Forward Thinking: Difference between revisions
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'''Forward Thinking''' is a |
'''Forward Thinking''' is a UK-registered charity founded in 2004 that works in the field of conflict prevention, [[conflict resolution]], and political dialogue. The organisation primarily addresses issues related to the Gulf-[[MENA]] region and religious/secular dialogue at a political level. |
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== Aims and Programmes == |
== Aims and Programmes == |
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The organisation has three main aims: |
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* To promote |
* To promote inclusive dialogues and a durable solution to the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]]. |
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* To facilitate political dialogues in, and between, the |
* To facilitate political dialogues in, and between, the Gulf-MENA region and Europe to identify areas for greater cooperation. |
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* To promote |
* To promote greater understanding and engagement between diverse British Muslim communities and organisations, and British policymakers, parliamentarians, and the national media. |
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and |
and three main areas of activities: |
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* The Middle East Programme. |
* The Middle East Programme. |
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* The Women for a Sustainable Future (WSF) network. |
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* Political Dialogues |
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* The UK Programme. |
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=== The Middle East Programme === |
=== The Middle East Programme === |
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The |
The Middle East Programme engages leaders with political and religious constituency in [[Israel]] and [[Palestinian territories | Palestine]] to promote inclusive dialogues and a durable solution to the conflict. Forward Thinking works to engage with those who are perceived as political "hardliners", in the belief that if these communities are not engaged, they will have little incentive to see peace succeed and may become spoilers to the process.<ref>[https://www.forward-thinking.org/middle-east]</ref> |
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=== Women for a Sustainable Future (WSF) === |
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Forward Thinking's key aims in the Middle East Programme are: |
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The Women for a Sustainable Future network provides an independent space for women parliamentarians, experts, and diplomats across the Gulf-MENA region to meet with their European counterparts. This space enables the network to address the human, environmental, economic, and social challenges that pose a threat to a global sustainable future.<ref>[https://www.forward-thinking.org/women-for-a-sustainable-future]</ref> |
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=== The UK Programme === |
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* To identify the issues preventing a solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict at a regional and international level |
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* To consolidate our relationships with perceived hard-line Israeli and Palestinian groups and political leaders |
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* To develop a broader network of contacts within the region among key political and faith-based leaders |
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* To brief governments and other interested parties on our activities and offer an inside analysis of recent events |
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* To provide safe spaces for dialogue away from the region. <ref>[http://www.forwardthinking.org/?id=15 Forward Thinking: Middle East Initiative]</ref> |
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In the UK, Forward Thinking works to promote a greater understanding of the diverse Muslim communities and organisations, and the positive contribution they make to British society at a political and social level.<ref> [https://www.forward-thinking.org/uk-programme] </ref> |
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=== Political Dialogues === |
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Forward Thinking’s Political Dialogues refer to the spaces they provide to promote dialogue between together diverse constituencies, to work towards developing greater understanding, mutual respect and strengthening co-existence. |
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| ⚫ | |||
Forward Thinking seek to work at multiple levels and in diverse settings, engaging key constituencies from across the religious and secular divide, including: government officials, parliamentarians, political leaders, prominent figures from the financial/business community and civil society activists. Through this active mediation Forward Thinking attempt to bring together leaders that hold real constituency within their respective communities to try and bridge gaps that are often perceived as insurmountable. They try to facilitate engagement and design a process aimed at moving from “dialogue to action”. Through dialogue, participants can discover the minimum level of consensus that enables them to act together in promoting mutually desirable goals. <ref>[http://www.forwardthinking.org/?page_id=409]</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Forward Thinking's co-founder and director is Oliver McTernan. Oliver has an established background in conflict resolution and interfaith relationships. He was a visiting fellow of the [[Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs]] at [[Harvard University]] 2000–2003. He was also responsible for initiating the first post-conflict talks between [[NATO]] and the former [[Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] government. His book, 'Violence in God's Name' explores the role of religion in an age of conflict. He broadcasts regularly on radio and television.<ref>[https://www.forward-thinking.org/our-team]</ref> |
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Jordan Morgan is Forward Thinking's Director of Programmes. He is the former Director of the Middle East Programme, former Helsinki Policy Forum Manager, and former UK Programme Manager. He was also formerly a researcher at a think tank specialising in political violence. He studied Geography at [[Aberystwyth University]] and holds an MA in Geopolitics, Territory, and Security from [[King's College London]].<ref> [https://www.forward-thinking.org/our-team] </ref> |
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Forward Thinking have several different political dialogues, including |
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Cecily Bayliss is a Programme Officer at Forward Thinking. She supports the facilitation of dialogues between high-level officials and parliamentarians in the Gulf-MENA region and Europe. She studied Theology at the [[University of Edinburgh]] where she developed a particular interest in Islamic Theology and the role of religion in peacebuilding.<ref> [https://www.forward-thinking.org/our-team] </ref> |
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""The Tunisian Process:"" |
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In Tunisia, Forward Thinking have established and facilitate an ongoing dialogue focused on supporting political leaders develop sufficient consensus to address the challenges and mistrust that risk hindering the political transition to a fully multi party democratic state. |
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""The Policy Forum:"" |
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Forward Thinking have initiated a regional dialogue that brings together senior political, governmental and economic officials from across Europe and the Arab/Muslim world. The purpose is to address some of the growing political and economic challenges that can destabilise countries in transition. By providing a regular space for open and frank exchanges our goal is to create a network of influential leaders who can help deepen the mutual understanding and develop more informed and creative policy responses. |
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Forward Thinking are also in the process of establishing a broader network of secular and religious political leaders from across the Arab/Muslim to meet regularly with European and US, parliamentarians and diplomats, so as to enable them to examine together the challenges and misperceptions posed by the religious and secular political divide that some claim underpins much of the political instability in the MENA and Gulf region. |
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''''Work in the UK"" |
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In the UK, Forward Thinking continues to advise grassroots Muslim communities on how to engage with both the establishment and the wider British society without fearing the loss of their faith identity. They have developed a large network of community leaders that represent the culturally and religiously diversity of the Muslim community in the UK. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Forward Thinking's co-founder and director is Oliver McTernan. Oliver has an established background in conflict resolution and interfaith relationships. He was a visiting fellow of the [[Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs]] at [[Harvard University]] |
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Harry Weeks is a Programme Officer at Forward Thinking. He supports the work of the Middle East Programme to promote an inclusive Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He studied History and Politics at [[Balliol College, Oxford]], where he developed an interest in the politics of the Middle East. He lived in Cairo for one year to study Arabic.<ref> [https://www.forward-thinking.org/our-team] </ref> |
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Julian Weinberg is responsible for managing Forward Thinking's Political Dialogue. Prior to taking up his position in October 2010, Julian was the Senior Middle East Analyst with a political risk and strategic advisory firm. In September 2009, Julian returned from Damascus having studied Arabic and worked as a freelance journalist for 18 months.<ref>[http://www.forwardthinking.org/?page_id=103]</ref> |
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== Funding == |
== Funding == |
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Forward Thinking is funded by a diverse range of sources including |
Forward Thinking is funded by a diverse range of sources including the [[Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland)|Irish Department of Foreign Affairs]], and a number of Trusts and private donors.<ref> [https://www.forward-thinking.org/analysis/annual-report-2023] </ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Thinking}} |
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[[Category:Charities based in |
[[Category:Charities based in London]] |
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Latest revision as of 11:12, 4 April 2024
Forward Thinking is a UK-registered charity founded in 2004 that works in the field of conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and political dialogue. The organisation primarily addresses issues related to the Gulf-MENA region and religious/secular dialogue at a political level.
Aims and Programmes
[edit]The organisation has three main aims:
- To promote inclusive dialogues and a durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- To facilitate political dialogues in, and between, the Gulf-MENA region and Europe to identify areas for greater cooperation.
- To promote greater understanding and engagement between diverse British Muslim communities and organisations, and British policymakers, parliamentarians, and the national media.
and three main areas of activities:
- The Middle East Programme.
- The Women for a Sustainable Future (WSF) network.
- The UK Programme.
The Middle East Programme
[edit]The Middle East Programme engages leaders with political and religious constituency in Israel and Palestine to promote inclusive dialogues and a durable solution to the conflict. Forward Thinking works to engage with those who are perceived as political "hardliners", in the belief that if these communities are not engaged, they will have little incentive to see peace succeed and may become spoilers to the process.[1]
Women for a Sustainable Future (WSF)
[edit]The Women for a Sustainable Future network provides an independent space for women parliamentarians, experts, and diplomats across the Gulf-MENA region to meet with their European counterparts. This space enables the network to address the human, environmental, economic, and social challenges that pose a threat to a global sustainable future.[2]
The UK Programme
[edit]In the UK, Forward Thinking works to promote a greater understanding of the diverse Muslim communities and organisations, and the positive contribution they make to British society at a political and social level.[3]
Staff
[edit]Forward Thinking's co-founder and director is Oliver McTernan. Oliver has an established background in conflict resolution and interfaith relationships. He was a visiting fellow of the Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs at Harvard University 2000–2003. He was also responsible for initiating the first post-conflict talks between NATO and the former Yugoslav government. His book, 'Violence in God's Name' explores the role of religion in an age of conflict. He broadcasts regularly on radio and television.[4]
Jordan Morgan is Forward Thinking's Director of Programmes. He is the former Director of the Middle East Programme, former Helsinki Policy Forum Manager, and former UK Programme Manager. He was also formerly a researcher at a think tank specialising in political violence. He studied Geography at Aberystwyth University and holds an MA in Geopolitics, Territory, and Security from King's College London.[5]
Cecily Bayliss is a Programme Officer at Forward Thinking. She supports the facilitation of dialogues between high-level officials and parliamentarians in the Gulf-MENA region and Europe. She studied Theology at the University of Edinburgh where she developed a particular interest in Islamic Theology and the role of religion in peacebuilding.[6]
Harry Weeks is a Programme Officer at Forward Thinking. He supports the work of the Middle East Programme to promote an inclusive Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He studied History and Politics at Balliol College, Oxford, where he developed an interest in the politics of the Middle East. He lived in Cairo for one year to study Arabic.[7]
Funding
[edit]Forward Thinking is funded by a diverse range of sources including the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and a number of Trusts and private donors.[8]