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In this episode of the Kurdistan in America podcast, brought to you by the KRG Representation in the US, host Delovan Barwari explores the Lincoln-Duhok Sister City initiative. This collaboration through university partnerships focuses on key areas like education, healthcare, cultural exchange, and community development, all while emphasizing the importance of unity within both communities to build a stronger future.

Joining Delovan are four members of Lincoln’s Yazidi and Kurdish community, all part of the working group: Dr. Falah Rashoka, PhD in Nutrition and Health Sciences; Dr. Hadi Pir, PhD in Education and advocate for community development; Layla Younis, an International Development professional; and Kak Haroon, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Delovan is also part of this working group, helping to advance the initiative.

The episode delves into the origins of the UNMC-University of Duhok partnership, efforts to expand collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the impact of this initiative on Yazidi and Kurdish students. It also highlights how this partnership strengthens ties between Duhok and Lincoln.

Stay tuned for this inspiring conversation on the power of unity and the importance of partnerships in addressing shared challenges and creating meaningful connections.

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In 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.

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In 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.