Insight Image

Discussion Session on the Role of Think Tanks in Promoting Culture and Countering Extremism.. TRENDS and Bibliotheca Alexandrina Sign MoU to Enhance Research and Scientific Cooperation

30 Jan 2025

Discussion Session on the Role of Think Tanks in Promoting Culture and Countering Extremism.. TRENDS and Bibliotheca Alexandrina Sign MoU to Enhance Research and Scientific Cooperation

30 Jan 2025

TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its virtual office in Egypt, held a discussion session with Prof. Ahmed Zayed, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, to explore the role of think tanks and research, cultural, and scientific institutions in promoting knowledge and culture. The session took place alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities, aimed at strengthening research and scientific cooperation.

Participants emphasized that think tanks and cultural institutions are fundamental pillars of societal progress, playing a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and culture at both regional and global levels. This is achieved through knowledge-driven events, cultural initiatives, and educational programs, which contribute to intellectual development and societal awareness.

Enriching Scientific Content

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, highlighted the pivotal role of think tanks and cultural institutions in knowledge production. He emphasized that in-depth research and studies significantly enrich scientific and cultural content, enhancing public understanding of critical issues and challenges.

He further explained that think tanks play a key role in advancing education, training, and skill development through specialized programs and workshops. These initiatives provide academic knowledge to researchers and specialists, fostering the spread of scientific culture and critical thinking while stimulating innovation and creativity.

Intellectual Platforms for Dialogue

Dr. Al-Ali also pointed out that think tanks serve as vital platforms for intellectual exchange, encouraging constructive dialogue and collective reasoning. He stressed the responsibility of these institutions in correcting misconceptions, countering extremist ideologies, and combating radical groups—particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, which seeks to destabilize nations by spreading extremist ideologies among youth.

He described think tanks as drivers of innovation and societal education, providing knowledge and cultivating an educational environment that propels progress while shielding youth from extremist rhetoric propagated by political Islamist groups.

Advancing Research and Scientific Cooperation

Dr. Al-Ali underscored that the MoU with Bibliotheca Alexandrina comes at a time when the region and the world face increasing ideological challenges, including the rise of extremist rhetoric and terrorist organizations. He emphasized that the best way to dismantle extremist ideologies is through intellectual engagement—countering ideas with knowledge-driven discourse.

Addressing the Intellectual Crisis

For his part, Prof. Ahmed Zayed, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, noted that the Arab region is at a critical historical juncture, facing rising violence and developmental challenges. He described this as an intellectual crisis that necessitates a continuous flow of intellectual production to counter extremism while driving societies toward enlightenment and progress.

Combating Extremism

Dr. Zayed affirmed that many cultural, intellectual, and scientific institutions in the Arab world are prioritizing counter-extremism efforts, freedom of expression, diversity, and critical thinking. He stressed the importance of collaborative initiatives between institutions, leveraging human, technical, and material resources to achieve shared objectives.

He further explained that Bibliotheca Alexandrina and TRENDS Research & Advisory have agreed to enhance cultural cooperation by organizing events, exchanging expertise and publications, and conducting joint research activities. These efforts aim to promote enlightenment, support scientific literacy, and advance cultural and literary discourse.

Joint Research Projects

As part of this initiative, TRENDS and Bibliotheca Alexandrina signed an MoU to strengthen research, scientific, cultural, and knowledge-based collaboration. The signing ceremony took place at the Cultural and Natural Heritage Documentation Center of Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, and Prof. Ahmed Zayed, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in the presence of senior experts, researchers, and department heads from both institutions.

The MoU seeks to foster collaborative research efforts, organize specialized conferences and symposia, and develop research projects that provide practical solutions to global challenges. It also aims to establish joint academic, research, and training programs, reinforcing the commitment of both institutions to knowledge exchange and intellectual development.