Iraq Leadership Fellows

Ahmed al-Yasari is a political activist from Shatra city in Dhi Qar. Besides his job at the Ministry of Oil, Ahmed works as a volunteer coordinator with al-Nama’a for Human Rights. He also participated in organizing workshops and events about peaceful coexistence, civil society, and human rights. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Ahmed holds certificates from Amnesty International, among other local and international organizations. Ahmed is participating in the Political Candidate Track of Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Ammar al-Dulaimy (Abu Iraq) is a political activist from Anbar. He had run for the national elections in 2021 after being a member of the Iraqi Youth Parliament. Ammar worked with the Ministry of Youth and Sport as a trainer in the project of the reintegration of the youth exposed to conflict. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economy. Ammar aspires to have a major role in building a better future for Iraq by representing his people in the Iraqi Council of Representatives. He is participating in the Political Candidate track of Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Ayat Adham is a political activist from Baghdad and one of the leaders of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party. Ayat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. She had run for the national elections in 2021 to achieve her aspiration of promoting the culture of accepting Iraqi women in political work and to prove that they are able to serve Iraq just like the Iraqi men. Ayat has participated in national and international forums. She is fluent in Kurdish, Arabic, and English. Ayat is participating in the Political Candidate Track of the Iraq Leaders Fellowship 2022.

Hamsa Al-Hamdani is a lawyer and civil activist from Baghdad. She worked as a coordinator in many projects, including the (Musawat Team) project, which encourages freedom of belief, and the (Nurakqib) project to monitor the national Iraqi elections. Hamsa is a member of the (We are all citizens) program and the (Women’s Voices) project in Baghdad. She worked as a trainer and facilitator for many dialogue sessions, including the (Voices of Youth) project and the (Voice of the Displaced) project. She also participated in the (Youth and Politics) program of the Iraqi Al-Amal Association. Hamsa is currently completing her master’s degree in law and is participating in the Political Candidate Track of the Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Isam al-Safrani is a university professor and political activist from al-Muthanna. He holds a master’s degree in Financial Management. Isam had run for the parliamentary elections in 2021, and was a member of the Iraqi Youth Parliament for three sessions. In addition to his work in teaching and politics, Isam coordinates the activities of the Iraq Civic Action Network in Muthanna. He has many published researches and he still aspires to be a member of the Council of Representatives in the coming sessions. Isam is participating in the Political Candidate track of the Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Kurdistan Abdulaziz is an activist and politician from Dohuk in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. She works as a Case Management Supervisor in Future Generation: Enhancing Juvenile Justice Services and System project in Shikhan, the city from which she comes. Kurdistan’s goal is to enhance the role of youth and women in politics and decision-making, and she seeks to achieve this by providing more education to her society. Kurdistan is a member of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) and she holds a BA in Political Sciences as well as a ToT Certificate in Peacemaking and GBV Case Management. Kurdistan is participating in the Political Candidate Track of the Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Me’aad Yasin is a social activist from Tal Afar city in Nineveh. She started working as a volunteer in the refugee camps, then worked with a number of international organizations in the field of protection and case management, and in providing psychosocial support in areas that were exposed to conflicts. Me’aad had a leadership role in the “Women Facing Violence” campaign implemented by UNFPA. Me’aad believes in using dialogue as a language of peace. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences and is participating in the Social Activist track of the Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Maysar Ahmed is a political activist from the city of Qara Tappah in Diyala. He is active in the field of youth empowerment and political decision-making through his work with The National Foundation for Development and Progress. Myassar also chaired the Health and Environment Committee in the Iraqi Youth Parliament during the two sessions in which he participated. He aspires to foster human rights in Iraq. Myassar speaks Arabic, Kurdish, and Turkish. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and a ToT Certificate. Myassar is participating in the Political Candidate track of the Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Rana Al-Balasi is a social activist from Dhi Qar. She works with the Un Ponte Per (UPP) as a Community Coordinator in her city, Nasiriyah. Rana also worked voluntarily with the South Youth Organization (SYO), among other organizations. In her social activism, Rana focuses on raising awareness of the dangers of sexual harassment on children. She aspires to make a radical change in customs and laws that violate women’s and human rights. Rana holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts. She is participating in the Social Activist track of the Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Samiya Shingali is a poet and social activist from Sinjar city in Nineveh. She heads the Warjin voluntary team that works on documenting life and diversity in Sinjar. Samiya is also a member of the Nineveh Women for Peace team. She is active in the field of advocating for women’s rights. United Nations granted Samiya a certificate of appreciation for the voluntary project to help displaced children, which covered 12 camps. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is participating in the Social Activist track from the Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.

Zina Miho is a social activist from Duhok. She works as a Child Protection Caseworker with Shingal Organization for Social Development (SOSD) in Zakho. Zina focuses on supporting the victims of gender-based violence in the Yezidi community and inside the refugee and displacement camps in Duhok. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and can speak Kurdish, Arabic, and English. Zina is participating in the Social Activist Track of Iraq Leadership Fellows 2022.