IRNA – A UNESCO official in Tehran appreciated the Iranian women for the 'important role' they play in the society.

'I believe the [Iranian] women have a very important role to play in Iranian society and they do,' Ms. Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director and Representative of UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office, said in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Asked about her view about the Iranian society, especially women, after being here about four years, Laroche replied 'I have absolutely loved my time here.'

'I think Iranian women are very strong, and perhaps this is one of the misconceptions that people abroad may have.'

'I have found Iranian women to be incredibly competent, capable and assertive. I have met many extraordinary women here in government, the private sector, NGOs and universities, and I believe the women have a very important role to play in Iranian society and they do.'

About Iran, she noted 'I think we should look at Iran as a country that can share its knowledge and experience with other countries in the region and the world.'

Asked about United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) scientific programs in Iran, the official answered, 'Here in Iran, we have many problems with droughts, dust and sand storms, …, so we try to focus on that and see what scientific responses we can bring to that.'

Elaborating on UNESCO's plans in the historical city of Isfahan (Esfahan) in center of Iran, Laroche noted 'Through our center in Isfahan (The Isfahan Regional Center for Technology Incubators and Science Park Development under the Auspices of UNESCO – IRIS), we also promote innovation and entrepreneurship skills.

'We support young people who come out of university with interesting ideas, and help them to develop and market their innovations.'

She further talked of the 'amazing history of scientific and archeological features' in Iran, giving 'Qanat system' as an example for those unique features.

'…, here in Iran you have very valuable knowledge and experience that you can build upon,' she underlined.

About her trip to the central Iranian city of Yazd, the UNESCO official said, 'I was recently in Yazd, and to see how people found a way to live in the middle of the dessert, use their resources sustainably, and live in harmony with each other and with nature, is something truly remarkable.'

On UNESCO's international, regional and national debates on the ethical implications of advances in medicine, biology etc., she noted 'Here in Iran, we have a very active national committee on ethics.'

Also about UNESCO's cooperation with the Iranian universities, Laroche said 'We have a wide network of universities that we work with.

'In fact, we have several UNESCO chairs at different universities here in Iran, that work on specific areas of water management, for example.

'We also have four training and research centers in Iran that are affiliated to UNESCO and are specialized on different aspects of water management.'