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Forward Thinking is a UK-registered charity founded in 2004 that works in the field of conflict prevention,
conflict resolution Conflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of Conflict (process), conflict and Revenge, retribution. Committed group members attempt to resolve group conflicts by actively co ...
, and political dialogue. The organisation primarily addresses issues related to the Gulf-
MENA The Middle East and North Africa (MENA), also referred to as West Asia and North Africa (WANA) or South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA), is a geographic region which comprises the Middle East (also called West Asia) and North Africa together ...
region and religious/secular dialogue at a political level.


Aims and Programmes

The organisation has three main aims: * To promote inclusive dialogues and a durable solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict Israelis (; ) are the citizens and nationals of the State of Israel. The country's populace is composed primarily of Jews and Arabs, who respectively account for 75 percent and 20 percent of the national figure, followed by other ethnic and ...
. * To facilitate political dialogues in, and between, the Gulf-MENA region and Europe to identify areas for greater cooperation. * To promote greater understanding and engagement between diverse British Muslim communities and organisations, and British policymakers, parliamentarians, and the national media. and three main areas of activities: * The Middle East Programme. * The Women for a Sustainable Future (WSF) network. * The UK Programme.


The Middle East Programme

The Middle East Programme engages leaders with political and religious constituency in
Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...
and Palestine to promote inclusive dialogues and a durable solution to the conflict. Forward Thinking works to engage with those who are perceived as political "hardliners", in the belief that if these communities are not engaged, they will have little incentive to see peace succeed and may become spoilers to the process.


Women for a Sustainable Future (WSF)

The Women for a Sustainable Future network provides an independent space for women parliamentarians, experts, and diplomats across the Gulf-MENA region to meet with their European counterparts. This space enables the network to address the human, environmental, economic, and social challenges that pose a threat to a global sustainable future.


The UK Programme

In the UK, Forward Thinking works to promote a greater understanding of the diverse Muslim communities and organisations, and the positive contribution they make to British society at a political and social level.


Staff

Forward Thinking's co-founder and director is Oliver McTernan. Oliver has an established background in conflict resolution and interfaith relationships. He was a visiting fellow of the Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs at
Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...
2000–2003. He was also responsible for initiating the first post-conflict talks between
NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...
and the former Yugoslav government. His book, 'Violence in God's Name' explores the role of religion in an age of conflict. He broadcasts regularly on radio and television. Jordan Morgan is Forward Thinking's Director of Programmes. He is the former Director of the Middle East Programme, former Helsinki Policy Forum Manager, and former UK Programme Manager. He was also formerly a researcher at a think tank specialising in political violence. He studied Geography at
Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth University () is a Public university, public Research university, research university in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding member institution of the former federal University of Wales. The university has over 8,000 stude ...
and holds an MA in Geopolitics, Territory, and Security from
King's College London King's College London (informally King's or KCL) is a public university, public research university in London, England. King's was established by royal charter in 1829 under the patronage of George IV of the United Kingdom, King George IV ...
. Cecily Bayliss is the WSF Programme Manager at Forward Thinking. The WSF network facilitates dialogue between women parliamentarians, government officials, and relevant experts in the Gulf-MENA region and Europe to address challenges that disproportionately impact women’s livelihoods. Prior to joining Forward Thinking, she studied Theology at the
University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh (, ; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a Public university, public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded by the City of Edinburgh Council, town council under th ...
where she developed a particular interest in Islamic Theology and the role of religion in peacebuilding. Harry Weeks is a Programme Officer at Forward Thinking. He supports the work of the Middle East Programme to promote an inclusive Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He studied History and Politics at
Balliol College, Oxford Balliol College () is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. Founded in 1263 by nobleman John I de Balliol, it has a claim to be the oldest college in Oxford and the English-speaking world. With a governing body of a master and aro ...
, where he developed an interest in the politics of the Middle East. He lived in Cairo for one year to study Arabic.


Funding

Forward Thinking is funded by a diverse range of sources including the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and a number of Trusts and private donors. https://www.forward-thinking.org/analysis/annual-report-2023


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Thinking Charities based in London