If we want there to be any hope for democratic reform and rational enlightenment in the quagmire we've compounded in Iraq, it needs a much better educational system. A literate culture with a broad base of knowledge is essential for good governance. So said John Stuart Mill and so argues Christopher Hitchens in this piece at Slate.com:
I do believe that many people wish they could do something positive and make a contribution, however small, to the effort to build democracy in Iraq. And I have a suggestion. In the northern Iraqi city of Sulaymaniya, the American University of Iraq has just opened its doors. And it is appealing for people to donate books.They make the following appeal:
What I did was ask colleagues to donate books, which they did in good numbers. We sent thirty cartons of first-rate books, especially on global affairs, history and literature and they are housed in the new library. … The university is especially in need of technical books, social science books, software even. … Nathan Musselman, the Prefect of the University who is teaching a class, wrote to me thrilled to tell me that the students were now writing their term papers in English and using many of these books as their main sources for research. He is greatly desirous of receiving more, now that the initial library is set up. … So the idea is to get people to donate in a more micro way; to send one or two new, current and important books (perhaps they have review copies, extra copies, etc) to the new library of the University. All of these small polyps could yield a substantial coral reef of knowledge for the new generation of students there.Want to send some books? Check the AU in Iraq website and send the volumes to the following address:
Nathan Musselman
The American University of Iraq—Sulaimani
Building No. 7, Street 10
Quarter 410
Ablakh Area
Sulaimani, Iraq
(+964) (0)770-461-5099
I've just talked to the owner of State College's Webster's Bookstore Café about it and we are going to arrange a shipment of some kind to send off.
1 comments:
Ever since I read the article at Slate, I counldn't agree more with the idea. However, as much as some people would love to send books, its quite expensive. Are you sending the books through USPS? I, along with some co-workers are thinking about it, but now we are trying to see how we should pursue. If you have any ideas or suggestions I'll be happy to hear them. We are still trying to find a low-cost effective way. Erika
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