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Forecasting the Future

Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 / Time: 4:30am - 6:30am 

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This panel introduced new and original data on the impact of social media across the Middle East.

As political unrest spreads through the Arab World, new media and social networking have played, as never before, an important role in large-scale change in the region. To understand the complexities that tie new media to the social change we've seen, we need new data and analytical tools.

This panel introduced data and insights mined from social media platforms across the region, explaining their relationship to political movements, traditional media, and events on the ground. Dubai-based News Group International presented their Arab Media Influence Report (AMIR), and a panel of Middle East experts assessed what their findings mean for the future of politics in the region.

  • Sheldon Himelfarb, Moderator 
    Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, & Peacebuilding / Media, Conflict, & Peacebuilding
    United States Institute of Peace
  • Camille Elhassani 
    Al-Jazeera
  • Adel Iskandar
    Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
    Georgetown University
  • Mazen Nahawi
    News Group International
  • Paul Swider
    Office of eDiplomacy, U.S. Dept. of State
  • Fadl Al Tarzi
    News Group International

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