Iran Opportunities Fund

The Iran Opportunities Fund is a unique public-private partnership dedicated to fostering mutual understanding between the U.S. and Iran through international exchange. The Fund was launched by Laya Khadjavi, Roya Khadjavi-Heidari, and Nazgol Saati Shahbazi, along with IIE Trustee Maryam Panahy Ansary, and through the efforts of these remarkable women the program has made great strides to involve the Iranian community in the U.S. in improving cultural and educational relations between Iran and the United States.

The Persian Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program introduces and strengthens Persian language instruction at U.S. educational institutions. Funded by IIE’s Iran Opportunities Fund, this program aims to address a critical need to promote understanding between the peoples of the United States and Iran. The Persian FLTA Program provides opportunities for young Iranian teachers to refine their teaching skills, to increase their English language proficiency, and to gain experience with and knowledge of U.S. culture and customs while at the same time provides a reciprocal opportunity for American students and heritage learners to have access to a professor with contemporary knowledge of Iranian culture and society. The problems of media bias, misinformation and suspicion can be overcome.

For more information on how to support this Fund, please contact (212) 984-5310.