About the Center
Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning is an independent, non-profit center headquartered in Baghdad. It was established on 31 December 2014 and is registered with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers – the Non-Governmental Organizations Directorate – (Registration No.: ID77176). Its primary mission is to provide credible perspectives on public policy and foreign policy issues that pertain specifically to Iraq and, more broadly, to the Middle East—along with other related matters. The Center seeks to conduct independent analysis and to develop clear, practical solutions to complex issues of interest to both political and academic fields.
Given Iraq’s regional and international significance, and in light of the rapid developments the country and the region are experiencing, most analyses and follow-ups attempting to track events and issues in Iraq have lacked the capacity to think beyond the prevailing approaches and the frameworks that have shaped perceptions of Iraq over the past decades. For this reason, the Center strives to offer new viewpoints grounded in objectivity, neutrality, credibility, and creativity. The Center directs its research and analytical activities toward the challenges facing Iraq and the Middle East by providing insights and ideas to decision-makers on effective approaches for addressing these challenges in both the short and long term.
The Center provides perspectives rooted in principles of objectivity, originality, and creativity on conflict-related issues through analyses, fieldwork, and building connections with various institutions across the Middle East. This is done in order to approach Iraq’s political, economic, social, oil, agricultural, international relations, and educational issues from well-informed angles.
Mission of the Center
Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning seeks to be a key source of independent analysis of Iraqi affairs, a forum for fact-based dialogue on the changes occurring in Iraq and the region, and a contributor to shaping strategic thinking among Iraqi decision-makers—regardless of their positions. The Center aims to strengthen the capacities of research and educational institutions, civil society organizations, and government bodies in order to cultivate experts in governance and decision-making in the fields of politics, economics, and society.
The Center fulfills this mission through conducting research and analyses; providing research grants and fieldwork grants; organizing conferences, seminars, and workshops; and offering training courses for government institutions and universities.
Objectives
- To contribute effectively to discussions related to Iraq by conducting deep, independent analyses primarily based on research and studies carried out by scholars and specialists.
- To encourage information- and fact-based dialogue among experts on Iraqi affairs—including policymakers, journalists, and academics—regarding the challenges facing Iraq and the region, and to generate new ideas for addressing them.
- To develop strategic capacities in decision-making and policy formulation in Iraq.
- To prepare experts in political and academic institutions equipped with skills in decision-making and administration.
- To establish local and regional connections with economic, educational, and political institutions.
- To create and support strategic research projects.
Areas of Focus at Al-Bayan Center
- Economy and Development: (banking sector, budget, agriculture, education, tourism, investment, and others).
- Energy: (oil, gas, electricity).
- Foreign Policy and International Affairs: (globalization, international conflicts).
- National Security and Defense: (counter-terrorism, capacity-building of the armed forces).
- Constitution, Law, and Democracy: (parliament, federalism).
- Governance, Rule of Law, and Public Policy: (anti-corruption, restructuring and rehabilitation of institutions, elections).
- Society and Surveys: (peaceful coexistence in society, violence and sectarianism, public opinion).
