Conference on Growth and Development Strategy for the Future of Iran

In Virginia, USA, a conference titled 'Growth and Development Strategy for the Future of Iran' concluded its four-day session on Sunday evening, March 4th. Over twenty experts, managers, and elites from various fields, including university professors and sociologists, participated in this conference. Prince Reza Pahlavi attended the first and last sessions, emphasizing the importance of such gatherings and the necessity of establishing think tanks to utilize the intellectual contributions of Iranian elites and experts. He highlighted two key points: the success of such intellectual institutions relies on the participation of scholars and experts within the country, and the outcomes of expert ideas should not be policy-making but rather scientific and practical solutions to the country's pressing issues, which policymakers and officials must prioritize. Nasrat Vahedi, a nuclear energy expert and former professor at Munich University, one of the initiators and organizers of the conference, stated that the goal of this first conference is to plan for Iran's future. The discussions were divided into three sections: immediate short-term, medium-term, and long-term programs, with priority given to those that can be implemented immediately with public participation. A significant part of the short-term program will focus on creating immediate employment to utilize the young and capable workforce currently outside the production and construction activities. Additionally, several participants presented small and useful projects to provide services to urban and rural communities that can be executed at minimal cost in the shortest time. Alongside specialized discussions, consultations regarding the future political system of Iran took place, focusing on five elements: economic, legal, scientific, religious, and educational, explaining that all social systems not only observe themselves but also write their own narratives, which in the political system is referred to as the constitution. Most importantly, this political system gives a new meaning to democracy today and addresses the issue of power centralization. Some experts residing in Europe and Canada participated in the discussions via Skype and presented their proposals. The next meeting of these experts will be held next summer.