Liwan

Working towards a new heritage sector

Rehabilitation

Our work involves hands-on support with the best expertise in Iraq and when required, from the region and abroad.

Emergency interventions

Our team are set up to engage in emergency situations, providing quick-response and early warning systems for addressing cultural degradation and collapse.

Planning and Sustainability

Sustainability is our core goal, with that in mind, we aim to ensure that all our work is closely connected to local structures, including working closely with communities and government stakeholders.

Research

Without research and engagement from Iraqi universities, heritage professionals, civil society and communities, Iraq's heritage will continue to face danger and threats. Our research teams, which span the entirety of Iraq, working closely with Iraqi Universities, provide informed, people-oriented and critical ways of viewing and engaging in Iraq's cultural heritage.

Evaluation and ensuring effectiveness on the ground

Without thorough evaluation of Iraqi and international projects, activities to rebuild Iraq's heritage sector may be lacking. Our work is dedicated to ensuring professional evaluation of projects using Iraqi and foreign expertise, and 'telling like it is' to ensure current and future success of projects.

An organiastion to support Iraq's cultural heritage

Conflict, instability and ensuing corruption and poor heritage practices and more generally the impact of decades of war have severely affected Iraq, its communities and heritage.

In a situation of collapse and weak state services and institutions, Liwan was established as an organisation oriented around Iraq's archaeologists, researchers, academics and those concerned with the rehabilitation and revitalisation of the country's heritage sectors.

Liwan is a non-governmental organisation registered in Iraq to give confidence and provide direct support to those who are working to rebuild their country and cultural heritage, which is vitally important for stability and peace in the country and further afield.

With a view to building a transparent and effective national heritage organisation, Liwan engages directly in projects and activities to rehabilitate Iraq's cultural heritage, conduct research of the highest calibre, and encourage and motivate the general public about the significance of Iraq's past.

Liwan is also set up to provide support to Iraqi organisations, academics, researchers and practitioners where required, especially in light of the awkward logistical challenges in the country.

Iraq's Leading Heritage NGO