Gulf Research Centre

Based in Dubai the GRC was founded in July 2000 by its Chairman Abdulaziz Sager as a privately-funded, non-partisan think tank, education provider and consultancy specializing in the Arabian Gulf Region. The GRC produces recognized research from a Gulf perspective, redressing the current imbalance in area studies, where regional opinions and interests are underrepresented. The GRC seeks to be an institution of distinction and innovative research that advances different aspects of development to ultimately benefit the people of the region.

'== Concept =='

The driving force behind the GRC is the achievement of excellence in four core areas of activity: social science research, education, media and consultancy. The GRC is a pioneering interdisciplinary organization that aims to provide knowledge for all, using a variety of mediums to overcome barriers.

'== Activities in detail =='

a) Research programs: one of GRC’s main activities is the study of social science in a Gulf region context. The Center is particularly concerned with the international relations and politics of the GCC countries. In that area, GRC has identified more than 50 areas of research that need to be addressed and in which a significant information deficit exists. b) Education solutions: the GRC is a strong believer in IT as an effective means of solving information challenges facing the region. In addition to providing fellowship and scholarship opportunities, there are three main ongoing initiatives that can be identified. They are E-Education, Executive Learning Programs and GRC E-Library. c) Consultancy: responding to the concerns of the private and government sectors is a central element of each research program and therefore a main point of activity for the GRC. The Center is able to put together focused teams of professionals through its own in-house researchers as well as its extensive outside network of contacts d) Media: Gulf in the Media, an integral part of the GRC is a new portal that delivers up-to-the-minute news to subscribers. Constantly updated, independent and unbiased, Gulf in the Media brings important news to the screen. The spectrum includes more than 7000 daily news headlines, updates 24 hours a day, gulf specific expert views, translations of selected English and Arabic studies and search capabilities e) Publishing: in order to disseminate scholarly research to as wide an audience as possible, the GRC undertakes a far-reaching publications program covering all the main areas of concern for the GCC countries. Next to the GRC Annual Report, GRC also publishes event and research papers, studies, policy analysis papers and journals of Gulf Studies. Specialized publications include Yemen Studies, a peer-reviewed bilingual academic series about Yemen and Yemen-GCC relations, the GRC Newsletter and the Araa Magazine, an independent magazine about social, defense and security issues in the Gulf.

Review of GRC Activities 2006

Starting with its 3rd Annual Conference in January, 2006 proved to be a very busy and successful year in GRC’s young history. During the year, the GRC took part or organized no less than 18 conferences, workshops or seminars. Among them were the Master of Arts Program in International Relations in cooperation with the Free University of Berlin, the GCC-Korea Relations Workshop, the Green Gulf workshop in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Program, the release of the Arabic version of the International Energy Outlook 2006 as well as the Global Leadership and Young Arab Leaders conventions.

During the same period, GRC published 12 books, 10 research papers, 10 Gulf papers, 10 Gulf Translations and 3 Gulf Theses including one about GCC-EU relations.

GRC staff was also involved in giving presentations at or organizing no less than 24 events and conferences. These included: the 8th Asian Security Conference, the Global Policy Council organized by the Bertelsmann Stiftung, the Middle East 2006 conference organized by the Geneva Center for Security Policy, the Doha Debates, the Seventh Mediterranean Social and Political Research Meeting in Florence, the Windsor Energy Forum in London and the 7th International Security Forum in Zurich.

GRC held its 4th Annual Conference, entitled “The consequences of US Policies in the Gulf Region” on 13th/14th January 2007.