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Ammon News -


11 December 2012



The New Arab Debates, a regional free-speech forum, are holding their first debate in Amman. The debate will focus on the political turmoil and unrest in Jordan following demonstrations over fuel-price increases.

The New Arab Debates are a high profile platform to foster democratic accountability and free speech among young Arabs after the popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. The project, now in its second year, is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Arab Partnership Participation Fund at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

British Ambassador Peter Millett said: “I am very pleased that the New Arab Debates series has come to Jordan. Building on the success of the series in Egypt and Tunisia, the aim is to spread the culture of debate and ensure that important issues are discussed freely and openly. It is an exciting project, which we are very happy to support through the UK’s Arab Partnership Programme.”

Debates, both in English and Arabic, will be recorded at the Landmark Hotel in Amman at 7pm on December 10 and 11. The Debates’ chairman Tim Sebastian will be joined by renowned Egyptian TV presenter Mai El Sherbiny, who will moderate the debate in Arabic.

Under the format, the moderator will question two panellists – one supporting the motion and the other opposing it – before inviting the audience to quiz the speakers and decide the issue by electronic vote.


ENDS





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