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Symposium A d d r e s s etsh e S o c i a lE, c o n o m i c , a n d P o l i t i c aI lmp l i c a t i osno f I n dus t r i a lzi a t i o n i n t h eC u l f M i m iK i r k annual symposium, held March 27 and 28 in ACAS's Georgetown University's Copley Formal Lounge, I brought together scholars from such countries as Saudi \-/ Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, England, and the Netherlands to explore both the social and economic implications of the surge of indushialization that has taken place in the Gulf in the past decades.Not only academics,but lawyers, bankers, and government officials took part in the rich discussion. In his opening remarks, Dr. Jean-FrangoisSeznec,CCAS Visiting Associate Professor and the symposium's chair, noted that the eventwould "help us understandthe economicandfinancial role of the region, the role ofwomen, labormigrations, employment issues,the changesin relations with Iran, and basically all the implications of this new world order." His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa al-Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, gave the keynote address, in which he discussed how the GCC's wealth has grown steadily from an influx of petro dollars, but that the future of the region lies in non-oil revenuestreamsand diversification. Shaikh Mohammed also noted that the GCC must be "honest and open about the challenges that face us today. If we are to achieve lasting success,"he continued, "we need to examine and addressour economic realities, our flaws, and our failings and do so with a level of opennesswe have not done in previous generations." The first panel, chaired by CCAS Director Dr. Michael C. Hudson, gave a general overview of industrialization in the region. Dr. Hazem Beblawi of the Arab Monetary Fund spoke about how the region must addresstwo basic concerns: the eventual limit of its oil reservesand its heavy reliance on imported labor. Brad Bourland of Jadwa Investments then explained how though oil is ultimately depletable, in the foreseeablefuture it will continue to bring prosperity to the region. "However," he said, 'owe need to allow other sectors of the economy to also grow." Finally, Frances Cook, former ambassadorto Oman, spoke about needed trajectories in the GCC, including education that focuses on management and technical training, a greater awarenessof the importance of women, and creating employment opportunities for nationals. Dr. Samer Shehata,Assistant Professorin CCAS, chaired the second panel, which covered labor constraints and migration
HE Shaikh Mohammed bin lsa al-Khalifa delivers the keynote address at CCAS'sannual symposium, held March 27 and 28.
r-5 CCASAnnual Symposium Explores Industrialization in the Gulf 6-8 CCASMourns the Loss of Faculty and Friends 8-9 Adjuncts and PostdocTeachCompellingSpring Courses "Israel: Still Sexyat Sixty" 9-1o MAAS Students Demonstrate Against Celebration
rz-r4 Springzoo8 PublicEvents
15 Writing forTeaching and LearningAboutthe Middle EastWorkshop Features Renowned Novelist 16-17 Israeli and PalestinianHistories Explored in Spring Oubeach Workshop
t8-r9 CCASCongratulates its 27 MAAS Graduates
r9-zr Alumni and Student News zr-23 FacultyNews
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