Thoughtless Foundations, Potentates and Plutocrats, Oy Vey…………
“The Arab Thought Foundation, an international, independent and non-governmental organization founded in 2001 with a guiding mission to help advance the economic, social and cultural development of the Arab region. The Foundation believes that open and constructive dialogue between the business community, academia and civil society. Central to the Arab Thought Foundation’s programme of events is the celebrated FIKR gathering, an annual conference providing a unique platform for ideas exchange and creative thinking. FIKR is the only truly cross-sector and cross-cultural gathering in the Arab world, bringing together a diverse community of senior academics, business leaders, representatives from civil society and most importantly, Arab youth - the future of the region. FIKR 8 is in its eighth successful year and the theme for 2009 is ‘Integrating Arab Economies: Partners for Prosperity’, with a focus on the pressing economic and business issues facing the region today….. The FIKR audience will be an international group of thought leaders drawn from a variety of disciplines and industry sectors including senior business executives, academics, regional and international policy-makers and NGOs, Arab youth representatives, expatriate Arab thought leaders, regional and international media…….....”
I take exception to the claim that it is “independent and non-governmental”. The board of this foundation includes 8 royal princes, 7 or 8 plutocrats from the Gulf, and a few others. I am not sure how much deep thinking on “progress” can be achieved there.
As for “creative thinking”, all I can say is a hearty and borrowed: oy vey.
Cheers
mhg
Mon Email
Comments