In this panel discussion, we explore the relationship between art and national identity, as well as the role of contemporary artists in both perpetuating and destabilizing ideas of nationalism in our globalized world. Read more »
Arab World
Ahmed Aboutaleb: On a mission to regenerate
Making my way down the corridor of the magnificent Stadhuis, Rotterdam’s City Hall, a pre-First World War architectural landmark, towards the office of the mayor, I was greeted with the familiar words “As Salam Alaikum”. The Stadhuis, office of the mayor of Rotterdam is, sadly, one of a very few buildings that survived the relentless bombardment by the German Luftwaffe in May 1940 and today stands as a symbol of regeneration and hope in this city of 600,000. During my recent sojourn in the Netherlands, I had the opportunity to meet with Ahmed Aboutaleb, Rotterdam’s mayor and perhaps one of the most accomplished emigrants in Europe. Read more »
Twilight of the Arab republics
The Arab world watched in awe last week as brave Tunisians overthrew their corrupt president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, of the past 23 years. As in other Arab “republics” established in the populist ferment of the 1950s, Tunisians have been suffering from rampant corruption and economic deprivation for decades — leading to frustration that eventually boiled onto the streets despite their government’s tight restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly. Read more »
‘Change we can believe in’? Not for the Middle East
Mr Obama’s policies have allowed for an overall regression in democracy in the Arab world. It’s high time for fresh faces and fresh ideas from the White House to deal with outdated policies that have clearly failed in effecting a genuine change in the Middle East. Read more »
Business links that must be aired
A widely held belief in the Arab world holds that some elements in the West secretly oppose democracy in the region because free and fair elections would produce anti-Western governments. However one overlooked aspect is the role that leading businesses in Arab countries play in stifling democracy. Read more »
Entrepreneurial Arabs Will Make It Better For The Next Generation
The first few days of November have quickly become known as Entrepreneurship Week in Dubai. The Dubai School of Government kicked off the week with a panel on women’s entrepreneurship in the Gulf, featuring leading businesswomen from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the region. The next day at the Young Arab Leaders Entrepreneurship Summit, cross-generational leadership was represented, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and his son Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan attending. Read more »