On October 16, 2024, Parsa Organization for Sustainable Development organized a participatory conference titled "Enhancing Peaceful Coexistence and Community Cohesion in Kirkuk Governorate," as part of the "PGM in JISRA" program implemented by the Peace and Freedom Organization. The conference witnessed high-level attendance from members of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, as well as directors and representatives of relevant government departments, political blocs, and various religions, components, and sects. Several civil society organizations, along with media representatives, activists, academics, and human rights advocates from the governorate, also participated in the conference.
The conference aimed to promote peaceful coexistence in the governorate and included a series of interactive discussion sessions. The discussions focused on ways to enhance peaceful coexistence among the different components in Kirkuk and to identify effective pathways for instilling values of brotherhood and rejecting extremism and sectarianism in society. This open discussion contributed to presenting diverse and comprehensive perspectives on how to achieve stability and cohesion in a governorate considered one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse in Iraq.
The discussions at the conference were not limited to exchanging ideas; they also addressed the challenges facing the governorate in promoting these values. The necessity of cooperation between official and community entities to find sustainable solutions based on common ground among all components was emphasized. Special attention was given to the role of education and awareness in spreading a culture of peace, in addition to enhancing the role of media and activists in highlighting initiatives that promote unity and tolerance among the people of Kirkuk.
At the conclusion of the conference, a set of recommendations was agreed upon, documented, and signed by the attendees. These recommendations include practical proposals aimed at enhancing peaceful coexistence in the governorate and working towards their implementation through joint cooperation between government and community institutions. These outcomes reflect a strong desire for positive change, as the participating parties commit to implementing measures that will contribute to achieving the goals for which this important conference was held.
The conference represented an important step towards strengthening the bonds of brotherhood in Kirkuk and sending a strong message that the governorate, despite its demographic complexities, is capable of being a model for peaceful and community coexistence.
It is worth mentioning that this activity was organized by Parsa Organization for Sustainable Development in partnership with Peace and Freedom Organization and under the Participatory Grant-Making in JISRA (PGM in JISRA).