During the month of March, Executive Director Rend Al-Rahim participated in media interviews with La Presse Magazine, BBC World News, and National Public Radio. In the first interview, held on March 18, Ms. Al-Rahim spoke with the La Presse journalist Alexandre Sirois about Iraq's recent progress and the conditions for success in Iraq. This article, published on March 19, is available in French (Read Article).

Discussing recent political developments, Ms. Al-Rahim appeared on the BBC's international news broadcast, "News 24". The program aired on the March 25 with host Martine Croxall. On March 31, Ms. Al-Rahim appeared live on NPR's "Talk of the Nation with Neal Cohen". Ms. Al-Rahim commented on recent developments in Basra.

The Iraq Foundation provided 170 orphaned Yazidi children with essential aid this March. These children were victims of last August's coordinated suicide bombing of Sinjar, Iraq, a small city of ethnic Yazidi in the north. This attack left over 200 children orphaned and took countless lives. Working with the Yazidi Brotherhood and Fraternity League, IF donated clothing, blankets, notebooks, food, and other basic necessities to two organizations in the near-by towns of Khatara and Bashika, which care for the orphaned children. This donation was made possible by a generous award from the Workers of St. Alban's, based in Washington, DC.

As part of the ongoing Anti-Corruption and Transparency (ACT) project, IF staff hosted four in-country workshops this March to promote better accountability and fight local corruption. Each workshop brought together 25 - 36 participants, including members of the local provincial councils, government employees, academics, ministry representatives, as well as members of civil society and non-governmental organizations. The participants discussed a broad range of issues dealing with administrative and financial corruption and generated recommendations to curb corruption within Iraq. The workshops were held in Kirkuk, Wasit, Diwaniyya, and Babil.

IF Holds Media Workshop in Baghdad

On March 16, IF staff held a workshop to develop a strategy that would broaden media coverage of the Pledge for Iraq's (PFI) legislative agenda and activities. Hosted in IF Baghdad office, the meeting brought together PFI's monitoring NGOs, local and national media outlets, and the PFI Board. A common strategy was agreed on during this meeting, expanding PFI's media outreach and strengthening NGO participation.

IF Arranges 5 Meetings with Iraqi Politicians

To support and implement the goals of the Pledge for Iraq Campaign (PFI), IF arranged five meeting between PFI's Executive Chairperson, Dr. Azhar Al-Shaikhly, as well as other PFI Board Members and senior Iraqi government officials throughout March. PFI staff used these meetings to discuss the goals of the campaign as well as generate parliamentary support. The first meeting took place on March 6 between PFI's Dr. Azhar Al-Shaikhly and Ms. Jacquelyn Zumaya and the State Minister of Parliament Affairs and acting Minister of Justice, Dr. Safi Al-Safi. On March 12, 2008, IF's Ms. Suhaila Al-Assadi and Mr. Nathem Nasser with PFI board member Ms. Narmin Othman, also Minister of Environment and acting Minister for Women Affairs for a press interview regarding women's rights. The third meeting was held on March13, between Board Members and the State Minister for National Dialogue and acting Minister of Culture, Dr. Akram Al-Hakeem. On March 18th, Dr. Azhar AL-Shaikhly and Ms. Jacquelyn Zumaya met with Mr. Mohammed Abbas Al-Oraibi, State Minister and Minister of Tourism. Later that day, PFI's Executive Chairperson also met with Minister of Parliament Dr. Hunain Kaddu.

The Human Rights Defenders Network (HRDN) concluded the publication of its monthly newsletters in March and is currently compiling a comprehensive report on the status of human rights in Iraq from February 2007 to February 2008. Taking into account monitoring and evaluation techniques developed throughout the year, IF's Human Rights Defenders Network will report on the human rights situation in at least twelve different governorates of Iraq. Formed in December 2006 by the Iraq Foundation, HRDN monitors, documents, and advocates for human rights countrywide. HRDN's final report will be published in April and will be available on our website.

Families United Toward Universal Respect - FUTURE is sponsoring and supporting Iraqi women and their families in Iraq with an organizational model that promotes volunteerism, community service, self-reliance, networking, and humanitarian aid to the poor, widowed, and disadvantaged. FUTURE's program further promotes unity of the family and community reconciliation. FUTURE is holding its fundraiser gala event on 19 June 2008. Special guests include the Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Samir Sumaidaie, Senator Robert Bennett, actress and award recipient Connie Stevens, and Hollywood celebrities. To attend, contact FUTURE: (703) 669-1904; or events@womenforfuture.org.