Exploring Social and Knowledge Infrastructure in the Middle East

I recently returned from a brief and productive trip to the Middle East looking at the existing portfolio of programs IREX implements in the region and exploring possibilities for new opportunities.

IREX and IWPR sponsored a conference in Erbil, Iraq that attracted NGOs, bloggers, news presenters, corporate executives and government officials from all over Iraq and beyond. I left with the clear impression that if the Iraqis could get a chance to break through to a fully operational modern state, they have the desire and talent to do so.

Jordan wants to play a major role in moving the region forward, and our programs help make that possible. In Amman, the IREX media strengthening program has lots of fans – in society, in the government, academia and, within USAID.  Moving forward, we already have lined up a project that will help local NGOs better use technology to fulfill their mission in serving youth. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting project!

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I met with Prince Khalid al Faisal, Chairman of the Arab Thought Foundation (ATF). We made solid progress in our discussions and hope to give wider play to IREX’s work in the region during the ATF conference in December. We talked to one other Saudi NGO while there and are exploring country-wide possibilities and looking at potential partners.

I was struck by the attitudes about the future shared by many young Saudis– both women and men. The 35-and-under generation, and many in leadership, want Saudi Arabia to win new credentials as a more open, progressive and visibly tolerant society.

In Abu Dhabi, UAE our Board member Nancy Dye, who is Vice Provost for UAE University, and I met with the Emirates Foundation. A foundation formed only a few years ago, concentrates on improving the Emirate society in areas very familiar to us: education, civil society, and youth leadership development.

My overall impression of young NGO leaders in the region is that those that have seen the new and modern physical infrastructure come into being now want a social and knowledge infrastructure to match. IREX has been active in the Middle East since the 1990s producing solid results and I’d like to see us dive deeper into innovative sectors like social entrepreneurship.

I had wonderful trip and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

W. Robert Pearson is the President of IREX