Education & Culture
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.
Related Stories
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New Literacy Program Begins in Baghdad.
BAGHDAD - During a ceremony at AL-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq, Oct. 23, representatives from the Provincial Reconstruction Teams, United States Forces – Iraq, and senior officials from the Government of Iraq gathered to celebrate the beginning of the Arabic Literacy Program.
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Diyala Teenagers Learn Leadership, Teamwork at PRT-Sponsored Summer School
Across Diyala Province, schools normally empty for the long, hot summer were filled this year instead with laughter, singing and discussion. For two months, over 700 youngsters from across Diyala Province gathered at selected schools for a special summer school program.
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University of Human Development Seeks Cooperation with RRT and Exposure to U.S. Counterparts
PDO met with University of Human Development (UHD) President Dr. Keriwan, VP Dr. Hiwa, and the Dean of the College of Law and Politics in Sulaimaniyah on August 2 for a briefing on the institution and to discuss new ideas for partnership with the RRT.
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Summary of the Al-Beitar Vocational School Laboratory Project
The Al-Beitar Vocational School Laboratory Project will strengthen agricultural education in Karbala Province and facilitate the introduction of innovative farming techniques to Karbala’s farmers.
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Children Working To Build A Better Future For Iraq -- PRT Baghdad, Local Groups Support 4-H Clubs in Baghdad
Some Iraqi children are taking steps toward a brighter future, thanks their membership in a new group in Baghdad - the Al Amal 4-H Club. The club, supported by Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) Baghdad-South, is already having a big impact in their lives.
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Provincial Reconstruction Team – Baghdad Donates Arabic Literacy Program To Schools Across Baghdad
Thousands of young children across Baghdad will have new books to read in school, thanks to the Provincial Reconstruction Team – Baghdad (PRT-B), which has donated ten 40 foot shipping containers full of sets of “My Arabic Library” sets - enough to reach more than four hundred schools across the Province.
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PRT-Baghdad Supports Iraqi Literacy Initiative; Nearly Thirty Trainers Graduate from US-Led Program
Twenty-six Iraqi teachers are now ready to help launch a major Arabic literacy program in Baghdad Province, after they completed training with instructors from an American university this week. PRT-Baghdad helped fund and organize the training, which was held at Baghdad University in May and June.
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U.S. Supporting English Language Training for Zervany Officers
In a ceremony today at the Hiwa Language School, American Regional Reconstruction Team’s (RRT) in Erbil Assistant Regional Security Officer Mr. Douglas Patrick awarded certificates of completion to the Zervany security officers participating in a U.S. government-funded English language training program for six months.
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Embassy English Teaching Specialist Helps Kirkuki Teachers Develop Their Skills
The Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) recently hosted the English Language Teaching Specialist from Embassy Baghdad, Christina Chandler, for a 5-day program of training and engagement with public school, private school and university English language teachers.
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Kirkuk PRT catches the Spirit of Soccer
Representatives from the US Embassy’s Weapons Removal and Abatement Program Office and from the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team joined in the dribbling, penalty kicks and discussions about playing fair and playing safe at the “Spirit of Soccer” Youth Soccer and Mine Awareness Festival in Kirkuk on July 12.
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PRT brings American diversity to Kirkuk’s Youth Summer Camp
Kirkuk’s PD section gathered representatives from the PRT’s Agricultural and Operations Sections for a visit to one of the five sites of Kirkuk’s first NGO-implemented Youth Summer Camp.
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Over 30 Baswari Librarians Trained in "Modernizing Iraqi Libraries with Limited Resources"
On June 1-2, the Director of the Information Resource Center (IRC) from the Public Affairs Section in Baghdad held a two-day training session at the facilities of the Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) for over 30 librarians from Basra University.
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First Class of Cultural Heritage Students Complete Coursework at Iraq Institute in Erbil
Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) Team Leader Andy Snow, the Embassy Cultural Heritage Specialist, and Erbil RRT staff participated in a small presentation of student work and a completion ceremony for the first group of students to graduate from the conservation course at the U.S.-sponsored Iraq Institute on May 27.
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PRT Muthanna Holds English Teacher Training Program
April 27, 2010, JSS Soto - The Muthanna Provincial Reconstruction Team(PRT) hosted U.S. Embassy English Language Officer Christina Chandler and 24 English teachers from Muthanna province for a two-day teacher training program this week. The teachers' supervisors also came to observe and offer their support for additional training in the province.
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Kirkuk College of Law and American Law School initiate cooperation and exchange
April 27, 2010, Kirkuk -- On April 26, Kirkuk University's College of Law welcomed Professor Patrick Hugg of Loyola University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, for a historic visit to Kirkuk to sign a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
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ACCESS English Learning Program Continues to Improve Prospects for Disadvantaged Students
Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team (RRT) staff members monitored classroom instruction of 14 students at the Britannia school in Sulaimaniyah on April 17.
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Dhi Qar Deputy Governor Announces Completion of Ziggurat of Ur Project
Dhi Qar Deputy Governor Bunyan cut the ribbon to mark the completion of Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team’s (PRT) Ziggurat of Ur project this week, formally opening the site's new boardwalk and a refurbished conservation workshop.
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PRT Babil Supports Training by Embassy English Language Specialist
The Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) hosted the English Language Officer from the US Embassy in Baghdad to support its efforts to launch the State Department’s ACCESS English program, a program designed to teach English language skills to young, disadvantaged students.
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Library of Congress Trains Iraqi Librarians in Sulaimaniyah As Part of Country-Wide Training Visit
The Erbil Regional Reconstruction Team organized a visit by specialists from the Library of Congress (LOC) to the Kurdistan Region from April 2-9 for training and official meetings.
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PRT-Baghdad hosts video conference with University of Baghdad and Texas State University
The Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) hosted the first of a series of digital video conferences (DVCs) between six University of Baghdad English professors and three Texas State University literature professors on March 30, 2010.
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ePRT Baghdad North Checks-In On USG-Funded Adult Literacy Program
The Baghdad Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team North (ePRT North) is supporting an adult literacy program in Sab Al Bor, one of six similar centers in the ePRT's area that helps teach women of all ages basic literacy skills, as well as simple mathematics.
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Muthanna Women Painters Exhibit in DC
Artwork in a new exhibit in Washington has travelled a long way: from the imaginations of women in Iraq’s province of Muthanna, who originally had doubts about showing their work publicly. U.S. and Iraqi officials organized the artists to show their work publicly in 2009 for what was believed to be the first exhibit mounted by female artists in the province.
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Kirkuk PRT Sponsors the Mud House Players for "The Golden Vote"
The Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) partnered with the famous comedic theater company, the Mud House Players, for three USG-funded performances of their latest hit play "The Golden Vote" in Kirkuk.
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PRT Baghdad Holds English Teaching Workshop
The Baghdad PRT, in conjunction with the English Language Office of the Embassy Public Affairs Section, sponsored a workshops for Iraqi elementary English teachers in Baghdad.
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PRT Babil Donates Books to Hillah Central Library
The Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) delivered several hundred books to the Hillah Central Library.