U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq - Provincial Reconstruction Teams

PRTs work with local educational authorities, as well as directly with schools and with educational NGOs, to bolster literacy and preparedness across Iraq.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams work directly with Iraqi counterparts in government, civil society, and at educational institutions of all levels to bolster educational opportunities for students and adult learners, with a particular emphasis on the study of the English language and basic literacy. They cooperate with colleagues at institutions of higher education to create and nurture connections between Iraqi and American universities, as well as to improve understanding of the United States amongst Iraqi students. The teams also facilitate the participation of large numbers of Iraqi students and scholars in academic exchanges with American universities, including through the U.S. government’s flagship Fulbright Program.

Another important aspect of the PRT mandate is identifying future leaders in all aspects of Iraqi society and facilitating their participation in professional exchange programs, in the U.S. and elsewhere, in order to develop key skills and expose these future leaders to best practices in their respective fields. PRTs, in cooperation with a cultural preservation expert at the U.S. Embassy and with international experts in the field, support the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage in protecting and preserving the remnants of the many civilizations which have flourished throughout the centuries in Mesopotamia, including both ruins and artifacts that are preserved in museums. Finally, PRTs regularly engage journalists in all provinces, both to communicate U.S. policy and activities, as well as to develop and sustain a vibrant and independent news media—a cornerstone of any democratic society—in Iraq.