DRAFT AGENDA NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
Updated on 10.09.07

First Day   Second Day   Third Day  

Saturday, 1 December

9.00 – 21.00      REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

10.00 – 17.00.   PROLOGUE: Innovation Workshop

NEW SKILLS FOR THE NEXT LEADERS
This interactive workshop inspires entrepreneurs and innovators to think more critically about how they will have to lead in the 21st century.  Innovative thinking worldwide is bringing solutions to big problems, changing business models, and creating collaborative partnerships. The next generation of Arab leaders – side by side with global innovators and entrepreneurs – will engage in this unique workshop to learn how to tangibly accomplish the following goals:

• How to think differently, inventively, critically
• How to transform their business
• How to interpret and anticipate “leapfrog” business model shifts
• How to apply disruptive technology to gain competitive advantage
• How to address risk aversion and take ideas to market

After a few hours’ workshop on the theory, participants with create small groups and invent the initiatives they would create (new companies, government policies, NGOs, etc) if money were no object.  Each initiative that meets minimum standards of creativity and sophistication will present their project to the entire conference, with the idea that it could possibly get funded. 

Participants would include students, corporate executives, heads of innovative NGOs, small business owners, innovative media leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs

18.30                OPENING RECEPTION
                        Welcome to Bahrain!
Co-hosted by the Arab Thought Foundation and the Bahrain Economic Development Board
Initial Meet and Greet
(Preceded by a special welcome reception for speakers and youth delegates)

Sunday, 2 December

08.00 – 20.00    Registration Desk Open

08.00 – 09.00    Breakfast

09.00 – 10.00    JUMP-START THE DAY DISCUSSIONS:
CONCURRENT ROUNDTABLES

(1) TECHNOLOGY: Speed to Change
The pace of competition has accelerated. Business agility and speed to market has been enhanced by smart use of integrated technologies. What are the technologies that enable companies to transform and compete quickly? With billions of transactions online, what new tools advance authentication and identity protection? How has technology changed productivity and inventiveness that comes from collaboration?

(2) INVESTMENTS: Africa
While India and China are the darlings of the investors who got into those markets 5 and 10 years ago, much of the upside potential has been released, and investments in those markets, while still in the growth category, are becoming less rewarding.  For those with an appetite for growth, and an interest in renewing centuries old connections, sub-Saharan Africa is the place to explore. 

(3) EDUCATION: The Digital Arab
While computer literacy is not the only answer to improving the quality of education in any country, no country can afford to slip behind in this fast moving, digitally connected and driven century. Is there a brain drain to countries more technologically advanced? With the world hunger for smart engineers and smart scientists, how are Arab countries positioning to compete? What are the expectations, ambitions, and frustrations of Arab youth?

10.00 – 10.30    Break

10.30 – 11:00    WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
• HRH Prince Khalid Al Faisal al Saud, Chairman, Arab Thought Foundation and Governor of Mekka
                                    • His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman A Khalifa
                                    • HE Amr Moussa, Secretary General, League of Arab States
• Dr. Soliman Abdel Moniem, Secretary General, Arab Thought Foundation

11:00 – 11:45    SPOTLIGHT:
Arabic
One of the world’s most influential business leaders shares his vision of the future – for oil, for energy, for the Arab business community.

11.45 –  13.00   PANEL: Doing Business as a Global Citizen
English
in this era of borderless transactions, global communications and multi-cultural companies, there are more complex factors for leaders to consider than ever before.  What are the most important values that transcend individual cultures, and drive us all towards a more dynamic marketplace? How will people transcend their fear of globalization?
Panelists to include:

13.00 – 13.05    DISCUSSION STARTER
Youth delegation directs the lunchtime discussion topic by asking one thoughtful, provocative question.

13.05 –14.15     LUNCH

14.15 – 14.20    ARTIST ON STAGE
                        Influential and respected talks about the creative process. (brings audience back into the room)

14.20 – 15.30    PANEL: Gulf Currency and Financial Markets of the Future
Arabic
The financial markets are as dynamic as ever before.  The weakening dollar, high oil prices and strengthening regional markets are all driving us into uncertain times.  What will happen with the GCC currency? How do Arab investors view the global financial markets?  How will the regional stock exchanges sort themselves out on the world stage? 
Panelists to include:
GCC is on the move, growing its power with each advancing stride: uncoupling from the dollar, joining global burses, discovering new investment opportunities, building "model" cities, riding the opportunities of globalizations.
What's next? How is the surge in available funds making markets? How do the investors view the opportunities in China, India, EU, Africa, the U.S.?

15:30 – 16.30    2017: King Abdullah University—The Student and The Curriculum     
Arabic
A child born in the year 2000 will be entering University in 2017, just ten years from now.  Review a proposed 2017 curriculum at King Abdullah University in order to illustrate the future Arab education. What world will that child be preparing for? What jobs will be available, what skills will be valued?  Who will be teaching them? What will define 21st Century education?  This panel reviews a mock

16.30 – 17.00    BREAK

17.00 – 17.45    SPOTLIGHT:
                        Brief commentary followed by interview by Arab journalists
English
A world view of the geopolitical context for business with commentary on reasons for optimism as well as causes for alarm. What can be accomplished as special envoy representing "the Quartet"? What can he accomplish in terms of Arab-Israeli relations that no other has accomplished to date? What individuals and entrenched positions are "conspiring" against peaceful co-existence? For the Arab Youth at FIKR, if he were 21 today, what would be his goals? How can young Arabs and Israelis help him achieve mutual goals?
Interviewed by (one question each – would be interesting if all women journalists):

17.45                BREAK TO REFRESH FOR DINNER

20.30                DINNER HOSTED BY THE CROWN PRINCE OF BAHRAIN
                        Location: Bahrain International Circuit

Monday, 3 December

08.00 – 20.00    REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

08.00 – 09.00    BREAKFAST

09.00 – 10.00    JUMP START THE DAY DISCUSSIONS

(1) ENERGY—THE ALTERNATIVES, THE OPPORTUNITIES
A discussion about the resource-rich, labor-poor countries of the Arabian Peninsula and the resource-poor, labor rich Arab countries of the Mediterranean.
Investments in the MENA countries are now as high as in Asia—will this accelerate even further? Where is the capital flowing? How are oil producing companies and countries embracing corporate social responsibility?

(2) TECH POLICY: Investing in Infrastructure
Economic cities are becoming the engines of growth. What are these new business models and what is the expected payoff? Economic Development Boards discuss their unique strategies. What do they offer as investment opportunities for businesses, private equity, venture capitalists, labor, trade?
•  KSA
• Malaysia –
• Ireland
• Dubai
• Kuwait  -

(3) SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Measurement Drives Action
Western corporations are rapidly developing internal guidelines for corporate social responsibility, but even in the most advanced groups, there is no standardization of measurement, so the initiatives have less impact than they desere.  What is the right way to measure corporate social responsibility?  Will the ATF (who will?) lead a pan-Arab CSR Index that focuses businesses in the region on the most effective initiatives?

10.00 – 10.30    BREAK

10:30 – 11:00    PRESENTATION: Watching the Environment Change
English
The uncertainty created by the changes associated with the environment and climate is globally destabilizing.  No one can accurately predict exactly what is going to happen, but there are clear implications for businesses with direct and indirect exposure to these risks. This graphically-driven presentation will highlight the facts and systems in climate change, and demonstrate how to use the scientific data when making business decisions. 

11:00 – 12:00    PANEL: The Green Building Mandate
Arabic
In a region that is characterized by an oil-financed building boom, a crucial link is missing.  The long-term resource commitments associated with large-scale infrastructure development must be considered in the framework of 30 – 50 years, and beyond.  Even small improvements in design-driven energy efficency, component simplicity and flexible use can result in massive operating savings (or costs) over the lifetime of a building.  Wil the Arab building boom signify the end of the brown building era, or the beginning of the green building era?  What is the real cost of these decisions?
Panelists to include:

12.00 - 13.00     PANEL: From Oil to Energy – What Legacy?
Arabic
In 2031, XXX Arab countries will have run out of oil, and around the world, people will be looking back upon these days as the beginning of a whole new economics of energy.  While oil will remain valuable until the last drop is pumped from the earth, several alternatives will change the face of the energy marketplace.  Who is going to be the country that leads the investing in the crucial sector?  What is at stake? Realistic projections on alternative energy uptake around the world.  What are the economics?  Can Arab countries run themselves on alternative energy, allowing them to reserve all of their oil for wealth-creating export? 

13:00 – 13:05    DISCUSSION STARTER
Youth delegation directs the lunchtime discussion topic by asking one thoughtful, provocative question.

13.05 – 14.30    LUNCH & CONVERSATION

14.30 – 14.35    WRITER ON STAGE
                        Influential and respected writer talks about the creative process. (brings audience back into the room)

14.35 - 15.05     SPOTLIGHT: Global technology leader

15.05 – 15:45    MEDIA AND BUSINESS
As we discussed at FIKR 4, media is having a disruptive influence on Arab culture.  But what’s going on behind the ‘behind the scenes’?  Are these businesses financially viable?  How is interactive commerce and virtual reality changing the business landscape?  What business models will provide financial sustainability, and who will fall behind by clinging to the past? 

15:30 – 16:00    BREAK

16:00 – 16:45    PANEL: Role of Corporation in Arab Society
Around the world, corporate leaders have an increasing awareness of their responsibility not just to shareholders, but to customers, employees and the communities where they operate.  At the same time, corporate taxation, state social spending and zacat create a very different philanthropic environment in the Arab world, when compared to Europe, Asia and the US.  How will these two trends converge?  What will global corporations need to do to be accepted by the Arab community? 

16:45 – 17.15    SPOTLIGHT:

17.15 – 18.15    PRESENTATION: Innovative Initaitives
Participants from the innovation workshop that took place as a prologue to the conference share their ideas with very brief presentations.  Will someone step up to fund the NEXT BIG IDEA?
           
18.15 – 18.30   HM SHEIKH SALMAN BIN HAMAD AL-KHALIFA
                       Conference Summary as Closing Speaker

18.30 – 20.30    BREAK TO REFRESH FOR DINNER

20.30                CLOSING RECEPTION AND AWARDS DINNER
                        HOSTED BY HRH Prince Khalid Al Faisal
                        Presentation of 2007 Creative Achievement Awards