Official: New programs, facilities for Iranians abroad

Tehran, Jan 18, IRNA – Secretary General of Supreme Council for Iranians Abroad said here Monday that his affiliated council has programs for taking more advantage of capabilities of Iranians residing abroad and for offering them broader facilities.

Mohammad-Sharif Malekzadeh made the comment at a gathering of IRNA representative offices inside the country and abroad, adding, 'Among those facilities and programs for the Iranians abroad I can refer to the establishment of the International Worldwide University of Iranians and establishment of the Information Bank for Iranian Students Abroad in collaboration with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).'

He reiterated, 'There would also be sponsoring media festivals abroad and establishment of Iranian Homes, as high priorities.'

Malekzadeh said, 'The Iranian Homes abroad would be totally non governmental and we have scheduled for the establishment of ten of them by the end of the current (Iranian) year (1389 – ending on March 20th, 2011) around the globe.'

Malekzadeh also emphasized that the capabilities of Iranian experts abroad must be take advantage of, arguing, 'The first step taken by this council was the establishment of the Iranian Experts Abroad Network, and the Iranian elites in various countries were identified.'

He added, 'So far over 2,000 elites and experts in various fields, residing abroad have been identified.'

Malekzadeh pointed out that having registering over 800,000 Iranians residing abroad at the Iranians Information Bank so far this information bank is an appropriate opportunity for the Iranians to have broader interactions with one another.

He informed that the Comprehensive Media Project is aimed at establishment of interactions between the Iranian and the foreign media, adding, 'IRNA can play a constructive role in this field.'

The official said, 'Preparation of and Active Iranian Journalists Information Bank Abroad and increased interactions with them, too, should be considered among our priorities.'

Malekzadeh added, 'Also the foreign reporters wishing to visit the achievements and advancement of the Islamic Republic of Iran can apply for membership at that information bank.'

He said, 'Many Iranians abroad are not well aware of the laws in the Islamic Republic of Iran, while if there is proper information dissemination through these media they would increase both their relations and their cooperation with Iran and a noticeable amount of their problems would be solved.'

The Managing Director of IRNA Ali-Akbar Javanfekr, too, in the meeting announced the readiness of IRNA offices abroad for having broader interactions with the Iranians abroad, declaring, 'As representatives of the Supreme Council for Iranians Abroad, the IRNA correspondents abroad are ready for implementing various plans for establishment of relations and expansion of cooperation in Iranians' affairs abroad.'

He meanwhile announced IRNA's readiness for assisting in preparation of a comprehensive media plan to heed the Iranians' affairs abroad.
The first joint meeting of the IRNA representatives inside and outside Iran has been in process as of Saturday.

They are scheduled to meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday./end