INTRODUCTION

1 CONTENTS

03 Message from the Chairman

04 Forward Thinking: The Foward Way

06 Forward Thinking: Our Philosophy

07 The Current Cost of Conflict in the Middle-East

08 Foreword: What has happened to ‘Noblesse oblige’? by Sir Jeremy Greenstock

10 Middle East Programme

16 Helsinki Policy Forum

22 Tunisia Programme

24 UK Programme

28 Our Finances

29 Our Staff

2 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

It has been another challenging year, with a sense of deepening crisis in large parts of the Middle

East. Conflicts, with their tragic humanitarian consequences, continue to rage in Libya, Syria and Yemen. Regional tensions are mounting and threaten to unleash further violence unless checked. Meanwhile there are still few public signs of any meaningful progress towards a durable

resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In this difficult context, the demand for Forward Thinking’s services as mediators and facilitators remains exceptionally high. We continue to work on the principle that only through maintaining confidential spaces for dialogue is it possible to resolve challenges and build the conditions for a

peaceful, prosperous and secure Middle East.

In this spirit, the past twelve months of activity have been highly significant for Forward Thinking. In the Middle East, in spite of all the current challenges, we have successfully established an avenue for Israelis and Palestinians political figures to directly meet and exchange honest reflections on

how to begin moving beyond the current impasse. In the Helsinki Policy Forum, we have maintained

a channel for key figures from Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to exchange ideas on where co-

operation might be possible. While in the UK, our work with the office of the Independent Reviewer

of Terrorism Legislation has allowed crucial insights on how Britain’s response to terrorism impacts

diverse communities to be shared with policymakers and helped spark new debates.

On behalf of all the trustees I’d like to thank our incredibly committed and hard working team for all

their energies and efforts.

WILLIAM SIEGHART CBE | CHAIRMAN OF FORWARD THINKING INTRODUCTION

FORWARD THINKING: THE FORWARD WAY

By Oliver Mcternan Director

The question that I am most frequently asked regarding change in the near future. The lack of job opportunities my work is ‘Do you ever give up hope that there can ever and the inability to earn an income deprive many of the be peace in the Middle East?’ opportunity of marriage and creating their own family life.

My honest answer is simply ‘no’. What motivates me to In the course of the past year we have worked closely with continue our efforts is what I like to describe as an Palestinian Ministry of Education facilitating conferences ‘informed optimism’ that is rooted in the knowledge designed to address at least some of these issues. We that there are people on both sides of this conflict who have also communicated our findings to the EU and a are capable of achieving an agreement that may not be number of European governments in the hope of helping ideal for either, but can accommodate sufficiently the to create a greater awareness of the needs, which left aspirations of the two peoples engaged in competing unaddressed, risk undermining any efforts to achieve an claims over the same piece of land. This is not to be blind agreement within the foreseeable future. The inability of to the fact that there are enormous challenges to be the EU and the individual member States to engage all of faced but none of these are intractable. the Palestinian factions greatly undermines their ability to work effectively to achieve change. The lack of inclusive Peace in the Middle East, based upon a just and durable engagement at an official level risks institutionalising the agreement between Palestinians and Israelis, is not only divisions that currently exist and add to the frustrations possible, but is an imperative to achieve a sustainable felt by many looking for change. stability and development in the whole of the Gulf/ MENA region. The current status quo in this region is not Throughout the year we have continued to use the sustainable. Hundreds of millions of people cannot be Irish experience, North and South, as a space in which expected to endure a life without any possibility of both Israeli and Palestinian political figures can explore achieving their genuine aspirations and full human separately the unavoidable obstacles and challenges that potential. they are likely to face once they embark upon a serious process of achieving peace. In the visits we arrange to The horror of what we are witnessing in Syria and Yemen Belfast and Dublin they are given the opportunity to is a clear warning of what the future norm could be if engage with senior figures that played a significant role in we continue to ignore the urgent need to address the the Irish Peace Process, and to examine close up some tensions that arise from the current structural injustices of the initial and ongoing challenges of reaching an within the region as a whole. This is particularly true in agreement and sustaining a process. the Occupied Palestinian Territories where in the past year we have facilitated regularly monthly meetings with The aim is not to teach lessons on how to do peace, but cross factional groups of politicians, youth and business to provide insights into the messiness of a peace making entrepreneurs. process, some of which may or may not be applicable to their own situation. Our focus in the past year has been to At every level we witnessed a deep sense of frustration bring to Ireland delegations from Likud and the National particularly at the lack of any political or economic Religious party. There were many enriching conversations development. The young in particular feel frustrated which have continued on their return home. and demoralised as they see very little prospect of real

The aim is not to teach lessons on how to do peace, but to provide insights into the messiness of a peace making process.

4 INTRODUCTION

View over Jerusalem Photo credit: Robert Bye

Our challenge now is to build upon these delegations Our engagement with diverse Muslim communities across and to assist those engaged in this process to continue to the UK took a new focus during the course of the year. develop the insights gained from their visits to Belfast and Whilst we continued to facilitate dialogues between the Dublin. A dialogue that can help shift people’s entrenched communities and the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism perspectives cannot be rushed but requires respect, Legislation, a new channel of dialogue was opened up patience and a commitment of time. This is precisely the between the communities and the Crown Prosecution Forward Thinking approach. We assist those with whom Service. The aim of these dialogues is to promote greater we engage to develop their own agenda and to explore understanding and help to change perspectives that can the unavoidable issues if they are to reach sufficient undermine social cohesion. This is also the aim of our consensus on the compromises that will be necessary to programme Pathways into Politics that encourages young achieve a durable peace. Muslims to examine the options open to them in the political life of the country. Our efforts to promote a regional dialogue aimed at promoting greater and sustainable stability in the Gulf/ Whether we are working in the Middle East, the Gulf, MENA region have continued through the activities of the North Africa or here at home in the UK, the core of what Helsinki Policy Forum. we are doing is frontline mediation aimed at challenging and changing perspectives that keep peoples and The Forum provides a mechanism that helps to convene communities apart. As an organisation we aim always at least twice or three times a year senior policy makers to be inclusive and demand driven – we respond to from the region and ten European countries. It is also an agenda set by those with whom we engage. We a channel for ongoing conversations that can help to are grateful to our donors - governments, trusts and identify, and where possible, manage potential crises individuals – without whose support we would not exist. between some of the main actors in the region. To achieve this goal Forward Thinking continues to work We are also grateful to Bookmark who provide not only in close partnership with the Finish Foreign Ministry, to the premises out of which we work but also an whom we are also grateful for their continued support excellent working environment for our team. and sponsorship. The working relationship is a good example of what can be achieved when a government provides diplomatic as well as financial support to a non- government body.

5 OUR PHILOSOPHY

Conflict mediation requires addressing attitudinal challenges - entrenched mindsets, fears and aspirations - that can inhibit moving forward on key disputed issues. Our approach to dialogue rests on six pillars:

DEMAND-DRIVEN

FLEXIBILITY & ADAPTABILITY

TRANSPARENCY & CONFIDENTIALITY

INCLUSIVITY

WORKING AT MULTIPLE LEVELS

SUSTAINED COMMITMENT

698 MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED IN

304 IN THE UK & IRELAND 50 IN TUNISIA

IN ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK, IN EUROPE 198 EAST JERUSALEM AND GAZA 84 INTRODUCTION

THE CURRENT COST OF CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE-EAST

Nowhere in the world has suffered from as much conflict in the past 50 years as the MENA region. On average, countries in this region have experienced some form of conflict every 3 years.

At least half a million civilians and combatants have died in conflicts since 2011.

In 2016, a third of the region’s population – 87 million people – were directly affected by war.

By 2020 the UN estimates that almost three out of four Arabs could be “living in countries vulnerable to conflict.”

Home to only 5% of the world’s population, in 2014, the Arab world accounted for 45% of the world’s terrorism and 68% of its battle-related deaths.

The Middle East accounts for almost half the world’s forcibly displaced people – 10 million refugees and 20 million internally displaced people.

The driving motivation of Forward Thinking is to help reduce the terrible costs of conflict and create a new environment in which all the peoples of the Middle East can live in safety, security and dignity.

7 FOREWORD

FOREWORD: WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ‘NOBLESSE OBLIGE’?

By Sir Jeremy Greenstock Senior Advisor

orgive me if I focus a bit more than usual in this Vacuum is the right word. Nothing good has filled review of the past year on the role and relevance of the space, and yet the region is crying out for sensible Fthe United States in the Middle East. As the world collective attention. I increasingly find myself applying the retreats from faith in globalisation and nationalistic vacuum metaphor to geopolitical events, because we are feelings intensify, we would expect regions and countries learning the hard way in this era of disconcertingly rapid to take greater responsibility for their own affairs and change that, where there is a vacuum, it is more likely to look for less of a lead from the superpower. Yet in places be filled by malign than by benign operators. The reason where the US is absent as an effective influence, bad has to be that the malign have a stronger incentive for things tend to happen. Even in Europe, which ought to fast-footed opportunism than the benign, bless their soft be an exception, the realisation of accelerating American and trusting natures. We saw this in the breakdown of withdrawal casts a shadow on the security capability and the old Yugoslavia, and indeed in the aftermath of the growth potential of our supposedly sophisticated and collapse of the Soviet Union. We certainly witnessed it independent continent. Present or absent, well or badly in the events that followed the Arab Spring, not least in managed at any particular moment, the United States Libya and Egypt. Iraq has barely survived it. We are now matters - so long as it can live up to its responsibilities as watching it in Syria, with Russia showing its true colours a global leader. of tactical brilliance and strategic emptiness, and we can expect something comparable to develop in Yemen. Let us apply that thought to the Middle East region. President Obama got us talking about US withdrawal In Palestine, Israel fills the screen, but not with justice from it in both spirit and substance, because he showed or good order. Its success in converting the staging no enthusiasm for practical involvement in the aftermath post of the Oslo-Madrid agreements into a semi- of the Arab Spring and was philosophically disinclined permanent prison for the Palestinian people is a to commit American resources to remedy its problems. remarkable achievement when viewed through the Early promises on Palestine never generated effective lens of a one-state, Greater Israel ambition. But it is action. President Trump has visibly distanced himself unsustainable in the long term, because it damages the from Obama’s way of thinking across a variety of fields, international legitimacy of Israel’s foundation. Against but in this area he shows little difference from his that background, President Trump’s ‘deal of the century’ predecessor, for all the noise. There is a manifest vacuum initiative, carrying the odour (so far) of almost total bias in American impact on headline issues like the Syrian in favour of Israeli prescriptions, risks entrenching Israel and Yemeni civil wars, the breakdown of relationships in that unsustainability. Even in a region where the in the Gulf, the abuse of human rights in Egypt, the other Arab states appear to care increasingly less about management of the oil market and, of course, the lack of the fate of Palestine, the internal contradiction between movement in the Israel-Palestine situation. Where Trump Israel’s democratic example and the conditions in the has turned his back on Obama’s approach - the Iran West Bank and especially Gaza presages an explosion. nuclear deal - it is in the direction of the exit door rather Trump’s squeezing of UNRWA funding and the Palestinian than the reconstruction staircase. voice, on top of his moves on Jerusalem, places the responsibility for those conditions even more obviously and expensively on Israel’s shoulders.

Forward Thinking’s promotion of debate and original thinking, as in the Helsinki Forum, the Ireland visits and the cross-border contacts between open-minded Israelis and Palestinians, is an investment in the brighter future we all have to subscribe to.

8 INTRODUCTION

Children listen to their teacher at the Zaatari Refugee Camp, located near Mafraq, Jordan, which has grown to house nearly 80,000 Syrian refugees since it opened in 2012.

Photo credit: UN/Mark Garten

Is this intentional? Or is it only Washington’s usefulness of what I call the 598 theory: that preparing misunderstanding of the consequences of an unthinking the way for a sensible exit from conflict now, laying policy? The full Trump story has many chapters still to the groundwork even if circumstances are currently be written. Can Trump the disrupter, the dismantler of unpropitious, pays dividends later, as it did with the the stagnant status quo in everything he touches, turn drafting of UNSCR 598 at the end of the Iran-Iraq war. into the constructive deal-maker when he feels he has lowered the costs to the American system? Can he have Forward Thinking’s promotion of debate and original made Israel an unwitting part of such a strategy? Can thinking, as in the Helsinki Forum, the Ireland visits and Washington be planning to fill its own vacuum and fulfill the cross-border contacts between open-minded Israelis its true international obligations? It is risky money, to say and Palestinians, is an investment in the brighter future the least, to go betting down that route, because Trump we all have to subscribe to. The courage and imagination has, more often than not, done what he has said he will shown by the whole team in these activities, as well as by do. But it cannot be completely discounted. those giving them badly needed support, represent an admirable pinpoint of light in a dark picture. We must In all this, Forward Thinking is doing the honourable keep going. thing: preparing for the time, if it ever comes, when the channels of dialogue are re-opened, the weight of injustice tips the scales and a resolution is needed to Sir Jeremy Greenstock is Chairman of the strategic advisory company stave off large-scale violence. It is essential for at least Gatehouse Advisory Partners Ltd and Chairman of Lambert Energy some outside players, whatever the scale of their action, Advisory Ltd, the upstream oil and gas specialists. Sir Jeremy served to stand on principle and on the logic of long-term as a diplomat from 1969 to 2004, developing specialisations in the effects. It is right to talk to the potential successors of Middle East, Transatlantic Relations and the United Nations and is a current leaderships, those who are going to have to pick former Chairman of the UN Association in the UK. up the pieces later. We should never underestimate the

9 MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME

MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME

By Edward Channer Middle East Programme Manager

he past 12 months have highlighted stark barriers Since March 2018, the Great March of Return in Gaza, in the pursuit of a durable resolution to the Israeli- and associated demonstrations, have seen many TPalestinian conflict. There is lack of will amongst Palestinians killed and injured. The response from Israeli political elites on all sides to take the steps necessary Defence Force (IDF), whilst being widely condemned to advance a long-term settlement and reverse the both within the region and internationally, has been increasing trend of polarisation between Israeli and supported by many Israelis who see the protests as Palestinian communities. The Israeli government, Hamas’ manipulation and militarisation of the population. emboldened by the actions and rhetoric of the Trump Numerous Israeli communities, particularly those close to administration, show little interest in serious dialogue Gaza, fear for their safety, their livelihoods and their way with the Palestinian political leadership in Ramallah and of life, particularly after ‘terror kites’ and ‘terror balloons’ continue to take steps – such as settlement building – that from Gaza have torched crops and gardens in the dry undermine what little Palestinian hope in a negotiated summer heat. The discovery of tunnels from Gaza into peace is left. Palestinian factions, meanwhile, remain Israel, and the continuing threat of rockets, only adds to embroiled in their own internal differences and disputes, this concern. as public disillusionment in their ability to deliver results for the Palestinian people continues to grow. Now more Yet in spite of the very real challenges this context than ever, Palestinian politics appears to be trapped in a creates, our work with key individuals in both dynamic of division and internal competitions over power communities continues to provide hope that a stable, and interests. Democratic structures and institutions secure and dignified future is possible for both Israelis within Palestine have been successively eroded both and Palestinians. Through our Middle East Programme, by the inevitable implications of the occupation and we remain focussed on providing leaders with by Palestinian faction leaders seeking to maintain and constituency – from all sides – with the space, time and consolidate their own positions. Young Palestinians tools to reflect on their own positions and to explore commonly view politics as an arena where progression is methods and approaches to the challenges they face. gained by knowing the right people and towing the right We work to bring people together across the entrenched line, rather than demonstrating creative, courageous or divides of the conflict – within Israel, within Palestine, innovative political aspirations. and between Israelis and Palestinians – so shared concerns, agendas and strategies can be explored, and The painful realities of the current situation have been so cooperation can be encouraged and supported. At made explicitly clear in the last 12 months. Trump’s a time when the frenetic context of an intense political recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel – whilst environment works to stifle fresh thinking and harden welcomed by some as an act of historical justice – was a entrenched views, we provide political leaders with the unilateral step in defiance of the international consensus space to challenge their own mindsets without imposing that infuriated Palestinians, the wider Muslim world, and any agenda upon them. much of the international community. As the Embassy was formally opened in Jerusalem, 55 Palestinians were In Israel, we have developed further our relationships killed by Israeli security forces as they demonstrated with parties and figures across the political spectrum, in Gaza. Since then, violence and fear has played a especially with those on the political right. We have heightened role on both sides. engaged figures in Likud, Jewish Home, and the

we remain focused on providing leaders with constituency – from all sides – with the space, time and tools to reflect on their own positions and to explore methods and approaches to the challenges they face. 10 315 MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES FACILITATED

115 48 70 35 IN THE WEST BANK/ IN ISRAEL IN THE UK IN GAZA EAST JERUSALEM

4 CROSS FACTIONAL CONFERENCES IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK

OVER 70 POLITICAL ROUNDTABLES

6 OUT OF COUNTRY WORKSHOPS

wider National Religious, assisting them with internal and development of Small and Medium sized Enterprises processes of dialogue to reflect on the challenges their (SMEs). However, such intensive engagement at the constituencies face, and to explore how their identity political level with factions across Palestine has also and core interests can be respected within a realistic and made the structural obstacles to reconciliation explicit. durable peace. The influence of vested interests that benefit from the status quo, alongside the continuing restrictions of the We have found that the experiences of conflict and occupation, create formidable structural barriers to peace process in Ireland continue to provide an effective Palestinian political reconciliation. Our work, therefore, framework for examining these kinds of questions, and has focussed on supporting an environment that can we have been active in facilitating Israeli delegations make long-lasting reconciliation and Palestinian power- to Belfast and Dublin, as well as taking negotiators and sharing more likely and feasible when these conditions political leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland allow. to Israel to share their experiences. This has been particularly useful in helping Israeli political leaders In 2018, we have also broken new ground in bringing identify areas of difficulty in their own context, as well as Israeli and Palestinian political figures together. We provoking consideration of potential strategies to address have facilitated conversations between politicians and them. members of Labour, Kulanu, Likud and Shas with senior members of the PLO, Palestinian former ministers and In Palestine, the past 12 months saw us facilitate an presidential advisors. These conversations, occurring internal process of Palestinian political dialogue. By against a trend of growing hostility toward the other and bringing together the main factions, as well as prominent increasing polarisation, have allowed groups to meet voices from the business and youth communities, in when they have never done so previously, and have seen Gaza, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron, we have understandings of the other improved and stereotypes worked to support cross-factional, inter-generational dismissed. At a time when pessimism toward and within discussion on the key challenges facing the Palestinian the region is common, we continue to be inspired by the people. The process has been successful in identifying commitment and vision of many Israeli and Palestinian substantial areas of agreement between diverse figures leaders who recognise the need for a new path forward on fundamental issues ranging from the need and type to ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of their of educational reforms required to the role played by a people. We must continue to work with them and support more supportive legislative environment for the growth them.

11 MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:

The Building Blocks

The absence of Palestinian political unity continues to undermine efforts to either respond to the needs of the Palestinian people in the short-term or develop a compelling vision for the future. In this challenging environment, we have continued to work to build viable networks across political, generational and geographic divides, enabling political leaders, youth leaders and members of the business community alike to identify their shared priorities and establish how cooperation can take place despite the evident obstacles.

We conducted 14 series of cross-factional roundtables “Moving Forward Together” - a cross factional conference in Nabalus, Janaury 2018 over the course of the year, with each series taking in Gaza, Hebron, Jerusalem, Nablus and Ramallah. These have been the crucial building blocks of our Palestinian At December 2017’s conference in Gaza, Dr Sabri Saidam, network. They have acted to counter the spread of Palestinian Minister for Education and Higher Education, mistrust and misinformation between opposing groups, shared a platform with Gazan counterparts, and engaged have established and strengthened consensus on with students and graduates over their concerns about practical areas for cross-factional cooperation (such as Ramallah’s accreditation of Gazan higher-education education reform and the labour market), have identified certificates. It contributed to direct action being taken to the agenda for our national conferences, and highlighted resolve the issue, with constructive channels established where external input on negotiations and political conflict and maintained between Gaza and Ramallah. can be constructive. They have been the constant and confidential space for frank exchanges across institutional In light of the success of the Gaza conference, which and factional divides at a time when such opportunities demonstrated that constructive public dialogue are almost otherwise absent. could take place between opposing factions and their constituencies, we convened a second conference “A New Model For Dialogue in Palestine” in Nablus in January 2018. Uniting opposing factions around the need to address young people’s political A particular success of our programme this year has been disillusionment, lack of employment opportunities, and in convening four conferences where political leaderships increasingly restricted space for activism, the conference’s of opposing factions have publically engaged both one enormous political, generational and institutional another and with the perspectives of youth, civil society diversity was described as “the first to bring all the colours and private sector participants. of Palestine under one roof”.

Reflecting on the rarity of such independent spaces for constructive discussions, Dr Sabri Saidam described Forward Thinking’s conferences as “a new model of dialogue in Palestine”.

Replicating the model of public engagement between Ramallah’s Ministers and counterparts in Gaza, February 2018’s cross-factional Gaza conference then focused on Gaza’s acute humanitarian needs and the need for political unity to begin to address these.

The divide between Gaza and the West Bank is reflected, albeit to a lesser degree, by the isolation of cities such as Nablus and Hebron from Ramallah’s political and economic centre of gravity. This marginalisation was the drive behind holding our final conference in Hebron in

Dr Sabri Saidam, Minister of Education, meeting participants at a Forward July 2018, despite the city’s set of particularly challenging Thinking conference political, security and economic characteristics. Bringing together national leaderships of Palestine’s key factions

12 MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME

as well as independents, local leaderships, civil society On the grounds of inclusive dialogue as an essential basis and youngsters, there was clear consensus that “there is for identifying a clear and united Palestinian vision, and no future for the Palestinian people without partnership”. for mapping a path forward, Forward Thinking brought together 13 influential women from across the Palestinian Exploring Divisions Territories for a workshop on ‘Palestinian women in Politics and peacebuilding in Maynooth, Ireland, The conferences highlighted where there are real areas September 2017. The diverse group represented a range of consensus between opposing Palestinian factions of sectors and backgrounds including politics, academia, and those who feel marginalised from them. Translating civil society and media. Over three days, participants had this consensus into cooperation, however, requires the opportunity to explore – together – the key challenges negotiating a complex set of restrictions, attitudes facing the Palestinian people and potential areas of and interests. Using other countries’ experiences of action, drawing on their perspectives both as women and overcoming conflict and division has proven to be an as Palestinian citizens. effective way of provoking debate within factions about overcoming their own divisions. It was made clear that the prospect of political reconciliation demands proactive engagement to To this end, in-country workshops took place focusing ensure that the representation of women and the pursuit on the ‘German Experience of Division and Reunification’ of equality are not ‘postponed’ in favour of ‘immediate (November 2017), exploring the Irish experiences of political priorities’. Ensuring women have a place at the conflict and peace-building (January and May 2018), and table requires coordinated and targeted work at a political exploring themes and issues within negotiations (March and grassroots level 2018). Out-of-country experiences are also particularly effective, acting as a shared reference point for Consolidating Cross-factional networks participants despite their divides and providing space and time away from the constraints of the Israeli – Palestinian In November 2017, we brought together current and conflict for these divides to be broached. We were able former Ministers of the Palestinian Authority in Belfast to facilitate three Palestinian delegations to Belfast and and Dublin with the aim of supporting the development Dublin over the past year: of internal consensus on key issues.

Women at the Frontline of Politics and Meetings with Irish and Northern Irish parliamentarians, Peacebuilding negotiators, religious leaders and political advisors focused on the role of identity in pursuing a durable Despite the active and unique role played by Palestinian peace, the importance of committed and strong women across Palestinian society, particularly at the leadership of a constituency, and how progress may be grassroots level, they are marginalised and under- achieved in a context of wider stagnation. represented in politics and public life.

Participants in the “Women at the Frontline” workshop in Maynooth, September 2017

13 MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:

Israeli Engagement

We continue to respond to ongoing stagnation within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace process by working with politically and ideologically right wing Israeli constituencies who have been largely excluded from discussions on the pursuit of peace. Building upon delegation visits to Ireland in early 2017 with representatives from Likud and the National Religious community, our strategy of consistent follow up in- country identified where impact could be magnified.

Accordingly, we convened a series of workshops in Israel where key figures associated with the Irish peace process have engaged with Members of the Knesset, Rabbis and Cross Factional Palestinian Delegation in Belfast City Hall, February 2018 Chiefs of Staff over questions provoked by their exposure to the Irish experiences.

Building upon both this, in February 2018 a delegation Negotiating Between Principles and of diverse and influential political and academic leaders Participation from Hebron, Nablus and Ramallah came together in Ireland, each representing different political, generational Across May 2018, meetings were held between Members and institutional constituencies. of the UK Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly in Northern Ireland, and former special There was particular focus on the challenge of internal advisors from the Democratic Unionist Party and negotiations in a peace process, agreed to be often more Members of the Knesset from within the governing difficult than finding an agreement with your opponent coalition. Discussions focused on the DUP’s successes and necessitating constant communication between and failures to develop a compelling long-term vision for leaderships and grassroots to ensure buy-in. Northern Ireland, and the need to consistently convince its base that the short-term compromises are worthwhile.

Rabbis meeting with Richard Bullick, a former senior advisor to the DUP, in Israel

14 MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME

Israeli – Palestinian Engagement

Building a Hospitable Environment for Direct Engagement

In February 2018, Forward Thinking facilitated discussions in Dublin between representatives from the PLO and Israeli representatives including Members of the Knesset, religious leaders and senior political advisors. The meeting came at the request of members of our network and provided a space where misconceptions about one another’s positions, and the realities of each constituency’s constraints, could be better understood.

At the conclusion of February’s discussion, a joint statement was agreed upon by those present:

Oliver McTernan in discussions with Adina Bar Shalom “We agree that the current impasse requires courageous actions on the part Crucially, there was an emphasis on the difficulty in negotiating between the purity of principles, which may of the leaders on both sides, to address prevent pragmatic and messy engagement, and the benefits of participation in a difficult and halting process, the mutually negative perceptions, in order to be able to shape it. deep suspicions and zero trust that is The conversations were rooted in the practical preventing any possibility of progress experiences of Northern Ireland’s deeply imperfect peace process, and focused at the practical level of strategies, to resolving the conflict. Both sides mechanisms, and political calculations of timing and risks. remain committed to work together Whilst the realities of a grinding (but successful) political process were surprising to some, these realities offered and to implement a mechanism that participants a more tangible way to think about their own contexts than abstract notions of ‘peace’ and ‘political will’. will enable movement towards a durable solution.” A Space for Strategy

As with our Palestinian network, out-of-country meetings In June 2018, a second joint meeting successfully prove to be invaluable opportunities for the sorts of frank brought together Palestinian political representatives conversations that rarely take place in Israel’s frenetic and Israeli religious figures and senior political advisors domestic political context. In March 2018, we facilitated from the Ultra Orthodox community. Both sides accepted a delegation to Georgia comprised of Knesset Members that there is a profound ignorance of the other and an and Knesset officials. Participants identified this as a rare enormous gap in understanding of the two people’s chance to step back from the exigencies of daily politics history, narrative and interests. All recognised there is to focus on the risks of the current impasse in the peace an urgent need to bridge this gap in understanding, but process, and the necessity of developing a compelling accepted that there are barriers to dialogue because of vision of Israel’s future that can convince Israel’s many the depth of mistrust. This makes spaces for confidential diverse communities that shifting the status quo is in dialogue especially important and it was agreed that their interests. It was recognised that a more inclusive individuals with influence and constituency support process of dialogue is required across the conflict and at should signal to their political leaders that they support all levels, including youth voices and women’s groups, to negotiations, in order to give them greater space to move. understand better the priorities and narratives of each side.

15 HELSINKI POLICY FORUM

HELSINKI POLICY FORUM

By Julian Weinberg Political Dialogues Director

o many observers, it can feel as if the international order Over the past 12 months, the HPF has deepened its dialogue into is fraying. Governments in the Gulf-MENA complain these issues. The HPF was established in 2014 with the aim of Tthat they are unable to rely on one another to abide by providing a space for a policy dialogue on the region’s challenges. essential norms that help them share their neighbourhood. Convening senior parliamentarians, political leaders, government The Gulf-MENA is the global epicentre of war and humanitarian officials, and financial experts from Europe and the Gulf-MENA crises as witnessed in Gaza, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen. The region, it facilitates an informal discussion aimed at deepening absence of trust in the region between key countries like Iran understanding and informing policy making. and Saudi Arabia, and the continued violations of international law taking place - whether through chemical weapons, ballistic Over the course of the year, the HPF held meetings in the missiles, land mines, siege and starvation as methods of war - are Gulf-MENA region as well as Europe. In addition to the annual compounding instability. A lack of coherence at the international meeting of the Forum in Helsinki in April 2018, the HPF convened level, with world powers and regional countries pursuing in Van, Turkey; the HPF’s Economic Working Group met three competing agendas, makes the challenge of resolving conflicts in times; the Libyan Working Group on Migration held a roundtable the Gulf-MENA ever more difficult. in Tunisia; and, the Religion and Foreign Policy Working Group had a workshop in Byblos, Lebanon. However, what happens in the region has direct implications and repercussions for Europe. The Europe-Gulf-MENA region could We are grateful for the support and cooperation of other be viewed as one region, as was recommended in meetings institutions that have helped make the work of the Helsinki Policy of the Helsinki Policy Forum, with the region a cornerstone of Forum possible. The Forum itself exists through a grant from the European stability. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Municipal authorities in the city of Van supported our meeting in the city; the Institute for The experience of the Helsinki Policy Forum, however, would Global Affairs at the London School of Economics have helped in suggest that the current instability in the region is neither the development of the Economic Working Group; The Sovereign intractable nor inevitable. Policy makers across the Gulf-MENA Order of Malta who are our key partner in facilitating the and Europe, in our meetings, are looking for ways to address Libyan Working Group on Migration; and the Swedish Institute their issues peacefully and politically. in Alexandria were our partner in organising the Religion and Foreign Policy Working Group in Byblos.

Helsinki Policy Forum Annual Meeting 2018

16 HELSINKI POLICY FORUM 221 MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES FACILITATED 120+ 14 SENIOR OFFICIALS, FOREIGN MINISTRIES PARLIAMENTARIANS, AND

ECONOMISTS from across Europe, the Middle participated in the Helsinki East, North Africa and Gulf Policy Forum in 2017-18 7 40 PARLIAMENTS POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS from throughout Europe to address regional instability and the Middle East have been developed & disseminated amongst key policy makers.

Delphine O, member of the French National Assembly, addressing the April 2018 meeting of the Forum

17 HELSINKI POLICY FORUM

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:

Omer Celik, Turkish Minister of European Union Affairs, opens the Van meeting of the Forum, November 2017

HPF Annual Meeting, Helsinki, April 2018 From a European perspective, it has opened the space for dialogue with Iran on other issues of mutual interest. The The seventh Helsinki Policy Forum was held in Helsinki, 22nd agreement should remain, but new agreements are needed -24th of April, and was hosted by Timo Soini, Foreign Minister to address other issues of concern. It was recommended that of Finland. The meeting brought together parliamentarians, the Helsinki Policy Forum explore establishing an environment government officials and economic experts from across Europe working group. The aim of this working group will be to facilitate and the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa (Gulf-MENA) including dialogue with key countries on shared environmental risks and individuals from: Bahrain, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, challenges in the Gulf and Straits of Hormuz. Iran, Italy, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom as well as the European Union, Gulf Cooperation HPF Van Meeting, 10-12 November 2017 Council and Sovereign Order of Malta. The meeting focused on how to address crises and instability in the Gulf-MENA region A working group of the Helsinki Policy Forum met in the city of and Europe, with discussions focused around exploring issues of Van, eastern Turkey, to focus on the policy challenges around mutual concern and interest. These included the economy, the addressing instability in the region. The meeting highlighted the conflict in Yemen, environmental challenges and the prospects challenges facing policy makers in the face of continuing crisis for broader regional dialogue. and conflict that stifle efforts to achieve peace, security and development across the Gulf-MENA region. This meeting was There were growing concerns that absence of dialogue increases attended and addressed by Turkey’s Minister for European Union mistrust, the risk of misunderstanding and misperception (EU) Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Mr Ömer Çelik. and the likelihood of deepening conflict. The region needs mechanisms for regular dialogue in order to understand At the public session of the meeting, Mr Çelik outlined the risks the red lines of different countries, evaluate the perceptions posed by the fragmentation of states, the need for international governments hold regarding the policies and intentions of co-ordination to tackle the challenges of terrorism, and the others, and to explore the possibilities to address mutual impact of the conflict in Syria including the refugee crisis in interests. Europe has a role to play in facilitating such dialogue Turkey. The Minister stressed that regional stability relied on when invited by the region. the strength and sustainability of one’s neighbours underlining the principle that, “If your neighbouring country is poor and not The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was widely secure, such conditions will have a negative effect on peace and viewed as a necessary agreement, that was being respected by security at home.” Iran and which is working. Although limited to Iran’s nuclear programme, other benefits have been identified.

18 HELSINKI POLICY FORUM

It was suggested that a policy of containment and de-escalation The working group convened three times in London and Helsinki was needed in response to existing crises in the region. throughout the year. The working group highlighted the policy The challenges are both urgent, such as the conflicts in Syria, challenge of a region often viewed as rich in resources, facing a Iraq, Libya and Yemen, and chronic – including the need for situation in which the list of economic challenges threatens to economic reforms, the growing gap between youth and their outpace the ability of policymakers to respond. governments, and the enduring weakness of institutions. These challenges threaten the security of all but are beyond the Addressing these challenges, the working group highlighted, will ability of any one country to address and therefore require both require promoting regional cooperation rather than competition regional and international co-operation. and a zero-sum approach that has dominated the region’s politics in recent years. The Gulf-MENA region is one of the least Economic Working Group inter-trading regions in the world. According to a World Bank study, intra-trade in the Gulf-MENA is 60-70% below its potential. Economic challenges are both a symptom and driver of conflict The HPF Economic Working Group will continue to identify and crisis in the Gulf-MENA and Europe. Insufficient levels of practical ways these issues can be addressed. growth across the region (1.8% in 2017 versus 5% in the 2000s), unsustainably high levels of youth unemployment (a 30% Religion and International Affairs Working average), inefficiency and high levels of corruption are just some Group of the themes that were identified at HPF meetings as drivers of instability. The result is an economic climate that regularly fails to For many people across the world, religious and spiritual values meet the aspirations of the region’s young people. inform the living of their daily lives. Rather than disappearing, the role of religion and religiously inspired political activists appears Yet with only 5% of the world’s population, the Arab World to be ever more important factors in global politics in the Twenty- suffers a disproportionate level of conflict, displacement and First Century, especially with regards to the complex challenges terrorism. In 2014, the Arab World had 47% of the world’s in the Gulf-MENA region. Yet at the same time, it is a factor that internally displaced peoples; 69% of the world’s battle related is often ignored, misrepresented or misunderstood. Existing deaths and 58% of the world’s refugees. In the near future, Iraq, approaches to diplomacy, particularly in Europe, have been Libya, Syria and Yemen will face the challenge of post-conflict said to either downplay the relevance of religion or to approach reconstruction. The World Bank estimates that Syria alone will religion as a problem to be managed and solved. The risk is that require US $300 billion to recover from the civil war; and that it such limited understandings of the significance of religion leads will take around 20 years for its GDP to recover to pre-war levels to misinformed policymaking with damaging consequences. if the country can reach 3% growth. In response, the Helsinki Policy Forum established a working group on religion and international affairs. In response, the Helsinki Policy Forum established this year an Economic Working Group to facilitate a deeper focus on the economic challenge convening policy makers, economists and business figures from across Europe and the Gulf-MENA.

Julian Weinberg addressing the ICMPD Conference on Sustainable Migration Governance in Libya

19 HELSINKI POLICY FORUM

Building on last years publication of “Helsinki Policy Forum Libya Working Group on Migration Discussion Papers: Religious Literacy, Foreign Policy & Diplomacy”, and in co-operation with the Swedish Institute in Libya is at the forefront of a refugee and migration crisis. Alexandria, we convened a high-level roundtable discussion in However, this crisis cannot be solved if it is viewed as a Libyan Byblos, Lebanon, in November 2017. The roundtable brought problem only. Rather, the crisis Libya faces is also part of a together parliamentarians and politicians, academics and broader global challenge, with regional implications, driven by religious leaders engaged in conflict mediation. It focused factors beyond Libya’s borders, which have manifested within the on perspectives on the role of religion in diplomacy, foreign country as an indirect result of the current conflict and political policy and international affairs. The working group explored instability. perspectives on the accommodation of religious and non- religious worldviews in society, and had a practical focus on To discuss these challenges in greater depth, the Helsinki Policy raising awareness and increasing understanding of these Forum established a Libyan Working Group on Migration in 2015, complex issues to inform policy-making. at the invitation of Libyan politicians and government officials. In co-operation with the Order of Malta, we facilitated the fourth Throughout the meeting, widely divergent views and meeting of the group, in Tunis on the 21st - 22nd of November. philosophical and political positions were articulated, with Participation was drawn from both Libya and the international disagreements expressed not only between European and community, including: the High State Council, Libyan Ministry regional participants but within these groups as well. Some Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Libyan civil society, Arab understood religion as a force that can work to promote Maghreb Union, UNSMIL, UNOCHA, UNHCR, IoM, EU, Finland, pluralism, co-existence and respect for the other. Others France, and Italy. perceived it as a force that is exclusionary, and which creates divisions and violence if introduced to politics. It was acknowledged that the flow of migrants is beyond the capacity of any state to address alone and that, as a global Yet, in spite of these legitimate differences, as a result of the problem, it could only be dealt with through international and meeting, a consensus did emerge on the essential relationship regional approaches that are developed in close partnership with between freedom and religion. While approaching the issue the Libyan authorities. It was felt that the challenges of migration through different frameworks – including secularism; partial had to be addressed alongside the wider efforts to stabilise the secularism; the civil state; or through referencing religious Libyan state and that a failure to do so could put at risk these values – participants agreed that it was necessary and possible efforts. For this be achieved, different political and tribal factions to promote and defend a vision of a state in which: No group is need to unite in addressing this challenge. Short-term measures, privileged or disadvantaged on the basis of their faith; there is if mishandled, can aggravate the overall effort to deal with the freedom to practice religion; citizens have the right to be free challenges migration presents. Instead, long-term approaches from religion; citizens have the right to choose their religion; the are urgently needed that deal with all dimensions of the crisis in state does not interfere or arbitrate in theological debates. source, transit and destination countries.

Libyan Working Group on Migration 2017

20 HELSINKI POLICY FORUM

Libyan and Tunisian parliamentarians meet to discuss the barriers to women’s political participation in North Africa, November 2017.

In June 2018, Julian Weinberg was invited by Libyan participants they have been at the forefront of driving and shaping in the working group to address the Libyan National Team the developments since 2011 and increasingly playing a for Border Security and Management. The conference on transformative role in addressing long-standing challenges. “Promoting Knowledge for Evidence-based and Sustainable Migration governance in Libya: The Mediterranean Perspective”, On the 22nd of November, and at the invitation of women was convened by the International Centre for Migration Policy parliamentarians, the Helsinki Policy Forum organised a meeting Development, on the 25th-27th of June 2018. between a number of prominent Libyan and Tunisian women parliamentarians to discuss the changing role of women in the Addressing barriers to women’s political region, the barriers that remain to women’s political inclusion, participation in the North Africa, Forward and other shared challenges in the region. Participants agreed Thinking host meeting of Tunisian and Libyan that as parliamentarians, they had developed a unique set of parliamentarians, 22nd November 2017 experiences and perspectives that could help to inform their peers across and beyond the region. As such, they expressed The growing number of female MPs across North Africa a desire for further opportunities to meet counterparts from represents an important constituency in the politics of North across the region in order to share lessons, support their mutual Africa. In each country, despite facing considerable obstacles, development and to discuss areas of common interest.

Emily Thornberry, Shadow Foreign Secretary, at the Helsinki Policy Forum, April 2018

21 TUNISIA PROGRAMME

TUNISIA PROGRAMME

By Harry Higginson & Julian Weinberg Operations Manager | Political Dialogues Director

even years after the Tunisian revolution, a stable future Due to the implementation of a youth quota, many young for the country appears far from certain. Amidst a leaders saw local elections as a real opportunity for them and Sregion plagued with political instability, Tunisia has their peers to run for office and cut their teeth in the post- made unparalleled political progress towards representative revolution political institutions of the country. It was no surprise, democratic government and institutional reform. However, therefore, when many of the young activists we’ve worked with, economically the country continues to struggle to meet the chose to run for office. expectations of its people resulting in mounting social unrest and instability. Increases in the price of oil, high inflation rates While turnout in the elections was low, independent lists finished and a depreciating currency value have hit the government and first (32%), ahead of Ennahda (28%) and Nidaa Tounes (21%). recent efforts in economic reform. In our meetings, it is clear that Many of these independent lists were formed of young activists Tunisia’s political leaders are aware that failure in the economy running on a platform of addressing local challenges. Two thirds threatens the stability of the state and the success of their of newly elected representatives were under 45 years old. political transition. We carried out an evaluation of how many of the young activists Upon the invitation of Tunisian political leaders, we visited that had participated in our dialogue process took part in local the country throughout the year to promote dialogue around elections as either candidates or leading figures in campaigns. the political support needed for economic reform. Over the We found that they, and their lists, were responsible for winning course of the last twelve months, we engaged ministers, over 100 seats across the country, in places like Bizerte, Jenouba, parliamentarians and parliamentary committees, the Central Kairouan, Kasserine, Medjez el bab, Mournagia, Nafza and Sfax. Bank, young leaders and the unions. With the Global Affairs at the London School of Economics we are facilitating cooperation In addition to running directly in the elections, former and support to key institutions to share the experience of participants in our work undertook a number of steps to support transition and economic reform from Eastern Europe with the election process. Hmetna established a training programme Tunisian counterparts. in two locations: Medjez el Bab and Mournagia. These worked with young people, regardless of their political affiliation, who May 2018 saw long anticipated local elections in Tunisia. For were considering running in the local elections with the aim of many of the young leaders we have engaged over the last six equipping them with the confidence and skills to run for office. In years, there was a general sense of excitement around the the local elections, several won seats in their local areas. prospects for local elections.

Voters in the 2018 Tunisian local elections Photo Credit: Congress of Tunisian local and regional authorities, CC 2.0

22 TUNISIA PROGRAMME

Julian Weinberg in a meeting with Zied Ladhari, Minister for International Investment

Furthermore, in Medjez el Bab and Mournagia, independent However, with thousands of new candidates, many young lists were formed by individuals involved in Hmetna’s training, and with little previous experience, success will only come campaigning on a platform of addressing local issues. In both with support. What local councillors across the country have constituencies, these lists performed above expectations – expressed to us as what they would benefit from are training finishing second only to Ennahda and defeating candidates from programmes in different experiences of local government and several of Tunisia’s largest political parties. management. They are eager to learn best practices from other experiences of local government around the world. Following the local elections, we held roundtables with a number of newly elected young local councillors. There was a tangible Were local government to fall short of its potential to address hope that the frustration at the lack of opportunities and changes challenges and lift up communities, it risks becoming another to their lives could be addressed through local government. symbol of a system that is failing a young generation. Those young people who have participated will have little to show for it They identified significant issues that are common across and few arguments to draw on to convince their peers to engage. the country: fixing pot holes in the roads, cleaning up their Such an outcome would feed instability in a fragile country and neighbourhoods and reforming the management and would be a terrible waste of talent. administration of local authorities, among many others. However, should Tunisia get this moment right, a new generation For many young activists across the country, the local elections of local government officials will provide an example to other were the first time they have won popular mandates at the ballot young people in the country. They will show that political box. They have gained recognition, not as a result of protest, engagement is worth it and that local government can in fact demonstration, or obstruction, but through campaigning and work and change people’s lives for the better. They can provide winning a mandate from their own communities to bring the a potent antidote to the disillusionment, marginalisation and change for which they have longed. frustration that many young people face on a daily basis.

However, should Tunisia get this moment right, a new generation of local government officials will provide an example to other young people in the country.

23 UK PROGRAMME

UK PROGRAMME

By Jordan Morgan UK Programme Manager

Over the last 12 months, we have connected communities We are also grateful for the support of the Dulverton Trust and with those in political and policy influencing/decision-making the John Ellerman Foundation which makes the work of the UK positions to improve the diagnosis of challenges faced and ‘Building Bridges’ Programme possible. Our work has never resulting recommendations to overcome them. The experiences been more relevant. Again and again, diverse British Muslim of the UK Programme have shown that change can be effected community figures with constituency across the country have by creating spaces for senior policy makers to meet with diverse reported to us how their capacity to tackle local and national British Muslim communities. challenges has been pushed to the limits. The state’s security responses to an unprecedented spate of terror attacks in 2017 Our expanding and unique network of community partners were urgent and necessary, however, issues remain and risk enables a range of ethnic, theological and diasporic voices to be driving a wedge between affected communities and the Police if represented including youth and women from: Bradford, Batley, left unaddressed. Birmingham, Bolton, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Stockport. Our almost daily contact Grievances toward the criminal justice system multiply when with diverse British Muslim communities is the main reason communities see the over-representation of Black Asian and we have the level of access which enables us to facilitate and Minority Ethnic (BAME) individuals and the disproportionately mediate the events highlighted. A key principle underpinning our negative outcomes when compared with white Britons. dialogues is inclusive engagement, ensuring that no one voice monopolises the conversation, and recognising that engagement Those we work with have shown that Islam is compatible does not equate to endorsement. with the British way of life, however, populist and nationalist narratives continue to seek to reduce a diverse community We have steadily deepened our engagement with cross-party to fundamentally violent and dangerous monolith linked parliamentarians, the media, local councilors, policy writers, with terrorism. Muslims perceive that religiously and racially police commissioners and legislators. We have continued our motivated hate crimes are rising, however, in some areas work with the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation prosecutions are falling. Therefore, so many are made to feel (IRTL) whilst developing a new and fresh dialogue with the Crown like there is a contradiction to being ‘Muslim and British’ and that Prosecution Service (CPS). they should ‘assimilate’ rather than ‘integrate’ to fully participate in social, political and economic life in Britain. Despite real challenges, the communities engaged have been exceptional in coming together to reflect their perspectives. Community organisations, activists and volunteers labour Those we visit are always unfailing generous with their every day to counteract this trend by developing a sense of hospitality and time and above all in their willingness to share belonging, understanding and improving social cohesion. They their experiences, insights and local expertise to help effect are dynamic, have an expert knowledge of local experiences and meaningful change. As professional outsiders we hope to do the commitment to create a better life for themselves and their justice to recommendations from communities and act on what communities. However, there is a crushing lack of attention we hear and see. paid to their efforts and expertise in creating a more equal and prosperous society.

Pathways into Politics: Perspectives from British Muslim Political Leaders, 18th April 2018

24 UK PROGRAMME 60+ 1000+ ORGANISATIONS PARTICIPANTS WITH regularly participate in CONSTITUENCY our dialogues engaged on the programme

13 130 REGIONS BILATERAL MEETINGS engaged from across which secure participation and England provide real time assessments of community needs

28 8 REGIONAL NATIONAL ROUNDTABLES ROUNDTABLES for individuals and communities for individuals and communities to to share their insights at the share their insights at the national regional political level political level

25 UK PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:

Discussing the Impact of London and Manchester Terror Attacks in Parliament from left to right Hashi Mohammed, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Amna Abdul, Max Hill QC, IRTL, Dominic Grieve QC MP and Mohammed Kozbar

The Aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks in Reinvigorating the Crown Prosecution Service’s London and Manchester Engagement with British Muslim Communities

On the 26th October 2017, over 40 influential Muslim community Between October and December 2017, we facilitated the representatives, with constituency, travelled from across England visit of Baljit Ubhey, the Director of Prosecution Policy and to share their perspectives on the impact of the terror attacks Inclusion, and Graham Ritchie, Head of Policy and Inclusion, to in London and Manchester in 2017. Chaired by Dominic Grieve communities across the UK. These efforts did not mark the end QC MP, the event was attended by numerous parliamentarians, of a conversation but the start of an ongoing dialogue between including Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. the CPS and communities. Our subsequent report recommended creating a link between communities and local Chief Crown We also launched our report detailing the conversations Prosecutors. Therefore, we have since helped to facilitate the facilitated by Forward Thinking between the IRTL and launch of a new pilot programme “Community Conversations” communities. At a time of intense national scrutiny on Muslim with pilots launched in Bradford, on the 11th July 2018, and communities, a neutral space provided opportunity to discuss, in Manchester, 23rd July 2018, connecting local Chief Crown identify, prioritise challenges and reach consensus on the Prosecutors (CCPs) and representatives from British Muslim solutions moving forward. communities.

“These visits really brought home to me the need to be proactive in our engagement, to have meaningful, ongoing dialogue and the need to involve young people. I am certain that our work in this area will be more effective as a result of these meetings and Forward Thinking’s support for our work”

Baljit Ubhey OBE, Director of Prosecution Policy and Inclusion

26 UK PROGRAMME

The meetings engaged the Gerry Wareham, CCP Yorkshire and The Operation and Impact of Counter Terrorism Humberside and Martin Goldman, CCP for the North West. The Legislation conversations were positive and challenging and they showed a real desire amongst both the CPS and communities in Yorkshire We have ensured diverse engagement between Max Hill QC, IRTL, and the North West to develop a deeper partnership on issues of and communities to provide space to reflect on the operation mutual concern. and impact of counter terrorism legislation. Community concerns from the visits have been reflected by Mr Hill to the media, Supporting BAME Representation in Politics the Joint Committee of Human Rights, the Home Affairs Select Committee and to the Intelligence and Security Committee, The ‘Pathways into Politics’ programme has provided helping to elevate the voice and insights of communities to the opportunities for inclusive political participation, empowering level that they deserve. In September and October 2018, we representative young Muslim voices and breaking down barriers facilitated further community visits of the IRTL to follow up with to their full engagement in civil and political life. Many young those whom he visited in 2017 after an unprecedented spate of Muslims feel the available pathways into politics continue to terror attacks in London and Manchester. appear to be extremely narrow, with the barriers high and access to support and positive roles models low. These challenges are On this visit he met around 100 community figures from particularly acute for Muslim women. When inclusivity within Leicester, Bradford, Dewsbury, London and Manchester including public services and bodies is absent, they become unreflective Imams, Police Crime Commissioners, students, community of the communities they serve, compounding a broader sense activists, lawyers and teachers. Participants were pleased to of exclusion, isolation and religious, socio-economic and cultural hear that there has not been a raft of new counter terrorism disempowerment within BAME communities. Since its launch laws since the London and Manchester attacks, however, they in Parliament in April 2018 by Dominic Grieve QC MP, over had real concerns over new amendments proposed within 120 young Muslims from London and Yorkshire have met with the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill 2018, the operation of cross-party Ministers, MPs, local councilors and activists from the Schedule 7 powers and the widely unpopular Prevent Duty, Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and the Green parties which remains problematic to communities in every area we including: Nusrat Ghani MP, the first Muslim woman to speak visited. Participants also discussed the impact of legislation on as a Minister in the House of Common, and Sheffield’s first ever humanitarian overseas action, the fallout from counter terrorism Muslim Mayor, Cllr Magid Magid. police inquiries and escalation in far-right wing activity. We will continue to discuss, identify, prioritise challenges and reach consensus on practical solutions moving forward.

Fixing a broken care system

Forward Thinking has worked with disadvantaged care- experienced young people from the Drive Forward Foundation, whom we trained on our political literacy and media courses (2016-2017). We have since helped to establish a mechanism to effect positive changes in a care system they feel is failing. In February 2018, they formed ‘The Policy Forum’, the aim of which is to communicate the disconnect between parliamentarians, policy makers and lived reality facing care experienced young people on the ground. They are now established as a credible voice. They have sought to build understanding and demand change in policy, legislation and in society with: Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Minister for Children and Families; Ester McVey MP, former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; cross-party parliamentarians; policy makers; Children’s Commissioners and diverse campaigning organisations from the UK.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Magid Magid, who spoke at our Pathways into Politics event

27 FINANCES

FINANCES Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 July 2018

There were no recognised gains or losses for 2018 other than those included in the statement of financial activities. There were no acquisitions or discontinued operations during the current year.

28 OUR TEAM

OUR TEAM

Oliver Mcternan Sondos Shalaby Director Consultant

Julian Weinberg Carl Aylett Political Dialogues Director Digital Consultant

Edward Channer Francis Campbell Middle East Programme Manager Chris Donnelly Michael Holland Harry Higginson Lord Raymond Hylton Operations Manager Baroness Helena Kennedy William Sieghart (Chairman) Isobel Scott-Barrett Trustees Programmes Officer Sir Jeremy Greenstock Jordan Morgan Advisor UK Programme Manager

Lila Cherrih Programmes Assistant

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INTRODUCTION

32