Services, obstacles, limitations, and strategies for transforming challenges into opportunities were the core themes of an open panel discussion hosted by Vision Foundation. The event brought together the Directorate General of Social Care and Development, subject matter experts, civil society representatives, and advocates for people with disabilities.

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, as part of Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies' "Open Eye" project, an open forum was held to review the state of the social care and development sector in Sulaymaniyah Governorate and the Garmian Administration. 

The discussion covered ongoing services, operational data, and systemic challenges facing the Directorate General of Social Care and Development in Sulaymaniyah. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, directorates of education, experts, civil society organizations, disability advocacy groups, psychiatrists, university professors, and legal scholars.

Opening the session, Zhilwan Adil Shakur, Director General of Social Care and Development in Sulaymaniyah, outlined the responsibilities of the directorates and presented data regarding their departments and facilities. These include care homes for children, the elderly, and women; shelters; foster and alternative care programs; the Aram Safe House; child helplines; public and private daycares; the social safety net; disability care; specialized institutes and rehabilitation centers for the deaf, mute, and blind; autism centers and other public service divisions.

The Director General highlighted several major bottlenecks impacting their operations, particularly outdated laws and regulations that urgently require legislative amendments and modernization. He also underscored staffing shortages, a lack of specialized personnel, insufficient facilities to scale up services, and limited inter-agency coordination between ministries and general directorates.

Participants shared feedback on the directorate’s performance and service delivery models for homeless individuals, orphans and unaccompanied minors, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. They offered actionable recommendations and solutions to help develop a clear roadmap and policy proposals under the "Open Eye" framework, to be submitted to relevant authorities for implementation.

The "Open Eye" initiative by Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies aims to serve as a bridge between Kurdistan Regional Government institutions and key stakeholders. By identifying operational realities and bottlenecks, the project seeks to produce constructive policy recommendations that enhance public welfare and turn social sector challenges into tangible service opportunities.