Dr. Kamal Artin: KNC is about building bridges between Kurds lining in North America, Kurdistan, and Kurds living in Diaspora
On June 4-6, 2010, the Kurdish National Congress of North America held its 22nd annual congress at San Diego State University in San Diego, California. In this year’s Conference, Dr. Kamal Artin was elected the new President of the organization. In an exclusive interview with Medya News, Dr. Kamal Artin talks about the conference and the organization.
By Dilan from Medya News
11 June 2010
Medya News (MN): Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Kamal Artin , MD (KA): Iwas born in Eastern Kurdistan . I migrated to Switzerland and then to US in 1980s. I completed his medical degree in Zurich, Switzerland and his psychiatry training at the University of California in San Diego and Johns Hopkins University. I was assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Southern California for two years and been in private practice in Orange County, CA since 2003.
While in Zurich I was a member of Swiss Kurdish Academic Society and Kurdish Cultural Center. I was also the host of Dangi Be Dangan (the voice of the voiceless), a multilingual radio program in Zurich. In the US I joined Kurdish American Education Society (KAES) and Kurdish National Congress of North America (KNC). I am the former president of KAES and former board member and current member of KNC. I have written over hundred articles, essays, and satires to promote the Kurdish cause. I was elected as the new president of KNC on June 6, 2010.
MN: What does KNC stand for? What are the mission and vision of this organization?
KA: KNC is about building bridges between Kurds lining in North America, Kurdistan, and Kurds living in Diaspora. As indicated on its website (www.kncna.org ), The Kurdish National Congress of North America (KNC) is a non-profit, member-driven organization representing Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan living in the United States and Canada. The KNC was founded in 1988, soon after Iraqi chemical weapons attacks on Halabja and other Kurdish cities and villages.
Its objective is to unite Kurds living in North America to work for common goals, to promote the idea of a United Free Kurdistan, and to strengthen the voice of all Kurds living in the USA and Canada. The KNC is a democratic organization.
Its president and board of directors are elected by the members and the organization is governed by a set of by-laws. The KNC encourages open discussion of issues, free speech, and active participation in leadership by its members.
MN: How reputable, this organization is in the US?
KA: It is known a secular, pluralistic, and non-partisan Kurdish organization in North America that promotes openly a free and united Kurdistan.
MN: What the organization has achieved so far in its last 30 years of activities in the US?
Canadian Member of Parliament Jim Karygiannis also attended the KNC Conference.
KA: KNC members have held annual conferences where political and cultural leaders from all over the world are invited to discuss their ideas about the Kurdish cause. They have meet policy makers in North America who are interested in the Kurdish plight. They have educated the public about the plight of the Kurds. They have issued various Press releases and sent relevant donations of money and equipment to Kurdistan.
MN: What were the main discussion points at your recent Conference where you were elected the President?
KA: Division of Kurdistan and its impact on the Kurdish National Psyche was the theme of the recent conference. Kurdish and Armenian Youth organizations had presentation on the role of the next genrration. The progress Halbja’s case in the court was discussed. KNC has filed a law suit against Alcolac, the chemical company which has sold material to the Iraqi government. The case is still ongoing. Mr. Jim Kirgyanni the Canadian Member of Parliament presented how he brought Halabja motion before the Canadian Parliament, which was endorsed as a crimes against humanity. The recent developments including human violations in all four parts of Kurdistan was discussed by representatives form different parts. My own topic was about the Impact of partition, behavior, culture, and trauma on Kurdistan.
MN: If KNC being funded by anyone?
KA: It is funded by contribution from its members.
MN: How neutral or non-party affiliated KNC is?
KA: KNC is not affiliated with any political party and is not a political party itself. It is an umbrella organization for all Kurds who believe in a free and united Kurdistan, something that most political party can not promote. As mentioned it is a secular, pluralistic, and non-partisan Kurdish organization in North America that promotes openly a free and united Kurdistan.
MN: What are your plans for the organization in the next two years?
KA: My plan is to follow the footstep of previous presidents and continue the mission of the organization. I will be working with a dedicated team of board members and members. With their help, I plan to learn from previous experiences and shortcomings and move the organization forward. We plan to visit policy makers and academic centers to educate the public especially the next generation about the history, culture, and the struggle of the Kurds. We plan to work with anyone who sincerely is interested in equality of all people including the Kurdish people to obtain their linguistic, cultural, political, and national rights. We plan to work not only with the people in North America, but also with those in Europe, Kurdistan, and other parts of the world.
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