Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Web Solution -

Arab-Western Conference Produces Forward-Looking Initiatives

BERLIN -- The Arab-Western Summit of Skills wrapped up two days of discussions and workshops January 18 with working groups presenting various initiatives -- some modest and others far-reaching -- aimed at developing and strengthening civil society in the Arab World.

More than 100 Arab professionals and intellectuals took part in the gathering, convening for what proved to be a broad and, at times, controversial exploration of the role Arabs in the United States and Europe can play in helping develop the Arab World.

Initiatives proposed by the participants included the development of media programming that promotes women as leaders; the establishment of a center to increase inter-Arab trade; the establishment of a non-profit organization to bring Western academics to work in the Arab World; and the development of a regional program to promote a freer press.

The Arab-Western Summit of Skills sought to provide participants with a forum to build contacts and exchange ideas for increased cooperation and business dealings between the Arab World, Europe and North America. Panelists and participants from 19 countries addressed political, economic and social issues.

U.S. Ambassador to Germany Daniel Coats conveyed the sentiments of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was unable to attend, encouraging participants to "lend your expertise to advancing these efforts toward civic and socio-economic reform."

"You are an impressive group and you can be a tremendous resource," Coats said. "You can forge a strong network of Arab professionals in the Middle East, Europe and the United States. You can exchange ideas and know-how and work together to develop reform-oriented projects in fields ranging from law and governance to health and education. Each of you can be an agent of change, a champion of civil society and a creator of hope."

Coats continued, "The United States would welcome your partnership. We can make a powerful team, as together we offer concrete support to all those in the region who want to build a better future for themselves and their children."

The conference, organized by Germany's Brandicate Consultants and the U.S.-based Amr Group, consisted of expert presentations and discussion sessions, where participants addressed specific issues confronting the Middle East. The working groups sought to develop initiatives and action plans to implement their ideas at the grassroots level.

"We did not want this to be a summit of talking heads," said Akram Baker, chairman of Brandicate Consultants, at the opening of the summit. "We want this to be a launching pad for a long and fruitful relationship here... The goal of this conference is that each working group come up with at least one project to be implemented in the Middle East."

There were five groups covering various issues. They were:

-- Good Governance and Social and Civic Development,
-- Growing the Economy,
-- Youth, Education and Technology,
-- Healthy Populations, and
-- Societal Structures

The conference's two opening presentations generated some critical debate. The first was a discussion of the UNDP Arab Human Development Report by the project's coordinator, Maen Nsour. The second was a presentation by University of Geneva professor Tariq Ramadan on the role Arab Americans and Arab Europeans should play in their adopted home countries as well as their ancestral homelands.

While both presentations were applauded, some participants took exception to what they what they viewed as an overly critical look at the Arab World and the presenters' failure to consider how policies of the West have contributed to some of the deficiencies identified.

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, CEO of the TAGI Group and the moderator of the Economic Growth panel, was one of the most vociferous dissenters, specifically disagreeing with Tariq Ramadan's assertion that Arabs must not allow the Palestinian issue to stand in the way of economic and political development.

Arabs living in the West must become fully involved in their societies, Ramadan asserted, adding that Arabs in general must be "self-critical and stop being a victim... It's as if the Palestinian issue is the cause of all our victimization... It's the consequence."

Abu-Ghazaleh said he was disheartened that the presentations were "very critical of the Arab side, with no criticism of the West."

"I take offense when he crucifies (us) and says the Palestinian issue is the fault of the Arabs," he said.

Similarly, Sultan Dajani was disappointed in what he saw as the overly "political" tone of the discussion.

"I didn't come to be political," said the 33-year-old Dajani, a British resident of Palestinian heritage. "I came to solve problems." Dajani, who is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, served on the Healthy Populations panel.

Conference participants questioned aspects of U.S. foreign policy and encouraged U.S. officials to become more actively engaged in addressing certain problems in the Middle East, specifically the Palestinian issue.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Alina Romanowski addressed these issues saying, "We recognize there needs to be a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli problem," and adding that the United States remains committed to the two-state scenario.

"The U.S. is committed to finding a solution and we agree with you that this is a huge problem and there are those on the ground that understand this problem," she said.

Romanowski highlighted the Arab-Israeli problem, the establishment of a free and democratic Iraq, the realization of change and prosperity in the Middle East and the continuing war on terrorism as the top issues for the United States in the region.

Israel's security barrier was another common topic of discussion at the conference. Mohammed Shadid, deputy director of operations at the Welfare Association, a Palestinian NGO, saw the barrier as a critical issue facing the economic development and empowerment of the Palestinians.

"In 10 to 15 years from now our society won't be the same," he said. "If this monstrosity continues, Palestinian society will never be the same.

"With this wall, is there any future for economic development and democratization?" he asked. "I think chances are slim. This is a challenge to you to form solidarity groups ... to stop this tragedy."

In the end, participants were pleased with the results of the summit and recommended that it become an ongoing event.