MEDIA ADVISORY - Redefining Arab moderation: A lecture by the former deputy
prime minister of Jordan

OTTAWA, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - Marwan Muasher, former deputy prime minister of Jordan, describes being a moderate in the Arab world as "an act of courage, a leap of faith, or maybe just plain suicidal." But he believes it has never been more urgent for Arab moderates to speak out forcefully. Trapped between traditional political elites and radical Islamists, Arab citizens deserve a third way, Muasher argues - a serious reform process that delivers democracy, development, and diversity.  Muasher will be at Canada's International Development Research Centre on December 16th to reflect on the arguments for reform and the redefinition of Arab moderation. 

When: Thursday December 16, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: IDRC, 150 Kent Street (Corner of Albert), 8th floor

Fifteen years ago, Marwan Muasher opened Jordan's first embassy in Israel. He later served as Jordanian ambassador to the United States, then foreign minister and deputy prime minister.  A passionate champion of peaceful change in the Arab world, he has been deeply involved in the Middle East peace process, as well as political and economic reform efforts in Jordan.  Marwan Muasher is Vice President of Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Until recently, he was senior vice president of external affairs at the World Bank. He holds a PhD in computer engineering from Purdue University, and is author of The Arab Center: The Promise of Moderation.

Muasher's lecture will mark the end of the Speakers of Renown series, held throughout 2010 to mark IDRC's 40^th anniversary.  For webcasts of previous speakers, visit www.idrc.ca/events.

The event is open to the media. French and English simultaneous interpretation is available. Spaces are limited and journalists are encouraged to register by calling Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé at 613-696- 2343 or e-mailing at [e-mail]. Journalists and the public can join in the conversation through Twitter (#IDRC) and Facebook. For more information and the live webcast, visit www.idrc.ca/events-muasher.

About IDRC
To achieve self-reliance, poor communities need answers to questions like: How can we grow more and healthier food? Protect our health? Create jobs? IDRC supports research in developing countries to answer these questions. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most.

For further information: For further information:

Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé
([phone]
[e-mail]