Centrism in the Middle East: Myth or Method
The Harvard International Negotiation Program, the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School are pleased to co-present:
Centrism in the Middle East:
Myth or Method
Distinguished Lecture by
Najib A. Mikati
former Prime Minister of Lebanon
with opening remarks by
Daniel L. Shapiro
Founder and Director, Harvard International Negotiation Program
Monday, November 24
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Austin Hall, Room 111, Harvard Law School campus
About the Speaker:
Najib A. Mikati is a former Prime Minister of Lebanon and member of the Lebanese Parliament representing the district of Tripoli, North-Lebanon.
Mr. Mikati began his political career in 1998 as the Minister of Public Works and Transport, and remained in this post until 2004, under three consecutive cabinets. In 2000, he was elected for the first time as Member of Parliament representing Tripoli. In 2005, he became Prime Minister of Lebanon. In 2009, he was reelected Member of Parliament representing Tripoli for a four year term. In January 2011, he was nominated to form a government and remained in office until he resigned in March 2014.
Mr. Mikati is known as a prominent promoter of centrism in Lebanon. He has been an advocate of the dis-association policy in regards to the Syrian crisis.
Mr. Mikati is the co-founder of the M1 Group, a family-owned holding with interests in various sectors such as telecom, real estate, aircraft financing, fashion, cement and energy. He is active in various think tanks and international organizations. He is a senior member of the Dean’s International Council at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, as well as a member of the International Advisory Council of the ‘International Crisis Group.’ He was a member of the Board of Trustees at the American University of Beirut, and he is the founder of Middle East Prospects Forum and Al Wassatia Forum, two think-tanks promoting centrism in Lebanon and the Middle East.
Born in 1955, Mr. Mikati graduated from the American University of Beirut with a BA and MBA; he also attended executive programs at INSEAD and Harvard. As a philanthropist, he is engaged in a number of social activities, spanning Lebanese and international medical, academic, and charitable associations and organizations which he founded with his family. Mr. Mikati has been married for over thirty years to May Doumani. Together they have three children and seven grandchildren.
