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Welcome to Cluster 9 - Governance & Civil Society section of the UN Iraq Web Portal.

The purpose of this section is to provide information on activities related to Governance & Civil Society, undertaken by the United Nations and its partners. 

General information on the Cluster

Overview and Challenges:

After decades of authoritarianism, Iraq has been thrust into a situation where it has to re-define the relationship between people and the state. In June 2003, an interim sovereign administration has been established as stepping-stone to future elections and representational government. This constitutes an important step for Iraq, and a unique opportunity for Iraqi people to participate directly in public affairs. This delicate transition from occupation to the restoration of full Iraqi sovereignty will not go without difficulties; the previous regime suppressed most public freedoms, including that of expression, organisation and political participation. This has had a lasting effect on the population and the government itself.

The UN's Work in Iraq:

The UN’s approach is to work with Iraqis to foster a society where the rights and responsibilities of citizens are as equally developed as a responsive, accountable administration. Initiatives focus on enabling key government institutions at central and local levels, bridging the gap between the administration and the people, on the understanding that the effective provision of essential services can only be done with the full participation of the population. The creation of independent media and dynamic civil society organisations will act as checks and balances to local administrations that will be given the tools necessary to complete their tasks.

The UN is a trusted body familiar with the challenges in Iraq, and brings considerable experience in policy development, institutional capacity building and implementation of ground-level support to its Iraqi counterparts. Capacity training and development are the result of best-practices from work completed around the world, these having been honed for use in Iraq. The UN agency’s core body of qualified staff have strong links with national authorities and key civil society partners. These considerable networks, backed by international experts, can quickly mobilise support for any process in which it is engaged.

Ongoing Works and Activities:

Since the end of hostilities in 2003 UN agencies have been working with civil society organisations, as well as with Iraqi government institutions, both central and local. Priority activities for 2004 include:

• Empowering emerging civil society organisations in the areas of human rights, gender, child protection, media and the environment to play an active role in the reconstruction of the country – socially, politically, economically and physically;

• Strengthening and modernising central agencies and ministries with economic and social portfolios and key local administrations to better deliver social services and respond to the needs of their closer communities;

• Strengthening policy planning, coordination, management and institutional, organisational and human resource capacity of key institutions;

• Mainstreaming gender equality in national policies and promoting a mentality change within the Iraqi society in support of gender equality and women’s rights;

•  Supporting the emergence of a free and respected media, by strengthening its capacities and enhancing dialogue with national institutions;

• Promoting a culture of protection of human rights by strengthening the capacities of key governmental and non-governmental institutions, improving standards of the judicial system and promoting the rule of law;

• Advocating child protection needs, developing child rights-based systems and policies and expanding child protection mechanisms at the governorate level;

• Addressing drugs and crime in a holistic manner – frameworks, legal regime, international conventions, training, oversight and accountability, information systems and management, monitoring, treatment and rehabilitation.

UN Trust Fund Projects:

1. Support to Ministry of Planning and Development Co-operation. UNDP project - to provide capacity building opportunities and strategic advice to senior management; to provide basic management training to MoPDC managers in Beirut, Lebanon; and to provide logistics and technical assistance to donor and aid co-ordination.  The total budget is $1.6M.

2. Support for Iraqi civic society and NGOs.  UNOPS project: - to provide technical and content support to Iraqi CSOs, NGOs to hold civic education forums and civic participation training with focus on the upcoming elections. The total budget is $1.7M.

Partners of the Governance & Civil Society Cluster:

UNDP, UNIFEM, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNEP, UN-HABITAT, ILO, UNESCO, UNAMI and UNODC who will work closely with the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Displacement and Migration, Supreme Audit Board (under the new Financial management Act), the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the National Assembly, Central Statistics Organisation and local governorates. The cluster also works with the Iraqi Child Welfare Commission, local municipalities, Bar Association, national and international NGOs, journalists, international media, academic and research institutions.

Cluster Manager: Annie Demirjian
Email address: annie.demirjian@undp.org

Deputy:  Elio Tamburi
Email address: tamburi@un.org

Documents
Library of Governance & Civil Society related information - containing repots, assessments and related information.

Governance & Civil Society Coordination Meetings Minutes

Note!  Questions / suggestions concerning the content of this section can be directed to the UNAMI Office in Amman through the feedback form
 

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