Italy holds archaeology, culture and education forum in Erbil
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Minister Plenipotentiary Massimo Bellelli convened the forum to focus on exploring and developing Kurdistan’s vast archeological and historical sites. Italian officials and experts came together with representatives of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) ministries and local universities.
Mr Gerardo Carante, Italy’s Ambassador to Iraq, highlighting the potential for co-operation. He said, “Both Italy and Iraq have a wealth of archaeological sites, and it is important to preserve them not only to remember our past, but also to build our future by attracting people from around the world to learn about our history.”
Mr Samir Abdullah Mustafa, the KRG Minister of Municipalities and Tourism, thanked the Italian Embassy and the Consular Office in Erbil for their role in promoting and organising the forum, and expressed his hope that such efforts will help to show the world Kurdistan’s rich cultural heritage.
“Italy is a country renowned for its culture and history. Following the destruction that it endured in World War II, it has managed to become one of the most highly developed countries in the world. Their experience and expertise is why we believe that this collaboration will deliver positive and long-lasting results for the Kurdistan Region,” he said.
Dr Dlawer Ala'aldeen, the Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, said that he would like to see more cooperation between Italian universities and Kurdistan’s institutions, for example by involving more Italian graduate schools in the KRG’s Human Capacity Development Programme so that Kurdish students can be educated in Italy and professors trained there.
The two-day forum included a round table discussions between academics and professionals from Italy and the Kurdistan Region. Prospects for future coordination and educational exchange were discussed, with attention to the role that the private sector can play in the management of cultural heritage and antiquities. Many of the visiting professors expressed their interest in sending Italian students to study the history of Kurdistan as well.
The forum also featured presentations from Minister Plenipotentiary Bellelli, the Governor of Erbil Nawzad Hadi, the President of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage Dr Qias Rashid, the Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Relations Karwan Jamal, the Head of the Italian Consular Office Dr Simone De Santi, and the Rector of the University for Foreigners of Perugia, Professor Stefania Giannini.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Fondazione IME (Istituto Mediterraneo di Ematologia; Mediterranean Hematology Institute) and the KRG Ministry of Health to increase their cooperation. The Fondazione IME has helped to fund the treatment of more than 100 patients from the Kurdistan Region in Italy, and they have assisted in the training of some local physicians in Italy as well.
Source: KRG.org
