Doha Forum Calls on GU-Q Experts to Build a Shared Future
The annual gathering of global policy leaders at the Doha Forum engaged several members of the GU-Q Community, who helped to convene panels, and shared their insights on the theme “Building Shared Futures.”
Palestinian Political Renewal
At a panel offered in partnership with GU-Q, Dean Safwan Masri spoke about “The Imperative of Palestinian Political Renewal.” Panelists included the former Director General of Al-Jazeera Network Wadah Khanfar, President and Co-founder of Al Sharq Forum; Rula Shadeed, Head of Programs and Advocacy at the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy, Sami Abu Shehadeh, Chairman of the National Democratic Assembly Party and former member of the Knesset, Omar Rahman, Middle East Council on Global Affairs. MSNBC host Mehdi Hassan moderated the discussion.
Dean Masri set the tone of the panel, noting, “Time is of the essence…we cannot wait until the dust settles and then start talking about renewal, we have to confront the issues now.” He went on to sum up the sentiment on the panel, saying: “There has to be an inclusive comprehensive process of consultation of the leading intellectuals and leading activists and the youth coming together, and it has to include everybody.”
Role of Small States in Reimagining Financial Markets
Contributing to the forum’s focus on proactive engagement, systems-level thinking, and results-focused dialogue, the Small States Research Program (SSRP) at GU-Q also hosted a panel discussion on “Reimagining Financial Markets for Humanitarian Impact: The Role of Small States and Private Sector Partnerships.” Rory Miller, co-leader of SSRP introduced the research program’s role in convening the panel which included HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Meraikhi, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, HE Nassir bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the UN General Assembly’s 66th Session, HE Yousuf bin Mohamed Al-Jaida, Qatar Financial Centre, Dr. Hossam Elsharkawi, International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies, Natalie Marko Nietsch, Standard Chartered Bank. The session was moderated by Dr. Simon Kingston, Russell Reynolds Associates.
Explaining the role of SSRP in organizing the panel, Miller said “This is the first time that the Small States Research program has hosted a panel at the Doha Forum as a content partner…The Small States Research Program is looking to build on this relationship through annual panels at the Doha Forum where we look at issues relating to Qatar as a small state and other small states in the international system.”
Miller also participated in the Middle East Council on Global Affairs and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute workshop on “MENASIA: Geopolitics, Energy, and Security.” He and 19 other experts discussed research findings on timely topics including geopolitics, economics, and regional dynamics; energy transitions and environmental risks; and defense and technology.
Youth Voices
Two alumnae, Alak Kais Raad (SFS’23) and Iman Ismail (SFS’22), and two students Minahil Mahmud (SFS’26), and Bayan Kayyali (SFS’26) participated on stage during a Doha Debates Town Hall moderated by Al Jazeera journalist Femi Oke on “Rise of the Rest: Who Should Lead in a Multipolar World?” Participating in the live-streamed forum was a learning experience for the students and alumni involved.
“There were a lot of diverse viewpoints on the panel, it was a very contentious discussion,” observed Minahil. Fortunately, they received media training in advance. “We learned how to be camera ready, how to conduct ourselves, not to be overwhelmed by the lights and the crowd, and to be yourself despite the distractions,” she said.
