Over the past two decades, successive national and international initiatives – along with waves of protest movements – have failed to adequately address one of the key grievances of young people in Iraq: the lack of opportunities that can properly prepare them for a future in which they can be active participants in government, the economy and wider society. Many studies have examined the links between youth grievances and protest movements in Iraq, but there is limited research on what comes after such protests for young people, especially when their demands are unmet. This research paper focuses on what the Tishreen movement has taught the current generation of youth activists about civic engagement, and how the legacy of the 2019 protests has spurred many to contribute purposefully to society through political activism, entrepreneurship and youth-led civil society movements. The paper draws on a set of interviews with young people who are pushing for constructive change within Iraq’s political process, economy and civil society. Their experiences and insights are presented through case studies that illustrate how young Iraqis are taking the initiative and, through their ‘everyday politics’, acting as forces for change within their communities in areas including politics, entrepreneurship, women’s rights, human rights, and climate and environmental activism. The case studies also illustrate the systemic challenges – in the form of red lines and red tape – that young Iraqis encounter in their efforts to challenge existing structures and norms, advocate for change and drive incremental reform. Iraqi governments have often treated the country’s youth as a group to engage with – including through initiatives such as youth councils and parliaments – when doing so aligns with wider administrative and political interests. International stakeholders have typically viewed young Iraqis primarily as recipients of aid or funding, in line with donors’ predefined priorities. These perspectives overlook the potential of young people to be genuine and proactive partners, capable of leading initiatives and influencing strategic decisions. The current absence of a mass protest movement in Iraq should not be interpreted as a sign that young people’s appetite for change has diminished, or that they are more accepting of the status quo. The paper sets out recommendations for how reform-minded officials within Iraq, along with the country’s international partners, can better support the ambitions of the current generation of young political and civil society actors and entrepreneurs.
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Organizations mentioned
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.55317/9781784136185
- ISBN
- 9781784136185
- Pages
- 38
- Published in
- United Kingdom