Resources

Policy Brief | August 2014
Sustainable Transportation in the Arab World: International Benchmarking on Sustainable Transport Policies and their Impacts by Issam Kaysi and Farid Chaaban
​The world’s transport sector still suffers from unsustainable trends that lead to increased levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There have been efforts, in the Arab world, the United States and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, to tackle the issue. Much work remains to reach a sustainable transport system in the Arab world, but the recommendations presented offer basic guidelines on how to proceed...

The world’s transport sector still suffers from unsustainable trends that lead to increased levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There have been efforts, in the Arab world, the United States and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, to tackle the issue. Much work remains to reach a sustainable transport system in the Arab world, but the recommendations presented offer basic guidelines on how to proceed with any sustainable transportation initiative. For more information check out IFI's Sustainable Transportation Series

Policy Brief | August 2014
Sustainable Transportation and Mega Sporting Events in Arab Countries: the Case of Qatar by Robert Wittkuhn and Danyel Reiche
​As a motive for hosting mega sporting events, Qatar is highlighting their catalyst effect for planned infrastructure developments. Qatar plans on building intra-city, inter-city and inter-state road and railway networks for the FIFA 2022 initially, and further national use. The planned transportation construction could potentially be sustainable, but the social and political buildup of Qatar hinders such a development; especially when...

Research Report | July 2014
History of Climate Change Negotiations and the Arab Countries The Case of Egypt by Ibrahim Abdel Gelil
Even though Egypt’s share of Global Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions is less than 1 %, Egypt has proved to be one of the most vulnerable countries to the potential risks of climate change. The most vulnerable sectors include coastal zones, water resources, and agriculture. Estimates show that a Sea Level Rise would lead to the permanent submersion of large areas of cropland in the Nile Delta, and accelerate the trend of desertification that is worsening the...

Working Paper | June 2014
Climate Change in Lebanon: Higher-order Regional Impacts from Agriculture by Nadim Farajalla, Eduardo A. Haddad, Marina Camargo, Ricardo Lopes, and Flavio Vieira
This working paper analyzes the susceptibility of agricultural outputs to future climate change in Lebanon, and the extent to which it propagates to the economic system as a whole. A methodological framework in which physical and economic models are integrated for assessing the higher-order economic impacts of projected climate changes is used. The researchers then quantify the broader economic impacts in the...

Research Report | April 2014
Impact of Population Growth and Climate Change on Water Scarcity, Agricultural Output and Food Security
This research project brought together several teams from across multiple countries to conduct a review and analysis on a wide range of complex, interconnected topics. Any one of these issues (e.g. climate change, population dynamics, food security and water security) can allow for vast and deep exploration. Seeking to integrate the concepts into unified analysis that is comprehensive and coherent is both exceptionally challenging and incredibly necessary. By...

Research Report | April 2014
Impact of Population Growth and Climate Change on Water Scarcity, Agricultural Output and Food Security
This research project brought together several teams from across multiple countries to conduct a review and analysis on a wide range of complex, interconnected topics. Any one of these issues (e.g. climate change, population dynamics, food security and water security) can allow for vast and deep exploration. Seeking to integrate the concepts into unified analysis that is comprehensive and coherent is both exceptionally challenging and incredibly necessary. By...

التراث الثقافي غير المادي في لبنان على ضوء التجربة العالميّة في البحث الذي أعدّه لمرصد التراث الحديث تحت عنوان "التراث الثقافي غير المادي في لبنان على ضوء التجربة العالميّة" ذكر الدكتور شربل نصّار أن التراث الثقافي غير المادي يعدّ "مفهوماً مبهماً نظراً لتعدد التعاريف المنسوبة إليه." من خلال هذا البحث يشرح نصّار هذا المفهوم ويسلّط الضوء على الواقع القانوني والتشريعي الذي يحكمه في لبنان مقارنة بعدّة تجارب عالمية.  

Briefing papers on the preservation of cultural heritageInstitutions and individuals from the Middle East and North Africa experience many shortcomings in legislation, policies and current practices impeding the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage. In order to obtain a systematic overview and a sound basis for engaging in lobby and advocacy work for improved governance of the cultural sector, the Modern Heritage Observatory contracted local lawyers and researchers to analyze and assess current regulations, policies and practices concerning the preservation of cultural heritage in...

Working Paper | September 2013
Policy-making in Lebanon: Potential Offshore Oil and Gas Discoveries by Jeremy Arbid
This report follows the conclusion of the thesis research entitled “Policy-making in Lebanon: Potential Offshore Oil and Gas Discoveries” carried out with support from the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, United Nations in the Arab World Program at the American University of Beirut. The research aimed to clarify the inner workings of the policy-making process in Lebanon. Using the multiple streams framework of John Kingdon (2003), the research...

Briefing papers on the preservation of cultural heritage Institutions and individuals from the Middle East and North Africa experience many shortcomings in legislation, policies and current practices impeding the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage.

Research Study | January 2013
Effect of Distributed Electric Power Generation on Household Exposure to Airborne Carcinogens in Beirut by Alan Shihadeh, Marc Al Helou, Najat Saliba, Sara Jaber, Nader Alaeddine, Elias Ibrahim,
Zahra Salahieh, Maher Chiit
Due to inadequate power production capacity, EDL has in recent years instituted a rotating power outage regimen in Lebanon. People and businesses have turned to privately-owned diesel generator sets for power during outages. Because these generators are located in dense urban areas, their emissions may significantly increase inhalation exposure...

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Working Paper | December 2012
The Efficiency of Food Labeling as a Rural Development Policy: The Case of Olive Oil in Lebanon by Jad Chaaban
Several regional products have been very successful as region-based products, such as Saudi Dates, Jordanian Thyme, Syrian Barazi, Egyptian Foul Mdamas, and Lebanese Chick Pea paste (Homos Tahini). These trends of regionbased, Geographic indicator (GI) and governmental labeled products are considered to be an added value to agroindustrial sector, and are highly efficient tactics to increase small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) revenues. However...

In cooperation with Oxfam GB, and with the support of the European Union, Kafa - Enough Violence and Exploitation works since 2009 on developing strategies and interventions with men and boys to end gender-based violence through the white ribbon campaign. On the occasion of the 16 days of activism to end violence against women Kafa considers that men should be involved in limiting and ending gender based violence, as standing against patriarchal society will also reflect positively on men and society in general.  The patriarchal society, which puts men and women in predefined solid identities...

Study | December 2011
Restoring Dignity: The Raison D’etre of the Youth Movements in the Arab Citizen Revolt? by Rima Afifi, Ziyad Mahfoud, Rami Khouri, Sara Bittar, and Ahmad Younis
Dignity (in Arabic: Al Karama) is a slogan that has been chanted regularly during the Arab Citizen Revolt1 and a concept that continues to be a central theme as events unfold. In this paper, we explore the concept of dignity, identify a conceptual framework for thinking about dignity, and connect dignity to youth and the current situation. We then use data from the Gallup World Poll of Arab youth to assess the fit...

IFI Executive Summary | November 2011 A Generation on the Move: Insights into the Conditions, Aspirations, and Activism of Arab Youth Rami G. Khouri, Shahida Azfar, Charles Harb, Nasser Yassin, Moussa Shteiwi, Yazan Doughan, Abla Rouag-Djenidi, Dina Shehata, Barbara Ibrahim, Gregory Gause, Christine Asaad, Muneira Hoballah, Jad Melki, Mark Levine, Waad Ibrahim, Rodda Leage, Ivana Chalmers, Karen Abi Saab, Sarah Tabbara, Joe Khalil, Zina Sawaf, Carine Allaf, Diane Singerman, Nicola Bull, Shereen El Feki, Lucas Nielsen, Ayman Zohry, Mohammad Younis, Ahmed Younis, Leah Pybus, Tim Jacoby, Eileen...

Research and Policy Memo #6 | May 2011 2010 Report of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development on WaterDr Berj Hatjian gives a course at AUB titled, "Environmental Policy Practice in Lebanon". Seven of his students attended the Arab Forum of Environment and Development (AFED) conference and wrote this policy memo. The Arab Forum of Environment and Development (AFED) revealed poor water management across the Arab world, including, but not limited to; a lack of fresh water resources within the Arab world; 13 of the Arab countries are currently some of the world’s most water-scarce...

مذكرات للباحثين وصناع القرار #9 | أيار 2011 سياسات الطاقة المتجددة في دول الخليج: دراسة حالة  “مدينة مصدر” الخالية من الكربون في ابو ظبيدانيال رايش تعتمد دول الخليج اعتماداً كبيراً على تصدير النفط والغاز الطبيعي لانتاج الدخل لميزانياتها الوطنية, فضلا عن المحافظة على إمدادات الطاقة الرخيصة للاستخدام المحلي. ولكن مؤخراً، بدأ بعض القادة في الخليج يبحثون بعيداً عن الوقود الاحفوري التقليدي وبدأوا بالاهتمام بإمكانيات الطاقة المتجددة

 مذكرات للباحثين وصناع القرار #7 | أيار 2011 إعادة تدوير الكتلة الحيوية الزراعية لإنتاج الغاز الحيوي:  دراسة الجدوى الاقتصادية في المناطق الريفية في لبنانمحمد الابيض عصام بشور علي شلق و روزين حبشي  في دراسة جدوى أجرتها كلية الزراعة والعلوم الغذائية في الجامعة الاميركية في بيروت و مولها معهد عصام فارس، تبين أن الكتلة الحيوية، وهي ثالث أكبر مورد للطاقة الاولية في العالم بعد الفحم والنفط لديها القدرة على أن تكون بديلا جزئياً عن الوقود الاحفوري