Pesticide study Iraq
Studies

Toxic Trade of Pesticides in Iraq

Iraq
Food Sovereignty
Food Systems
Abstract
Different wars have long subjected Iraq to toxins. Today the international trade of highly hazardous pesticides, in the name of increasing agricultural profitability, continues this violent legacy. Many studies have pointed out the global toxic effects of pesticides on humans, agriculture, food, and the environment. This study aims to understand the pesticide trade in Iraq, specifically. It gives an overview of the trade and the pesticide market in Iraq. It names the companies and the way they work in the Iraqi market. It looks at the specific kinds of pesticides that are introduced into the Iraqi market. The study also provides an insight into the role of the state within this trade, the outcomes of this illegal trade, and its toxic effects on farmers and peasants.
Bassel-A'raj
Articles

A View of the War from Lebanon

Lebanon
Palestine
Israel
War
Germany
In terms of Lebanon’s ongoing crisis, nothing has changed in the meantime. The elites are fighting off political reforms with all their might, despite the rampant economic devastation in the country. More than three quarters of the population live below the poverty line and yearly inflation has spiked to around 200 percent, meaning an average of around 17 percent per month.
GW-25
Studies

Contemporary Migrant and Refugee Image and the Spatial Fix: Exploring Narratives of Racism and Guilt

Lebanon
Syria
Refugees
Palestinian Camps
Refugee Camps
Displacement
Abstract
Relying on extensive fieldwork, this article provides a summary of research exploring the interconnectedness of image, imagination, and space, with a specific focus on the experiences of migrants and refugees. It investigates the intricate relationship between economic development, geography, and narratives surrounding guilt and racism within a capitalist system. Through the analysis of political ideologies, media representation, social discourse, and historical experiences, the research sheds light on the social, economic, and political implications of the spatial fix.
here-Dar
Workshop

Dar Assalam for Intercultural Exchange (NGO, Lebanon)

Lebanon
Palestinian Camps
Syrian Refugees
Trauma
Trauma training in Dar Assalam Wardaniye Shouf Iqlim al Charoub
Dar Assalam is an intercultural center. Founded 1994 by Mr. Said Mohammed Arnaout and his German – Lebanese friends. Since 2009 Dar Assalam is registered as NGO in Lebanon. Its aim is to enable people from different cultures, religions and political parties to improve peaceful movements in Lebanon.
Songs
Film

Songs of the Departed

2018
A documentary by Majd Al Hamwi about the musical stories of Syrian musicians and hakawatis (traditional folk storytellers) in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. The film explores their traditional folk art practices, how they are being passed on to the next generation and their impact on the social environment in the context of war and displacement.
Najdeh
Interviews

Najdeh: A Rich History of Layered Organizing

Lebanon
Palestine
UNRWA
Refugee Camps
Praxis
Solidarity
As part of the RLS interview series, Yalda, who was visiting Beirut from Germany, February to
May, conducted this interview with Rania, a psychologist, from Al Najdeh Association.
Yalda Wardasbi is a scholarship holder of the RLS and is undertaking her BA degree in
Political Science in Berlin.
Rania Al Sous is an architect and clinical psychologist. She works in refugee camps in
Lebanon and is a volunteer online psychologist.
Gwez W Nakhl
Film

Gwez W Nakhl

“Gwez W Nakhl: Journey towards Food Sovereignty” is a short documentary and one of the poignant outcomes of a flourishing network that bridges geographical divides.

Directed by Albaker Jafeer and produced by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung|regional office Beirut. The film portrays members of the `Network for Food Sovereignty in Kurdistan and Iraq” who share their insights about climate change and its effect on agriculture in Kurdistan and Iraq. Portraying the different and newly established agro-ecological gardens in the governorates of Dohuk, Sulaymaniya, and Baghdad, the film follows the efforts of farmers, researchers, and activists to grow food without the use of pesticides in the volatile context of Kurdistan and Iraq. Set in the beautiful nature within Dohuk, Kurdistan, the collective of Buzuruna Juzuruna from Lebanon shares their knowledge on how to produce seeds to ensure the food sovereignty of villagers and farmers and protect the rich seed varieties of Mesopotamia.
Salamah Kayleh
Studies

Against the Tides of History: The Sublime Politics of Salameh Kaileh

Syria
Neoliberalism
Palestine
Middle East
Soviet Union
Tadmur Prison
Marxism
Communist History
Communist Labor Party of Syria
Adra Prison
This paper is a political portrait of Salameh Kaileh (1955-2018), a Palestinian Marxist thinker and internationalist whose writing and activity represent a rather anomalous mixture of a fidelity to and disenchantment with the Arab communist movement. Kaileh urged the embrace of an Arab internationalism; the innovation of old communist organizational forms; the reappraisal of Arab communist history; and the criticism of Marxism, which he argued “is commanded from within.” As a political agitator, Kaileh remained at arms length from political movements across the region.
Duhok Youth Center

Film Screening and Panel Discussion at the Duhok Youth Center

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On December 14th, 2023, the Slemani and Pirozana teams arrived at the Duhok Youth Center to prepare for a film screening and panel discussion. The event was attended by artists, organizers of the Duhok Film Festival, members of the Youth Art Cinema Club, academics from the University of Duhok, and members of the community.

During the event, a club member introduced the Dohuk Youth Center work and activities, and Shenah Abdullah, a member of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung (RLS) team, presented the organization's work. A short film called "Gwez w Nakhl" was screened “Gwez W Nakhl: Journey towards Food Sovereignty” short documentary is one of the poignant outcomes of a flourishing network that bridges geographical divides. The short documentary was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Shenah Abdullah and featuring panelists Dr. Schluwa Sama (joining via Zoom from Berlin), Niah and Iman Mohammad from Pirozana Village Amede, and Rebaz from Food and Heritage from Slemani.

The panel discussion focused on introducing and defining food and seed sovereignty, followed by discussions on agriculture in the Slemani governorate (Food and Heritage), the history of agriculture in Pirozana, and the role of women farmers in agricultural heritage in the past and present, the role of young female farmers and their aspirations, the objectives of the Gwez w Nakhl Network, the role of male farmers in Pirozana, the achievements and challenges of agroecological work in Pirozana, and its importance.

The event provided an opportunity for the Pirozana and Slemani teams to meet and connect with people from various backgrounds. It also served as a platform for advocating for the rights of farmers and raising awareness about food sovereignty in Lebanon and Iraq/Kurdistan, while highlighting the work of Gwez w Nakhl, BuZu, and Food and Heritage groups, along with the focus work of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung in the region.

Find the link to the event here: https://www.instagram.com/artcinemaclub2022/ 

Dohuk Film Festival

Duhok Film Festival: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

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As part of the RLS food sovereignty program in Iraq/Kurdistan, on 13 of December 2023, during the Tenth Duhok International Film Festival (short film-screening section), held at Duhok Mall, the RLS short film, Gwez w Nakhl film was screened with four other short films.