The ISTR conference theme this year addressed the multiple global crises affecting third sector/civil society work.  In that context, participants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) met for the first time to form an affinity group. 

Eleven scholars from seven countries attended the one-hour planning meeting at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. Participants agreed that they want to establish new lines of communication going forward. These will include a Whatsapp group, expanded to include participants from the region at other recent ISTR events. They agreed to a  quarterly zoom call with rotating hosts, where ongoing research and other news can be exchanged.

Looking forward to late 2025, the group hopes to work with ISTR to convene a regional meeting or workshop around themes that emerged as a common interest among many attendees. This could encompass the need to shift humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in conflict settings to include more focus on recreating communities and addressing collective PTSD.  Three research universities or institutes were identified as potential hosts for the regional meeting.  Other members of ISTR are cordially invited to join the MENA affinity group by contacting the Secretariat.   

Dr. Barbara Ibrahim  is founding director of the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, now retired, at the American University in Cairo.