Dr Victoria Lindsay, Country Director of the British Council in Iraq,  discusses partnerships between Iraqi and UK universities, increasing links between British and Iraqi businesses, as well as the new scholarship programme being launched by the Iraqi  Ministry for Higher Education. Dr Lindsay also talks about the benefit of having such a wide spectrum of authorities on Iraq at the IBBC Cumberland Lodge to facilitate meaningful discussions and also the importance of the role of women in building the Iraqi State. Dr Lindsay also discusses the role of the British Council in Iraq and its future initiatives.