Situation Before the Congress:
Two years after the first congress, developments and changes within the Party and the Kurdistan Students Union prompted the organization to convene its second congress in 1955.
After the Kurdistan Students Union was established in 1953, the General Union of Iraqi Students attempted to hinder Kurdish students from joining the KSU by creating new organizations and offering them incentives. One such organization, the General Union of Iraqi Kurdish Students, was set up as a branch of the General Union of Iraqi Students. It was presented as a means to unify the struggle of Iraqi students under one organization. On October 8, 1953, the establishment of the High Committee of the Iraqi Kurdish Students Union was announced in the eighth issue of the newspaper *Kafah al-Talaba*. Subsequently, on March 1, 1954, the General Union of Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Students issued a call for all Kurdish students to unite within their own organization and the framework of the General Union of Iraqi Kurdish Students. These actions, along with various other internal factors, including divisions within the Party during President Mustafa Barzani’s absence, contributed to rising tensions between the Kurdistan Students Union and the Iraqi Students Union. This environment, among other internal issues, prompted the Kurdistan Students Union to organize a second congress.
Conducting the Congress
After thorough preparations, the second congress of the Kurdistan Students Union convened in the summer of 1955 under the slogan, “The students' struggle for the rights of the Kurdish people and students,” to support the Iraqi National Movement and progressive parties. The congress was held in secret in Baghdad, with representatives from all regions of Kurdistan and Baghdad in attendance. After discussing the current situation and conducting votes, Jalal Talabani was re-elected as the organization's secretary. A new committee for the secretariat was elected as follows:
1- Mahmoud Ali Osman
2- Shamsaddin Mufti
3- Hussameddin Dabagh
4- Adnan Naqshbandi
5- Shakhawan Namiq
6- Ahmad Naqshbandi2.
Regarding the presidency of the Kurdistan Students Union at the second congress, there is no confirmed information available from existing sources. It is possible, based on estimates and interpretations, that the presidential system may have been abolished.
Following the congress, the Kurdistan Students Union (KSU) was reinvigorated and made efforts to expand its relationships and activities. A significant milestone for the organization was its participation in the Warsaw Festival of World Students and Youth.
From July 31 to August 14, 1955, the 5th World Students and Youth Festival took place in Warsaw, Poland, with participation from over 100 international student and youth organizations. The Kurdistan Students Union, along with the Iraqi Students Union, received an official invitation to the event. Following the second congress, the KSU's relations with the Iraqi General Students Union improved, which not only facilitated the KSU's participation in the festival but also contributed to its membership in the International Students Union (I.U.S)3.
The Kurdistan Students Union sent six delegates to Warsaw, led by Jalal Talabani, bearing President Mustafa Barzani's emblem. In addition to participating in the festival activities on behalf of Kurdish students, the delegates organized a major meeting with the Kurdistan Democratic Youth Union. This gathering, which included representatives from countries such as the Soviet Union, India, Germany, China, France, England, the USA, and several others, played a significant role in amplifying the voice of Kurdish students and youth and raising global awareness of the Kurdish national cause.
At the same festival, Yergi Blikan, President of the International Students Union, facilitated a meeting between representatives of the Kurdistan Students Union and the Iraqi Students Union to address and resolve their differences. Following the meeting, the two organizations reached an agreement on several key points and decided to work towards improving their relations.
As agreed in Warsaw, a joint conference was convened in early 1956 between the Kurdistan Students Union and the General Union of Iraqi Students. The conference focused on integrating the work and activities of the two organizations and resulted in the establishment of a joint high committee to oversee and coordinate their efforts. Three members of the Kurdistan Students Union Secretariat were appointed to the Secretariat of the Iraqi General Students Union. However, by 1957, relations between the two organizations once again began to deteriorate.
On August 10, 1956, the Kurdish Students and Culture Association was established in West Germany to advance the struggle of Kurdish students. At the second congress, held on December 2, 1958, in London, and the third congress, on August 4, 1958, in Munich, Germany, the organization’s name was changed to the Kurdish Students Association in Europe. The association expanded by opening branches in many European countries. Although the organization maintained a neutral stance, most of its members were supporters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and had strong ties with the Kurdistan Students Union (KSU). In 1964, the association became a member of the World Students Union, playing a crucial role in amplifying the Kurdish voice in international forums and cultural centers.
Source:
1.kdp Encyclopedia Archive.
