The Center for Global Health and Development is poised to be a leader within the UNMC community and beyond by raising awareness of important issues in the field of global health. The Center's Grand Rounds speaker series will engage faculty, researchers, and staff with significant global experience in a lecture format. The series will draw upon resources from the University of Nebraska system as well as leaders across the U.S. and the world.
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Post-Saddam Iraqi Kurdistan: Geopolitics, Displacement, and Healthcare Challenges
H.E. Treefa Aziz
The Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States of America
Treefa Aziz is the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative to the United States of America, serving as a vital link between the two nations. Taking office in July 2023, she holds the distinction of being the first Kurdish American to assume this esteemed role.
With a rich background in advocacy and diplomacy, Ms. Aziz recently served as a senior advisor to the KRG Prime Minister, H.E. Masrour Barzani, in Erbil. Aziz has over 25 years of experience in various positions in the public and private sectors in the United States. She also represented the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Washington, D.C., during the 1990s.
Objectives:
- To provide attendees with a foundational understanding of Iraqi Kurdistan’s history, particularly emphasizing transformations and key events post the Saddam era.
- To shed light on the challenges faced by displaced individuals and highlight the unique struggles of the Yazidi and Christian minorities in the region.
- To explore the current healthcare infrastructure and needs in the Kurdistan Region, identifying gaps and potential areas for intervention and improvement.