The American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) hosted a meeting that brought together the four UNESCO Chairholders of Iraq, the UNESCO Chairholder at Ulster University in Northern Ireland, and senior officials at AUIB and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR). The meeting aimed at identifying opportunities and strategies to deepen collaboration between UNESCO Chairs in Iraq. The group evaluated current work, discussed future efforts, and developed an action plan to further shared goals.
Launched by UNESCO in 1992, the UNESCO Chair Programme is a network program to promote knowledge sharing and cooperation among international universities and institutions. Dr. Allison Webster-Giddings, UNESCO Chairholder on Education for Global Health and Wellness, and AUIB’s Dean of the College of Education and Human Development led the event with Dr. Alaa Shatnan, UNESCO Chair on Development of Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies at the University of Kufa, Dr. Salah Al-Jabri, UNESCO Chair on Genocide Prevention Studies at the University of Baghdad, Dr. Raqeeb Jassim, UNESCO Chair on Preventing Violent Extremism and Fostering a Culture of Peace, at the University of Mosul, as well as Dr. Kelsey Shanks, UNESCO Chair in Education for Peacebuilding and Human Rights, at Ulster University, Dr. Omar Salman of the UNESCO Unit at the Directorate of Scholarships at MoHESR, and Dr. Hassan Nadhem, AUIB’s Vice President of Corporate Engagement and inaugural UNESCO Chairholder in Iraq.
The meeting resulted in policy proposals serving to optimize the relevant administrative framework and streamline collaboration among UNESCO Chairs in Iraq, university presidents, and MoHESR. The discussed action plan also addressed the issue of funding and proposed a unified annual event for all UNESCO Chairs in Iraq, to be held under the auspices of the UNESCO Division at MoHESR, reflecting the shared priorities and areas of focus of the Chairs operating across the country.