I am leaving tomorrow, Wednesday Oct. 5, flying from JFK to Istanbul and then to Erbil Iraq--the longest continuously inhabited city in the world. It also looks to be pretty modern at this point, if you look for photos you will see tall hotels. This is Kurdistan, northern Iraq and there is oil here. I've never been outside of Baghdad, really, except on the long ride across the desert from Amman. Honestly, we didn't stop in those days, it was dangerous…we just kept driving until we reached Baghdad. So, I am excited to see another part of the country and learn about it.
The conference is the Third Conference of ICSSI: Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative. You can read about it on the web here: http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org/
But, since I expect most will not do that, I'll share what most drew me to this conference. Their mission: to facilitate the process of building concrete links of solidarity…through practical projects that promote human rights, social justice and support the efforts against sectarian divisions, corruption and violence. ICSSI "…was born out of the wide coalition that organized the biggest demonstration in world history, against the war in Iraq in 2003 and kept working against foreign occupation, human rights and social justice in Iraq.
They list The Principles and Ethics of the Conference, including stating that it has no party, sectarian or religious affiliations. They are committed to non violence and adopt "…a principle of cooperation and voluntary work, rejecting the organization of lavish events or unjustified exchange or disbursement of money in return for any work or position." There is a lot more listed, but my final point is "… they believe civil society is a key, not a secondary partner in building a democratic Iraq free from occupation and fascism."
This was enough to get me on board. In addition, two members of 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows are going from the US. They were extremely helpful in getting me organized, I was very late with my interest and registration. And, this is a group that seems to do what ICAE tries to do, to recognize the suffering on both sides of this ongoing war/conflict/struggle. So, I am grateful for their help and encouragement, and also look forward to meeting them.
I am hoping to connect with people and/or organizations who might be willing to partner with ICAE and the hospital on our project on the children's cancer ward. Or perhaps I will learn of other initiative that ICAE might join; it has been extremely challenging to keep the project in Baghdad going.
I have no idea how this blogging will go; just as I have no idea how this trip will go. So, I leap into the unknown, hoping for a good outcome all around.