Al-Muraqib Foundation Holds the Third Session on “Youth Political Participation: Between Reality and Aspiration”

Al-Muraqib Foundation Holds the Third Session on "Youth Political Participation: Between Reality and Aspiration" in Baghdad

Details

READING TIME

3 min

AUTHOR

Al-Muraqib Foundation

TOPIC

Activities

Baghdad, March 17, 2025

Al-Al-Muraqib Foundation organized the third session in its series of dialogue sessions focused on political and social issues affecting Iraqi youth. The session, titled “Youth Political Participation: Between Reality and Aspiration,” was attended by several prominent figures from the Iraqi political scene.

The speakers emphasized the importance of encouraging youth to actively participate in political life in Iraq, noting that such sessions provide a real opportunity to foster constructive dialogue between various political and social groups in the country. They also highlighted the need to address the challenges that hinder youth from playing a leading role in shaping Iraq’s political future.

Interventions by the Session’s Guests

The session featured fruitful interventions from three prominent political figures, who shared valuable insights and experiences regarding political work and the challenges faced by youth in this field:

Omar Al-Haj, a leader in the Victory Alliance, spoke about the role of youth in building a democratic civil state, pointing out that youth possess significant energy and the ability to make a positive impact on society. However, they face many challenges, including a lack of political awareness and limited influence in decision-making. Al-Haj added that political parties should open up opportunities for youth to actively participate in leadership positions by providing them with suitable opportunities to develop their political skills.

Osama Al-Badri, a member of the Iraqi Parliament, emphasized the need to enhance youth political participation through electoral system reforms and expanding political representation. He stressed that youth need support from all political parties to activate their role in legislative councils and political bodies. Al-Badri clarified that Iraq faces significant challenges that require active youth participation in political decision-making.

Sajad Salem, a member of the Iraqi Parliament, discussed the challenges faced by young MPs in the Iraqi Parliament. He explained that youth who have reached Parliament struggle to establish themselves due to the limited influence they have on parliamentary decisions, as well as their lack of sufficient political experience compared to older members. He also pointed out the urgent need to support young MPs by helping them build strong networks of relationships and empowering them to actively participate in parliamentary committees and make decisions that impact the lives of citizens.

Dialogue and Exchange of Views

The session also played a key role in opening the floor for discussion and the exchange of views among attendees, who shared their opinions and aspirations regarding youth participation in political life. The participants engaged actively with the interventions, raising questions focused on issues such as empowering youth in politics and political parties, as well as how to enhance their role in shaping public policies that affect their daily lives.

Conclusion of the Session

At the conclusion of the session, participants expressed their gratitude to Al-Muraqib Foundation for organizing this important event, emphasizing the need to continue holding such dialogues that contribute to raising political awareness among youth and strengthening their capacity to confront future challenges. The importance of intensifying efforts to involve youth in political decision-making processes and achieve their aspirations for building a stable and democratic Iraq was also reiterated.