Latest news with #GoodGovernanceandCitizenshipObservatory
Web Release
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Web Release
AUB Holds Panel Discussion on the Reform of Governance in Saudi Arabia
The Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory (GGCO) at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted a panel discussion titled 'Hawkama and Vision 2030: The Reform of Governance in Saudi Arabia.' The event featured Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University Bernard Haykel, a leading expert on the Gulf and Middle East. The conversation explored how institutional reform and regulatory change are advancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable development as part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's broader transformation agenda. The panel drew a distinguished audience, including Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Waleed Al-Bukhari; Spanish Ambassador to Lebanon Jesús Santos Aguado; Mexican Ambassador to Lebanon Francisco Romero Bock; Dr. Fadi Makki, Lebanon's minister of state for administrative reform; and former ministers. Also in attendance were Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president; Dr. Zaher Dawy, AUB provost; as well as university deans, senior administrators, and faculty members. Director of the Asfari Institute Lina Abou-Habib opened the event by welcoming the attendees and highlighting the significance and timeliness of the discussion, describing it as 'within the mandate of the institute, to discuss prospects, trends, and emerging initiatives that influence governance structures in the Arab region, particularly at this incredibly important moment of transition and instability.' Dr. Simon Kachar, GGCO founding and current director, and lecturer in political science at AUB, followed with opening remarks that placed the discussion in a broader regional and institutional context. 'In an era marked by rapid transformations and evolving global dynamics, understanding the nuances of governance reform becomes paramount,' he said. 'Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 represents an ambitious and far-reaching blueprint for economic diversification and social change, and at its very core lies the fundamental pillar of governance.' Kachar noted that the GGCO was established to foster critical thinking, encourage informed dialogue, and advance knowledge on good governance and active citizenship within Arab contexts. 'We believe that genuine progress and sustainable development are linked to transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance structures,' he added. He emphasized that the panel provided an opportunity to examine how Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is being translated into practice and how governance reforms are reshaping institutions. 'Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a forward-looking nation, globally integrated and domestically resilient,' he said. Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president, then delivered his welcoming remarks, highlighting the panel's regional and global relevance. 'Questions like how Vision 2030 is shaping Saudi Arabia in the region are extremely germane to what's happening in Lebanon and the entire region,' he said. He added that understanding what is happening in Saudi Arabia is essential—not only for neighboring countries, but for the international community as a whole. 'Saudi Arabia is a global concern,' he noted. He went on to commend the event's keynote guest, Professor Haykel, for his academic depth and candid insight. 'I feel fortunate that today at AUB, we have arguably the most insightful expert—and also one of the most honest experts in the region. Not just academically qualified, but more than happy to share careful observations from a place of objectivity and great knowledge,' Khuri added. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Tania Haddad, associate professor of public administration and nonprofit management at AUB and member of the GGCO Steering Committee. She opened by framing the scope of the conversation: 'Over the past decade, the kingdom has undertaken one of the most ambitious state-led transformation agendas in the region. Anchored in Vision 2030, these reforms span economic diversification, bureaucratic modernization, social liberalization, and institutional restructuring. This panel aims to critically examine the governance dimensions of these reforms, including their origins, mechanisms, and implications.' Haddad then introduced Professor Haykel as a prominent scholar of the Arabian Peninsula, whose work focuses on the politics, economics, and history of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Yemen, and 'has critically engaged with questions of state reform, institutional change, and governance in the kingdom.' The discussion unfolded as a moderated, in-depth exchange, structured around four key themes central to understanding Saudi Arabia's governance reform trajectory. It began by examining the driving forces behind the reform agenda. Haykel traced the impetus to a growing realization among Saudi leadership—and increasingly, among the public—that the previous system of governance had become unsustainable. 'The driver for reform in Saudi Arabia is a sense that exists among the leadership—but I think it's also prevalent in society—that the country, as it was functioning before the accession of King Salman in 2015… was unsustainable, and that the country needed to dramatically change,' Haykel said. He added that 'what's particularly distinctive about the kingdom, and you don't find it in other countries of the GCC, is the brutal honesty with which the leadership in the kingdom talked about this need.' The conversation then explored how reforms have reshaped the relationship between the state and its citizens, particularly through the strategic deployment of nationalism, identity, and new narratives of civic responsibility. It also addressed the institutionalization of accountability, transparency, and citizen participation, and concluded with a reflection on the broader regional implications of the Saudi reform experience. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session that invited reflections on the sustainability, implementation, and broader impact of the reforms.
Web Release
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Web Release
Panel Discussion at AUB Explores Lebanon's Presidential Elections and Statehood Aspirations Through the Lens of Chehabism
Hof: 'I think the life, the experience, and the leadership of President Fouad Chehab can provide inspiration and guidance' The Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory (GGCO) at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship, at the American University of Beirut (AUB), recently hosted a webinar titled 'Lebanon's Presidential Elections and Statehood Aspirations: Revisiting Chehabism.' Opening the session, Dr. Simon A. Kachar, founding director of GGCO at AUB, set the stage by highlighting that, 'the political landscape of Lebanon has long been characterized by a delicate balance of sectarian interests and institutional dysfunction. In light of the election of President Joseph Aoun, this panel will engage with the potential for state-building and governance reform in the country,' he said. 'Central to this exploration is the legacy of late President Fouad Chehab and his vision of a unified, law-abiding nation during his presidency between 1958 and 1964, commonly referred to as Chehabism.' Dr. Kachar emphasized that President Aoun's inaugural address 'echoed a vision of urgent reform, emphasizing the need for a citizenship-based approach to governance, a departure from Lebanon's entrenched sectarian political system.' He explained that the panel's purpose was to explore whether Lebanon can realistically overcome its systemic dysfunction and advance toward genuine institutional reform. The discussion featured two distinguished panelists: Frederic C. Hof, senior fellow at Bard College's Center for Civic Engagement, and Lamia Moubayed, president of the Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan. 'This is a very tough time for Lebanon,' said Moubayed, 'although with the prospects of the election of President Aoun and the new prime minister and government in place, the hopes and expectations are high.' She raised a critical question: Can President Aoun's vision of a unified and law-abiding nation be translated into concrete reforms and action, given the economic, financial, and social crises Lebanon is emerging from, as well as deeply entrenched political resistance? Moubayed also questioned how Fouad Chehab's legacy might be leveraged to rebuild public trust and mobilize the necessary resources to overcome the country's dire situation. Hof expressed cautious optimism, 'I am very hopeful that Lebanon under new leadership is moving in a new and positive direction,' he stated. 'I think the life, the experience, and the leadership of President Fouad Chehab can provide inspiration and guidance in the difficult years to come.' He added, 'Lebanon seems at the moment to have good leadership. But that leadership currently lacks the resources needed to produce significant results on the ground.' Hof stressed that the new government faces the monumental task of rebuilding from scratch. 'This government needs to start from zero, after decades of corruption, cronyism, and incompetence. No doubt there are some very capable and decent civil servants, despite a system that doesn't recruit or promote based on merit.' He noted the deterioration and chronic underfunding of Lebanon's civil service as well as the state's failure to deliver basic services. 'These things will not be corrected overnight,' he said, adding that Lebanese voters will expect tangible progress in areas like economic recovery, post-war reconstruction, and essential services. 'Financial resources will be needed, but having the right people in the right administrative positions is also crucial.' The panel also delved into the qualities of principled public leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, competence, and a spirit of public service. Discussions explored the need to reengage technical expertise across vital sectors. One recommendation emphasized the value of direct communication between the country's leadership and the public. 'If we revisit the principles of Chehabism, and critically analyze the strategies that he put in place, we see that this is what he did. He tried to instill trust again,' Moubayed said, in response to Hof's point on how today's president and prime minister might use platforms such as social media to demonstrate their integrity and communicate a clear governance agenda and plan directly to the people of Lebanon. The conversation also highlighted the importance of both modernizing and reforming existing institutions—and creating new ones with a forward-looking outlook—capable of attracting fresh talent and funding. Another crucial topic was Lebanon's relationship with the international community. The panel questioned what tools Lebanon could use to re-engage international stakeholders and development institutions, particularly as past attempts to solicit international financial support have been met with reluctance. The panel explored what kind of narrative Lebanon must project to regain the confidence of the international community including financial institutions. The discussion also touched on Lebanon's geopolitical challenges, including ongoing instability along its southern border and the situation on its northern and eastern borders with Syria. These challenges, panelists noted, add significant complexity to Lebanon's path forward. In a broader context, the panel reflected on global dynamics, including the rise in violent conflicts and growing concerns over the erosion of multilateralism. In this climate, the panelists considered how Lebanon might still pursue an agenda of peace and sustainable development. The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists.
