Dr. Soraya Fallah Official Blog

  Gender Dynamics in Advocacy and Education: Celebrating International Women’s Day Through Research Dr. Soraya Fallah Today, I had the opportunity to present (glance through) my research to doctoral candidates in the  Doctoral Dissertation Seminar ,  where I explored the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) populations from Middle Eastern, North African, and Southwest Asian (MENASWA) families within the U.S. special education system. One slide that truly stood out to me highlighted the role of gender in shaping parental advocacy, school engagement, and the perception of disability. My research reveals that gender dynamics play a crucial role in how mothers and fathers navigate the special education system. Mothers often take on the primary responsibility of advocating for their children's educational needs, yet they face cultural and institutional challenges , including stigma, microaggressions, and stereotypes. Notably, the data from my ...

https://youtu.be/or_G1wxYzpA     Bridge to Belonging: Inclusive Education Conference I am honored to be speaking at the Bridge to Belonging: Inclusive Education Conference , hosted by the California Council for Exceptional Children (CA CEC), 2Teach Global, and the CSUN Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) . This event will take place on February 26-27, 2025, at CSUN (18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91330). This conference is designed to equip educators and administrators with practical strategies to support inclusive education . It offers an invaluable professional development opportunity, providing insights and resources that can inspire meaningful practices in classrooms and beyond. A special thank you to Dr. Wendy Murawski and her dedicated team for their hard work in organizing this impactful event and bringing together professionals committed to fostering inclusivity in education. Our Presentation: My colleague and I, representing the Refugee Educational Supp...

  UNA-San Fernando Valley Participates as Advisors at VRMUN 2025 By: Dr. Soraya Fallah On Saturday, February 1, 2025, the 6th Annual Model United Nations Conference (VRMUN 2025) brought together hundreds of motivated young delegates at GHCMUN. Known for tackling global issues with a dynamic approach, GHCMUN has earned accolades at prestigious conferences like BMUN (UC Berkeley), HMUN (Harvard), and the National High School Model United Nations at the UN Headquarters. A highlight of this year's conference was the participation of the United Nations Association of the San Fernando Valley (UNA-SFV) Board of Directors, who provided invaluable guidance as advisors and guest speakers. Inspiring Leadership and Advocacy Deputy Secretary-General Stephanie Dinh introduced the UNA-SFV speakers, starting with President David Tuckman. He delivered a compelling message on the history of the chapter, drawing from his extensive volunteer work with the Red Cross, the National Young Profe...

  Distinguished delegates, esteemed guests, and future leaders, It is an honor to stand before such a dedicated group of young individuals committed to global change and advocacy. Your passion for making a meaningful impact on the world is both inspiring and essential as we navigate the challenges of today. There was a small, liminal space—a brief yet profound moment in my life—when I truly believed that my friends and I had changed the world. I was only 12 years old during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, caught in the tornado of history. Political scientists have since studied such transformative moments, where old systems collapse and new realities emerge. But my generation was unprepared for what followed—the mass atrocities and gross human rights violations that darkened our hopes. From a young age, I became an activist for human rights, peace, and equality. By the time I was fourteen, I had already been arrested and had witnessed friends endure imprisonment, torture, and even dea...

Dr. Soraya Fallah on Iran Post with Reza Goharzad: Syrian Crisis, Middle East, and Kurdish Question In my recent interview on @Iran Post, Channel One TV, with journalist @Reza Goharzad, we explored critical topics shaping the Middle East today. From the ongoing Syrian crisis and the challenges of reconstruction to the role of Kurdish autonomy and the contributions of Kurdish women in leadership, we touched on these significant issues given the time constraints. We also discussed the geopolitical and political roles of Turkey and Iran in the region and their influence on the Syrian conflict. Mr. Goharzad, a lifelong journalist with integrity and progressive perspectives, facilitated a meaningful and engaging dialogue. It was an honor to share insights and shed light on these complex matters. To watch the full interview, visit Channel One: Watch Here and check out more on Iran Post: Iran Post Playlist #MiddleEast #SyrianCrisis #KurdishIssues #WomenInLeadership #IranPost #DrSorayaFallah...

  Event Report: Human Rights Day – Creating Immigrant Pathways Report and Video by Dr. Soraya Fallah, Vice President of UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Time: 7:00 PM Platform: Zoom (Meeting ID: 852 0385 4195 | Passcode: 444510) Event Link: https://una-socal.org/events/december-10-2024-un-human-rights-day/ Chapter Website: https://una-socal.org/san_fernando_valley/ As Vice President of the UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter, I co host and cofacilitate our virtual celebration of Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024. The theme of the event, Creating Immigrant Pathways , was designed to explore the legal pathways to immigration in the United States and to celebrate the diversity and contributions of immigrant communities. The event attracted hundreds of attendees from various backgrounds, including community members, educators, students, and immigration advocates, who gathered to reflect on the intersection of human rights and immi...

  Urgent Call for Advocacy and Support for Pakhshan Azizi, Social Worker Imprisoned in Iran Dear Members of the International Federation of Social Workers, I am writing to you in my capacity as a human rights advocate, and campaign mobilizer for global justice, previous member of the International Federation of Social Workers, a researcher, as well as a lifelong supporter of the social work profession. I reach out with deep concern regarding the dire situation of Ms. Pakhshan Azizi, a courageous social worker and civil society activist from Iran’s Kurdish ethnic minority, who is currently imprisoned under grave and unjust circumstances. Ms. Azizi, a dedicated humanitarian, has committed her life to aiding refugees and vulnerable communities. Since 2015, during one of the most perilous times in the Middle East, she worked tirelessly in Syria’s Rojava region, providing essential support to victims of violence and displacement caused by ISIS. Her work was purely humanitarian, yet...