A Brave New Iraq

Mais starts by explaining her day job to me:

I am an attorney advisor and program manager for Iraq. In my work I constantly engage and interface with Iraqi officials to bridge the gap between Iraq and the US.

Essentially, our goal is to improve the business legal environment, primarily, in developing/emerging markets. In the case of Iraq, we are supporting the country with US commercial engagement by providing consultations and capacity building programs to the Iraqi government.

50% or more of our programme participants are women. My most powerful moments of learning come when I think back, realising that their experiences could have been mine. This fundamental, shared connection in turn allows me to develop empathy – far more effective as a learning tool than a PowerPoint presentation! Once you stop and listen and let people realise you want to connect, they do connect.

I am dealing with folks who have lived the real Iraq, a generation that has grown up within sanctions and alienation. By coupling my own desire to learn (about a culture that is completely different to the one I think I should know) – with their hunger for knowledge,’ lightbulb moments’ happen.  These are profound and lead to newfound knowledge which programme participants then go on to implement. Whether in tech transfer, investment, contracts or Intellectual Property (IP), I have seen growth of intellectual capacity to engage outside Iraq despite the many challenges.

This point lends itself beautifully to the deeply held belief Mais has around the responsibility of the diaspora to support nation building

There are many diaspora who have tried to return, but not all have managed it. I think the lack of realistic expectations and also harking back sentimentally to the old days, is what causes this disconnect.

Passion for your country is important, but this must be coupled with the understanding that you return to Iraq with ‘clean hands’. The past is the past. All we have are hands to give back to this country. These hands must be held out in friendship with no expectations of reward.

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