The Global Working Group (GWG) was founded by the Global Regional Leaders on 31^st December, 2009 on the auspicious occasion of the 9^th World Zoroastrian Congress in Dubai.

Objectives being:

• To create a sense of “Worldwide Zoroastrian Community without borders.”
• To provide a channel for communication between Regions.
• Create a platform for Community Leaders from around the world to discuss issues and challenges.
• A source of support to Parsi, Irani, Iranian and Zoroastrian Community worldwide.
• Take care of community needs by undertaking various projects through Working Committees.

Prior to the formation of GWG, several conferences took place at various locations, between 1991 to 2004. They were attended by leadership from various regions, Zoroastrian Associations, International Organisations and Mobed Council. The meetings were coordinated by Rohinton Rivetna, Founding President of FEZANA, and a stalwart of Zoroastrian Community in Chicago, USA. These conferences offered the Regions and its members a chance to ‘Connect Collaborate and Create’. Deliberations included the formation of the ‘World Council of Zoroastrian Federations,’ which did not materialise.

Thereafter, ‘Coming Together Round Table Conferences’ (CTR) took place between 2005 to 2009 and were again coordinated by Rohinton Rivetna. The first CTR took place in London in 2005 at the World Zoroastrian Congress and the fifth was held in Dubai on 27^th December, 2009. Leadership from various regions participated and discussions ranged from engaging the apex community organisations in dialogue and action; developing socio-communal projects, promoting the role of Zoroastrian women, undertaking demographic surveys and studies, discussing matters relating to Iran and more…

Before the exhilarating journey of the 9th World Zoroastrian Congress came to an end, a special meeting was held on 31st December, 2009 (coordinated by Sam Balsara, Chairman, Madison World and Congress Chair, Meher Bhesania and her team), in which world community leaders from India, North America, UK, Iran, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore and more… participated. Six focus areas that emanated from the Congress Survey, were discussed by Sam, one being the formation of ‘Global Working Group’. Thanks to the understanding and support of participatory leadership, a final consensus, was reached to form the Global Working Group, which in a way led to the transfer of ownership of CTR to the newly formed Global Working Group comprising of all regions where Zoroastrians live. The consensual agreement of coming together which was elusive for decades was certainly a watershed moment for the Zoroastrian Community and an enduring legacy of no small proportion for the Dubai Congress.

After 10 years of cordial working relationship between Regional Representatives, an idea to form a global trust was mooted in 2020 and the Global Council of Zoroastrians Trust was set up in Mumbai, on 14^th November, 2022. It’s a Public Trust. Sincere appreciation goes to Burjorji Antia, Senior Partner, Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe, Advocates, Solicitors and Notaries for extending his help in setting up this Trust.

Equally vital was the role played by Neville Shroff, Chairman, GWG in putting GWG on a sound footing along with Regional Representatives.

Today GCZT is a bicameral trust with the Board of Trustees on one side and GWG Regional Representatives on the other.

Passionate hearts and hands will help accomplish a shared vision through the Working Committees.

Details relating to Participating Regions and Regional Representatives of GWG are given below: