“Preventive Health: The First Line of Defense Against Epidemics.”

The workshop, held at the Educational Television Hall, highlighted the importance of preventive measures, health awareness, and collaboration among various institutions to promote public safety and limit the spread of epidemics.

“The Art of Managing Psychological and Social Stress”

The workshop aimed to strengthen psychological and social coping mechanisms and develop skills for dealing with various forms of stress. The event was held in the Educational Planning Hall (fourth floor) at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, 13 June 2026.

This initiative reflects the commitment of the organizing and partner organizations to enhancing awareness, and supporting community and psychological empowerment among staff members and participants.

The workshop was held in the Educational Planning Hall (fourth floor) at 9:00 AM on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with active participation aimed at enhancing life skills and health awareness among staff and participants.

The event concluded by emphasizing the importance of holding such specialized courses, which contribute to raising the level of public safety and health empowerment in the workplace and the community.

Participants were trained in proper handling of several emergency situations, including choking, electric shock, angina, burns, and fractures, as well as how to provide first aid to injured individuals until they can be transported to the nearest healthcare facility.

This workshop is part of the Ministry of Labor’s efforts to promote a culture of first aid and improve participants’ preparedness to deal with emergencies, thereby contributing to saving lives and reducing the complications of injuries.

The seminar aimed to enhance joint environmental efforts within the framework of the project “Increasing Civil Society Participation in Climate Action”, funded by the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). The Ozone Network implemented the project activities through its member organizations.

The event was attended by Dr. Sinan Jaafar, Director General of the Environmental Protection and Improvement Directorate – Baghdad Environment, along with representatives from the Environmental Police, Ministry of Interior, Desertification Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Iraqi Media Network, relevant ministries, environmental civil society organizations, and a number of university professors and academics.

The session was moderated by Dr. Niam Nabil Hashim.

The seminar sessions and extensive discussions focused on raising public awareness about the growing challenges posed by climate change in Iraq, while also creating new opportunities for direct dialogue and the exchange of ideas and practical proposals to address urgent environmental issues affecting various regions.

The seminar concluded by emphasizing that such participatory platforms and dialogues represent a fundamental pillar for conveying the voice of civil society to decision-makers and contributing effectively to developing a roadmap toward a safe and sustainable environmental future for all

At the beginning of the workshop, Mr. Saad Al-Abdali, an advisor to the Commission, delivered a speech in which he commended the efforts of all participants and praised the exceptional and critical role played by the Directorate’s staff and those working to combat the spread of drugs and psychotropic substances.

Mr. Al-Abdali explained that the Commission, through its offices in all governorates, monitors and tracks this scourge and its developments, given its seriousness and the multifaceted nature of the entities involved in eradicating it. He indicated that this monitoring is conducted through continuous field visits to the relevant directorates in the Ministries of Interior, Health, and Labor, as well as to hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers established by government agencies, the private sector, and religious institutions.

Mr. Al-Abdali emphasized the necessity of adopting a humanitarian and therapeutic approach that views drug users as patients in need of care and treatment, not as criminals, and stressed the importance of His case was completely separated from that of the dealer and promoter.

Al-Abdali warned of alarming indicators and statistics reaching the Commission from relevant authorities, confirming the infiltration of drugs into new environments previously untouched, particularly schools. He pointed out that Iraq, once classified as a transit point for narcotics, has now become a consumer and user country. He also highlighted the growing danger of digital drugs that infiltrate cyberspace and social media platforms.

For his part, Colonel Bilal Subhi from the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances’ media department reviewed the Directorate’s operational mechanisms and its field achievements in combating this organized crime. He confirmed the arrest of more than 45,000 suspects and the seizure of thousands of tons of narcotics and psychotropic substances. This was followed by a speech from a representative of the “Bridges” organization, who addressed the dangers of drug proliferation and ways to combat it from a civil perspective.

The workshop also included the screening of films highlighting the dangers of this scourge and the Commission’s role in confronting it. Additionally, a joint presentation by the Commission and the Directorate addressed the reality of drug control from a human rights perspective that respects human dignity and focuses on… The importance of partnership with civil society was emphasized, paving the way for discussion and the exchange of visions and ideas aimed at strengthening mechanisms for joint cooperation and coordination.

At the conclusion of the workshop, civil society representatives and participants put forward a number of proposals and recommendations, foremost among them:

Calling on legislative bodies to amend and review the texts of the Narcotics Law and related legislation to keep pace with current challenges.

Strengthening joint coordination between the Commission and the Directorate to monitor the rights of detainees and inmates in rehabilitation centers and treatment facilities.

Expanding dissemination and awareness campaigns through various media outlets and digital platforms to raise community awareness.

Enhancing cooperation with religious leaders, tribal chiefs, and other stakeholders to educate youth and protect society from the dangers of addiction.

The training brought together a distinguished group of civil society organization professionals and civil activists. The program featured interactive sessions covering the fundamentals of strategic communication, methods for designing and managing communication campaigns, and developing impactful evidence-based messages. It also included practical exercises and case studies aimed at strengthening participants’ capacities in planning, implementation, and evaluation.

The organizers emphasized that the program forms part of broader efforts to strengthen national capacities and equip professionals in the civil society and media sectors with modern strategic communication tools. These skills are intended to enhance the effectiveness of community initiatives and campaigns and maximize their impact across a wide range of development issues.

At the conclusion of the training, participants expressed their appreciation for the program’s rich academic and practical content, emphasizing the importance of continuing to organize specialized training programs that address the needs of professionals working in media, communication, and development, while contributing to strengthening their professional capacities and improving institutional performance.

The training brought together a distinguished group of civil society organization professionals and civil activists from Al-Anbar. The program featured interactive sessions covering the fundamentals of strategic communication, methods for designing and managing communication campaigns, and developing impactful evidence-based messages. It also included practical exercises and case studies aimed at strengthening participants’ capacities in planning, implementation, and evaluation.

The organizers emphasized that the program forms part of broader efforts to strengthen national capacities and equip professionals in the civil society and media sectors with modern strategic communication tools. These skills are intended to enhance the effectiveness of community initiatives and campaigns and maximize their impact across a wide range of development issues.

At the conclusion of the training, participants expressed their appreciation for the program’s rich academic and practical content, emphasizing the importance of continuing to organize specialized training programs that address the needs of professionals working in media, communication, and development, while contributing to strengthening their professional capacities and improving institutional performance.

During the meeting, we discussed the reality of the work of NGOs in Iraq, focusing on the challenges and obstacles they face. We also highlighted the case of the murder of Yinar Mohammed, noting the lack of any new developments in the case over the past three months, and requested that this case be expedited and pursued through the proper legal channels.

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We were pleased to meet with Dr. Qahtan al-Kaabi, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Civil Society Organizations, along with several representatives of civil society organizations and members of the “It’s Time for Iraqi Women” initiative.

During the meeting, we discussed the current realities facing NGOs in Iraq, with a particular focus on the challenges and obstacles they encounter. At the same time, we highlighted the case of Yanar Mohammed’s murder, noting that there have been no new developments in the past three months, and we called for immediate action.

We were pleased to meet with Dr. Qahtan al-Kaabi, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Civil Society Organizations, along with friends, representatives of civil society organizations, and members of the “It’s Now Time for Iraqi Women” initiative.

During the meeting, we discussed the current situation of organizations in Iraq, particularly the problems and obstacles they face. We also raised the issue of Yanar Mohammed’s murder, which has remained unresolved for six months, and requested that the case be pursued and allowed to proceed through the legal channels.

The conference aimed to review the project’s entire journey, highlight its achievements and lessons learned, and consolidate its results within the framework of efforts to protect human rights and the environment in Iraq.

*Key Themes of the Closing Conference:*

1. Review of the “Partnership” Project: Vision, Types, and Achievements*

This included a comprehensive presentation of the project’s objectives, implementation phases, and key results achieved at the governorate level.

2. Presentation of the Small Grant Initiative

3. Youth Team Session: Experiences, Achievements, and Lessons Learned from Youth Participation*

Young participants in the project shared their success stories, the challenges of fieldwork, and how their participation contributed to changing the reality of their communities.

4. The Iraqi Marshes: Between Challenges and Opportunities: The Marshes Campaign

This session discussed the current state of the marshes, the most prominent environmental threats they face, and the opportunities available for their preservation through civil society initiatives and community partnerships.

The conference concluded with an open session for attendees’ questions and comments, followed by a review of the final recommendations, which will be submitted to relevant authorities to ensure the sustainability of the project’s outcomes.

Ms. Balsam Falih, representative of the Skilled Iraqi Women Foundation, emphasized that “the Partnership Project has proven that linking human rights to the environment is not an option but a necessity. Women and children are the most affected by environmental degradation and water scarcity. Therefore, we will work to translate the conference recommendations into awareness programs targeting women in Muthanna to empower them to protect their environment and defend their environmental rights.”

The conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between civil society organizations and government entities to address environmental challenges and protect human rights in Iraq.