Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 10/2009

Media for Next Generation Peacebuilding in Iraq

Theo Dolan

August 2009

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

In order to address some of the challenges facing youth in Iraq, USIP and its Iraqi partners created a multimedia program that provides Iraqi teenagers with tools that can help them grow into independent, empowered citizens within a complex society. In April 2009, USIP's Center of Innovation for Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding organized an expert working group in Erbil, Iraq to discuss various peace media programming relevant for Iraqi youths. This report offers an introduction to USIP's youth media project, a summary of an expert working group and the next steps in developing the program designed to help Iraqi teenagers in becoming active contributors to peace in Iraq.