Dialogue Session on Civil Society Organizations in Iraq

Details

READING TIME

3 min

AUTHOR

Al-Muraqib Foundation

TOPIC

Activities

Baghdad, March 13, 2025

In a move aimed at strengthening cooperation between various stakeholders in civil society work in Iraq, Al-Al-Muraqib Foundation organized an open dialogue session in Baghdad on March 13, 2025. The session covered vital topics related to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Iraq, including funding, the role of the Parliament, and the functioning of the Non-Governmental Organizations Department.

Speakers at the Session:

Ashraf Al-Dahan, Director of the Non-Governmental Organizations Department
Hassan Arab, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Civil Society Organizations in the Iraqi Parliament>

Session Overview:

The session was attended by prominent figures in the field of civil society work. The session began with an opening speech by Ashraf Al-Dahan, Director of the Non-Governmental Organizations Department, who spoke about the challenges faced by NGOs in Iraq and the importance of improving support and funding mechanisms, in addition to the need to enhance transparency and accountability within these organizations.

Also participating in the session was Hassan Arab, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Civil Society Organizations in the Iraqi Parliament, who highlighted the role of Parliament in supporting NGOs through the enactment of laws and regulations that contribute to improving the work environment for these organizations, and providing the necessary support to strengthen their role in Iraqi society.

Key topics discussed during the session included:

Funding and Support for NGOs: Participants discussed the challenges associated with securing sustainable funding and ways to improve the funding mechanisms directed at these organizations.
The Role of Parliament in Supporting Civil Society Work: Participants emphasized the importance of enacting laws and regulations that facilitate the work of civil society organizations and provide support to enhance their role in society.
The Non-Governmental Organizations Department: The discussion focused on the crucial role of the Non-Governmental Organizations Department in organizing and coordinating work between government and non-governmental organizations, providing technical and administrative support to achieve sustainable development goals.

The session took place in a constructive and engaging environment, with participants exchanging ideas on the best ways to collaborate between NGOs, Parliament, and the Non-Governmental Organizations Department to strengthen their capacity to address the challenges they face.

Conclusion:

At the conclusion of the session, participants emphasized the importance of continuing to organize such dialogue meetings, which create a platform for understanding between the various actors in civil society work, and encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences that contribute to improving the working environment and enhancing transparency and credibility in the civil sector.

This session is considered an important step towards enhancing cooperation between civil society organizations and the government in Iraq, and continuing efforts to achieve sustainable development and promote human rights across the country.