On November 22nd, an international conference titled “Sovereignty or Nationalism?” will be held in Rijeka, organized by the Free State Rijeka Association and the Coppieters Foundation, with the support of the Primorsko-Goranska County.
As partner and member of the Coppieters Foundation, the Kurdish Institute Brussels is invited to participate and share their ideas and thoughts concerning this challenging topic.
The conference will focus on the analysis of sovereignty and the distinctions between sovereignty and nationalism. Philosophers, political scientists, and cultural scientists from various European countries will provide insights into this topic. Cultural scientists will also share their perspectives, with a special emphasis on the preservation of local cultural heritage, minority languages, and identities. The conference will explore which of these two concepts contributes more to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, ensuring access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Orhan Kiliç for many years a member of the Board of Directors of our Institute, will be present as one of the speakers. In the name of our institute, he will elaborate on “The political concept of Democratic Confederalism”. ‘Democratic Confederalism’ is theorized by Abdullah Öcalan, the former leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
Orhan Kiliç will explain the concept as a political solution to Kurdish national aspirations and the Kurdish yearning for sovereignty. Moreover, when looking at the society model of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), it becomes clear that Democratic Confederalism offers a solution for other fundamental problems in countries in the region deeply rooted in class society, and as a path to freedom and democratization for people around the world.
Please find below the full text and contribution of the Kurdish Institute during the Coppieters conference.
