young iraqi leaders

In summer 2004 we started to implement the project called Young Iraqi Leaders as a sub-grantee of IRI. The goal of the project was to facilitate transfer of our know-how and experience on the post-transition democracy and market economy. It involved the study trips for 27 young Iraqis invited to Slovakia for three weeks. The participants came in four groups. The first group arrived on November 29, 2004 and lthe ast one left on July 24, 2005. Each group, according to the circumstances and focuses of its members, consisted of participants from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affaires, leaders of NGO organizations, and members of political parties.

The main part of the study was based on a short internship in selected state institutions (the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affaires and the Ministry of Education) or civil society organization (leading NGOs dealing with advocacy and human rights, think tanks and watchdog groups) during the second week, all of which helped to shape transition to democracy and the building of a sovereign state in Slovakia.

In order to expose the participants to a broader experience, the first week of the study trip included a series of lectures by experts and former government politicians as well as visits to other important government, non-governmental institutions. The last week focused on intensive communication and skill-building training with an individual approach.

Some of the participants’ comments:

"This training taught me how to better listen to my opponent and his arguments, and that gives me better chance to understand his words and prepare better answer. This is what is missing in our communication in our society today."
Mr. Zaid from the Independent Iraqi Alliance Party

"I’m very surprised from how the NGO organizations here in Slovakia are dealing with the public and government and making themselves a bridge between this two sides. The Pontis Foundation gave us the opportunity to walk through this bridge.“
Mr. Hassan from Iraqi Youth Organization

"I don’t think that the Slovak culture is similar to our Iraqi one. But what surprised me is the similarity in the historical circumstances, which shaped the changes in your land with our case. I realized that we are going through the first steps which your society had undergone straight after the fall of communism."
Ms. Ammera from Assyrian political party

"This visit confirmed my intuition and helped me to realize that I am on the right track."
Ms. Zainab from Association for Iraqi Women

"We got wider perspective on the government ministries, how they function in the parliamentary democracy, what are the limits for change of policy and people after elections."
Ms. Nasyrin from the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education