Patron 2. AIESEC-Mainz Forum - Prof. Dr. Günter Meyer
We from AIESEC Mainz/Wiesbaden are really pleased to report that university professor Dr. Günter Meyer will be the Patron of this year’s Forum. He will support the project in a moral way, but as well take over responsibility for the invitations of the orators.
Word of Welcome
"No other region is as present in the international news
of German media as the one of the Arab World – usually with negative connotation. The
one-sided media approach with a focus on terror, violence and Islamism has
in many cases led to negative clichés and stereotypes about the Arab
world in our perception. These associations do not go well with reality,
especially when considering cultural, economic and social diversity in the
22 Arab countries.
Given today’s distorted perception it is more important than ever to see behind the curtain of current conflicts. Through AIESEC activities and events, scientifically sound information will be provided and discussions and meetings with representatives of the Arab world will serve to reduce existing clichés and lead to a better awareness of the dramatic developments in this region.
I hope that the next AIESEC Mainz Forum will succeed in reaching its aim. It is only possible to achieve a dialogue between cultures if more is known about it. May the discussion forum give all participants a better understanding about the Arab world, fascinate them and broaden the knowledge about this cultural area, thus contributing to bridging the gap between the Western and the Arab world."
Günter Meyer
Born:
1946 in Oldenburg, Germany
Studies:
Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany - Londonderry, Northern Ireland - Kairo,
Egypt
Course of studies:
Geography and English for teaching posts at high schools
(in 1973 state examination at the University Erlangen-Nuremberg); Arabic
Graduation:
Dissertation (1976) and habilitation (1982) in geography at the
University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Professional Experience:
After university studies occupations at the universities
in Erlangen-Nuremberg and Bayreuth, Germany, since 1993 university professor
at the Institute for Geography at the University Mainz; Head of the Centre
for Research on the Arabic World
Focus of Research:
Geographical research concerning cities, economics and
socio-geographies in the Arabic world, especially in Egypt, Syria, Yemen
and den Staaten des Golf-Kooperationsrates
Other managing positions:
- Chairman of the “Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft Vorderer Orient für gegenwartsbezogene Forschung und Dokumentation (DAVO)“ (“German work association Middle East for Present Research and Documentation”), with approximately 850 members
- President of the “European Association for Middle Eastern Studies (EURAMES)“, umbrella organisation of all scientific associations, which deal with Middle East, approximately 3,000 members
- President of the “International Association for Middle Eastern Studies (IAMES)“
- Chairman of the “World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES)“ and thus main coordinator of the World Congress for Studies on the Middle East, taking place every four years
- Board member of the “International Association for Contemporary Iraqi Studies (IACIS)”
- Board member of the international “Parliament of Cultures“, Ankara, Turkey
