Our Events
Beirut Institute Summits
Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi Edition I
Beirut Institute Summit took place on 10 & 11 October 2015 at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, under the theme: Reconfiguring the Arab Region and its Global Space beyond Political Economy & Security Threats.
Beirut Institute hosted political leaders, senior policy makers, prominent thinkers, major CEOs, and civil society leaders.
We promised to deliver a forward-thinking and dynamic summit that would address and find solutions to problems related to the security and stability of the region, and we did just that. We opened the dialogue of change, presented recommendations and viable solutions to decision makers, and encouraged cooperation and unity. The key message was that retaining the status quo is simply not going to work anymore.
The summit was held in the presence of 250 global leaders, dignitaries and senior public policy experts from the UAE, the Arab region, USA, Europe, Russia, China, South America and Africa. On day one, we had insightful conversations about the need for the GCC and UN to take a three-pronged approach to reconfiguring the region. We discussed the importance of educating our youth and equipping them with the skills needed to embrace an ever-changing and challenging future. And we considered how to move forward responsibly in light of changes to the regional balance of power due to the conflict in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Day two of Beirut Institute Summit kicked off with a lively conversation on the role of policy in achieving a positive reconfiguration of the Arab region. Panelists highlighted the importance of Arab coalitions, and called for a central regional institution that could work on the stabilization and resolution of conflicts. We heard individual perspectives on the potential of Smart Cities, and how best to promote a truly digital Arab region.
Experts had differing opinions on how to bring about peace and security to help realize the economic potential of the region – should we use military force or political efforts – and there was a call for increased legitimacy, good governance and regional cooperation across the GCC.
The discussion then switched to popular culture, and how film can counter negative regional influences such as ISIS. There were also some thought-provoking perspectives on how to effect change in the region, from empowering citizens to encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, and an enlightening session with creative and talented young business leaders.
The summit may be over but the conversation has only just started, and we welcome your ongoing support in keeping the issues on the political and social agenda.
For more information, kindly visit: http://www.beirutinstitutesummit.org
Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi Edition II
CONSTRUCTING THE ARAB REGION’S ENGAGEMENT IN THE EMERGING GLOBAL FUTURE
MAY 12 & 13, 2018 AT THE ST. REGIS CORNICHE, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi Edition III
Oct 13 & 14, 2019 AT THE ST. REGIS CORNICHE, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi Edition I Press Conference
21 February 2016, Abu Dhabi, UAE – Beirut Institute and A.T. Kearney’s National Transformations Institute have issued a substantive report titled ‘Reconfiguring the Arab Region and It’s global space’. The report presents innovative policy recommendations from senior global and regional policy-makers, thought leaders and next generation innovators following Beirut Institute Summit Edition I which took place in October 2015.
Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi Edition II Press Conference – Policy Recommendations Release
24 November 2018, Abu Dhabi, UAE – Beirut Institute and A.T. Kearney’s National Transformations Institute have issued a substantive report titled ‘Constructing the Arab Region’s Engagement in the Emerging Global Future’. The report presents innovative policy recommendations from senior global and regional policy-makers, thought leaders and next generation innovators following Beirut Institute Summit Edition II which took place in May 2018.
Co-hosted Dinners
Beirut Co-Hosted Dinner with HE Danish Ambassador Merete Juhl
NYC Dinner Series: Co-Hosted Dinner with HE Ambassador Dina Kawar
As part of Beirut Institute’s NYC Dinner series, Ambassador Dina Kawar, Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations and Ms. Raghida Dergham, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent and Columnist for Al-Hayat & Founder and Executive Chairman of Beirut Institute, co-hosted a dinner on Monday, May 11 2015.
The dinner was attended by:
– Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
– Baroness Valerie Amos, Former Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the United Nations
– Tina Brown, Award-winning journalist, editor, author and currently founder and CEO of Tina Brown Live Media
– Sir Harold Evans, Editor at Large for Thomson Reuters
– Gay Talese, Author and Founder of the New Journalism
– Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
– Ambassador Catherine Boura, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations
– Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations
– Enzo Viscuzi, Senior Adviser to ENI, Chairman of the ENI affiliate – ENI Petroleum Company, Inc. and Director of ENI USA R&M Co. Inc.
– Ambassador Christian Wenaweser, Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the United Nations
– Camille Massey, Founder of Cue Global and Founding Executive Director at Sorensen Center for International Peace and Justice at CUNY School of Law
– Ilze Brands Kehris, Visiting Scholar at The Harriman Institute, Columbia University
– Thalia Dergham, Research Executive SCB Partners
– Adi Khair, First Secretary from the Permanent Mission of Jordan to the United Nations
NYC Dinner Series: Co-Hosted Dinner with HE Ambassador Joanna Wronecka
As part of Beirut Institute’s dinner series with ambassadors to the United Nations, Founder and Executive Chairman Raghida Dergham and Poland’s Ambassador to the United Nations Joanna Wronecka co-hosted a dinner on May 6 2019.
Attendees:
HE Jonathan Cohen, Acting Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations
HE Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations
HE Khalifa bin Ali Issa Al-Harthy, Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations
HE Marc-André Blanchard, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
HE Geraldine Byrne Nason , Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations
HE João Vale de Almeida, Permanent Representative of the European Union to the United Nations
HE Vladimir Safronkov, Russian Deputy Envoy to the United Nations
HE Jose Singer Weisinger, Special Envoy to the Security Council for the Dominican Republic
Mr. Andrew Gilmour , UN Assistant Secretary-General for HumanRights
Ambassador Robert Blackwill, Henry A. Kissinger senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
Ms. Lesley Stahl, 60 Minutes Correspondent, CBS White House Correspondent in Carter, Reagan and Bush 1 administrations
Ms. Lally Weymouth, Senior Associate Editor at The Washington Post
Mr. Enzo Viscusi , Chairman of Eni Petroleum Company
Mr. Zubaid Ahmad , Founder and Managing Partner at Caravanserai Partners
Ms. Caroline Modaressy-Tehrani, Emmy-Award nominated journalist. Correspondent and managing producer for The HuffingtonPost & Verizon Media
Ms. Lyndsay Howard , Senior Analyst for Foreign Policy at Bloomberg
Mr. Ed Rivera , Chief Strategy Officer and Executive-in-Residence of The Opes Group
NYC Dinner Series: Co-Hosted Dinner with HE Ambassador Olof Skoog
As part of Beirut Institute’s dinner series with ambassadors to the United Nations, Founder and Executive Chairman Raghida Dergham and Sweden’s Ambassador Olof Skoog held the third dinner at the historic Swedish residence in Park Avenue in New York June 3rd.
The guest of honor was Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson.
The guests were ambassadors of Switzerland, Iraq, Jordan, Greece, Ethiopia, Fiji, and Lichtenstein. The think tanks were represented by ambassador Rosemarie DiCarlo former deputy US ambassador and Noel Lateef. Media personalities included the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, Elaph and Vice.
The conversation was off the record and touched on several current issues of interest such as the refugees crisis, Iraq, Syria, the next UN Secretary General and American presidential elections.
Media coverage: http://elaph.com/Web/News/2016/6/1092503.html
NYC Dinner Series: Co-Hosted Dinner with HE Ambassador Catherine Boura
As part of Beirut Institute’s dinner series with ambassadors to the United Nations, Founder and Executive Chairman Raghida Dergham and Greece’s Ambassador to the United Nations Catherine Boura co-hosted a dinner on November 11 2016.
Attendees:
– Jan Eliasson, (then) Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
– Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of UN Women
– Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations
– Ambassador Alya bint Ahmed Al Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations
– Ambassador María Emma Mejía Vélez, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
– Ambassador Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations
– Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Flores, Permanent Representative of Honduras to the United Nations
– Elisabeth Lindenmayer, Director of the UN Studies Program and Acting Director of the International Conflict Resolution Specialization at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
– Tina Brown, Award-winning Journalist, Editor, Author and currently Founder and CEO of Tina Brown Live Media
– Sir Harold Evans, Editor at Large for Thomson Reuters
– Lally Weymouth, Senior Associate Editor at The Washington Post
– Rosemary DiCarlo, President, The National Committee on American Foreign Policy
– Noel Lateef, President and CEO of Foreign Policy Association
– Enzo Viscusi, Senior Adviser to ENI, Chairman of the ENI affiliate ENI Petroleum Company, Inc. and Director of ENI USA R&M Co. Inc.
– Chris Shields, CEO of Glass Earth
– Katerina Tzima, Diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece
NYC Dinner Series: Co-Hosted Dinner with HE Ambassador Alya Al Thani
As part of Beirut Institute’s dinner series with ambassadors to the United Nations, Founder and Executive Chairman Raghida Dergham and Qatar’s Ambassador to the United Nations Alya Al Thani co-hosted a dinner on February 21 2017.
Attendees:
– Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations UK
– Alvaro José de Mendonça e Moura, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations
– Catherine Boura, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations
– Mauro Vieira, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations
– Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations
– Dmitry Titov, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations
– Cecilia Attias, President and Founder of the Cécilia Attias Foundation for Women
– Rosemary DiCarlo, President, National Committee on American Foreign Policy, Senior Fellow and Lecturer at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs
– Nouriel Roubini, Chairman and CEO of Roubini Macro Associates, LLC
– Danny Shea, Head of Content, Thrive Global
– Richard Attias, Executive Chairman of Richard Attias and Associates
– George Schwab, American Political Scientist, Editor and Academic, Former President of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy
– Ayman Mohyeldin, Anchor for MSNBC and co-Anchor of Morning Joe First Look
– Katherine Keating, Publisher, VICE Impact, VICE Media
NYC Dinner Series: Co-Hosted Dinner with HE Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin
As part of Beirut Institute’s dinner series with ambassadors to the United Nations, Founder and Executive Chairman Raghida Dergham and India’s Ambassador to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin co-hosted a dinner on October 16 2017.
Attendees:
– Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of UN Women
– Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin lssa Al-Harthy, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of #Oman to the United Nations
– Juan Jose Gómez Camacho, Permanent Representative of #Mexico to the United Nations
– Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of #Indonesia to the United Nations
– Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Permanent Representative of #Tunisia to the United Nations
– Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of #Sweden to the United Nations
– Cho Tae-yul, Permanent Representative of the Republic of #Korea to the United Nations
– Gianni Di Giovanni, Chairman #Eni Petroleum Co. Inc., Chairman Eni USA R&M Co.Inc., EVP Eni Representative Office
– Lally Weymouth, Senior Associate Editor of the #WashingtonPost
– Cameron R. Hume, Independent Business Consultant, Adjunct Professor at #GeorgetownUniversity, Former #US Ambassador
– Richard Cohen, American syndicated columnist for the #WashingtonPost
– Patricia Duff, Creator and CEO of #thecommongood
– Lina Khatib, Head, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House
– Lance Gould, Managing Director of The #SiliconValley Story Lab
– Lyndsay Howard, Senior Research Associate for foreign policy at #SBFinancial LLC, a Bloomberg company
– Thalia Dergham, Research Executive SCB Partners
Policy Meetings and Briefings
"Ethics and Politics: Response to the Plight of Refugees” Part I - Impact of the continued influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon on the infrastructure of the country and its inability to cope alone
Policy Paper I in Arabic and English
“Ethics and Politics : Response to the Plight of Refugees” ushered in Beirut Institute’s Off-the-Record Exclusive Policy Circle at a high level of local, regional and international attendance on Wednesday April 3rd 2013 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beirut.
Humanitarian response to the refugee crisis in the region, specifically in Lebanon, was part of Beirut Institute’s Off-the-Record Series in-depth discussion on political, economic and humanitarian challenges in the Arab region.
This series hopes to produce highly informed policy options and to present constructive policy papers.
Raghida Dergham, Beirut Institute’s Founder and Executive Director presided over the meeting. HE Peter Maurer, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was the guest of honor. Also in attendance were the Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs HE Wael Abou Faour, the Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Hassan Diab, the Lebanese Minister of State HE Marwan Kheireddine, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Lebanon HE Ali Awadh Asseri, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Lebanon HE Inan Ozylidiz, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Lebanon HE Jan Top Christensen, the Special Coordinator of the UN Secretary-General for Lebanon Mr. Derek Plumbly, the UNHCR’s Representative in Lebanon Ms. Ninette Kelley, the Director of Economic Development and Globalization Division at ESCWA Mr. Abdullah El-Dardari, Member of the Lebanese Parliament Me. Ghassan Moukheiber, Former Member of the Lebanese Governemt Mr. Misbah El-Ahdab, the Political Chief Section at the United States of America Embassy to Lebanon Danielle Garbe, the Humanitarian Adviser at the Department for International Development Mr. Jeremy Loveless, the Head of Delegtion in Beirut at ICRC Mr. Jurg Montani, the Head of Operations for the Near and MEA at ICRC Mr. Robert Mardini, a representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Embassy to Lebanon Dr. Aref Wraikat and the Secretary General of the Lebanese Red Cross Mr. George Kettaneh.
The discussants stressed the necessary role of the international community in handling the crisis of refugees and warned of the alarming consequences of neglecting the eroding capacity of neighboring countries. They pointed to the weak infrastructure which is rapidly becoming more tenuous due to the high influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon and other neighboring countries. Security was emphasized by participants as both an international responsibility and that of Lebanese authorities. Education, health and economic development were identified as sectors that need to be sustained. Participants emphasized the need for coordination and leadership to boost and enhance an effective humanitarian response, which requires transparency in managing funds. Some participants called for an international conference that would explore ways of sharing the responsibility, and some proposed that Lebanon could be the transit country for refugees, while others opposed.
Participants shared their recommendations. These were included in a strategic policy paper which was presented to the stakeholders in order to better address the crisis.
To read the policy paper, please click here.
To read UNHCR’s comments and observations on Beirut Institute’s policy paper please click here.
To check the media coverage on this event please click here.
Testimonials:
From H.E Peter Maurer President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
“As I am winding down the day, I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciated the round table. You got an excellent crowd, great discussion and good ideas in a wonderful place – well done and much more than I could have hoped for. Look very much forward to keep in touch.
Best and thanks to the whole team.”
From H.E Hassan Diab Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education
It was my pleasure and an honor to take part in this event. I want to congratulate you and your team for the excellent efforts and commitment to the strategic issues that Beirut Institute is addressing. Best of luck and success.
From H.E Ali Awadh Asseri Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Lebanon
.مبادرة معهد بيروت مشكورة وأعتقد أن ما سيقدمونه المختصين في هذا الموضوع سينير الجهات المعنية في داخل لبنان أو خارجه
From H.E Inan Ozylidyz Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Lebanon
It was a very successful and enriching meeting yesterday. The level of attendance was also very good. I congratulate you and extend my thanks to you for hosting this exceptional event.The remarks of Mr. Maurer were especially important. I wish you all the best in your endeavour and I am certain that the Beirut Institute will bring a new dimension in the Lebanese and regional strategic thinking.
From Ms. Danielle Garbe Political Chief Section at the United States of America Embassy to Lebanon
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the session on the plight of refugees in Lebanon. It was very well run and an informative discussion about one of the most critical issues currently facing Lebanon. I particularly appreciated your focus on finding practical solutions and hope we can continue to be part of that conversation with you and other partners as we move forward to address these challenges.
"Ethics and Politics : Response to the Plight of Refugees” Part II- Impact of the continued influx of Syrian refugees on the infrastructure, peace and security in Jordan and Lebanon.
The meeting was part of Beirut Institute’s Off-the-Record Series, which provides an opportunity for interaction amongst Security Council members and thinkers from the Arab region. It consisted of a private discussion which focused on constructive policy suggestions as part of a strategic agenda for this important issue.
The purpose of this series of meetings is to produce cutting edge, highly informed policy opinion for leaders and forward looking solutions regarding the Syrian refugees crisis and the displaced populations in Syria and its neighboring countries. The main focus is on the impact of the continued influx of Syrian refugees on the infrastructure, peace and security of Jordan and Lebanon.
Raghida Dergham presided over the meeting, HRH Prince Rashid El-Hassan and HE Ziyad Baroud were the guests of honor. Also in attendance were Members of the UN Security Council: HE Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Sates of America to the UN and President of the UN Security council for July, HE Ambassador Gary Quinlan Permanent Representative of the Commonwealth of Australia to the UN, HE Ambassador Sahebzada Ahmed Khan Deputy Permanent Representative of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the UN, HE Ambassador Aghshin Mehdiyev Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN, HE Ambassador Sylvie Lucas Permanent Representative of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the UN, HE Ambassador Gert Rosenthal Permanent Representative of the Republic of Guatemala to the UN, HE Ambassador Eugene Richard Gasana Permanent Representative od the Republic of Rwanda to the UN, HE Ambassador Philip Parham Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN, HE Ambassador Kyung-Hoon Sul Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN, Mr. Mario Oyarzabal Deputy Permanent Representative of Argentine, Mr. Omar Kadiri Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the UN, Mr. Philippe Bertoux Political Counselor at the French Mission to the UN.
Sir Derek Plumbly the Special Coordinator of the UN Secreatry-Genreral for Lebanon and HE Nawaf Salam Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lebanon to the UN were our special guests. |
To read the UNCA press briefing please click here.
To view the media coverage on this event please click here.
Agriculture in Lebanon and the Syrian Refugee Crisis: Transforming the Challenge into an Investment Opportunity
Agriculture in Lebanon and the Syrian Refugee Crisis: Transforming the Challenge into an Investment Opportunity is a project initiated by Beirut Institute in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FAO, the World Bank as well as other leading international agencies.
Beirut Institute’s agricultural initiative hopes to dynamize the Lebanese agricultural sector and bring it forward benefiting, in the process, agricultural skilled labor of Syrian refugees.
Beirut Institute's Board Meetings 2014
On the morning of April 15, 2014, Beirut Institute held its annual Board of Directors meeting, followed by an Advisory Board meeting, at the Capital Club, Dubai International Financial Centre. In attendance were HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, HE Abdulkarim Al Eryani, HE Marwan Kheireddine, Founder and Executive Chairman Raghida Dergham, Mrs. Farida Allaghi, Me. Badih Moukarzel, Mrs. Soha Nashaat and Mrs. Mireille Korab.
Beirut Institute and Foreign Policy Association (FPA) in Panel Discussion In New York
Beirut Institute and the Foreign Policy Association hosted a joint panel at the 12th Annual World Leadership Forum on September 26, 2012.
HE Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari gave an opening address and was joined by Ms. Amira Yahyaoui, a member of the Beirut Institute Board of Advisors, Ms. Farah Al Atassi, Executive Director of the National Syrian Woman Association, and Founder and Executive Chairman of Beirut Institute Dr. Raghida Dergham, who moderated the conversation.
The panelists discussed the similarities and differences between the changes taking place in their respective countries– finding solutions as well as discussing necessary actions and goals. Dr. Dergham posed thought-provoking questions which led the panelists to engage the audience with their honest responses and wealth of knowledge.
Beirut Institute plans to continue its successful partnership with the Foreign Policy Association.
Beirut Institute and UNCA Press Briefing on Syrian Refugees with HE Ziyad Baroud
On July 9, 2013, Beirut Institute and UNCA hosted a joint press briefing which addressed the impact of the continued influx of Syrian refugees on the infrastructure, peace and security of Jordan and Lebanon.
HE Ziyad Baroud, former Lebanese Minister of Interior and distinguished member of Beirut Institute’s Advisory Board, briefed the correspondents on this important issue, which was the topic of Beirut Institute’s Off-the-Record UNSC Luncheon that took place on Monday July 8, 2013.
To view the briefing, please click here.
Beirut Institute and UNCA Press Briefing on Libyan Women
On Monday, March 17, Beirut Institute and the U.N. Correspondents Association jointly hosted a press briefing in New York City featuring a group of Libyan women experts on civil society, human rights, and research. These four prominent Libyan women included Ms. Farida Allaghi, president of the Libyan forum for civil society, Ms. Azza Al Maghur, a lawyer, human rights activist and member of the 17 February committee, Ms. Maysoon Tughar, a financial advisor and supporter of women NGO’s, and Ms. Madiha Alnaas, a researcher on Libyan women identity and specialist on violence against women. They offered their knowledge and expertise on various topics related to women’s rights, discussed in the context of the ongoing political transformation in Libya in the post-revolution era.
Off-the-Record Series
Off-the-Record Luncheon in Beirut
On Thursday May 29th 2013, Beirut Institute hosted an Off-the-Record luncheon in Beirut. In attendance was guest of honor H.E Laila El-Solh Hamade, H.E Minister Marwan Kheireddine, H.E Sayyed Hussein El-Husseiny, H.E Alexander Zasypkin Ambassador of Russia to Lebanon, H.E Nayla Moawad and H.E Misbah El-Ahdab.
A vibrant discussion took place between the invitees on important rising issues in the region.
The Off- the- Record Series provides a rare opportunity for interaction with top leaders and thinkers in the region. The series consists of breakfasts, luncheons and dinners which bring together a limited number of individuals with leading thinkers and government officials for private discussions on important issues that should either be tackled urgently or put forward on the strategic agenda.
Off-the-Record Series
Beirut Institute’s Off- the- Record Series will produce cutting edge, highly informed policy opinion for leaders.
The Off- the- Record Series provides a rare opportunity for interaction with top leaders and thinkers in the region. It consists of breakfasts, luncheons, dinners which bring together a limited number of individuals with leading thinkers and government officials for private discussions on important issues that should either be tackled urgently or put forward on the strategic agenda. These gatherings will be hosted year-round in different regional locations, including at members’ homes.
In addition to the Off-the-Record Series, Beirut Institute plans occasional On-the-Record events which are open for media coverage.
Beirut Institute plans to make use of cutting edge communication technologies to implement and facilitate both the Off- the- Record and On-the -Record Series.
Beirut Institute Off-the-Record UN Security Council Luncheon Series
On Thursday March 1st, 2012, Beirut Institute hosted an Off-the-Record lunch attended by nine Security Council Ambassadors and five Arab women activists from five different countries in transition. This unparalleled project is an installment of a broader project undertaken by Beirut Institute, as a convener and a conveyor of Arab interests.
The idea was to initiate a conversation in an informal, non-delegate setting between those who are often mandated with decisions on the Arab region, and Arab women as policy makers on the receiving end of change as well as agents of change.
The five women who addressed the Ambassadors were Dr. Farida Allaghi (Libya), Ms. Amira Yahyaoui (Tunisia), Dr. Fatemah Khafagy (Egypt), Ms. Farah Atassi (Syria) and Ms. Hibaaq Osman (Somalia). Dr. Allaghi and Ms. Yahyaoui are also members of Beirut Institute’s Advisory Board.
The Ambassadors expressed great interest in expanding the conversation and importing it to the Security Council, highlighting the input of women in the transformation of the Arab region and women as a cornerstone of the mainstream and not on the margins of change, with the potential to expanding to different tranches of society, primarily youth.
Beirut Institute is currently in the process of formulating the road map which will take the ideas discussed forward. We intend for this first tangible project to be the model applied to other sectors of the Arab society, including Youth.
The Institute is now known as a catalyst for an ongoing conversation regarding the Arab region, having initiated, promoted and cultivated a dialogue that is now the model of exchange between Security Council members and thinkers from the Arab region.
The second Off the Record UN Security Council Luncheon Series was held on September 20th in New York.
A vibrant discussion took place between Beirut Institute board member HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson and the Ambassadors from the Security Council who were in attendance.
The Ambassadors expressed their gratitude to Beirut Institute for creating an Off the Record Forum moderated by Raghida Dergham which led to a stimulating and forward looking dialogue.
The gathering was both illuminating and thought-provoking, bringing together the brilliant perspectives of Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliason, US Ambassador Susan Rice, French Ambassador Gerarad Araud, Pakistani Ambassador Hussein Haroon, Moroccan Ambassador Mohamed Loulikchi, Colombian Ambassador Nestor Osorio, Guatemalan Ambassador Gert Rosenthal, UK Deputy Ambassador Philip Parham, and Chinese Counselor Hong Quan An.
Dubai Working Lunch 2014
Beirut Institute’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board organized a working lunch in Dubai on April 15, 2014, hosted by Soha Nashaat, and a dinner, hosted by Mira Lozi and her husband Rami Al-Naimi, at a high level of attendance from the UAE and other Arab countries.
The following members of both boards attended the event: HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, HE Abdulkarim Al Eryani, HE Marwan Kheireddine, Founder and Executive Chairman Raghida Dergham, Mrs. Farida Allaghi, Me. Badih Moukarzel, Mrs. Mira Lozi, Mrs. Soha Nashaat and Mrs. Mireille Korab.
Amongst the 50 guests who attended the event were: HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hasher Al Maktoum, Mr. Fadi Ghandour, Mr. Osman Sultan, Mr. Khaldoun Tabari, Mrs. Naz Nizari, Mr. Mohammad Al Otaiba, Mr. Nart Bouran, Mr. Rami Al Naimi, Mrs. Omaya Lozi, Mr. Turki Al Dakhil, Mr. Ahmed Hatti, Ms. Carmen Haddad, Mr. Alykhan Lalani, Ms. Nadia Al Dossary,Dr. Abdulaziz Al Sager, Mrs. Muntaha Al Ramhy, Mrs. Zeina Yaziji, Mr. Ramzi Al Hafez, Mr. Ahmed Hatti, Mr. Anwar Abusbaitan Ms. Caroline Faraj and other guests.
HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal made the first intervention and described Beirut Institute as a breakthrough in the Arab region. Prince Turki also quoted HRH King Faisal saying “Beirut is the lungs of the Arab word” and added “Beirut Institute is its oxygen”. HRH called for financial support for the institute and announced that its inaugural conference will be held in year 2015 at a time and place to be determined.
HE Abdulkarim Al Eryani started with a description of the Arab spring and said “It was seeded in Tunisia, germinated in Egypt, greened in Yemen, wilted in Libya and now dying in Syria”. HE’s intervention also underlined the project he is leading at the institute. It is a project that will focus on Yemen as the only case in the Arab region where the country will go from a “simple state” to a “federal state”. HE said that this project will convene many experts to do in-depth discussion about this very serious change Yemen will go through.
“Beirut Institute will propel policies and hopefully steal the huge change that need to take place in our part of the world in every aspect of our life” said HE Marwan Kheireddine. He added “we are having our inaugural conference, which ought to be big, by next year, and we will be having sponsors (…) as without funding Beirut Institute will remain an idea”. HE also presented some of the institute’s projects he participated in.
Mrs. Farida Allaghi’s intervention underlined the status of women in Libya and the Arab region as citizens and not only women. She said “today, the issue in the Arab region isn’t about women and men, it is an issue of stolen countries, it is an issue of crazy and new ideologies that swept us off our feet, it is an issue of knowledge and technology and new generation, it is an issue of an old generation that need to apologize for the mistakes it is about politicians who have to listen to the people’s needs and dissociate hypocrites and revolutions’ thieves because without all this there is no sound economy, no businessmen, no intellect, nothing.” Mrs. Allaghi also presented the project she is leading on the role of Libyan women in the constitutional processes and the security situation in Libya.
Soha Nashaat, hostess of this event and Advisory Board Member said: “Building a think tank is a very lengthy process and very challenging. Raghida Dergham has been working herself ragged for the past few years but financing is always difficult. That is why I think it’s important for the Institute to continue to reach out utilizing various platforms to get its voice heard….this is not something that will thrive without true social responsibility on the parts of the private sector and as well as individuals..”
Raghida Dergham, Founder and Executive Chairman of Beirut Institute thanked all those who have contributed in building the think tank and emphasized that the institute was the result of collect work and brilliant minds. She added that the transitional phase the Arab region is going through requires from us all to give the youth the right platform to think of the opportunities and build on them. She stressed the role of women in the Arab region as agents of change and decision makers and the need to showcase the Arab diversity.
Andira Raslan, Program Director at Beirut Institute introduced the institute’s vision and goals believing in the youth abilities as decision makers in the Arab region.
Arts and Culture
Screening of "The Square"
The U.N. Correspondents Association and Beirut Institute hosted a screening of the Oscar-nominated film for Best Documentary Feature “The Square”, by Egyptian-American Filmmaker Jehane Noujaim, on Tuesday, February 18, 2014, in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium.
The screening was followed by a Q&A with Director, Jehane Noujaim and Producer, Karim Amer.
“The Square” documents the Egyptian protest movement in Tahrir Square, Cairo.
About the movie:
The Square is an immersive experience, transporting the viewer deeply into the intense emotional drama and personal stories behind the news. It is the inspirational story of young people claiming their rights, struggling through multiple forces, in the fight to create a society of conscience.
About the Director:
New York-based filmmaker Jehane Noujaim is well known in the independent documentary film community, having co-directed and directed, respectively, the acclaimed feature-length films STARTUP.COM and CONTROL ROOM. A Harvard graduate, she has worked on numerous documentaries in the Middle East and the United States, both for MTV News as well as her own independent company. THE SQUARE was presented as a work-in-progress at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2013; as events continued to unfold, she returned to Egypt. Her completed film includes material recorded as recently as this past August.
For full information and a trailer of the film please see the links below:
Info on THE SQUARE
TRAILER
