Derasat Centre accomplishes notable achievements in 2023
Manama, Dec. 26 (BNA): The Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), accomplished various significant achievements in 2023. The Centre saw the implementation of various initiatives, including hosting its sixth annual forum, establishing global partnerships, publishing a variety of publications, enhancing its digital library, organising a wide range of think talks and lectures, and hosting events that addressed key topics related to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
These efforts aimed to achieve the highest standards of quality and excellence in scientific research serving national and strategic objectives.
One notable achievement of Derasat Centre was the organisation of the sixth edition of Derasat’s Annual Forum. The forum was titled, "The Role of Women in Policy-Making, Think Tanks, and Research". The forum was conducted in association with the Supreme Council for Women. It witnessed the participation of distinguished scholars, researchers, media professionals and experts.
The Centre published the "State of Arab Cities Report 2022" in cooperation with the Regional Office for Arab countries of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The report, titled, "Sustainable Financing for Urban Areas and Infrastructure", was the result of extensive partnerships between civil society organisations, the United Nations, and Derasat. This collaboration underscored the Centre's role as an intellectual partner in producing high-level reports, building upon the initiatives initiated by the Human Development Report in Bahrain in 2018.
Additionally, the Centre actively engaged in research related to sustainable development. This included its work on the Kingdom of Bahrain's Second Voluntary National Review. These efforts align with the national strategic plans that drive progress in the Kingdom.
Moreover, Derasat organised a symposium titled, "A Dialogue between Arabian Gulf Think Tanks and their Partners with NATO", on the sidelines of the Fifth Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Policy Advisory Group Meeting.
The symposium aimed to foster dialogue between think tanks and various other organisations in the Arabian Gulf and their counterparts from NATO. It focused on future cooperation and addressing common security threats. Discussions also centred around potential collaborations between NATO and GCC countries in light of shared security challenges.
The Centre collaborated with the American Mission Hospital to host a joint-event titled, "Awareness of Genetic Disorders Symposium: Coping and Methods of Prevention".
The event aimed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences related to genetic disorders and preventive measures. It focused on three genetic syndromes being: Down, Marfan, and Klinefelter.
The Centre organised a joint workshop with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). The workshop, titled "Regional Security Perspectives in the Gulf Region", aimed to address the risks associated with the proliferation of specific weapons and weapons of mass destruction.
It also explored strategies for safeguarding and promoting security in the region.
Throughout the year, Derasat continued to organise its lecture series titled, "Think Talks", with the aim of providing a platform for intellectuals locally and internationally to present and discuss various important topics.
These topics included military technology, digital transformation, trade dispute settlement, mental health, foreign policy, history, strategic planning, international relations, and trade.
The "Think Talk" series exemplified the Centre's commitment to diversifying research topics and promoting knowledge exchange among specialists and individuals interested in various scientific fields. These lectures served as a platform for intellectual discussions, contributing to Derasat's mission of promoting scientific research and dialogue.
Throughout the year, the lectures attracted a wide range of participants, including officials, researchers, Derasat's partners, members of the general public, and those interested in the respective topics. By organising this lecture series, the Centre demonstrated its dedication to facilitating dialogue, disseminating knowledge, and addressing issues that impact society. Over 2,500 participants took part in the Centre's activities throughout the year.
In addition, the Centre published two editions of its biannual scientific journal.
Derasat researchers actively participated in a number of local and international conferences and seminars, with 20 local and 42 international participations in total. Furthermore, the Centre successfully completed the initial phase of establishing its Artificial Intelligence Renewable Energy Laboratory (AIRE), as part of the Energy and Environment Studies Program within the Studies and Research Directorate.
This significant achievement aims to combine technological development with effective environmental supervision, contributing significantly to Bahrain's renewable energy goals. These goals include achieving 5% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and increasing it to 20% by 2035. The project aligns with national plans, such as reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, and supports the advancement of innovative solutions in energy, technology, and the environmental sector.
In addition to the aforementioned activities, in 2023, the Centre launched a book titled, "Shaikh Hamad bin Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Ruler of Bahrain (1932 - 1942): News and Press Coverages", by Saqr Abdullah Al Maawda. The Centre also republished, "Al Tuhfa Al Nubhania fi Tarikh Al Jazira Al Arabiya", by Muhammad bin Khalifa Al Nabhani.
The Centre prepared a series of studies and reports in various areas of specialisation, consisting of over 21 studies and 46 reports.
The Centre achieved a significant milestone by launching the Derasat Digital Library, which offers the Centre's publications, including books, periodicals, and research, through its official website. The digital library aims to provide access to knowledge sources for researchers and individuals interested in various fields, utilising the latest digital advancements.
It serves as a valuable resource for specialised studies on the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf region. The library experienced a growth rate of approximately 6.3% in its collection of scientific references.
To fulfill its societal responsibility and engage in qualitative partnerships in national endeavors, the Centre continued to employ various scientific research tools. It conducted a wide range of surveys that covered diverse fields such as health, environment, trade, and other topics, surveying over 2,350 respondents.
The Centre signed two memorandums of cooperation, one with the National Cyber Security Centre and another with the Customs Affairs at the Ministry of Interior.
Derasat Centre had an exceptional year of active participation and meaningful interactions with various organisations, experts, and diplomats. Its members contributed to research presentations and workshops both locally and internationally. The year witnessed significant achievements and fruitful connections, with everyone effectively hosting the Centre's guests and collaborating with international partners.
The Centre prioritised increasing its presence through various media outlets by focusing on quality and coverage pertaining to its activities. The media outreach rate of the Centre reached approximately 524, encompassing television reports, articles, and other media outlets.
This success encourages the Centre to reinforce its media presence and adopt a more comprehensive communication policy that utilises available tools. It also aims to invest in attractive and interactive pages on social media platforms to elevate the Centre's work to new heights, reaching more recipients and maximising its added value.
Derasat Centre's commitment to research excellence, knowledge exchange, and strengthening international relations has solidified its position as a prominent institution in the fields of strategic studies, international relations, energy, and other research specialisations.
The achievements of 2023 serve as a strong motivation for Derasat Centre's unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation in the upcoming year, 2024.
