By Mohammad Baali
Albawaba.com - Cairo
The Arab Thought Institution (ATI) was officially launched in Cairo Sunday, as an initiative by Saudi Prince Khalid al Faisal.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Arab League secretary, Amr Moussa, and a number of Arab intellectuals and men of letters.
In his address to the gathering, Moussa said that the Arab Nation is facing huge challenges, and such an institution comes within the endeavor to stand up to these serious obstacles.
The founding statement was then read out. According to the document, the objectives of the ATI include promoting Arab unity, spreading Arab thought in the world and encouraging the return of immigrant Arab intellectuals and scientists back to their homeland.
The founders agreed that the ATI will be based in Lebanon. They have donated $24 million to establish the think tank; meanwhile, Sheikha Hossa, Kuwaiti royal family member and an activist in the field, donated money to set up an Internet site for the forum.
The ATI will hold its next meeting in Abha, Saudi Arabia, they agreed.
