"Iraq infinity"

By T. Keyzom Ngodup, co-founder at Ideas sYnergy.  Ideas sYnergy is Iraq’s first multiple bottom line advisory company committed to inclusive economic and social development through market-based solutions that help build and scale youth-driven innovative ideas for social change.

Hamada Zahawi’s article on Al Jazeera writes about the TEDxBaghdad conference in Baghdad that focused on hope. A hope that Iraqis may pass on a great Iraq to their children. Central to this hope is TEDxBaghdad’s goal to galvanize and re-engage Iraq’s scattered and highly educated diaspora to provide invaluable mentorship, training, opportunities and inspiration to Iraq’s youth. TEDx Baghdad supports ‘ideas worth spreading’ and aims to provide a stage for the ideas to spark deep discussions and foster innovation.

Iraq’s youth do not have a voice in driving their country’s future. Although the youth overcame fear of bomb blasts during the 2011 demonstrations, everyone thought everyone else was a government intelligence agent, inciting paranoia in citizenry. It is thus concluded that Iraq’s youth do not have the avenue/forum through which to participate in Iraq’s future.

Iraqis are inherently entrepreneurial. My last post showcased some of the daring young entrepreneurs. There are others applying for Echoing Green innovation fellowship, a linkage Ideas sYnergy is facilitating. . Many open a coffee shop, a restaurant, a computer servicing company, or a salon while at university or even right after 12th grade. Most of the ideas are not revolutionary but they are an indication that a revolution is brewing at bay. Our success as Iraqis and stakeholders in Iraq will be measured by our ability to create dynamic, supportive and empowering entrepreneurship ecosystems for the Iraqi youth.

By T. Keyzom Ngodup, co-founder at Ideas sYnergy.  Ideas sYnergy is Iraq’s first multiple bottom line advisory company committed to inclusive economic and social development through market-based solutions that help build and scale youth-driven innovative ideas for social change.