The Middle East Studies Center holds seminars, scientific research symposiums, and brainstorming sessions on topics concerning the Middle East region and the main influences of change there. For this purpose, it hosts experts, scholars, politicians and educated leaders from Jordan and abroad. Of Jan 2005, 29 activities of this sort have been held by the center. The center also participates in scientific conferences and seminars held by Jordanian research centers and universities with one of its specialized researchers in seminars and conferences. In fact, the center has taken part in more than 45 scientific seminars and conferences inside and outside Jordan, in addition to the center’s academic visits to research and studies centers in Jordan and many other countries, such as Russia, Germany, Canada, Britain, the United States, France, Emarates, Lebanon, Qatar, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tunis, Egypt and others. During such visits and participation, the center has persisted in building academic relations with different centers and establishments of research and studies, whether in research cooperation or coordination or exchanging publications and visits.
Major Conferences & Seminars Held by the Center
To read more about Publications select here
* That have been held since 1998
Program | Participants | Abstract | Recommendations |
Program
4.00 - 4.15 pm | Opening speech |
4.15 - 4.45 pm | First
session Development of the Palestinian Entity and its concept (Chairman : Mr. Tahir Al- Massry) |
4.15 - 4.30 pm |
Palestinian Entity, 1948-1974, in the Arab Strategy (Miss Maha Abd El-Hadi) |
4.30 - 4.45 pm |
Palestinian National Program 1974-1993 (Dr. Iyad Barghothi) |
4.45 - 5.00 pm | The
Independent Palestinian State in the Middle East Peace Process (Dr. Zyad Abu Amro) |
5.00 - 5.15 pm |
Commentators (Dr. Thyab Makhadmih and Mr. Nawaf Al-Zeru |
5.15 - 5.45 pm | Discussions |
5.45 - 6.00 pm | Coffee Break |
6.00 - 8.00 | Second
Session The IPalestinState (Chairman : Dr. Abdul-Lattif Arabiyat |
6.00 - 6.20 pm | The
Palestinian State : Characterization, Factors and Legal Status (Dr. Abdullah Abu Eyd) |
6.20 - 7.20 pm |
Conceivable Scenarios and Options for the Palestinian state in the Final
Solution Negotiations (Mr. Nabeel Amro) |
(Dr. Fareed Abu Dhair) | |
(Dr. Amin Mashaqba) | |
7.20 - 8.20 pm | Closing speech |
Participants
Dr. Abdullah Abu Eyd
Dr. of International Law, Najah
Univ, Palestine. |
Dr. Abdul-Latif Arabiyat
Secretary General, Front for the
Islamic Action |
Dr. Fareed Abu Dhair
Prof. of Journalism and
Information, Najah Univ. Palestine. |
Dr. Amin Mashaqba
Chairman of the Jordanian Society
for Political Sciences, |
Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad
Director G., Middle East Studies
Centre, Jordan. |
Dr. Iyad Barghothi
Prof. of Political Sociology, Najah
Univ., and Head of Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies, Palestine
|
Dr. Thyab Makhadmih
Dr. of Political Sciences, Univ. of Jordan.
|
Miss Maha Abd El-Hadi
Researcher, Najah Office for Journalism and
Information |
Mr. Nawaf Al-Zerow
A journalist writer, specialized in
Palestinian affairs, Al-Dustoor Journal, Amman |
Mr. Nabeel Amro
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs,
Palestinian National Authority |
Dr. Zyad Abu Amro
Chairman of the Palestinian Assembly
committee for Foreign Relations |
Mr. Tahir Al-Massry
Member of House of Senates |
AbstractThe Middle East Studies Centre (MESC) held a seminar on " The Independent Palestinian State", where the MESC General Director, Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad, opened the seminar explaining the importance of this subject and its contribution in setting down the program for the establishment of the independent Palestinian state. He gave a historical analysis of the notable political events and developments related to the Palestinian issue, beginning from the 1948 aggression on Palestine, passing through the "Intifada" (uprising) and ending in the peace talks. During the rule of the Israeli Labor Party, these talks witnessed a switch in the Israeli strategy towards the Palestinian State, in spite of occasional obstructions. The MESC Director concluded his paper calling upon participants hoping to reach an up most joint vision through objective dialogue leading to recommendations, which may serve the Palestinian issue and people. He emphasized the importance of this seminar as peace talks begins the final stage which raise the most important questions about the nature of the independent Palestinian state and its future.
In the first session, under the chairman Mr. Tahir Al-Massry Miss Maha Abdul-Hadi, presented the first paper entitled: "The Palestinian Entity 1948-1974 in the Arab Strategy". She illustrated that the first, out of the six periods, represents Palestinian entity through the "All Palestine Government" in 1948, that was the first Palestinian political experience and which was marked by poor action and poor Arab support.
The second period of 1948-1963 witnessed the partition of Palestinian geographical status by the Israeli occupation and Arab states. It also witnessed attempts for re-organization of the Palestinian people whose refugees were divided in the Arab countries. At the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964, the idea of the Palestinian entity had no geographic, political or organizational distinct (the third period).
The fourth period came after the 1967 war, which put the foundations for independent Palestinian character, which went through political confusion during the fifth stage in 1970-1974. This period witnessed UN resolution No, 242, the September war between PLO and the Jordanian army in 1970 and the 1973 war.
The researcher concluded her paper with the sixth stage, or the stage of full entity awareness, 1973-977, which represented the outcome of accumulated development of Palestinian entity and its independence, as the PLO was confirmed to be the sole legal representative of the Palestinian people by the Arab summit in report 1974.
In the second session, presided over by Dr. Abdul-Lattif Arabiayt, Dr. Abdullah Abu Eyd presented the first paper, entitled "The Palestinian State: Characterization, Factors and Legal Status", in which he tackled the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state within certain factors supported by legal basis which guarantee the right of self-determination and return of the refugees. His paper came to a conclusion that these possibilities are presently unavailable.
In the second paper, Mr. Nabeel Amro talked about the "Conceivable Scenarios and Options of the Palestinian State in the Final Solution Negotiations". He discussed number of thoughts, including his insist that the Palestinian State is not a negotiable item but a Palestinian sovereign decision. He discussed the Palestinian, Israeli, Arab and international dimensions and their effect on the Palestinian State issue.
Under the same title, Dr. Fareed Abu Dhair theoretically discussed the subject of final solution, including the raised issues. He discussed the Israeli options resulting from acceptance of the Palestinian State, the Palestinian vision of the same subject, in addition to other Arab, Islamic and international dimensions. He concluded his paper posing possible scenarios for the final solution and negotiations.
Dr.Meshaqba discussed the various thoughts and visions within the same subject of the Palestinian State, on the basis of the present state of affairs and the role of the Palestinian Authority in preserving the factors of the state. Dr. Iyad Barghothi, discussed the Palestinian national program from 1974 to 1993, through stages, which confirmed the Palestinian rights and sovereignty of Palestinian representation.
The seminar concluded by Mr.Jawad Al Hamad's speech confirming the most important recommends by participants and posing the success of the seminar.
Recommendation
The Vital Interests of Jordan...Components and Challenges
Amman: 9-10-1999
Recommendations |
Program
5.00 - 5.15 |
Opening speech |
5.15 - 7.00 |
First Session
(Chairman : Prof. Ishaq Al-Farhan) |
5.15 - 5.30 |
The Concept of
Higher National Interests in Contemporary International Politics (Dr. Abdul Fattah Rashdan) |
5.30 - 5.45 |
The Role of the
External Threats in Shaping the National Interests. (Prof. Sa'd Abu Dayah) |
5.45 - 6.00 |
The Vital Arab
Interests between Nationalism and Pan-Arabism (Dr. Husni Al-Shayab) |
6.00 - 7.00 |
Discussion |
7.00 - 7.15 |
Coffee Break |
7.15 - 8.45 |
Second Session
(Chairman : Dr. Amin Moshaqbeh) |
7.15 - 7.35 |
Jordan
Civilizational Identity and its Role in Shaping its Vital Interests
(Dr. Mohd. Owaidha) |
7.35 - 7.55 |
Jordan Vital
National Interests and Expected Shifts in the next Decade (Mr. Falih Tawil) |
7.55 - 8.35 |
Discussion |
8.35 - 8.40 |
Closing speech |
Participants
Dr. Abdul-Fattah Rashdan
Dr. of Political Sciences, Mu'ta Univ.
|
Dr. Amin Meshaqba
Dr. of Political Science, Applied Sciences
Univ. and Chairman of Jordanian Society for Political Science & Former
Minister of Social Development. |
Mr. Falih Tawil
Member of diplomatic corps, Jordan
Ambassador to many countries. |
Dr. Husni Al-Shayab
Dr. of Political Science, Isra' Univ.
|
Prof. Ishaq Al-Farhan
Chancellor of Zarqa Private Uni. |
Dr. Mohd. Owaidha
Dean of Shari'a Faculty, Zarqa Private Univ.
|
Prof. Sa'ad Abu Dayah
Prof. of Political Science, Univ. of Jordan.
|
Abstract
The Middle East Studies Centre (MESC) held a specialized seminar on "The Vital Interests of Jordan: Components and Challenges", along two sessions. The participants included in elite of Jordanian University professors, politicians and intellectuals.
The seminar was commenced by the MESC director, Mr. Jawad Al Hamad saying that Jordan and world entering into the third millennium necessitated careful consideration of Jordan vital interests and putting its plans and programs accordingly. He stressed the importance of realizing the lower and higher of Jordan interests to avoid falling down in the mist, momentary incitement of blind comparison with conditions and situations unsuitable for the age of technology, information, market economy and globalism.
In the first session, presided over by Prof. Ishaq Al-Farhan, chancellor of Zarqa Univ., Dr. Abdul Fattah Rashdan, Prof. of political sciences at Mu'ta Univ., introduced a paper on "The Concept of Vital National Interests in Contemporary International Politics", where he defined the aim of the research within the concept of national interests and its components. He discussed the national interests within a theoretical framework mentioning the realistic and behavioral schools. He discussed each regarding the concept of national interests stressing on the main critics of each.
Dr. Sa'd Abu Dayah, Prof. of political sciences at the Univ. of Jordan introduced his paper entitled: "The Real Challenges in the Face of Jordanian Government during the Reign of King Abdullah 2". He defined these challenges in the light of speeches by King Abdullah 2. He compared between those speeches and the speeches of the late King Hussein during his early years of reign. He found out the differences of priorities, interests and challenges at the beginning of both periods of reign.
Then, Dr. Husni Al-Shayab presented his paper "The Vital Arab Interests Between Nationalism and Pan-Arabism". He stressed that, in social sciences, there is no dialectical concept other than concept of interest. Dr. Shayab posed number of questions about the nature of the state. He questioned the major ties between these interests and people, country or the regime. He also out this questions on who determines the interests of the state.
In the second session presided by Dr.Amin Mashaqbeh, Dr. Mohd. 'Owaida, Dean of Shari'a Faculty at Zarqa' Univ., presented his paper on "Jordan Civilizational Identity and its Role in Shaping Vital Interests". He defined Jordan's Interests in the light of its Arab and Islamic origins and its role accordingly. The politics and programs of Jordan governments, consequently, should be in consistent with this perspective.
The last speaker was the Jordanian diplomat, Dr. Falih Tawil, who presented his paper: "Jordan Vital National Interests and the expected vital shift in the next Decade, 2000-2010". He began with defining the concept of vital national interests for any nation, showing that the concept is different from one place to another. He discussed the historical and political international map and its effect on Jordan. He mentioned the impact of this influence on the planning of Jordan policies locating interests.
By the end of the seminar, the participants gave suggestions, which included ideas put forward by presented papers and discussions, helping in planning for the Jordanian national vital interests.
Recommendations
A- Designing the Jordanian- Palestinian relations ships on solid bases that are Invulnerable to other parties.
B- Cultivating and developing the democratic choice.
C- Crystallizing Jordan's role within the Arabian order.
Democracies in the Arab World: Challenges and Future, Prat1
Amman - 17.8.1999
Program
5.00 - 5.15 |
Opening speech |
5.15 - 6.45 |
First
Session (Chairman : Prof. Salah Jarar) |
5.15 - 5.35 |
Democratic
Experience in Jordan (Dr. Mohd. Ashar'ah) |
5.35 - 5.55 |
Democratic
Experience in Kuwait (Mr. Mohd. Al - 'Aleem) |
5.55 - 6.05 |
Comments by Prof. Mohd. 'Ulwan |
6.05 - 6.45 |
Discussions |
6.45 - 7.00 |
Coffee Break |
Second
Session (Chairman Mr. Najeeb Al-Rashdan) |
|
7.00 - 7.15 |
Democratic
Experience in Lebanon (by Mr. Ma'n Bshour) - preseuated by Dr.Ahmad Al Burssan |
7.15 - 7.30 |
Democratic
Experience in Yemen (Dr. Ahmad Al-Assbahi) |
7.30 - 7.45 |
Democratic
Experience in Sudan (Prof. Al-Sheikh Al-Amin) |
7.45 - 7.55 |
Comments by Dr. Mohd. 'Uaidha |
7.55 - 8.35 |
Discussions |
8.35 - 8.40 |
Closing speech |
Participants (In alphabetical ordered )
Dr.Ahmad Al Burssan
Dr. of Political science, Applied
Science Univ. |
Dr. Ahmad Al-Assbahi
Former foreign Minister, Yemeni
|
Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad
General Director, Middle East Studies
Centre |
Prof. Al-Sheikh Al-Amin
Prof. of history, A'l Al Beit Univ.
|
Mr. Mohd. Al 'Aleem
Ex. Member of Kuwaiti Parliament
|
Mr. Ma'n Bashour
Chairman, Arab National Forum, Beirut,
Lebanon |
Dr. Mohd. 'Uaidha
Dean of Student Affairs, Zarqa Univ.
|
Dr. Moh. Ashar'ah
Prof. of political sciences, Yarmouk
Univ. |
Mr. Najeeb Al Rashdan
Chairman of the Arab Organization for
Human Rights in Jordan
|
Prof. Mohd. 'Ulwan
Dean of Law Faculty, Applied Sciences
Univ. |
Dr. Salah Jarar
Secretary General, Ministry of Culture
|
Abstract
The Middle East Studies Centre (MESC) held a
Seminar on the democratic experiences in the Arab world under the entitled:
" Democracy in the Arab World: Challenges and Future, Part1". Five
papers were presented about democratic experiences in Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen. Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad opened the seminar giving a
speech, which stressed the relation between experience and the essence of
the state and society. Mr. Al-Hamad stressed the importance of the
experience role in protecting the nation from self-isolation and
confinement, and warned that non-democratic attempts may lead Arab societies
to radical fundamentalism, which will exhaust the nation power and
potentials. He said that sound application of democracy based on freedom for
all people to compete for power would minimize chances for using violence to
achieve political aims. He called upon Arab governments to broaden the
margins of political freedoms.
In the first session presided over by Dr.Salah
Jarrar, Dr. Moh. Ashar'ah, Dr. of political science at Yarmouk Univ.
discussed the Jordanian democratic experience. He described it as a novel
democracy because Jordan is a new political entity in the region. He put in
detail the work experience since independence, including issued democratic
laws, constitutions, and elections. He referred to the important political
powers, which participated in the new democratic experience from 1989 to
1997. Mr. Ashar'ah's paper dealt with democratic changes in Jordan and
expressed optimism in future democratic experience if barriers are avoided
and margins of people freedom and participation are broadened.
Then, Mr. Mohd. Al-Aleem, ex. Kuwaiti Member of
Parliament took over and began by mentioning the growth of democracy
phenomenon in the world. He discussed the Kuwaiti political history and
circles of democratic experience since 1716. He detailed the stages of
constitutional system in Kuwait, which was towered by establishment of
democratic parliamentary rule. Mr. Al-Aleem described the present political
situation in Kuwait as a political theater composed of two main groups of
players: the government on one side and political movements of undeclared
parties on the other. He concluded mentioning number of positive and
negative elements in Kuwaiti democratic process and the promosing future of
Kuwaiti experience.
Then, Dr. Ahmad Burssan presented a paper
prepared by Mr. Ma'n Bshour, Chairman of the Arab National Forum in Beirut,
Lebanon. This came in the second session, presided over by Mr. Najeeb Al-Rashdan.
The paper mentioned that the Lebanese
constitution goes back to 1926 and emphasized the deep-rooted Lebanese
experience, being a leading one among the Arab legislations and the third
world. But, in spite of the development of the political system in Lebanon,
it still faces difficulties and retraction of the role of non-sectarian
parties for the benefit of sectarian ones.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Assbahi, former Foreign
Minister at Yemen, presented his paper saying
that Yemen was the cradle of the first democracy in history. Democracy,
therefor, settled in the hearts of Yemenis and became an attitude refusing
non-democratic behavior. Dr. Assbahi, then, dealt with the stages the Yemeni
democracy went through. While there were positive factors, which
participated in the development of democracy movement in Yemen, there were
also other negative factors. The most he mentioned including the narrow
loyalties and illiteracy, which have hindered that movement. Dr. Assbahi
stated that Yemeni citizen is still at the initial stage of dealing with his
political rights and that democracy has not crystallized yet as a culture.
The last paper was presented on Sudanese
democratic experience, by Prof. Al-Sheikh Al-Amin, Prof. of history at A'l
Al Beit Univ., he tackled the political events that have affected the
Sudanese experience, such as conflicts, coups and tensions. Concerning the
present experience, Dr. Al-Amin defined three problems facing the national
salvation (Inqath) government: the civilization identity, the political
system and the economic program for development. He answered the audience
that the present government has succeeded in solving the last two problems,
while it still dealing the first one hardly.
Dr.Ahmad Al Burssan edits the book of all
paper. To order your copy click here.
Recommendations
The Middle East Studies Centre in Eight Years: Achievements and Expectations
Amman-May 1999
Program
4.00 - 4.10 |
Opening speech |
4.10 - 4.20 |
Analysis of
MESC work in 8 years (Dr. Adnan Hayajnah) |
4.25 - 6.25 |
First session
(Chairman : Dr. Mohd. Massalha) |
4.25 - 5.35 |
1.
Review of foreign and Arab centers concerned with Middle East Studies and
the position of MESC among them (a comparative study) (Dr. Ahmad Al-Borssan) 2. The importance of research centers in the
west and Israel in decision making process 3. The scientific methodology in MESC
research works and studies, and their development |
5.35 - 6.20 |
Discussion |
6.20 - 6.30 |
Coffee Break |
6.30 - 8.35 |
Second Session
(Chairman : Prof. Salih Al-Khassawnah) |
6.30 - 7.30 |
1.
MESC : Its relations with society and presence in the media (Dr. Ibrahim Abu Arqoub) 2. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of
studies issued by MESC 3. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of
MESC seminars and conferences 4. Administrative philosophy and its
applications in the work of MESC |
7.30 - 8.15 |
Discussion |
8.15 - 9.15 |
Reception |
Participants
Dr. Abdul Fattah Al-Rashdan
Dr. of political sciences at Mu'ta Univ.
|
Dr. Adnan Hayajnah
Dr. of political science, Hashimite Univ.
|
Dr. Ahmad Al-Barssan
Dr. of political sciences, Applied Science
Univ. |
Dr. Ahmad Sa'eed Naufal
Dr. of political science , Yarmouk Univ.
|
Dr. Ibrahim Abu Arqoub
Dr. of sociology at the Univ. of Jordan.
|
Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad
Director G, MESC, Jordan |
Dr. Majdi Omar
A researcher in international relations and
Middle East, MESC, Jordan. |
Dr. Mohd. Messalha
Secretary General of House representatives
Jordanian Parliament |
Dr. Nizam Barakat
Dr. of political sciences, Yarmouk Univ.
|
Prof. Salih Al-Khassawneh
Former minister of labour |
Abstract
At the occasion of celebrating its 8th anniversary, and the occasion of Jordan Independence Day, the MESC held a seminar on “ MESC in Eight Years: Achievements and Expectations” on 24.5.1999.
The seminar covered two sessions during which eight researchers tackled two main issues.
The seminar was attended by a host of academics, politicians and Arab experts. About eighty academic and political notables participated in the discussions.
The opening ceremony included two speeches, the first by Mr. Jawad Al-Hamad, Director G. of MESC. He referred to the seminar importance in evaluating the scientific methodology followed by the MESC for development and innovation objectives.
Mr. Al-Hamad seized the opportunity of MESC 8th anniversary to call for more achievements in the field of freedom of opinion, information, scientific research and for encouragement of the creative.
Dr. Adnan Hayajnah, Dr. of political sciences, gave the second presentation, where he presented a reading and analysis of MESC works in 8 years. He stressed on the most important achievements of MESC and tried to illustrate and explain them through factors of its success along two periods: the first of 1991-1995, and the second of 1995-1999. Dr. Al-Hayajnah highlighted the MESC scientific publications and their subjects.
In the first session presided over by Dr. Mohd. Massalha, the secretary General of the Jordanian Parliament, and Dr. of political sciences at the Univ. of Jordanian, he introduced Dr. Ahmed Al-Borssan with his paper entitled "Review of foreign and Arab centers concerned with Middle East studies, and the position of MESC among them: A comparative study". Dr. Al-Borssan attracted attention to the importance and role of accurate, comprehensive and objective information, and role of scientific analysis decision making. He, then, gave a historical presentation of development stages and types of study centers in the world since the beginning of the 20th century. He concluded his paper with a comparison between Arab and foreign centers of Studies. He mentioned specific the forward rank that MESC gain among Arab and international research centers.
After that, Dr. Barakat, Dr. of political sciences at Yarmouk Univ., introduced the second paper entitled: "The importance of research centers in the West and Israel in Decision making". Dr. Abdul-Fattah Al-Rashdan followed him with his paper entitled: "The scientific methodology in MESC research works and studies, and their development". He stated the important foundations and rules of research work, in the light of which he evaluated the research works and studies of MESC. Dr. Al-Rashdan attracted attention to negative aspects and concluded giving some recommendations to raise the standard of research work.
In the 2nd session, presided over by Dr. Salih Khassawnah, former minister of labour, he introduced Dr. Ibrahim Abu-Arqoub, Prof. of sociology at the Jordanian Univ. His paper was entitled: "MESC: its relations with society and its presence in the media". He stated the MESC methods to reach various classes of society through personal and mass communication methods.
After that, Dr. Ahmad Sa'eed Naufal, Prof. and head of political science section at Yarmouk Univ., presented his paper entitled: "Quantitative and qualitative analysis of studies issued by MESC'. The paper included statistical and analytic ratios and numbers about the MESC publications.
Dr. Waleed Abdul-Hay Prof. of political sciences at Yarmouk Univ., introduced the fourth paper : "A quantitative and qualitative analysis of MESC symposia and conferences". He discussed the important of MESC symposia and conferences and their wide level effects.
The last participant was Dr. Majdi Omar, part-time researcher at MESC in the field of international relations and Middle East. His paper, "Administrative philosophy and its applications in the work of MESC", discussed the existing administrative philosophy based on staff participation in program making and execution. He talked about stages of administration development and providing convenient atmosphere to achieve that objective.
Recommendations
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