Dialogue Workshop in Iraq Explores Combating Hate Speech and Calls for Strengthening Cooperation to Build a More Cohesive Society

Amid the challenges facing Iraqi society, with its rich religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity, ACT, in partnership with the Regional Network for Reconciliation and Tolerance in the Arab Region, took the initiative to convene a virtual dialogue space that brought together a broad spectrum of voices from across Iraq. The event transcended the boundaries of a traditional workshop, evolving into an interactive platform for sharing experiences, analyzing the root causes of hate speech, and exploring practical mechanisms to address it.

Over the course of more than two hours, 20 participants—including academics, community leaders, representatives of religious and ethnic minorities, and youth and women engaged in civil peace efforts—joined in thoughtful dialogue. The discussions emphasized the need to move beyond theoretical solutions and focus on actionable steps that strengthen national cohesion.

Among the key recommendations that emerged from the dialogue were the importance of establishing strong partnerships between state institutions and local communities to ensure the sustainability of efforts to combat hate speech and extremism; revitalizing the role of education in fostering a culture of tolerance and instilling values of mutual respect among future generations; and encouraging initiatives that promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue as a means of building bridges of understanding and respect among Iraq’s diverse communities.

The dialogue concluded with an agreement to establish a national coordination framework tasked with following up on the implementation of these recommendations on the ground, with particular focus on areas where social cohesion is most fragile. This initiative reflects the shared conviction of ACT and its partners that a secure and prosperous future for the region begins with strengthening the values of dialogue and openness to others.