28 April، 2017
The Mesopotamians have always been calling for strengthening the concept of urbanism and citizenship to face the state of national superiority among the components of Iraqi society, and bringing attention to the Iraqi lost identity, as it becomes identified with the class to which this individual belongs. Therefore, we should look for a project that serves as a prelude that opens prospects for a common future, bringing together all Iraqi components. In addition, a vision was put forward suggesting that Iraq’s minorities call for abolition of the rights of the majority under the pretext that they have suffered injustice. In addition, a reference was made to the need for a realistic and positive address that focuses on the common interests with the neighboring countries and calls for economic cooperation with them.

 

Some have diagnosed a problem in the Iraqi scene, represented in the huge proliferation of media and the intensified competition among them. In addition, an emphasis was placed on the fact that Iraqi society needs an intellectual and conceptual change, which cannot be achieved through theorization but through role models and the positive role played by the civil society organizations. Discussions were also made about the Turkish assault on northern Iraq, considering it a violation to the international laws, and considering the electoral commission’s dismissal as a first step towards repositioning the electoral process. Lastly, some described the standards and qualities of a statesman, including integrity, sense of responsibility towards the homeland, and putting the national interest above the factional one.

 

Conclusions:

 

·         The more solid the first step of any unitary project is, the more its results are reflected positively on the ground.

 

·         There is a state of almost non-existence of strategic economic alliance between Iraq and the other states on the regional and international level.

 

·         Changing the members of the High Electoral Commission might not have a huge positive morale.

 

Recommendations:

 

·         To call for a constructive dialogue to achieve the real national project, and RCD announces its full readiness to adopt such project presented by the political actors.

 

·         An economic alliance with the states should be formed instead of the alliances that are based on a national or sectarian basis, as economy achieves sustainable strategic relations among states.

 

·         Change should be in the commission’s course of action as changing people while keeping the previous course of action will not work.

 

Term Definition:

 

Baby kissing: a practice in which politicians kiss babies to garner public support, and other practices such as signs, rallies, barbecues, giving out free drinks, etc.

 

Names of some participating members during the week’s dialogue:

 

1.      Dr. Aqeel Abbas

 

2.      Mr. Hamdallah Al-Rikabi

 

3.      Dr. Falah Al-Amiri

 

4.      Mr. Gharib Al-Jboury

 

5.      Mr. Ali Al-Madan

 

6.      Dr. Diyar Ahmad

 

7.      Mr. Bengin Rikani

 

8.      Dr. Basel Hussein

 

9.      Dr. Salah Al-Arbawi

 

10.  Mr. Obaid Mahal