EPIC: Education for Peace in Iraq Center is an independent, impartial 501(c)3 charitable organization founded in 1998 to take humanitarian action for peace in Iraq. EPIC works to advance that mission through lifesaving advocacy, youth-focused field work, and genuine partnerships with Iraqi civil society and the country’s youth. EPIC is funded by the contributions of private foundations and individuals who share the organization’s commitment to building a brighter future for all Iraqis.
The organization’s mission: to promote peace and empower young people in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan. EPIC is dedicated to helping people build a more peaceful, sustainable, democratic society in Iraq. They seek to accomplish this by advocating policies that further Iraq’s prospects for peace and democracy, and through youth programs and partnerships in Iraq that engage young people in creating a brighter future.
What EPIC Does
As part of a diverse community of stakeholders who are invested in seeing a brighter future for all Iraqis, EPIC creates and promotes opportunities for young Iraqis to contribute to their country’s peace and development:
(1) Fund, structure, and execute on-the-ground programs that empower Iraqi youth from diverse backgrounds to make a positive difference together;
(2) Advocate for U.S. and international diplomacy and assistance for securing peace and building democratic institutions and processes, including efforts to increase government accountability, strengthen civil society, and improve educational opportunities for current and future generations of Iraqis;
(3) Facilitate research and information-sharing on developments inside Iraq and on lessons learned and best practices in the fields of peacebuilding, education, and youth development.
EPIC is building a community of young people who have been impacted by these programs. Maintaining this network will help EPIC better understand the needs and aspirations of Iraq’s youth by supporting the development of programs that best serve them. They will also gain valuable knowledge and experience about how to advance innovative ideas in the field of education. With this knowledge, the organization will be able to empower not only Iraqi youth, but the teachers who work to educate and empower these young people everyday.