Iraqi Social Forum (ISF) and The Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI)

From 27-28 April 2018, in western Iraq, the city of Hit held a training called “Building and Implementing Campaigns” for 10 young activists. The successful training was organized by the Iraqi Social Forum for youth active in Hit’s Peace Forum. The Peace Forum in Hit is just one of many new local forums modeled on the Iraqi Social Forum which form a network of nonviolent activists across the country who are working for peace, justice and social cohesion.

Various subjects were explored over the course of the 2-day training, centering on strategies young people might employ to create effective campaigns which defend human rights and promote peace. The training aimed to teach activists how to develop and realize their ideas for proposed campaigns and activities though smart planning. Also emphasized was the need to set up a clear way to assess the results of a campaign, which is essential for managing successful projects and events. The organizers of the training hoped to enhance the performance and efficiency of the Peace Forum in Hit which is preparing to embark on a number of new campaigns in the coming months aimed at showing that a peaceful and thriving Hit is possible.

The training was a part of “The Social Cohesion of Mesopotamia” project sponsored by the Swiss FAI Organization. It was implemented by the Iraqi Social Forum and Information Center for Research and Development, with the participation of Un Ponte Per (UPP) and Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI).