Forward Thinking host roundtable at Ditchley Park, 12-13 February 2014

On the 12th and 13th of February, Forward Thinking hosted a roundtable discussion at Ditchley Park, titled “Assessing the course of change in the Middle East and North Africa, exploring policy responses." The meeting brought together participants from across Europe and the MENA region for high-level discussions aimed at identifying the key issues and challenges in the MENA region that require an informed political response in order to promote greater political and economic stability in the region.Participants came from a diverse range of backgrounds and included: senior politicians from some of Tunisia's leading political parties; Egyptian officials; representatives from seven European Foreign Ministries; British and German parliamentarians; members of the EBRD; and several civil society activists. Such a range of participants allowed for an honest discussion to take place on the current challenges facing the region, and on the practical measures participants might take to address them.Discussions at the meeting focused on several topics such as: what is the appropriate level and type of support European governments should provide MENA states? Is there a "winner takes all mentality" in the MENA region and, if so, does the political culture need to move towards a more consensual approach? What are the prospects for the transitions in Egypt and Tunisia and what lessons can be learned from the different directions they have taken?