Stratagem

International Conflict Resolution - UNOPS

Ali Muttshar of the UN Iraqi delegation to Northern Ireland presents Barry Gilligan with a token of his appreciation

Client Profile and Issue

The United Nations Office for Project Services provides project management and support services for the UN to governments, alongside the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Our strategy

Stratagem won a competitive tender from UNOPS to design and implement a high level five day study visit of senior Iraqi parliamentarians to Northern Ireland in March 2008.

Deploying our formidable contacts, knowledge and networks we themed each day, prepared detailed briefing material, assembled a quality mix of politicians, activists, community groups and expert advisers, in a range of formats and venues; this action-packed programme was then implemented, with 'flawless efficiency' and 'unflappable good humour'.

During the visit, Ian Paisley MP MLA, First Minister announced his resignation from the post, immediately after debating with the Iraqis in the Senate Chamber, Speaker Willie Hay MLA hosted a Stormont dinner, policing bodies argued over accountability issues, human rights and equality bodies presented on their challenges, civil society groups explained problems on the ground, and political parties discussed their perspectives in round table format. The media covered the week in full.

Outcome

The cross-party Iraqi delegation reported it to represent "the best such study trip we have ever been on, packed with purpose and meaning". At their request, UNOPS extended the commission to cover the preparation of a follow-up report on 'Learning points from Northern Ireland for Iraq', co-authored with Bronagh Hinds, and in May 2009 a further visit by municipal leaders of Kirkuk was facilitated by Stratagem on behalf of UNOPS and UNAMI to examine the management of divided cities.

"I commend Stratagem for its phenomenal political organising skills - a very high level of interlocutor was achieved, including the Speaker of the NI Assembly, the deputy First Minister (Martin McGuinness), the Mayor of Derry, the Secretary-General of the Irish Presidency, the Chairman of the NI Policing Board, and several other leading political, security and civil society leaders.

They were carefully chosen, scrupulously balanced and intensively briefed; it was almost inspirational to see their willingness to devote such efforts (and patience) to educate and encourage this slightly motley troupe of bickering Kirkukis.

Delegates have asked UNAMI to invite some of our NI interlocutors to Kirkuk (which we might consider doing, hiring a couple of them as short-term consultants later in the year) in order to educate more Kirkukis about ways of getting out of their spiral. All three of the above-mentioned priority areas were seen in this light: power-sharing, policing, constitutional status. We are so grateful to Stratagem for their skilful assistance". -Andrew Gilmour, Acting UN Special Representative to Iraq