The theme of the Jeddah Dialogue was “creating jobs through sustainable economic development”. The session provided a unique opportunity to reflect, refocus, and reconnect with other leaders on critical issues related to jobs, growth, and sustainability—issues that matter to us individually, as leaders of our organizations, and collectively, as citizens of a broader community.

The dialogue utilized a special methodology, the “World Café,” to help penetrate deeply into key issues and cross-pollinate ideas among the larger assembly. At the heart of the café process are small table discussions, held in a spirit of informality, openness, and inquiry. The process is particularly effective at connecting a wide range of perspectives and building a shared understanding of complex issues.

We invited three or four special guest speakers, who have found innovative ways to reach out to the local community, to participate in the dialogue. They shared personal experiences from their own leadership journey, and to help stimulate thinking in the café table discussions.

News from the Jeddah Dialogue

Engineering College Planned for Rabigh
Stephen L. Brundage, Arab News

JEDDAH, 13 May 2005
The chairman of the board of Dar Al-Hekma Private Girls’ College announced plans Wednesday to build a men’s college at Rabigh on the Red Sea coast...

Use Oil Boom for Massive Education Reform: Banker
Stephen L. Brundage, Arab News

JEDDAH, 12 May 2005
A leading Saudi banker said funds from the oil-price boom should be invested in massive improvements to the education system in order to sustain future economic development...