Abdulsalam Medeni

Profile

Salam Mohammed Islam, known professionally as Abdulsalam Medeni, is a seasoned consultant, trainer, and civic leader. With a background in civil engineering, he excels in program management, training design, and civil society development—especially in post-conflict contexts. Since 2004, he has delivered high-impact consultancy, training, and dialogue facilitation across Iraq and internationally.

Professional Experience

Senior Advisor to the President, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Current

CEO (Chief Executive Director), Rwanga Foundation
2015 – 2024

Led organizational vision and operations for nearly a decade .
Oversaw more than 203 projects (since 2013), assisting ~2.5 million beneficiaries.

Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government
Civil Society & Youth Affairs

Member, Board of Governors, University of Kurdistan – Erbil
Since 2019

Member, Educational Reform Committee
Since 2021 – Appointed by the President and Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region

Civil Engineering Consultant

In the 1990s, contributed to reconstruction efforts in Iraqi Kurdistan in partnership with UN agencies and international NGOs.

Trainer & Lecturer

Delivered leadership training to senior faculty and staff at Komar University (Nov 2016) .

Television and Radio Host

Key Projects & Achievements at Rwanga

Renovated over 500 water reservoirs, planted 500+ trees, renovated ~100 schools; produced 15,000+ educational materials and 50+ video lessons (2019).
Facilitated 208 training courses and 100+ vocational trainings in 2019, benefiting over 3,420 individuals (1,700 jobseekers, 300 employees, 1,520 youth).
Through the EU‑MADAD “Employment Creation Grant,” enhanced employability of Syrian refugees, host communities, IDPs, youth, and women.
Supported IDPs and refugees since 2013; 700,000+ IDPs and 200,000+ refugees benefited via vocational, social, and legal initiatives.
Signed a key partnership with the Netherlands-supported Orange Corners incubation program in 2022, empowering youth entrepreneurs under 35.
Represented Rwanga at the National Conversation on Education (2021), alongside senior Kurdistan officials.

Publications & Media

Authored five books:
- Youth Problems; Modernity: The Dialectics of Origin and Consequences; What is Terrorism?; Ten Pulses – Dialogues Between Babel and Erbil; How to Design & Deliver Training with Impact .
Co-authored:
- Leadership & Management Manual for NGOs; Main reviewer of “Citizenship & Coexistence” training manual.
Published 700+ articles on democracy, civil society, and leadership.
Policy analyst with Washington Institute (briefs in 2021, 2023, 2024) .
Host of radio and TV programs focused on civic engagement and leadership.

Skilled and experienced trainer in the following topics:

Training of Trainers
Organizational Development
Management Functions
Strategic Planning
Leadership Skills Development
Designing and Managing Electoral Campaigns
Decision Making
Time Management
Communication Skills and Public Relations
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills
Proposal Writing
Building and Forming Effective NGOs
Monitoring and Evaluation
Community Mapping
Enhancing Civic Participation
Advocacy Campaigns
Team Building
How to Build a Strong Personality?

Honors & Recognition

Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa Award (2024) for outstanding volunteer leadership in the MENA region.
Keynote Speaker, ICEIT2024 (Oct 30–31, Erbil), on leadership and social impact.

Skills & Expertise

Program design & management in complex environments
Leadership training & capacity-building
Public speaking, policy analysis, media communication
Civil engineering project management
Multilingual: Arabic (native), Kurdish (fluent), English (professional)

Board & Committee Memberships

Board of Governors, University of Kurdistan – Erbil (since 2019).
Educational Reform Committee for KRI (since 2021)
Former CEO, Rwanga Foundation (2015–2024)