ENHANCEMENT OF THE SOCIAL DIMENSION IN THE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY IN IRAQ

Abstract

Improving the environment is a mission that should be conducted by three associates; public authorities, environmentalists and the community. The ignorance of environmental education in Iraq has resulted to an almost environmentally illiterate community, demanding well planned programs to raise their environmental; awareness and education. On the other hand, the decision makers should be well informed about the citizens' environmental preferences to be able to set their priorities for the civil services. Merging the Iraqi citizens in listing their environmental priorities is one of many other approaches for "Environment Education" programs. Globally, such methods have proven to be effective and resulted to widespread understanding, not only for thematic environmental issues but also for cross cutting (socio-economic) matters. This research is an attempt to illustrate the "Triple Partnership" between; the Iraqi citizens, decision makers and Academics. Also aims at focusing on their collective responsibility towards accomplishing the sustainable environment through an innovated working plan that embraces direct voting. Regardless of the statistical approach, the (purely randomly chosen) voters have shown overwhelming agreement on particular issues that gave access to an environmental categorization for the related preferences. The women had equal voting chances as were  represented by half the total voters.