The Western worldview is challenged in the MENA course

Twenty policy officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently explored the multifaceted reality of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), together with leading academics and experts from the Netherlands and Belgium. This is highly relevant, given that conflicts in the region are unfolding in a rapid succession and their impact is being felt worldwide.

_{Text: Helma Erkelens / Photos: Henk Veenstra}

The four-day regional training course immerses participants in the historical, geopolitical, cultural, and religious complexity of a region where Western interests have carried significant weight for decades. ‘One of the main goals is to give participants a fuller picture of the forces at play and the dilemmas,’ says Pieter Nanninga, associate professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Groningen. He organized the course together with his colleague Joram Tarusarira, associate professor of Religion, Culture & Society. ‘We want to show just how diverse this region really is, and how important it is to question your own Eurocentric perspective.

Multiple realities

From a Western perspective, MENA countries are often lumped together. But the region – stretching from Morocco to Iran – is a patchwork of interests, religions, and traditions. This comes up in all the thematic sessions: from international law, security/stability, and economics to geopolitics, migration, and climate, and, of course, in Nanninga’s own session on religious diversity.

‘In this vast region, people practise their religion in very different ways. There are many minority groups, such as Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and Yazidis. Within Islam too, there is a broad spectrum of religious denominations.’ This diversity is often overlooked. ‘When we hear the term ‘sharia’, we think of corporal punishment, whereas Islamic law is not laid down unequivocally in a single book. There are many interpretations,’ he explains. ‘Yet when we want to understand a situation in which Islam plays a role, we consult the Quran. We tend to focus primarily on the teachings, the doctrine, whereas it is also about identity, customs, and rituals. You cannot look at religion in isolation from the broader context.’

Cross-border issues

These insights are crucial for policy officers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Robert Feller, who works on the Syria dossier, has become even more aware of the complexities since taking the course. ‘Crises do respect national borders. Jihadist organizations operate across borders, and there are differences within these groups. In a conflict, you are constantly assessing: what does this mean for the region? For the Netherlands? It’s a puzzle in which every piece has to fall into place.

Feller particularly appreciated the sessions that placed developments in historical perspective. ‘You have to understand history if you want to understand the present,’ says the former Master’s student in Middle Eastern Studies.

Migration and climate

Since 2023, the Faculty of Arts together with the Faculty of Religion, Culture & Society have jointly developed the course each year, commissioned by the University of Groningen Business School. This is done in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which contributed themes such as migration and climate.

‘Migration is a major issue in Dutch politics. While the course was in progress, the cabinet collapsed due to pressure caused by it. In the course, we learned that hosting refugees in the region itself leads to instability,‘ says Nanninga. Climate change increases migration pressure. ’Water shortages are becoming an increasingly serious problem. The Netherlands can really make a difference here.’

Connecting the dots, making connections

The strength of the programme lies in its combination of academic rigour and a practical approach. Nanninga and Tarusarira select their speakers not only for their subject-matter expertise, but also for their ability to connect with the participants’ professional context. The organizers themselves attend all sessions. They provide introductions, connect the themes, and ensure that a common thread takes shape.

Reflection and depth

Their approach is appreciated. ‘It is incredibly valuable to spend four days discussing a region in such depth, from a wide range of angles and thematic perspectives,’ says Feller. ‘The great thing is that you also learn about countries and topics you're less familiar with. Insights and lessons from other areas can also be very valuable for your own area of work.’

In addition, there is time to reflect on important developments, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Nanninga: ‘We cover history, current developments, and international law. What are the interests of the different actors? How should we interpret it from a legal perspective? You need knowledge and insight if you are to take a seat at the negotiating table.’

Connecting academia and diplomatic practice

What does Nanninga hope participants will take away from the course? That they remain continually aware of their own perspective. You can never completely set aside your Western worldview, but you can learn to recognize it.

Feller sees this as perhaps the course’s greatest value. But he even sees more. The connection between academia and the policy world is incredibly valuable. We can learn a lot from each other. Academia helps us to delve deeper, and we contribute by offering a practical application.’

Nanninga calls this exchange a source of inspiration for researchers. ‘Academics don't live in ivory towers. Our knowledge should also benefit society. And for us researchers, it is incredibly valuable to hear the questions that policymakers are dealing with. Can we help provide answers?’

Feller adds a personal note: ‘To be honest, I really liked the fact that this course was organized by my own university. Many people think of Groningen as a remote place. I believe they've made a powerful statement here.'

More information

• Pieter Nanninga

<sub>The MENA course prepares diplomats for postings in MENA countries and is also intended for their colleagues based in The Hague who are involved in the region. Most of them are still at the early stages of their careers. ‘You need knowledge and insight when you’re at the negotiating table.’

This year marked the third time in a row that the University of Groningen Business School organized the course on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ). Rather than in the atmospheric northern university city, the course took place at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) in The Hague, which is affiliated with the University of Groningen – a practical choice for the participants.</sub>