On April 6, 2014, economist, international civil servant, and prolific author, Dr. Taher Kanaan was unanimously elected as the Executive Board’s new chair for the next three-year term of office. Kanaan formerly served as Jordan’s deputy prime minister for development and minister of planning, and will succeed Dr. Mahmoud Abdel Fadil, who served on the board for three years, two of which as the board’s chair. Two new members were also elected to serve on the board: former minister of education in Morocco, Dr. Abdullah Saaf, and president of Birzeit University, Dr. Khalil al-Hindi.
General Director Dr. Azmi Bishara and attending board members all commended Abdel Fadil, who was unable to attend to due ill health, for his dedicated service and steady hand in steering the Center through its early foundational stages. Similarly, they praised outgoing member Dr. Farida Benani for her manifold contribution to the board throughout her service.
