The future of Kurdistan: Thinking Like a Nation

vokradio.com, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Kurdish National Congress of North America "The Future of Kurdistan, Thinking like a Nation" 21st annual conference, 27-28 of March, 2009,Rockville, MD EXCLUSIVE: On 27-28 of March, 2009 Kurdish National Congress of North America (KNC-NA) held its 21st annual conference titled "The Future of Kurdistan, Thinking like a Nation" at the Legacy Hotel and Meeting Center, Rockville, MD. The topics included: Flag Raising Ceremony by Dr. Khaylani and Mrs. Soraya Fallah, accompanied by guests and members along with the singing of the Kurdish anthem by all attendees Friday's program started at 12:30pm by welcoming remarks from Mrs. Soraya Fallah, KNC-NA board member. Kurdish American Youth Organization (KAYO): Mrs. Sheinei Saleem, Mrs. Zeen Al-Missouri, Silvoe Barawri. Sheinei spoke on the roll of the new Kurdish generation and the necessity of their involvement in the Kurdish issue, the structure of KAYO and some of their activities, which was presented on Power Point. Mrs. Zeen Al-MIssouri and Silvoe Barawri of KAYO-San Diego office, proudly announced the 3rd annual conference of KAYO on Apr.18 in San Diego in Southern California. They held a very active panel and ended with several questions by the audience. After break Dr. Goran Sabir MD and PHD Candidate in public health, presented his research on Health Factors in Measuring Good Governance of a New Nation. He criticized the health system in new Iraqi government and KRG in particular as well. His presentation created intensive discussion among attendees at the conference who practice in the field of medicine and public health; including Dr. Najmaldin Karim, Dr. Foud Darwish, and Dr. Mahmoud Osman. At the end of the first day of the conference, KNC's board of directors held its General Assembly: KNC affairs began with a short introduction on each member along with a report presented by active board members. The secretary of KNC proposed an amendment to the KNC constitution on behalf of two other board members. This was objected to by KNC board, the bylaw committee, and the advisory board. It was suggested that the amendment be presented 60 days prior to the General Assembly to the bylaw committee. The proposal was postponed to next year if agreed on by the committee. In conclusion the KNC's board received advice to modify some of the subject expert committees and report their activities to the board of Directors. ******************** ******************** The second day began by welcoming attendees and an Opening Remarks by Mr. Tom Ver Ploeg, KNC-NA secretary. A letter of support and congratulation from Mr. Mostafa Hejri, the secretary General of PDKI was read by Mr. Rebwar Salimi, representative of Washington DC Committee of PDKI. Mr. Aref Ahmadi, representative of Independence Party of Kurdistan talked on the Struggle for Independence. This was conducted in the Kurdish language . Samoul Jordan, former Director, Program to Abolish the Death Penalty, Amnesty International USA, discussed the Kurdish question, his experience working on Kurdish issue in Turkey, stressed the Kurdish right to claim independence based on International law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Letters of Congratulation to KNC were read by: Mr. Gharani Ilkhanzadeh, Komala Party, Mr. Kamran Balnour, KDP-Iran, and Mr. Zagros Yazdanpanah, PAK (Party Azadi Kurdistan), Dr. Karim Abdian, the Congress of Iranian Nationalities for Federal Iran (CIFNI), Along with sending their support and solidarity, they stressed KNC-NA's role in creating lasting ties between the Kurds residing in Iran and being able to be a strong lobbying voice for those Kurds. Halabja/Anfal Panel consisted of Mr. Shwan Karim, Mr. Ken McCallion (Progress and legal proceedings), Mrs. Muazaz Amin, and Dr. Kirmanj Gundi. They presented a report on Mr. Ken McCallion. They spoke of the challenges and obstacles they have faced so far and the funds collected for this cause. They requested the public's financial support. They also reported that a law suit will be filed at a Maryland court case by end of March 2009. Kurdish-Canadian Panel consisted of talks by Dr. Fereydoon Rahamani who spoke on the Greater Toronto Kurdish House and reported on their past and current activities. Mr. Mark Persaud, Chairman and Executive Officer of the Canadian International Peace Project, spoke about his connection to the Kurdish people and spoke about how Kurds can find avenues to relate to other communities and integrate better with the greater society. The next speaker was from Armenian National Committee, Mr. Aram Hamparian spoke on "Kurdish American Advocacy: Grassroots make the difference." He expressed his support for the Kurdish cause and spoke about the parallels between the Armenian plight for independence and that of the Kurds. Ms. Soraya Fallah did an interview with Mr. Arman Hamparian on behalf of vokradio.com. Presidential Address was given by Dr. Kirmanj Gundi: "The Future of Kurdistan, Thinking like a Nation." He gave a report on the current social and political situation of Kurds in the areas they reside and the role of KNC in regards to bringing their issues forth and finding ways to solve them. "Challenges before the Kurdish Nation and the Quest for Federalism in Iraq" was given by Dr. Mahmud Osman, an Independent Kurdish Member of the Iraqi Parliament. This talk was one of the most productive speeches presented at the conference. He gave a thorough analysis of the Kurdish cause within Iraq, Iraq's current statues, and the Kurdish question in the region. Mr. Mahmud Osman was also interviewed by Ms. Soraya Fallah on behalf of vokradio.com. The History Panel consisted of talks by Mr. Brusk Reshvan, Dr. Rebwar Fatah, who spoke of “History of Media & its Impact on Nation Building”, Dr. Mustefa Rechid who spoke on “Current Situation of Kurds in Kurdistan of Syria, and Mr. Tosine Reshid who spoke on Ezidism and Ezedis in the former Soviet Republics. The panel ended with attendees asking several questions. An update from Kurdistan-Turkey was given by Mr. Luqman Barwari. Mr. Luqman Barwari gave a power-point presentation with a photo gallery of his travels and reported on his work and observations in Turkey and among the Kurds. Language Panel consisted of presentations by Mr. Luqman Barwari, Dr. Rebwar Fatah, who spoke on "The Science of Kurdish language", Mr. Newzad Hirori who spoke of "The Status of Northern Dialect (Kurmanji- Bakur in Kurdistan-Iraq and the Current Trends to Standardize the Kurdish Language", and Dr. Murat Kilnic who spoke on the "History of the Kurdish Language." The Women and Leadership Panel was moderated by presented the importance of building the "culture of life in Southern Kurdistan", and how it relates to nation building. Her topic name was "Southern Kurdistan; Building the Culture of Life". This was a very empowering panel. Ms. Susan Shahab was interviewed by Mrs. Soraya Fallah on behalf of vokradio.com. A message from KNK representative in US, Mr. Saif Baderkhan was read. Along with a message of success to the conference, he stressed the importance of friendship between the two organizations and gave a brief general talk on the Kurdish situation. The Current Situation in Kurdistan Panel was moderated by Mr. Azad Moradian who presented a brief overview on the current issues and progress of all four regions of Kurdistan and also briefly presented the biography of the following speakers: Dr. Mahmud Osman who spoke of the situation in Kurdistan-Iraq, Mr. Sharif Behrouz, PDKI, representative in US, who spoke on the situation in Kurdistan-Iran, and Mr. Mustafa Rechid, voice president of PEN-International Kurdish Chapter who spoke of the situation in Kurdistan-Syria. A guest speaker was supposed to be present to speak on the situation in Kurdistan-Turkey; however, he was absent, therefore Mr. Azad Moradian briefly presented this part in order for all the Kurdish parts to have adequate representation. "The Archetype of a Median Descendent", was a satirical show prepared by Art-in-Mind.org, Dr. Kamal Artin. This was a unique and entertaining presentation seeking to convey the Kurdish problem. The night ended with the NewRoz Banquet, which was full of Music, poetry, and dance. The banquet also consisted of an honorary ceremony. This year KNC-NA presented awards to Ms. Susan Shahab Nouri, Dr. Mahmud Osman, and Dr Kurdo To see more picture of this conference please cklic on the following picture: