Qatar, Cairo varsity pupils in lively debate via video

The Doha Debates yesterday did what the free-speech advocate does best: provided a platform for free speech to students in Qatar and their peers in an altogether different Cairo.

What followed next at a hall in Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and another one in American University of Cairo (AUC), linked through video-con, was a refreshing discussion, often passionate, about a range of issues the Egyptians and the larger world are currently gnawing on since a revolution saw the fall of Hosni Mubarak’s regime.

Central to the discussion was the military’s role in the most-populated Arab country in the Middle East, its interests in politics and economy, as well as the role of media in the revolution, Egypt’s future relationship with the US, and elections.

“The Tahrir Square movement was about toppling the regime, the whole regime and not just the tip of the iceberg. This explains why the dissent is still there, because part of the regime is still there… coming weeks and months for Egypt and other countries who are looking over developments will be crucial,” said the moderator on the AUC side, Dr Nagla Rizk, associate dean of Graduate Studies and Research at AUC.

Awed by the collective achievements of the Egyptians, 80 students in Qatar, along with educationists, sought answers from their counterparts in Cairo. The Doha part was moderated by Doha Debates series producer Tanya Sakzewski.

To a question on economy, the students at AUC said the political arena has to be stabilised first, including a better of system of governance, before economy will become the top priority.

“People are willing to wait to see the real change. The general population is not thinking a year or two, as long as they see substantial changes across the board,” AUC students said.

The subject of education was then picked up and students at AUC were asked whether they foresee any changes to the education system.

Diverse answers ensued from “this is the same education system that produced people that called for revolution”, to “university heads are still those people appointed by the regime”, to “academic freedom will be an important factor in years to come.”

On the question of Egyptian military giving a “vague timeline” for transition, the AUC batch said the six months promised are not long enough for grassroots political changes to start to take place.

“The law of parties should be issued first in order for political parties to become part of the process and this will take more than six months,” one AUC student said.

And even though all agreed that Egyptian military’s interests in industries and economy is too widespread, the AUC panel of students said “it’s not a problem to allow them to keep the money.”

“The most efficient industries in Egypt are held by the army. What matters is what’s coming next,” AUC student Ibrahim said.

“It’s not a problem to allow them to keep the same money. We are actually very positive about military. I hope they can act like Turkish military in upholding the constitution,” another student chimed in.

Although one participant did point out that people’s opinion on that role is split, especially after a couple of incidents in the past week, have made people question the army’ neutrality.

On media, students exchanged their views on the effectiveness of alternative media (Twitter, Facebook, blogs etc.), and their role in the revolution, as well as that of the state-controlled media.

The social media has been so effective in the revolution, the Egyptian army now releases its statements on Facebook, Dr Rizk pointed out.

On the US-Egypt relationship, the AUC students maintained that while Egyptian people will not allow any foreign meddling, they called for the careful evaluation of a relationship that has seen Egypt become the second biggest aid recipient of the US.

Speaking to Gulf Times later, Sakzewski said it was the first time Doha Debates had linked up two sides using video-con technology, even though the organisation has held a series of programmes since upheavals began across the Middle East.

“It’s important to provide platforms to people on these vital debates. The Doha Debates is a platform for free speech, and what is going on in the region is quite significant,” she said.

Photocaption: Students in Qatar engage in a discussion with their AUC counterparts at a Doha Debates event last evening