Nazanin Afshin-Jam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nazanin Afshin-Jam
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| نازنین افشین جم | |
Afshin-Jam-MacKay at the arrival of Prince Charles in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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| Born | April 11, 1979 |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia (B.A.) |
| Title | Miss World Canada 2003 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
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Nazanin Afshin-Jam (Persian: نازنین افشین جم, born April 11, 1979) is an Iranian-Canadian human rights activist and author. She is also a public speaker and was crowned Miss World Canada 2003.
Nazanin is the president and co-founder of Stop Child Executions. This group works to end the practice of executing young people. She also started The Nazanin Foundation. She moved to Canada with her family in 1981. She is married to Peter MacKay, who used to be a government minister in Canada.
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Growing Up in Iran and Canada
Nazanin Afshin-Jam was born on April 11, 1979, in Tehran, Iran. Her father managed a big hotel there. Her mother became a Christian before the Iranian Revolution. Nazanin and her older sister were raised in their mother's faith.
During the Iranian Revolution, her father was put in jail. After he was set free, he and his family left Iran. They went to Spain for a year. Then, they moved to Canada and settled in Vancouver.
Education and Helping Others
Nazanin studied at the University of British Columbia. She earned degrees in international relations and political science. This means she learned about how countries work together and how governments operate.
Later, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy. She also has an honorary doctorate in laws.
After finishing her studies, Nazanin worked with the Red Cross. She was a Global Youth Educator. In this role, she taught young people about important issues. These issues included land mines, how war affects children, and how poverty and disease are connected. She also helped with natural disasters.
Becoming Miss World Canada
In 2003, Nazanin Afshin-Jam was crowned Miss World Canada. This meant she represented Canada in the Miss World 2003 competition. The event took place in Sanya, China. She did very well, placing as the first runner-up.
Working for Human Rights
Nazanin Afshin-Jam is well-known for her work in human rights. She has helped many people and started important campaigns.
Helping Nazanin Fatehi
Nazanin Afshin-Jam started a big campaign to help a young girl named Nazanin Fatehi. This girl faced serious legal issues in Iran. Afshin-Jam created a petition that got over 350,000 signatures from around the world.
She also dedicated a song called Someday to Nazanin Fatehi. Because of pressure from people worldwide, Fatehi was given a new trial. Later, she was found innocent and released. Afshin-Jam even raised money to help pay for her release. For her efforts, Afshin-Jam received the Hero for Human Rights Award.
Stopping Child Executions
Afshin-Jam started the Stop Child Executions Campaign. This group works to help young people who are facing execution. The campaign became a non-profit organization in 2008.
Nazanin is a co-founder and president of this group. Their main goal is to stop the execution of young people in Iran and other countries.
Other Important Work
In 2008, Nazanin organized a protest rally in New York. It was called the Ahmadinejad's Wall of Shame rally. This protest happened while a leader from Iran was speaking at the United Nations.
She has received several awards for her human rights work. These include the Global Citizenship Award and the Human Rights Hero Award. She also received the Emerging Leader Peacemaker Award.
In 2012, Nazanin received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This medal honors Canadians who have made important contributions.
Film and Music
Nazanin Afshin-Jam has also been involved in films and music.
Documentary Film Work
She was part of a documentary film called Honor Diaries. This film looked at issues of violence and inequality against women in some societies. Nazanin shared her own story along with other activists. They all work to fight against unfair treatment based on gender.
Music Career
Nazanin's first music album, Someday, came out in 2007. Her music includes different styles, like world music.
Several of her songs have been popular on music charts. Her song "I Dance 4 U" reached the Top 30. Her song "Someday" also climbed the charts in the U.S. Another song, "I Do," reached the Billboard Chart. She released a Christmas song called "On Christmas Day." The money from this song helps the Stop Child Executions Campaign.
Personal Life
Nazanin Afshin-Jam is a licensed pilot. She can fly both powered planes and gliders. She achieved the highest rank in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. She was raised Catholic and continues to practice her faith.
On January 4, 2012, Nazanin married Peter MacKay. He was a Canadian government minister at the time. They had a private ceremony in Mexico. The couple has three children: two sons named Kian and Caledon, and a daughter named Valentia.
Images for kids
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Nazanin Afshin-Jam-MacKay at the arrival of Prince Charles in Halifax, Nova Scotia
