The Norwegian Tibet Committe (DNT) and the Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds (RKR) jointly invites to a seminar addressing the challenges of suppressed and marginalised peoples in their efforts to maintain their cultural heritage and identity. The seminar at the Human Rights House in Oslo on Wednesday 10 June from 10:00 to 15:30 will bring together experts on both the Kurdish and the Tibetan case. (06-JUNE-08)
Based on DNT´s and RKT´s joint invitation, this article has been edited and prepared for publication here by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz.
From the Norwegian Tibet Committee, the Chairperson Chungdak Koren and Professor Per Kværne will speak on the political implications of trying to protect and promote Tibetan culture. On the case of Kurdistan, a Minister from the Kurdish regional government and members of her staff in the Department for Anfal and Martyrs will describe the damage on the Kurdish cultural heritage done during Saddam Hussein´s time in Iraq. Complimenting the Iraqi situation, Ercan Ayboga, leading the grassroots campaign to stop the damming of central Kurdish towns in the valley of Hasankeyf, Turkey, will share his experience. A journalist and a lawyer from Diyarbakir will also introce the discussions on how to save and maintain one´s Kurdish cultural identity in Turkey.
This is the full preliminary programme of the Norad-sponsored seminar:
THE CONFERENCE ON GLOBALIZATION AS A THREAT TO CULTURAL HERITAGE OF OPPRESSED PEOPLE
WEDNESDAY 11th of JUNE
Venue: The Norwegian Human Rights House, Tordenskioldsgate 6b, First floor
Session 1:
The Consequences of Anfal on the Cultural Heritage in Kurdistan Iraq
1000-1010 Official opening of the Conference by Vidar Birkeland, Chair of the Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds (RKR) and Chungdak Koren, Chair The Norwegian Tibet Committee
1010-1030 Documentations on Destruction of Kurdish Heritage during Anfal, Lanja Ibrhim Abdulrahman, Adviser at the Kurdistan Regional Government
1030-1050 The Destruction of Kurdish Countryside, Nazar Jamil Abdulazeez, Adviser at Kurdistan Regional Government
1050-1110 How to restore Kurdish landscape after the harassments of the Saddam Regime, Goran Mustafa Muhamad, Minister Office Manager at the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs in the Kurdistan Regional Government
1110-1130 How to recreate the Multi-ethnic Culture in Kurdistan, Hayat Majed Qader, researcher
1130-1150 How to restore Kurdish Cultural Heritage after Anfal, Chnar Saad Abdullah, Minister of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs in the Kurdistan Regional Government
1150-1200 Summing Up and Closing of the Session
1200-1300 Lunch break
Session 2:
Present Threats towards Cultural Heritage of the Tibetans
1300-1315 Introduction of the Seminar by Chungdak Koren, Chair of The Norwegian Tibet Committee
1315-1345 Per Kvaerne – Professor at The University of Norway
1345-1400 Summing Up – Panel Discussion
1400 Closing of the Session
Session 3:
How can the International Society handle the Challenges against Threats on Cultural Heritage of Minority People?
1400-1415 Introduction of the Seminar by Vidar Birkeland, Chair of the Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds
1415-1445 The Ilisu Dam Construction in Turkey as a Threat to Kurdish Civilization in South-Eastern Anatolia, Ercan Ayboga – Representative of The Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive
1415-1445 Erstad Youmna, UNESCO Norway (?) or Ingunn Kvisteroy, The Norwegian Ministry of Environment (?)
1445-1530 Summing Up – Panel Discussion by Vidar Birkeland (RKR)
1530 Closing of the Conference
THE CONFERENCE ON GLOBALIZATION AS A THREAT TO CULTURAL HERITAGE OF OPPRESSED PEOPLE
Preliminary Program
TUESDAY 10th of JUNE
Venue: The Norwegian Human Rights House, Tordenskioldsgate 6b, First floor
Introductory Session: Hasankeyf as a threat to Kurdish Culture
1700-1715 Opening of the Seminar by Vidar Birkeland, Chair of the Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds
1715-1745 Bedia Kestin – Editor of Firat News
1745-1815 Meral Danis – Lawyer
1815-1845 Panel Discussion
1845-1900 Closing of the Seminar
