Sulaymaniyah: The “Civil Alliance for Social Communication for Peace” project, established by UNESCO in Iraq, and the Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies in Sulaymaniyah have agreed to develop proposals for professional training, hosting young journalists, exchanging experiences, and contributing to digital media and peacebuilding activities. This collaboration aims to support a more professional and responsive Iraqi media environment.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the two sides discussed prospects for cooperation in media development, building young journalists’ capacities, and strengthening local institutions’ roles in media and community peace programs. Opportunities for future cooperation within the “Social Communication for Peace” project, funded by the European Union, and joint initiatives between UNESCO and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) were also explored. These initiatives aim to train young journalists, enhance their skills, and provide practical opportunities in Iraqi media institutions.

Discussions included hosting young journalists in media institutions for practical training and mentorship programs, facilitating their transition from theoretical knowledge to real-world fieldwork. This would involve learning journalistic content production, editing, fact-checking, and navigating modern media institutions’ requirements.

Both parties emphasized the importance of linking training programs to practical opportunities, enabling young journalists to gain experience and integrate into the Iraqi media job market. Adnan Othman, Director of the Vision Foundation, reviewed the foundation’s work and expressed readiness to cooperate with UNESCO and the Civil Alliance team. He highlighted that international cooperation can develop local organizations’ capacities and enhance their community impact.

Diaa Thabet, Head of the Programs and Information Sector at UNESCO Iraq, explained that UNESCO focuses on strengthening local organizations as key partners in designing and leading programs. The “Social Media for Peace” project aims to counter hate speech and misinformation, promote media literacy, support freedom of expression, and encourage responsible digital content production.

Thabet noted that empowering local institutions to lead programs with international organizations is crucial for building sustainable national expertise and ensuring projects’ continued impact post-funding. This collaboration provides pathways for young people to enter the media job market.