Speaker
Ambassador Lukman Faily
Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iraq to the United States

Moderator
Ambassador Ong Keng Yong
Executive Deputy Chairman, RSIS

Lecture Abstract:

This lecture will give a brief overview of the rich history of Iraq, its many civilizations, unique geography and culture, as well as the history of mismanagement of the country.

It will discuss why Iraq and its geopolitical situation have an impact on the region. Iraq has many features which should be utilized for its development including the ability to influence the geopolitics of oil, unique geography, and ethno sectarianism among others. The lecture will additionally explore the possibilities for Iraqi to focus on building the right bridges and among themselves.

Important key cultural narratives which should explain why the lack of social harmony has had an adverse impact on society include:

• Time
• Pride
• Nation vs State
• Closure
• Leadership
• Rule of law
• Legitimacy vs authority vs power
• Democracy
• Social contract

The lecture will highlight the notion of social harmony and its requirements, and the way forward for its development in society.

About the Speaker:

Ambassador Lukman Faily recently served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iraq to the United States from May 2013 until June 2016. He has been a high-profile spokesperson for his government and Iraqi affairs, engaging with members of Congress, academia and think tank communities. He has made regular appearances on English and Arabic TV and radio, and is particularly active on social media. He frequently speaks at public events in Iraq, Washington and across the United States and the United Kingdom. He previously served as Iraq’s ambassador to Japan for three years. He now provides some consultancy services for the United States and international companies on Iraqi and regional markets.

Ambassador Faily represents a rising generation of professionals, business leaders and civic activists who have returned to Iraq to help build the country’s fledgling free-market democracy. He brings to his position extensive experience in diplomacy, leadership, negotiation, stakeholder management, crisis management, political analysis, policy recommendations, strategic planning, communication, business organization management and development, marketing, information technology and civic activism, as well as familiarity with Middle Eastern, oriental and Anglo-American traditions and institutions.

Ambassador Faily lived in the United Kingdom for 20 years and held management and leadership roles in the British affiliates of two American companies for over a decade. An active leader in the large Iraqi diaspora community, Ambassador Faily served as a trustee of several Iraqi NGOs while in the UK. He was an outspoken opponent of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship and advocated for democracy, dialogue, development and rule of law in Iraq.

Fluent in English, Arabic and Kurdish, Ambassador Faily was born in Baghdad in 1966. He is married to Lameis Faily and is a father of four boys and a girl. An avid runner, Ambassador Faily participated in a number of marathons including at Tokyo in 2012 and 2013, and Boston and New York in 2014.

Kindly disseminate this invitation to those who might be interested in this event.