Persia Educational Foundation

Persia Educational Foundation Persia provides educational support to Iranians worldwide. Established in 1997, Persia Educational Foundation is a non-governmental UK charity.

Join us in supporting Iranian-descent students in the UK and beyond at: https://www.persia.education/support/ Persia Educational Foundation strives to support women and youth worldwide, in particular Persian-speakers, who are in pursuit of education and economic advancement not only for personal benefit, but for the betterment of their families, neighbourhoods and communities.

Did you know? (Part 2 of last post):What began as a national commemoration quickly turned global. Spearheaded by Shojaed...
14/10/2026

Did you know?

(Part 2 of last post):

What began as a national commemoration quickly turned global. Spearheaded by Shojaeddin Shafa, the movement gained massive momentum—by 1959, 32 countries were setting up host committees, and by 1961, UNESCO confirmed over 100 foreign governments, along with international groups like the World Jewish Congress and global Zoroastrian communities, had pledged to participate.

Iran wasn’t just sharing its past—it was bringing the world together around it.

PersianHeritage

Did you know?The celebrations became an important aspect of Iran’s cultural diplomacy from the late 1950s onwards and wa...
09/10/2026

Did you know?

The celebrations became an important aspect of Iran’s cultural diplomacy from the late 1950s onwards and was frequently discussed during state visits. In a speech delivered during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Iran in 1961, the shah said that the upcoming celebrations ‘are intended to revive in our minds the continuity of our national life and unity, through our Monarchy, and the outstanding contributions in the fields of medicine, philosophy, art, literature, astronomy and mathematics by the inhabitants of this ancient land, as well as to provide an opportunity for as large a public as possible, outside this country, to come into contact with our cultural heritage.’

Efforts to encourage international attention was driven primarily by Shojaeddin Shafa. Within months of the announcement of the celebrations, he travelled around Europe to encourage the setting up of committees, which were initially to be called Iran Friendship Associations, but which later became Cyrus the Great Committees. These committees would organise cultural programmes to coincide with the celebrations in Iran and were typically headed by the head of state of the country and featuring a mix of politicians and scholars. By December 1958, Shafa announced that thirty-two countries had established or were in the process of establishing committees for the celebrations.

The Iranian delegation to UNESCO submitted a draft resolution which stated that the celebrations constituted ‘a valuable contribution to the Major Project on Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values’ and therefore recommended ‘Member States and interested non-governmental organizations to associate themselves with the celebration of this centenary at the cultural level, in whatever way they deem most suitable’. UNESCO announced in 1961 that over 100 foreign governments had pledged to mark the celebrations in one way or another. Non-government groups also informed Shafa of their intentions to participate in the celebrations, including the World Jewish Congress, as well as the Zoroastrian and Parsi communities.

Did you know?Promotion of was at the heart of the rise of Iranians during the process of social, economic and cultural...
07/10/2026

Did you know?

Promotion of was at the heart of the rise of Iranians during the process of social, economic and cultural development of Iran in response to the call of UNESCO in 1956 culminating in the 1971 academic and national events, including the conferences and the 2500th anniversary celebrations at Persepolis.

Education remains a pillar of our progress as a community.

To assist more Iranian descent youth in the U.K. and beyond to access quality education with a vision to give back to our community, please consider supporting the Persia Scholarship Fund.

See our website at www.persia.education for more information.

Thank you.

Did you know?Promotion of education was at the heart of the rise of Iranians during the process of social, economic and ...
07/10/2026

Did you know?

Promotion of education was at the heart of the rise of Iranians during the process of social, economic and cultural development of Iran in response to the call of UNESCO in 1956 culminating in the 1971 academic and national events, including the conferences and the 2500th anniversary celebrations at Persepolis.

Education remains a pillar of our progress as a community.

To assist more Iranian descent youth in the U.K. and beyond to access quality education with a vision to give back to our community, please consider supporting the Persia Scholarship Fund. See our website at www.persia.education (link in bio) for more information.

Thank you.

In 1958, Shojaeddin Shafa first proposed a celebration marking the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Em...
02/10/2026

In 1958, Shojaeddin Shafa first proposed a celebration marking the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great. But who was the man behind the idea?

A journalist, literary critic and prolific translator, Shafa began translating European literature into Persian at just 18. Over the following two decades, his translations included works by Chateaubriand, Victor Hugo, Goethe and Dante, while his own scholarship explored the influence of Iranian culture on European literature. His Iran dar Adabiyat-e Faranseh (Iran in French Literature) became one of his most celebrated works of the 1950s.

Shafa’s career also extended into politics and public life. After early involvement in nationalist politics, he briefly served as director of the press and radio department under Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq, accompanying him on his 1951 visit to the United States.

In 1957, Shafa was appointed press and cultural adviser to the Imperial Court and its official spokesperson. He subsequently headed the Court’s newly established Cultural Centre and, over the next two decades, became a central figure in its cultural initiatives, from the Imperial Cultural Council and Pahlavi National Library to the International Union of Iranologists.

His first major proposal at the Court was also one of the most ambitious: a celebration honouring the founding of the Persian Empire—an idea that would ultimately develop into the 1971 celebrations.

Before the Second World War, the Society for the National Heritage of Iran (Anjoman-e Asar-e Melli-ye Iran) played a cen...
30/09/2026

Before the Second World War, the Society for the National Heritage of Iran (Anjoman-e Asar-e Melli-ye Iran) played a central role in safeguarding and celebrating Iran’s cultural heritage. Its initiatives ranged from archaeological investigations at Persepolis and the construction of mausoleums for Hafez and Saadi to the major 1934 commemoration of Ferdowsi.

After resuming its activities in 1944, the Society turned to the 1,000th anniversary of Avicenna, marked by a new mausoleum in Hamadan, publications, commemorative stamps and an international academic congress.

By the 1950s, as UNESCO encouraged countries to commemorate significant figures and events from their histories, Iran increasingly used these occasions to bring its cultural heritage to an international audience. Celebrations for Mowlana (Rumi) followed in 1957, with further commemorations of Rudaki, Saadi, Ferdowsi and Khayyam announced the following year.

It was in this climate that, in December 1958, Shojaeddin Shafa announced plans for a major celebration marking “the founding of the Persian Empire.” Although it would take nearly thirteen years to come to fruition, the idea that would eventually become the 1971 celebrations had been set in motion.

Did you know? Since 1956, UNESCO has been associated with the commemorations of historic events and annive...
25/09/2026

Did you know?

Since 1956, UNESCO has been associated with the commemorations of historic events and anniversaries of eminent personalities celebrated by Member States and Associate Members. This aims to give these events worldwide significance for their contribution to the mutual enrichment of cultures, and to help promote international understanding, closer relations among peoples, tolerance, and peace. (Continue to read in comments)

Did You Know? Long before global attention turned to Persepolis in October 1971, the international foundation for the 2,...
23/09/2026

Did You Know?

Long before global attention turned to Persepolis in October 1971, the international foundation for the 2,500th Anniversary Celebrations was established in 1956 within the multilateral halls of the United Nations.

In 1956, amid post-war efforts to foster intercultural dialogue and ease geopolitical tensions, UNESCO launched a landmark ten-year initiative at its 9th General Conference in New Delhi: the Major Project on Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values. Member states were invited to champion their historic contributions as bridges between East and West.

Recognising the founding of the Achaemenid Empire by Cyrus the Great as a pivotal crossroads of civilisations, UNESCO adopted formal resolutions between 1958 and 1960 that officially associated the international community with the upcoming anniversary:

Global Scholarly Mobilisation: UNESCO called on member states to establish national committees—known as the “Friends of Iran”—uniting distinguished scholars, orientalists, and cultural institutions across more than 40 countries to translate classical Persian texts, curate exhibitions, and convene international symposia.

A New Ideological Framing: This global collaboration presented Cyrus the Great not merely as an ancient monarch, but as an early pioneer of universal human rights, religious tolerance, and ethical governance.

The Long Arc to 1971: While originally planned for the early 1960s, the commemoration was deferred to align with nationwide socio-economic modernisation. It culminated a decade later in October 1971 with a major World Congress of Iranology and historic gatherings at Persepolis and Pasargadae.

UNESCO

Sharing A Legacy of Universal Values&Today’s Generation of ChangemakersLONDON, UK | 21 SeptemberBuilding on a rich legac...
21/09/2026

Sharing A Legacy of Universal Values
&Today’s Generation of Changemakers

LONDON, UK | 21 September

Building on a rich legacy of cultural heritage that traces back to UNESCO’s historic resolutions celebrating Iranian heritage as a bridge of universal human rights, Persia Educational Foundation (Persia) is proud to announce its educational social media campaign in anticipation of its annual flagship event marking Human Rights Day.

In 1956, UNESCO launched its landmark initiative to foster mutual appreciation between Eastern and Western cultural values. Between 1958 and 1960, the UN body formally associated the international community with the founding of the Persian Empire, framing Cyrus the Great not merely as an ancient monarch, but as an early pioneer of ethical governance, religious tolerance, and universal human rights.

This process resulted in a range of state-sponsored social, economic and cultural development of Iran. It included Iranology conferences and publications, as well as establishment of artistic and educational institutions that culminated in a spectrum of celebrations welcoming academic, artistic, economic and political leaders from around the world.

Today, Persia Educational Foundation carries this long arc of human rights and development forward into the 21st century. Running from September through December 2026, Persia’s educational social media campaign will serve as a source of inspiration, inviting Iranians everywhere—and allies across the globe—to actively participate in educational efforts that result in the social, economic, and cultural development of Iranian communities worldwide.

Culminating this campaign is Persia’s annual Human Rights Day event, where the Foundation will officially announce this year’s recipient of the Persia Ansari Scholarship for Human Rights and Public Service. Designed to support high-achieving students of Iranian-descent in the UK and beyond, the Ansari Scholarship provides vital financial backing and recognition to the next generation of leaders dedicated to public service, rule of law, and civil society advancement.

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Since 2016, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has supported thousands of young people through the CyberFirst...
10/09/2026



Since 2016, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has supported thousands of young people through the CyberFirst programme. As the Cyber Pathway lead for the new and much larger TechFirst programme, we are proud to continue our work with a growing community of organisations committed to creating meaningful learning experiences, skills development opportunities and career pathways for secondary school and undergraduate students across the UK.

Whether you are an educator, employer, partner organisation or student, this site provides access to regional TechFirst delivery partners, valuable teaching and learning resources, and information designed to support cyber skills development and future careers.

Interested in getting involved? Explore our members page or contact us at [email protected].

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