In the framework of the GFFO-funded project titled ‘Democratising the Legislative Process in Iraq‘, the Max Planck Foundation, in partnership with the Institute for International Law and Human Rights (IILHR), convened a multi-stakeholder symposium in Baghdad, Iraq, on 10 September 2025, around models and mechanisms for public participation in the legislative process. The symposium brought together stakeholders from both within parliament and the Iraqi civil society, including parliamentarians, parliamentary committee members, parliamentary advisers, and representatives from diverse civil society organisations. The primary objective was to explore means of enhancing public participation in the legislative process, with a particular focus on public hearings.
The symposium began with an overview of the current Iraqi framework and practice in relation to public participation. This was followed by an overview of international best practices and comparative experiences in participatory law-making, including case studies from Brazil, Kenya, and Indonesia among others. The participants were then invited to identify the key obstacles to effective public participation at the levels of both parliament and civil society, and to engage in dialogue around possible reforms to strengthen that participation.
The multi-stakeholder symposium was preceded by a preparatory workshop with the civil society representatives on 7 September 2025. The purpose was to highlight comparative experiences in relation to public participation in law-making, and invite the civil society representatives to engage in a dialogue around the means to best engage with parliament in the framework of the legislative process.
The symposium offered a rare opportunity for civil society and parliament to openly discuss their perceptions in relation to Iraq’s experience in participatory law-making and jointly come up with recommendations to improve its regulatory framework, particularly once a new parliament is voted in in November 2025.
Project activities are set to continue until late 2025.
Courtesy of the Press Office of the Iraqi Parliament