* That have been held since 1998

• Violation of Human Rights in Palestine

• The Political & Social out comes of the Religious Education (Islamic, Christian & Jewish)

• Investment in Jordan : Opportunities & Prospects 17-18 July, 2001.

• Middle East Studies Center in 10 Years, Acheivements & Aspirations, 2001.

• The Dispelled Palestinians' Future 11-13/9/2000.

• The Political & Cultural Impact of Globalization on the Arab World, 2000.(In cooperation with Alyarmouk Univerity.)

• Impact of WTO Membership &  Application of Privatization on Economic Development in Jordan, 2000.

• The Independent Palestinian State, December 1999.

• The Vital Interests of Jordan: Components and Challenges, October 1999.

• Democracy in the Arab World: Challenges and Future Part 1, August 1999.

• The Middle East Studies Centre in Eight Years: Achievements and Expectations,May 1999.

• Western Trends Toward the Political Islam in The Middle East, jointly with the University of Jordan, November 1998.

 
Abstract

The 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

1. The declaration of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital constitutes an Arab and Palestinian ambition, as well as a normal right to the Palestinian people in accordance with the international legitimacy and historical right.

2. The emphasis on the Arab and Islamic depth as the sponsor of the Independent Palestinian state, which requires the increase of the efficiency of the Arab role. This can be achieved through coordination with the Palestinians giving no chance to the Israeli side to dominate the Palestinian side.It can also be achieved by the immediate Arabian cognition of such state.

3. The right of the refugees to return to their lands from which they were expelled, and to be compensated for the damaged they had suffered from are the bases for any political permanent solution that the Palestinians may accept, even if temporarily. The newly born state should not be help responsible for such a return.

4. A call for putting together a team of academic experts (5-10) to conduct open discussion seminars over the coming two months, both in Jordan and Palestine (politicians, economists and lawmen). The reason for that is to offer visions and expertise in the field of the permanent solution and the Palestinian state, so as to help the Palestinian side crystallize a legal policy to the new Palestinian situation as a state rights in the permansolution talks.

5. A call for sticking with the state's Arab and Islamic depth, and getting rid of the Israeli dominance over its establishment, relationships, and eternal structure.

6. Giving importance to the terms of the state and its independence components, as an introduction to solve the entire Palestinian problem, and not Israel's security, demographic, and economic problems.

7. The endeavor to obtain a national Palestinian unanimity on the state, in terms of the preparation or the components, and to carry out a broadened dialogue on that, both inside and outside before signing any obligatory agreement that limit the absorbing of some future Palestinian ambitions and tendencies.

 

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.

1. The national vital interest is considered a basic guide to the decision-maker, and the most important factor in determining his international relation ships.

2. The fundamental bases for the country's vital interests are: the protection of the regional security, developing the state's power and economic capabilities, defending the state's ideology, and sustaining and preserving the national culture.

3. Jordan's civilizational identity is an Arab and Muslim one. If its vital interests are to be achieved, they must be based on that perspective and attached to it.

4. The national interests must not take priority over the nation's interests; Balance and moderateness should be adhered to while examining the different alternatives.

5. Some of the national vital interests are: the accomplishment of profound economic reforms, the concentration on the external challenges and threats, besides, good neighborhood in shaping those interests is a national necessity.

6. The country's vital interests is facing great challenges in the coming decade, The main are :

                    A- Designing the Jordanian- Palestinian relations ships on solid bases that are Invulnerable to other parties.

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

1. The continuation of offering a scientific approach which the center adopts so as to improve it and to avoid its defects.

2. To benefit from the expertise of the Arab and foreign centers which are specialized in similar fields to those of the center's, Moreover, to make a comparison in order to reveal the aspects of improvement and limitation in the center's work.

3. Strengthening and supporting the center's diversed activities and programs, particularly those related to serving the society as well as the country, planning the strategies towards the future and decision-making in Jordan and the Middle East in general.

4. Working towards more openness terms of the freedom of expression and informat. Also, reinforcing the basis of the scientific research, and encouraging the creative.