Research centers as well as those involved in political and strategic studies play a critical role in enriching academic research in their respective fields. By contributing to the formation of research cadres specialized in these fields and raising and discussing new concepts and theories as well as various relevant issues, they facilitate the formation of academic groups, thereby deepening the theoretical and cognitive frameworks of these sciences. Moreover, they assume a role in issuing journals, serial academic publications, and specialized books together with convening conferences, symposia and seminars.

Similarly, such centers conduct the study and analysis of issues and problems facing countries and societies for the sake of pinpointing the underlying causes of existing problems; by elaborating visions and feasible suggestions, they aim to rectify any shortcomings in this regard. To this end, research centers capitalize on academic research to serve social issues by offering consultancy and working out substitutes in a manner that would ameliorate the decision- and policy-making processes.

In light of the above, the status of strategic and political research centers reflect in some aspects the dominant conditions of academic research in such fields in any given country, just as they embody governmental and societal views on the importance and role of such centers. Even though the Arab world has quite a good number of government- and private-sponsored centers of this nature, the majority are regarded as having limited influence and effectiveness due to a number of considerations and reasons.

Out of its staunch conviction of the importance of the role research centers could assume, particularly in view of the current problems and sweeping challenges confronting the Arab World, the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center (GRC) and the Arab Association for Political Science have decided to hold a joint symposium entitled ‘The Role of Centers for Research, Political and Strategic Studies in the Arab World: Challenges and Prospects.’ The objective of the symposium will be to discuss this crucial topic, pose and address a number of diverse and relevant issues and identify academic experts available at various centers for research and studies in this regard.

Both the GRC and the Arab Association for Political Science aspire to ensure that this symposium induces an increased role for political and strategic research centers across the Arab world and facilitates cooperation and coordination among the various institutions in a way that would enhance future communication and interaction. It is hoped that such endeavors will help enrich academic research efforts in the field of political science.

Objectives of the Symposium:

• Discussing the dimensions of the role played by centers for research,
political and strategic studies in the Arab world.

• Raising and addressing the different problems and obstacles that affect the
work of such centers.

• Discussing the dimensions of the linkage between such research centers
and both the state and society.

• Positing feasible suggestions likely to contribute to ameliorating the role of
such centers.

• Designing and elaborating visions and contributing suggestions likely to help
boost and deepen relations of cooperation and coordination among
research centers throughout the Arab world.

Participants in the Symposium:

• Directors of research centers for political and strategic studies, both
government-owned and private, based across the various Arab countries.

• Scholars and specialized experts.

• Representatives of academic ministries for scientific research and other
concerned official authorities from the various Arab countries.