Belabbes Benkredda is an Algerian-German social innovator, writer, television commentator, and government consultant who specializes in public diplomacy.[1][2] He is the founder of The Munathara Initiative, an Arab online and television debate forum that promotes the voices of youth, women and marginalized communities in the Arab public.[2] He was a recipient of the 2013 Democracy Award of the National Democratic Institute, and is a Fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar.[3] In 2016 he was named a World Fellow by Yale University.[4]
In January 2011, Benkredda founded the Dubai Debates, intending for it to be an independent platform for discussing important issues facing the Arab world.[6][9][10] The project was supported by groups such as KAS (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung),[11]Vital Voices, and CNN International.[12] In the spring of 2012, he suspended the project and created a sister organization in Tunis, Tunisia.[6]
The Dubai Debates ceased its operations and Benkredda founded The Munathara Initiative in 2012. This successor program is set up in a similar way and takes a three-pronged approach to debates: community outreach, online and social media participation, and a live debate event.[13] Live television debates have been held in Tunis, Sanaa, Amman and Istanbul.
Awards and recognition
[edit]Belabbes Benkredda and Secretary Madeleine Albright during the 2013 NDI Democracy Awards in Washington, DC
Recipient of the 2013 Democracy Award of the National Democratic Institute[14][15][16][17]
He is also an alumnus of the Sessions of the Salzburg Global Seminar, referred to as a Salzburg Global Fellow.[2]
He also received the Nazih Ayubi Memorial Award in 2004.[15]
