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Forward thinkingAnnuAl RepoRt

2013/14

Frontline mediation. Challenging perspectives.

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table oF ContentstAble of Contents

MeSSAGe fRoM tHe CHAIRMAn

oVeRVIeW of ReGIonAl CHAllenGeS bY SIR JeReMY GReenStoCK

foRWARD tHInKInG In 2013-2014

MIDDle eASt pRoGRAMMe

HelSInKI polICY foRuM

noRtH AfRICA polItICAl DIAloGue

tunISIA DIAloGue

eGYpt polItICAl-eConoMIC DIAloGue pRoCeSS

nYon pRoCeSS

ouR fInAnCeS

StAff

obItuARY foR DAVID GlASS

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foR ten years forward thinking has been working on the frontline. Whether in the heart of the Israeli-palestinian conflict, or in the internal dialogue between the various factions in tunisia and egypt or with the Muslim communities in the uK, oliver Mcternan and his team, supported by

an extraordinary cast of advisors, have helped promote understanding between communities that otherwise might never have engaged each other. this work is always challenging, sometimes dangerous and never over. It requires a level of commitment, selflessness and courage that goes beyond the demands of most occupations. on behalf of the trustees of forward thinking, I would like to once again commend the staff for their dedication and passion for their work. It has been another extremely productive year for the organisation as we enter our second decade with the many challenges ahead.

over the course of the year we were particularly pleased to note a Charity Choice report detailing that forward thinking spends 91.8 pence in every pound it receives directly on projects, placing it amongst the top charities in the country for efficacy of spending. this is a huge achievement, but has only been possible due to the ongoing generosity of forward Worldwide, who have provided forward thinking with its office space and logistical support for nearly ten years, and with the support of the european union, other european governments and the philip King Charitable trust who fund a significant proportion of staff salaries. forward thinking remain extremely grateful to all of our friends, supporters and colleagues who make our work in the Middle east and north Africa possible.

William Sieghart

Chairman

table oF ContentsMeSSAGe fRoM the Chairman

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tHe backcloth to forward thinking’s work in the Middle east took on a decidedly darker hue in the course of 2014, with the advance

of the Islamic State in Syria and the levant (ISIl) through north-west Iraq and with the recognition, both regionally and globally, that the Arab Spring’s glow of opportunity has given way to menacing shadow. When Israel’s disproportionate attack on Gaza in operation protective edge disturbed the scene further, all the gains from the north African revolutions of 2011 and from the signs of more constructive thinking between the palestinian factions looked as though they were being washed away.

there is a sharper crisis of governance in the Middle east than in any other region. parts of Africa might be regarded as competing for this description, but the Middle east, laden with both hydrocarbons and history, carries a far higher potential for explosive consequences from state failure for the rest of the world. And the crisis does not merely affect Arab states: turkey, Iran and Israel will have to face the implications of regional chaos when none of them are fully capable of guarding their own interests independently. the causes of trouble lie in particular in the legacy of the 20th century, for which Western powers bear a great deal of responsibility. but the most important element of the current instability is the absence in most countries of national institutions strong enough to carry the burden of the government-citizen relationship as 21st century circumstances have reshaped it. freer, more open and better-informed societies no longer accept that they have to be subject to a ruling elite unless that elite is demonstrably serving their interests. Disaffected parts of the population can choose to promote their narrow identity at a local level and abandon the model of an inherited state structure. there are plenty of examples from the end of the Cold War onwards to provide precedents and templates: the former Soviet Republics; Yugoslavia; east timor; South Sudan; less completely Chechnya, Scotland and Catalonia; and much more malignantly Al Qaeda, Somalia’s factions, boko Haram and ISIl. the Middle east is ripe for change, but not for ordered change.

table oF ContentsoVeRVIeW of ReGIonAl CHAllenGeS bY sir Jeremy greenstoCk

the rules, norms and standards of the united nations militate for the territorial status quo, except in one important exception, the principle of self-determination. this inspiring concept has been largely responsible for delegitimising colonialism and promoting the equality of peoples and their states. but the international community has failed to agree on a limit to the constant re-division of independent political identity. the un Charter upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States, but the doctrines of human rights and ‘the people’s choice’ carry increasing moral authority. freedom breeds chaos unless systems of order work, and we have now gone beyond the point where one core text prescribing global order can be enforced by international agreement. What might it take to turn the region into a stable and forward-looking set of countries, intent on their own economic advancement and oriented towards an open international trading system? this would be the wish of the vast majority of Middle east citizens. Just listing a few answers to that question suggests the scale of the challenge:• A share of opportunity for all educated,

law-abiding people, including freedom from oppression and access to worthwhile jobs;

• the building of institutions that function effectively and that transcend the impact of individual personalities or factions;

• efficient security and police forces, controlled by competent civilian politicians;

• Independent courts and clear limits to corruption.

none of this is achievable without decent leadership, time, outside help of the right sort and the resolution of some core conflicts, such as Israel-palestine and the Sunni-Shia divide. It also means the provision of education good enough to prepare the next generation for 21st century circumstances, not for the dream of an unattainable past.

Does the ISIl phenomenon make all this even more distant a prospect? not necessarily. there is no doubt that this latest manifestation of brutal jihadist extremism, an Iraq-based and sinister development of the Al Qaeda doctrine, is an additional curse on the region’s hopes for conventional progress. It is both a product

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of the decade of chaos in Iraq since the 2003 intervention, and a further obstacle to Iraqi reconciliation while Kurds and Sunnis continue to distrust Shia dominance in baghdad. but the appalling prospect of an ISIl success is concentrating minds across a broader front. the first signs of Saudi-Iranian communication on a common interest seem to have been generated by the new threat; turkey has started to re-order its priorities on Kurdish issues; careless funding of extremist groups by certain GCC countries is being re-examined; action is being taken to help Jordan defend itself; and the value of an American presence in the area is having to be re-assessed by Arab states that have grown wary of too close an association. ISIl, over time, may find that that their early gains turn out to have stimulated more effective opposition. but none of this is certain. part of the tragedy of the West’s intervention in Iraq, and of its failure to address the question of palestine adequately, lies in the damage done to the developed world’s capacity to help the Middle east with this daunting agenda. We are blamed for the legacy of the past 100 years but unwelcome as contributors on the ground to remedy it. Meanwhile, all governments in the region, and not just the Arab ones, are caught up in short-termism and the imperatives of holding on to power. Israel has the greatest capacity for controlling its own environment but underestimates the importance of holding on to international opinion and of safeguarding its right to be respected. the 13 october vote in the british House of Commons, recommending the recognition of palestine as a state, was politically inconsequential but morally damning. the destruction of Gaza in operation protective edge and the intensified annexation of land for settlements have come together to push a far greater number of objective minds to believe that, if an independent palestine must not come about through violence, so must Israel’s rights to well-earned prosperity and a secure state not come at the expense of their poorer neighbours and a permanent occupation. this is ripe territory for the kind of work which forward thinking does best: the promotion of dialogue, of sensible strategic thinking and of compromise when the tensions are high. one remarkable example of forward thinking’s

potential to help states turn corners lies in their 2013-2014 efforts in tunisia, which is by no means out in the sunshine yet, but which has achieved more in terms of constitutional settlement and inter-factional compromise than any other Arab country caught up in change. It is time the eu, for instance, recognised in material terms the importance of ensuring that the tunisian experiment succeeds, because of the positive example this will set for the neighbourhood. In spite of the disturbing connotations of the dark picture I have been describing, there are - beyond tunisia - silver linings to work on. one of them is the growing sense of realism about the true nature of the region’s problems and the need for partnership and compromise to overcome them. Another may emerge from diplomacy with Iran. the most important potential for progress without violence, however, lies in the realisation within national communities that their security, political cohesion and economic advancement will require a re-assessment of policy and of traditional political positioning. even Israel is beginning to wake up to this. the threat of longer-term deterioration in the perception of Israel is becoming part of Israeli mainstream dialogue. on 19 october 2014, for instance, the Israeli president Reuven Rivlin said in a public speech that the time had come to admit that Israel was a sick society. Some of his context was internal divisions within the Jewish community, but Rivlin wondered aloud whether Jews and Arabs had abandoned the secret of dialogue. With regard to Jews, he said: ‘I’m not asking if they’ve forgotten how to be Jews, but if they’ve forgotten how to be decent human beings. Have they forgotten how to converse?’ Similar questions could be asked about the palestinians, who constantly mar their long-term planning requirements with internal squabbling. forward thinking has long been in the business of encouraging people with deep-seated prejudices to converse. this Annual Report sets out a number of examples. Anyone reading it who has the capacity to contribute should do so, in the recognition that the Middle east is otherwise going to run out of opportunity to avoid a catastrophe.

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tHe past year was eventful and challenging. the demand for our services as facilitators and mediators is reflected in the fact that

in the course of the year we engaged in over 540 meetings in the Middle east and europe. the year also saw the launch of two exciting new initiatives, the north African political Dialogue and the Helsinki policy forum. these new initiatives help to provide us with a more in-depth analysis of the region and the broader challenges that we face in our efforts to promote a more inclusive Israeli-palestinian peace process.

the tragic destruction wrought by the Gaza war of July- August 2014 only serves to emphasise the continued urgency of finding an enduring solution to the Israeli-palestinian conflict and the necessity of steadfast commitment to achieving concrete measures to ameliorate the situation. In the Middle east programme, we have continued to build upon and consolidate existing relationships with those Israeli and palestinian groups and political leaders sometimes perceived as “hardliners”, and to broaden our network of key religious and political contacts in the region. We have carried out numerous activities to support our aim of building a more inclusive peace process, including facilitating two delegations of influential Israelis to visit northern Ireland to reflect on the conflict and subsequent peace process in northern Ireland and its possible relevance for Israel-palestine today. these trips have laid the groundwork for further Israeli and palestinian visits to belfast and Dublin over the forthcoming year.

In february, forward thinking, with the support of the Ministry for foreign Affairs of finland, established the Helsinki policy forum. this forum is a new programme that provides a space for an honest exchange of views on the challenges and opportunities facing the region between senior parliamentarians, political leaders, government officials, and financial experts from Western and MenA/Gulf countries. the forum was launched with the inaugural meeting in Helsinki in June 2014. the second meeting was hosted by the Spanish foreign Ministry in Madrid, in october 2014.

table oF ContentsForward thinking In 2013-2014

our work in north Africa continued to grow with the establishment of the north African political Dialogue. this process brings together senior politicians from tunisia and egypt in order to identify and discuss some of the key lessons from their political transitions and to explore how these lessons can support each society address some of the issues they face. While recognising the important differences between tunisia and egypt, the dialogue offers a space where political figures from the two countries can reflect on their shared challenges, such as economic reforms, managing the diverse landscape of political and religious ideologies, and meeting the expectations of a burgeoning young population.

our political dialogue within tunisia remains extremely active as we support tunisian politicians in their search for sufficient consensus on the potentially divisive issues that could threaten the success of the transition. Despite a turbulent year that saw continued economic challenges, a growing security threat, and

Tunisian National FlagSource: Licensed under Creative Commons

Israel and the West BankSource: Licensed under Creative Commons

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widespread political protests, tunisia’s politicians succeeded in overcoming their differences to complete the post-revolutionary constitution and move the country towards legislative and presidential elections, scheduled for late 2014.

looking forward in tunisia, we remain committed to maintaining our space for politicians to come together in an inclusive manner in order to deepen their understanding of one-another, develop trust between the parties and assist in the search for solutions to the issues that sparked the 2011 revolution.

In egypt, following the military intervention that removed president Morsi from power in July 2013, it has proved impossible to maintain our dialogue process within the country in its previous format. We remain in regular communication with participants of the process, and are committed to exploring how the initiative can be taken forward.

the charts above provide a statistical overview of the work carried out by forward thinking across the different sectors of our work, through assessing the various meetings over the last twelve months. In total, forward thinking addressed, organised or participated in 543 meetings in 2013-2014.

the economic, political and social challenges facing the MenA region are enormous and complicate our search for a durable solution to the Israeli-palestinian conflict. forward thinking remains nonetheless committed in our multiple efforts to contribute to the process. We will continue to engage the diverse factions and political movements on both sides of this conflict in an effort to create an environment for creative thinking and to promote the political will that is essential if we are to break the current impasse.

finally, in January 2014, after consultations with the Human Security Division of the federal Department of foreign Affairs of Switzerland, it was agreed that the nyon process would be brought to a close. We would like to thank all who were involved in the process and hope that the initiatives, relationships and insights that developed over the course of the process will prove of lasting value.

Oliver McTernan

Director

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“We are grateful to Forward Thinking for organising the cross party Knesset Members’ visit to Belfast and Dublin which provided us with a unique opportunity to reflect on our own conflict. Even though the circumstances are different, many of the challenges that need to be addressed are similar.”MK Hilik Bar, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset

so, we also seek to identify and address the obstacles to peace whilst continuing to contribute toward high-level political mediation in Israel, the West bank and Gaza Strip.

In working toward these aims, our cross-party group within the Knesset has expanded considerably, incorporating Knesset Members from both government and opposition from across the political spectrum. We have also built upon our relationship with the Israeli ultra-orthodox community, whose support and motivation toward a peace agreement is essential if it is to be lasting. for both these groups, the experiences of key figures within the northern Ireland conflict and peace process continue to be identified as useful and relevant, and so forward thinking remain committed to facilitating delegation groups to belfast and Dublin so such experiences may be shared and discussed. this is a programme we have been invited to develop further, by both facilitating a group of palestinian political leaders and expanding the programme to Israeli policy-makers and opinion-formers within the political arena and the ultra-orthodox community. We also continue to engage palestinian political leaders in both the West bank and Gaza, and our on-going association with the House of Wisdom Institute for Conflict Resolution and Governance in Gaza, whose establishment forward thinking facilitated, continues to provide a safe-space for dialogue across factions.

Edward Channer

Middle East Programme Manager

table oF Contentsmiddle east ProgrammepRoMotInG An InCluSIVe peACe pRoCeSS In tHe MIDDle eASt

tHe previous twelve months have been eventful and tragic in the pursuit of a resolution to the Israeli-palestinian conflict.

Developments such as the official ending of uS-brokered peace talks, the formation of a palestinian unity government, the kidnap and murder of Israeli and palestinian teenagers, and the disastrous escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and Israel alongside widespread unrest in Jerusalem and the West bank, all have considerable implications for the current status of any peace process and for the path ahead.

tensions that have deepened, both internally and across the conflict, indicate the on-going need for inclusive and sustained dialogue. only a wider, comprehensive engagement in dialogue of all key groups with constituency can help to counter the possibility of violent crimes and escalating conflict, the devastating consequences of which we have witnessed this year in Israel, the West bank and Gaza Strip. In addition, the need for an effective, united palestinian political mechanism remains crucial. Whilst the formation of a palestinian unity government is a welcome step, there is much to be done to ensure that palestinians are fairly represented by a reconciled body. In the meantime, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip must be a priority for the international community. With many homes and much infrastructure destroyed, thousands have been left homeless to face the winter, and the spread of disease continues to pose a major health risk to the people of Gaza.

forward thinking’s Middle east programme has been active and responsive over the past year in the face of such vast challenges, with frequent meetings held in the region with senior Israeli and palestinian political leaders, officials and religious leaders. We continue to pursue a durable peace to the Israeli-palestinian conflict through inclusive engagement of key constituencies on all sides, including those perceived as ‘hardliners’. In doing

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the following charts provide a statistical overview of the work carried out by the Middle east Initiative through assessing the various meetings over the twelve-month period. In total, forward thinking attended 272 meetings in 2013-2014 that related to the Middle east Initiative.

oVerView

Participants at Meetings

Political Parties & NGOs who have attended FT meetingsJuly 2013 - July 2014

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October 2013 - Dr Mustafa Barghouti addresses the Britain-Palestine APPG, House of Commons

forward thinking helped to facilitate a discussion on the current situation in the palestinian territories with Dr Mustafa barghouti, hosted by the britain-palestine All party parliamentary Group. Dr. barghouti is a leading palestinian democracy activist who engages with all parts of the political establishment. He was a candidate for the presidency of the palestinian national Authority in 2005 and finished second to Mahmoud Abbas, who he retains a close relationship with.

At the meeting, Dr barghouti spoke on a range of topics including: the challenges posed to the peace process by continued settlement expansion; the lessons that should be learned from the oslo process; the issue of water rights; and what role the international community and aid organisations can play in resolving the conflict. the talk was well received and was attended by parliamentarians from all major parties.

In Jerusalem and tel Aviv, forward thinking met with Members of the Knesset (MKs), both independent and party officials, from likud beitenu, Yesh Atid, Jewish Home, labour, Shas and Hatenua. this allowed for discussion on regional and internal developments to take place, as well as strengthening forward thinking’s networks within, and understanding of, the Knesset. Such meetings are vital in advancing the Middle east programme through providing a deeper insight into regional perspectives in the wake of recent and on-going events.

December 2013 - A Delegation of Israeli Ultra-Orthodox female public figures visit Belfast and London

forward thinking facilitated the visit of a delegation of Israeli ultra-orthodox high profile women to belfast and london, where meetings were held with politicians, diplomats, academics, religious and community leaders, former combatants and victims of violence from both the unionist and Republican communities. participants from the delegation included women who are well known and influential in both the ultra-orthodox community and more widely throughout Israel. this visit marked a crucial step for the ultra-orthodox community in Israel, as it provided a space for delegates to discuss and understand the mistakes, achievements and lessons of the northern Ireland peace process. In doing so, hard questions were raised concerning their role and the role of their community within the pursuit of a durable peace agreement in the Middle east.

January 2014 - The Director Presents Discussion on the Islam Channel’s Analysis: “Israel and Palestine: Is a two-state solution still possible”

the Director was invited onto the Islam Channel to present a discussion on the question: “Israel and palestine- Is a two state solution still possible?” the programme explored several key questions, including: Do Kerry’s continued efforts at peace talks have any chance of being

MIDDle eASt DIARY HIGHlIGHtS

October 2013 - The Director, Chairman and Programme Officer hold meetings in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

forward thinking held meetings with senior figures from a range of palestinian political parties, as well as with academics and youth leaders, in Gaza, Ramallah and nablus. these meetings allowed palestinian perspectives on the (then on-going) uS-brokered talks with Israel to be discussed, as well as the issue of political reconciliation and the implications of recent regional events on the Gaza Strip and West bank.

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem. Source: Licensed under Creative Commons

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successful? How could the two-state solution, being advocated by Kerry, work in practice? Is there the necessary political will to make a two-state solution happen? And should the plo have resumed peace talks when a survey by the european Council on foreign Relations suggests that over 50% of palestinians oppose them (at that time)? the programme brought together several respected commentators from a variety of backgrounds to debate and explore these issues.

January 2014 - The Director Speaks at the ECFR discussion, “Gaza: the forgotten strip of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”

oliver Mcternan was invited to speak at an eCfR event on the topic of: “Gaza: the forgotten Strip of the Israeli-palestinian Conflict.” the event examined the current political situation in Gaza and its implications for the Israeli-palestinian conflict and regional stability, with a focus on topical issues pertaining to the situation in Gaza; such issues included: the humanitarian situation; what next for intra-palestinian reconciliation; and what are the potential consequences of excluding Gaza and its rulers from peace-making efforts.

January 2014 - The Director at the World Economic Forum in Davos

oliver Mcternan was in Davos on the 24th and 25th of January to attend the World economic forum’s “breaking the Impasse” Initiative, focused on improving Israeli-palestinian relations. the meeting sought to build upon the momentum of earlier discussions by providing an accurate overview of the current situation in the region, and exploring concrete ideas to help achieve a durable peace.

February 2014 - Forward Thinking hold meetings in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

forward thinking held meetings in Israel, the West bank and Gaza from 10th-14th february. Meetings took place in the Knesset with Knesset Members and party officials from the Yesh Atid,

Forward Thinking with members of the Fatah Central Committee

Oliver McTernan and Edward Channer with Dr Mahdi Abdul Hajj, Chairman of the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (PASSIA)

January 2014 - Forward Thinking hold meetings in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

on the 15th and 16th of January, forward thinking held a number of meetings in Jerusalem and tel Aviv with Israeli political leaders, advisors, activists and academics. Meetings in the Knesset took place with figures from the labour, Yesh Atid, Shas and Jewish Home parties, where the work of forward thinking was discussed and greater insight into on-going regional developments and party policies was developed.

forward thinking also met with palestinian political leaders, academics and activists of various affiliations in the West bank and Gaza, providing a greater understanding of perspectives on the (then current) uS-brokered talks, regional developments and challenges concerning palestinian political reconciliation.

the visit presented a valuable opportunity for forward thinking to establish and deepen relations with key actors in both the Israeli and palestinian communities, and to gain a greater understanding of political realities on the ground.

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labour and Shas parties. Meetings were also held in Ramallah and Gaza with palestinian political leaders of various affiliations. In addition, forward thinking met with eu officials and civil society figures in Jerusalem and tel Aviv.

these meetings permitted various insights, from a range of perspectives, into the regional context and recent developments, particularly concerning the issue of palestinian political reconciliation. the meetings also provided an important opportunity to continue to discuss and plan future activities as part of forward thinking’s Middle east programme.

March 2014 - The Director Visits Israel and the Gaza Strip

oliver Mcternan held a series of meetings in Israel and the Gaza Strip from 9th-13th March. While in Gaza, oliver gave a talk to over forty civil servants that focused on issues of governance. the discussion explored the challenges of building “minimum consensus” between groups that inhabit the same space but hold fundamentally different political worldviews. Whilst recognising the difficulties that this could pose, oliver argued it was ultimately necessary for political stability and for the effective functioning of state institutions.

March 2014 - Forward Thinking hold meetings in Israel, The West Bank and the Gaza Strip

forward thinking held meetings with Israeli and palestinian political leaders, party members, officials, religious leaders and youth groups in Jerusalem, tel Aviv, nablus, Ramallah and Gaza. Sir Jeremy Greenstock, former british Ambassador to the un and advisor to forward thinking, also took part in this visit.

forward thinking spoke with youth groups, civil servants and community leaders in nablus and Gaza on issues such as the significance and role of diplomacy, and western media perceptions of the Arab Spring.

Sir Jeremy Greenstock, advisor to Forward Thinking, speaking to civil servants in Gaza

Oliver McTernan with David Lau, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel

April 2014 - A Delegation of Members of the Knesset visit Belfast, Dublin and Maynooth

forward thinking facilitated the visit of a cross-party delegation of seven Israeli Knesset Members to belfast, Dublin and Maynooth. the delegates, from the labour, Meretz and Hatenua parties, met with a range of politicians, negotiators, diplomats, academics, and religious leaders, from both the unionist and republican communities, in order to discuss the mistakes and achievements of the northern Ireland peace process.

the discussions allowed the delegates to explore the complexities and challenges that had to be faced by different sides within the process in order to reach an agreement and then maintain

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it (such as the challenges involved when dealing with militant groups, responding to the various narratives in a conflict, and engaging and leading constituency, for example).

May 2014 - Forward Thinking convene a roundtable to discuss recent developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Portcullis House

on 21st May, forward thinking convened a closed roundtable discussion at portcullis House on recent developments in the Israeli-palestinian Conflict. the meeting was attended by a wide range of participants, including; british parliamentarians; representatives from the eu; members of the foreign and Commonwealth office (fCo); several former diplomats; senior figures from nGos active in Israel, the West bank and Gaza; representatives from fatah; and members from the embassies of several Arab and european states. Such diverse participation allowed for a rich and varied conversation on the current situation and how recent developments might affect the peace process going forward.

the discussion focused extensively on the implications of the reconciliation agreement between the main palestinian factions, both for palestinians and the international community. the growing debates around the possibility of a “one state solution” were also explored, with most participants reiterating their belief that a two-state solution remains the only viable model for establishing an enduring peace.

May/June 2014 - Forward Thinking hold meetings in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

between 25th May and 2nd June, forward thinking met with Israeli and palestinian political leaders, senior officials, academics and youth groups in Israel, the West bank and Gaza. these meetings provided a deep insight into the current situation following recent developments in the region, notably the announcement from Gaza of a reconciliation deal between the major palestinian factions on 23rd April, and the suspension of uS-brokered peace talks.

During the visit, forward thinking also facilitated meetings with Israeli and palestinian politicians and youth groups for Dr Gary Mason and professor peter Mcbride, of the northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (nIAMH). Gary and peter shared their experiences of working in conflict resolution and bridge-building between communities in belfast, northern Ireland, as well as discussing the issue of trauma and the role it plays within communities in conflict.

July 2014 - Forward Thinking hold meetings in Israel and the West Bank

forward thinking held meetings in the Knesset with Israeli political leaders and party officials from the labour, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home parties. Meetings also took place in Ramallah and nablus with palestinian political leaders of various affiliations, as well as with european diplomatic representatives in Jerusalem. these meetings came as tensions in the region rose, following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers.

July 2014 - Director in Israel and Palestine to evaluate the current situation in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza

As the conflict in Gaza intensified, oliver Mcternan travelled to the region, spending nine days holding meetings with both Israeli and palestinian figures to gain an evaluation of the current situation. one such meeting was with Dr Mahdi Abdul Hadi, the director of the palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (pASSIA), to assess the situation in the West bank and east Jerusalem and gain insights into how events were being perceived in these areas.

oliver was also invited to the Knesset to hold meetings with the Speaker of the Knesset, as well as with a cross-party group of MKs who recently participated in a forward thinking delegation to belfast and Dublin. these talks allowed oliver to evaluate the political mood in Israel in the light of the then escalating conflict.

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July 2014 - Director hosts discussion on the Islam Channel, “Gaza Ceasefire: Peace at any cost”

on 31st July, oliver Mcternan was invited onto the Islam Channel to host a discussion on the theme, “Gaza Ceasefire: peace at any Cost?” the programme explored the on-going crisis in the Gaza Strip and how a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas might be reached. oliver was joined by a distinguished panel to discuss these topics, including: ben White, a freelance journalist; Dr Mark ellis, executive Director of the International bar Association and professor Alan Johnson, Senior Research fellow at bICoM, the britain Israel Communications & Research Centre.

August 2014 - Forward Thinking visit Gaza

following the announcement of a brief ceasefire on 7th August, the Director and Middle east programme Manager visited Gaza where they met with some of the victims of the bombardment, as well as with political, civil society, and academic leaders. they found the scale of the devastation in towns like beit Hanoun and Sheja’eya, as in

other parts of the Gaza Strip, truly shocking, with whole regions rendered uninhabitable. they met with the doctors and managerial staff at Shifa Hospital, who were caring for many of the injured, to assess the scale of the medical need, which was colossal.

Meetings were also held with Israeli officials in Jerusalem and tel Aviv concerning the recent escalation and the implications this has on the Israeli-palestinian conflict and for the wider MenA region.

faced with the realities of the most recent round of violence, it is our hope that all sides will see there can be no military solution to this conflict and that there is an immediate and urgent need to enter into genuine and inclusive dialogue, which we see as an essential first step in the search for a just and durable peace agreement. Hopefully, when the world understands the scale of death, human suffering and destruction in Gaza, it will help to galvanise sufficient political will and courage among the key protagonists to achieve this goal.

Oliver with Ahmed Yousef, Director of the House of Wisdom, in Gaza in the aftermath of Operation Protective Edge

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Participants at the inaugural meeting of the Helsinki Policy Forum in discussions

table oF Contentshelsinki PoliCy Forum

Introduction

In february 2014, forward thinking, with the support of the Ministry for foreign Affairs of finland, established the Helsinki policy forum.

the forum aims to respond to the current political context in the region and provide a safe space for an honest exchange of views on the challenges and opportunities facing the Middle east and north Africa (MenA), the Gulf and europe.

the Gulf/MenA region continues to experience unprecedented political, economic and social change, with implications not only for the region itself but also for the wider world. long-standing tensions and rivalries for power in the region are playing out at the same time as populations across the region challenge their political and economic structures. these societies are, in many ways, coming to terms with multiple divides within - whether between secular and religious, old elite and new elite, or between younger and older generations - further increasing the strain on the ability of their leaders to address the fundamental challenges with which they are confronted. this uncertain political context complicates the ability of policy-makers in europe and America to formulate coherent policy responses.

the Helsinki policy forum brings together senior parliamentarians, political leaders, government officials, and financial experts from the Western and MenA/Gulf region in order to facilitate an informal discussion aimed at deepening understanding and informing policy-making on identified issues of concern and to promote enlightened policy responses to common issues. the objective of the forum is not to be a talking shop, but to be a space in which dialogue can lead to action and initiatives to address shared challenges.

the Helsinki policy forum is an integrated part of forward thinking’s engagement and is facilitated by our team in collaboration with participating governments. the forum has a grant from the foreign Ministry of finland for core running costs, and a commitment to host one meeting a year in Helsinki. further meetings of the forum throughout the year will be hosted by participating governments. the Spanish foreign Minister, in collaboration with forward thinking and Casa Arabe, hosted the second meeting of the forum in Madrid, in october 2014.

Julian Weinberg

Political Dialogues Director

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February 2014 - Preliminary Meeting, Ditchley Park

In february 2014, forward thinking brought together a high level group of policy-makers, political leaders and economic specialists for a roundtable meeting at Ditchley park to explore the current challenges all faced and whether the regular convening of such a forum would be of value.

the roundtable discussion at Ditchley park was titled “Assessing the course of change in the Middle east and north Africa, exploring policy responses.” the meeting brought together participants from across europe and the MenA region to discuss the key issues and challenges in the MenA region that require an informed political response in order to promote greater political and economic stability in the region.

participants came from a diverse range of backgrounds and included: senior politicians from some of tunisia’s leading political parties; egyptian officials; representatives from seven european foreign Ministries; british and German parliamentarians; members of the european bank for Reconstruction and Development (ebRD); and several civil society activists. Such a range of participants allowed for an honest discussion to take place on the current challenges facing the region, and on the practical measures participants might take to address them.

HelSInKI DIARY HIGHlIGHtS

Discussions at the meeting focused on several topics, such as: what is the appropriate level and type of support european governments should provide MenA states? Is there a “winner takes all mentality” in the MenA region and, if so, does the political culture need to move towards a more consensual approach? What are the prospects for the transitions in egypt and tunisia and what lessons can be learned from the different directions they have taken?

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed that the forum acts as a valuable space in which initiatives to address regional instability and the de-escalation of conflicts could be explored. It was said this could be done in a sensitive and realistic way that reflected the different Gulf/MenA and european perspectives, with participants requesting that such meetings became a regular event.

June 2014 - Inaugural Meeting, Helsinki

the inaugural meeting of the Helsinki policy forum was held 2nd-4th June 2014 in Helsinki, with participation drawn from britain and northern Ireland, Denmark, egypt, the european union, finland, france, Germany, Iran, the Republic of Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, tunisia and turkey.

one initiative proposed at the forum was to facilitate greater cooperation between the region’s leading powers, including egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and turkey. Many of the region’s conflicts, from Syria to Iraq to the often politicisation of religious difference and sectarianism, would benefit from a focus on regional cooperation and stabilisation from these four nations, supported and encouraged by the international community. It was also recommended that the forum should focus on constructive dialogue around principles for co-operation in the region and develop greater understanding and consensus on these issues.

Binaz Toprak, Turkish Parliamentarian, in discussion with Tiina Jortikka-Laitinan and Maria Serenius, members of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

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In addition to supporting mechanisms for regional stabilisation, the specific challenges facing states in transition were also highlighted as key issues of concern. the relationship between political and economic stability is one such on-going challenge, as is the question of how to achieve sufficient political consensus to govern effectively during a time of transition and political upheaval.

As part of the inaugural meeting of the forum in Helsinki, participants were also invited to the finnish parliament by the foreign Affairs

Participants in the Helsinki Forum addressing the Finnish Foreign Affairs Committee

Committee for discussions on how to create the sufficient conditions for democracy. Several key conditions were raised across the discussions, including: the need to ensure the full participation of all groups (particularly women and young people) and the various mechanisms to achieve this; the need to “protect” political opposition and embed the norm of handing power over peacefully; the vital role performed by the free media that expresses a variety of opinions; and the importance of establishing strong economies to reinforce the democratic process.

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north aFriCa PolitiCal dialogue

“Forward Thinking have mastered the true art of dialogue”- Beji Caid Essebsi, President of Nidaa Tounes

In April 2013, forward thinking established a regional political dialogue process that brought politicians from tunisia and egypt together in

order to discuss both the shared challenges and obstacles facing their respective countries, and the means by which these challenges can be effectively addressed. based on the shared acknowledgement that both countries are undergoing seismic periods of political transition, suffer from severe economic challenges and comprise a diverse landscape of political and religious ideologies, the dialogue process sought to provide participants with a neutral space that allowed them to explore the challenge of finding “sufficient consensus” that will enable stability and government institutions to function effectively. the dialogue was also convened in response to a recognition that there was an absence of any space for new political leaders in north Africa to share and reflect on their experiences as their transitions developed. the north Africa political Dialogue process is supported by the Danish foreign Ministry.

worldviews to reach sufficient consensus to work for the common interests of the country. the meeting brought together a diverse range of politicians from across the political spectrum, with opening speeches delivered by leading tunisian politicians, including: Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi (president of ennahda), beji Caid essebsi (president of nidaa tounes) and Imed Daimi (Secretary-General of CpR). participants overwhelmingly agreed that accommodation between religious and secular worldviews is not just desirable but essential for the establishment of democracy in the Middle east and north Africa region. the challenges of such an accommodation were recognised but were preferable to the alternative of polarization, conflict and (potentially) a return to dictatorship. It was argued that egypt and tunisia’s diversity enriches society and should not have to act as a source of division. Democracy based on consensus, it was said, allows ground for common existence between religious and secular worldviews.

At the behest of participants from the initial meeting, forward thinking will convene further roundtable meetings with the aim of promoting and supporting inclusive dialogue both at a national and regional level, addressing issues such as establishing durable political stability, creating jobs and economic development, and navigating threats to national security emanating from the wider instability across the region.

Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi, President of Ennahda, and Beji Caid Essebsi, President of Nidaa Tounes

Beji Caid Essebsi, President of Nidaa Tounes, Mohamed Bennour, Spokesperson for Ettakatol, and Bochra Belhaj Hamida, member of the Political executive of Nidaa Tounes and Mokhtar Yahyaoui former judge and activist

In January 2014, forward thinking convened the first roundtable of this process, bringing together a range of participants from across the political spectrum from both egypt and tunisia. the meeting focused on exploring the ground for political accommodation between religious and secular understandings of society and governance, and the possibility for these

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“Over the past two years we have developed a good working relationship with Forward Thinking and trust their expertise, neutrality and independence. These qualities, combined with their strong relations with other parties and international organisations, gives us confidence that they are ideally placed for managing a process of political dialogue”- Members of Ennahda’s Shura Council

table oF Contentstunisia dialogueWoRKInG to SuppoRt tHe tunISIAn tRAnSItIon

foRWARD thinking’s tunisian political pluralism Dialogue process (tppDp) has continued throughout the year to convene

frequent bilateral and monthly roundtable meetings with senior tunisian politicians, civil society actors and members of diverse youth groups from across the political spectrum. through such activities, we hope to support the establishment of an inclusive political sphere with the aim of promoting sufficient consensus on key challenges and potentially divisive issues, thus bolstering tunisia’s transition towards a stable political system.

from the outset, the process has aimed to support the building of relationships and coalitions between participants, allowing ideological entrenchment to recede in favour of consensus on practical action, with the overall goal of enabling the effective functioning of the country and progress in the political transition. the fact that a constitution, electoral system and election dates have all been agreed without being derailed by assassinations, violence, resignations, governmental paralysis and transfer of power to a technocrat government, is deeply encouraging. However, these achievements also serve to highlight the length of the road ahead in terms of actually addressing the socio-economic issues that remain at the heart of widespread popular discontent and disillusionment. participants in the process have expressed their belief that to maintain and deepen the successes achieved, there is a clear need to maintain a safe space for politicians to come together in an inclusive manner to deepen their understanding of one-another, develop relationships of trust, tackle common challenges and develop more representative, and responsive, government.

following the assassinations of Chokri belaid in february 2013 and national Assembly Member Mohamed brahmi in late July 2013, tensions in the country ran high amid widespread political unrest and disputes over governmental

legitimacy as a result of a perceived deterioration in security. throughout this period, forward thinking continued to convene regular dialogue workshops where a number of issues were discussed, including: government legitimacy and the establishment of the national Dialogue (which had been proposed as a mechanism for resolving the crisis); potential measures to improve the security situation; the continuing alienation of the youth and the lack of economic opportunity; and the secular-religious divide. Despite the tensions on display, there was a clear evolution in political thinking over these few months, as participants moved away from maximalist positions and recognised the need for compromise in the national interest. this shift was epitomised by one participant’s statement that there was now a recognition that political rivals were “opponents not enemies.” these developments helped pave the way for a breakthrough in January with the establishment of a new interim government and the finalisation of the national Constitution.

As a result of the success of the series of roundtables on Media reform in June 2013, we facilitated a number of additional subject-specific workshops over the past year. one, focused on the ‘Compatibility of the Religious and the Secular political ideologies’, was notable for the seminal opening speeches delivered by several political party leaders, including beji Caid essebsi (president of nidaa tounes), Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi (president of ennahda) and Imed Daimi (Secretary-General of CpR). participants at the meeting expressed their faith in, and commitment to, the coexistence of religious and secular worldviews, recognized the impossibility of excluding any segment of society and affirmed the common belief in a consensus-based democracy. there was emerging agreement that different types of legitimacy existed, and that relying solely on “electoral legitimacy” (where winning 51% of the vote represented a mandate to impose your views) was inadequate in a time of transition. “Consensual legitimacy”, it was argued, was a

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vital component of a successful transition as it ensured that all major forces bought into the political process and therefore had an interest in seeing it succeed.

Another subject-specific workshop, held in conjunction with the european bank for Reconstruction and Development (eRbD) in March 2014 and entitled “empowering the private Sector”, was convened at the request of participants who have consistently and unanimously emphasised the importance of economic reform in tunisia’s transition. the meeting covered a range of topics, from the general - what are the key economic issues facing tunisia and how can the private sector’s potential be unlocked - to the specific - reform of the banking sector, financing of SMes and the reform of subsidies. Although there remained some contention about the details of proposals, there was a tentative agreement that reforming the economy was too important and too large an obstacle for any government to tackle alone and

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Tunis. Source: AslanMedia, licensed under Creative Commons

therefore required a non-partisan, consensual approach, whoever came to power in the next elections.

Whilst there has been a notable change in the approach participants have taken to each other, and to the obstacles facing tunisia, concerns have been raised in recent meetings about how to ensure that the trust, acceptance of mutual legitimacy and consensus on core issues at the highest political levels, can be translated into the concrete achievements and congruent policies needed for the tunisian public to begin to trust the political system. If there is no success in this respect, there is the real risk that public disillusionment will translate into a rejection of the democratic process. post-elections, the achievements reached thus far will be sorely tested as the new government seeks to address key issues and meet the high expectations of a population that has waited three years for some resolution to the core issues that forced ben Ali from power.

Harry Higginson

Programme Officer

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the following charts provide a statistical overview of the work carried out by the tunisian political pluralism Dialogue process through assessing the various meetings over the twelve-month period. In total, forward thinking facilitated 150 meetings in 2013-2014 that related to the tunisian political pluralism Dialogue process.

oVerView

Participants at Meetings

Political Parties and NGOs who have attended FT meetingsJuly 2013 - July 2014

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September 2013 - Forward Thinking hold meetings in Tunisia, 24-27 September

Julian Weinberg and Harry Higginson travelled to the country from 24th-27th September to hold a series of bilateral meetings with participants involved in the process. the visit came at a tense time politically, as the government and the opposition continued to struggle to resolve the crisis that gripped tunisia following the assassination of Mohamed brahmi. over the course of the visit, the team met with senior politicians (linked to both government and opposition parties), members of the judiciary, journalists, civil society activists and several european embassies, which served to provide forward thinking with a comprehensive overview of the current situation. Julian and Harry were also invited to the national Constituent Assembly, where they met representatives of the troika to discuss forward thinking’s work in the country.

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the Salafist party Al Islah. Meetings were also held with the uGtt (one of the four members of the “Quartet” who brokered the national Dialogue), civil society representatives and “rejectionist” youth groups. the meetings helped forward thinking gauge the mood in tunisia, as the country prepared for the beginning of a national Dialogue.

November 2013 - Forward Thinking host roundtable workshops, Tunis

between 11th and 14th november, forward thinking hosted three roundtable workshops in tunisia, during which participants discussed the current political impasse and how it might be overcome.

the first roundtable was comprised of senior politicians from some of the country’s leading political parties, including: Al-Islah, CpR, ennahda, ettakatol, Joumhouri and nidaa tounes. the inclusive nature of the workshop allowed for a robust debate on contentious issues such as the (then stalled) national Dialogue, potential candidates for prime Minister and recent amendments to the national Constituent Assembly (nCA). While participants recognised that a gulf remained between their respective positions, it was agreed that a meaningful resolution to the crisis could only come through dialogue and compromise by all.

Harry Higginson and Julian Weinberg with Deputy Secretary-General of UGTT, Belgacem Ayari

Julian Weinberg with Nejib Chebbi, President of joumhouri

Additionally, the team held a roundtable discussion that focused on how to integrate young tunisians into the political process. Several topics were discussed extensively, such as how to address the economic challenges that face young tunisians; youth perceptions of the country’s political elite; and the divergent opinions on the importance of the secular-Islamist divide in tunisia.

October 2013 - Bilateral meetings, Tunis

forward thinking held bilateral meetings with a range of religious and secular political figures, including representatives from political parties such ennahdha, CpR, nidaa tounes, ettakatol, Joumhouri (including discussions with party’s leader Ahmed nejib Chebbi), as well as from

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Forward Thinking and Beji Caid Essebsi, founder and President of Nidaa Tounes

the second and third roundtables brought together over twenty young political activists and senior politicians for an inter-generational conversation on the situation in the country. In these discussions, the youth activists were able to share their concerns with the political leaders and explore the possibility of forming new political organisations to channel their activism.

forward thinking also held a series of bilateral meetings with senior political leaders and european embassies, in order to discuss our work in the country and hear different perspectives on the current situation. Discussions were held with both Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi and beji Caid essebsi, the leader of ennahda (the largest member of the troika government) and nidaa tounes (the largest opposition party) respectively.

February 2014 - Forward Thinking convene roundtable workshops in Tunis

forward thinking travelled to tunis to host two roundtable workshops. the first workshop brought together senior figures from some of tunisia’s leading political parties and civil society organisations, to provide participants with the opportunity to discuss the consensus that had been achieved to date, and to identify the potential challenges that might face tunisia in the months leading up to elections. Discussions at the meeting focused heavily on the issue of security and combating terrorism, which participants agreed political parties must tackle in a non-partisan manner.

December 2013 - Forward Thinking hold meetings in Tunisia

As part of forward thinking’s tunisian political pluralism Dialogue process, Julian Weinberg travelled to tunisia to hold a dialogue workshop with senior political leaders and youth activists. Discussions focused on the on-going national Dialogue, which had recently decided on a new prime Minister, Mehdi Jomaa, to lead an interim government to finalise the constitution and oversee new elections. the workshop was well attended and brought together representatives from across tunisia’s political spectrum.

Harry Higginson and Rached Ghannouchi, President of Ennahda

the second workshop assembled youth activists from across the political spectrum with a small group of senior politicians in order to have an inter-generational conversation on developments in the country. the discussion explored several issues, including: youth perspectives on terrorism; the question of youth quotas on electoral lists; and do young activists need to move beyond a “culture of protest” in order to create meaningful change in the country?

During the visit forward thinking also held a series of bilateral meetings with a variety of organisations, including: the Democratic Alliance; ennahda; nidaa tounes; the popular front; uGtt and utICA.

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March 2014 - Forward Thinking hold meetings with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) on “Empowering the private sector in Tunisia”

throughout the tunisian Dialogue process, promoting economic development has emerged as an area of shared concern for the country’s diverse political parties. Regardless of their political affiliation, participants in the process agree that tunisia faces a number of pressing economic challenges, including: tackling high youth unemployment; addressing regional imbalances; and embarking on the structural reforms that will promote sustainable growth.

to explore how these issues might be addressed, forward thinking worked with the eRbD to hold a high level roundtable in tunis on 18th and 19th March. the meeting brought together experts from the ebRD with representatives of the tunisian central government, politicians and economists, to discuss the initiatives and reforms that tunisia might adopt to achieve economic development. the meeting was well attended, with participants present from a variety of parties and institutions, including: Al-Islah, CpR, ennadha, ettakatol, nidaa tounes, the popular front, the national Constituent Assembly, the Central bank, the office of the presidency and government ministries.

Several key issues were identified, including: reforming the finance and banking sector to enable it to better support entrepreneurs and SMes; new ways (such as private-public-partnerships) to invest in infrastructure and improve the delivery of municipal services; and how to meet the growing energy demands of tunisia through promoting energy efficiency and creating an effective regulatory framework. Discussions also focused on how the ebRD could practically support the tunisian transition, with participants proposing several areas for potential collaboration.

April 2014 - Political Dialogues Director holds bilateral meetings in Tunis

Julian Weinberg travelled to tunisia, 14th - 17th April, to hold a series of bilateral meetings with

these meetings provide invaluable insights into the fluid political situation in the country and enabled forward thinking to build upon existing relationships and establish new links with influential political actors and groups. the economic situation in tunisia was discussed extensively during this visit, with a number of figures expressing concern over the economy’s enduring fragility.

May 2014 - Forward Thinking Hold meetings in Tunisia

forward thinking held a series of bilateral meetings in tunisia that culminated in two roundtable workshops - one with young activists and the other with senior politicians. Discussions focused on the forthcoming elections, planned to take place at the end of 2014, and what the key challenges might be in the coming months. there was a general consensus that establishing security was a necessary precursor to holding elections, but participants also spoke of the need to avoid exaggerating the challenges posed by terrorism and acknowledged that many countries had held successful elections in worse conditions.

Forward Thinking with Ferjani Doghmane, Ennahda, Chairman of the Finance Committee National Constituent Assembly

senior politicians and civil society activists, as a part of forward thinking’s ongoing dialogue in the country. the meetings spanned tunisia’s political spectrum and included discussions with: beji Caid essebsi (president of nidaa tounes), ennahda, the popular front, the uGtt, and a range of youth activists. the visit came ahead of the resumption of the national Dialogue between leading political parties, which sought to find consensus on outstanding transitional issues such as the electoral law.

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Participants at the youth roundtable meeting

participants also used the workshops to debate the appropriate role of public and private money in funding campaigns; the need for parties to start building consensus on economic reforms; the role of the media in elections; and how to avoid elections undermining the political consensus that has been achieved thus far.

During the course of the visit, forward thinking also met with the british and Swiss embassies, as well as the eu Delegation to tunisia, to hear the perspective of the international community on recent developments in the country.

Rached Ghannouchi, President of Ennahda, speaking at the event

Oliver meeting with Mohamed Naceur, Vice-President of Nidaa Tounes

Discussions between several participants at the WEF roundtable meeting

Oliver and young Tunisian leaders during a roundtable meeting organised by the WEF

June 2014 - Forward Thinking facilitate meetings between young Tunisian leaders and the World Economic Forum Global Shapers

At the World economic forum’s (Wef) tunisia Investment forum on 13th June, forward thinking was invited to help convene a workshop between representatives from the Wef, members of the “Global Shapers” initiative and young tunisian political activists.

the workshop sought to explore the role that youth can play in supporting the economic transition of tunisia and aimed to offer the opportunity for young people with ideas for new businesses and social enterprises to learn key lessons from some of the leaders in the field in business and entrepreneurship. Discussions at the workshop were divided into three different panels: how to achieve inclusive economic growth in the Arab World; looking towards Africa for opportunities through entrepreneurship; and fostering political dialogue. oliver was the chairman for the panel on political dialogue, which explored issues such as “how can a politician show leadership through dialogue and yet show conviction?”and “how can civil society be a catalyst for political dialogue?”

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table oF ContentsegyPtpolItICAl - eConoMIC DIAloGue pRoCeSS

nyon ProCess

At tHe invitation of several influential egyptian politicians, forward thinking launched the egyptian political economic

Dialogue (epeD) process in September 2012, with the support of the Swiss federal Department of foreign Affairs. the aim of the project was to engage senior economic political actors, along with those from civil society, business, the media and academia, to work together toward achieving a degree of consensus on the pressing economic challenges facing egypt during this time of transition. to achieve this, a step-by-step process of engagement to dialogue was planned by forward thinking to: identify and engage with significant political actors, secular and religious; assess their aspirations and motivations; establish with them a relationship built on trust;

In consultation with the Human Security Division of the federal Department of foreign Affairs of Switzerland, it was agreed that the nyon

process would be brought to a close as of the end of January 2014 when the grant concluded.

the nyon process has been an important forum for dialogue and relationship-building between different political actors and foreign ministries since its establishment in 2008. the process played an important role as a safe space for dialogue through which understanding of complex and challenging issues was able to be deepened, and insights shared, informing policy-making during a unique period of history. It is hoped that the insights gained through the process will not be lost, but regularly drawn upon by those who participated in the challenging times all face ahead.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported and participated in the nyon process and who have contributed to making it a meaningful and worthwhile initiative. We hope that relationships developed through the process will endure and contribute to establishing a more peaceful and safer world built upon strong foundations of deep understanding and appreciation for one another that can be utilised to solve conflicts and prevent future ones from breaking out.

and provide appropriate external assistance to facilitate a programme of internal dialogue with the intention of achieving a degree of sufficient consensus on economic challenges.

Due to the political situation in the country following the removal of president Morsi from power in July 2013, it has not been possible to hold inclusive roundtable meetings in egypt in the format that we had previously. the political environment for inclusive dialogue has been complicated as diverse political activists have been investigated or detained by egyptian authorities. We remain committed to reconvening the dialogue at the earliest opportunity, and maintain communication with participants in the process to discuss how the initiative can be taken forward.

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Statement  of  financial  activities  for  the  year  ended  31  July  2014                    

Total      funds  2013  

       Unrestricted  funds  2014  

Restricted  funds  2014  

Total  funds                              2014          

        £   £   £   £  

Incoming  Resources                              Incoming  Resources  from  Generated  funds:                          Voluntary  Income:              Private  Donations       141,002   N/A   141,002   120,430  Grants         20,000   N/A   20,000   N/A  Project  Grants         85,635   272,585   358,220   514,489                  Investment  Income:              Interest  Received       N/A   N/A   N/A   12                                  Other  Incoming  Resources       5,637   4,417   10,054   18,624                  Total  Incoming  Resources       252,274   277,002   529,276   653,555                  

Resources  Expended                              Cost  of  generating  funds              Charitable  activities       169,773   322,532   492,305   479,610  Governance  costs       41,321   N/A   41,321   42,740                  Total  Resources  Expended       211,094   322,532   533,626   522,350                  Net  incoming  resources  before  other    recognised  gains:   41,180   (45,530)   (4,350)   131,205                  Other  recognised  gains:       N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A                  Net  Movement  in  Funds       41,180   (45,530)   (4,350)   131,205                  Reconciliation  of  Funds              Total  funds  brought  forward       122,790   221,425   344,215   213,010  

           

Total  funds  carried  forward:     163,970   175,895   339,865   344,215                                  There  were  no  recognised  gains  or  losses  for  2014  other  than  those  included  in  the  statement  of  financial  activities.    There  were  no  acquisitions  or  discontinued  operations  during  the  current  year.        

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oliver McternanDirector

Julian WeinbergPolitical Dialogues Director

edward ChannerMiddle East Programme Manager

Harry Higginson Programme Officer

nadia logabIsobel Scott-barrettInterns over the year

tareq toukabriTunisia Consultant

Dr Mohammed Abdel-HaqChris DonnellyMichael Hollandlord Raymond Hyltonbaroness Helena KennedyWilliam Sieghart (Chairman)Trustees

Sir Jeremy GreenstockAdvisor

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tHIS year saw the loss of one of forward thinking’s longstanding advisors, when David Glass, former Israeli minister and advisor to Shas, passed away on Saturday 16th August 2014 in Jerusalem after a series of health problems. Having worked closely with David for the past ten

years we will feel his loss deeply; he was a great friend to forward thinking and a key part of our Middle east programme to whose work his assistance and guidance have been pivotal. An influential voice of wisdom and fairness, his death marks a great loss to Israel and the cause of peace in the region.

David was a veteran attorney who served as Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (1974-77) and Knesset Minister for the national Religious party (1977-81) where he chaired the Constitution, law and Justice Committee. David left the nRp in 1984 as the party moved toward the political right to become both lawyer and confidant to the SHAS party founder, Rabbi ovadia Yosef. He was a just and moderating influence and was a central figure in negotiations leading to the role of SHAS in a number of governmental coalitions.

A man of deep faith, a family man, a man of courage and integrity, a wise counsellor, a wonderful human being who will be sorely missed by all who had the honour of knowing him. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife bracha and his family.

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David Glass with Oliver Mcternan, Eli Yishai, (MK for Shas) and William Sieghart

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Forward thinkingFrontline mediation. Challenging perspectives.

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