the uae50 conference

Outstanding, informed opening addresses were given by His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE and the Chancellor of UAE University, and Rev Jonathan Aitken who, as a member of the British Government during the 1970's, was influential in the early stages of the drafting of the Constitution. Speakers also included Lord Udny-Lister of the UK-UAE Business Council, Prof. Yoseph M. Edrey, Professor Emeritus, Haifa University, Prof. John Sexton, Benjamin F Butler Professor of Law at New York University, Prof. El Maslouhi, Professor of Public Law at the UAE University and Professor John Coughlin of NYU Abu Dhabi. The conference also heard fascinating contributions from notable local and international luminaries.

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Centred around three main sessions, the conference looked closely at the past, present and future impact of the Constitution.

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The opening session addressed the making of the Constitution from both the UAE and British aspects as well as the history and social structure of the Gulf States. The second session took a more analytical view, appraising the present status affecting society, government and the law, and reviewed the nature, form and content of the Constitution. 

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Finally, the last session provided an overview of the Constitution for the future from an international perspective, addressing the issues to be confronted in the next fifty years.

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With each session punctuated by open forums and a final summary session at the close, the Conference presented analysis and knowledge sharing of considerable interest to a large cross section of society including government, academia, educational establishments and businesses.