November 14, 2007. More than 50 guests were educated by three excellent panelists:  Nathan Gonzalez, author of "Engaging Iran: The Rise of a Middle East Powerhouse and America's Strategic Choice";  Dr. Pari Esfandiari, the funding president and Editor-in-Chief at IranDokht.com, an idea she developed while obtaining her Ph.D. in Business Ethics at Oxford Brookes University; and Elahe Amani, an internationally renowned, award-winning speaker on Iran. 

Mr. Gonzalez began the program by explaining that Sunnis consider Shias their enemies.  Iran is backing the Sunnis inside Iraq.  Iran is an oasis of pro-American people, 74% of whom want to have a dialogue with the United States.  The Iranians say:  "I hate my government, but if the US attacks my country I will fight for it."  Diplomacy will be the answer.  We cannot talk about stabilizing Iraq without including Iran.  Most of the sanctions on Iran have not been successful, they shift the burden onto the people.  The US needs to understand Iran's motivations.

Pari Esfandiari advised that the media plays a big role in shaping public opinion. Islam has to be a major player in the peace process.There is not a wide political divide between the US and Iran.  Since the US has made peace with historical enemies (Japan, Russia), we could do it with Iran. Iran wrote the first book on human rights in 538BC The median age in Iran is 25, so it is important to engage young people. Ms. Esfandiari launched IranDokht to focus on women's rights in Iran.

Elahe Amani focuses her life on human rights and women's rights.  We are witnessing a rise in extremism of identity.  We need to engage in negotiation.  Iranian women are being violated.  A man can have 4 wives and unlimited temporary marriages.  Many Iranian women are marrying Afghanistan men, as 2m Afghan refugees fled to Iran.  The government favors men in marriages and settlements.  More women than men are stoned.  Women are contracting HIV-AIDS 6x more than men, it is now becoming a woman's issue.  We should be targeting the young women in Iran with our messages of peace.  There are 350+ women's NGOs in Iran.  They are the backbone of the country. This event took place at the Mission Valley Library.