Now that I'm safely here and have a working internet connection, I've got a chance to post that I'm in Amman, Jordan, for a few days to take part in the Global Youth Dialogue Forum sponsored by the Project on Middle East Democracy. I'm delighted to be part of this initiative, which brings together 25 Jordanian and 25 American young folk with a handful of old more experienced folks such as myself to talk about politics, society, and such. Mohammed Azraq, one of the organizers, writes about it here; I'm particularly excited that several of my favorite Jordanian bloggers and citizen journalists are on the program. I'll try to write about the conference itself later.
It's great to be back in Jordan, even if only for a few days. I lived and traveled here a lot in the 1990s through 2002, but haven't been back for several years - amazing what a changing research agenda and two kids will do to one's travel itinerary! From what I saw driving around with a friend last night, the reports of Amman's changed landscape are not exaggerated. I'm still mulling over last night's stimulating conversation with Mohammed Abu Roman, Jamil al-Nimri, and Hassan Barari (all columnists with al-Ghad newspaper who will be familiar names to those who follow my daily tags). I've got a full slate of interviews and meetings before the conference gets underway - I'll write up what I can, when I can.
By the way, if anybody knows how to make a Blackberry work in Jordan shoot me an email - yes, it's global, has an active sim card, and worked fine in Paris. Same for any friends currently in Jordan who I failed to connect with in advance.
I'm very excited that you're in Amman :) looking forward to your panel presentation on Friday, and would love to sit and chat if you have time before, during, or after the conference. I'm pretty sure your schedule is full, but if you're free and would like to meet up, drop me a line!
Posted by: Lina | May 28, 2008 at 04:13 AM
welcome back!
i'll just interrupt whatever conversation you end up having with lina. i'm good at that.
Posted by: Nas | May 28, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Thank you for being willing to travel so far to participate! I attended the Global Youth Dialogue in Rabat last spring and really enjoyed having such a forum for talking about democracy. May this incarnation produce a good discussion and as many new friendships as ours did.
Posted by: KEP | May 28, 2008 at 10:18 AM
My Amman travellers' topographical knowledge was thrown completely off when they closed the Abdali bus station last fall.
Posted by: Brian Ulrich | May 28, 2008 at 02:51 PM
See page 1 of the Jordan Times today... I also had trouble roaming in Jordan the past couple of days, and wonder if it's to do with this SIM card registration business..
Posted by: AMP | May 30, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Thank you so much Professor Lynch, it was really wonderful to meet you , our presentation was very rich and informational add so much to the panel, all the best, and I hope I will see you at some point again!
Posted by: Mohammad Azraq | May 31, 2008 at 05:58 PM