JEDDAH, 16 October 2006 — The Arab Thought Foundation (ATF) yesterday announced a change of topic for its 5th annual conference, Fikr 5, being held in Beirut from Dec. 2-3. The decision was taken in response to the dramatic events that have occurred in Lebanon. The original topic of the conference “Arab Strategies for the Global Era” will now be presented at next year’s conference, Fikr 6, to be held n Bahrain in 2007.
A new program for Fikr 5 will be announced shortly. Its focus will be on Lebanon and the theme of Arab solidarity.
Board members believe the change of topic reflects the foundation’s priority of assisting the rebuilding of Lebanon after the massive destruction caused by the conflict. The aim is to keep Lebanon on the international agenda as the center of a rich Arabic culture and recognize Beirut as a unique and exceptional Arab capital.
ATF Chairman Prince Khalid Al-Faisal affirmed his solidarity with Lebanon and said: “Lebanon is an integral part of Arab culture and society, and that obliges us to help and support our brothers and sisters to ensure that Lebanon remains a beacon of Arab thought.”
According to him, the idea of this conference is to highlight a bright cultural future and strengthen Lebanon’s standing in the Arab world. Fikr 5 will focus on the key issues for rebuilding Lebanon, especially the economic infrastructure and restoration of the tourism sector. The conference will also discuss ways in which the media can respond to the historic events and critical challenges Lebanon and the region are experiencing. In parallel, focused discussions on issues relating to development and investment promotion in Lebanon — and across the whole region — will help sustain the agenda for economic reform.
The conference will not overlook the grave risks that are threatening the Arabic identity and the negative impact of recent developments in international and regional politics. The conference organizers seek to promote a dialogue that can help foster an effective response to these challenges.
ATF Assistant Secretary-General Dr. Ali Moussa said: “Holding Fikr 5 in Beirut is gratitude to this eternal Arabic city for its embrace of ATF. The theme of the conference will be ‘Lebanon and Arab solidarity,’ and we hope it will encourage Arab business to further reinvest in Lebanon. However, this conference is about more than economics; the ATF seeks to foster a vibrant debate on the central social, cultural and political issues facing the Arab world on the road to a safe and secure future.” Prominent Arab thinkers, politicians and influential businesspeople are expected to attend the conference. Their goal is to help facilitate the revival of Lebanon.
The Arab Thought Foundation is a wholly independent, non-governmental international organization that pursues an agenda of free, non-partisan, and inclusive dialogue across the world. The goal of the ATF is the preservation and development of the essential values, morals, and social principles underpinning a unified Arab identity. Its activities are broad, and encompass the fields of the natural sciences and medicine, the social sciences, humanities and the arts.
The ATF Board of Trustees includes: Abdullah Zainal, Abdul Aziz Al-Babtain, Abdul Aziz Kanoo, Bahia Al-Hariri, Hamza Al-Khawli, Jumaa Al-Majed, Khalid Al-Turki, Lubna Olayan, Manie Al-Otaiba, Mohammed Al-Shayie, Naguib Sawirees, Nasser Al-Rushaid, Saleh Kamel, Souad Al-Jaffali and Yousef Al-Ghani.
