"Governance, Competitiveness and the Arab Future" by Dr. Serageldin
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Alexandria, 10 April 2005—Governance, Competitiveness and the Arab Future is the title of the contribution by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in the Arab World Competitiveness Report 2005, that was released at the Arab Competitiveness Roundtable in Doha, Qatar, on 2 April 2005.
In his paper, he brings his expertise to bear on the formulation of a new vision for the Arab world. He examines the meaning of governance, its ten key components of transparency, accountability, pluralism, participation, the rule of law, the free flow of information, democracy, respect for human rights and gender equality, and a learning environment that respects and nurtures the innovative spirit of young people.
Serageldin outlines his concept of sustainability as opportunity and the importance of social capital for good governance. He argues the case for the Arab world, and illustrates the multidimensional processes aimed toward political, social, and cultural reforms, offering a number of recommendations for Arab governments to effect change. These include, among others, establishing credible macro-management of the economy, developing flexible institutions, investing far more in human and social capital, facilitating the flow of knowledge and information, enhancing inter-Arab cooperation, and passing enabling legislation which allows civil society to flourish. Serageldin presents nothing less than a new vision for the Arab world. He devotes particular attention to the importance of a revitalized and mobilized civil society, and to demonstrating how it is gradually becoming conscious of its role, and beginning to work side by side with government to bring that vision to life.
The World Economic Forum’s Arab Competitiveness Report 2005 stresses the urgent need to speed up economic reform. It is intended to serve as a contribution to better understanding the problems and challenges which confront the Arab countries, and as a guide to policymakers and business executives alike.