As the social infrastructure of Iraq continues to disintegrate it remains insufficient to meet the basic needs of civilians. War Child Canada works to strengthen the country's education system through its Iraq Rehabilitation Project.

Iraq's education system has been shattered by years of harsh economic sanctions and the devastation caused by the current conflict. 85% of the existing 14,000 schools in Iraq are in need of rehabilitation. The condition of these buildings has deteriorated to such an extent that they do not provide a safe learning and teaching environment. In addition, there is a severe shortage of school supplies, classroom furniture and textbooks, and most teachers have inadequate training.

Since 2003, school attendance rates have decreased significantly, with a 40.2% drop in the number of girls attending primary school. Unless more attention and aid is given to the country's educational system, the situation for children and youth in Iraq will continue to worsen.

Providing access to quality education for war-affected children and youth is a key focus area in War Child Canada's programming in Iraq. War Child Canada implements the Iraq Rehabilitation Project in partnership with Iraqi Al-Amal Association and Muslim Hands Iraq. The project focuses on strengthening and supporting the Iraqi educational system by rehabilitating and reconstructing schools, and provides resources and training for teachers in Baghdad and eight other provinces. It also supports Iraqi children, youth and professionals by providing knowledge and skills training in human rights, democracy, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, English and Information Technology.

During a recent trip to Jordan, War Child Canada's Senior Program Manager met with partner representatives to discuss the innovative way conflict resolution and civil dialogue are being taught as part of this project. Youth gain knowledge about human rights, democracy and peace building through hands-on training workshops, special seminars with local experts and interactive games and exercises that raise awareness about these issues and assist with trauma recovery. To help foster civil dialogue, youth-led groups host community awareness-raising sessions and research and implement community development projects within their provinces. They also attend semi-annual summits where they present their research, interact with youth groups from other provinces and devise strategies on how to mobilize more youth to influence change within Iraq.

War Child Canada believes that education is the basic right of every child and the key to a brighter future for all children and youth, especially those affected by conflict. The Iraq Rehabilitation Project supports the healthy, intellectual, emotional and psychosocial development of children and youth by providing educational opportunities, a safe learning atmosphere and most importantly, by offering them a route out of the cycle of conflict and poverty.