Yb"J Governance Edition

issue 004 - 2009 Yb"j governance edition

POCKETBOOK Eco-Innovation COMMERCE Project Reuse Me PEOPLE & SOCIETY Yemen’s Refugees THE VERVE Exploited Jewels CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Love & The Cause IMPRESSIONS Rebuilding Iraq THINK FORWARD Sudan in Crisis

MAKE YOUR MOVE trusting others to decide for you...

issn 1998-1023

a publication dedicated to social responsibility in the Arab world EL BOUTIQUE SENIOR DESIGNER Tamara Taouil

RESEARCH Khadija Hatim

TECHNICAL DESIGNER Huzaifa Rajodwala CONTENT COORDINATOR Hussah Al Tamimi

EL BOUTIQUE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Quresh Fakhruddin

RESEARCH Aleﬁa Zakir TREE OF HOPE

The Tree of Hope is dedicated to organizations and individuals who support en.v as we embark on a thought-provoking journey. Log on to envearth.com and download our mediakit to learn more about how you can support en.v’s initiatives.

4 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com CONTENTS en.v 1 en.v 49 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS 4 Tree of Hope 50 Film: Fouad Nahas 6 Contributors 52 Books: Hamida Na’na’: Syrian 7 Editor’s Letter Writer in Exile The Metaphor 8 Opinion: White, or Oﬀ White? 53 Music: 54 Art: Love & The Cause 10 POCKETBOOK 56 Design: Conserving History p.18 11 Lingo 59 IMPRESSIONS 12 Statistics Iraq... Building a Nation? 13 Calendar 14 Trends 17 COMMERCE 18 Initiatives: Project Reuse Me 20 Economics: The Credit Crunch Arrives... 22 Business: Telecommunications: p.28 Leading Privatization 23 Online: Page Not Found 25 PEOPLE & SOCIETY 68 THINK FORWARD 26 Culture: Egypt: Seeking an 69 Agriculture: From Sorghum to Guns Impossible Balance 72 Industry: On the Road to Economic 28 Community: Going Global with Liberalization? Governance: Yemen’s Refugee 73 Science: Going Green in the GCC: Paradox Government-led Waste Management 30 Personality: Our Leading Ladies Initiatives 32 Corporate Social Responsibility: 75 Technology: eGovernance p.42 Changing the Philanthropic Face of Corporate Social Responsibility 76 References in MENA 77 Directory 34 Informed: Good Governance for Development: A Necessity or Merely a Pipe Dream? 36 Leader: Fighting Fire with Fire: The Leadership Vacuum 38 Innovation: Out with the New and in with the Old? p.54 41 THE VERVE 42 Fashion: Exploited Jewel 43 Food: Foreign Solutions to Local Problems 44 Shopping: Shopping for a Stamp 46 Sports: One Fine Sunday 47 Travel: The Diplomacy Olympics

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR p.69 Abdulwahab Al Ghanim

envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 5 CONTRIBUTORS

MEHIYAR KATHEM AL SA’ADI Contributor In 2003, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the School of Oriental and African Stud- ies (SOAS), Mehiyar Kathem travelled to Baghdad to help set up a grass-roots charitable organization, Culture for All, with the objective of LAILA AL-GHARABALLY contributing to the country’s rehabilitation from years of Cover Artwork war, sanctions, dictatorship After attending the Univer- and isolation. Building the sity of Boulder in Colorado necessary trust with targeted and Marquette University in communities through the NESMA FARAHAT Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 23- provision of cultural, social year-old Laila Al-Gharabally and educational services, Contributor graduated Cum Laude with a meant that a successful Nesma Farahat is a Pro- Bachelor of Arts in Advertis- model had been established gram Specialist at the Near ing and a minor in Studio early on in 2003 and 2004 East Foundation/Center Art in December 2006. Ever ‒ effectively protecting for Development Services since she was a young child, Culture for All from what DWAN KAOUKJI (CDS) in Cairo. She holds a Laila has always immersed would bring the country to Contributor Bachelor of Arts in Political herself in anything creative the brink of civil war and Science and Sociology from Dwan Kaoukji is a researcher ‒ specifically the arts. Apart fragmentation in 2006. Since the American University in at the Darlington Social from classes she took at 2003, Culture for All has Cairo (AUC), and an MSc in Research Unit; a non-profit school and university, as worked at the grass-root Violence, Conflict and De- organization that conducts well as a handful of private level through community velopment from the School scientific research about lessons in her younger years, owned projects to bring hope of Oriental and African child development in the Laila has attempted to make and confidence to various Studies (SOAS) - University context of children’s services time to develop her skills and echelons of society in the of London. At SOAS, Nesma in the United Kingdom. find a niche of comfort for backdrop of ensuing conflict. focused her research on the Prior to her work at the Unit, her artistic abilities. A former In 2007, Mehiyar graduated reformation of child soldier Dwan received a Master’s copywriter at JWT-Kuwait, from the London School of rehabilitation programs in degree in Urban Planning Laila is continually looking Economics with an MSc in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nesma’s and Public Policy from the for opportunities in which Development Management. passions include children, University of Illinois at Chi- she can merge her creative He now resides in Baghdad. women’s issues, education cago (UIC) in 2005. There, skills with real-life ventures. and poverty reduction. she worked as a research as- sistant at the UIC Neighbor- hoods Initiative; a program assisting in the development of community organizations in the Chicago area. Dwan is currently pursuing a PhD in International Development, investigating the effects of improving relationships between funders and recipients in international aid projects.

6 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com EDITOR’S LETTER

CONTRIBUTORS Dear Reader, Adel Nuseibeh Dwan Kaoukji Survival and adaptability are the greatest gifts we Hussam El Tayeb possess as humans; the Kamal Hakim ability to persevere when all Laila Hayat seems lost, and the desire Leen Al Zaben to improve upon that which has failed. These are the Leen Qablawi very underpinnings of our Mehiyar Kathem Al Sa’adi society, and the skills that we Mindy Schulte must continue to hone and Nesma Farahat cultivate. Nur Kaoukji In this issue, Issue 004: Passinte Mokhtar The Governance Edition, we Reem Sweid examine the systems and Saleem Haddad processes through and under which our societies are run. Sarah Schmidhofer As the world seems to be Whitney Rios falling around us, the cracks Yasmin El Rifae and faults in our governance MANAGING EDITOR systems are beginning to COVER ARTWORK reveal themselves. Rather Zahed Sultan than this being a signal for Laila Al Gharabally “Given the state of the global ﬁnancial crisis, skilled panic, it is in fact a beacon of individuals, proactive youth groups and smaller agile opportunity for change and reform. SECTION COVER ARTWORK organizations will be the biggest drivers for social Nada Dalloul change in the coming year.” In our fourth issue, en.v’s staﬀ and contributors have ARTWORK worked hard to bring you Tamara Taouil the failures and successes of our governance systems. From the inner workings PHOTOGRAPHY of a community, to the Culture for All organization of a corporation and policies of a government; LAYOUT DESIGN governance is the very basis and fuel behind these Zahed Sultan processes.

ADVERTISING & PUBLISHING There seems to be no better time for us to dissect, El Boutique Creative Group examine and analyze these processes to continue on PRINTING a path towards progress British Industries ‒ for there is no greater opportunity to rebuild when all that was built before has CONTACT started to crumble. www.envearth.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR www.elboutique.com The need is great and Siham Nuseibeh the time is vital, what we make of it shall remain our ALL CONTENT COPYRIGHT greatest legacy as a society. en.v 2008 Siham Nuseibeh

envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 7 OPINION

White, or Off White? Siham Nuseibeh

It all began with a shoe...

As the bombs and bullets rained over of excited support. This MP is one on Gaza during the 22-day Israeli inva- whose policies, on any other given day, I sion between December 27, 2008 and would think about two, three, four times Why do my choices have to be so January 18, 2009, politicians, people, before backing ‒ let alone cheer on with limited? organizations and whole nations roared as much enthusiasm as I just had! to attention in seeming support and The famous Indian economist and Nobel solidarity with the besieged population. I had previous knowledge about the po- Laureate, Amartya Sen, characterizes Legislators, journalists, and parliamen- litical and social leanings of the MP in development as the widening of choices tarians all over the region displayed par- question, yet I still found myself falling and the expanding of our capabilities in ticular fits of rage, disgust and outrage prey to his demonstrative gesture ‒ be- order to attain and access these choices. at this latest Israeli show of unrelenting cause his sympathies and sentiments, at This is a revolutionary way of viewing destruction and savagery. I remember that demonstrative moment, lay parallel development, as a means rather than as watching one particularly well-known to mine... a static end, as processes through which Kuwaiti Member of Parliament (MP) we struggle for freedoms and eman- give a speech in which he raised his This made me question: How could an cipations. In this view, development shoe in a daring and dramatic overture educated person sift, decipher and sort becomes an active and participatory against a certain Palestinian personage through all the political rhetoric of one process in which we the people become whom he deemed to be no better than political party or entity versus another the agents in a shared quest. the upraised item. I found myself, sitting with a critical eye and fine-tuned ear, at home in my living room, cheering without having to simply settle for the Prince Claus, the German-born aristo- him on, as he seemed to be mirroring better of two unappealing extremes? crat and founder of the Prince Claus the very feelings of the Arab street. Does my choice of a political party or af- Fund for Culture and Development filiation have to be, by default, between said: “People are not developed, they When the moment passed, however, the one that is the least corrupt, or the develop themselves.” I found myself experiencing a great most vocal ‒ even if their agenda is not moment of pause over my reaction one to which I relate to, nor ascribe? Maybe we should get started. en.v

8 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Quresh Fakhruddin

POCKETBOOK

THE FEMALE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE STANDS AT 29% IN THE MIDDLE EAST - CURRENTLY THE LOWEST OF ALL REGIONS.

PocketBook Lingo Statistics calendar Trends POCKETBOOK Lingo

The process of decision-making and the process by which GOVERNANCE decisions are implemented (or not implemented).

Eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, GOOD GOVERNANCE accountable, transparent, responsive, effective & efficient, equitable & inclusive and follows the rule of law.

Inclusive process in achieving a quality of life sought by the residents of URBAN GOVERNANCE cities; especially the disadvantaged, marginalized and poor.

The process of dispersing decision-making governance closer to the DECENTRALIZATION people or citizen.

Means of overcoming fundamental problems of environmental degrada- SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION tion and poverty.

The aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that CIVIL SOCIETY manifest the interests and will of citizens; individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of the government.

Is the public sector’s use of information and communication technologies with the aim of improving information and service delivery, E-GOVERNANCE encouraging citizen participation in the decision-making process and making government more accountable, transparent and effective.

Assistance which is provided to entities, usually developing country CAPACITY BUILDING societies, which have a need to develop a certain skill or competence, or for general upgrading of performance ability.

The structuring of society on the basis of family units, where fathers have primary responsibility for the welfare of, hence authority over, their PATRIARCHY families. The concept of patriarchy is often used, by extension (in anthro- pology and feminism, for example), to refer to the expectation that men take primary responsibility for the welfare of the community as a whole, acting as representatives via public office.

PRIVATIZATION The conversion of a public enterprise into a private one.

DEMOCRATIZATION The action of making something democratic.

envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 11 POCKETBOOK Statistics

THE POPULATION OF THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA (MENA) IS EXPECTED TO REACH 1 833 MILLION BY 2050. 2

ITS URBAN POPULATION ALONE HAS INCREASED ALMOST TENFOLD FROM 23 MILLION IN 1950 TO 3 210 MILLION.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN AROUND 25% OF THE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT POPULATION WILL SOON ESTIMATED AT 15% LIVE IN CITIES OF 1 ESPECIALLY AMONG MILLION OR MORE. 4 THE YOUTH.

IN EGYPT, LIBYA AND MOROCCO 1/3 OF THE URBAN POPULATION 56LIVE IN SLUMS.

AGRICULTURAL WATER MENA HAS 5% OF TOTAL USE ACCOUNTS FOR 85- WORLD POPULATION 90% OF TOTAL WATER WITH ONLY A MERE WITHDRAWN FROM 1% OF FRESHWATER AVAILABLE SOURCES IN RESOURCES. 7 THE REGION. 8 9

THE FACT THAT THE MIDDLE BY 2025, THE MIDDLE EAST IS A REGION WHERE EAST WILL NO LONGER THE POPULATION WILL BE THE WORLD’S NEARLY DOUBLE BETWEEN PRIMARY ENERGY- NOW AND 2030 WILL MAKE PRODUCING REGION. MATTERS WORSE.

IN SPITE OF AN ECO- NOMIC CRISIS, THE MENA REGION’S BROAD MONEY SUPPLY IS EXPECTED TO SHOW HEALTHY GROWTH 10 REACHING 21.6% IN 2009.

12 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Shutterstock POCKETBOOK Calendar

Massoumeh Ebtekar, PhD Tehran, January 2009 Professor of Tarbiat Modares University Tehran City Councilor Former Vice President of Iran UNEP Champion of the Earth

shortage of freshwater resources and increasing trends of desertification. Our region is particularly afflicted by the environmental consequences of war and armed conflict. In addition to the human tragedy, war in this region has dire environmental consequences In the Name of Allah, the Compas- for present and future generations sionate, the Merciful, to come. Governance systems in the region have not yet properly We are connected to and aware undertaken environmental concerns in of the future today more than ever the mainstream of their development before. Advances in information tech- policies, and for this reason, the envi- nology and science have provided us ronment still lacks priority in national with the opportunity to foresee and planning in many countries. influence the future in many respects. Science and technology also inform us The mismanagement of world affairs of the dire consequences that we must is the root cause of these imbalances, meet if environmental degradation which are taking our region into dan- and global warming continue at the gerous waters. In such circumstances, current pace. Economists predict very one can urge only for a change of harsh economic circumstances for course and attitude among world many if the current economic decline leaders. The future requires leaders in western markets is not properly who would stand up against genocide addressed. and oppression, against double and triple standards, against the destruc- The Middle East and West Asia is no tion of the worldʼs ecosystem, and Venue of Gulf CleanTech 2010 exception. Poverty and injustices are against the excesses and selfishness taking millions in underdeveloped of capitalism and consumerism. The nations to the limits of despair; and future of the world rests in the hands violent reactions are anticipated of the young generation who search as natural consequences. War and for selfless souls; leaders who have the incompetence of international gained control over their egoistic mechanisms to address crimes against desires and will lead societies on the humanity and abrogation of all inter- basis of truthfulness. They await the national norms like what happened in devoted individual who can lead the Gaza leave no hope for peace and world out of this quagmire of wars, reconciliation. Environmental degrada- wars against nature and wars against tion will also aggravate the situation if humanity. The future can shine for not properly addressed. Each region 2009 and beyond only if world lead- faces its particular challenges and the ers wake up to the dark realities of Middle East faces above all, a serious current times and change course.

CARBONWORLD DOHA 2009 PROJECT REBUILD IRAQ 2009 F +9714 3328223 April 26 - 28, 2009 May 2009 www.datamatixgroup.com Doha, Qatar Amman International Fair www.cmtevents.com Amman, Jordan GULF MARITIME 2009 GULF CLEANTECH 2010 December 14 ‒ 16, 2009 January 2010 GREEN REFINING & RECYCLING & WASTE Expo Center Sharjah Dubai World Trade Centre PETROCHEMICALS 2009 MANAGEMENT 2009 Sharjah, UAE Sheik Zayed Road April 28 - 29, 2009 May 24 - 27, 2009 T +971-6-5770000 Convention Gate Doha, Qatar Riyadh Exhibition Centre F +971-6-5770111 Dubai, UAE www.cmtevents.com Riyadh, Saudi Arabia T +971 4 3321000 T +966 1 454 1448 ASTEX 2010 (ARABIAN SECURITY, F +971 4 3312173 F +966 1 454 4846 CIVIL DEFENSE AND LIFE SAFETY MIDDLE EAST WASTE SUMMIT TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION) Waste Management & Recycling 15TH GCC eGOVERNMENT AND January 2010 Solutions eSERVICES FORUM Riyadh Exhibition Centre May 26 ‒ 28, 2009 May 23 - 27, 2009 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Dubai Airport Expo Centre Burj Al Arab Hotel T +966 1 454 1448 Dubai, UAE Dubai, UAE F +966 1 454 4846 www.wastesummit.com T +9714 3326688

Flickr, Massoumeh Ebtekar envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 13 POCKETBOOK Trends

GM Hybrid Taxis in Dubai In June 2008, General Mo- tors (GM) introduced the first hybrid vehicles in the Middle East to the Government of Dubai and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority. The Oil Rich Nations Invest in the cars are to be the first hybrid “Green Deal” taxis in the area and will The oil rich Gulf States are catapult Dubai as a pioneer set to invest in the United in using environmentally Kingdom’s Renewable Ener- friendly public transporta- gy Bill, or “Green Deal.” The tion. Through this endeavor, plan came about when Brit- GM and Dubai hope to ish Prime Minister Gordon reduce vehicle pollution and Brown visited Saudi Arabia to ensure cleaner air in Dubai ask for help in bailing out the first, and then in the rest IMF (International Monetary of the region. The cars that Fund). Prime Minister Brown will be used as taxis are the Solar Cookers in the Gaza asked GCC states to lower Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid and Strip the price of oil in order to the Chevrolet Malibu hybrid. In the Middle East, solar alleviate the burdens of those A 12-month trial began June ovens have been in use in the nations hit hard by the global 1st, 2008. Gaza Strip due to the ongo- financial crisis. He has also ing Israeli blockade, which requested that the Saudis, has left residents without ba- and other Gulf nations, invest sic needs ‒ most importantly in other renewable energy to fuel. Yousef Abu Tawahina reduce the harmful affects of has created a solar cooking climate change. The UK’s En- oven in his backyard in Deir ergy Secretary, Ed Miliband, Elbalah using basic materi- emphasized: “[...] with the Biodegradable Plastics in the als. He converted a normal impending threat of climate UAE oven that runs on scarce gas change, we need to find [...] Eco-Polymers, a new com- to one that can be run by greener ways of running our pany in Dubai and Sharjah, the abundant Middle Eastern economies [...]”. announced that they are sun. The materials needed creating new biodegradable to build a solar oven are: 15 plastic bags. Eco-Polymers cement bricks, mud mixed signed on with British with straw, and two sheets of company Symphony Envi- glass. Abu Tawahina explains ronmental Ltd., as exclusive that “one sheet is incorpo- distributors for Symphony’s rated into the top part of the range of d2w oxo-biode- oven and the other into the gradable plastic additives. front side, and finally a metal The substance used in d2w sheet is placed at the base makes ordinary plastic of the oven on the inside.” oxo-biodegradable so that The sheets of glass absorb it degrades and disappears the sun’s rays and can heat in a short time, leaving no the oven up to 100° C, while pollutants, and no harmful the transistor attached to the residues. It is affordable and metal sheet inside the oven can be made by using exist- heats the oven an additional ing machinery and factories 80° C. in the UAE today.

14 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com www.autospies.com,www.islamonline.net POCKETBOOK Trends

Oman Part of Planting 100 Million Trees January 8, 2009 marked the first Oman Environment Day. The day was filled with Qatar Schools Link with activities run by the Ministry of Environment Affairs, Mus- National Database cat Municipality, Ministry of Private schools in Qatar will Agriculture, and the Art of soon link their databases Living Foundation. Activities with the national database. that took place on Oman En- The Supreme Education vironment Day included: tree Council (SEC) is working planting, exhibitions, semi- on a project to link all the nars, cleaning of coral reefs, independent schools in Qatar planting of mangroves and to its Qatar National Educa- educational visits. The main tional Data System (QNEDS). activity was tree planting, QNEDS was launched in which is part of a worldwide 2007 to support Qatar’s initiative called “Mission Education Reform Initiative, Green Earth, Standup and and seeks to provide access Take Action” (MGESUTA), to comprehensive and mean- and is part of the UNDP ingful information about Millennium Program. The Qatar’s educational system MGESUTA and UNDP’s plan ID Cards as a Method of from a variety of sources. is to plant 100 million trees The sources include surveys, worldwide between July Payment tests and system analysis. 2008 and July 2009. An agreement was recently This initiative will allow signed between the Informa- school administrators to as- tion Technology Authority, sess the level of performance Bank Muscat and Ganeloto; of schools the government which will allow residents operates, compared with of Oman to make electronic other schools. QNEDS is payments using national I.D. designed to support Qatar’s cards or Resident Cards. The future progress. project is part of ePurse, Here Comes the Sun which allows residents to store, and load money on As the worldwide search for their ID cards to make elec- alternative energy continues, tronic payments. This will Dubai is planning to build enable people without debit the largest solar panel plant. cards or credit cards to make Announced at the Green payments to the government Dubai World Forum 2008, with their ID cards, and will, the 93,000 square meter likewise, facilitate a more plant by Solar Technologies efficient way for government FZE will begin construction bodies to collect payments. at the end of 2008, and pro- The project will run as a pilot duction at the beginning of for the next seven months in 2010. The plant will be able coordination with Bank Mus- to produce solar panels up to cat to assess its effectiveness 5.7 square meters in size. as a viable payment solution.

Shutterstock envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 15

COMMERCE

POVERTY LINE

The Middle East has 15 countries identified as below the poverty line per person per year. COMMERCE

Initiatives Economics Business online COMMERCE Initiatives Project Reuse Me en.v a-d. Furniture and photography from REUSE 1.0. a. b. e-f. Creative photographs by college students from MRC’s Amghara facility for REUSE 2.0.

g. An open discussion being held with attendees at REUSE 2.0 in Bayt Lothan.

h. Talking to children during scheduled morning tours for schools at REUSE 2.0.

i. The central courtyard at Bayt Lothan where c. REUSE 2.0 was held.

j. Creative photography from a REUSE 2.0 participant.

e. Art from scrap, junkyard photography, jewelry from aluminum... All of this and more were the main attractions at the en.v initiativeʼs REUSE 2.0 exhibition, f. under the patronage of MRC and Zain.

In May 2007, in an effort to expand its initiatives and introduce a new brand identity, en.v’s parent company (www.elboutique.com) designed a creative brand launch event for The Metal and Recycling Company (MRC), a leading commercial waste management company in Kuwait, to raise awareness for the environment, promote recycling, More importantly, through interac- REUSE 2.0 granted an opportunity for and highlight the importance of waste tion with attendees and the media, and various members of the community to management. The event was entitled the overall experience of REUSE, the come together and flex their creative REUSE. impetus behind the idea to launch the muscle. For this event, all artistic en.v initiative was born with all its as- mediums were fair game. Talents Hosted at The Sultan Gallery for three sociated platforms for promoting social ranged from a featured internationally- days, en.v invited a versatile group responsibility. renowned artist (Hassan Hajjaj), guest of local designers to showcase their speakers, local professional artists, as talents in the realm of innovative prod- Building on the success of the event, a well as aspiring creative talents from uct design, furniture and house-ware second (more comprehensive) install- various high schools and universities. products, produced entirely from waste, ment of REUSE (2.0) was held at Bayt scrap and recycled materials collected Lothan (a traditional Kuwaiti home Bayt Lothan was selected as the venue from MRC’s Amghara facility. turned cultural center for the commu- because it embodied a traditional spa- nity) on the 30th of November 2008 for cious courtyard (with permission As a first attempt at conceptualizing three days under the patronage of MRC granted to en.v to install a garden for and organizing an event for the general and Zain (the leading regional mobile the event) and a selection of dedicated public, REUSE proved to be a genuine telecommunications provider). REUSE rooms that were utilized as focused success, from the end products on 2.0 was inaugurated by the Minister of exhibition spaces for a variety of artistic display to the attendance and overall State for Municipal Affairs, Dr. Fadel mediums ranging from audio, video, positive feedback. Safar. photography, fashion, and more.

18 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Zahed Sultan, Sahar Ghaheri, Aziz Khandari COMMERCE Initiatives g.

Hassan Hajjaj Featured International Artist REUSE 2.0

h. When commissioned for REUSE 2.0 about the environment. We shouldnʼt what were your initial expectations? ignore it, but we have to act and go First of all, I was really pleased and beyond! ﬂattered to be picked up to participate in this appealing and ambitious Given your unique style of art and project as the international Artiste. design, what kind of reactions/feed- Talking about my initial expectations back did you get from the attendees will be a little bit tricky as I have, at the event? as a general guideline, not to have I was overwhelmed. I think people expectations. (No expectation = no were surprised and amused; they got disappointment = no regret = no back to me in a really positive and frustration!) kind way. The minister even told me he used to play around with match What I do is to keep myself really boxes, turning them into miniature open to receive the maximum of a tables when he was a child! situation, and respond to it giving the best of myself to deliver the work What role do you feel your work in that particular environment – and plays in promoting the notion of enjoy it, which I did! reusing items? i. I presume through reusing rubbish, What is your opinion on the effort to showing it as an aesthetic that strikes raise environmental awareness via peopleʼs minds and makes them artistic inclinations? aware of the materiality of it. Art is probably one of the most positive and talkative ways to raise those What was your most memorable issues. And we need to raise them. experience(s) during your visit here It is positive and talkative because it for REUSE 2.0? involves peopleʼs reactions, it gener- So many! But some of the best are: ates a dialogue. Collecting rubbish from the street and Art is inspirational, people seeing an being looked at weirdly! art piece in which rubbish is used will give them a new eye on rubbish. Being so well looked after by Zahed and the El Boutique team. It is more positive than making people feel guilty with terrible statements Discovering and meeting young and amazing up-and-coming artists!

In order to keep with the environmen- ronment and the possibilities of looking tal ethos of the event, REUSE 2.0 was at scrap from a different perspective. devised as Kuwait’s first carbon neutral event and en.v commissioned a local All the works on display were for sale environmental auditing firm, Equilib- via a silent auction. An astonishing 80% rium, to calculate all carbon emissions of the exhibition was sold out by closing incurred during all phases of setup and day, further demonstrating that ap- final execution to arrive at the total car- proaching sustainability creatively can bon footprint amount. (This amount will reap financial returns. be offset by en.v through investments in carbon mitigation projects around the region.) Curious to see what en.v has in store for REUSE The exhibition was open to the public, 3.0 (which goes live in December 2009)? while allocated morning timings were reserved for primary school students Track en.v’s movements online via www.projec- who were taken on guided tours of the treuseme.com. (A comprehensive body of work for exhibition to educate them on the envi- REUSE 1.0 & 2.0 is also available via the site.) projectreuseme.com

Omar Al Essa, Faisal Al Bisher envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 19 COMMERCE Economics

The Credit Crunch Arrives... Adel Nuseibeh

20 million Americans have lost their jobs since January. Most of them have found new jobs, but their new jobs generally weren’t as good as the ones they lost. And, almost certainly, more than 600 thousand of As the rest of the world plunged into a downward financial them were unable to find new jobs... spiral due to the global credit crunch, the MENA region was not spared for long. As one local bank neared the brink of extinction and others clamored to survive, a look into the governance systems of our financial institutions sheds light on the regionʼs most pressing issues...

“In an environment where banks can continually mismanage money The Middle East remains a budding immune to the financial crisis, but in without any oversight or incentives to economy in the late stages of infancy, light of recent events, investors and focus on long-term value creation, good with a lingering concern about its ability governments have been given a rude corporate governance is an effective to withstand the financial crisis and awakening. More specifically, Kuwait means of injecting transparency and sustain its economic growth. As a result witnessed the first collapse of a major preventing a financial collapse.” -John of the recent events that have begun to bank in the region when Gulf Bank, the Sullivan cripple the region, top executives, man- second-largest lender in the country, agers and investors have been working experienced losses of US$ 1.4 billion As with western world markets, Middle around the clock to find a solution. due to poor investments on currency Eastern markets have been lethargic in Frustrated and distraught, the general derivatives. The news quickly spread the past 18 months ‒ experiencing ap- population is beginning to question the throughout the country, and Gulf Bank palling and chilling losses. Governments, inner workings of companies, and how customers were in a severe state of international banks and major business- effectively these businesses are being panic. Clients feared the losses would di- es have all fallen victim to the current administered. rectly affect their cash deposits and, as financial crisis. The global fiscal catas- a result, scurried to Gulf Bank branches trophe was instigated and prompted by So the question remains: What are and ATMs all across the country with the collapse of credit bureaus and the the governing bodies of countries and the intention of withdrawing all their sub-prime mortgage crisis in the United organizations doing about this current cash. In response to investor fears, the States ‒ the effects of which have been catastrophe, and what steps are being Central Bank of Kuwait took precau- slowly spreading across the globe. This taken to mitigate the risks and effects of tionary measures and guaranteed all crisis has forcefully encroached upon the global financial crisis? deposits from Gulf Bank. economic powerhouses in Europe, and Investor and stockholder confidence has has gradually leaked into the growing Countries in the region were under the diminished. Stock exchanges in the re- economies of the Middle East and Asia. assumption that their economies were gion have experienced a financial melt-

20 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr COMMERCE Economics

August 2007 September 2008 Investment bank BNP Paribas tells The subprime mortgage crisis reached investors they will not be able to take a critical stage the first week of this money out of two of its funds because month, characterized by severely Once Upon A Time... it cannot value the assets in them, constricted liquidity in the global Financial Crisis Timeline owing to a “complete evaporation credit market and bankruptcy threats of liquidity” in the market. It was the to investment banks and other institu- most blatant signal that banks were tions. What Went Wrong rejecting business from each other. The financial crisis has its root in The European Central Bank pumps December 2008 the United Stateʼs housing market 95 billion Euros (£63 billion) into subprime loan crisis. A subprime loan The US recession is officially declared the banking market to try to improve by the National Bureau of Economic is a loan made to someone who, liquidity. It adds further 108.7 billion under normal circumstances, would Research, a leading panel including Euros over the next few days. The US economists from Stanford, Harvard not qualify for a loan due to several Federal Reserve (Fed), the Bank of factors such as his or her income and MIT. The committee concludes Canada and the Bank of Japan also that the US economy started to and ability to make payments. Why begin to intervene. The Fed cuts the then would a bank make a loan to contract in December 2007. The US rate at which it lends to banks by half Federal Reserve slashes its key interest someone it believes is unable to make of a percentage point to 5.75%, warn- the payments? rate from 1% to a range of zero ing the credit crunch could be a risk to to 0.25% - the lowest since records economic growth. began. Between 2004 and 2006 US interest rates rose from 1% to January 2008 January 2009 Onwards... 5.35%, initiating a deceleration in The World Bank predicts that global the US housing market. Homeown- The Financial Crisis becomes a global economic growth will slow in 2008, economic crisis... ers, who were barely managing as the credit crunch hits the richest their mortgage payments when rates nations. Global stock markets, includ- were low, began to default on their ing Londonʼs FTSE 100 index, suffer mortgages. Default rates on sub-prime their biggest falls since the attacks loans - high risk loans to clients with on September 11, 2001. The US poor or no credit histories - rose to Fed cuts rates by three quarters of a record levels. The impact of these percentage point to 3.5% - its biggest defaults were felt across the financial cut in 25 years - to try and prevent system as many of the mortgages the economy from nose-diving into a were sold to banks and investors. recession. It is the first emergency cut in rates since 2001. 40- 45 per- cent of the world’s wealth has been destroyed in the past year and a half.

down in recent weeks with no market reporting less than 25% Year-To-Date losses. The markets of Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Cairo have incurred the most and governing bodies are now left with severe losses at over 60% Year-To-Date an array of solutions and decisions that losses. Demands for greater government need to be strategically implemented in intervention are echoing throughout order to protect the future of the coun- ‒ be it through cash injections into the try and, more importantly, the region. markets, or complete termination of How they move forward remains to be trading in regional stock exchanges. seen, but one thing is for sure ‒ change Stock traders in Kuwait marched from is coming. en.v a-b. The Kuwait Stock Exchange. the Kuwait Stock Exchange to the Seif a. b. Palace, where the cabinet resides, pressuring Kuwait’s government to counter steep drops in stock prices. The government quickly reacted by closing the Kuwait Stock Exchange for two days pending a court hearing aimed at ﬁnd- ing an adequate solution to the issue.

As a result, a sense of stability and steadiness has started to trickle down and spread among consumers. The most immediate dilemma has been solved,

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 21 COMMERCE Business

Telecommunications Leading Privatization Laila Hayat

Privatization schemes have been on the table for years as a way for the region to move away from its dependency on oil. One industry in particular has been taking the lead in this quest towards diversi- ﬁcation...

Buoyant oil prices have generally “The industry has created local exper- 2007, Zain and Bahrain Telecommuni- always kept GCC countries’ economies tise for local manpower. In addition, it cations Company (Batelco) were both afloat. Petrodollars fueled government has provided better packages than the granted rights to begin telecom opera- spending and disposable incomes, government.” tions there. After five short years, the but also created dependency on the Saudi telecom market was completely precious commodity. This dependency Several private telecommunications liberalized and has now reached 100% has created a lack of initiative toward companies have sprouted in the region market penetration. diversifying GCC economies. over the past decade. The first of these is the Kuwait-based National Mobile Qatar’s telecom market was largely Over 80% of the Kuwaiti labor force Telecommunications Company (Watani- monopolized until 2007, and expects works in the public sector, leaving a ya) in 1999, which was introduced to see liberalization results as soon as meager percentage of nationals in the to compete against the region’s first this year. private sector. Private sector devel- mobile operator ‒ Kuwait-based Zain opment is key to diversifying GCC (formerly Mobile Telecommunications As the telecom industry sets an example countries’ economies away from oil Company, established in 1983). Since for privatization in the region, citizens dependency. 2003, Zain has quickly expanded to should wonder what other industries offer services in 22 countries across the could be deregulated to allow greater The telecommunications sector has Middle East and North Africa (MENA) competition, less price control and bloomed since undergoing deregula- region. It has become the fourth largest more employment opportunities for a tion by various GCC governments. As telecommunications company in the burgeoning population. a result of the sector’s deregulation, world. competition has grown fierce and the “The private sector is able to relieve technological landscape has vastly As of July 2008, Zain’s customer base governments from resources, as the improved. totals 50.74 million. Wataniya has also young workforce is more interested in grown significantly via acquisitions in the private sector. The private sector Regarding the industry’s privatization, Asia and the MENA region. In March needs time for development but has Ali Alostath, CEO of Hayat Commu- 2007, Qatar Telecommunications already improved a lot,” said Alostath. nications, said: “With regards to the Company (Qtel) acquired a 51% stake community, there are more advanced in Wataniya. Though the country was a As Gulf governments readjust their services [and] the latest technology is in forerunner in deregulating the industry, balance sheets for fluctuating oil prices, the market with lower costs and greater the absence of a telecommunications authorities should think to the future. efficiency. regulating body still persists. Private sector development will sustain economies in the long run and provide “Companies have started competing Saudi Telecommunications Company jobs for the blossoming population. on regional and international levels and (STC) enjoyed market monopolization The telecommunications industry has gaining experience. They are working from 1998 until 2003, when Etihad exemplified what the private sector can against the giants in the region and be- Etisalat Company (Mobily) won a bid do when a government loosens the reins coming more profitable,” he continued. to begin operations in the kingdom. In of control. en.v

22 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Laila Al Gharabally COMMERCE Online

Page Not Found Mindy Schulte

Internet users have been multiply- 2 Anonymous Bloggers ing exponentially around the Blogging and Censorship globe as people have been Kuwait racing to get online. MENA users have also been logging on and How has the spread of internet users trying to keep up, despite govern- around the region affected how the mental restrictions and blocking region gets their news and informa- Part of the appeal of the WWW is the of certain sites. How have MENA tion? web users coped? And, in what I imagine it has had a positive effect. speed and access to information. Globally, more people get their news ways have they sidestepped on- online than from any other source line censorship to get their daily (Edelman Trust Barometer 2009), and fix of the World Wide Web? thatʼs the first time this has happened. I assume the region is as affected as the rest of the world, I know many The MENA region represents only people who get their news today on- about 1% of the world’s Internet users Now, individuals are mobilizing to stand line rather than print or TV. Itʼs more right now. But the region is quickly rac- accessible and itʼs faster. Having said up for online freedom. In November, that, and to answer the question; the ing to catch up in the global race to go the online advocacy group, Report- more people use the internet the more online. While personal at-home services ers Without Borders, encouraged the internet becomes a preferred choice were still slowly developing 10 years Egyptian government to release Amer for information. ago, Internet cafés began booming with midway through his sentence. Report- Has stricter government regulation local users eager to become globally ers Without Borders also releases an of the internet been a hindrance for connected. Everyone from college stu- regional users? annual Press Freedom index, which No. The internet is still important. dents to the unemployed raced to grab quantifies countries’ media policies. People use the internet to find out a seat at a local café to spend hours ex- While countries like Iceland, Luxem- new ways to get around those ploring the World Wide Web. Currently, bourg and Norway scored well, MENA regulations. broadband and high speed internet nations including Iraq, Syria, Libya, How have blogs changed the way in services are advancing more quickly in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Eritrea, made the which regional users receive news? this area than in any other region in the Have these changes been negative bottom of the list for repressive efforts or positive? world. More and more households are against online freedom of expression [Blogs] have made people more gaining access to high speed Internet and freedom of information. Another engaged with the news. [They] have service as well. also allowed people to discover evaluation by OpenNet found that in the details that mainstream media doesnʼt MENA region, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, think is worthy as “information” and Consequently, governments are Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE and provide “alternative media” which responding with strict regulatory mea- didnʼt exist before. Having said all Yemen widely filter online information, that, the changes have absolutely sures to keep tabs on the information while Algeria, Egypt, Iraq and Israel been positive as they have given that users can access in the hopes of consistently censored the least amount people more information. limiting unwanted influences from trick- of online content in the region. Do you feel that censorship of blogs ling into communities. Censored sites in Kuwait is less widely applied than include everything from popular social Yet, in all of these regions, web develop- in other regions of the Middle East? networking sites like Facebook and You- ers and blog posters are finding ways Definitely, yes. tube to political webpages and journal- to thrive in the midst of these obstacles. How do you, as a blogger, deal with ism forums. Anyone who has accessed Online survival tactics include creat- censorship on the net; and, do you the Internet recently may be familiar feel itʼs easier than other forms of ing email distribution lists instead of media? with “page not found” messages or the webpages and continuously changing Most blog readers are internet even more direct “BLOCKED” message URL’s (web addresses) to stay ahead savvy and know how to get around spelled out across the browser when censorship and I donʼt believe itʼs that of the filters. But these tactics are great of an obstacle from a technical trying to access these popular sites. It imperfect and temporary solutions to a standpoint. And I think censoring is not just social networking feeling the daunting political and cultural issue. For blogs hurts governments more than heat from Internet censorship. Blogs censoring traditional media as the now, the battle between censorship and blogs have been regarded as “the are especially high on the web censor- individual expression is far from over. voice of the people.” ship hitlist. In 2006, Egyptian blogger With broadband Internet access reach- Kareem Amer was sentenced to three ing more and more Arab homes and years in prison for online postings that businesses every day, people are finding included insulting Islam and the Egyp- more ways to stay ahead of the censors tian president, and challenging educa- and gain access to more information tional policies including the separation than ever before. For now, this seems to of men and women at universities. be a step in the right direction. en.v

Shutterstock, Nada Dalloul envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 23

PEOPLE & SOCIETY

The Middle East is home to more than 6 million refugees, making it home to the largest refugee population in the world. People And Society CULTURE COMMUNITY PERSONALITY CSR INFORMED LEADER INNOVATION PEOPLE & SOCIETY Culture

Egypt: Seeking an Impossible Balance a. Yasmin El Rifae

The ﬁght for womenʼs rights has moved a step further in Egypt as new legislation was passed that raised the age at which girls can legally marry to 18. How has this move affected the traditionally conservative society? And, what sort of spillover effects will this have on the rest of the region?

In June 2008, the Egyptian Parlia- ‒ in this case, a combination of Sharia ment passed a series of legal amend- law and the Napoleonic Code. The latter ments in the name of child protection. was introduced to Egypt following Na- party, is granted an ever-shifting space The new legislation criminalizes Female poleon Bonaparte’s brief but influential by the state within which to participate Genital Mutilation (FGM), allows the occupation of the country, which led to in the political and social systems. In registration of children whose father’s Egyptian jurists studying and training the most recent parliamentary elections, identity is unknown to be registered in France. The Egyptian legal system the Brotherhood won a large number in their mother’s name, and raises the is thus considered a civil law system, of seats in the People’s Assembly (the marriageable age of girls from 16 to resting on well-established and codified lower house and holder of the last word 18. These amendments raised fierce sets of laws. A 1980 amendment to in legislative questions). They form debates about the interplay between hu- the Egyptian constitution, technically the largest opposition bloc to the NDP, man rights, Islamic law, and patriarchal the highest form of law in the country, which still holds a sweeping majority. traditions when it comes to governance designates Islam as the religion of the in the region’s most populous country. state. This has been interpreted to mean The new child protection laws were simply that the state shall not pass advocated and pushed by members of Egypt, which faces much criticism for legislation that contradicts a prevailing the NDP and members of the National its violations of human rights and its principle of Sharia. Council for Motherhood and Childhood failure to protect marginalized members (NCMC), which is led by First Lady Su- of society, has been under a state of However, laws pertaining to personal zanne Mubarak. Brotherhood MPs and emergency law for nearly three decades. status, which cover issues as crucial as their allies voiced outrage regarding With the constitution suspended and marriage and inheritance, are drawn these laws, claiming that they contra- the security apparatus operating above directly from Sharia. Sharia courts were dict Sharia and therefore the religion the law, legislation like the recent child integrated into the National Court sys- of the state. Mohamed El-Omda, an protection amendments is viewed as a tem in 1956; today, all family law cases independent MP with Islamist leanings, welcome and surprisingly progressive are heard in National Courts presided commented: “The problem is that the move. With that said, it is often held by over by judges trained in Sharia. NCMC obtained millions of dollars in commentators and scholars that pro- donations from Western institutions to gressive change is likely to take place This legislative framework can prove push their non-Islamic agenda on Egypt. in courtrooms and in legislature long troublesome for a parliament comprised Its members want to see this agenda before it occurs in society. of two main opposing forces: that of enacted as soon as possible so they can the ruling party, the nominally secular claim more cash donations.” El-Omda The Framework National Democratic Party (NDP), versus also led a demonstration in favor of Like several other Middle Eastern coun- that of the increasingly popular Muslim FGM, accompanied by his mother tries, Egypt’s legal system has a mix- Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, while and his two daughters, in front of the ture of secular and religious influences not officially recognized as a political People’s Assembly.

26 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr PEOPLE & SOCIETY Culture

c. a. Girls pose for a photo. b. Foreign tourists pose with locals. c. Egypt’s Suzanne Mubarak and other Arab ﬁrst ladies meet in Manama, Bah- rain for the First Arab Woman Organiza- tion Conference in 2006.

b. often encourage marriage at a young age as it is seen as a way to prevent Groundbreaking Legislation pre-marital sex, support the traditional Timeline family structure and maintain moral order.

The push and the backlash that took place in parliament with regards to these amendments mirrors the schisms in society at large. Egypt’s society, even in its most urban form settings, January 2000 The Egyptian Parliament passes a law tends to be on the traditional side of the allowing women to divorce their hus- spectrum. Morality and religiosity come bands for incompatibility. Previously, hand in hand, and change is often re- women had to provide proof of mis- treatment by their husbands in order ceived with skepticism if not suspicion. to be granted a divorce, whereas a Marriage and morality man could divorce a woman by stat- In rural Egypt, it is not uncommon for One student of Islamic studies said: “It ing “I divorce you” three times. girls to be married by their families, is a Western conception of right and November 2001 sometimes against their will, at 13 and wrong, one that does not take into ac- Saudi Arabia issues ID cards for 14 years of age. This trend has gained count the circumstances or the culture. women. Previously, womenʼs names, but not pictures, were provided on attention in recent years with the rise Who is to say that a 16-year-old girl, their fatherʼs or husbandʼs ID cards. of cases in which families marry their uneducated, and given few rights by In 2006, it became mandatory that young daughters to older, wealthy men her family, is not better off in a happy all Saudi women carry ID cards of their own. in exchange for large sums of money. marriage? It should be left to private Child marriages are deemed as a threat individuals to decide. That is why Islam May 2005 to young girls by human rights groups does not require a certain age to be After years of advocacy by Kuwaiti women and womenʼs rights groups, for several reasons, including: the health passed; the Prophet (Peace Be Upon women in Kuwait obtain equal risks involved in teenage pregnancies, Him) consummated his marriage with political rights. They voted for the the fact that child brides are deprived of Aisha when she was only 9 years old. first time in a municipal by-election in April 2006. education, and the many cases in which The world is different now, but puberty young girls do not give ‒ nor or are they implies sexual maturity and to prevent July 2007 asked for - their consent to a marriage. sexually mature individuals from get- Egypt completely bans the practice of Female Genital Mutilation within ting married will encourage immoral its borders, closing a legal loophole Brotherhood members and other op- and sinful relations.” which had allowed FGM to be car- ponents of raising marriageable age ried out in private and government hospitals. This move was accom- laws argue that, since Sharia does not It is too early to tell what the impact of panied by the launch of a national specify a minimum age requirement for raising the marriageable age will be in campaign to raise awareness of the marriage, it is appropriate to place it at a society that is staunchly patriarchal harmful effects of FGM, including the creation of an FGM hotline. the point of sexual maturity, which they ‒ a characteristic which is all the more deem to be 15 or 16. The silence of prominent in rural areas where child October 2008 Islamic law regarding marriageable ages marriages most frequently occur. What An Egyptian court sentences a man to three years in prison for verbally has also been cited in the legal systems is evident is that Egypt’s efforts to ad- and physically harassing a woman on of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and dress pressing social problems will con- the street. While sexual harassment other countries in the region which do tinue to bring to the surface the starkly is widely prevalent in public places, this was the first time a perpetrator not specify minimum age requirements differing views on governance that are was successfully prosecuted for his for marriage. Conservative societies held by its most vocal groups. en.v offence.

Flickr by Novita Beytrison & Angela envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 27 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Community

Going Global with Governance Yemen’s Refugee Paradox Saleem Haddad As the number of refugees a. continues to rise due to war and conflict in the region, there is one place where this problem has so far gone unnoticed. As the impoverished country of Yemen fights to remain afloat, its refugee crisis threatens to boil over and sweep the entire region into a political impasse.

The poorest country in the Middle East is facing an ongoing war in the North, Refugees have fled the Horn of Africa a secessionist movement in the South, for a variety of reasons: Somalia has piracy attacks on its coast, and increas- suffered from a collapsed state and an ing al-Qaeda attacks throughout the ongoing civil war for almost 20 years, estimates that there are 84,000 Somali country. It is therefore not surprising and the past two years has seen some refugees in Yemen, whereas the Yemeni that the influx of thousands of refugees of the worst fighting in the country’s government claims the number is closer into its borders, fleeing the worst hu- bloody history. In Ethiopia and much of to 300,000. At the moment, neither the manitarian crises in the world, garners the Horn of Africa, climate change and Yemeni government nor the internation- little to no attention. Nonetheless, night poverty are driving forces for people to al organizations responsible for refugee after night, Yemen’s lawless, remote make the perilous journey to Yemen. protection and resettlement have the southern beaches provide the backdrop capacity or governance structures in for a slow-burning humanitarian crisis Lacking safe and legal ways to leave place to deal with these flows. that has jeopardized the economy and their countries, Somalis and Ethiopians stability of the country, and has the pay smugglers to take them to Yemen. As part of a US$19 million operation, potential to destabilise the region as Upon arrival, refugees are given a stark the Office of the United Nations High a whole. Without effective local and choice: either be taken to the Kharaz Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) global governance structures to tackle refugee camp in the middle of the operates shelters and reception centers the problem, both on the ground and at desert, or make it on their own in one for the refugees in Yemen and has its roots, it is a question of when, not if, of Yemen’s impoverished cities. Most increased its efforts to discourage a spiral into chaos will occur. opt for the latter option, living in urban people from making the illegal cross- slums, with roughly 7,500 choosing to stay at the Kharaz camp in southern ing into Yemen. It has also sponsored “No Choice”: African Refugees Flee to Yemen. The influx of refugees seeking training programs for local coast guard Yemen’s Southern Beaches a better life in Yemen exacerbates the personnel and other officials, and has Every year, thousands of Somalis and country’s existing economic and politi- been trying to design policies, inter- Ethiopians risk their lives to cross the cal problems: It is the poorest of the ventions and governance frameworks Gulf of Aden into Yemen, to escape vio- 22 Arab nations, struggling with 40% where assistance and protection are lence, drought and poverty. Yemen lies unemployment, 27% inflation and 46% provided to refugees in Yemen’s urban along a historical migratory route and malnutrition rates. settings. However, the needs remain has been experiencing an unremitting largely unaddressed with major gaps in flow of new arrivals for over 17 years; water, sanitation, health, education and but recently, as conditions have wors- Local Response and the Failure of infrastructure. ened in the Horn of Africa, the numbers Governance fleeing have drastically increased. In Since 1991, Yemen has offered auto- Despite this, the UN is nowhere to be 2007, almost 30,000 took the danger- matic refugee status to Somalis. At this seen on the ground, as it hastily runs its ous voyage. This year, Yemen has rate, however, Yemen cannot sustain operations through a local implement- witnessed almost triple that amount. the current refugee situation. The UN ing partner, with little to no regulation

28 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr PEOPLE & SOCIETY Community

a-b. Al Kharaz Somali refugee camp, Yemen. An older woman from Mogadishu, c. New arrivals Section at the Al Kharaz camp. who was travelling with her son, c. recalling the death of her 7-year-old grandson. 10.12.07 “When the boat was still near Refugee Testimonials Bossaso it hit a rock. The smugglers Short Stories were afraid that the boat would sink and started throwing people over- Group of Six Ethiopians 03.10.07 Somali Woman, 37, 19.01.08 board. They took my grandson and “We left Bossaso on a boat with a lot “We thought we would arrive in Ye- threw him in the water and also some of people, about 130. The Ethiopians men quickly [as they had come on a others. I wanted to grab him to get were separated from the Somali. The smaller, faster boat] but then our boat him back into the boat, but the smug- Somali were treated better and were had a problem and we thought we glers prevented them from getting into on the upper deck. We Ethiopians would die in the middle of the sea. Six the boat and pushed them down into were at the bottom. People urinated children died because we ran out of the water. At least three people died and vomited on us. The smugglers food and water. Then they threw them that way.” beat us with sticks and belts. When from the boat. The boat took 5 days we arrived close to the shore they for the crossing. There was also a Somali Woman, 40, 11.04.08 ordered us to jump out. Some could woman who turned crazy and started “As the boat was coming towards the not swim and 4 people died.” to bite us, saying ʻIʼm hungryʼ.” shore, my husband was getting the children ready. He wanted to give them biscuits, but the smugglers threw the biscuits in the sea. Then suddenly the smugglers threw him into the sea by grabbing his legs. He resisted, holding on to the boat, but they hit him with knives. Then the smugglers threw my two daughters into the or accountability mechanisms. The UN sea. I held onto my youngest son. says that the reason it does not have Re-Thinking the Refugee Paradox: A The children were crying. But thank staff on the ground is that southern Ye- Global Perspective God there was a young man who could swim very well who helped my men is a lawless tribal region, too dan- The issue is not simply one to be children to reach the shore. We slept gerous for UN staff to operate openly. tackled at the national level, and in fact, on the shore. In the morning, I saw the lack of a global approach to tackling the dead body of my husband.” At the same time, the lack of gover- ongoing refugee flows has contributed Ethiopian Man, 20, 10.03.08 nance structures to tackle the refugee to a worsening of the situation in vari- “This is the third time I came. The first problem in Yemen contributes to ous contexts, including Yemen. time, I tried to go to Saudi Arabia, but they arrested me and I was haphazard attempts by various interna- deported to Ethiopia. The second tional, local and government agencies Refugee protection should be seen as a time, when I arrived in Yemen, the working to dampen the potential unrest global public good, and the problem is coast guards arrested me and sent me to Sanaʼa where I was in the jail for created by this population flow. Migra- one of regional ‒ even global ‒ security. 20 days, after that I was deported to tion to Yemen has been ongoing for The plight of refugees in Yemen has Ethiopia.” over 17 years, and the slow and inad- been overshadowed by the dozens of equate international response is difficult pirate attacks off Somalia’s coast that to understand. have grabbed international headlines in recent months. Piracy has implications The UNHCR has not been able to regis- for corporate and big business interests, ter all the refugees residing in Yemen. but heavy and ongoing refugee flows During the agency’s registration exer- into a fragile state will have spill over nance should not be understood as cise, which ended in January 2007, only effects into the region as a whole: An a global government, but rather as a 48,000 Somalis came forward, most of unstable Yemen will lead to an unstable framework of principles, rules and laws whom had been in Yemen since at least Arabian Gulf, which may have disas- to tackle global problems, upheld by a 2004. Other refugee populations are trous effects on the region’s security diverse set of institutions. This would equally difficult to identify and reach. and oil supplies. allow problems such as the influx of Af- Ethiopians are considered ‘economic rican refugees into Yemen to be tackled migrants’ by the Yemeni authorities, At the international level, governance from a broader perspective than simply leaving them at risk for detention and structures that wish to deal with humanitarian and development work deportation. As a result, most evade the refugee issues would need to effectively at the point of arrival. Such a system authorities once they reach Yemen. look at the refugee problem through would need regional and international various lenses. Refugee problems must support to tackle the issue from its On the government’s side, Yemen does be understood to be structurally inter- various sources in the Horn of Africa, not yet have a national body responsible connected to other global issues, includ- supplemented by local governance for managing refugee affairs. Instead, ing migration, security, development, mechanisms at the point of arrival in various national and international bod- peace-building and human rights, and Yemen. ies apply various pieces of legislation to regulated by effective and well-enforced refugees in an inconsistent and ad hoc global governance systems. Unfortu- Until the political will is mustered manner, leaving them, and their host nately, what are currently in place are a by the international community, the country, at serious risk. The lack of a number of ad hoc procedures that are anarchic waters of the Gulf of Aden single governance body represents a dealt with on an issue-by-issue basis. will continue to be host to a potentially hindrance to addressing protection and destabilizing crisis with global implica- resettlement. The idea of a system of global gover- tions. en.v

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 29 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Personality

Leading Ladies Leen Al-Zaben Queen Rania Al The leading ladies of the Middle East have made it Abdullah their business to be responsi- Queen Rania Al Abdullah of ble citizens and have created Jordan recently launched Princess Haya Bint a standard as regional role the Arab Sustainability Al Hussein models. They have managed Leadership Group (ASLG) that is driven by its mission Princess Haya Bint Al Hus- to combine their initiatives sein, the wife of the ruler of towards responsible business to commit to sustainability and reporting. She Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad practice, education, health Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and and welfare into a model that announced: “In the Arab world, we desperately need the daughter of the late King has translated into improved Hussein of Jordan, has also quality of life for the less to focus our energies on creating equal opportunity left her mark in the region. privileged; as well as a soci- Princess Haya has geared her ety that is more aware of its for all, particularly our young people, our potential [and] Sheikha Mozah efforts towards supporting activities and impacts on its the health and medical needs members. our future.” The ASLG aims to encourage businesses Bint Nasser of the Dubai community Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser with a focus on specialized The immense efforts of each to balance the profits they reap with environmental Al Missned of Qatar has healthcare services, child of these three women have also pledged her efforts health and rehabilitation for contributed to enhancing the protection and equal opportunity in order to keep towards bettering the state children with special needs. overall welfare of the region, of her nation and spreading Princess Haya has also been as well as in each of their the concept of sustainability at the forefront. Queen Rania awareness about core working toward implement- respective countries. They issues such as healthcare ing creative educational pro- have not only set up various said that the ASLG “will be the region’s voice on the and education. Sheikha grams in order to achieve the initiatives and institutions to Mozah has guided the Qatar educational goals of Dubai. bolster their efforts, but have global stage, ensuring the Arab world not only catches Foundation on a number of The princess has addition- also succeeded in creating educational projects in order ally contributed to bettering a culture of giving through up, but keeps pace with the front runners in [the] field [of to put Qatar on the world the welfare of the Jordanian the spread of a humanitarian map as the hub for higher people by setting up various message. This has left a sustainability].” Queen Rania of Jordan has also pioneered education in the Middle charitable initiatives such as significant imprint on local East. Additionally, Sheikha Tikyet Um Ali ‒ an organiza- societies, and will hopefully various projects in Jordan that address education, Mozah’s efforts have been tion that provides food and encourage others to follow focused on creating an services to underprivileged suit. women’s issues, equality and general welfare. environment where research, Jordanians. technology and business can fuse together in order to bring together students, professionals and educators. She has also been addressing the need for environmental education in order to raise awareness about the environment and arm the youth of tomorrow with the knowledge of environmental and conservation issues.

30 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr Who do you think will be the driver of social change in the Arab world for 2009?

“Who will be is not apparent, what should be? Educational institutions.” – D.S.

“Syria. But unfortunately, I don’t believe they will succeed in changing the Arab government’s views on their own responsibilities, as each government is too ignorant and self-involved.” – K.E. “Non-governmental organizations have recently adopted the concept of social responsibility, and will be major agents of change in getting companies to recognize the potential they have to be socially responsible.” – N.F.

“Our collective conscience...” – Z.J.

“Education, Education, and ﬁnally Edu- cation!!! That is what is needed to create awareness, social responsibility, and good citizenship.” – A.K.

“All our leaders! If they should continue on their paths; they may one day drive our populations to take on the greatest social responsibility of all – toppling those who are corrupt for the good of all.” – T.K. “The Arab citizens who are responsible for their own fate, and must take it into their own hands. The people should have the power; it’s time to take it back.” – D.A.

“Who says that there will be moves towards greater social responsibility in 2009?” – S.K.

envearth.com PEOPLE & SOCIETY Corporate Social Responsibility Changing the Philanthropic Face Social responsibility and community development projects of CSR in the Arab World have been gaining ground in Passinte Mokhtar the region. The private sector a. has been slowly catching up as the drivers in this social under- taking, and gaining speed as pioneers in a field traditionally dominated by the government. As companies push to revamp their initiatives from simple philanthropy into established Corporate Social Responsibility a. One of REUSE 2.0’s programs, in what areas have participating photographers regional corporations come out gives the Minister of State on top? for Municipal Affairs, Dr. Fadel Safar, a tour of his Corporate Social Responsibility photography installation (CSR) has been gaining momentum as Zain’s Corporate Com- in the Middle East and North Africa munications & Relations (MENA) region, shaping itself as a new Manager, Khuloud A. paradigm in the way companies conduct Al-Feeli looks on. business. With the economic reform agenda in the region, corporations are b. Zain co-sponsored en.v’s increasingly being asked to participate REUSE 2.0 exhibition in addressing social problems. There as part of their ongoing has been a consensus on the urgent commitment to corporate need for companies to conduct business social responsibility. in a way that adds value to societies in which they operate. No longer are environmental and social problems has been slow. Egypt has been able to employed. seen as the executive responsibility of sell almost one-third of all state-owned the government alone. So what are the enterprises in the last few years, and Improving the investment climate, drivers for this change? To what extent privatization is picking up in Algeria, facing unemployment challenges and is the private sector willing to fulfill this Yemen, Jordan and Lebanon. Yet, modernizing governance structures and demand? economic growth in most countries has operations have taken position at the consistently remained below potential. core of MENA’s reform. Governments Ten years ago, the term CSR was only Though economic performance have begun to realize that CSR can used among multinational enterprises improved in the 2000s, with GDP significantly and positively contribute and civil society organizations. growth up from 3.7% in the 1990s to to enhancing countries’ socio-economic Individuals and organizations across 4.6% between 2000 and 2003, MENA development. Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, sectors viewed their social responsibility region reform has lagged behind the Lebanon, the Palestinian National as either aiding progress, or, at the rest of the world. Authority, Oman, the United Arab very least, impeding the stagnant Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen or accelerated degradation of the One of the greatest development have all endorsed the MENA-OECD region. Recently, a remarkable change challenges facing the MENA region Initiative on Governance and Investment has occurred ‒ governments in the is high demographic transition for Development, highlighting the role MENA region have become pro-active ‒ with a heavy supply of young of CSR and corporate governance in in institutionalizing, promoting and workers to the labor force ‒ and creating a healthy investment climate. supporting the social role of the growing unemployment rates that Additionally, governments are working corporate sector. This change is a have pressured social and economic to harmonize their national laws and continuation of reform programs infrastructures. According to a support awareness-raising on CSR- embarked upon by MENA countries to prediction by the Arab Labor related issues. For example, Morocco create environments more conducive Organization, more than 32 million has enforced a new labor law that raises to private sector development and people will be looking for jobs in Arab the minimum employment age, reduces participation, while raising the socio- states by 2010. The UN and World work-week hours, calls for a periodic economic status of countries in the Bank have forecast the jobs needed review of the Moroccan minimum region. for the growing numbers of school wage, improves worker health and drop outs, alongside the unemployed safety regulations, addresses gender After decades of the state dominating in the MENA region, as 80 million equity in the workplace, and promotes economic activity, governments in the over 20 years. Even so, MENA’s employment of the disabled. MENA region began to increasingly rely population growth can be turned into on the private sector to foster growth. an unprecedented opportunity for To support the efforts of governments Corporations in Morocco and Tunisia sustained economic growth, provided in the Arab region, many corporations spearheaded this process, but progress that new entrants become productively have highlighted job creation and

32 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Jamal Ayoubi PEOPLE & SOCIETY Corporate Social Responsibility

achievements in CSR is the founding in the area of health by funding water Vodaphone of “Ruwwad,” an initiative with the quality improvement projects and At Vodafone, the business strategy purpose of acting as a catalyst for investing in programs to reduce the and Corporate Social Responsibility members of marginalized communities incidence of disease and improve strategy are inseparable and vital to to work together to meet their needs. public health. the companyʼs ongoing commercial Socially Conscious Other activities that Aramex engages success. The company does not con- Corporations in encompass areas of disaster relief, Procter & Gamble sider CSR as merely a philanthropic youth development, education and P&Gʼs motto, ʻTouching lives, improv- gesture. Vodaphone invests significant employment, entrepreneurship and ing life,ʼ is about ensuring a better resources to respond to the needs of athletics support. quality of life through the companyʼs the communities in which it operates. commitment to quality brands that It has a remarkable footprint in sup- BP meet consumer needs and contribute porting disaster relief projects and BP operates in a way that contributes to the prosperity of employees, share- programs targeting the most disad- to the companyʼs long-term sustain- holders and communities. Through vantaged youth and their communities ability and that of the society and P&Gʼs corporate cause ʻLive, Learn with a focus on the areas of health, environment around it. BP supports and Thrive,ʼ the company supports education and welfare. Their aim is Aramex a range of projects at all levels of projects targeting the development to make a difference in peopleʼs lives In the past 25 years, Aramex has education - from early childhood of children (aged 0-13) in need. through alleviating poverty, enhanc- been committed to acting responsibly learning to advanced research at These projects are in line with the ing wellbeing and promoting the towards its shareholders, custom- leading universities around the world. UN Millennium Development Goals, development of sustainable economic ers, people, the community and the To contribute to solving the problem and seek to keep children healthy activity. environment. Aramex has become a of unemployment, BP has expanded and disease-free. P&G also works in strong advocate of Corporate Social its educational programs to fund local communities where it operates to Responsibility (CSR) and has suc- the Technical Skills Employability create places that enhance childrenʼs Lafarge ceeded in institutionalizing a strategic Program, which aims at providing ability to learn, as well as provide Lafarge is convinced that sustained approach to its responsibility towards industries with a qualified and highly access to programs that help develop economic growth cannot occur society. A prime example of Aramexʼs skilled workforce. BP is also involved self-esteem and skills for life. without improving the quality of lives of the communities where it operates. Everywhere it has a presence, the company works with local populations and associations to implement action opportunities for young people as MENA governments have also programs for economic and social their corporate cause. In Egypt, Yemen, promoted and engaged public-private development, environmental protection and public health. Lafargeʼs Morocco and Jordan, Microsoft is partnerships (PPP) to affect positive strategy is to exchange viewpoints partnering with governments, non- social and environmental change, and and know-how and implement governmental organizations and to realize targeted developmental goals. practical solutions that respond to local needs. It collaborates with the academics to deliver solutions in three Over the past few years, numbers of expertise needed - including NGOs, key, interrelated areas: transforming PPP projects have taken place across public and semi-public organizations education, fostering local innovation, various industries in countries such and medical staff - to implement sustainable development projects that and enabling jobs and opportunities. as Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the support natural disaster relief, youth In addition, Barclays Bank in Egypt UAE, Oman and Jordan. Furthermore, skills development, child education, is supporting a number of initiatives some Arab countries have started prevention and treatment of diseases, building houses for the needy, and to equip youths with leadership and to pass legislation on transparency heritage protection. labor market skills. According to and accountability in reporting and Rania Hasanen, Barclays Bank Egypt’s assurance - an indication to companies Community Relations Manager: that CSR is being taken seriously.

“Around half of Barclays’ CSR budget Currently, CSR has substance in almost is directed to youth training and skills all Arab countries, yet its perspectives development.” Also, Abdul Latif Jameel differ from country to country, Company in Saudi Arabia has recently according to governance performance initiated the Grameen-Jameel Pan Arab and the economic reform strategies b. program, targeting the creation of one being applied. In some countries, the million jobs through a microcredit focus is on the search for a business program by 2011. case, while in others, CSR is arising from or responding to pressures and To encourage these and further demands from society. Still, in others, efforts, many governments have the debate is driven by and rooted in facilitated the creation of a policy moral reasoning. Certainly the gradual environment conducive and rewarding change in the role of governance has to the adoption of CSR. This year, for highlighted the need to transcend CSR example, the Cairo and Alexandria from an ad hoc, voluntary, charity, and Stock Exchange has launched its philanthropic action to a deliberate and Corporate Social Responsibility Award regular developmental action that will in accordance to the CASE 30 Index. leave sustainable impacts and support CEMEX, Assiut Cement Company, countries’ socio-economic development received the CASE “Best Social plans. Therefore, education, youth Responsible” Award in recognition empowerment and employment projects of the company’s various efforts to supported by private corporations have build the infrastructure of surrounding been increasing in the MENA region communities, improve the well-being of - shifting the simple acts of charity CEMEX plant neighbors and employees, and donation to the implementation of and conserve natural resources. sustainable development projects. en.v

Omar Al Essa envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 33 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Informed

Good Governance for Development A Necessity or Merely a Pipe Dream? Nesma Farahat

Good Governance has become the new benchmark by which various processes of a government are measured and graded. How and from where did this new system develop? What does MENAʼs report card look like?

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon.

While the concept of ‘good economic, and administrative authority, in a Western context, with Western- governance’ likely sounds familiar, human development can be achieved, derived standards of conduct. Whether developing a solid definition of the term conflicts managed and resolved, and these standards should be applied at may prove cumbersome. Governance needs met. face value in the developing South ‒ the process of decision-making and is of great concern to development the process by which decisions are By association with the MDGs, good practitioners. implemented, or not implemented, in governance has become a buzzword terms of the management of resources that cannot be contained. However, little In recent years, key players in the for social and economic development consensus as to its meaning, or how it Arab world have looked to good - has been a factor in human society can be applied, has been reached. Good governance as the basis of reform in since the beginning of time. Good governance is not merely regulated to the region. In February 2005, the Good governance, however, has only come the operation of governmental bodies, Governance for Development in the to gain recognition and substance but rather extends to the partnership Arab Countries initiative was launched over the past 20 years. International between government, parliament, civil by the Jordanian government and UNDP organizations and developed nations society and the private sector. For through its Program on Governance have looked to good governance as a good governance to be effective, it is in the Arab Region (POGAR). Through necessary condition for sustainable assumed that there exists a mutually this initiative, 16 Arab states, regional development and poverty reduction. supportive and cooperative relationship and international syndicates and With such heavy weight being placed between these societal bodies. Ideally, organizations seek to make positive and on the shoulders of good governance, it through this relationship, executive, sustainable reforms in the areas of civil is imperative to fully understand what judicial, administrative, economic and service, governance of public finances, is meant by the concept, on what basis corporate institutions make certain that public sector reform, public service it is applied and adapted to changing corruption is minimized, minorities’ delivery, public-private partnership contexts, and how measuring its views are ensured, and the most and regulatory reform. (See box to the success, or lack there of, can contribute vulnerable members of society have right). to development. their voices heard. Another Arab initiative was the In 2000, the United Nations, in seeking With the increased attention good Conference on Arab Reform organized to create an agenda for reducing governance has garnered, and by the Bibliotheca Alexandria, Egypt, poverty and improving lives, set specific the apparent benefits it has for in 2004. Participants at the conference targets known as the Millennium development, major donors and stressed the need for transparency in Development Goals (MDGs). In international financial institutions have public life, the elimination of corruption, endeavoring to achieve these goals, the increasingly begun to tie their aid and the safeguarding of rights of women, United Nations Development Program loans to the condition that reforms to children and minorities, and protecting (UNDP) looked to good governance to apply good governance are set into the basic rights of defendants before the create an environment where poverty motion. This, however, has begged the courts ‒ all issues rampant in Egyptian could, and would, be eliminated. By question of whether there is a one-size- society. To tackle these issues and employing the elements of good fits-all standard for good governance. sustain human development, large-scale governance, and exercising political, The creation of the concept took place actions must take place.

34 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr PEOPLE & SOCIETY Informed

How can capacity building to Ali Mokhtar promote social empowerment be a Chief Executive Officer means for equity and inclusiveness? Center for Development Services At the national policy level, there is a Near East Foundation lot of rhetoric about social empowerment. Laws are easily issued by policy How do you ensure equity and makers, but execution is minimal. Real inclusiveness in CDS-led projects in execution comes from lower institu- the region? tional levels where capacity building Rather than making programs is greatly required. Individuals at this level receive awareness training, but The Eight Elements of Good Governance inclusive for all, we do the reverse. We design projects for marginalized there is no real skill, behavioral or groups so that they are not appealing attitudinal change. There needs to be Participation Consensus Oriented to all groups. This ensures that we are a shift in concentration on knowledge Both men and women, either directly Mediation of the different interests able to focus on the vulnerable and to skills and attitude. or through legitimate, intermediate in- in society to establish how the best marginalized. In terms of equity, we stitutions or representatives. Participa- interest of entire communities can be try to provide target groups with ser- How important is it to have mutu- tion allows for freedom of association achieved. This requires a broad and vices [with which] they can equate to ally supportive and cooperative and expression. long-term perspective to allow time for their peers. However, to achieve total relationships between government, sustainable human development. equity, mega governmental schemes civil society and the private sector in Rule of Law are needed. order to achieve levels of equity and Fair, legal frameworks that are Equity and Inclusiveness inclusiveness? enforced impartially and ensure full The inclusion of all members of To what extent do you see safeguard- There needs to be a level of dialogue protection of human rights. Impartial society. The most vulnerable members ing the rights of women, children and between the three interrelated circles. enforcement requires an incorruptible of society are of particular importance minorities in the region as essential to The power plays in each sector are police force. here, as they require the opportuni- sustainable development and poverty neither static nor equal, and coordina- ties to maintain or improve their well reduction? tion and communication across the Transparency being. This is critical. Women first, and chil- sectors are imperative. For example, Decisions taken and enforced in a dren second, constitute four-fifths of for issues of welfare, civil society and manner that follows rules and regula- Effectiveness and Efficiency the population. If you want to reach the private sector, expand and take a tions. Information is available freely Making best use of resources to meet a whole family, women and children dominant role. and is directly accessible. the needs of society. Of particular are the entry point. Safeguarding, importance is the sustainable use of however, is a different issue. For How can one measure equity and Responsiveness natural resources and the environmen- example, our Young Womenʼs Leader- inclusiveness and assess whether All stakeholders are served within tal protection. ship Program had to include men in projects have successfully achieved a reasonable timeframe. This is the the original project idea – especially such levels? responsibility of institutions and Accountability when working in rural areas. Without Each project has built-in measures to processes. Including governmental institutions, this, we ran the risk of getting nega- ensure inclusiveness. Monitoring this, civil society organizations and the tive social vibes that would prevent however, is the function of an aware private sector. These bodies are our project from proceeding. management. accountable to those affected by their decisions or actions.

One such action is the building of Good governance can generally be capacity. Capacity building consists measured in one of five ways: by of promoting democratic governance, observing civil and political liberties or equality.” improving structures and institutions political freedoms for the rule of law responsible for policy making, and governance; frequency of political Several states in the Arab region have invigorating civil society and creating violence; expert assessments and yet to adopt good governance practices, a context of social empowerment. opinions; objective measures; and mixed but have exhibited strong economic Through these channels, populations measures that combine aggregate data, growth. Who is to say that this growth in the Arab world will have the power scales and expert opinions. However, does not have a positive impact on to positively influence the decisions these modes of measurement are so human development? And, who is to say that affect their life chances and the varied and open to interpretation that good governance was needed to development process as a whole. that no real clarity exists. Without achieve this level of growth? Countries substantiated base indicators, good in the region that are achieving levels The multidimensionality of good governance is subjective, and in the of sustainable development and governance is positive in the fact that it hands of the ad hoc practices of various reduced poverty without adhering allows for much room to maneuver and institutions and bodies. Optimistically, to loose good governance standards adjust according to regional contexts. however, H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al are raising questions of how strictly However, while it is possible for the Khalifa, President of the United Nations development aid should be tied to good Arab world to begin to incorporate General Assembly, states: governance, and to what extent the and apply characteristics of good practice need be applied in the local governance in ways that lead to “There are many hopeful signs of context. These questions will only be sustainable human development, this progress in the Middle East. The rule of answered when consensus, ironically multidimensionality is problematic law, good governance, and respect for a characteristic of good governance, when issues of measurability are democratic values, are principles that is reached on definitions and tools for raised. The ever-evolving concept of guide many of today’s governments in measurement. Until then, however, the good governance makes pinning down the Arab world. And, the increasing role United Nations should continue to press an agreed-upon definition relatively and influence of civil society and NGOs forward with their agenda of promoting impossible, let alone set standards for is a welcome trend in moving towards good governance in the hopes that measurement. more open societies and greater gender development follows in its path. en.v

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 35 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Leader

a. Fighting Fire with Fire The Leadership Vacuum Dwan Kaoukji

a. Quneitra Orthodox Christian Church in the Golan Heights, Syria.

b. Golan Hospital - Rubble and surfaces pockmarked with bullet and shrapnel holes.

c. Non-violence training in the West Bank, Palestine. As terror attacks in the region seem to be on the rise, and b. nowhere appears to be safe anymore... This begs the question: Where did we go wrong? Or, more importantly: Who went wrong?

On any given day, the cafes and hotels of Sharm el-Sheikh are buzz- ing with people and tourists from all over the world catching some sun and enjoying the pleasures of the Red Sea. However, on the night of the 23rd of July 2005, this was not the case. At approximately 1:00 a.m. that morning, ing unempowered and betrayed by their political statements, attracting both local a small car made its way through the governments and leaders. How have and international attention. The terrorist gates of The Ghazala Gardens’ Hotel, these groups developed and why are attacks on the twin towers on Septem- a five star hotel on the coast of Naama they becoming so popular? ber 11, 2001, are an example of how far Bay, and stopped in front of the main extremist groups of this kind were will- reception. Within minutes, an explosion In the Middle East, terrorist attacks of ing to go to make their statements clear. was set off that took with it the lives of this nature have occurred frequently Unlike hostage-taking or hijacking a 88 people ‒ a terrorist attack directed over the last few years, mostly by plane, suicide attacks specifically target at foreigners with the objective of harm- Islamist fundamentalist groups seeking civilians to make a public statement, and ing the country’s tourist industry. to gain public attention, while also offer no opportunity for negotiation. destabilizing their local governments. The Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak Most of these groups developed in the As governments continued to maintain vowed to respond forcefully to these late 1980s and early 1990s primar- their status quos across the Middle East, attacks; promising to bring justice to ily as a result of people’s frustrations their connection to their people began the families of the victims, and protec- with their governments’ authoritarian to weaken. Consequently, the distance tion from future terrorist attacks in the regimes, and with leaders’ inability to between their objectives and those of country. Investigations were carried stand up to political pressure from the the people they were meant to serve out and a number of arrests made. West. People believed that the Arab widened. Islamic fundamentalist groups However, less than a year later, another nationalist movements of the 1950s began to see this distance as an oppor- terrorist attack took place in the seaside and 1960s failed in bringing countries tunity to take the role governments used resort town of Dahab, killing 23 people, together to fight foreign forces, and to occupy. However, this role has not and leaving the country feeling even prevent their control over the Middle always been so popular among people, more insecure. East. As a result, movements associated and their use of violence an extremity. with Islam became a promising form of The attacks are a result of a growing resistance. As a result, governments across the number of militant groups in the coun- Middle East have been forced to adopt try who resort to terror to make their It was not until the late 1990s and the tighter security measures within their voices heard. Many of these groups are beginning of the 21st century, that boundaries to prevent further attacks ever spreading across the region, and these movements resorted to using from occurring. This has become par- gaining in popularity among those feel- violence for the purpose of making bold ticularly challenging considering many

36 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr PEOPLE & SOCIETY Leader

nature of the regimes in the Arab and Islamic worlds. In other words, one Bernard Haykel can see Al-Qaedaʼs agenda as being Professor of Near Eastern Studies aimed at establishing good gover- Director, Institute of the Transregional Study of nance, albeit through violent and ter- the Midde East, North Africa and Central Asia rorist strategies and tactics. Bin Ladin tion helps perpetuate corrupt power Princeton University and Ayman al-Zawahiri constantly and injustice. The failed Al-Qaeda argue that greater transparency and attempt to destroy the Abqaiq oil accountability are not only much facility in Saudi Arabia in 2006 was needed in the Middle East, but that in pursuit of this goal. There is no they are indeed fundamentally Islamic doubt that corruption and ﬂagrant values, and that they would institute forms of injustice play into the hands these should they ever come to rule. of Al-Qaeda and its afﬁliates, and In particular, the ideologues of radical have a radicalizing effect on a Islam focus on the massive oil wealth generation of young men and women of the Arabian Gulf and claim that who cannot reconcile the contradic- How can good governance play a piv- these resources belong to the entire tion between the justice of Islam with c. otal role in deterring the alarming rise Muslim world, but are tragically being the reality of daily brutalization and and increased following of terrorist / wasted by corrupt regimes. the obscene wastefulness of public radical Islamic regimes in the region? resources. Because of this, the most Al-Qaeda, and other radical Islamic And because of this, Al-Qaeda has effective ideological and propaganda groups, often justify their ideology argued that if these resources cannot weapon any society has against the and terrorist acts as a reaction to the be utilized properly then they should nihilistic violence of Al-Qaeda is good pervasive corruption and the brutal be destroyed because there exploita- and accountable governance.

of these groups are homegrown and try, coupled with political and financial usually spread out, making them diffi- support from the West. As would be Although responses have varied slightly cult to isolate. In Lebanon, for example, expected, these actions increase the in the region, governments are begin- an attack by a militant group called distance between governments and the ning to learn from each other. An Arab Fatah Al-Islam demanded much strate- Islamic fundamentalist groups. anti-terrorism conference held in Tunis gic action and military force from the in June 2008, called for Arab states to government. The insurgents initiated an The problem is that despite all the develop greater regional co-operation uprising in the Nahr al Bared Palestinian policies adopted by Arab governments, between national governments to com- refugee camp in the summer of 2007, there appears to be no decrease in bat terrorism. This called for both po- which left approximately 400 people the number of terrorist attacks in the litical and financial support within the dead, most of whom were civilians. The region. Quite the contrary; some would region. Additionally, some preventative Lebanese government responded with speculate that they seem to occur more measures were introduced that called heavy military action, by air and land frequently. Additionally, Islamic funda- for Arab states to devote their energy to with bulldozers and tanks that moved mentalist groups have developed strong the region’s youth; providing them job into the camps and attempted to cap- followings and in some cases have opportunities and protecting them from ture the insurgents. established political power within gov- being recruited by terrorist groups . ernment. In the West Bank, for example, The cost of fighting terrorism is expen- the political group Hamas was elected The attacks caused by Islamic funda- sive, and the rehabilitation of people into parliament in January 2006, mentalist groups are not acts unrelated after the attacks even more costly ‒ par- despite being considered a militant to the political dynamics of Middle ticularly when civilians are attacked group by the international community. Eastern society. They are very much a in the process. The attack on Fatah Al- Their reputation for using violence as a reflection of the struggles of a power- Islam cost an estimated US$42 million means for resistance was not an issue less people seeking to undermine the in humanitarian assistance to the United for voters, who believed that Hamas’s power of government through violent Nations Relief and Works Agency for opposition to Fatah legitimate, and acts. Many of these acts would lead Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to meet therefore a priority. people to believe that Islam encourages the needs of some 30,000 Palestinians violence and terrorism, and anti-west- displaced by the attacks. The govern- Arab leaders struggling to maintain ern sentiment. The reality is that Islam ment could not afford the rehabilitation stability in their country face a seri- as practiced by these groups is alien costs and is currently receiving as- ous challenge: How are they meant to most Muslims in the region, and sistance in aid from contributing donor to respond to these actions? Do they recognized for its hostility. However, countries willing to help. continue to respond forcefully through the frustrations felt by them are not violence? Or do they attempt to engage unfamiliar to many communities in However, the response taken by the in a dialogue with the opposing groups? the area. As a result, Middle Eastern Lebanese government is not unlike that governments are faced with the risk of adopted by a number of other Middle The answer is not straight forward, and terrorist attacks becoming more severe Eastern countries, using force to demon- there is no evidence to show that one and progressively more radical should strate strength and security in the coun- option is more effective than the other. these frustrations not be addressed. en.v

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 37 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Innovation

Out with the New and in with the Old? Dwan Kaoukji a. b.

The region is host to a plethora of historical sites and cities, which have begun to show some wear and tear due to rapid urbanization, pollution and lack of planning. Now, however, several international organizations have teamed up with local c. d. partners to restore and preserve the historical and cultural integrity of several cities in the region. This next story begins in the heart of the Old City of Damascus...

Rays of light peep through tiny holes in the metal roofs that cover the wide passages of Souq el Hamidiyah, in the heart of the Old City in Damascus. Shop- pers make their way into the market through the dark arched alleyways, to stalls selling traditional hand embroi- of any threats that endanger old cities and modern sites instead. The option dered dresses, t-shirts, spices and much across the globe and that prevent them to redevelop can be more attractive to more. Everything is available here, from from being liveable cities. city governors whose objectives are to clothes to car parts ‒ and at affordable bring economic opportunities to their prices too. Originating in the Roman pe- At a time when rapid urbanization is of cities. In 2007 for example, Damascus’ riod, and later restored by the Ottomans major concern to city governments in city government decided to demolish a in the 19th century, the Souq is known the Middle East, it becomes difficult to number of abandoned buildings to make in the Arab world for its traditional make heritage preservation a prior- space available for new commercial de- architecture and modern merchandise. ity for city councils. This is particu- velopments. While there are a few laws larly challenging as cities continue to to protect heritage sites in Syria, there Like many old and inhabited cities modernize, hoping to catch up with is not enough money to restore them. in the Middle East, Damascus hosts competing neighboring counterparts. So, for the most part, the new develop- hundreds of ancient sites that suffer Should the restoration of heritage sites ments win, and traditional buildings are from neglect and are slowly at risk be of concern to city governors, or does torn down instead. of dilapidation. One of the reasons is it lack the urgency of, for example, the because there are no formal infrastruc- improvement of roads? In a city like Damascus, this phenom- tures in place to protect these sites, or enon is widespread. Despite being to prevent them from being destroyed. Some would argue that restoring one of the oldest inhabited cities in As a result, city residents are not aware the heritage of cities simultaneously the world, the city also has a thriving of the risks affecting the cities in which improves the well-being of its residents. modern urban culture. Founded in the they live. This idea is particularly popular among third millennium BCE, the city came organizations like the United Nations under the control of various civilizations The poor conditions of these sites have Educational and Scientific and Cultural from Greco-Roman, Islamic, to today’s attracted the attention of a number of Organisation (UNESCO), which advo- Arab Nationalist Syrian party. Today, international organizations that have cate for preserving the humanity and Damascus is a bustling metropolis with put pressure on local governments to cultural identity of cities. They believe an estimated population of four million. preserve the heritage of its cities. A that this should be a global responsibil- Although its old quarters are currently significant number of these sites are ity that should be taken on by local occupied by people whose generations located in the Middle East. In 2008, governors as well as the international precede them by centuries, its new the World Monument Fund included community. districts are flooded with modern shops, the Old City in Damascus in its list of coffee shops and nightclubs. the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the However, these ideas are difficult to A number of Middle Eastern cities, in World. The purpose of the list is to sustain, considering it is ultimately particular those with an abundance raise public and international awareness easier and more profitable to build new of heritage sites, suffer from the same

38 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr PEOPLE & SOCIETY Innovation

a. The Citadel in the Old City is still intact and well preserved. f. b. Snow dusts the domes of mosques in Damascus.

c. View of some houses in the Old City.

d. Skyline of the Old City

e. Souq Al Hamidiyah, Damascus.

f. The Old City.

dilemma and look to institutions in the West for expertise and financial help to restore their ancient sites. However, to do so, cities are expected to adopt the regulations and conditions that come According to many international aid with this type of assistance, and they agencies like the World Bank, engaging include improving the participation of residents in the planning process is a local residents in the decision-making key element to receiving funding and process. guarantees a successful project. As a participatory processes are superficially result, pressure is put on city council- taken up to accommodate to the needs But what happens if residents prefer ors to encourage stakeholders to voice of donors, but may or may not have new and modern buildings to the old their concerns in the development of an actual effect on the people they are ones? According to Dr. Shadia Touqan, their areas. Additionally, governors are meant to help. director of the Old City of Jerusalem also expected to take into consideration Revitalization Plan, speaking at a the needs of people in their plans for There is a need for local initiatives to charitable event, she suggested that the restoration. educate people about the importance of best way to approach residents is to the heritage sites they live amongst, and “[...] make them aware and proud of However, participatory methods of this the risks to which these buildings are their heritage. Some feel they are stuck nature are not popular among policy- exposed. Adopting ideas and methods in a slum, and thus it is important to makers in the Middle East. They rep- from the West does not necessarily raise their awareness of the value of resent a western way of working with solve this problem. Unless a process the building they live in, and encourage communities that is both formal and is developed to encourage residents their participation and bring in services unfamiliar. Policymakers in the Middle and city governors to make these cities for them, and the community. That’s East are believed to represent the ‘liveable cities,’ the restoration of the challenge ‒ to make it a place where concerns of the people they serve, and heritage sites will continue to be the people are proud to live and partici- have their own traditions for commu- responsibility of international aid orga- pate.” nicating with these people. As a result, nizations. en.v

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Flickr www.siemens-nocompromise.com Siemens.The future is moving in. THE VERVE

The Verve

Fashion Food Shopping Sports The rate of underweight children below the age of 5 is as Travel high as 37% in some areas of the Middle East. THE VERVE Fashion

a. b. a. Bourj Hammoud, Beirut.

b-d. Jewelry artisans remain behind factory doors virtually unknown all over the world.

Ever wonder where the jewelry you are wearing originates from? Who is the jewelry-maker Exploited Jewel behind each piece? This is the Nur Kaoukji story of one... c.

“Meet me in Bourj Hammoud, 7:30 a.m. tomorrow; I take you to really work.” Golabi’s broken English was perfect, his sentences were unembel- lished and always to the point.

Golabi is the chief craftsman at an established jewelry house in Beirut where I interned for a week in 2004. His proposition to meet him the next day in Bourj Hammoud, the Armenian district that the jewelers of Bourj Hammoud of Beirut, was out of insistence that my never know which major jewelry house Hagob was my mentor, he taught me learning should not end and potentially, has purchased the piece. The pieces are the entire process of jewelry-making: therefore, go to waste. Thanks to the then stamped and sold by these major from melting the gold, making wire, strong language barrier, Golabi invested jewelry houses, generally retailing at soldering, to polishing. He invested a lot of time and energy into training 10 times the price. He also explained much of his extra time and energy into me during my internship ‒ thinking that that on occasion, dealers will arrive making sure that I perfected the skills, I was an apprentice, he was understand- with designs from jewelry houses that which he had acquired from the age of ably furious to ﬁnd out at the end of the they then commission these factories 14. Although he was only 24, Hagob week that I was leaving. to make. had managed to support himself, study, work and participate in political rallies, I arrived promptly at 7:30 a.m. the next Golabi was the star of the jewelry dis- while also maintaining a social life. day. I had never been to Bourj Ham- trict in Bourj Hammoud; he had made moud and was amazed to see signs it out of the industrial world and was Hagob, who loves the craft, once spent written in Armenian, lines of soujuk ﬁnally appreciated as an artist at an two weeks perfecting a single pair of (sausages) hanging in the windows of established atelier. Unfortunately, he is cascading diamond earrings with which every butcher and jewelry shop at each one of few ‒ Armenian jewelers of Bourj he then painstakingly parted. One night, corner. This unique world that I was be- Hammoud work with love and passion after a month’s period of mourning this ing introduced into would be my refuge in a trade that exploits their talent and separation, I received a text message for the entire year. art every day. when I was on my way to the factory.

Golabi took me to a short road entirely The factory that I worked for was a “Look up at the bridge at the entrance occupied by small studios with frosted small one, consisting of four jewelers of the Bourj.” glass sliding doors. He explained that who had been personally trained by each studio included a small self-suf- Golabi: “He trained us, now we train I did, and there it was in all its glory ﬁcient factory where a number of you.” For the entire year that I spent ‒ Hagob’s pride and joy was lit up on a jewelers, usually ranging from ﬁve to working there ‒ at odd hours of the day poster the length of the bridge. eight men, produced pieces that were in order to attend my university classes then sold to dealers. These dealers buy ‒ I was put to work under the main Under it sat the name of another jew- the pieces anonymously, which means craftsman, Hagob. eler. en.v

42 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Shutterstock THE VERVE Food

Foreign Solutions to Local Problems Mindy Schulte

When arable land is at a minimum, or when agricultural expertise is lacking; where is a nation to go to produce food? Why not buy out plots of land in other parts of the world where fertile soil is in abundance? That is exactly what some countries in the region are doing...

Hunger is not a new problem in the MENA region. Millions of people have been struggling with malnutrition and access to food for years, and international eﬀorts are ramping up to address the worsening global economic and food crisis.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that over 800 million people around the world are undernourished. And even for many who are able to maintain nutritional health, it can be quite a struggle to put food on the table. Where is the food crisis of the new millennium Morocco, are cutting down tariffs on tural lands in areas from Pakistan to stemming from? According to the UN’s imported foods to make foreign food the Ukraine and Thailand for potential Millennium Development Goals 2008 sources more affordable while limiting large-scale farming projects. The United Report, under-investment in agricultural exports to keep food in the country. Arab Emirates is also exploring sites programs and farmland in developing With groups such as the Red Cross and in Kazakhstan and the Sudan, while nations is the largest cause of the crisis. last summer’s G8 Summit bringing Libya is considering farmland in South Lack of investment means out-of-date more attention to the crisis, strategies Korea and Mongolia. These “overseas” agricultural technology and poor har- for investing in longer term solutions domestic investments may mean that vest yields, which leaves many countries are beginning to emerge. Countries solutions to the food crisis in the MENA resorting to importing vast quantities of like Djibouti and Yemen are seeking region are on the way in the years to food including staples like wheat. Many technical support from the World Bank come. Meanwhile, WorldHunger.org countries in the MENA region currently to design more effective food policy notes in its 2008 report that Kuwait, import over 50% of their food products. responses. Governments are also explor- Syria, Egypt, Iran and Turkey have Even in areas of the world with better ing ways to increase salaries, especially been making great progress to reduce resources for funding agriculture, arid among government employees, to help hunger levels over the past 15 years. land, severe droughts and sweltering families combat rising food prices The key is to continue current efforts by dry heat can result in poor conditions until costs stabilize. However, the most combining international relief and food for farming and livestock. sustainable long-term solutions call for subsidies with stronger investments in countries to produce their own food local agriculture. So far, MENA is off to So what are we doing to combat the and reduce dependence on international the right start, but as Josette Sheeran, food crisis? imports. But how does a country with- Executive Director for the United Na- out the natural resources for productive tions World Food Programme, reminded Lebanon and Syria are turning to farming produce domestic crops? the world recently: “We are still in a international organizations to help food crisis. We are not out of the woods underwrite food subsidies. Others, like Saudi Arabia is looking into agricul- yet.” en.v

Tamara Taouil envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 43 THE VERVE Shopping

Shopping for a Stamp Nur Kaoukji

The following is the story of one girlʼs journey through the bureaucratic labyrinth that is our public sector system...

All I needed was one stamp; one me off wishing me God’s assistance. missing a wheel, I chose to stand and stamp from the Lebanese Ministry Luckily, a sweet old man sitting at the politely smiled hoping that he would of Education to validate my years of foot of the steps realized I was facing understand I was in a hurry. After look- secondary schooling, enabling me to some difficulty, and told me that I could ing through my papers, he handed me a eventually enter university or work if I find ‘The Stamp’ on the third floor. form and told me to fill it out and take it chose to do so. to the third room down the corridor and With no floor signs to guide me get the required ‘yellow slip.’ In search of this magical stamp, I landed and armed only with my broken Arabic, at the steps of a decrepit, once white I somehow found myself on the landing The second part of my journey con- and now murky, building located in of the third floor. In the corridor were sisted of pushing my way through angry Mousharrafiyeh ‒ a southern suburb around seven blank doors to choose mobs with my ‘yellow slip’ in the hope of Beirut. It was hot and humid ‒ rays from, two of which were surrounded of reaching the end of my ordeal. of heat could be seen radiating from by swarms of people screaming and the ministry building, cars were tooting waving yellow slips of paper in the hope The entire working day passed and their horns relentlessly, and the area of being singled-out and allowed into I never made it anywhere near the was bustling with busy-looking people the room. intended office. running in and out of the building. Ap- prehensive and confused, I turned to my I chose the first room to my right. The The following day was no better. taxi driver, Abu Ahmed, who pointed at memory of that room remains clear I managed to build up the courage the three broken steps that led to the in my mind ‒ I literally stepped into a to scream and shout like the other entrance of the building. He then drove cloud of smoke in which there were petitioners in front of closed doors, and off and left me alone to face a journey three dreary men in army uniform sit- found that although it gave me some that I will never forget. ting behind large desks that occupied momentum it made the whole ordeal the entire room, and on which there all the more tiring. I shuffled around One of the first, of many senseless was nothing but large square ashtrays based on obscure directions (often things, I encountered was a young man piled with squished cigarette buds. I contradictory) given by dubious-looking in civilian clothing leaning on an M-16, examined each individual carefully, individuals and finally made it to the which was probably produced during and opted for the friendliest looking of last room where a row of lifeless souls the Cold War. I soon became aware that the three. Without a word he took my completely drained of energy stood pa- it was a waste of time as he flipped aim- papers, and asked me to sit down. Hav- tiently in front of a closed door. I didn’t lessly through my papers only to brush ing noticed that the wheelie chair was know what to expect, I had just about

44 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Tamara Taouil THE VERVE Shopping

seen it all and was more than ready to Nuuuuuuuuuuuuur!” I handed him a crisp 1000 Lira note, go home, with or without the coveted which he neatly placed into a Lipton stamp. Luckily the line moved relatively I snapped out of my state of shock and Tea box stored under the sink. The fast and I was asked into a sunny and disbelief to hear myself be told: “Find multifarious tea box was divided into rather spacious room - the light at the Abu Ali, he is the one who has ‘The three compartments: one held Lipton end of the tunnel! Stamp’ ‒ you are now in the system.” Tea bags; another contained the money for the stamps; and the largest part was In that room, two bored-looking, mid- I don’t think I had been as excited on filled with stamps. Abu Ali handed me dle-aged women sat behind two large my graduation ‒ the nightmare was ‘The Stamp,’ licked it and stuck it onto desks completely immersed in a conver- almost over, and I had enough stories the back of my diploma ‒ and for an sation that, from the little I picked up, to entertain friends for many days to extra 500 Lira, gave me a shiny protec- seemed to revolve around the effects come. After recovering from the initial tive sleeve! of their diets on their respective bowel joy of being ‘in the system,’ I thought movements. By then, I would have loved to myself that I’d do it the Lebanese Abu Ali then slapped me on the back, to have stayed on and listened to their way, and stood in the middle of the congratulated me, and sent me on my conversation; instead, I handed them third floor corridor and called: way. en.v my papers which needed to be entered into the Ministry’s official handwritten “Abu Aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, ya Abu ledgers. While I was waiting, I looked Aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii?” around in search of a fire extinguisher to reassure myself that if some angry To my surprise an old man with a kind student ever decided to set fire to the and smiling face stuck his head out of a Ministry, the ledgers would somehow door, and answered: “Yes?” On seeing be saved and I would not have to go me, he said: “Ah yes! You must need through this process again. To my sur- a stamp, please come in.” He politely prise, I discovered a computer! I had not stepped out into the corridor to let me seen any computers at the Ministry and into a room that was no larger than a couldn’t understand why this particular square meter, and which I soon real- room had been graced with one. ized also served as a kitchen. Abu Ali made tea for the entire third floor and “Nuuuuuuuuuuuuur, ya was also the ‘Keeper of the Stamp.’

envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 45 THE VERVE Sports

a. a. The refurbished 6,500 spectator stadium held an audience of 8,000.

b. The destroyed stadium.

c. Palestinian team celebrates after ﬁrst goal.

d. Palestinians rejoice in national pride. One Fine Sunday As the Palestinian Territories Hussam El-Tayeb d. continue to live under an ongoing occupation and closure regime, it seems at times like the ʻnormalityʼ of everyday life c. does not exist. This is not so as something remarkable and quite ʻnormalʼ happened One Fine Sunday...

Sports, for its audience, is much more than displays of physical prowess and the execution of strategy on the field. Ask anyone in the Arab world and they will tell you that it is all about pride and national honor. It is an outlet for expression, a precious and rare op- location within which it took place. The to join their teammates two days before portunity in itself, and an opportunity game was played in a new stadium in the match. to glimpse unity in an often fractured the West Bank, which was refurbished socio-political landscape. The ‘game,’ with the help of the FIFA (Fédération For others still, this was also a home- at its finest hour, aspires to deliver this. Internationale de Football Association) coming such as for Roberto Bishara who and other donors - a mere 200 meters is from the long-established Palestinian One fine Sunday last October, the Pal- away from the massive concrete barrier community in Chile where he plays estinian soccer team was able to deliver erected by Israel. The Palestinian coach for a Chilean team named Palistino. just that to an audience of 8,000 that Izzat Hamza, the former coach of the Bishara, who does not speak much packed the 6,500 spectator stadium in Jordanian national team, was quick to Arabic, remarked on his first visit to his East Jerusalem. The friendly game pit- comment: “This is our idea of resistance homeland: “It’s a huge honor to play in ted the Jordanian national team, ranked [...]: We have a flag, we have a nation, Palestine, where my parents and grand- 112th, versus the Palestinian national and we have a cause.” parents were born [...]. The people here team, ranked 180th ‒ not exactly the deserve a bit of happiness.” match of the season, but a landmark Ahmed Kashkash, the 22-year-old Gazan game in its own right marking the first who scored the first goal 15 minutes It has been a long road the Palestinian time the Palestinian team plays in the into the match, obviously felt touched team has trekked since 1998 when West Bank, its home ground. For the when he commented: “It was one of “FIFA, the World Cup’s governing players and their zealous fans, this was the most emotional moments of my life, body, granted the Palestinian team a welcome respite from the stress of scoring a goal for Palestine in front of accreditation for the first time since day-to-day life imposed by four decades Palestinians [...]. It was great to come 1940.” For a brief moment on a sunny of occupation. here, but I wish that all of Gaza would Sunday morning, they brought hope to be able to come.” A beautiful senti- the Palestinian dream or in the words of The score, a draw of 1-1, was no sur- ment soured only by the fact that after goal-keeper Fahed Fakhoury: “Palestine prise and was secondary to the fact that months of negotiation five members of is in our heart. We’re not going to wait the game actually took place, and to the the squad were only given permission for a state to represent Palestine.” en.v

46 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Shutterstock THE VERVE Travel

The Diplomacy Olympics Leen Qablawi

Summits, conferences, trea- ties, talks... The region is no stranger to any of these c. kind of high-level political meet-and-greets, so who is at the fore of these regional a. diplomatic races?

in international affairs. Qatar’s broad- spectrum diplomacy is facilitated by a considerable influx of hard cash. While it is well known that the Qatari Emir From the ongoing Arab-Israeli gave US$100 million to help Hurricane conflict to the seemingly never-ending Katrina victims , the country is also saga surrounding Iran’s nuclear energy building a $1.5 billion oil refinery in program, the Middle East remains a hot Zimbabwe, a huge residential complex spot for ceaseless diplomatic activity a-c. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. in Sudan, and a $350 million tourist prompting different actors in the region project in Syria. Qatar has also bolstered to engage in high-level diplomacy of Palestinian sides to the negotiating table its crisis management and brokering varying degrees. While in the past only and has drawn upon its historic position prowess as evidenced by the launch of a handful of actors dominated the diplo- within the Arab world to put pressure its recent Darfur peace initiative to end matic power-game, today the region is on actors that can be effective within conflict in the troubled province, and seeing the rise of new players not afraid the Arab-Israeli conflict. Such moves through its support of the African Union of working with, at times, diametrically- correspond with continued Egyptian Mission in its peacekeeping initiative in opposed sides in an effort to bolster moves to bolster bilateral ties with Somalia. This new diplomatic drive is prestige and bargaining leverage. countries ranging from Venezuela to also being steered by Qatar’s Foreign Russia ‒ the latter of which hosted an and Prime Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Iran continues to be actively engaged in Egyptian delegation on October 11 of Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, who recently its diplomatic endeavors as it works to last year. attended the UN-sponsored Interfaith persuade the world about its peaceful Conference on Dialogue of Civilizations. intentions regarding its nuclear ambi- Yet, the award for the most actively en- In his speech, Sheikh Hamad revisited tions. Whether he is attending United gaged regional country should go to the Qatar’s early efforts to annually host Nations General Assembly meetings region’s rising diplomatic star, Qatar. the Doha Conference on Inter-religious or being the first Iranian president to In the past year alone, Qatar has upped Dialogue, as a concrete expression of visit neighboring Iraq, Iranian President the ante in its diplomatic engagements Qatar’s commitment. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad never fails throughout the Middle East and beyond. to grab international headlines as his From brokering a significant cross-party Be it a support-service for a fast-grow- foreign policy apparatus works to push peace agreement between Lebanese po- ing economy, a strive to attain new lev- forward Iranian objectives around the litical factions, to engaging with warring els of recognition around the world, an globe. Egypt is another big actor which tribes in the Horn of Africa, this small ever-shrinking global village, or perhaps has not shied away from the diplomatic Arabian Gulf state has shown a pen- a combination of the above; the tangible scene in the last year. It has tried, albeit chant desire for playing a more active result is an increasingly engaged Qatar with limited success, to bring different role in mediating conflicts and engaging in the voyage of diplomatic travel. en.v

Shutterstock, Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 47

CREATIVE CONSCIOUS

The average rate of urban slums stands at around 31% region-wide.

Creative Conscious Film Books music art Design CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Film

Fouad Nahas Dwan Kaoukji

Film Recommendations Although Fouad Nahas belongs to an old and well-established family of film producers that Lemon Tree, Israel/ Lemon Tree goes Winner of the Pan- pioneered Egyptian cinema Germany/ France, Eran beyond the media, and orama Audience Award between 1938 and 1963 with Riklis goes into the psyche of at the 2008 Berlin Film the Studio Nahas and Nahas the people whose lives Festival Awards, Lemon Films, his work as a writer and Stories about olive are affected by the con- Tree is both a political producer has made a unique groves being uprooted flict. It depicts the life and comic film about contribution to Iranian cinema by Israeli bulldozers, of a Palestinian widow the realities affecting and farmers losing living alone, tending Palestinians today. Star- today. In 2001, Nahas pro- Fouad Nahas their land to settlers are to her familyʼs lemon ring Hiam Abbas and duced and co-wrote the script covered regularly in the tree grove. When the Ali Suliman (both from to the film Baran with Iranian media. They are often Israeli Defense Minister Paradise Now), the film director Majid Majidi. The film accompanied with im- moves in next door, his is filled with exceptional was nominated Best Foreign Film ages of farmers throw- security officials suggest performances that are in the European Film Awards, ing themselves in front to chop them down as definitely worth seeing. of Israeli bulldozers to they may pose a threat and became an instant success save their 100 year old to the safety of the among international filmmakers trees. These scenes send minister and his family, around the world. Following a powerful message, by inviting terrorists to that, Fouad went on to produce but tell us little about hide among them. The documentaries and features who these farmers are, widow challenges the about the lives of various ethnic and what type of life security order and takes they lead. the minister to court. minorities living in Iran and Iraq. He presently spends his time between Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Is there such a thing as ‘Arab’ cinema, or and based almost exclusively on the For a mainstream Arabic film to reach is it mostly unique to a specific country? “Star” system. Arabic audiences come to see their favorite actors or actresses. a larger audience, the problems are I don’t think there is an “Arab” Yet, contrary to Hollywood, except multiple. Young Arab audiences are cinema as such. There is an Arabic for very few cases, film directors or increasingly exposed to the technical film industry, dominated by Egypt screenwriters are ignored and few know quality, style and elliptic rhythm of that produces 40 to 60 films a year, their names. Egyptian film storylines western cinema they watch on digital while the other Arab countries produce are rarely original; they are usually networks or DVD. Most mainstream a total of not more than 10 films a direct lifts from American movies with Arabic films suffer from low technical year. The non-Egyptian few films are an extra splash of trademark Egyptian standards in terms of cinematography. characterized by the intervention of the melodrama or slapstick comedy. They also use an outdated cinematic government or foreign companies like Occasionally, a film emerges with some language. They suffer from France for funding. They often have a artistic quality, often because it is a exaggerations, lack of structure, endless simple storyline and appear more like funded by a foreign company, but in scenes with repetition, old fashioned documentaries. The result is often of general, while actors or actresses are editing, and complacency in cheap high technical quality with hot subjects remembered, few modern Arabic films aesthetics and in general a lack of rigor. like emigration, women’s rights, become classics. In addition, because of inadequate minorities, etc. Yet, maybe because distribution structures and the absence of the subject, the style, or simply the Who are the biggest audiences for Arab of governments to regulate the influx of lack of proper distribution channels, foreign films, Arabic films have a hard these films sadly remain limited to films today? Are they mostly western? time competing with western films with festivals and repertory cinemas in Arabic films’ audiences are mostly the new generation of Arabic cinema- western countries. Because they do Arabs in their own countries or goers. not recover their costs, investors are emigrants watching satellite TV not encouraged further and this kind networks. While they are shown in With Satellite television as available as it of production remains limited. On the western festivals, very few Arab films contrary, the Egyptian cinema is a are distributed in western countries and is, what role do Arab films hold in society well established industry, much like if they are, the audiences are limited to today? Hollywood. It is a self-funded cinema festival-goers and repertory cinemas. Satellite TV is a double edged sword.

50 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com www.thecia.com.au, www.rivaﬁlm.de CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Film

Salt of this Sea, Pal- in 1948. The opening whose unfamiliarity with Under the Bombs (Sous have been severely tary and a fictional film, estine, Dir Annemarie scene shows Soraya at a country about which Les Bombs), Lebanon, affected along the way. giving it an authentic Jacir Ben Gurionʼs airport, she is passionate seems Dir Phillipe Aractingi She hires a Lebanese and realistic feel. being selected for at times contradictory. (2006) taxi driver who drives An official selection a security check-up Along her journey, she her across the South While the film show- at the 2008 Cannes for being Palestinian meets Emad (played In July 2006, Israel from Beirut, and with cases the violence and Awards, Salt of this – despite holding an by Saleh Bakri), who is attacked Lebanon in a whom she develops a outcome of the war Sea is possibly one American passport. trying to leave Palestine ruthless war that lasted tense, but supportive effectively, the drama of the most popular For the rest of the film, to live a life outside of 34 days, which killed relationship. around the relationship Arab films of 2008. Soraya is faced with the everyday troubles; over 1000 people, and between Zeina and Written and directed discrimination and chal- and with whom she displaced even more. Shot only 10 days after the taxi driver slowly by Annemarie Jacir, lenges that make her develops a relationship Aranctinjiʼs film looks the beginning of the becomes the main focus Salt of this Sea tells the task very difficult. that could bring her at the story of one war, Aractingi uses of the story, and diverts story of Soraya, a third dream to fruition. woman in search of actual film footage away from the issues of generation Palestinian- The film stars the her son, displaced by from the war, while the situation. Neverthe- American who travels Palestinian American the events of the war. also engaging non-ac- less, the film was a to the West Bank in the poet and writer, Suheir Zeinaʼs journey to the tors whose lives were nominatee at the Venice hopes of retrieving her Hammond, who plays South of Lebanon takes directly affected by the Film Festival Awards grandfatherʼs savings Soraya, the strong and her through damaged atrocities. With rare ac- 2007 and is well worth from a frozen bank defiant woman not villages and refugee cess to footage on the viewing. account in Jaffa from ready to be ill-treated relief centers, meeting ground, the film teeters when he was exiled by the Israelis; and people whose lives between a documen-

or graphic sexuality depictions that are countries and with the rest of the It does provide a financially rewarding in any case against the traditions of world. It is possible that young Arabs outlet to Arabic films (mostly Egyptian) Arab societies, I don’t see censorship are becoming saturated by Hollywood but ultimately, quality is sacrificed having any influence these days. Films cinema and its stereotypes; and may to quantity. We see a proliferation of that dare to talk about taboo subjects, want to see more of their own society mediocre Arabic films filling up antenna such as sexual exploitation of women through cinema. It is interesting that time that promote a superficial view of (Meat is Cheap) or homosexuality (Omarat countries like Lebanon and the United Arab societies with the sole purpose Yacoubian) seem to pass censorship Arab Emirates, which have modern of entertaining. This is especially without much trouble. It is not valid to theater networks, admit there is a dangerous for young audiences blame censorship for the low quality of recognized new interest in Arabic watching Arabic films who become films. cinema. Egyptian film Captain Hima and used to mediocrity and unable to Omarat Yacoubian and the Lebanese film create anything better. What is sadly Caramel were unexpected box offices missing in Arabic TV are programs that More Arab films are making interna- hits. inform Arab young audience about tional film festivals today than ever, what Arabic films such as interviews with direction do you see Arab cinema moving The United Arab Emirates are taking actors, actresses, directors, producers. towards? the lead in creating channels for Arab Promotion of Arabic cinema for Arabs There seem to be a growing awareness talents and resources to improve the is almost nonexistent and Arab viewers among the Arabic intelligentsia that production quality of the films. The know more about Nicole Kidman than Arabic cinema, while having some Dubai Media city is supposed to offer they know about Hiam Abbas. More TV qualities, is not reaching the artistic and up-to-date studios with most modern programs are needed to let Arabs know technical levels that it could considering film and sound laboratories. Abu Dhabi about each other’s cinemas and talents the availability of talents and resources. and Dubai are using their Annual Film to encourage exchange and dialogues. It could also be the emergence of the Festival to grant funds to young Arab awareness that cinema is not only an screenwriters and reward Arabic films. In your opinion, do tough censorship laws industry but also an expressive art They already have laws to prevent shape the way films are made today? and that it plays a role in educating piracy, which is a huge problem for an Except for politically charged subjects and building bridges with other Arab emerging new Arabic cinema. en.v

www.philistineﬁlms.org, www.underthebombs.com envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 51 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Books

Hamida Na‘na’ Syrian Writer in Exile Whitney Rios

Book Recommendations

B as in Beirut Heavy Metal Islam: Dreams and Shadows: by Iman Humaydan Rock, Resistance, and The Future of the Younes translated by the Struggle for the Middle East Max Weiss Soul of Islam By Robin Wright (Febru- Publisher Interlink By Mark LeVine (July ary 2008) Books, 229 Pages 2008) Penguin, 480 Pages Three Rivers Press, 304 B as in Beirut tracks the Pages Dreams and Shadows lives of four Lebanese provides an in-depth women during the civil Heavy Metal Islam analysis and look war, each with her own provides a musical tour into the ideas and life and story, and the of the Middle East and movements that are struggles and sacriﬁces North Africa area and shaping the region; each has to make in the effects of Western and links the various order to survive. “As music on the region personalities and events the war continues each through interviews with behind these forces day, unending, divisions musicians and fans. As coming from Turkey to Hamida Na’na’ between past and young Muslims try to Egypt, Iraq, Syria, the present begin to break reconcile their traditions Palestinian territories down.” with their love of mod- and the GCC. Syrian-born Hamida Naʻnaʼ, an ern music, could music activist in her youth, is a journal- be the driving force ist, a novelist and a writer of behind democratizing the Middle East? political and literary memoirs.

who imposed the hijab [head covering] Na‘na’ left Syria with her first upon her and forced her to submit Woman Who Does Not Know Joy (Anashid husband following the military coup to her brothers, the community and Imra’a la Ta’rif al-Farah), a collection of that gave the late Syrian president, society. poems, around the time she graduated. Hafez al-Assad, rule. Na‘na’ and her She later became a novelist and a writer husband fled to Algeria as political When she finally made it to school, of memoirs and analytical discourses. refugees; but, once there, her husband it opened her eyes to the freedom of She also became a journalist early on, allegedly made her feel like a prisoner. literature ‒ both reading and writing. which continues to be her focus. In Soon after the move, she left for Paris But the journey there was not easy. She Writing Away the Prison, Na‘na’ expresses for special medical treatment and bartered away many of her freedoms the joy she felt while traveling to decided to stay. Finally a refugee on her to stay in school and allegedly became different Arab nations as a journalist. own, she lived in freedom. a virtual servant to her brothers. After She had been, and still is, confronted tough negotiations with her family, with a cognitive dissonance between her This information comes from Na‘na’s Hamīda finally followed her beloved seeming independence in the West and illuminating autobiographical essay, freedom, and a scholarship, to a Syrian her culture in the East, but journalism Writing Away the Prison, published in university ‒ still under the watchful has maintained her connections with English in Fadia Faqir’s In the House of eyes of her brothers. There, she earned both. Hamīda has written for as-Safir, Silence (Garnet Publishing, Ltd., 1998). a degree in literature from the Arabic Le Nouvel Afrique-Asie, as well as various In this work, Hamīda Na‘na’ also reveals Language Department. Shortly after Arabic newspapers. the wars she fought with her brothers graduation, she met her first husband in order to pursue an education, the the then Minister of Education. Nearly no Na‘na’ works are fatwas of the Sheikhs in Idlib (a city in available in English. Although Hamīda northwestern Syria) deeming educating Hamida inadvertently began her career Na‘na’ writes from France, she writes girls as haram [a sin], and her family in writing when she published Songs of a for the Arabs. en.v

52 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com www.robinwright.net, www.mobipocket.com, www.islambank.community CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Music

Under Siege Here on the slopes of hills, facing the dusk and the cannon of time I have a moon past the peak of Close to the gardens of broken words. The Metaphor shadows, I have the godsent food of birds and We do what prisoners do, an olive tree beyond the kent of time. Hussam El Tayeb And what the jobless do: I have traversed the land before We cultivate hope. swords turned bodies into banquets. I come from there, I return the sky to Record! I am an Arab its mother when for its mother the Record! I am an Arab sky cries, and I weep for a returning And my identity card is number fifty cloud to know me. thousand I have learned the words of blood- I have eight children, stained courts in order to break the And the ninth is coming after a rules. summer I have learned and dismantled all the Will you be angry? words to construct a single one: Record! I am an Arab Home. I have a name without a title Patient in a country, Rita And The Rifle Where people are enraged . . . Between Rita and my eyes I do not hate people There is a rifle Nor do I encroach And whoever knows Rita But if I become hungry, Kneels and plays The usurperʼs flesh will be my food To the divinity in those honey-colored Beware.. Beware.. eyes Of my hunger, And I kissed Rita And my anger! When she was young And I remember how she approached Mahmoud Darwish I Am There And how my arm covered the loveli- I come from there and remember, est of braids I was born like everyone is born, I And I remember Rita have a mother The way a sparrow remembers its and a house with many windows, stream After the death of one of the I have brothers, friends and a prison. Ah, Rita I have a wave that sea-gulls snatched Arab worldʼs most beloved po- Between us there are a million spar- away. rows and images ets, his memory lives on through I have a view of my own and an extra And many a rendezvous the lyrics of some of the regionʼs blade of grass. Fired at by a rifle. best known singers...

Palestine is more than a mere spoke impeccable English, French and ‒ Rita, Birds of Galilee and I Yearn for my plot of land to the Arab psyche and Hebrew, was widely perceived as a Mother’s Bread ‒ have become anthems imagination; but rather a metaphor Palestinian symbol and spokesperson in their own right for generations of ‒ for the loss of Eden, for the sorrows for Arab opposition to Israel. His Arabs. Marcel Khalife was even put to of dispossession and exile, for the works continue to illuminate our trial in Lebanon in 1999 for singing declining power of the Arab world in understanding of the Palestinian cause and performing I am Yusuf, oh my father, its dealings with the West. This was the and Arab identity ‒ which are ever penned by Darwish ‒ so provocative notion coined by the late Palestinian entwined. In the words of Egyptian that the Lebanese government felt it national poet Mahmoud Darwish who poet, Ahmad Fouad Negm: “He could be threatening to the religious passed away at the age of 69 on August translated the pain of the Palestinians stability of Lebanon. 9, 2008. in a magical way.” In 1974, Darwish penned the eloquent words spoken by In an eulogy Marcel wrote: “I felt as Darwish, who has authored more the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat though Darwish’s poetry, with its divine than 30 volumes of poetry and eight who declared at the United Nations: assertiveness and prophetic cadences, books of prose that have sold millions had been revealed to me and for me. I of copies, “started out as a poet of “Today, I have come bearing an olive could nearly savor his mother’s bread resistance and then he became a poet branch and a freedom fighter’s gun. that has become iconic to his readers. I of conscience,” remarked Palestinian Do not let the olive branch fall from my could feel the eyes of his Rita as deeply lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi. “He hand.” as I could feel the pain that his Joseph embodied the best in Palestinians [...]. suffered at the hands of his treacherous Even though he became iconic he never Yet, what will forever touch our hearts siblings.” In closing, one may only echo lost his sense of humanity.” is his poetry, set to music by composers Marcel’s final closing words and hope such as Marcel Khalife, Majida El Roumi that poets do not die, but only pretend Darwish who wrote in Arabic, but also and Ahmad Qa’abour. These poems to... en.v

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 53 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Art

Kamal Hakim

54 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Art

envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 55 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Design

Conserving History en.v

MENA, the cradle of civili- zation, is home to over 60 heritage and cultural sites. Several, in fact, have been included on UNESCOʼs World Heritage Centerʼs conservation list.

a-c. Qalat Al Bahrain, Bahrain.

Since November 1972, The UNESCO Samarra Archaeological City The following sites have recently been World Heritage Center has been pro- included in the World Heritage Center’s (Iraq) tecting and preserving cultural and na- conservation list. tional heritage all around the world. The In 2007, the Samarra Archeological City organization’s stated goals are: encour- was inscribed into the World Heritage age countries to protect their natural Qalat Al Bahrain (Bahrain) Center. The city of Samarra is important and cultural heritage; encourage state Qalat al Bahrain, the Ancient Harbor because it is the site of the powerful parties to nominate sites for protection; and Capital of Dilmun, was inscribed Abbasid Empire that ruled over a vast establish management plans and techni- into the world Heritage center in 2005. territory spanning from Tunisia to cal assistance; provide emergency assis- Dilmun, one of the region’s most Central Asia. The city demonstrates the tance and public awareness; encourage important ancient civilizations, was a architectural and artistic innovation that local populations in the preservation of trade partner to several Mesopotamian had developed in Iraq and which then their cultural heritage; and, encourage civilizations, and a link to the Indus Val- spread across the Islamic world. The international cooperation when needed. ley Civilizations from the Middle East. site is home to the ninth century Great The World Heritage Center has inducted Qalat al Bahrain is an artiﬁcial mound Mosque and its spiral minaret. Samarra 679 cultural sites, 174 natural sites created by consecutive human occupa- is the only surviving Islamic capital and 25 mixed property sites within 145 tion and shows evidence of continuous that holds the original plans of the city, states that are party to its treaty. human presence starting from 2300 and represents the only physical trace BCE up to the 16th century CE. On top of the Islamic Caliphate at its height. MENA is host to a plethora of these of the mound lies the qal’a or fort. Only Two of the largest mosques, Al-Malwiya architectural ruins and buildings. In the 25% of this site has been excavated and and Abu Dulaf, represent new artistic Arab states alone there are 65 heritage has already revealed important struc- concepts in the form of unique planning sites and 60 of them are considered to tures of the past. The site currently has and construction of Islamic mosques. be under cultural identiﬁcation by the residential, public, commercial, religious Since the war began in 2003, however, organization. and military architecture. the site has been under grave threat as

56 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Flickr CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Design

Samir Rebeiz Dr. in Architectural Conservation Director of Lebanese Center for Conservation and Restoration Studies b.

What are the main concerns you have How does the selection process for when restoring an historical building a building or site take place? What or site? kinds of buildings take priority? Our main concerns are to stop Priority should be given to buildings in deterioration and to preserve as much critical structural condition. However, as possible the original material. We general selection should be a function also have to preserve the architectural of the urban development of a city. integrity of the building. c. Who usually funds restoration: What official problems do you face governments, NGOs, or private par- when trying to restore a building? ties? And who is the biggest funder Is there any red tape that stands in amongst the three? your way? Governments and educational institu- The major problem in the Middle tions should be the main bodies to East is the complete absence of any fund restoration. In the Middle East, it conservation establishments, laws, is the private sector that usually funds or official awareness. Restoration most restoration projects. work is always carried out in very uncontrolled conditions. What kind of restoration is the hardest to work on? The restoration of monuments in un- baked brick and in perishable organic materials is definitely the hardest.

transformations, and the subsequent it has been used by various internation- forts added by the Ayyubid Dynasty. very well teach modern societies about al and local forces as a base for military The buildings were both inscribed to issues pertaining to water conserva- operations. UNESCO’s list in 2006. tion. The aflaj irrigation systems were inscribed to UNESCO’s list in 2006. Crac des Chevaliers and Qalat Irrigation Systems of Oman Saleh El Din (Syria) (Oman) Portuguese City of Mazagan, El These two palaces in Syria represent the The five aflaj irrigation systems of Jadida (Morocco) cultural exchange and evolution of forti- Oman are representative of some 3000 Built as a fortification city by the Por- fied architecture in the Near East during other systems still in use in Oman. Aflaj tuguese in the 16th century and later the Crusades. The Crac des Chevaliers dates back to 500 CE, but new archeo- reclaimed by the Moroccans in 1769, is a castle first built by the Sovereign logical evidence suggests that irrigation Mazagan, or el Jadida, on the Atlantic Military Hospitaller Order of St. John systems existed in this arid area as early coast is a great example of Renaissance of Jerusalem between 1142 and 1271 as 2500 BCE. The way such irrigation military design. The city includes the ‒ further constructions were added by systems are designed is through the surviving Portuguese buildings of the the Mamluks in the late 13th century. It utilization of gravity, wherein water is cistern and the Church of the Assump- is one of the best exemplars of Crusader channeled from underground sources tion, which were built in the Manueline castles. The Qalat Saleh el Din, along or springs to help irrigate agriculture. style of late Gothic architecture. The with the Cracs des Chevaliers, repre- Important and innovative watchtow- city, an early port city for explorers sents a superb illustration of this type ers that were built to defend the water going to India from Portugal, illustrates of fortified architecture in the Near East systems reflect the high significance the wide interchange of influences be- during the time of the Crusades (11th and dependence the aflaj communities tween European and Moroccan cultures ‒ 13th centuries). The Qal’a is a history placed on this system. This ancient from architecture and technology, to lesson in itself because of the different engineering technology, which shows town planning. The site was added to features it has amassed spanning from long and sustainable use of water re- the World Heritage Center preservation its Byzantine beginnings, its Frankish sources for farming in the desert, could list in 2004. en.v

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 57 “It is so important that this kind of awareness comes “...It is really one of the most from within the region... promising magazines in the and you guys are doing a region.” great job at making sure that happens!.”

“... I very sincerely want to congratulate you on a great publication. Its topical, relevant and easy to read- so many mags are a letdown envearth.com because other than an article or two there’s no substance. Not the case here.”

en.v Publication - MENA Regional Distribution

TESTIMONIALS en.v REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

BAHRAIN I KSA I KUWAIT I OMAN I QATAR I UAE I EGYPT I JORDAN I LEBANON IMPRESSIONS

Iraq... Building a Nation?

Building reciprocal Iraq. for any government. Along most impoverished members of Iraqi interdependence between with creating a conducive society, working closely with numerous Iraq’s stakeholders, Civic action is key to framework for the growth stakeholders and partners in areas numerous ethnic groups strengthening Iraq’s nascent of a vibrant civil society, as diverse as Sadr City, al Yousiﬁya, and diverse polities is one civil society. The photos the government’s role in Basra and Kirkuk. of the country’s greatest presented here show that providing services is pivotal challenges. Against common the country’s population is to overcoming a looming CfA is composed of an Iraqi predictions in 2005 and far from actively engaging socio-political crisis that team of professionals, teachers, 2006 that the country in active democracy ‒ or threatens to derail the academics and concerned members would split apart, Iraq has what can be understood as continued improvements in of the general public from various shown that these assertions citizenship beyond mere security since 2007. ethnic backgrounds. It continues to were based on the face elections. Supporting Iraq’s expand its work in Shi’a, Sunni and value and opportunism expanding community- Mehiyar Kathem Al-Sa’adi is the Co- ethnically and religiously mixed areas of political parties rather based organizations is founder and Director of The Culture of Iraq. Testimony to this success, the than the under-reported vital to help build the for All (CfA). The organization was Ministry of Education in Baghdad complex reality of a social capital required to established in Baghdad in October nominated CfA for UNESCO’s historically communal and strengthen its networks 2003 with the objective to empower International Prize for Literacy cohesive civic-based society. of trust. After decades of Iraqis with the necessary educational 2008, the only charity in Iraq to win Testimony to the formidable neglect, the provision of tools and skills to actively participate this accolade. en.v Iraqi ethic of getting back quality education, potable in the rebuilding of Iraq. to work, even in times of water access, eﬃcient All proceeds from the commission for distress, the following photos and modern sewerage Since then, CfA has developed into a this section were donated by en.v on represent a snapshot of the networks, and reliable service provider of key vocational and behalf of CfA to The Kuwaitis for life and times of modern electricity is a challenge educational programs focusing on the Jerusalem Committee.

Culture for All envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 59 IMPRESSIONS

60 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Culture for All IMPRESSIONS

Culture for All envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 61 IMPRESSIONS

62 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Culture for All IMPRESSIONS

Culture for All envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 63 IMPRESSIONS

64 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Culture for All IMPRESSIONS

Culture for All envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 65 IMPRESSIONS

Pg. 59: Iraqis celebrating the liberation of Iraq from Saddam Hussein (both photos).

Pg. 60: The Energy Crisis (2004-2008); (top photo) Iraqis waiting for subsidized propane gas distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS); (other photos) Selling petrol on the black market.

Pg. 61 (left to right): The Elderly, the lack of services means the elderly are one of the worst affected groups in Iraq since 2003; Trafﬁc jams, congested Baghdad streets due to the surge in cheap, imported cars between 2003 and 2007; Securing fuel due to the shortages in 2006; The plight of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Baghdad as they wait for non-food items, 2007.

Pg. 62: (top right) Women and children waiting for non-food items to be distributed at a primary school in Baghdad, 2007; (bottom right) Woman remembering the hundreds that drowned during a stampede on a Baghdad bridge in 2006 because of rumours of a suicide bomb.

Pg. 63: The Plight of Children, children must resort to the informal labour market to supplement family income.

Pg. 64: Iraqi tourists in the north of Iraq, enjoying Kurdistan’s many waterfalls.

Pg. 65: IDPs, non-food items being distributed by American and Iraqi troops in 2005 and 2006 at the height of the insurgency.

Pg. 66: Child playing on the Tigris next to the International Zone, at the top left is Al Mansour Hotel and Al Jumurriya Bridge; (bottom left) child scouring from the aftermath of a car bomb, 2007; (below) An explosion over Baghdad.

66 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Culture for All

THINK FORWARD

Per capita water availability has fallen by 70% in the Middle East, making it the most water scarce region in the world.

THInk Forward

agriculture industry science technology

68 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com THINK FORWARD Agriculture

From Sorghum to Guns Sarah Schmidhofer

a. Sudanese farmer.

b. Nuba Nomads in Southwest Kordofan. b.

As the Darfur crisis continues and an international arrest warrant hangs in the balance, another part of Sudan lies on the verge of catastrophe...

Human action always results in some “South Kordofan is a Sudan in minia- farmers. unanticipated effects. This “law of un- ture, with heavily armed African and intended consequences” has been cited Arab tribes living side by side,” said The second wave of displacements and evaluated by economists and social Fouad Hikmat of the International Crisis was unintentional on the part of the scientists for ages. It has been funda- Group (ICG) to the BBC. government, resulting instead from mentally ignored by governments and oversight and/ or inability to enforce politicians for equally as long. The law The issue is quite old. A conflict their original plan. explains why a new freeway designed developed between mechanized and to relieve traffic can ultimately cause smaller farms in the 1960s, when the To keep the land viable, according to more traffic by attracting development Sudanese government and the World the 2007 UNEP Post-Conflict Environ- and industry. It also explains why a Bank planned to revitalize agriculture in mental Assessment Report, half the butterfly’s wings in Thailand can cre- Sudan’s Nuba Mountains. Through two plots were to lie fallow. Accordingly, the ate atmospheric changes that cause a acts passed between 1968 and 1970, plots were to be switched every four tornado in Africa. unregistered land became government years to let the cultivated soil recover. property and was parceled into chunks Because large farms rarely adhered to We have just such an example in South designated for large-scale mechanized this policy, or policies requiring crop Kordofan, Sudan. farms, with no regard for what existed rotations and fertilizer for that matter, previously on the land. Then-president their land was quickly degraded and Jaafar an Nimeiri proclaimed that “land unusable. In fact, from 1980-2002, the Bigger is Always Better... Or is it? should be given to those who will make United Nations Environment Pro- The Roots of Trouble use of it,” to excuse the broad-scale gramme (UNEP) reported a full 70% Sudan’s “tornado” involves violent evictions occurring. This was the first decrease in sorghum crop yields and disputes over land and grazing rights. wave of displacements for small-scale 64% for sesame.

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 69 THINK FORWARD Agriculture

a. Sudanese farmer.

b. Displaced farmers.

c. Sudanese goat herder.

d. Displaced Sudanese family.

This land degradation reduced the faction developed in opposition to quantity of usable land. Instead of fixing protect themselves from their African persons (IDPs), develop schools and land-use problems at the source, larger neighbors. create an integrated government. People farms with ever-growing capital simply continue to die over land disputes and moved on, abandoning the infertile The End of the Quarter Century grazing rights with no complete or land. They headed for greener pastures, sustainable governmental response. literally, by seizing farms of smaller Civil War Thousands of returnees from this war neighbors. The government could not Further Winding the Spring exacerbate the disputes over land, graz- enforce the original policy, and by Tensions increased between the groups ing and seasonal livestock routes. 1997, 66% of land in Sudan’s Gedaref as they were mobilized by opposite was held illegally, with a correspond- sides during the 25-year North-South Both sides feel abandoned and taken ing number of displaced farmers. That civil war, ending in 2005 with the advantage of, as those for whom they single government plan to revitalize ag- Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). fought are not following through with riculture resulted in two separate waves This created the state of South Kordofan promised benefits. They are also armed of displacement and unrest. Even no- with a new government; one in which and organized, presenting a dangerous madic herders were affected, as routes power was to be integrated and shared combination. for moving livestock were disrupted by between the northern, mostly Arab these large, immobile farms. National Congress Party (NCP) and The displaced Nuba are particularly the southern, non-Arab SPLM. Located frustrated. They returned from war to This alteration of the land-use patterns at the geographical border between find their lands occupied by others, and continues to lead to much violence. North and South and the ethnic border were absent from the population and between Arabs (Misseriya and Hawa- housing census conducted in 2008. The displaced and disillusioned people zma) and indigenous Africans (Nuba), They are concerned they will not re- do not remain silent for long. Instead, South Kordofan is a hotbed for conflict, ceive adequate political representation. they take up arms and join organi- with the majority of both armies still Furthermore, many Nuba enterprises zations that might represent their concentrated here. were shut down during the war, includ- interests. The 1990s saw the resulting ing Nuba Mountains Cotton Production formation of the rebel Sudan Peoples’ The CPA was a Sudanese effort to tame Corporation, and Rural Development Liberation Movement (SPLM), made tensions, though its intended benefits Project. After the war, instead of rein- predominantly of displaced Nuba have still not been developed in this re- stating these projects to re-develop the farmers attempting to resist further gion. Projects have been stalled, includ- mountains, the government focused that marginalization. Concurrently, an Arab ing those to return internally displaced money on oil investments in Abyei.

70 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Shutterstock THINK FORWARD Agriculture

d. Tragedy and the Commons they failed to support those rules to the field.” Instead of squabbling Garrett Hardinʼs “tragedy of the com- with enforcement. This pattern further over exclusive rights to the land and mons” analysis suggests that in order increases tensions between large and resources, people here learned to find to maximize long term gain in relation small farmers. individual niches and live not only a to a commonly shared resource peaceful co-existence, but a coopera- (like grazing land); there must be Some point out that climate change tive one as well. some sort of regulation. He uses the and environmental conditions such as example of herders sharing a piece of drought make reconciliation between Though the symbiotic relationships pasture (the commons). When each the groups difficult, as resources of those in the North could provide herder does what is best for himself in such as water and usable land are a helpful model for their southern the short run, eventually the commons becoming increasingly scarce. They counterparts, we must note that the is destroyed by overgrazing and say that those in South Kordofan co-existing parties in North Kordofan every herder loses. He argues that es- could stand to take some lessons from share the same (Arabic) roots, and sentially, an overseeing organization their neighbors to the North. Here, life there is not marred by decades of is needed to do the long-term thinking the two opposing groups forced by political discord, as it is in the South. for everyone. location to share a dwindling resource The South can look to the North for found a peaceful coexistence in... creative ways to share a dwindling South Kordofan is an example of watermelons. resource, but a force greater than wa- exactly his point. Big farms, acting termelons will be needed to overcome in their own interest, deplete and According to Ad-Dukhri Al-Sayed, the issues those in South Kordofan destroy their land to get the most a community leader in the state of have with each other as people. immediate gains from it. Even worse, North Kordofan: “Our farmers dis- they then move on to the next most covered that whenever the Kawahla lucrative course of action, which is tribe [mostly pastoral] brought their in this case, taking over the land livestock into the fields, the animal CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement of a neighbor and repeating the droppings helped improve production, ICG International Crisis Group tragedy. The government did provide so the members of the Gawamha IDP Internally Displaced Persons NCP National Congress Party rules when they made their original [mostly farmers] started planting SPLA Sudan Peoplesʼ Liberation Army agricultural revitalization plan, but watermelons to attract the livestock SPLM Sudan Peoplesʼ Liberation Movement

What has Been Done and Why NCP jointly agreed to implement securi- fueled by each recent move on the ty in the region, moving SPLA (the army political landscape, it is no wonder that Hasn’t it Worked? of the SPLM) forces to the South and there is such a hostile division in South There have been some efforts to support deploying joint, integrated police forces. Kordofan. What may be less obvious dwindling small-scale agriculture and This militia has not had the intended is the role that agriculture politics reduce violent conflicts in the South. effect, however. It has been ineffective played in the issue, and how much of Though the government set up two land in curbing violence, and in fact, has a difference sorting out land-use rights commissions involving all community been credited with scaring other tribes will make in the ability of these peoples sectors (to their credit), it has been hard into arming themselves for protection to co-exist. Agriculture is the basis of to access lands in previous SPLM ter- ‒ many of them joining the SPLA. people’s lives here. Tribes cannot be ritories, as unexploded mines and other expected to get along if they feel their dangers related to the local conflict Andrew Morton of UNEP’s Post Conflict livelihoods are constantly being threat- present obstacles. Most government ef- and Disaster Management Branch feels ened by each other ‒ if the thriving of fort has thus far been on a case-by-case that “on the governance side, a key one family means the destruction of basis, offering no sustainable solution need is improvements to the land ten- another. ‒ i.e. patching the crack in the ceil- ure [both the legal framework and its ing caused by ignoring the crumbling application] to allow for all three groups The government needs now to focus on foundation. [mechanized farmers, pastoralists and this issue to improve livelihoods of the small-scale farmers] to co-exist and people instead of engaging in pre-elec- Looking at the larger picture, UNEP cooperate under the rule of law.” toral politics. Currently, the NCP and recently called for a moratorium on the SPLM are both attempting to woo expansion of mechanized farms in parts the Arab and African tribes (respective- of Sudan. Similarly, many NGOs are The Importance of Agriculture ly) with opposing political agendas for pushing for the government to pressure in Politics the upcoming 2009 elections, resulting large-scale, richer farmers to rein- Part of the problem in this region is that in further fragmentation and tensions. vest in communities affected by their the very land rights fueling the fire of unplanned growth, and to utilize more conflict are intimately tied into politics “If this area slides into another war efficient and eco-friendly farming tech- of state. According to the ICG, the po- then it could derail the whole CPA,” niques. The government of Sudan had liticization of land claims “explains the Hikmat said. “If the parties fail to not embraced either idea as of 2006, failure of traditional conflict resolution implement the protocol of the CPA, it instead calling for further expansion mechanisms to prevent the degradation will be a challenge to the CPA itself as a of mechanized agriculture (through its of inter-tribal relations.” framework. Then, if it fails here, can it ‘Green Programme’). solve Darfur, yet a bigger problem?” With such deep-seated hurt and aggres- In an effort to curb violence, SPLM and sion towards each other, increasingly A very interesting question, indeed. en.v

Flickr envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 71 THINK FORWARD Industry

On the Road to Economic Liberalization? Laila Hayat

The current ﬁnancial and economic global climate has many countries asking: Are our current economic models working?

and North Africa tried to step in and sidestep important The Middle East In Qatar, the government will be further (MENA) region is one storied with regulations. diversifying the economy although struggles, reforms and setbacks. oil-and-gas investments will dominate Consequently, the governments in Ameen Behbehani, Chairman and Man- over other sectors. Qatar has placed a power have either helped or hindered aging Director of Mohammad Ameen special interest on Islamic art and his- economic developments in their Behbehani General Trading and Con- tory by opening the Museum of Islamic respective countries. With control struction Co., WLL in Kuwait, explained: Art, which houses a large collection of of economic regulators varying to “The Central Bank has [set] regula- Islamic art. wide degrees in MENA, government tions [for] lending to companies, but regulations can greatly dictate a many are not enforced, and are very ar- Similarly, Saudi Arabia will also try country’s success story. bitrary. If a smaller-size company wants to diversify into other sectors giving to grow, the Central Bank will look at job creation its top priority. The King In political and economic forecasts assets that hamper growth. Instead, they Abdullah Economic City will employ for 2009-2010, it is expected that the should be looking at cash flow state- up to one million local youths. As the United Arab Emirates will continue ments.” country recently joined the World Trade with its liberalized economic policy. Organization (WTO), it must adhere to While the country has benefited from “Many businesses don’t use their new economic policies. its leader’s forward-thinking mental- own funds, they use the banks’,” he ity, growth is slowing noticeably as continued. “If companies don’t perform, the cranes that once littered the city’s The Banking Sector that’s not good news for the banks.” skyline are grinding to a halt. An area in the region with high private sector growth is banking. With a fast- Regional governments should set up The Egyptian government is also at- growing, better educated population, independent regulators to monitor stock tempting to continue with its economic the banking sector is increasing its market, legal and investment activities. reform policies, which include job financial products and services. While competition should be encour- creation and increasing standards of liv- aged, transparency should be required ing. Egypt may encounter lower levels In the Gulf states, the banking sector and emphasized for greater economic of tourism due to decreased purchasing is relatively well developed and more freedom. However, implementation power. mature than in other MENA countries, of these suggestions must be strictly where the sector is dominated for the enforced with a follow-up mechanism Jordan is also expected to grapple most part by public authorities. to ensure accountability and a smoother with rising standards of living, but will transition to a freer marketplace. These pursue changes on a more conserva- In light of the ongoing financial crisis, steps will hopefully lead to greater tive level. Social unrest, however, may which recently touched down in the sustained economic growth and a more hinder a more liberal economic plan. Middle East, governmental bodies have prosperous private sector. en.v

72 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Nada Dalloul THINK FORWARD Science

Going Green in the GCC Government-Led Waste Management Initiatives Reem Sweid

Waste management has been characterized as one of the single most important issues we face as a human race... How do we manage the growing amounts of waste in a sustainable manner?

Masdar Headquarters

As the region tackles the current The partnership between the government of efficient methods for waste financial crisis, the global economic ments and the private sector has been a sorting. A proposed new 1,500,000 crisis and the regional military crisis, it persistent characteristic of this industry. square foot recycling park, the Dubai is no surprise that the environmental Technical expertise from all around Recycling Park, will be the first of its crisis is easily overshadowed. A recent the world has been introduced to help kind in the Middle East. The private global study reported the GCC as one develop state-of-the-art infrastructures. company, National Projects Holding of the world’s largest waste producers Ahead of the game is the UAE’s capital Co., will manage the park and will work (on a per capita basis). The United Arab city, Abu Dhabi, which has already in conjunction with the planned $17.5 Emirates (UAE) was listed as the country pledged US$136 million for the opera- million Emirates Recycling Park, which with the largest carbon footprint, tion and management of a municipal is designed to convert construction largely blamed on the construction solid waste treatment and disposal waste into usable road and construction boom, but also assisted by a population plant. In addition, the government has material. that enjoys the world’s highest awarded a $345 million contract to consumer spending per capita. With develop a ‘home solid waste-recycling Other public/private initiatives include: over 120 million tons of waste being project’. Abu Dhabi is also building the the Dubai Municipality & Serkal Group produced by the region each year, the world’s third plastic recycling center launch of the $2.7 million waste treat- governments of the GCC have placed that can produce high quality plastics ment facility; the Sharjah Municipality the issue of waste management on safe for home and food storage use. It partnership with Sharjah Environmental the top of the agenda. Historically, the also claims a zero-carbon and zero- Company to manage its world-class low cost of landfills and the abundant waste city, Masdar City, which aims at Al Saja’eh recycling plant; a paper availability of land (especially in the a zero carbon footprint, and complete recycling initiative by the Sharjah Inter- case of Saudi Arabia, one of the largest waste-to-energy solutions. (Masdar City national Airport; a cell phone recycling waste producers in the region), have Phase I is expected to open in 2009.) initiative by the Dubai Municipality; made recycling seem an unjustifiable and, a $75 million contract between Al venture. Now, municipalities around Also setting an example is the emirate Ain Municipality and the Sharjah-based the region are making a concerted of Dubai, which has recently allocated Austrian firm to operate a waste man- effort, backed by billions of dollars of $20 billion to encourage waste-to- agement facility. investment, into developing an efficient energy projects. Seeking to improve and environmentally-friendly waste technical industry know-how, the Dubai In Saudi Arabia, the government has management industry. municipality is investing in the develop- allocated a $200 million waste manage-

www.aia.org envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 73 THINK FORWARD Science

Lina Chaaban EnviroCare Manager Tadweer Waste Treatment L.L.C

companies and individuals, and we ject, but still, there needs to be a lot are receiving more inquires about more that should be done to enforce having public recycling centers so that rules and legislations towards execut- more people can sort their waste. But ing environmental standards. still, we need to reach to a bigger platform of people. What steps are being taken to raise awareness among the general public What are the most common hurdles about your services and its impact on Do you think the current financial faced by a company like yours in the environment? crisis has stolen the limelight away pushing forward the concept of waste We are trying our best to approach from the environmental crisis that the management? companies, schools and individuals world is facing today? No legislations enforcing people to to create a joint venture to work as Yes, definitely, because without sort their waste, and no proper and one hand in spreading the concept of financing, you canʼt really implement comprehensive awareness campaigns sorting at the source. We participate environmental projects – especially and education to support us. in events and campaigns towards that since the concern is now how to keep concept. We also conduct a lot of business running. Do you think ample initiatives are awareness presentations about waste being undertaken to tackle the management. How receptive have companies & environmental crisis the region is individuals been to the concept of facing today? waste management? There are good initiatives that have For the past two years, the idea been taken by the municipalities or has been highly welcomed by both the private sector to tackle this sub-

a. a. Wastewater

b. Men ﬁshing atop rocks while sew- age is being discarded around them into the sea, Beirut.

The Middle East region is bracing itself ment budget, as well as $5 million for higher water prices and investing Summit in May 2009. The summit will towards a treatment and recycling plant over $100 billion to address solutions bring together leading professionals in for waste oil. Additionally, a Dammam- over the next decade. Water recycling the industry to address challenges cov- based tire recycling plant is poised for and treatment will be a pressing issue ering a range of themes including the ef- major expansion, and projects are being for the future. In Bahrain, the leading fects of waste on global climate change, considered for industrial waste recovery waste recycling company, Zero Waste waste-to-energy initiatives, construction and domestic wastewater treatment. Technology W.L.L., has partnered with waste and domestic waste control. The Bluewater Bio International to lead the Middle East Waste Summit will comple- Qatar Municipalities have also recently way in advanced wastewater treatment ment Kuwait’s 2nd Waste Management awarded two contracts of $1.7 bil- solutions, which is one of the most seri- Conference & Exhibition scheduled for lion and $3.9 billion to Engineering, ous issues facing the GCC. April 2009 with the collaboration of Procurement and Construction (EPC) Kuwait Municipality, which will focus on for the 20-year operations and main- To address all the abovementioned sharing strategies and solutions for the tenance of an integrated solid waste issues, the Dubai Municipality will host region’s waste and recycling profes- management facility. the region’s ﬁrst Middle East Waste sionals. en.v

74 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Shutterstock, Alfred Moussa THINK FORWARD Technology

eGovernance Leen Qablawi

With the information and communications technology revolution in full force, a new socio-political environment has transpired in the region, which recognizes the need to shift to an era of electronic government or, eGovernment.

The adoption of a new and improved tors. As regards the country’s achieve- portal functioned as a unifying link to system of eGovernment has transformed ments, Qatar’s ICT infrastructure is various associated web pages. But the the communication lines between considered one of the regional leaders lack of a one-stop-shop facility, such as government and its people. of its kind in the Arab world. Also, a single payment gateway, led the UAE figures point to exponential growth in to revamp its national site to integrate Yet, not everyone in the Middle Eastern transactional turnover and a steady information and services. Organized quarter can boast a similar success increase in the number of eGovernment by the end-user, with separate sections story, as some proved more ready and customers. for residents, visitors, business and better equipped than others to embrace government, its offerings are more eas- and implement such innovative technol- Mazen Thabet, a senior marketing ily located. ogy. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and alliance specialist at Malomatia (a (UAE), the forerunners in the regional leading IT services provider in the re- Others in the region such as Kuwait, race, were among the first to adopt the gion), explained: “Qatar’s gradual and Saudi Arabia and Oman rank compara- system of eGovernment. step-by-step approach to accomplishing tively lower in the eGovernment Readi- eGovernment allowed for an informed ness UN Index. The main reason for this Setting off with a pilot project to renew and continuously evaluated imple- discrepancy is arguably in the nature of residency permits in July 2000, Qatar mentation process.” Another success execution. Saudi Arabia and Oman, for went on to establish a larger eGovern- factor quoted is government support. example, provide eGovernment portals ment enterprise, launched by virtue of For example, Mazen highlighted the that are more informative rather than Emiri Decree No (25), in 2002. Since various Emiri decrees that appointed transaction based. then, Qatar has successfully implement- steering committees to overlook the ed a number of e-services through its various eGovernment initiatives, which Yet, in spite of regional discrepancies, official eGovernment website. In 2004, high-ranking officials were called results have shown significant prog- Emiri Decree No (36) saw the set-up of upon to coordinate and enforce in an ress across the GCC since 2005. This the Supreme Council of Information & environment of clear accountability and strong performance has been attributed Communication Technology (ictQATAR), transparency. to heavy investments in deploying which, amid other initiatives, is prepar- broadband infrastructure and increased ing for the next level of “integrated In comparison, the UAE can retrace implementation of eGovernment appli- eGovernment.” Hukoomi, Qatar’s a different experience. At the time of cations for GCC citizens. With discus- online government portal since Febru- the technology’s inception, certain sion of moving towards a common GCC ary 2008, now provides more than 60 UAE government bodies were hitherto eGovernment, one cannot help but feel transactions online in addition to more operating automated systems. As a optimistic that continued governmental than 300 informative services for Qatari cheaper and more efficient alternative and technological support may just pave citizens, residents, businesses and visi- to ‘reinventing the wheel,’ the UAE the way toward regional success. en.v

Nada Dalloul envearth.com issue 004 - 2009 75 REFERENCES

The Verve tradeArabia.com www.worldhunger.org www.icrc.org www.ifpri.org www.menafn.com www.gulfnews.com www.ft.com www.bbc.co.uk worldvision.org www.dailystar.com. www.nytimes.com www.arabianbusiness.com www.gulfnews.com english.mofa.gov.qa english.mofa.gov.qa

Pocketbook Commerce People & Society Creative Conscious www.independent.co.uk www.arabianbusiness.com www.alertnet.org whc.unesco.org www.yourrenewablenews. www.ibtimes.com edition.cnn.com www.dur.ac.uk com arabtimesonline.com siteresources.worldbank.org en.wikipedia.org www.socialinvestments.com www.middle-east-online.com www.unhcr.org www.hybridcar.com news.newamericamedia.org www.refugeesinternational. www.nextautos.com zawya.com/equities/ org Think Forward archive.gulfnews.com/ar- www.reuters.com queenrania.jo www.crisisgroup.orgwww. ticles www.bloomberg.com www.mozahbintnasser.qa nationsencyclopedia.com www.bioplastics24.com www.usatoday.com www.princesshaya.net www.reliefweb.int www.degradable.net www.reuters.com www.sidsnet.org www.alertnet.org greenprophet.com www.zain.com siteresources.worldbank.org www.reliefweb.int en.wikipedia.org www.rsf.org www.cipe.org www.uaeinteract.com www.treehugger.com www.rsf.org weekly.ahram.org www.kuwaitwaste.com www.solartechnologies.net textus.diplomacy.edu www.arabgov www.sciencedirect.com www.standuptakeactionaol- www.intgovforum.org www.un-ngls.org www.albawaba.com unmc.org news.bbc.co.uk www.un.org e4all.dubai.ae www.khaleejtimes.com www.truthnews.us www.unescap.org unpan1.un.org www.missiongreenearth.ae allafrica.com www.uneca.org www.qatarembassy.net www.gulfnews.com www.dailybits.com www.un.org www.ictqatar.qa zawya.com www.ifex.org news.bbc.co.uk www.government.ae portal. www.ameinfo.com opennet.net www.dailystar.com.lb www.gov.qa www.english.education.gov. www.intaj.net www.magharebia.com www.ameinfo.com qa www.nationsencyclopedia. com

76 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Tamara Taouil DIRECTORY

Bahrain 11614 Kuwaiti Federation for T +974 4540951 Red Cross T +966 1 4885301 Women’s Associations [email protected] F +966 1 4885309 Manama, Bahrain P.O. Box 64437 [email protected] P.O. box 882 Shuwaikh 70455 United Arab Emirates T +973 17 293171/72 T + 965 2515486 United Nations Development F +973 17 291797 Red Cross F + 965 2515485/2572218 [email protected] Riyadh, KSA Programme General headquarters, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Oman Emirates UAE UN House, UNDP 11129 T +966 1 4892555 International Association for Al-Karama Street, Manama, Bahrain F +966 1 4892160 Human Values Villa No. 226/2 UN House 69, Road 1901 [email protected] Muscat, Oman T +971 2 446 76 00 Hoora 319, P.O. Box 26814 P.O. Box 574 P.C. 117, F +971 2 446 70 50 T +973 17 311600 Al Wadi Al Kabir [email protected] F +973 17 311500 International Muslim T +968 2 9332344 [email protected] Organization for Women and [email protected] Family Baheega Bahaa Ezzi World Vision Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates UNEP Regional Ofﬁce for T +966 2 606-5598 UNICEF International Humanitarian F +966 2 6065799 West Asia Muscat, Oman City, P.O. Box - 506001, [email protected] Manama, Bahrain Way No. 4627, Villa No. 378 T +971 4 368 1352 P.O. Box 10880 North Al Azaibah F +971 4 368 1346 T +973 1781 2777 Kuwait T +968 2 4498932 www.wvi.org F +973 1782 5110/1782 Kuwait Environment F +968 2 449892 5111 [email protected] www.unep.org.bh Protection Society Ultimate Peace Foundation P.O. Box 1896 Safat 13019 Dubai,United Arab Emirates T +965 483 7856 Amid East Shk Zayed Road, Next to Bahrain Human Rights F +965 484 8256 Muscat, Oman Crown Plaza Hotel, Watch Society [email protected] 11 Fahoud Street,near Al Durra Towers, Flat no Manama, Bahrain Qurum Park 202, P.O. Box 15055 UNDP P.O. Box 798, P.C. 116 T +971 4 3934441 F +971 4 3936466 T +973 17 531822 P.O. Box 2993, 13030 Safat, Mina Al Fahal www.upfbh.org F +973 17 536222 UN Building, Kheitan area, T +968 2 4561727 [email protected] Block 4,Waleed Bin Abdul F +968 2 4564457 Malik Street [email protected] International Association For Bahraini CSO Network T +965 2475 1469/ Human Values Manama, Bahrain 82/91/91 Qatar Dubai, United Arab Emirates [email protected] F +965 2475 1467 Qatar Red Crescent Society Building No.1, Business [email protected] Doha, Qatar Center, Humanitarian City P.O. Box 506002, Kingdom of Saudi P.O. Box 5449 LOYAC T +974 4435111 T +971 4 3479602 Arabia [email protected] P.O. Box 386, Baith Lodan, F +974 4439950 Human Rights First Society Arabian Gulf St, [email protected] KSA Opposite Corniche Hotel Make a Wish foundation P.O. Box 3508, Al Khobar T +965 5727399 International Association For Dubai, United Arab Emirates 31952 F +965 5744577 International Humanitarian Human Values City, Doha, Qatar T +971 4 3680217 UNICEF Red Cross P.O. Box 96 Riyadh, KSA P.O. Box 1395,Safat F +971 4 3681345 T +974 5813032 www.wish.org P.O. Box 18009, Code131014 [email protected] Riyadh 11415 T +965 4818084 - 4818085 Diplomatic Quarter, F +965 4835266 Gulf for Good Al-Fazari Area, Block No. 2 www.krcs.net/index.asp Red Cross Dubai, United Arab Emirates T +966 1 4881705/15/25 Doha, Qatar International Humanitarian F +966 1 4881736 Women Cultural and Social P.O. Box 5449 City, Society T +974 4435111 T +971 4 3680222 UNDP P.O. Box 17129, Khaldiya F +974 4439950 F +971 4 3681388 Riyadh, KSA 72452 [email protected] www.gulf4good.org United Nations Building T +9654843397/4843667/ Ibn El-Naﬁs Turnbout 4831558 Qatar Foundation Diplomatic Quarter, F +965 4813171 Doha, Qatar P.O Box 94623 Riyadh [email protected] P.O. Box 5825

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Egypt Legal Resource and Research Amman11194 Center for Development Center for Human Rights T +9626 5300499 Services Cairo, Egypt F +9626 5340782 Cairo, Egypt 7, Al Hegaz Street, Heliopolis [email protected] 4, Ahmed Pasha St T +202 259 6622 [email protected] Citi Bank Bldg, 10th Floor CARE International T +202 2795 7558 Amman, Jordan F +202 2794 7278 National Association for Umm Utheina 5062 info@cds-mena.org Human Rights T +9626 5527921 Cairo, Egypt F +9626 5527951 Nahdet El Mahrousa [email protected] [email protected] Cairo, Egypt 18 Mahmoud Bassiouny St., The International Red Cross International Downtown Development Research Center Committee Amman, Jordan T +202 2575 1888 Cairo, Egypt Pascal Quota www.nahdetmasr.org P.O. Box 14 Orman, Giza, T +9626 5688645 Dokki 8 Ahmed Nessim F +9626 5688649 Near East Foundation Street, 8th floor Dokki [email protected] Cairo, Egypt T +202 33 36- 93, Kasr El Aini St. 7051/52/53/54/57 El Shams Bldg F +202 33 36-7056 Save the Children Foundation T +202 7945073 www.idrc.ca/cairo Amman, Jordan F +202 7948686 T +962 6 4628760 [email protected] F +962 6 4612902 Jordan [email protected] Egyptian Red Crescent UNICEF MENA Amman, Jordan Association Environmental Organizations P.O. Box 1551, Amman, Jordan T +961 1 346-1604 Cairo, Egypt Amman11821 [email protected] 21 Giza St., Nile Tower Bldg T +962 6 5865451 Al Dhahak Bin Suflan Street, F +962 6 5865452 24th Floor Tla’a Al-Ali T +202 5702511/5702532 Forum for Dialogue and T +962 6 5539977 Jordanian Women Union F +202 5702534 F +962 6 553888 Partnership Development [email protected] [email protected] Amman, Jordan Beirut, Lebanon [email protected]. 31 Lebanon Street, www.jwu.itgo.com UNICEF Microfund for Women Mohandeseen T +961 1 5431600 Cairo, Egypt Amman, Jordan [email protected] 87, Misr Helwan Agricultural Queen Rania Al Abdullah St. Lebanon Road Maadi Jordan Trade Center UNICEF House T +202 5265083 to P.O. Box 962854, Beirut, Lebanon Greenline 52.5087 F +202 5264218 Amman11196 Yamout Street, Beirut, Lebanon [email protected] T +9626 5169191/2 Hamra, Facing Smith’s 3rd floor, Yamout building, F +9626 5167128 Supermarket Spears 174, Sanayeh, UNDP www.microfund.org.jo T +961 1 756101 T +961 1 746 215 Cairo, Egypt F +961 1 756109 F +961 1 752 142 1191 Corniche El Nil, UNRWA [email protected] [email protected] World Trade Centre, Amman, Jordan Boulac P.O. Box 982, Post P.O. Box 941631 Amman UNDP ACTED Code11599 11194 Beirut, Lebanon Beirut, Lebanon T +202 2578 4840 - 6 United Nations University Arab African International Youssef Hajjar Street, Sin El F +202 2578 4847 International Leadership Bank Bldg Fil-Kalaa [email protected] Institute Building Riad El Solh Street, Nejmeh P.O. Box: 16-5274 Ashrafieh Queen Rania Street, Beirut 2011 5211 Beirut 1100 2030 UNEP University of Jordan, P.O. Box: 11-3216 T +961 1 36 08 46 Cairo, Egypt Building No. 274 T + 961 1 981107 Lebanese NGO Network Arab League Liaison Office T +9626 5300499 F +961 1 985932 Beirut, Lebanon (ALLO) 28 Adly Str., 7th F +9626 5340782 [email protected] [email protected]. Floor T +20 2 393 4046 & [email protected] 3929733 Frederich Ebert Coordination Forum for the F +20 2 395 0119 UNDP Beirut, Lebanon NGOs [email protected] Amman, Jordan 31 Lebanon Street, Beirut, Lebanon P.O. Box 941631 Mohandessen www.socialcare.org

78 issue 004 - 2009 envearth.com Creative Director Minimum of 5 years experience. Proven track record in successfully managing and training a creative team. Excellent multi-tasking abilities. Excellent communication and networking skills. Excellent organizational skills. Highly proﬁcient with Adobe design programs & animation programs. Knowledgeable in all aspects of printing and production. Adaptable to a young, fast-paced creative environment. English and Arabic mandatory. Client relationship management. Careers at El Boutique Creative Group

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In our next issue:

en.v will explore ethics & transparency in various sectors and organizations in the Middle East from business to health, politics and education.

What role does ethics play in our society and culture?

How transparent and accountable are our business practices?

Will the upcoming elections in Lebanon be a model for ethical and transparent political participation?

Does boycotting work, or is it just about personal ethics?

en.v issue 005 - Ethics & Transparency In Stores July 2009 Yb"j Yb"j

interactive

Online 2 Portal is Going Live

Summer 2009

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