The Kurdish American Youth Organization held its first official conference on Saturday, February 10th, 2007 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee. The theme of the gathering was the first official conference for all the Kurdish youth across North America. The conference focused on the generational gap existing in Kurdish communities and the role of the youth in Kurdish societies. The conference highlighted the organization’s strong commitment to preserving the Kurdish culture and the need to increase awareness among Kurds and non-Kurds of the culture and history, and problems facing the Kurdish people in Kurdistan.

The conference began with an introduction and welcoming in both English and Kurdish by KAYO director, Mr. Butan Amedi, and active KAYO member, Ms. Neval Pektas. They introduced the first guest speaker, Kurdish youth activist - Mr. Hemin Qazi - who spoke about the importance of Kurdish unity and the obligation of the Kurdish youth to continue to preserve the Kurdish culture that previous generations had struggled and sacrificed to protect.

Mr. Aram Torabian, KAYO director of the board, introduced the first panel entitled “Kurdistan”, focusing on the circumstances and issues facing the Kurdish people in Kurdistan. Subjects ranged from the difficulties facing the Kurdish youth in Turkey and the injustices committed by the Turkish state, to the current political situation in Southern Kurdistan and Iraq. The first speaker, Mr. Ali Ezzatyar, a student of International Law at UC Berkeley, discussed the use of the EU court of human rights to bring injustices against Kurds in front of the legal system and discussed how young law students can pursue a career in this field. Mr. Kani Xulam of the American Kurdish Information Network highlighted the need for recognition of Kurdish suffering at the hands of Saddam Hussein and the Turkish state, as well as in the other parts of Kurdistan. He told a story of a Kurdish youth in Turkey who never got the freedom to live as Kurds do in America.

The next speaker, Ms. Neval Pektas, briefly gave a historical overview of the division of Kurdistan and described it as a time when Kurds were separated from one another. She then described her own experiences growing up in Ankara and the problems of assimilation, and the need for Kurds to help one another. The last speaker, Dr. Michael Gunter, a professor at Tennessee Technological University and the author of several books about the Kurds, concluded the panel with a talk about Kurdish federalism in Iraq and the present situation for the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The next panel was chaired by KAYO director of the board - Ms. Sheinei Saleem - entitled “Kurdish Society & Women”. The panel focused on the importance of eliminating the inequalities of sexes in Kurdish societies and importance of education for young Kurdish women. Ms. Saleem began with a speech about the progress of Kurdish culture in regards to women but the need to correct the inequalities that still exist. She also emphasized the need for Kurdish women to take initiatives and to play a larger part in their Kurdish communities. Mr. Ahmed Brifkani, a former educational instructor, gave a talk on the need for Kurdish women to be treated equally in order for Kurdish people to progress in all aspects. He highlighted the importance of education and the need to take action in order to achieve goals.

The next speaker was college professor and author, Dr. Kay Mizell, who spoke of the importance of women’s role in the preservation of the Kurdish culture. She spoke of her experiences in speaking with Kurdish women and said there was a need for young Kurds to express their culture in a variety of ways. The final speaker of the panel was active KAYO member, Ms. Nora Brifkani, who described her experiences as a youth during the refugee crisis in Southern Kurdistan. She concluded the panel by explaining that it is important to stress the need for education within Kurdish families in order to improve Kurdish societies in America and in Kurdistan. The panel sparked discussions about the several different roles Kurdish women could have in society and the need to allow young women to choose their own role.

Following a break, several letters that were sent to KAYO were read on behalf of different organizations and establishments. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Mr. Taha Barwary, sent a letter to KAYO congratulating the members for organizing the conference and discussing different projects that are underway in Southern Kurdistan. Letters were also sent by the Kurdish Youth of Netherlands, the Kurdish Youth Club of Atlanta (KYC), and the Kurdish National Congress of North America congratulating KAYO. A representative of the KYC, Mr. Heval Kelli, also presented his group’s “Kurds for Education” project available on the group’s website (www.kurdishyouthclub.com). The next speaker was a student of film and a young director, Mr. Apo Welatparez, who introduced his upcoming feature-length film based on a Kurdish youth who migrates to America and experiences a clash of cultures and a loss of his Kurdish identity.

Mr. Ara Alan, KAYO director of the board, introduced the next panel entitled, “Kurdish Culture & Bridging the Gap”, by describing the difficulties of the Kurdish-American in relation to the American culture and society as well as the Kurdish culture and society. The panel was focused on the differences between the younger and older generation of Kurds and sparked discussions about the issues existing within Kurdish communities. Mr. Ara Alan explained the importance of embracing certain aspects of both cultures and the need to accept these realities. Dr. Kamal Artin, director of the board for the Kurdish National Congress of North America, gave a slide presentation discussing the generational gaps and the differences between a Kurdish daughter and her strict father. The discussion concluded that her situation was similar to the situation of a stateless people without their choice. Ms. Kajin Abdullah, an active KAYO member, highlighted that respect and family values are among the most important aspects that define Kurdish culture. She described the most common problem within Kurdish families as being a result of the lack of communication, and also discussed the reality that older siblings also play a parental role in Kurdish families and should work hard to be better role models.

The panel was concluded with a speech given by Ms. Helene Sairany, a PhD student, who described the differences among Kurdish people themselves from the most extreme “westernized” to those who look down upon western values. She explained her view that the correct role in order to improve Kurdish societies and culture is to invest in positive western values without losing the true Kurdish identity.

Kurdish activist and supporter of the KAYO Flood Relief project, Mr. Luqman Barwari, gave a slide presentation on the successes of the flood relief project. He presented the project and the distribution of near $10,000 worth of donations among the 39 families who were victim to the floods in Amed. He shared pictures of his trip to Turkey and Kurdistan and meetings with Kurt-KAV and Amed Mayor Osman Baydemir on behalf of KAYO and the Kurdish communities who participated in the project efforts.

The conference concluded with a panel and question and answer period about the Kurdish American Youth Organization. President of KAYO, Mr. Goran Sadjadi, spoke about the organization’s goals and objectives, and accomplishments and future prospects. He also explained the importance of converting the goals set in Kurdish conferences and gatherings into realities and achievements, and the need for Kurds to work together in order to help themselves. KAYO Secretary, Mr. Nezar Ahmet, and KAYO director, Ms. Sheinei Saleem, spoke about the organization’s goals in both the Sorani and Kurmanci dialects. They also talked about the need for young Kurds to be more involved in their communities. Mr. Rebaz Qaradaghi, director of the board for KAYO, highlighted the importance of Kurdish unity and the need to come together regardless of regional, political, religious or dialectal background. He described the organization as one that has been founded on those values. Ms. Ayrin Torabian, active member of KAYO, described her role in the organization as one of the youngest active members. She explained that KAYO is an organization for youth of all ages and that anyone with the desire and will to work for their people can be a part of it.

The conference was followed by a celebration at Tennessee State University. Mr. Hikmet Andic, professional saz musician, opened the celebration with a performance. He was followed by famous Kurdish singer, Dler, who gave a full live performance for the attendees to enjoy and dance to.

http://www.kurdmedia.com/articles.asp?id=14055