Six young Iraqi leaders met with IFES program staff Tuesday to discuss the future of democracy development in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime in 2003. IFES Executive Vice President Jim Vermillion told the Iraqi delegation, "We believe that Iraq is at a very important time in its history right now, and all of you were selected for this program because you're in a position where you can influence the future in Iraq and you can influence the future in the world." The Iraqis are in the United States to strategize on the advancement of human rights, political governance and youth affairs in their country. "I'm in America to seek support for the youth in Iraq since they play a crucial role in the future development of the country," said Rebwar Hawaiz, secretary general for the Northern Iraq and Kurdistan Student and Youth Renaissance Organization. IFES staff described their organization's democratic reform projects, rule of law program, Election Violence Education and Resolution (EVER) program and specifically its technical assistance to the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq leading up to the 2005 parliamentary elections and referendum vote. The Iraqi delegation is part of the International Visitor Leadership Program hosted by the U.S. State Department and the Meridian International Center. The delegation will also travel to Madison, Dallas, Portland and New York to discuss other social and economic issues in Iraq as part of the three-week leadership program.