Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative

The Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) is dedicated to bringing together Iraqi and international civil societies through concrete actions to build together another Iraq, with peace and Human Rights for all.

Save the Tigris Foundation

Welcome to the page of the Save the Tigris and Iraqi Marshes Campaign

Who we are:

Save the Tigris and Iraqi Marshes is a civil society advocacy campaign, to save and protect the heritage and water resources of Mesopotamia from the impact of large dams and other mega projects, and to promote sustainable management of the Tigris River and its tributaries.

Our challenge:

The campaign seeks to link groups and movements concerned with the adverse impacts of megaprojects on the Tigris and Euphrates. We advocate for policies that secure the sustainable and equitable use of water for all who live in the region. Our campaign believes a paradigm shift is necessary: instead of being a source of rivalry, water could be force for peace and cooperation between all the countries and peoples of the Tigris-Euphrates basin.

Objectives of the campaign:

The campaign works to promote alternatives to megaprojects on the Tigris River and its tributaries, to promote water courses as a tool for sustainable peace between different communities, to preserve the cultural heritage along the Tigris River, to raise awareness on river pollution. The campaign develops advocacy and awareness activities that involve all relevant actors: local communities; civil society organisations; media; national and local institutions; societies of experts and intellectuals; research centres; universities and others.

The current members of the Save the Tigris and Iraqi Marshes Campaign:

Iraq: Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI)Iraqi People’s Campaign to Save the Tigris, Tammuz Organization for Social Development, All Mesalla, Iraqi Social Forum, Ma’aluma (Information Center), Humat Dijla, Waterkeepers Iraq

Turkey: Mesopotamian Ecology Movement, Hasankeyf Matters Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive

Iran: Alpine Club of Iran/Mountain Watch

Syria: DOZ

International: Un Ponte Per… (Italy), Corner House (UK), Gegenstroemung/Countercurrent (Germany), Environmental Defenders Law Center (US), Association for Water and Forest Studies/FIVAS (Norway)

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