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GITSI evolved as a result of an intensive effort started in mid 2003 to contribute to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. Specialized teams were formed in Iraq to survey a preselected sample of schools, hospitals, and cultural centres damaged as a result of the War against Iraq in 2003. Data and information on 967 Schools, 200 Hospitals and Clinics, and about 200 cultural centers were collected and analysed. The main objective of that effort was to transcribe the information into proposal documents that can be presented to Donors for approval and execution. Evaluation of the whole effort in late 2005 have resulted in a recommendation to prepare and launch a global partnership to promote the concept of sustainability into the reconstruction of Iraq. GITSI was born in March 2006.
1- A brief description of the organizational structure
GITSI’s organisational structure comprise a Global Council of Trustees (GCT); an International Executive Committee (IEC); An International Advisory Board (IAB), A General Secretariat; Global Alliance for a Sustainable Iraq (GAASI), an NGO being registered in Belgium; Sustainable Development International (SDI), FZLLC, a free zone limited liability company, UAE; and International, Regional, National and Local Coordination committees.
An International Steering Committee (ISC) is acting on behalf both the Global Council of Trustees and the International Executive Committee in running their affairs. Also, a National Steering Committee (NSC) was formed on 15 March 2008 to act on behalf of the GITSI National Coordination Committee (NCC) until the next meeting of the NCC.
The NCC has 18 Local Coordination Committees that are supposed to be the vehicles to promote the sustainable development’s concept, principles and activities at the 18 governorates of Iraq. Two of these local committees in Slahuldin and Al Muthana Governorates are active.
2- Main Operating Components of the Organisation Structure
(a) Global Alliance for a Sustainable Iraq (GAASI)
GAASI is a nonpolitical, non-religion, non-sectarian, and nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. GAASI is made and formed, not for pecuniary profit. No part of the assets or net earnings of this corporation shall be distributed to or shall inure to the benefit of any member, officer or director; provided, however, that payment of reasonable compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred may be made.
Purposes of GAASI are to:
1. Promote the concept, programs and mechanism of sustainable development in Iraq for the medium and long term future, commensurate with the United Nations Instruments, including Agenda 21, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; Convention on Biodiversity, Habitat Agenda, Millennium Development Goals; Conclusions of the World Summits on Information Society (WSIS); Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPoI) of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD); and others.
2. Practice and promote effective cooperation and coordination among relevant stakeholders, including Iraqi public authorities, UN agencies and other relevant intergovernmental organizations, private sector corporations, including small and large businesses; local, national, regional and international civil society organizations, and others working to promote the well-being of Iraqi populations, economy and ecosystems;
3. Promote education, knowledge building, awareness, networking and partnerships among relevant groups of Iraqi Society about sustainable development;
4. Promote, in cooperation with relevant agencies problem-solving applied research programmes, including the application of environmentally sound technologies at the Iraqi national and local levels;
5. Promote and contribute to the formulation, development and implementation of a National Sustainable Development Strategy Framework (NSDSF) for Iraq,
6. Promote Sectoral Sustainable Development Strategies (SSDS) at the Iraqi national and local levels;
7. Contribute to the on-going Poverty Alleviation programmes and actions for Iraq;
8. Promote an Environmentally Sound Technology Policy, Strategy and Plan for Iraq;
9. Identify, formulate, promote an implement an Integrated Pilot Schemes Package (IPSP) for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Iraq in the fields of social reconciliation and integration; education; health; clean technologies in the fields of energy, agriculture, housing, and transport; applied research; capacity building ( Annex 1);
10. Formulate, implement and maintain a Sustainable Community Fund (SuCoF) to contribute to the sustainable reconstruction and development of Iraq;
11. Formulate, implement, develop and maintain intensive sustainable development capacity-building sector-specific programmes for Iraqi organisations and professional, including a comprehensive capacity building/development programme that should complement the on-going similar activities undertaken by public and private agencies in Iraq, as well as benefiting from other on-going programmes such as the United Nations Development Prpgramme’s “Capacity 2015”.
12. Contribute to the promotion of a National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) for Iraq.
13. Contribute to the protection and restoration of the quality of the human and natural environment of Iraq;
14. Use all lawful means to achieve the aforementioned objectives.
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