Advocacy

Advocacy

Iraqi voices at the table

Many U.S. officials and staff are not Iraq experts. They rely on well-crafted recommendations to make informed judgements about what the U.S. should do. 

While they have diplomatic relations with the government of Iraq, it’s less common for policymakers to hear from Iraqi citizens directly. That’s where we come in. 

We lean on our strong relationships with Iraqi civil society partners and our long-term presence in Washington to open new channels of communication. We make sure the voices of the Iraqi people are part of the conversation. 

EPIC interns
EPIC has been fortunate to have talented staff and interns for the long-term work of policy advocacy, like our Fall 2019 intern team.
EPIC interns
EPIC has been fortunate to have talented staff and interns for the long-term work of policy advocacy, like our Fall 2019 intern team.

Many U.S. officials and staff are not Iraq experts. They rely on well-crafted recommendations to make informed judgements about what the U.S. should do. 

While they have diplomatic relations with the government of Iraq, it’s less common for policymakers to hear from Iraqi citizens directly. That’s where we come in. 

We lean on our strong relationships with Iraqi civil society partners and our long-term presence in Washington to open new channels of communication. We make sure the voices of the Iraqi people are part of the conversation. 

U.S. advocacy

We help Iraqis’ voices and policy recommendations reach the right ears in Washington.

Iraqis are working hard to improve their political and economic systems. The U.S. can support their goals through policies that affirm the Iraqi people’s rights, dignity and self-determination. EPIC helps Iraqi civil society leaders communicate with U.S. officials through research, policy recommendations, and face-to-face meetings. 

EPIC Director Erik Gustafson meets with representatives of an Iraqi NGO in Baghdad. (Photo: EPIC)

A consistent partner

As one of the longest-running nonprofits focused on Iraq, EPIC also maintains important relationships with U.N. agencies operating in Iraq, as well as the Iraqi and Kurdish Regional governments. 

Like we do in Washington, EPIC plays a supporting role for Iraqi activists as they work for positive change. We offer input on policy recommendations, seek opportunities to meet with officials, and place our organizational credibility behind their efforts. 

EPIC Director Erik Gustafson meets with representatives of an Iraqi NGO in Baghdad. (Photo: EPIC)

A consistent partner

As one of the longest-running nonprofits focused on Iraq, EPIC also maintains important relationships with U.N. agencies operating in Iraq, as well as the Iraqi and Kurdish Regional governments. 

Like we do in Washington, EPIC plays a supporting role for Iraqi activists as they work for positive change. We offer input on policy recommendations, seek opportunities to meet with officials, and place our organizational credibility behind their efforts. 

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Icon_stop impunity

Iraqis activists are becoming increasingly focused on ending the problem of impunity that is hindering progress in Iraq. EPIC is helping to develop a research project that will shine the light of data on militias in Iraq that use violence freely. Learn more about the Tishreen movement. Get the Report.  

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In addition to our new briefing paper on climate change and resource management in Iraq, EPIC is partnering with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility to research the flaring practices of international oil companies in Iraq. We will join a shareholder resolution to end flaring by 2025. 

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The Ninewa plains region has been crushed by decades of conflict, the ISIS occupation, struggles between Iraqi and Kurdish governments, and violent militias. Through our civic empowerment project, EPIC is helping diverse communities develop skills in political advocacy to strengthen their collective voice in a time of uncertainty. 

An man carrying the Iraqi flag peers across a large crowd during peaceful protests in 2019, part of Iraq's Tishreen movement for reform.
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