The concept of Arab Reform is widely discussed and debated in the region, with often intrinsically varying views; interpreted by some as interference of external parties in internal matters, while others see it as only discussions that simply cannot be implemented in reality. However, it is the vision of Arab civil society which the BA has adopted; reform is a necessity that rises from the heart of society, and is directed by societal internal forces. Established in 2004, based on the recommendation given in the Alexandria Declaration which was the culmination of the first Arab Reform Conference, the Arab Reform Forum at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina works in four directions: Political, Economic, Social, and Cultural. The Forum regularly gathers representatives of civil society, Arab intellectuals, businessmen, and academicians to exchange experiences and discuss the most pertinent issues to Arab society. The efforts of the Arab Reform Forum culminate annually in the Arab Reform Conference. To date, six conferences have taken place since 2004, tackling the following issues:
Following six successful years of bringing reform to the fore in Arab society, the Arab Reform Forum has decided to begin the task of bringing visionary strategies to the mainstream. Accordingly, the annual Arab Reform Conference will continue as the Arab Future Conference. The concept of the future conference will be to look at the present state of the region and analyze trends in the context of planning and creating strategies of Arab reform. In parallel to these conferences, and ensuing seminars and workshops, the Arab Reform Forum has issued a large number of publications concerning reform issues.
Within the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s efforts to become a platform for cultural dialogue, the Dialogue Forum provides a medium for liberal thought and cultural exchange, promoting dialogue and interaction with oneself and the other in a reviewing spirit. Through bimonthly forums, attendees are invited to actively participate, promoting tolerance to conflict and differences among them and embracing different views, cultures and political orientations, and discuss literature, religion, economics and society. The BA and the Dialogue Forum, through its activities aim, to promote values of cultural diversity, tolerance, defend others’ freedom of expression and assessment, and understand human civilizations on national, regional and international levels. The BA rejects all forms and kinds of discrimination- racial, cultural or religious- while promoting participation, development and innovation. The Forum’s strategy ensures interaction between intellects and scholars (speakers), and the general public (attendees). All sessions are recorded and published in booklets.
The BA aspires to be an effective catalyst for reform and development in the region and to serve as a meeting point for Arab civil society organizations. For that reason, the Arab Info mall was created. It emulates a mall or center for non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in a tri-lingual (Arabic, English, French) web portal. The Arab Info Mall database was jointly developed by the Dialogue Forum and ISIS, through which Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) can widely disseminate information about their activities, observe what others are doing on national, regional and international levels, and pave the way for stronger partnerships. Organizations from 32 countries; 19 Arab and 13 Non-Arab, are already benefiting from the services of the Arab Info Mall and the number continues to grow.