Baghdad: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has embarked on an ambitious initiative in Baghdad as part of the “Community Communication and Media for Peace” project. This endeavor, supported by the European Union, is pivotal to fostering peace discourse and tackling media-related challenges in Iraq. The recent dialogue session organized by UNESCO brought together key stakeholders including civil society organizations, social media influencers, and representatives from the High Commission for Human Rights.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the session focused on several crucial issues such as content moderation policies on global digital platforms and the establishment of a civil social media alliance. Participants discussed the pivotal roles that specialized civil society organizations can play in these efforts. Content creators present at the session expressed their commitment to integrating the project’s principles into their work. They underscored the importance of training to avoid perpetuating hate speech and gender or social bias, while also gaining insight into international standards governing digital communication and media policies.

Civil society representatives contributed significantly by presenting a series of recommendations and observations. These were meticulously recorded by the UNESCO Support Team of Experts. A notable suggestion was the formation of the first nucleus of a civil alliance, which would rely on fair selection mechanisms based on professional criteria. This proposal aims to ensure balanced and effective representation within the project.

This session marks a continuation of preliminary activities leading up to the project’s official launch in Baghdad. The UNESCO Iraq Communication and Information Sector’s goal is to lay the groundwork for a civil alliance dedicated to social communication, alongside the establishment of a government team responsible for sector regulation in alignment with constitutional and international standards.

Supported by the European Union, the project also seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of social media usage in Iraq. It aims to address the challenges posed by hate speech and media disinformation that threaten the country’s social cohesion. Ultimately, the initiative hopes to cultivate a responsible digital environment that upholds democratic values and human rights.