University of Aberdeen Politics and International Relations Society hosts Iranian Presidential Candidate Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi.
The Politics and International Society hosted a sell-out talk given by Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi on the 18th of February which attracted more than three hundred and fifty guests. The Iranian‑American economics professor is running in the 2013 Iranian Presidential Elections and is currently on a mission to change the way the world thinks about Iran and demonstrate his vision is to resolve the historical, political and economic tension between the global powers of the West and his country of origin.
The talk was introduced by Dr. Amirahmadi’s Director of Communications, Kayvon Afshari, the main person behind the revolutionary global grassroots campaign. The initiative is committed to engaging people in the Iranian political elections from all over the world through the use of social media and by Dr. Amirahmadi touring the world. Mr Afshari, similarly to Dr. Amirahmadi, has always dreamt of having a job where he could apply his extensive knowledge of international and foreign affairs as well as his skills in public relations and the media and make a real difference through being a pioneer in something he really believes in. The two professionals, who met in 2006, re-joined only a couple of months ago to start a campaign that would raise the world’s awareness of Iran and the desire of a section of the Iranian community who are longing to break the Western stereotype which has existed for a long time.
The Campaign
The modern campaign is engaging people from all over the world who are committed to closing the empowerment gap and widen the global perspective on the Middle East, and who believe in the power of global movements and free exchange of ideas and skills. “We are running on ideas,” said Mr. Afshari also pointing to their lean budget which is made up of individual donations. The world-wide attention they have been receiving through the social networks of the Internet has allowed the presidential candidate to develop his campaign with the help of the international community. Dr. Amirahmadi and his advisor travel by budget airlines, stay in modest accommodations and speak to everyone who is interested in what they have to say. For the past few months they have been visiting universities and various organisations primarily in the United States, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates, but will soon be visiting Iran as well as many other countries.
In his talk to the students of the University of Aberdeen, Dr. Amirahmadi candidate called himself “a bridge builder” and “a peace-maker” and he said he wished to become the Deng Xiaoping of Iran. He referred to the Chinese reformist politician as someone who has changed the direction of China without changing the political system and this is exactly what he wishes to do in Iran as well. His campaign is therefore based on resolving the three biggest conflicts he feels need urgent attention in Iran without changing the traditional political system of the country.
Factional conflicts within the country, the struggling economy and the tension between the United States and Iran are the three main pillars he concentrates his manifesto on. He has a strategic plan which he would apply if elected to solve the three problems as he believes they create a vicious circle which does not allow the government to solve any one without the other.
But why does he spend all this time campaigning outside of Iran? First of all, due to the the rigid and very closely controlled political system, the Guardian Council has the role of vetting the nominees and the list of the presidential candidates able to stand at the elections will only be released later on this year. Before receiving the Council’s approval however, by law public campaigning cannot be done. Therefore, Dr Amirahmadi is in the same position as any other declared candidate, only he is using his time to develop this unique political movement outside of Iran. Furthermore, he speculates that since there are as many as seven million Iranians living around the world, most of whom have families back home, if he can convince them of his cause then through their friends and relatives in Iran they will be of support to his campaign. The Iranian people are now also very connected to the rest of the world and can learn about the campaign through Facebook, the Internet, and satellite television. Last but not least, he is very intrigued to learn what the rest of the world think of Iranian political affairs. He closed his speech by declaring:
“This movement is a good one, and if I am elected, I can assure that I won’t disappoint anyone.”
If you would like to learn more about the campaign visit the campaign website at: http://www.amirahmadi.com/ or go to their Facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/hooshangamirahmadiofficialpage
To organise an event, email Kayvon.Afshari@amirahmadi.com
Lili Z Nagy
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