The prime-minister’s trip to Iraq, which was kept secret due to security reasons, included visits to both Baghdad and Erbil. In Bagdad he had lunch with Iraqi youth who participate in the PAX programme ‘We are all citizens’.
Since 2013 PAX has been carrying out a programme in which ‘citizenship and respect for diversity’ and ‘freedom of religion and belief’ are important aspects of the Dutch human rights policy. With all sorts of activities and public campaigns the young people try to create more understanding about the various religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq. The programme helps to provide greater cooperation and trust between religious and ethnic groups. Ambassador Waltmans specifically hailed the lunch with the young Iraqi’s as a highlight: “It was a very special and exclusive look into the lives of young Iraqi’s and the challenges they face in their efforts to make their dreams come true”.