MAGHREB Thematic Working Group Think Tanks Research January 2016

Transcription

1 MAGHREB Thematic Working Group Think Tanks Research January 2016 Introduction Following the first meeting of the MAGHREB Thematic Working Group, the R-UNDG Secretariat was requested to research suitable Institutions/Think Tanks that may be useful for RC/UNCTs in the MAGHREB region. It was proposed that a short-list would be developed and 2-3 institutions would be approached and requested to present their work on an identified topic at a side event to the RC Cluster meeting that is planned for Q The potential topics identified are: 1. Human and Social Development and the Sustainable Development Goals 2. Politics, Security and Conflict 3. Trade and Finance 4. Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Below is a summary of some of the identified institutions under these areas with extensive knowledge on the Middle East, and in particular the MAGHREB region, for discussion among the Thematic Working Group. Human and Social Development and the Sustainable Development Goals 1. Economic Research Forum (Egypt) The Economic Research Forum (ERF) is a regional network dedicated to promoting high quality economic research to contribute to sustainable development in the Arab countries, Iran and Turkey. Established in 1993, Economic Research Forum s (ERF) core objectives are to build strong research capacity in the ERF region; to lead and support the production of independent, high quality economic research; and to disseminate research output to a wide and diverse audience. The Economic Research Forum, is dedicated to promoting high quality economic research that contributes to inclusive and sustainable development in the ERF region, defined to include the Arab Countries, Iran and Turkey. To this end ERF aims to: support the development of the economic research community in the ERF region; encourage the production of independent and high-quality economic (and related) research pertaining to public policy in the ERF region; undertake and manage regional research projects with a view to filling knowledge gaps about the key development challenges facing the ERF region; and disseminate research outcomes widely, through various channels including conferences, workshops and publications ERF aims to produce independent, high-quality economic research of ultimate relevance to public policy in the Arab countries, Iran and Turkey, with a view to filling glaring knowledge gaps about the region s key development challenges. Research is carried out through Research Competitions or Solicited Research Projects. These projects vary in size, geographical coverage or subject matter. Currently, ERF is focusing on the following thematic areas: The Political Economy of Transformation, Equity and Inequality, Labor and Human Resource Development, Natural Resources and Economic Diversification,

2 Gender and Women s Economic Empowerment, and Open Access Micro Data Initiative (OAMDI) In addition, ERF is engaged in a wide range of research under 6 standard fields of economics: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, International Economics, Finance, Labor and Human Development and Institutional Economics. 2. Arab Institute for Human Rights (Tunisia) The Arab Institute for Human Rights is an independent Arab non-governmental organization based in Tunisia. It was founded in 1989 at the initiative of the Arab Organization for Human Rights, the Arab Lawyers Union, and the Tunisian League for Human Rights and with the support of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights. The Institute received the UNESCO International Award for Human Rights Education for the year The Arab Institute for Human Rights aims to promote a culture of civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international conventions, and to strengthen the values of democracy and citizenship. The Institute works on: Developing activities of human rights training and education Developing scientific research and training tools in the field of human rights Developing the role of media in promoting human rights culture Strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations in the Arab countries Providing expertise in the field of human rights for governmental institutions Facilitating the exchange of information on human rights. Promoting the culture of women's and children's rights. 3. Institute of Development Studies (United Kingdom) The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. Since 1966 IDS has been working with partners to tackle complex development challenges and contribute the evidence, analysis, theory and facilitated learning that can help communities, practitioners and decision-makers at all levels work together for practical, positive change. It envisions equal and sustainable societies, locally and globally, where everyone can live secure, fulfilling lives free from poverty and injustice. It believes passionately that cutting-edge research, knowledge and evidence are crucial in shaping the changes needed for our broader vision to be realised, and to support people, societies and institutions to navigate the challenges ahead. Its partnership with the University of Sussex supports and accredits our teaching and learning programmes, where in PhD studies and a range of high-level Masters courses we aim to produce a new generation of development thought, policy and practice leaders. Through a commitment to engaged excellence we work towards transformations that reduce inequalities, accelerate sustainability and build more inclusive and secure societies. Politics, Security and Conflict 1. Brookings Doha Center (Qatar) Established in 2008, the Brookings Doha Center (BDC) is an overseas center of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. As a hub for Brookings scholarship in the region, the BDC advances high-quality, independent research and policy analysis on the Middle East and North Africa. The center is funded by the State of Qatar.

3 In pursuing its mission, the BDC undertakes field-oriented research and programming that addresses and informs regional and international policy discussions, engaging key elements of governments, businesses, civil society, the media, and academia on four key areas: 1. The international relations of the Middle East, emphasizing ties within the region as well as regional ties between the Middle East, the United States, and Asia. 2. Conflict and post-conflict transitions, including security, peace processes and reconstruction. 3. Economic and fiscal strategies of Middle Eastern states, including the geopolitics and economics of energy. 4. Governance and institutional reform, including democratization and state-citizen relations. Open to a broad range of views, the BDC encourages a rich exchange of ideas between the Middle East and the global community. Since its founding, the BDC has hosted a number of leading scholars from a dozen different countries; put on a variety of events, including high-level roundtables, timely policy discussions, and the annual Doha Energy Forum; and published a series of influential Policy Briefings and Analysis Papers. 2. Carnegie Middle East Center (Lebanon) The Carnegie Middle East Center is an independent policy research institute based in Beirut, Lebanon, and part of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The center provides in-depth analysis of the political, socioeconomic, and security issues facing the Middle East and North Africa. It draws its scholarship from a pool of top regional experts, working in collaboration with Carnegie s other research centers in Beijing, Brussels, Moscow, and Washington. The center aims to impact policymakers and major stakeholders by offering fresh insight and ideas that cultivate a deeper understanding of the region and by developing new approaches to the challenges of countries in transition. An advisory council comprised of distinguished national and international leaders from the policy, business, expert, and civil society sectors of countries across the Middle East provides the center with advice and support. Trade and Finance 1. Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (Kuwait) The IMF Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (CEF), located in Kuwait, serves as the International Monetary Fund s (IMF) regional training center for member countries of the Arab league. The CEF was created to strengthen the skills of officials from Arab League countries in economic analysis and diagnosis, and in formulating and implementing effective economic and financial policies. The mission of the IMF-Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (CEF) is to strengthen the economic management in Arab League Member Countries by delivering an integrated curriculum of training courses and seminars that address the key skill sets needed to support this goal. In particular, the training aims to improve the ability of officials of these countries to analyze economic conditions, diagnose problems, and design and implement appropriate policies 2. Royal Institute for Strategic Studies (Morocco) RES s vocation is to contribute in decision-making on strategic issues. Its mission is to carry out strategic studies and analyses on issues as advised by His Majesty The King and to be entrusted with a strategic watch task, both at the national and international level, in fields deemed strategic for the country. It analyses domestic structural issues, examines Morocco s external relations on a variety of dimensions and attaches great importance to global issues. The Institute performs several intellectual practices, both in the field of study programs and strategic watch. These practices aim to focus on public policy in order to highlight the options available to fundamental reforms sought by the democratic and modern society project that Morocco is highly committed to.

4 Environment, Energy and Natural Resources 1. Arab Forum for Environment and Development (Lebanon) The Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) is a not-for-profit regional non-governmental organization, grouping experts together with the civil society, business community and media, to promote prudent environmental policies and programmes across the Arab region. While it maintains its character as a non-governmental organization, AFED admits, in the capacity of observers, national, regional and international bodies working in the fields of environment and sustainable development. AFED was officially proclaimed in Beirut on 17 June AFED has subsequently earned the status of international nongovernmental organization, with the associated immunities for its secretariat based in Beirut. AFED works towards bringing together all parties concerned with environment and development in the Arab world to discuss regional and national issues related to the environment, in view of local and global changes, emphasizing the pivotal role of civil society and the private sector. The Forum aims at spreading environmental awareness through promoting sensible information and education programmes, as well as supporting civil society organizations active in the environmental sector. AFED aims at encouraging Arab societies to protect the environment and use natural resources in a sensible manner resulting in sustainable development. It produces an independent periodic report on the State of Arab Environment (SAE) which is presented to the General Assembly of the Forum. AFED has been endorsed by the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2. Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (United Kingdom) The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies was founded in 1982 as an autonomous centre for advanced research into the social science areas of energy issues. The Institute is committed to the idea of dialogue between consumers and producers, government and industry and academics and decision makers. The aim of the Institute is that co-operation between researchers from these varied backgrounds, will lead to a more informed and balanced understanding of the behaviour, motivations and objectives of the various economic forces, agents and policy makers that operate in or influence the performance of international energy markets. Research carried out at the Institute is designed to encompass the following: the economics of petroleum, gas, coal, nuclear power, solar and renewable energy; the politics and sociology of energy; the international relations of oil-producing and oil-consuming nations; the economic development of oil-producing countries and the energy problems of other developing countries; and the economics and politics of the environment in its relationship with energy. As a general policy, the Institute concentrates on research in energy issues of international significance or issues which have implications for the interface of producers and consumers. The Oil and the Middle East Programme of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies was established in It is dedicated to the advanced study of modern-day oil markets and of the economics of natural resource wealth. The programme s research activities centre around its three main thematic branches: 1. Oil markets and their financialisation 2. The economics of resource-rich economies and the Middle East 3. Development of emerging energy markets

5 In response to the rapid rise in energy consumption outside traditional OECD energy consumers, the Oil and the Middle East Programme analyses demand and supply patterns in emerging energy markets, including Russia, India, China, Latin America and Africa. Research is disseminated via a dedicated research paper series, short energy comments and contributions to academic journals and specialised publications, in addition to a book series published by Oxford University Press. Members of programme staff have also been involved in a range of international publications, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Energy Forum (IEF). Health 1. Pasteur Algeria Institute (Algeria) The Pasteur Algeria institute is part of the International Network of Pasteur Institutes, which is coordinated by the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Founded in 1887 and based in France, the Institut Pasteur is an international research institute of excellence with a mission to advance science, medicine and public health. The Institut Pasteur is a private, non-profit foundation with recognized charitable status entrusted with four core missions of public interest Research, Education, public health, and Valorisation of scientific research via technology transfer and industrial partnerships. Their common goal is to develop a scientific cooperation program including: The protection of public health, especially for epidemiological surveillance and control of infectious and parasitic diseases (AIDS, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, etc.); Participation in major international and regional programs of research (clinical, epidemiological surveys, basic research, etc.); Training of scientific staff (biologists, researchers and technicians) as part of their public health and research activities. 2. National Laboratory Control of Pharmaceutical Products (Algeria) Public administrative institution, with legal personality and financial autonomy, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. Its main task is to control the quality and to expertise pharmaceutical products including medicines, biological reagents, pharmaceutical products, and other products necessary for human medicine. It is also empowered to provide training services, including through the organization of training courses on applied methods or pharmaceutical control techniques. Under the established procedures and in accordance with the law and applicable regulations the laboratory is authorized, within the limits of its tasks, to establish cooperation agreements with similar foreign organizations and international organizations.