Institution Builder
Nayed as Institution Builder
Throughout his professional career, Aref Nayed has prioritized the establishment of institutions of excellence that serve the cultural, intellectual and social needs of people. Through an expansive vision of the vital role that institutions play in society, Nayed brought his vision, a spirit of collegiality, and respect for technocratic know-how, to develop three institutions that play a leading role in Libya, the Muslim world, and the world at large.
Nayed as Institution Builder
Throughout his professional career, Aref Nayed has prioritized the establishment of institutions of excellence that serve the cultural, intellectual and social needs of people. Through an expansive vision of the vital role that institutions play in society, Nayed brought his vision, a spirit of collegiality, and respect for technocratic know-how, to develop three institutions that play a leading role in Libya, the Muslim world, and the world at large.
Kalam Research and Media (KRM) is an international-renowned and dedicated centre for research, education and development in the fields of Islamic Studies and Theology, Science, Spirituality, Philosophy and Critical Thinking, and Inter-faith.
Established in 2009, KRM aims to revive and renew the sophisticated science of Islamic Theology through a network of scholars and specialists working in many of the leading institutions around the world. KRM also seeks to strengthen its relations with intellectual and social groups through media and publishing.
KRM has a noble mission, which is to increase the rapprochement between religions, cultures and civilizations, and this is done through its network of offices in a number of capitals of the Muslim world. Its office in Tripoli, for example, has a library containing over 20,000 books in Philosophy, Science, and Islamic Studies, in Arabic and English.
The strategic plans by KRM in Libya include the establishment of a large center for religious, academic, social and cultural research, with the aim of preserving Libya’s religious heritage and helping develop a vibrant, pluralistic, and compassionate civil society.
Libya Institute for Advanced Studies (LIAS)
LIAS is a leading private institution dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in Libya. It was founded in 2012, and is the first private research, advisory and educational institution to be established after 2011.
LIAS is committed to excellence in research with a view to solving critical social and economic challenges, maintaining heritage education, and impact learning that allows graduates to contribute to their communities and country.
LIAS has eight specialized departments and a business incubator, offering advisory services and courses ranging from vocational education to degree programs to professional and personal development.
Over the last few years, LIAS has come to play an important role in allowing safe space for youth, women, tribal leaders, media, diplomats and activists to discuss issues that are important to national reconciliation and expression of democratic values.
LIAS, with offices in several key Libyan cities and a network of contacts across Libyan society, will continue to play a key role in Libyan capacity-building efforts.
Libya’s Channel is a Libyan national news channel (launched on 24th December 2014) that supports civil society and state institutions, and calls for dialogue, patriotism, and national reconciliation between the people of the country.
It was the absence of objective expression of mainstream society in the Libya media landscape that led to the founding of the channel. Libya’s Channel does not seek to divide Libyans and force them to choose between two sides. There is an increasing number of channels directed at the Libyan citizen, but only Libya’s Channel offers rigorous and objective reporting.
Libya’s Channel seeks to its audience understand events through an editorial line that hostile, and maintains full respect for the law and the legitimate institutions of the state.
The channel employs a superb team of professional Libyan and Arab broadcasters and producers, in addition to offices and correspondents across, enabling the channel to keep up with local and national issues in the country.
Aref’s Record Thus Far
As Ambassador of Libya to the United Arab Emirates
- Reopened the Libyan Consulate and Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and reestablished consular services
- Established overseas voting centers to allow Libyans to exercise their right to vote
- Secured international support for the Libya Stabilization Plan and recognition of the National Transitional Council
- Led the National Transitional Council’s international engagement to unfreeze Libyan assets and obtain vital humanitarian assistance
- Engaged the United Nations to establish and implement a plan to help the National Transitional Council restore water supplies to Libyan communities
- Hosted a high-level delegation from the Libyan Ministry of Culture to learn about best practices in cultural preservation, museums management, and cultural tourism
- Hosted former Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib and a high-level ministerial delegation
- Hosted a high-level delegation from the Libyan Ministry of Interior
- Hosted a high-level delegation from the Libyan Ministry of Oil and Gas and the General National Congress
- Supported Libyan sports by hosting competitive tournaments, encouraging the attendance of the Libyan community at sporting events which featured Libyan teams, and recognizing the achievements of Libyan athletes
- Facilitated expanded commercial ties between the UAE and Libya such as the establishment of a direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Libya on Etihad Airways
- Hosted several cultural events to connect Libyans with their cultural heritage and rebuild Libyan Identity