Doha, QatarDebate Center

QatarDebate Center, founded by Qatar Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Prime Ministers Office of Initiatives and Communications in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region on the margins of the Doha Forum 2024.

The signing ceremony was attended by Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and Director of the Office of Initiatives and Communications, Hemin Lihony, and Executive Director of QatarDebate Center, Dr. Hayat Abdullah Marafi, alongside a host of officials from both sides.

The MoU is designed to promote constructive dialogue in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, advance innovative curricula and educational materials, facilitate the sharing of educational and technological resources, support cultural and educational initiatives, in addition to organizing pedagogical tournaments and activities.

Based on this memorandum, both sides will implement joint initiatives that serve their interests and reinforce the existing cooperation protocols that were launched in September 2024, when QatarDebate Center visited Erbil and provided a capacity-building program with the participation of 40 young leaders from various regions across Iraq.

The cooperation culminated in launching Kurdistan Debates initiative with the support of QatarDebate Center.

Additionally, both sides agreed to set a year-long joint action plan that includes expanding debate activities in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region by establishing Iraq Debates in collaboration with QatarDebate Center, organizing national contests, launching debate events in 30 educational institutions, and adopting professional debate referees in the region.