July 27, 2007

Iadarola Speaks in Boston on Role of Youth in Rebuilding Communities

Sally Iadarola, who is the managing director for ACDI/VOCA's Emerging from Conflict portfolio, presented a paper, "The Role of Youth in Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Conflict (PDF, 344 KB)," written by her and colleague Tamara Heimur, at a recent conference in Boston. The paper, based on ACDI/VOCA's Iraq Community Action Program I experience, was 1 of 20 selected for presentation at the July 23-26 conference, "Rebuilding Sustainable Communities in Iraq: Policies, Programs and Projects."

The event was sponsored by the College of Public and Community Service, University of Massachusetts/Boston, to provide a forum for scholars and practitioners from Iraq and elsewhere to explore how the reconstruction of Iraq can be carried out in a way that promotes social justice, economic and political sustainability, and the full participation of all stakeholders. She reported, "Our paper stimulated a great deal of interest, and follow-up is planned with several of the participants."

The final day of the conference was devoted to developing action plans which will be distributed in the fall to Iraqi leaders and concerned organizations. Iadarola and Senior Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Dr. Ferhang Jalal co-led the economic action planning group.

For more information on the conference, go to the College of Public and Community Service's website here.