SAEDNEWS: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of implementing a neighborhood-based approach, noting that many social support organizations cover only certain segments of society. He warned that poorer and more vulnerable individuals may otherwise be left outside the support system.
According to the political service of Saed News, President Masoud Pezeshkian, in the final part of his conversation with the public, said that the purpose of establishing a neighborhood-based system is to strengthen stability in people’s lives, as well as unity and social cohesion.
The president said that institutions such as the government, the State Welfare Organization, the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, and non-governmental organizations each cover only certain segments of society and do not necessarily identify everyone in need.
He added that sometimes the poorest and most vulnerable people remain unnoticed, while those with greater access, connections, or information can more easily introduce themselves to support organizations.
Pezeshkian stressed that strengthening social and community-level capabilities can contribute to greater stability and social cohesion. He also said that residents themselves should become actively involved in expressing the problems and needs of their neighborhoods.
Criticizing the practice of dividing members of society into “insiders” and “outsiders,” the president emphasized that anyone living in a neighborhood belongs to that community and should receive attention and support regardless of their views or political orientation.
In the final part of his conversation with the public, Pezeshkian emphasized the need for participation by all segments of society in the neighborhood-based initiative. He said that mosques, schools, health centers, municipalities, the Red Crescent, and other local institutions can become centers for addressing people’s problems.
Criticizing what he described as restrictive attitudes, he said: “We have assumed that someone we consider religious is an ‘insider,’ while another person whom we do not regard in the same way is an ‘outsider.’ This mindset has prevented us from bringing everyone into the community.”
The president stressed: “We have divided people into insiders and outsiders, while there is no such thing as an outsider. Everyone who lives in that neighborhood belongs to us, and we must take care of them.”
Pezeshkian also said that instead of simply instructing people about what they should do, officials should stand alongside them and take practical steps to solve their problems. According to him, working alongside people in practice will help increase public trust.
