Talar Ishak’s Post

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#MiddleEast is indeed a misnomer when we have East, Central, and South Asia as commonly geographically defined economic regions within continental Asia along with other substrates such as Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. And there are often times, difficulty in classifying certain countries - some are impossible to identify in any single bucket. Cue countries such as Türkiye, Iran, Georgia, Cyprus, etc. Nomenclature aside, the geography of continental Asia is broad and varied but what is jarring is the slow reception Southeast Asia has towards the growth and development of “West Asia”. With the waxing and waning of hegemonies, I dare say that the centre of innovation and development will and is shifting from Europe and the West to the Middle East/West Asia/Gulf economies (whichever way you would like to put it). Let’s check back again in the not-too-distant future. Link: A good opinion piece published today, credit to Straits Times.

Asked LLM on the history of Africa Africa's history is extremely rich and diverse, spanning millennia of civilisations, the rise and fall of empires, cultural exchanges and struggles for colonisation and independence. The following is an overview of some of the key periods and features: ### Antiquity. - **Ancient Egyptian civilisation**: a major world civilisation that flourished in the Nile basin around 3000 BC. - **Non-Nile civilisations**: various civilisations flourished outside the Nile, including Nubia, Ethiopia and Somalia. ### Middle Ages. - **Trans-Saharan trade**: trans-Saharan trade routes were opened and gold, salt and slaves were traded. - **West African empires**: the Ghanaian, Malian and Songai empires flourished, and Timbuktu became a centre of learning. - **Swahili civilisation in East Africa**: the Swahili civilisation developed along the Indian Ocean coast and trade with overseas countries flourished. ### Modern times. - **Slave trade**: from the 16th to the 19th century, there was a large-scale slave trade by Western countries. - **Colonial period**: from the late 19th to the early 20th century, most of Africa was colonised by European powers. ### Modern times. - **Independence movements**: after World War II, many African countries achieved independence. - **Contemporary challenges**: since independence, many countries have faced political instability, economic problems, ethnic conflicts and health crises. - **Economic growth and development**: in recent years, some countries have seen economic growth and political stability. Africa's history is very extensive and complex. The above overview only scratches the surface and further insight into the unique history, culture and experiences of the people of each region is required.

This conference, just like any conference I organized, was personal to me because it is political, but this one carries even greater weight. I continually seek avenues within my sphere of influence and limited capacity to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza and inspire more action to address the issue. However, I’ve always desired to do more. When this opportunity arose, I recognized its potential to align with my personal advocacies and interests. It presented a perfect platform to educate more individuals about the ongoing genocide and motivate us to contribute in our own big and small ways. When I first suggested this theme and topic, the initial reaction was it’s either difficult, heavy or both. It also made me think twice, but one thing I learned in my study and practice of philosophy is that the more difficult and complicated the subject matter is, the more that we should talk about it. For it is when we consistently discuss it can we untangle the puzzles and problems that make the subject matter difficult so that it can be resolved. And so I persisted. With this, I am immensely grateful to the members of the Rotary Club of Makati Jose P. Rizal, UP Model United Nations, the Philosophical Society of UPLB, and some of my MUN colleagues (who have become friends) for trusting me and collaborating with me in this project. Thank you for trusting my vision and making it into reality. Everything was a collaboration and resulted from individual contributions, the very essence of UN. May the MUN community in the Philippines embrace a culture of action in the years ahead, where our discussions within the halls propel us to implement practical solutions beyond the plenary rooms. It is evident that the methods and systems of the past require change. May these learning venues and similar platforms nurture the development of more world movers and changers who can create hope and a better world.

Discover why studying Pan-Africanism is crucial in today's world! By understanding our shared histories, rich cultures, and common goals, we can build a stronger, more united future for Africa. This knowledge can help us solve today's challenges and support sustainable development across the continent. We have a special offer on our Pan-Africanism course that covers these important topics. Want to make a difference? Comment 'Interested' below, and we'll send you all the details! . . . #panafricanism #panafricanthought #schoolofpanafricanthought #africanhistory

  After Adam Freed and Paulina Latorre, meet Silvia Marchionne, working through CHEI at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore on #ihe in a little studied Mediterranean country, Tunisia. We're pleased to welcome Silvia, Senior Project Manager at UNIMED. Silvia has two MAs, one in International Cooperation and Development, focused on the Middle East and North Africa, and one in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies. She is as an international consultant for the World Bank on University Governance and Quality Assurance of HE in the MENA region, focusing mainly on Algeria, Tunisia and Iraq. Given this background, and her fluent #languageskills in Arabic, French and English, Silvia’s research focuses on the interaction between domestic and international actors in the development and implementation of #internationalisation of #highereducation in Tunisia. In the period since independence, universities in MENA countries have become symbols of social mobility, national unity and economic development, playing their part in efforts to consolidate power under a centralised state, strengthen the political legitimacy of the ruling regime and educating civil servants for an independent post-colonial national state. Tunisia is not an exception. But international donors – such as the EU, the World Bank, Expertise France, DAAD, the British Council, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the African Development Bank and the Arab League -  have also played a decisive role in relations with domestic Tunisian actors regarding HE development and its internationalisation processes. Especially since the 2011 Arab revolts, Tunisia has received great attention in the mass media and the international community. Silvia’s research will investigate the role that some of these actors have played in Tunisia in shaping #IHE trends, policies and practices. The study will focus on the particular features of the #policyborrowing process in the Tunisian context, identifying mechanisms through which asymmetries in influence between donors and domestic policy actors emerge. It will concentrate on different stages of the HE policy process: priority setting, policy formulation, and policy implementation. Remarkably few studies have investigated the perspectives and experiences of domestic policymakers and advisers in the IoHE sector across the MENA region, particularly in Tunisia; her study will contribute to filling this gap. Such a topic is not for the faint-hearted, and it is because of her solid practitioner experience in the HE sector in Tunisia that she hopes her research will contribute to providing a new lens for IoHE in the country. The goal is also to produce recommendations for ways in which internal and local actors can re-engage with external actors, and better shape #highereducation strategies in Tunisia, especially related to #internationalisation. Good luck Silvia! Great to see you are so active on the international scene!

IF YOU ARE AFRICAN, THE FOLLOWING CONTENT IS FOR YOU I've been in France for a little while now and my brain has not been able to let me rest. I've been observing a number of things completely different from the what I've always known. Some positive and others, negative. However, I have a special perspective to life. "Always make the most of every situation". So that's just what I'm going to do. Make the most of it and permit my readers to benefit from these experiences too (trigger thoughts, encourage actions towards the development of Africa). The following weeks/maybe months, I'll be sharing some content with regards to the things being implemented here in Europe which we could or not consider for ourselves. We're not necessarily talking about infrastructures but more about strategic systems and mindsets. Be warned, I might not be using sophisticated technical terms which sociologist will be more comfortable with. I will simply be reporting and commenting my observations with as much clarity as a lay man's language provides. I don't expect a revolution but if 2/3people can catch a revelation on how they can sow their seed into developing the continent, the goal will be met. NB: Remember, the idea is not about copy pasting. Even to innovate, we need knowledge on what's happening. For some reason God alone knows, he created a specific continent with special kind of people with a few traits that make them different. Not superior nor inferior, just different. So we of all should be meticulous about the processes we adopt because truth is we don't all have the same behavioural pattern. So, that said and done, See you very soon. #development #process #growth #criticalthinking #wakeupAfrica #Growthforall

Expanding My Global Perspective Through Soliya Exchanges I had the privilege of participating in two Soliya Global Circles exchanges this year which stretched my thinking on critical global issues. In February, we discussed creative ways to take action against hunger, an ongoing crisis facing millions worldwide. My exchange partners from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and the US brought thought-provoking perspectives on sustainable solutions. Then in June, we had a stimulating discussion on reimagining global health in a post-pandemic world. My peers from Egypt, Libya, Palestine and Germany challenged me to consider health equity from new angles. Both exchanges pushed me to think beyond my own context and consider how cross-border cooperation can drive real change. I gained deeper empathy, discarded stereotypes and recognized our shared struggles as humans. Connecting with open-minded students worldwide through Soliya has ignited my passion for building mutual understanding across cultures. I walk away with a global support network and renewed determination to be an active global citizen. The transformative power of these virtual dialogues reaffirms my belief that when we listen and learn from each other, we can build a more just and inclusive world. #exchange #cultures #international #Relations #connections #dialogue

Goodbying 2023 with many professional achievements but with 3 awful months. Few weeks ago, I visited the Zayed Grand Mosque, I asked a calm couple there to help me take pictures, then I was surprised that they were Isrαeli. Here is a summary: "You are welcome as Human beings/Jews, but certainly not as Occupiers/ Zi0nists". For those who follow the historical narrative (Link) will realize how wicked that European Jews were ostracized in Europe last century and then got exploited by global imperialism to serve its interests in the Middle East. While jews communities were living naturally in the Arab/ME regions with Christians, and Muslims for centuries. The paycheck of this exploitation is 5% of the population of Gaza dead, wounded or missing! https://lnkd.in/eSXBWtWS I lived most of my life as an expat in many countries, the first step is trying to understand the new context and culture and trying to adapt. The girl I met at Zayed Mosque was very polite and wore a scarf as a sign of respect for the culture, and this is the clue whatever is the ground solution. The Middle East used to be a multi-culture and I think it was able to absorb jews expats but this couldn't be done with a colonial project supported with traumatized culture. In addition to Isrαel's' walls to isolate Gαza. It surrounded itself with walls with every nation around it. while pretending that it was "A land without a people for a people without a land". Anyone with the slightest knowledge of Middle Eastern culture will recognize immediately that Israel media is oriented to the west, even though a (Global language dictionary) (Link) has been developed to control the narrative, while they are surrounded with communities boiling off their behavior and with almost zero acceptance rate of their context. Simply, their PM can announce his Plan to design the new middle east at the UN! while he also simply can announce that his IOF will turn Beirut (an ME capital) to Gαza if he received a threat from south Lebanon's. Unfortunately Isrαel did not understand that their positive systematic media (Hαsbara ) has a limited capacity to cover and recently it lost control! https://lnkd.in/d7Jmf7q3 Isrαel is a state imposed on its region and inconsistent with its surroundings, and the very natural result that this form will end sooner or later. The question is how will it end? Will it simulate the fall of the Berlin wall with an oriented compass to the east where they wish to be or will Isrαel choose to continue its war while living as a west colony in East? I wish you all a happy 2024 year with more prosperity for all, based on a fair ground <3 #happynewyear #2024

Praise the living, honour the dead: The man who shatters protocol in Africa Musings on science in Africa Praise Mbeki. October 2019. Covid howling in the rocks. Mbeki in town, Kampala. We gathered to peer into development in Africa. Day 1 was for the big political shots...Mbeki in town, what do you expect? Day 2 was for us 'les miserables' asking deep questions of science (social physics). My keynote was early morning. Just before starting, Thabo Mbeki appears. Panic. There were no political heavy weights to give Mbeki company - as though he cared! Anyway, phones were out, and within minutes, political heavy weights had lined the front row. Ponder. That's our problem, Africa. We seek accolades of science (Dr, even Prof., Ivy League, etc). But we are not keen on the deep, messy substance of science. We want to hear from 'investors'. Yet, our problem isn't money. It's morals and science. Infrastructure: We struggle with theft and ignorance. Stealing takes centre stage. But it's the lesser problem. Technology will sort out the big thieves. Deeper morals - that's beyond statutory agency. It's for society. Except, statutory agency and Bretton Woods must acknowledge incapacity to tackle core morals. Science (ignorance), we can tackle it. We're trying. But it's tough. Infrastructure investment is monstrously complex. The common workhorse of science (F=ma), which carries nearly all economics, can't help with complexity. We will keep trying. As we do, let politics be more honest with science. We need more from the factory that produced Thabo Mbeki. #africa #science #infrastructure #sustainability #afdb #worldbank #imf