The Arab Thought Foundation has announced the speakers for its annual conference, Fikr5. The list included prominent and influential figures from all over the region in addition to key western representatives. The conference is set to take place in Beirut on the 2nd and 3rd of December under the topic “Stronger Lebanon with Arab Solidarity”.
Heading the list is Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Mr. Amr Mousa, who will be outlining the Arab League's latest efforts in reconstructing Lebanon. The speaker’s list includes Secretary-General of the GCC Sheikh Abdel Rahman Bin Hamad Al Atieh, Sheikh Saleh Kamel the Arab Thought Foundation Board Member, Naguib Sawaris, CEO of Orascom Telecom, Lebanese Minister of Media Gazi El-Aridi, John Waterbury, president of AUB, the previous Jordanian Minister of Culture and current Cultural Advisor of Amanah Amman, Haider Mahmoud Haider, and Mohamed Nasser Al Sanousi, the Kwaiti Minister of Information.
"This conference is taking place during a crucial time in our history, as Lebanon is facing major challenges in dealing with the aftermath of the war. In such times, our true nature is reflected to the world," said Dr Mousa, Assistant Secretary General - Arab Thought Foundation. He adds, Fikr5 aims to keep a tone of complete honesty and objectivity on all issues being discussed. There will be no limitations, as all matters related to reconstruction of Lebanon will be discussed openly.
The conference will also host diverse representatives of all Lebanese political parties; as a consequence, an open dialogue will be established putting away all differences behind. Several non-governmental organizations will also contribute to the open dialogue sessions to ensure that all sectors will be represented during the conference, including Lebanese immigrants.
“Strengthening unity among all Lebanese communities is crucial to the development of Lebanon; Creating an ideal environment is not impossible, especially that now the right opportunity has presented itself to break that barrier and to unify the public for a stronger Lebanon," said Hamad Al-Ammari, Executive Director of Fikr5.
This unified participation accompanied by complete Arab solidarity is something unheard of in the region. The Arab Thought Foundation is the first entity to make this happen on such a large scale. Such attitude will generate change in the region, the hope to overcome obstacles through a unified front and open dialogue is the first step to establish a true civil society.
The Arab Thought Foundation has also launched the website www.fikr5.org which contains a complete up-to-date agenda of the conference with a chance to contribute thoughts and suggestions to the organizing party, in addition to the online workshop and online registration forms.
About The Arab Thought Foundation
The Arab Thought Foundation is a wholly independent, international NGO that pursues an agenda of free, non-partisan, and inclusive dialogue across the world. The goal of the ATF is the preservation and development of the essential values, morals, and social principles underpinning a unified Arab identity. Its activities are broad, and encompass the fields of the natural sciences and medicine, the social sciences, humanities and the arts.
Some of the ATF Board of Trustees – alphabetically - includes:
Abdallah Zainal Abdulaziz Al Babtain Abdulaziz Kanoo
Bahia Al-Hariri Hamzah Al Khawli Juma’aa Al Majed
Khalid Al Turki Lubna Olayan Mani’ Al Otaiba
Mohammed Al Shayi’ Naguib Sawiris Nasser Al Rushaid
Saleh Kamel Souad Al Jaffali Yousef Al Ghanim
