Mena conference report final (1)

Responding to the Arab Spring:
Enhancing Civil Society and Regional Intergovernmental Organisations
Collaboration to Meet New Peace and Security Challenges

Conference Report

Organized by

Enhancing CS and RIGO Collaboration

Table of Contents

Introduction

Conference
Online Consultations
Agenda
Challenges
Opportunities

Conclusion / the way forward

Annexes
List of Participants
Profiles of Speakers

Enhancing CS and RIGO Collaboration Page 4

Introduction

Since the end of 2010, the Arab Spring has prompted the emergence of a new context; a wave of
uprisings has challenged the status quo of long standing regimes across the region. Whilst these events
have come as a surprise to most experts and analysts, they reinforce perceptions of the interconnected
nature of countries in the region. This factor serves to highlight the importance of regional actors, as
well as civil society in addressing peace and security challenges in the MENA region.

As stark example of the strength of civic action and social movement, the Arab Spring has highlighted
the crucial role of civil society in challenging authoritarian regimes through nonviolent means, as well
as debunking assumptions that the nature of civil society in the region render it unable to contribute to
regime change and democratisation. However, at the same time CSOs in the region are seeing how
their political and operational space is increasingly being restricted. These restrictions and the
challenges brought against ruling regimes have showed the need for the Arab League, the Organisation
of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the AU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as regional
intergovernmental organizations (RIGOs) to spearhead multilateral approaches in mediating peaceful,
nonviolent resolutions to the unrest.

In the past few years GPPAC has actively worked to engage RIGOs in its work towards the prevention of
armed conflict. As part of these efforts, GPPAC and the Organization of American States (OAS)
organised the international conference Strengthening Global Peace and Security for Development. This
event, held in Madrid in November 2011, brought together representatives of different Regional Inter-
Governmental Organisations (RIGOs) - including the Arab League and the African Union - the United
Nations, civil society leaders and representatives of the private sector to create synergies and identify
complementarities to promote greater peace and security.

The longer-term outcomes that the conference aimed to contribute towards are: a) Increased
cooperation and exchange between RIGOs from different regions in the world; b) Increased
cooperation and exchange between CSOs from different regions; c) Increased cooperation between
CSOs and regional and subregional organizations in their respective geographic area. Specific options
and recommendations for follow-up action to sustain this process of exchange and ultimately build the
capacity of, and improve cooperation between, different actors were identified as follows: Increased
capacity, cooperation and exchange amongst RIGOs & between RIGOs and the UN; Increased
cooperation and exchange between CSOs from different regions; Increased cooperation between CSOs
and regional and sub-regional organizations in their respective geographic area; Continuing the process
of cooperation between the UN, RIGOs and CSOs.

As a follow-up to the global conference GPPAC, through its regional network the Middle East and North
Africa Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (MENAPPAC), organised a regional conference
called Responding to the Arab Spring: Enhancing Civil Society and Regional Intergovernmental
Organisations Collaboration to Meet New Peace and Security Challenges. This conference will strive to
strengthen the relationship between local CSOs in the Middle East and North Africa and regional
intergovernmental organisations, notably the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the
Organization for Islamic Cooperation


In light of the challenges faced by most Arab countries due to globalization on the one hand and the
inflammation of the revolutions of the Arab Spring on the other: What role is waiting for the civil
society organizations (CSOs) considering these changes? What is the relationship the CSOs are
longing for with the regional intergovernmental organizations? What are the best ways to develop
this relationship for the better? Overall, the regional conference aimed at increasing operational
space for CSOs in which to advocate for conflict prevention and peacebuilding practices in the region;
increasing attention from MENA RIGOs, and other relevant organisations, to CSOs, and connecting
civil society with policymaking on the regional and international level; institutionalising dialogue
processes between CSOs in the MENA region and the MENA RIGOs in particular; and finally the
adoption of conflict prevention and peacebuilding considerations on the political agenda of RIGOs.

To identify the potential action points around which follow up actions should focus and in order to
involve as many CSOs from the region as possible, the agenda of the regional conference was set
according to online consultations. The suggestions of the participating CSOs were the main material
to develop a program of work and discussion for the conference. The programme consisted of
plenary sessions and group discussions. During the plenary sessions (June 16 and the first half of June
17) the topics were discussed from both a RIGO/state perspective and a civil society perspective. The
group discussions (the second half of June 17) divided the participants and speakers according to
themes, and focused on the challenges and opportunities – formal and informal linkages – as well as
the future of the RIGO-civil society cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Conference

The Online Consultations:

In an effort to establish the basis
of a structural engagement
MENAPPAC has organized online
consultations with CSOs to
identify the key issues and
potential action points around
which follow up actions should
f o c us . T hr o u g h th e s e
consultations, held on a specially
designed space on the Peace
Portal (www.peaceportal.org),
the CSOs were able to
determine the starting point
that will shape the conference’s
dialogue between the Arab
League, and other international
institutions such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, government
representatives and civil society. This dialogue is an initial step towards an action plan as well as


recommendations to improve the capacity to jointly address the critical issues of peace and security in
MENA. This is crucial to strengthening the capacity of the local CSOs who work to address conflict
situations on a daily basis .

The online consultations in preparation for the regional conference started on April 3rd with general
questions regarding the work of local civil society organisations and regional intergovernmental
organisations and the relation existing between these actors. Respondents were then asked to
prioritize topics according to the needs in their societies. The selected topics will form the thread in
following consultation sessions and the conference programme. The topics prioritized by the
respondents to the online consultations were: Safe space for human rights, Tolerance, conflict
prevention tools, Building Democratic Regimes and
transitional justice. There is a counter attack going on, there
‘

is a very strong counter attack going on!
The Agenda: And if you look at the High Commis-
sioner statement that mentions examples,
Each prioritized topic was discussed with the online it goes beyond the region. Other countries
participants in a separate session. After 52 answers from 12 are becoming afraid of their own civil
countries in the MENA region, the agenda of the conference societies!’
took shape as follows: Fateh Azzam, UNHCR

Perspectives on Preventing Armed Conflict; the Role of RIGOs and CSOs
This session will explore the different and complementary roles of RIGOs and CSOs in preventing
conflict, tackling conflict causes ranging from arms possession to human rights violations in the Middle
East and North Africa. How has the League of Arab States attempted to prevent crisis outbreaks in its
member-states? What has been the role of civil society in the Arab Spring – and in particular in
ensuring the peacefulness of protests? How can CSOs and RIGOs cooperate more in the future to
address conflict causes as well as the escalation of crises?

Tolerance and Co-existence through a Culture of Dialogue; the Role of RIGOs and CSOs
Establishing an open culture of dialogue and acceptance is of large importance in creating a stable
country and society. The necessity of
tolerance and co-existence has become
increasingly clear after the Arab Spring,
where uncertainty has led to inter-group
struggles, polarizing the society. In the
process of democratization, all groups,
including minorities, are eager to ensure the
respect of their rights. Peace education,
creating a culture of acceptance, and fighting
sectarianism are often heard terms in
discussions on tolerance and co-existence. In
this session the speakers will discuss ways to
achieve a sustainable, increased level of
tolerance through collaboration between
RIGOs and CSOs.


In the last 25 years in the field, several attempts ofEnsuring a Safe Space for Civil Society and
networking and helping in creating a state of coopera- Human Rights Activists
tion and joint action and a power of joint work in the Without a safe space for civil society and
Arab region have failed. This criticism directed to- human rights activists, it is made impossible
wards the Arab League for example, must also be for CSOs to stimulate legal reforms, a culture
directed towards the human rights civil society, be- of dialogue, and tolerance. But, although the
cause each and every one of us is directing a stick and Arab Spring has brought more freedom in
we are not prepared to hold one stick all together.
some Arab countries, in many other Arab
Fateh Azzam, UNHCR countries the government is encroaching upon
the civil society out of fear for protests. Many
activists therefore feel unsafe to act freely with the goal to achieve more democratic societies with a
respect for human rights. How is the position on human rights currently in the MENA region
according to the OHCHR? How can RIGOs offer a safe space to activists?

Transitional Justice and Democratization after the Arab Spring; Special Focus on the Role of
Women
Transitional justice is a core element of achieving more democratic governments, particularly after
times of crisis. After the Arab Spring transitional justice is necessary to ensure impunity and establish
a unity in society, rather than the creation of religious and ethnic differences. Therefore transitional
justice is important for the process of democratization and the guarantees for equality of rights. How
does transitional justice serve the process of democratization? And what is the status of women’s
rights currently in post-Arab Spring societies?

Perspectives on Human Security; Protecting Citizens from Armed Violence and Instability
The Arab Spring and current violent clashes between governments and oppositions in the MENA
have directed the attention of governments and civil society towards the dangers of widespread
possession of and trade in small arms. Also, with the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) being negotiated
within the UN framework this year this topic has gained much momentum. During this session the
speakers will discuss the issue of small arms possession and its consequences for instability and the
feeling of insecurity among citizens,
taking examples from Libya, Syria, Iraq
and Sudan. How does the League of
Arab States coordinate government
efforts in the region? What can the
adoption of the ATT mean for the
region? How can CSOs protect the
citizens and themselves against
widespread arms possession?

Participants included CSO
representatives from Tunisia, Morocco,
Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania, Yemen,
Sudan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrein, Iran,
Palestine, Jordan, Libya and Saudi
Arabia. In representation of the League


of Arab States, the Ambassadors Wael Al Assad, Director of Multilateral Relation and Disarmament and
Mahmoud Rashed, Director of the Department for Civil Society, participated in the event. Other
participants included Mr. Fateh Azzam, Regional Representative for the Middle East Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations and Mr. Galal Ali Moqbil Sallam, representative
of the legal affairs ministry of Yemen.

Challenges:

The topics raised throughout the conference gave the chance for the participants representing the civil
society organizations and the representatives from the regional intergovernmental organizations
especially the League of Arab States (LAS) to express some of the challenges facing them towards an
effective collaboration. In order to establish a relationship between the CSOs and the RIGOs, the
participants mentioned the points below to be considered in coordination with the points raised during
the online consultations. It unveiled stereotypes and little previous overlap and cooperation regarding
work of RIGOs and CSOs:
Regarding CSOs Regarding RIGOs
CSOs never send reports to the LAS about Currently, some governments see CSOs as
the developments in their work political threat
RIGOS like the LAS do not possess the com-
Absence of group work and collaboration plete power of decision. RIGO policies de-
between CSOs in the region. pend on policies of the several member-
states.
CSOs need to build their capacities and
Media does not reflect the good work of the
knowledge about human security problems
LAS on human security issues and their coor-
in the region to be able to plan effective
dination with parts of the civil society.
strategies.
Every day, we hear about new human secu-
No real progress of the civil society work.
rity violations and problems in the region
Example: coalition for Darfur which is dis-
which makes it difficult to progress on the
couraging for the CSOs work in general.
issue.
Lack of design of results oriented projects,
especially in the human rights and policy
making field. The work of Civil Society is It is not easy to change structures… changes
mostly based on objection or slander but need time especially within organization like
not on how making effective changes on the Arab League of States.
the ground. This, with time, affected how
the general society looks at CSO.
The LAS has limited resources to start pro-
Lack of resources of the CSOs from the re-
jects on issues related to human security and
gion to the region especially for Human
human rights.
Rights and human security programs.


Opportunities: ‘We have to see the shades of
greys within the governments
The fact that the meeting is joining actors from different levels is an and find these allies within to
opportunity in itself: international actors (GPPAC), regional actors, also assist with this space that
RIGOs and local CSOs. The participants were able to detect some we want to create.’
opportunities that they can build on to create a common agenda: Emad Kiyaei, Iran

With the Arab Spring, the look towards Civil Society changed. The civil society is currently taken more
into consideration.

RIGOs and the CSOs work on several common issues. Ex: Nuclear Free MENA Zone, small arms and light
weapons issue, etc.

Since 2001 the LAS is restructuring and more concerned about human rights, civil society and conflict
resolution/prevention. They are developing departments for these issues.

The LAS is trying to develop tools for conflict prevention and their presence is a sign that they are ready
to cooperate.

The 2 people present from the LAS are key contacts.

The Arab spring was an opportunity for change in different countries that made the presence of Civil
society easier ex: Libya.

The Arab League is working on a report on human rights situation in the MENA region and ready to
share the findings.

CSOs are internationally recognized and
referred to in order to detect public
opinion.

The opportunity of building coalitions is
present.

RIGOs and CSOs have different qualities
which can complement each other

RIGOs and CSOs have a different view
(regional-local, governmental-
nongovernmental) and access to different
groups and organisations

RIGOs have connections with governments and large multilateral organisations, and the overview to
facilitate the exchange of knowledgeCSOs have the know-how and the legitimacy to operate within
their societies, and have an important signalling function regarding conflict risks


The reality proved that the so- The way forward
ciety has two wings; it cannot
fly with one wing, the civil The availability of the RBF grant made this meeting possible. The
society and the Arab League. presence of the League of Arab States representatives gave the event
Mahmoud Rashed, LAS a special character and values. They showed true intentions and
effectiveness with their initiative, which gave the CSOs of the region a
new drive to continue working on the prevention of armed conflict and peace-building in the area with
the hope of new collaborations for a long term impact on the region and on civil society, plus the hope
of development of the relationship between civil society and policymakers in the region with a larger
project of change. More of such grants are needed to follow up on the proposed actions from the
participants.

The final sessions of the event were focused on discussing mechanisms to enhance collaboration
between the League of Arab States and civil society. After the discussion, the following way forward
was agreed:

In relation to the regional process of consultations and coordination between the League of Arab
States and Civil Society on the regional level (Middle East and North Africa):

A liaison officer was chosen to represent civil society organizations working on issues of prevention of
armed conflicts and human security and arms control, to link between civil society organizations in the
region on the one hand and the League of Arab States on the other. It was agreed that the Network
Middle East and North Africa for the prevention of armed conflict (MENAPPAC), represented by the
Office of its secretariat, would be this liaison. It will continue this process of receiving concise
documents about the attitudes and decisions of the League of Arab States relevant to raise awareness
among civil society organizations, and update members on issues of human security and armed
conflicts. In turn also provides reports and data on any activities or positions of the organizations of
civil society to the representatives of the League of Arab States.

A general secretariat has been established to adopt this conference as a regular mechanism that
addresses every year a priority theme in the region within the field of human security, conflict
prevention and disarmament. The task of this secretariat is to identify the theme of the conference,
time and venue, names of speakers and participants, and the method of financing. It was agreed that
the members of the Secretariat are the Ambassador Wael al-Assad and Ambassador Mahmoud Rashed
from the League of Arab States, Ms. Nabila Hamza, President of the Foundation for the future and Mr.
Fadi Abi Allam, GPPAC’s Regional Representative and the Coordinator Middle East and North Africa for
the prevention of armed conflict MENAPPAC.

In relation to the participation of the League of Arab States in the global process of cooperation
between RIGOs and CSOs:

The representatives of the League of Arab States expressed interest in cooperating with the Global
Network for the prevention of armed conflict (GPPAC) and Middle East and North Africa Partnership
for the prevention of armed conflict (MENAPPAC) to organize a Second International Conference on


strengthening the cooperation between regional organizations and civil society organizations, this
conference will be the follow up to the first conference held under the same title in Madrid in 2011.
The conference could be held in the second half of 2013 in one of the countries of the Middle East.

The Ambassador Wael al-Assad, director of multilateral relations and disarmament in the League of
Arab States showed willingness to be part of the steering group of the regional organizations and civil
society organizations proposed during the Madrid conference, which will discuss possible options for
the creation of a permanent mechanism for coordination. The proposed date for the first meeting of
the Steering Group is during October 2012.


List of Participants

Name Organisation Country
Fadi Abi Allam PPM/MENAPPAC/GPPAC Lebanon
Darynell Rodríguez Torres GPPAC The Netherlands
Wael Al Assad League of Arab States Egypt
Mahmoud Rached League of Arab States Egypt
Galal Ali Moqbil Yemeni Government Yemen
Fateh Azzam OHCHR Lebanon
Abedmnam Alhur Arab Organisation for Human Rights Libya
Lucy Nusseibeh Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy Palestine
Sidi Ethman Northern League for Development of Democ- Mauritania
racy and Human Rights
Elie Abouaoun Arab Human Rights Fund Lebanon
Nabila Hamza Foundation for the Future Jordan
Suhair Mahdi Human Security Initiative Sudan

Grace Ghaleb PPM/MENAPPAC/GPPAC Lebanon
Evaline Schot GPPAC The Netherlands
Taysir Mohmed Abdel Majed Human Security Initiative Sudan
Hussain Alak Human Rights Activists Network Saudi Arabia
Ezzadin Al Asbahi HR Information and Training Center Yemen
Abdou Bendjoudi Ligue Algérienne des Droits de l’Homme Algeria
Hakima Al Chawi Education Center on the HR of Women Morocco
Issa Al Ghayeb Bahrain Human Right Society Bahrain
Ibraheem Al Hayek Partners Jordan Jordan
Wouter Kolk IKV Pax Christi The Netherlands
Emad Kiyaei American - Iranian Council Iran
Hazem Ksouri Free Tunisia Tunisia
Nasser Al Masri Kuwaiti Observatory to Root Democracy Kuwait
Haggag Nael Arab Program for Human Rights Activists Egypt
Dhifaf Mahmood Saad Peace of Mesopotamia Organisation Iraq
Nathalie Adam PPM Lebanon
Rania Fazah IKV Pax Christi Jordan
Ali Al Harby Journalist Saudi Arabia
Walid Al Sayyed Office of the National Congress Party Sudan Egypt


Profile of Speakers

Abedmnam Alhur
Abedmnam Alhur works through the Equity and Reconciliation national body, of which
emerged a group of committee including the mediation Commission, the committee of
goodwill efforts, and the Conciliation Committee. The work of these commissions is to
promote national unity and reconciliation through first identifying the offender;
determining the victim and the extent of harm on the victim; and then activate justice
to work on repairing the harm

Darynell Rodríguez Torres
Darynell Rodríguez Torres is the Programme Manager Policy and Advocacy, at the
Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, GPPAC. His work is focused on
strengthening cooperation between GPPAC members and policy makers from
governments, regional international organisations and the United Nations to provide
inputs for shaping conflict prevention and peace building strategies. He has held
different positions in the public, private and non for profit sectors including
government, regional organisations and private firms specialised in political risk and
public affairs. Darynell's academic background includes a degree in International
Studies and Political Science from West Virginia University, a Masters in International
Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and other
postgraduate studies in the field of public policy and political management.

Elie Abouaoun
Dr. Elie Abouaoun joined the Arab Human Rights Fund as Executive Director in
December 2011. Previously, he was a senior Program Officer at the United States
Institute of Peace (USIP), and managed the Iraq program of the Danish Refugee Council
(DRC) and Ockenden International, an INGO that works with refugees and displaced
peoples. Elie is a senior trainer and consultant and has worked with several local,
regional and international organizations. He is a member of the pool of trainers of the
Council of Europe since 2000 and as such regularly delivers trainings on human rights,
Euro Mediterranean cooperation, and project development/management. He regularly
contributes to publications related to human rights and in 2001 was part of the
Reference Group established by the Directorate of Education-Council of Europe to
supervise the COMPASS into Arabic and its subsequent diffusion in the region in 2003.
Elie regularly writes articles for the French speaking Lebanese daily newspaper
“L’Orient le Jour.” Elie is also a visiting lecturer at Notre Dame University Lebanon
(teaching civil society networking and advocacy), and at Saint Joseph University
Lebanon (teaching human rights and citizenship)

Fadi Abi Allam
Fadi Abi Allam is founding member and president of the Permanent Peace Movement
(PPM), director of the Peace Building Academy in Lebanon and currently the
Coordinator of the Middle East and North Africa Partnership for Prevention of Armed


Conflict (MENAPPAC) which is acting as the MENA initiator for the Global Partnership
for Prevention of Armed (GPPAC). He is a steering committee member for the
(MENANSA) Middle East and North Africa Network for Small Arms and the coordinator
of the Non-Violence Network in the Arab Countries. His 20 years of experience on the
field enabled him to build bridges across the region to the world. Mr. Abi Allam
cooperates continuously with the United Nations through his participation in the
international Arms Control Campaign, lobbying to vote positively for the Arms Trade
Treaty (ATT). From 2010 to June 2011 he furthermore was appointed as a consultant
for the Minister AkramChehayeb in the Lebanese Ministry of Displaced, where he was
the facilitator of the trust building and the reconciliation processes for displaced
people.

Fateh Azzam
Fateh Azzam is currently Regional Representative for the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations in Beirut. Azzam received LLM in
International Human Rights Law from Essex University, Colchester, U.K. in 1992. From
September 2003-2006, he was Lecturer in Political Science and Director of the Forced
Migration and Refugee Studies Program, American University in Cairo. Fateh was a
founder and current Board Chair of the Arab Human Rights Fund and participated in
human rights missions and projects by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch
in Syria, Algeria, Morocco and elsewhere. Past work includes Program Officer for
Human Rights in The Ford Foundation office for the Middle East and North Africa in
Cairo, directing al-Haq in Palestine, education and outreach at Oxfam America in
Boston, and many years as a theatre performer, choreographer and teacher. His
writings on human rights and theatre include Political Rights and the Practice of
Democracy (Ramallah: Muwatin - Palestinian Institute for the Study of Democracy,
1995), and articles in Human Rights Quarterly, Nordic Journal of International Law, ICJ
Review, Arab Journal for Human Rights, and elsewhere.

Galal Ali Moqbil Sallam
Representative of Mohammad Ahmed Ali Al Mikhlafi. Dr. Mikhlafi is currently the
Minister of Legal Affairs in the government of national reconciliation in the Republic of
Yemen since December 2011. He holds a doctorate in private international law and is a
Lawyer before the Supreme Court of the Republic of Yemen and Senior Researcher and
Professor at the Center for Yemeni Studies and Research. Ambassador Al Mikhlafi is
one of the founders and the former President of the Yemeni Observatory for Human
Rights and Member of the administrative board of the Information and Training Center
as well as a member of the Yemeni Bar Association. Dr. Al Mikhlafi is an expert in the
field of intellectual property and trainer in the field of human rights. He wrote and
published 18 books and scientific studies on international private law and human
rights, among which "Arab regional agreements as a source for the rules of
international commercial arbitration" (Center for Yemeni Studies and Research) and
"Change - the democratic transition in Yemen - Imperatives - Constraints".


Lucy Nusseibeh
Lucy Nusseibeh is the founder and Chairperson of Middle East Nonviolence and
Democracy (MEND - www.mendonline.org), based in East Jerusalem, which has since
1998, been pioneering the promotion of awareness about the power of nonviolence,
especially in the Israeli-Palestinian context. MEND promotes the principles and practice
of active nonviolence among all sectors of Palestinian society, especially activists,
youth, and those working in education, and especially using innovative media
techniques. Since November 2007, Ms. Nusseibeh has been the Director of the Institute
of Modern Media, the media arm of Al-Quds University. In addition to a BA granting
media department, the Institute of Modern Media comprises Al-Quds Educational
Television (AQTV www. Imm.ps/AQTV.php), which has worked closely with Sesame
Workshop, and www.honaalquds.net, a multi-media online news network focussing on
Jerusalem. Ms. Nusseibeh is on the Executive Committee of the International
Governance Council of the Nonviolent Peaceforce, is a member of the Humanities
Advisory Council at the Fetzer Institute, and is on the editorial board of the Palestine-
Israel journal. She has served as the co-chair of the GPPAC Outreach and Awareness
raising Group. In 2010 she was a guest on TEDx Holy Land and spoke on “The Hitch-
Hiker’s Guide to Nonviolence”.

Nabila Hamza
Nabila is the President of the Foundation for the Future (FFF), an independent,
international non-profit organisation established in 2005. The Foundation for the
Future is committed to enhancing and strengthening civil society organisations (CSOs)
in their efforts to advance democracy building and human rights protection. In
recognition of her significant role in the Foundation’s continuing efforts to support civil
society initiatives, the Arab Pioneer and Innovators Forum granted an award to honour
Nabila Hamza in November 2009. This award promoted the dissemination of
information on the Foundation’s achievements as a reliable and credible partner to civil
society organisations for the promotion of human rights and democracy in the region.

Nizar Rammal
Nizar Rammal is currently the CEO and managing director of “…for development, c.c.”,
a civil company that provides workshop and training services to NGOs, international
and multilateral organisations and the public sector. He has extensive knowledge and
experience on conflict resolution and development, and community mobilization, and
used to be a board member of several non-governmental initiatives, such as the Green
Line Association and the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections. Rammal is an
experienced trainer and facilitator.

Sidi Ethman Ould Sheikh Malainine
Sidi Ethman holds a Master degree in International Business Management and is a
human rights activists and board member of the Arab Organization for Human Rights
(AOHR). Currently, Ethman is the Vice-Chairman of the Mauritanian branch of the
AOHR, and is the regional advisor on youth community development. He is particularly
specialized in active citizenship, engagement of youth, and cultural exchanges.


Suhair Mahdi Muhi El Din Ahmed
Suhair Mahdi has an educational background in economics, with specialties in
agricultural economics and socio-economics. Currently she works as Program Manager
at Human Security Initiative in Sudan, and is Coordinator of The Sudanese Group for
Democracy and Election (SUGDE) for projects on voter education, Sudanese elections,
the South Sudan Referendum and electoral reform. Mrs. Mahdi’s focus in the last few
years has been especially on women. Finally, she has co-researched and co-authored
the publications “Small arms and community security perceptions” (MENAANSA;
Middle East and North Africa Network on Small Arms), and “The Other in the Arabic
Press” (The Arab Network for Tolerance).

Wael Al Assad
Wael Al Assad has been working within the system of the League of Arab States since
1973. He is currently the director of Multilateral Relations at the Headquarters of the
League of Arab States in Cairo. In 2001 he established the Department of Disarmament
Affairs in the Arab League and became its Director. He was also the Director of
International Organizations Department in the League since 2000. The two
departments were merged under the title of “Multilateral Relations”. He established
the Governmental “Arab Committee on Drafting a Treaty on the Establishment of a
Zone Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the 57 Middle East” in 1994 and became
its rapporteur since its inception. Ambassador Al-Assad has also been responsible for
cooperation with the UN and other international and regional organizations since 1989.
He heads the Arab league team in developing mechanisms for cooperation with
international and Regional Organisations including the General Cooperation Biennial
Meeting with the UN System. He has a number of published papers and articles on
Security, Disarmament issues and international relations.

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