True to its original full title, the Forum will offer a sweeping overview of issues regarding Democracy, Development and Free Trade in the Middle-East, the Arab countries and the world. More broadly, this international meeting will discuss critical political, economic, social, financial, strategic and human matters of pressing concern for a region witnessing some of the most substantial changes in its very long History.

 

The international guests of honor this year will be the President of the Republic of Sri-Lanka HE Mahinda Rajapaksa, and former President of Senegal and current Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, H.E. Abdou Diouf. The forum will also be featuring some very high-profile personalities, eminent political leaders, decision-makers and members of parliament, renowned businessmen, academics, media figures and experts, as well as representatives of the civil society and regional and international organizations, who will contribute to a free, learned and stimulating debate on each of the many topics on the forum’s agenda, with a focus on the Arab Spring and the global financial and economic crisis.

 

The Doha Forum will be held at the Doha Sheraton Hotel in the State of Qatar from 20-22 May, 2012. It will be attended by more than 610 participants representing over 84 countries and organizations.

The Doha Forum is a framework for dialogue, through which the participants discussed various issues inspired from the region s current situations at all levels.

 

HE Al Rumaihi reviewed the major themes discussed during sessions and workshops, where a number of experts, academics, researchers and civil society activists took part. Resolving the current issues and challenges the region is facing, requires the implementation of politico-economic reforms as well as the adoption of a "real comprehensive development policy, where economic and political reforms go side by side", he said. The region is in process of democratic reform which should bring about a sort of balance between political and security axes, HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow up Affairs explained.

 

At the international level, reforms are as well required for international institutions among which the UN Security Council, noting that the State of Qatar is hosting on May workshop on UNCS reform. The participants called upon the region s governments to put into practice a system to combat corruption and bodies in charge of restituting public money and assets.

The Doha Forum is a framework for dialogue, through which the participants discussed various issues inspired from the region s current situations at all levels.

 

HE Al Rumaihi reviewed the major themes discussed during sessions and workshops, where a number of experts, academics, researchers and civil society activists took part. Resolving the current issues and challenges the region is facing, requires the implementation of politico-economic reforms as well as the adoption of a "real comprehensive development policy, where economic and political reforms go side by side", he said. The region is in process of democratic reform which should bring about a sort of balance between political and security axes, HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow up Affairs explained.

 

At the international level, reforms are as well required for international institutions among which the UN Security Council, noting that the State of Qatar is hosting on May workshop on UNCS reform. The participants called upon the region s governments to put into practice a system to combat corruption and bodies in charge of restituting public money and assets.

In a welcoming address at the forum, hh the emir welcomed the participants attending the doha 9th forum affirming that the meeting gains a new dimension adding an extraordinary significance to it. ''''we have been looking forward , via the past session of this forum , to have new additions in the fields of development, democracy and free trade , a complete and integrated mechanism for development is the avenue to abundance, and abundance in itself does not lead to justice except when it is accompanied by yearning to justice in general and social justice in particular, and free trade is the avenue to production and integration to what is called the one global village. If it is liberated from relations of inequality, exploitation and involving political hegemony in economy,'''' said hh the emir.

In his colsing address, H.E. Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al-Rumaihi , The Assistant Foreign Affairs For Follow Up Affairs and who is also Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences, expressed gratitude and pride for the effective participation and the positive discussions which prevaied the forum deliberations and for the grand presence by worldly renowned political, economic , academic and intellectual figures together with media men and qatari students as well.

It also discussed the roles of civil society organizations and mass media in democratization and promotion of human rights in the Arab world.

 

HH The Emir of State of QATAR Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani opened the seventh Doha Conference on Democracy, Development and Free Trade, at Ritz-Carlton-Doha, which is also being attended by 600 delegates from 71 countries, consisting of political leaders, diplomats, intellectuals, academicians, businessmen and media personnel.

 

They included Finland President Tarja Halonen, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, leader of the UK House of Commons Jack Straw, Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa, former Lebanese premier Dr Saleem al-Hoss, and former president of South Africa F W de Klerk. HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad and Prime Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani The Qatari prime Minister and ministers were also present. The event has attracted a large participation from the US Congress and the UK House of Commons as well as Arab, Asian and African business leaders.

 

Hundreds of other diplomats, academics, and professionals from around the world also attended and held discussions.

 

Four Detroit-area Arab Americans attended, including former Dearborn mayoral candidate and Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Abed Hammoud, publisher of "The Arab American News" Osama Siblani, President of the Bint Jebail Cultural Center Naim Bazzi, and Vice President of the Arab American and Chaldean Council, Dr. Radwan Khouri.

Hh The Emir Inaugurated The Forum. Hh The Emir Has Warned That Challenging The Choices Of Peoples Will Only Result In Fulfilling The Feelings Of Despair And Generate Waves Of Wrath. Moreover Opposing The Popular Will Contradicts The Spirit Of Democratic Option That Calls For Compliance With What The Majority Decides, Hh The Emir Added. Touching On The Regional Security, Hh The Emir Said Establishing Such A Security Could Not Be Completed Unless Democratic Practice Makes Progress, Because Security Is Not Just Military Arrangements Agreed Upon By States. It Rather Requires Internal Political Measures Which Enable The Citizen To Participate In The Affairs Of His Country And Shoulder His Responsibilities.

 

H.E. SHEIKH HAMAD BIN JASSIM BIN JABR AL-THANI First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs also addressed the forum. His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, the First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, stressed that fundamental basics of democracy that aim to attain social justice are achieved through building a state of institutions, human rights, effective citizen participation in management and ruling, transparency and accounting for acts, which guarantee all the respect of the people’s choices.

 

THE Deputy leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords in the UK, Lord David Howell, gave a call for setting up a network of countries across continents for ensuring smooth trade and better transparency among nations. While lauding the role of regional forums in finding long-lasting and effective solutions for many controversial issues, the British parliamentarian highlighted the necessity of such organizations to have an excellent understanding with international forums, especially UN-led bodies. Lord Howell made these remarks while addressing delegates at a session on ‘Regional Institutions and Future challenges’.

 

Secretary General of Egypt’s Al-Ghad Party, Naji al-Ghatrifi, told a session titled “Opposition and Power”, that such regimes have been playing double games as in the case of the establishment of civil society organizations.

 

Speaking about opposition parties in Egypt, al-Ghatrifi said the Mubarak regime was responsible for their poor performance in the recent elections.

 

Abdul Bari Addwan, editor-in-chief of Al Quds Al Arabi, a prominent London-based Arabic daily, made a comment at the forum during a question and answer session.

 

Israel, said Addwan, had some 3,000 nuclear heads but nobody at this conference mentioned this, while many referred to the Iran nuke issue.

 

Addwan said that Israel killed 3,000 innocent people in the Palestinian territories and 'terrorism' was defined as an act of killing and torturing innocent civilians.

 

Samuel Huntington’s theory of “Clash of Civilisations” was flatly rejected by speakers at a seminar titled “Dialogue of Civilisations in lieu of Clash of Civilisations” held as part of the Forum.

 

The president of Western Michigan University, Dr Judith Bailey, rejected Huntington’s premise saying that it was an easily refutable argument. She indicated that Huntington’s view is very simplistic and fell short on respect for human conditions.

 

“Huntington presumes that there is a finite limit on the human spirit and that human being can only love and respect one’s culture and perspective, we call that a zero sum game”, Dr Bailey said while adding that Huntington quoted from Michael Dibdin’s Dead Lagoon novel: “There can be no true friends without enemies, we can not love what we are unless we hated what not we are”.

 

Speakers at a session on “The age of great immigrations” held as part of the Forum made a call to explore immediate ways to check uncontrolled immigration from certain parts of the world, notably in North Africa, to some European countries, especially France.

 

Initiating discussions, Yazid Sabeg, chgairman and general director of communications and systems `in France suggested imparting education among younger generation of immigrants about the problems a migrant likely to encounter in new situations, encourage the development of countries from where emigrants come from and thus trying to reduce the immigration to the maximum, if not to the “zero” level, as he called.

Delegates at the meetings include US congressmen and European lawmakers, with France sending a 50-strong contingent. Chirac address
In an address to the gathering read by Secretary of State for State Reform Eric Woerth, French President Jacques Chirac stressed that reforms must come from within, a point often made by leaders of the Gulf region.

 

While France encourages reform in the Arab world, "it knows that changes must come from inside and take place at the pace chosen by each of the countries of the region", he said.
"Every reform initiative must be based on the expectations and needs of states and civil societies," the French leader said.

 

He also said a fairer distribution of wealth was a prerequisite to stability.
"In an increasingly globalised economy, our common efforts must reconcile the requirements of political reform and economic justice," he said.

The work of the Conference was completed in the course of (10)sessions. The responsibility of organizing and moderating each of these sessions was given fully to a specific institution in a manner that will be explained later. In the course of the meetings several working papers were presented by the panelists to the tune of (52) papers. The discussions amongst the participants concentrated on the papers. There were (71) observations and the panelists also contributed approximately (36) comments.

 

Dealt with the issue of: “Education and its role in promoting the march of The first topic democracy”. The session was organized and chaired by: “The University of Qatar and the Gulf Institute for Studies”; the discussion dealt with the responsibility of education in the Arab Region for the state of democracy therein. Two main orientations emerged from the different opinions expressed, one of which was to consider education in our region fully responsible, since it does not contain nor adopt a culture of democracy in the required manner but rather basic elements obstructing democracy.

 

The other main orientation considered Arab education innocent of such a charge and rather a victim of the official Arab political and social order. The session witnessed the expression of several views by the panelists, as well as by the participants concerning the basis for the reform of education and the external role to be played to achieve that, as well as the impact of religious thought in this particular area. They also discussed the Qatari experience in the field of the development of education.

 

Another topic discussed is: “The importance of culture in economic development and democratic awareness”. This discussion was organized and chaired by: “The Arab Press Club in France” and it stressed the fact that the cultural element has become the main promoter of political dynamics in the world. The discussion concluded that democratic salvation cannot be achieved without full freedom of cultural and epistemological choice. The discussions also expressed concern over the situation of Arab reality and the deterioration there of, all of which require immediate reform. They also discussed the fact that Arab political culture is relatively receding at all levels and is facing many challenges (the culture of simplified dualities- the culture of all or nothing - the culture of the fear of the other- and the culture of plots). Also, the possibility of seeing the West attempt to impose a ready-made culture and global criteria ready for implementation or application.

 

That is why some of the participants warned against the disregard for the increasing separation between the Arabs and the Islamic world because of cultural misunderstanding. Others called upon culture to wage the battle of development and democracy provided it would not give priority to material wealth at the expense of the higher values of humanity; they also called upon culture not to disregard or forget the political and cultural sovereignty of the peoples. Moreover the issue of secularization also elicited a very lively discussion between the panelists and the participants.

 

The third topic of discussion was devoted to “The role of economic development in enhancing and promoting democracy”. It was organized and chaired by “The Council for Foreign Relations in the U.S”. One intervention dealt with the main pillars of economic development (education- political and economic empowerment of women in society- transparency- respect for personal rights and the sovereignty of law- the role of the international community- and active civil society). Another presentation dealt with the issue of state security and democracy, while a third concentrated on the importance of the role of women in achieving economic development, stating three basic elements, the education of girls -controlled of women over economic resources and the participation of the feminine labour force. Yet, another working paper dealt with the issue of generating concentrated wealth and the importance of "risk capital”. These presentations elicited very extensive dialogue and discussions between the participants and the panelists, particularly underlining the objection of some to what had been said about "risk capital” and the role of banks concerning the working capital. The question of alternative sources of energy was also fully discussed, as well as the establishment of a development bank for the Middle East were of particular interest to all the participants.

 

organized and moderated the session devoted to “The Arab Organization for Human Rights”. The main discussing the issue of: “Transition in the Arab World, issues and problematics”speakers, i.e . the panelists dealt with the state of democracy in the Arab Region, the projects and initiatives for reform from within and from outside the region at the present moment, all of which creates a very difficult situation for Arab governments.

 

Others discussed those external projects particularly, the American project and the fact that it is surrounded with an aura of suspicion because of its several inherent errors, in addition to the several existing confrontations in the region particularly in view of the ongoing Israeli- Palestinian conflict and the fact that they represent obstacles hampering the establishment of the bases of democracy.

 

Some other participants dealt particularly with the steps adopted by the state of Qatar on the path of democracy in the course of the past years. The presentations elicited very lively discussions in the hall between two main lines of thought, one objecting to the import or the imposition of democracy from outside, and rejecting the idea of those who come to the region in order to teach us democracy. The other line of thought considered that the world has become practically a cosmic "flat" and not a cosmic village, which makes it necessary for the inhabitants of that "flat" to stand up, by force if necessary to any attempts to destroy the facilities of the "flat" by other inhabitants.

 

The fifth topic dealt with: “The impact of crises and instability on the development of democracy in the Middle East”. The session dealing with this topic was organized and moderated ”. One of panelists spoke of the role by: “The Westminster Institution for Democracy in the U.Kof that institution in helping enhance democracy and its experience in this respect.

 

Another speaker dealt with the impact of external crises on the state, with regard to the economic losses it causes or with regard to the fact that such crises may lead to reducing the scope of democracy within the country on the pretext of the need to deal with external threat. A third presentation dealt with the possibility that crises and instability are not alone in hampering or are not the main obstacles to democracy, whereas another presentation expressed an opposite opinion and considered that internal crises do not put an end to democracy, but rather that such crises and instability may be the strongest factors in leading to a mature democracy. This opinion was supported by another point of view affirming that the crisis is not an obstacle, but is essential for the achievement of democracy.

 

These opinions were reflected on the discussions with the participants, some of whom called for the necessity for the Middle East to obtain the democracy that it deserved, provided it stems from within the region stating that external obstacles faced by the region, foremost of which is the stand of the super powers with regard to the Palestinian and Iraqi questions. Some other participants expressed their concern over what had been said about the absence of reason, which would prevent the forces of political Islam from coming to power.

 

Another session dealt with: “The European role in promoting democracy in the Arab World”. It was organized and moderated by: “The Institute of International Strategic Relations in France”. Some of the presentations dealt with the different methodological approaches of Europe on the one hand and the U.S. on the other concerning the way of establishing democracy. Another panelist dealt with the extent of the possibility for European and Western values to become an ex ample for others, not, however, by exporting such values or having them copied. A third panelist compared Europe to the Arab region with regard to the issue of democracy, affirming that no single state can claim to give lessons to others with regard to reforms.

 

A fourth panelist referred to the inevitability of having Europe deal with the question of democracy in the Middle East and of the need to devote serious thought to the matter on the basis of its security and urgent interests, provided that the key to any move should be towards enhancing democracy in the Arab World and to develop a partnership with the middle class, and civil society, both being a source of development in the region.

 

Yet, another presentation stated that Europe would seem to be closer to the region, not only geographically and culturally, but also because Europe is more understanding and objective with regard to the main issues within the region foremost among which the Palestinian question as opposed to the obvious American bias for Israel. The participants had many comments with regard to the presentations. Some considered the presentations to be merely a number of statements in defense of Europe or the Western World, while others linked Europe's success to the extent of its capacity to offer assistance in finding a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. A third participant called upon Europe to bring pressure to bear upon America and to convince the latter of the need for both of them together to assume responsibility in this respect. Others spoke of the weak credibility as regards the role of Europe in the region as a result of the lack of political efficiency of the European Union, in addition to the complex bureaucracy that Europe is facing. “The Royal Institute for International Affairs in the UK”assumed the responsibility of organizing and moderating yet another topic entitled "Iraq: Is Foreign Intervention a Generator or an Obstacle to Democracy in the Middle East". The discussion started with the assumption that Arab regimes wish for the failure of American intervention in Iraq. Some supported the idea, while others objected to such a statement. The discussion then dealt with the gravity of the Iraqi war at both the Iraqi and regional level, and some panelists criticized the incomplete democracy in Europe and the United States of America. Some presentations spoke of the justifications for foreign intervention from an economic point of view, stating that such an intervention is necessary with regard to the Palestinian issue, and criticized Israeli politics and practice against the Palestinians, all of which reveal Israel as being a non liberal state, as well as being unworthy of a state which declares itself to be a democratic state. The discussion between the panelists and the participants revealed the predominance of a current refusing the principle of imposing democracy from the outside, particularly by force, as is the case in Iraq at present, they expressed suspicion regarding the credibility of the stand of the United States of America bearing in mind their position regarding the Palestinian question. On the other hand, some speakers expressed interest in Turkish-American-Israeli relations, and raised questions as to the nature of such relations. ” was given the responsibility of “The Council for Foreign Relations of the United States preparing and moderating a session entitled: "The Formulation of Public Opinion, Democratic Application and the Role of Arab Information". One of the presentations dealt with the role of the information office in the White House and its methods of work, in the light of what was revealed by the events of the 11th of September as to America's need to change its manner of connecting with the rest of the world. Another presentation gave actual examples concerning the attempt to discover the facts connected with the investigations' reports in order to put a stop to the rumours aiming at destabilizing public opinion, or rumours aimed at reaching wrong conclusions and adopting the wrong stands. Another working paper dealt with the role and responsibility of foreign information French) in Arabic for creating the climate conducive to assisting and encouraging the development of democracy in the region. Another speaker dealt with the role of journalists in shaping public opinion.

 

A fourth panelist reviewed the obstacles and problematics hampering the role of Arab information, particularly those caused by the State, and preventing the development of democratic mechanism. Another panelist dealing with the same topic spoke of the requirement for the future and called for the "institutionalization" and establishment of a charter of honour for Arab information. The comment of the participants was in agreement with the presentations of the panelists, particularly regarding the role of the state in limiting Arab information. However the question concerning the danger of assassination threatening some media men, and the accusation of the United States for being directly responsible thereof, loomed high in the discussions of this topic. Another topic entitled: "Free Trade and the Promotion of Democracy in the Arab World, Good Governance and Civil Society " was the subject of another session. This session was organized and moderated by: “The Centre of Studies and Research on the Arab Nations and the Middle East- in Geneva”. One of the presentations discussed present day reality as regards democracy in the Arab World concluding that what is taking place is not aimed at establishing democracy through democratic political regime, but is rather the result of the pressure brought to bear by the international community, because of the way they view the radical regimes as enemies of the international community. A second panelist spoke of breaking up monopolies and dealt with what was referred to as "the magic formula". A third presentation dealt with the European view of cooperation and partnership in order to achieve reforms, mentioning the importance of Middle East partnership even though it has not been realized to date and has only achieved average results because of the fact that there was no success in achieving peace in the Arab Region. The same panelist referred to the new extended European policy of relations of good neighborhood which was launched inJanuary of 2003 and which in fact, offers a new perspective of the future.

 

Another panelist spoke of the success of the process of the European integrationas opposed to the failure of its Arab counterpart. Yet, a fifth presentation dealt with the role of civil society in developing democracy as a fourth estate. The discussion between the participants and the panelists centered around the question of separating religion from the state, some explaining that it is not impossible to establish the concept of Islamic democracy, while others considered that the failure of all attempts at Arab integration as compared to European integration is due to the Arab’s incapability of adopting a political decision, while another speaker considered the role of Israel to be responsible for such a failure.

 

assumed the responsibility of organizing and “The Islamic Centre in the United States” moderating the special session devoted to: “The policies and economics of energy in the coming stage”. Some of the presentations dealt with the political dimension of availability of resources, warning states owning oil and oil-products not to consider this a pretext to evade reform policies. Another presentation dealt with world energy policies within the framework of the radical relationship linking sources of energy to economics, to the environment, to education and to equality of opportunities. Another panelist mentioned the fact that the USA would be reducing their purchases in oil and natural gas from the Middle East and the Gulf in the long run, a fact that necessitates that such states should vary their economies, and declare the innocence of the OPEC organization of the charge of having an impact on the prices, laying the blame on the US system of dealing with gasoline after the adoption of the resolution for amending the law on pure air in 1990.

 

A fourth panelist affirmed that there is an agreement within the United States concerning the need to reduce the price of energy, while there is a disagreement concerning the way and means of so doing, stating that the availability of energy for all states may not be reflected in the form of economic development and welfare for the people, but rather it may divert attention away from the requirement of economic growth. Some of the participants expressed their concern regarding the possibility of having false expectations, while others expressed their reservations concerning the possibility of seeing the United States of America reduce their dependence on foreign oil, and regarding what had been said concerning the tendency of the United States to shift their dependence towards the global sources of energy.

We regard democracy and responsible popular participation in decision making and the running of state affairs as a pre-requisite for the development of our countries and societies and setting the role of the constitutional, political and legal institutions needed for building the state which is capable of addressing the requirements of the contemporary world and future challenges.

 

At the same time, we believe that the economic openness, encouragement of the private sector and investments, updating the educational systems as well as strengthening the bonds of cultural and civilization exchange and interaction between peoples and nations, constitute, on their part, necessary foundations for the realization of the objectives of the development, modernization and progress we aspire. Political democracy and economic and social democracy are, in our view, inseparable twins. Indeed, they are the indispensable means for the process of development and prosperity we seek, and work for…

 

The problems our region is suffering from are not limited to political and security aspects; but there are other challenges and difficulties, which we have to tackle in the economic, social and environmental fields.

 

These are of no less significance and impact than regional conflicts in terms of their negative repercussions. Indeed, poverty, unemployment, social and cultural backwardness, decline of standards of education and vocational training, mismanagement, poor economic performance, lack and disparity of job opportunities, all of which form sources of threat that cannot be ignored. Furthermore, they represent major obstacles which impede the attainment of progress and development. It is no longer possible to put aside these difficult economic and social conditions without according due attention to them, but it has rather become urgent and imperative to find out plans and programs that guarantee reaching effective and quick solutions to them….).

 

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, the First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister addressed the forum. H.E said (The third in the series of conferences organized by Qatar on democracy and free trade is rather special. It was held at a determining moment and at an exciting stage in the history of the Arab region, I would not be exaggerating if I were to say in the history of the world system: the events of the Iraqi war had reached their peak and all were waiting to see how things would go. When the conference was convened under the aegis of his Highness Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the land, in the presence of such a great group of intellectuals and politicians from different countries and of different orientations, I was certain it would be indeed a very special conference. Looking at this elite gathering, I expected the debate would be at the highest level and in keeping with the importance of the moment and the seriousness of its events. This also makes me more convinced than ever of the importance for Qatar’s political and economic orientations to continue towards democracy and free trade, so that it can play its role at both regional and global levels).

 

Throughout its sessions, the Conference discussed the two issues of democracy and free trade as a general starting point from which stemmed several closely related topics. The angle from which democracy was approached was widened so as to include religion, education, institutions, human rights and information. As for the issue of free trade, it encompassed open markets, sustainable development and economic institutions. All the debates took into consideration the regional and international conditions,

 

concentrating first and foremost on the present and future concerns of the Arab region, particularly the events in Iraq, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the stand against terrorism in the light of the ongoing changes in the international order and the aims of world strategies in the region. The preparatory working paper for the Conference greatly contributed to drawing the main lines of approach to the issues and problems to be discussed.

 

The presentations of the main speakers during the sessions were of a high level in terms of the information, ideas and views on the subjects.
Equally important were the addresses at the opening session by speakers belonging to national, regional and international institutions, whose role and importance in these fields are well known.

 

The discussions of the participants played a positive role in enriching the dialogue with their depth and courage.