The project is intended to bring to light how ordinary people and key stakeholders can, do, and should cooperate to address “human security” challenges in four areas of critical importance to the future of the region: 1) migration, 2) higher education, 3) environment, and 4) public health.

During the third stage of the project — the period spanning January to June 2011 — MEI will produce three collections of short essays exploring issues related to Environmental Challenges in the Middle East: Pathways to Sustainability. Scholars may participate in this endeavor in two respects:

1) by writing a short essay (1,000-1,500 words) on a topic of your choice related to tools, practices, or approaches that have been taken or could/should be taken to address a specific environmental challenge (e.g., desertification) facing the region as a whole or any part thereof; and
2) by identifying other experts in the field, especially those from the region, who might be willing to join us in this endeavor.

The Environmental Challenges in the Middle East: Pathways to Sustainability series will be organized into three volumes (each consisting of 15-20 essays), which will be published in two-month intervals, as follows:

· Volume 1: Tools and Technologies [February 2011]
Focuses on innovative ways to minimize, monitor, or mitigate the effects of environmental degradation
· Volume 2: Agents of Change [April 2011]
Encompasses the roles and contributions of civil society (e.g., NGOs, women, and youth), as well the private sector, etc.
· Volume 3: Regional and International Cooperation [June 2011]
Deals with various forms of international cooperation

Deadlines for Submitting Essays:
· For Volume 1: January 15, 2011
· For Volume 2: March 1, 2011
· For Volume 3: May 1, 2011

Essay Format and Specifications:
· Essays should be roughly 1,000-1,500 words, in single-spaced format and 12-point font.
· Essays should be free of jargon, light on theory, and accessible to specialist and non-specialist readers alike.
· Minimal citations are required, but all citations should be in footnote, not parenthetical format.
· Statistical tables, charts, and/or other visual images are most welcome.
· Authors should submit a jpeg or bmp photo plus a two-line bio with their essays.
· MEI is prepared to offer a $100 honorarium for each essay.

The compilation will be widely disseminated to a broad, diverse, predominantly English-language audience — especially but not exclusively college instructors and students, as well as members of the media. MEI Viewpoints are distributed to the public in three electronic formats free of charge: 1) MEI website posting at www.mei.edu, 2) e-mailed pdf documents, and CDs made available at MEI-sponsored conferences and events.

For examples of already published essay collections from the MEI Crossing Borders 2010-2011 project, please see:

· Migration and the Gulf http://www.mei.edu/Portals/0/Publications/Migration%20Gulf_Viewpoints.pdf
· Migration and Mashreq http://www.mei.edu/Portals/0/Publications/Migration%20Mashreq.pdf
· Migration and the Maghreb http://www.mei.edu/Portals/0/Publications/Migration%20Maghreb.pdf

For information about the Middle East Institute, including its flagship publication The Middle East Journal and MEI Viewpoints series, please visit the MEI home page at http://www.mei.edu

For further information contact:
Dr. John Calabrese
American University / Middle East Institute
jcalabrese@mei.edu