Kurdistan in America

Send us a textIn this episode of the Kurdistan in America podcast, brought to you by the Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States, host Delovan Barwari takes a closer look at the recent parliamentary elections in Kurdistan, held on October 20th.Delovan is joined by Dr. Mohammedali Yaseen Taha, a former Kurdistan Parliament member, academic, and current adviser to the KRG Prime Minister. With his background in political science, Dr. Taha shares valuable insights into how the election unfolded, the challenges faced on election day, and the steps ahead for forming a new government.They also discuss recent federal court rulings that could impact the electoral process and consider how the upcoming census might shape the political landscape in Kurdistan. The episode wraps up with thoughtful recommendations for strengthening candidate quality in future elections.Tune in for an in-depth conversation on this pivotal moment for Kurdistan’s political future.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Kurdistan in America podcast, host Delovan Barwari is joined by Emma DeCaro and Dr. Karwan Al-Dosakee to discuss the Kurdistan Deaf Human Rights Initiative, a transformative project aimed at advancing the rights and services for the deaf community in Kurdistan. They shed light on the challenges faced by deaf individuals, such as the lack of access to sign language education beyond the 9th grade and the very limited opportunities available from 1st to 9th grade.Emma, Dr. Karwan, and Delovan discuss how the first phase of the project trained sign language interpreters at the American University of Kurdistan in Dohuk and established an advisory committee that includes key stakeholders from the deaf community and government ministries. Funded by the US Embassy through IREX, the second phase is now ending, focusing on laying the groundwork for standardizing a Kurdish Sign Language (KuSL) documentation process with its natural variations. This process can ultimately support the development of a community-based dictionary to increase opportunities for Deaf education and interpreter training.This episode offers an in-depth look at the impactful work of the Kurdistan Deaf Human Rights Initiative, a project that began at the KRG Representation and is supported by the KRG, NGOs, and international partners to improve education, accessibility, and rights for the deaf community across Kurdistan.Tune in to this important discussion on the needs of the Deaf community in Kurdistan. The full transcript, interpreted in Kurdish Sign Language (KuSL), is also available on YouTube—click the link here—with interpretation by Ahmed Ali.

Send us a textIn this episode of the "Kurdistan in America" podcast, host Delovan Barwari talks with Rick Hall, Co-Founder and Educational Director of Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute, and Jihan Brifki, Executive Director of Hanasa Plus. They discuss the environmental challenges in the Kurdistan Region and how the Earth Partnership program can address these issues through education.The Earth Partnership program, started at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991, focuses on restoring native habitats to promote community learning and land stewardship. Rick shares how these ideas can be applied in Kurdistan, while Jihan highlights ways to involve local communities and manage resources effectively.Together, Delovan, Rick, and Jihan are working on a project to introduce the Earth Partnership program into the KRG’s K-20 education system, aiming to teach these principles and raise environmental awareness across Kurdish society.Tune in to learn about the future of environmental education in Kurdistan.

Send us a textWelcome back to the "Kurdistan in America" podcast, the official podcast of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representation in the United States, hosted by Delovan Barwari, Director of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives.In this episode, we delve into the harrowing events of 3 August 2014, when ISIS launched a brutal genocidal campaign against the Yezidi community in Sinjar. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Yezidi Genocide, a tragic event that has left deep scars. Around 250,000 Yezidis, nearly half of their community, remain displaced, with about a quarter having fled the country. Over 2,600 Yezidi women are still missing, and many mass graves are yet to be uncovered. The security situation in Sinjar and its surrounding areas remains unstable, with approximately 70 percent of Sinjar's infrastructure in ruins. Additionally, the absence of a special international tribunal for ISIS crimes has resulted in a significant lack of justice and accountability.In this sixth episode of season five, we are honored to welcome Ms. Sozan Safar, President of the DAK Organization for Yazidi Women Development. Based in Sharia, Duhok, DAK has been dedicated to supporting Yezidi women since June 2015, with the overarching goal of empowering and aiding all vulnerable women. Ms. Safar discusses the current situation of the Yezidi community, the unstable security and infrastructure in Sinjar, and the urgent need for justice and accountability.Stay tuned for this insightful and timely conversation with Ms. Suzan Safar.