Dr. Carol Prunhuber: Kurdish Diaspora wants to help Kurdistan Region
By Roni Alasor and Lorin Sarkisian
Brussels, October 8, Ararat News Publishing (ANP) – The Second World Kurdish Congress will take place in Erbil, Federal Kurdistan Region, on October 11th-15th. Ararat News-Publishing spoke with Dr. Carol Prunhuber, Venezuelan writer and journalist, founding member and member of the Scientific Committee of the World Kurdish Congress, about her views and expectations from WKC 2012
ANP: When did you first learn about the WKC?
Dr. Carol Prunhuber: Two years ago, Alan Dilani emailed me after he had finished read my book on Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou, The Passion and Death of Rahman the Kurd. He told me that my book had inspired him to put his professional acumen to serve his nation. He shared his dream with me about holding the first WKC and asked if I would be a Founding Member. That was how it all began for me.
ANP: What are your personal and professional reasons for participating in the World Kurdish Congress?
Dr. Carol Prunhuber: My first contact with the Kurds was in 1982 when I met Yilmaz Guney at the Cannes Film Festival. I had the good fortune to meet him and we became friends. Through him, I began to meet the Kurdish Diaspora in Paris. One day I was introduced to Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou who invited me to come to Kurdistan to witness the struggle of the Iranian Kurds in person. Ever since that visit, I have felt close to the Kurdish cause. When Alan Dilani invited me to join the WKC, I saw a great opportunity to offer my skills and experience for a far-reaching project. I have always believed that bringing together people and networking with awareness and knowledge towards a common goal can bring great outcomes. The interdisciplinary aspect of Alan’s vision excited me and I decided to join him in this endeavor.
ANP: Have you already been in Kurdistan Region in Iraq? If not, what are your expectations?
Dr. Carol Prunhuber: The first time I went there was in 1985 following Ghassemlou’s invitation to do a documentary for a French TV agency on the struggle of Ghassemlou’s party in Iranian Kurdistan. I traveled from Baghdad through Kirkuk and Sulemania to the border with Iran to the KDPI headquarters. I returned in 2009 for the publication of my book into Kurdish. That was a moving moment for me— to fly directly into Erbil and be greeted by Kurds at customs. And now here I am at this subsequent historic event.
My hope for this WKC is that this group of academics and scientists will come together and offer not only their ideas for projects to move Kurdistan forward, but also be proactive and set plans to be implemented in the various fields being discussed. I also hope that the delegates will network and create bridges among one another that will lead to new pathways for a progressive Kurdistan.
ANP: What is your impression for the expectations of the Kurdish scientists working and living abroad from the KRG?
Dr. Carol Prunhuber: I believe the KRG has a long-term vision and knows there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the Kurdish Diaspora. To bring those people back and have them join forces with the local academics and scientists will bring a creative melding of ideas, visions and concrete projects for the advancement of the Region. After speaking with many of them, I feel that those living abroad want to give back to their nation. They want to offer their knowledge and expertise, but they need an opening and opportunity that will allow this to happen smoothly and efficiently.
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