2017

December

12

Meet up with German students
Met and spoke with 11 students from the Erich-Brost-Institut for International Journalism (Dortmund, Germany). They visited Jordan on a study tour, with a special focus on migration and the Arab world.

December

06

Birthday celebration of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
Invited by the Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Shuichi Sakurai for a reception in celebration of the occasion.

December

01

Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)
Attended ARIJ's 10th annual forum for investigative journalism from the Middle East and North Africa region. Dead Sea, 1 - 3 December, 2017.

October

24

W5: When Women Work, Work Wins
The Deputy Head of the British Embassy in Amman, Mrs Laura Dauban invited me as a mentor in the W5 event in cooperation with Mowgli mentoring Jordan office. The event was one of a series of gatherings aiming to promote mentoring discussions.

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October

18

Dinner at Swedish Ambassador's residence
On the occasion of a visit by Ms. Amira Miller, Desk Officer for Jordan at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, the Deputy Head Of Mission Mr. Jakob Ström held a dinner at the Ambassador's residence.

October

10

Amman Book Fair 2017
Between 4 - 14 October 2017, the 17th Amman International Book Fair was held in Amman showcasing titles from across the world, but specifically by Arab writers.

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September

26

US Embassy in Amman

Had a lunch meeting with staff at the US Embassy in Amman where we discussed human rights in Jordan.

July

30

Chicago Social 2017
Bringing speakers and presentations on the latest social media tools and updates for marketing. Boxless Media gathered a crew of leading digital marketing experts in the Chicago Social 2017 conference.

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June

24

2017 Chicago Writing Conference
Attended a workshop on the writing & publishing industry: self-editing & revision, agent queries, marketing, and writing a non-fiction book proposal.

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June

10

Printers Row Festival
Attracting more than 100 booksellers from across the country displaying new, used and antiquarian books and featuring more than 200 authors participating in variety of programs held in the two-day festival.

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May

03

Arab American Networking Event
Attended the spring 2017 Arab American Networking Event in Chicago.

February

27

World Association of Newspapers WAN/IFRA

Attended a four-day media coaching training in Beirut along with other media trainers in the region.

January

24

Meeting with Swedish Ambassador
Met with Swedish Ambassador Mr. Erik Ullenhag to discuss combating radicalization and extremism.  

January

17

Meeting with Ifri's Director of publications
Met with the Institut Francais des relations internationales' director of publications and Editor-in-Chief of Politique étrangère, Dr Marc Hecker and Elie Tenenbaum, Research fellow at IFRI's Security Studies Center

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January

17

Meeting with British Member of Parliament
Along with other attendees, met British MP Mr. Fabian Hamilton to discuss Jordanian and regional affairs.

January

16

FES conference on terrorism
Attended a conference held by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Amman on Preventing and Combatting Terrorism in the Middle East and Europe

2016

December

01

Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)
Attended ARIJ's 9th annual forum for investigative journalism from the Middle East and North Africa region. Dead Sea, 1 - 3 December, 2016.

November

21

NATO Advanced Research Workshop
Attended a workshop organized by the Atlantic Treaty Association on "Human Factors in the Defense Against Terrorism: the Case of Jordan". Dead Sea, 21st - 23rd November 2016. More.

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August

23

Meeting with German members of Parliament
Met with German members of Parliament, Gabriele Groneberg and Dr. Daniela De Ridder, to discuss the upcoming parliamentary elections in Jordan and the Syrian refugee crisis.

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June

20

Farewell dinner for H.E. Swedish Ambassador
Attended a farewell dinner for H.E. the Ambassador of The Kingdom of Sweden, Ms Helena Rietz, hosted by H.E. the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Paul van den IJssel.

May

30

Reception at British Ambassador residence
Attended a reception on occasion of the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II at the British Ambassador residence in Amman.

May

29

Meeting with NDI President
Met with President of the National Democratic Institute, Kenneth Wollack. He has been actively involved in foreign affairs, journalism and politics since 1972. We spoke about political reform, the media and challenges facing Jordan.

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May

23

FES Discussion on the ISIS Propaganda
Attended a discussion held by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Amman on The Secret of Attraction: ISIS Propaganda and Recruitment

May

08

World Press Freedom Day
Attended the annual UNESCO event in which panelists debated the Right to Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms: "This is Your Right!". UNESCO Amman.

March

21

Meeting with German Chairman of Social Democratic Party
Meeting with Thomas Oppermann, Chairman of Germany's Parliamentary Group of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) where we talked about the migrant crisis, integration of Syrian refugees in Germany and political reform in the Middle East.

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March

02

Networking reception at residence of Ambassador of Sweden
Attended a networking reception held at the residence of H.E. Ms. Helena Gröndahl Rietz in Amman to celebrate equality, diversity and women’s empowerment.

February

27

Diwanieh on foreign investment in Jordan
Attended a Diwanieh event held by Leaders of Tomorrow where two economic experts debated the motion "Foreign investment has not served the national economy." Senator Dr. Taher Kanaan debated for the motion, opposed by Senator Dr. Mohammad Al-Halaiqa, debating against the motion.

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February

20

“Frankenstein in Baghdad”: Discussion with author
Attended a discussion by Iraqi author Ahmad Sa'adawi in Amman about his novel “Frankenstein in Baghdad”, winner of the 2014 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF).

February

15

Meeting chaired by Madeline Albright
Attended a meeting in Amman chaired by Madeline Albright on political reform in Jordan, organized by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and the Atlantic Council Delegation.

January

20

Meeting with Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES)
Attended a meeting hosted by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) on the impact of civil society in Jordan and Iraq.

January

17

Meeting with UNESCO
A meeting and interview with Marcel Masferrer Pascual regarding the "Support to Media in Jordan" project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNESCO.

January

15

A chat with cartoonist Omar Al Abdallat
Attended a chat with the talented Jordanian cartoonist Omar Al Abdallat where he discussed his work. Watch his Ted x Talk earlier in 2014.

2015

December

09

Meeting with the Swedish parliamentarian delegation
Met with various Swedish members of Parliament where we discussed political reform in Jordan, freedom of the press and Syrian refugees.

December

06

Meeting with German president
Met with Germany's president, Joachim Gauck, where we discussed the importance of free speech and media in Jordan, as well as public debates.

November

16

Relief International dinner
Dinner and panel held at Relief International on Syrian refugees at Harvard Club in New York.

October

29

Reception at Turkish Embassy
Attended a reception marking the Turkish National Day in Amman, Jordan.

October

27

Visiting German delegation
I met with a visiting German delegation to Jordan whose major interest is studying the Jordanian experience with refugees, the humanitarian situation as well as causes for migration and flight. The delegation consisted of:

* MP Niels Annen, Foreign Policy Spokesperson of the SPD, German Parliament
* Bishop Kirsten Fehrs
* Jan Pörksen, Hamburg City Councillor for Labor, Social Affairs, Family and Integration

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October

11

Meetings in Brussels
Held meetings and interviews in Brussels during a 10-day visit on the topic of the migration crisis.

September

30

Welcome Reception for Deputy Chief of Mission
Attended the welcome reception for Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States embassy in Amman.

September

19

Discussion on the proposed new elections law
Attended the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Amman discussion on “The Proposed New Elections Law” in Amman.

September

10

Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security
An initiative announced by HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of Jordan during the Security Council Session on Youth, Countering Violent Extremism and Promoting Peace. Participants included: youth representatives, Member States, UN entities, international and national NGOs, among others.

 

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September

10

Doctors without Borders (MSF) hospital opening
Doctors without Borders (MSF) official opening of its regional reconstructive surgery hospital for victims for war in Amman.

September

08

UNESCO's Media Development Indicators report for Jordan
Attended the launch ceremony of UNESCO's MDI report for Jordan as part of the Support to Media in Jordan project in Amman.

2014

April

19

Visiting Fellow at the New America Foundation
The fellowship, under the New Voices program grant from the Carnegie Corporation, included engaging with government officials and other policy-makers), research organizations and universities in Washington on issues related to the Middle East. It also included doing research and writing about issues affecting youth in the Middle East, Jordan in particular, as well as mapping digital media. Visit website.

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2013

September

12

The 4th Memorial Bronislaw Geremek Foreign Policy Conference
This was the fourth edition of a project conceived to perpetuate Prof. Bronisław Geremek’s political thought in Europe and it tackled the topic of "Arab Revolts. Two Years After". The annual meetings, held in Warsaw, Poland, are meant to serve as  a forum for regular debate on pivotal issues concerning the future of Europe and its foreign policy; the participants include top intellectuals, analysts and politicians. I participated in the third panel on focusing on "Potential Scenarios for the Region". Read more

 

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July

05

Aspen Mediterranean Initiative
The conference, held in Naples, Italy, discussed the topic of "The changing Mediterranean: the quest for growth and the Gulf factor".

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2012

October

31

ARIJ's Fifth Annual Conference for Investigative Journalists 2012
ARIJ's Fifth Annual Conference for Investigative Journalists 2012

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September

13

8th Bodrum Roundtable organized by Istanbul based EDAM
8th Bodrum Roundtable organized by Istanbul based EDAM (Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies) and London based CER (Centre for European Reform). October 2012.
The event will bring together a select group of participants from politics, business, media and civil society. This year’s discussions will cover the implications of the euro crisis for the future of the EU and economic growth in Europe, as well as the politics and economics of aiding the transitions in the Arab world.

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July

18

Mapping Digital Media Advocacy Summit
The Mapping Digital Media advocacy summit in Istanbul gathered researchers and partners from 60 countries working on the Mapping Digital Media project. The Open Society Media Program has also commissioned background papers on a range of topics that are important for understanding the effects of new technology on media and journalism. The papers accompany a series of reports, "Mapping Digital Media," on the impact of digitization on democracy in 60 countries around the world.

The turmoil afflicting traditional media may well lead to a renaissance for investigative journalism in digital media. Whether or not this happens, however, will probably depend on whether journalists can come to terms with profound shifts in both the ethical and the commercial values of their work. This paper argues that objectivity will be increasingly displaced by transparency as an ethical base for journalism. On the commercial side, ubiquity will have greater value than exclusivity.

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June

24

Global Thinkers Forum
The GT Conference focuses on the role of the modern woman, in the MENA region and globally as well as discussions on leadership October 7-8, 2012.

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April

01

Leveraging Spectrum for Democracy
Leveraging Spectrum for Democracy: Securing the gains from the Arab Spring Conference at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs May 3rd, 2012 The goal of this one-day conference is to bring spectrum policy to life as a tool for democracy and development. Through high-level panel presentations, technical demonstrations, candid conversations, and a series of commissioned papers about how this can be translated into on-the-ground action, attendees will come away with better insight into the world of spectrum and a strategic approach to advocating for best-practice spectrum policy.

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April

01

Aspen Mediterranean Initiative
In collaboration with Aspen Institute Italia, The Aspen Institute (USA), and Aspen Institute España April 15-16, 2012

The “Arab spring” of 2011 has posed a series of challenges and raises the prospect still of very uncertain outcomes for the region. Without doubt, however, it does offer some real opportunities for positive change in relations between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. With a view to contributing constructively to that end, Aspen Institute Italia has undertaken, in collaboration with various Italian and international partners, to help seize these opportunities, by promoting the emergence of a new generation of leaders in the Mediterranean.

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2011

December

14

The First National Conference on the Prevention of Violence against Children and Women, "Reality and Challenges"
Workers providing health, social, legal and educational services to women and children will convene on December 18 to review and address challenges hindering progress in the prevention of violence against children and women.

The First National Conference on the Prevention of Violence against Children and Women, "Reality and Challenges", will also bring together representatives from several UN organisations, the media and academia.

Hani Jahshan, chairman of the conference, told reporters yesterday that the two-day event seeks to deliver a serious message to all segments of society that violence against children and women is unjustifiable and must be prevented at the national level.

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November

01

Home Agenda for ARIJ's Fourth Annual Conference for Investigative Journalists 2011
Every year, over 300 investigative journalists from the Arab world meet for three days at our annual conference to share tools of the trade and learn how to perfect their jobs. The first and only pan-Arab conference is packed with panels, workshops, plenary sessions and roundtables covering the latest developments and research techniques in the international and regional field of professional investigative reporting.

Over 120 brave journalists and editors from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine and Tunisia who have produced edge-cutting investigations supported by ARIJ, present working methodologies they have used to unveil an issue of concern to their local communities and discuss the positive changes that have occurred after the publication or broadcasting of their investigation.
Of course, international award-winning investigative journalists, prominent editors and media academics are also invited, to both pass on their professional strategies and to network with Arab journalists eager to engage in cross-border investigations.

The conference has become known for the practical tips, story clips and ideas shared by participants. Sessions range from hands-on computer training and tools to dig deeper into stories and give readers the information they want, to panels on more specialized techniques and thematic training such as following corruption.
Subjects range from the latest in Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR) tools and multi-media and info-graphic publishing techniques, to crowd sourcing strategies to improve data collection and presentation.

Everyone is there to give and to take for the benefit of a more professional and independent media in the region and beyond. Everyone wants to share strategies for locating documents and gaining access to public records, finding the best stories and managing investigations.

Do not miss this golden opportunity to be among journalists who have joined the media bandwagon of the 21st century and are eager to be part of the international investigative reporting movement. Join the discussion on how to practice investigative journalism in print, broadcast, web and alternative newsroom models.

Conference Website

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October

07

Arab-US Association for Communication Educators - October 27-October 31

The Media Studies Program at the American University of Beirut is delighted to host the 16th annual conference of the Arab-US Association of Communication Educators.

This year, the AUSACE conference theme will tackle two current, pressing, and interdependent concepts: digital literacy and media literacy, and their evolutionary and revolutionary roles in contemporary media education, media practices, and media policies. Kindly note that we are no longer accepting abstracts.

About AUSACE
The Arab-U.S. Association of Communication Educators is an organization dedicated to the advancement of Arab-U.S. relations among communication educators and media professionals. Established in 1995, AUSACE is the longest-running organization of its kind. AUSACE also publishes the Journal of Middle East Media, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated exclusively to communication research and media studies in the Middle East.

About the Media Program at AUB
The Media Program at the American University of Beirut is a growing program that currently offers an undergraduate Diploma in Media Communication and a Master of Arts in Media Studies. The program is currently housed in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Media Studies. It strives to establish a leading regional media education program that graduates outstanding experts, scholars, and educators.

About Beirut and Lebanon
Beirut is the capital of Lebanon, and is considered a jewel of a city located on the Mediterranean coast. The small country of Lebanon, with its rich history and culture, offers tourists breathtaking scenery, unparalleled hospitality, mouthwatering cuisine, and elegant accommodations at affordable prices. Perhaps the best time of year to travel is in the fall when temperatures are moderate and travel and accommodation costs are lower.

AUSACE 2011 Organizers

Conference chair: Dr. Jad Melki, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, and Coordinator of the Media Studies Program at AUB.
Conference co-chair: Dr. Nabil Dajani, Professor of Mass Communication, and chair of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Media Studies (SAMS) at AUB.
Conference manager & web editor: Michael Oghia, graduate student, SAMS Dept.
Conference assistant manager: May Jabado, undergraduate student, SAMS Dept.

View Conference Program - Early registration available online now

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August

03

7th MENA Regional Media Forum - 28-29 September 2011
Tentative Agenda

- Introductory remarks: Shahida Azfar, UNICEF Regional Director for the
Middle East and North Africa
- Special guest: TBC
- Q&A

Theme of the year:  Children in MENA, rights and challenges

Panel Discussion:
Victims or active participants: How have children and young people been
represented in the media during the Arab Spring?

Testimonies from participating journalists

Slide show of recent UNICEF pictures from region
- Panel Discussion: How should aid agencies and the media work to
preserve the children rights and what are the challenges they both face?

Media Award Ceremony

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