According to the Public Relations and International Affairs Department, Seyed Javad Hosseini, Head of the Iranian Welfare Organization, attended the launch ceremony of the “SALAM” initiative in Ilam on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. He emphasized that the family is one of the greatest cultural and social assets in Iran, unparalleled in scope and influence in any society.
Referring to significant changes in local structures, especially in large cities, Hosseini noted: “Unfortunately, many urban neighborhoods have either disappeared entirely or are viewed negatively, even though neighborhoods form the foundation of social cohesion and human connections.”
Hosseini highlighted the school’s role in revitalizing and energizing local communities, stating: “Schools are the most widespread public institutions in the country and are considered the most trusted and satisfactory public spaces by the Iranian people. According to the Fundamental Transformation Document of Education, schools should become centers for cultural and social transformation in their neighborhoods, turning the concept of a ‘school without walls’ into reality.”
He further announced the Welfare Organization’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education under the SALAM initiative, utilizing school facilities in the afternoons. “Through this program, the Welfare Organization, with a network of 120,000 active volunteers and over 252,500 Positive Life Centers across the country, will provide free rehabilitation and support services in neighborhood schools,” Hosseini explained.
He also referred to the “Mehr and Dialogue for the Elderly” initiative, stating: “Under this program, elderly residents of each neighborhood can attend their local schools in the afternoons, benefiting from specialized training in aging while also using the school environment for dialogue and social interaction.”
Hosseini announced the launch of two new supportive programs, titled the “Neighborhood Cooperative” and the “Hope Account,” adding that these initiatives will be implemented in collaboration with Refah Bank to enable the management of neighborhood services and the provision of local facilities through schools.
The Head of the Welfare Organization also highlighted a new memorandum of understanding with the Iranian Optometry Association to provide free eye examinations for neighborhood residents and distribute eyeglasses to those in need. He emphasized: “Our goal is to transform schools into centers for affordable, accessible, and empowering services, so that every family can access the support they need in a safe and nearby environment.”
Concluding his remarks, Hosseini stressed the importance of reviving neighborhood identity and social bonds among residents: “If we can foster cohesion and solidarity at the neighborhood and school level, this spirit of unity will also resonate in political and national spheres. The path to social unity begins with local services and community empowerment.”
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