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DTSTART:20141025T220000
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20140315T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20140316T180000
DTSTAMP:20260416T010809
CREATED:20140914T223913Z
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SUMMARY:Arab Migrant Communities in the GCC Working Group II
DESCRIPTION:On March 15\, 16 2014\, The final working group of CIRS’ research project Arab Migrant Communities in the GCC was held in Doha. Grant recipients of this research grant cycle gathered with an additional cohort of migration experts and scholars to discuss their research findings and to solicit feedback on their draft paper submissions. The topics investigated ranged from broad migration policies in the GCC and their respective implications on the distribution of nationalities within the population\, to specific ethnographic case-studies highlighting the experiences of Arab expatriates in the Gulf. \n \n \nFrom the onset of the Gulf oil economy in the 1950s to the present era\, the ebbs and flows of Arab emigration to the GCC have largely been attributed to the Middle East’s regional geopolitical context and its influence on national migration policies. While Arab migrants formed a large component of the expatriate community up until the 1980s\, their presence in the Gulf has dwindled as Asian migrants from the East currently significantly outnumber non-GCC Arabs. The participants explained that although much of the literature attributes this shift to the geo-political context\, rapid development\, the ensuing change in Gulf economies and the aggregate increase in demand for low-skilled labor by the private sector has also contributed to the shift in the composition of the expatriate workforce. Labor data from Qatar indicates that non-national Arabs in the Qatari labor force predominantly feature in managerial and administrative sectors\, in professional\, scientific and technical activities\, and in services. Within particular occupations—such as teaching—Arab nationals have continued to have a steady and dominating presence primarily due to the shared linguistic and cultural affinities with nationals\, and as such\, demand for Arab teachers in the region shows no signs of abating. These tied porous identities coupled with the integral role of Arab migrants in teaching and children’s development\, has led to what some have dubbed as the “Egyptianization” of the education field and of local culture and dialects. Thus\, while GCC governments may source labor for low-skilled segments of the economy from various geographic regions\, Arab migrants will continue to have a dominant presence within sectors that require certain shared cultural\, linguistic\, and religious affinities. \n \n \nConcomitant with the rise in import of low-skilled labor has been the increased demand for high-skilled migrants as GCC states strive to develop knowledge-based economies. Participants additionally discussed Arab high-skilled migrants\, particularly those emanating from emigration-prone countries such as Lebanon. Within this cohort\, there is a significant presence of highly skilled female migrants that challenge the commonly perceived notion that Arab migrants to the Gulf are predominantly male. Moreover\, studies within Lebanon indicate that a substantial proportion of Lebanese females migrating to the Gulf are not married\, thereby also undermining the conception that female migrants are only present in their capacity as “sponsored – dependents” within the Gulf countries. \n \n \nBeyond demographics and economic stratification\, Working Group members discussed issues of identity\, transnationalism\, social inclusion and exclusion\, and every-day experiences of Arab expatriates. Interviews with highly-skilled Lebanese in Kuwait have indicated that while the Gulf continues to be an attractive destination for employment\, interaction and integration with nationals remains limited; this is largely attributed to the lack of provision of pathways to citizenship in the Gulf as compared to other popular destinations such as the USA or Europe. These sentiments of exclusion were also echoed by Egyptians residing in Kuwait that have characterized their stay as transitory and fleeting. While the long-standing presence of Egyptian communities in the Gulf has physically manifested itself in the areas of Khaitan and Farwaniya—labeled by some as “Cairo in Kuwait”—it is not uncommon to hear of feelings reflecting a transitory existence and fleeting relationships in Kuwait by Egyptian migrants. \n \n \nHowever\, these sentiments of lack of integration and limited inclusion do not reveal themselves uniformly across Arab communities; the decades-long presence of Arabs in the region has exhibited varying generational experiences and attitudes of migrants in the Gulf. A study of Palestinians in the UAE indicates that second-generation migrants tend to socialize with Emiratis much more than the first generation\, and as such feel more integrated. Other migrants reveal intergenerational tensions between their families and their Gulf sponsors\, as exhibited by the study of second-generation domestic-service Hadrami immigrants in Kuwait. While first generation Hadramis perceive success and dependency on the houses they serve as positively intertwined\, the second generation views this relation as a problematic one that impedes their economic and social mobility. \n \n \nThe participants also discussed outlooks and perceptions of second-generation Arab migrants in comparison to other expatriate nationalities and to GCC nationals within a university setting. Given that the geopolitical context of the region will continue to play a significant role in migratory practices\, student perceptions of the Arab uprisings and their socioeconomic impact on the region as a whole is vital. For instance\, one study indicates that outlooks on the future of the Middle East are not overly hopeful amongst students; surprisingly however\, for both GCC nationals and Arab expatriates alike\, unemployment remains a significant concern for youth. Thus\, the extent to which GCC labor markets will continue to absorb Arab migrants despite insecurities of national unemployment will have significant implications on regional migratory practices in the Middle East and the Gulf. \n \n \n\n	\nFor the working group agenda\, click here \n \n\n	\nFor the participants’ biographies\, click here \n \n\nRead more about this research initiative\n\n \nParticipants and Discussants: \n \n \n\nAbdullah M. Alajmi\, Arab Open University\nZahra Babar\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nMatt Buehler\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nNerida Child Dimasi\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nFrançoise De Bel-Air\, Institut français du Proche-Orient (IFPO)\nIsmail H. Genc\, American University of Sharjah\nBarb Gillis\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nManal A. Jamal\, James Madison University\nMehran Kamrava\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nSusan Kippels\, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research\nGarret Maher\, Gulf University for Science and Technology\nSusan Martin\, ISIM – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service\nDavid Mednicoff\, University of Massachusetts – Amherst\nSuzi Mirgani\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nGeorge Naufal\, American University of Sharjah\nMichael Newson\, International Organization for Migration\nGerd Nonneman\, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nDwaa Osman\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\nNatasha Ridge\, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research\nNada Soudy\, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar\nPaul Tacon\, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia\nAbbie Taylor\, ISIM – Georgetown University\nCarlos Vargas-Silva\, University of Oxford\nElizabeth Wanucha\, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar\n\n \nArticle by Dwaa Osman\, Research Analyst at CIRS
URL:https://cirs.qatar.georgetown.edu/event/arab-migrant-communities-gcc-working-group-ii/
CATEGORIES:Focused Discussions,Race & Society,Regional Studies
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20140324T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Moscow:20140324T180000
DTSTAMP:20260416T010809
CREATED:20140915T140945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240314T103924Z
UID:10000794-1395648000-1395684000@cirs.qatar.georgetown.edu
SUMMARY:Gas and Alternative Fuels: Present and Future Shares and Challenges
DESCRIPTION:Worldwide gas and energy exploration and production trends were the focus of a Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) Monthly Dialogue Series public lecture at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) on March 24\, 2014. The event\, titled “Gas and Alternative Fuels: Present and Future Shares and Challenges\,” featured H.E. Dr. Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli\, the Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)\, an international governmental organization\, which is headquartered in Qatar\, dedicated to promoting the global natural gas trade. \n\n“What do we do in Tornado Tower here in Doha?” asked Dr. Adeli\, who is also Iran’s former ambassador to Japan\, Canada and the United Kingdom\, and holds two Ph.D.s in economics and business administration. He answered\, “Our mission is to provide an authentic platform for the discussion of gas activity and a center for debate and the exchange of ideas\, to promote gas as a clean fuel\, increase the market share of gas\, and contribute to the stability of the global energy market. But our most important task is to develop dialogue throughout the energy market\, to be in contact with other producers\, exporters\, consumers\, academics\, and all other stakeholders.” \n\nDr. Mehran Kamrava\, Director of CIRS\, emphasized the importance of the Monthly Dialogue topic\, saying “We know that natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel\, offering environmental and efficiency advantages over other energy resources. Combined with global energy needs that will only increase over time\, it’s vital that we understand the market and policy forces that will impact the relationship of supply and demand. The implications for Qatar’s economy and\, by extension\, its national vision development goals\, as well as the global economy\, are tremendous\, which is why we were so pleased to host an energy specialist of Dr. Adeli’s caliber on our campus for students\, faculty\, visiting dignitaries\, and the Doha community.” \n\nThe former diplomat discussed gas market dynamics at length\, which includes both liquified natural gas (LNG) and pipeline\, as well as an overview on the latest revolution in the energy sector\, shale oil. “There are huge technically recoverable shale gas resources globally\,” he said\, but noted the negative environmental impact and the required further technological and policy advances to unlock this resource potential. Other challenges faced by the energy sector include security of demand\, environmental impact of coal and the technological gaps “clean coal” still faces\, safety issues associated with nuclear energy\, and the hurdles of subsidies and high infrastructure investment requirements to make renewable energy profitable. \n\nAdeli also compared gas to other competing fuels in the global energy mix\, noting that only natural gas and renewable energy sources\, such as solar\, were on the rise\, as opposed to decreasing coal and oil use. “Gas consumption is increasing by 108 bcm (billion cubic meters) per year\, and needs to come into production\, which means we need enough investment\, development\, and trading to meet demands. Reserves are not enough. This is why it’s important to think about incremental increase per year.” Commenting on the supply side of the gas economy\, he said\, “Of course\, we have an abundance of supply. Most of the supply is resources and reserves that are undeveloped. But existing projects are under development\, and we are hopeful they will enter the streamline of production.” \n\nThe real issue\, he points out\, is the importance of country policies that ensure optimum gas production to meet both internal\, and export\, demands. “The dynamics of the economics of the gas domestic market everywhere is going to affect the external trade of gas. Most gas is traded domestically\, 70%\, and only 30% is traded internationally. When you talk about the Middle East as an exporter\, you have to start at the domestic market first\, assess the subsidies and efficiencies\, to understand how much international exports will take place.” \n\nThe GECF member countries together hold 67% of the world’s gas reserves\, and include Algeria\, Bolivia\, Egypt\, Equatorial Guinea\, Iran\, Libya\, Nigeria\, Oman\, Qatar\, Russia\, Trinidad and Tobago\, the United Arab Emirates\, and Venezuela. Kazakhstan\, Iraq\, the Netherlands\, and Norway have the status of Observer Members. Fossil fuels\, he concluded\, “have the lion’s share in the energy mix. In the power generation sector\, efficiency of natural gas is the highest compared to other fuels at around 58%.” As the demand for energy rises\, gas will continue to serve as a favorable source of energy\, which is good news for Qatar\, and for all of the members of the GECF. \n\nSeyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli is the Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). A career diplomat\, Dr. Adeli has served as Iran’s ambassador to Japan\, Canada\, and the United Kingdom. His previous positions also include Governor of the Central Bank of Iran\, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic and Energy Affairs\, and Advisor to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Upon retiring from the diplomatic corps\, he founded the Ravand Institute for Economic and International Studies\, which is today one of Iran’s premier research and consulting firms. Dr. Adeli holds two PhD degrees\, one in business administration and the other in economics. 
URL:https://cirs.qatar.georgetown.edu/event/gas-and-alternative-fuels-present-and-future-shares-and-challenges/
CATEGORIES:American Studies,Dialogue Series,Environmental Studies,Regional Studies
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