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December 04, 2009 - December 04, 2009
Bridges of Understanding Third Annual Conference
In light of both political and economic changes in the Middle East over the past year, the third annual Bridges of Understanding conference, held on December 4, 2009 in Washington, DC, brought together political, economic, financial, and energy experts to discuss "The State of Affairs in the Middle East." Attended by over 100 guests, including representatives from Arab Embassies in the United States, the conference attracted a diverse group of individuals interested in learning more about the current state of the Middle East, and in finding ways to improve relations between the United States and the Arab world.
 The day opened with a welcome from Meridian's President, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, and from the Bridges of Understanding President, Ambassador Karim Kawar. Bridges's co-founder, Kathryn Hubbard, followed these introductions with a brief overview of the organization's outlook and mission, featuring a DVD created by supporter Dee Haslam of Rivr Media. Hubbard then profiled the "Youth Talk" program, organized through Bridges's partnership with Global Nomads Group, which partners Arab and American high schools for videoconferences, discussions, and mutual appreciation. For more information on this and other initiatives supported by Bridges of Understanding, please visit the Projects We Support page.
Bridges of Understanding was privileged to feature The New York Times's Thomas L. Friedman as the principal speaker on political developments, sharing his insight and experience in the region. Interviewed by a Bridges Board Member, David Bradley of The Atlantic, Friedman spoke for an hour on topics including the current situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, his outlook regarding the region, and the role of Pakistan. He also fielded questions from the audience. Friedman emphasized the need for governmental reform in Afghanistan ? as Afghans already know how to fight, he argued that international aid should instead focus on creating a representative government that will stand up against corruption. He further stressed the necessity of establishing a government to which Afghans feel accountable, and for whose survival they are willing to fight.
 Friedman and Bradley's discussion was followed by a panel of four experts in economics and energy for the "Energy and Financial Developments in the Middle East" panel. These included Justin Dargin of Harvard's Dubai Initiative; John Delaney of CapitalSource, Inc.; Michael Farr of CNBC; and Reuben Jeffery, former Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs. The discussion was moderated by Ambassador Stuart Holliday. This panel touched on such timely issues as the recent developments in Dubai and their impact on the world as a whole; the precedent of trust as it relates to the financial crisis; the need to create more jobs throughout the Middle East, and in the UAE in particular; and the role of Shari'a law in banking, also with a focus on the UAE.
These two discussions were followed by the presentation of the second annual Building Bridges Award, received by Michael M. Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This award, presented by Samia Farouki of Bridges of Understanding, recognized his role in fostering US-Arab relations through his Arabesque Festival and other initiatives. Kaiser noted that "The arts have the power to teach us about other people - what they find beautiful, what they are concerned about, how they live. We cannot make peace if we do not understand each other. ... We at the Kennedy Center are committed to presenting Arab artists long into the future." Kaiser went on to explain a new endeavor at the Kennedy Center that works toward this goal - the establishment of a training center for Arab arts managers in Cairo, Egypt, with the goal of helping to make Arab artists and managers more successful both in their own countries and throughout the world.
During the luncheon, conference participants heard remarks from Her Excellency Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, who was introduced by Marlene Malek of Bridges of Understanding. The first Jewish woman to serve in this post, Ambassador Nonoo is a reminder of the diversity of the Arab world, and of the potential for women's success. She discussed Bahrain's position in relation to other Gulf states and the broader Middle East, her role as a Jewish woman representing her country abroad, and the need for increased personal communication between Arabs and Americans in order to break down stereotypes. The idea she touched on, the need to build bridges of understanding between the two sides of the world, was truly the theme of the day.
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