Education For Peace In Iraq Center

Programs: Epics research and education program includes our iraq matters podcast with in-depth interviews of knowledgeable guests and thoughtful commentary on developments in iraq; our weekly iraq security and humanitarian monitor (ishm) to inform public policy on iraqs ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis; our internship program offering university undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to spend a semester researching and writing for epic; our online presence educating concerned citizens about the urgent humanitarian and protection needs of vulnerable populations in iraq, including internally displaced iraqis and syrian refugees who fled to iraq; and other communications and public outreach to enhance understanding about the people and cultures of iraq, the peace and development needs of the country, and the part that we can all play to help make a difference. In 2017, epic published 10 pieces of analysis on iraqs post-isis recovery needs, the future of popular mobilization units, iraqs water crisis, and the state of agriculture, healthcare, and other sectors in iraq; conducted 11 in-depth interviews with leading experts and public figures, including mike knights, fanar haddad, sarah holewinski, sherri talabany, and barham salih; produced 5 episodes of our iraq matters podcast on topics ranging from the future of iraqi kurdistan (featuring bilal wahab) to the reconstruction needs of post-isis iraq (featuring dr. Mustafa al-hiti of iraqs reconstruction fund); and published 51 weekly ishm reports, providing policymakers, scholars, aid workers, journalists, and other iraq watchers with a deeper understanding of week-to-week developments in iraq.

epics public policy analysis and advocacy program works to improve the quality of information and policy options on iraq being considered by u. S. Policy-makers and other key decision makers. Through our website and regular communications to our extensive network of e-mail subscribers and social media followers across the country, epic is campaigning to strengthen the u. S. And international humanitarian response to the crisis in iraq; encouraging policy makers to articulate a clear, long-term strategy for advancing iraqs peace and development, including efforts to support and improve peace-building, education, and positive youth development; and focusing attention on the plight of internally displaced iraqis, syrian refugees who fled to iraq, and other vulnerable populations in iraq. In 2017, epic continued to actively participate in the syria/iraq working group to coordinate research, public awareness raising, and advocacy among like-minded non-governmental organizations (ngos) to respond to humanitarian and reconstruction needs in niniwa, anbar, kirkuk, and other conflict-affected areas across iraq, and to ensure a more effective u. S. And international response to iraqs post-isis needs for recovery and human security.

the connection initiative is a new epic program launched in august 2016 to connect skilled iraqi expatriates with volunteer opportunities in iraq, especially opportunities to support and build the capacity of iraqi civil society. As iraq continues to be plagued by corruption and poor governance, iraqi civil society organizations (csos) are struggling to build sufficient capacity to meet the outsized need for their services. Some of these organizations are also playing an important role in demanding greater transparency and accountability from political leaders and government institutions. The stronger iraqs civil society becomes, the greater the prospects for genuine peace and development in iraq. Meanwhile, iraqs multi-generational diaspora here in the u. S. Represents a vast, yet largely untapped reservoir of talent that can be mobilized to build civil society capacity in iraq at a critical moment in the countrys political and social development. Therefore, in partnership with professionals for a better iraq (pbi) and with funding from the national endowment for democracy, epic began our new connection initiative to match skilled iraqi americans to meaningful volunteer opportunities with iraqi csos, and to help support and sustain those relationships. In 2016, epic hired a full-time coordinator for the program; launched the projects website; created online registration forms and assessment forms for volunteers and organizations; conducted initial outreach to hundreds of iraqi civil society organizations (csos); completed profiles and needs assessments of 35 iraqi csos; and posted 46 volunteer opportunities for skilled iraqi americans. In december, pbi visited baghdad for a week to conduct a series of trainings and meetings with iraqi ngo representatives on behalf of epics connection initiative. Pbis visit helped epic develop a better understanding of the specific needs of select iraqi csos, and how direct connections, such as trainings in iraq, and remote connections, such as webinars, can best address some of those needs. We are now working to facilitate successful matches and lasting connections between those csos and our growing base of skilled volunteers.