The ISF Offers a Campaign Development Training to Youth in Falluja and Ramadi
The Iraqi Social Forum (ISF) and the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) As part of the effort to develop capacities in youth from cities participating in the “Paths of Coexistence in Mesopotamia” project, the Iraqi Social Forum held a training for the peace forums in Falluja and Ramadi on 5 May 2018. 5 young...
Youth from Kut Create a New Local Forum: “We Are Wasit”
By the Secretariat of Iraqi Civil Society Initiative – 19 May 2018 As a part of the project “Paths of Coexistence in Mesopotamia and Middle East”, local forums made up of civil society groups, volunteers and activists have emerged in several Iraqi cities overlooking the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. These forums are united by...
Activists Bring to Life the Spirit of al-Mutanabbi Street in their Own Cities: Mutanabbi Starts Here
Youth from cities all over Iraq came together in solidarity to commemorate what was lost in the terrible bombings of al-Mutanabbi Street in Baghdad 11 years ago. In many cities throughout the country, young people organized events on this tragic anniversary as a way to celebrate and preserve the spirit of Baghdad’s famous...
First Najaf Social Forum Festival for a Peaceful Iraq
ICSSI Secretariat – March 2018 Under the slogan “Love, Coexistence, Peace”, the Najaf Social Forum held its first festival on 9 February 2018. The festival, which was held in the Palace of Culture, was attended by youth and families and through its various activities, portrayed the city as one of diversity, harmonious coexistence and peace. The...
A Festival of Love and Peace in the City of Diwaniyah
The Iraqi Social Forum (ISF) and the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) On 14 February 2018, the Diwaniyah Environment and Peace Forum held its first annual festival at Al-Hurriyah Family Park in downtown Diwaniyah. The approximately 750-1000 men, women and children from Diwaniyah who attended enjoyed artistic events, a bazaar of handicrafts and food,...
The First Season of the Peace Forum in Hit
ICSSI Secretariat – December 2017 The activities of the first season of the Peace Forum in Hit began on 22 December 2017. This marked the culmination of the coordinated efforts of a number of voluntary organizations which came together to establish a joint space where groups could exchange ideas and unify their visions broadly aimed...
A Festival in Anbar Celebrating Peace and Volunteer Work
The Peace Forum of Anbar and The Iraqi Social Forum In the city of Ramadi, on 13 January 2018, Al-Ma’arif College hosted a Peace Forum, called “Anbar Al-Salam” (Anbar of Peace), in which 400 people took part. The festival was dedicated to teams of volunteers and organizations that are active in Ramadi and Falluja, many...
Maysan Celebrates Local Creativity in the “I Love Maysan” Carnival
Maysan Social Forum / Iraqi Social Forum With more than 1000 people attending, the first season of the “I Love Maysan” carnival was an enormous success. It was organized jointly by the Maysan Social Forum and the Iraqi Social Forum, and its activities focused on youth creativity in the province, recognizing the accomplishments of the...
“I Love Dhi Qar” a civil space in Nasiriya
To end the year of 2017, Dhi Qar Forum organized its main event of the year: the annual festival of I Love Dhi Qar in the city of Nasiriyah, Southern Iraq, from 28-30 December 2017, consisting of several activities aimed at bringing together local civil society, youth and communities. Dhi Qar Forum represents a civil...
The Syrian City of Qamishlo Celebrates Peaceful Coexistence
Syria – Qamishlo There is virtually no disagreement about the need to ensure certain fundamental rights to all people, such as the right to life, human dignity, basic freedoms, equality and justice. While respect for these rights is essential, exactly how they are realized must take into account the different cultures and peoples who practice...
Iraqi Cities of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Gather under the Slogan “We Love Iraq”!
The Iraqi Social Forum (ISF) and the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Imitative (ICSSI) Baghdad – October 2017 Forty-eight activists representing nine local youth groups from different Iraqi cities met in Baghdad for three days to discuss ways forward for living together along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers within the program of “Coexistence trails in Mesopotamia...
A Training in Nonviolence in Hit, the First Since its Liberation from Daesh
On Thursday, 5 October 2017 at the Shakoufyan Cultural Center, the Peace Forum in Hit organized a workshop on nonviolence. The training focused on building the skills needed to carry out nonviolent campaigns aimed at peaceful coexistence as an alternative to sectarian violence in Mesopotamia. This is the first workshop in Hit since its liberation...
