People and culture are inseparable; it is individuals and communities who create culture, culture that brings people together in meaningful, creative and constructive ways. A population’s ability to freely access and understand its heritage is indivisible from the development of qualities such as empathy, tolerance and respect – emotional as well as critical intelligence.
The BISI is the UK’s only institution dedicated to advancing the research and public education on Iraq, with an exclusive focus on Iraq’s cultural heritage. For over 80 years, BISI has built an excellent international reputation for collaborative research: we help to fund cultural projects in Iraq and the UK, have established a Visiting Scholarship programme that fosters academic exchange between Iraq and the rest of the world, published vital research, and hosted numerous conferences and public lectures to help bring these issues to light.
At BISI, we know that the fate of Iraq’s extraordinary cultural heritage cannot be separated from its current human tragedy. It is this heritage that we seek to preserve and rehabilitate, in a variety of ways, in order to shape Iraq’s future. To do this, we need to comprehend its rich historical and cultural past, which has done so much in shaping its diverse contemporary social identities.
Working with Iraqi, British and international partners we use our expertise, contacts and innovative ideas to make a practical difference on the ground, helping Iraq preserve its heritage for future generations.
But we can’t do it alone. With your support, we can continue the vital work of protecting and rehabilitating Iraq’s history and heritage, in order to help rebuild its future. We can work towards a public understanding and celebration of Iraq, both within the country and internationally.
Any donation, no matter how small, makes a huge difference to what may be achieved.
There are several ways you can support our work: by becoming a member, by donating or by leaving a gift in your will: