CRS Seminar: The Plight of Afghans in Iran: The Complex Gendered, Socio-political and Cultural Dimensions of a Fraught and Critical Relationship

October 23, 2025

2:00 - 3:30pm

This is a hybrid event

In person: 626 Kaneff Tower, Keele Campus, York University

Virtual: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/nAqNhRmgQuG8J25aSDRU_Q

Guest Speaker: Niloufar Pourzand, Faculty, International Development Studies and Human Rights  and CRS Affiliate

Abstract:

Niloufar Pourzand will provide a perspective on the recent forced deportations of over one million Afghan refugees from Iran, while presenting insights into the history and trajectory of over 6 million Afghan refugees coming to Iran in the course of the past several decades, making it the number one destination in the world when it comes to refugees, and the profound impact their presence has had on Iran/Iranians and of course, on Afghans themselves, those who have stayed, been deported and/or left for other diaspora destinations. The human/refugee rights aspects of what has transpired over a period of time, as well as the gendered and socio-political dimensions will be discussed, while also sharing insights about its profound consequences and possible future scenarios.

Bio:

Professor Pourzand has been teaching part-time at York U since 2016 when she was the Inaugural Professor of Practice at the Centre for Refugee Studies.  She also teaches at the Munk Centre for Public Policy and Global Affairs of the University of Toronto and is a Visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University.  Niloufar has come to York University after a 30 plus year career with the United Nations/UNICEF and has worked and lived in many different countries and regions as an International Development/Humanitarian practitioner and leader. She has a PhD in Sociology, Gender and Ethnic Studies, from the UK.  Niloufar continues to be engaged with various Civil Society Organizations and Social Movements, with a focus on Women's Rights, Children's Rights, Refugee Rights and Human Rights in Iran and Afghanistan.