Vol. 1 No. 5 (2013): The Academic Conference in Support of the Comprehensive National Dialogue

In the context of responsible academic interaction accompanying the comprehensive National Dialogue, being the most important franchise of the democratic transition in Yemen and given the significance of the comprehensive National Dialogue in terms of reconciliation and agreement as a fruit of the political reconciliation and the extraordinary importance of the NDC outcomes, which will form the only reference frame to formulate the social contract (Constitution), the NDC will provide an overall national vision on how the future political system, structure of the state and its institutions will be.

Based on the principle of social responsibility shouldered by universities, as an ethical framework under which university activities and qualitative interventions are organized and oriented to serve the community around, such mandate can be expanded to accommodate contributions that go beyond their traditional role i.e. supplying the community with highly qualified cadre, to include quality initiatives  that often seeks to employ science potentials to provide insights and ideas, and perhaps, proven scientific solutions for the most complicated community issues.

Aware of its scientific and historical responsibility at this turning point in Yemen's contemporary history, on which Yemenis build great hopes to move towards a better future and civil democratic state; state of freedom, equality and the rule of law and institutions; Queen Arwa University has launched, through its Center for Studies Strategic an initiative to convene the Academic Conference in Support of the National Dialogue , over the past three months since the launching in May 15, 2013 until the closing session in August 15, 2013, with studious efforts by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and as expressed by the University Rector Wahiba Farea’a in collaboration with a number of academia and universities. The organizers wanted from this conference, as its name indicates, to be a source of considerable and reliable support for the comprehensive National Dialogue, as the best and most mature form of community participation, as stipulated by the NDC regulatory and reference document.

With this initiative, the University join efforts with previously adopted successful pilot initiatives. Just like this one, they all express the spirit of academic and scientific responsibility towards urgent national priorities, for example, the First Private Higher Education Conference in Yemen back in 2001.