Maghreb Center Inaugural Symposium

The Maghreb Center Inaugural Symposium, co-sponsored with the Department of Government, the Center for Contemporary Arab Affairs, and the World Bank InfoShop, reviewed the current political and economic state of affairs of the five countries of the Maghreb -- Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia -- in light of these countries' respective histories and achievements. These five countries achieved independence between 1951 and 1962. Since then, in spite of numerous difficulties and setbacks, each of these countries has achieved substantial progress in modernizing their societies and structuring themselves as nation states, while struggling to achieve socio-economic development and insert their respective economies into the global economy. Panelists provided tools for a better understanding of these developments with suggestions on how to meet the current challenges.

Panels:
Trends in Political Reform and New Developments in Political Islam in the Maghreb
The Security Environment in the Maghreb
Economic Development Issues
International Relations: The EU and US relations with the Maghreb / Maghrebi Regional Integration