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.

Erbil Conference 2011

Press Release

November 16, 2011, Erbil, IRAQ   Another Iraq is Possible with Peace and Human Rights,” agree 250 representatives of civil society organizations who met October 8-9 in Erbil, Iraq.

A final declaration from their work together has been released this week in Arabic, Kurdish, French, Italian, and English and lays out a vision for social activists working to promote national sovereignty for Iraq.

The conference statement, issued six weeks before the final withdrawal of US forces, focuses on social justice, human rights, freedom, and self-determination for Iraqi citizens. Iraqi activists from trade unions, women’s and human rights organizations, youth programs, journalist syndicates and peace networks, joined together with over 100 international partners as the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI).  Meeting since 2007, this year’s ICCSI agenda focused discussions on four vital sectors of Iraqi civil society.

  1. Iraqi trade unions in all sectors, seek the development of new labor laws to guarantee workers’ rights, especially the right to demonstrate and strike.
  2. Iraqi journalists demand freedom from government restrictions and protection from civil society organizations.
  3. Iraqi women insist upon full rights and equality under the law.  Conference participants denounced all violence against women and all traditions that violate women’s rights and prevent them from reaching their full capacity.
  4. Iraqi youth, an important force for change and social progress, seek opportunities in education and employment; encouraging civil society and government to work together to develop Iraq’s young generations.

Expert panelists and the audience examined two critical issues:

1) the privatization of oil and 2) the devastation of Iraq’s environment and the increase in very serious health effects caused by the war.

Those present agreed that these issues require extensive study and immediate action by civil society organizations and activists within and outside of Iraq. Firmly committed to these goals, the international members of ICSSI committed their support to Iraqi NGOs as they take a decisive role in shaping Iraq’s future, addressing problems of unemployment, corruption, and lack of services.  Solutions such as open dialogue, partnerships development, collaboration, advocacy and participation in the upcoming World Social Forums arose from numerous discussions. Members of the ICSSI will be working together over the next year to plan and carry out solidarity campaigns to advance specific goals that the ICSSI conference participants identified.

related documents: Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (Arabic) Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (English) Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (French) Final declaration 3rd conference ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (Italian)   list of NGOs and groups represented:

Name of Attending Organizations at ICSSI Conference Country
3P Human Security US
ACTED Iraq – Erbil Iraq
AFO Iraq
Akad Institute for Culture Iraq
Al Izdihar Association Iraq
Al Jeel Organization for Development Iraq
Al-Mesalla Iraq
Almumea Organization Iraq
Alnass Organization Iraq
Alshabiba Iraq
Alternatives International Canada
ArtRole UK Iraq
Ashur for Development and Human Rights Iraq
Asia Organization Iraq
Azidi Solidarity and Fraternity Organization Iraq
AZJ Iraq
Baghdad Marathon Italy
Baghdad TV Iraq
Bund Fuer Soziale Verrteidigung Germany
Bustan Association Iraq
CCWF Iraq
CDO Sweden
CGIL-Modena Italy
Civil Society Organization Iraq
Council of Organizations of Salahadin Iraq
DİSA, TİHV Turkey
Elamiya for Women Rights Iraq
Engineering Prof. Union – Electricity Section Iraq
Federation of Trade Unions of Kurdistan Iraq
Freedom Day Iraq
Fuad Iraq
Furat TV Iraq
General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) Iraq
General Union for Students in Iraq Iraq
General Union for Students in KRG Iraq
GVSIR Iraq
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (HCA) Turkey Turkey
Hidden Theatre Holland Italy
IKV Pax Christi Netherland
IKNN Iraq
Intilaq for Development Iraq
IPAM France
Iraqi Center for Research and Studies Iraq
Iraqi Children’s Art USA
Iraqi Democratic Future Network IDFN Iraq
Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) Iraq
Iraqi Federation of Salah al Deen Iraq
Iraqi Institution for Development Iraq
Iraqi Organization for the Dev’t of Sports Iraq
IRD Iraq
Istanbul Bilgi University Turkey
Karibu Foundation Norway/US
Kids and Environment Organization – Muthana Iraq
KSC Sweden
Kurdish General Workers Syndicate Union (KGWSU) iraq
Kurdish Youth Empowerment Organisation (KYEO) iraq
Laonf Non-Violence Group In Iraq Iraq
Martyrs and Disappeared Persons Iraq
Mennonite Central Committee Iraq
Mercy Corps Iraq
Nehorta Art Group Iraq
NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI) Iraq
NGO Resource Center at Dohuk USA
Ninurta for Arts Iraq
Organization of Women and Children Iraq
Pax Christi Netherlands
Peaceful Tomorrows, 121 Contact USA
PIAM TV Iraq
Professional Union – Health Iraq
Rusul al Mahaba “Peace Association” Iraq
Sala 1 Roma Italy
Save the Children Iraq
Save the Children / Kurdistan Sweden
Sept. 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows USA
Shiraa Organization Iraq
South Youth Organization Iraq
Students Union Iraq
Sustainable Dev’t Capabilities of Women Iraq
Tadamun Sport Organization Iraq
Tammuz Organization for Social Development Iraq
Together to Protect Human Iraq
Un Ponte Per… Italy
Un ponte per…  Erbil Office Iraq
Uptersport Italy
Verso la Mesopotamia Italy
War on Want UK
Women and Children Organization Iraq
Women for Peace Iraq
Women Freedom – OWFI Iraq
Women in Black (Madrid-Spain) Spain
Women’s Alliance for Democratic Iraq – WAFDI Iraq
World Without Wars and Violence Iraq
Ya Basta Italy
Yawm al Huria Organization Iraq
Youth Gathering Iraq

 

Communiqué de presse

  Erbil, Irak, 16 Novembre 2011. « Un autre Irak est possible, de paix et de droits de l’Homme » affirment ensemble 250 représentants de la société civile qui se sont rencontrés les 8 et 9 octobre à Erbil, en Irak. Une déclaration finale de leur travail commun a été publiée cette semaine en arabe, kurde, français, italien, et anglais et énonce une vision pour les militants associatifs qui travaillent à promouvoir la souveraineté nationale de l’Irak (voir : http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org ). La déclaration finale de la conférence, publiée six semaines avant le retrait définitif des forces américaines, se concentre sur la justice sociale, les droits humains, la liberté et l’autodétermination des citoyens irakiens. Des syndicalistes irakiens, des militantes des mouvements de femmes et des militants des organisation de droits de l’Homme, de jeunesse et des réseaux pour la paix ont formé avec plus de 100 partenaires internationaux l’Initiative de Solidarité avec la Société Civile Irakienne(Iraq Civil Society Solidarity Initiative – ICSSI). L’ICSSI se réunit depuis 2007. Cette année les discussions se sont centrées sur quatre secteurs vitaux de la société civile irakienne

  1. Les syndicats irakiens de tous les secteurs veulent de nouvelles lois du travail afin de garantir les droits des travailleurs, en particulier le droit de manifester et le droit de grève ;
  2. Les journalistes irakiens demandent la fin des restrictions du gouvernement et la protection des organisations de la société civile ;
  3. Les femmes irakiennes exigent leurs pleins droits et l’égalité devant la loi. Les participants à la conférence ont dénoncé toutes les violences contre les femmes et toutes les traditions qui violent les droits des femmes et les empêchent de se réaliser pleinement.
  4. La jeunesse irakienne, une force importante pour le changement et le progrès social, veut l’accès à l’éducation et l’emploi. Les participants à la conférence encouragent la société civile et le gouvernement à travailler ensemble pour développer les jeunes générations d’Irak.

Des experts et le public ont discuté deux questions essentielles: 1) La privatisation du pétrole, et 2) la dévastation de l’environnement en Irak et les problèmes de santé très graves causés par la guerre. Les présents ont convenu que ces questions nécessitent des études approfondies et une action immédiate des militants et des organisations de la société civile, d’Irak et d’ailleurs. Fermement engagés à atteindre ces objectifs, les membres internationaux de l’ICSSI ont confirmé leur appui aux ONG irakiennes alors que celles-ci prennent une place décisive pour construire le futur de l’Irak et résoudre les problèmes de chômage, de manque de services publics et de corruption. Des solutions telles que le dialogue ouvert, le développement des partenariats, la collaboration, le plaidoyer et la participation aux prochains Forums Sociaux Mondiaux ont surgi des nombreuses discussions. Les membres de l’ICSSI vont travailler ensemble au cours de l’année prochaine pour planifier et mener des campagnes de solidarité spécifiques pour faire progresser des objectifs précis que les participants à la conférence ont identifiés.   documents liés : Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (arabe) Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (français) Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (anglais) Déclaration finale de la 3ème conférence ICSSI Erbil oct.2011 (italien)   liste des ONG et groupes representés :

Name of Attending Organizations at ICSSI Conference Country
3P Human Security US
ACTED Iraq – Erbil Iraq
AFO Iraq
Akad Institute for Culture Iraq
Al Izdihar Association Iraq
Al Jeel Organization for Development Iraq
Al-Mesalla Iraq
Almumea Organization Iraq
Alnass Organization Iraq
Alshabiba Iraq
Alternatives International Canada
ArtRole UK Iraq
Ashur for Development and Human Rights Iraq
Asia Organization Iraq
Azidi Solidarity and Fraternity Organization Iraq
AZJ Iraq
Baghdad Marathon Italy
Baghdad TV Iraq
Bund Fuer Soziale Verrteidigung Germany
Bustan Association Iraq
CCWF Iraq
CDO Sweden
CGIL-Modena Italy
Civil Society Organization Iraq
Council of Organizations of Salahadin Iraq
DİSA, TİHV Turkey
Elamiya for Women Rights Iraq
Engineering Prof. Union – Electricity Section Iraq
Federation of Trade Unions of Kurdistan Iraq
Freedom Day Iraq
Fuad Iraq
Furat TV Iraq
General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) Iraq
General Union for Students in Iraq Iraq
General Union for Students in KRG Iraq
GVSIR Iraq
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (HCA) Turkey Turkey
Hidden Theatre Holland Italy
IKV Pax Christi Netherland
IKNN Iraq
Intilaq for Development Iraq
IPAM France
Iraqi Center for Research and Studies Iraq
Iraqi Children’s Art USA
Iraqi Democratic Future Network IDFN Iraq
Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) Iraq
Iraqi Federation of Salah al Deen Iraq
Iraqi Institution for Development Iraq
Iraqi Organization for the Dev’t of Sports Iraq
IRD Iraq
Istanbul Bilgi University Turkey
Karibu Foundation Norway/US
Kids and Environment Organization – Muthana Iraq
KSC Sweden
Kurdish General Workers Syndicate Union (KGWSU) iraq
Kurdish Youth Empowerment Organisation (KYEO) iraq
Laonf Non-Violence Group In Iraq Iraq
Martyrs and Disappeared Persons Iraq
Mennonite Central Committee Iraq
Mercy Corps Iraq
Nehorta Art Group Iraq
NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI) Iraq
NGO Resource Center at Dohuk USA
Ninurta for Arts Iraq
Organization of Women and Children Iraq
Pax Christi Netherlands
Peaceful Tomorrows, 121 Contact USA
PIAM TV Iraq
Professional Union – Health Iraq
Rusul al Mahaba “Peace Association” Iraq
Sala 1 Roma Italy
Save the Children Iraq
Save the Children / Kurdistan Sweden
Sept. 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows USA
Shiraa Organization Iraq
South Youth Organization Iraq
Students Union Iraq
Sustainable Dev’t Capabilities of Women Iraq
Tadamun Sport Organization Iraq
Tammuz Organization for Social Development Iraq
Together to Protect Human Iraq
Un Ponte Per… Italy
Un ponte per…  Erbil Office Iraq
Uptersport Italy
Verso la Mesopotamia Italy
War on Want UK
Women and Children Organization Iraq
Women for Peace Iraq
Women Freedom – OWFI Iraq
Women in Black (Madrid-Spain) Spain
Women’s Alliance for Democratic Iraq – WAFDI Iraq
World Without Wars and Violence Iraq
Ya Basta Italy
Yawm al Huria Organization Iraq
Youth Gathering Iraq