by Omar Habeeb Abdul Razzaq
As an Iraqi politician who has worked in various state institutions and a social activist who has lived the experience of working in different government bodies, I’ve realized that a country’s strength isn’t measured by its natural wealth or geographical location, but by the strength of its institutions and their ability to operate with transparency and integrity, away from external interference and personal interests. This lesson I learned through long years of working as a youth supporter and advocate for institutional reform.
When we talk about strong institutions, we don’t mean fancy buildings or numerous employees, but an integrated system of laws, procedures, and values that ensure justice, transparency, and efficiency. A strong institution is one that operates according to law, not according to individuals’ whims; one that serves the citizen, not the official; one that protects public interest, not private gain.
My experience as a political activist in Iraq taught me that weak institutions are the root cause of most of our problems. When institutions are weak, they become vulnerable to manipulation, corruption, and favoritism. When institutions lose their credibility, citizens lose trust in the state, and chaos and instability spread.
Iraqi youth, whom I consider myself a supporter and advocate for their causes, suffer more than others from weak institutions. When the state employment process is based on connections rather than competence, the educated and qualified young person finds himself deprived of opportunities despite his merit. When educational institutions are weak and not keeping pace with the times, youth find themselves unqualified for the modern job market.
Building strong institutions requires first establishing clear and specific laws that regulate each institution’s work and define its authorities and responsibilities. These laws must be clearly written and published for everyone, so every citizen knows his rights and duties, and every employee knows the limits of his authorities.
Transparency is a fundamental pillar in building strong institutions. The Iraqi citizen has the right to know how decisions affecting his life are made, how public money is spent, and what are the criteria for employment and promotion in government institutions. Transparency isn’t just a slogan we raise, but a daily practice that requires publishing information and making it available to the public.
Accountability is another equally important aspect. A strong institution is one that holds negligent and corrupt individuals accountable regardless of their positions or affiliations. There can be no strong institution while officials escape punishment. Accountability must be swift, fair, and comprehensive.
Continuous training and development of employees is necessary to ensure institutional efficiency. Government employees must be qualified, trained, and updated in their knowledge and skills. This requires continuous investment in training programs, workshops, and specialized courses.
Independence is a basic condition for institutional strength. An institution subject to political or partisan interference cannot be strong or effective. The judiciary, for example, must be completely independent from executive and legislative powers to be able to apply justice with integrity.
Technology can play an important role in strengthening institutions. Digital systems reduce human errors, increase transparency, and speed up procedures. E-government isn’t just a luxury, but a necessity for building modern and effective institutions.
Civil society participation in monitoring institutional performance is necessary. Civil society organizations, media, and ordinary citizens must have a role in monitoring government institutions’ performance and ensuring they work to serve the public interest.
Institutional reform isn’t an easy or quick task. It’s a long and complex process that requires strong political will and broad popular support. But the results are worth the effort. Countries that succeeded in building strong institutions achieved political stability, economic prosperity, and social welfare.
As a political activist and reform supporter in Iraq, I believe that building strong institutions is the only way to achieve the rule of law state we all aspire to. This requires all of us, politicians and citizens, to work together to support institutional reform and resist all forms of corruption and favoritism.
Iraqi youth, whom I consider myself a voice for and defender of their rights, must be at the forefront of this reform. Youth are the most affected by weak institutions, and they benefit most from their strength. Therefore, we must involve them in the reform process, listen to their opinions, and benefit from their energies.