11 January 2026 Over two decades post the 2003 regime transition, Iraq’s democracy can be characterized as a “formal facade,” obstructed by corruption and the influence of armed militias that substantially affect political decisions through the appropriation of state resources. Iraqi culture openly acknowledges and profoundly ingrains this widespread corruption. The fundamental threat to Iraq […]
1 January 2026 As our planet ends one year and begins a new one, I have high hopes that this transition will bring us renewed optimism, a larger perspective, and a more caring attitude. The beginning of a new epoch should yield major discoveries. I trust that the wisdom obtained from life’s experiences will promote […]
Cities age like people — slowly, then all at once. The old quarter still breathes beneath its cracked stones, holding memories no one bothered to archive. Every dusk, the rooftops glow with that soft ember-colored light, the kind that makes you pause even if life’s been beating you sideways. Folks walk those narrow streets like […]
Apr 9, 2018
8 Sep 2003 SHOTLIST 1. US Iraq Administrator Paul Bremer and Nesreen Berwari, Iraqi Public Works Minister2. Cutaway cameraman 3. SOUNDBITE (English) – Paul Bremer, US Civilian Administrator:“The President of the United States last night announced a major initiative, a request to the American people and Congress of more than twenty (b) billion dollars for […]
22 Sep 2003 SHOTLIST 1. US President George W Bush with ministers in Oval Office2. Cutaway3. Cutaway4. Cutaway media 5. SOUNDBITE (English) – George W Bush, US President:“These two good souls have found that the system they inherited wasn’t conducive to taking care of the citizens. Infrastructure was old and tired, power was centralised, really […]
Apr 22, 2013 A Director’s Forum with Nesreen Berwari, Minister for Municipalities and Public Works, Iraq.
Dec 14, 2016 There are 21M refugees and 40M internally displaced people around the world in need of solidarity. Yet this is a small portion of the people on the move globally. How can modern urban planning and service management provide support effectively and move from an emergency mode to sustainability and inclusion? The session […]
Mar 26, 2021 Women have been increasingly contributing to the vision of better cities and inspiring others to do the same. This year, in celebration of InternationalWomensDay, UN-Habitat Regional Office for Arab States will celebrate women’s achievements in creating safer, more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient communities in the Arab region. The theme of this year’s […]
With over 30 years of experience across humanitarian, public, and academic sectors, she has devoted her career to promoting conflict management, good governance, and community development in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Born in Baghdad in 1967, Nesreen’s memoir unfolds the journey of a Kurdish woman forging her identity in the shadow of war, loss, and resilience. From childhood, her mother’s vivid tales and her family’s legacy of endurance taught her that survival and selfhood are woven from the threads of memory.
