Division of Kurdistan: Its Impact on the Unity of Kurdish National Psyche
San Diego State University, San Diego CA June 4-6, 2010
Friday, June 4th
Introduction ~ Flag Raising Ceremony ~ Singing of the Kurdish National Anthem: Ay Raqib
Panel: Youth Panel Moderator: Mr. Luqman Barwari
Mr. Sarouj Aprahami – Armenian Youth Organization
Mr. Aprahami provided an overview of the activities of Armenian organizations in North America, including youth organizations. He discussed importance of retaining the language. A lively Q&A included focus on the similarities and differences between the Armenian and Kurdish cultures in No. America as well as on Armenian organizations in Diaspora and their relationship with the Armenian government.
Ms. Nuha Sarraj – Kurdish American Youth Organization (KAYO) and KYC
Ms. Sana Ameen – Kurdish American Youth Organization (KAYO) and KYC
Speaker: Mr. Nyma Ardalan
Mr. Ardalan discussed the recent Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) Conference in Brussels. Mr. Ardalan presented a statement from Judge Ralph Fertig of Los Angeles, a human rights honoree at the Conference who was unable to attend the Brussels event… (need to expand on this, incl “Human Rights Law Project”)
KNC Affairs / Open Session Moderator: Mr. Tom Ver Ploeg
Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Azad Moradian, KNC Treasurer
Q&A Panel – KNC Board of Directors
Please join us at 7:30PM for the Banquet & Awards Presentation Reservations required
Saturday, June 5th
Registration/MC – Mrs. Soraya Fallah & Mr. Luqman Barwari
Welcome and Opening Remarks – Conference Committee Chair: Mr. Tom Ver Ploeg
Letters from Kurdish Organizations
Speaker: Mr. Azad Moradian – “Strategies and Tactics for a New Era”
Panel: Halabja/Anfal Committee Moderator: Dr. Kirmanj Gundi, Committee Chair Mr. Ken McCallion, Attorney Dr. Saman Shali, member Mr. Mar’an Abdullah, member Mr. Mohammad Aziz, member
Panel: Challenges before the Kurdish national struggle Moderator: Mr. Issa Mossa Mr. Nazmi Gur, Washington BDP Representative
A total of 6 Kurdish parties have been closed down by Turkish Government in the past 20 years and DTP was the last party that was closed down earlier in 2010, and BDP is the current active Kurdish party and it il under tremendous pressure from Turkish authorities and not without its share of legal troubles
Dr. Faraydon Rahmani, Greater Kurdish House of Toronto, Canada
Kurdish House of Toronto has a diverse Board of Directors which includes 4 individual from Nothern Kurdistan, 4 from Southern Kurdistan and 3 from Eastern Kurdistan.
Mr. Norman Leonard, SDSU: “The factors that contribute to a sense of nation – linguistic and cultural and political unity (preservation), and personal identity as a Kurd” Presentation
Has started 9 community-based language schools. Preservation of language is critical. Need greater Internet access throughout Kurdistan, including and especially the universities. Dr. Faraydon Karim, “Past and emerging problems in Kurdistan” Presentation
Speaker: Dr. Kamal Artin
“The Impact of Partition, Behavior, Culture, and Trauma on Kurdistan” Presentation
Presidential Address – Dr. Kirmanj Gundi, KNC President “Division of Kurdistan: Its Impact on the Unity of Kurdish National Psyche” Speech
Panel: Kurdish Human Rights Moderator: Ms. Soraya Fallah Dr. Kajal Rahmani, “That was then, and This is now: A comparative study of systematic treatment of Kurds as second class citizens, and denials of their basic human rights during 5 decades” Mr. Ihsan Mostafa, Syrian occupied Kurdistan Mr. Jaff Ghafoor, Iraqi occupied Kurdistan Ms. Soraya Fallah, “Kurdish Human Rights in Iran” Mr. Luqman Barwari, “Human rights violations and Kurdish initiative in Turkey”
Special Guest: Honourable Jim Kirgyannis—Member, Canadian Parliament
Halabja motion before the Canadian Parliament
Panel: Former KNC Presidents Moderator: Dr. Kirmanj Gundi
Dr. Asad Khailani Dr. Najmaldin Karim Dr. Fouad Darwesh Dr. Hikmat Fikrat Dr. Saman Shali
Please join us to Please join us to watch a new documentary film:
“More than the Mountains”
Sunday, June 6th
Election Committee: proposed changes to the Constitution Moderator: Mr. Tom Ver Ploeg Mr. Gavan Azboy Kirmanj Gundi
Election Committee: Counting the votes and announcement of the election of the new Board of Directors Moderator: Mr. Tom Ver Ploeg Mr. Gavan Azboy Dr. Kirmanj Gundi
Closing of the conference with “Ay Raqeeb”