Reforms key to Arab stability: League
dubai — Educational, religious and cultural reforms are needed to achieve stability in the Arab world that struggles with chaos and citizen’s mistrust, Arab leaders said at a conference in Dubai.
On Tuesday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the FIKR16 Conference, where participants discussed relevant policies and potential solutions to be incorporated into a future action plan aimed at stabilising Arab nations and societies.
During the opening ceremony, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, SecretaryGeneral of the Arab League, urged Arab political, religious and social institutions to renew themselves before being forced to change.
“It is no secret that some of the Arab countries suffer from crises that extend beyond borders. Institutions need to strengthen their roots, not by isolating themselves from the world, but by working to gain the public’s trust and derive legitimacy,” said Aboul Gheit as he addressed delegates including Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud, president of the Arab Thought Foundation.
Aboul Gheit stressed that maintaining stability does not come by defending stagnation, but is dependent on the courage to go through change and reform. While chaos imposes change without known objectives, reform is needed to bring change that meets societies’ needs.
“Reforming our educational systems, renewing our religious concepts and developing our cultural vision are the effective remedy for the chaos that feeds on stagnation,” said Aboul Gheit.
“The most dangerous thing facing our world today is the undermined trust in the existing political, cultural, religious and social institutions. There is no doubt that new technology and social media drive helped promote false news and created a climate of frustration, confusion and anger,” said Aboul Gheit.
Because the youth are the most vulnerable to these serious effects, Aboul Gheit further called upon Arab thinkers and governments to pay attention to the destructive nature of social media that failed to promote freedom and democracy as it had earlier promised.
In the Arab region that is rich in diverse races and religions, we have no choice but to learn to live together. The alternative, as we have seen, is the elimination of the state and displacement.” Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League
“The flow of information has impacted our ability to meditate and learn. Our virtue of thinking has been reduced, and our reactions to events have been spontaneous and emotional.”
challenges of Fourth Industrial Revolution
Aboul Gheit further noted the huge technological revolution approaching, the Arab world will see change in its politics, economy and the society.
“The unskilled or semi-skilled labour force will be the first victims of the revolution of Artificial Intelligence, big data and robots,” said Aboul Gheit.
He questioned whether the revolution will widen the gap between Arabs and the world beyond. “Will we miss the Fourth Industrial Revolution like we missed the first one and contributed to our backwardness? Or will we be able to adapt?”
Aboul Gheit urged leaders of thought to educate and train the Arab youth to deal with big data and requirements of the new revolution or risk having the youth fall prey to low value jobs at a global level.
Faced with destructive tendencies in the West, Arab countries have to master the art of co-existence and the ability to accept diversity as a source of strength and enrichment.
“In the Arab region that is rich of diverse races and religions, we have no choice but to learn to live together. The alternative, as we have seen, is the elimination of the state and displacement,” said Aboul Gheit. In his speech, Dr Henri Al Awit, director-general of the Arab Thought Foundation, called for establishing the state of law, reforming political systems, implementing good governance measures, fighting corruption, ending the high rates of poverty and unemployment, and modernising the educational system.
“The Middle East has been transformed into a scene of multiple conflicts and wars that are intertwined. We also know that external parties, regional and international, have interests in our lands. We must constantly remember that we have the right to determine our own destiny,” said Al Awit.