Opportunities and Challenges of the Role of Decentralization to Develop Local Community: Al-Anbari Community as a Model

Abstract

The present study aims to clarify the role of decentralization in the development of local community. It is one of the first studies of this kind that examines the relationship between levels of decentralization and community development in Al-Anbar and Iraq. In addition, it sheds light on multiple meanings such as: public participation, especially in local councils. In Al-Anbar in terms of importance, role, influence, preparations, needs, and social problems. The present study examines official community development programs in Al-Anbar in light of sufficient information about Residential Neighborhood Committee and development of community members ’awareness of the importance of decentralization in community development. To achieve these objectives, the researcher uses both the descriptive approach in the analysis based on primary and secondary information sources, conducting a study on a sample of members of the local council, interviewing members of the local committees in Al-Anbar, and holding meetings with those responsible for the local development program. The present study reached a number of results, the most important of which was that there is a strong desire among the members of the local council to implement decentralization in order to develop The local community and increase the awareness of the council members or its committees about decentralization for its influential role in popular participation and the development of the local community. The present study also concluded that members of the Al-Anbari community have a good understanding of the activities carried out by the various council committees and they fully participate in them.