FBA in Iraq

After decades of authoritarian rule and civil war, Iraq needs to be rebuilt. Millions of inhabitants are dependent on humanitarian aid and Iraq continues to be among the top countries affected by terrorism, as a result of different groups fighting over power and resources. FBA supports efforts for peace, security and reconciliation in Iraq.

After the overthrow of long-term dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, a power vacuum was created, paving the way for the creation of the Islamic State (IS). In the summer of 2014, the terrorist group began taking large swaths of Iraq, and declared it their caliphate.

Following a large-scale counter-offensive, Iraq’s second biggest city Mosul was recaptured in 2017 by Iraqi government forces, with support from an American-led coalition. IS was declared defeated.

But remaining IS cells have continued to carry out terror attacks in Iraq. The country is also plagued by other armed groups. Tensions are strong between Shias, Sunnis and Kurds.

The Iraqi state lacks the ability to provide security for its citizens and to carry out succesful reconciliation and reconstruction programmes. Public mistrust is widespread in the highly politized state institutions. Another challenge is the high gender inequality.

Within the framework of Sweden’s development cooperation with Iraq, FBA is focused on one area:

Dialogue and peace mediation
Youth, especially women, have traditionally played a marginalized role in efforts for peace in Iraq. FBA has established a training programme for young Iraqis in order to strengthen their capacity to contribute to the ongoing peace process. Approximately 20 young Iraqis, representing different ethnic groups, different parts of the country and different civil society organizations working for peace in Iraq, are receiving dialogue and mediation and gender mainstreaming training. Half of the participants are women and half of them men.

Click here to read the entire strategy for Sweden’s development cooperation with Iraq 2022–2026.

FBA part of the reconstruction of Iraq after IS

FBA's programme for young peacebuilders in Iraq inaugurated

Meet the youth fighting for peace in Iraq

Photo: David Stanley

Navigating Risks and Threats: Frontline Monitors Equipped for Hostile Environments

Amidst the perils of explosive devices, hostilities, and distressing civilian accounts, frontline monitors play a pivotal role in documenting human rights abuses within conflict zones. However, these monitors themselves confront significant stress and danger, requiring adept navigation of challenging circumstances to safeguard their own well-being as well as the safety of the vulnerable populations they serve. How can they adequately prepare?

2023-08-16 15:14

On international deployment

Teresa Wiklund

Monitor at EUMM in Georgia

Kajsa Norman

Election observer

Catalina Perdomo Rodriguez

Adviser to the UN in Colombia

Karolina Riedel

Statistician in election observation missions

Björn Tedeman

Election observer

Read our publications

FBA Paper - SSR, Elections and Gender Equality in Post-Conflict Environments

This paper discusses the interlinkages between Security Sector Reform (SSR), elections, and gender equality. It uses FBA’s work in Somalia to show how gender-sensitive election security can serve as an entry point for working with inclusive SSR in an environment characterized by instability, conflict, and political unrest.

Documents

FBA Paper - Security Sector Reform, Elections, and Gender Equality in Post-Conflict Environments

More Publications

THE FBA BLOG

>

Posted by Marie Blomdahl
A safe online space to share experiences to support leadership in the UN

>

When I joined the Leadership and Cooperation Unit at the Folke Bernadotte Academy in August 2018, after working many years mainly in the private sector, I had a feeling that this job really would offer me an opportunity to use my skills and experiences to make a difference, and at the same time grow as a professional. FBA was at the time already working actively with leadership development support for leaders in key functions within the ... Read entire post »
2021-06-03 10:54
>

Posted by Rhodri Williams
Civil Society as a Critical Partner: Rule of Law and Accountability in the Liberian COVID-19 Response, Part II

>

Part One of this post highlighted the importance of the rule of law in supporting crisis response in countries struggling with the effects of conflict. One of the most important rule of law principles in such settings is accountability, particularly “downward accountability”, in which state authorities focus on serving citizens dependent on them.

Corruption and poor governance can lead to excessive upward accountability directed toward political superiors, leaving a gap between the state and ordinary citizens. Civil ... Read entire post »

The post Civil Society as a Critical Partner: Rule of Law and Accountability in the Liberian COVID-19 Response, Part II first appeared on FBA-bloggen.
2021-02-15 13:43
>

Posted by Kristin Valasek
Time for a joint vision on gender-responsive leadership

>

Right before the winter break, 236 women and men from 105 different organizations and 46 countries around the world joined our International Dialogue on Gender-Responsive Leadership, to discuss an absolutely critical and often missing part of the gender equality puzzle: gender-responsive leadership.

After twenty years of struggling to achieve the commitments of the global women, peace and security agenda, we at the FBA have learned that executives and managers are essential to success. Not just as supporters, ... Read entire post »

The post Time for a joint vision on gender-responsive leadership first appeared on FBA-bloggen.
2021-02-10 16:09

Navigate to FBA Blog

FBA has both increased and adapted its work in Ukraine in the wake of Russia's invasion.

FBA in Iraq

Read more

Navigating Risks and Threats: Frontline Monitors Equipped for Hostile Environments

Latest news

Seminar Series: Ukraine Research Talks

Launch of new International Research Working Groups at FBA

MORE NEWS