The Washington Kurdish Institute (WKI) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, research and educational organization established in September 1996. WKI is committed to: Increasing public awareness of Kurd-related issues Protecting human, cultural, and political rights throughout Kurdistan Supporting and developing Kurdistan’s civil society Improving and increasing access to Kurdish cultural and educational resources Advocating for effective solutions to Kurd-related issues WKI’s work also includes the following areas: Educating the public on Kurdish culture, history, and news (e.g. providing Kurdish language classes, producing Kurd-related news, and disseminating other Kurd-related information) Engaging in humanitarian activities (e.g. providing medical treatment, research, and training) Campaigning against the possession, proliferation, and use of chemical weapons Monitoring and improving Kurdistan’s environmental health Building and improving capacity for NGOs, civic organizations, and community organizations in Kurdistan