Debate on key, cutting-edge regional issues

Organized by the Mediterranean Development Forum (MDF) partnership of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) think-tanks, the United Nations Development Program, and the World Bank Group, the Fourth Mediterranean Development Forum (MDF4) was held in Amman, Jordan, October 6-9, 2002 under the patronage of HM King Abdullah II.                                            

MDF4 brought together over 500 participants from across the MENA region for an open and lively debate on key, cutting-edge regional issues. Participants from 32 countries, including 13 from outside the region, were represented. About 42% of those who participated were from civil society, including representatives of think-tanks, academic institutions, and NGOs; 17% were from the government, 17% from donor organizations, 14% from the private sector, and 5% from the media (with the rest being service providers). A notable 36% of participants in the event were women. 

Reflecting the theme “Progress for All, Visions for the Future,” MDF4 focused on a dialog concerning different visions of addressing critical economic and social issues for a better future for the region. MDF4 witnessed lively and open discussions during the conferences' four specialized workshops, five special sessions, three plenary sessions, breakfast meetings, and open space activities. Participants debated and shared experiences involving better practices on issues ranging from empowering local government institutions to employment, digital inclusion, and trade and investment. Dialog took place on other critical issues during sessions on gender, media, civil society, corporate social responsibility, and youth. As a result of these discussions, future projects are being planned on themes related to gender, empowering local government, and youth.                                                  

The MDF partnership, launched in 1997, is dedicated to empowering civil society to participate in shaping public policy, making a contribution to the policy debate in key areas of regional interest, improving the extent and quality of research on economic and social policy issues, and creating vibrant networks of development actors in the region. The partnership promotes activities supporting policy dialog, culminating in a Forum held approximately every 2 years: MDF1 in May 1997; MDF2 in September 1998; MDF3 in March 2000; and MDF4 in October 2002.