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Archbishop Warda Calls for Economic Investment to Support Iraq's Christians
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In Short: Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil emphasized the need for economic investment to support Iraq's Christian community, particularly the younger generation, during an interview with ACI MENA.
Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil emphasized the need for economic investment to support Iraq's Christian community, particularly the younger generation, during an interview with ACI MENA.
Warda highlighted that the current economic structure in Iraq, with a heavy reliance on government spending and public-sector employment, does not provide enough sustainable jobs for young people.
He noted that the decline in Christian numbers over the past few decades has made the community more vulnerable to economic pressures.
Warda stressed that education and professional formation are crucial, but not sufficient, for young Christians to find meaningful employment.
The archbishop praised the support provided by Aid to the Church in Need through scholarships but emphasized that the challenge does not end with graduation.
Warda called for greater focus on moving young Christians from education into employment, urging the Church and other institutions to prioritize this effort.
Warda argued that preparing young people for employment requires more than just helping them earn university degrees; it involves creating viable alternatives to government jobs and strengthening the private sector.
What this adds
The Archbishop's call for economic investment and job creation for young Christians adds to the ongoing discussion about the sustainability of Iraq's Christian communities.
The challenge of integrating young Christians into the workforce remains significant, especially given the current economic structure in Iraq.
Background
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What's still developing
- For Christians in Iraq, remaining in their historic homeland increasingly depends not only on security but also on whether younger generations can find meaningful work and build stable lives, according to Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil.
- Warda said institutions connected to the archdiocese currently employ approximately 950 people from different communities and backgrounds without discrimination.