The purpose of the workshop was to shed light on several dimensions of globalization and development in the Arab region. This was achieved through focusing on four broad dimensions: the challenges of global integration, the use of new information and communication technologies, globalization and changing social policies, and global culture in relation to Arab cultural development.

These broad dimensions provided a framework for a focused discussion on innovative strategies to draw benefits from expanding world markets. Reforming governance and public policies are pre-requisites of good governance and sustainable human development. The discussion dealt with ways of using new information technologies and techniques. these include research networking, the production, circulation and application of knowledge; distance-learning, and the digitization of archives to promote isolated Arab resources; the modernization of educational sectors; and the development of research capacities; and innovative methods to deal with the social impact of economic restructuring to effectively counter international competition. The discussion also emphasized the need to develop an expanding job market for the growing labor force, while cautioning against the marginalization of vulnerable groups such as working women, and those in peripheral regions. Finally, the discussion focused on how the Arab region should respond to cultural homogenization and foreign values in order to maintain a cultural identity and the integrity of the region.

Participants included academics, specialists, businessmen, government officials, and civil society leaders.

They conceded that Arabs are not the only society facing the challenges of globalization and that globalization should not be viewed as a conspiracy but as an objective and a multi-dimensional force of change. It was also noted that globalization will affect the social, political and economic composition of most countries and societies, and that it is in its first phase and no one could predict its long-term effects yet.