As part of the activities of its Social Sciences Circle, Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning held a discussion session titled “Who Is the ‘Civil’ Actor? The Problematic Nature of the Concept and the Stakes of Its Political Instrumentalization in Iraq,” with the participation of a distinguished group of academics, researchers, journalists, and opinion leaders.
The session featured Dr. Saad Salloum, Professor of Political Science at Al-Mustansiriya University and General Supervisor of the Masarat Foundation, alongside researcher and academic Dr. Ali Al-Mudun, and independent politician Hamid Al-Sayyid.
The discussion explored the “civil movement” and its evolution in Iraq, while examining the role of civil society, the stages of its transformation, its impacts, and the lessons learned throughout its trajectory from 2003 to the present moment.
Furthermore, the session addressed the meaning of the civil state concept and the definition of a “civil actor” from various perspectives. It also highlighted the most prominent contemporary challenges facing civil actors in Iraq, in addition to offering proposals and solutions aimed at advancing the work of civil actors and unifying their discourse on major issues.
The session concluded by opening the floor for questions and mutual dialogue among the attendees.
