Events and Conferences

Over four years, Breaking Boundaries has hosted events and conferences in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk, uniting international and local speakers. Our mission is to inspire change in Iraq through collaboration and innovative ideas.

2020  The Pandemic
The Breaking Boundaries Platform (BBP) was launched in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic by Wirya Mukryani. He began inviting professionals from the UK, as well as Iraqis residing in the UK, for the same purpose. Additionally, he extended invitations to international professionals from various countries, including the USA, India, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. The events have continued on a weekly basis ever since.
2021 Progressing 
As the Breaking Boundaries Platform (BBP) progressed, many media channels reported on its achievements, highlighting its impact. The founder of BBP organised a special event focused on vaccination, inviting professionals from the UK alongside healthcare professionals from various cities in Iraq. Expert presenters successfully persuaded hesitant individuals of the importance of vaccination. As a result, the majority of attendees visited vaccination centres the following day. Following this impactful event, a team of dedicated volunteers emerged, helping BBP grow even further.

2022 First International Conference in Erbil

In 2022, the Breaking Boundaries platform expanded further, and many volunteers joined the BBP team to collaborate and help make a positive impact. The BBP team then decided to organize the first live conference in Erbil city on December 16, 2022, because the weekly events were held virtually. They invited six speakers, two of whom were international from the USA and the Netherlands. Two of the speakers were male, and the rest were female, reflecting one of BBP’s goals of empowering women. The theme of the conference was the same as the platform’s slogan: “Break boundaries, build bridges, and share knowledge.” Many organizations and companies sponsored the conference.

 

2023 Second international conference in Sulaymaniyah
Following the resounding success of the first Breaking Boundaries conference, we successfully hosted the second live conference in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, on 9 December 2023. The inaugural conference, held at Qaiwan International University, had a significant impact on the academic community, sparking interest from many universities and academic centres eager to collaborate with BBP. The second conference, themed “Breaking Boundaries to Achieve Sustainable Development,” brought together a distinguished lineup of speakers, including two lecturers from AUIS and other renowned academics and influencers from across Iraq, representing a diverse range of genders and backgrounds.
2024 Third International Conference in Kirkuk 
During the third international conference, the Breaking Boundaries Platform made a historic impact in Kirkuk by bringing international speakers to the city for the first time in its history. Following the success of the second international conference, several well-respected universities expressed interest in collaborating and participating in events related to sustainable development. Among them was the British International University, whose representative, April Keith, contacted the founder of BBP to contribute to the third international conference. Additionally, Professor Ejaz Khan from Pakistan, along with two American speakers and one French speaker, showed keen interest in participating.
The event, themed “The Leadership Role in Achieving Sustainable Development in Iraq,” left a lasting impact on the Kirkuk community. The conference was held at Al-Kitab University on 7 December and marked a significant milestone in promoting international collaboration and dialogue within the region.

What they say about the events

The event was truly unique and the first of its kind in Kirkuk. The founder, Mr Wirya, made an extraordinary effort to ensure its success. The organisation was remarkable, despite the significant challenges posed by the complex political circumstances in Kirkuk. Nevertheless, both international and local speakers delivered invaluable insights to the audience, particularly young people and university students, covering a variety of topics. An exceptional volunteer service was offered to the people of Kirkuk Governorate, and I sincerely hope this initiative will be repeated. Special thanks to the Breaking Boundaries team for this outstanding experience.
Fatima MOhmmed / Pharmacist / Kirkuk
During the challenging times of the pandemic, I joined the Breaking Boundaries Platform (BBP) after hearing about it from my physician friends. BBP hosted weekly events to share valuable information about COVID-19. I participated in an engaging session on the importance of vaccination. The presenter, Dr Zanna, an Iraqi doctor, delivered this important talk on 2 May 2021. Her presentation not only convinced me to get vaccinated but also inspired me to share this knowledge with my friends. Thank you, Mr Wirya Mukryani, for this remarkable initiative. I see Breaking Boundaries growing stronger with each passing day.
dr . shakir Alkhaledy / gynecologist / BASRA
As a public speaker and a certified member of Maxwell Leadership, I recognise that Mr Wirya possesses exceptional leadership potential. I believe he has a bright future in serving the community by empowering local talent and bringing in international experts to create a positive impact—something greatly needed in our community.
BRWA ABDULLA/ public speaker / sulimany
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I learned valuable insights from the speakers at the Breaking Boundaries Platform (BBP). One of the most important events was the session on vaccination, where Dr Zana explained the crucial role of vaccines in saving lives. BBP is a truly unique platform, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Zana and the organiser, Mr Wirya Mukryani, for their remarkable efforts.
Muzaffaffar MANGUR/ diploma commmunity health