We would like to update you on this year's charity fundraising event, Helping Iraqi Children . . . every step of the way. Currently, IF staff in Iraq is surveying Iraqi children's charities to identify the organizations with the greatest needs. During this survey, our staff also determines which goods would benefit the children that they care for most.

In addition, IF has made a special contribution of clothing, educational supplies, training equipment, hygienic products, and toys, valued at 1,000 US dollars, to the Bait Al-Toufil and Saint Hanna orphanages. To view pictures the distribution and learn how you can help needy children throughout Iraq, please follow the link below.

We invite you to be a part of our efforts today!

IF's Executive Director, Rend al-Rahim, published an article in the Washington Post on Thursday, May 10, 2007 entitled "A Dayton Process for Iraq". In this article, Ms. Al-Rahim discusses strategies to promote national reconciliation. For more information and to read the article, please follow the link below.

Additionally, on March 28, 2007 Ms. Al-Rahim appeared on the Kuwaiti panel debate show 'Diwaniya' that airs on Kuwait TV hosted by Dr. Shafeeq AlـGhabra. The Diwaniya Program aims to tackle major issues in the local arena. During that broadcast, Ms Al-Rahim was joined by Yezid Sayigh, professor of Middle East studies at King's College in London, and Zuhair AlـDajaili, an Iraqi writer working for the AlـQabas newspaper. The panel discussed the current situation in Iraq, focusing on understanding the nature of the violence in Iraq and strategies for national reconciliation.

During the month of May, senior IF staff met with the Kurdish Minister of Civil Society, George Mansour, and the Head of the Kurdish Parliament, Adnan Al-Mufti, to discuss strategies to build and promote strong civil society institutions and foster respect for human rights principles throughout Iraq.

Foundation staff used this opportunity to detail our work in Iraq and discuss the Pledge of Iraq Campaign . In particular, staff discussed the importance of supporting and implementing laws in Iraq's national parliament that uphold the concept of judicial review and support the personal status law, which have already been implemented in Kurdistan.

In addition, both the Head of Kurdish Parliament and Minister of Civil Society expressed interest and support in IF opening a branch office in Kurdistan, Iraq to facilitate our mission.

In order to further and expand the Foundation's humanitarian mission, IF staff met with several non-governmental organizations and UN agencies that assist Iraqi refugees in Jordan during the month of May. IF is committed to serving Iraq's refugee population in any way we can.

To accomplish this, IF met with representatives from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Iraqi Red Crescent Society, Caritas Internationalis, CARE, and Mizan.

The Human Rights Defenders Network (HRDN) published its third newsletter on May 25, 2007, which discusses the human rights situation in Iraq. Formed in December 2006 by the Iraq Foundation, HRDN monitors, documents, and advocates for human rights in Iraq's governorates. These newsletters, published in Arabic, are available on our website.