International Conference in Erbil Focuses on Technology and Democracy in Iraq
Iraq is at the crossroads of an emerging technology world, and a conference is taking shape to help chart the country's proper course. Starting September 27, international media NGOs IREX and the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) will convene an unprecedented two-day conference at the Erbil Convention Center to discuss how Iraq can use technology, information and e-Governance to regain its economic and intellectual predominance in the region.
If concepts such as "digital democracy" and "media pluralism" are confusing, this groundbreaking gathering will be a lifeline to the future. The conference, entitled "Emerging Technologies, Emerging Democracies," will bring together over 150 Iraqi civil society activists, public officials and media from across the country to learn from international experts in media law, new media technology and news management.
World-renowned BBC journalist Nik Gowing will kick things off with a keynote speech entitled "A Skyful of Lies and Black Swans." In his address, Gowing will describe how the failure of officials and large corporations to embrace new technology could lead to their redundancy in the information era. Next up will be exciting presentations from the Ministry of Science and Technology and the KRG Department of IT (www.krgit.org).
The conference will include panel discussions on issues such as information access, new media and economic growth, as well as emerging Internet laws and libel. There will be hands-on training sessions on setting up and managing a blog, online advocacy strategies and visualizing information.
Old laws are out-dated. Practices based on analogue media paradigms and grounded in the politics of information control have characterized the last four decades. Iraq's youthful population is at risk of losing out. Professional media and civil society organizations, must realize their rights to freedom of expression and access to information. The future is now.
IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board) is an international non-profit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media and foster pluralistic civil society development. Founded in 1968 IREX has an annual portfolio of $60 million USD and a staff of 500 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver cross-cutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 50 countries.
IREX (www.irex.org) has worked in Iraq since 2005, supporting media and civil society organizations as well as Government ministries and national authorities, through capacity building and technical assistance. The current program, Media and Technology for Community Development, develops Iraq's independent media sector and strengthens local participatory governance using information and communication technology. It is funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (www.iwpr.net) is an international network of four not-for-profit organizations specialized in media development and conflict sensitive reporting that gives voice to people at the frontlines of conflict, crisis and change.
IWPR has worked in Iraq since 2003, providing professional training to reporters and activists, capacity building on sustainability and business development for media organizations and civil society. Currently, the IWPR's Iraq Program, which is also funded by DRL and operates out of four major offices around the country implements five major programs including field safety and legal protection for reporters, business development for media organizations, media, communications and leadership training for women, elections coverage and analysis, and multimedia based human rights reporting.
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