Douglas Layton

Last updated
Douglas Layton
Born
Douglas Layton

(1950-11-01)November 1, 1950
Safford, Arizona
Nationality American
OccupationManager - Consultant - Author - Artist
Known forAuthor - Political Activist

Douglas Layton is the founder of several International humanitarian organizations, an American author, businessman, and champion of human rights and religious freedom in the Middle East. He is an adviser to various social and political groups including the Kurds of Iraq. Layton is also an artist and avid patron of the arts.

Contents

Personal life

Layton held various leadership positions as a high school student, including Student Body President of the 4000-student Alhambra High in Phoenix, Arizona. He was Ambassador Plenipotentiary from France to the Model United Nations. He was named Outstanding Senior Debater, was a varsity letterman in track and field, and was named ‘Best Supporting Actor by the Thespian Society. He received the prestigious William Danforth "I Dare You Award for Outstanding Leadership" in his senior year. [1]

From 1968 to 1970, Layton attended the United States International University in Point Loma, California, where he studied political science and communications, intending to enter the field of International Law or diplomacy. He later attended Arizona Christian University and, in 2002, received a Th.D from the Phoenix University of Theology with the honor of summa cum laude and a distinction in Islamic studies.

Layton has lived overseas most of his adult life in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He currently lives in California. He has two children, three granddaughters, and one grandson.

Professional career

Layton founded Shelter Now International in 1977, [2] a relief and development organization working in Afghanistan with offices in Germany. The organization was propelled to international attention when five of its members including Layton's successor were held hostage by the Taliban for 18 months. [3]

Layton founded Servant Group International (SGI) [4] in 1992. SGI was initially established to assist Kurdish refugees in Nashville, TN and later established medical and relief work in Kurdistan of Iraq [5] where 95% (4500) of the villages had been destroyed by Saddam Hussein. While. Director of SGI Layton established the first English language school in Kurdistan Classical School of the Medes [6] in January 2001 in the city of Sulaymaniyah, 2002 in Dohuk and 2003 in Erbil the Capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Layton was Iraq Country Director [7] of the US State Department funded Health Care Partnerships (HCP) [ permanent dead link ]. During this time he administered grants to 22 nongovernmental organizations and established a regional health care communications network linking all medical facilities by satellite. HCP initiated the first major medical curriculum revision in Kurdistan in over 30 years, working hand in hand with East Tennessee State University. [8]

From 2006 to 2008, Layton was Iraq Country Director of the Kurdistan Development Corporation, a public-private partnership with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), an investment holding and trading company with offices in London, Berlin, and Erbil, Kurdistan.

Layton is the owner and CEO of Explore Mesopotamia (formerly The Other Iraq Tours), the first inwardly focused tour company in Kurdistan of Iraq. [9] The region was named by National Geographic Traveler as among the top 20 Adventure Tour destinations in the world for 2011. [10]

Layton is also the founder and current director of "Create it Beautiful," an international campaign to focus cities on their communities' positive elements and empower local aspiring artists.

Political activism

Beginning in 1992 Layton championed the Iraqi Kurdish cause in the United States through contacts on Capitol Hill and through the media. [11] In 1995 Layton testified as an expert before the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs regarding the genocide against the Kurds by Saddam Hussein. [12]

Layton coined the term "Kurdistan:The Other Iraq" now widely used by media outlets referring to Kurdistan. He helped concept the very successful PR Campaign which was executed by Kurdistan Development Corporation and aired on CNN, [13] FOX, [14] CBS, [15] BBC [16] and most major news outlets in the US, Britain and other countries such as Japan and Australia.

While Layton was director of Servant Group International he was widely recognized as a key catalyst in securing religious freedom for the Evangelical Church of Kurdistan. [17] [18] This was acknowledged by his detractors. [19] After a friend of Layton's was assassinated in Erbil (Mansour Hussein Sifer) by an Islamic Fundamentalist and after repeated threats and attacks on the Evangelical Church, [20] Layton mounted an International campaign to end religious persecution in Kurdistan. He ultimately mobilized the leaders of over 100 major Christian organizations including the National Association of Evangelicals and the Vatican to assist in resolving the issue. The campaign met with a favorable response and the Government of Iraqi Kurdistan Archived 2014-12-23 at the Wayback Machine (KRG) has since stood staunchly for religious freedom for all faiths including the Evangelical Church. The KRG often publicly expresses its commitment to religious freedom in spite of the turmoil and unrest in other nearby Muslim countries. [21]

Together with Bishop Augustus B. “Gus” Marwieh and Dr. Romeo Horto, Layton led an Americo-Liberian conflict resolution team to Monrovia in 2003. They intended to convince then-President Charles Taylor to resign from office and thus pave the way for a restoration of democracy and an end to the civil war. The project was called “Operation Restore Liberia.” During this Project, Dr. Layton, together with Dr. Horton and Bishop Marweih, met with the then President Charles Taylor on several occasions as well as with then Foreign Minister of Liberia Monie Ralph Captan and the Ambassador from the United States to Liberia, John Blaney and numerous members of the Liberian Government including the Chief Justice of the Supreme, Gloria Musu-Scott. Dr. Layton was also in Ghana during the Accra Peace talks that ultimately resulted in peace and the restoration of Democracy in Liberia. [22]

Layton is an associate member of the Next Century Foundation based in London, England. [23] The object of The Next Century Foundation is to promote conflict resolution and reconciliation, principally in the Middle East. They have been the primary source of reliable daily information on the crisis in Syria. Layton hosted a delegation from Next Century Foundation including William Morris, the General Secretary and son of the founder on a fact finding tour in Kurdistan in 2006. [24]

Published works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in post-invasion Iraq</span> Human rights conditions in post-invasion Iraq

Human rights in post-invasion Iraq have been the subject of concerns and controversies since the 2003 U.S. invasion. Concerns have been expressed about conduct by insurgents, the U.S.-led coalition forces and the Iraqi government. The U.S. is investigating several allegations of violations of international and internal standards of conduct in isolated incidents by its own forces and contractors. The UK is also conducting investigations of alleged human rights abuses by its forces. War crime tribunals and criminal prosecution of the numerous crimes by insurgents are likely years away. In late February 2009, the U.S. State Department released a report on the human rights situation in Iraq, looking back on the prior year (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraqi Kurdistan</span> Kurdish-inhabited region in northern Iraq

Iraqi Kurdistan or Southern Kurdistan refers to the Kurdish-populated part of northern Iraq. It is considered one of the four parts of "Kurdistan" in Western Asia, which also includes parts of southeastern Turkey, northern Syria, and northwestern Iran. Much of the geographical and cultural region of Iraqi Kurdistan is part of the Kurdistan Region (KRI), an autonomous region recognized by the Constitution of Iraq. As with the rest of Kurdistan, and unlike most of the rest of Iraq, the region is inland and mountainous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nechirvan Barzani</span> President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Nechirvan Idris Barzani is a Kurdish politician serving as the second President of Kurdistan Region, Iraq. He was elected into office by the Kurdistan Region Parliament in June 2019. Nechirvan Barzani was appointed as Vice President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party since 2010. He previously served as Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government from March 2007 to August 2009 and March 2012 to May 2019.Nechirvan Barzani is also the founder of the University Of Kurdistan Hewlêr, the region's top ranking university located in Erbil. His rule combines aspects of Kurdish nationalism, national conservatism, economic liberalism, modernism and reforms, reforms in agriculture and women's rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Regional Government</span> Ruling body of the Kurdistan Region

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is the official executive body of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ankawa</span> Town in Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Ankawa is a suburb of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is located 8 kilometres (5 mi) northwest of downtown Erbil. The suburb is predominantly populated by Assyrians, most of whom adhere to the Chaldean Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assyrians in Iraq</span> Ethnic group

Iraqi Assyrians are an ethnic and linguistic minority group, indigenous to Upper Mesopotamia. Assyrians in Iraq are those Assyrians still residing in the country of Iraq, and those in the Assyrian diaspora who are of Iraqi-Assyrian heritage. They share a common history and ethnic identity, rooted in shared linguistic, cultural and religious traditions, with Assyrians in Iran, Assyrians in Turkey and Assyrians in Syria, as well as with the Assyrian diaspora. Assyrian diaspora in Detroit, Areas with large expat populations include Chicago and Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Region</span> Autonomous region in Iraq

Kurdistan Region is an autonomous administrative entity within the Republic of Iraq. It comprises four Kurdish-majority divisions of Arab-majority Iraq: the Erbil Governorate, the Sulaymaniyah Governorate, the Duhok Governorate, and Halabja Governorate. The KRI is bordered by Iran to the east, by Turkey to the north, and by Syria to the west. It does not govern all of Iraqi Kurdistan, and lays claim to the disputed territories of northern Iraq; these territories have a predominantly non-Arab population and were subject to the Ba'athist Arabization campaigns throughout the late 20th century. Though the KRI's autonomy was realized in 1992, one year after Iraq's defeat in the Gulf War, these northern territories remain contested between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Government of Iraq to the present day. In light of the dispute, the KRI's constitution declares the city of Kirkuk as the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. However, the KRI does not control Kirkuk, and the Kurdistan Region Parliament is based in Erbil. In 2014, when the Syria-based Islamic State began their Northern Iraq offensive and invaded the country, the Iraqi Armed Forces retreated from most of the disputed territories. The KRI's Peshmerga then entered and took control of them for the duration of the War in Iraq (2013–2017). In October 2017, following the defeat of the Islamic State, the Iraqi Armed Forces attacked the Peshmerga and reasserted control over the disputed territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Region Parliament</span> Legislature of the Kurdistan region of Iraq

The Parliament of Kurdistan, also called the Kurdish Parliament (IKP), is the parliament of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is made up of representatives from the various parties, lists or slates that are elected every four years by the inhabitants of the provinces of Kurdistan Region currently governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government. In 2009 an amendment was applied to the Kurdistan Election Law of the year 1992, and since then the body was referred to as Kurdish Parliament instead of its previous name the Kurdish National Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianity in Iraq</span> History of the Christian populace of Iraq

The Christians of Iraq are considered to be one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraqi Kurdish Civil War</span> Kurdish internecine conflict (1994–1997)

The Iraqi Kurdish Civil War was a civil war that took place between rival Kurdish factions in Iraqi Kurdistan during the mid-1990s, mostly between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Over the course of the conflict, Kurdish factions from Iran and Turkey, as well as Iranian, Iraqi and Turkish forces, were drawn into the fighting, with additional involvement from American forces. Between 35,000 and 40,000 fighters and civilians were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erbil</span> Capital of Kurdistan, Iraq

Erbil, also called Hawler, is the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The city is in the Erbil Governorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Democratic Party</span> Political party in the Kurdistan Region (founded 1946)

The Kurdistan Democratic Party, usually abbreviated as KDP or PDK, is the largest party in Iraqi Kurdistan and the senior partner in the Kurdistan Regional Government. It was founded in 1946 in Mahabad in Iranian Kurdistan. The party states that it combines "democratic values and social justice to form a system whereby everyone in Kurdistan can live on an equal basis with great emphasis given to rights of individuals and freedom of expression."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraqi–Kurdish conflict</span> Series of wars and rebellions by ethnic Kurds against successive Iraqi administrations

The Iraqi–Kurdish conflict consists of a series of wars and rebellions by the Kurds against the central authority of Iraq during the 20th century, which began shortly after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I and lasting until the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Some put the marking point of the conflict beginning to the attempt by Mahmud Barzanji to establish an independent Kingdom of Kurdistan, while others relate to the conflict as only the post-1961 insurrection by the Barzanis. The conflict lasted until the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, though tensions between the Kurdish autonomy and the central Iraqi government have continued.

The status of women in Iraq at the beginning of the 21st century is affected by many factors: wars, sectarian religious debates concerning Islamic law and Iraq's Constitution, cultural traditions, and modern secularism. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi women are widowed as a result of a series of wars and internal conflicts. Women's rights organizations struggle against harassment and intimidation, while they work to promote improvements to women's status in the law, in education, the workplace, and many other spheres of Iraqi life, and to curtail abusive traditional practices such as honor killings and forced marriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Kurdistan Region</span>

Human rights in Iraqi Kurdistan refer to the human rights issue in the autonomous area of Kurdistan Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Kurdistan Region</span> Largely independent foreign policy of the autonomous region

Relations of Kurdistan Region of Iraq with foreign states and organizations are conducted by the Kurdistan Region. Political stability and a rapidly developing economy have given the KRG the opportunity to pursue a foreign policy independent from the central government's. The KRG's primary body for directing its foreign affairs is the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR). The DFR's foremost objectives are to raise the global profile of the Kurdistan Region, improve the Region's international ties with various governments and international organizations, and present emerging business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region to regional and international actors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Region–Poland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Kurdistan Region–Poland relations are bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and Poland. Kurdistan Region is represented in Poland through a representation in Warsaw since 2004, while Poland has a consulate general in Erbil since 2012. In 2005, Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, Foreign Minister Adam Rotfeld, Minister of National Defense Jerzy Szmajdziński and Minister of Culture Waldemar Dąbrowski met Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil and stated their support for the reconstruction of Iraq, including Kurdistan Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurdistan Region–Romania relations</span> Bilateral relations

Kurdistan Region–Romania relations are bilateral relations between Kurdistan Region and Romania. Ties between Romania and the Kurdistan date back to the mid-20th century when Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu held meetings with Kurdish rebels fighting the regime of Saddam Hussein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noreldin Waisy</span>

Noreldin Waisy,, is an Kurdish political analyst and journalist. He helped found the Kurdish media broadcasting outlets Rudaw and Kurdistan 24. He served as the general manager of Kurdistan 24, based in the Kurdistan's capital Erbil, from 2015 to 2019. Waisy currently serves as the press secretary to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

Salafism among Kurds refers to the history of the Salafi movement practiced by Kurds in Greater Kurdistan. The history of Salafism in Kurdistan is not contiguous and has a different history depending on which part of Kurdistan.

References

  1. ↑ "1968 Alhambra High School Yearbook Phoenix, AZ". Classmates. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  2. ↑ "Humanitarian assistance tailored specifically to the need". Shelter Now. 2005-10-08. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  3. ↑ Henry O. Arnold. "Kabul 24: The Story of a Taliban Kidnapping and Unwavering Faith in the Face of True Terror by Henry O. Arnold - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists". Goodreads.com. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  4. ↑ "Leadership". Servantgroup.org. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  5. ↑ "About Us". Servantgroup.org. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  6. ↑ "Medes School". Servantgroup.org. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  7. ↑ Mindy Belz. "WORLD | No guarantees | Mindy Belz | Dec. 20, 2003". Worldmag.com. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  8. ↑ "Northern Iraq Partnership". Etsu.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  9. ↑ "About Us | "The Other Iraq Tours" - Tours in Kurdistan of Iraq". The Other Iraq Tours. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  10. ↑ "20 Best Trips of 2011 - National Geographic". Travel.nationalgeographic.com. 21 December 2010. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  11. ↑ Mindy Belz. "WORLD | Saddam strikes back | Mindy Belz | Jan. 30, 1999". Worldmag.com. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  12. ↑ "Congressional Record - 104th Congress (1995-1996) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)". Icreport.loc.gov. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  13. ↑ "Kurdistan - The Other Iraq New Video on CNN TV". YouTube. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  14. ↑ Liz Sly (2011-05-29). "Kurdistan: the other Iraq". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  15. ↑ "Kurdistan: The Other Iraq". CBS News. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  16. ↑ "Middle East | The 'other Iraq' - Iraqi Kurdistan". BBC News. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  17. ↑ "The Orthodox Presbyterian Church". Opc.org. 1997-11-01. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  18. ↑ "KRG Minister commends religious freedom in Kurdistan Region « Kurdistan – Tomorrow's Iraq Today". Knowkurdistan.com. 2009-06-30. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  19. ↑ "U.S. Evangelical Christians' Kurdish Crusade by Bill Berkowitz | ZMagazine Article". ZCommunications. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  20. ↑ Mindy Belz. "WORLD | SILENT NO MORE | Mindy Belz | Nov. 1, 1997". Worldmag.com. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  21. ↑ "Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region of Iraq commits to human rights | Amnesty International". Amnesty.org. 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  22. ↑ "Home". aheadministries.org.
  23. ↑ The Next Century Foundation. "Members & Supporters | The Next Century Foundation". Ncfpeace.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  24. ↑ "Kurdistan Regional Government". KRG. 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.