'Lebanon Stronger with Arab Solidarity' is the new title of Fikr5

This year's topic has been specifically chosen in response to the dramatic events that have occurred in Lebanon. Board members believe the change of topic reflects the Arab Thought Foundation's aim of helping to rebuild Lebanon following the massive destruction caused by the recent conflict. The goal of the foundation is to keep Lebanon on the international agenda as a centre of a rich Arabic culture and to ensure international recognition of Beirut as a unique and exceptional Arab capital.

The Arab Thought Foundation has specifically created a new logo to coincide with this topic, with red and green - the colours of the Lebanese flag - added to the logo. Fikr 5 will focus on key issues for re-building Lebanon, such as the economic, political and cultural infrastructures as well as on issues relating to development and investment promotion in Lebanon.

The original topic of the conference - "Arab Strategies for the Global Era" - will now be presented at next year's conference, Fikr 6, to be held in Manama, Bahrain in 2007.

"Lebanon is an integral part of Arab culture and society and we are duty-bound to help and support our brothers and sisters. We must ensure that Lebanon remains a beacon of Arab thought and acknowledge its role as a regional political and social leader," said Dr Ali Moussa, the Assistant Secretary General of ATF.

"This year's topic reflects the Arab Thought Foundation's commitment to sensitive and delicate issues in the region, in addition to the role provided to various non-government and civil institutions to rebuild this great cultural beacon," he added. "Beirut will return to serve as a bridge to link all political, economical and cultural accepts to the Arab society, the way it used to be."

Leading Arab thinkers, eminent politicians and influential businesspeople will attend the conference. Their goal is to help facilitate the revival of Lebanon. It is the intention of the organizers that this conference will deliver the necessary resources to allow Lebanon to maintain its cultural role in the region.