This toolkit presents a vision a transitional/ restorative justice path in Iraq depends the participatory approach to deal with the human rights violations that happened in the past to transfer to more stability social environment.

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The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research PhD. Prof. Abdul Razzaq Al-Issa, has emphasized on the importance of enhancing peacebuilding capacities and the need for peace studies in the Iraqi universities, duringIraqi Al-Amal Association’s final conference of “promoting peace education framework for reconciliation” project on 11 June 2018. The project is funded by the government of Japan, and supported by UNDP-Iraq, ICRRP; and in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The project is a 1 year long and achieved the following results:

• -Establishment of a ministerial consortium for peace education, membered by 15 college deans from 7 Iraqi universities. The consortium has set the ministry priorities in this field into: Inclusion of peace education in the universities syllabi;Establishing a diploma in peace and conflict studies; and Establish peace research centers and units.
• -Conducting 37 youth-led peace initiatives in Baghdad, Anbar, Salah Aldin, Najaf, and Karbala; by the 72 trained youth on social transformation tools and skills.
• -Dialogue sessions, speeches and lectures by the 23 trained academics from Baghdad, Anbar, Tikrit, Kufa, and Karbal universities; who has also produced 6 researches about Iraqi social cohesion current situation and conflict analysis.
• -Preparing, printing and distributing the first peace and conflict studies terms lexicon in Arabic, after a long inclusive validation process with Iraqi and Arabic academics and experts; and translating 3 key texts and books in this field into Arabic to act as resources for peace studies in Iraq.

The conference started by a speech of the minister; Followed by a speech of the deputy country director of UNDP in Iraq Mr. Gerardo Noto who has demonstrated the efforts of UNDP in Iraq, and the results achieved in ICRRP.

The conference continued by a presentation of Iraqi Al-Amal Association about the project main results and focusing on the youth peace initiatives which displayed by short videos produced and presented by the youth documenting their activities. Then the speech of Iraqi Al-Amal association was by the executive director Mr. Jamal AlJawahiri, who explained the efforts and the type of the dedicated work done to reach these results, and pointed to Al-Amal broader work in peacebuilding field and its future plans as contributing to establish peace studies degree in one or more universities, and continuing the work with academics, researchers and youth. Finally the project participants received their success certificates from the minister and Mr. Noto. 

Baqouba, Iraq, 25 March 2017 – The United Nations took its “Iraq: Youth and Coexistence” Forum to Diyala Governorate, hoping to enrich the discussions aimed at gauging the opinions of the young generation on reconciliation with experiences from an area that symbolizes diversity but one which has paid a heavy price from conflict and violence.

It is the fourth of a series of cross-country youth forums intended to give a voice to youth for their crucial role in charting the road to peaceful co-existence in a future Iraq. With these kind of fora, the young generation of Iraqis across different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds has the opportunity to deliberate post-conflict issues, engage on national reconciliation and voice their opinion.

A total of 68 youth in the age group of 18-35 from Diyala Governorate participated in the “Iraq: Youth and Coexistence” forum, which the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) organized in collaboration with the Iraqi Al-Amal Association.

The opening session was attended by Mr. Khidr Muslim Hafez, secretary-general of the Diyala Governorate Council representing the governor, some members of the Diyala Governorate Council, Mr. Jaafar al-Zarkoush, director-general the Education Directorate in Diyala, Ms. Hana Edwar, head of the Al-Amal Association, and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq for Political and Electoral Affairs, Mr. György Busztin.

Mr. Busztin noted in his address that the Diyala Governorate’s mix of various ethnic, sectarian and religious groups and the conflict it endured makes this stop all too important. He recalled that the UN has lost a staff member as a result of the violence in Diyala.

“This governorate has suffered immensely and has offered great and painful sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. Diyala knew how to vanquish terrorism, rivalry and hate. The role of the young in peaceful coexistence and national reconciliation gives this stop in the series of forums great importance because of the diversity of this governorate and its suffering as a result of terrorism and rivalry, as well as triumphing over it,” Mr. Busztin said.

The Diyala forum is the fourth of the cross-country forums. The first was launched in Basra on 28 January 2017 and brought together about 120 participants from the four southern governorates of Basra, Missan, Dhi Qar and Muthanna. The second followed in Erbil on 19 February with 135 participants from Ninewa Governorate. The third was held in Najaf on 18 March, with 115 participants from the Najaf, Karbala, Babel and Qadissiyah Governorates taking part. Other conferences are to follow in the Governorates of Suleimaniyah, Baghdad, Kirkuk and Salaheddin, culminating in an overarching national conference in Baghdad in May to be attended by representatives of the youth to incorporate recommendations from these forums in the decisions that support the process of reconciliation and coexistence.

As with the format for all the conferences, the participants in the Diyala forum broke up into working groups to deliberate and respond to questions about what they would like to see in a future Iraq and how they can contribute. At the end of the meeting, the participants debated their responses and adopted a set of recommendations.

Najaf, Iraq, 18 March 2017 – The third of a series of cross-country youth forums convened in Najaf today, with the United Nations stressing the important role youth play in future reconciliation and highlighting the significance of the holy city in consolidating the spirit of coexistence and reconciliation.

A total of 115 youth in the age group of 18-35 from the mid-Euphrates governorates of Najaf, Karbala, Babel and Qadissiyah participated in the “Iraq: Youth and Coexistence” forum, which the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) organized in collaboration with the Iraqi Al-Amal Association.

The aim of the forum was to give a voice to youth for their crucial role in charting the road to peaceful co-existence in a future Iraq. With these kind of fora, the young generation of Iraqis across different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds has the opportunity to deliberate post-conflict issues, engage on national reconciliation and voice their opinion.

The opening session was attended by Mr. Abbas Jabr Al-Alyawi, deputy governor of Najaf Governorate, Mr. Ali al-Shumarri, member of the Najaf governorate council, representatives of the Al-Amal Association, and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq for Political and Electoral Affairs, Mr. György Busztin, who delivered speeches.

The meeting in Najaf, in addition that it brought together the youth from the mid-Euphrates governorates, takes on added significance given the holy city’s spiritual standing in the hearts of many Muslim in Iraq and across the world, Mr. Busztin said. “This stop is significant, for Najaf is central in consolidating the spirit of coexistence and reconciliation.”

The DSRSG added that the meeting shows the keenness of the United Nations for the youth to have a say in future coexistence in Iraq and underlines the importance of their role.

“We all recognize that the issues of peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and national unity figure prominently in any solution. There must be comprehensive and frank discussions with all segments of society to address the legacy of the past and the current threat of terrorism and extremist views in order to build a stable future for Iraq. Youth are the ones to ensure coexistence remains and takes root in this country, and if we want to embark on the road to reconciliation and genuine coexistence we have to start with the youth, as we have to also start with other segments and components to ensure all points of view are heard.”

The Najaf forum is the third of the cross-country forums. The first was launched in Basra on 28 January 2017 and brought together about 120 participants from the four southern governorates of Basra, Missan, Dhi Qar and Muthanna and in Erbil on 19 February with 135 participants from Ninewa Governorate. Other conferences are to follow in the governorates of Diyala, Suleimaniyah, Baghdad, Kirkuk and Salaheddin, culminating in an overarching national conference in Baghdad in May to be attended by representatives of the youth to incorporate recommendations from these forums in the decisions that support the process of reconciliation and coexistence.

As with the format for all the conferences, the participants in the Najaf forum broke up into working groups to deliberate and respond to questions about what they would like to see in a future Iraq and how they can contribute. At the end of the meeting, the participants debated their responses and adopted a set of recommendations.

Erbil, 19 February 2017 – Youth are key to the future of coexistence in Iraq and reconciliation would be incomplete without their input into the process, the United Nations stressed at the itinerary youth forum “Iraq: Youth and Coexistence” which stopped in Erbil on Saturday, 18 February 2017 on the second of a series of cross-country events.
 

About 140 youth in the age group of 18-35 hailing from the governorates of Ninewa, Dohouk and Erbil participated in the Erbil leg of the forum, which was organized by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) with the collaboration of the Iraqi Al-Amal Association. The aim of the series of forums is to give a voice to youth for its crucial role in charting the road to peaceful co-existence in a future Iraq. It is also significant opportunity for the young generation of Iraqis across different backgrounds to deliberate post-conflict issues, engage on national reconciliation and voice their opinion.

The Erbil forum represented added value for including the displaced from Ninewa.

“This meeting carries deep significance, as it denotes fraternity among people in Iraq’s cities and regions, and it represents an important indication that the youth of Ninewa and its population, who have fallen under the cruelty of extremism and terrorism, actually have a desire to live in co-existence and peace,” said Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq for Political and Electoral Affairs, Mr. György Busztin, in the opening remarks.

The significance of input from the youth, who constitute the majority of Iraq’s population, was stressed again.

“You are the future of this country and the ones who are responsible for formulating its image in the days to come, therefore, any initiative for reconciliation and coexistence should include your view points. Otherwise, such initiatives would be deficient.”

Mr. Busztin went on to present the significance of the participation of the youth in nation-building. As the beating heart, spirit and conscience of the nation, he added, youth are the guarantee for engendering and maintaining co-existence in this country.

The Erbil forum is the second of eight cross-country forums. The first was launched in Basra on 28 January 2017 and brought together about 120 participants from the four southern governorates of Basra, Missan, Dhi Qar and Muthanna. Other conferences are to follow in the governorates of Salaheddin, Najaf, Diyala, Kirkuk, Suleimaniyah and Baghdad, culminating in an overarching national conference in Baghdad in May to be attended by representatives of the youth to incorporate recommendations from these forums in the decisions that support the process of reconciliation and coexistence.

As with the format for all the conferences, the participants in the Erbil forum broke up into working groups to deliberate and respond to questions about what they would like to see in a future Iraq and how they can contribute. At the end of the meeting, the participants debated their responses and adopted a set of recommendations.

Basra, 28 January 2017 – A forum of Iraqi youth under the theme “Iraq: Youth and Coexistence” and aimed to present the voice of the young generation in the national reconciliation process launched its first of a series of cross-country sessions on Saturday, 28 January 2017 in Basra,

highlighting the importance of the role of youth in the future of post-conflict Iraq and putting forward recommendations to be raised at a national conference in May.

The forum, organized by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) with the collaboration of the Iraqi Al-Amal Association, brought together about 120 participants in the age group of 18-35 from the southern governorates of Basra, Missan, Dhi Qar and Muthanna.

The aim of the forum was to give a voice to youth for its crucial role in charting the road to peaceful co-existence in a future Iraq. With these kind of fora as today’s in Basra, the young generation of Iraqis across different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds deliberated post-conflict issues, engaged on national reconciliation and voiced their opinion.

The opening session was attended by Mr. Nashaat Almansouri, head of the planning committee of the Basra Governorate Council, Sheikh Abbas Al-Fadli, head of the Tribes and Components Committee, Mr. Aqeel Salman, coordinator of international organization’s affairs in the implementation and follow-up committee on national reconciliation at the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office, Ms. Hana Edwar, head of the Al-Amal Association, and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq, Mr. György Busztin.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Busztin said reconciliation in Iraq would be incomplete if the youth, the largest segment of Iraqi society, do not play a crucial role in the process and their points of view are not included. “This means that stability itself which Iraq and the United Nations aspire for would be incomplete”, he said.

The DSRSG added: “Your conference today is an example of the keenness of the United Nations to include the voice of youth in the future of coexistence in Iraq. I am confident that your discussions today will define the main issues which will be decisive in enhancing the dialogue and reconciliation among Iraqis, and come up with practical and tangible recommendations. It will be followed by other conferences in the governorates of Salaheddin, Erbil, Najaf, Diyala, Kirkuk, Suleimaniyah and Baghdad, culminating in a general conference in Baghdad attended by representatives of you, the youth, to incorporate these recommendations in the decisions that support the process of reconciliation and coexistence”.

The general national conference in Baghdad is expected to take place at the end of May. After the opening session, the participants broke up into five working groups to deliberate and respond to questions about what they would like to see in a future Iraq and how they can contribute. At the end of today’s forum, the participants debated their responses, drew a set of recommendations and chose representatives for the national youth conference in Baghdad. The recommendations today were wide ranging, related to strengthening the rule of law and State institutions, controlling arms, as well as instilling the spirit of tolerance in society through reforming school curricula.

On the 21^st of September 2016 Iraqi Al-Amal Association \ Kirkuk office celebrated World Peace Day. The day is celebrated internationally to renounce violence in resolving conflicts and to consolidate the values and culture of peace, to declare ceasefire permanently. The activities of 2016 World Peace Day received great attention since it was declared by the United Nations within the goals of the sustainable development that consist of 17 clauses.

Many young activists, who believe in furthering the importance of human rights and peace culture, participated through planting rose plantlets in the central garden in Rahimawah area in Kirkuk.

Prior to planting these plantlets, Ms Sorood – Head of Iraqi Al-Amal Association in Kirkuk, spoke to the participants on the importance of this day and why it was selected to be a World Peace Day. Peace is bound to human understanding each other, respecting other’s opinions no matter how different they can be and repelling extremism whether it is sectarian, religious, political, social or any kind of extremism.

The event was covered by Kurd SAT satellite channel.

In Light of the cooperation between Iraqi Al-Amal Association and Ammar International Charity Foundation in Najaf and as part of  a series of joined activities between the two parties, Al-Amal organized a negotiation skills training workshop for 30 women in Invest Community Center on 11 July 2016.

Ms. Wasan, our fellow researcher, managed and facilitated this workshop. The training included exercises and skills in negotiations to reinforce the women skills and to activate problem resolution intermediary role. Many negotiation methods have been discussed in addition to discussing the role and effect of gender in determining the woman’s role in the household and her capability tomake decisions concerning family life.

At the End of the training, the women expressed their desire for similar workshops guiding tool in their daily life and their way of dealing with their families, relatives and neighbors on scientific basis and methods that will help avoid many problems and contribute in overcoming the difficulties and finding solutions.

 
Iraqi Al-Amal Association organized a workshop on tolerance and dialogue for the graduates of the project “Youth Capacity Building”. The workshop was also attended by some of the NGOs activists in Basra. The training continued over three days, from 6^th to 8^th of September 2015 and was held at Al-ferdaws Association. 

Various important issues were discussed at the workshop, which, generally, related to youth, their thoughts and how these issues affect the community. Some of these discussions related to the issues of the minorities, diversity, conflict resolution, and peace building, with a focus on the particularities of Basra’s community. 

The participants discussed all the issues during the workshop with a high interaction level. The workshop was facilitated by Falah Al-Alousi, the head of Salam Al-Rafidain organization. 

Many workshops were successfully accomplished which addressed a number of important skills and crafts for young people (welding, electricity and English language). The next step is to focus on finding employment for those graduates by coordinating with the private and public sectors to provide suitable job opportunities that matches their abilities and skills.

It should be noted that those graduates have been trained in life skills and leadership skills for 4 months within the project “Youth Capacity Building” at the Vocational Training Centre in Basra. After the training was finished, a workshop was held on June 1st, 2015 addressed the subject of Gender and its importance in Basra’s society.

• A mobile theater was launched in the govern orate of Arbil, in December 2005 and continued until the end of February 2006, with a  theatrical presentation that deals with human rights (women’s rights, freedom and equality with men, children’s rights and education, bad interaction habits between members of society and how to address them). The presentation was preformed in 15 locations in residential areas, parks and villages; it was attended by(2350) viewers of different age groups.

• With the beginning of the school year in 2006, the Association organized five seminars in two high schools in Baghdad,on “The Protection of Children from Abuse and The Impact of Trauma and Tension”. The seminars covered the concepts and the factors causing physical and psychological abuse, trauma and stress, and the social and emotional problems it causes in children. 161 (male and female) students participated in the seminars. Papers of the subjects mentioned were distribute don them, and they carried out a number of exercises and tests.

• Under the motto (Human Rights is Everyone’s Responsibility), IAA finished a program for promoting human rights education in schools in Najaf and Diwaniya,which lasted for two consecutive months, starting from 1 April, 2007, to include 21 primary, high and vocational schools, in the centers of the two govern orates and beyond, aimed at training 41 people from the teaching staff in these schools about the concepts of human rights. The trainees then trained 1200 students, to deliver the information and concepts to them, in line with their levels of education and their local environment, using the practical aspect of training, such as role-playing, interviews and debates. And the students in turn, provided a variety of activities to reflect the extent of their understanding of the material, and their views on human rights criteria,through the performing  of sketches,poems, short stories and drawings, and designing posters in their schools,reflecting the concepts of non-violence, justice, equality, diversity,responsibility, the language of dialogue , situations of rights’ conflict and dispute, and how to get human rights out of the classroom and school to home.

• The project worked closely with official bodies in the two provinces, such as the Office of the Ministry of Human Rights and the Directorate of Education as well as the media. Also, everyone agreed on the need to expand such programs and circulate them on schools, to include teaching staff and students, as well a sits inclusion in school curriculum, due to its value to the direct advancement of education and educational methods for the construction of a new progressive generation.

• In the govern orate of Salahadeen, the Association, took the initiative in the months of October and November of 2007, to promote principles of human rights and conflict resolution in 18 schools and Institutes, to students of various stages, at the center of the city of Tikrit, and in the villages of Ocha  and Albu Ajil , where first the training of 34 teachers from these schools took place , and then school lessons were organized, incorporated with some exercises drawn from the violations of human rights in everyday life, starting with children, women and human beings in general. These activities were implemented under the direct supervision of the Association and the Directorate of Education in the province. The program included (5826) students.

• At the end of the program, an artistic and cultural celebration was organized in Tikrit,on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, which was attended by the Deputy Governor and a number of officials, where awards were presented to a few students who excelled in the activity.

• In July 7, 2008, under the motto “A Bright Future for Children” a Carnival for children was organized in Kirkuk,in cooperation with the “Buds of Children’s Rights” organisation, on the advent of summer holidays, in which a set of articles of the international treaty of Children’s Rights were introduced.

• Over a period of four months, from April until August of 2007, the project of peace-building through training on conflict resolution and democracy, in partnership with The Women of Baghdad Association, during which (25) work shops were organized in Baghdad, Karbala and Kirkuk, aiming to build a civil dialogue  and a culture of non-violence among the youth and women, and to educate them on the principles of human rights, conflict resolution , gender , issues of personal status, the Constitution and the Convention on the elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).It was attended by approximately (635) beneficiaries (male and female) of different age groups, who are employees in governmental institutions, as well as in universities and colleges, youth centers and the municipal councils and NGOs.(15)  Trainers (male and female),specialized in the field of human rights law and conflict resolution and media,contributed to the training. This project contributed to the consolidation of relations between NGOs and ministries through the establishment of training courses for their staffs, as well as the dissemination of civic education on a large scale.