The Third Conference on Democracy & Free Trade
14-15 April 2003

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, the Gulf Center for Studies at the University of Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will be organizing the Third Qatar Conference on Democracy and Free Trade.

Senior government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats, academics, experts and members of International Non-Governmental Organizations from 30 countries will attend this international event. The conference is intended to promote dialogue, and to serve as a platform for debating the ideals and values of democracy, plurality and the diversity of socio-economic and political cultures from all over the world. Its main objective is to study the ways and means needed to encourage democratic reform, and to asses the impact of modernization on developing societies, as well as the problems and obstacles which such an endeavour may face.

The Conference on  Democracy and Free Trade, now in its third year, has made its home in Qatar since its launch. The State of Qatar itself is keen to promote the democratization of social, economic and political processes, both at home and with the international rule of law. As such the conference on Democracy and Free Trade plays an important role in recognizing and developing the reforms necessary to achieve a long term strategy for a more stable and prosperous future for the region.