October 27-29, 2010 | Beirut, Lebanon

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Focus

The meeting will enhance dialogue and collaboration on emerging Middle East issues of international importance including: Sovereign Wealth Funds, Renewable Energy, and Public Private Partnerships. The goal of this meeting is to enrich dialogue and collaboration among DIC members, and Lebanese economic and political leaders in order to develop concepts and ideas that will help the Harris School leverage new opportunities for improving public policy. 

Location

Beirut, Lebanon

Excursions

October 25-27 & October 30  

October 25: City tour of Baalbek with lunch at the Massabki Hotel (optional overnight in Damascus)  
October 26: City tour of Damascus (return to Beirut in the evening) 
October 27: Trip to Byblos 
October 30: Historical and architectural tour of Tripoli

Thanks to DIC member Dr. Tony Ghorayeb, we will offer group excursions through Kurban Tours so that we might have an opportunity to spend time together outside of the meeting and explore the culture and beauty of Lebanon and Syria both before and after our time in Beirut. They will handle details related to transportation in Beirut and any of the tours organized within Lebanon and to Damascus, Syria.

For your further information, review tour details. To register, fax your completed registration form to Kurban Tours.

For registration and further questions about the tours in Lebanon and Syria please contact:

Catherine Mansour  
Incoming Manager
Kurban Travel
Kantary Army Street
Daouk & Kurban Bldg.GF
Tel: 00961 368 958 ext 100
Fax: 00961 1 365 873
Email: catherinem@kurbantours.com
MSN: Kurbantours3@hotmail.com
Website: www.kurbantours.com 

October 31-November 2

Thanks to DIC member Mr Mazen Darwazeh, we are able to offer a few tours and unique opportunities in Jordan.

For further information, review the Jordan itinerary. To register, fax your completed reservation form to

Munir Nassar
International Traders
Fax: +962 6 566 9905
Email: munir.nassar@traders.com.jo

Visa Information

Lebanon 
Free, one month, valid tourist visas are granted at the airport and the frontier offices, renewable up to three months, to the citizens of a number of countries (view list).

Information on visas obtained upon arrival to Lebanon
Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, D.C.

Jordan 
Visitors from most of countries can get a visa on arrival at the airport or at the borders in Amman (NOTE: Countries that need prior permission and approval).

The cost of a single entry visa for all nationalities is JD10 (around $15). There is an official money exchange counterat the Queen Alia Airport in Amman before the passport control (more information).

No Visa Required: Nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunis, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Syria
Visitors need a valid visa issued by a Syrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.

Embassy of Syria in Washington D.C.

No Visa Required: Nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunis, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Speakers

We have currently booked the following keynote speakers:
Professor Charles Wheelan (University of Chicago), Ivan Watson (CNN), Professor Michael Spagat (Royal Holloway, University of London), Mr. Charles Rizk, and DIC member Frank Schell (download a PDF of his presentation here).

Stay tuned for updates to the agenda which will be posted to our website as it is finalized.

Hotel

To make a hotel reservation at the special rate, send your completed reservation form by October 8, 2010, by email (Zaher.kassir@habtoorhotels.com or Faten.Kfoury@habtoorhotels.com). Rooms are reserved under the block name ‘Dean’s International Council.'

Metropolitan Palace Hotel (Option I):  
Single / Double room; USD 200 / 220   

Habtoor Grand Hotel (Option II):  
Single / Double room; USD 220 / 240   

Horsh Tabet - Sin El Fil 
P.O Box 55555, Beirut, Lebanon 
Tel: + 961 1 496666, 500 666 
Fax: + 961 1 516 400 
E-mail: Zaher.kassir@habtoorhotels.com 
Faten.Kfoury@habtoorhotels.com 
Website: www.habtoorhotels.com

Background Reading & Useful Links

From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas Friedman
Pity the nation: The Abduction of Lebanon by Robert Fisk
If War Comes: Israel vs. Hizballah and Its Allies by Jeffrey White (pdf)
Ministry of Tourism
Embassy of Lebanon
Embassy of Lebanon, Links