Towards a better Arab future

The American University in Cairo (AUC) has launched the Blue-Ribbon Report of AUC Centennial Project AlMostaqbal: Envisioning a Better Arab Future, which is led by the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

AlMostaqbal project was launched in 2019 to examine socio-economic, political, and security issues in the Arab world and the Middle East region.

Nabil Fahmy, project chair and dean of AUC’s School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, said that the report was prepared by a distinguished group of Arab statesmen, academics, and opinion-makers to chart an alternative course for the future of the Arab world.

“The Arab world must speak out about the future and it should be heard. The AlMostaqbal project brings together distinguished practitioners’ academic rigor and professional experiences to substantively engage in laying policy pathways for the future. An effort of paramount importance and an invaluable contribution,” Fahmy went on.

The report discussed the recommendations to address numerous paramount issues to enhance the region’s economic sustainability and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.

Introducing the report, Dean Fahmy said that no single report could offer solutions and recommendations regarding the many complex challenges facing the region. “I do, however, believe that we have put forward invaluable suggestions in this report that can hopefully be built upon and expanded by others, both from the region and beyond,” he added.

In a related context, AUC President Ahmed Dallal said that the report tackles regional issues and challenges besides formulating policies’ suggestions.

“Challenges are both regional and local just like the solutions,” he said.

“That is why there is urgent need for regional perspective to better understand challenges facing the Middle East and other world, he added. AUC President stressed it is also important to integrate such regional perspective in any global conversation regarding the future.

Speaking to The Egyptian Gazette, Ibrahim Awad, director of AUC’s Centre for Migration and Refugee Studies, said that the report’s recommendations are guidelines for better Arab future.

“Decision makers can analyse these outcomes and apply them in a way that is commensurate with their countries. Every country can benefit from the report to enhance its role. What we care about is the renaissance of the Arab region,” he added.

The authors of the report include Ibrahim Awad, director of AUC’s Center for Migration and Refugee Studies, Amr Adly, assistant professor of political science at AUC and Karim Haggag ’92, professor of practice at the Department of Public Policy and Administration, AUC.