Peacebuilding from the ground up: UNDP Iraq and swisspeace launch training on mediation for national peacebuilding practitioners in Iraq

June 22, 2021

Photo: Baghdad training session, 2021.

Creating meaningful impact at the grassroots level is vital for peacebuilding in fragile contexts. From 06 to 08 June 2021, swisspeace, in partnership with UNDP Iraq, led a capacity building workshop in Baghdad on mediation for 15 local peacebuilding practitioners and academics from Anbar, Erbil, Salah al-Din, Baghdad, Dohuk, Diyala, Babel, Maysan and Kirkuk governorates. The overall purpose of the training aimed at laying the foundation to develop a common language around mediation tools and dialogue and identifying needs and opportunities at the local level in Iraq. 

With headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, swisspeace is a peacebuilding organization dedicated to reducing violence and promoting peace in areas affected by conflict. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNDP Iraq and swisspeace in April 2021 to strengthen efforts for peacebuilding and social cohesion in Iraq through a two-year partnership.  

Photo: Aws al-Mudaffar Ahmed Abdul-Razaq, 2021.

“There are two aspects the training helped us to consider, academic and practical. On the academic level, the training helped us to absorb new methods and tools related to mediation and conflict prevention. On the practical level, I plan to transfer what I have learned in this training to youth by creating a training manual on the concepts discussed.” - Aws al-Mudaffar Ahmed Abdul-Razaq, Babel Governorate, Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies.

Photo: Zervan Amin Abdullah, 2021.

“In everyday life we perform mediation, from day to night, within our family, at the university, when discussing problems… the entire community is in an on-going mediation process. Teaching and learning mediation and conflict analysis skills is very important when discussing social cohesion topics.” - Zervan Amin Abdullah, Duhok Governorate, Master’s in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution.

Photo: Bashkoush Jaafar Abdullah, 2021.

“This training is different because the trainees are at the center of the training, not the trainer. The training linked academic methods in mediation and conflict analysis with implementation in the field. What matters most in Iraq is how to transfer theory into practice, which was clear in the sessions.” -Bashkoush Jaafar Abdullah, Dohuk Governorate, Master’s in Educational Administration.

Photo: Buthaina Mahmoud Abbas, 2021.

“This training helped me to rethink my role in society as a woman from Diyala, and my contribution to mediation in the various conflicts that occur in the province.” -Buthaina Mahmoud Abbas, Diyala Governorate, President of Hawa Foundation for Relief and Development.

UNDP Iraq has launched in 2020 a dedicated 5-year Social Cohesion Programme to promote stronger, peaceful, and more cohesive communities in all areas of Iraq. With thanks to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for their generous contribution, efforts for peacebuilding in Iraq are strengthened through collaboration with swisspeace to build capacities for mediation and peacebuilding at the local level in Iraq.