The U.S.-Islamic World Forum is designed to bring together key leaders in the fields of politics, business, media, academia, and civil society from across the Muslim world and the United States. It seeks to address the critical issues dividing the United States and the Muslim world by providing a unique platform for frank dialogue, learning, and the development of positive partnerships between key leaders and opinion shapers from both sides.
Now in its fifth year, the Forum has become the foremost meeting for positive cross-cultural engagement among leaders from the United States and the Muslim world. It also provides the foundation for a range of complementary activities designed to enhance the effectiveness of the dialogue. These include task forces and initiative workshops of policymakers and experts, as well as associated outreach, research, and publications. The Forum serves as both a convening body and catalyst for positive action. Its focus is on a dialogue that leads to the development of actionable programs for government, civil society, and the private sector.
Security
The Security task force studies the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world from a strategic perspective. It aims to view this relationship within the framework of both domestic and international security, and in 2008, will examine several key issues—such as a new security framework for the Gulf, the future of the so-called “war on terror,” and the burgeoning Iraqi refugee crisis—facing the United States, the Muslim world and the international community in the years to come.
Governance, Religion and Politics
The Governance, Religion and Politics task force examines the myriad intersections and dynamics that occur between government, religion and society in the United States and the Muslim world. For 2008, these include the impact of external actors on domestic governance and authority, and reform movements within political Islam. It will also offer recommendations on how best to tackle problems of domestic and international governance, and rule of law.
Human Development and Social Change
The Human Development and Social Change task force discusses the overall process of human development across the Muslim world, and the infrastructure necessary to build a lasting and effective knowledge society. For 2008, it will examine the importance of education and youth, the environment, women’s rights, and the legal framework for human development. It will also address the crucial role of the international community and the United States in this process.
Science and Technology
The Science and Technology Initiative looks at opportunities for partnership between the United States and Muslim communities to advance science and technology. The promotion of science and technology is a crucial step forward in facilitating economic growth, employment opportunities, and the skills necessary to succeed in the global knowledge economy.
Arts and Culture
The Arts and Culture initiative seeks to develop a better understanding of how arts and cultural leaders and organizations can increase understanding between the United States and the global Muslim community. The initiative aims to accomplish two goals: 1) fostering cross-cultural engagement between arts and culture leaders of the United States and the Muslim world; and 2) engaging diverse audiences in interdisciplinary discussions that examine points of intersection between the arts and its potential for cultural diplomacy.
Bridging the Divide
The Bridging the Divide Initiative seeks to discuss the differences among Muslim communities in the West, the importance of Muslim engagement with non-Muslims, the impact Muslims could have in their own countries, and the unique status of the American Muslim community vis-à-vis other Western Muslim communities.
The Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World also seeks to convene follow-up conferences within other Muslim regions to address, in greater depth and breadth, the challenges confronting the United States and the Muslim world as a whole. In 2008, the Project will convene a regional forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This meeting will help establish a collaborative framework for U.S., Southeast Asian, and wider Muslim-world leaders and thinkers to gather and address issues of mutual concern.
The Forum is hosted in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry of the Government of the State of Qatar.