Baghdad – Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue hosted a virtual academic symposium titled "The Role of Humanitarian Work in Building Society", bringing together a group of specialists, researchers, and journalists. Keynote presentations were delivered by Dr. Hameed Al-Turufi and Dr. Roáa Al-Darwish, with Forum Director Dr. Alaa Al-Silawi moderating the session.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Al-Silawi emphasized that humanitarian work requires a solid scientific framework and clear legal codification to avoid becoming chaotic or haphazard. He warned that despite its noble intent, unregulated humanitarian aid risks squandering efforts and breeding a culture of dependency. He explained, "Humanitarian action should not merely focus on short-term relief, but on long-term capacity building". Al-Silawi added, "For instance, equipping a woman with tailoring skills and establishing training centers ensures economic continuity and fulfills true developmental goals, an approach that requires analysis from both field practitioners and academics."
Dr. Hameed Al-Turufi noted the importance of clearly defining humanitarian principles and their practical on-the-ground applications, noting that widespread humanitarian engagement encourages peaceful coexistence and social solidarity. He described this engagement as a fundamental transition from primal instinct to a civilized state. Al-Turufi added that humanitarian efforts in Iraq face serious challenges, stressing that aid operations must remain strictly independent of religious, political, or sectarian agendas.
Reflecting on the development of humanitarian work after 2003, Dr. Roaá Al-Darwish noted that hundreds of organizations and thousands of volunteer groups emerged to provide humanitarian assistance, promote equality, reject violence, combat corruption, and empower women, yet tangible results on the ground remained limited. She attributed this to persistent security and political instability, the difficulty of dismantling the legacy of the former dictatorship, and the rise of some profit-driven entities that compromised the quality of humanitarian action. "Although these difficulties exist, the positive impact of volunteerism on Iraqi citizens is undeniable," Al-Darwish concluded, pointing to growing civic awareness, democratic engagement, and community-led problem-solving.