Promoting professional and academic enrichment through direct engagement conferences in Western Asia & North Africa
Upcoming virtual event organized by the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies and The Exchange Foundation
The Exchange Foundation is an effort by the non-profit, 501(c)3 Foundation for Global Political Exchange to promote professional and academic enrichment through a variety of small group, direct engagement conferences in Western Asia and North Africa.
During their stay, typically lasting five days to one week, participants from around the world listen to and question leading intellectuals, activists and politicians representing an array of different points of view in a specific country.
The first Exchange was launched in June 2008 in Beirut, Lebanon. Now, more than a decade later, 1,500+ people from 51 different countries have attended 50 different Exchanges in the region.
Crucially, all funding for the Exchange comes from only two sources: The participants themselves who pay the participation fee or scholarship recipients who benefit from individual, charitable contributions designed specifically to broaden the social, political and geographic diversity of each Exchange table. As such, there is no government, commercial or non-profit support, an aspect that we believe provides a relatively independent platform for dialogue and understanding.
Listen to and question leading intellectuals, activists and politicians
Broad social, political and geographic diversity of speakers
Creating an independent platform for dialogue, comprehension and peacebuilding
More than 1,500 participants, 51 countries, 50 different Exchanges
The first Beirut Exchange took place in June 2008, only a few weeks after sustained violence across Lebanon led to a political settlement known as the Doha Accords. It was our belief at the time that Lebanon was in dire need of more direct and diversified understanding, especially for those who are studying the country, influencing public opinion and discourse, or shaping their own country's foreign policies. Given the current situation that finds Lebanon slipping in terms of international focus even as its citizenry is immiserated further by the day, this is - regrettably - more true than ever.
In the years following our first Exchange, and given the evident need regionally, we steadily expanded our efforts, hosting more than 50 different Exchanges across the Middle East and North Africa - including in Tunisia, Iraq, Syria and Turkey and on Libya as well as Yemen. Fourteen years later, over 1,500 people from 51 different countries have attended an Exchange, with many alumni returning in later years to join sessions once (or several times) again.
In 2019, in order to transparently organize and further professionalize our work, we were finally able to establish The Exchange as a US-registered non-profit, under the aegis of The Foundation for Global Political Exchange, with the mission of promoting professional and academic enrichment through a variety of small group, direct engagement conferences in Western Asia and North Africa.
Crucially - and since our beginning - all funding for the Exchange comes from only two sources: First, the participants who pay the participation fee and, second, scholarship recipients who benefit from individual, charitable contributions designed to broaden the social, political and geographic diversity of each Exchange table. As such, there is no government, commercial or non-profit support, an aspect that we believe provides a relatively independent platform for dialogue and understanding.
Who Should Register?
NGO Practitioners
& Peacebuilders
Foreign Diplomats
& Analysts
Students
& Researchers
Journalists & Media Professionals
Intensive & Immersive Courses on Western Asia & North Africa
Unique access to information, perspectives, updates and analysis.
Access to information
Gain direct insight and rare first-hand knowledge about the country from a wide range of perspectives.
First-hand knowledge
Engage with speakers during the sessions and connect with them after the Exchange.
Connect with speakers
Participants will have the opportunity to meet, listen and engage leading social, political and economic actors from across the spectrum in Western Asia and North Africa
Dialogue with Leaders
The best immersion course on a country in transition I’ve seen.
Dr. Alfred Stepan
Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University
There could not exist a more thorough and intensive immersion into Lebanese history and politics than The Exchange.
Nathan Wexler
Phd. Candidate
I learned more in my 10 days at the Beirut Exchange than in any university course on the subject! This was a wonderful experience filled with fascinating speakers.
CBS News reporter
Nicole Sganga
A well-oiled program that brings you an impressive number and selection of speakers from across the spectrum. Worth every penny!
Oliva Holt-Ivry
Senior Programs Advisor on Women, Peace, and Security, U.S. Department of State
Illuminating and life changing experience. I will recall the Exchange as one of the most authentic educational experiences of my life.
Sahar Rizvi
Masters Candidate
Research Fellow of the Conflict Research Unit of the Clingendael Institute
Dr. Jalel Harchaoui
Time-tested technique and tactful diplomacy enables The Exchange to achieve an environment conducive to attention, dialogue and reflection.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet, listen and engage leading social, political and economic actors from across the spectrum in Western Asia and North Africa
Dialogue with Leaders
In the Media
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