In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Rebuilding education in Iraq

(Times Higher Education) A delegation of academics and policymakers from the United Kingdom visited Baghdad recently to discuss how the U.K. can help Iraq's decimated education sector. Iraq's higher education system was considered by some to be the best in the Middle East in the 1980s, but has since been destroyed by two wars, UN sanctions, and years of tyranny under Saddam Hussein.

1.

Iraq's education setback

Al Jazeera Archive
This Al Jazeera article from May 28, 2004, outlines in detail all the events that have caused the sharp decline in the Iraqi education system. After the ousting of Saddam Hussein in April 2003, many schools painted over portraits of the former leader, but real renovations have yet to commence. Al Jazeera follows all the breaking news from the Middle East and around the world and has in-depth coverage of the Iraq war and the crises stemming from constant violence in the country.

2.

Analysis of Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education

GlobalSecurity.org
GlobalSecurity.org is a privately owned company based in Virginia and is a leading source in background information and developing news stories about national defense, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction, and homeland security. It has sections describing most organizations relating directly or indirectly to U.S. foreign policy issues. Included in these sections is an entire layout of the new Iraqi government following the collapse of the Hussein regime on April 9, 2003. GlobalSecurity.org has individual briefs describing the role of each organization within the new government, including the Ministry of Higher Education.

3.

Assistance for Iraq

USAID
USAID is a United States government organization that offers international aid to countries struggling with war and poverty. The main page of their website has an interactive map that allows people to click on one of the 92 countries in which USAID is operational. Each country's page has its own individual collection of news, success stories and updates. USAID publishes frequent newsletters regarding all their international endeavours and make these newsletters available on the site. The page for Iraqi education lists goals, accomplishments, and archives old stories about the restoration of the Iraqi education system.

4.

The Emergency School Construction and Rehabilitation Project

The World Bank
The World Bank funds rebuilding initiatives in developing or struggling countries. It is comprised of two development institutions, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, that are collectively owned by 185 member countries. On Oct. 13, 2004, The World Bank signed a US$60-million grant agreement with Iraq's Ministry of Education to finance the construction of new buildings for more than 100 schools, and repairs to 140 primary and secondary schools. The Emergency School Construction and Rehabilitation Project has been active since the signing. The World Bank's page for the project contains links to .pdf documents outlining aspects of the project as well as short- and long-term goals.

5.

United Nations Development Program

UNDP
The United Nations has its own development organization on the ground in Iraq trying to help the country rebuild its education sector. The site gives a brief overview of the UNDP around the world, then focuses on the programs in place in Iraq. Sidebars link to useful publications, including documents about the Japan-UNDP Iraq partnership and the European Union-UNDP Iraq partnership. Other UNDP initiatives can be found in the related links sidebar.