In our papers at the PASCAL conference by joining the ‘engaging communities and universities for the public good’ strand, my aim together with my colleagues from Erbil is that through our presentation, we can foster partnerships with other agencies to help us move forward with addressing our priorities and implementing the frameworks necessary to drive forward the learning agenda.

Our papers, which we hope that we are able to deliver as a series in a symposium of 90mins, will describe the current situation in Erbil, and will focus on our strategic priorities, as follows:

• Implementing professional development opportunities for existing educational professionals;
• Utilising information technology effectively;
• Ensuring decision-making processes are strategic, fair and transparent; and
• Managing health, safety and staff welfare.

We hope that through our presentation we will be able to interest partners from around the world. It may seem that new financial resources needed to create learning cities and regions are endless, and indeed aspiring governorates will need to invest additional financial capital in helping them grow. Nevertheless, much of this lies in the realignment of existing budgets.

In addition, other existing resources are very much under-used. We recognise that in our city we have a vast store of untapped human and social capital, and an economic and organisational potential within its boundaries. From parents to Mosque congregations, from workplace to community centres, from individual enthusiasts to police officers, fire fighters and nurses there are talent, skills, knowledge experience and insights all of it potentially at the service of education to enrich the everyday experience of children and adult alike.

Tahir Abdulla Osman
Deputy Governor, Erbil