When Alicia Cattoni's mom learned her daughter would be going to Iran, her immediate question was, why would anyone want to go there?

Cattoni — a 24-year-old Ventura resident, Ojai native and documentary filmmaker — said her reasons were obvious. For starters, a trip to Iran would give her the chance to learn about a culture that's been around for more than 4,000 years.

Cattoni, who was scheduled to leave today as part of a delegation, also hopes that in some small way, the trip will sow the seeds of peace and prevent a war between the United States and Iran.

The trip comes amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions. Many fear it's only a matter of time before the increasing friction leads to open warfare.

Cattoni will take a video camera to film as much of her two-week journey as possible.

"I want to use this experience to show people here that people in Iran are just like us for the most part," Cattoni said Monday as she made some last-minute preparations. She will travel with 20 other delegates from the United States.

The trip is being organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation. The group was formed in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I. In the nearly 100 years since, it has sent peace delegations to hot spots around the world in an effort to avoid violence and war.

"One big way this is done is to build relationships directly between citizens rather than just depend on governments to find peaceful outcomes," said Ethan Vesely-Flad, a member who will be traveling with Cattoni.

These direct relationships often lead to greater understanding among people of different nations, Vesely-Flad said. And understanding often leads to peace.

Vesely-Flad, an Episcopalian, said Christians have a duty to promote peace around the world. "This is very central to who we are. We're commanded to promote peace and do justice in the world," said the New York City resident.

During their stay, the group will meet with Iranians from a variety of backgrounds, Vesely-Flad said, including artists, educators and government officials. "We also will meet with ordinary people on the street," he said.

Stanley Campbell, a member of the United Methodist church from Rockford, Ill., said he learned Iran was a modern society when he visited the country with a Fellowship of Reconciliation delegation in 2006. "It's one of the most democratic nations in the Middle East," Campbell said Monday.

While the government is controlled by Islamic ideologues, "the people themselves tend to be very secular," he said.

Campbell had the chance to dispel several misconceptions about Iran during his trip. For example, he said, the vast majority of Iranians he met were fond of Americans.

"The perception among many people in the United States is that they don't like us. The opposite is true."

Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, a former Ojai resident who has worked to promote peace between Muslims and Jews, told Cattoni about the trip to Iran some months ago, and asked her if she would like to go. Cattoni said she immediately accepted.

Cattoni hopes to gather enough material to make a documentary. Meanwhile, she will stay in touch with her mom, friends and other family members by phone and e-mail. She also might write a blog about her trip and post it on her Web site, http://www.aliciacattoni.com.