Egyptian Diplomat Hamdi A.W. Saleh to Speak on Nov. 20

Teaneck, N.J. (November 6, 2008) — Egyptian diplomat Hamdi A.W. Saleh will speak on “The Arab World and the Process of Globalization” on Thursday, November 20, at 1 p.m. at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan campus. The free, public lecture is sponsored by the Office of the President and the School of History, Political and International Studies.

With more than three decades of diplomatic service and a distinguished career in academia, journalism and civil society advocacy, Hamdi A.W. Saleh has had a profound influence on his country, region and the world.

Ambassador Saleh served as Egypt’s Undersecretary of State for Information and Policy Planning from 2003-2004. From 2000-2003, he served as Egyptian ambassador to Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, and was ambassador to Mozambique and Swaziland from 2004-2005.

A Ph.D. graduate from Harvard University, Saleh has taught at several institutions in the United States, Egypt and Africa. He has made significant contributions to social research on the transformation of Islamic society and culture. He is currently a Fulbright Scholar at the Center for Middle East Studies at Florida State University and president of the Arab-African Initiative for Development.

As a civil society advocate, Saleh initiated several nongovernmental organizations in Egypt, the United States, South Africa and Mozambique. He has also been active in human rights movements in the Arab world and in supporting women’s organizations that advocate active roles for women in society. In addition, he was a witness and observer to several election procedures in Egypt, South Africa, the Dominican Republic and Mozambique.

As columnist and commentator, his columns have appeared in the International Herald Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, Christian Science Monitor and others. He has also contributed to several Arabic newspapers, including Al-Ahram, Al-Hayat, Al-Mussour and others.

The speech will take place in Room 105 of Muscarelle Center, Teaneck, N.J. Parking is available nearby at FDU’s North Parking Lot.