Invitation to Think

Saturday, November 22, 2003

A NEW APPROACH FOR IRAQ?

It is really upsetting to hear about the deaths of American soldiers on a daily basis in Iraq. Granted, aside from Iraq, the entire Middle East and eventually the whole world may benefit from the radical changes taking place there. But the important question is, how can this goal be accomplished swiftly and with the least amount of pain?

We hope that the two concrete plans described below can be of some help in achieving this goal. The "Iraqi-American Network" program, in particular, will enable interested Americans to participate directly in Iraq's reconstruction. It will generate good will and show that Americans do care.

We also hope it will stimulate readers to come up with new and innovative ways of alleviating human misery. People who are well-informed should get involved, rather than leaving everything to governments and politicians, no matter how good they might be.

In a way, America's unrivaled strength makes every American an influential person; he or she should use this advantage to help all disadvantaged people around the globe.

I. Iraqi-American Network

A. Prepare a list of professionals in Iraq -- doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. -- and find their counterparts in America.

B. These Americans should develop one-on-one contact with these Iraqis and ask them about their ideas and suggestions for improving and stabilizing life in their country.

C. It is possible that some short-term as well as long-term solutions may emerge from such a dialogue.

II. Town Hall Meeting/ Model Democracy

A. From each prominent city in Iraq, such as Baghdad, Basra, etc., select an area of a few square blocks, which can serve as a sort of experimental model for democracy in action. Which area to select will depend mainly on the following criteria. Residents of these blocks should be comparatively more educated, such as professionals. In some way, they should have a wider vision of the world and be more open to constructive ideas and criticism.

Under the protection of the Coalition Provisional Authority, let the local people organize town hall meetings in these communities to discuss their problems and whatever necessary solutions. Because of the fearless and democratic atmosphere in which these debates will occur, some short term as well as long term plans may emerge from such meetings.

B. On an ad hoc basis, they may even elect community representatives.

C. These local or community leaders should have easy access to the Coalition Provisional Authority, the Iraqi Governing Council, similarly elected representatives from other Iraqi cities and the "Iraqi-American Network". They can also choose to involve or consult sources from other countries, either governmental or non-governmental.

D. The Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi Governing Council, in particular, should help in every way possible so these local model communities can put their new ideas into action. They should also take proper note of suggestions these communities make concerning Iraq as a whole. This may prove to be one of the best ways of understanding the minds as well as the hearts of the Iraqi people.

Such an experiment in democracy, though small in scope, could have many far-reaching effects. Many more communities in Iraq may come forward to try it. It is possible that the whole effort may facilitate and accelerate the establishment of democracy in this war ravaged country.

E. This kind of experiment is likely to draw the attention of the media, including from Iraq itself as well as from the rest of the region. This in turn may stimulate new ideas at the grassroots level.

Clearly, at the heart of these projects is one common theme: a dialogue between people. These projects can be developed independently or in tandem.

A separate .org should be created to oversee the whole project.

Each individual who reads this can provide help in one or more of the following ways:
make comments or suggestions

inform others about this

volunteer to talk with/write to Iraqis

help start the website

Dr. Hasmukh Parekh and Ms. Rajul Parekh

posted by Hasmukh Parekh 7:57 PM

The influence of advertising, the media, and partisan politics, among other things, poses great challenges to clear thinking. The demands of work, a lack of time, and the overwhelming flow of information further add to the problem. Can we rise to the challenge and improve the ways in which we think? Our attempts at better thinking can lead to better solutions and a better life.