Iraq Project History

Within the framework of this project, NPWJ and IAJ, in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have organised the following events:
 
- 12 public meetings to support the revival of cultural salons in Iraq as a vehicle to foster a democratic culture, Baghdad, 2011-2012
- an International Conference on “The Role of Women in Peace-Building, Reconciliation and Accountability in Iraq”, held in Erbil (Kurdistan-Iraq), on 27-28 January 2011
- a Conference on “From Totalitarianism to Democracy: Reconciliation and Accountability in Iraq - Creating a Space for Consultation”, held in Erbil (Kurdistan region, Iraq) from 6 to 9 May 2009;
- a Conference on “The status of Armed Forces and Groups in Iraq”, held in Dokan (Kurdistan region, Iraq) from 9 to 10 November 2008;
-  a Conference on “Perspectives and challenges of building a federal state in Iraq”, held in Baghdad on 14 March 2008;
- a Conference on “DiverCites - Mixed Cities and Disputed Areas: Local Approaches to Federal Democracy”, held in Venice on 18 to 22 December 2007;
- a Conference on "The role of the Second Chamber in Federal and Devolved Democracies", held in Rome on 26 - 27 September 2007;
- a Seminar on "Practical Federalism in Iraq", held in Erbil, Kurdistan - Iraq on 10 to 16 July 2007;
- a Seminar on "Practical Federalism in Iraq", held in Venice on 2 to 11 July 2006.
 
 
All these events, organized in close cooperation with the Iraqi Council of Representatives, the Kurdistan Parliament-Iraq and the Kurdistan regional Government, were designed as a space for dialogue and consultation with all the main components of Iraqi society. Taking into account the broadest possible political, geographical and community representation of Iraqi participants, these events engaged high level decision makers, legislators, heads of various political groups, heads of various parliamentary committees, representatives of various communities, civil society, academics, women groups, opinion leaders, media, tribal and religious leaders, alongside with senior international experts who brought into the debate the full range of options and experiences that might be adapted to the context of a federal and democratic Iraq.
 
Through multiple parallel sessions these events also ensured that the largest possible number of participants were given an opportunity to present and articulate their views on the issues that are of particular concern to them, and on what an Iraqi process should look like, including its range, priorities, and objectives.
 
Each of these events have concluded with the drafting of a set of final practical recommendations, which have been effectively communicated to Iraqi policy makers and political organisations, as well as the Iraqi people, through local and international media, and whose implementation process has been monitored by a committee established to this end.