Culture gap between spirit and evil spirit. Development of civil society in Iraq, a socio-political reflection – Impressions, photos, presentation and discussion with Andrea Eleonore Vermeer

Wednesday, 24 January 2007, 18.30-20.30h
European Parliament, Paul-Henri-Spaak Building, 1st floor, Room PHS 1C47 (just behind Espace Menuhin)

The situation in Iraq has reached a crucial point. To be able to judge what should be done with a sufficient degree of confidence, we need witnesses from within the country. However, it has proven to be difficult, given the security situation, to travel safely and unimpeded within Iraq.

The Dutch-German conflict researcher Andrea Eleonore Vermeer was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Marburg. Following her studies at the Cologne University she worked with the German Public TV ARD and in the EP as a member of its media staff. She is writing her PhD, based at the Centre for Conflict Studies at the Philipps-University Marburg and at the University of Amsterdam (VU). She has recently been involved in a project for a Dutch NGO on strengthening Civil Society in Iraq and is now doing field research, living part-time with an Iraqi familly while also working as a lecturer at the Suleimaniya University. As she has just returned from Northern Iraq, she has agreed to come and to share her experience with us.

Please confirm your participation via email. Drinks and sandwiches will be served during the meeting.