On Tuesday, 23 June 2026, the #Peace and Freedom Organization (PFO) organized a dialogue session titled "Cultural Heritage as a Tool for Community Development, Tourism, and Intercommunity Communication" at the Engineering Syndicate Hall in Mosul**, as part of the *"Our Heritage Connects Us" project.
The session brought together Mrs. Muna Al-Obaidi, Member of the #Iraqi #Parliament, Mr. Wissam Salem, Head of the #Heritage and #Tourism Committee at the #Ninewa Provincial Council, the Director General of Tourism and Antiquities in Ninewa, alongside academics, heritage experts, tour guides, private museum owners, university students, and young women and men interested in heritage and tourism.
Discussions focused on the current state of the heritage and tourism sector in Ninewa and the challenges facing its #development, including the limited promotion of many heritage sites and the need to develop new tourism routes connecting Mosul with surrounding areas. Participants also explored the role of private #museums, community initiatives, and public spaces in preserving cultural heritage and strengthening connections among diverse communities.
The session further highlighted opportunities to utilize digital tools, social media, and tourism-related content creation to promote Ninewa’s heritage sites and attract visitors. Participants emphasized the importance of engaging #youth, women, and local tour guides in heritage and tourism initiatives, while strengthening cooperation between government institutions, universities, the private sector, and community actors. Discussions underscored the potential of cultural heritage to contribute to local development, #social_cohesion, and #peaceful_ coexistence across Ninewa.
