MANAMA: By Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies, (Derasat) has become a prominent thinktank on a global scale and ranked among the top five research centers in the Middle East.
“The ten years of excellent work, research, publications and dialogue has put Derasat as one of the key thinktanks in the region and unparallel teamwork will continue in seeking many accomplishments in future,”
, with a wide and comprehensive outreach of partnerships with numerous centers and international organizations, the foremost of which is the United Nations; having also organized and participated in prestigious international events,” Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Derasat’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said.
Under the patronage of His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court, Derasat, celebrated its 10th anniversary on December 14th, in the presence of elite Bahraini guests, Arab and International diplomats, the media, and representatives of a number of regional think tanks, coinciding with ongoing National Day celebrations of Bahrain.
The event was held under the theme “from vision to reality” is a testament to a decade of achievements, including conferences, publications, seminars, and survey polls, in the reign of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, and His Majesty’s comprehensive reform program and Bahrain’s 2030 Economic Vision.
“We are truly grateful to His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court, for his gracious patronage of Derasat’s decade celebration, for which all staff feel honored,”
“We strived for ten years to make Derasat a beacon of thought and knowledge in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Center is a virtue of His Majesty’s wisdom, with whose blessings it was founded, anticipating its support in government decision making, and increasing national gains for Bahrain’s future.”
“His Majesty’s wisdom identified the urgent need to supplement the Kingdom’s building process, based on a solid foundation of knowledge that benefits from world developments to realize visions, study trends, identify priorities, and research policies; all through seminars, research workshops, and conferences that present ideas, solutions, and treatments for many local and regional challenges,” he said.
“The Center always made every effort to be objective when pursuing facts, through its several instruments, aiming to increase the understanding of current and emerging international issues,” said Dr. Shaikh Abdulla, adding that, “this is a contribution by the Center to achieve world peace, and the message of the Kingdom’s wise leadership and people, utilizing research, dialog, and survey polls to measure trends in public opinion; conducting accurate, objective, and impartial studies and field surveys on various local, regional, and international issues, and use the data and results to serve researchers, decision-makers, and society.”
“Derasat has succeeded in assuming renewable roles to rise up to His Majesty’s vision to increase dependence on scientific research in addressing society’s issues and citizens’ wellbeing, contributing to regional security and stability, and spreading the values of tolerance and coexistence,” he said.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla has commended Derasat’s team of researchers, administrators and affiliates for their cooperation and perseverence, asserting that Derasat has the confidence, will and aspiration to continue in its pursuit of leadership and achievements.
Derasat was formed as a specialized center through Royal Decree 52/2009, to contribute to evolving an open, objective and independent environment; and to conduct studies and research in strategic, international and energy domains; as well as cooperating with research centers and scientific organizations.
