When: Tuesday, April 10, 2018 09:30 - Tuesday, April 10, 2018 12:45
Where: European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles, Belgium; Room PHS1A002
The Democratic Federation of North Syria (DFNS) was founded on the principles of gender equality, ethnic and religious tolerance, sustainable ecology, and self-defence. Currently, the region is home to over 4.5 million residents, but this number consistently increases due to the ongoing arrival of (an estimated 250.000) refugees from newly liberated territory. The territory it comprises is about 30% of Syria which means about the size of Belgium. This high-level conference presents international speakers on this very important topic and will also have important representatives of the DFNS, form Syria itself. The first session will describe the structure of the Federation and how to “kill the mentality” of ISIS/Daesh and create the possibility form “European” refugees to return safely to the Federation area. The second session will discuss the issues of security, reconstruction and reconciliation in Northern Syria. The rest of the (closed / invitations only) conference on the 10th and 11th of April will consist of round table meetings. Information & registration Date: 10 April 2018 Location: European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles, Belgium; Room PHS1A002 Registration: Free entrance, but for those who do not have accreditation to the European Parliament registration is required (closing date 29 March) This event is hosted by MEP Branislav Skripek (Slovakia ECR / president ECPM). 
| 9:30 | 9:45 | Plenary opening with:
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| 9:45 | 11:00 | Session 1 moderated by: Mr. Škripek MEP (Slovakia, ECR) / President ECPM DFNS BACKGROUND, BASICS AND CONCEPT DEMOCRACY IN SYRIA AND SAFE RETURN OF REFUGEES Panel:
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| 11:00 | 11:15 | Coffee / tea break |
| 11:15 | 12:30 | Session 2 moderated by: Mrs. Petir MEP (Croatia, EPP) / Mr. Johannes de Jong, Director Sallux SECURITY, RECONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION AND RECONCILIATION Panel:
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| 12:30 | 12:45 | Summary & closing |
DFNS Delegation (A-Z)
Abdulrahman Hasan
Abdulrahman is co/President of the Yezidi Union in Afrin. An Yezidi man, born in Afrin 1951 and he studied philosophy in Syria.
Elezabeth Kourie
Elezabeth is president of The Syriac Cultural Society and member of The Executive board of the Syriac Union Party in Syria. Elezabeth was vice President of the Democratic Self Administration of Gozarto Region in Syria and cofounder of DFNS. A Syriac women, born in 1966 from Al Hassake where she was a teacher.
Hekmat Habib
Hekmat is a member of the Democratic Syrian council, member and cofounder of DFNS
An Arab man, from the Tay tribe, born in 1971. Hekmat studied gymnasium.
Loucia Matousian
Loucia is a member of the executive board of DFNS, an Armenian women born in 1970 in Raqqa now living in Tell Abiad.
Marwa Dreiey
Marwa is currently the co/President of Kobane Conton. A Kurdish woman, born 1986 in Aleppo. Marwa studied accounting and is in her 3 grade studying Economics in university. Marwa also worked in Kobane Canton as an assistant for the Chairman of the board for transportation.
Mohammad Alobid
Mohammad is a member of the executive board of DFNS. An Arab man, born in Tell Abiad in 1968.
Sanharib Barsom
Sanharib Is co/President of the DFNS and also one of the co founders of the Democratic Self Administration of the Gozarto Region in Northern Syria. A Syriac male born in Kamichli in 1976. Sanharib has been working as a veterinarian. Sanharib is also a member of the Syriac cultural society board and vice president of The Syriac Union Party in Syria.
Shahouz Alhassan
Shahouz is a member and cofounder of the council of DFNS and a member of the executive board of TevDem. Besides Shahouz is currently co/President of the PYD party. Shahouz is a Kurdish man born in 1977 in Al Hassake, and has a gymnasium degree.
Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (DFNS)
There are many different ethnicities and religious groups living together peacefully in North Syria, including Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Turkmen, Circassians, Armenians, and more. The region has implemented a new democratic system of government and created an autonomous ruled model as a solution for the rest of the Syrian regions, called Democratic Con-federalism, designed to protect and support human rights for all people living in North Syria. The government works from the bottom up, ensuring that all people at every level of society are always represented in decision making processes. This unique government style forms a stark contrast to the brutal oppressing government of Assad and all neighbouring countries including Turkey.
North Syria, also referred in media to as Rojava, is the northern region of Syria with a significant Kurdish population. The region declared autonomy following the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in November 2013 and extended this autonomy with the declaration of a federal system on 17 March 2016. Its geographic territory is made up of three administrative districts – called “cantons” – Çizire, Kobanê, and Afrin. The capital city is Qamishli, located in Çizire Canton. Currently, the region is home to over 4.5 million residents, but this number consistently increases due to the ongoing arrival of (an estimated 250.000) refugees from newly liberated territory.
North Syria is populated not only by Kurds. The region is home to a diverse variety of ethnicities, religions, and cultures, including Arabs, Syriacs-Assyrians, Yezidis, Armenians, Turkmens, Circassians, and more. North Syria was founded on and is governed by, the principles of democratic confederalism: gender equality, multicultural plurality, self-defence, and sustainable ecology. Since the declaration of autonomy, democratic con-federalism has been employed the Self-Administration, the collective name given to the region’s administrative apparatuses, to establish a bottom-up democratic system that represents all peoples living in North Syria.
Since 2013, North Syria has continued to work towards equality and representation for all its peoples. New school systems for children have been developed where students are finally allowed to study and grow using their native tongues – banned under previous Syrian regimes. Universities have also been founded and continue to develop new curriculums in social sciences, law and justice, education and language, and more. Minority cultures and arts have been revived and expanded with the colourful diversity of multiculturalism consistently encouraged.
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