In her compelling TEDx talk, Nasrin Parvaz sheds light on the harrowing connection between war, torture, and the relentless creation of refugees. Drawing from personal experience and extensive research, Parvaz argues that conflict and human rights violations drive individuals to seek safety and dignity in foreign lands. She emphasizes the psychological and societal scars left by such traumatic experiences, which not only affect individuals but also resonate across generations. By sharing poignant stories of resilience, Parvaz urges viewers to understand the plight of refugees not just as numbers but as human beings with dreams and aspirations. She invites us to confront the uncomfortable truths behind global displacement and advocates for compassion and support, stressing that a collective response is essential to fostering hope and rebuilding lives. Ultimately, her message resonates: war and torture will always create refugees, but humanity’s response can make a profound difference.
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Author Video Description
In the UK, the media often scapegoat immigrants for the lack of jobs, opportunities, and access to healthcare. In Iran, Afghan refugees face similar blame. But this narrative serves a deeper purpose: to divert attention from the real cause of economic hardship—capitalism. Governments don’t want people to realize that the system is designed to funnel wealth into the hands of a few, while leaving the majority poorer, more anxious, and increasingly desperate. So, the immigrants are always blamed. Meanwhile, industries continue to pollute the air, drain rivers, and cause floods—all while producing goods that many can no longer afford. All this causes people to move to where they might be able to feed their families. In this TEDx talk, Nasrin Parvas, who was imprisoned and tortured in Iran for eight years for her advocacy of women’s and civil rights, sheds light on the struggles of refugees and what must be done to build a freer, more just world. In the UK, the media often scapegoat immigrants for the lack of jobs, opportunities, and access to healthcare. In Iran, Afghan refugees face similar blame. But this narrative serves a deeper purpose: to divert attention from the real cause of economic hardship—capitalism. Governments don’t want people to realize that the system is designed to funnel wealth into the hands of a few, while leaving the majority poorer, more anxious, and increasingly desperate. So, the immigrants are always blamed. Meanwhile, industries continue to pollute the air, drain rivers, and cause floods—all while producing goods that many can no longer afford. All this causes people to move to where they might be able to feed their families. In this TEDx talk, Nasrin Parvas, who was imprisoned and tortured in Iran for eight years for her advocacy of women’s and civil rights, sheds light on the struggles of refugees and what must be done to build a freer, more just world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “Torture and War Will Always Create Refugees | Nasrin Parvaz | TEDxUniversityofStAndrews” was uploaded on 04/21/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks