Session II: The Foundational Academic Discourse of the Afrabia Center for Afro-Iraqi Elites
Moderated by Dr. Haider Hassan Safi
- Dr. Miqdad Al-Nouri (Iraq) | Diplomatic Advisor & Former Ambassador to London: Stressed the activation of "institutional knowledge and cultural diplomacy" as a flexible backer to official diplomacy. He called for capitalizing on Iraq's existing diplomatic credit in Africa and documenting the cumulative experiences of diplomats to build a shared cognitive memory, in integration with the Supreme National Committee for Cultural Diplomacy to change stereotypes.
- Dr. Mohamed Jouili (Professor of Sociology - Tunisia): Called for "critical realism and defining the existential research strategy" of the Center, warning against replicating traditional seminars. He emphasized the necessity of drafting a "roadmap" of previous Arab-African centers to learn from their pitfalls, ensuring the "Afrabia" project transforms into a genuine, two-way think tank.
- Dr. Dina El-Ashery (Vice President of Nile European University for International Relations - Egypt): Urged an immediate transition into "field research and converting studies into executable field programs" politically and commercially. She proposed engineering practical tools including: establishing policy translation units for decision-makers, launching youth researcher networks, creating a joint Arab-African funding fund, and institutionalizing an annual conference to foster interactive convergence.
- Dr. Ahmed Qassim (Specialized Academic & Researcher - Republic of Chad): Focused on the "historical and spiritual depth of Mesopotamia in the African space" (especially Sub-Saharan Africa), calling for considering the cultural and geographical variances of the continent when drafting plans. He also demanded increasing scholarships for African youth and activating public diplomacy to transfer developmental expertise and combat unemployment.
- Dr. Mamoun Abdel Rauf (Specialized Academic & Researcher - Republic of Sudan): Called for relying on "shared human commonalities and mutual developmental interests" as a governing framework for relations to bypass the complexities of the religious and sectarian landscape. Citing the Chinese experience in transitioning gradually from cultural entry points to economic empowerment, he suggested forming "knowledge lobby groups" to influence the African Union and the Arab League.
- Dr. Mahmoud Farag (Academic at Cairo University - Egypt): Emphasized "simplifying academic knowledge and re-engineering popular consciousness" towards the African continent. He called for deconstructing dry, elitist discourse and transforming it into simplified communication and storytelling messages that target societal conscience and younger generations, while simultaneously utilizing the energy of African expats and communities.
Message of Appreciation and Outlook
At the conclusion of these closed foundational sessions, the Foundational Committee of the Afrabia Center for Afro-Iraqi Elites extends its utmost gratitude, appreciation, and thanks to all our distinguished guests—scholars, thinkers, and diplomats—who spared their valuable time and enriched the Center with the summaries of their experiences and depth of their ideas, confirming that this contribution is the cornerstone for building our shared future.
This platform was merely the first step in a thousand-mile journey toward cognitive leadership. We invite you all to stay connected and await our upcoming strategic event, which the Center will announce soon, marking the transition into deeper and more impactful applied and research horizons.
Together... we shape the consciousness of the present and possess the narrative of the future.