2016. 

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 29

•Real Estate

The Importance of a Home Inspection

By: Sarvenaz Barghgir

A

Home Inspection Report is just what it sounds like. It is the findings of a thorough inspection of a home, from the foundation to roof, which gives you the crucial information you need to make a wise decision about your home purchase or ownership. To make a firm offer on the property, it is essential that all buyers make a conditional offer upon home inspection.

In many cases, due to imperfections found after the purchase, and despite the legal action by the buyer, the case had no merit. According to a recent article by the Toronto Star, many judges in similar cases have ruled that unless the sellers had intentionally concealed the imperfections in the house, or withheld information regarding malfunctioning appliances, the buyers are solely responsible for the damages incurred as the result of the present problems with the property.

Another misconception about home inspection revolves around it being solely done by the buyers. All home owners should take it upon themselves to consider doing home inspections. A home inspection allows owners to protect the investment they have made on their homes by performing the recommended upgrades and maintenance operations. For example, if you discover that your roof needs replacing, it is best to do so

during the warm weather because of its lower cost and convenience. In addition, keeping your home at its best means that when it comes time to sell, there are no surprises and you could get the best offer on your property.

As of December 2013, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services has formed a panel of industry experts to recommend changes targeting the regulation of home inspection industry. Currently and until next year, home inspection is still a very much unregulated profession, with a work force of roughly over 1500 home inspectors in Ontario. The implementation of these proposed regulations for this profession in the next 18 months is good news for all home owners and buyers. Through this action, all buyers and home owners can protect their investment knowing that all homes are being inspected by regulated standards across the board.

Home inspection is a required procedure that, although costly, offers both buyers and sellers the peace of mind that is priceless. It also serves as legal insurance, making sure those transactions are being made with sufficient knowledge of the property’s conditions. Additionally, the regulation of this profession solidifies the credibility of home inspection reports. 

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE

Your # 1 Real Estate Sales Broker

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Not Intended to Solicit Buyers or Sellers Currently Under Contract With a Broker

•Real Estate

When Is Free NOT A Good Thing?

By: Robert Atkinson

M

ary's heater stops working in late January, and it’s minus 40 degrees, and her home is cold.

She shakes the machine, hoping for warmth but it’s not happening. It's not going to give her heat.

She calls an HVAC technician.

Louise doesn’t have a lawyer. As Anne walks away, Louise approaches the lawyer. “Mr. Lawyer, I know you’re a good lawyer, but I don’t want to spend money on a lawyer. If I hire you to help me in court today, will you give me a discount?”

The HVAC tech arrives, and Mary shows him the lifeless heater. He nods, hands her a cup of hot chocolate, and then slowly circles the heater running his fingertips across the surface, pausing occasionally to tap and listen.

he lawyer already works for the adversary, and has prepared them well, but they can’t offer you the same level of support. Doing this gives all your negotiation power away, hoping that the discount is larger than any amount a savvy lawyer could negotiate.

Smiling, he draws a rubber mallet from his tool box, takes careful aim and strikes the heater with a single, calculated whack of his mallet.

A

lmost instantly, the heater begins to produce life-saving warmth. Mary is thrilled! Dropping the rubber mallet back into his tool box, the tech prepares a line-item invoice and hands it to Mary.

The invoice has 2 entries: 1. Striking heater with rubber mallet = $1.00 2. Knowing PRECISELY where, and how hard, to whack the heater = $999.00 Having the tools to perform the job ISN'T the same as knowing what to do to get the results, and many times people forget this and put price ahead of value.

Anne is taking Louise to court. Louise is walking into the court and sees Anne talking to her lawyer, but

T

Having confidentiality builds a strong position to negotiate from. Hiring an effective negotiator will net you more than giving the other side all the power.

When it comes to real estate, having an experienced negotiator to protect YOUR best interests should always be your primary concern.

Experience counts. You wouldn't hire a printer to sell your home just because he has "For Sale" signs, yet people do this every day because they perceive they will save money (price vs value). The Toronto Real Estate Board has close to 40,000 licensed real estate agents but not everyone has the same tool box. If you’re in the market be sure to hire one who knows “where, and how hard to use the mallet” to get you the best results. Don’t be left out in the cold in your next real estate move.  Robert Atkinson is a Real Estate Sales Rep serving the GTA and works for Century 21 Leading Edge Realty Brokerage. For more information visit his website at www.RobertAtkinson.ca PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 31

•Politics

The Political Landscape as We Move Towards a Federal Election By: Bryon Wilfert

W

e have only just started 2015 and the shocks to both the political and economic landscape are many.

Falling oil prices and their impact on the upcoming Federal Budget have led to a postponement sometime in April.

Target announced they were closing their 133 stores across Canada resulting in more than 18 000 job losses and the impact on both unemployment and consumer confidence has yet to be determined.

On the International stage, situations such as the growing instability in the Ukraine, the Greek Debt Crisis, and the Middle East's involvement with ISIS , all will have an impact on the government's international policy in the coming months.

The election date is fixed for October 19th of this year, but we have already been thrown into campaign mode and have been inundated with announcements, rallies and political jockeying.

Nominations by all parties are proceeding at an accelerated pace. We are deluged with political polls, and analysis on what seems to be a daily basis.

What do we know for sure?

The delay in presenting the Federal Budget means that an early election is less likely. The Conservatives want to pass amendments to the Income Tax Act in order to give effect to the income splitting provisions of the family tax cut package, and these will be contained in the Budget Implementation Act which must follow the budget.

T

he Conservatives have promised a balanced budget this year and to accomplish this they will have to dip into the $3 billion contingency fund, slash government expenditures and transfers or, scale back their pre-election promises. The Minister of Finance is on record as saying that the government will achieve it surplus budget prediction, but how will they do that given their dependency on oil revenues?

The Parliamentary Budget Officer has indicated that low oil prices will reduce federal revenues by as much as $8.2 billion this year. This clearly will impact the budget forecast as to whether we have a slight surplus or continued deficits for a few more years.

The government is centering their message on issues such as the Protection of Canada from Terrorism Act C44, which deals with preventive arrest. Law and order issues are always a go to theme for the Conservatives 32

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

when other issues start to affect their popularity or their agenda.

The headlines over the next few months will no doubt be dominated by a variety of issues including the Energy East project submitted by Trans Canada Pipelines. This project will be important for eastern Canada and the certain impact on the environment will be a definite election issue.

April marks the end of the Canadian government's six month commitment to the war on ISIS, and Parliament will be again tasked with debating the issue of Canada's role in the Middle East. Given the government majority, these debates will be a mere formality despite the condemnation by some in the opposition. There is worry over "mission creep" , and whether or not Canada is moving to an increasingly combative role on the ground.

A

public relations nightmare for the present government has been Veteran's Affairs, and the appointment of a new minister to stickhandle through the negative stories, particularly concerning pensions, medical assistance and how the government responds to the concerns of veteran organizations. This has been a public disaster for the present government to be sure.

Immigration will also be a hot topic given the changes made to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP), which has increased bureaucratic delays and resulted in higher costs for employers in moving workers into Canada.

Political leaders will need to address the "pocket book issues" of Canadians, as uncertainty over the economy and unemployment continue to be critical issues. Whether Canadians will come to the conclusion that they have had enough of Prime Minister Harper and are willing to take a chance on a Mulcair or Trudeau, or stay the course will depend on how events unfold in the months ahead.

Time for Canadians to put on their seat belts for what surely will be both a bumpy and interesting ride. ď Ž

The Honourable Bryon Wilfert P.C., ICD.D was just recently appointed Honorary Consul to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

David’s

•Wine

Wine Pick of the month By: David Akhlagi

Amarone della Valpolicella

A

marone della Valpolicella, usually known as Amarone, is a typically rich Italian dry red wine made from partially dried grapes. It is the strongest wine in the market; the finished product usually scales from 14.5% to 16.5% Alcohol level. This is truly one of my favourite old world wines.

Amarone is one of Italy's wine treasures that is loved by wine drinkers looking for ripe fruit, power, roundness, and a sense of adventure in their red wine. Put a combination like that together, and it should come as no surprise that Amarone is so popular these days.

Amarone is produced in the region of Veneto by estates that make Valpolicella, one of the most popular wines of this area in Northeastern Italy. The same grapes, primarily Corvina (usually the leading component in the blend), along with Rondinella and Molinara, are used to produce Amarone. But the difference between the two wines is striking. Where Valpolicella is a medium-weight

Executive Director at The Wine Cave wine meant for consumption with lighter fare within its first 3-5 years, Amarone is a more robust wine that is perfect with game birds, or other such sturdy fare over the course of 7 to 15 years.

The reason for the stylistic difference in these wines is in the winemaking. To produce an Amarone (properly known as Amarone della Valpolicella Classico), a winemaker will take the harvested grapes and lay them on a straw mat, often in an attic or other warm room.

The grapes then dry over the course of several months creating a raisiny flavour that is a distinctive characteristic of Amarone.

L

egend has it that the first Amarone was a mistake, as a winemaker had let a barrel of wine ferment too long and the wine's residual sugar had been eliminated.

Recioto is still made today, its sweetness and richness make it a perfect choice at the end of a meal, often with powerful cheeses. 

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 33

•Food

Rose Reisman’s Family Favourites

Fresh tuna salad niçoise with roasted vegetables By: Rose Reisman

T

his is my all-time favorite salad. It's a perfect main course and best with good-quality raw tuna. You can substitute canned tuna packed in water if you prefer.

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.

2. Place the potatoes, tomatoes, onions and asparagus on the baking sheet. Lightly coat the vegetables with cooking spray and bake for i0 minutes. Turn the tomatoes and asparagus after 5 minutes, and remove the tomatoes and asparagus from the oven after 10 minutes. Continue cooking the red onion for another 5 minutes, then remove from the oven. Continue cooking the potatoes for another 15 minutes, turning halfway through, or until tender.

SALAD (serves 4) 6 fingerling potatoes, sliced in half lengthwise, or 1 Yukon Gold potato, quartered 12 grape tomatoes 3 large slices red onion, about 1/4 inch thick 8 asparagus spears, trimmed 12 oz raw tuna (or canned flaked white tuna packed in water) 4 cups baby spinach 3/4 cup diced cucumber 10 kalamata olives DRESSING 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp lemon juice 4 anchovy fillets, finely chopped 1 tsp finely chopped garlic 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard pinch of salt and pepper GARNISH 3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill 34

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

3. Meanwhile, preheat a nonstick grill pan lightly coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat, or preheat your barbecue to medium-high heat. Sear the tuna on each side for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until the outside of the fish is just cooked but the inside of the fish is rare. Take the tuna off the heat immediately. To stop the cooking process, place in the refrigerator immediately.

4. Arrange the spinach, cucumber and olives on a large serving platter. Top with the roasted vegetables.

5. To prepare the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, anchovies, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the salad and top with the dill.

Slice the tuna thinly and arrange it on top of the salad.

•• per serving Calories 314 • Protein 24 g • Carbohydrates 29 g • Fiber 4.7 g • Total fat 11 g • Saturated fat 1.7 g • Cholesterol 43 mg • Sodium 455 mg • prep time 15 minutes • cook time 30 minutes • make ahead Prepare entire salad early in the day and dress just before serving. • nutrition watch Asparagus is a good source of potassium and is high in vitamin K and folate, which may prevent birth defects. 

From the Persian Kitchen...

•Food

POMEGRANATE SOUP

By: Naz Deravian Ingredients: {Serves 6} 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 cup yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper water 1/2 cup white basmati rice, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes 1 mint sprig 1/2 cup pomegranate molasses 1 small beet, grated sugar or sweetener of choice (optional), to taste fresh chopped herbs (parsley, dill, cilantro, mint), as garnish pomegranate seeds, as garnish MEATBALLS: 1/2 small yellow onion, grated 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tablespoons chopped parsley 2 tablespoons chopped dill 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1/2 teaspoon advieh 3/4 teaspoon salt pepper, to taste 1 lb ground beef or lamb or combination of Directions: 1. In a large pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until it softens, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and turmeric and cook for 2 minutes. Add the yellow split peas and give a quick stir. Add 8 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered and stirring ocassionally, for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the quality of the peas.

2. Gently break the rice into bits and pieces. Add the

AASH-E ANAR

rice to the pot and bring back up to a gentle boil. Add the mint sprig and lower the heat and simmer, partially covered and stirring occassionally, for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the meat balls.

3. In a large bowl combine the onion, garlic, parsley, dill, cilantro, advieh, salt and pepper. Add the meat and combine well. Wet your hands and form into mini meatballs. I use a 1 tsp measuring spoon to scoop out the meat. Should make about 30 meatballs.

4. Add the pomegranate molasses and the grated beet to the soup. Stir to combine. Gently drop in the meatballs and cover. Simmer for about 20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the peas are tender (but not mushy). Taste and adjust seasoning. Add sweetener if desired.

Garnish with fresh chopped herbs and pomegranate seeds and serve. Will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Adjust water amount when reheating.

Notes: • Soaking the rice makes it easier to break it into pieces.

Break the rice into bits and pieces; don't pulverize it.

• How long you simmer the yellow split peas depends on the quality and freshness of your peas.

• Pomegranate molasses can be easily found in Middle Eastern markets, most grocery stores and online. I use a more sour kind. This aash is meant to be slightly tangy. But if you prefer, you can balance out the flavors by adding a little bit of sugar. Start with a small amount and add as needed.

• Advieh is a Persian spice mix. You can find in most middle eastern stores.

• This aash is best if made a day or two in advance. The flavors sit and mingle and really intensify. When reheating adjust the water. You want it on the slightly thicker side.  PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 35

HAPPY

NOWRUZ! Nowruz is the celebration of hope for better days on the horizon.

On the arrival of this wonderful occasion, please accept my sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable Nowruz and a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

LEONA ALLESLEV

Candidate for Aurora–Oak Ridges– Richmond Hill

ALI EHSASSI Candidate for Willowdale

MAJID JOWHARI Candidate for Richmond Hill

ROB OLIPHANT Candidate for Don Valley West

Reza Moridi, MPP Richmond Hill

May Nowruz 2015 bring you blessings of joy health and prosperity as we welcome spring and hopes of a great new year into our homes.

Nowruz-e-tan Pirooz

Har Rooz-e-tan Nowruz!

9555 Yonge Street, Suite 311 Richmond Hill, ON L4C 9M5 T: 905-884-8080 rmoridi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.rezamoridi.onmpp.ca b facebook.com/rmoridi | a @rezamoridi

YASMIN RATANSI

Candidate for Don Valley East

GENG TAN

Candidate for Don Valley North

•Opinion

ADDERALL “THE STUDY DRUG" By: Anastasia E. Tsouroupakis

H

igh school students today are faced with a unique set of challenges, which were unheard of in their parents’ generation. Students are juggling enriched course work, with extracurricular activities, while fulfilling a 40 and in some cases 80 volunteer hour graduation requirement; all in the hopes of that they will stand out amongst other university and college applicants. Faced with these challenges high school students are looking for anything that will give them an advantage over their competition; for some the advantage comes in the form of Adderall a.k.a ”The Study Drug”. Adderall is a drug originally intended to treat those diagnosed with Attention Deficit (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it’s preferred by most patients to the traditional Ritalin because its side effects are less severe and a lower dosage lasts longer. Adderall is the third most abused drug by high school and university students after alcohol and marijuana. Students have been known to fake symptoms of ADD and ADHD in order to secure a diagnosis and access to Adderall prescriptions which they then use themselves and or, sell to other students from as little as $3, to as much as $15 per pill.

A

dderall helps the user stay focused on a single task, patients claim “… it cuts down the flow of random [thoughts] coming through the front door and thus allowing you to stay on track without constantly losing your place” . This result becomes appealing to the stressed out student who is trying to cram for finals, he or she just needs a little help to remain focused and awake. Unfortunately, unless you truly suffer from ADD or ADHD taking Adderall is highly addictive and brings with it a host of unintended and sometimes lethal side effects. While the desirable effect is a heightened ability to focus on a task, the user doesn’t have the ability to control what he or she will become fixated on, a college student and Adderall addict named Sam found that out rather quickly “… I would become so engrossed in things that weren’t school related… I became obsessed with DER ERLKONIG I would write it out by hand over and over in German and inwardly recite it while doing so”.

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE

A lot of the unwanted side effects are not as harmless as Sam’s, we have included a list of physical and behavioural symptoms that could indicate your son or daughter may be abusing Adderall; Headaches Paranoia/Delusion Uncontrollable Shaking Hallucinations Uncharacterized Aggression Nervousness Restlessness Changes in Vision Altered Sleeping Habits Increased Swelling Complaints of Racing Heartbeats Nausea Weight loss/Loss of Appetite Constipation Stomach Pains Dry Mouth

I

f left untreated these side effects particularly the feelings of paranoia, delusions and hallucinations eventually lead to both psychotic and suicidal episodes as users are incapable of thinking clearly and rationally. If your son or daughter is displaying any or a combination of these symptoms we urge you to seek professional help immediately.

As parents, we all want what’s best for our children but are we pushing our children too hard? Are we expecting the impossible from them, and in their desire to make us happy are they unknowingly endangering their mental and physical wellbeing? Should our focus as parents be to raise happy, well-adjusted children rather than the next Nobel Laureate? Maybe parents should stop reinforcing the idea that failure is not an option and instead, maintain that both successes AND failures are part of life and aid in forging ones resilience, individuality and self- confidence. 

Join the Oasis Movement and follow us on Twitter @OasisDonate and Like Oasis Clothing Bank on Facebook.

References: www.addictionhope.com/adderll#signs www.drugfree. or/newsroom/adderall-abuse-increases-among-high-school-students Hennessy, Angela, July 24, 2013; www.vice.com/en-ca/read/adderal-can-really-fuck-you-up www.mom. me/parenting/6935/-whats-truth-about-teens-and -adderall/ This article was originally published for oasismovement.wordpress.com 2015/2/25

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•Environment

Speaking Truth

gives youth great power

By David Suzuki with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation's Public Engagement Specialist Kyle Empringham

W

hen she was just 12 years old, my daughter Severn gave a speech at the 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. She spoke with such conviction that delegates were moved to tears. It was one of my proudest moments as a father. More than 20 years later, Severn is the mother of two young children, and the video of her speech is still making the rounds, inspiring people around the world. Its popularity speaks to the power the young have to affect the world's most pressing issues.

More than half the world's population is under 30, a demographic now at the forefront of international decision-making and some of Canada's most powerful environmental changes. Across the nation, youth are thinking critically about how we can become better stewards of our vast landscapes and spectacular wildlife and protect the air, water, soil and diversity of nature that keep us healthy and alive. They're standing up for strong environmental protection and a saner approach to resource management in their own communities.

Take Halifax resident Stephen Thomas, an engineer in his 20s. He's been recognized as a driving force for our nation's clean energy future. If You Build It, a project he co-founded, mobilizes volunteers to construct renewable energy projects, including wind turbines and solar-powered generators. He's also catalyzed largescale, community-owned wind projects in Nova Scotia and spearheaded Dalhousie University's student campaign for fossil fuel divestment.

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• PERSIANTRIBUNE

Vanessa Gray, a 22-year-old member of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, mobilized other young people to campaign against Enbridge's Line 9 pipeline proposal to transport oilsands bitumen through Sarnia, Ontario, to Montreal for export. She continues to speak out about refinery pollution and host "toxic tours" of Canada's Chemical Valley, where 63 petrochemical plants surround her community.

S

ome young leaders are taking up the David Suzuki Foundation's call to support the right to a healthy environment in their towns. In December, after attending a Foundation Blue Dot Tour event, 10-year-old Victoria resident Rupert Yakelashek led a successful charge to have his city adopt a declaration giving citizens the right to clean air, water and food, and to participate in decisions that affect their environment.

•Environment Young leaders are also at the forefront of Idle No More, one of the largest Indigenous mass movements in Canadian history. What began in 2012 as teach-ins in Saskatchewan to protest parliamentary bills that would erode Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protections has changed the social and political landscape of Canada.

These young environmental champions share a commitment to their communities and to the world.

They know that young people have the power to rally others to create positive change. And when people gather around a common cause, magic happens.

A

lthough many young leaders aren't yet old enough to vote, they'll be left to clean up messes from decisions made today. We owe it to them to think more carefully about the world we want to leave to their generation. 

National non-profit The Starfish Canada, co-founded by David Suzuki Foundation public engagement specialist Kyle Empringham, celebrates young people with its Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 program. Every year, 25 youth are recognized for their efforts to create environmental change. The group recognized is diverse, from community gardeners and outdoor recreationists to scientists and advocates. Thanks to them, the program continues to showcase positive change across the country.

If you know a young leader who deserves national recognition, nominate him or her for The Starfish Canada's Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25. It could help inspire others to change the world.

Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. He is Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for science, the United Nations Environment Program medal, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and Global 500. Dr. Suzuki is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 27 honorary degrees from universities around the world. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the long-running CBC television program The Nature of Things, and to radio audiences as the original host of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks, as well as the acclaimed series It's a Matter of Survival and From Naked Ape to Superspecies. His written work includes more than 52 books, 19 of them for children. Dr. Suzuki lives with his wife, Dr. Tara Cullis, and family in Vancouver, B.C.

Photo: Kent Kallberg

Ta'Kaiya Blaney, a 13-year-old from B.C.'s Tla'Amin First Nation, followed a path similar to my daughter's, speaking at the UN Rio +20 conference in 2012 when she was just 11. She's also gaining recognition as the visionary behind the Salish Sea Youth Foundation and for speaking, writing and singing in defence of a healthy future for animals, humans, plants and ecosystems. She incorporates environmental messages into her songs, as she did on the Blue Dot Tour. "In my culture it's a fact, and an understanding of life, that everything is connected, and we were put on this earth to be stewards and caretakers of the environment," she writes.

These young environmental champions share a commitment to their communities and to the world. They know that young people have the power to rally others to create positive change. And when people gather around a common cause, magic happens.

Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 43

•Events

Photography: Celine Richardson

The 2015 Ruskoka Annual Winter Palace Ball

I

n February, members of the Russian community celebrated the glamour and grandeur of Russian hospitality as they danced the night away at the 2015 Ruskoka Annual Winter Palace Ball. The Ball raises much-needed funds in support of Ruskoka Camp.

Ruskoka Camp is a Russian charity summer camp for underprivileged children who recently immigrated to Canada from Russia, Ukraine, and other Slavic nations.

It was founded in 2000 to give these kids the unique opportunity to spend their summer discovering the natural beauty of Muskoka, while developing their leadership potential, establishing a sense of belonging, strengthening their Orthodox faith, and preserving their Slavic heritage. Whether it is camping in the rustic wilderness, canoeing down the river, cooking over a fire, or balancing on a tightrope, each camper returns home full of confidence, new skills, memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

44

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

O

ver the past 15 years, more than 1000 campers have participated in the Ruskoka Camp program.

Many of the campers who first joined Ruskoka Camp are now camp directors, counsellors, and volunteers.

Throughout the year, they are mentored in a structured leadership program, and help organize fundraising activities and events, including the Winter Palace Ball.

T

he Winter Palace Ball is the primary funding source of Ruskoka Camp. The Organizing Committee is grateful for the support of its 2015 sponsors: Arbor Memorial, ScotiaBank, United Stars, Meridian, Coastal Bay, OMNI, and BNSF. We also thank representatives of the Persian community for attending and supporting this annual event. 

For more information about Ruskoka Camp or to become involved as a sponsor for next year’s event please visit: www.ruskoka.com or alex@ruskoka.com.

•Events

Out and About with

Persian Tribune

Premier Wynne's Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner

Premier Wynne's Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner

Premier Wynne's Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner

Max Amini visits Persian Tribune

Max Amini visits Persian Tribune

Premier Wynne's Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner

Trudeau Event

Trudeau Event

Trudeau Event

AMA Toronto - Multicultural Round table Photo courtesy of Balmoral Studio photography

AMA Toronto - Multicultural Round table Photo courtesy of Balmoral Studio photography

Premier Wynne's Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner

PERSIAN TRIBUNE

• 45

•people

Persian Tribune

Person of The Month

Mr. Gholamhossein Nami Internationally Renowned Visual Artist

M

r. Gholamhossein Nami was born in Ghom, Iran in 1936. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the School of Fine Arts at Tehran University. As an up and coming artist in 1966, he was awarded First Prize for his three-dimensional portrait of “A Mother and Child” in the Mother’s Day Contest. He also received the First Prize in the World Human Right’s D’Art Contest in Tehran, Iran in 1968.

In 1970, Mr. Nami was awarded the prestigious French National Prize at the Cagnes- Sur-Mer Festival in France, and in 1972 received a one-year academic scholarship to Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1972, he was one of the original seven artists who founded the well-respected

46

• PERSIANTRIBUNE

group “Goruh-e-azad”, that held several major exhibitions in Iran and the United States, and was especially inf luential to the generation of young artists in that decade.

I

n 1978 Mr. Nami traveled to the United States and received a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin, where his most successful three-dimensional works remain on display in its Modern Art Museum and the Art Center.

Mr. Nami is the recipient of numerous international awards including the “Gold Medal” from International Parliament in the United States, the Gold Medal from “ The European Banner of the Arts” Academy of Europe in Italy, the “Statue of Golden Flare” award from the International Parliament in the

U.S.A., just to name a few.

He has also been awarded the honorary title of “First Class Artist” by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

On the academic side, Mr. Nami has also taught in various universities including,Alzahra University, the School of Architecture and Urban Planning in the Science and Industry University in Tehran, the Department of Architecture at Vanak Institute of Technology, and the School of Arts at Azad Islamic University in Tehran.

M

r. Gholamhossein Nami’s exceptional artistic and academic achievements are a significant contribution to modern Iranian art and a gift to eternity. 

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