Press Release

10 January 2011

Arab intellectuals and politicians prepare to launch the Sharq Forum
 
With the approach of the first anniversary of the Tunisian revolution, Arab scholars and politicians are preparing to launch from the Tunisian capital, Tunis, a new initiative called the Sharq Forum.

The Forum is an independent global institution designed to implant the values of engagement, dialogue and democracy in Arab countries; and contribute to building a stable political future with economic prosperity. It seeks to nurture political consciousness, exchange of expertise, set out priorities, and bolster understanding and collaboration between the Arab world and its environs. 

The Forum would be launched on Friday, 13th January in the presence of Tunisian President, Dr Muncef Al Marzouki, and with the attendance of a number of scholars, politicians and personalities from across the region. 

Wadah Khanfar, head of the Forum's preparatory committee, and former director general of Al Jazeera Network said "the new realities created by the Arab revolutions necessitate a comprehensive dialogue between the various constituencies acting on the Arab political and social landscape." He added, "the Forum would be a platform for this dialogue, leading to the presentation of initiatives and charting of priorities, which would help the countries and people of the region make the transition to political stability and economic prosperity."

Through its activities, the Forum would offer opportunities to its members to advance the political priorities agreed upon by the various tendencies, in addition to presenting projects and insights that would integrate and realise the economic development of Arab countries.

Membership to the Forum will be open the political forces, intellectual vanguard, social and youth movements, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and journalists in the Arab world.

ENDS

For more information please contact Dr. Hanan Chehata on +44 (0)20 8838 0231 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Tel: +21624084721

The Middle East Monitor is an independent media research institute founded in the United Kingdom in 2009 to foster a fair and accurate coverage of Middle Eastern issues and in particular the Palestine Question in the Western Media.

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