Mrs. Soraya Fallah,Chair of International Conference on Kurdish Women for Peace and Equality Soraya Fallah a Women rights and Kurdish human rights activist was born in Baneh, a city of Eastern Kurdistan. Mrs. Fallah works extensively with local and international NGOs to promote women rights and Kurdish human rights in USA. She is member of Amnesty international, Kurdish National Congress,KNCNA, Board member of The Kurdish American committee for democracy and also board member of Society for Support of Human Rights in Iran as well. She has a few books on foreign policy and women rights. soraya@vokradio.com

Dr. Saman Shali, President of Kurdish National Congress of North America Borne in the city of Sulaimany in Kurdistan of Iraq. In 1974-1975, he joined the Kurdish revolution as a Pesh-Merga (freedom fighter), to fight against Saddam’s regime where he denies the Kurds their rights for self-determination. Left Iraq in 1976 to the United Kingdom to get his higher education. info@kncna.org

Mrs. Elahe Amani is a gender, peace and social justice activist. Mrs. Amani has also taught in the Women Studies at the California State University (CSU), Long Beach and Fullerton. Currently, she is the chair of the Coalition of Women from Asia and the Middle East, serves on the Board of Women Intercultural Network, is an Orange County Representative of the California Women’s Agenda (CAWA) and on the Advisory Board of the Women Center at CSU, Long Beach. elahe4peace@yahoo.com

Tanya Gilly is a member of the Iraqi National Assembly representing Kirkuk. Ms. Gilly was previously the Director of Democracy Programs for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). In this capacity, Ms. Gilly helped to create a collection of writings on democracy for distribution to Iraqi activists. She also led training programs, organized and participated in conferences and events, and spoke regularly on democracy and women's issues.

Dr. Karadaghi is the Executive Director of KHRW. She is a Medical Doctor by training with a Post Doctoral Fellowship and PhD requirements. She is a graduate of the Bucharest School of Medicine and Specialty Certification PhD requirements from France and Georgetown University Post-Doctoral fellowship. parykaradaghi@khrw.org

Mrs. Juliana Ditty Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Global Operations and Development (GO&D) Mrs. Juliana Ditty has a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development. She is a natural entrepreneur developing a successful aerobic class while in Northern California as well as founder and Executive Vice President of the international relief and Development organization, Global Operations and Development / Giving Children Hope. global@godaid.org

Mr. Thomas Ver Ploeg is Board Member of Kurdish National Congress of North America. He serves as Secretary and Member of the Executive Board of Directors. Mr. Ver Ploeg earned his B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering. Tom and his wife Soraya Serajeddini (1960-2006) have dedicated their lives to promoting democracy and freedom as well as Kurdish human & national rights. In recognition of their efforts Tom was first elected to the KNC Board of Directors in 1998 and Soraya in 2004, where she went on to serve as the Executive Vice President. tverploeg@earthlink.net

Mr. Azad Moradian a Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology, was born in Saqqez, a Kurdish city in Eastern Kurdistan. He has been active in Kurdish issues and human rights moments in Iran since year 1978. At the Summer of 1996, the complication of the political atmosphere in Iran forced him and his family to flee from Iran in order to ensure their safety. During his on one and half -year stay in Azerbaijan as a refugee, he worked with an organization, researching the diversity of culture in the former Soviet Union. amoradian@iaba.com

Ms. KHANIM RAHIM LATIF PROGRAMME MANAGER ASUDA, COMBATING VIOLENCE AGIANTS WOMEN SULAYMANIYAM IRAQ Ms. Khanim was born in 1969 in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, graduate of Institute of Administration. Currently works as Programme Manager of Asuda, and NGO based in Sulaymaniyah and works to combat violence against women since February 2 , 2001 and also founder of Asuda Women Shelter in 2002. She published several booklets and books such as “consequences of violence against women”. Translated into Kurdish several international conventions and documents on women’s rights such as CEDAW. Khanim_r@yahoo.com

Dr Jinan Qasim Minister for the Region Kurdistan Regional Government Dr Qasim was appointed Minister for the Region in the unified cabinet on 7th May 2006. Born in Baghdad in 1969, she practised as a dentist for several years. She was Deputy Minister for Health in the Suleimaniah administration from 2002 to 2006.

Mrs. Shirin Ibrihem Fattah Amedi, The secretary-general of the Kurdish Women's Union in Kurdistan Mrs. Amedi was born in the city of Amediya in 1967. She finished her primary and her high school in Amediya. She graduated with degree in law from University of Salahadeen; currently she is study “Political Rights for Women in the Middle East”, at Salahadeen University toward her master degree.