MUSCAT, 2 March 2007 — Government officials, aspiring corporate executives and mid- to high-level professionals are expected to participate in the Gulf In-Depth Executive Learning Program being organized by the Gulf Research Center (GRC) in Muscat from April 2 to 5.

The program will focus on the key strategic aspects of the Arab Gulf region and its linkages to the international community. It will provide an opportunity to gain unprecedented knowledge and insight into the working of the region from knowledgeable practitioners and insiders.

The program blends knowledge of the region, experiences of the Gulf’s dynamic growth of the region and its traditional heritage. It is an initial building block in the establishment of a life-long network of experts, according to the organizers.

Based on an intensive five-day course, the program sessions will include “State and Society in the Gulf” on day 1, featuring topics including historical development of the Arabian Gulf, contemporary roles of tradition and religion, and understanding the decision-making process in the Gulf and Gulf institutions — the development of legislatures.

On day 2, the focus on “The Gulf Economy” will include topics like oil, gas and energy markets in the Gulf; the challenges of the Gulf labor markets; toward a single market — status and prospects for GCC economic integration; and exploring the Gulf trading environment — opportunities and challenges and the status of free trade agreements.

Day 3 will be devoted to “Social and political change in the Gulf” featuring subjects including exploring human rights and the rule of the law, education — driving force or stumbling bloc for development, and the rising importance of environmental issues in the region.

Day 4 will discuss “Gulf foreign and security issues” featuring topics like the foreign and security policies of the GCC, security challenges in the Gulf — the cases of Iran and Iraq, and regional relations and the prospect for conflict management. The program is being coordinated by the GRC, claimed to be the only independent think tank in the region and a pioneer of a number of academic research programs and political, social, economic and strategic initiatives.

The GRC combines the qualities of research expertise, a broad network of researchers and partners from which to draw on with its in-depth knowledge about the current status of public policy research in the Arab world and the Gulf region.

The GRC structures its learning programs by emphasizing social research and critical thinking tools to maximize the value for course participants.

The program has been developed around three layers — classroom teaching, round-table discussion and interaction with GCC personalities and institutions.

Contact for more details: Executive Learning Program Administator (9714-324-7770 ext. 435); e-mail: [email protected]