Casa Árabe

Published to mark celebrations of the United Nations’ International Day of Solidarity with Palestine, and the 60th anniversary of Resolution 181 (II) for the partition of Palestine (28 and 29 November 2007).

Spanish edition of extracts of the third Report on Competitiveness in the Arab World 2007, prepared by the World Economic Forum (April, 2007). The Spanish-language document was presented in Barcelona in November 2007.

النص الحالي هو لمؤتمر القي في مدريد يوم 20 سبتمبر 2007على هامش برنامج منبر البيت العربي

The text is a lecture given in Madrid on 20 September 2007 as part of Casa Árabe’s Tribune programme.

There are numerous analyses of the political, social and security implications of the advance of Islamist movements. But Islamism’s economic dimension, and its ability to influence the formulation of concrete economic policies has not been studied. This project approaches the question from the viewpoint of proposals by Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD), one of the country’s main political formations.

Maghreb countries have made considerable advances since independence in providing all children with access to schooling. But the quality of teaching still presents notable variations according to places and social groups. This text examines the route taken by Maghrebi educational systems, analyses their advances and obstacles, and compares them with other countries with a similar level of economic development.

Third issue of Casa Árabe’s Economy and Business Bulletin examines energy security and economic relations between Spain and Algeria, with an article by Aurèlia Mañé on “Energy interdependence between Spain and north Africa: an opportunity”. It provides information about big energy companies operating in north Africa and Spain. The bulletin contains a special on economic relations with Egypt, which includes a profile of the Egyptian market and an interview with Enrique Feás, Spain’s former trade adviser in Cairo.

There is analysis of trade exchanges and investments between the EU and Mediterranean Arab countries; and a summary of a working paper on “Islamism and economic policy in Morocco” by Gonzalo Escribano.

Iran is a key country in the Middle East and Central Asia for various reasons. It is often perceived from outside as a bellicose country that pursues military, economic and political hegemony in a region that is extremely sensitive for the international system. From within, it is seen as a country trying to develop with difficulty in a climate of political pressures, economic blockade and military threat. For the author of this text, professor of the Institut Univérsitaire des Hautes Études Internacionales of Geneva, both visions contain part of the truth.

This alert announces publication of the World Bank’s report Governance Matters 2007: Worldwide Governance Indicators 1996-2007. It includes information about a conference-debate that took place in Casa Árabe with Saad Eddine El Othmani on the economic programme of Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD).

Catalogue of an exhibition of work by the Moroccan artist Abdelkarim Messari, which Casa Árabe organised from 21 June to 21 July 2007 in Madrid.