The Arab world faces a range of challenges and opportunities in its international relationships, particularly with the key international powers of the USA, Europe, Russia, and China who are all seeking to engage with, influence, and profit from the region. These international powers all have different historic relations with the Middle East, varying levels and scopes of engagement, and sometimes conflicting strategies and goals for the future.

As the power and influence of these international partners wax and wane, both in relation to the Middle East and in relation to each other, this session will examine strategies for all these countries and their Middle East partners to manage their relations along mutually beneficial lines. In addition, participants in the session will also discuss the role of civil society, both nationally and internationally, and its impact on governments.

Topics of discussion:

• The US and the Gulf: How to shift from a marriage of convenience to a force for good?

• United States and the challenge of position and status

• Europe and the European structure

• Role of civil society in world governance: Challenges and opportunities

• Russian Federation: Features of Russian power; return to building world status and role, and priorities in this regard

• People's Republic of China: Economy serving foreign policy

As the current global economic climate continues to face crises and varying levels of growth and contraction, it presents numerous challenges to international development efforts, which have seen budgets reduce as countries realign priorities. As the 2015 date for the completion of UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) approaches, this session will examine the effect of the global economy's crisis on trends in international development.

This discussion will examine a number of issues in this area, including the financial instruments available to countries affected by the 'Arab Spring' to assist in economic regeneration and stabilisation, alongside government economic policies and their role in exacerbating, mitigating, and solving the current crises. In addition the session will consider the importance of intellectual property, the north-south divide in economics, and the increasingly powerful voices of women and youth and the challenges and opportunities facing this emerging influential demographic.

Topics of discussion:

• The role of NGOs in the global economy

• Financing instruments in the Arab Spring countries: new trends

• Economic intelligence and intellectual property

• Development indicators in the North-South debate

• Economic policies and the current fiscal crises

• Revisiting the 3rd Arab Economic Summit

• The role of women and youth in the Post-2015 Development Agenda

• Global trends in the global economy

The turmoil of the 'Arab Spring' has seen a number of new democracies emerge in the region. However, these states face a number of challenges to their security, stability, and sustainability as new freedoms conflict with old values and varying priorities vie for government attention. These challenges include the struggle to maintain civil rights and security, the pressures placed on new-found freedoms of expression balanced against the need for social cohesion, and the tension between new political systems and historically entrenched value systems.

This session will examine ways for developing democracies to safeguard new rights and freedoms, in addition to respecting national cultures and traditions. It will also explore ways for new governments to reform and revitalise state institutions facing new demands, and ensure that those responsible for the excesses and abuses of the old regimes are held responsible while also working towards reconciliation. Panellists will also discuss strategies to address corruption, poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment, including the engagement of international bodies dedicated to finance and aid to assist in reconstruction and development.

Topics of discussion:

• Building state institutions, rule of law, accountability and constitution

• Safeguarding social, cultural, sectarian and religious cohesion

• Maintaining civil rights - freedom of expression and peaceful protest: People's right to self-determination

• Role of civil society organizations in supporting reform

• Role of international financial institutions/ international aid in development and reconstruction

• Tackling corruption, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment

• Achieving security, stability and reconciliation

International cooperation has proven a key driver of both conflict resolution and development throughout the world, including the Middle East. However, the involvement of external powers in the affairs of a nation can lead to negative outcomes with differing strategies and goals coming into competition. In addition, international diplomatic tensions have led to positive examples of international cooperation being dismantled or delayed, leading to stalled development, lost livelihoods, and worsening situations for communities.

This session will discuss strategies to ensure that international cooperation, particularly those involving major powers, remains a positive force, while also examining the diverging strategic interests of several influential countries and their regional partners. Participants will also examine models for institutionalising international cooperation to ensure checks and balances alongside steps to mitigate diplomatic disagreements disrupting otherwise successful programmes. In addition, the roles of the public and private sectors, civil society, and aid agencies in working together and institutionalising cooperation will be debated.

Topics of discussion:

• Conflict resolution and the superpower's diverging strategic interest

• Role of regional and international institutions and organisations in promoting institutionalization of cooperation in order to achieve sustainable development

• Role of aid, assistance and public joint enterprises in development

• Partnership between public and private sectors (PPP) and civil society organisations

• Challenges

The "Arab Spring" has highlighted the power of digital media to unite disparate voices, empower previously overlooked sections of society, and bring about political and social change. However, events in the Middle East and beyond have also highlighted the threat social media can pose to stability and security, social cohesion, and privacy. These challenges can threaten private individuals, corporations and companies, and governments.

This session will assess the challenges and opportunities this communications revolution presents to countries the world over – particularly on national security with the emergence of cyber warfare. In addition, the emergence of e-diplomacy and social media as a key tool in international relations and communications will be discussed.

Topics of discussion:

• National security and digital media: Challenges or opportunities

• Cyber-security and national security: defence against aggression

• Social media and diplomatic communication

• E-diplomacy: a new emerging trend

• Organizational competency of diplomatic missions in the digital

This session will examine the expansion of the global financial and economic crisis and its negative impact on employment, food stability, housing, basic health care and education across the globe. Participants will discuss the private sector's responsibility to protect human rights, the role of international organisations such as the ILO and WTO, lessons learned from other countries, and work towards the UN's Millennium Development Goals.

The expansion of the global financial and economic crisis is now having a negative impact on most of the world's societies, especially in the areas of employment, food stability, housing, basic health care and education. In addition, these societies are witnessing an increase in social problems such as racial discrimination and high crime rates, which, in turn affect security and stability at the local, regional and international levels.

Topics of discussion:

• Social responsibility of the private sector in the field of human rights

• Protection of the rights of migrant workers in light of the current economic crisis

• Role of appropriate international specialized agencies in dealing with the crisis – the International Labor Organization (ILO) as a model

• Mexico as a bridge for immigration: the dual challenge of migrants' human rights

• The effects of the crisis on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) and issue of human rights

This panel discussion, to be hosted by the Brookings Institution's Doha Center, will discuss the challenge of institutional reform in the newly democratic countries of the Arab Spring. As these countries work to reshape the state – including its security, economic, and administrative apparatuses – how should they deal with the pre-revolutionary state and how can they best define their reform goals? How can these countries balance the demand for revolutionary change in state ministries with the need for continuity and stability? Can they introduce new blood to state institutions while retaining those with actual knowledge of how the state functions? And how should they prioritize accountability for the old regime against the requirements of an inclusive process of reform? The panel will discuss the tension that may exist in these transitioning states between revolutionary demands for ground-up reform and the kind of practical moves needed for economic recovery and a functioning state.

Topics of discussion:

• The newly democratic countries of the Arab Spring, including Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen, are now working to reshape all aspects of the state – including its security, economic, and administrative apparatuses. As they move forward, how should they deal with the pre-revolutionary state and how can they best define their reform goals?

• How can these countries balance the demand for revolutionary change in state ministries with the need for continuity and stability? Can they introduce new blood to state institutions while retaining those with actual knowledge of how the state functions?

• How should they prioritise accountability for the old regime against the requirements of an inclusive process of reform? Is there a tension between revolutionary demands for reform and the practical moves needed for economic recovery and a functioning state?

Over the past eight years, Enriching the Middle East's Economic Future has grown into an internationally recognised forum for scholars, dignitaries, and investors who discuss pressing issues related to global policy as they also conduct private business and interchange.

True to its original title, CMED's conference will offer an overview of issues relating to development and free trade in the Middle East, amongst many other issues with distinguished guest participants including economists, experts, researchers, academics and decision makers from around the world.

This year's debate will embrace a wide range of topical issues divided into 16 workshops across three days.

About the Center for Middle East Development

For more than 20 years, the Center for Middle East Development's (CMED) unique approach has brought together thousands of regional leaders and experts in dialogues structured for productive brainstorming and idea sharing. Participants in CMED's international conferences engage the Middle East's most critical issues, enabling region-wide communication on political, economic, and diplomatic development.

The meetings' unofficial, multilateral format advances long-term change in the region. Problem solving discussions allow participants to think creatively, adjust perceptions, and maintain and expand relationships - regardless of particular political climates. CMED encourages conference participants to ultimately employ new ideas and understanding toward mitigating, preventing, or even ending conflict.

In addition to these conferences, CMED:

• Is an active member of UCLA's renowned International Institute

• Hosts special taskforces on outstanding diplomatic or development challenges

• Maintains several online social networks

• Sponsors a peer-reviewed book series published by Routledge

• Provides students with unprecedented exposure to Middle East culture and problem solving

• Hosts seminars and lectures and sponsors innovative courses at UCLA highlighting key issues in the Middle East

• Provides podcasts, discussion opportunities, and selected monographs

• Supports the highly acclaimed interdisciplinary journal Terrorism and Political Violence, which explores the political dimensions of terrorist activities and a wide range of related issues

• Prepares research projects to promote new concepts on economic development, diplomacy, and arms control in the Middle East

• Hosts a blog, The Middle Easterner, which provides opportunities for UCLA faculty, students, and visiting contributors to express views concerning ongoing Middle East problems and challenges of conflict resolution.

CMED disseminates the innovative policy solutions developed by conference and task force participants through targeted outreach programs to policymakers. By harnessing the collective expertise of these leading regional voices, CMED has become a primary source for authoritative analysis and practical recommendations on the Middle East.

CMED: www.international.ucla.edu/cmed/

UCLA: www.ucla.edu

Brookings Doha Center

Based in Qatar, the Brookings Doha Center is an initiative of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. that advances high quality research, independence, and policy impact in the Middle East. The Center maintains a reputation for cutting-edge, field-oriented, independent research on socioeconomic and geopolitical issues facing the broader Middle East, including relations with the United States.

The Brookings Doha Center was formally inaugurated by H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar on February 17, 2008.

The Center's International Advisory Council, co-chaired by H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani and Brookings President Strobe Talbott, provides guidance on programming. Salman Shaikh serves as the Center's director.

In pursuing its mission, the Brookings Doha Center conducts research and programming that engages key stakeholders from academia, business, civil society, government, and media on key public policy issues in the following four core areas:

i) Democratization and political transitions in the Middle East;

ii) Middle East relations with emerging Asian nations, including on the geopolitics and economics of energy

iii) Conflict and peace processes in the region

iv) Educational, institutional, and political reform in the Gulf countries

Open to a broad range of views, the Brookings Doha Center is a hub for Brookings scholarship in the region.

BDC: www.brookings.edu/about/centers/doha

Brookings: www.brookings.edu/