Abstract:

This presentation will focus on how the Republic of Iraq’s annual Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Security Conference serves as an instructive stand-out case study that offers a window of insight into how the global community can effectively organize itself to more effectively, efficiently, and productively problem solve, develop solutions, and make impactful change to address some of the most challenging issues of our time.

This conference represents a new model of international interaction and cooperation that may set a new global standard for how to effectively convene a multitude of multidisciplinary stakeholders to work toward a common or shared cause. Further, it has developed into a highly anticipated annual “briefing” for international donor or implementor organizations that seek to conduct capacity building training, train-and-equip programs, or other security cooperation or assistance efforts for and with Iraq. For the international (Iraqi) partners it not only engenders whole-of-ecosystem cooperation between and among national stakeholders but provides a platform to frankly and respectfully identify and propose ways and means to meet joint needs, with regard to otherwise well-intended international security assistance policies and practices.

By focusing on practical solutions and what unites rather than what divides, the Iraqi people have, in spectacular fashion, created a model of engagement that is practical, solution-oriented, and representative. While the topic, namely that of CBRN issues, can be considered niche, the engagement method that they have developed is broadly applicable to any Community of Practice that is comprised of some multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder, or multi-interest element and yet working toward a common goal.

Keywords:

Multistakeholder engagement, international relations, international security, international cooperation, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear security.