Next Century Foundation
 | |
| Formation | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Region served | Worldwide |
Secretary-General | William Morris (Next Century Foundation) |
| Website |
www |
The Next Century Foundation (NCF) is a think tank and track II diplomacy organisation that operates in various conflict zones, primarily the Middle East. Established in 1990 to provide a forum for off-the-record discussions between Palestinians and Israelis, the organisation has expanded its remit by focusing on and operating in Iraq, Kashmir, Kosovo, Sudan, Egypt, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Libya.
Activities
The Foundation describes itself as a 'think and do tank' which produces policy papers as well as facilitating dialogue between various different factions across the Middle East. Thus, most NCF work is second track and behind the scenes. Examples are wide ranging. For instance the NCF has:
- Produced a series of policy reports on the political and security situation in Iraq, Iraq's regional relationships and the disputed territories (including Kirkuk). These usually follow extensive fact-finding missions throughout Iraq, carried out since 2003 and in some of Iraq's most dangerous and volatile areas.[1]
- Monitored provincial and parliamentary elections in Iraq since 2005 (NCF election monitoring delegates have been the only international monitors to operate in both the Green and Red zones of Iraq).[2]
- Produced a daily report on the situation in Syria since June 2012, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.[3]
- Produced casualty figures for the ongoing conflict in Syria since July 2012 to present.[4]
International media awards
Since 2005, an annual awards ceremony has been held by the International Council for Press and Broadcasting, a subsidiary body of the Next Century Foundation, in London to celebrate high standards of Middle East journalism. The Awards acknowledge journalists and broadcasters who, through the consistently high standard of their work, promote better understanding of the people and politics of the world. Though certainly not limited to the region, the Awards have historically had a special focus on the Middle East and South Asia.[5]
In September 2013, the International Council for Press and Broadcasting merged with The International Commication Forum in a move that will eventually see the Council dissolve with all of its activities, including the annual Media Awards, moving under the banner of the ICF.
Organization
The founding members were businessmen, politicians, journalist and diplomats including Claud Morris, Lord Arnold Weinstock, David Alliance, Baron Alliance CBE, Mr Jaweed al-Ghussein and Arnold Goodman, Baron Goodman and Haim Yosef Zadok.
The Secretary General is William Morris. The Co-ordinator is Maggie Tomkinson. The trustees are Hon Mark Gregory Hambley (USA), David Alliance, Baron Alliance of Manchester (UK), Mrs June Jacobs (UK), George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews (UK).
The Advisory Board of the Next Century Foundation includes: Andrew Stone, Baron Stone of Blackheath; Lord Tugendhat; the Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Hanley KCMG; HE DR Mohamed Shaker; HE Mr Eric Roleau; HE Nasser Bin Hamad M. Al-Khalifa.