A roundtable discussion on the Role of Civil Society in Reform and Democracy in the Arab World, was led by the guest speaker Mr. Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) based in Beirut. The event was held at CIDA. Mr. Abdel Samad spoke about the role of Arab civil society groups, such as ANND (www.annd.org), in promoting democratic reforms in countries of the Arab World, as well as the potential for strengthening partnerships with Canada to achieve this goal.

Dr. James Zogby (replaced by David Nasser) - January 29, 2005

Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab-American Institute (AAI), was scheduled to speak at a dinner event in Montréal organized by NCCAR, however due to unexpected personal circumstances, he could not attend. However, on his behalf, Mr. David Nasser, came to rally the same message of Dr. Zogby. He discussed American foreign policy in the aftermath of President George W. Bush's re-election and analyzing its impact on the Middle East today within the context of all the recent developments.

Attending the lecture/dinner was the Hon. Minister Pierre Pettigrew, who spoke about Canada's important and potentially leading role in the region. This was just before Minister Pettigrew flew to the region to improve relations with government of the region.
 

Dr. Uri Davis - September 13-29, 2004

Dr. Uri Davis spoke at a number of engagements in Ontario and Quebec. Dr. Davis is a distinguished academic and defender of human rights who has written and edited 15 books as well as numerous articles in the field of politics, legal systems and human rights in Israel and Palestine.

Fr. Dr. Naim Ateek - October 6-24, 2004

NCCAR co-sponsored a lecture tour by Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek, who is the director of the Sabeel Theology Center in Jerusalem, author of Justice and Only Justice (Orbis, 1989) and a leading Palestinian Christian theologian. He lives and serves in Palestine/Israel. Rev. Dr. Ateek visited Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Halifax and Montreal. The tour was organized by Canadian Friends of Sabeel (CFOS), co-sponsored by the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) and the Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives (KAIROS).

Michael Tarazi - October 20-27, 2004

Mr. Michael Tarazi spoke at a number of engagements in Canada. He is one of the lead negotiators for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). He has been described in a front-page article in the Wall Street Journal as "the most articulate and sophisticated Palestinian advocate to come along in years." Michael Tarazi visited Montreal, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, and Toronto. The lectures were organized by Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) with assistance from the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR).