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Introduction
Unlike what is commonly believed, Iraqi’s civil society is not totally new. In fact, since the beginning of the 40’s and during the consecutive years, throughout the struggle for independence against the British mandate, movements of students, youths and women, among others, emerged and became active. These movements proved their capacity to initiate change, to coordinate and to emerge as an essential element in civil society, in addition to the appearance of numerous charity organizations that have worked in the fields of maternity and childhood support, for example, and whose working scope has been enlarged to encompass even educational and cultural fields. Hence, the effectiveness of these organizations increased after the revolution of July 14, 1958 through its adoption of social affairs and the establishment of a lobby against the rulers.
As the power of former (Baath-) regime became entrenched, the development of the Iraqi civil society was stunted through preventing institutions from working independently from the government, systematic infringements upon essential civic rights (through the activities of the security services, torture etc.), consecutive wars, in addition to the regime’s strategy of bolstering the power of tribal structures, and creating rifts in of society. This can be noted by:
1. undermining social links and moral values in society
2. developing a system of clientelism and dependency
3. encouraging a culture of fear and physical and psychological violence
Motivations of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Bearing this background in mind, in addition to the foreign occupation and to the absence of any real and competent political and legal authority, Iraqi society is confronting a series of problems and difficulties after the collapse of the previous regime. Accordingly, reconstruction is considered to be the actual priority, and the individual Iraqi is supposed to be at the center of this task, and is encouraged to become more active in the process of social transformation.
Most of the Iraqi Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) came into existence after the war, except for Kurdish organizations whose headquarters were in Kurdistan. These organizations acquired their experience during the years preceding the fall of the former regime. In a country like Iraq, where citizens have been excluded from political activity and social activities or from any other independent organization; the motives for the widespread appearance of such Non-Governmental Organizations could be as a result of:
1. the participation in public life as part of a general effort to reclaim the freedom of independent acitivity;
2. the collapse of existing political organizations and the great void that resulting from it;
3. to participate in choosing and building the new political order;
4. to alleviate the disastrous humanitarian conditions, in particular in the fields of relief work and essential services such as water, health etc.;
5. a motivation of religious charity;
6. the great influx of international NGOs
7. the availability of considerable funds for reconstruction, the need on the side of international organizations and bodies for local partners, and their problems finding such partners in a situation of general breakdown.
Level of Organization
Most of the NGOs lack of a clear strategy, organizational structures and working mechanisms, as well as the experience required to build such organizations on a proper basis. Accordingly, most of the organizations, and even if they have written internal regulations, show a confusion of roles, thus we can see an individual who is in fact the founder, the manager, the employee and everything else in the organization.
There is also a lack of knowledge and experience in the management of the organizational structures, whereas there is no evidence of existing financial or administrative reports or other. Thus, only a few of these organizations have stable and independent funds and so most of them lack continuity and depend greatly on individual donations, leading to only limited performance.
Relations with society
Iraqi organizations seem to have a better and more stable and continuous relation with society than international organizations. Local organizations have more connections with society and their work is much more appreciated, because it has a greater understanding for the habits and traditions of local communities. Moreover, society is aware that these organizations depend on donations and thus provide them with it.
Society’s knowledge of humanitarian activity and the role of NGOs appears and unable to differentiate these activities from forms of religious charity, and unaware of the role of these organizations in the developmental field. However, the conclusion remains that Iraqi NGOs are aware and conscious of their national responsibility to participate in building a new environment for every aspect of life.
International organizations had an important impact on local organizations, clearly due to the fact that:
1- they provide essential means (relations, funding) in order to develop their effectiveness or activities;
2- they are a source to acquire experience.
However, there is a notable confusion between foreign or international NGOs and military bodies and army contractors who are active, for example, in the distribution of humanitarian aid, a situation that does not help in understanding the different roles of different bodies.
Points of Strength and weaknesses of Iraqi Non-Governmental Organizations
Points of Strength:
1- knowledge of the environment (the country, the people, the culture, the traditions…)
2- good relations with society
3- existence of motives and capacities to participate in the reconstruction efforts
4- high level of education among the majority
5- technical specialization among the people
6- desire to help and give assistance
Weaknesses:
1- lack of strategic views and well defined goals. Weak knowledge of humanitarian working principles and different ways of working
2- frailty of organizational structure and lack of previous expertise and little awareness of its major role
3- lack of local resources and absence of participation of those benefiting from the effort
4- persistence of political instability and deterioration of security situation
5- lack of a clear legal framework
6- inability of cadres to work full shifts as most of them are volunteers
7- inconsistent relations with governmental authorities
8- weakness of coordination and synchronization among organizations
9- some organizations are under the influence of political parties and religious movements, compromising their independence and credibility in the field work
10- working attitudes and methods still ruled by the totalitarian mentality that characterized the activities of such organizations under the former regime
11- abuse of such organizations as a cover for purely commercial and personal activities aimed at financial benefits and other privileges
What Iraqi NGOs Need
- the main request from Iraqi NGOs is funding, and more funding
- there is a necessity for finding forums for dialogue and discussions in order to regain confidence and trust among the society, NGOs and local organizations
- coordination, exchange of information and expertise participation
- increase of a working network on both regional and international levels
- benefit from the expertise of organizations working in Kurdistan and from Arab and international organizations
- certain legal privileges geared to facilitate the work of the organizations, the execution of their priority programs, and to build and increase expertise
Moreover, Iraqi NGOs need material support (communication devices, centers, documents, books, anything to increase their knowledge…)
The most pressing need of Iraqi NGOs however is the continuous training of cadres, which should include:
- internal structures, and how to form organizations
- democratic structure of the organizations
- preparation of reports and designing of projects
- budgeting, financial management and relations with donors
- administration and leadership
- use of communication technology
- increased awareness on human rights issues (gender, conflict resolution, healthcare, child protection and others…)
Relations with the authorities
The present Iraqi authorities need to:
- build acceptance and awareness for the rehabilitation of democracy and state authority on the basis of equality and rule of law
- enhance the relations and coordination between Iraqi NGOs and the authorities
- build and develop this relation, especially with regards to granting assistance to local NGO, protecting their working environment and promoting their role
- work on a new legislation for Iraqi NGOs that will correct the flaws of #Law 45 issued by the American Military Governor, in disregard of the fact that the current law for the administration of the Iraqi state actual l guarantees the freedom of organization for all Iraqi civil society organizations.
Finally, women organizations have proven that they have high level of coordination and qualification; which becomes apparent through the role that these organizations have played, their coordination committees and specifically the Network of Iraqi Women, in achieving the cancellation of decree # 137 of the legislative council, and in acquiring a participation of women in the legislative political sphere with no less than 25%.
Religious organizations who have taken the form of NGOs have also proven their qualification and effectiveness, profiting from the high acceptance they find in society, and their ability to obtain funds from various sources.
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